Scotch Tasting (January 22nd, 2026)
This was our 6th Scotch Tasting, it was all about high proof Scotches. There were some crazy good Scotches in this line-up. I’m happy I was able to do a different theme, and generate a lot of interest. The bottles in question were;
| TT Label | Description | Proof | Region | Rating | Price (CAD$/USD) |
| A | Arran, CS*, Sherry Hogsheads, Bodega | 111.6 | 7.5 | $95/ | |
| B | Clynelish 10 yr, CS*, SR**, 2023 | 115 | 6.7 | $245 | |
| C | Lochlea CS*, Batch 2, Sherry & STR Casks | 120 | 7.2 | $115 | |
| D | Edradour 12 yr, Olorosso Sherry Butts finish | 117.2 | 7.7 | $210 | |
| E | Oban 10 yr, CS*, SR**, 2024 | 116 | 7.3 | $170 | |
| F | Lagavulin 12 yr, CS*, SR**, 2023 | 112.8 | 7.5 | $200 | |
| G |
Craigellachie 2007, 1st Edition, 15 yr
|
112.6 | 7.7 | $175 | |
| H | Bruichladdich’s Octomore 15.1, ex Bourbon casks, peated to 108ppm | 118.2 | 6.8 | $270 | |
| I | Bruichladdich’s Octomore15.3, Bourbon & Olorosso Sherry casks, peated to 307ppm | 122.6 | 7.8 | $335/$285 |
CS* = Cask Strength, SR** = Special Release
I was very curious to try the Octomore line, since the 15.3 was their 2nd peatiest release ever. Even though I am more on the sweet side of Scotch, I can appreciate the artistry of the peaty/smoky side.
We also had quite a few ‘Special Releases’, I didn’t realize many of the distilleries putting out these ‘Special Releases’, although different distilleries, they’re owned by the same conglomerate, and some even have the same Master Distiller. That’s why the bottles and packaging, look so similar.
The Craigellachie I bought, was from an independent bottler (IB), called “First Edition”, I was happy to have a high proof Craigellachie, I had not seen that on the market. The 15 yr, is interesting, since Craigellachie themselves, puts out a 13 yr and a 17 yr…as their standard.
This tasting had the highest participation to date, I had to buy a 2nd bottle of each. I had enough time, since we don’t do a tasting in December. We ended up with 27 on the Zoom call, and 33 racks sold. In hindsight, I’d have been better to leave it at 25, since 8-10 more people, when I have to buy a whole set of bottles, isn’t worth it. Live and learn, Mary and John G helped me out, by buying some of the bottle remainders.
In terms of the tasting order, it started off with the sweet scotches, and then progressed to the smoky/peaty ones. I learned in the pre-tasting, if you mix them, especially with the amount of peat in some of the scotches, the sweeter scotches, don’t taste like anything, after drinking a peaty one.
The bottles ranged in price from $80 to $300, most were $150-$200 CAD.
In terms of people guessing, 3 people/groups got 5 correct, out of 9, congrats to Marco, Dale and Marcia/Stacie/Jeff. 2 people/groups got 4.5 right, John/Ron/Brandon, and Stephane (who wasn’t going to take part, but was surprised how much he liked the smoky/peaty ones). Two people got 4, Sean and Ryan. One person got 3, new comer Danny K. I gave 1/2 marks if you got Octomore, but didn’t get the 15.1 vs 15.3 correct.
The bottles most guessed correctly, were ; Oban, with 8 guessing it correctly; then Edradour with 7, followed by Lochlea and Octomore 15.3 both with 6 people guessing it correctly. 22 people tried to guess the bottles.
The Winners!
1st Place (7.8) $335 CAD/$285 USD
2nd Place (7.7) $210 CAD
3rd Place (7.7) $175 CAD
The next Tasting in February will be our 2nd High Proof Blanco Tequila, Feb 27th, 2026.
The Survey Results
| Participants | A-Arran | B-Clyne | C-Loch | D-Edrado | E-Oban | F-Lagav | G-Craig | H-Oct 15.1 | I-Oct 15.3 |
| Martin | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| John H | 5 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Allison C | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Marcia | 4 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| Stephane | 8 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 8 |
| Jamie | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Frank M | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Marco M | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Dale J | 7 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 10 |
| Patrick S | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| David W | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Sean | 7 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Alison R | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 10 |
| Collin M | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| Roxwel | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Emilio | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| Kevin C | 9 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 8 |
| JaNea R | 9 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Stephane J | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
| Danny K | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| Ken W | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Vince M | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Mike M | 9 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Ryan J | 7 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 |
| Marcin W | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 9 | |
| John G | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 9 |
| Total | 186 | 173 | 187 | 200 | 180 | 192 | 197 | 173 | 202 |
| Average | 7.44 | 6.65 | 7.19 | 7.69 | 7.2 | 7.38 | 7.57 | 6.65 | 7.76 |
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