Top 5 • 25 May 2024
The ‘Third Ten’ of the Whisky Centurion Journey
Welcome, whisky wanderers, to the next chapter in my epic journey toward Whisky Centurion status. Following the first and second tens, here's the third set — drams 21 to 30.
This stretch took in everything from meaty Speysiders and the famously waxy Clynelish to experimental cask finishes and a classic dose of island smoke. There were a couple of genuine surprises, one or two letdowns, and — saving the best for last — the highest-rated dram I've tasted yet. Here's how it went.
Craigellachie 13 Year Old
The third leg opened with a real banger. Craigellachie 13 is a weighty, characterful Speysider — tropical pineapple meets a savoury, meaty edge, burnt honey and a thread of smoke. Big, oily and full of substance.
Clynelish 14 Year Old
Next, the famously waxy Clynelish 14. Aged citrus and caramel give way to that distinctive oily texture, a briny edge and a short, peppery kick. Iconic and distinctive — even if it felt a touch dear at around £50.
Balvenie 12 — Sweet Toast of American Oak
From Balvenie's experimental 'Stories' collection, the Sweet Toast of American Oak is finished in toasted virgin oak. Expect vanilla fudge, candied citrus and a wave of toffee sweetness — a pricier but very easy-going dram at 43%.
Auchentoshan American Oak
A nostalgic one for me. Auchentoshan American Oak is gentle and easy-going — soft vanilla and toffee over creamy cereal. At around £25 it's an affordable, reliable everyday pour or cocktail base, if not the most exciting dram.
Fettercairn 12 Year Old
A surprise favourite of the set. The Fettercairn 12 charmed me with unexpected tropical fruit and a substantial, characterful profile. Its aggregated ratings sit a little below average, but it was right up my street.
Glenlivet 12 Year Old
The world's default Speyside. Glenlivet 12 is widely available and reasonably priced, with delicate orchard fruits, vanilla and honey. Perfectly pleasant, but it left me a little cold — accessible to the point of feeling clinical.
Tomintoul 14 Year Old
'The gentle dram' lived up to its name. Tomintoul 14 brought crisp orchard fruits, apple blossom and Turkish delight, with creamy vanilla and a late ginger spice. Lovely stuff, though with a slight question mark over value above £55.
Tamdhu 12 Year Old
Tamdhu 12 was a sherried delight and superb value at around £43. Butterscotch and toffee run right through it — rich, smooth and moreish. One of the easy highlights of the third ten.
GlenDronach 12 Year Old
A proper sherry bomb. GlenDronach 12 delivers syrupy sherry sweetness, a silky, buttery palate and a drier, spiced finish of nutmeg and ginger. A cult following, and strong value despite the premium.
Talisker 10 Year Old
The highest-rated whisky of the entire set so far. Talisker 10 balances floral sweetness with that signature coastal smoke and peppery warmth beautifully. Around £42, and worth every penny — a benchmark island dram.
And that's thirty down, seventy to go — comfortably past a third of the way to centurion status. The third ten threw up some real highlights (Tamdhu, GlenDronach and a benchmark Talisker among them) and a few that didn't quite land, which is exactly what makes this journey so much fun. If you're catching up, you can revisit the first and second tens, or read about where it all began. The journey continues — slàinte!
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The ‘Fourth Ten’ of the Whisky Centurion Journey
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