When alcohol aficionados develop a penchant for identifying and appreciating elements of fine whisky, it’s time for them to graduate to Scotch. And the True Legend in the world of Scotch whiskies in Asia, specifically India, is Seagram’s 100 Pipers – India’s largest-selling Scotch brand. It is the first and only Scotch to achieve the milestone of one million+ cases in sales in India in 2020 and again in 2021.
Seagram's 100 Pipers is
the leading introductory Scotch whisky in India and is supposedly also the leading
Standard Scotch in many countries around the world, including Thailand, Spain,
Venezuela, and Australia. The brand's unique iconography and heritage reflect
the essence of a "True Legend". It is available as a NAS 750 ml
bottle, a 12 YO 750 ml, The Black Watch and, in its latest avatar, an 8 YO Blended
Malt.
The Seagram’s 100 Pipers blend was created by the Chivas
Brothers in 1965, and, as was usually the case with Chivas Brothers, first launched in the US. It owes its name and
Celtic imagery to the old Scottish tradition of bagpipers who led soldiers into
battle. The ‘100 Pipers’ name in particular, literally comes from the famous
ballad of ‘The Hundred Pipers’, which tells of the heroic Bonnie Prince
Charlie’s 1745 uprising led by a troop of 100 bagpipers. The sound of bagpipes as it cut through the cold, dark, intense and hostile air; the myriad of black polished boots clickety clacking against the earth in unison. White socks, kilts, sporrans, bagpipes – the hundred that marched leading the militia towards war; a piece of history that has inspired and made its way into The 100 Pipers brand.
Four years later, in 1969, the name ‘Seagram’s’ was added to the label (and remains to this day), and the Scottish
flag was removed. A 12-year-old extension was added in 1986, by which point 100 Pipers was selling 800,000 cases
globally, of which 270,000 were in the UK. A 20-YO version followed two years later. It was claimed to be the fourth
best-selling Scotch in Scotland.
In 1992, 100 Pipers became the first Seagram-owned Scotch
whisky in Korea and was launched in Thailand a year later. Back in the UK it
was decided to co-opt a famous Scottish regiment into the brand and rechristen
it the ‘100 Pipers of the Black Watch,’ just in that nation. The more observant
consumers may have wondered why there was just one piper on the label, and in
due course, the brand became simply The Black Watch blend.
The contents in the bottle hadn’t changed, and Brits
drinking Black Watch were enjoying the exact same standard blend as Thai,
Indian and other Asian consumers with their 100 Pipers. By the time Pernod
Ricard had acquired the lion’s share of Seagram’s spirits business in 2001, the
focus was very much on 100 Pipers in Asia. 100 Pipers started bottling in India in 2011
and is reported to be the seventh-largest-selling brand of Scotch whisky across
the world.
The 100 Pipers 8-year-old blended malt was launched in Thailand in 2005. All this time, the brand’s spiritual home was Allt-a-Bhainne, the Speyside distillery built by Seagram in 1975. It is also locally bottled in India where sales of 100 Pipers reached 300,000 cases in 2011, never to look back.
The Hundred Pipers family
claim that this blend of 25–30 carefully selected malt whiskies from the Speyside region gives rise to an aroma that is sui generis woody and fruity, with a touch of peat oaky
fragrance in medium intensity creating an aromatic sweetness. The nose is full
and fruity with delicate honey and vanilla notes. The body is heavy, sweet,
complex and rounded, leading to a taste that is full-bodied, mellow and sweet,
combined with well-balanced notes of fruitiness and soft smokiness. It is
rounded off by a finish that is floral and elegant, with subtle oak notes
coupled with vanilla. These notes stand out in the 12 YO and The Black Watch.
The 8 YO Blended Malt is
evidently a non-conformist. The nose is biscuit & buttery like Apple jelly.
The palate is oily, thick and very sweet, like autumn fruit syrup. The apples
remain with a touch of quince. The cask wood is well integrated. The finish is sweet,
with a slight dry spiciness. Some nuttiness maybe. Overall, a very gentle and
fruity whisky. Would have benefited from a balancing dryness.
Seagram’s 100 Pipers’ burgeoning popularity has much to do with its unique product range and strong consumer resonance with its purpose-led initiatives due to their uniqueness, authenticity and credibility, like the international award-winning Legacy Project – which showcases endangered Indian artforms via Limited Edition Packs and provides tangible livelihood support to artisans. Recognised internationally and in India by some of the most prestigious awards in the world for creative excellence, The Legacy Project won the Bronze Pencil at One Show Awards (New York), Merit at D&AD Awards (UK), Bronze at Spikes Asia and multiple honours at Kyoorius Creative Awards. Also, the 100 Pipers Play for a Cause platform that has been leveraging music for many years to raise awareness and funds for various social causes like meals for underprivileged, flood relief, etc. in addition to supporting the partnering musicians.
