Review - Bowmore 'Tempest Batch #5'

This whisky is the latest edition single malt in the Tempest series from Bowmore, the oldest distillery on the famous whisky island of Islay.  The series consists of small batch cask strength whisky that has been matured in ex-bourbon casks, and batches are released annually. The original Tempest was released in 2010.  Batch #5 was released worldwide in May of this year and follows on from the previous four batches, which have proved extremely popular and won numerous awards.

Distillery visit - Laphroaig

Laphroaig (pronounced la-froyg) is one of the most famous names in the world of Scotch whisky and is known for its very peaty and smoky style of single malt.  In fact the 10 years old expression is the biggest selling malt in this category and helps put Laphroaig in ninth place for total sales in 2013*. The name is derived from the Gaelic meaning 'beautiful hollow by the broad bay'.  Laphroaig was one of the whiskies that got us in to the peaty flavour, so Matt C was delighted when he recently got invited for a special tour as part of Beam Suntory's Peated Malts of Distinction launch.

New release - Auchentoshan American Oak

The American Oak is the new entry level whisky in the Auchentoshan single malt range.  The whisky has been created to appeal to new whisky drinkers and has been solely matured in first fill American oak casks, which have previously held bourbon.  It will replace the current Classic expression.  The American Oak was launched in London in late October and the event featured new cocktails and murals being painted live by street artists, such as the one above.

New release - Great King Street 'The Glasgow Blend'

The Glasgow Blend is the second permanent expression in the award-winning Great King Street range, and joins the Artist's Blend. It is a blend of 67% malt and 33% grain whiskies, with an emphasis on rich, rounded smoke and sherry cask influence. This is a high percentage of malt content for a blend and the whisky has been created by John Glaser, the founder of Compass Box.  The original version of Great King Street has won multiple awards and is one of our all time favourite whiskies.