MrWizard's Ramblings

Here we go again!

What — Notes — Score

Bunnahabhain, Toiteach a Dha, 46.3% — A peated Bunna that’s not Staoisha. Lots of heathery peat, intense for the proof. Creamy and impactful palate up front but falls through into a big hole of ‘nothing’ in secondaries and aftertaste. Doesn’t quite stand out unless you *love* peat or pair it up with something else. I’m willing to admit that it’s competent in it’s own way, but it may not be my preferred style. — Score: B-

Caol Ila 16, Signatory Vintage, 52.8%
Caol Ila 16 from 2007, Cask #206, was matured mostly in hogsheads and then finished for 32 months in a fresh sherry butt, resulting in an impressively dark whisky with a nose full of smoky BBQ, salt, and toasted meat notes that immediately evoke brisket. The palate leans into smoked dark chocolate and BBQ burnt ends, with the classic Caol Ila peat playing more of a binding role than a dominant one, while the finish lingers with charred wood, dried BBQ bark, and bitter dark chocolate accented by heavily smoked bacon, just on the edge of being too bitter. Overall: It’s a delight for anyone seeking a dry sherry and peat balance, though perhaps a touch too dry and sherry-forward at times, with the Caol Ila character slightly muted or off-profile. Value: At an MSRP of $150, it represents solid value for both the marquee and the quality of the sherry cask.
This: https://shop.klwines … ucts/details/1917171
Score: A-

Laphroaig, Hops and Scotch SP, 57.1%
This is a 2014 Laphroaig selected by Hops and Scotch restaurant in Walnut Creek. It was bottled in 2023, making it about 9 years old, and aged in virgin French oak casks that were heavily toasted. The cask is numbered 1603. The nose is potent but not as heavily peated as expected; instead, there are strong notes of vanilla, dark caramel, toasted wood, and smoke that leans more toward smoked wood than the classic Islay iodine. The first sip delivers a lot of flavor—starting sweet and gentle before unleashing everything you’d expect from an oak-heavy, heavily peated cask-strength Scotch. Subsequent sips settle into a gentler rhythm as the palate adjusts, with dark dried fruits, very bitter sugars on both the palate and aftertaste, lots of cask spice, a touch of saltiness that doesn’t dominate, and lingering soot from a day-old woodfire. Overall: This is decidedly a wood-bomb style of bottling, with charred wood dominating the profile, though the spirit is strong enough to stand up to it and keep things balanced. Fair warning—the first sip is intense. A very bold and interesting bottle. Value: Picked up at $99 on clearance, this is a steal given the typical $250 MSRP.
Score: B+ (Peat!)

Arran 21, Volume 2: Lochranza Castle, 47.2%
This bottle holds the distinction of being my first—and so far, only—purchase delivered from the EU. It’s Arran’s Explorer Series Volume 2, a 21-year-old expression aged in sherry casks. The nose bursts with baked apple, vanilla, caramelized sugars, fruits, and toasted spices, creating something intense and almost Speyside-like. On the palate, it suggests bourbon cask influence, though the official description states it was “matured in sherry hogsheads, then finished in Amontillado sherry butts from Spain.” The flavor is clean, woody, sweet, fruity, quite spicy, and drying, with secondary notes that verge on bitterness. Tropical fruits and burnt sugar linger on the finish, shifting slightly toward a bitter, drying edge. Overall: An excellent tropical-fruited Arran where the complexity of cooked fruits is balanced by spice and the woodiness of the casks. My impression is that it’s more complex than it first appears, while still approachable for beginners and rewarding for experienced drinkers. Value: At about $190 (≈€165 in 2020), I don’t regret the purchase one bit.
Score: A-

Speyside 17 (Macallan), Signatory Vintage 58.2%
This is Signatory Vintage’s Cask Strength Collection Speyside 17 (independently confirmed to be Macallan), aged in a single Oloroso sherry butt #DRU17 A106 #16 and sold in Europe. Its sister cask was released through K&L Wines in the U.S., though I haven’t had it to compare. The nose is classic sherried Speyside—a fruit punch dominated by ripe red apples, layered with vanilla and a touch of aged cigar essence. On the palate it’s an intense sherry bomb, evoking the best of old-school Macallans from the early 2010s: velvety, richly spiced, with sherry depth, burnt sugar, and a multilayered complexity that hits all the right notes for sherried malt lovers. The finish leans more woody, with pine, toasted vanilla, and a long-lasting presence. Overall: A fantastic Macallan sherry bomb from an independent bottler, nearly on par with the originals—think Classic Cut at cask strength, only more intense. It doesn’t come with a story; it’s simply great whisky in a great cask. Value: With the sister cask listed at $280 locally (far too high), paying about half that for this bottle made it an excellent deal.
Score: A

