Author: Coldorak

Springbank 5-year-old & Longrow 100 Proof

Springbank 5-year-old and Longrow 100 Proof

Coldorak

Today we explore two high-strength whiskies bottled at 100 proof. And neither comes from Signatory Vintage’s famous series. Instead, we examine two new additions to Springbank’s portfolio: the Springbank 5-Year-Old 100 Proof and the Longrow 100 Proof. Springbank introduced the 5-Year-Old 100 Proof in 2025 as a permanent core range addition. It marks the triumphant return of a historic bottling that vanished in the 1990s. The Longrow 100 Proof represents the inaugural batch of a bold new series. It replaces the discontinued Longrow Red range. Both whiskies mark significant milestones for the Campbeltown distillery. Springbank offers consistent availability through quarterly releases. The Longrow debuts a fresh direction for peated Campbeltown whisky. It moves away from the divisive Red series into a new era defined by full-proof strength and red wine influence from Pinot Noir cask finishing.

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Pasquet Très Vieille Fine Champagne Esprit de Famille Cognac de Bernadette Cognac de Jean

Pasquet Très Vieille Fine Champagne & Two Esprits de Famille

Coldorak

Just after releasing the remarkable Cognac de Charles, the Cognac Pasquet house presents a Très Vieille Fine Champagne in their Confluences collection. But if Cognac de Charles was reviewed alone, we’ll review this brand new release with two older cognacs from their L’Esprit de Famille collection: the Cognac de Bernadette and Cognac de Jean, both Grande Champagne cognacs.

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Loch Lomond Distillery Edition 6 / Croftengea 2006 The Whisky Agency

Loch Lomond Distillery Edition #6/Croftengea 2006 TWA

Coldorak

As Loch Lomond recently released its ninth Distillery Edition, we are a little late, and try the Loch Lomond Distillery Edition #6. As a sparring partner, we’ve added a Croftengea 2006 from The Whisky Agency. Loch Lomond has been quite active these last few months, making the news a number of times, for instance with the opening of its new multi-million-pound Luss Distillery and visitor centre on the banks of Loch Lomond in October 2025. The new complex serves as a brand home for Loch Lomond whiskies, offers guided tours, tastings, and houses a gin distillery for their Ben Lomond brand. The facility aims to draw tourists and whisky enthusiasts to the region and showcases Loch Lomond’s portfolio, including Glen Scotia and Littlemill single malts. Loch Lomond Group also expanded into American whiskey this year with the acquisition of the New York Distilling Company. All the while continuing to release good whisky. But for now, let’s focus on these two: the Loch Lomond Distillery Edition #6 and the Croftengea 2006 The Whisky Agency.

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Glenkinchie 2008 Auchentoshan 1999 The Whisky Agency

Glenkinchie 2008/Auchentoshan 1999 The Whisky Agency

Coldorak

Following Friday’s focus on Dumbarton, we continue in the Lowlands with two releases from The Whisky Agency: Glenkinchie 2008 and Auchentoshan 1999. Glenkinchie sees very limited independent bottlings each year – few enough to count on one hand – whereas Auchentoshan boasts a strong and steady presence with both official and independent releases annually. 

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Dumbarton 1986 Scott's Selection & 2000 The Caskhound

Dumbarton 1986 Scott’s / 2000 Caskhound

Coldorak

Today, the spotlight is on Dumbarton, a closed grain whisky distillery, through two independent single grain releases. First up is a Dumbarton 1986 Scott’s Selection, followed by a more recent bottling from 2000 by The Caskhound. Both offer a rare glimpse into the lightly explored world of Dumbarton grain whisky, ahead of a deeper dive into the distillery’s history after the break.

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Wild Turkey 101 Proof Bourbon & Rare Breed Rye

Wild Turkey 101 Proof & Rare Breed Rye

Coldorak

Wild Turkey traces its origins to the Ripy Brothers, who founded the distillery in 1869 near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The Wild Turkey brand name emerged in 1940 after an executive took bourbon samples on a hunting trip, and its popularity led Austin Nichols & Co to begin bottling it officially in 1942. Today, Wild Turkey’s production focuses on traditional methods, including aging in new American white oak barrels with a deep No. 4 char, and its range includes expressions like the 101 Proof and Rare Breed bourbons, crafted under the stewardship of master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell. We’ll be reviewing the Wild Turkey 101 Proof Bourbon and Rare Breed Rye.

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Five indy bottled Ben Nevis

Five Indy Bottled Ben Nevis

Coldorak

It has been several months since a bottle from Ben Nevis last featured on More Drams, and the absence has certainly been felt. Ben Nevis distillery is famed not only for its historic roots – dating back to 1825 under the watch of the legendary ‘Long John’ MacDonald – but also for the distinctive, full-bodied spirit it produces. As a distillery whose small output and varied cask management have resulted in an array of characterful single malts and striking independent bottlings, Ben Nevis remains perpetually in demand. Now, with the anticipation that only a rummage through the sample drawers can inspire, let’s revisit this Highland stalwart. Five indy bottled Ben Nevis samples, spanning different casks, ages and independent bottlers: Wilson & Morgan, Swell de Spirits, Hidden Spirits, Elixir Distillers and Signatory Vintage.

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Dingle Core Range and 10yo single cask

Dingle Single Pot Still, Single Malt and 10yo

Coldorak

The Irish distillery Dingle recently expanded its core range with a Single Pot Still and a 10-year-old single malt, also updating the non-age statement single malt’s recipe and ABV while unveiling new packaging. Since Paddy Foley stepped in after Graham Coull’s departure, the distillery has remained active, committed to growth despite an undesired pause is their expansion plans. It’s encouraging to see Dingle continue being so active. Up next are reviews of the brand new Single Pot Still, Single Malt, 10-year-old, along with their first ever 10-year-old released in 2023.

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Glenburgie 16yo Boutique-y 14yo Chorlton

Glenburgie 16yo Boutique-y / 14yo Chorlton

Coldorak

Not much has changed since we wrote about the lack of love given by Pernod Ricard and Chivas Brothers to Glenburgie, almost four years ago. Apart a 16-year-old cask strength expression for South Korea last year, it doesn’t seem anything official has been released since 2022. So once again, it’s up to independent bottlers to allow consumers to enjoy some Glenburgie single malt by itself, and not blended and ruined into a bland Chivas blend. To the rescue today come That Boutique-y Whisky Company and Chorlton Whisky, as we review a Glenburgie 16-year-old Boutique-y and a 14-year-old from Chorlton.

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Scapa 10-, 16- and 21-year-old

Scapa 10-, 16- and 21-year-old

Coldorak

Scapa Distillery has launched a renewed core range featuring 10-, 16-, and 21-year-old single malts, marking its first permanent age-statement collection since 1885. Released in late 2024 under the Signature Range name, the series showcases Scapa’s fruity, unpeated style, with all three whiskies matured in first-fill American oak casks and bottled at 48% ABV or cask strength.​

The new core range was accompanied by new packaging said to take inspiration from the calm coastal surroundings of Scapa Flow, using a soft maritime colour palette and redesigned bottle silhouettes. The launch coincides with updates to the distillery’s visitor centre, reflecting Pernod Ricard’s decision to at last revitalise Scapa, and bringing renewed attention to this long-overlooked Orkney distillery.

We’ll review all three of these new expressions, as well as the old 16-year-old, discontinued in 2016.

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