Ardbeg 1978 Spirit of Scotland 22 yo c. 454

 

 

 

53°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2000

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

As you only live once, I treated myself to a few centilitres of this rare find in a specialist bar. It really is a piece of history, apparently, back then, Gordon & MacPhail went by the name of Speymalt Whisky Ltd, and the type of cask isn’t specified anywhere. However, it is indeed cask-strength, which wasn’t all that common at the time. As for the peat level, it varied back then, ranging from 40 to 80 ppm, as the distillery malted its own barley until 1980. It is, of course, impossible to know how many bottles were released. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :   

Light yet persistent peat, grainy and mineral, quartz and gypsum, with coastal notes, sea spray, dried seaweed, rubbed citrus, crystalline vanilla, lace-like iodine, coconut cream, cigarette ash, untreated wood. Very smooth and oily on the palate, citrusy, a few yellow plums, brown sugar, slightly minty or even aniseed-like spices, ginger, lychee. An extremely long and full-bodied finish, molasses, raisins, waxed wood, dried bananas, charcoal nuggets, chlorophyll, peppermint leaves. 

 

In Short, 

Old whiskies are always expensive, but they’re not always brilliant. That said, this one is still an excellent product, very old-school, meaning it has a lovely balance and a subtle minerality. The peat isn’t strong—around 30 ppm, I’d say—but the bottle has certainly been open for years, and it was almost finished. No jarring flavours, just a hint of charcoal on the finish, and plenty of fruit, especially on the palate, it really was a different distillery back then. Lots of elegance, restraint and complexity, yet not overly intense, it’s easy to drink despite being 22 years old. In short, a lovely experience, but not a mind-blower. The bottle can still be found, provided you’re prepared to empty your savings account. I’d advise waiting for it to come up at auction if you absolutely must have it, the price will be more reasonable. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            mesh - This World

Caol Ila 1990 Whiskyland Chapter Twenty-Eight 35 yo

 

 

 

44,5°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm 

 

 

 

The truly legendary Caol Ilas are those from the early 1980s, but I’m certainly not going to turn this one down either, distilled in 1990 and matured for 35 long years in a refill hogshead, before being bottled in a run of 226 bottles. With this new range, named Whiskyland and launched in 2024, Angus MacRaild and Iain MacClune, founders of Decadent Drinks, are truly working wonders. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is quite powerful given the age of the whisky – the first surprise. It’s medicinal, fuel oil and kerosene, beautifully balanced by coastal, cliff-like and quartz notes, along with airy iodine, there’s still a tremendous amount of character – the second surprise. Shades of citrus, a very light trace of vanilla, gravel, the cask seems to have left very little of its mark – the third surprise. On the palate, it’s the opposite, thick honey, pulpy fruit, with a touch of exoticism, banana, pineapple, white peaches, mirabelle plums and very ripe yellow plums, the peat is barely detectable, the spices very subtle, it’s incredible. A massive, endless finish, candied lemon, sea spray, Breton biscuits, olive oil, crème brûlée, a drop of tar, mille-feuilles. 

 

In Short, 

It’s absolutely insane, one of the best Caol Ilas I’ve ever tasted, and certainly the one that best represents the distillery. It has it all, the distillery’s pure character with its coastal notes, a peat that’s fiercely intense and uncompromising, but also beautifully integrated fruit and magnificent nuances. Truly a piece of history, probably better than the few Caol Ilas from the 1980s that I’ve tasted. As for the price, it’s commensurate with the exceptional character of the whisky, boundless. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                 To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                  Eivør - Healer

Tamnavulin 1991 Whiskyland Chapter Thirty-One 34 yo

 

 

 

48,7°

Distillery : Tamnavulin - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is one of the most recent releases in the Whiskyland range, launched in 2024 by Decadent Drinks. It is a Tamnavulin distilled in 1991, before the distillery closed in 1995 and before it was taken over by an Indian consortium and reopened in 2007. It is therefore a testament to a distillery that no longer really exists, as after 12 years of closure, it is rare for whisky to be produced exactly the same way. Furthermore, it is the product of a first-fill sherry hogshead, so it is set to be a rich and fruity spirit. 208 bottles saw the light of day. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :   

Deep and dripping sherry, poached damson plums, clafoutis, fermented cherries. It is mellow, with candied and dried fruit, macerated grapes, damp wood, pine resin, treacle, stuffed figs, blood oranges, blueberry tarts, Tabasco. On the palate, the fruit is more luscious, plums, caramel, redcurrants, mandarins, strawberry coulis, it is thick, even sticky. Very pronounced and intense spices. A powerful, very long finish, earthy, woody, hot chestnuts, caramelised onions, dark chocolate and coffee, sweet potatoes, dragon fruit. 

