Ben Nevis 28 yo Macbeth A Whisky Collection The Thanes Series Ross

 

 

 

50,4°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

Refill Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

To embody the character of Ross, who plays a relatively important role in Macbeth, what could be better than a Ben Nevis? The aim is to find a whisky that matches each of the characters in Shakespeare's tragedy. It's an idea from Livingstone, an independent whisky company, but to accomplish this crazy project, they are getting help from Elixir Distillers, which has the necessary resources. The illustrations are the work of Sir Quentin Blake. This Ben Nevis is the result of a blend of Refill Hogsheads, which yielded 850 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It starts off as herbal and ends up being floral. At first, sage and thyme, but also evanescent fruits, mirabelle plums, mandarins, white peaches, banana, with some salty, even mineral, fuzzy notes. At the end, sweet floral scents that tend towards vanilla, jasmine, mimosa, and even chlorophyll. On the palate, it is robust and intense, spicy, with slivered almonds, grapefruit, ginger, red apples, nutmeg and cloves. Still-warm caramel, brioche. The finish is long, explosive, slightly smoky and earthy, roasted chestnuts and still plant-based, bay leaves, lush grass, delicate woodiness, a hint of peppermint.

 

In Short, 

An excellent Ben Nevis, albeit somewhat atypical, very fruity and spicy despite its simple maturation. The nose is magnificent, the rest is very solid, and in keeping with this ever-impressive distillery. It seems that brewer's yeast was used for fermentation, which was very long. It would partly explain the exceptional quality of this distillate. The price is of course excessive, but what is money compared to love?

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Medusa Underground - Lowlands

An Islay Distillery 26 yo Macbeth A Whisky Collection The Witches Series Second Witch

 

 

 

49,5°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Oloroso Sherry Butt and 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm 

 

 

 

Still part of the extensive Macbeth collection launched in 2023 by Elixir Distillers on Livingstone's initiative, this 26-year-old native of the Isle of Islay is bound to attract attention. The result of combining an Oloroso Sherry Butt and a 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, the blend yielded 750 bottles. I'm not going to pretend I don't know the name of the distillery, it's Laphroaig.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very woody sherry, very dry and herbal, angelica and dried herbs, red fruit coulis on rocky ground. Forest honey, pine needles, spongy leather and a few maritime notes, sea spray, seaweed, a pinch of salt. Mahogany bark studded with redcurrants. The peat is discreet, but I still find soot and charcoal. On the palate, it is oily, dried fruit, dates, raisins, blond tobacco, orange peel, pomegranate, blackberries. It is slightly aniseed, thyme, rosemary, a wide variety of spices, a bit peppery. The finish is dominated by peat, meaty, vaguely fruity, long and powerful, liquorice, tar, clods of dry earth.

 

In Short, 

It should have been a great moment, and instead it was good, but I found a few flaws, a little too woody, not balanced enough. Probably just a passing bad feeling, because the reviews are generally very good for this bottle, but I'm not going to hide it either. I'd like to try it again to form a more definitive opinion, but for now, it's not a complete success.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Renaissance - Can You Understand ?

Isle of Jura 17 yo Macbeth A Whisky Collection The Murderers Series Second Murderer

 

 

 

48,5°

Distillery : Isle of Jura - Islands

Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Lightly Peated

 

 

 

The Macbeth collection continues, with 17 bottlings now released in two years, but there is still work to be done, as 42 are planned. This 17-year-old Isle of Jura personifies the Second Murderer in the play, sent to kill Banquo with his two accomplices. Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads were used, for a total of 1,200 bottles. Contrary to what this distillery usually does, it is peaty, but not very much in my opinion.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very full-bodied and coastal nose, with light and sharp peat softened by sherry. Sea spray and candied cherries, cold ashes, syrupy caramel. Sandalwood, dried herbs, raspberry coulis. Terracotta, oregano, sea foam. On the palate, it is smooth and sweet, but the smoke perfumes the fruit. Chalky iodine, blueberry tart, hints of tar and seaweed. Mountain honey with a pinch of salt. The finish is long but lacks a bit of power, fruit cake, dried apricots, crumbling earth, roasted nuts and chestnuts, fir resin.

