Teaninich 8 yo Special Relase 2025 Daring Rye

 

 

 

60,3°

Distillery : Teaninich - Highlands

Ex-Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Grain

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This distillery is about to close, if it hasn't already done so, as it was announced last September. One of its last original bottlings will therefore be this one, which has the distinction of being a Single Grain, whereas the distillery usually produces Single Malt. It is a blend of malted barley and malted rye, and is called a single grain because it contains less than 51% malted rye, otherwise it would be called rye whisky. All of this has been quietly aged for 8 years in Bourbon casks before being released as part of the Diageo Special Releases. Distillation probably took place in 2016.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :    

On the nose, roasted bread spread with a generous layer of butter, toasted cereals, particularly rye, which is really recognisable, puffed rice, muesli, rustic honey. Country bread, wood chips, freshly cut wheat, lemon sweets, thick caramel. On the palate, it is creamier, with delicate vanilla and various citrus fruits. It is slightly tart, but the spices quickly come to the fore. Light woody and herbaceous notes. Medium-length finish, but powerful, with charcoal, peach pits, dried apricots, coconut. Roast corn, Ovaltine.

 

In Short, 

Overall, this product disappointed, it is poorly rated on Whiskybase, and even Ruben gave it less than 80 points. As for me, I find it an interesting experience, it has character and depth, and I like the strong presence of cereals. Admittedly, there's nothing exceptional about it, but I think it's not bad. However, I agree that the price is too high. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lili Refrain - Nagal

Ledaig 2001 The Whisky Jury 24 yo

 

 

 

53,4°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By The Whisky Jury

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm

 

 

 

Ledaig, as a special brand for peated whisky from Tobermory, has only been around since the 1990s, so bottlings over 20 years old are not that common. That's why this one caused something of a stir when it was released, especially as it was launched by The Whisky Jury, a highly reputable Belgian independent bottler founded in 2019. Having matured for 24 years and 9 months in a single Refill Hogshead, the distillate is very little influenced by the cask. Only 248 bottles are available for sale. It is written Heavily Peated on the label, yet it can only be faded after all this time. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Misty peat, the weather is damp, with a gentle minerality, the tide, nougatine, caramel, light floral notes and honey crystals. Yellow fruits and tobacco leaves, crushed banana, and gradually the peat becomes more insistent, maritime and rocky, full-bodied. Quartz, slate, gypsum. On the palate, slightly oily rose water, then powerful spices, cumin, clove, black pepper. A few lychees. A sufficiently long and intense finish, notes of charcoal, soot, mineral-rich earth, gently bitter wood. Asparagus and coffee. A zest of lemon.

 

Let's Taste It : 

Even after all these years, Ledaig has lost none of its subversive character. There is very little peat, but the mineral character is intense and the maritime notes are harsh. This does not prevent a slight creaminess and some welcome fruitiness. But overall, it is austere, distinctive, even a touch monochrome. Nevertheless, the price is quite low for a whisky of this age and from a bottler of this reputation, making it a unique opportunity to try a malt of great quality and with a unique profile. 

Score 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Gealdyr - Drui

Hazelburn 10 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

Bourbon Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Hazelburn 10 Year Old was my biggest gap in knowledge. Among the classics of the whisky world, it is certainly the most remarkable one that I had not yet mentioned. It appeared in 2014, first as a limited edition, then it was added to the Core Range. At that time, there was a real regular range for the Hazelburn brand, which included an 8-year-old and a 12-year-old, as well as an unaged one, the CV. All of this disappeared fairly quickly once the 10-year-old became established. Matured 100% in Bourbon Barrels, it reveals a distillate coated in yellow fruit. This bottling was so successful that it became increasingly difficult to find in recent times. In fact, no new batch had been released for two years. This is the one I am tasting, launched at the end of 2025, but I have no doubt that I will have the opportunity to complete my opinion on this bottle with older batches. I have one at home that has been waiting for me to open it for years. The first editions came with a box, but this is no longer the case. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

It is smooth and velvety, with notes of rubbed hay, dry straw, wildflower honey, and perhaps a coastal touch, a hint of salt. Mirabelle plums and greengages, very slight acidity, soft banana, nougatine. Dry earth. On the palate, it is woody, spicy, rose water, yellow fruits, apples and pears, rustic cereals. Fairly long finish, not far from being powerful, walnuts, white grapes, a zest of lime, bread dough, an ounce of bitterness. Rough hazelnuts. Pine bark, red sand, beeswax.

 

In Short, 

Despite triple distillation and the total absence of peat, it has a strong character, complemented by a beautiful, delicate fruitiness and some woody notes. Frankly, it is very well made and rounds off the Springbank range, which offers a truly varied but complementary selection of expressions. The identity of the distillate is immediately recognisable. Unfortunately, prices are rising with Springbank due to frenzied demand. I would therefore say that this bottle is now reserved for fans, as the value for money is no longer there. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                            ZionRay featuring Shea - Wrong Direction

Craigellachie 2008 Fàire - Orizzonti di Riccardo Furini 16 yo

 

 

 

60,9°

Distillery : Craigellachie - Speyside

Sherry Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The third and final release in this small series launched this year by Hidden Spirits, combining the work of Riccardo Furini with whisky. Here we have a Craigellachie that has spent 16 years in a sherry cask, yielding only 105 bottles, exactly like the other two. The artwork chosen to illustrate the label is entitled I Cani abbaiano si agitano i Cavalli.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A nose typical of the distillery, both robust and indulgent, dates, dried bananas, cherries in brandy, cranberry jam, dark chocolate filled with orange, soft caramel, old leather, apple crumble sprinkled with cinnamon. On the palate, it is thick and silky, purée of red berries, of quinces, apricots and raisins, cloves, cocoa powder and compote. The finish is more cereal-like and woody, with wood chips, damp hay, hazelnuts and chestnuts, biscuits stuffed with red berries, light coffee, earthy notes.