For the price, the 100 Pipers is not a bad buy. However, it does reflect a certain character and profile that is quite similar to blends of a comparable price range with very little that makes it stands out from the rest. The whisky is spirity and young with some of the flavours calling out for attention. This zest can be offset by resting it to calm it down a notch or two. A bit of water would lighten the 40% ABV spirit, hardly elevating it to divine status. However having said that, it isn’t as dull as the ‘Old Smuggler’, nor is it as sweet as the ‘Vat 69‘. And though flawed in its own right, it’s very much an average tipple, one that doesn’t require much thought – pour, sip and gulp as you quietly progress through the night.
2022 proved to be a hectic year for Ardbeg, releasing
as many as five expressions.
February this year saw the release of the Ardbeg Fermutation which had undergone an unnaturally long fermentation period, more by accident than design. April saw the debut of the Fon Fhòid which had been buried in peat bogs for several years, before being released from Singapore on the back of an NFT, marking Ardbeg's entry into the virtual world of shadowy tokens. Fèis Ìle 2022 saw the Ardcore, distilled from roasted black malt and launched on Ardbeg Day, 22 June. Then the fourth Traigh Bhan in September, setting the stage, as it were, for October and Ardbeg’s new Smoketrails Manzanilla Travel Exclusive edition at major Airports, initially within the UK, but moving out across international borders.
ARDBEG FERMUTATION: The Ardbeg Committee Selection for
February 2022 is one that honestly could not be replicated even if tried. This
is the second “happy accident” with Ardbeg, but somehow that one-off whisky is
found on the shelves over and over. For the Ardbeg Fermutation, a broken boiler
is to blame for the longest fermentation period in the distillery’s history.
Ardbeg typically ferments its products for 72 hours. In
November 2007, a dead boiler almost ruined six washbacks full of whisky. Dr.
Lumsden wanted to experiment with longer fermentations and told the
distillery team to open the washback lids. With these lids open, the salty
Islay air graced the contents as it fermented for another three weeks.
Alcohol conversion slows down dramatically after 48
hours, but the longer a ferment goes on, the more flavour is imparted. Whether wood
or steel, the washbacks also impact flavour. At Ardbeg, they are made of Oregon
pine (Douglas fir), which has nuances of its own. With the Ardbeg Fermutation,
no one knew what those extra three weeks would do to the whisky. A science
project worth a run. Whether the extended exposure of the wash to the Islay air
added flavours to the whisky or whether this is just a marketing story is up to
you to decide.
The Ardbeg Fermutation is only available to The Ardbeg
Committee members at this time. While this sounds exclusive, anyone interested
can join The Committee. There are more than 130,000 members in over 130
countries. I too am a member of The Ardbeg Committee.
Tasting Notes:
ABV: 49.4%
Type: An Islay whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks
(first and refill) for 13 years. Limited Ardbeg Committee release.
Volume & Cost: 750ml ~$195.
Colour: Pale straw
Nose: Upon first whiff, fresh mulch and herbal with
menthol, sage and lovage, but there are also damp and musty notes and sweaty
socks to make a stinky combination. The dram then turns lighter and more
floral. Accents of baby powder and spearmint. Marzipan, a touch of lime,
grilled pineapple and pears, with ash notes coming through. Macaron provides a
touch of nuttiness at the end.With a little water, powerful waves of
diesel oil, tar, fresh paint and anise.
Palate: Soot and black pepper touch the tongue first.A
sweet follow up that turns mineral and ashy with cold smoke, along with a
citrus note. The smoke is not robust and lingers in the background. Overall,
the whisky is earthy. Despite the earthiness, the whisky is also fruity with
oranges and charred peaches with fresh cream.
Finish: Short to medium length and maintains those
mineral and ashy notes;salt, mint, tar, oak tannin & leather.
ARDBEG FON FHÒID: The idea of burying a barrel of
whisky in a peat bog was conceived by Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of
Whisky Creation, and in 2014, the distillery was able to bring that idea to
life. Ardbeg’s team, led by then Distillery Manager Mickey Heads, took two
casks of already mature whisky aged in second-fill bourbon casks and buried
them in a peat bog near the distillery. Two years and 10 months later, the
casks were unearthed from the peat bog and returned to the warehouse, where
they were left to mature for a few more years before being married and bottled
as an NFT.
Category – Spirits, whisky, Scotch, Single Malt, 45.5% ABV Location – Worldwide, available as an NFT edition via
BlockBar.com Price – Approximately US$3,000
The latest Ardbeg expression takes its name from 'under
the turf'. Moët Hennessy has become the latest spirits brand owner
to jump on the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) bandwagon, announcing the release of a
limited edition from its Ardbeg single malt Scotch whisky brand.
Ardbeg Fon Fhòid may still be available exclusively on high-end
wine and spirits NFT trading site BlockBar.com from 19 April. Limited to 456
units, the expression will be stored at BlockBar’s facility in Singapore until
redeemed by its owners. The whisky has an SRP of 1.00 Ethereum (around
US$3,000).
