16/02/2026 Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis 19yo d.1996 (51.8%, OB Single Cask, C#1424): nose: this is a mildly-austere nose, with flint, grated limestone and the toolbox of a flintknapper (chisel and hammer, file, that sort of things). It has fruits too, but, at this point, they are limited to crunchy pears, quite unripe. A couple of minutes later, it peddles white fruits of tropical provenance: dragon fruit, snakehead fruit, chiku, perhaps mangosteen. None of that is loud, mind. Then, we go back to pears and quinces. The second nose has us stepping into a walk-in wardrobe on a warm summer evening, and that gives us aromas of linen, white wood, chipboards and pot-pourri pouches. Vanilla custard follows, as does something more vegetal that is hard to pinpoint. Leek greens? Papyrus leaves? In any case, freshly-ironed linen quickly comes back, with lukewarm burlap in tow. Mouth: well, from the first sip, it is gorgeously fruity. Again, it is pears, rather than anything more extravagant (for a European), but these perfectly-ripe Conference pears are a delight, sweet, and melting on the tongue. Chewing brings a strong bitter note that turns more acidic, then sweet, and it is clearly Alphonso mangoes that we find at the other end, hand in hand with glorious persimmons. Phwoar! How unexpected! It still has a mineral vibe to it, as if those fruits had been cut on a slate and served with grated limestone, but the tropical fruits really dominate the conversation, now. It does feel a tad chalky in texture, with crushed medicine tablets (I dread to use the word 'Aspirin') and grout, yet that just adds to the whole, rather than subtract or distract. The second sip seems even more boldly fruity, an avalanche of mango and persimmon generously coated in caster sugar -- although that sugar clears upon chewing to give way to lukewarm full-fat milk. Later on, it acquires oily wood from a nut-producing tree -- hazel or beech. Unless it is polished hazelnut shells? Finish: big without being punchy, it has more fruits, albeit chalkier and less tropical than on the palate. Korean pears and crunchy apples, with unripe blueberries adding a gentle bitterness too. The second gulp is an explosion of fruits that dissipate to reveal a small tub of butter. When that dies out too, all we have left is a gentle tingle on the gums, the soft spicy lick of ground cardamom. Wow. This has improved enormously in the open bottle, I think. I was a little less convinced the first time; now I am a believer. 9/10 (Thanks for the dram, JS)

13/02/2026 Clynelish

Clynelish 15yo 1997/2012 (53.5%, The Whiskyman, Refill Sherry Hogshead): nose: unusually, for this distillery, this expression is on the mute side of the spectrum. There is a faint note of fresh, fruity, but also discreet white wine at play, Riesling or Sancerre, and jasmine that has not bloomed yet. Did I say it is discreet? Even thirtyish minutes of breathing time do not help this become more talkative. The second nose is hardly more loquacious. Perhaps we find pan-seared hazelnut and apple slices, where the juice from the apples coats the hazelnuts. Later yet, it pushes a whiff of dust onto that. Then, out of nowhere, the apple juice from the pan takes a bolder attitude. Dusty apple juice it is. Mouth: it has more to say on the palate. We catch sultanas, honey-glazed grapes, white Port... This is surprisingly sweet, now! Chewing adds nutshells and a drop of Manzanilla. The second sip is still as sweet, yet it is now crunchy apples caramelising in a frying pan rather than syrupy wine. And crunchy it is too! One can almost feel the grit of a Missouri Pippin sanding one's teeth. After the disappointments of December, I was ready to rejoice that this one has not turned soapy (same sample origin), but the last sip gives the impression it could very quickly follow that path too. That, of course is a comment on the container more than on the whisky itself. Finish: dry, which is another surprise, after the sweet mouth, and fruity, with peach slices, not very ripe, sultanas, Medjool dates and, once more, a small amount of fortified white wine. It is warming to a point it could pass as vaguely musk-y, but really, it is mostly fruity. It feels much more balanced at second gulp, where the fruit turns into apple slices and their sweetness matches their acidity. They are no longer crunchy, however, probably softened by all that pan-searing. This turned out to be a juicy number indeed. 7/10 (Thanks for the sample, OB)

