Bob McDonald

9.3

This is a great tipple as the weather cools down in the Southern Hemisphere. From Islay with plenty of peat and smokiness. A maritime seaweed note. Some say Laphroaig is even more peaty but for me, the jury is still out on that one. — 6 months ago

Andrew Mueller

9.7

This is The Yamazaki single malt 12 years old Japanese Whiskey. I’m only giving it a 9.7 to leave room for perfection...if it exists. This is really hard to find now, even in Japan. Very smooth yet robust that energizes the pallet. — 4 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.2

Really nice bottle that I find to be a bit more tame and integrated when compared to The Dalmore 12, which is also aged in Oloroso casks (both American and European oak). This selection has sweet caramel & fig, winter spices, toffee, and some nuanced citrus and fresh wood. — 4 years ago

Rusty Beall

9.2

Very peaty! I would have guessed, if I were blindfolded, that it was a Laphroaig. — 6 years ago

romo

9.7

A not-so-wee dram for my birthday reminds me how Mortlach separates from the herd. Transcendent light-bodied balance yet a finish that goes on in breath long after swallow. A poetic emotional drink. — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.3

I'd still prefer wine after a dry run, but this whiskey sure did hit a spot. The balance and complexity of the Machir Bay is just undeniable, evident from the score achieved here. Fresh, zesty fruits are starkly juxtoposed with pastry-like nutty, creamy vanillin notes. The peat straddles the line between salinity and camp fire smoke. A rockstar finish that just lingers with sweet, malty flavour and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Needs a little air to sort out some initial aggression, but once that settles, I felt nothing was out of place. Best entry-level Islay for me! 2019 bottling here. — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Enjoyed this, though it does comes off a little harsh, which can perhaps be attributed to its youth. A NAS, but as I understand, the blend is at least as old as the standard 10 year old. It definitely has a pretty similar profile - pepper, brine, peat smoke, and citrus. Would be good to taste them side-by-side given the general consensus that the Storm's essentially the 10 taken up a notch. There's a really "sweet" inner core that pushes through to peaty, somewhat-medicinal finish. Medium length. Really liking this profile (particularly the saline character) so I'm definitely going to be checking out the rest of the range. — 4 years ago

Christian Ramirez Romanini

9.1

With a dark golden/medium copper coloring, which is maintain in the glass and provokes a very inviting feeling, this whiskey produces legs that are readily apparent and mark the glass for a lengthy period.

The nose is lightly floral, with fruity notes and some sweet vanilla and oak, and with no noticeable alcohol burn. It’s a medium nose that is easily picked up.

The whisky produces a wonderful mouthfeel, one that lightly covers the entire mouth with a slight syrupy feel, and yet it’s not oily. The flavor profile is subtle to moderate, with most action in the back of the mouth. The whisky provides flavors of berries, oak, sherry and some sweet vanilla as well. The finish is medium, but turns on some spice and delights the taste buds with some interesting baking spices. — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

The mildest of the Diageo peated whiskies I've had so far. Definitely not the campfire peat monsters of Ardbeg, or the distinct maritime peat of Talisker, or the more medicinal peat of Lagavulin... The peat here comes off as sweet and aromatic, almost like incense. The body seems to be the lightest of the lot too (comparing apples and apples), although it's hard to say without seeing them all next to each other (definitely lighter than the Ardberg and even Glen Elgin here). Palate flavours are subtle in the Caol Ila, but citrus notes come through clearly. Finishes a touch short with a sort of grassy earthy quality that I quite enjoy. Not a blockbuster whisky, yet I find it quite drinkable.

NB: Better mixed 1:1 with the Ardbeg Wee Beastie. Seems to balance out the extreme smoke of the Ardberg, drawing out lovely saline notes. — 3 years ago

Francisco Garcia

9.6

Love coming back to the quality crafted scotch products. Honey infused traces of flavor and remarkable presence that leaves you wondering if its there or not. Very good — 5 years ago