Scotland Archives

Seven Signatory Vintage 100 Proof #70-73 & #75-77

4th May 20264th May 2026Coldorak

We’ve already tried a few of the releases from the running Signatory Vintage 100 Proof series, but since they continue releasing many of those, let’s review seven out of the eight latest expressions in these series, with all the editions #70 to #77, with the exception of the #74 I couldn’t source. In our glasses today are whiskies from Caol Ila, Highland Park, Linkwood, Mortlach, Ben Nevis, Ledaig and Clynelish. We’ll go in release numbers ascending, so I guess I’ll need a pause in between some drams when going from potentially peated to unpeated!

Caledonian From 29 – To 48-Year-Old

29th April 202628th April 2026Coldorak

We explore three venerable Caledonian single grains, aged between 29 and 48 years. The youngest, if we can call it that way, hails from That Boutique-y Whisky Company, while the two venerable elders – a 46- and 48-year-old – come from Scott’s Selection. This long-closed distillery, known for its grain whiskies, deserves a closer look.

Five Independent Clynelish

27th April 202626th April 2026Coldorak

It’s already time for another Clynelish session, this time with five independent Clynelish bottlings, even though we reviewed three back in January. Then again, Clynelish is one of those distilleries we never seem to tire of – right up there with Ben Nevis and Springbank… and a few others.

Since my recent move, I’ve also taken the opportunity to reorganise my samples, even adding a four-drawer cabinet to give myself more room and increase storage capacity by 50%. Yet, as with bottles, I seem to acquire more samples than I can realistically drink. And because I still have a habit of wanting to write about every new whisky or spirit I try, while also tasting several at once for comparison, some drams inevitably end up waiting far too long for their turn.

Perhaps I should admit that not every bottle or sample needs a full review. That would certainly help keep the stock under control – and might even leave me with more time to simply enjoy whisky. In any case, today we’re turning to independent Clynelish from Cadenhead, Signatory, Silver Seal, Whisky Sponge and Masam, drawn from Silviano Samaroli stock. Let’s move the vintages up, shall we?

Four Diageo ‘The Managers’ Choice’ From The Past

24th April 202623rd April 2026Coldorak

We take a nostalgic look in the rear-view mirror as we explore four gems from Diageo’s exclusive Managers’ Choice collection – a limited one-cask-per-distillery series launched in 2009. In our glasses tonight: a Cragganmore, Knockando, Lagavulin and Talisker, all handpicked by their respective distillery managers and bottled that same year at cask strength, offering a rare snapshot of Diageo’s portfolio at the time.

Balblair 12-, 15- and 18-year-old

22nd April 202621st April 2026Coldorak

It’s been already two years since my last Balblair review (I was sure I did one last year, time flies!) and a few weeks since my last review (thanks to moving houses), so let’s have a look at the first three expressions from Balblair’s current core range with the Balblair 12-, 15- and 18-year-old.

Four Bowmore Down To 1969

23rd February 202623rd February 2026Coldorak

Today, we indulge in four Bowmore whiskies: two 15-year-old bottled for Fèis Ìle 2018 and 2019, a 20-year-old celebrating Bowmore’s founder, and a 1969 bottled in the 1980s. I recently got some very good news on a personal matter, and that justified celebrating with the big guns.

Ardbeg Drum, Blaaack and Scorch

9th February 20269th February 2026Coldorak

We continue our series of Ardbeg Fèis Ìle releases with three more Ardbeg: Drum, Blaaack and Scotch. Between Blaaack and Scorch, Ardbeg released Arrrrrrrdbeg!, but we’ll review it another time, since for now we’re focusing on those Fèis Ìle releases, from 2019 to 2021 today.

Four Independent Miltonduff Whiskies

6th February 20265th February 2026Coldorak

Today marks More Drams’ first dedicated Miltonduff session—an introduction to the distillery paired with four compelling independent Miltonduff whiskies. On the tasting table: a Malts of Scotland from 2011, a 13-year-old cask bottled for Van Wees’ 100th anniversary by Gordon & Macphail, a 2009 Whisky Mercenary release, and a 22-year-old Chieftain’s Choice from 1989. This Speyside workhorse deserves far more attention than it typically receives.

Glen Grant 2003 Royal Mile / 1998 Whisky Agency

4th February 20264th February 2026Coldorak

On the tasting table today are two Glen Grants in their twenties: a Glen Grant 2003 from Royal Mile Whiskies and a 1998 from The Whisky Agency. It has been far too long since we last delved into Glen Grant at More Drams, which is a shame; this distillery can produce truly stunning whisky—as long as you look beyond the standard core range.

Linkwood 1979 & Two 30-Year-Old

2nd February 20262nd February 2026Coldorak

It’s been a long time we had a Linkwood on More Drams, so let’s taste three of them, with a Linkwood 1979 from Vintage Malt and two 30-year-old from Signatory Vintage and the SMWS. And since, apart from a short intro a long time ago, we didn’t properly talk about Linkwood distillery’s history, let’s have an in-depth look at the distillery’s history.