Arran 18, Old Label, 46%
This is an Arran bottling sample of the regular Arran 18 from 2018. Bottled at 46% ABV, it is likely a blend of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. The nose is highly tropical, with ripe oranges and lightly toasted dry wood. The palate is intense and mouth-watering, carrying forward the ripe, cooked citrus notes and toasted oak with just a touch of wood smoke—not peat—in the background. The aftertaste delivers more of the same. Overall: I have to admit, this is one consistent pour—arguably the most consistent experience I’ve had in a while, reflecting the mastery of the distillery blender. Do I like it? Absolutely. The fruit and citrus notes are right up my alley, and the balance from the oak makes for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Value: At a modern price of around $200, it doesn’t strike me as a screaming deal for a regular bottling.
Score: B+
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown

Here we go again!

What — Notes — Score

Thanks to my friend Jeff, some samples! Some are tiny so tiny reviews! Disclaimer that with tiny samples it’s sometimes hard to form a more focused opinion just due to low volume.

2008 Glenallachie 13, Cask 418, Moscatel Barrique, 56.7% — Proofy, sweet oranges on the nose. Surprisingly nutty and sweetly citrusy palate. Think orange peel without bitterness. Lingering chili spices in the aftertaste. Not a lot of subtlety, but who needs it if it tastes this awesome. Very, very good! More please! — Score: A-
Glenallachie 13, Madeira Cask Finish, Impex, 54.3% — Red wine cask is obvious, nose reminds me of the batch series 10 year old bottles. More red wine on the palate. Chili spices balance everything out. Lingering vanilla and spices aftertaste. Good balance of wine cask to spirit but doesn’t stand out. — Score: B
Glenglassaugh 11, Oloroso, Total Wine SP, Cask 5195, 58.5% — Very punchy nose. Nowhere to hide here. Woody, spicy, dusty oloroso funk. Balanced palate that tastes oddly like ‘nothing’. Hits like a strong espresso on the secondaries. Big punch of spice in the back that quickly fades into lingering afternotes. Interesting, flavorful but too much coffee in *my* glass — Score: B-
Glenglassaugh 11, K&L SP, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Cask 4778, 57.9% — Immediately sweet & up my alley. Sweet, classically nutty PX, balanced, yet spicy, palate. A warming aftertaste and a chili spike early on that mellows out into a pleasant lingering sensation. Possibly *too* sweet as it borders on syrup; this is very enjoyable. I have this bottle, yay future me! — Score: B+
Glenmorangie, A tale of Tokyo, 46% — Drank almost the entire sample before i recalled I need to write a review. Quite sweet, interestingly spicy, candied orange gummies through and through. Extremely approachable, yet I cannot bring myself to love it as it tastes like a ‘generic good-ish’ Glenmorangie, but not an excellent one. This particularly leans towards sweet too much — Score: B-
Brora 22, 1972 Rare Malts, 58.7% — A big thank you to a very nice individual for sharing this at an event. Really tiny sample though. Super malty, citrucy, medium-peated nose. Powerful, multilayered palate. Lots of peat actually, much more than I expected. Clingy and thick texture. Peppery aftertaste that sticks around my mouth forever. I can see why this is highly sought after. Smoky perfume experience. Not going to rate this. — Score: N/A

Glenmorangie, A Tale of Cake, 46%
Another Glenmorangie sample thanks to my friend Jeffrey. This one was aged in Tokaji wine casks, which are known to lean sweet and extra vanilla-forward. Vanilla sugar on the nose is mixed with a touch of lightly toasted oak. The palate is sweet and vanilla-rich, with notes of broiled oranges—or perhaps grapefruit. Surprisingly spicy secondary notes follow, with a lively peppery mix in the aftertaste that fades into sweet vanilla and a balanced malt character, coating my mouth and lingering pleasantly, making me want more. Overall: I expected this bottling to be overly sweet or unbalanced, but this particular one turned out to be an excellent “Tale” from the distillery. It’s certainly full of vanilla, but the balance with the peppers reins it in, creating the harmony needed for an enjoyable pour. Value: ~$100… neither amazing nor poor. I certainly wouldn’t buy a case, but no regrets on getting a bottle.
Score: B+

