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Whiskylifestyle, Ederveen (2026)

27/08/2026

In 2019, the first spirit flowed from the stills of Lagg Distillery, the second distillery on the Isle of Arran. While its sister distillery, Lochranza, focuses mainly on unpeated whisky (Arran), Lagg was built specifically to produce heavily peated single malt.

The Corriecravie Edition is one of Lagg's core releases. It is initially matured in bourbon barrels before being finished for around six months in Oloroso sherry hogsheads. It is bottled at 55% ABV.

LAGG CORRIECRAVIE EDITION TASTING NOTES:

NOSE: Earthy peat mixed with sweet blueberries and blackberries. Some honey and milk chocolate. A hint of dates and raisins too, followed by a touch of orange peel.

TASTE: More of the peat and the berries. Caramel and chocolate again. But also dried fruits, like raisins and dates. Some spices: black pepper, cinnamon and cloves. A touch of oak.

FINISH: Mid-long, with spices, blueberries and caramel; a touch of oak and chocolate.

My first encounter with Lagg (it was about time 😊), and it didn't disappoint. The sherry influence is pretty dominant here, with lots of berries, dried fruits and chocolate, but the earthy peat provides a nice counterbalance. Rather enjoyable, this youngster.

SCORE: 85/100

18/08/2026

Okay, now I really am back! After a long, long break—which was very much needed. It took a little longer than expected, but hey, here we are!

I am restarting my reviews with the Barrel Bonfire, one of Arran’s Signature Series, a four-part collection of limited-edition single malts selected by Lochranza Distillery Manager Stewart Bowman. Each release highlights a different side of the Arran spirit.

Barrel Bonfire is the second release in the series and shows us a much smokier side of Arran. Made with heavily peated spirit at 42 ppm, it was initially matured in bourbon barrels before spending another five and a half years in small 115-litre Koval bourbon quarter casks. It is bottled at 50%.

ARRAN SIGNATURE SERIES EDITION 2: BARREL BONFIRE:

NOSE: I am welcomed by a lovely bonfire smoke and even a hint of smoked kippers. Then come vanilla and honey, followed by lemons, pears, yellow apples and even some banana. Lovely!

TASTE: More of that lovely smoke, accompanied by a fruity sweetness and notes of vanilla and honey. There is a subtle herbal note as well, followed by a touch of black pepper.

FINISH: Medium-long to long, with a touch of oak, lingering smoke and some fruit.

Not your typical Arran, but also rather nice. There is a nice balance between the smoke and the sweetness. This whisky has something pleasant going on; it's easy to drink, with an interesting balance between the smoke and the fruit's sweetness. I like it.

SCORE: 87/100

29/05/2026

Tonight it's time for another family whisky tasting!

The theme, as you may have guessed already: Arran.

It's 33°C outside, there's a chance of severe thunderstorms later, and most sensible people are probably drinking ice-cold water (or a nice beer), but not us. We're committed to the cause. 😉

Tonight's line-up:

• Arran Barley 10yo (50%)
• Arran Private Cask 13yo – Whiskybase Exclusive (55.1%)
• Arran Signature Series Barrel Bonfire (50%)
• Arran Signature Series Duero Discovery (50%)

Looking forward to seeing which one comes out on top.

Cheers and happy weekend, folks! 🥃

27/05/2026

The Murray is a whisky series from Tullibardine, named after the historic Murray family connected to the Tullibardine area in Perthshire. Over the years, the range has included different styles and strengths, from wine cask finishes to bourbon cask-matured releases.

I’ve had a bourbon cask release from The Murray series before and really enjoyed that one, so I was very curious to try this newer 2013 edition as well.

TULLIBARDINE THE MURRAY TASTING NOTES:

NOSE: Creamy vanilla and coconut, followed by a light floral note. Fresh green apples and pears add brightness, while honey and oats bring a gentle sweetness. There’s a touch of oak underneath it all, alongside a warm pastry-like note.

TASTE: Vanilla and coconut continue on the palate, joined by toffee, lemon zest and honey. The oak becomes more noticeable here, together with a hint of spices. With a few drops of water, more fruit appears, yellow apples and ripe pears in particular.

FINISH: finish with lingering vanilla and coconut. Kiwi appears subtly in the background, alongside the oak that adds a slightly bitter edge and a hint of mint.

I like it, although I personally preferred the 2022 edition just a little more. As the oak comes through much more prominently in this one. Still, all in all, a solid dram with a classic bourbon cask profile.

SCORE: 85/100

Bottle provided by Tullibardine

07/05/2026

It’s good to see Single Note releasing whisky again after such a long pause. Their latest release is a Glen Elgin distilled in 2013 and matured in a 1st fill bourbon barrel. Bottled at 55.5% ABV.

