Whisky of the Year 2023.

Here we are again!
Whisky of the year has been a tricky one in 2023, not through a lack of quality, but through rediscovering classics and forgotten gems in the industry, as well traversing new whiskies that are here for the long run!
You'll have to check out the full video to see what has taken that number one spot. Here's to 2024 and everything it will bring! Cheers!
#whisky #whiskey #whiskyoftheyear #2023 #scotch #scottishwhisky #caskstrength #naturalcolour #nonchillfiltered #manchester #scotland #classics #newwhisky #oldwhisky #hashtag #thisiswhiskywednesday #whiskywednesday

[@barryfrombarnsley2790]

Happy new year

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Happy new year!

[@JohnsDrams]

Loving the love for Glen Garioch! I got to try a distillery hand fill at my local - socks truly knocked off!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

They're the best as it.

[@jbar6284]

Thank you for your honest, analytical, thought-provoking reviews, Phil. All the best for 2024.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

My pleasure, you too!

[@andynelson5864]

Always glad to see big peat taking top honors! Batch 15--very much enjoying it. On Saturday I was ready to buy Batch 16 (I understand it's right up there with 15) but made a last-minute swtch and picked up a Douglas Laing single cask Laphroaig 10 yo at 53.4% ABV. Same price as the 16 (well, kinda: it's a 700mL bottle ather than a 750). Super-pale in color! Delicious neck pour. Am excited to see how this one responds to more time and air in the bottle--will do an A/B comparison between it and Batch 15 this weekend. As for my favorites: the Ardnamurchan A/D 02.22 cask strength was a stunner (I bought it in early '23) and was "whisky heaven" material! I'm currently very much digging the 05.23. Superb stuff! Perhaps the one that's blown me away even more (is that possible?) was the Kilkerran HP Batch 6, which was in my life from late '22 through mid- '23; I milked it as long as possible. Right now, I'm loving Batch 7, which also hits all the right notes. Rugged and elegant, complex and funky, big and rich...just so damn satisfying!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Love this comment, so much enthusiasm and detail. Ardnamurchan is god.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Just about everything you mentioned was great for me too

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Excellent news!

[@AlinJapan]

Thanks Phil for your reviews! Glen Garioch was one of the first whiskies I tried at the recommendation of a clerk in charge of the tiny whisky section in a large chain grocery store in Japan. It was a lone, dusty bottle that had not sold and wasn't even marked with a price. The clerk gave it to me for about $30 just because I asked about it. I was amazed at the complexity and range of flavors and aromas. This is a good reminder to stock up!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Absolutely! What a cool story, too!

[@tonyflynn3822]

Cheers Phil! For me, the Torabhaig Alt Gleann. Picked it up last February in Dublin and the last of the bottle has gone to the back of the press. Won’t finish until I can replace it! 👌🏻

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Top 5 of the year for me. Great liquid.

[@pauloalex975]

Glen Garioch 17 year old Renaissance chapter 3. 50.8% non chillfiltered. $140 CAD tx incl. Fantastic whisky at an unbelievable price 👌

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Nearly bought all of these at auction...still might. Chapter 1 was insanely good.

[@listenu]

I find the loch lomond 14 very similar to tobermory 12. And i love them both. Happy new year!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Both are delicious!! Happy New Year!

[@davidowen2834]

Out of the one’s I opened in 2023 my pick would have to be AnConc 18, Benromach CS and kilkerran 12. Totally agree on the Laphraiog 10 CS. Looks like Loch Lomond 14 is going on my list as well. Slàinte Phil and all the best for 2024.🥃

[@WhiskyWednesday]

You too, David!

[@Rohit_M]

Excellent list of top whiskies of 2023 Phil. I would go with Tobermory 12 which was a pleasant surprise for me. I am down half way through Laphroaig CS batch 13 and although it's good, it has not moved me in either direction. I do have batch 14 & 15 stashed away so time will tell. I secured a couple of bottles of Glengarioch 12 in 2023 so I am excited to try it in 2024. Thanks for great reviews in 2023 Phil. A Happy New Year and all the best in 2024!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

I've got 20cl of Batch 13 left somewhere...must find that. The Tobermory was such a shock, I knew it was nice, but the complexity of it blew me away. A Happy New Years to you, too!

