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Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Top Single Malt Scotch Whisky, According To The International Wine & Spirit Competition
Glencairn whiskey tasting cups with a Scotch whisky barrel in the background. The International Wine and Spirit Competition is the world's largest and oldest spirits competition. It is also among the most extensive judgings of Scotch whisky globally. The IWSC has just released its 2025 Scotch whisky judging results. Below are backgrounds and tasting notes on the seven contenders for the coveted Scotch Whisky Trophy. The winner will be announced on November 12 at the IWSC Gala in London. The Loch Lomond Distillery, located in the Scottish Highlands, is renowned for its innovative approaches to whisky production. The distillery utilizes swan-necked and its unique, patented "straight-necked" pot stills to craft a diverse range of whiskies, from delicate, fruity expressions to richer, more complex drams. The 16 YO Waypoint Series Falls Of Falloch Single Malt Scotch Whisky is part of Loch Lomond's Waypoint Series, a collection designed to showcase the versatility and depth of their whiskies. This expression is aged for 16 years in ex-bourbon oak casks and undergoes a cask finish to enhance its complexity and depth. The "Falls Of Falloch" branding evokes the natural beauty of the Loch Lomond area and symbolizes the purity of the waters used in production. The whisky is floral and fruity on the nose, featuring sweet honey, dried stone, and dark fruit notes of apricot and fig, accompanied by subtle vanilla, a herbaceous, freshly cut grass element, and seasoned oak aromas. On the palate, the whisky is smooth and creamy, balancing sweetness with a mild spiciness. It showcases caramel, citrus zest, cooked cereal/malted barley, nutmeg, and seasoned oak. The finish is long and smooth, with lingering notes of honey, vanilla, and a touch of cinnamon. The oak influence fades gracefully, leaving a dry, slightly nutty aftertaste. Also from Loch Lomond Distillery, the 18-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky offers a remarkable exploration of their peated expressions. Unlike many Highland distilleries, Loch Lomond employs a unique malting process that combines peat and clean air to dry the barley. This resulting whisky expresses a subtler peatiness than its Islay counterparts while still presenting a distinctive smoky character. This expression showcases the distillery's mastery in creating complex, layered whiskies. It's aged for 18 years in a combination of American and European oak casks, imparting an array of flavors and textures that complement its distinctive peatiness. The nose features delicate notes of cold smoke, surrounded by honey, dried fruit notes of raisins and dates, cooked cereal, baked croissant, vanilla, toasted almonds, seasoned oak, and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. The whisky is complex and layered on the palate, with a pervasive smokiness and earthy peat quality, showcasing cooked cereal, sweet malt, barley sugar, caramel, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, and a hint of candied orange zest. The peat has a slight medicinal quality, evoking iodine, fresh seaweed, and sea air, but it is well-integrated with the more subtle flavors. The finish is long and creamy, with lingering smoke, a slight savoriness, hints of vanilla custard, and a touch of dried herbs. Glass of Scotch single malt whisky with ice on a whisky barrel. Benriach Distillery, established in 1898 in the heart of Speyside, is renowned for its rich history of producing a diverse range of single malts, from peated to unpeated expressions. The distillery has consistently embraced experimentation, particularly with its cask maturation techniques. The Benriach 2013 Vintage Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt showcases the distillery's expertise in working with different types of sherry casks. This expression is part of Benriach's ongoing exploration of cask finishing, utilizing a combination of American oak, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks. The three different types of sherry casks impart rich layers of fruit, spice, and oak, providing complexity and depth, as each cask type imparts a distinct influence. The nose features an unmistakable Sherry influence, exhibiting aromas of dried fruit, including raisins, figs, and dark cherries. The Oloroso cask imparts a rich, nutty character, while the Pedro Ximénez cask adds a syrupy sweetness of toffee and molasses. There are additional notes of orange zest, oak spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of clove, as well as a delicate layer of honey and vanilla sweetness from the American oak cask. The whisky is full-bodied and smooth on the palate, with a pronounced mouthfeel that showcases dried apricots, plums, and dark chocolate, complemented by cinnamon, ginger, and toasted almonds. As the whisky opens, a subtle oak influence provides structure, adding hints of old wood and a touch of leather. The finish is long and creamy, with lingering notes of sherry, dried fruits, and cocoa, and a slightly dry aftertaste. A'glac Charrann is an exceptional single malt whisky originally produced at the, now shuttered, Imperial Distillery. Secret Speyside is a specialty bottler that seeks out rare and unusual single malts. The name "A'glac Charrann" refers to the deep, rich traditions of Speyside whisky-making. The whisky was matured over nearly three decades in ex-bourbon casks of American oak. The nose features floral notes of heather and Scottish wildflowers, complemented by dried fruit aromas of apricot and golden raisins, as well as honey, almond, citrus zest, and vanilla cream. A touch of cocoa, subtle spices, and toasted oak add complexity. The whisky is robust and smooth on the palate, showcasing candied oranges, dried fruits, dark chocolate, toasted almonds, wood spices, and a subtle layer of seasoned oak. The whisky is creamy and full-bodied, balancing sweet, savory, and spicy notes. The finish is long, with lingering notes of dried fruit, chocolate, and toffee, slowly fading into a dry, slightly bitter aftertaste. Glenfiddich, one of the most iconic distilleries in Speyside, was founded in 1887 by William Grant and is still family-owned. The distillery is renowned for producing premium single malt whiskies that are globally recognized. This whisky was matured in American and European oak casks. The whisky is rich and complex on the nose, showcasing