 

In Short, 

There is a beautiful complexity and character, the sherry blends very well with the distillery's profile. It is rich but not overly so, with a slightly rustic, farmhouse feel, woody and forest-like. It has a beautiful depth that can be appreciated over time. However, I find the price too high, I understand that the design is expensive, but it is above all the whisky that we are buying. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           mercury - Special

Macduff 2008 Fàire - Orizzonti di Riccardo Furini 16 yo

 

 

 

53,5°

Distillery : Macduff - Highlands

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

A new addition to this series launched in 2025 by Hidden Spirits, which brings together three bottlings that illustrate the works of Riccardo Furini. This time, it is a Macduff that has spent 16 years in a sherry cask and yielded only 105 bottles. The artwork featured on the label is entitled Orizzonte. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is stronger, more intense, forest berries, deep spices, soft bark, black earth, chocolate fondant, heather honey, raisins, braised nuts, a zest of blood orange. In the background, a few discreet mineral notes. Elegant woodiness, mahogany. On the palate, it is rich and balanced, red fruit jam, dates, stuffed figs, soft toffee and a slight pinch of salt. Warm, spicy finish, cocoa powder, hazelnuts and cashews, roots, cooked mushrooms. Filled cabbage. Cinnamon.

 

In Short, 

I really liked it, it has a certain personality, ranging from forest notes to a slight coastal saltiness. The sherry gives it a lovely fruitiness, but also enriches the character of the distillate. However, it is still a little expensive, so I'm not sure if I would recommend buying it. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Möng - Ohilen

Allt-a-Bhainne 2008 Fàire - Orizzonti di Riccardo Furini 16 yo

 

 

 

52,5°

Distillery : Allt-a-Bhainne - Speyside

Sherry Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is a new series from Hidden Spirits, an independent bottler founded in 2013 by Andrea Ferrari, featuring the works of Italian painter Riccardo Furini. The whisky chosen to launch this collection is an Allt-a-Bhainne that has spent 16 years in a sherry cask, yielding only 105 bottles. The artwork featured on the label is entitled Dauni. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is cereal-like, toasted wheat, muesli, malted barley, but it is also airy, damp hay, varnished wood. Some dried fruits, raisins, figs, quince jam and a touch of chutney. Roasted hazelnuts, dark chocolate. On the palate, the sherry is a little more expressive, wild berries set against woody notes, sea buckthorn tea, greengages and a coffee bean. Crunchy cereals, melted spices. A lovely finish, quite long but not quite explosive, cocoa powder, candied orange peel, soft bark, lichen and moss. 

 

In Short, 

It's very interesting, the sherry gives it a slightly austere fruitiness, reminiscent of undergrowth, the distillate is elegant, and the age gives it a beautiful maturity. Unfortunately, the price is a little high for what it is, in my opinion, but fans of this profile will enjoy it. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lucinda Williams - The World's Gone Wrong

Ben Nevis 2018 Hidden Spirits 7 yo

 

 

 

53,1°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

2d Fill Sherry, Peated Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Also part of the Glasgow Bus Series, this 7-year-old Ben Nevis has been matured entirely in a second-fill sherry cask, which was previously filled with peated whisky. This gives the product a smoky character, a practice often seen at Ben Nevis, but not with sherry casks. Only 150 bottles are available for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is not too strong, the smoke is evanescent, and blends effortlessly with salty and fruity, even mineral notes. Melting chocolate, ripe mirabelle plums, spicy wood, dried dates and figs. Cold ashes, burnt coffee beans, meringue cream and flambéed banana. On the palate, damp leather and oak bark, liquid honey, sweet plums, caramel cream. Shimmering spices and subtle smoke. A fairly long and powerful finish, resinous wood, blowtorch-caramelised sugar, greengage clafoutis, cocoa, dry earth and a hint of salt.

 

In Short, 

True to its pedigree, this Ben Nevis is intense, complex and rich, as well as full of smoke. It has a beautiful character, but with a certain subtlety despite the youthfulness of the product. A lovely bottling, worth buying as the price is really low. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sledges - June is Better Than July

Blair Athol 2011 Hidden Spirits 13 yo

 

 

 

51,4°

Distillery : Blair Athol - Highlands

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Continuing my tour of new releases from Hidden Spirits, I come to this 13-year-old Blair Athol, part of the Glasgow Bus Series, as the label features attractive vintage buses. It was aged in a 1st fill sherry hogshead, so I can expect a fruity flavour. 215 bottles were released from the cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Mountain honey, studded with dried fruit, raisins, figs, dates, brown sugar and melting chocolate. Crushed walnuts, fresh leather, a hint of orange zest, but also some mineral notes, chalk, quartz and gypsum. A pinch of salt. On the palate, it is smooth and velvety, mocha fondant, with cinnamon and candied ginger, nutmeg and delicate woody notes, rustic cereals and freshly cut hay. Fairly long finish, brioche, soft caramel, orange chutney. A touch of iodine and salt. 

 

In Short, 

It's not bad at all, the sherry is really well integrated. However, the balance isn't perfect, the mineral notes are a little strong, but after all, that gives it character. This bottling has its original side, but overall it's very old school, which is charming. What's more, the price is low, so those who are curious should take an interest.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Alice Costelloe - Anywhere Else