 

In Short, 

Very pleasant to drink, with a smoke that is not too strong but still very present, which blends effectively with a sherry that is very slightly acidic but not overpowering. The distillery profile that I appreciate is somewhat lost, but the coastal character is still remarkable. Definitely worth trying, especially for those who don't think Isle of Jura is capable of great things, all the more so as the price is reasonable.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sungaze - Storm Chaser

Ardbeg Anthology 13 yo The Harpy's Tale

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Ex-Bourbon and Sauternes Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

The Anthology range was launched in 2023 by Ardbeg, and this is its first incarnation. It was aged for 13 years and has been influenced by a few Sauternes wine casks. This interests me, as I have always enjoyed the combination of Sauternes and peat, which can sometimes be very successful.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Intense peat, but not too strong, herbaceous, mossy, dry earth, then the influence of Sauternes comes through. But it's not perfectly balanced, fermented fruit, slightly acidic mirabelle plums. With a drop of water, it softens, icing sugar, candied banana, pomegranate. Beeswax. Vanilla pastry cream, rum baba. It is airy, but also mineral, quartz, slate. Candied lemon. On the palate, it is oily, almost thick, the peat is discreet, few spices. Liquid honey, white peaches, green pears, olives. Long and powerful finish, charcoal, cola, slight bitterness, mahogany bark, dried asparagus.

 

In Short, 

I'm a bit disappointed. It's not often that you find an Ardbeg of this age, and it's not particularly successful. The balance on the nose isn't perfect, but it improves with a few drops of water and some patience. It's good, but I was expecting better. In my humble opinion, the asking price is too high.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lindy-Fay Hella - Los

Ardbeg Hypernova Committee HN2022 Release

 

 

 

51°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay 

Ex-Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 170 ppm

 

 

 

Between 2009 and 2019, there were five editions of Supernova, peated beyond 100 ppm. But with this one, we're going even further, with no less than 170 ppm on the meter, making this whisky one of the most peated in the world, and the most peated Ardbeg. Reserved for members of the Ardbeg Committee, it is a very large-scale limited edition.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Intense peat, very thick, clumps of earth, mud, damp hay, slowly dripping tar. Different shades of charcoal. Beyond that, sanded wood, dry almonds, ethereal vanilla, creosote. Crumbling gypsum, in the dampness of a cave, with splinters of limestone, chalk, granite. Half-flooded tunnel, abandoned well. Goose fat, paraffin. Coppery notes. On the palate, it's a little young, but also very waxy. After a while, lovely velvety texture, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, varnished wood. Candied figs. Peat is embedded in each of the flavours. Spices are very present, but not overpowering. Long and powerful finish, like a tidal wave, lumpy coal, a drop of caramel, greasy earth, chocolate fondant. Cola nuts, very slight bitterness.

 

In Short, 

It's an exceptional experience, whether you like it or not. For me, it's one of the most peaty whiskies in the world, because every effort has been made to ensure that the peat present in the malted barley is reflected in the final product, which is not necessarily the case with Octomore. The casks used must have been refill casks, and even several times over, as their influence is barely noticeable. On the other hand, it is a little monolithic on the nose, inevitably, as there is almost nothing but peat, and it is light on the palate because it is young. It needs to be young to retain the power of the peat. That said, they should have bottled it at cask strength, as the liquid would have been denser. Despite its minor flaws, what has been achieved here is truly beyond comprehension, and any whisky enthusiast should take an interest in it. It is one of the extremes of the spectrum of flavours that whisky can offer.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Faetooth - White Noise                                    

Port Askaig 25 yo 2025

 

 

 

45,8°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

American Oak and Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated 

 

 

 

It's the fourth 25 year-old limited edition of Port Askaig, since the brand was created in 2009. This one is a bit unusual, as there is a strong rumour that it is a Laphroaig, whereas Port Askaig is usually Caol Ila. Is this a rumour started to draw attention to the bottling, or is it simply the truth? In any case, it deserves a little investigation.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very balanced, with ash-like and mineral peat, smoke fulll of charcoal, tempered by a gentle sea breeze, shellfish, sea spray, foam. This then opens up to reveal some fruit, as well as almond paste, vanilla, banana, white plum. On the palate, it is initially oily with roasted cereals and bacon, followed by earthy peat with spices, cloves and white pepper. Roasted chestnuts and a hint of soot. The finish is quite long and powerful, full of vegetable notes, thyme and rosemary. Sea salt, salicornia, basalt.

