97 - Glendronach 25yo 1968/1993 (43%, OB, 100% Truly unique; one of the few regular
Sherry) proofs in this class.
97 - Saint Magdalene 19yo 1979/1998 (63.8%, UD My #1 malt for almost a decade... Needs
Rare Malts) time & water.
97 - Springbank 12yo 100 Proof (57.1%, OB / A true legend from Samaroli, bottled in
Samaroli, 1980's, 2400 Bts.) the early 1980's.
   
96 - Ardbeg 25yo 1975/2000 (50%, DL OMC, Apparently, this is one of Jim Murray's
702 Bts., Btl. October) favourites.
96 - Ardbeg 1976/2002 (53.1%, OB, C#2390, Worth the trip to Islay to secure a bottle.
Feis Isle 2002) Great price too!
96 - Bowmore 1965 Full Strength (50%, OB, Bottled An unopened bottle that Serge found in
1980's) an Italian pizzeria.
96 - Glenfarclas 25yo (43%, OB, Frattina Import, They don't make 'em (quite) like that
Bottled +/-1979) anymore...
96 - Laphroaig 31yo 1974/2005 (49.7%, OB for The 'best' (= highest scoring) MM Awards
LMdW, Sherry, 910 Bts.) entry until 2007.
   
95 - Aberlour-Glenlivet 8yo (50%, OB, Cube bottle, Poured to me as a 'skalk' by Luc
75cl, 1970's?) Timmermans in Belgium.
95 - Adelphi 1953/2003 'No Name' (54.3%, 'The whisky that cannot be named' is now
Adelphi, C#1668) famous...
95 - Ardbeg 28yo 1967/1995 (53.2%, Signatory, One of the hidden gems from Sigantory
Dark Oloroso, C#574) Vintage's past.
95 - Ardbeg 29yo 1973/2002 (51.4%, DL This 'Platinum' Edition truly is an
Platinum, 137 Bts.) exceptional whisky.
95 - Brora 31yo 1972/2003 (49.3%, DL Platinum, By 2003 Douglas Laing reserved the best
221 Bts.) for platinum.
95 - Glenfarclas 1969/2007 (56,2%, OB, Familly My personal favorite entry for the MM
Cask #3184, 148 Bts.) Awards 2007.
95 - Glen Garioch 29yo 1968 (57.7%, OB, C#7, The highest scoring Glen Garioch on my
Bottled +/- 1997) Hit List.
95 - Lagavulin 16yo 'White Horse' (43%, OB, My very first 'amazing discovery' of single
Bottled +/- 1990, 75cl) malt whisky.
95 - Macallan 'Coilltean' 1992/2004 (55%, One of the very best MM Awards
Samaroli, C#8518, 420 Bts.) candidates in my book.
95 - Port Ellen 21yo 1982/2004 (50%, DL OMC, Douglas Laing only made 420 bottles of
REF414, Sherry cask) this beauty.
95 - Yamazaki 1979/2008 (55%, OB, C#RF1037, My personal favourite at the MM Awards
Japan, 294 Bts.) 2008.
   
94 - Ardbeg 24yo 1975/2000 (50%, DL OMC, Pfffft. Another Ardbeg; a regular guest on
713 Bts.) this list...
94 - Ardbeg 27yo 1973/2000 (50%, DL OMC, In 2000 Douglas Laing released some real
240 Bts.) beauties.
94 - Brora 22yo 1972/1995 (58.7%, UD Rare Malts) This is my favorite 'Rare Malts' bottling of
94 - Brora 29yo 1972/2001 (59.5%, DL Platinum Brora.
II, 240 Bts.) Douglas Laing reserved the very best for
94 - Brora 30yo '2004' (56.6%, OB, Bottled 2004, 'platinum'.
3000 Bts.) My personal favorite of the 30yo Brora
94 - Glen Garioch 1971 (59.6%, Samaroli, 2280 annual releases.
Bts., +/- 1988, 75cl) A legendary bottling than can still be
94 - Glen Grant 1969/2004 (46%, Berry found at auctions.
Brothers, C#1773) Berry Brothers bottled the highest scoring
94 - Highland Park 32yo 1974/2006 (51.9%, Glen Grant.
SMWS, 4.109, 141 Bts.) My favorite SMWS bottlings so far.
94 - Highland Park 36yo 1967 (49.7%, OB for Exceptional whisky.
TWE, C#10252, 138 Bts.) Details about the exact bottling year are
94 - Lagavulin 12yo (43%, OB, cream label, Cinoco, vague.