The release is groundbreaking for Moët Hennessy in more
ways than one, having been aged in second-fill Bourbon casks that were buried
under a peat bog near the Islay distillery for two years and ten months. For
the first time ever, Ardbeg burrowed their barrels in oxygen-deprived, water-rich, soggy, boggy ground, resulting in a one-of-a-kind NFT exclusive to
Blockbar.
BlockBar is a platform that offers NFTs, each of which
is linked to an individual physical bottle of liquor from luxury brands that is
stored by BlockBar. In effect, Ardbeg has released its first NFT in the form of
an unusually matured whisky!
Quite a few distilleries have taken to selling
their spirits in NFT form or accompanied by NFTs (Hennessy, Dalmore,
Glenfiddich, Macallan, Kinsale and Patrón). Maker’s Mark even became the
official bourbon partner of an NFT collection and created a custom bottle label
for it.
Bottled at 45.5% ABV, Ardbeg Fon Fhòid will be priced
at 1 ETH (about $3,034 on April 18). The sale went live on the whisky NFT platform
BlockBar at 10 a.m. EST on April 19. The release is limited to 456 bottles, all
of which will be sold on BlockBar.
The bottles will be stored at BlockBar’s facility in
Singapore until they’re redeemed, which can begin Dec. 1. Buyers can also trade
their NFT within the BlockBar marketplace, store the bottle in a virtual bar or
gift the NFT through the company’s new gifting platform. Each buyer will
receive a digital certificate that will verify their ownership and the
authenticity of the bottle.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Pale Straw
Nose: Pungent, waxy and salty with a curious, but
distinctive, mossy note. This is then followed by a hint of molasses or
sugarcane. There is also a background musty/earthy note, like walking into a
damp whisky warehouse. A splash of water releases some more herbal notes,
almost like asparagus or artichoke. Next comes a waxy, oily fragrance,
reminiscent of a freshly waxed jacket along with a distinctive soapy aroma.
Palate: A slightly drying mouthfeel is followed by some
savoury notes, like grilled artichoke and ground pepper, along with a
suggestion of rye bread. The classic Ardbeg smokiness is subdued, but always in
the background, coming across as tar-coated fennel.
Ardbeg’s decision to partake in the NFT trend, however,
has ruffled some feathers in a whisky community that scoffs at NFTs and
cryptocurrency. Ardbeg is something of a darling in the whisky world, so seeing
a distillery that is widely adored join the NFT party has spawned some
annoyance.
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ARBEG ARDCORE: Limited Edition Islay Single Malt Whisky
was officially released on Ardbeg Day, June 4th, 2022, during the Fèis Ìle
(Islay Festival) on Islay. In 1986, locals founded the festival to celebrate
the island’s unique history and heritage within the wider world of whisky. It
is a ten-day event of tastings, tours, and festivities, including traditional
Scottish dances (ceilidhs).
The new Ardbeg Ardcore actually went on sale on April 26th
(Committee Exclusive), while the general release was available from May 17th on
Ardbeg.com. LVMH’s marketing department went to great lengths to come up with a
marketing story for the Ardbeg Ardcore, this time focussing on brand’s alleged
punk past, with Islay’s main port, Port Ellen, going by the nickname ‘Punk
Ellen’ in the 1970s. It is difficult to verify this little scrap of
information, and it’s probably based on something obscure. Islay was never a
hotbed for punk rock! However, there is something called The Ardbeg Song (?) from
a Danish punk rock band.
Each of the island’s distilleries has a featured day in the Feis Ile week, during which they host tours, offer entertainment, and even release new
whiskies. COVID forced the festival to go virtual in 2020 and 2021, so there
was plenty of pent-up demand and excitement surrounding the 2022 in-person
events.
The latest special edition has been released for the
2022 Ardbeg Day celebrations. June 4th sees celebrations at the distillery and
at various events all over the world, not to mention online. Each year there is
a theme. This year its punk rock. The whisky is called Ardcore and its made
from dark roasted malted barley.
This whisky takes the name “Ardcore” as a shortening of
“hardcore” in homage to punk rock and the roasted black malt used for this
release. It’s probably appropriate to describe black malt as malt roasted all
the way up to 11, or until “practically incinerated,” to quote Master Distiller
Dr. Bill Lumsden in the official launch video.
In it, they describe how the typical Ardbeg heavy peat
profile was toned down to better showcase the aromatics of malt so dark, it
turned the mash jet black. The whisky was aged in first-fill and second-fill
American ex-bourbon barrels to add a contrasting sweetness to the finished
product. The Committee release, offered to Ardbeg email newsletter subscribers
in select countries, was bottled at 50.1% ABV.
