Having just reviewed the 2024 release of the Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak, I discovered what was left of my sample from many months ago of the 2017 release...so what's a good Whisky-reviewer to do...? Why, side-by-side compare them of course...and pick a winner. This turned out very differently to what I'd expected...
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.

Many episodes ago I reviewed the 18 Year Sherry Oak but it was the 2017 release. When some very special people bought me a bottle of the 2024 release for my birthday, I was over the moon...that was many months ago and being slightly apprehensive about drinking it, it's time to review the 2024 release to see if it's the great Scotch that I remember...
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.

Unlike my last year in review, this has genuinely been a full 12 months of Whisk(e)y tastings, reviews and learnings and I feel far better positioned to provide recommendations this time around. There's some old favourites and some new discoveries to share! I pick my favourite recommendations for Easy-sipping, Sherried and Peated Whiskies that are reasonably priced...as well as throw in two of my absolute favourites of all time (so far). Strap yourself in...this is a good one!
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 Victoriana is a favourite of many Whisky enthusiasts so I just had to get my hands on a sample and give it a shot! I cover some more about the dark history of Glen Scotia and I also review the dram and contrast it with it's 15 Year brother. Is it worth the extra money?
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.

My exploration of Campbeltown continues as I shift from Glengyle to Glen Scotia. This particular dram I tried at a Whisky Club evening and I subsequently grabbed a bottle when it was on special. Perhaps that's spoiling the ending about how much I liked it...but let's review this properly shall we?
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.

On my trip to New Zealand in July this year, my son and I stayed near Christchurch and while there I stopped by at the lovely Whisky Galore store. They had so many I would have liked to have grabbed however this bottle caught my eye. I grabbed it, had some of it while I was there but couldn't bring it home to Australia with me, so just brought back a sample. I'd tried and enjoyed the Batch 6 at a Whisky Club night last year...how does the Batch 11 compare?
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.

After a brief coverage of where Ardbeg source their Peated Malted Barley from I tackle a review of the strongest ABV Ardbeg in their core range. Up there in intensity against the Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength...can it beat it...or does it fall short? Time to 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.

This time I talk a bit about the Distillery itself, where this dram gets its name from and then I try to figure out for myself, why the Ardbeg Committee members voted the Uigeadail as being Ardbeg's best core range Whisky. Is it that good? Let's see.
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.

Ardbeg's 10 Year offering has long been considered the benchmark Islay peated Whisky and set the standard for both quality and value. It's odd that I hadn't tried this until today and given my recent interest in Peated Whisky, it's one I've been looking forward to. I talk about the Ardbeg Committee, Dr Bill Lumsden and of course I review the Whisky...plus there's a special note towards the end...
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 'Wee Beastie' was initially released to the market in 2020 making it Ardbeg's most recent mainline entry into their Core Range. Some look at it's price point and smile, whilst others turn up their nose at being less than 10 years in age. The real question is...is it any good? Let's see shall we?
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.