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Oban sits in an interesting spot — a Highland distillery with west-coast salt in its veins, often called a bridge between the gentler Highland malts and the bigger island styles. The 14, its flagship, is gently coastal: sea spray and salt air, a smooth, surprisingly light palate, and a medium finish of lingering smoke and salt. Elegant and pleasant — but is pleasant enough?
Sometimes a whisky takes you by surprise. I thought I had Speyside figured out — sweet and fruit-forward — but Benromach 10 is a throwback to an older, increasingly rare style of the region. Toffee apple and sherried dried fruit meet a lovely oily texture and a whisper of smoke, finishing dry and gently spiced. Classic Speyside with a characterful twist — and a real bargain.
My first encounter with Arran — the island's first distillery in over a century, built from scratch at Lochranza in 1995. The Barrel Reserve is light and fresh: lemon and sour green apple over a gentle malt base, bright and zippy, with a short finish of malt, vanilla and oak. A refreshing, unpretentious introduction — time to see what the fuss is about.
From one of my favourite distilleries to visit comes this 15-year-old — the big brother to the quirky (and previously reviewed) Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold, but a far more straightforward dram. Where Winter's Gold has its gimmick of being served ice-cold from the freezer, the 15 is a regular, run-of-the-mill age statement. But is that a good thing? Let's find out.
GlenDronach has earned a cult-like following since its revival under the legendary Billy Walker. My own encounters have been limited, so this richly sherried 12 — born of a tumultuous, much-changed history — feels overdue. Expect a wave of syrupy sherry sweetness, a silky, buttery palate and a drier finish laced with nutmeg and ginger. A proper sherry bomb, but does it earn the hype?
Greetings, fellow Centurions! This week we explore Tamdhu 12 Year Old. From a quaint but resilient distillery established in 1896, Tamdhu quietly forged its legacy before being embraced by Ian Macleod Distillers in 2011 — rising from a period of closure under new stewardship, with a distinct bottle shape that stands out from the crowded Speyside marketplace.
Balvenie is many people's gateway to single malt. Having already covered the trusty DoubleWood 12, I'm turning to a more unusual variation from the distillery's experimental 'Stories' collection — finished in toasted American oak. Expect vanilla fudge, candied citrus and a wave of toffee sweetness. It's a lovely concept, but does the experiment justify the extra outlay over the everyday DoubleWood?
Glen Elgin sits just outside the Speyside town where I grew up, so this one's personal. It's a quiet workhorse of the blends, rarely bottled as a single malt — which makes the 12 something of a hidden gem. Marzipan and toffee apples on the nose, a peppery, orange-zest palate, and a long, spicy finish. At under £40, is this nostalgic dram worth seeking out?
Glen Grant 12 sits squarely in the fiercely competitive £30–£50 realm of 12 year old Scotch — a category drowning in options. It's a pleasant, light Speysider: apples, pears and a touch of citrus, easy and approachable, if let down by an unremarkable finish. A cautious, safe dram from a big name — so does it do enough to stand out from the crowd?
Last week I opened, tasted and posted my review of a bottle of Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold. Having previously shared my initial thoughts on the whisky, I was intrigued by the suggestion to try it straight from the freezer. Skeptical yet curious, I decided to give it a shot, challenging my preconceived notions about the "recommended" way to enjoy this renowned spirit.
One of my favourite distillery adventures was a four-mile walk through driving rain to Dalwhinnie, Scotland's highest distillery. Winter's Gold is built for exactly that kind of weather — honeyed sweetness and golden syrup, soft vanilla and a gentle spice, designed to be served ice-cold from the freezer. A cosy winter warmer, then — but does it deliver enough at room temperature?
In the realm of single malt Scotch whiskies, Glenkinchie 12 stands as a beacon of sophistication, capturing the essence of the Lowland style. This, Diageo-owned, distillery is based just outside Edinburgh and the whisky itself is distilled in some of Scotland’s largest stills giving it a lovely, light character. Diageo market this as an apperatif or pre-dinner dram but frankly I’d happily drink it any time!
For our next stop on this adventure through the world of whisky, we set our sights on Tomatin 12. A Highland single malt from a distillery that has spent much of its history providing whisky for blends. Only relatively recently (since around 2000) has the distillery switched some of its focus to growing its single malts such as this one.
Welcome, Whisky Centurions, to Benriach's The Original Ten — a Speyside single malt where tradition meets a touch of innovation. It's an easy, approachable dram: subtle orchard fruit and vanilla on the nose, honeyed ripe-apple sweetness with gentle oak and malt, and a moderate, lightly spiced finish. At under £40 it's a steady, reliable choice away from the high-street names — if not the most complex.
Today we're diving into Auchentoshan and their Three Wood expression — a remarkable whisky that takes us on a sensory journey through three distinct cask influences (hence the name). Buckle up as we explore the nuances and craftsmanship behind this triple-matured Lowlander. At around £45–50 it's no bargain, but nor is it a luxury bottling — sitting somewhere in the middle.
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