Laphroaig 10 Year (SMWS 29.281 "Driftwood Barbecue")

 

I took a bit of a gamble on this single cask bottling of Laphroaig from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), since the last bottle of Laphroaig I tasted from them was absolutely awash with a pungent "Lemon pledge cleaning solution" aftertaste that I couldn't shake and found unfortunately unpalatable, despite many other interesting notes. 

Bottles of Laphroaig come through the SMWS so rarely, there is always a temptation to assume that they are reject casks in some fashion, or at least significantly off-profile for Laphroaig. But they are also sought after extremely highly by the large quantity of Islay maniacs who belong to SMWS, and all ~165 bottles of this single cask were sold out in about ten minutes (!). 

Glencadam 9 Year (SMWS 82.33 "Frolicking Flavors")

In all my years of drinking Scotch whisky, I've never had Glencadam until now; and instead of one of their official distillery bottlings, this is an independent single cask bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"). 

Glencadam is owned by Angus Dundee (who also owns Tomintoul!), and has a wide range of official bottlings, from 10- to 25-years old. Here are the official tasting notes:

Glenallachie 9 Year (SMWS 107.23 "Aromatic and Substantial")

 

I am super intrigued by this single cask bottling of Glenallachie from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"). Released with the nickname "Aromatic and Substantial" in the September outturn, it's the second Glenallachie bottle I've had from SMWS. The first was a young, brash, characterful 8 year that had a really great umami/meaty overtone and was totally matured in a sherry butt. 

Glen Spey 8 Year (SMWS 80.20 "Easy, Peasy,...")

 

A new distillery to me, Glen Spey is located, predictably, on the banks of the River Spey, in the town of Rothes in the Moray area. If those sound familiar to you, you may recall distilleries named Glenrothes and Glen Moray - clearly we're in the heart of Speyside territory. Neighbor distilleries include Macallan, Craigellachie, and Glen Grant. Dating to 1878, Glen Spey was originally called "The Mill of Rothes," and was actually an oatmeal mill before it was a distillery (!). 

Currently owned by Diageo, basically the entirety of their output is funneled into blends, specifically J&B. Wikipedia's entry for the distillery notes that they use purifiers, which return some of the alcohol back into the pot for distillation, and results in a lighter textured spirit. This is an independent bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), nicknamed "Easy, Peasy,..." - the end of that phrase is Lemon Squeezy, which is definitely encouraging. 

Linkwood 8 Year (SWMS 39.208 "Summer Gardens and Funfairs")

 

I have a strange fondness for Linkwood, even though I've only ever had one bottle of their whisky, and that was an independent bottling from Signatory. Still, that one bottle made a big impression on me - it was a light, delicate, textured dram with lots of flavor even at 46%. So imagine my delight when the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS") had a big sale this week in honor of the Highland Games, and one of their bottles was from Linkwood!

Ardbeg 10 Year: A Celebration

 

This brief post isn't really a review. It's just a general celebration of a great bottle of whisky - Ardbeg's vaunted 10 Year expression. 

Glenfarclas 7 Year (SWMS 1.241 "Marvellous Marmalade")

 

There are very few distilleries I respect as much as Grant-family-owned Glenfarclas. I love their 12 year, 17 year, and 21 year expressions so much - very very good memories of draining those bottles. This is my first independent expression of their distillery! From the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), this 7 year bottling was aged 5 years in bourbon barrels was finished for another additional 2 years in a first-fill PX hogshead. Nicknamed "Marvellous Marmalade."

GlenDronach 10 Year (SWMS 96.32 "Sunshiny Shimmer of Satisfaction")

 

My first independent bottling of GlenDronach, from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS")! I love their official bottlings, at least the earlier non-chill-filtered ones, even though I haven't always been great about reviewing them here. I feel like the GlenDronach story is pretty well known by now, but just in case, here is a link to the whole thing. 