 

In Short, 

It is indeed a Sherry Bomb, but it remains relatively well-balanced. There’s a lovely woodiness throughout, and it avoids any sulphur or even rancio notes. From the nose to the finish, I found it superb. Nothing beats a fine sherry, and this one is truly exceptional. The price is steep, but it reflects the quality and rarity of the product. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Joe Zawinul - Orient Express

Laphroaig 2015 Old Islay 10 yo

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm 

 

 

 

Angus MacRaild and Iain MacClune, who founded Decadent Drinks in 2020, have launched a new range called the Islands Hopping Series. The concept involves travelling from one island to another across the British archipelagos and experiencing their most iconic whiskies. The first was a 21-year-old Bowmore released in February, the second a 20-year-old Ledaig (Old Mull), the third a 21-year-old Bunnahabhain, and this is the fourth, a 10-year-old Laphroaig aged in a single first-fill bourbon cask, slightly diluted to 52% ABV. Angus told me that at cask strength it was around 57–58% ABV. In the tradition of the Old Orkney range, these bottlings are called Old Islay. The aim is no doubt to revive old-style whiskies. For this one, 301 bottles are being released.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Right from the start, a gritty smokiness, a very pronounced coastal character, iodine, sea spray, seawater, seaweed, the tide, kelp, and a huge medicinal note, bandages, disinfectant, Betadine, melted plastic. There is indeed a whisper of vanilla and some yellow fruit in the background, but it’s subtle. The whole is very well crafted and very balanced, a bit austere, mineral. On the palate, it goes even further, the medicinal intensity is still there, peat, salinity, oysters and limestone, perhaps a hint of lychee and coconut, not overly strong spices, clove, grey pepper. A very long and explosive finish, gravel, soot, liquorice, a few dried fruits steeped in medicine, burnt rubber, roots. 

 

In Short, 

It’s so quintessentially Laphroaig, so typical of the distillery that there’s nothing else to say, except that despite its divisive flavours and aromas, it seems very well-balanced, easy to drink and almost self-evident. Yes, there is something old-fashioned about this whisky despite its boldness, or at least reminiscent of the old whiskies as we imagine them today. As for the price, it is high for a 10-year-old, but the quality is there, it tastes significantly older. I didn’t hesitate for long before picking up a bottle. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Jon Henrik Fjällgren - Old Paths

Mortlach 2005 Decadent Drams 20 yo

 

 

 

50,1°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The company, founded in 2020 by Angus MacRaild and Iain MacClune, released another Mortlach last year, distilled in the same year. This one is therefore the sister cask, but slightly older. What makes them special is that they have been matured in first-fill bourbon casks, which is quite rare for this distillery. This cask yielded just 179 bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is immediately fruity and juicy, with very ripe yellow plums, honey in abundance, and pronounced waxy notes. Soft brioche, banana, pineapple, royal jelly, caramelised onions, sugared porridge, vanilla cream. On the palate, it is quite smooth but very oily, citrusy, lemons of various colours, kumquat, peanut butter, butter biscuits, rather rare spices. A lovely finish, which lifts slightly but remains fruity, this time more candied, mirabelle plums, apricots, quinces, shortbread biscuits, discreet cereals. 

 

In Short, 

An astonishing whisky, which bears no resemblance whatsoever to the distillery’s usual style. It’s not just the influence of the Bourbon, I’ve already drunk Mortlach whiskies matured in Bourbon casks and they weren’t like this. Mortlach is robust and deep, here it’s smooth and mellow, it’s more like a Benrinnes or a Blair Athol. But there’s also plenty of fruit, it’s very pleasant to drink, although it doesn’t leave a lasting impression. The price is a bit high, perhaps even too high in my opinion, but enthusiasts and the curious with deep pockets might be tempted to give it a go. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Son Lux - Flickers

Glen Grant 1995 Whiskyland Chapter Twenty-two 30 yo

 

 

 