[@russell3733]

Happy New Year, Phil, and many thanks for all the great reviews throughout the year. Much appreciated. Great to see the Glen Garioch get the love and praise it deserves - that's a popular choice with me. As is the Laphroaig CS in any of its last three iterations. Gorgeous stuff and, as you said, humanely priced. On the budget side of the ledger, I'd say Craigellachie 13 deserves a positive mention. As does the always delicious Ledaig 10. Regarding high-end drams, I really loved the Longrow Red Tawny Port Cask Matured. It was bottled in 2022 but I didn't get to try it until 2023 - and I immediately fell in love with it. Dirty - in the style of Ledaig - but with the beauty of roasted nuts and rich dried fruits that an active tawny port cask can offer. Looking forward to many more of your reviews in 2024! Cheers

[@WhiskyWednesday]

That Longrow sounds fun! It's been so long since I've had Craigellachie 13YO. Ledaig 10 is always a winner.

[@barryfrombarnsley2790]

Few of my favourites this year: Lochlea cask strength #1, Glenwyvis 2018, Arran 18, Kilkerran 8 ex-bourbon (late ‘22), Ledaig 18, Laphroaig Càirdeas (port), all of the Laggs I tried, Glencadam 15 (standard release), a cheapie Linkwood master of malt bottling that Vin recommended was a low key summer banger, and might p some people off but the 2023 Springbank 10 and 15, and a cask strength Longrow from the demijohn at the distillery shop that was absolutely mindblowingly luxurious.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

All fabulous whiskies!

[@domanz1]

Mine is Kilchoman Sanaig, it blew me away from the first pour onward. It made me not feel sad anymore about Lagavulin 16 pricing. Who needs Lagavulin 16 for close to 100 bucks if you can get sanaig for 50?

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Truer words have never been spoken. Sanaig is excellent!

[@heisenbergguy7772]

My whisky of the year is Loch Lomond 12!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Great whisky!

[@NoteworthyWhisky]

Great list! I always enjoy your reviews. With Laphroaig, have you noticed they tend to maybe not flatten out after being open, but lose some peat? Cheers!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

I'll keep an eye on that and see if it happens to my bottles.

[@adrodog17]

Great picks, I also love the profile and value of Glen garioch 12 and it seems to be getting more credit recently. My favourite whiskies I’ve had this year are the ancoc 24 which was obscenely discounted online earlier this year and is beautiful, Clynelish 14 which I’m loving more every time I drink it and also a cask strength powers John lane which is so rich and delicious

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Fabulous choices all around!

[@gareth630]

All the best Phil ,Ardanamurchan AD/09.22 cask strength was a belter but I've fallen in love with that anCnoc 18, hid it away today for later in the year. Big fan of the Glen Garioch 12, that Thompson Bros SRV5 is great value 👍👍👍

[@WhiskyWednesday]

AnCnoc 18 is a big hitter for last year! Ardnamurchan is godly.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Laphroaig 10 CS is always, always delicious but I tend not get the full bottle as I find it goes flat real quick once opened. I only open a Laphroaig with friends and if I know we will finish it soon. I did not like the Cairdeas white port at all for some reason but I will try every Laphroaig release I can find as I love the distillery. Thanks for a great 2023 and roll on an even better 2024, cheers 🥃

[@WhiskyWednesday]

You're the second person to say this to me now. I'll have to investigate this.

[@thosho]

Phil, thank you for another great year of top-quality reviews. My whisky this year without a double was the Glen Garioch 12 as I’m also a huge fan of the profile and it just seems to be getting better. Excellent cost-performance to boot. Looking forward to forward to seeing if I can find the L10CS2021. Happy New Year!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Happy New Year!

[@justwhisky]

Sounds like our pallets are in alignment. Agree wholeheartedly with most of your picks. Cheers 🥃

[@WhiskyWednesday]

How wonderful!

[@ItalNico]

Thank you for sharing! My two favorites of 2023 were Ledaig 9 yr Bordeaux matured and Kilkerran 8 yr Port matured. Both amazing drams that I greatly enjoyed and were gateways to purchasing and exploring similar Port and wine matured malts.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

That Ledaig really interested me, but it came out when I was low on funds. Happy to hear it was good!

[@heisenbergguy7772]

I’ve got 10 bottles of Glengarioch 12 on hand.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

My guy!

[@IanCockcroft]

I think that my favourites this year have been the Bunna Canasta, the whisky shop Glen Allachie and for peated whisky the Lagg Sherry release was surpisingly good IMO. Happy new year

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Lagg Sherry was insane, TWS Glenallachie was also a belter!

[@sandymacdonald8485]

Benromach Polish Cask is a superb whisky

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Haven't got that one yet. Picked up one of the dried oak bottles in Glasgow last year, yet to be opened.

