Independent Bottler Archives

Jura Glentauchers Ben Nevis Macbeth act 2 Elixir Distillers

Jura/Glentauchers/Ben Nevis Macbeth Elixir Distillers

31st December 202530th December 2025Coldorak

We explore the Jura 17-year-old, Glentauchers 27-year-old, and Ben Nevis 28-year-old from Elixir Distillers’ Macbeth series Act 2. These drams mark our return to whisky after the twenty-something cognac reviews from the Cognac-Expert 2025 Advent Calendar and the recent Coleburn pair. Elixir Distillers, partnering with Livingstone Rare, crafted the Macbeth series from Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, assigning 42 unique Scotch whiskies to play characters across six thematic groups. Whisky writer Dave Broom composed vivid portraits that tie each spirit to its character’s personality, cask profile, and regional roots, while Sir Quentin Blake supplied striking and fun bespoke label illustrations. Elixir’s team – led by Sukhinder Singh and Oliver Chilton – sources casks from their vast network and Sukhinder’s own stock, prioritising pure distillate character over dominant wood influence.

Two Coleburn Signatory Vintage for Christmas

26th December 202525th December 2025Coldorak

On special days, I like to reach for something special, so I chose two Coleburn whiskies from Signatory Vintage for Christmas. After a lengthy cognac session from the Cognac-Expert 2025 Advent Calendar, I return to whisky. Coleburn has tempted me for ages, especially since my 2019 visit to Murray McDavid at Spirit of Speyside – where they lease the distillery’s warehouses for cask storage, though workers dismantled the site long ago. Sourcing Coleburn proved tough, yet I snagged two samples in days. As always, I’ll start with the distillery history before diving into these festive Signatory pours.

Authentic Spirits Les Grandes Jouberteries

Les Grandes Jouberteries Lot 65 Authentic Spirits

23rd December 202523rd December 2025Coldorak

Day 22 of the Cognac-Expert 2025 Advent Calendar brings an independent bottling: Les Grandes Jouberteries Lot 65 from Authentic Spirits. A few months ago, this bottler impressed us with an excellent La Prenellerie cognac, but Les Grandes Jouberteries steps onto our radar for the first time today. As always, new names deserve a proper introduction before the review, so let’s get to know Les Grandes Jouberteries first.

Three Independent Glen Ord

1st December 202530th November 2025Coldorak

Today we explore three independently bottled Glen Ord whiskies from Signatory Vintage and Chorlton Whisky, which we tasted during November’s Rennes Whisky Club session. Independent bottlers let us discover Glen Ord’s true taste, especially in Europe, since the official Singleton of Glen Ord bottlings target Diageo’s Asia-focused markets like Taiwan, Singapore, Southeast Asia, and travel retail. They do appear on the Special Releases, though. Let’s briefly discuss the distillery before reviewing this trio.

A Ballindalloch and three indy Glenfarclas

A Ballindalloch And Some Indy Glenfarclas

21st November 202520th November 2025Coldorak

On the menu today are a Ballindaloch and some indy Glenfarclas. What is the link between those? Most whisky lovers know Glenfarclas, Ballindalloch’s famous distillery. Some may also recognise Cragganmore. Fewer people realise that Ballindalloch hosts a third distillery: the Ballindalloch Distillery itself. Today, let’s try a single cask from Ballindalloch—the first I’ve managed to get hold of—and compare it with a few Glenfarclas expressions as benchmarks.

Benromach 21, 35yo & Glen Mosset 2013 Maltbarn

Benromach 21- & 35-year-old & 2013 Maltbarn

19th November 202519th November 2025Coldorak

Today, More Drams dives into the Benromach distillery with reviews of their 21- and 35-year-old expressions, plus the independent 2013 Benromach bottled as Glen Mosset by Maltbarn. Incredibly, over six years of blogging, I’ve only reviewed one Benromach before. While it’s not a distillery I often purchase or receive samples from, I’ve always admired its old-school style – especially since visiting the distillery in 2019 deepened my appreciation. This session aims to remedy that oversight with two official Benromach releases and a hidden gem: the Glen Mosset 2013 Maltbarn, the code name for Benromach in select bottlings.

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.