Year 2016 highlights!

Let's establish the tradition to tamp the results of each year and name TOP-5 in 3 categories. 

The best contemporary malts I've tried this year (bottled 2010 and later):

1. Fettercairn 35 yo bottled for UWCC 53.5% - crazy cask that made it all, 95/100!

2. Highland Park 25 yo 48.1% - just my type of whisky, 94/100!

3. Glen Grant 60 yo 1952/2012 G&M 40% - one of the best noses of this year, 93/100!

4. Highland Park 30 yo 48.1% - never could go wrong with this one, 93/100!

5. Brora 30 yo 9-th release 54.3% - perfect Highland malt, 93/100!

6. Talisker 35 yo 1977/2012 54.6% - unexpectedly fruity, 93/100!

P.S. There are 6 malts instead of 5 as I can't exlude any of them with 93/100 mark. 

The best older malts I've tried this year (bottled before 2010):

1. Port Ellen 6-th release 1978/2006 54.3% -  already a legend, no more words, 94/100!

2. Tomatin 40 yo 1967/2007 42.9% - beatiful example of old Highland style, 94/100!

3. Tobermory 32 yo 1972/2005 49.5% - smoked pear and tremendous sherry, 94/100!

4. Glenfarclas 21 yo 51.5% (bottled in 1974) - great antique bottling, 93/100!

5. Miltonduff 14 yo Pluscarden Valley 57.4% - fresh & sweet oldie from 80-s, 91/100!

The best standard malts I've tried this year (widely available and below EUR 100):

1. Ardbeg Uigeadail 54.2% - last batch I've tried scored 87, but previous one was 90/100!
2. Laphroaig CS batch #008 59.2% - still can be found under EUR 100, 89/100!
3. Highland Park 18 yo 43% - kind of benchmark for me, 89/100!
4. Kilkerran 12 yo 46% - great start for Springbank sister, 88/100!
5. Springbank 12 yo CS batch 13 56.3% - things go better and better, 88/100!

Of course that is my humble and subjective opinion based on my taste solely :) Actually what does really matter is not ranking but the fact that all aforementioned malts are extremely tasty!