For this month’s staff picks we’ve gone for a loose theme of “great bottles from less well known Scottish distilleries”. Although the four distilleries in question aren’t obscure if you’re a Scotch fan, they certainly aren’t household names. What they have in common is that they all produce wonderful whisky.
Staff Picks - our choices for this month
Arran 12 Years Old Cask Strength
The Arran distillery was opened in 1995 so it’s still regarded as something of a newcomer in the world of Scotch. Arran is growing in reputation and popularity - a taste of this cask strength malt will tell you why. Bursting with fruit and spice, this whisky is highly recommended.
£43.36 at www.masterofmalt.com
Oban 14 Years Old
This gem of a whisky is something of an old favourite of ours. Subtle coastal notes mingle with clean, fruity malt. There’s something quiet about Oban Distillery, it doesn’t release many expressions and owners Diageo don’t really shout about it. Which means you might have missed this whisky. Now may be the time to put that right.
£37.55 at www.masterofmalt.com
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466
The releases from Balblair have been of a consistently high standard over the last few years. This whisky is no exception but what is unusual about this expression is that it has been further matured in a cask which previously held peated malt. The peated cask adds a new layer of flavour to the typical Balblair character.
£124.95 at www.masterofmalt.com
Tomatin Cu Bocan 1989
Continuing the theme of peated whiskies from distilleries that aren’t known for the style, Tomatin Cu Bocan appears to be the result of an accidentally produced batch of peated malt. An unusual back story for an unusual, and quite delicious, whisky.
£199.00 at www.thewhiskyexchange.com