dried fruit notes of apricots, figs, and raisins, intertwined with honey, vanilla cream, citrus zest, and seasoned oak. Subtle notes of toasted almonds and marzipan add a sweet, nutty complexity. On the palate, the whisky is full-bodied and smooth, balancing sweetness and spice. The toffee and caramel flavors are complemented by dried apricots, dark cherries, and hints of toasted oak, cinnamon, and nutmeg, along with a touch of dark chocolate. The whisky has a smooth, creamy, mouth-coating texture and a noticeable weight. The finish is long and layered, with lingering flavors of dried fruit, oak, and spice. Rosebank Distillery, once known for producing elegant and floral single malts in the Lowlands, has a storied history dating back to the 19th century. Known for its unpeated whiskies, Rosebank was celebrated for its delicate and refined flavor profiles. The distillery closed in 1993 but was revived in the early 2000s and is now operational again. The Legacy Release Three 32 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky honors the original distillery's style, showcasing a refined elegance, floral complexity, and a layered flavor profile. The whisky was matured in refill oak casks, allowing the spirit to develop its signature subtle, floral profile over time. The whisky is floral and aromatic on the nose, showcasing a bouquet of heather, honeysuckle, and violets, complemented by vanilla, creamy butterscotch, and a hint of ripe apple and pear. A subtle touch of oak lends depth, accompanied by whispers of marzipan, lightly toasted almonds, and candied orange and lemon zest. The whisky is smooth and full-bodied on the palate, showcasing sweet and floral notes, accompanied by fruity notes of ripe apples, peaches, and pears, as well as cinnamon and ginger spices, vanilla, and a hint of creamy honey. A soft, nutty undertone of almonds, a hint of white chocolate, and subtle oak notes add complexity. The finish is long and complex, with lingering floral and fruity notes and a gentle sweetness from the vanilla and honey leading to a delicate oak dryness. A seventh Gold Outstanding, yet-to-be-released expression from Ardbeg is still under embargo and will be disclosed later in the year. These six single malt Scotch whiskies are outstanding. They represent a mix of historic, revitalized, and new distilleries, all of which are shaping and expanding the aroma and taste profile of single malt Scotch whisky. It also highlights the remarkable resurgence of Loch Lomond, a distillery that has become one of the leading stars in Scotland's whisky industry. If you love Scotch whisky, you owe it to yourself to try every one of these expressions.
Edinburgh Reporter
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Behind the Label: The Story Behind Your Favourite 17-Year-Old Scotch
A Hidden Legacy in Each Bottle Nestled in the rolling hills near the Highland boundary, Loch Lomond Distillery may not shout the loudest, but its whispers speak volumes. Known for producing singular expressions with an intricate distillation process, its Waypoint Series has quietly gained a cult following. Among them, one release stands apart—a 17-year-old whisky that reveals much more than age. Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash The Unspoken Journey of Time Crafted through years of patience, this 17-year-old whisky embodies more than a number on the label. It began its life in American oak casks once used for bourbon, absorbing soft vanillin notes and gentle spice. Midway, it was transferred into refill European oak, where dried fruit tones began to emerge. But it wasn't done. The final years unfolded in oloroso sherry butts, infusing a depth of nutty richness and faint tobacco whispers. The Art of Selective Casking Each barrel chosen for this expression was hand-picked by the distillery's master blender. These weren't just vessels; they were storytellers. Bourbon casks laid the foundation, but the European oak contributed the bold strokes. Sherry butts, used judiciously, added a layer of emotional complexity, creating a crescendo of flavour that evolved even after the first sip had long passed. Distilling Without Convention Unlike traditional distilleries tied to one style, Loch Lomond's unique setup allows for multiple distillation methods under one roof. Coffey stills operate alongside pot stills—an anomaly in Scotch whisky production. This flexibility enables them to shape their spirit with both precision and creativity, leading to an end product that resists easy classification. Tasting What Can't Be Told Upon nosing, the aroma opens with spiced orchard fruit, framed by toasted almond and a wisp of oak smoke. On the palate, layers unfold—first poached pear and barley sugar, then fig compote and cinnamon bark. The finish is long, deliberate, and faintly herbal, like the final page of a well-worn book read beneath candlelight. Aesthetic Meets Substance The bottle design mirrors the whisky's internal complexity. Clean lines offset by copper tones suggest tradition meeting innovation. There's a subtlety in the packaging that resists flashiness but rewards close attention. Much like the whisky itself, it's about depth over drama. Behind the Warehouse Doors Stored in dunnage warehouses with earthen floors and stone walls, the whisky matured in the same slow silence that has defined the region for centuries. These atmospheric surroundings impart not just temperature regulation but a sense of permanence, of time suspended. Here, age isn't just a number; it's an experience carved into the cask's memory. People, Not Machines While automation creeps into many corners of the industry, Loch Lomond continues to rely on human hands and human judgement. There's no algorithm that can replicate the instinct of a seasoned blender deciding when a whisky has reached its moment. Every bottle represents a collaboration between past and present, machinery and mind. Beyond the Glass This isn't just a drink to be consumed. It's a liquid memoir of geography, craftsmanship, and time. Each dram offers insight into a distillery that avoids shortcuts and embraces nuance. For those who seek something beyond the obvious, this whisky answers in quiet, resonant tones. An Invitation to Explore Rather than simply another premium scotch, the Waypoint Series 17-year-old invites a different kind of relationship. One of curiosity, of reverence, and of reward. It's not whisky for hurried moments, but for evenings when silence enhances taste and time becomes visible. Like this: Like Related
