Aultmore 10 (Gordon & MacPhail)

“In the Summertime”

Whisky Review # 1089

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Region: Speyside

Brand: Aultmore

Bottled By: Gordon & MacPhail, Elgin - Discovery Series - Bottled 02-06-2021

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Age: 10 Years

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 43%
Maturation: Ex-Bourbon Casks
Chill Filtration: No

Price Range: US$ 45-55 (April 2026)
Price/Quality Ratio: 👍

Buying Advice: 👍 Easy going and consumer friendly. A bit on the Thin side.

Colour:

Chardonnay (White Wine) - Natural Colour

Nose:

Light, Grassy, Floral, Yeasty and mildly Sweet. A Bakery in a meadow!

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, German Butter Biscuits, Vanilla, Yeast, Grass & Straw, Floral notes,  Warm Apple-filled Puff Pastry, Lemon, Nectarine, Milk Chocolate, Dusty Oak, Mint and Cinnamon.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Honey, Wax, Herbal Tea, slightly Sour Gooseberries, Pear, Orange, Banana Bread, Caffe Latte, Corn Flakes, Sweet Almonds and Wet Stones.

Palate:

Mainly Sweet with a little Bitterness & Sourness for balance. It's a bit on the Thin side and probably should have been bottled at around 46%. It basically follows the Nose but adds Spices, Oak and a few Earthy notes.

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Butter Biscuits, Vanilla, Grass and Straw, Wax, Tropical Fruit Salad, Dusty Track, Dusty Oak, Banana Bread, Milk Chocolate, Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger and Mint.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Honey, Herbal Tea, Corn Flakes, Sweet Almonds, Apricot/Apple filled Puff Pastry, Gooseberry, Bitter Lemon, Orange Marmalade, Nutmeg, Cloves and Licorice.

Finish:

Middle-Long, Light, Bitter Sweet and a little Hot. Medium-Dry. A slight Metallic off-note. I also find Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Butter Biscuits, Grass and Straw, Wax, Milk Chocolate, Sweet Almonds, Warm Puff Pastry filled with Apple and Banana, Caffe Latte, Bitter Lemon, Herbal Tea, Orange, Dusty Oak, Pepper, Cinnamon, Licorice, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger and Mint.

Drinking Advice:

Added Water does not improve this Aultmore at all. Better enjoy it neat.

Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2)

Nose: 8 - Taste: 7.5 - Finish: 6.5

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat:

Good with the exception of the Metallic Off-Note in the Finish. Very easy to drink!

Conclusion:

The Aultmore Distillery was founded in 1896 by Alexander Edward. He had to sell it in 1923 to John Dewar & Sons. Dewar now belongs to the Bacardi Group who bought it from Diageo in 1998. Most of the Aultmore's Spirit goes into the Dewar's White Label and William Lawson. In 2014 the whole core range was reviewed and nowadays consists of the 12, 18 and 21. We almost managed to visit the distillery during our tour in Scotland in 2019 but in the end it didn't work out. We did get to sample a few Aultmores during a fine dinner in the village of Oldmeldrum, home to the Glen Garion Distillery.

This Aultmore is the perfect Malt to drink outdoors on a summer evening. It's very easy-going and will please almost everyone. Don't expect depth & complexity. It is a bit on the Light side as well and should have been bottled at around 46%. But apart from that and the light Metallic off-note in the Finish this Aultmore by G&M is a vefry nice Party malt. 🎉

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                          April 2, 2026

Bladnoch 14 Years

“The Old Fashioned Way”

Whisky Review # 1086

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Region: Lowlands

Brand: Bladnoch

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Age: 14 Years - 2021 Release

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46.7%
Maturation: Oloroso Sherry Casks
Chill Filtration: No

Price Range: US$ 105-120 (March 2026)
Price/Quality Ratio: 😟 A bit expensive in my opinion

Buying Advice: 👍 Especially when you like "Old Style" sherried Whisky

Colour:

Deep Amber with shades of Orange and Brown (Natural Colour)

Nose:

Sweet and Sour with deep Sherry Aromas like Dark (Dried Fruit) and Marzipan. I detect some Sulfur but it doesn't feel out of place here. The Alcohol is there but does not interfere with the Nosing procedures. The Nose is a bit comparable to Cognac. It's a bit Meaty and Earthy as well and I like it.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Caramel, Treacle, Butter Biscuits, Dried Fruit like Sultanas, Raisins, Figs & Plums, Smoked Almonds, Dark Chocolate, Dark Red Fruit like Currants and Berries, Orange Peel, Marzipan, Dusty Charred Oak, Brandy, Grass, Dusty Earth & Fresh and Dry Herbs.

