2025 has flown by so fast, and already we’re all making lists and concluding the year’s top flavors. To me, as a smoke and peat lover, this year has been characterized by completely different notes of what I am used to. To me, a whisky that’s memorable enough to make it to the top year’s list is one that made me surprised, by favors, by nose. Here are the top expressions that made a strong impression and changed my palate:
Caol Ila 11
One of the standout surprises is the Caol Ila Unpeated 11 from the Diageo Special Releases series. Now, I usually love a good peated whisky – the kind that’s got that medicinal, marine, iodine-like hit you get from Laphroaig or Lagavulin. Caol Ila’s bonfire smoky profile leans more earthy, which isn’t always my go-to. But this unpeated 11-year-old is a revelation! It’s got layers upon layers: savory, sweet, and almost like enjoying a well-charred ribeye steak with a drizzle of chimichurri. It’s chewy, luscious, and full-bodied, coming in at around 55.4% ABV.
Glen Garioch 14
Next on my list is the Glen Garioch 14 from Hunter Laing’s Old Malt Cask – one you won’t often find on standard U.S. shelves. I got it through my teacher and mentor Dr. Ishai Kleiman, AKA Doc Whisky, who imports the line. Glen Garioch is part of the Beam Suntory family and tends to pop up more via independent bottlers. Now, I usually lean into heavy, meaty, smoky, peated whiskies as mentioned above, and again this year trends high on lighter, more elegant expressions, such as this one. Elegant, buttery, and lemon-zesty dram. If I had to paint a picture, it’s like sipping something that dances between bright citrus – think lemon, maybe a hint of orange zest – and a bouquet of gentle white flowers, like lilies. It’s super chill, super refined, and has this buttery, almost creamy texture. It’s a whole different world from the smoky beasts I usually gravitate toward, but it’s absolutely worth the mention for how unique and elegant it is.
Clynelish 12
Next is the Clynelish 12, a beautiful single cask from Single Cask Nation . This one was actually introduced to our club by Joshua Hatton this past June, and it was a standout from the moment it was poured. Clynelish has this signature waxy texture that’s almost like a trademark. What I loved about this dram was how it layered its flavors in a way that kept surprising me. A bit like the Caol Ila Unpeated 11, it walked that line between savory, sweet, and a touch of salty umami. It’s a little more on the salty side, with just a subtle sweetness underneath, and that made it a really unique and memorable pour.
Woven Honor 18
Next – Woven Honour is a lovely 18-year-old single malt from Linkwood Distillery, and it comes in at about 46.3% ABV. It’s part of the Orphan Barrel series by Diageo, and it has this elegant profile with grassy, floral notes, a bit of green apple, lemon zest, vanilla, and honeycomb. So it’s got a really fresh, light, and silky character that definitely makes it stand out
Laphroaig 36
A year top bottles cannot be complete without a Laphroaig. Laphroaig 36-year-old from this special series is indeed a very limited edition release, only about 200 bottles are out there. It’s part of what they call “The Wall Collection,” and the label artwork is done by an artist inspired by the traditional white-and-black painted walls of Islay. It’s got fruity and sweet tasting notes, like passionfruit and orange peel, with a smooth and peaty finish. Basically, it’s a rare and beautifully crafted bottle that’s a real honor to taste.
Oban 15
Moving on, let’s talk about the Oban 15, a U.S. limited release that really encapsulates the Oban profile , with a sweet kick. This 15-year-old is finished in a combination of port and Oloroso casks, giving it that wonderful blend of light smoke, dried fruits, and a touch of sweet richness, but not too overwhelming. You get those notes of grapes, prunes, and baked fruits that make it a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle smoke. It’s definitely a highlight for anyone who loves a refined and mature Oban expression. Bottled at about 55.3% ABV. It’s matured first for over ten years in refill casks and then finished for about four years in a combination of Oloroso and Palo Cortado sherry casks. That gives it a lovely mix of dried fruit, vanilla, and a hint of maritime salt
Blair Athol 10
Finally, we have the Blair Athol 10 from Hunter Laing’s Old Cask Malt series. This one sits in that same elegant space as the Glen Garioch and the Woven Honour. It’s got a very clear, gentle character with sweet, buttery notes on the nose. But what makes it truly special is that surprise of savory spice – think cumin rather than cinnamon – that mingles with the sweetness and lightness.
As the year winds down, these drams stand out not just for their flavor, but for the way they challenged my expectations and expanded what I thought I loved. Whisky has a way of surprising us when we least expect it, and 2025 delivered those moments in spades. Here’s to another year of discovery, one unforgettable pour at a time.
