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Highland Park's reputation precedes it — Orkney's finest, distilling since 1798, the 12 often held up as a benchmark for balanced, lightly-peated, sherried Scotch. In the glass: gentle heather smoke, honey and dried fruit, smooth and easy-drinking, with a medium finish of oak and lingering smoke. Reputations are made to be tested, though — does it earn its billing?
After the Barrel Reserve made an impression, I was keen to dig deeper into Arran. The 10 year old sits at the heart of the range and brings sherry casks into the mix — supposedly their signature style. It's fresh and herbal: green apple, pear and lemon zest over sweet malt, with cinnamon and hazelnut on a clean medium finish. A real step up — and quintessential Arran?
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.
A few months ago I reviewed Talisker Skye, one of three entry-level whiskies from this renowned distillery. Today we're diving into the 10 year old — another foundational offering, and despite the trio, the one that's remained Talisker's flagship for decades. Tasting it might just explain why they price the Skye, Storm and 10 Year Old at the same level.
Talisker stands as a legendary figure in the realm of Scottish whisky, its heritage intertwined with the rugged landscapes of the Isle of Skye. Renowned for its distinctive peaty and maritime flavours, Talisker has long captured the hearts of whisky enthusiasts worldwide. The Talisker Skye, is a non-aged statement expression made from a selection of young and old whiskies (3-25 years).
All of Scotland's distilleries (around 140 and growing) are organised into traditional whisky-producing regions. The five classic regions are Highlands, Speyside, Islay, Lowlands, and Campbeltown, though many people split the Highlands into two — Highlands and Islands — which is the classification I use here.
A Christmas present to myself: the Tobermory 12, an enchanting island single malt from the Isle of Mull. It's full of intricate, distinctive character — orchard fruit on the nose, then citrus brightened with caramel and vanilla over a slightly oily body, into a medium, gently spiced finish. The distillery's history has been anything but smooth, yet the whisky it makes today is excellent.
As a self-confessed non-peat enthusiast, I came to the Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Cask as much for its striking presentation as its promise. It's an intriguing clash: assertive Tobermory peat smoke meets the red-fruited sweetness of a Rioja finish, the smoke gradually stepping back to let the wine lead, into a long, satisfying finish. Unexpected, characterful — and one of the best-value drams I've found.
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