Peat smoke, like raking out the kilns, creosote, hickory-smoked bacon fat, ground pepper, cacao beans, sanded oak, and faint lemon aromas. For those speculating on its source, this is peated to 20 ppm. The palate has lemon curd, creamy toffee, After Eight mints, pepper, creamed coconut, smoke, and blackened fruitcake with juicy raisins. There’s a touch of cask char and peppermint on the finish. Intensely exhilarating, like facing down an Atlantic gale. (339 bottles, Glass Revolution Dram Hunter Selection).

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

On the nose, this is pretty peaty, redolent of baked lemon, smoked fish, fragrant roasted spices, salt water-lashed boat decks, and scorched earth, with faint citrus and cream notes in the background. Spices and chile pepper combine with lemon curd on the palate, the citrus sweetness breaking through, with a late contribution of Oreo cookies. Adding water only makes this tempestuous dram even spicier.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

Very delicate fruitiness on the nose with lychee, white currant, honeydew, green apple, vanilla sponge, baking spices, meringue nests, and white flowers. Single malt matured in experimental casks seasoned with vino naranja adds intrigue to the blend. A lovely weighty mouthfeel plays a duet of melon and tangerine, perky spices interject, with star turns from nectarine, white peach, shortbread fingers, almond, and nougat as it dilutes. A gentle beauty. (5,880 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

Paying homage to Argentina as the home of polo, the malbec cask finish produces an inviting, fruity whisky kept in check by a whip-crack of spices. Aromas of dried cranberry, red grape, black currant, rum and raisin, milk chocolate, fresh walnut, creamy toffee, peppercorn, and roasted coriander seed. Dark fruits are injected with sweet, spicy, peppery elements before mellowing with dark toffee, vanilla pod, and plain chocolate.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

If you expect all Glenfarclas to be heavy, first-fill sherry bombs, think again. This has honey, pear, light vanilla, cinnamon bark, toffee, grilled apricot, and a squirt of peel oils. It’s lithe and expressive, with creamy orange fondant and grapefruit, then spicy licorice, peppermint, and finally, banana chews and toffee. A spirited burst of spices on the finish, with a further drenching of citrus flavors.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

The nose has a pleasant oiliness, with red fruit undertones, nutmeg, marzipan, rose water, and black tea. Sweet on the palate, with notes of orange peel, caramel, dark chocolate, and a hint of dried raspberries, punctuated by pepper spice and coffee on the back palate. It does very well with water, which brings more pronounced red fruit notes of raspberry and strawberry. The finish is mid-length, with lots of vanilla, strawberry, and spice.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Winter 2021)

This has a superb floral and honeyed intensity on the nose, with jasmine, honeysuckle, roasted peach, vanilla sponge, cream, and a smudge of spices. The refill bourbon barrel has produced a palate of baked orange, sweet grapefruit, lime juice, and penetrating spices, though the spices capitulate to reveal a juicy second act of clementine, papaya, bitter lemon, and grapefruit. Add water to boost the tropical fruitiness. (230 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

Basking in sweet grain flavors, this has a nose of golden granulated sugar, vanilla custard, banana chip, fudge, and strawberry jam on toast. Sugary sweet on the palate with vanilla sponge, lemon zest, and hints of plum initially, it’s overturned by punchy pepper, clove, and ginger notes. Though there is milk chocolate, dark fruit, red gooseberry, apple peel, and coffee to finish, the finishing cask influence is a little reserved. (348 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

Around 8 years old, this is filled into medium-toasted red Bordeaux barrels followed by 4 years in first and second-fill cream sherry casks. Aromas of Black Forest gateaux, Nutella, sesame bars, freshly ground spices, dunnage floors, and tobacco. It’s a brooding, serious whisky with flavors of toffee, dark fruit, treacle sponge, pepper, spices, and leather, with a deep well of black currant, bramble, and black cherry flavors. (3,600 bottles)  

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

This has a lovely light fruitiness on the nose with lemon meringue pie, lime marmalade, apple blossom, vanilla fudge, gentle wood spices, barley water, and seasoned oak. It’s a sweet, polished dram where butterscotch, vanilla custard, lemon, and fudge meet tempered pepper and clove spices followed by a ripening of tropical fruit flavors with passion fruit, dried mango, and red fleshed pears. (165 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

From Savage & Cooke in collaboration with NBA great Scottie Pippen. There is an antique shop mustiness on the nose along with grape jelly and honey on toast, the kind served at a diner. The sweetness jumps up on the palate, with candied apple, honey throat lozenge, chocolate syrup, and cinnamon-sprinkled French toast. The lengthy finish is light, rich, and well spiced. At 5 years old, this Tennessee-made whiskey shows balance and buoyancy.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Winter 2021)

Peated bourbon is an unusual concept to say the least. Tart aromas of dark fruit and wood embers on the nose. The palate is filled with flavorful smoke, barbecue rub, and smoked brisket. A long finish with an appealing ashiness, cinnamon coffee cake, chocolate fudge, and more cooked dark fruit. A soft yet spicy dram; balanced and with plenty of depth.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Winter 2021)

Lots of charcoal and bonfire smoke on the nose, though it does not overplay its hand, as citrus, red berries, and grapes vie for position along with musty antique shop notes. Creamy white chocolate on the palate, along with toasted marshmallows, allspice, and an ashy background of woodsmoke. The finish is mid-length, perhaps not as dynamic as the palate, but offers delicious notes of semi-sweet chocolate, more wood spice, and dark berries.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Winter 2021)

Double distilled in Charentais copper pot stills more commonly used for making brandy and cognac, this well-made whisky has aromas of zested clementine over orange cake, dry wood spices, milk chocolate, roasted hazelnuts in melted butter, and charred oak. Dark and fruity flavors with baked orange, dried apricot, red apple, creamy milk chocolate, malt, and dried red fruits, it ends on a bright, spicy note. Definitely worth a try.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2021)

The smoke greets you on the nose, with charcoal briquettes, fireplace soot, and cinnamon candy alongside wax paper, peppermint, and butterscotch. The palate is light but flavorful with pepper spice, barbecue sauce, apple skins, and grilled peaches. A lengthy finish tacks on more black pepper, chocolate, coffee, and dried sage. The mesquite smoke here is ever-present but never too forceful, with strong balance and construction throughout.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Winter 2021)

Sweet scents of candied apple and caramel on the nose. The palate offers cinnamon Red Hots, bananas, cherry, allspice, and toasted oak. It’s hot but well knit, with emerging notes of candied nuts, buttered popcorn, and black pepper. Creamier with water and still flavor-packed, with emerging country fair notes of hay and cotton candy. A long finish brings melted caramel, candied cherries, and spice, against savory hints of cigar ash and barrel char.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Winter 2021)

Ashy and smoke-forward on the nose, with pecan shells, flamed orange disc, vanilla frosting, tobacco leaf, and then mesquite barbecue notes emerge. A creamy palate pairs that same ashiness with pine nuts, vanilla bean, cracked black pepper, cocoa husks, and red chile flakes. Water presents red fruit, allspice, and chicory coffee. Those flavors carry over to the finish. Give this one time and maybe a little water.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Winter 2021)

Made with brown rice and finished in toasted barrels. Cereal grains with freeze-dried strawberries on the nose as well as toasted herbs, blueberries, and fruity bubble gum. The palate is creamy and light, with notes of strawberry yogurt, bitter chocolate, and burnt sugar. A syrupy finish brings custard, tiramisu, and caramel flan. It is atypical in its profile and at times light bodied, but demonstrates good constriction and drinkability.

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Winter 2021)