Tasting Notes: Ardbeg Ardcore Limited Edition Islay
Single Malt Whisky
Vital Stats: Aged for nearly 10 years in mostly
first-fill and some second-fill ex-bourbon barrels, 46% ABV, mash bill: 75%
distilling malt, 25% black malt, SRP roughly $130/ 750ml bottle.
Appearance: This whisky is a pale straw yellow.
Nose: Lots of thick Ardbeg smoke. Coal fires. Chimney
smoke. Ash. Charcoal. Soot. A touch of that famous medicinal TCP note that’s
unique to Islay. The roasted barley is there too. Dark chocolate and well-fired
morning rolls. Cereals. There’s also citrus – lemon and fresh orange. The
longer it sits in the glass, the fruitier it seems to become, with notes of
caramel sauce and melted white chocolate. Soon there’s tropical pineapple
coming through. It almost develops a white wine quality. The moderate peat
aroma shows a touch of sweet corn and iodine. It seems very fresh with a
bracing aroma like newly fallen snow. There’s an earthy undertone of wet autumn
leaves and fermented pu’er tea that distinguishes it from a typical Islay
whisky.
Palate: This is sweet and delicate on entry, with an
oily texture and moderately rich body. There’s a savoury quality not unlike
Worcester sauce and roasted peanuts. The pepperiness builds on the finish, showing the lasting aromas of steamed corn, peat, and baked fish. An impression of salty
liquorice and char. The aromas of stony beaches and seashells evaporate off the
palate. Thick, almost acrid smoke like sitting too close to a campfire. Water
brings out a delicate caramel note like milk powder, but does not further
enhance the experience.
Finish: Smoky and long, though perhaps not as intense
as expected.
ARDBEG TRAIGH BHAN BATCH 4: A September release of one
of Ardbeg’s most rare spirits might pique Islay whisky collectors’ interest.
The release of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan No. 4 marks the
fourth bottling of the sherry-cask-aged single malt, an emailed Aug. 17 press
release states. This year’s expression, however, carries a unique flavour in
its profile: smoky menthol.
This bottle is the fourth in the brand’s annual
collection of Traigh Bhan whisky, an expression aged 19 years. It’s
inspired by the namesake Isle of Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, a location known as
“Singing Sands” to locals.
The brand describes this year’s expression as serving
decadent flavours of chocolate, raisin, peanut brittle, and bitter coffee. It
offers an almost “medicinal” tone on the finish, with methanol, spicy anise,
and other sharp notes.
Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 4 is another
incredible iteration in the series,” master distiller Bill Lumsden
states in the release. “It follows in the footsteps of previous bottlings, but
thanks to some tweaks to the recipe, we’ve brought more woodsmoke, menthol, and
aniseed to the fore. This is an impossibly balanced, not-to-be-missed Ardbeg.”
The flavour profile can be attributed in part to the
whisky’s extra time spent in Oloroso sherry casks, compared to previous
releases’ length of ageing. The 46.2 per cent ABV whisky is available at select
spirit retailers, online, and at Ardbeg outlets. It’s priced at $299.99.
ARDBEG SMOKETRAILS: Ardbeg Smoketrails is a reportedly collectable series of limited edition whiskies aimed at travel retail.
Only available from Duty-Free and the Distillery
Visitor Centre, each edition offers travellers a thrilling way to explore the influence of casks from around the world on the powerful smoky flavour of
Ardbeg.
The first in the series – Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla
Edition – marries whisky aged in the finest Manzanilla sherry casks and classic
Ardbeg American oak casks. The result is a taste adventure that takes in dark
chocolate, salty sea spray, Brazil nuts and saddle soap.
Ardbeg Smoketrails was available on sale from the 5th of October at nine UK airports, viz., Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted,
Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Then, from 1st
November, in person at the Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre and in most international
airports globally.
The Smoketrails collection would involve sourcing good quality casks from different countries. The first edition features classic
Ardbeg cask whisky matured in American oak married with Ardbeg whisky aged in
ex-Manzanilla casks sourced from Sanlúcar de Barrameda off Spain’s Atlantic
Coast.
Given the sheer number of operational whisky
distilleries, releasing a Manzanilla Sherry-aged whisky isn’t particularly
revolutionary these days. Amongst the main styles of Sherry, Manzanilla is one
of the lightest and driest, with low sugar levels and often a tangy, yeasty,
savoury character. These influences and flavours are significantly different
from the more common types of rich or sweet Sherry used for whisky maturation,
the likes of Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez.
ABV: 46%
Colour: Pale Gold
Nose: Deep, pungent flavours take to the air, a curious
combination of tar, saddle soap, pine resin and Brazil nuts. A lively note of
pomelo, dry Riesling and a slice of burnt lemon peels. A very aromatic whisky,
with lovely herbal notes and a hint of moist peat bog, while storm-churned sea
spray soars overhead. With water, some chocolaty notes appear, along with a
touch of engine oil.
The Manzanilla seems to have imparted some oiliness and mild doughy character, croutons and herbed sourdough bread dipped
in virgin olive oil.