Dalmore 13 Year (SWMS 13.85 "Smiling From Within")

 

The second independent bottling of Dalmore I've had from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS")! The first was a young 7 year bottle that was full of personality and really interesting. I have high hopes for this one, nicknamed "Smiling From Within." The official notes are as follows:

A joyous combination of custard cream biscuits, creamed coconut and honey married with the evocative aromas of a dunnage warehouse nestled among lavender fields. The palate was pure fruity bliss, a social mingle of mango, apricot and peach before plums and blackcurrants invited pineapple and watermelon into polished oak casks and wood char. A fine fragrance returned with water that mixed ladies’ perfume with fresh coconut and elderflower. Apricot jam joined dark chocolate and black forest gateau with earthy notes of pine forests before light cream poured over tinned peaches in syrup and vanilla ice cream arrived with tropical fruit and ginger.

Ardmore 7 Year (SMWS 66.189 "A Doric Takeaway")

 

Of all the unknown or little-known distilleries out there, Ardmore is my favorite. I have had some really incredible bottles from Ardmore, both official (the old Ardmore Traditional Cask) and single cask independent bottlings from various places. This bottle is a lightly peated expression from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), called A Doric Takeaway (your guess is as good as mine - more at the end of the review) and aged for 7 years in first fill bourbon barrels, bottled a very robust 61.4%. Part of the 2021 Highland Festival. 

Croftongea 9 Year (SMWS 122.37 "Doctor Blowtorch")

 

First of all: what a name! Of all the wacky/descriptive/imaginative names to come out of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), Doctor Blowtorch is easily my favorite. This single cask bottling is from one of the Loch Lomond distillery imprints, this one being Croftongea; this is apparently one of the peated varieties used in their blending, along with two other imprints Craiglodge and Glen Douglas. 

Highland Park 9 Year (SMWS 4.274 "Rock Solid Dramming Pleasure")

 

This bottle is a peated single cask expression from Highland Park, it is bottled at a very very strong 63.0% ABV, and has a rather unusual casking story. Nicknamed "Rock Solid Dramming Pleasure." I'll let the official SMWS tasting notes explain:

Inchmurrin 12 Year (SMWS 112.75 "Queen of Tarts")

 

I think it's fair to say, at this point, that the recent independent bottlings from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society present the best possible face of the Loch Lomond distillery and all their various imprints. Virtually every bottle I've had has been a riot of flavor, full of intriguing aspects, rich, tasty, and occasionally even sublime. 

Glen Garioch 12 Year

I recently had a sampling of Glen Garioch 12 Year from a Suntory rep here in Washington DC. Bottled at a nice, round, robust 48%, and aged for 12 years in a mix of sherry and bourbon barrels. This is a distillery that has escaped me until now - it was founded in 1797 (!), making it one of the oldest - so I was quite curious to try something new. Let's see how it did! 

Glengarry 12 Year

 

Yet *another* imprint from Loch Lomond! This one is particularly interesting to me - and thank you so much to Meghan Burns for this lovely housewarming gift - as it's aged 12 years in bourbon, refill bourbon, and re-charred casks, and bottled at a very respectable 46% (thank you Loch Lomond!). No word on chill filtration or coloring, though - I assume both are present.  

Glenturret 10 Year (SMWS 16.51 "A Bit of a Beast")

 

I absolutely adored my last heavily peated Glenturret - another single cask bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS") that was called "Confessions of a Barbecue" and absolutely reeked from bottom to top of scorched wood - pencil shavings, roasted splinters, ash, cinder, you name it. It was phenomenal. One of the single smokiest whiskies I've ever had, maybe the most. So when this bottle became available, I jumped all over it. 

Craigellachie 14 Year (SMWS 44.140 "The Fruits of One's Labor")

 

I have a particular fondness for Craigellachie - home of the most distinct apple-and-light-sulfur flavor in the business. It's always delicious, and the previous single cask offerings (as well as the very solid official bottling) I've had have all been excellent. 

Glen Deveron 11 Year (SMWS 6.44 "Summer Garden Adventures")

 

Glen Deveron (aka Macduff - the name seems to vacillate back and forth) is a distillery I have never encountered before. Currently owned by Bacardi, it was used for years in the William Lawsons Blend, and apparently 90% of their production is used in blends like Dewar's. 

