Scotland | NYC Whiskey Review

The Balvenie French Oak – 16-Year-Old

December 25, 2025 Scotland

Name: The Balvenie French Oak – 16-Year-Old

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, honey-caramel, green grass, white fruits

Taste: Malt, caramel, citrus, ginger, spices

Merry Christmas! This is #1 on my list for 2025!

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes to all for 2026! – Chris

The Balvenie Distillery was founded in 1892 in Dufftown which is in the Speyside region of Scotland. It has been distilling whisky for 127 years and I have not yet had a bad experience with their whisky. This expression is a continuation of the fact that Balvenie stands taller than almost all other whiskies when it comes to creative new releases.

The French Oak 16 was released in 2022, is non-chilled filtered, and bottled at 47.6% abv. This expression is aged in casks that were used for wine from the region of Charentes, matured in American Oak, and finished Pineau casks. These casks create quite a unique and delicious flavor profile that only wine casks could impart in the whisky.

Charentes is in the southwestern region of France and its focus in wine production is Pineau and Cognac. Pineau is a fortified wine that is made from fresh grapes and cognac. It is consumed as an aperitif, and I have never seen it on a menu in America. Cognac is Cognac and I expect you have heard of it.

This combination of casks has made something very nice. The combination creates this flavor profile of malt and wine notes but is not too overpowering or earthy tasting. A few other distilleries have done this type of cask maturation, but this is the best I have ever experienced. Many thanks to my old childhood friend Nick fame for pouring me a dram. I should have had two!

Other expressions:

Core Expressions: 12, 17, Signature 12, Cuba Selection 14, Caribbean Cask 14, Single Barrel 12 & 15, Peat Week, French Oak 16, Portwood 21, Single Barrel 34, 30, 40, 50, & 50-year-old Single Cask.

Triple Cask Expressions:12, 16, & 25.

Limited Edition (age varies): Golden Cask, Islay Cask, New Wood, New Oak, Sherry Oak, Rum Cask, Madeira Cask, Peated Cask, Craftsman Reserve No.1, Portwood (1989, 1991, 1993), & Tun (1401, 1858,1509).

Priced around $225 and worth the money if you like the flavor profile and it fits your budget.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The GlenAllachie 15

December 22, 2025 Scotland

Name: The GlenAllachie 15

Color: Dark Brown

Nose: Malt, caramel, oak, honey, sherry, red wine

Taste: Malt, oak, sherry caramel, red wine oak

3 Days left to Christmas! Do you have your bottles yet?! This is #3 on my list for 2025!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! – Chris

GlenAllachie 15 is a Speyside whisky that was found in 1967 and has change ownership over the years. The distillery was closed for a few years until it was re-opened by a group of private investors.

GlenAllachie 15 is bottled at 46% abv, natural colored, and is non-chilled filtered. It is aged in Virgin Oak, PX Sherry, Oloroso sherry, and red wine casks. It is very well balanced and is a big step above the 12 year old with the extra 3 years and red wine cask finish. I would have though the combination of the casks might yield and unbalanced whisky, but this one is very nice. I enjoyed it until the last drop.

GlenAllachie other expressions that fall under these categories: Anniversary Series, Core Range, Single Casks, Virgin Oak Series, Wine Cask Series, Wood Finish Range, Macnair’s, and White Heather. Click here for the complete list – The GlenAllachie Distillery.

Priced around $100+ and I recommend this whisky.

If you like it, drink it! – Christopher

If you like it, drink it!

Oban 14

December 21, 2025 Scotland

Name: Oban 14

Color: Brown

Nose: Malt, honey, flowers, light oak, honey

Taste: Malt, dry wood, honey, flowers

4 Days left to Christmas! Do you have your bottles yet?! This is #4 on my list for 2025!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! – Chris

The Oban distillery is located in the West Coast of Scotland in the port of Oban. It was established in 1794 and is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland. I have not had Oban in years, and I received this bottle from my good friend Sam for the birth on my son. I will admit, I need a drink now and then during that first month of fatherhood.

Oban 14 flavor profile is very nice and well balanced, but it falls a little flat for me. I am not overly impressed with it for the age. At 14 years I was expected a little more richer tasting flavor profile for a single malt that is medium light in body. Oban is a smooth drinker but come as at a higher price point. This price is likely due to the small size of the distillery and the low volume production.

Oban Expressions: 14, 18, 32, Little Bay, Distiller’s Edition, and The Soul of Calypso.

