The results
1 Whisky Row, Rich and Spicy
Scores 3.9, 4.6, 4.6, 4.1, 4.5, 4.4, 4.7, 4, 4.52
Total score 30.72
Tasting notes: ‘Intensely sherried, with vanilla, honey and liquorice. After a teardrop of water, delicious caramel comes to the fore, with a hint of cocoa and mocha. Treat yourself to a Kerr’s Luxury Caramel Tart and a café mochaccino.’
“After a teardrop of water, delicious caramel comes to the fore
“
It has a bold sherry rush with a slice of Christmas pudding
2 Loch Fyne Glentauchers 11YO
Scores 3.4, 4.8, 4.9, 4, 4.5, 2.5, 4.8, 4.2, 4.8
Total score 30.5
Tasting notes: ‘A rich deep brown colour with a scent of ripe tropical fruits. It has a bold sherry rush with a slice of
Christmas pudding, warming spices and a soothing finish.’
3 Glen Scotia, Festival 2020
Scores 2.2, 4.7, 4.7, 4.4, 4.5, 4.2, 3.8, 3.7, 4.9
Total score 30
Tasting notes: ‘Salty smoke on the nose, like a bonfire on the beach. Smoky ginger biscuits on the palate with a hint of nuts. Lingering smoke on the finish.’
Maple smoked bacon on the palate with a sweet finish
4 A Wee Beauty
Scores 4.3, 3.55, 4.3, 4.3, 4.5, 4.3, 4.6, 3.7, 4.45
Total score 29.85
Tasting notes: ‘Lightly peated and sweet, there’s sticky toffee pudding drizzled with vanilla custard. After adding a teardrop of water, a slight coffee-like bitterness evolves, as does a touch of oakiness. The finish is medium-long with marzipan and pink pepper.’
5 Aberfeldy 20 YO ‘Exceptional Cask’
Scores 4.2, 3.85, 4.3, 4.2, 1.5, 4.7, 4.7, 3.8, 4.88
Total score 29.75
Tasting notes: ‘Rich oak colour with hints of ripe bananas and dark chocolate. The taste is of rich sweet citrus fruits, crushed mango and a splash of spices that lingers in the mouth.’
6 Spey 12 YO, Peated
Scores 4.1, 4, 4.6, 4.7, 1, 4.3, 4.6, 3.5, 4.6
Total score 29.7
Tasting notes: ‘Bonfire smoke with mixed peel on the nose. Maple smoked bacon on the palate with a sweet finish. Really nice balance of flavours and smells.’
7 Tamdhu Batch Strength
Scores 4.3, 4.3, 4.8, 3.5, 2.5, 3.9, 4.5, 4.3, 3.85
Total score 28.65
Tasting notes: ‘A light oak colour. Honeyed ripe fruits and warming spicy glow leaves your taste buds tingling with joy.’
8 Glen Scotia Victoriana
Scores 3.8, 4.8, 4.6, 4, 4.5, 1.8, 4.4, 3.7, 3.3
Total score 28.3
Tasting notes: ‘Sweet Sherry, dried summer fruits, with honey and a hint of strawberry. After a teardrop of water, vanilla comes to the fore and the finish is long and peppery. Sitting outside an old-fashioned Italian café having a Neapolitan ice cream on a sunny Sunday afternoon, debating whether or not to ask for a flake. Whatever this is, I’ll have to purchase two bottles.’
9 Loch Fyne Aultmore 12YO
Scores 4, 4.5, 4.7, 3.7, 3.5, 3.4, 4.7, 3.5, 4.2
Total score 28.1
Tasting notes: ‘A light chestnut brown with hints of vanilla, honey and toasted hazelnuts. It has a spicy hit with a long chocolate finish.’
10 Glenallachie 15YO
Scores 4.1, 2.8, 4.6, 3.9, 4.9, 4.4, 3, 3.8, 4.2
Total score 28
Tasting notes: ‘Burned out fire and tropical fruits on the nose. Salted caramel and nectarine on the palate with a short, spicy finish.’
Whatever this is, I’ll have to purchase two bottles