Palate: Fresh, oily, ashy, full of aromatic herbs.
Opens with the bright tartness of Riesling accompanied by a spearmint note,
somewhat like Ricola Eucalyptus drops. The texture is lightly oily and the spirit
coats the tongue. Quickly develops towards an understated ashiness as the
peppery and assertive note of oregano grows and grows. A slightly drying
mouthfeel, followed by deep, pungent flavours that hurtle across the palate:
tar, soot, dark chocolate and a very distinctive nuttiness, like Brazil nuts or
hazelnut.
Finish: Medium, with light notes of lemon cake, a hint
of sweetness, once again burnt lemon peels, lively prickly spice entertaining
the back palate and a trailing ham-like smokiness. Plumes of fennel and pine
billow up, leaving a lingering trail of carbolic soap, aniseed and leather.
With Water: A few drops of water could be added; the ABV would accept water. But then, there are a few changes. The nose senses a smouldering log fire and some gentle vanilla sweetness peeking out from behind. Earth and tomato ketchup. Going back after time reveals some chocolate, vinegar, sulphur, dirt and more earth. The smoke has been diminished somewhat and there is a hint of tobacco. On the palate, it’s more bitter, with dark chocolate and coffee overshadowing the peat. It also seems hotter and spicier, with cinnamon, cloves and red chilli appearing on the mid-palate. The smoky note of ash and burning log fires recede into the background. Going back there’s liquorice and vanilla. The mouthfeel has thinned further, but the finish remains reasonable.
Personally, I wouldn’t add water to this, but even undiluted it’s far from my favourite Ardbeg. It’s not as smoky as I’d like, but it’s also missing some of the flavours/notes I enjoy from Ardbeg, and there’s nothing replacing these notes that I find overly enamouring. It’s also not as good as some of the core range releases and I’d recommend you skip this and buy the 10 YO instead.
L-1 Liquor vendors in Gurugram have varied the
prices of low-cost Indian Made Foreign Liquor to keep their prices as close to those currently being charged by Delhi liquor vendors. This allows them to remain in competition with the Delhi market. Delhi introduced its new excise policy allowing retailers to offer huge discounts, attracting people from Gurgaon,
Noida and Faridabad. The shopkeepers of Gurgaon began to feel the heat as the local market was disrupted. Surprisingly, the Delhi admin withdrew numerous benefits they had earlier allowed by relaxing the price of liquor in the price band of Rs 1,000 and below.
Liquor shop owners are eyeing profits with this move
after they suffered huge losses over the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the currently relaxed scenario, according to shopkeepers, liquor in Haryana does not have a
maximum retail price (MRP), permitting them to sell it at any price without offering discounts to customers and still offer the best deals vis-a-vis the national
capital.
Currently, prices in the L-1 stores in Gurgaon are lower than the prices in the Duty-Free Stores at New Delhi airport, and in numerous instances, match, if not better, DFS prices in Dubai and Singapore. The photo infra shows the truly low prices being charged. The spreadsheet further down compares the prices of Scotch whisky across the nearest DFS at Singapore and Dubai, and, in certain cases, New York and Frankfurt. Macallan has too many expressions in the Gurgaon market for me to pin down four. I'll attend to that by and by.
From amongst the Blended Scotch whiskies, I would stay away from run-of-the-mill brands and certainly from Bottled in India Blended Scotch whiskies. The only brands worth buying are Johnnie Walker Black Label and Chivas Regal 12 YO at their throwaway price of Rs 1,800; the Black Label 12 Islay Origin, the White Walker, the Double Black, the Gold, the Green blended malt and the Swing. The 18 YO is no longer available. The price of these bottles in India is at a lifetime low. Next would be the Chivas Regal 15, and 18-year-olds, at equally low prices. Just compare them to the prices in DFS overseas! The only Ballantine worth buying is the 17 YO. The Dewar’s 18 YO follows in alphabetical order, with the Dimple Pinch 15 YO right behind. The Islay Mist and the Six Isles blended malt are good blends to have on the list, followed by my personal favourite, the Highland Queen Majesty.
An entry in maroon indicates that the price of that expression is lower than at DFS at home and abroad. Please understand that these are my selections and recommendations. There is no compulsion that you accept my recommendations and/or advice, except to drink moderately and refrain from driving thereafter.
Note: All prices are compared at equalised volumes since most bottles at Duty-Free Shops at Ports are sold in bottles of 1.0 Litre capacity.
COMPARISON OF LIQUOR PRICES GURGAON L1 VS DFS AT
DUBAI, DELHI & SINGAPORE
BRAND NAME
Rec
Discovery
GTown
Lake Forest
REMARKS
Dubai
Delhi
S’pore
ABERFELDY
12 YO
√
3000
3000
3000
MUST BUY
4060
4960
4620
ABERFELDY 14
YO
X
12 YO GOOD ENOUGH
NA
NA
NA
ABERLOUR
12 YO
√
3200
3500
3500
GOOD
BUY
NA
5270
6340
ABERLOUR 15
YO
?
