86-89 points -

All whiskies with 86-89 points by WhiskyRant blog.

August 23, 2014

Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or – 12 year old review

Not JUST DESSERTS – rich and characteristic whisky This Glenmorangie was relaunched in 2011 with a Sauternes cask finish. Nectar D’Or might be an indication to the golden nectar, held in the casks to finish the whisky. Rich with fruity and vinous character, I like it. And I am surprised […]

August 8, 2014

Old Buck VYS at Panimoravintola Beerhunter's, Pori

Old Buck VYS single malt whisky review

Old Buck got famous in whisky circles, when Jim Murray rated the cask number 5 of the second release with 96 points and “European Mainland Whisky of the Year 2009” award. The first release had gotten 93,5 points and the third release got 95, so there was great consistency in […]

August 7, 2014

Ballechin #5 The Marsala Casks review

Ballechin #5 The Marsala Casks turned out to be a great rugged single malt. Full of rough but pleasant peat, a whisky with attitude! Malt Maniacs gave it a Silver Medal. This heavily peated whisky from Edradour distillery is the fifth release from the Ballechin series, aged in Marsala casks. […]

August 5, 2014

Ardbeg Auriverdes at Teerenpeli terrace in Turku

Ardbeg Auriverdes review

Ardbeg Auriverdes, though very different from the usual Ardbegs, continues with the great quality standards, which this distillery has set in the past. This limited edition single malt whisky was launched on Ardbeg Day 2014 and it was limited to 1110 cases (6660 bottles). Ardbeg Auriverdes was distilled in 2002, […]

July 22, 2014

Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 Proof review

Aged for 4 years like the milder version, Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 Proof is surely one famous rye whiskey worth a review. It’s actually my first great rye whiskey experience. “Produced in the tradition of the classic Pennsylvania or Monongahela rye whiskeys” Rittenhouse 100 Proof Straight Rye, also known as […]

July 20, 2014

Paul John Indian Single Malt Whisky review – Single Cask P1 164

BOLLYWOOD/HOLLYWOOD type of whisky Single Cask P1 164, a cask strength dram from Paul John Whisky from Goa, India. Matured in ex-bourbon casks. This third single cask release from John Distilleries got a Silver medal from the International Spirits Challenge 2013. It is not a Slumdog Millionaire, more like a Bollywood film. Groomed […]

June 18, 2014

Caol Ila 12 year old review

Caol Ila means “Sound of Islay” in Gaelic. Their whisky is mainly used for blending, ingredient for Johnnie Walker, Bells and Big Peat for example. Only 5% of Caol Ila whisky is used for single malts. The distillery is located near Port Askaig at the North of Islay, overlooking the […]

June 9, 2014

Port Askaig 12 year old review

BURN AFTER READING its label and tasting This is a single malt Scotch from a mystery Islay distillery, produced by Speciality Drinks for The Whisky Exchange. In my opinion, Port Askaig is like Coen brothers production, that isn’t critically acclaimed. Islay being like the Coen brothers, producing only good products. […]

May 31, 2014

Smokey Joe Islay Malt review

MEET JOE BLACK by Angus Dundee I have to congratulate Angus Dundee, they’ve managed to make a nice mystery Islay blended malt. Which wasn’t the case with Glen Parker Speyside Single Malt. Smokey Joe could be Meet Joe Black, because it has a dark but also a gentle side. There’s […]

May 28, 2014

Bushmills 16 year old “Three Wood” single malt review

Had a great Irish INTERMISSION with this dram Enjoyed in an intermission of a Team Finland’s important hockey game, this was like the Irish movie Intermission – humorously dark and good. Like this dram’s eccentric nose. Bushmills 16YO Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a wee light on the taste but […]

May 27, 2014

Redbreast 12 year old Single Pot Still review

Redbreast is an Irish whiskey brand coming from New Midleton distillery in Cork, Republic of Ireland (along with Green Spot and many other famous brands). Made with traditional Irish way, it is a Single Pot Still (also known as Pure Pot Still) whiskey. Made from malted and unmalted “green” barley […]

May 23, 2014

Koval White Rye Whiskey review

Chicago’s Koval distillery has already made its mark on the whisky scene with their true artisanship. I sampled their Single Barrel Organic Rye Whiskey and White Rye Whiskey. Both being very fresh, White Rye a experimental dram. At first, Koval White Rye felt weird with solvent kind of scent and pointy taste […]

May 23, 2014

Koval Single Barrel Rye Whiskey review

My first encounters with Chicago’s Koval distillery were Koval Single Barrel Organic Rye Whiskey and Koval White Rye Whiskey. And what a start it was! White Rye is closer to the average side, being very young, though fresh and very funky. But The Single Barrel Rye felt very nice for […]

April 25, 2014

Teerenpeli Kaski Distiller’s Choice review

In Finnish, Kaski means burn-beaten land. In spite of the name, Teerenpeli Kaski Distiller’s Choice isn’t like something smoky from Islay. I guess it still is a soft version of something “swidden”. I tried Teerenpeli Kaski at Grill & Distillery Taivaanranta’s distillery tour. And I have to tell you, this […]

March 25, 2014

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2006 review

Found a nice review of Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2006 from Dramstats. Here’s a quote from that review, which I totally agree: “I remember saying that the organic was like the laddie ten on speed. Well this is up another notch!” Islay Barley 2006 is Bruichladdich’s speedy version of Laddie Ten. […]

March 21, 2014

Suntory Hibiki 12 year old review

This Suntory owned Hibiki 12 year old whisky is actually a blend. I couldn’t believe it for the first time I got to taste it. Another curiosity: some of the whisky has been part-matured in Umeshu plum liqueur casks. The malts are from Suntory owned Hakushu and Yamazaki distilleries, with […]

March 19, 2014

Ardbeg Galileo review

Ardbeg Galileo has an age statement (1999-2012), unlike recent Ardbegs. Containing whisky matured in ex-Marsala and first and second fill ex-Bourbon casks. It has the same ppm as standard Ardbeg whiskys but the Marsala softens it quite a bit. Rich and sweet dram with an Ardbeg touch. Ardbeg Galileo is […]

March 17, 2014

Octomore 5.1 and 4.2 Comus reviews

Bruichladdich Octomore 4.2 Comus/167 ppm Bruichladdich Octomore 4.2 Comus is peated to a great 167 ppm and finished in premium, sweet Sauternes Chateau d’Yquem casks. The finish surely tames the peaty beast, but we are still talking about a very powerful dram. QUANTUM OF SOLACE with peat A big disappointment […]