[@NZDave]

I used that Laphroaig as the base for my own PX finish in a 3L oak cask, its a great dram but my whisky of the year has to be the Ardnamurchan Madeira Cask, utterly moreish

[@WhiskyWednesday]

I missed out on that one! Really wanted to buy it, but I waited too long.

[@provablegrub4581]

I know this was from a few days ago but I was hoping you could help me decide between the Drumshanbo Single Pot Still and the Dingle Single Malt. Which of the two would you recommend? I’ve watched your reviews about them and you seem positive about both of them, so if you could weigh in I’d be really grateful. Cheers!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Of the two, they're equal in most areas. The Dingle has bigger cask influences, the Drumshambo is a little more interesting...I'd go Drumshambo for a first purchase of the two!

[@Raymaster7482]

I recently stumbled upon an old Glen Garioch Sherry cask 1999 - 2013 for 60€ :-) - have you ever tried one? I haven't opened my bottle yet ^^ As far as best whiskies of 2023... puhh... good question. A few bottles are coming to my mind like the 2023 Springbank 18, Cadenhead's Enigma Islay, a lovely 16yo Ledaig matured in a very fruity PX cask that was bottled for a German whisky fair, a 13yo Port Charlotte distillery exclusive/self-fill matured in a Syrah cask, the 15yo Lagavulin Jazz Festival 2023,...

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Those all sound very fun. I think I know the bottle you're talking about, I had the '95 vintage and it was delicious.

[@AN-om5to]

My whisky of the year would have to be the Torabhaig followed closely by Laphroaig Cairdeas

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Stunning selections.

[@heisenbergguy7772]

Laphroaig Cask Strength, I’ve never seen in liquor stores where I am.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

That's a real shame!

[@josephjvr6509]

Thanks for the content Phil. Really enjoying your thoughtful style of reviews. Quick question... im traditionally partial to non peated whisky, but have been trying to broaden my horizons in terms of peated whisky. I have fallen in love with Ardnamurchan AD and Talisker 10. I bought a bottle of Ledaig 10 to see how I fare with a more fully peated dram, and i found it a bit much for now. I have no doubt its something I have to become acquainted with, and I can see how Ledaig would be delicious eventually. Where would you recommend I take myself from Ardnamruchan AD and Talisker 10 in terms of other great, but lighter peated drams? Would Caol Ila 12 be something along the same peated lines as talisker? Any advice would be really appreciated.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

You're in good waters here, Ardnamurchan and Talisker are great building blocks/jumping off points. Caol Ila would be a step up from in peat levels from Talisker and Ardnamurchan, I'd see if you can buy a sample of it from somewhere. I'd recommend these when you need to replace a bottle: - Benromach 10YO - Inchmoan 12YO (Loch Lomond) - Glenturret 10 Peat Smoke - BenRiach Smoky 10/12 - Clynelish 14....less smoke but it's still there!

[@31446963048]

I've only seen this a few times and not recently. Made my best and worst purchases within a week for 2023. Best was I found a bottle of Tobermory 12 $25 cheaper than market, cheaper than Ledaigh. Also bought a bottle of 16 tomintoul for almost 60 more than what I should have paid for it. Impulse uniformed purchase. 40ABV. Should be a law about that. Anyway need some bourbon advice. A buddy in Oxford unexpectedly sent me a nice present. Very gracious. What bourbons do you not get over there that if it came in the mail as a surprise would be nice? He's not a bourbon drinker but he could be a hit with his mates or use it in trade is the way I look at it. Is there anything you don't get over there that would be a hit?

[@WhiskyWednesday]

This list should do nicely! Weller 12YO Weller 107 Smaller distilleries, anything fun. Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel. Michters Toasted Barrel.

[@_laimigais_3336]

From all I have tried in 2023: Linkwood 15 GM 43% ABV WB88300 Ardbeg BizzareBQ WB228999 Glenturret 2006 GM Connoisseurs Choice WB218900

[@WhiskyWednesday]

How was the Ardbeg? I just ignore them now.

[@drdaddy69]

Hey Phil, Happy new Year! Add me to the 100 day cough club. This year, I have bought over and over again: GlenAllachie 12&15, Nikka from the barrel, Jura Journey, Black Bull 12, and RedBreast Cask strength. Nothing fancy but solid drams. :)

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Solid indeed! You don't need fancy; you just need what works.

[@Bonzodogdick]

I have a batch 15 CS that I haven't opened yet, but for me, my WOTY is without doubt the utterly delicious Laphroaig 10 Sherry Oak, Happy new year 👍

[@WhiskyWednesday]

That Laphroaig Sherry Cask. Still a staple on my shelf.

[@TimHoekstra]

Happy new year

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Happy new year!