5200
5500
5400
OPTIONAL
ABERLOUR 18
YO
X
10,000
NA
NA
NOT WORTH IT
ABERLOUR ABUNADH
X
TOO STRONG 61% ABV, FLAVOURSOME BUT BURNS NOSE
& THROAT
NA
7360
NA
ARDBEG 10 YO
√
5200
5400
6000
GOOD BUY
NA
4260
5835
ARDBEG WEE
BEASTIE 5YO
X
4900
4700
4900
NOT WORTH IT
NA
NA
NA
ARDMORE 12 YO
X
2300
2500
2500
DISAPPOINTING
2210
2500
5655
AUCHENTOSHAN
12 YO
√
3100
3200
3200
MILD DRAM; @
2900 JFK
NA
3200
3950
AUCHENTOSHAN 3
WOOD
X
NA
NA
4000
NO NEED
NA
4970
4940
AUCHROISK 12
YO
√
NA
NA
5150
GOOD BUY
NA
NA
NA
AULTMORE
12 YO
√
4600
4900
NA
MUST BUY
4825
NA
NA
AULTMORE 14
YO
√
5100
NA
NA
GOOD BUY
NA
NA
NA
AULTMORE 18
YO
√
7100
7100
NA
GREAT BUY
NA
NA
NA
BALBLAIR 12
YO
X
4600
4900
NA
VALUE FOR
MONEY VFM
NA
NA
9525
BALVENIE D'BLEWOOD 12
X
6200
6200
6200
NVFM
6115
NA
NA
BALVENIE D'BLEWOOD 14
X
8000
8000
8000
40% ABV TOO
LOW
8020
NA
NA
BALVENIE D'BLEWOOD 17
X
18,000
18,000
18,500
40% ABV AND
18,000?
NA
NA
NA
BALVENIE
TRIPLE 12 1L
X
NA
NA
8750
TRAVEL EDITION 40%
NA
7290
NA
BALVENIE 16
TRIPLE 1L
X
NA
NA
12,500
TRAVEL EDITION 40%
NA
11590
NA
BENRIACH 12
YO
X
NA
NA
7,500
PRICEY
7240
NA
NA
BOWMORE 12 YO 40%
X
2700
2700
2800
SUB-PAR ISLAY
NA
NA
4200
BOWMORE 15 YO 43%
?
5500
5800
5500
SKIP
3875
4020
5835
BOWMORE 18 YO 43%
√
10,000
NA
9500
GOOD BUY
13530
8440
7405
BUNNAHABHAIN
12 46.3%
√
NA
NA
5200
MUST BUY
4800
NA
NA
BRUICHLADDICH
PORT CHARLOTTE 10 50%
√
NA
NA
9000
MUST BUY @6280 FKFT
7175
NA
NA
BRUICHLADDICH CLASSIC 8 50%
√
8500
8500
8500
MUST BUY@ 4270 FKFT
7175
NA
6450
CAOL ILA 12 YO 70CL 40%
√
4500
4600
4500
MUST BUY
6420
6290
NA
CARDHU 12 YO
70CL 40%
√
4800
4500
4600
GOOD BUY
NA
4720
4500
CLYNELISH
14 YO 75CL 46%
√
4600
4600
4600
MUST BUY
6060
NA
NA
COPPER DOG 12
YO 70CL
√
2100
2700
2700
MUST BUY
NA
2275
3650
CRAGGANMORE
12 43%
√
3600
3600
3600
OPTIONAL
NA
NA
NA
CRAIGELLACHIE
13 YO
√
4000
4000
4000
MUST BUY
5350
4715
6340
CRAIGELLACHIE
17 YO
√
7100
NA
7500
EXCELLENT VFM
NA
NA
NA
DALMORE 12 YO
?
7100
7100
7100
NVFM
NA
7070
5900
DALMORE 15 YO
?