12/02/2026 Sazerac

Sazerac Straight Rye (45%, OB): nose: this is strangely very Bourbon-y, full of vanilla and white-wood shavings dipped in honey, butterscotch and toffee. It is not complex at all a nose, but it pleases. One's imagination may well suggest a dollop of pale shoe polish too. The second nose reminds me of StilL 630's RallyPoint, also a rye, and also on the Bourbon-y tip, although this Sazerac is simpler. Maybe it has whiffs of white peach. Mouth: on the tongue, it is clearly a rye, with the typical note of Irn Bru to accompany woody notes similar to the nose's. There is much less vanilla at play, here, rather caramelised marmalade or maple syrup. The second sip has hints of lychee, which is, of course, a nice surprise. That is quickly matched by varnished arrow-back chairs and, of course, a drop of Irn Bru turning into cold coffee. Finish: amongst the woody notes again (toffee), we have a slight bitterness, either walnut shells or 45%-cocoa chocolate. That gives a chocolate-pudding impression that is well pleasant. The second sip transforms that bitterness into a mix of marmalade and rose-petal jelly. Inoffensive dram. A decent introductory rye whiskey. 6/10 (Thanks for the sample, OB)

09/02/2026 Belgium #10 -- Old glories

ydc, GD, Bishlouk, red71, JS and I meet (virtually) to try things that the other Belgian tasters have already tried. Things that are too depleted to make samples for everyone. STL cannot join; he is giving blood to a family of clubbed baby seals, tonight.

As usual, everything is poured blind and revealed when everyone has had a chance to try the whisky. Even the theme, I only reveal afterwards.

Dram #1

Nose: it smells great and old-school (Bishlouk), though ydc finds it a little flat
Mouth: a bit light on the palate (Bishlouk), tired (red71) or shot (Bishlouk). ydc, on the other hand, finds it a decent heat.
Finish: it is indeed a smidge dusty and it is time to finish it. At the same time, it still has enough stamina and class.
Comment: disappointed with the welcome this got, tonight. There is some left in the bottle; we will try it again. Full notes are here.

Caperdonich 11yo d.1968 (70° Proof, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseur's Choice) 8/10

Dram #2

Nose: fresher and more herbaceous, it has flower stems and mint (Bishlouk). red71, ydc and GD confirm the freshness and go further to call mint menthol. ydc also finds subtle spices.
Mouth: fruity, herbaceous (Bishlouk), daisy stems (red71). Bishlouk says it is not super-high strength, but full on the tongue, with a pinch of spices. red71 calls it oily.
Finish: Bishlouk reckons it could be a Littlemill, albeit a very-vegetal example, exuberant. red71 finds it austere and bitter, peppery. GD detects some ginger.
Comment: "likely a Speysider, perhaps a Glen Keith," says Bishlouk who will then insist he got the distillery right "at some point." My full notes are here.

Littlemill 16yo 1991/2008 (50%, Douglas Laing The Old Malt Cask 50°, Refill Hogshead, C#DL4064, 276b) 8/10

Bishlouk talks about the various profiles of Littlemill throughout the years -- herbaceous, fruity, chalky...

Bishlouk: "Les années 1990 étaient plus herbacées, alors que les années 1980 étaient hyper fruitées..."
tOMoH: "Dans les années 1980, j'avais les genoux bien verts, parce que je courais dans l'herbe assez."

Bishlouk: "I'm not a fan of ginger."
red71: "He prefers daisies."

Dram #3

Nose: "no note of big, sulphur-y Sherry, despite the obvious cask influence (based on the colour)" (Bishlouk). It smells all sweet and velvety, according to Bishlouk. red71 finds it to his taste (or to his nose, probably). Bishlouk spots rancio and OBE, while red71 has rubber and burnt wood. ydc declares mahogany, to which red71 adds fire starters and barbecue.
Mouth: red71 and Bishlouk note it is a bit low in strength, but not weak. The lack of brute force is not detrimental at all, here.
Finish: fruits, especially chestnuts (ydc), dried fruits (Bishlouk). GD and ydc call it warming and comforting.
Comment: this never disappoints. My full notes are here.

Glenlossie-Glenlivet 21yo 1957/1979 (80° Proof, Cadenhead imported by Mario Rossi, Sherry Cask) 9/10

Dram #4

Nose: herbaceous (red71 and Bishlouk), though red71 is quick to point out that it is lighter than the Littlemill, which was also herbaceous. Bishlouk finds mint and "some kind of perfume." ydc slaps a name on that: Cologne. Bishlouk tells us of meadow flowers too.
Mouth: wild (ydc), it has nothing in common with the nose (GD). red71 has a slight fizz, while I find dark honey tainted with eucalyptus powder. red71 manages to utter that it sticks to the gob and puts one's mouth upside down. Perhaps he tried to kiss Mike Tyson?
Finish: full-bodied (red71), it has green wood (ydc and Bishlouk). red71 finds that it stings a little, though that sting improves at second sip. ydc notices chilli powder in the finish.
Comment: as always, this is a little abrupt at first sip, but grows on the tasters. My full notes are here.

