Category winners
Our judges sampled and scored 59 whiskies in search of the best new expressions
Under £50 winners
1 Loch Lomond Island Collection Inchmoan 12yo – Loch Lomond Distillery Judges scores 4, 4.6, 3.6, 4.3, 3.8, 4, 2.5, 4, 3 Overall score 26.2 Tasting notes from Blair Rich and complex. Lovely layered flavours, honey, flowers and citrus.
2 Timorous Beastie 10yo – Douglas Laing & Co Judges scores 1.5, 4.3, 2.5, 4.3, 4.2, 3.8, 4, 3.9, 3.2 Overall score 25.9
Tasting notes from Matthew Pale straw colours and a light nose with notes of green malt and barley sugar. Spicy, creamy and malty – good and long on the palette.
3 Tullibardine The Murray Chateauneuf-du-Pape Finish – Tullibardine Judges scores 3.5, 4.7, 4, 4.3, 4.3, 2.5, 3.5, 3, 3.2 Overall score 25.8
Tasting notes from Ewan The nose is vanilla and toffee with big sherry notes. The taste is sweet, full, rich and fruity. Smooth and sweet finish, very satisfying.
£50-£100 winners
1 Lady of The Glen Tobermory Vintage 2008 Cask – Hannah Whisky Merchants Judges scores 3, 4.5, 2.2, 3.9, 3.8, 4.2, 5, 4.1, 3.9 Overall score 27.4 Tasting notes from Vince On entry very pleasant, then quite fiery. Barley sugar and a dry finish.
2 Aberfeldy Self-Fill Cask #21443 – John Dewar & Sons Judges scores 3, 4.3, 4.1, 4.1, 3.2, 4, 4, 4.1, 3.8 Overall score 27.3
Tasting notes from Robin Maraschino cherries, honey and hot lemon on the nose. The palate is smooth sweet and fruity with a wisp of acidity introducing Pontefract cakes and caramelised apple.
3 Tamdhu Batch Strength III – Ian Macleod Distillers Judges scores 4.8, 4.5, 2.7, 4.2, 3.6, 3.4, 4, 4.3, 3 Overall score 27
Tasting notes from Darren Nice rich aromas of mentholated honey, treacle toffee and liquorice. Also rich and full bodied palate with dark chocolate, Turkish Delight, clove, cinnamon, ripened plums and burnt orange. The finish has gentle star anise spice.