9000
9000
9000
GOOD BUY
NA
10,070
8415
DALWHINNIE
15 YO
√
4000
4000
4000
MUST BUY
5830
NA
NA
GLENALLACHIE
12 YO 46%
√
NA
NA
7000
MUST BUY
7800
NA
NA
GLENBURGIE BALLANTINE 15
X
3500
NA
3800
BALLANTINE SINGLE MALT WORTH A TRY
NA
NA
NA
GLENDRONACH
10 YO
X
NA
NA
7500
PRICEY @ 3900 FKFT
NA
4200
6120
GLENDRONACH
12
√
NA
NA
10,300
GOOD BUT
PRICEY
NA
8900
NA
GLENFIDDICH
12 YO
√
2900
2900
2900
MUSTBUY
4770
NA
NA
GLENFIDDICH
15 YO
√
4500
4500
4500
SOLERA MUST BUY
NA
4900
5600
GLENFIDDICH
18 YO
X
8500
8700
8700
NVFM
6500
8490
NA
GLENFIDDICH
XX
√
5500
NA
NA
MUST BUY
NA
5420
NA
GLENFIDDICH
IPA 43%
X
5000
NA
5000
SKIP
GLENGOYNE 12 70CL 43%
√
4000
4200
4300
MUST BUY
6600
5260
8000
GLENKINCHIE
12 43%
√
3800
3800
4000
GOOD BUY
GLENLIVET
12 70 CL 40%
√
2900
2900
2900
MUST BUY
3600
3380
6400
GLENLIVET 15 70 CL 40%
X
4500
4500
4500
12 YO IS FINE
NA
5295
7575
GLENLIVET FOUNDER’S
√
4000
NA
4200
GOOD BUY
7350
3040
NA
GLENLIVET
NADURRA
X
6300
NA
6200
CASK
STRENGTH~60%
NA
5160
NA
GLENLIVET 18
YO
X
NA
8200
8500
NVFM
7380
NA
NA
GLENMORANGIE
10
√
3500
3500
3800
MUST BUY; 3025 @ JFK
3000
3640
4650
GLEN’GIE
LASANTA 12
X
5700
5600
5700
SKIP
NA
NA
5560
GLEN’GIE
NECTAR D’OR
√
5200
NA
6300
46% MUST BUY
NA
NA
6620
--DO-- QUINTA RUBAN 14
?
4700
6000
6500
GOOD BUY
NA
NA
NA
GLENMORANGIE
SIGNET
X
18000
17500
17000
TOO PRICEY
13,175
18,730
16,000
GLENMORANGIE
X
X
4500
NA
4000
FOR MIXING;
AVOID
NA
NA
NA
GLEN GRANT 10
X
3000
3000
3000
UNDERDONE
2300
2825
2960
GLEN GRANT 12
X
3200
3200
3200
UNDERDONE
2860
3400
3800
HIGHLAND
PARK 12 40%
√
3900
4000
3900
MUST
BUY3650
@JFK
5500
NA
NA
HIGHLAND
QUEEN S MALT
√
NA
NA
2800
MUST BUY IF
AV’BLE
NA
NA
NA
JURA 10
X
4700
4700
4800
GOOD BUY
NA
NA
NA
JURA 12
√
5300
5300
5400
GOOD BUY
NA
4450
4200
KAVALAN CONCERTM'R
X
7000
7000
NA
YOUR CALL
NA
NA
4825
KAVALAN
CLASSIC
X
7000
NA
7000
YOUR CALL
NA
7080
NA
KAVALAN SOLIST
SHERRY
√
11,000
NA
NA
SUPER BUT NVFM
NA
NA
9550
KAVALAN DIST’RY
SELECT
X
8000
8000
NA
NVFM
NA
NA
5600
KILCHOMAN
SANAIG
√
9000
9000
NA
NVFM; 7700
@JFK
NA
NA
NA
LAPHROAIG
1815
X
NA
NA
11,000
NVFM; 8850 AT FRKFT
10,250
10,070
7830
LAPHROAIG
SELECT 40%
X
3500
3500
3500
~3350 IN THE
WEST
NA
NA
4480
LAPH'G QTR CASK 48%
√
4400
4600
4400
MUST BUY 6100 @ JFK
NA
NA
5600
LAGAVULIN 16
√
6500
6700
6500
MUST BUY
8740
NA
7525
LAGAVULIN 8
?
NA
NA
7200
OPTIONAL
7000
NA
6850
LONGMORN DIST EDN
√
6300
6900
7900
GOOD
BUY
7200
NA
NA
LOSSIT
√
NA
6200
NA
MUST BUY
NA
NA
NA
MACALLAN SHERRY OAK 12
X
NA
9800
NA
OVERPRICED
NA
6200
6300 JFK
MACALLAN TRIPLE 12
√
6500
6500
NA
OPTIONAL
NA
9900
MACALLAN
DOUBLE 12 YO
√
5500
5500
NA
GOOD BUY
NA
7200
RAMPUR DOUBLE CASK
√
5600
5600
NA
MUST BUY
NA
7390
7200
MONKEY
SHOULDER
√
2500
2800
3000
MUST BUY 2050@ JFK
2400
2525
3100
OBAN LITTLE
BAY
√
5800
6000
6000
FAIR BUY 5450@JFK
NA
5760
6900
OLD PULTENEY
12 YO
√
4200
4250
4300
FAIR BUY
NA
NA
NA
OLD PULTENEY
10 1.0L
√
5500
5800
5800
FAIR BUY
3950
NA
NA
SCAPA SKIREN
X
4500
4500
4500
HAVEN’T TRIED
YET
NA
NA
NA
SINGLETONGLEN'LAN12
?
