The ‘Third Ten’ of the Whisky Centurion Journey
Welcome, whisky wanderers, to the next chapter in my epic journey toward whisky centurion status. As we’ve covered in previous posts, at the end of 2023 I set out on the quest to become a Whisky Centurion, a journey to sample and savour one hundred distinct whiskies (read more about that here). Now, as we are Spring in the UK, we have rounded out the third row on the whisky 100 chart - completing 30 whiskies tasted and reviewed on this site. As we approach a third of the way through this journey, I’m going to look back at the last ten; there was certainly some variety in here.
The third set of ten whiskies I tasted included some majestic drams as well as a couple that probably wouldn’t rank very high on many enthusiasts’ wish lists. A few weeks ago I discussed the merits of looking at value for money in whisky (read about that here), so I will reference this on some of these bottles:
21. Craigellachie 13 Year Old
I started with this absolute banger from Craigellachie, a a whisky often praised for its robust character. It features a unique combination of fruity, meaty, and smoky notes, complemented by a hint of sulfur, which adds complexity. It stands out for its boldness and depth and truly embodies the distillery’s slogan - “uncompromising, stubborn, and slightly eccentric”! This was a great way to start this row on the chart.
22. Clynelish 14 Year Old
This whisky is a bit of an icon among many whisky enthusiasts but one that I struggled with a little. I didn’t love the waxy/oily mouth feel but I can see why the whisky is so loved - it is incredibly distinctive but just not something I would return to at the price point.
23. Balvenie 12 Year Old Sweet Toast of American Oak
I only reviewed the regular DoubleWood from Balvenie in the last ten whiskies but this experimental whisky was fabulous. It’s a little more expensive than the DoubleWood but certainly offers something different with its sweetness. At a slightly higher 43% ABV this is also likely to please many.
24. Auchentoshan American Oak
I don’t want to label this as a bargain-bin whisky but it is frequently available for just £22. While not being complex or highly distinctive, it is a reliable and affordable choice for many (especially as a base for cocktails or a simple dram). Not a whisky that anyone is going to rush out to get but maybe an staple, easy-drinker for your shelf.
25. Fettercairn 12 Year Old
This was probably the whisky that surprised me the most and I absolutely loved it. Pulling the bottle out of the box feels like you have got an absolute steal even at nearly £50. The dram is great too, with pineapple and tropical fruits coming through, making this a little different from many of its contemporaries. I would highly recommend this if you can stomach the price.
26. Glenlivet 12 Year Old
Maybe the most widely available whisky in this group of ten, this was slightly disappointing for me. It felt a little clinical, and while the £34 price is pretty good these days (especially for a 12 year old whisky), I suspect it will leave many enthusiasts slightly underwhelmed.
27. Tomintoul 14 Year Old
For a 14 year old whisky this expression has a really delicate flavour (it is the “gentle dram” after all). With orchard fruits and subtle sweetness, I really enjoyed this whisky, but at more than £55, many feel that it is not good value for money, and while it is interesting, I probably have to agree.
28. Tamdhu 12 Year Old
This whisky pulls in the opposite direction - widely acknowledged as being great value for money at £43. It isn’t the cheapest, but it offers sensational flavour for that price. Full of butterscotch and toffee and sweetness, it is a worthy addition to any whisky enthusiast’s shelf.
29. Glendronach 12 Year Old
The penultimate stop for this run was another widely coveted whisky from Glendronach. The sherry casks it is aged in impart an exceptional flavour of sweetness and spice, which is delightful. Slightly more expensive but rated more highly, this is also excellent value for money and I felt lucky to be drinking it.
30. Talisker 10 Year Old
The people’s choice for peaty whisky globally (probably!). This whisky has a lovely balance to it, with both floral and smoke notes intertwining in what is a relatively affordable £42. This whisky has the highest average rating of these ten whiskies (and in fact, of all of the whiskies I’ve reviewed so far). That should indicate to you that this is definitely a whisky to try even if you think you aren’t into peat - give it a go!
These whiskies offered a bit of a roller coaster. We had some low lights in the Auchentoshan and Glenlivet but ended with three outstanding whiskies and even my pet favourite, the Fettercairn, in the middle. Within the thirty whiskies I’ve reviewed so far, there has been so much diversity and variety that I can already feel the benefit of this journey, and we’re not even a third of the way there yet! If you’re on your own whisky journey, let me know below and what you think about these drams. Until next time, slàinte mhath!
Full resolution version of the empty chart
Feel free to use this to track your own journey