1979 rotation, 75cl)
94 - Lagavulin 16yo 'White Horse' (43%, OB,
Bottled +/- 1993, 100cl)
94 - Laphroaig 10yo Cask Strength (57.3%, OB,
Green stripe, +/- 2002)
94 - Laphroaig 27yo 1980/2007 (57.4%, OB, 5
Oloroso Casks)
94 - Port Ellen 23yo 1979/2003 (46%, Wilson &
Morgan, C#6769)
93 - Ardbeg 1974 'Provenance' (55.6%, OB, Btl.
18/11/1997, Europe)
93 - Ardbeg 28yo 1967/1995 (53.7%, Signatory,
Pale Oloroso, C#575)
93 - Ardbeg 28yo 1972/2000 (50.1%, DL /
Alambic Germany, 234 Bts.)
93 - Ardbeg 28yo 1972/2001 (49.5%, DL OMC, Sampled at 'Whiskyshiff' in Zurich in
222 Bts.)
93 - Ardbeg 30yo 1967/1997 (50.3%, Signatory,
C#1141, 510 Bts.)
93 - Benriach 37yo 1968/2006 (52%, OB,
C#2712, 157 Bts.)
93 - Bowmore 'Black' 1964/1993 (50%, OB, 2000
Bts., First Edition)
93 - Brora 32yo 1970/2002 (58.4%, DL Platinum This one was almost too perfect for its
III, 297 Bts.)
93 - Glenfarclas 15yo (46%, OB, Mahler & Besser, Here's an 'antique that blew me away...
Early 1980's)
93 - Glen Grant 36yo 1970/2006 (53,2%,
Bl'adder, C#7216, 173 Bts.)
93 - Glenlivet 1971/2003 (55%, Berry Bros,
C#6447)
93 - Highland Park 17yo 'No vintage' (43%, OB,
James Grant, 1970's)
93 - Highland Park 24yo 1980/2004 (58%, OB / the best stuff.
Park Avenue, C#7366)
93 - Karuizawa 1972/2008 (65%, #1 Drinks
Company, Cask #7290)
93 - Lagavulin 16yo 'White Horse' (43%, OB,
Bottled +/- 1995, 70cl)
93 - Laphroaig 10yo Cask Strength (55.7%, OB, marginal...
Red Stripe, +/- 2005)
93 - Ledaig 30yo 1974/2005 (48.7%, SigV,
Sherry C#3223, 208 Bts.)
93 - Miltonduff 1966/1990 (61.4%, Antica Casa
Marchesi Spinola, 75cl)
93 - Port Charlotte 2001/2005 (61.4%, Gordon years in a cask.
Homer, C#R23, 39 Bts.)
93 - Port Ellen 22yo 1978/2000 (60.5%, UD
Rare Malts)
93 - Port Ellen 22yo 1982/2004 (61.1%, DL /
PLOWED, 264 Bts.)
93 - Port Ellen 23yo 1983/2007 (56.7%, DL
Platinum for Whisky Fair)
93 - Springbank 12yo 100 Proof (50%, OB, +/-
1995, 'Double Dark', USA)
93 - Suntory Yamazaki 1984/2005 (56%, OB,
Japan, 70cl)
Proof that Lagavulin was already great in
the 70's.
The first time I became aware of 'batch
variation'.
The 'daily dram' that took the crown of
Lagavulin 16.
MM Award winner in 2007's 'super
premium' segment.
The best Wilson & Morgan bottling so far
in my book.
A legendary OB from the 1990's.
Collectible...
Not as collectible as comparable OB's, but
a great malt.
When DL still offered excellent malts at
excellent prices.
2004.
My 1100th single malt, sampled in 2005
on Islay.
This hogshead produced the top scoring
Benriach so far.
The bottling that founded an overblown
reputation.
own good...
This was my 3d favourite MM Awards
candidate in 2007.
Poured for the maniacs at Berry's HQ in
London.
A young oldie - and one of the best HP's I
ever tried.
Proof that the Americans sometimes get
It seems the Japanese bought all the best
sherry casks.
A bottle that made me discover 'batch
variation'.
The difference with the 'Green Stripe' is
A huge surprise from a fairly mundane
distillery.
Another Italian antique that knocked me
off my feet.
Proof that malts don't NEED 20 or 30
One of the last - perhaps the last - great
Port Ellen OB.
A special bottling for the American
PLOWED Society.
This Bourbon hogshead produced 150 fine
bottles.
One of the few Springbanks worthy of its
reputation.
The surprise winner of the MM Awards
2006.
The first 'non plus ultra' winner at the MM
93 - Talisker 20yo 1981/2002 (62%, OB, Sherry,
Awards.
9000 Bts.)
Not many other Tomintouls at the top of
93 - Tomintoul 37yo 1966/2003 (52.8%, DL
my Hit List.
Plat., Rum Finish, 201 Bts.)
 
 
92 - Aberfeldy 25yo 1975/2001 (57.0%, This Aberfeldy was aged in an excellent
Cadenhead's, 228 Bts.) sherry cask.
92 - Adelphi 15yo 1991/2006 'Breath of One of the few affordable bottles on this
Speyside' (60.2%, C#5642) part of the list.
92 - Ardbeg 6yo 1998/2005 (56.2%, SMWS, Exceptional, especially considering its
33.57, Sherry gorda) tender age.
92 - Ardbeg 17yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- 1998) The first new official release of Ardbeg in
92 - Ardbeg 1966/1987 (46%, Moon 'The Birds', a decade.
C#2443, 264 Bts.) The sherry from the cask overpowered
92 - Ardbeg 21yo 'Committee' (56.3%, OB, 2500 the peat here. 
Bts., 2001) Amazing complexity and great fun. A fine
92 - Ardbeg 29yo 1972/2001 'Ardbeggedon' briny dram...
(48.4%, DL for PLOWED) The PLOWED folks clearly know how to
92 - Ardbeg 30yo 1967/1997 (52.2%, Signatory, pick a cask...
C#1138, 586 Bts.) This Ardbeg reached its prime in an
92 - Ardbeg 1972/2004 (45.3%, OB for Germany, Oloroso cask.
C#861, 216 Bts.) This bourbon cask produced 216 bottles
92 - Benriach 36yo 1968/2005 (46%, OB for after 32 years.
LMdW, C#2711, 152 Bts.) La Maison du Whisky in France has a nose
92 - Bowmore 22yo 1965 (43%, The Prestonfield, for good stuff.
C#47) One of the first bottlings from Andrew
92 - Bowmore 36yo 1972/'08 (48.8%, Symington.
Prestonfield, C#3881, 565 Bts.) An excellent refill sherry butt - once again
92 - Braes of Glenlivet 15yo 1979/1995 (60.0%, from Andrew.
Signatory, C#16040) I still don't get why they mothballed this
92 - Brora 30yo 1972/2003 'Broraggeddon' distillery.
(50.8.%, DL, 201 Bts.) A special bottling for the PLOWED people
92 - Dalmore 12yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- 1977, from the US.
75cl) I like the current 12yo, but this is
92 - Glenfarclas 38yo 1966/2004 'Nectar' something else...
(42,3%, WMag, C#6461) Thirsty angels... Only 84 bottles survived
92 - Glen Garioch 21yo 1965 (43%, OB, Bottled +/- their thirst.
1986) Bottled around the time GG lost its peaty
92 - Glengoyne 18yo 1989/2007 'Billy's Choice' character.
(54,1%, OB, C#1202) Billy chose an Amontillado Hogshead
92 - Glengoyne 19yo 1986/2005 'Ewan's producing 249 Bts.
Choice' (51.5%, OB, C#441) The one that put Glengoyne on the map
92 - Glengoyne 21yo 1985/2006 (53%, OB SC) for us maniacs.
92 - Glengoyne 37yo 1967/2005 (47.6%, OB, A hidden gem in Glengoyne's 'regular'
Sherry, C#975, 246 Bts.) range.
92 - Glen Grant 1958/2006 (40%, G&M licensed Just as good as Ewan's Choice - but twice
bottling) as old.
92 - Highland Park 1982/1992 (57.9%, SMWS, A confident gold medal winner at the MM
4.12) Awards.
92 - Highland Park 40yo 1958/1998 (44%, OB, 665 Incredibly complex for a ten years old
Bts.) whisky.
92 - Inchgower 24yo 1980/2005 (60.4%, Many malts are 'over the hill' after forty -
Adelphi, C#14152) but not this one.
92 - Isle of Jura 5yo 1999/2004 (60.6%, OB for Inchgower isn't a big name, but this was
TWE, C#19) a stunner.
92 - Lagavulin 16yo 'White Horse' (43%, OB, +/- Astonishing performance for a five years
1998, 70cl) old whisky.
92 - Lochside 35yo 1966/2002 (51.3%, Premier Great, despite dropping standards in the
Malt, C#7541) late 1990's.
 Now I understand why Lochside is a 'cult'
whisky...
92 - Longmorn-Glenlivet 1971/1999 (57.8%, Scott's
This bottling opened my eyes towards
Selection)
Longmorn.
92 - Longmorn 1973/2006 (54%, G&M Cask,
This malt whisky matured in a first fill
Cask #3650)
sherry butt.
92 - Longrow 1987/2000 (45%, Samaroli,
I'm not a big Longrow fan, but this
C#123)
pleased me greatly.
92 - Longmorn 18yo 1971/1990 (58.1%, G&M for
Italians knew Longmorn did good work in
Spinola, Italy)
the early 70's.
92 - Macallan 25yo 1976/2001 (50%, Silver
It seems that the best Macallans are IB's
Seal, Single Barrel)
nowadays.
92 - Macallan 30yo 1976/2006 (45.3%, Adelphi,
A shame Macallan doesn't release single
C#2749, 206 Bts.)
casks like this.
92 - Macallan 1970/2009 (46%, G&M for LMdW,
This 'Speymalt' bottling was aged in a
Sherry cask #8326)
first fill cask.
92 - Port Ellen 21yo 1982/2004 (61%, DL
Somehow, Potstill 2004 seemed to be
Platinum / WCOA, 302 Bts.)
involved as well.
92 - Royal Brackla 27yo 1975/2002 (59.7%,
A very special 'Green' Brackla for The
TWE, C#5471, 204 Bts.)
Whisky Exchange.
92 - Saint Magdalene 23yo 1970/XXXX (58.1%, UD
Not quite as complex as the 19yo, but a
Rare Malts)
very fine dram.
92 - Single Speyside Malt 41yo 1965/2007
The Whisky Fair couldn't divulge its
(53.5%, TWF, Sherry)
identity. Glen Fraggle?
92 - Talisker 10yo (45.8%, OB, Bottled +/- 1998)
One from the good old days - good
92 - Talisker 1955/2005 'Secret Stills #1'
whisky for little money.
(45%, Gordon & MacPhail)
Secret Stills #1 - 50 years old and
 