    

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Toffee, Vanilla, Dark Honey, Butterscotch, Dairy, Nougat, Leather, Tobacco, Cigar Box, Black Tea, Sour Cherries, Baked Pineapple sprinkled with Cinnamon, Ginger and Mint.

Palate:

The Palate basically follows the Nose with Sweet, Sour and Salty elements, It is a bit Thinner than I expected. Still not bad at all and reminiscent of a Liquid X-Mas Cake. Some Sulfur again but it's not aggressive. Quite Dry.

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Treacle, Dark Red Fruit, Dark Honey, Dried Fruit like Sultanas, Raisins, Dates and Figs, Sour Plums, Orange Peel, Dusty Book Shelf, Marzipan, Dark Chocolate, Dusty Earth, Dusty Charred Oak, Pepper, Clove, Nutmeg and Ginger.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Toffee, Vanilla, Grass & Straw, Nougat, Nuts & Nut Shells, Polished Leather, Damp Cellar, Tobacco, Wet Sand, Black Tea or Strong Espresso, Licorice, Indian Spice Mix and Mint. A Hint of Rubber.

Finish:

Middle-Long. A mix of Bitter, Sweet and Sour notes. A pinch of Salt perhaps. It's quite Dry. A bit of Ashes, Sulfur & Metal in the aftertaste. The Alcohol is there but I am comfortable with it. I also find Sweet Toasted Barley, Caramel, Dark Honey, Dried Fruit like Sultanas, Apricots, Dates and Figs, Blackcurrants, Orange Peel, Marzipan, Baked Apple, Polished Leather, Tobacco, Licorice, Dusty Charred Oak, Dark Chocolate, Ash, Nuts & Nut Shells, Dried Herbs, Black Tea, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cloves and Mint. A hint of Rubber.

Drinking Advice:

Added Water does not improve this Bladnoch. Much better when enjoyed neat.

Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2)

Nose: 8 - Taste: 7.5 - Finish: 7

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat:

Good

Conclusion:

Bladnoch was founded in 1817 by Thomas and John McClelland. Over the years the ownership of the distillery changed many times and on many occasions the distillery was closed temporarily until it was finally liquidated in 2014. David Prior bought it in 2015 and brought life back to Bladnoch. Production restarted  in 2017 and amounted to around 1.5 million litres in 2025. A visitor centre was opened in 2019. The core range includes the Vinaya, Samsara, Alinta, Leora and the recent Galloway Collection consisting of the 8, 13, 16 and 19 Years.

Bladnoch is on the way back and I'm glad for it. It's good that there are still a few Lowland distilleries that maintain a certain "old style" profile. This 14 Year old is not perfect as it's a bit too Thin on the Palate. There are also a few Funky notes in the aftertaste that might not be for everyone. But in general I like this Bladnoch as it is interesting, something that can't be said of a lot of modern mainstream Malt. It is a bit expensive and it's not a dram for everyday. But after a nice dinner or on special occasions this Bladnoch is certainly recommendable!

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                        March 5, 2026

Port Askaig 8

“Tarman”

Whisky Review # 1085

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Region: Islay

Brand: Port Askaig

Bottled by/for: Elixir Distillers Ltd., London

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Age: 8 Years

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 45.8%
Maturation: Mix of American and European Oak
Chill Filtration: No

Price Range: US$ 40-60 (February 2026)
Price/Quality Ratio: 👍 Good

Buying Advice: 😃 Nice alternative if you like Young Islay Malts

Colour:

Light Gold (Natural Colour)

Nose:

There is a bit of Alcohol around so avoid nosing in the middle of your glass. The Nose is Young and Medium-Sweet with a few Salty, Sour and Green notes for the necessary balance. All the ingredients of a Young Islay are here. No surprises but quite nice if you're into this type of Whisky.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Salted Toffee, Slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Grass & Straw, Coastal Peat, Bonfire Smoke, Tar, Hospital, Burnt Herbs, Shell Fish and Bacon on the BBQ sprinkled with Lemon, Apple-Vinegar, Pepper and Ginger.