2800
3000
3300
GOOD ENTRY
LEVEL
NA
3015
3500*
SINGLETON
G'ULLAN 15
√
4500
4500
4500
GOOD BUY
NA
3915
5575*
S'TON
GLENDULLAN 18
√
7000
7200
6200
MUST BUY
NA
5825
9060*
SMOKEHEAD
HEAVY PEAT
√
3600
4200
4000
MUST BUY - PEAT FANS
2725
3500
3690
SPEYBURN
75 CL 43%
√
4000
5200
4800
MUST BUY; 2950
@FKFT
NA
3560
7200
SPEYBURN 1L 43%
X
NA
5250
5200
SKIP
NA
NA
NA
SPRINGBANK
70CL
√
NA
8000
NA
MUST BUY RARE BRAND
NA
NA
NA
TALISKER
10 45.8%
√
3600
3800
3600
MUST BUY
NA
5290
5000
TALISKER
STORM 45.8%
X
4800
4900
4800
+VFM: YOUR CHOICE
NA
7300
6625
TAMDHU 12
√
5300
5300
NA
OPTIONAL; 4600 JFK
7300
TOWIEMORE
X
NA
6200
NA
SKIP
NA
NA
NA
BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY
JOHNNIE
WALKER RED
X
800
950
1000
AVOID
1205
1395
2525
JW
BLACK
√
1800
2000
2000
MUST BUY
2150
2450
NA
JWBL 12 SPEYSIDE
√
1800
2000
2100
GOOD BUY
NA
2650
NA
JWBL 12 HIGHLANDS
√
NA
NA
NA
DUE ANY
MOMENT
NA
2650
NA
JWBL 12 LOWLANDS
√
1800
2000
2100
GOOD BUY
NA
2650
NA
JWBL 12 ISLAY
√
NA
NA
NA
DUE ANY
MOMENT
NA
2650
NA
JW WHITE
WALKER
√
2400
2400
2400
INTERESTING
JW
DBL BLACK
√
2500
2600
2700
MUST BUY
2525
3225
4200
JW GOLD
√
3500
3600
3800
MUST BUY
3650
3250
5600
JW GREEN
?
NA
NA
NA
DUE ANY
MOMENT
NA
NA
5350
JW ISLAND
GREEN
?
NA
NA
NA
GOOD BUY
NA
5090
NA
JW SWING
√
NA
NA
5750
JUST GRAB
NA
NA
NA
JW
18 YO
√
4800
5000
5200
MUST BUY
6000
6290
6900
CHIVAS
REGAL 12
√
1850
2000
2000
MUST BUY
2200
2340
NA
CHIVAS REGAL
15
√
3500
3600
3600
GOOD BUY
3850
4065
NA
CHIVAS
REGAL 18
√
5000
5200
5300
MUST BUY
NA
6090
NA
BALLANTINE'S
FINEST
X
850
NA
1000
GOOD BUY
NA
1400
NA
BALLANTINE'S
7 YO
X
1800
NA
NA
NVFM
NA
NA
NA
BALLANTINE'S
12 YO
X
1900
NA
NA
YOUR CHOICE
NA
2220
NA
BALLANTINES
15 YO
X
3600
3350
NA
YOUR CHOICE
NA
NA
NA
BALLANTINES
17 YO
√
4600
5000
4800
MUST BUY
NA
NA
NA
DEWAR'S 15 YO
X
3500
3500
3500
FAIR BUY VFM
2700
3030
NA
DEWAR'S 18 YO
√
4800
5200
5000
MUST BUY
5550
5800
5890
DIMPLE’S
15 YO
√
4800
4800
4800
MUST BUY
5535
4250
NA
GRANTS
TRIPLEWOOD 12
?
NA
NA
5200
GOOD BUY @1660 FKFT
NA
3230
4225
HIGHLAND
Q'N MAJESTY
√
NA
NA
2375
MUST BUY 12 YO
1925
NA
NA
ISLAY MIST
√
2800
2800
2800
INTERESTING
NA
NA
3750
SIX ISLES
BLENDED MALT
√
3500
3600
NA
VERY
INTERESTING
NA
3560
NA
SOMETHING SPECIAL
NAS
√
1350
1450
1450
MUST BUY
NA
NA
NA
100 PIPERS
BLENDED MALT
√
NA
1300
1300
MUST BUY8 YO
NA
NA
NA
TEACHER’S
H’LAND CREAM
?
1300
NA
1400
NO IDEA
1050
1550
1450
TEACHER’S 50
?
1400
1400
1400
FAIR BUY
NA
NA
NA
WILLIAM
LAWSON’S 12
?
1000
NA
NA
NO IDEA
1015
1245
NA
WILLIAM
LAWSON’S 13
?
NA
NA
NA
I LIKED IT, VFM
NA
1630
NA
* Singapore sells The Singleton of Dufftown
* Hibiki Harmony is now under Rs 10,000
* Royal Salute is now affordable
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