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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown

Maker’s Mark, SFWBSS SP, ‘Separation Anxiety”, Recipe: 22051, 56.2%
Another Maker’s pick?! I’ve made it no secret in the past that, on average, I don’t consider Maker’s products anything special, though their limited releases occasionally hit that magical balance I enjoy. This is a single-cask pick by the SFWBSS group, of which I am a member, so it’s only prudent to share my thoughts. The nose leans heavily into vanilla sugars and caramel, with almost none of the bourbon funk that sometimes plagues the spirit, plus a whiff of dry wood—more Home Depot lumber aisle than workshop. The palate is surprisingly clean, again free of yeast notes, instead offering a light cherry note followed by toasted spices and balanced by vanilla wood. The finish carries the same spices and lingers nicely. Overall, this is a surprisingly good Maker’s pick, whether due to luck, stave combination, or both, ranking among the most enjoyable Maker’s releases I’ve had. It even gives the impression of a very stiff Manhattan, which I love. Value: At $69, the value is pretty darn solid.
Score: B+

Metamodernity Straight Bourbon, 52.5%
A straight bourbon from Matchbook Distilling in NY, made from a 67/21/12 (corn/rye/malted barley) mash bill. On the nose, it offers candied ginger and dried grass with a touch of oak and vanilla extract. The palate brings overripe bananas, pepper, ginger, grassy notes, and an unexpected sesame nuance, followed by an aftertaste of sweet oak, vanilla, pepper, grass, and more sesame. Overall, it’s an unusual flavor profile that fits well in the “variety” category on my shelf—definitely not for classic Kentucky bourbon purists. Approached with an open mind, it delivers unique, non-traditional flavors that are interesting without being off-putting. Picked up on clearance for $43, it’s great value; at the $100 MSRP, it’s worth trying but not necessarily worth a full bottle.
Score: B

Old Elk Cigar Cut Island Blend, 55.85%
Old Elk’s Cigar Cut Island Blend is a marriage of three robust straight whiskeys—bourbon, rye, and wheat—each aged at least six years and finished in a variety of casks including Sherry, Port, Rum, and Sauternes (plus a few extras). The nose is lively and layered, weaving between the base spirits and their cask influences, with bourbon richness, rye spice, and a hint of rum funk. It’s reminiscent of a soft, sweet rye that’s bold yet balanced. The palate mirrors the nose—sweet, spicy, and multi-layered—without letting any one element dominate. A warm, lingering finish brings toasted oak, baking spices, and a touch of chili cinnamon. Overall, this is an excellent whiskey blend with precise balance and superb integration, offering a cohesive and engaging experience. Highly recommended for most drinkers, though perhaps not for the staunchest Kentucky bourbon traditionalists. Value-wise, I scored mine on clearance, making it an easy win; at full MSRP, I’d be more hesitant, though it still outshines many bottles in its price range.
Score: A-

Ruou De; Rice Whiskey, 45%
A spirit distilled from rice and slightly aged, it opens with a nose that’s yeasty and pungent—in a somewhat good way—though still reminiscent of a soft newmake. The palate is velvety and soft, with a hint of yeastiness that’s thankfully overshadowed by floral notes and a sweet, gentle texture, almost like drinking unflavored mochi. The aftertaste unfortunately brings back some of the newmake character, though it’s tempered by sweet vanilla and a touch of chili. Overall, it’s soft, light, somewhat funky, sweet, and interesting to try, but not my preferred style of distillate. Value: N/A, free sample.
Score: Meh

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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown

Komagatake Mars, US edition 2022, 50%
Another Fog City release and another U.S. bottling from Japan’s Mars distillery, this one from 2022 and named Komagatake. It’s super lightly peated at around 3–5 PPM, non-age statement, and aged 3–5 years in a mix of ex-bourbon, sherry, and port casks. It comes across like a less peated version of Tsunuki. I can pick up all the cask types in the nose, nicely rounded by orchard fruits—somewhere between plums and pears—which is a big plus. The palate starts sweet and somewhat woody, carrying over the fruit notes before transitioning smoothly into flavorful, slightly spicy chili pepper tones. The finish lingers with a malty sweetness that mellows out the spice. Overall, I wasn’t initially impressed—seemed like a decent intro to 50% ABV whiskies for those working their way toward cask-strength—but it’s grown on me over time and makes for a pleasant, if not overly complex, pour. Value-wise: I got it as part of Fog City Social event admission, which was fair, but at the $100 MSRP, it feels a bit steep and maybe just below average on value.
Score: B+ (neck pour was B)

