I have finally reached the end of my GlenAllachie tasting set, with the journey culminating in this award winning 10 year Cask Strength expression. This particular version of the 10 year is Batch 5 (there are now 6 out in the wild), and rings in at a healthy cask strength proof and like all GlenAllachie expressions remains non-chill filtered. And with an MSRP similar to that of the 15 year version I’vealready reviewed, I will attempt to determine which one I would be happier dropping a $100 on.

As I continue to taste through my GlenAllachie set of samplers, I have finally reached an expression that moves away from the traditional sherry casks and promises to show a completely different side to Billy Walker’s latest distillery revitalization program. The expression in front of me is part of GlenAllachie’s 2021 limited edition wine finish series – a collection that includes a 13 year Rioja finish, a 12 year Sauternes finish, and an 11 year Grattamacco finish.

We continue the journey through the core GlenAllachie range by stepping up to the 15 year expression, crafted by famous master distiller Billy Walker and re-released in 2019 after he and a group of investors bought GlenAllachie in 2017. Lauded as one of the crowning achievements of the revitalized GlenAllachie brand, Walker calls the 15 “the perfect representation of the distillery’s DNA.”

Founded in 1967, and based in Aberlour, Scotland, GlenAllachie has had a history of ups and downs. But since its purchase by a group of investors that includ the famous master distiller Billy Walker (of Glendronach, and BenRiach fame), the future of GlenAllachie is decidedly on the up and up. Billy has rekindled enthusiast interest in the brand by relaunching a core range of whiskies that include a 12, 15, 18, 25 year, and an annual 10 year cask strength expression.

The Glenlivet Nàdurra series seeks to show what tasting Glenlivet whisky is like straight from the barrel. Nàdurra – meaning “natural” in Gaelic – is the closest many of us will get to an entirely pure tasting experience – short of actually visiting the distillery itself. Coming in various versions, the Nàdurra series is an inside peak into how a big, bold full cask strength Glenlivet takes to sherried and peated treatments.

Bunnahabhain (pronounced boo-na-ha-ven) is the poster child for Scottish distilleries no one can accurately pronounce. It’s spelled nothing like it sounds, it has no direct correlation with any words in the English language, and it’s a relatively unknown distillery that many casual whisky drinkers have never even heard of. In other words, it’s the perfect storm for hilariously bad mispronunciations.

Glendronach 12 is the entry level whisky in the Glendronach range. Matured exclusively in a combination of Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks, this non-chill filtered whisky is presented at 43% and features a beautiful nostalgic bottle design.

One of the new entry level whiskies from The Glenlivet, the Caribbean Reserve seems to be squarely aimed at the American whisky market and its burgeoning cocktail scene. But can this whisky stand on it own as well? Or should it be relegated to the bar cart?

Caol Ila is a distillery that whisky nerds seem to love and normal folks can’t even pronounce. But is their core 12 year expression worth the hype? Because it sure isn’t cheap!

Clynelish 14 is an odd duck. Featuring relatively unassuming bottle designs, a lack of splashy marketing, and with the majority of its output going towards Jonnie Walker blends, Clynelish doesn’t have a big following here in the states. But is this core 14 year expression worth dropping almost $70?

Hailing from the Isle of Sky, Talisker 10 presents a shockingly good ocean-influenced Scotch whisky. While a little younger in age than other bottlings at this price point, Talisker 10 is a fascinating pour where the flavors shine and take you on a journey to a far away island.

While riding the whisky industry’s success, sherried whiskies have become all the rage. And what if I told you that there were incredible, readily available sherry cask whiskies out there not named Macallan? Today we take a look at one such whisky - a triumph in distillation, and one of my favorite bottles of 2020.

While Braes of Glenlivet may not be a household name, but with this Alexander Murray bottling enjoying an MSRP of $175, should this little known distillery be on your unicorn list?

Rounding out the three 12 year Loch Lomond whiskies I have, this Inchmoan is their peated expression, leading with more smoke, seaweed, and herbal notes than the others. Normally I am not a big fan of peated whiskies, but can this gentle nudge me in that direction? Let’s find out.

Continuing my exploration of Scotland’s most diversified distillery, Loch Lomond’s Inchmurrin expression is a different take on their 12 year expression. It features a brighter, more fruit forward palate, that contrasts nicely with some of their other offerings.

Another day, another limited edition. But this one is a bit different because it’s actually affordable! The Glenlivet released their 12 Year First Fill expression to highlight the effect of bourbon casks on their whisky. The result - the biggest whisky surprise of my 2021.

With Glenmorangie ranked as one of the world’s most popular Single Malts, let’s explore their sherried core expression and see if it’s worth the hype.

Is grain whisky the best deal in Scotch? In a word - yes. While not nearly as popular as Single Malt, Single Grain if often overlooked and passed over. How else would it be possible to grab this 27 year Cask Strength Scotch for under $80? Let’s dive in and see if its worth the plunge.

Light and refreshing whiskies aren’t normally my cup of tea. But this Glen Grant does make a strong case for easy, summer sipping.

Aberlour A’bunadh is one of the few regularly available cask strength sherry matured Scotches on the market today. It is released in batches a few times a year (we are now up to batch 68) and while it doesn’t garner the fanfare of some other limited releases, this has the specs to be an incredible whisky. So let’s dive in and see if it can compete with its big neighbor (The Macallan) up the road.