Couple of whiskies I'd not tried previously
Deanston: a new (I think) Lowland distillery a little north of Stirling.
Went for their "virgin oak" no-age-statement for a very good value £26. Bottled at a respectably 46% and non chill filtered. Really rather good, particularly at such a reasonable price. They do a 12 year old as well which is also very good for an extra tenner, though I only tried a glass in the pub.
And after a tasting session at Stirling's distillery - only doing gin as yet, and not yet actually making any sort of spirit, bought a bottle of "Cashly". This is an independent single cask highland whisky from an unspecified distillery. 50% ABV and 14 year old so quite reasonable £55 or thereabouts. The range were named after various now defunct distileries near Stirling. Rather good !
We got four different indie bottled drams to taste. One I didn't like at all, another I didn't like at first but it grew on me after adding a bit of water and was rather intriguing - but not £80 worth of intriguing, but sadly the fourth one wasn't for sale as they were down to a couple of bottles which were earmarked for their tasting sessions. This was a peaty Islay like Speyside. I would have had a bottle of that too (price permitting)
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