Independent Bottler Archives

Loch Lomond Distillery Edition 6 / Croftengea 2006 The Whisky Agency

Loch Lomond Distillery Edition #6/Croftengea 2006 TWA

12th November 202510th November 2025Coldorak

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.

Glenkinchie 2008/Auchentoshan 1999 The Whisky Agency

10th November 20257th November 2025Coldorak

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.

Dumbarton 1986 Scott's Selection & 2000 The Caskhound

Dumbarton 1986 Scott’s / 2000 Caskhound

7th November 20256th November 2025Coldorak

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.

Five Indy Bottled Ben Nevis

3rd November 20252nd November 2025Coldorak

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.

Glenburgie 16yo Boutique-y / 14yo Chorlton

29th October 202528th October 2025Coldorak

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.

Timorous Beastie Cheese Cellar Collection

24th October 202524th October 2025Coldorak

Douglas Laing created the Timorous Beastie Cheese Cellar Collection as a trilogy of Highland blended malt whiskies crafted specifically to pair with artisan cheeses. This limited-edition series forms part of the Remarkable Regional Malts range and highlights Highland single malts including Dalmore, Glengoyne, Glen Garioch, and Strathearn. Between 2024 and 2025, the company developed the collection to celebrate the link between whisky and cheese, finishing each expression in a different style of wine cask chosen to complement distinctive cheese types.

Four Benriach From The 2010s

17th October 202516th October 2025Coldorak

Almost two years ago, I reviewed two Benriach 12-year-old expressions from the distillery’s modern range – the line introduced after the major rebranding of September 2020. That refreshed identity brought a new look and a more contemporary flavour philosophy under its A World of Flavour portfolio.

But what did Benriach taste like before this new era? Perhaps you’ve never asked yourself that question – though I certainly have. To satisfy that curiosity, this review revisits four Benriach bottlings from the 2010s: three official releases, including one peated expression, and one independent bottling. Together they offer a snapshot of how the distillery’s character evolved before its transformation into the Benriach we know today.

Auchroisk / Tormore / Benrinnes / Ardmore Signatory

15th October 202514th October 2025Coldorak

Last Wednesday, two friends and I hosted a second sherried whiskies session at Rennes Whisky Club, this time featuring three bottlings from Signatory Vintage’s 100 proof series: Tormore, Benrinnes, and Ardmore. After the tasting, I realised I had overlooked an Auchroisk from the same range—one I forgot about when I put together my earlier review of three indy Auchroisks. I decided to bring it along, turning the evening into a lineup of four Auchroisk, Tormore, Benrinnes and Ardmore Signatory 100 proof whiskies.

Three Independent Secret Orkney

13th October 202528th October 2025Coldorak

We return to Orkney with a review of three Independent Secret Orkney bottlings. As a reminder, Orkney only has two whisky distilleries: Highland Park and Scapa. None of these bottlings should be from Scapa, so you can easily guess their origin. By the way, I plan to review Scapa’s new core range soon, so stay tuned for that. We will examine today’s whiskies in ascending order of ABV, starting immediately with a relatively high proof, as the lowest ABV (57.1%!) in this selection is the Signatory 100 Proof bottling.

Two Glenlivet 2007 Signatory Vintage

10th October 20259th October 2025Coldorak

Glenlivet has appeared only once on More Drams Less Drama (by itself). The official 12-year-old, bottled at 40% and chill-filtered, earned a forgettable 4/10 rating, whilst a 25-year-old Speyside #4 from That Boutique-y Whisky Company demonstrated that the distillery performs considerably better when not overly diluted. Today’s pair might reinforce that observation with two Glenlivet 2007 bottled by Signatory Vintage, both bottled at cask strength and offering a glimpse of what Glenlivet can achieve when left unmolested at high proof.