    

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Heather-Honey, Vanilla, Soot, Iodine, Seaweed, Wet Rocks & Sand, Forest Floor, Charred Oak, Leather, Rubber/Plastic, Banana Bread and Floral Soap.

Palate:

Young & mainly Bitter-Sweet. Some Sour & Salty notes as well. It's pretty straight forward Young Islay in the style of Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain. If you're into that you can't go wrong with this Port Askaig. It's a little on the Thin side and it would certainly benefit from a few extra years in the casks. The Alcohol is noticeable.

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Salted Caramel/Toffee, Apple-Vinegar, Smoldering Embers, Coastal Peat, Tar, Soot, Ashes, Burnt Herbs/Straw, Shell Fish and Bacon on the BBQ with added Herbs and Lemon, Hospital, Iodine, Wet Rocks/Paper, Pepper, Licorice and Ginger.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Heather-Honey, Vanilla, Nuts, Floral Soap, Charred Oak, Dark Cacao Powder, Wax, Dairy, Forest Floor, Rubber, Nutmeg, Cloves, Cardamom, Mint and Metal.

Finish:

Middle-Long and Bitter-Sweet. Some Sour and Salty notes as well. The Alcohol stings a little and there's a light Metallic off-note. The Finish is a bit of a let down. I find Sweet Barley, Salted Caramel/Toffee, Vanilla, Smoldering Embers, Coastal Peat, Tar, Soot, Ashes, Hospital, Iodine, Bacon on the BBQ, Charred Oak, Lemon, Apple-Vinegar, Nut Shells, Burnt Pine Needles/Herbs, Wet Rocks, Licorice, Cloves, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cardamom and Licorice. Some Rubber and a hint of Cocoa at the end. After a few minutes the Soot returns as well. Medium-Dry.

Drinking Advice:

Added Water does not improve this Port Askaig.

Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2)

Nose: 7.5 - Taste: 8 - Finish: 6.5

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat:

Okay/Good. The Finish could be better!

Conclusion:

Caol Ila is the distillery closest to Port Askaig so it's likely that the Port Askaig 8 Years was distilled there. It's in the same style at least and different from Ardbeg and Laphroaig.

The Port Askaig 8 Years is an easy Single Malt to review. It's a straight forward & pretty consistent Young Islay malt. There are a few flaws such as the slightly Thin mouth feel and the Metallic off-note. The Alcohol is also pretty noticeable. Still, if you like this type of Whisky the Port Askaig 8 is a good proposition with a positive Price/Quality ratio. Enjoy!

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                   February 19, 2026

Tobermory 12

“Tobermoorish”

Whisky Review # 1084

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Region: Highlands - Islands - Mull

Brand: Tobermory

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky 

Age: 12 Years

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46.6% 
Maturation: Mix of 1st-Fill Ex-Bourbon casks and Virgin Oak
Chill Filtration: No

Price Range: US$ 40-55 (February 2026)
Price/Quality Ratio: 😊 Excellent P/Q ratio

Buying Advice: 👍 Nice, Fresh Island Malt

Colour:

Golden (Natural Colour)

Nose:

The Virgin Oak influence is modest and that's a good thing. The Nose is actually quite Clean. It's mix of Sweet, Salty, Sour, Yeasty and Musty notes. A few slightly Bitter tones from the Oak. The Alcohol is there but doesn't bother me. All in all a pleasant Nose. 

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, German Butter Biscuits, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Yeast, Wax, Grass and Straw, Apples & Pears, Apricot-Filled Puff Pastry, Banana Bread, Slightly Sour Red Berries, Lemon, Orange, Musty Oak, Pepper, Cinnamon and Mint.    

    

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Heather-Honey, Golden Syrup, Toffee, Porridge, Dirt Track, Floral Notes, Wet Sand and Rocks, Red Grapefruit Juice, Caffe Latte, Marzipan, Nuts & Nut Shells, Cocoa,  Cooked Vegetables, Herbs and Nutmeg. Very light hints of Metal and Leather.    