Oban 15 Cask Strength Edition, 55.3%
Big thanks to my brother from another mother, Orpheus, for leaving me a sample of this—love you, buddy! Finished in Oloroso and Palo Cortado casks, this is billed as an “exclusive release,” whatever that’s supposed to mean. The nose is fantastic to me—best described as a highly fortified white port or maybe Sauternes: macerated raisins in alcohol, a hint of wood, malt, and vanilla. The palate is sweet, raisiny, nutty, slightly fermented, with those rehydrated raisins again, some wood spice, and prune compote. The aftertaste lingers, mouth-coating and sweet, balanced by prune and raisin notes. While a bit on the sweet side, this is 101% in my wheelhouse—fantastic stuff. Value-wise, ehh… not amazing, but not bad either at 150. Available at Total Wine.
Score: A-

Ardmore 14, Cadenhead, 52.4%
Part of Cadenhead’s Chairman’s Stock Cask Strength Series, this was finished in a Manzanilla sherry cask for three years. The nose is proofy, woody, and strongly salty-smoky without showing the iodine notes often present in peated malt. While it doesn’t quite reach the depth smoky complexity of an old smokehouse, it does evoke fresh smoker grill notes. The palate is salty-sweet as expected, woody and smoky, with the balance leaning toward salted, smoky roasted almonds. The aftertaste continues that roasty-smoky almond trend and lingers for a while. Overall: Usually, finished whiskies aren’t as good as their counterparts, but this one happened to hit that magical mark where excellent cask and spirit come together into something well worth drinking. Yes, I know it’s peated. I’m enjoying it regardless. Value: Pretty darn good at the MSRP of $90.
Score: A-

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique, Krisshop SP, 59.4%
This is Kavalan Solist (Single Cask) aged in a wine barrel, bottled exclusively for KrisShop in Singapore—more specifically, Singapore Airlines’ exclusive shop. This particular release features a batik design on the box and label, earning it the nickname “Batik Edition.” The nose isn’t particularly winey; instead, it leans toward a sherry bomb profile with lots of dusty spices, very dark wood notes, and toasted sugars. There’s a hint of wine character, but it’s quite subtle. The palate is intense, typical of Kavalan’s maturation style, with strong cask influence—though I suspect this may actually be an STR cask, as the wine-forward character is again minimal. Interestingly, there’s a faint smokiness here, possibly from the STR process. Honestly, it drinks a lot like a somewhat dry port cask. It’s quite possible the cask held some sort of fortified wine—essentially making it a port-not-port cask. The finish brings hot pepper heat, malt sweetness, and dark fruits, with chili spice lingering. Overall: very, very good—a wine/STR/port hybrid profile that’s a pleasure to sip and pairs especially well with a smoky environment. Value: Picked up for $125 via private transaction—an excellent deal considering the MSRP is around $170+ (varies); exclusive to Singapore.
Score: B+

Kavalan Solist Madeira Cask, 59.4%
Another Kavalan Single Cask, this time aged in a Madeira fortified wine cask. Notably, it has a sweeter, nuttier nose compared to the Vinho bottle above. The palate is more balanced overall, though again leaning sweeter and nuttier—less plum influence and more vanilla extract and caramel. The aftertaste carries similar notes, though with less chili spice present. Overall: a sweeter, somewhat nuttier cask compared to the Vinho; it comes across as less spicy but also better balanced, depending on your perspective. Either way, it’s no less delicious. Value: N/A… but Kavalan bottles are typically expensive at retail, so your mileage may vary.
Score: B+

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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown

