Single Malt Archives

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.

Springbank 5-year-old & Longrow 100 Proof

Springbank 5-year-old and Longrow 100 Proof

17th November 202517th November 2025Coldorak

Today we explore two high-strength whiskies bottled at 100 proof. And neither comes from Signatory Vintage’s famous series. Instead, we examine two new additions to Springbank’s portfolio: the Springbank 5-Year-Old 100 Proof and the Longrow 100 Proof. Springbank introduced the 5-Year-Old 100 Proof in 2025 as a permanent core range addition. It marks the triumphant return of a historic bottling that vanished in the 1990s. The Longrow 100 Proof represents the inaugural batch of a bold new series. It replaces the discontinued Longrow Red range. Both whiskies mark significant milestones for the Campbeltown distillery. Springbank offers consistent availability through quarterly releases. The Longrow debuts a fresh direction for peated Campbeltown whisky. It moves away from the divisive Red series into a new era defined by full-proof strength and red wine influence from Pinot Noir cask finishing.

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.

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.

Dingle Single Pot Still, Single Malt and 10yo

31st October 202530th October 2025Coldorak

The Irish distillery Dingle recently expanded its core range with a Single Pot Still and a 10-year-old single malt, also updating the non-age statement single malt’s recipe and ABV while unveiling new packaging. Since Paddy Foley stepped in after Graham Coull’s departure, the distillery has remained active, committed to growth despite an undesired pause is their expansion plans. It’s encouraging to see Dingle continue being so active. Up next are reviews of the brand new Single Pot Still, Single Malt, 10-year-old, along with their first ever 10-year-old released in 2023.

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.

Scapa 10-, 16- and 21-year-old

27th October 202527th October 2025Coldorak

Scapa Distillery has launched a renewed core range featuring 10-, 16-, and 21-year-old single malts, marking its first permanent age-statement collection since 1885. Released in late 2024 under the Signature Range name, the series showcases Scapa’s fruity, unpeated style, with all three whiskies matured in first-fill American oak casks and bottled at 48% ABV or cask strength.

The new core range was accompanied by new packaging said to take inspiration from the calm coastal surroundings of Scapa Flow, using a soft maritime colour palette and redesigned bottle silhouettes. The launch coincides with updates to the distillery’s visitor centre, reflecting Pernod Ricard’s decision to at last revitalise Scapa, and bringing renewed attention to this long-overlooked Orkney distillery.

We’ll review all three of these new expressions, as well as the old 16-year-old, discontinued in 2016.

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.