Hogshead Inchmurrin 11 Year Old Review | DRAM1 Indie Awards 2026 The second whisky of a blind tasting often faces a different challenge from the first. By the time sample number two is poured, the panel already has a reference
English whisky has spent the last decade transforming from an emerging category into one of the most exciting areas of the whisky world. Digital Distiller’s new English Whisky Subscription is the latest sign of that growth, offering a curated monthly journey through England’s increasingly diverse whisky landscape while highlighting just how far the category has come.
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The first time I tasted Wild Turkey Rare Breed was at Hotel Fidder in Zwolle, where a recommendation from whisky expert Patrick introduced me to a bourbon that has never left my shelf. Years later, this barrel-proof favourite continues to impress with rich caramel, orange peel, baking spice and oak, delivering one of the best combinations of flavour, balance and value in modern bourbon. In this Wild Turkey Rare Breed review, I compare it with Wild Turkey 101 and explain why it remains a permanent fixture in my collection.
For years, age statements quietly disappeared from many whisky bottles as distilleries struggled to keep pace with booming global demand. Today, the trend appears to be reversing. As consumers become more selective and value-conscious, age statements are returning as a powerful symbol of transparency and trust. The real story isn’t about older whisky—it’s about changing expectations and a market rediscovering the importance of clarity.
Port Charlotte PC5 Redux is more than a celebration of Bruichladdich’s 25th anniversary. After bringing this bottle home from Fèis Ìle 2026, following a memorable walk through Port Charlotte along the Loch Indaal Way, I discovered a whisky that captures not only the spirit of Islay but the memories that make the island so special.
What happens when an 85.29-point Whiskybase whisky is stripped of its label and tasted completely blind? The DRAM1 Indie Awards 2026 panel put this James Eadie Teaninich 11 Year Old to the test, uncovering layers of orchard fruit, honey and vanilla while awarding it 68.72 points. Here’s what the panel discovered when reputation was removed and only the whisky remained.
Craigellachie 13 is one of the most distinctive single malts in Speyside. Bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and free from added colouring, it delivers tropical fruit, warming spice, citrus oils, and a wonderfully waxy texture wrapped around the slightly industrial character that has become the distillery’s trademark. While many Speyside whiskies aim for elegance and easy-going charm, Craigellachie feels more interested in personality.
Founded in 1935 and still family-owned today, Heaven Hill Distillery has become one of the most influential names in bourbon. From Elijah Craig and Evan Williams to the devastating 1996 fire and the return of distilling to Bardstown in 2025, discover the story behind one of Kentucky’s true whisky giants.
Laphroaig Càirdeas 2026 French Oak came home with me from an unforgettable week at Fèis Ìle aboard the Thalassa. Combining classic medicinal peat with notes of tar, seaweed crisps, Rockefeller oysters and dark fruit, this year’s festival release offers a fascinating new perspective on one of Islay’s most iconic distilleries. Here’s why it became one of my standout whiskies of Fèis Ìle 2026.
SMWS 68.160 “Christmas Morning Fiesta” achieved something few whiskies ever do: it became the highest-rated bottle of the DRAM1 Indie Awards 2026. Tasted completely blind alongside 35 other independently bottled whiskies, this Scotch Malt Whisky Society release captivated the panel with layers of cherry, raisins, Christmas spices, leather and rich sherry sweetness. These tasting notes are drawn entirely from the DRAM1 tasting panel, offering a unique look at how experienced whisky enthusiasts reacted to the whisky without knowing what was in the glass.