 

In Short, 

I didn't recognise the Laphroaig profile, but that doesn't mean it isn't one. For me, it lacks the medicinal touch, and the peat is a little different. In any case, it's not a whisky that lives up to the reputation of this distillery, which is one of my favourites. It's very good, but the other Laphroaig 25-year-olds I've drunk were magnificent, and that's not the case here. That said, the price is fine, it's more like the price of a Caol Ila or a Bunnahabhain of that age, so if it really is a Laphroaig, it's worth it. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Kati Ràn - Suurin

Caol Ila 2006 The Single Malts of Scotland 18 yo c. 307354

 

 

 

52,5°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

This Caol Ila spent 18 years, eight months and one day in a Refill Hogshead, then it was bottled and 271 bottles invaded the stores. It is not sure to be Cask Strength because this series is bottled at 'optimum strength', but not necessarily Cask Strength. On whiskybase, there is another cask, the 3073546, bottled the same day, but I think this is a mistake, this other cask doesn't exist. However, I wrote the name of the cask to avoid any confusion. 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very full-bodied peat, quite powerful, dry and herbaceous, thick smoke, crystalline iodine, sea kelp, sea foam, sea air. Behind this, light vanilla, almond paste, whipped cream and a hint of lemon zest. Light woodiness, shortbread biscuits, roasted hazelnuts. On the palate, it is creamy, vanilla and lychees, milk chocolate, white grapes, a few mirabelle plums. Rough spices, black pepper, cloves. Long finish, where peat and smoke come to the fore again, sea salt, seaweed, scallops, oak bark, lemon pulp.

 

In Short, 

I found it a little unbalanced, with the peat and smoke seeming very strong, especially on the nose, but perhaps that was because the bottle had just been opened. Overall, it lacks originality. It's a classic Caol Ila, with a profile we've seen many times before, where age doesn't play much of a role in refining the more tempestuous flavours. It's still very good, and I'll always be a fan of this distillery, but at this age you expect something more, which I didn't find here. That said, the price is still decent.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Merciful Nuns - The Pyramid

Blair Athol 2006 The Single Malts of Scotland 18 yo c. 40246

 

 

 

47,6°

Distillery : Blair Athol - Highlands

Pedro Ximénez Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

There are two Blair Athol casks at Single Malts of Scotland, they were distilled on the same day and both matured in Pedro Ximénez Sherry Hogshead casks. They were even bottled on the same day, which is why they are called sister casks. This one yielded 270 bottles. I don't think it's cask strength because the alcohol content is quite low, and I know that in this range, the products are labelled ‘optimum strength’, not cask strength.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is both deep and greedy, with notes of shortbread biscuits, blackberry jelly, blueberries and blackcurrants, dried fruit, grapes, bananas, earthy and sticky caramel. The wood is mellow, having macerated in prune liqueur, cake batter with lots of eggs, dark chocolate, coffee grounds, dates. On the palate, it is smoother and more balanced, with wood and warm caramel dominating, more discreet red fruits, black tea, heather, various spices, cinnamon, nutmeg. Long finish but not quite explosive, liquorice, coffee, chewing tobacco, macerated leather, cooked peppers.

 

In Short, 

This is what we expect from a Blair Athol, a distillery that pairs well with sherry. Aged for 18 years, it produces a rich and complex whisky that preserves the vigour of fruit and spices. It perhaps lacks a little power to make it perfect. What is surprising is that it is completely unavailable one month after its release. However, the sister cask is available on several websites at a reasonable price.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sliding Words - Time is Never Here