The following whiskies are the produce of distilleries that go against the age statement grain, having released either NAS and/or relatively young or fast-aged products to acclaim.
Aberlour a’bunadh (abv changes with every batch) Aberlour Distillery (Chivas Bros–Pernod Ricard, Speyside). Sherry monster – cask strength. Cult following all of its own.
Ardbeg Uigeadail (54.2%) Ardberg Distillery (Glenmorangie Group, Islay). When speaking of monsters, this one’s peated and in the frontline.
Ardmore Traditional Cask (46%) Ardmore Distillery (Beam Suntory, Highlands). Partially matured in quarter (125 litre/27 gallon) casks.
Balcones True Blue (100 proof/50%) Balcones Distillery (Balcones Distilling, Texas). Whisky either wholly or partially matured in small casks.
Dalmore Cigar Malt (44%) Dalmore Distillery (Whyte & Mackay, Highlands). Proper mouth filler. Book in last thing.
Glenmorangie Signet (46%) Glenmorangie Distillery (Glenmorangie Group, Highlands). Expensive but mainstream classic.
Hakushu Single Malt Distiller’s Reserve (43%) Hakushu Distillery (Suntory). Young and great.
Laphroaig Quarter Cask (48%) Laphroaig Distillery (Beam Suntory, Islay). 5-year-old whisky part matured in a quarter cask.
Lark Distillers Selection (46%) Lark Distillery (Lark, Australia). Single 100 litre cask whisky.
Mackmyra First Edition (46.1%) Mackmyra Distillery (Mackmyra Svensk Whisky, Sweden). Greater proportion made in 100 litre Swedish oak casks.
Octave and Quarter Cask Range (46.1%) Limited runs of different unofficial whiskies by independent bottler Duncan Taylor, Scotland. Whiskies all finished in octave (45 litre/10 gallon) or quarter casks. Some very reasonably priced.
Old Hobart Overeem Port Matured (43%) Old Hobart Distillery (Old Hobart, Tasmania). This and anything else by Casey Overeem, all matured in small casks.
Taketsuru Pure Malt (43%). Miyagikyo Distillery (Nikka). A wonderful blended malt.
Talisker 57° North (57%) Talisker Distillery (Diageo, Islands). Wonderful.