2014 marks another benchmark with "Torfa" - the first peated whisky from this revived distillery, fully matured in ex-bourbon barrels and peated to 20ppm. It takes its name from the Old Norse language with which the Scots dialect spoken in North East Scotland has an affinity and translates to “turf” or “peat”. Non-chill filtered. Natural colour. Retasted April 2018... Bright gold. White pepper and sweet earthy phenols combine with beeswax and biscuity malt; more cocoa / dark chocolate-like after extended time in the glass. A full bodied, succulent delivery with toasted barley, hints of fruit and a superb slathering of sweet peat. Melts in your mouth with near zero heat, the buzzing spices ricocheting through the finish. Uncomplicated but very pure. Beautiful malt. 50% Alc./Vol. First tasted April 2014... Pale straw gold. Opening sniff detects hints of vanilla wafer biscuit, dried grass and white pepper; more cocoa like after exposure as mild peat infuses dark chocolate, accentuating with time in the glass. Quite sweet but remains in check with the mid palate featuring juicy vanilla malt and the finish highlighting the peat as wet-wool / lanolin. Controlled spices add length and continue into an attractive choc-peat fade. Smokey, but in an accessible Caol Ila kind of way. Nicely done. 93 points

Macduff distillery is located near the mouth of the River Deveron, where the river meets the sea. Sheltered from the worst of the seaboard storms and winter winds, this tranquil spot has seen the creation of The Deveron malt whisky for many a decade. Using five small copper pot stills and unusual horizontal condensers that gently coax extra character from the spirit, The Deveron is a light, fruity and approachable spirit with some hints of nutty notes.

Located in Islays capital of the same name, Bowmore uses a combination of dedicated craftsmen, pure water, smoked peat and traditional manufacturing techniques to ensure that their whisky tastes the same as it did when it was first distilled in 1779. The 12 Year Old Single Malt has a nose of lifted lemon and honey that are bound together with the distinctive Bowmore smokiness. On the palate, the whisky is warm and delicious with subtle dark chocolate and peat smoke.

The Tomatin (Gaelic meaning ‘the hill of bushes’) distillery was built in 1897 and is one of the highest distilleries in Scotland sitting nearby the Hill of Parting which is where the Jacobite clans settled after their defeat at Colloden. The distillery was founded by a Japanese company and it is currently owned by a different Japanese company Takara Shuzo and Okura. The water source for this distillery is All-na-Frithe a burn which is found locally. This helps the distillery produce 5,000,000 litres of whisky each year which makes it one of largest producers in Scotland. The still room has 23 stills in total. The Tomatin 12 Years Old is the flagship single malt of the Tomatin distillery, smooth and easy to drink this single malt is the start of a whisky journey of outstanding quality and flavour. After spending time maturing in traditional oak casks, this particular Tomatin spends the last six to nine months of its maturation exclusively in Oloroso Sherry casks.

Bridging the boundary of the Highlands and Lowlands, Glengoyne is a unique distillery in that they don't use peat smoke to dry their barley, rather they simply use warm air. This gives the whiskies produce a feel of grace and subtlety. Their 12 Year Old Single Malt has a nose of lemon rind and candied apples and glimmer of coconut. The palate is dense and flavoursome courtesy of the hand-selected sherry casks that also impart a textured, long lasting finish.

Glengoyne is a unique distillery in that the stills are located in the Scottish Highlands, yet the distillery stores are located in the Lowlands - due to the distillery being located on the border between the regions. The other unique aspect is the the barley is warm air dried rather than using peat smoke which imparts a delicate, almost floral nature to their drams. The 10 Year Old has flavours and aromas of fresh green apples, toffee and a hint of nuttiness; a trademark taste that is courtesy of Scotland's slowest distillation.

Meaning 'Glen of the green grassland', Glenfarclas has an enviable reputation amongst Whisky lovers around the world. The 8 Year Old is vibrant and straw gold in colour, with fresh, sappy aromas of honey, almonds and butterscotch. A firm palate is maryied with a mild smokiness and a delicious malty, butterscotch finish.

A sweeter style of Scotch, Glenkinchie is bright gold in colour and very approachable. The nose carries aromas of vanilla, citrus and wild flowery and is reflected on the palate and supported by a surprisingly creamy texture.

Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years has rich sweet fruit aromas along with toffee caramel, vanilla and a hint of smoke. Its warming and sweet on the palate with dark fruits, malty cereal, smooth creamy vanilla, fragrant almonds and tangerines, and a gentle smoke developing. A lingering finish brings notes of dark chocolate, caramelised citrus peel and very light smoke.