The Last Call

     There are certain distilleries that instantly grab your attention, and for me  Lagavulin  has always been one of them. The bold smoke, the maritime edge, that unmistakable Islay character. When I saw the 11 Year Old Sweet Peat hit shelves, I didn’t hesitate. The 11-year line has delivered some memorable bottles over the years, and I was curious to see how this bourbon cask-focused release would stack up.      Unlike several previous 11-year editions, this one leans into first-fill bourbon casks and carries a slightly lower proof at 43% ABV. That combination alone suggested a softer, sweeter take on the distillery’s typically muscular profile. This release is matured exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. That detail matters. Many Scotch producers reuse bourbon casks multiple times, which gradually reduces their influence. First-fill casks, on the other hand, should bring more pronounced vanilla, honey, and wood sugars to the spirit. Fo...

     Springbank is one of those distilleries that almost feels mythical at this point. Bottles appear, vanish, and suddenly everyone is talking about them again. Over the course of 2025, I was fortunate enough to track down the 10, 12, and 15 year expressions at close to SRP, and each one reinforced why Springbank has such a devoted following. The 10 was excellent, the 12 downright phenomenal, and the 15, while still very good, didn’t quite live up to the expectations set by its siblings.      So when Springbank announced a 5 year old release near the end of the year, curiosity immediately took over. On paper, it makes very little sense. This comes in younger than the flagship 10 year, at a higher proof, and priced almost identically. That combination raises questions right away, especially when the 10 year is only a few dollars more. Still, Springbank rarely releases anything without intention, so this felt like a bottle worth exploring.    ...

     Springbank is one of those names that immediately raises eyebrows among Scotch enthusiasts, and for good reason. Limited production, traditional methods, and a reputation that borders on cult status have made these bottles increasingly hard to find. Spotting the Springbank 15 Year on shelves in Indiana felt like a small miracle, especially after missing out the first time and circling back weeks later to grab one of the last remaining bottles.      Having already enjoyed the Springbank 10 and 12 Year expressions, expectations for the 15 were understandably high. This release carries extra intrigue thanks to its full maturation in Oloroso sherry casks, not merely a finish, which immediately sets the tone for something richer and more layered. Springbank’s production is famously hands-on, with traditional floor malting, direct-fired stills, and partial triple distillation contributing to the distillery’s unmistakable profile. For the full video review vi...

     Springbank is one of those distilleries that seems to live in a constant state of pursuit. Bottles appear in waves, vanish just as quickly, and leave behind a trail of regret for anyone who hesitated. I didn’t expect to find the 12 Year Cask Strength sitting on a shelf months after missing it the first time, but when it showed up locally, there was no chance I was letting it slip again.      After being blown away by the Springbank 10 and securing the 15 shortly after, the 12 Cask Strength felt like the missing piece. Given Springbank’s reputation and scarcity, expectations were high, but the real intrigue lies in how this whisky is put together. This release is matured using a thoughtful and deliberate cask composition. Sixty percent of the whisky spent time in ex-bourbon casks, thirty-five percent comes from ex-sherry casks, while the final five percent is aged in ex-rum casks. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/qZq...

     There are certain bottles that hook you early in your whiskey journey, and for me, Smokehead was one of them. The edgy branding, the skull on the label, and the promise of unapologetic peat drew me in years ago when I was chasing the smokiest Scotch I could find. What I discovered was a brand that consistently delivered bold Islay character at a fair price.      The big mystery, of course, is the distillery source. Like many independent Islay bottlings, the brand keeps that detail under wraps. That secrecy adds a bit of intrigue, even if transparency would be welcome. There is no confirmed information on chill filtration or added coloring, and the brand tends to lean into style and flavor over technical breakdowns.      Fifteen years in oak is significant for heavily peated whisky. With extended aging, peat can often mellow, soften, or even fade into the background. The question going in was simple: would this still carry that signature ...

     Kirkland’s Lowland single malt scotch whiskey immediately caught my attention, not just because it’s a bit of a rare find here in Indiana, but also due to Kirkland’s reputation for solid, well-priced bottlings, often available at Costco. While I’m a big fan of Kirkland’s Highland and Islay releases, this Lowland offering had me curious but cautious, wondering how it would stack up.      Now, this whiskey’s story is pretty classic. It spent most of its time in ex-bourbon barrels like most scotches, but then got finished in ex-sherry casks, something I always appreciate because it usually adds a nice layer of sweetness and complexity. It’s bottled by Alexander Murray & Company, who do a lot of these Kirkland releases, and honestly, they tend to nail it more often than not. I didn’t see a distillery name, which isn’t unusual, but the cask choices and the 46% proof tell me they were aiming for something that hits that sweet spot, rich enough to enjoy n...

          Ardbeg is no stranger to ambitious special releases, and Eureka immediately stood out once I dug into the story behind it. Created as a tribute to the Ardbeg Committee itself, this bottling represents a thoughtful, almost celebratory approach to experimentation rather than a gimmick-driven release. Ardbeg puts out multiple special bottles every year, and while they do not always land perfectly, I am always intrigued by their willingness to push boundaries, especially when peat and sherry are involved.           What finally pulled me in was the concept. Instead of a straightforward finish, Eureka blends two distinct components: whisky matured in PX sherry casks and a roasted malt whisky, which are then brought together and allowed to marry in ex-bourbon casks. On paper, it sounded like something that could either be chaotic or brilliant. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/Iwt5c8Jaum4...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Fior Whisky, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Fior Blended Scotch immediately stood out with its striking presentation, but what truly captivated me was the story behind the bottle. Founded by Eric Dominijanni, a Marine Veteran with over two decades of service, Fior was born from his passion project, an infinity bottle that captured a perfect blend he could never quite replicate again. Rather than let that final sip be the end, he worked with industry friends to bring Fior to life, making it the first Black veteran-owned Scotch whisky brand. That’s a compelling origin with authenticity and heart.           Fior is a blend of Highland and Speyside Scotch whiskies, bottled at 43% ABV. The team took a deliberate approach to blending, focusing on a 60/40 malt-to-grain ratio. The casks were hand-selected to recreate the c...