Dalmore Port Wood Reserve
Almost all distilleries trade on a sense of history and tradition – for good reason – in association with their craft and their whisky. A smaller selection of brands are lucky enough to have a towering figurehead behind their iconic malts. Dalmore has Master Distiller Richard Paterson, who is a leader in cask curation. Specifically, a long association with sherry bodega and wine industry giant González Byass has resulted in a collection of unique casks to age the distillery’s whisky. Sherry casks are not the only ones in use, however. The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve is one of the few non-age statement offerings in the brand’s principle collection. Dalmore owner Whyte & Mackay also owns the Jura and Fettercairn distilleries, along with other spirit brands.
Tamdhu Batch Strength
Though Tamdhu was able to get off the ground and running fairly quickly after opening their doors again in 2012, for the distillery had only been closed a few years prior and there were still stocks to make use of. While there are currently two age statement offerings in the portfolio, the rest of the main line is comprised of No Age Statement scotches, like this Tamdhu Batch Strength. First introduced in 2015, this scotch comes in at cask strength but is released in yearly batches that differ slightly in percentage year to year. Like all Tamdhu offerings, this is aged entirely in ex-Spanish sherry casks from Spain.
Penderyn Celt
In 2015, Penderyn launched their Dragon range, three whiskies bearing the names of Legend, Celt, and Myth, along with the bold red dragon of Wales on the label. The range serves as an introduction to the brand, separated from their more premium malts, the Gold range. One of the few whiskies with a Kosher certificate. The Penderyn Celt was originally (and mistakenly, at first) finished in ex-Kilchoman barrels but now quarter casks from Laphroaig are used.