already legendary.
 
91 - Ardbeg NAS 'Committee' (55.3%, OB, One of the many, many samples received
vatting, 2002) from Serge.
91 - Ardbeg 10yo 1993/2004 (50%, Douglas They could have released this youngster
Laing OMC, 338 Bts.) as a 'Platinum'.
91 - Ardbeg 1990/2003 (46%, G&M for These Swedes picked an excellent young
Symposion Sweden, C#3133) cask of Ardbeg.
91 - Ardbeg 17yo 1974/1992 (43.0%, Signatory, A fairly early Signatory bottling of a top
C#2026, 1200 Bts.) Ardbeg vintage.
91 - Ardbeg 1976/2004 (51.4%, OB, C#2398, A worthy candidate for an 'Islay Festival'
504 Bts., Feis Isle 2004) bottling.
91 - Balvenie 32yo 1968/2000 'Vintage Cask' Balvenie made only 180 bottles of this
(50.8%, OB, C#7294) 'Vintage' edition.
91 - Benriach 11yo 1994/2005 (59.7%, Andrew Symington got 863 bottles from a
Signatory, C#05/355/1) single cask.
91 - Benriach 1976/2005 (57.6%, OB for Craig. An official bottling for the Craigellachie
Hotel, C#8079, 144 Bts.) Hotel in Scotland.
91 - Bowmore 1991/2005 (59.6%, SSMC, Excellent selection from the Scotch Single
C#575) Malt Circle.
91 - Bowmore 38yo 1964 (42.9%, OB, Oloroso, This must have been bottled in 2002 or
300 Bts.) 2003.
91 - Brora 30yo 1972/2002 (46.6%, DL OMC, The Germans have a good nose for great
204 Bts., Germany) casks.
91 - Brora 30yo '2003' (55.7%, OB, 3000 Bts., This was Diageo's first 30yo 'official'
Bottled 2003) release.
91 - Brora 30yo '2005' (56.3%, OB, 3000 Bts., After the superior '2004' release they
Bottled 2005) returned to 'great'.
91 - Bunnahabhain 35yo 1974/2009 (56.6%, Another triumphant single malt bottling
Adelphi, 200 Bts.) from Adelphi.
91 - Caol Ila 12yo 1978/1990 (65.5%, Cadenhead's)An 'young' antique that proves that old
91 - Carsebridge 42yo 1960/2002 (41.6%, age isn't required.
Chieftain's, C#15010) This Oloroso cask only produced 135
91 - CC Highlands 1993/2006 'Monbazillac' bottles.
(46%, CC., 365 Bts.) An excellent finishing job from Celtique
91 - CC Speyside 1991/2006 'Sauternes' (50%, Connection.
CC., 297 Bts.) Another fine finish from Celtique
91 - Glendronach 20yo 1970/1990 (56%, Signatory, Connection in France.
C#513-518) 3800 bottles were made, so you might
91 - Glen Elgin 32yo 1976/2008 'Green Elgin' still find a few.
(40.8%, TWE, C#3544) Opinions on this one were divided at the
91 - Glenfarclas 1959/2002 (46%, OB, Historic 2008 Awards.
Reserve, 240 Bts.) One of the oldest vintages on this Hit List.
91 - Glen Garioch 29yo 1968 (53.7%, OB, C#627,
Hogshead) A rare liquid treat from the late 1990's.
91 - Glen Garioch 36yo 1967/2003 (55.5%, DL One of the oldest Glen Gariochs I've ever
Platinum, 132 Bts.) tried.
91 - Glengoyne 15yo 1989/2005 'Duncan's Duncan selected Cask #1204 - and saw
Choice' (55.7%, OB) that it was good.
91 - Glengoyne 19yo 1985/2004 (52.6%, OB, They know how to pick their single casks
C#608, 'Summer') at Glengoyne.
91 - Glen Grant 1970/2001 (55%, Berry Made me realise old Glen Grants equal
Brothers, C#1035) old Macallans.
91 - Glen Grant 1956/2005 (46%, G&M  for This beauty was matured in a refill sherry
LMdW, 459 Bts.) butt.
91 - Glen Keith 1967/2006 (53%, G&M for LMdW A 'Reserve' bottling for La Maison du
Paris, 215 Bts.) Whisky in Paris.
91 - Glenury Royal 36yo 1973/2009 (46.2%, This 'Raw Cask' bottling was double rare:
Blackadder, Cask #6863) only 148 Bts.
91 - Hanyu 1988/2006 (56.3%, Full Proof The very first bottling from 'Full Proof' in
Holland, C#9204, Puncheon) Holland.
91 - Highland Park NAS (70 Proof, G&M OB, Saint This was an official Gordon & MacPhail
Patrick, +/- 1960) 'Licensed bottling'.
91 - Highland Park 21yo 1959/1980 (43%, OB, J. Bottled especially for Italy - the first big
Grant, Green dumpy) 'malt market'.
91 - Inchgower 24yo 1980/2005 (54,7%, SMWS This is 'Emphatically fig-like', according to
18.24) the SMWS.
91 - Invergordon 36yo 1965/2002 (51.8%, Duncan Taylor made 252 bottles in their
Peerless, C#15539) 'Peerless' range.
91 - Jura Whisky 3yo 1999/2002 (60.7%, OB, If it had been any younger it wouldn't be
C#92, 447 Bts., Japan) whisky...
91 - Karuizawa 1971/2008 (64.1%, OB for #1 One of my favourites at the MM Awards
Drinks Cie., C#6878) 2008.
91 - Lagavulin 12yo (43%, OB, Montenegro in Zola, Unlike similar bottlings, this had a cork
early 1980's) cap.
91 - Lagavulin 1979 Distillers Edition (43%, OB, +/- The very first official 'doubled matured'
1997, PX finish) Lagavulin.
91 - Lagavulin 21yo 1985/2007 (56.5%, OB, A decade after the first DE, a 21yo earns
6642 Bts.) the same score.
91 - Laphroaig 15yo 1985/2000 (50%, DL OMC, Douglas Laing couldn't use the name
'Laudable', 318 Bts.) 'Laphroaig' yet.
91 - Macallan 18yo 1970/1988 (43%, OB) A bottling from the early glory days of the
91 - Macallan 18yo 1976/1995 (43%, OB) Macallan 18yo.
91 - Macallan 30yo 1971/2002 'Vintage' A bottling from the later glory days of the
(56.4%, OB, C#4280) Macallan 18yo.
91 - Mortlach 50yo 1936/1986 (40%, Gordon & A classic Macallan - with a price tag to
MacPhail) match...
91 - Nikka 18yo 1987/2006 (55,2%, SMWS A brilliant malt, one of the oldest I've
C#116.9, Japan) tried so far.
91 - Port Ellen 19yo 1982/2001 (59.5%, The 'From Madeira to the Caribbean', MM
Bottlers, C#573) Awards 2007.
 One of the few releases that lives up to
91 - Port Ellen 25yo 1982 (58.2%, Douglas of the reputation.
Drumlarig for Kingfisher) Ho-cheng selected a brilliant sherry cask.
91 - Saint Magdalene 24yo 1978/2002 (50%, Bottled by Douglas Laing in December of
DL OMC, 504 Bts.) 2002.
91 - Springbank 35yo 1968/2003 (46%, Berry A 'masterpiece' showcasing the
Bros, 3 casks) possibilities of vatting.
91 - Springbank 35yo 1970/2005 (59.5%, The This TWF beauty came from a bourbon
Whisky Fair, 120 Bts.) cask.
91 - Strathisla 35yo 1967/2003 (54.3%, G&M for Gordon & MacPhail made 153 bottles for
Barmetro, C#2063) Barmetro, Italy.
91 - Talimburg 32yo 1972/2005 (45.2%, TWF, A Talisker for The Whisky Fair in Limburg;
Rum finish, C#1568) 146 bottles.
91 - Talisker 10yo (45.8%, OB, +/- 1992) I found this shortly after my beloved
91 - Talisker 14yo 1979/1993 (64.3%, Lagavulin 16yo.
Cadenhead's) A very different perspective on the
91 - Yamazaki 1984 (48%, OB, Japanese Mizunara distillery.
oak, Btl. +/- 2009) One of the Japanese winners of the MM
  Awards 2009.
 