Palate:

Oily & Waxy but still with this Clean, Fresh feeling. The Alcohol is certainly more noticeable now. The Palate basically follows the Nose. Medium-Dry at this point.

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Yeast, Grass & Straw, Banana Bread, Pear and Apple, Apricot-Filled Puff Pastry, Lemon, Musty and slightly Bitter Oak, Herbs, Cacao, Licorice, Mint, Pepper, Ginger and Nutmeg. 

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Heather-Honey, Toffee, Butter, Wax, Dusty Track, Slightly Sour Red Berries, Nuts & Nut Shells, Milk, Wet Sand and Stones, Grapefruit, Cinnamon, Cloves and a hint of Vanilla-Flavored Pipe Tobacco.    

Finish:

A bit Thin and on the Short side unfortunately. Otherwise this Tobermory would have been a great entry Single Malt. It's still Good Value for Money though! The Alcohol is more noticeable at this point. I find Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Nuts and Nut Shells, Salted Caramel, Heather-Honey, Wax, Grass and Straw, Sweet Apples & Pears, Banana Bread, White Wine with Bourbon Cask Finish, Grapefruit, Lemon, Dusty Track, Metal, Musty Oak, Wet Paper and Sand, Cooked Vegetables, Cacao, Apricot-Filled Puff-Pastry, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger, Licorice, Mint, Herbs. After a while your Mouth fills with some Dry Ash. Interesting!

Drinking Advice:

No need to add Water to this Tobermory. 

Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2)                )   

Nose: 8 - Taste: 7.5 - Finish: 6.5 

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat: 

Good. Could be even better but for the slightly disappointing Finish.

Conclusion:

The Tobermory Distillery is located on the Hebridean Island of Mull. It was formerly named Ledaig and was founded in 1798 by John Sinclair. Today it is owned by CVH Spirits. The Distillery produces unpeated Malt under the name Tobermory (30%) and peated Malt under the old Distillery name Ledaig (70%). The annual production almost reached one million litres in 2025. The whisky is mainly used in blends like Black Bottle and Scottish Leader. But more attention is given to their Single Malts as well. The core range consists of the Tobermory 12 and 21, the Ledaig 10 and 18 and a NAS Ledaig Sinclair Rioja Finish. The distillery and the isle of Mull are both beautiful and well worth a visit.

This Tobermory 12 Years is a pleasant surprise. It's quite consistent although not very complex. It would have been great even if not for the lackluster Finish and the slight Metal off-note. But it's still a very good entry Whisky and gives you good value for money. So despite the few flaws I can fully recommend this Tobermory. 

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                   February 12, 2026

Bruichladdich Octomore 13.1

“Peat For Peat’s Sake” (Money For God’s Sake) 

Whisky Review # 1080

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Region: Islay

Brand: Bruichladdich Octomore 13.1 (137.3 PPM)

Series: The Impossible Equation 

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Bottled: 15-03-2022

Age: 5 Years

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 59.2% (Cask Strength)
Maturation: Ex-Bourbon casks
Chill Filtration: No

Price Range: Around US$ 160-200 (January 2026)
Price/Quality Ratio: 👎 Too expensive for such a Young Single Malt

Buying Advice: 👍 Positive if you're into Young, heavily Peated Islay Whisky and money is not an issue.

Colour:

Pale Straw (Natural Colour)

Nose:

The Alcohol is strong so avoid to nose in the middle of your glass. Peat and Smoke are quite dominant and all the related Aromas are there. The Nose reveals Sweet, Salty and Sour notes. I get a minor Plastic off-note in the background. The nose is typical of a Young heavily peated Single Malt from Islay. Not bad but perhaps a bit one-dimensional.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Slightly Burnt Buttered Toast, Salted Fudge, Vanilla, Bonfire Smoke and Wet Peat, Soot, Tar, Straw mixed with Cow Manure, Meat, Bacon and Fish on the BBQ sprinkled with Herbs and Lemon, Mixed Nuts, Charred Wood, Chocolate, Polished Leather, Blue Cheese, Pepper, Ginger and Cloves.    

