The Macallan. Since 1824, that name has meant a lot to many people. These days it is synonymous with two things: 1) quality Speyside whiskies, and 2) fanaticism of the highest order. Any new limited release by The Macallan seems to require entering a ballot, and (im)patiently waiting in hope for someone to take your... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Royal Lochnagar – 12 Years Old (Game Of Thrones – House Baratheon)
You know the drill by now: HBO + Diageo = Game Of Thrones scotch whiskies. Prior to the launch of the TV show’s final series, there were 8 single malt scotch whiskies released by Diageo. Each bottle represented the signature profiles of its chosen distillery and was aligned to a designated House or institution from... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Glenkinchie – 12 Years Old
Here we have one of Diageo’s flagship releases within their ‘Classic Malts’ series - the Glenkinchie 12 year old. Pronounced “glen-kin-chee” rather than “glen-kinky”, this single malt represents Diageo’s more readily-available ‘Lowlands’ scotch offering, originating from the Glenkinchie distillery in East Lothian. Though it is based some 15 miles or so from the Scottish capital,... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Highland Park – Orkneyinga Legacy
So, it’s just a dressed up 12 year old, right? Different bottle, different label, same whisky, right? Wrong! On a recent trip to Orkney, WU got the chance to get up close and personal with one of Highland Park’s latest limited releases. Why the special release? The Orkneyinga Saga is the... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Strathisla – 12 Years Old
When it comes to scotch whiskies, heritage is an important driver in claiming quality of a distillery's product. The Strathisla distillery in Keith is no exception to this and boasts to be the oldest operational distillery in the Highlands of Scotland. The distillery is also home to the Chivas Regal whisky blends which are probably... Continue Reading →
Tasting Notes: Auchentoshan – 12 Years Old
Based just outside of Glasgow city centre, Auchentoshan (pronounced 'ock-un-tosh-un') prides itself on the purity created via its triple distillation. This process and the local water source result in Auchentoshan producing relatively delicate whiskies, distinctive of the lowland regions also antiqautedly referred to as "ladies' drams". It is the flavours from this process and their... Continue Reading →