90 - Aberlour NAS 'A'bunadh' No Batch # (59.6%, The first batch from the 1990's is still a
OB, +/- 1998) favourite.
90 - Aberlour A'bunadh' Batch #20 (60.5%, OB, It took them almost a decade to rival the
Bottled +/- 2007) first batch.
90 - Ardbeg 13yo 1990/2004 'Cask Strength' 1140 bottles were designated especially
(55%, OB for Japan) for Japan.
90 - Ardbeg 25yo 'Lord of the Isles' (46%, OB, Maybe the first 'premiumed' release after
Bottled 2001) they reopened.
90 - Ardbeg 26yo 1974/2001 (50%, Douglas At the time the price was nicer than that
Laing OMC, 252 Bts.) of the 'LOTI' OB.
90 - Ardbeg 28yo 1974/2003 (50%, Douglas In those days almost all OMC Ardbegs
Laing OMC, 264 Bts.) were just excellent.
90 - Ardmore 18yo '500 Years' (51.4%, James The '500 years of Scotch Whisky' was
MacArthur) bottled in 1994.
90 - Ardmore 21yo 1979/2001 (50%, DL OMC, Douglas Laing produced no less than 648
0345, DL266, 648 Bts.) bottles.
90 - Balblair 1975/2007 (46%, OB) Balblair made an impression at the 2008
90 - Balblair 1973/2006 (45%, G&M Private, Awards.
C#3184-3185, 385 Bts.) One of my personal favourites at the MM
90 - Balblair 40yo 1965/2007 (47.7%, The Awards that year.
Single Malts of Scotland) This bottling is actually 42 years old
90 - Balvenie NAS (40%, OB, Bottled 1970's?) instead of 40...
90 - Benriach 30yo 1976/2006 (53%, OB for We were not sure when exactly this
LMDW, Cask #3557) antique was bottled.
90 - Benriach 31yo 1975/2007 'Lightly Peated' They sent one of the 222 Bottles to the
(53,7%, OB, , C#4451) MM Awards.
90 - Benrinnes 1975/2006 'Flying Big Ben' This Port Pipe (a type of port cask)
(46%, G&M / Juuls, C#3343) produced 707 bottles.
90 - Brora 19yo 1982/2001 (50%, Silver Seal, I enjoyed one of the 250 bottles at a
Sherry, 240 Bts.) 'Wigman' tasting.
90 - Brora 23yo 1981/2005 (61%, Duncan Proof that not all top class Brora's are
Taylor, C#1425, 542 Bts.) from the 1970's.
90 - Brora 29yo 1971/2001 (50%, DL OMC, 258 Given the high proof, this offers pretty
Bts., Btl. 04/'01) good value.
90 - Brora 30yo 1972/2003 (47.4%, DL The In hindsight, DL burned through their
Whisky Shop, 220 Bts.) stocks too fast.
90 - Port Charlotte 2001/2004 (67.3%, Private A sherry cask from Douglas Laing for The
Bottling, C#286) Whisky Shop.
90 - Bunnahabhain 34yo 1968/2002 'Auld Perhaps the very first bottling, 336
Acquaintance' (43.8%, OB) (excellent) bottles.
90 - Caol Ila 1994/2005 (58,2%, G&M Cask, One of the most legendary Bunnie OB's
C#12423-12424) ever bottled.
90 - Caol Ila 12yo 1992/2005 (46%, Whisky Both Gordon & MacPhail casks were
Galore) sherry butts.
90 - Caol Ila 15yo (57%, Bulloch Lade & Co. Ltd., Duncan Taylor put their hands on some
75cl, Orange label) great casks.
90 - Caol Ila 21yo 1975/1997 (61.3%, UD Rare This was an 'antique' bottling, bottled
Malts) circa 1985.
90 - Caol Ila 22yo 1984/2007 (55.9%, Whisky The first 'UD Rare Malt' I ever tried made
Fair, Sherry, 287 Bts.) a big impact.
90 - Caol Ila 25yo 1979/2004 (61.2%, A beautiful Sherry casked Caol Ila, found
Blackadder / SFT, C#5334) by Carsten.
90 - Clynelish 13yo 1990/2003 (59.3%, Blackadder bottled this one for for Sun
Blackadder, C#3593) Favorite Taiwan.
90 - Clynelish 28yo 1976/2004 (46%, Murray Blackadder wisely chose for a sherry
McDavid Mission IV) finish for this one.
90 - Dailuaine 31yo 1973/2005 (47.8%, The Murray McDavid produced 600 bottles of
Whisky Fair, C#14739) this Clynelish.
90 - Dalmore 1951 'Sirius' (45%, OB, Bottled After 3 decades there were 204 bottles
2009) left in the cask.
90 - Dufftown 25yo 1984/2009 (57.5%, A pretty great whisky - but hardly worth
Signatory, C#80, 455 Bts.) 10,000 GBP.
90 - Glenfarclas 30yo (43%, OB, +/- 2004) This Dufftown made the list thanks to a
90 - Glenfarclas 1972/2006 (51.1%, OB Family sherry butt.
Cask #3546, 645 Bts.) More recent batches scored a few points
90 - Glen Garioch 29yo 1968 (55.9%, OB, C#629) lower, mind you.
90 - Glengoyne 1989/2006 'Charlie's Choice' It seems 1972 was an excellent year for
(56%, OB, C#1231) Scotch whisky.
90 - Glengoyne 1989/2007 'Robbie's Choice' Not quite 'antique', but released in the
(55,1%, OB, C#328) late 1990's.
90 - Glengoyne 1986/2006 'Peter's Choice' Charlie selected an excellent 'teenage'
(51%, OB, C#433) sherry cask.
90 - Glengoyne 32yo 1972/2005 (48.7%, OB, This ruby port hogshead produced 277
White Rioja, C#985) bottles.
90 - Glen Grant 1972/2007 (54.9%, The Single Peter's Pedro Ximenez sherry cask did
Malts of Scotland) very well.
90 - Glen Grant 50yo 1956/2006 (40%, G&M, After three decades the cask still
Unknown series / cask#) produced 328 bottles.
90 - Glen Keith 1967/1988 (46%, Moon 'The Sea', Submitted to the Malt Maniacs Awards
C#1417, 360 Bts.) 2007.
90 - Glenlivet 28yo 1975/2003 (54.1%, I received this sample from Hans Offringa
Signatory, C#5719, 551 Bts.) in 2007.
90 - Glenlivet 29yo 1963/1992 (52.8%, Signatory, A bottling in Moon Import's legendary
C#269-270) 'The Sea' series.
90 - Glenlossie 1975/2001 (55%, G&M Reserve, Like Glen Grant, Glenlivet can be
C#2909) spectacular when aged.
90 - Glenrothes-Glenlivet 16yo 1990/2007 One of the beauties from Andrew
(57,3%, Cadenhead's) Symington's early days.
90 - Hakushu 1989/2009 (62%, OB, Sherry Butt Who would have thought Glenlossie would
#9O 50021) end up here...
90 - Highland Park 19yo 1959/1978 (43%, OB, A 'stunner'; Authentic Collection, Rum
James Grant, 75cl) Butt, 588 bottles.
90 - Highland Park 20yo 1984 (57.9%, OB, More than a match for the Scottish single
C#45, 528 Bts., Germany) malts.
90 - Highland Park 'Online Tasting' 1974/1998 A 'dumpy bottle' from Ferratero -
(52.6%, OB, 228 Bts.) extremely antique...
90 - Highland Park 38yo 1966/2005 (42.4%, DT The Germans selected a beautiful cask
for The Whisky Fair) here...
90 - Highland Park 1902 (39.8%, Berry's All Malt, One of the very first 'interactive' whiskies
