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...

     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 ...

     It’s not every day I come across Powers here in Indiana, availability tends to be spotty, which is unfortunate because I’ve always appreciated what they bring to the table. On a recent hunt, I stumbled across a bottle of their Three Swallow release, priced so low I’m convinced it was a mistake. Of course, I didn’t question it. I snatched it up, finally checking this one off my wishlist. This bottling sits a step above the standard Powers Gold Label and brings a more focused, historical nod to the brand’s roots. Powers Three Swallow is a 100% pot still Irish whiskey, crafted with a combination of malted and unmalted barley. It’s aged in ex-bourbon barrels and, based on industry buzz and other reviews, it likely sees a finishing period in Oloroso sherry casks. That dual maturation gives this whiskey both a classic Irish structure and a gentle richness on top. Bottled at 43.2% ABV, it falls just under what I’d consider an ideal proof point, but more on that later. For t...

     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...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from  CNS Wine & Spirits . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Over my whiskey journey, I have only just discovered how great Taiwanese whiskey can be. Honestly, there are some hidden gems that get overlooked constantly from the region. Now, Yushan is one of those brands that I didn't  initially  know until I reviewed their Sherry cask finished single malt. And I was a HUGE fan of that release. A quick rundown, t he Yosan whiskey lineup comes from Taiwan's NAT Distillery, known for their Omar single malt whiskies. And from what I've been told, releases some amazing whiskey. The name "Yosan" is inspired by Taiwan’s highest peak, Mount Jade. This release is their blended malt using both Ex-Bourbon and Sherry casks. For the full video review visit the link here!:  https://youtu.be/-D5go29ThVk Age Statement:  N/A. ABV:  46%. Mashbill: ...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from  CNS Wine & Spirits . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Over my whiskey journey, I have only just discovered how great Taiwanese whiskey can be. Honestly, there are some hidden gems that get overlooked constantly from the region. Now, Yushan is one of those brands that I didn't initially  know. However,  The Yosan whiskey lineup comes from Taiwan's NAT Distillery, known for their Omar single malt whiskies. And from what I've been told, releases some amazing whiskey. The name "Yosan" is inspired by Taiwan’s highest peak, Mount Jade. This specific release is their single malt that has been finished in a sherry cask. Sherry cask for me is always a fun finish. Though, it can be a make or break depending on the type of sherry cask used and the timeframe of finishing.  For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/TjeHBk...

I received this spirit as a review sample from  CNS Wine & Spirits . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Taiwanese whisky has been quietly building a reputation for producing exceptional spirits, and Yushan is another name helping push that movement forward. The Yushan Taiwanese Single Malt finished in ex-bourbon casks arrives at a respectable 46% ABV and was sent over for review. Transparency matters, so it’s worth noting this bottle was provided as a sample.      This whisky is distilled, aged, and bottled by Nantou Distillery in Taiwan. The name “Yushan” draws inspiration from Mount Jade, the tallest mountain in Taiwan, and the whisky itself reflects a style that feels heavily influenced by traditional Scotch production. With time spent in ex-bourbon barrels, expectations lean toward honeyed sweetness, soft oak influence, and bright fruit character.      Ex-bourbon barrels are one of the...