2025 Whisky Show – Decadent Drinks Day 1 + 2

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Carissa Hickling

You can’t do a brief zip through Decadent Drinks. We’ve probably spent more time collectively at this stall over the last two years than any other. Our 2025 London Whisky Show experience was no exception.

Bright and early Saturday morning, we went straight from waiting in line to upstairs and the Decadent Drinks stall. Our quest? A morning dram to prime the pumps before indulging in a Dream Dram. Our choice? A rather worthy Machnomore from their Equinox & Solstice line.

Mannochmore 15 year (2009 / Autumn 2025) 48.5% (Decadent Drinks – Equinox & Solstice)

Nose – A joyful sunshine greeted us on the nose! Fruity and flirty, warm and waxy
Palate – A bit spicy yet equally dangerously drinkable – simply delicious! No extra hype, just a beautiful, well-balanced dram that welcomes you – any time of day!
Finish – Sweet and sinful

For the 1st dram of the day at approximately 11:30am, this absolutely hit the spot! It would be perfect for late summer as the evenings begin to chill or fall – as intended. Either way, we were delighted with our first choice of the 2025 event.

Here’s what they have to say about it!

This year’s Autumn edition of Equinox & Solstice is a small batch, 15 year old Mannochmore created from marrying together two refill hogsheads and bottling with slight reduction at this serie’s trademark bottling strength of 48.5%. It’s a waxy, fruity, warming and luscious dram. Perfect cosy accompaniment for Autumn.

We then returned to explore their non-dream dram expressions with :

Just check out the separate post on them!

Were we done? Nope! We were back the next day for our Dream Drams – a double header pitting Glen Grants from our birth years – a 25 year old exclusive for the USA from 1961 and a 39 year old from 1969. Spoiler alert – the earlier yet younger expression won hands down!

Angus and team are doing a stellar job. They are committed to bringing quality drams to our palates.

“I’m bored of complexity. I just chose what I like!”

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Glen Grant Arboralis in Mumbai

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Carissa Hickling

It was a bit of a dichotomy: A whisky being launched in India to attract a younger crowd was the focus of an evening entertaining folks in their 50s and 60s! And yet, it was a lovely setting at Mumbai’s Breech Candy Club – even if its Arabian Sea view is now interrupted by highways and highrises.

The young lass introducing the whisky was clearly more familiar with Campari than single malt whisky, however, she made a valiant effort. Meghna explained that Arboralis was aged a minimum of 5-6 years, created to be youthful and accessible. What wasn’t said, yet was clearly key, is affordability, with a 750 ml bottle retailing for Rs 3,750 in Mumbai. (For those scratching their heads about the amount – currently this is Eur 35 / USD 40.)

What did we think?

Glen Grant Arboralis 40%

Nose: Fresh, fruity, floral, vanilla, light nuttiness, effervescent yet sweet
Palate: Young, lots of pepper, bitter leaves – tobacco?
Finish: Black pepper

Overall, we found it rather straightforward and inoffensive. Whilst the greeting is friendly with a fruity flavour, there isn’t much on the palate, and the finish dashes off.

To be honest, it was a bit disappointing. I wondered how it compares with the even more affordable Glen Grant The Major’s Reserve 40%?

What more do we know? Glen Grant Arboralis is aged in ex-Bourbon and Spanish Sherry oak casks. With their official tasting notes sharing:

Colour: Bright Gold
Aroma: Floral and fruity, dried raisins, honeysuckle, lemon citrus
Taste: Oak, butterscotch, dried fruits, and light spice
Finish: Long with malty vanilla, pear, and hints of citrus

Whilst we didn’t fundamentally disagree with their tasting notes, we certainly didn’t find the finish long. And it certainly didn’t linger long enough to discern pear and citrus!

In fairness, we were not the target audience. Amongst us was a former Brand Ambassador for venerable Scottish whisky brands, connaisseurs, and collectors. Our silver hair was out of synch with the desired market.

And yet, we couldn’t complain about the company, the nibbles, the cigars, the pleasure of being outdoors for a pleasant evening in Mumbai!

Let’s face it. We are spoiled. At London’s 2025 Whisky Show, we were treated to such a remarkable range of whiskies that this experience fell short. Rather than grouch, I’ll leave you instead with a cheeky teaser of what could have been a fabulous evening!

Check out the Glen Grant Whisky Flight – Part 1

Which was followed by more mature expressions in the Glen Grant Whisky Flight – Part 2

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The Heart Cut #18 – Thomson Manuka Smoke 50.8%

Posted on March 1, 2026 by Carissa Hickling

A KIWI BONFIRE ON THE BEACH, IN A BOTTLE.

Sometimes a description draws you in… and this was clearly the case here. I’ll admit, I’m a bit partial to Thomson whisky. Rachael and Matthew Thomson have created a distinctly New Zealand set of expressions well worth exploring. To find out more, check out what the folks at The Heart Cut have to say about Thomson Distillery HERE.

What makes their “peat” so unique is their use of New Zealand manuka smoke – distinctly different from Scottish peat, yet satisfies a true peaty craving.

The Heart Cut #18 – Thomson 5 year (07 Aug 2019 – 25 Mar 2025) Ex-Bourbon 50.8% 270 50 cl Bottles

Nose – Mmmmmmm bacon, charred pineapple, a lovely peat-like sweet, a medicinal whiff, then a wonderful aromatic hickory smoke, followed by chocolate raisins, something a bit herbal with a hint of floral
Palate – A great interplay between sweet baked fruits and smoke – in perfect balance! Juicy, chewy, smooth, and well-balanced, resinous, with sweet spices of cinnamon and cloves, joined by some sauna salt
Finish – Long-lasting with that lovely hickory-like element

There was real substance here. A unique character that drew us back.

When I revisited it with another friend, it was even more of a hit. We really liked it – with a nice complexity, just a little bit different with each sip.

Alas, our pocket pour was gone too soon… we could have continued to sip and enjoy.

How did our experience compare with The Heart Cut couple? They shared it tastes like:

Thick, aromatic smoke rises first – charred wood, pine resin, and a balsamic note that drifts towards mesquite and sweet birch. Beneath, the fruit opens: pineapple chews, sherbet lemons, and a twist of citrus. On the palate, smoke rolls again, joined by barley sugar and a juicy hit of nectarine and overripe peach. The finish is long, layered, and balanced – sweetness entwined with lingering manuka wood smoke.

Key Takeouts: Charred Wood, Pineapple Chews, Sherbet Lemons, Barley Sugar, Nectarines

The Heart Cut Thomson

The folks at The Heart Cut shared that this whisky made the cut because

This is smoky whisky – but not as you know it. Instead of Scottish peat, Thomson uses native manuka wood (yes, the same tree better known for its honey) to smoke their malt, creating a flavour absolutely unique to New Zealand and a technique that Mat Thomson himself created! The result is oily, herbal, peppery, and deeply resinous, with layers of smoke that linger on. Just as smoke became one of Scotland’s hallmarks, manuka has become one of New Zealand’s – captured here in a single cask, giving us only 270 bottles. Ever.

We would agree on all counts! This is a special dram worth catching if you can!

Curious about the other Pocket Pours we sampled?