I already had the chance to taste this whisky before it was officially bottled and remember enjoying it quite a lot back then as well. Now that it is released, I am very curious to try it again.

GLEN ELGIN 12-YEAR-OLD TASTING NOTES:

NOSE: Super fruity at first. Red apples and fresh pears, followed by hints of apricots and oranges. Vanilla and acacia honey. There’s also a lovely pastry-like note in the background.
GLEN ELGIN 12YO TASTING NOTES:

TASTE: Sweet and fruity, with a beautifully thick mouthfeel. Oranges and red apples, although the apples are less prominent than on the nose. Apricots again, together with sticky honey and a touch of vanilla. A little oak appears as well, along with pencil shavings, black pepper and cinnamon.

FINISH: Long and warming. The spices continue here together with the oak, while the fruity notes return once more.

Another lovely Glen Elgin. A beautifully fruity whisky with a full flavour profile. Maybe not the most complex dram out there, but it's quite tasty and enjoyable. I really like this one!

SCORE: 87/100

Bottle provided by Single Note.

30/04/2026

A souvenir from the always wonderful Whisky Fair. 🖤
Such a good weekend—great to see so many familiar faces again and taste some lovely whiskies!

I picked up this 17-year-old Bunnahabhain. I thought it was pretty nice when I tasted it there, so I’m curious to revisit it in a quieter moment.

Will open it soon. A review will follow.

09/04/2026

Compass Box returns with the 2026 edition of Hedonism, now released as part of its annual limited series. First introduced in 2000, Hedonism was one of the earliest blended grain Scotch whiskies to put grain whisky centre stage.

The blend brings together grain whiskies from Strathclyde, Cameronbridge and the closed Port Dundas distillery. The Strathclyde component reaches up to around 30 years old, while the others sit roughly in the 20 to 24 year range. A small portion of earlier Hedonism batches has also been included.

HEDONISM 2026 TASTING NOTES:

NOSE: Crème brûlée and cappuccino. Ripe yellow apples, with a hint of oranges. Raisins in the background, along with a light touch of varnish.

TASTE: A lovely creamy mouthfeel. Crème brûlée and oranges return, joined by toffee. A fresh note of pine needles, some oak, and a pinch of black pepper. That slight hint of varnish lingers in the background.

FINISH: Short to mid-long. Crème brûlée fades slowly, with orange and a gentle note of pine needles.

An elegant and approachable grain blend. Well balanced, with a lovely creamy mouthfeel.

SCORE: 86/100

Sample provided by Bresser & Timmer

07/04/2026

I'm back with the final three samples from Tri Carragh.
A nice mix to finish things off: an older grain, a young Ardmore, and a very interesting Lochindaal.

NORTH BRITISH 34YO TASTING NOTES:

NOSE: Green apples and fresh pears lead the way, followed by oatmeal porridge. Plenty of vanilla and coconut, with a hint of nail polish in the background.

TASTE: Crème brûlée and coconut upfront. Then green banana and pear. A slightly sharper edge appears as well, with notes of nail polish and a touch of resin. Some light oak towards the end.

FINISH: Rather short. Vanilla and that slightly solvent-like note linger, with hints of green apple, grapefruit and a bit of oak.

Dessert-like and easy to drink, but ultimately a bit too one dimensional.

SCORE: 84/100

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ARDMORE 11YO TASTING NOTES:

NOSE: A gentle layer of smoke, with fresh lemon, pears and green apples. Vanilla and a soft pastry note give it a slightly sweet edge.

TASTE: The smoke becomes more present here. Lemon again, alongside green grapes and a lightly bitter, green note. The sweetness leans towards pastry, with pear, apple and vanilla as well.

FINISH:Long and increasingly smoky. Ash, lemon and vanilla stay present, joined by a mineral edge, white pepper and a touch of mint.

A well-balanced dram where the smoke gradually builds and ties in nicely with the fruit and sweetness.

SCORE: 85/100

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LOCHINDAAL 16YO TASTING NOTES:

NOSE: Very nice! A clear layer of peat, combined with brine, seaweed and a hint of green olives. There’s also smoked ham. Followed by fruits like apples, lemon and a touch of peach.

TASTE: The peat steps slightly back, allowing the coastal notes to come forward. Brine and green olives are more pronounced now. At the same time, there’s a nice sweetness from peaches and candied lemon, with a light honey note underneath.

FINISH: Long, with peat and iodine taking the lead. The fruit lingers quietly in the background.

This is a beautiful balance between peat, coastal influence and soft fruit. The layers work well together and give it real depth. This is just very good.

SCORE: 90/100

Samples provided by Tri Carragh

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