Whisky Reviews /My Whisky Diary

Maple sweetness meets warm spice.

The lightly peated label catches my eye, but the notes focus on brown sugar, figs, and a savoury finish of beef broth and salt. That sweet-to-savoury turn is the part that stands out.

The light, fragrant nose and delicate sweetness suggest a gentle style, with a fresh, sweet finish. I like how clearly the notes convey that character, though they point to restraint rather than a bold profile.

The citrus and aniseed against chilli and pine make this more interesting than a straightforward rich-fruit malt. Sweet liquorice and the long, salty chocolate-caramel finish add a welcome counterpoint. It sounds bold and layered, though the sweet side may be quite prominent.

The dark chocolate and dried figs make for a rich start, while ginger spice gives the palate a useful contrast. The long, warming finish sounds appealing, though this is a bold, weighty style rather than a restrained one.

Dark dried fruits and ripe fruit give this a clear fruit-led appeal, with sherry richness and dark caramel adding depth. A warm, weighty style that suits my preferences.

The notes lean sweet, with butterscotch, candied orange and raisins alongside oak and mild spice. Smoke isn’t established by the sensory description, so I’d keep the smoke call open rather than label it smoky or smoke-free.

Vanilla and spice give this a clear centre, while roasted grain and ripe apricot and peach add contrast to the sweetness on the nose. On the palate, vanilla and oak spice sit alongside sweet muesli bars, fruits and oatmeal. That combination appeals to my taste, particularly where the grain notes give the sweeter flavours something to play against. The palate is described as powerful and aromatic, though, so it may be more assertive than I usually prefer. The spicy aftertaste and light sweetness keep that contrast going through the finish. There is plenty here to hold my interest, even if I would lean toward a little more restraint on the palate.

Polished wood on the nose gives the oak side something to work with, but it seems less central once the vegetal and floral palate takes over. Coffee and chocolate recur, while the short, vegetal finish leaves that wood note feeling more like an opening detail than the main thread.

The vanilla sweetness has welcome company in light sherry and berry-fruit aromas, so it reads as more than a one-note sweet dram. Creamy, rich, rounded fruit on the palate keeps that balance going, while the warming, smooth finish sounds like a measured close rather than a sharp contrast. A quietly appealing combination; the sweetness is present, but the fruit and sherry give it shape.