1952-1953) - brilliant.
90 - Inchgower 26yo 1980/2007 (59.8%, Duncan Taylor made 168 bottles for TWF
Adelphi, C#14155, 223 Bts.) in Germany.
90 - Lagavulin 12yo Special Release #1 (58%, The oldest whisky I ever tried; a
OB, 2002) 'sentimental' score...
90 - Lagavulin 12yo Special Release #2 (57.8%, Inchgower is sort of a hidden gem; still
OB, 2002) fairly obscure.
90 - Lagavulin 1991/2007 Distillers Edition Diageo's response to a 'shortage' worked
(43%, OB, lgv 4/495) very well.
90 - Tamifroyg NAS (49%, Regensburger Whisky Two special releases in one year. How
Club, 2006) 'special' is that?
90 - Laphroaig NAS 'Quarter Cask' (48%, OB, It took them a decade to reach 'gold'
2005, Second edition) levels again.
90 - Laphroaig 10yo 'Unblended' (43%, OB, Bottled A funny name to 'disguise' this
+/- 1980) Laphroaig's heritage.
90 - Laphroaig 10yo 1998/2008 (62.2%, Laphroaigs experiments with small casks
Blackadder Raw Cask, 272 Bts.) paid off.
90 - Laphroaig 11yo 1992/2004 (60%, An antique, sampled at Laphroaig's water
Signatory, Portwood Finish) source.
90 - Laphroaig 13yo 1991/2005 (59.1%, SMWS, This cask had reference number 700214.
29.40) A very affordable knock-out in Signatory's
90 - Laphroaig 16yo 1987/2004 (50%, DL OMC, 'SFTC' series.
DL REF 745, 312 Bts.) Further proof that selecting the right cask
90 - Laphroaig 17yo 1989/2007 (50.3%, OB, is an art form.
4000 Bts., Feis Isle 2007) Most of the DL OMC treasures came from
90 - Laphroaig 1976 'Vintage' (43%, OB, Bottled Ardbeg & Brora.
+/- 2000) Only available at the annual 'Feis Ile'
90 - Laphroaig 30yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- 2006, festival on Islay.
Ref LQ0167) Competition for the Ardbeg 25yo 'Lord of
90 - Ledaig 31yo 1973/2004 (54.8%, Chieftains, the Isles'.
Sherry, C#1710) Wonderful - but the price tag is quite
90 - Linkwood 12yo (43%, OB, John McEwan & Co, 'wonderful' too...
Black Label, UK) They managed to draw only 114 bottles
90 - Longmorn 1974/1985 (60.8%, Samaroli, from the cask.
Sherry, 600 Bts.) My favorite Linkwood was a young one,
90 - Longmorn 31yo 1974/2006 (49.8%, TWF, bottled +/- 1970.
C#3494, 135 Bts.) An 'antique' by now, but at the time it
90 - Longmorn 1972/2006 (45%, Gordon & was an 11yo malt.
MacPhail, C#1088) A war between wood and fruit on the
90 - Longmorn 1973/2006 (54%, G&M Cask, palate.
C#6350) G&M produced 607 bottles for La Maison
90 - Longrow 16yo 1974 (46%, OB, Bottled +/- du Whisky.
1991) Sampled at the Pot Still Festival, Leusden
90 - Longrow NAS 1973 (46%, OB, Small Caps in 2007.
Label, +/- 1990) Proof that Longrow was once worthy of its
90 - Macallan 10yo '100 Proof' (57%, OB, +/- 1996) reputation.
90 - Macallan 12yo 1990/2003 (57.5%, Wilson & It seems my favorite Longrows were
Morgan, C#8748) bottled +/- 1990.
90 - Macallan 18yo 1981/1999 (43%, OB) In 2009 I still got a few bottles stashed
90 - Miyagikyo 1989/2007 (60%, OB, Warehouse away...
#20, Japan) This massive sherry cask produced 637
90 - Miltonduff 23yo 1966/1990 (62.4%, G&M for bottles.
Spinola, Italy) Quite possibly the last truly great 18yo
90 - Yoichi 1991/2007 (62%, OB, Warehouse Macallan.
#15, Cask #129493) One bottle from cask #105419 went to
90 - Oban 32yo 1969/2002 (55.1%, OB) the MM Awards.
90 - Old Farm 1938/1943 Straight Rye Whiskey An antique symphony in polished wood &
(50%, OB, USA) celery.
90 - Port Charlotte 5yo 2001/2007 (60%, 0B for Submitted for the Malt Maniacs Awards
Martin Brunet, C#24) 2007.
90 - Port Ellen 27yo 1978/2005 (52.3%, DL for Surprising, especially considering I'm not
TWF, 198 Bts.) a real fan.
90 - Probably Speyside's Finest 40yo An antique sample at 100 Proof from
1965/2006 (50%, DL OMC) Hans Offringa.
90 - Royal Brackla 30yo 1976/2006 (53.6%, This was another one of the legendary
Cadenhead's, 126 Bts.) early 'bloodtubs'.
90 - Scapa 25yo 1975/2001 (50%, DL OMC, 438 Picked from the Douglas Laing stocks by
Bts.) The Whisky Fair.
90 - Speyside The Whisky Fair 35yo 1971/2006 A sherry cask from Douglas Laing,
(51.4%, TWF) producing 539 bottles.
90 - Springbank NAS (46%, OB, House & Tree A true beauty in Cadenhead's 'Chairman's
Label, France, 70cl) Stock' range.
90 - Springbank 21yo (46%, OB, Bottled late Nice to see 'the other Orkney distillery'
1990's or 2000) here as well.
90 - Springbank 1966/1998 'Local Barley' (54.4%, An excellent sherry butt that produced
OB) 534 bottles.
90 - Springbank 35yo 1971/2007 (59%, TWF, This was bottled in the early 1990's,
Sherry, 239 Bts.) probably 1993.
90 - Suntory Yamazaki 1991/2005 (56%, OB, The last truly great affordable OB from
70cl, Japan) Springbank.
90 - Suntory Yamazaki 25yo (43%, OB, Bottled Interesting, but far outside of my
+/- 2006, 75cl) personal price range.
90 - Invergordon 1964/2005 (47.1%, Adelphi, Submitted for the Malt Maniacs Awards
C#57637) 2007.
90 - Talisker 10yo (45.8%, OB, +/- 1995) One of the bottles that put Japan on the
90 - Talisker 19yo 1980/2000 (50%, DL OMC, map for me.
'Tactical', 348 Bts.) I usually prefer the single casks over the
90 - Talisker 1955/1993 (53.6%, G&M Cask series, mainstreamers.
C#1310+1311+1257) One of the very few single grains to
90 - Tamnavulin 37yo 1967/2005 (46.7%, perform on this level.
Duncan Taylor, C#1018) Affordable excellence from 'the golden
90 - Tobermory 32yo 1972/2005 (49.5%, OB, days'.
Brown / Purple Label) Great stuff - but twice as old as the
90 - Tomatin 32yo (49.4%, Whiskykanzler 'The excellent 10yo OB.
Collection', Btl. 2008) At the time these ultra-old releases were
90 - Tomatin 1968/2001 (40%, Connoisseurs quite unusual.
Ch., New Map Label) This is the only Tamnavulin this high on
  my Hit List.
A total of 1710 bottles of this vatting
were produced.
This might be part of a 'fondled' cask,
bottled in 2008.
One of my favourite 'CC' expressions at
just 40%.