Priced around $75 to $100 and priced a little on the high side for the flavor profile

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Tomatin 14

December 20, 2025 Scotland

Name: Tomatin 14

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, sherry, port, flowers, honey

Taste: Malt, port sugar, dark fruit, honey flowers

5 Days left to Christmas! Do you have your bottles yet?! This is #5 on my list for 2025!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! – Chris

Tomatin distillery is located in the Village to Tomatin which is South of Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland. The distillery was founded in the 16^th century for local purchases of jugs for farmers and then was later fully established as Tomatin in 1897.

Tomatin 14 has a nice balance and soft taste on the first tasting. As I sipped more I grew to really enjoy this expression for the age and the price point . The whisky is 100% malted barley, natural color, non-chilled filtered, aged 14 years in ex-bourbon/ex-port barrels, and bottled at 46% abv. Tomatin 14 is more of summer styled scotch as it is a little sweet, but not too sweet. It is a far better expression than the 12 year old and much better on the wallet than the 18 year old.

Priced around $75+ and worth money if you like summer styled flavor profile. I will be picking up a bottle this summer.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Harviestoun Brewery – Old Dubh 21 Year Reserve “Beer”

November 19, 2025 Scotland

Name: Harviestoun Brewery – Old Dubh 21 Year Reserve “Beer”

Color: Black

Nose: Malt, roasted chocolate, vanilla, whiskey notes

Taste: Malt, roasted chocolate, oak, and whisky

Harviestoun Brewery – Old Dubh 21 Year Reserve is stout that is aged in Highland Park 21-Year-Old casks for 6 months and bottled at 8% abv. The name is pronounced ‘ola-doo’ and is Gaelic for ‘black oil’….and this is where I lost interested and stopped researching. I remember trying this beer a few years ago in The Potstill in Glasgow. I was a bit topped up, so I didn’t take any notes on it. I also remember not being impressed, but I thought I would give it another go.

This $15 bottle of black piss beer is dull and boring. It has the consistency of a flat Coke-Cola. The nose is almost nonexistent, and the flavors are of dry wood and the whisky finish is minimal. What I can taste of the whisky at the finish was not a nice addition.

Priced around $15 and is shit. These beers finished with whisky casks are getting a bit too gimmicky for me.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Cocktail Series – Ella’s White Negroni

July 16, 2025 Scotland

Name: Ella’s White Negroni

Color: Clear

Nose: Gin, sweet syrup, dill, green plants

Taste: Gin, dill, vermouth, green earth

The Negroni cocktail is said to originate in Italy in the 1940’s. A few years ago in France the Plymouth Gin people wanted a Negroni but could not find the ingredients so they modified the recipe to meet the requirements of what they had in the local stores. This was the birth of the “White Negroni”.

The White Negroni is more of a modern cocktail that is created from made from Plymouth Gin, Suze, and Sweet Vermouth. At Ella’s Wood Oven Restaurant in Wareham, Ma it is made little differently. I have not sampled a proper White Negroni yet, but this one version surprised me.

Ella’s White Negroni:

Hendricks Gin infused with dill
Chareau
Carpano bianco (sweet vermouth)
Stir on ice, strain, serve neat
Add Twist of Orange

This version was sweeter and more refreshing than I expected. The subtle dill notes from the infused Scottish Hendricks gin were good blend. The botanicas in the gin and Chareau worked well together. I was surprised it was served neat, but it was an easy drinker and did not last long enough for me to be bothered. If I had to make a complaint is that it was too weak, but that would be expected without Campari

I recommend dinner at Ella’s and their White Negroni if you are in the Buzzard’s Bay area.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow

May 21, 2025 Scotland

The Ivy Buchanan Street is located in Glasgow, Scotland and is a wee gem of place if you are visiting Glasgow and walking the central area. The food is British styled with some other creative methods thrown in to mix it up. The decor is more Parisan than British and the staff is very professional and efficient. There is indoor and outdoor seating (weather permitting) and a downstairs and upstairs bar.

I highly recommend you drop in for. lunch, drink, or a coffee if you are shopping on Buchanan or

Location: 106 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 2NB, United Kingdom

Dress Code: Smart casual

Website: https://ivycollection.com/restaurants/the-ivy-glasgow/

Hours:

Monday: 8:30am – 12:00am
Tuesday: 8:30am – 12:00am
Wednesday: 8:30am – 12:00am
Thursday: 8:30am – 12:00am
Friday: 8:30am – 1:00am
Saturday: 8:30am – 1:00am
Sunday & Bank Holidays: 8:30am – 12:00am

Special Note: Very clean single stall bathrooms upstairs near the second bar.