This is a single cask release from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), part of their Juicy, Oak & Vanilla flavor profile. It's cask 6.44, nicknamed "Summer Garden Adventures" - aged 11 years in second fill bourbon barrels, and bottled at a healthy 56.8%. I have no reference points for Glen Deveron, but here are the official tasting notes:

The nose led us through summer gardens and orchards – apple, peach and pear, tinned fruit salad, Turkish delight, honey and vanilla – merest hints of ginger and wasabi. The palate delivered more definite spice (but still gentle and refined) – ginger, clove, cinnamon and chilli; otherwise tinned mandarins, cherries and peaches (in syrup), runny honey and custard trifle. The reduced nose picked up cola cubes, pineapple chunks, rhubarb and some herbs (mint, bramble bushes, bouquet garni). The palate still had a lively mixture of watermelon, gooseberry, and white currant with caramel and vanilla fudge sweetness and a finish of dry oak and warm spice.

It sounds like a good time - fruit, honey, a little spice. Let's dig in: 

Nose: Green apple and honey, off the top. Ginger, too. I don't know about wasabi, but something spicy is present. Simple, but pleasant. The green apple reads almost as a sour scent. Some spiced pear. 

With water, there is a decided "cola" aspect here, and some tropical fruit - coconut and pineapple and lychee, along with the previously mentioned green apple, ginger, honey, and spice. Rich with fruit. 

Mouthfeel: Medium, right in the middle of the road. 

Palate: Bolder than you would think! This has some body to it. Spices come first and foremost - cinnamon, cloves, allspice, chili powder. Then, peach and pear, with drops of honey everywhere. I can see the "custard trifle" flavor from the official note - there is a bright vanilla sweetness here. I don't get any mint or bramble, though. 

With a little water, this opens up a bit. Same spices, but the fruit becomes melon, watermelon, berries, and an oak note emerges. Better with water, I think, but it's close. Very rich, bold whisky. A dram with real character. 

Finish: Not much wood influence to speak of, but the pear and apple and honey and pepper notes all fade gently into a short/medium finish. 

Verdict: Well, if this is how Glen Deveron/Macduff presents itself, then I'm a fan. This is very solid stuff. Nestled right on the Highland/Speyside line, this is, indeed, juicy, oaky, and with some vanilla overtones. The juicy aspect is the strongest - berries, honey, apples, pears, all are bold and rich. It's sweet without being cloying. It's spicy without drying out the mouth. It's powerful too - the cask strength really does it some big favors here. It's both young at 11 years, but also somewhat mature. Worth exploring. 

Inchmoan 9 Year (SMWS 135.32 "Bowling Green Libations")

 

The distiller Loch Lomond has a lot of imprints; I've mentioned them all before, but it stands repeating - there are at least six or seven that I can tell, with no clear demarcation between them. This is a bottle of Inchmoan, which I thought was the peated variety of Loch Lomond. However, this bottle - a single cask offering from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), cask 135.32, nicknamed "Bowling Green Libations" - doesn't seem to be peated at all, released under the Sweet, Fruity & Mellow flavor profile. 

Glenrothes 7 Year (SMWS 30.114 "The Nutcracker")

 

Of all the twelve flavor profiles in the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), I have had Spicy & Dry the least. Which is a shame, because I do tend to like spice bombs - big explosions of allspice, cinnamon, sometimes coriander or pepper, perhaps nutmeg or even pumpkin spice.

Bunnahabhain 7 Year (SMWS Small Batch Release "Smoky Maritime Hit")

 

A single cask small batch release from Bunnahabhain via the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), this was released in 2021 for the annual Islay Festival. At a brash 7 years old, this was matured in second-fill Pedro Ximenez hogshead as well as re-charred casks (!). Interesting combination... not to mention it's heavily peated! So unsure quite what to expect.

Auchroisk 8 Year (SMWS 95.46 "Earthy and Mysterious")

 

Something is going on with Auchroisk over at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"). This is my third bottle from that distiller, and all three have been re-racked into wine casks at a really young age, and then released after a pretty short finishing period. This bottle, coded 95.46 by the SMWS and nicknamed "Earthy and Mysterious" is the oldest at 8 years (!). Released as part of the annual Speyside Festival, as part of their "spicy and sweet" profile. 

