Welcome to the Whisky Barrel Cafe

A place for whisky drinkers of all levels.

We'll be sharing with you our experiences as we navigate our way though the huge world of whisky. We haven't been drinking whisky as long as others but make up for it with our enthusiasm for good whisky. We pride ourselves on being independent thinkers and aren't swayed by what larger whisky reviews say. We promise to give you our honest opinions.

Latest Whiskies

Ledaig 10

Cream, Vanilla, Mild Peat, Pepper, Cloves, Aniseed

Tobermory

An island whisky from the Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull. A tasty sweet dram with a touch of peat. On the nose it's a classic island whisky with hints of brine and some light peat smoke. If you keep going you'll get the sweeter aromas of pear and melon. The initial taste is lovely and sweet with flavours of cream and vanilla. The peat is there but by no means the main player. There's a lovely warmth to the after taste, with the sweetness hanging around and joined by warming spices and pepper. A whisky from a well established distillery that doesn't disappoint. One worth a trying if you've been drinking whisky for a while and fancy something a bit more challenging.

SMOS P11 - An Orkney 11 Year Old

Perry, Honeysuckle, Blackcurrant, Grapes

An Orkney Distillery

A special bottling of An Oakey Islands highland whisky. Aged in Oloroso sherry casks for 11 years. It's a very clean whisky and for its ABV of 48%, it doesn't have as much of a nip as other whiskies around the same strength. Initial taste is very clean and sweet with flavours of pears and grapes. There are hints of spice but mostly it's reminiscent of summer fruits and pear cider. One you could drink in the garden in the sun shine or round the fire on a winters day.

Old Pulteney 15

Honey, Caramel, Vanilla, Salt

Old Pulteney

An ex bourbon and sherry cask from the north east of Scotland. A coastal whisky with a mouth feel and flavour similar to honey. Sweet and warming, soft fruits up front such as apples and pears. The after taste is warm and floral, the warmth lingers but isn't overwhelming, this fades until you're left with a flavour of cinnamon. The 15 Year Old Pulteney is a big step up from the 12 and well worth a try.

Contributors

Tom

Choice: Oban 14

One of the newest to whisky but very enthusiastic. Tom's been drinking whisky for 4 years and has been totally swept up in it. He enjoys all types of whiskies but loves the complexity that whiskies bring

Giles

Choice: Isle of Raasay Single Malt

Giles' whisky journey started with the Glenfiddichs in his misspent twenties and grew into a love of the variety that whisky brings, from sherry sweetness to bonfire smoke.

Tim

Choice: Ardbeg 10

Introduced to whisky by fellow contributor Giles, started out after enjoying a rusty nail cocktail. Then quickly got into single malts, appreciating the variety and complexity of flavours. After years of whisky being his favourite drink, going as far to have a specially selected one, behind the bar at his wedding as the "Grooms Choice". Tim then introduced his other fellow contributor Tom to the pleasures of a good dram of whisky, bringing him into the fold.