Single Malt Archives - More Drams, Less Drama

Bruichladdich 2013 Islay Barley & Port Charlotte 10-year-old

21st January 202520th January 2025Coldorak

Bruichladdich Distillery, located on the island of Islay, was founded in 1881 by the Harvey brothers. Over the years, the distillery has seen its fair share of changes, including periods of closure and different ownerships. It was brought back to life in 2000 by a group led by Mark Reynier, who focused on restoring its traditional methods and exploring new approaches to whisky-making. Today, it’s owned by Rémy Cointreau and continues to produce a wide range of distinctive whiskies.

One of the things Bruichladdich is known for is its focus on local barley and the influence of Islay’s environment on its whiskies. The distillery emphasises transparency about where its ingredients come from and avoids chill filtration and artificial colouring in its bottlings. Bruichladdich produces three main styles: the unpeated Bruichladdich range, the heavily peated Port Charlotte, and the extremely peated Octomore.

In this review, we’ll look at two whiskies from their lineup: the Bruichladdich 2013 Islay Barley and the Port Charlotte 10-year-old. Both offer an interesting glimpse into the distillery’s approach to whisky-making and the diversity of Islay’s character. The ones we’ve tried so far were very good, so let’s see with those two!

Longmorn 16-year-old & 1983 Gordon & Macphail

Longmorn 16yo & 1983 Gordon & Macphail

20th January 202519th January 2025Coldorak

It’s been quite some time since we last reviewed a Longmorn, so today we’ll be looking at two expressions from this Speyside distillery. First, we’ll start with the now-retired official Longmorn 16-year-old, followed by a licensed bottling from Gordon & MacPhail, distilled in 1983. These two whiskies represent both official and independent releases, offering a look at different sides of Longmorn.

Kingsbarns Doocot and Balcomie

17th January 202516th January 2025Coldorak

Kingsbarns Distillery, nestled in the scenic East Neuk of Fife near St Andrews, Scotland, is a relatively new addition to Scotland’s whisky landscape. Founded in 2014 by the Wemyss family, that we already know here for their independent bottling activity, Kingsbarns was born from a vision to revive whisky-making traditions in an area rich with history but absent of distilleries for over a century. The distillery is housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century farm steading, adding a sense of heritage and character to its modern operations.

Glen Keith 1996 Wemyss Malts

13th January 202512th January 2025Coldorak

This humble blog welcomes two new additions to its pages: Glen Keith Distillery and Wemyss Malts. Strangely enough, I was convinced I had already covered both, but it turns out I did not have – so it’s time to fix that! Before diving into the tasting and review of the Glen Keith 1996 Wemyss Malts, named Sweet Disposition, let’s take a moment to introduce both the distillery and the independent bottler.

Hakushu and Yamazaki 25-year-old (2024)

31st December 202430th December 2024Coldorak

Back in September, I attended the Dugas Club Expert show, primarily to catch up with Graham and Fay Coull, who were making an appearance since leaving Dingle. The event featured a stunning Suntory booth, as Dugas distributes their products in France. One side of the booth showcased Laphroaig and Bowmore, while the other side highlighted Suntory’s Japanese brands: Chita, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki.

Thanks to the generous pours from Christophe Davoine, House of Suntory’s brand ambassador, I was able to bring home samples of Yamazaki 25-Year-Old and Hakushu 25-Year-Old for a proper review with a fresh palate. We’ve already reviewed the younger Yamazaki expressions – Distiller’s Reserve, 12-Year-Old, and 18-Year-Old – which happens to be one of the most read articles on this humble blog. Before I dive into Hakushu’s lineup, including the Distiller’s Reserve, 12-Year-Old, and 18-Year-Old (coming soon…ish), let’s focus on these 25-Year-Old expressions.

Bimber Shoulders of Giants Second Release

8th November 20248th November 2024Coldorak

Bimber returns with a second round of releases in its ‘Shoulders of Giants’ series. Eight new ‘Giants’ have been introduced, joining the original six from the first batch, along with fresh country exclusives – this time with Germany and Belgium joining the UK and Poland. With samples from all eight of these new expressions kindly sent by Bimber a few weeks ago, let’s dive into a review of this Bimber Shoulders of Giants Second Release.

Bimber Shoulders of Giants

22nd September 202412th November 2024Coldorak

Bimber recently introduced* a new series, ‘Shoulder of Giants’, a tribute to the thinkers, innovators, and visionaries who have shaped history. While the connection to whisky may not be immediately obvious, perhaps these celebrated figures were whisky enthusiasts – though, in the case of Nicolaus Copernicus, who passed away in 1543 in Poland, it’s unlikely he ever had the chance to enjoy a dram! Regardless, this theme is as fitting as many others embraced by distilleries, and the labels are nothing short of stunning. Thanks to Bimber Distillery, we didn’t just have the last Spirit of the Underground batch, we also have all six expressions from the ‘Shoulder of Giants’ series in front of us – three exclusive to the UK and three to Poland. Let’s dive in and explore what each of these whiskies has to offer.

Glen Garioch 2015 and Secret Islay 2017 Swell de Spirits

21st May 202422nd May 2024Coldorak

A few weeks ago, we received a few samples from the French independent bottler Swell de Spirits, including a few whiskies. Today we try two of them: a Glen Garioch 2015 and a Secret Islay from a south shore distillery known for its eccentric marketing team and its yearly non-age-statement releases…

Springbank 10-year-old Palo Cortado

26th January 202427th January 2024Coldorak

As January 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the passing weeks, realising it’s been a while since my last post. The onset of winter proved challenging, as a persistent illness lingered, not severe but enough to dampen my spirits and impede the joy of savouring and reviewing whiskies. Nevertheless, this unexpected hiatus provided an opportunity to thin out my whisky collection, creating some much-needed space on my shelves.

Towards the end of the previous year, a stroke of fortune came my way when a friend, employed at a local off-licence, secured for me a bottle of the elusive Springbank 10-year-old Palo Cortado at its recommended retail price. The only stipulation was a choice between unsealing the bottle or having my name adorn the label, a precaution to discourage resale. Opting for the latter, indifferent to the inclusion of my name or nickname, seemed a small price to pay for this coveted bottle, especially considering it needed to be shipped to me, so a perfect seal was mandatory. Interestingly, this decision has now become a recurring theme, with my name gracing labels of other Springbank bottles, ones I acquired during a visit to the distillery – ranging from handfills to a distinctive cage bottle, and even my personally crafted Springbank composition.

Having now recovered from my ailment, I’ve finally had the pleasure of sampling a few drams from the Springbank 10-year-old Palo Cortado. So, without further ado, let’s delve into a detailed review. But before we embark on this tasting journey, anticipate some changes on these pages.

Bruichladdich 1965 Ceramic Jug

21st December 202321st December 2023Coldorak

In the world of exclusive whiskies crafted to honour royal celebrations, few expressions encapsulate history and craftsmanship as vividly as the Bruichladdich 1965 Ceramic Jug. This exceptional bottling, released in 1981 to commemorate the wedding of HRH Charles and Diana Frances Spencer, stands as a testament to the enduring tradition of creating fine spirits for regal occasions. As we explore the rich tapestry of royal-inspired whiskies and the cultural phenomena surrounding them, this review delves into the exquisite details that make the Bruichladdich 1965 a prized addition to the collector’s repertoire. From its bespoke packaging to the finely distilled spirit within, join us on a journey through the intersection of whisky, monarchy, and celebration.