Ledaig 13 Year (SMWS 42.52 "Wood Smoke Through a Porthole")

 

The Tobermory distillery on the Isle of mull makes both peated and unpeated whiskies. When they peat it, they release it under the imprint Ledaig ("Let-chick"). And that's what this is: a single cask bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS") from Ledaig, aged 13 years in refill ex-bourbon casks, peated, and served up at a delicious 58.3% ABV. Nicknamed "Wood Smoke Through a Porthole." 

Bunnahabhain 7 Year (SMWS 10.211 "War and Peat")

 

This is another heavily peated Bunnahabhain (often called "Staoisha" after Loch Staoisha on the Isle of Islay where the distillery is located), this time with an interesting re-casking. Hailing from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), this was aged for five years in ex-bourbon before being finished for two years in a second-fill Oloroso sherry cask. 

Bowmore No. 1 (NAS)

 

I was able to try a small sample of this at a local liquor store; I'm not sure if it's a new product, but they were definitely trying to push it out the door pretty aggressively. I declined that opportunity, though; aged for an unknown number of years in first-fill bourbon barrels, this Bowmore is unfortunately bottled at a tepid, wishy-washy 40% ABV. Unfortunate. Well, let's dive right in: 

Glenturret 11 Year (SMWS 16.53 "Confessions of a Barbecue")

 

Another interesting selection from Glenturret, as released by the independent bottlers at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS")! This one is USA-exclusive, and was released for Father's Day 2021 (alongside a 23-year Glenrothes). 

Highland Park 12 Year (SMWS 4.264 "Dining by the Harbor")

 

When the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's ("SMWS") June 2021's outturn was released, very little was said about this interesting "oily and coastal" bottling from Highland Park. I usually associate Highland Park with a sweetish, gentle profile - a little smoke, a little honey, a little heather (a distinctly dry and floral note), a little fruit... balanced, almost delicate. Even their fantastic Cask Strength Release No. 1 was bold in a balanced, thoughtful way. 

Rock Oyster Batch No. 1 Malt Blend, Cask Strength

 

Here is a bottle I found totally by chance in a small DC liquor store (shout out to Central Liquors on E St in Chinatown! Great selection), after having reading about it here and there. After trying - and loving - the Big Peat Cask Strength offering from the same company, I had to give this a go. 

Apparently Rock Oyster had two small batch Cask Strength releases (this is the first of the two), but then was rebranded to "Rock Island," so you may see it near you under that name. Unsure if they have released any cask strength Rock Island.

The Arran Private Cask Sherry Matured 10 Year

 

Much thanks to Rob Martin for the sample! I particularly liked the old bottling of The Arran 10 Year that I had last fall, which absolutely dripped with honey sweetness - one of the purest honey notes I can remember having. This is their Private Cask series, which seems to be a single cask series bottled at natural strength - an attractive prospect from such a good distillery. While some/most of the bottles seem to be produced for specific stores/entities, and labeled as such, there seem to be some directly from the distillery as well. 

Macallan 12 Year (SMWS 24.147 "The Deepest of Mahogany")

 

It's not very often you run across an independent bottling of Macallan, one of the Fine Old Names in Scotch. Well known for having old bottles selling at auction in the tens of thousands of dollars/pounds, they tend to guard their brand very, very carefully, and presumably they don't like to have their name and reputation out there floating around outside their control. 

On the other hand, their brand has become a bit silly in the last few years, with rapidly climbing prices and more and more No Age Statement bottlings that verge on the ridiculous with the amount of hype and pretension invested in them. Many people have commented that they are perhaps too obsessed with their own image. So what to make of this bottle?

Tobermory 15 Year (SMWS 42.54 "Adventures by the Sea")

 

Purchased during the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's Highlands Festival 2021, this is a 15 Year Tobermory, a distillery I have before today never experienced in its unpeated form! Hailing from the Isle of Mull, Tobermory is perhaps better known by their peated imprint Ledaig, which I have quite enjoyed in the past, and that has a distinctive dry peat flavor I liked. Tobermory, the core distillery, is a real mystery to me. 

