After a year of tasting over 200 whiskies, this article breaks down the 10 that genuinely stood out — from long-aged Australian single malts to standout international releases.
Author: TWSnath-martyn42
5 Affordable Whiskies (2026)
Affordable whisky doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavour. These five budget-friendly whiskies for 2026 prove you can still enjoy a good dram neat.
The Chita Distiller’s Reserve Review
The Chita Distiller’s Reserve is a Japanese single grain whisky that quietly overdelivers. Light and floral on the nose, it surprises with an oily palate, honeyed sweetness, and tropical fruit notes. While Japanese whisky often keeps its production details mysterious, The Chita proves that flavour alone can justify its reputation as a genuine value option.
The Best & Worst Gifts for Whisky Drinkers: A Practical Guide
Buying a gift for a whisky lover? Not all whisky accessories are created equal. This guide breaks down the best gifts to choose — and the gimmicks to avoid — so your present actually gets used.
Whisky Decanters: Classic Style vs Lead Poisoning
Decanters are stylish, but they aren’t always ideal for storing whisky. Learn when they’re worth using — and when they can do more harm than good.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky Review
A beautifully balanced Japanese whisky with a story to match its flavour. Hibiki Japanese Harmony offers lychee, melon, honey, white chocolate and subtle Mizunara oak notes, all wrapped in a bottle designed around Japan’s 24 micro-seasons. A refined, elegant dram that justifies its reputation — and its price.
Kilkerran 12 Year Old Whisky Review
Kilkerran 12 Year Old is one of those whiskies I keep coming back to. Lightly peated, beautifully oily, and full of character, it captures everything that makes Campbeltown whisky so distinctive. In this review I explore the history behind Kilkerran, and why its flavour profile stands out. If you’re looking for an approachable yet flavoursome Campbeltown dram, this bottle is a must-try.
Morris French Oak Single Barrel – The Real Morris Spirit
The Morris French Oak Single Barrel strips away fortified wine influence to showcase the raw single malt spirit of Morris Whisky. Aged in re-charred French oak with subtle wine traces, this release delivers creamy texture, oak-driven spice, and a rare look at the distillery’s spirit in its purest form.
Chivas Regal Crystalgold Review
Chivas Regal has taken a bold step with CrystalGold — a clear spirit created through charcoal filtration. In this blind comparison with Chivas 12, I explore whether clarity enhances smoothness or strips away the soul of Scotch.
Fin de Partie – French Whisky with a Funky Twist
French whisky isn’t something you stumble across every day, but Fin de Partie by Maison Benjamin Kuentz is one that demands attention. Distilled in Lorraine and aged in a mix of bourbon, Cognac, Oloroso, PX, and virgin oak casks, it’s a whisky that’s light in colour yet brimming with character. With an oily texture, savoury depth, and a distinct cheese-like funk, this dram challenges expectations of what whisky can be — and proves that France has its own unique story to tell in the world of single malts.