Tasting Lab
Welcome to the Whisky Scholar Tasting Lab!
Each week, we’ll breakdown the full profile of a dram. From the basics like nose, palate, and finish to the chemical compounds contributing to each flavour, we’ll also give you the distillery info and context that’ll help you to taste like a pro.
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Tasting lab dram: WS Distillery 2025
Whisky name: WS Exclusive
Distillery: Whisky Scholar Distillery
Region: Kent, England
Age / Release: Special Release
ABV: 53%
Price range: £80
Hot take:
This special release that is totally made up and not at all real is a spectacular dram to enjoy in a summer’s eve…even better with a dog at your feet as the sun sets.
Tasting Notes + Scoring Grid
Flavour chemistry breakdown
Production notes
Fermented for 96 hours to coax out bright, fruity esters. Distilled in tall, onion-shaped copper stills that encourage a lighter, floral spirit. Matured in a mix of first-fill bourbon barrels and a touch of Pedro Ximénez sherry cask for richness. Bottled at a hearty 53% ABV without chill-filtration to preserve texture.
Context + commentary
This whisky feels like a conversation between English garden fruits and Spanish dessert wines. Think pear drops and apple blossom upfront, followed by a darker wave of raisin and treacle from the PX. It contrasts beautifully with traditional Speyside drams (lighter, honey-forward) by leaning into a juicier, bolder profile.
Food pairing: grilled peaches with honey, or a slice of sticky toffee pudding.
Companion dram: try alongside an Aberlour A’bunadh to compare how different cask balances shape high-ABV whiskies.
Cultural note: As an “English” whisky, it nods cheekily to Kent’s orchard heritage while borrowing heavily from Scottish distilling tradition — a nice bit of liquid hybridity.
Score / Verdict
Score: 90/100
Verdict: Lush, orchard-bright, with a decadent PX flourish. A dram for storytellers and sunset-watchers alike.