Benriach "The Original Ten" 10 Year

 

Having reviewed - and loving - the Benriach Smoky Twelve, along with a wonderful independent bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, I am super curious about this ten-year expression, which features virgin oak intervention along with the ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

Loch Lomond "Original" (NAS)

 

Loch Lomond is a Highland distillery that originally dates to 1814, but was closed for much of the intervening years. It only reopened around the mid-1960s, and today bears the distinction of making both single malt and grain whiskies - one of only a very very few places to make both.

Johnnie Walker 18 Year Blend

 

A good friend bought this bottle to drink with me after a rough day; it was much appreciated. Over the course of a few months, we emptied the thing steadily, and I accumulated tasting notes. 

Ardmore 11 Year (SMWS 66.186 "Bivouac Breakfast")

 

Boy, do I love me some Ardmore. They seem capable of creating all kinds of great flavors in their spirit. Although they used to have a great distillery bottling called The Traditional Cask, it was discontinued a few years back; now, their website lists four options: "Legacy," "Tradition," "Port Wood Finish," and "Triple Wood." 

However, I haven't seen any of these in shops near me in Washington DC, nor are they available online anywhere that I can find. Maybe a UK-forward rebranding that is just getting off the ground? Crossing my fingers...

Glenallachie 8 Year (SMWS 107.21 "Bounty on the Galleon")

 

Glenallachie has received a lot of attention lately, after Youtube/Patreon legend Ralfy declared their 12 year old his best whisky of 2019. Glenallachie arrived on the Scotch scene in 1967 as blend fodder - like so many before it. But eventually they worked their way up. And along with their official bottlings, this Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) bottling also entered the radar; 8 years matured in sherry casks, bottled at 63.3%, nicknamed "Bounty of the Galleon": 

Clynelish 8 Year (SMWS 26.161 "Put the Pebble to the Petal!")

 

Ah, Clynelish! How I love thee. Both the official 14-year bottling (surprisingly complex of both flavor and texture), and all the strange, exciting independent bottlings I've had. This bottle, an 8-year from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), is aged entirely in first-fill ex-bourbon casks, and bottled at a wonderfully stiff 60.9% ABV. Part of the "sweet, fruity, and mellow" flavor profile, it's nicknamed "Put the Pebble to the Petal!" which is curious, and suggestive. Official SMWS tasting notes include putty, clay, wax, chalk, stone, pineapple jelly, and gorse. Fascinating!! Let's see what I find:

Balmenach 7 Year (SMWS 48.118 "Trekking in the Jungle")

 

Balmenach is one of those "hidden" distilleries that generates spirit that is almost exclusively used in blends; in this case, MacArthur's and Hanky Bannister. It's owned, ultimately, by Inver House, who also owns Balblair, Knockdhu/anCnoc, Speyburn, and Old Pulteney. There is no formal single malt release from the Balmenach distillery, although I have seen (and tried) some independent bottles of it.

Dalmore 7 Year (SMWS 13.82 "Life's Simple Pleasures")

 

Here is an independent bottle I simply could not pass up: a young (7 year!) and quirky expression of Dalmore, which is probably best known for a stately 15-year distillery bottling that is filled with oranges, chocolate, cloves, and sherry notes. I reviewed their 12-year bottling long, long ago (seven years ago), and I've had the 15-year a few times since, though I've never formally reviewed it here.

Bruichladdich The Organic Barley 2009

 

Another addition to my Bruichladdich reviews: The Organic Barley 2009! I almost bought another Bere Barley - it's so so good - but I wanted to expand the blog, try something new So here we go. 

Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 1 (NAS)

 

I haven't had Highland Park in seven years, or more. Since those early days of my scotch reviews, Highland Park has completely, totally rebranded in a rather unattractive Viking-forward way: Viking this, Viking that, Viking everything. Magnus this, Valkyrie that, etc etc. Always at a pathetic 40%, filtered, colored, etc. All seems maximized for profit and minimized for enjoyment by people who actually enjoy Scotch malt whisky. 

Glengoyne The Legacy Series Chapter One 2019 (NAS)

 

Yes, the name is a real mouthful: Glengoyne The Legacy Series Chapter One 2019. Glengoyne is a very old distillery ("Unhurried since 1833" the bottle and packaging proudly says), but very new to me. One of the bottles I tend to overlook as my hand drifts around the shelving. However, perhaps it's time to rectify this; thanks much to Rob Martin for this bottle!

Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak

 

The newest expression from venerable Laphroaig, this is the regular 10 year that's been finished for the last 12-18 months in Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at a nice hefty 48%. No word on the box about coloring and filtration, but I think both can be presumed. So how does it stack up against the regular 10 year, or the more expensive sherry expressions from Laphroaig?

Bunnahabhain 12 Year (Second Take)

 

According to my records, I last reviewed this hallmark Islay dram a long, long seven years ago. And after recently sampling a wild, bold, brave 6 year Bunnahabhain from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, I became curious about their main, core spirit. 

What IS Bunnahabhain? Is it the richly savory Toiteach A Dha? The soft, sweet, chocolatey Stiuireadair? One of the wild independent bottlings I've had? Perhaps the true Islay chameleon isn't Caol Ila, as everyone always says, but Bunnahabhain - a high quality spirit that plays well in every environment. 

Bunnahabhain 6 Year (SMWS 10.200 "The Storm-Tossed Sea")

 

Another 6 year independent bottling of Bunnahabhain with an unusual cask finish from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS). The last one I tried, "Maritime Marshmallows" was finished in a re-toasted cask; I found it surprisingly savory, with notes of olives and soy sauce and only hints of the classic marshmallow flavor you get from toasted oak. 

Glen Scotia 8 Year (SMWS 93.149 "Pleasingly Idiosyncratic")

 

Ah, another lightly peated Glen Scotia from the vaults of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS). The last one, "Members Remember Embers" was a little unusual, featuring notes of sweet medicinal peat, ethereal ash, and light fruit, along with hints of stranger things like fresh gauze, breakfast sausage, and lavender. It was very interesting, and these days "very interesting" is the name of my game.

Smokehead High Voltage Islay Single Malt (NAS)

 

I've been curious about Smokehead for a while, but only recently was I able to source any in the DC area. An unnamed, no age statement single malt from bottler Ian Macleod, it's from Islay, it's young, and at 58% it's very punchy. No idea about the casking, but it doesn't taste sherried to me at all. Likely ex-bourbon, maybe even 2nd fill. The core spirit overwhelms the wood influence, that's for sure. It's pretty much a mystery all the way around - although internet sources variously say it's either a young (~6 year) Ardbeg, or a young unsherried Lagavulin. Others have even guessed it's Caol Ila. My money is on Ardbeg. 

Octomore 7.4

 

This is actually an older review that I meant to post back in 2018 or so, but it got lost in the shuffle. I came across it yesterday while organizing - Bruichladdich's Octomore 7.4. 

Octomore is the highly experimental super-peated (167 ppm, compared against Ardbeg's ~50-55 ppm) imprint of Bruichladdich, and 7.4 was bottled in virgin oak (!) for a somewhat complicated term of 7 years. Complicated because some of the spirit was aged for a short while in ex-bourbon and ex-French oak as well, hence the slightly older age - most Octomore is 5 years old. Bottled at 61.2%. How was it?

Dailuaine 7 Year (Old Particular)

 

The 200th bottle reviewed! 

One of my very favorite underdogs of the single malt universe: Speyside's Dailuaine, which has a wonderful juiciness about it, specifically a mouth-watering watermelon note that is hard to resist. So when I found this 7 year expression from Douglas Laing's independent bottler Old Particular, I didn't resist - I bought it right up. Matured in a single sherry butt for seven years, bottled at 48.4%, and in craft presentation. How is it??

200th Post Spectacular!!!

This is the 200th post of this lo-fi blog, which warrants some kind of small celebration. Since 2014, I've reviewed 199 bottles of Scotch, which averages to roughly one every other week, although some months are more active than others; it also doesn't account for samples. Sometimes I put the blog down to concentrate on other things; other times, Scotch is life. 

Glen Ord 8 Year (Exclusive Malts)

 

Exclusive Malts was an independent bottler that, sadly, no longer exists. One of their releases was known as the "Exclusive Region," where they released an unnamed single malt generally related to the main whisky regions of Scotland: Islay, Speyside, Highland, Peated Highland, Single Grain.