Daily Review Archive

15 April 2026

Review calendar

4 Amber Room Reviews

Review 062

Regensburger Whisky & Weinclub Eye of the Dragon bottled 2024 53,6%

90
Client-supplied Eye of the Dragon bottle photograph beside a whisky glass; whisky from an undisclosed Islay distillery

Whisky facts

Independent Bottler
Regensburger Whisky & Weinclub
ABV
53.6%

An interesting mystery Islay (most likely Caol Ila from the meatiness and lack of depth of the smokiness) with 40% of the composition coming from whiskies from the 70s and 80s, would have prefer a more smoky and less sweet body and a longer finish

Nose

BBQ smoked meats, briny seasalt, dark fruits, dark chocolates, ash, leather - very intense nose with a balance of smokiness & fruitiness

Body

Mix of peat and sweetness (much sweeter than I expected), sweet dark fruits, zesty, bacon, the sweetness turns into a slightly sour/spicy note towards the end

Finish

Woody bitter aftertaste, salty & mineral, tea, licorice & spices, medium finish

Open Whisky Page

Review 061

Lagavulin 1991 2012 21 Years Old 52%

Lagavulin
92
Lagavulin 1991 2012 21 Years Old 52% — bottle label

Whisky facts

Region
Islay
Bottling type
Official Bottling
Age
21 years
ABV
52%
Vintage
1991
Bottled
2012
Cask type
sherry finish
Bottles in release
2772

A legendary 1991 bottling from Lagavulin and I can totally see why as it is up to par and comparable in terms of impressiveness with Port Ellens from the 1970s that's also older

Nose

An elegent mix of peat & sherry

Body

Tobacco, gunpowder, dark chocolate, dried fruits, a wonderful balance between smoky & sweet, a 90s bottle that taste more like it was distilled in the 70s

Finish

Slightly coastal & spicy finish, sweet sugary fruits

Open Whisky Page

Review 060

Port Ellen 2nd Annual Release 1978 2002 24 Years Old 59,35%

Port Ellen
92
Port Ellen 2nd Annual Release 1978 2002 24 Years Old 59,35% — bottle label

Whisky facts

Region
Islay
Bottling type
Official Bottling
Age
24 years
ABV
59.35%
Vintage
1978
Bottled
2002
Bottles in release
12000

Nose

Smokier and punchier than the 11th, no more fruity notes, needs some water or else the smoke & alcohol will get overwhelming

Body

Meaty, smoky, hints of oranges & apple, some funky farmy notes. This would be amazing on a cold winter day

Finish

Very long finish that gets sweeter but still maintains the smoky, ashy peatiness

Open Whisky Page

Review 059

Port Ellen 11th Annual Release 1979 2011 32 Years Old 53,9%

Port Ellen
93
Port Ellen 11th Annual Release 1979 2011 32 Years Old 53,9% — bottle label

Whisky facts

Region
Islay
Bottling type
Official Bottling
Age
32 years
ABV
53.9%
Vintage
1979
Bottled
2011
Bottles in release
2988

Nose

Truckload of peat smoke & coal with some fresh sweet fruits, applewood smoke; with water: some sea smoke & brine, lighter & fruitier

Body

Smoky, ashy, salty, citrusy, smoked fish, with water there's more balance between the smokiness and sweetness

Finish

Slightly spicy finish, with the fruitiness and sweetness showing more and more

Open Whisky Page