D.town 33yo d.1979 (56.3%, Cadenhead Cask Ends, 3rd Fill Bourbon Cask, 1b) 8/10

red71: "This is very nice. Not sure what it'll give in the mouth, but..."

red71: "What are the nice areas of Charleroi?"
ydc: "Loverval."
tOMoH: "So does JS. We went to the abbey and she said: 'I love Orval.'"

ydc [about ageing Orval in the bottle]: "After five years, it becomes uninteresting."
Bishlouk:"What? Bad?"
ydc: "No, just uninteresting. Elle platisse."
tOMoH: "Elle fait des gaufles, des taltelettes, des cloissants… Elle platisse."

Dram #5

Nose: refined peat (red71 and Bishlouk). "It smells like an old Ardbeg: I cannot find the ash of Caol Ila, so I imagine a pre-1996 Ardbeg" (Bishlouk). red71 cannot find any peat, initially, probably still nursing his wounds from kissing Mike Tyson, earlier. In fact, he finds the nose muted and not very expressive.
Mouth: sweet and full of cane sugar (ydc). Sweetness and smoke (Bishlouk, red71, GD).
Comment: "not bad (for an Ardbeg)" (Bishlouk). He and red71 reckon it could also be an old Ledaig. Calls all round for tOMoH to make them dream with an unattainable reference are replaced with disbelief when they discover it is not only available at the time of writing, but affordable too. A hidden gem that enthuses all -- the great surprise of tonight for everyone. My full notes are here.

Glasgow Blend Limited Edition b.2019 (49%, Compass Box Great King St Single Marrying Cask selected by The Wine Merchant Ltd imported by Compass Box USA, ex-Sherry Marrying Cask, C#35, 132b) 8/10

red71: "It is probably an old thing I cannot afford."
Bishlouk:"You have three children. Sell one."
red71: "They're too old. If I had an eight-year-old daughter, I'd get a good price, but they're all in their twenties. They're worthless, now."

red71 [tries to guess the theme]: "They are poured in ascending Whiskybase ID order!"

Good times. Ridiculous nonsense from all involved.

09/02/2026 Chichibu

Chichibu London Edition b.2023 (51.5%, OB Ichiro's Malt imported by Speciality Drinks, 1949b, b#1843): nose: it is not very expressive, at first. A whiff of frankincense, a whisper of sandalwood, old wooden sandals... This has a Shinto-temple allure to it, but it does not boast, to say the least. A few seconds' breathing help promote oiled wood (mahogany, rosewood, cherrywood), then a a flavourful, unlit cigar -- unless it is fruity pipe tobacco, Ash jumps on the bandwagon for a good old party. The second nose takes me back to the village shop near my childhood home; it sold most everything, but the dominant smell was that of candy of all kinds, mingling with that of clean-but-outmoded floor tiles. At least, that is how I remember it. This even has a slight animal scent that plays peek-a-boo: leather, full-fat cream past its prime, or slightly rancid sweat. Mouth: roasted apple pips, upon entry, then much smokier tones when chewing. A stealthy sweetness follows. Smoked Haribo gummies, if that makes sense. It is at once hot and very pleasant on the tongue, owing to that sweetness. And it is really Gummibärchen. No caster sugar, no Demerara, no cane sugar, no Golden Syrup. Just unadulterated Gummibärchen (yellow or orange, to be precise, which suggests they are citrus flavoured). The second sip is a tad more acidic. Oh! it is not quite vinegar-y; more pressed currants augmented with just a drop of pickled-red-onion brine. Chewing, once again, releases sweeties, though perhaps with a darker-citrus flavour., this time: orange, blush orange, gac fruit). It is not exactly wine-y, but it points in that general direction. It turns very-slightly fizzy in the long run and adds sultanas. Finish: Gummibärchen and smoke are so tightly knit that they actually form an elegant whole rather than two parts. It has a delicate mineral aspect too, softly drying, especially perceptible on the front half of the tongue. A little later on, it gives crystallised citrus segments or very-dry, hardened mixed peel and a discreet note of faded leather. The second gulp brings forth currants and dried cranberries, and swaps the mineral side for grated charcoal. The more time passes, the more reminiscent this is of the 1970s. Oilcloth on the chipboard kitchen table, beige-and-orange curtains, unhealthy snacks, cigarette smoke clinging to everything. It has its charm. It reclaims its earlier elegance after a while, which is just as well. Let us be frivolous and give this a high score, today. 9/10 (Thanks for the dram, JS)