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Honey, Ashes, Asphalt, Wax, Iodine, Damp Cellar, slightly Sour Yellow Plums and Grapefruit, Green Apple, Grilled Pineapple, Apricot Jam, Wet Rocks, Licorice, Mint, Menthol and Plastic. A hint of Coconut Milk.  

Palate:

The Alcohol is more noticeable on the Palate but I do like the pleasant rather Oily mouthfeel of this Octomore. Peat and Smoke continue to dominate on the Palate. You will find a mix of Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Burnt and Salty notes. Not bad if you're into this type of Whisky.

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Salted Fudge, Vanilla, Campfire Smoke, Wet Peat, Ashes, Soot, Tar, Asphalt, Iodine, Hospital, Meat, Bacon and Fish on the BBQ sprinkled with Lemon and Herbs, Polished Leather, Toasted Pineapple, Charred Oak, Nuts and Nutshells, Pepper, Cloves, Mint, Licorice and Nutmeg.   

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Heather-Honey, Burnt Grass and Straw, Wax, Orange-flavored Chocolate, Butter -Biscuits, Green Apple, Apricot Jam, Wet Rocks & Sand, Forest Floor, slightly Sour Yellow Plums & Grapefruit, Blue Cheese, Aniseed, Menthol, Cinnamon and Ginger. A hint of Plastic.  

Finish:

Middle-Long & Bitter Sweet. The Bitterness increases towards the Dry end. I get a distinct Hospital feeling at this point. The Finish is without a doubt a bit of a let-down after the pleasant mouthfeel. I find Sweet Barley, Salted Caramel, Campfire Smoke, Wet Peat, Ashes, Soot, Tar, Hospital, Iodine, Vanilla, Heather-Honey, Wax, Meat and Fish on the BBQ sprinkled with Lemon and Herbs, slightly Sour berries such as Gooseberry & Strawberry, Charred Oak, Burnt Straw, Nuts and Nutshells, Blue Cheese, Green Apple, Licorice, Pepper, Ginger, Aniseed, Cinnamon and hints of Plastic and Mirabelle Plum Eau de Vie. The Alcohol is slightly more noticeable  now as well.  

Drinking Advice:

I added a little Water and that helps to calm down the Alcohol on the Nose. I also get extra Malt and some canned Peaches now. Less Hospital on the Palate but a bit of Metal in the Finish. Please try it out both ways in order to finds out what is best for you.

Rating: 7.5 (*******1/2)

Nose: 7.5 - Taste: 8 - Finish: 6.5 

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is above 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat: 

Good except for the Finish.

Conclusion:

Bruichladdich was founded in 1881 by Barnett Harvey. During its history it was mothballed various times, the last time in 1998. In 2012 the Islay distillery was bought by Remy Cointreau (France). Since, Bruichladdich is showing a healthy growth again. The distillery produces 3 types of Single Malt, i.e. the unpeated Bruichladdich & the heavily peated Port Charlotte & Octomore. The basic core range includes the Classic Laddie, the 18, the 30 and Port Charlotte 10 & 18. The annual production currently amounts to around 1 million litres. About 10% of that is Octomore. Octomore stand for "The Big Eighth". This is a medieval division of common ground.

I have tasted a lot of different Octomores so far down the road. The Ex-Bourbon cask matured ones are probably the closest to what the makers had in mind when they started the series. Young, heavily peated straight to the point Young Islay. The 13.1 is a good example of this. Personally however I preferred those that were finished in a second cask, especially Ex-Sauternes. Those casks give that bit of extra Aroma and Flavor and provide balance with Peat and Smoke. If you like pure and young Peat and Smoke from Islay you can safely buy the 13.1 if money is not an issue. If money is an issue however I would advise you to have a look at the Kilchoman distillery.

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                    January 16, 2026

All pictures were taken during our visit in May 2014

Eden Mill St.Andrews 2023

“Run Of The Mill”

Whisky Review # 1075

Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Region: Lowlands

Brand: Eden Mill - (Art of) St. Andrews 2023 Release 

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky  
Age: NAS 

Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 46.5%
Maturation:A mix of Oloroso and PX hogsheads and Ex-Bourbon barrels
Finish: Ex Grande Champagne Cognac casks

Chill Filtration: No
Price Range: US$ 150-190 (December 2025)

Price/Quality Ratio: 👎 Way too expensive for what it offers
Buying Advice: 😒 Not really bad but there are better alternatives at this price level

Colour:

Light Gold (Natural Color)

Nose:

Young, Light, Malty and Yeasty. A mix of Sweet, Sour and Bitter notes. It's lightly peated and that enhances the Aroma profile. The Sherry influence is there but not overpowering. Not too much depth here. No Off-notes to speak of. It's okay. 