89 - Glendronach 15yo 'Revival' (46%, OB, I published the very first version of this
Bottled +/- 2009) Hit List over a decade ago in 1995. At the
89 - Glendronach 33yo (40%, OB, Oloroso Sherry, time it was still called the 'Best-To-Worst
Bottled +/- 2008) List', and it contained all the single malt
89 - Lagavulin 16yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- 2008) whiskies I had sampled and scored.
89 - Lagavulin 1991/2008 Distillers Edition Eventually, that list simply became too
(43%, OB, ref 4/496) long - so I started trimming the Hit List.
89 - Suntory Yamazaki 18yo (56%, OB, Japan, EVERY single single malt that earns a
Bottled +/- 2009) score of 90 points or more ends up on
  this list, but I've had to limit myself to a
88 - Connemara NAS Cask Strength (57.9%, OB, selection of fairly recent official bottlings
Bottled +/- 2008) for the rest of the list. The Hot List
88 - Longmorn 30yo (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, focuses even more on recent releases and
+/- 2009) covers a wider 'spectrum'. Check out my
88 - Octomore 5yo '2nd Edition' (62.5%, OB, latest Liquid Log entries on the front
Bottled 2009, 15000 Bts.) page for an overview of some more
88 - Suntory Yamazaki 25yo (43%, OB, Japan, recent discoveries. Last but not least,
Bottled +/- 2007) you can look for tasting notes on
88 - Talisker 25yo (54.2%, OB, Bottled 2008, particular bottlings in the Distillery Data
9708 Bts.) section and on the Track Record.
   