46,8°

Distillery : The Glen Grant - Speyside

1 Refill Bourbon Barrel, 1 1st Fill Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Let’s take a quick look back, at the end of last year, Decadent Drinks released this little gem, a blend of two casks from the famous Speyside distillery, one a Refill Bourbon Barrel from 1993, the other a 1st Fill Sherry Hogshead from 1995. This means the influence of the sherry will be quite restrained. Only 177 bottles were produced from these two casks, the angels’ share has certainly done its job. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is light and perfectly structured, not at all overpowering, on the contrary it is a small crystalline stream, slightly sticky, crisp caramel, nougat, light but thick honey, resin, mirabelle plums, damp wood, brandied cherries, blackberry tart, malted grains. A zest of citrus, wheat ready for harvest. On the palate, raisin cake, dates, melted chocolate, a drop of vinegar, assorted jams, quinces, red berries, light woodiness, powerful and varied spices. A long, powerful, splashy finish, liquorice, gingerbread, hot chestnuts, cooked mushrooms, it is quite forest-like, even earthy, ferns, roots. 

 

In Short, 

A really nice blend, the sherry notes are balanced by a very subtle Bourbon influence, creating a wonderful balance, with some cereal notes punctuated by red fruits. The alcohol content is quite low, but you don’t feel the lack of body. The price, on the other hand, you can feel it, it’s very high – truly excessive in this case – which makes this a rather extravagant purchase. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            VLMV - I Am An Officer

Glenturret 1990 Whiskyland Chapter Twenty-Nine 35 yo

 

 

 

41,5°

Distillery : The Glenturret - Highlands 

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

It has been less than two years since the Whiskyland collection was launched, and we are already at chapter 29. And each time, these are very mature whiskies, sourced from exceptional casks. Here, a 35-year-old Glenturret, having spent its entire youth in a refill hogshead, allowing it to express itself fully. Except that a good portion of the alcohol has already evaporated, in fact it was time to bottle this one. 231 bottles were nevertheless taken from the cask. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Liquid honey, waxed wood, malted cereals, pine resin, spring freshness, buttered brioche, subtle floral notes. Creamy citrus, fresh exotic fruits, a pinch of iodine, hand cream. Slight minerality. On the palate, it is creamy and oily, an elegant woodiness, egg yolk, yellow plums, then fairly pronounced spices, nutmeg, clove. A very long finish but not particularly powerful, candied mirabelle plums, very ripe bananas, crushed wheat, more wax, cookie dough, a drop of caramel. 

 

In Short, 

The nose is superb, the rest is excellent, but its lack of power is still somewhat noticeable. It’s a truly beautiful bottling, showcasing the very essence of a distillery that remains all too little known. The price is, of course, very high, which is hardly surprising given its age. What can one say? We’d rather be millionaires. 

Score : 90 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Little Willie John - Made for Me

Kilchoman 2011 20th Anniversary Casks Series 100% Islay Casks 14 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

On 14 December 2005, the first Kilchoman cask was filled. To mark the 20th anniversary of this great day, Anthony Wills, the distillery’s owner and founder, decided to open 20 casks and create four different bottlings, five casks per bottling. This is one of the four, distilled on 24 March 2011 and bottled on 21 April 2025, giving it exactly 14 years in the cask. There are 5 ex-Oloroso sherry butts, resulting in a total of 3,145 bottles. All stages of production took place on Islay, which is why the peat level is slightly lower than usual. Nowhere does it state that the whisky is cask strength, so I’m assuming it isn’t, though I can’t say for certain. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Hazy, fresh, spicy and fruity sherry, barbecue smoke with a good layer of soot, dried fruit, raisins, dates, figs, apricots, crushed nuts, a strong whiff of iodine, baked apples, cinnamon, damp leather, smoked ham and strawberry jam. It becomes more vegetal and herbal after a while. Tobacco leaves, very discreet cereals. On the palate, fresh fruit, damson plums, some red berries, white peaches, blood oranges. A clump of dried, dusty peat. Lingering spices, acacia honey. FFairly long and powerful finish, though not overwhelmingly so, charcoal, chocolate, coffee, grilled meat, liquorice. Caramel and blackberries, a pinch of salt. 

 

In Short, 

It’s really very good, neither the sherry nor the peat is overly pronounced, leaving room for a variety of flavours and fruits rarely found in a peated whisky. It’s complex and deep, but eventually quite easy to drink. The only issue is the price, it’s sold at the price of an 18-year-old, which isn’t great value. 

Score : 88

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Anne Bloom - The Saddest Smile