Goddammit, it’s been almost a year since our first quasi-lockdown began. Looking back at the March 1, 2020 edition of this post I can scarcely believe that it shows no awareness of what was coming. It had been more than two months since the actual beginning of the pandemic and we still didn’t have any clear sense in the US of what was about to come down the pike. I celebrated my 50th birthday belatedly at the end of the first week of March last year. It was a big all-day potluck at our house and for most of the attendees it was the last party we were at in the last year. How many more months of this do we have to endure? I hope not very many. My first pandemic takeout report was posted on March 31, 2020 and my review of my last meal eaten in a restaurant was posted on March 10. Well, I’m not going to have any in-person dining reports this March or anytime soon thereafter. I will have what has become the usual complement of takeout reports. And also the usual complement of booze reviews and the weekly recipe post (see here for the likely schedule). Oh yes, the blog turns 8 towards the end of the month as well. Send expensive gifts.

Here is this month’s long list of potential whisky reviews. I’ll go through a few more of the K&L exclusive casks this month—which ones may be up to you if you are more interested in some than others. As for the rest, I’m tempted to do another peat-heavy run. Let me know if there are particular peated whiskies that catch your eye—or unpeated ones for that matter. On the blog’s anniversary I’ll have the customary Bowmore review; so that one is set in stone.

1. Ambassador 25 yo, Blend
2. Balvenie/John McRae 28, 1991 (Hepburn’s Choice for K&L)
3. Ben Nevis 20, 1997 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
4. Ben Nevis 20, 1997 (Exclusive Malts)
5. Ben Nevis 23, 1996 (First Editions)
6. Bowmore 15, 2004 (SMWS for Feis Ile 2020)
7. Caol Ila 11, 2008 (The Whisky Jury)
8. Caol Ila 11, 2008 (James Eadie)
9. Caol Ila 2004-2020 (Gordon & MacPhail)
10. Caol Ila 16, Feis Ile 2020
11. Caol Ila 25, 2019 Release
12. Dalhwhinnie 15
13. Dalmore/Cromarty’s Firth 13, 2007 (Hepburn’s Choice for K&L)
14. Glen Grant 24, 1995 (Signatory for the Nectar)
15. Glenburgie 14, 1997, Cask Strength Edition
16. Glengoyne 11 (Old Particular for K&L)
17. Glenfiddich “Fire & Cane”
18. Glendronach 18, 1994 (PX Puncheon for the UK)
19. Glenmorangie 16, 1993 (SMWS)
20. Highland Park 17, 2002 (SMWS)
21. Kilchoman 8, 100% Islay, Single Sherry Cask
22. Lagavulin 12 CS, 2018 Release
23. Lagavulin 12 CS, 2019 Release
24. Lagavulin 12 CS, 2020 Release
25. Laphroaig Triple Wood, 2009 Release
26. Laphroaig/Williamson 8, 2012 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)
27. Laphroaig 14, 1998 (Signatory for Binny’s)
28. Linkwood 9, 2010 (Old Particular for K&L)
29. Longrow 17, 2002 (Fresh Sherry Hogshead for the Nectar)
30. Springbank 10 Local Barley, 2019 Release
31. Tamdhu 26, 1984 (WWW forum bottling)
32. Tomatin 23, 1976 (Old Malt Cask)