87 - Amrut NAS Cask Strength (61.9%, OB, Needless to say, the whiskies that earned
India, Bottled 2007) a score in the 80's are (highly)
87 - Bruichladdich 1992/2009 'Sherry Edition recommendable in my book. The vast
2' (46%, OB, 6000 Bts.) majority of the whiskies that earned a
87 - Glengoyne 21yo 'Sherry Matured' (43%, score in the 70's are single malts, but in
OB, Bottled +/- 2008) the average territory of my Hitlist the
87 - Highland Park 25yo (48.1%, OB, Bottled +/- first blends, vatted malts and 'exotic'
2008) whiskies start to pop up. If you happen to
87 - Talisker NAS '57° North' (57%, OB, Bottled share my tastes, the questionable
2009) section offers not much of interest - there
  are simply too many excellent
86 - Aberlour 18yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- 2009) alternatives available in the wonderful
86 - Balvenie 12yo 'Double Wood' (40%, OB, world of single malts. The sadomasochists
Bottled +/- 2008) amongst the readership of MM may take
86 - Benriach 10yo 'Curiositas' (40%, OB, some sick pleasure in perusing the Shit
Bottled +/- 2007) List.
86 - Hakushu 1993/2008 (60%, OB, C#  
3C40789, 571 Bts.) Just keep in mind that 'beauty is in the
86 - Yamazaki NAS (48%, OB, Sherry Cask, eye of the beholder', or at least in the
Bottled +/- 2009) nose of the beholder. After all, can a
  whisky be called 'good' if you don't
85 - Adelphi's 12yo Laudale 'Batch #1' (46%, actually enjoy it? These scores just reflect
Adelphi, Btl. 2009) my opinion - feel free to make up your
85 - Ardbeg NAS 'Corryvreckan' (57.1%, OB, own mind.
Bottled +/- 2009)  
85 - Connemara 12yo (40%, OB, Peated, Bottled
+/- 2008)
85 - Highland Park 30yo (48.1%, OB, Bottled +/-
2008)
85 - Talisker 10yo (45.8%, OB, Bottled +/- 2007)
 

84 - Balvenie 17yo 'Rum Cask Finish' (43%, OB,
Bottled +/- 2008)
84 - Benriach 20yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- 2008)
84 - Bruichladdich 'Infinity Edition 3' (50%, OB,
Bottled +/- 2009)
84 - Highland Park 12yo 'Hjärta' (58.1%, OB,
Bottled 2009, 3924 Bts.)
84 - Port Askaig 17yo (45.8%, Specialty Drinks
The basis of my personal scoring system
is 50 points; the tipping point between
me liking or not liking a particular spirit
or beverage. The more I (dis)like a
particular drink, the further its score will
be from that tipping point. Many blends
end up below the likeability point, but
most single malts score significantly
Ltd., Bottled +/- 2009) higher. The fictive 'average' single malt
  whisky scores 75 points. I'm already
83 - Bowmore 10yo 'Tempest Batch#1' (55.3%, enjoying myself at that point, but things
OB, Bottled 2009) get really interesting in the 80's and 90's.
83 - Bunnahabhain 18yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/-  
2009) Over time the focus of the Hit List has
83 - Connemara NAS (40%, OB, Ireland, Bottled shifted from 'enjoyable' whiskies (scoring
+/- 2008) 60 points or more) to the top of the scale.
83 - Glendronach 12yo 'Original' (43%, OB, For reference purposes I've also
Bottled +/- 2009) included a number of slightly more
83 - Karuizawa 12yo Pure Malt (40%, OB, Japan, mundane official bottlings at the bottom
Bottled +/- 2008) of the the list that earned scores in the
  60's, 70's and 80's.
82 - Ballechin NAS '4th Release' (46%, OB, 6000  
Bts., Bottled 2009) Another important issue is 'batch
82 - Glen Elgin 16yo (58.5%, OB, Bottled +/- variation'.
2009) Every cask of malt whisky is unique, and
82 - Glenmorangie NAS 'Signet' (46%, OB, most official bottlings like Glenfiddich
Bottled +/- 2008) 12yo or Macallan 12yo are actually
82 - Tomatin 25yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- 2008) 'vattings' of dozens or even hundreds of
82 - Tyrconnel 10yo Madeira Cask Finish (46%, individual casks. Each time the 'master
OB, Bottled +/- 2008) blender' tries to re-create the previous
  batch by selecting casks from the
81 - Benriach 15yo Madeira Finish (46%, OB, distillery portfolio of thousands of casks.
Bottled +/- 2008) That's why the profile of the fairly
81 - Caol Ila 12yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- 2009) 'standard' official bottlings like Bowmore
81 - Glenlivet 15yo 'French Oak Reserve' (40%, 12yo or Lagavulin 16yo inevitably
OB, +/- 2009) changes over time. You can find more
81 - Jura NAS 'Superstition' (43%, OB, Bottled information about the phenomenon in the
+/- 2009) Beginner's Guide.
81 - Old Pulteney 21yo (46%, OB, Bottled +/-  
2008) If you are looking for tasting notes on the
  whiskies at the left I'll have to direct you
80 - Arran 10yo (46%, OB, Bottled +/- 2009) to my Liquid Log - the Hot List is the
80 - Benriach 16yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- 2009) only part of the mAlmanac that contains
80 - Caol Ila 8yo 'Unpeated' (59,8%, OB, Bottled tasting notes.
+/- 2008)  
80 - Glenlivet 21yo 'Archive' (43%, OB, Bottled
+/- 2009)
80 - Tomatin 18yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- 2009)
.

