On the western island of Mull, in the picturesque capital of Tobermory, is a small traditional distillery, founded in 1798, under the name of Ledaig. After a takeover in 1972, the distillery was renamed Tobermory. Since 1996, they have been making 50% unpeated Whisky, Tobermory, and 50% firmly peated Whisky called Ledaig. All Whisky ages in the Highlands, because there are no warehouses left at the distillery. This 18 years old is limited and has matured on Oloroso sherry casks. 46.3% Vol. |
Talisker, the only distillery on the island of Skye, was founded in 1810. In terms of location, by the sea on a mountain slope, it is really a picture-perfect. After a major reconstruction in 1997, it became a modern computer-controlled distillery on the inside. As far as Whisky is concerned, little has changed; this is still a powerful, complex Malt. This 25-year-old Talisker has matured on oak barrels; what kind of barrels exactly is a carefully kept secret. 45.8% Vol. |
The Aberfeldy, 21Y is one of the flagship single malts from the Aberfeldy Distillery. Matured in both ex-bourbon and sherry casks, it was re-launched with a new design in 2015. It has picked up several gold medals and ‘best in show’ awards since. The Aberfeldy, 21 Y is a superb example of what this distillery is capable of. It displays thick, honeyed notes with chocolate, oranges and stone fruits. 40% Vol. |
The whisky of Mortlach Distillery goes for 99.9% to Johnnie Walker blends. Occasionally, you encounter a Mortlach in an independent bottling. For a few years now, very occasionally, they release Single Malt themselves. Usually, Sherry casks are used for aging the Single Malt. However, this Carn Mor has aged on bourbon barrels. This gives the whisky vanilla tones with fruit and herbs. A great example of how Mortlach can be; firm and complex. 46% Vol. |
There are so many legendary distilleries on Islay like Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin, that it sometimes is easy to forget how great Caol Ila is. Their peated whisky is consistentlyamong the best in all of Scotland. Even better, it is relatively affordable as well. Produced in the beautifully located distillery overlooking the Sound of Jura, the Caol Ila 25 Y has aged for over a quarter century. The long maturation makes for a very different, more elegant experience compared to younger peated whiskies. 43% Vol. |
Octomore is famous for being the smokiest whisky in the world. But focusing on that reputation would sell Octomore short. This brand is made at Bruichladdich, an artisanal distillery on the Isle of Islay. While the Octomore 10.1 is very smoky indeed, there are many more flavors and aromas to discover. This is because of Bruichladdich’s hands-on distillation process and the use of first-fill bourbon casks from a variety of sources like Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace and Jack Daniel’s. 59.8% Vol. |