Islay Whisky reviews by WhiskyRant!

January 16, 2015

Bowmore Small Batch review

Bowmore Small Batch is matured in first and second fill ex-bourbon casks. Coming from Islay, it is surprisingly light all the way. Yes, there is some of that signature peat smoke buried on the back. But we’re talking about wee hints of it. And even when talking about other things […]

January 15, 2015

Black Bottle (old bottling) review

I’m glad I got to taste the discontinued old bottling of Black Bottle. According to rumours, it has malt from almost every distillery in Islay (Kilchoman not included). And grain whisky from Speyside, Highland and Lowland. Whiskies contained in this old bottling are thought to be at least 7 years […]

December 10, 2014

Bowmore 12 year old review

One of THE USUAL SUSPECTS of smoke Even with 40% ABV level, Bowmore 12 year old is one of the heavy hitters of smoke. Not as heavy as the 10 year old drams from Ardbeg or Laphroaig. But still, one of The Usual Suspects, when it comes to smoke whisky. […]

December 8, 2014

Ardbeg 10 year old review

WhiskyRant conclusions Tasting notes Warehouse Pack Ardbeg distillery can be traced back to 1794, but it had to be closed in the 1980’s. It almost became one of the lost distilleries of Scotland, but fortunately Ardbeg was bought by Glenmorangie in 1997. The distillery got a major investment programme and […]

September 12, 2014

Murray McDavid Bowmore 9 year old 2001 Port Casks review

A single malt whisky distilled at Bowmore in 2001, where it was aged in bourbon casks. Then taken to Bruichladdich distillery for Port Pipes finishing in 2010. Limited release of 1066 bottles. Bottling of Murray McDavid. STARSKY AND HUTCH whisky – complimenting ingredients Magnificent whisky just like many of the sherry […]

September 10, 2014

Port Charlotte The Peat Project review

I didn’t say HOLY SMOKE! Port Charlotte The Peat Project is a heavily peated (44ppm) single malt from Bruichladdich. This dram is a gentle one, when it comes to smoke. It surely has smoke but it isn’t strong. Like the title suggests, this whisky is not as weird and complex, […]

September 5, 2014

Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 year old review

Green Label is a discontinued 15 year old blended malt by Johnnie Walker. In my opinion, the only nice whisky from them. “Drawn from the four corners of Scotland”— Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore and Caol Ila were being used in the Green Label. Each of the malts matured for minimum 15 years. […]

August 15, 2014

Laphroaig 10 year old review

Laphroaig 10 year old single malt is a smoky medicinal whisky, a legendary Islay malt, which I don’t have to explain so much. Very cost efficient dram. Matured in 1st fill Bourbon casks by Maker’s Mark. Maker’s Mark barrels are air dried more than others, which takes out some of the […]

August 14, 2014

Bruichladdich Links Valhalla 15 year old review

Matured for 15 years in bourbon casks, this dram is part ten of the Golf themed Links series from Bruichladdich distillery. Limited edition of 18 000 bottles, each bottle has been made of casks selected by Master Distiller Jim McEwan. The label has a painted golf themed Valhalla in it […]

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, […]

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 17, 2014

Labour Of Love of Bruichladdich Distillery by Philippe Grenade

Another great video from Bruichladdich Distillery Bruichladdich, and their fans have really managed to capture the art of storytelling. And how to get the message go viral as well (of course). Just saw a moment ago this great 20 minute documentary by Philippe Grenade of Fortune Films. Another great example […]

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 12, 2014

Sheep Dip whisky review

The name Sheep Dip comes from the insesticide used to delouse sheep prior to sheering. Back in the day, farmers used to make “home made whisky”, because they didn’t want to pay any taxes for it. To help hiding their whisky, they marked each barrel with “SD”. Great story and […]

May 2, 2014

Bunnahabhain Darach Ur Batch 1 review

One or the other from THE ODD COUPLE Bunnahabhain Darach Ur is most definitely one of The Odd Couple, when it comes to whisky from Islay. The Darach Ur, which is Gaelic for New Oak, is there. But it is reasonably smooth. Overall, this un-peaty dram from Islay is a […]

April 1, 2014

Big Peat review

Big boy – A DIE HARD whisky Big Peat is Die Hard. Offering smoky explosions and heavy blasting, yet hints of the soft and tender side, mostly for the nose. Big Peat’s personification, Beauregard I. G. Peat, is surely a citizen of Islay. You can tell that from miles away, […]

April 1, 2014

Big Peat Christmas Edition 2012 Cask Strength review

Great sequel – DIE HARD II whisky I already reviewed the original Big Peat. This is the same stuff but cask strength. Nice sequel for the “Die Hard whisky“, as I referenced Big Peat. Same ingredients but with more power and explosions. Just like Die Hard II, this dram follows […]

March 28, 2014

Lagavulin 1996 Distillers Edition review

Lagavulin 1996 Distillers Edition, also stated as the double matured, is evidently their 16 year old with a Pedro Ximénez dessert sherry cask finish. A fact, that really explained a lot to me about this dram afterwards. Actually I didn’t know it before I started the tasting, even though Lagavulin 16 years […]

March 28, 2014

Lagavulin 16 year old review

WhiskyRant’s conclusions Tasting notes Other Lagavulin reviews Where can I start? Still, after over 200 whiskies tasted, my absolute favorite dram. I could go on and on about the grandeur of Lagavulin 16 year old. It is the reason, why I started my whisky tasting hobby. Whisky has been one […]

March 27, 2014

Elements of Islay Lg3 review

I have to admit, This one got me excited before I had even tasted it. Elements of Islay (by Speciality Drinks) with Lg (Lagavulin) attached to it, is something that gets my hopes high. After all, Lagavulin 16YO is my absolute favorite. Fortunately my hopes were matched. Different from the […]

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 25, 2014

Bruichladdich 10 year old – The Laddie Ten review

Bruichladdich 10YO, The Laddie Ten is so far one of the biggest highlights of my “whisky tasting career”. According to Master of Malt, this is mark of an new era. I totally agree. Laddie Ten is a combo of fresh thoughts and tradition, it is like a Quentin Tarantino movie. […]

March 19, 2014

Ardbeg Corryvreckan review

Ardbeg distillery is famous for making top notch smoke whisky, their whiskies are usually peated to approximately 50 phenol parts per million (which makes the whisky very smoky). Ardbeg Corryvreckan is a legendary NAS (no age statement) whisky by the Islay based distillery, matured in a combination of first-fill American […]

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 […]