Caledonian The Sovereign 1982 (Hunter Laing)

We all hold biases. For a period, my bias was against grains, blends, and anything not single malt, a category I believed deserved little attention. Like a blow torch applied to ice, my biases began to melt rapidly... Pot still Irish whiskey, Compass Box, Boutique Whiskey, and now this magnificent whiskey from an Edinburgh grain distillery that closed in 1988. Truly, truly fascinating. It has a waxy taste, like earwax or candle wax... waxiness, wax... and hazelnut. I genuinely enjoy it. Many years well spent. I've never experienced a dram quite like this. 35 years old and a very fair price under $200. Rated 4.75.

The aroma presents strong yet delicate hints of toffee and vanilla, perfectly harmonized. The palate is led by orange, caramel, and pepper, coating the mouth in a balanced manner. The finish is extended, featuring pepper and orange, fading out very gently. Truly magnificent.