2026 Scotch Tasting

Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Powerfully peaty and immensely satisfying, Ardbeg's Corryvreckan is what happens when the distillery of Islay's Kildalton Coast aims to make a whisky with a particularly medicinal style than its usual expressions. Aptly named after a nearby whirlpool, Corryvreckan is an intense dram that we simply love.

Nose: Peat smoke, ash and sea brine come out of the glass strong, but once those fade away, there are sweet notes of chocolate and coffee grounds. After going back to the glass a few times, there are hints of grilled pineapple, ginger, pepper and leather. A very complex nose.

Palate: A lot of what I get from the nose comes through on the palate. You get the typical Islay Scotch peat and smoke but with an added spicy chocolate flavor that reminds me of Mexican Hot Chocolate with candied ginger.  A surprisingly dessert-y glass of whisky!

Finish: More Mexican hot chocolate on the finish that changes into peppery bacon, cigar tobacco ash, oak and sea salt. It’s like having a fire on the beach while eating smores! Delicious.

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Distillery / Brand: Ardbeg

Price: $???

ABV: 57.1%

Glenallachie 10 Year Cask Strength Batch 12

The whisky was elevated through maturation in Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, red wine and virgin oak casks. With a deep chestnut hue, a lively nose and a punchy palate, expect a dram that captivates the senses.

Nose: Hints of mocha, fig syrup and toasted hazelnuts, with honeycomb, dried red berries and a touch of molasses tart.

Taste: Baking spices, brandied cherries and toffee sauce, followed by Black Forest gâteau, mocha and grilled honeycomb, with molasses and damson plum on the finish.

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside

Distillery / Brand: Glenallachie

Price: $???

ABV: 59.7%

Glenmorangie 15 Year Lasanta

The Lasanta is a 15-Year-Old single malt from Highland distillery, Glenmorangie’s core range of expressions, matured in bourbon and sherry casks. Relaunched in 2025 with a 15-year age statement, The Lasanta was originally bottled as a 12-Year-Old expression and was one of Glenmorangie’s most popular bottlings. Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden and Master Blender Gillian Macdonald were inspired to use older stocks and refine the cask recipe to make The Lasanta “even more deliciously complex”.

Nose: The nose has a nice warm complexity that just opens over the tasting. It has some nice spicy cinnamon and baking spice. We find the lovely sherry cask and wine notes accompanying dried fruits and honey. Throughout there is vanilla, and some nuts accompanying the aged wood.

Palate: A great full body on the palate which starts with raisin, cinnamon, oak, light tobacco, and dark sugars. There is jut a hint of charcoal but almost not diceranble smoke. Nutty coffee followed by sherry wine.

Finish: A great finish, holds well but not too long. A great sherry sweetness wrapped in oak and bitter chocolate and raisin sugar. Just a delight.

Country: Scotch Whisky

Region: Speyside Whisky

Distillery / Brand: Glenmorangie

Price: $???

ABV: 43%