79 - Ardbeg NAS 'Blasda' (40%, OB, lightly Until recently, the majority of the single
peated, bottled 2008) malts I've sampled scored between 70
78 - Caol Ila 12yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- 2008) and 80 points. That could be translated
77 - Glengoyne 10yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- 2008) as 'a very decent whisky, but nothing to
get overly excited about'. Listing more
76 - Aberfeldy 12yo (40%, OB, Dewar's, Bottled than 1000 malts in this category did
+/- 2008) seem a little pointless, so I made a
75 - Scapa 16yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- 2009) selection of one fairly 'typical' OB per
74 - Isle of Jura 18yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- score. Check out my old Track Record
2007) for a full overview of the circa 2000 single
73 - Tomatin 12yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- 2008) malt Scotch whiskies I've tried between
72 - Clynelish 12yo (46%, OB, Bottled +/- 2009) 1995 and 2006. Scores on malts I've
71 - Tamnavulin 12yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- tried after 2006 can be found in the
2007) 'Dram Diaries' at the bottom of my
70 - Bladnoch 15yo (40%, OB, distillery label, +/- Liquid Log Entries and in the Distillery
2008) Data section.
   

69 - Dalwhinnie 12yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- Although I don't care a great deal about
2007) the 'average' single malts in the 70's,
68 - Glen Garioch 10yo (46%, OB, Bottled +/- they tend to give me far more pleasure
2008) than malts scoring in the 60's. That's
67 - Auchentoshan NAS 'Three Wood' (43%, OB, where I often start to have some serious
Bottled +/- 2006) doubts about the malt. I'm still a long
66 - Littlemill 12yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/-2007) way from refusing a free dram when it's
65 - Tullibardine 1993/2006 (46%, OB, Sherry offered to me, mind you...
Finished)  
64 - Glenkinchie 10yo (43%, OB, Bottled +/- My benchmark for the bottom end of
2008) this part of the scale used to be the
63 - Tullibardine 10yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/- Glenfiddich 'no age statement' in the
2007) 1990's. That bottling has since been
62 - Glen Grant NAS (40%, OB, Bottled +/- 2008) replaced by the much improved
61 - Fettercairn 10yo (45%, OB, Bottled +/- expression that's released as a twelve
2007) years old whisky.
60 - Inchmurrin 12yo (40%, OB, Bottled +/-
2006)
.

Although I do find some redeeming qualities in the single malts with a score between 50 and
60 points, I still think they are avoidable.
With over 90 percent of all single malts earning higher scores, a rating in the fifties is a
disgrace for any whisky calling itself a single malt. I'm willing to give malts scoring in the 60's
the benefit of the doubt, but below that I'll get itchy. While a score in the 50's might be fine
for a bourbon or blend, it simply won't do in the sophisticated world of single malt whiskies.
Just not enough Bang-For-Your-Buck, I'm afraid.
 
When a score drops below 50 points I actually start to actively dislike the whisky - quite
unusual for a 'malt maniac'.
All sub-standard malts I encounter end up on The Shit List to be mocked and ridiculed for all
eternity. Serves them right!
CLICK HERE if you're ready to wake up and smell the 'coffee'...
 
The 1-100 scores I've assigned to the whiskies in my Liquid Log are indispensable in
my ongoing quest to find the perfect single malt whisky. Because I rate virtually every
single malt whisky that I sample, I'm able to rank them from 'best' to 'worst', at least
from my purely personal perspective. Obviously, the phrases ' good' and 'bad' are not
scientific; they are only used here to express my purely personal preferences when it
comes to single malt whiskies - I simply like some malt whiskies better than others.
 
Some people within the whisky industry would like us to believe that the 'quality' of
a whisky can best be determined by the makers themselves. Even if that would be the
case, the harsh laws of economics would make it difficult for the makers of a particular
malt whisky to share their honest opinion about all their expressions all of the time.
Besides, I strongly feel that 'quality' is in the eye of the beholder.
Simply scroll down for my complete 'Hit List'. , containing all whiskies that transcended
the realm of 'recommendable' (score 80-84 points) and 'highly recommendable' (85-89 points)

whiskies on my personal enjoyment scale. Any whisky scoring 90 points or more can be
classified as EXCEPTIONAL in my book.
This means that I feel the acquisition of a bottle is worth the investment of  considerable funds
& efforts. Some of the most
recent releases are collected on the Hot List - most should be failry easy to find.
Over the years this list kept on growing, so there are quite a few 'antiques' on it by now.
Those are not (widely) available anymore, so I've boldly highlighted the relatively recent
releases, bottled in or after 2000. The most recent bottlings are highlighted in Royal Blue.
That means that they were bottled in or after 2005, so you still have a decent chance of
finding a bottle if you look really hard for it - and if you can afford it. That being said, many
of them are 'single cask' bottlings. That means that they are limited releases of no more
than a few hundred bottles by definition - and even less if they used smaller casks...

The Hot List is also the only part of the mAlmanac where you can find some tasting notes.
More tasting notes can be found in the Liquid Log (est. 1995) and Distillery Data section.
My old Track Record provides an overview of the +/- 2000 single malts I tried until the end
of 2006, along with links to the tasting notes for a particular malt whisky in my log. This Hit
List focuses on the very top of my ratings scale, which often means the whiskies are quite
expensive. Check out the Bang-For-Your-Buck List for an overview of affordable whiskies.
 

Search

Custom Search
 

 
The Hit List - my favorite single malts (so far...)