Bottlers Archives

Glen Spey 2011 vanWees & 1997 The Whisky Agency

25th August 202524th August 2025Coldorak

Glen Spey, one of the four distilleries located in Rothes, Scotland, appears to have ceased whisky production in recent years, shifting its focus to gin production for Diageo. Unfortunately, available information on this transition is quite limited – so if anyone knows more about it, please do reach out! Despite an annual capacity of about 1.4 million litres, Glen Spey’s output has long been dedicated primarily to blending – most notably for J&B, which we’ve reviewed a few times recently. Interestingly, older casks from Glen Spey still surface through independent bottlers, which is what draws our attention today – let’s discover the Glen Spey 2011 vanWees and a 1997 from The Whisky Agency

Two Cameronbridge 1973 Scott's Selection

Two 1973 Cameronbridge 37yo Scott’s Selection

22nd August 202521st August 2025Coldorak

It’s been a few weeks since we last had old grain whiskies, so today, we review two Cameronbridge coming from the same independent bottler, distilled on the same year and bottled at the same age on the same year as well. Will they be the same as well? Let’s find out, as we review two 1973 Cameronbridge 37-year-old from Scott’s Selection.

Aultmore 14yo / Glentauchers 2006 / Inchgower 1997 Thompson Bros

20th August 202519th August 2025Coldorak

Today, we examine three recent releases from Thompson Bros, an independent bottler based in Dornoch. The team stays busy with their independent bottling operations, the Whisky Castle bar, the Dornoch distillery, and the ongoing construction of a new distillery called Struie. The whiskies we review are the Aultmore 14-year-old, Glentauchers 2006, and Inchgower 1997 Thompson Bros, all issued at the end of last year.

Ardmore 2011 van Wees Ardmore 25yo Thompson Bros

Ardlair 2011 vanWees / Ardmore 25yo Thompson

11th August 202511th August 2025Coldorak

We’re back from a three weeks break with a pair of whiskies from Ardmore. Ardmore Distillery, founded in 1898 by Adam Teacher in Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, was originally established to supply peated malt for the widely popular Teacher’s Highland Cream blend. Ardmore also exists on its own, and is now operated by Suntory Global Spirits. Let’s learn a bit more about Ardmore, then we’ll review two independent bottlings showing the two sides of this distillery, producing mostly peated whisky but also some unpeated ones, with the Ardlair 2011 van Wees and the Ardmore 25-year-old Thompson Brothers.

Ben Nevis 2014 SMWS / 2012 The Duchess

21st July 202521st July 2025Coldorak

It has been far too long – over three years, in fact – since we last indulged in the delights of Ben Nevis. Today, we remedy that oversight with a duo of recent independent bottlings, and we promise to delve into the half-dozen samples waiting patiently in our drawer very soon. On today’s menu: a Ben Nevis 2014 from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and a 2012 from The Duchess.

Ardnamurchan Mezcal, 08:18 and cask 338 Adelphi

Ardnamurchan Mezcal, 08:18 & Cask 338 Adelphi

11th July 202511th July 2025Coldorak

Returning to the young Ardnamurchan distillery – unintentionally continuing a theme of young distilleries on More Drams, following Strathearn and Ardnahoe this week – we explore another ~~pair~~… in fact, let’s make that even a trio of whiskies. Today, we compare two official bottlings, including a single cask, with a semi-independent one, given that Adelphi, the independent bottler, owns Ardnamurchan distillery. We’ll discuss the trend of independent bottlers starting to distil as well before we dive into the Ardnamurchan AD/ Mezcal Cask Release and the Single Casks 08:18 #1060 and #338 Adelphi.

Strathearn Inaugural Bottling and Batch No. 02

Strathearn Inaugural Bottling / Batch No.02

9th July 20259th July 2025Coldorak

Strathearn Distillery is a small-batch single malt Scotch whisky producer located near Methven in Highland Perthshire, Scotland. Founded in 2013 by Tony Reeman-Clark and partners, the distillery operates within a historic 160-year-old stone farm steading, on the site of an earlier 18th-century distillery. Known as probably Scotland’s smallest distillery, Strathearn is distinguished by its artisanal approach, using Maris Otter Malt, small 50-litre casks (at least during the initial ownership) and a notably long fermentation time of up to 144 hours, which contributes to its uniquely fruity character . In 2019, the distillery was acquired by Douglas Laing & Co, a Glasgow-based independent bottler, which expanded its production capacity and launched new expressions such as “The Heart” in 2022. Strathearn manually handles every step from malt preparation to distillation, employing alembic-style stills imported from Portugal. We review the Strathearn Inaugural Bottling and Single Malt Batch No. 02.

Rosebank 21-year-old Innocence Specialty Drinks

4th July 202514th July 2025Coldorak

Rosebank Distillery’s official founding was in 1840 by James Rankine, a local Falkirk wine merchant and tea blender. Situated on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal, the distillery thrived throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, earning a reputation for producing some of Scotland’s finest Lowland single malts. Rosebank distinguished itself through its traditional triple distillation process – a rarity in Scotch whisky production – which imparted a delicate, floral, and fruity character to its whisky, complemented by a thick palate texture thanks to its unique worm tub condensers.

After operating continuously for over 150 years, Rosebank closed in 1993 due to the prohibitive cost of upgrading its effluent treatment facilities and logistical challenges, despite the high regard for its whisky. The site remained dormant for three decades until Ian Macleod Distillers acquired the distillery and trademarks in 2017. Following an extensive restoration that faithfully replicated the original distillery’s layout and equipment, production resumed in 2023 and the distillery reopened to visitors in mid-2024. Obviously, the new spirit flowing from Rosebank stills is not whisky yet, so we’ll review a Rosebank 21-year-old ’Innocence’ bottled by Specialty Drinks (The Whisky Exchange).

Allt-A-Bhainne 1979 Whisky Castle / 1995 Chapter 7

Allt-A-Bhaine 1979 Whisky Castle/1995 Chapter 7

30th June 202529th June 2025Coldorak

After enjoying my first two Glendullan single malts on Friday, I continued exploring new experiences by reviewing a pair of Allt-A-Bhainne whiskies for the first time. These came from two independent bottlers I hadn’t tried anything from before: The Whisky Castle and Chapter 7. I review the Allt-A-Bhainne 1979 Whisky Castle and 1995 Chapter 7. Interestingly, the latter was distilled the same year the former was bottled.

Glendullan 2011 James Eadie / 2012 Signatory Vintage

27th June 202526th June 2025Coldorak

I really started my whisky journey, seriously going on the road towards empty wallets and overcrowded whisky shelves, back in 2018. A late start compared to many, but since then I’ve tried to discover as much as I could, try whisky from everywhere. I’ve now tried close to 2,600 different whiskies, and obviously, despite this number looking gigantic to some, and small to others, there are many things I have never tried (and maybe never will). But this also means that there is still a lot for me to discover, to try for the first time, being old or new whisky. After all, more than 260,000 whiskies are listed on Whiskybase, so with just 1% of those tried until now, I’ve barely scrapped the surface. And today, I can tick another checkbox with what seems to be my first ever two Glendullan whiskies. As it is one of the distilleries behind Diageo’s brand ’’’The Singleton’, I’m quite surprised I had never tried any before if I trust my whisky sheet and my Whiskybase account, but well, there’s a start for everything, including large distilleries! But today, no Singleton: we’ll review two independent bottlings: the Glendullan 2011 James Eadie and 2012 Signatory Vintage.