Coastal malt whiskies from the west of Scotland
The rugged west coast of Scotland is home to some amazing distilleries. We collected a few samples from Islay, Mull and Ardnamurchan, and we also put in the very new Oban 12 years old in the Special Releases 2025. Let’s dive straight in!
Oban 12 years old, Special Releases 2025, bottled at 54,7 % abv
First things first: Extremely straightforward, this Oban matured in ex-bourbon American oak. The bottle mentions the name “Heart of the Harbour”, where the press kit speaks of “A Warm Welcome”. Did someone switch gears somewhere underway?
Upon Sipping: The title Heart of the Harbour is indeed more aptly than the more neutral welcome. Lemons, salinity on the air, wet ropes, vanilla – but very subtle. If there is one whisky that breathes the soul of its birthplace, Oban is a strong contender. Almost like a sibling to Campbeltown malt. The taste reveals a heavy character, like a wise old person sitting in a cave contemplating life. The lemons and vanilla mixed into a strong and spicey combination, with a saline finish on the exit. Water makes the palate more creamy, with more warm vanilla and a pleasant dry note. I would recommend to play around with a few drops, it makes for more complexity.
Word to the Wise: An improvement on the rather poor effort of last year, I have to say. In fact, I think this is the superior version by far. It is perhaps a tad too one-dimensional, but the creation in itself is perfect. This is like a Springbank, but without a fruity edge. Recommended!
Score: 87 points.
Bruichladdich 2013, bottled at 56,9 % abv by Cask2Share
First things first: A rather anonymous sample, with no Whiskybase page underlying. All I know is the vintage and that it matured in an Amarone cask.
Upon Sipping: Warm golden colour and a pleasantly fruity-flowery nose. Red wine indeed, but there is also room for warm bread, malt notes and a hint of liquorice. On the tongue, lots of tannins obviously, but not at all unpleasant. Quite a hefty impression, but it all seems to work, with a good dose of crushed black pepper on the finish. I enjoy the chocolate elements that linger long after a swallowing. I guess I will conclude my tasting for today with this one, it coats the mouth all over. With water, a more mineral side comes out, proving that this is indeed a Bruichladdich, with pebbles on the beach and soft chalk. Good integration of alle styles; liquid and cask. With water, a bitter off-note on tongue and finish, that makes this Bruichladdich less accessible.
Word to the Wise: As far as wine maturation goes, Amarone is not the worst. This seems to work, but is fragile with water, bringing out a drying note full of tannin terror. Still, not an everyday character and that I always applaud!
Score: 85 points.
Tobermory 25 years old, vintage 1994, bottled at 50,9 % abv by Whisky Merchant
First things first: Distilled on the 6th of June 1994 and bottled on 11 May 2020. This Tobermory matured in refill sherry but # 5813 and yielded 250 bottles. It was a joint bottling with Kintra Spirits.
Upon Sipping: Opens very buttery with soft hints of caramel and praline. KitKat bars broken in the wrong way, and now you also smell the cookie inside. Light floral notes in the background. Very mellow in character. On the tongue, tobacco and ashy lemons, with a creamy texture. The label does not state if this was peated Tobermory, does not seem to, but there are hints of this island character to be picked up. With water, you will get more earthen notes, brown, drowned in rain grass land. I am very reminded of a Tobermory (Ledaig) that the WhiskyNerds did, but that was a 1995. This comes so close, that I wonder if it is not more or less the same make. The creamy palate remains, but there is a softer caramel note now, and the lemons and grapefruit are tamed. Clean, chocolate cream finish.
Word to the Wise: Lovely island whisky, that offers the mood of a tight clouded day with no chance on sunrise. Hiking through the landscape of the Isle of Mull must be bliss with this in your flask. It shows great restraint at its respected age.
Score: 88 points
Ardnamurchan 2019, bottled at 59,7 % abv by Whisky Import Nederland
First things first: An independently bottled Ardnamurchan done by the Dutch importer of the brand in The Netherlands, for the Hielander Whisky Festival 2025, that is held every year in Alkmaar. This is oloroso cask # 1192 at 5 years of age, in a beautiful decanter.
Upon Sipping: Very dark sherry, for the masochists! The nose is what you might expect, yet a little bit closed up too much, probably because of the high abv. I remember a bottling in WIN’s First Cask series of a 7 year old Glenrothes, totally drowned in sherry. This is quite the same, over the top, sheer power and … powder. From the gun, I might add. There is definitely some red fruit under the alcohol, but I have trouble getting there. Let’s sip first, dilute after. Ah, but this is surprisingly quaffable. Dry mouthfeel presenting a chocolate delight that is very satisfying. A young sherry monster for sure, but I am entertained. With water, indeed some blackcurrants, maybe strawberry, but only if wrapped in a cigar leaf. It keeps developing in the glass, and grows bolder and bolder. Great swimmer, water really brings out a complex whisky. In fact, the fruit grows more pronounced over time. This is a whisky for long nights.
Word to the Wise: Perhaps it is logical that Ardnamurchan did not bottle this cask themselves, as it might be a bit too much over the top. It is the spirit that allows the cask to shine, and not the other way around. With official Ardnamurchan, even with their Cask releases, I feel the priority lies with giving the Ardnamurchan spirit a podium. Not with this one, this is just sheer fun.
Score: 88 points.