Whisky Whiskey

Whilst I'd discess Caol Ila in the past it was in the context of speculation of their contract distilling Smokehead Whiskies, and as a key part of many Johnnie Walker blends, including the Black Label. Today I'm going to review their 12 Year Single Malt to see how it stands...on it's own two feet...
With John Chidgey.

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Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

Quite liking the Talisker 10 inspired me to track down a sample of their 18 year offering. We discuss the early years of the distillery, when it rebuilt and its late 20th century expansion. Older age statement Peated Whiskies have been impressing me of late...does this one stack up? Let's find out...
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

One of the first Peated Scotches I ever tried was the 10 Year Old from Talisker. At the time I hadn't really come to appreciate Peated Whiskies, but well over a year later I decided it was time to have another crack at it. After a brief side-track into the unofficial SWA (but not SWA approved) region of 'The Islands' I also look at their unusual U-bend and purifier, then I also review the dram. I also try their Alexa integration...with interesting results...
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

The Milk & Honey Distillery in Israel has multiple warehouses for storing its Whisky casks during maturation and as part of the Apex series they explore different maturation locations to obtain vastly different flavour profiles from their offerings. In this particular offering, it spent a year next to the Dead Sea, and the effect it has on the Whisky is quite dramatic...dramatic good or bad? Let's find out...
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

I first tried the Lagavulin 8 Year at a Whisky Club night, and I really wanted to review it properly on the show. I do a deep dive into Distillation cuts, where the Peat lives and how aging Peated Whiskies change over time in a barrel. Finally I review the dram and see how well it stacks up against it's older sibling.
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

For the final Springbank I'm reviewing in this series, I thought it would good to dive into all the little things people don't think about, that Springbank ALSO do on their physical site...like making their own barrels and bottling, to name a few. They really are control freaks...anyway, the 18 Year is much loved by Whisky nerds, but just having been blown away by the 12 and 15 years, does the extra 3 years and considerable expense, pay off for me? There's only one way to know...
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

Some reviewers call the 15 Year from Springbank the runt of the litter, which seems rather harsh. This episode I set about to test that theory, but I also cover the interesting history of the Sprinkbank Distillery, the various closures and reopenings, and then finally I review the 15 Year. Is this the best one yet?
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

Having just reviewed the 10 Year, I tackle the Cask Strength 12 Year offering from Springbank and also discuss the unusual three-still system they use at Springbank and how it differs for their Longrow and Hazelburn offerings. There's no denying that this particular offering, was not what I expected...in a good way...
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

Many Whisky nuts rant and rave about a small-ish distillery in Campbeltown, called Springbank. Having gathered several samples we kick off a series of Sprinkbank reviews with their entry level 10 Year offering. I talk about the distillery and its principles to be predominantly human powered and how they control pretty much everything from the grain to the final product, all on site. I also review the dram.
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.

Having been a workhorse distillery for Diageo for many years, when Dailuaine released a Single Malt to the market as part of the Diageo Flora and Fauna series, many saw it as an opportunity for the Distillery to shine. When my manager at work nabbed a bottle for a great deal, he was kind enough to share, and now for me to also review. Mainly used for blending, does their Single Malt stack up?
With John Chidgey.

Support Whisky Whiskey on Patreon

Episode Gold Producers:

'r', Steven Bridle, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Steve Branam.
Episode Silver Producers:

Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Jared Roman, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Ian Gallagher and Jamie Russell.