The Whisky Club

Easy, smooth drinking, I have a dram before bed to relax

Super drop of whisky, should have purchased a double up.

I’m giving it a 5 star in anticipation. I’ve been saving all my whiskies from you for my daughter’s wedding. Also to stuff things up my arthritis medication is stopping me drinking alcohol . Hopefully not for long. Hence why I put my subscription on ice on and off. Hope you understand.

The Whisky Club really is something special. The chance to grab a 40 year old whisky at a price that feels remotely reasonable is pretty mind blowing. Experiences like this are why I stay subscribed. That said, while the Girvan 40 Year Old was undeniably good, it did not quite reach the heights I had built up in my head. That is probably on me. I… Read more

tend to lean heavily toward sherry and port cask finishes, and The Whisky Club has been absolutely spoiling us in that department lately. I think I was hoping this would be one of those once in a lifetime, unforgettable pours.

I was lucky enough to pick up two out of the three releases, the “Fruity” and the “Oaky" bottles. Both leaned strongly into citrus, sea spray, seaweed, and a salty, slightly punchy alcohol presence. Classic ex-bourbon barrel territory, really. What I personally missed was that buttery, caramel, banana pudding sweetness that I gravitate toward. Instead, these offered more citrus zest, coastal salinity, and a touch of umami character. Of the two, the “Oaky” expression was easily my favourite. I suspected that might be the case going in, and it delivered a bit more depth and structure for my palate. Still, I think a part of me was quietly hoping that 40 years in the cask would have produced something a little more unexpected or transformative. To be clear, both bottles are very drinkable and genuinely unique within my collection. There is something undeniably special about pouring a dram that has been resting for four decades. Were they worth the price? For the experience alone, absolutely. Would I buy them again? Probably not. At even half this price point there are some truly outstanding whiskies available (even from the whisky club), even if they do not carry that impressive age statement.

The results can be varied with Whisky Club releases. I can only imagine the difficulties that can exist between negotiation, procurement, and distribution to a large cohort trying to get consistency. The latest offering, the 2012 Bushmills, is a… Read more

simple and middling expression. Disappointing given it is the christmas release. The initial nose is malt heavy with some subtle other notes reminiscent of Christmas spices, with a dusty note as well. After necking the bottle and giving some time to breath, re-engaging with the liquid there a more pronounced marmalade note, but some very bright alcohol notes too.

Initial palate had marmalade, sweetness as a general flavour, like hard candy without other flavours, medium length finish. Revisiting with a dram after air for a week yielded similar notes as were there in the original. Maybe a bit more spice, definitely more white pepper.

I wish it was more. If you like light cask influence and a spicy, malt forward, drop, this is going to hit well. If you wanted more cask influence to tickle the Christmas notes of classic bottles from previous releases (that are more than likely impossible to reproduce) then you will be left lacking. Easy enough to drink, just not great enough for me when Cut Hill Wall, MVD, Iniquity, and a ton of other local players are producing barrels of far superior flavours with little price difference.

I was a bit surprised to find the Lakes was an English distillery as it wasn’t recognisable from the Club advert. If it had been clear I would probably have opted out. I’m glad I didn’t. It is a most enjoyable dram Show details

An initial hit of pepper on the nose and then a nice warm malt aroma, on the palate straight up I get spice, then hints of stem ginger cookies with that maltiness from the nose coming through on the palate before a chocolate hit. But not milk or dark chocolate for me, I get more of a Caramac chocolate with hints of fudge and condensed milk, giving way to mild fruits something between white grape and pear. Show reply

I'm rusted on to Waubs now - rusted on to Waubs now. (sorry to repeat myself. The online review had a minimum of 10 words. The algorithm obviously hasn't read Nietzsche - “It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.” In my case 10 words. But I digress. Sorry for the long review.

what is not to like? monthly deliveries of whiskey, straight to my door i feel it to be a bit unfair to review a whiskey, especially if it was a limited release... sucks for you, you missed out!! smooth smootherer with a dash of water actual chocolate on the back of your palate Show details

I knew it was a winner the moment it was promoted so I ordered and received 6 bottles. I will wait until a very special occasion arises before I dare open one of these gems..

one of the most pleasant whisky's I have received from the club. so totally impressed with its smooth silky taste , my only regret is only getting one , my bad. there will be time to learn from my mistake

Think it's very nice. Heck, I doubled up on this one. That said, it's been my third fav. That's how good the club's been doing in finding some real performers. The chocolate was quite subtle, perhaps understated. Still it's a great one, and given I've got two, I'm sure it'll grow on me.