If you like it, drink it!

Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Horse Shoe Pub – Glasgow, Scotland

April 23, 2025 Scotland

The Horse Shoe Pub is located in Glasgow, Scotland and is a short walk from Glasgow Central Station in the City Center. It opened in 1884 by Cavalry Captain John Scouller and has not changed much in over since its opening. As summer approaches I assume people will be traveling to Scotland for a vacation, and I am going to be reviewing a few places I recommend this Spring.

The Horse Shoe is a simple, no frills, Glasgow pub. Not many people or travel guides, sites, or tv shows will recommend it to you, but I will. It is a local’s type of place and it is where you can experience the “real Scotland” as I like to call it. Glasgow is the “real Scotland, trust me on this one. This pub holds a special place in my heart. It was my grandfather’s local pub and I estimate he started going in the 1920’s. When I was wee-boy and visited Scotland, he did not take me there, but I wish he had and that there was a picture, but it did not happen. However, I do have a picture to share below.

This picture below was taken in 1969 before my parents’ wedding in Glasgow. The man getting kissed is my grandfather (aka Pappa) the man giving the kiss is my slightly drunk father (aka Dad), to the far right is my grandfather’s son (aka Unkie Greg), and to the left is my grandfather’s brother Tommy. I will be raising my pint to Papa & Dad next time I am there and I hope to have my son with me.

Location: 17-19 Drury Street, Glasgow Scotland
Hours: Monday to Sunday 11am-12am
Payment: Cash & Credit Cards
Food: Lunch, Dinner, late night snacks
Reservations: Available

If you are in Glasgow this year, make your way to the Horse Shoe Pub for a pint.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Laphroaig Oak Select

February 12, 2025 Scotland

Name: Laphroaig Oak Select

Color: Gold

Nose: Oak, peat, iodine, white flowers and fruit

Taste: Oak, peat, iodine, white flowers and fruit

Laphroaig Oak Select is (and I am quoting from their site) the “most laid-back expression lets our signature flavors of medicinal peat smoke and seaweed shine, leaving plenty of room for notes of red fruit, lime and a floral finish”. I would call it the “Bud Light of Laphroaig” as it is just a light version of Laphroaig 10.

This expression is non aged stated, but is matured in Oloroso sherry butts, ex-Bourbon quarter casks and Pedro Ximenez sherry hogsheads and then finished in virgin American oak barrels. It is botted at 40% and has the appearance of the classic green bottle with a white label.

Laphroaig Oak Select is fine but it is a just a light version of the 10 year old. Less peat and bite on it. Whisky like Laphroaig is not for everyone, this expression would be a good way to easy someone into what I refer to as “Big Boy Scotch”. It works nicely in a hot toddy and I am going to try it in a cocktail.

Priced around $50 and worth it if you like Laphroaig.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Highland Park 12

January 15, 2025 Scotland

Name: Highland Park 12

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, sugar orange, light smoke

Taste: Malt, white fruit, honey-spices, orange, light smoke

Highland Park distillery is located in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands in Scotland. The distillery was founded in 1798 and has changed ownership several times. This expression appears to be part of their Viking or Valhalla Series. If you did not know, the Scottish & Irish descent from Vikings.

Highland Park 12 is a highland single malt, aged for 12 years, and bottled at 43% abv. The bottle design is their “Viking Honour” which is park of their Viking themed whisky expressions Odin, Thor, Loki, and Freya.

This whisky is a medium-light drinker with honey orange flavors on the front of the profile. It is very easy to knock back a few of these on ice. I drank it during the wintertime, but it strikes me as more of a summer whisky. It is very drinkable and priced well.

Other expressions: Highland Park 12, 18, 21, 24, 54 Cask Strength Release No. 5, and Cask No. 1494.

Priced around $50 and worth it if you like the flavor profile.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

The Balvenie French Oak – 16-Year-Old

The GlenAllachie 15

Oban 14

Tomatin 14

Harviestoun Brewery – Old Dubh 21 Year Reserve “Beer”

Cocktail Series – Ella’s White Negroni

The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow

Horse Shoe Pub – Glasgow, Scotland

Laphroaig Oak Select

Highland Park 12

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