Main Aromas:

Sweet Barley, Slightly Burnt Toast with a Butter/Margarine Spread, Yeast, Dough, Earthy Peat, Bonfire Smoke, Dried Fruit like Apricots, Plums & Dates, Green Apple, Pear, Lemon, Dusty Oak, Nuts and Nutshells, Pepper, Mint and Ginger.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Honey, Vanilla, Demerara Sugar, Caramel, Grain Biscuits, Bread, Milk Chocolate, Caffe Late, Grapefruit, Wet Paper, Damp Cellar and Cinnamon. Hints of Metal, Raw Meat and Varnish.

 

Palate:

Young, Light and a little Hot. A mix of Bitter, Sweet & Sour notes. Nothing special but a lot better than the 2019 Release I reviewed earlier this year.

Main Flavours:

Sweet Barley, Toasted Grains, Slightly Burnt Toast, Salted Caramel, Bread, Dough, Yeast, Biscuits, Earthy Peat, Bonfire Smoke, Nectarine, Lemon, Grapefruit, Green Apple, Dried Fruit like Raisins and Plums, Nuts and Nutshells, Dusty Oak, Bitter Herbs, Pepper and Ginger.       

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Honey, Wax, Vanilla, Demerara Sugar, Orange, Milk Chocolate, Caffe Latte, Wet Paper, Metal, Damp Cellar, Raw Meat, Tobacco, Peanuts, Varnish and Cinnamon.    

  

Finish:

Young, slightly Rough/Hot and on the Short side. A mix of Sweet, Sour and Bitter notes. The Bitterness increases towards the Medium-Dry end. The Alcohol is quite present here. Easily the weakest part of this Eden Mill. I find Sweet Barley, Grains, Salted Caramel, Yeast, Dough, Demerara Sugar, White Wine mixed with Sparkling Water, Grass, Honey, Lemon, Grapefruit, Green Apple, Dried Fruit like Bananas & Plums, Earthy Peat, Bonfire Smoke, Charred Dusty Oak, Nutshells, Milk Chocolate, Pepper, Cinnamon and Ginger. Hints of Varnish, Humid Paper and Cold Wet Steel.  

Drinking Advice:

This Eden Mill does not improve at all with added Water. Better sip it neat.  

Rating: 6.5 (******1/2)

Nose: 7 - Taste: 6.5 - Finish: 5.5  

*** Important Note with respect to Rating.

If the Final score is around 8 you can safely buy the whisky in question if and when it fits your Aroma/Flavor profile. If the score is between 6 and 8 you might want to try it out in the form of a sample or if offered at a good price. Anything below 6 should be left alone when you are looking for a nice sipping whisky. You might still like it of course & I realize pricing is an important item for many whisky fans especially when you are used to enjoy whisky in a cocktail or a mixed drink.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay except for the Finish.

Conclusion:

Eden Mill was founded in 2012 in Guardbridge close to St. Andrews. It started as a Brewery but a distillery was added in 2014. In March 2022 the plans for a new and larger distillery were approved and in April 2025 the first Spirit was produced. The large investments and the general challenges of the whisky market caused financial problems and in the second half of 2025 Eden Mills was placed into the hands of administrators. Fortunately an Investment Group called Ruby Capital acquired the business and assets of Eden Mill in late November. Let's cross fingers that Eden Mill will have a bright future.

This is only my second Eden Mill and although better than the 2019 release (see Palate) I'm not really impressed with this distillery so far. This St. Andrews is not really bad but it has all the flaws of an immature Single Malt. Good whisky needs time and that's often a huge (financial) problem for starting distilleries. Let's hope  that the new owners will allow the distillery to produce at least some fully matured Single Malts in the future. I'm certainly looking forward to that!   

Cheers! 🥃

Jan van den Ende                                                                 December 10, 2025