Some Single Cask bottles from Binny’s and other stuff

Teeling Single Malt, Binny’s SP, Chestnut Cask, 58.7%
This is a NAS, but young, single malt, aged in Chestnut Cask #77557. If you’re not familiar, Teeling Distillery in Dublin was founded in 2015, so any malt distilled prior to that is from the shuttered Cooley distillery. I’m fairly sure that this particular bottle, at this point in time, is original Teeling. The nose reminds me of old furniture and wood chips—syrupy sweet, lightly nutty, yet somewhat yeasty, with an unexpected cinnamon-raisin note. Basically, it smells like the inside of an alcoholic cinnamon-raisin bagel. Palate is… rather hot initially, with more cinnamon and raisin notes, toasted sugars, and a touch of wood. The aftertaste lingers for an incredible length of time (I’ve taken a 20-minute break at one point and could still taste it), with a subtle maltiness and cinnamon sugar. Overall: Interesting and different cask. A reasonably enjoyable malt and not something I would come across every day. FOMO is pleased that I’ve tried it. Value: Highly pleased after picking it up at $50 on clearance.
Score: B-

Compass Box, Artist’s Blend, Binny’s SP, 49%
Did someone say “ex-Linkwood Palo Cortado sherry cask finish”?! Oh yeah, I’m a sucker for single casks like these. The nose is somewhat grainy, as expected of a grain-and-malt blend that Artist’s Blend is… but most thoughts about grain whiskey disappear on the palate. Linkwood in general tends to be a heavy, malty, somewhat spicy distillate, and it really shows here. Lots of fruity and peppery flavors, a malty, velvety palate, and what is essentially a second-fill sherry cask rounding off the flavors with subtle nuttiness and sugar notes. Frankly, blind, this tastes a lot like something from a refill bourbon cask. Overall: Honestly, blends hardly ever get better than this one. It’s immensely drinkable without being overwhelming and carries enough complexity to satisfy almost anyone. Two thumbs up from me… Value: Picked up at $49—well worth it.
Score: B+

Ardnamurchan; Binny’s SP, 58.5%
I have no idea how to read this but here you go: AD/12:16, Cask 1322. A young highland distillery owned by Adelphi. They typically do 50/50 peated/unpeated malt blends in their releases but this particular cask happens to be unpeated first fill spanish oak, ex-PX hogshead. The nose is very dry cherry forward with wood and spices backing up that cherry note. The patate is consistent with the nose and starts quite strong, then immediately settles into earthy cask spices, dry wood and non-smoky touch of wood ash. The aftertaste lingers for a while with more cherries, wood spice and some of that sherry woodiness. Overall: This really rather reminds of me of a dry A’bunadh… or a well-toasted cherry pie that was baked on a campfire, without getting smoke all over it… First time trying this distillery and I’m very impressed. Being a spectacular cask does not hurt. Value: Picked this up at $80 from Binny’s clearance… yet again well worth it.
Score: B+

Glengoyne 16, K&L SP, Old Malt Cask, 58.7%
Aged in refill butt #HL20938. Very oily, with epic runners on the glass—this cask was ready to give and give and give! The nose brings fruitcake in the best way: dark stone fruits and berries take the lead, with a subtle hint of mint in the background. The palate starts mellow and sweet but quickly shifts to a bold mix of spice and fruit. The aftertaste is packed with chili pepper heat and a touch of peppermint. Surprisingly intense for a refill, it feels slightly over-oaked, with a bitterness riding along with the spice. A few drops of water help mellow out the harsh edges, transforming the bitterness into a more pleasant, nutty richness—think near-burnt honey-roasted cashews. Water is definitely recommended. Overall: A unique and layered malt with an unusually spicy character straight from the bottle. Too intense for me to enjoy neat, but with a bit of dilution, it opens up beautifully.
Score: B+ (w/water)

Benrinnes 19, Old Malt Cask, 50%
This was aged in a Canasta (sherry liqueur) cask and bottled for OMC’s 25th anniversary in 2023, complete with the old-style label. For reference, this is another release from the same series as the Linkwood reviewed earlier. The nose is slightly sour, funky, and sweet—classic sherry cream—and at 50% ABV, it’s surprisingly punchy. With time in the glass, it settles into a nicely sweet balance. The palate is mouth-watering, flavorful, and nutty, yet oddly lacking in substance. The cask takes center stage, while the malt plays second fiddle. The aftertaste is medium in length—gentle and sweet, with a note of hot pepper. Overall: An excellent, if sweet, cask that unfortunately overwhelms the delicate spirit. That said, it doesn’t stop me from consuming it in frankly dangerous amounts—it’s crazily drinkable. Think chili cream soda with alcohol. Value: Priced at $120… that’s not exactly cheap for such a light spirit, but fair considering the age—so I’d call it “average-ish” value.
Score: B+

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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown