Ledaig 2007 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength Collection Itinéraires 18 yo

 

 

 

54,9°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm 

 

 

 

No one can say no to an 18-year-old Ledaig, especially one Single Cask and released by Gordon & MacPhail. What's more, this one has been aged in a first-fill sherry hogshead, giving it a fruity flavour. 316 bottles have been brought out of nowhere.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Redcurrant jelly, assorted fruit pastes, forest honey, soaked leather, and behind, the brand's typical dirtiness, charcoal, damp earth, fuel oil and soot, slate, a slight medicinal and camphor touch, dust, iodine full of seaweed, sea spray. On the palate, the same dichotomy: on one side, the roundness of sherry, candied fruit, quince jam, dried apricots, dates, apple crumble; on the other, thick peat, dry earth, reeds and bamboo, tar, a drop of ether. Spices are relatively restrained. Powerful, long and deep finish, with dried fruit becoming tropical, banana and pineapple, honey becoming floral, lavender and lilac, and spices more present. Salicornia, the tide, seafood, scallops. 

 

In Short, 

There are some real qualities here, particularly in the finish, where the sherry and the brand's profile finally come together. But before that, on the palate, I found them separate, which disrupts the balance of the profile. So it's not entirely successful, but it's still very good. In a word, it's Ledaig, very reputable. The price seems fair to me, and I think it will sell out soon, so those who are interested should act quickly. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Coloma - Inside the Night

Macallan 2004 Speymalt 20 yo c. 22606601

 

 

 

58,9°

Distillery : The Macallan - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It is rare to have a range dedicated solely to one distillery, but this is the case with the Speymalt range, created in 1998, which brings together bottlings from the Macallan distillery alone. This shows just how unique this distillery is, and how close the ties are between it and Gordon & MacPhail. This 20-year-old gem yielded 330 bottles and was selected to be part of the Collection Itinéraires launched by La Maison du Whisky on the occasion of Whisky Live Paris 2025.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It: 

Fruit soup, redcurrants, tomato, raspberry, but also dried fruit, dates, bananas, grapes, figs. Very elegant woodiness and a variety of spices, artisanal chocolate, candied ginger and creamy vanilla. Waffle and filled biscuits, pine resin. On the palate, it is very balanced, orchard fruits, exotic fruits, a touch of iodine, spring freshness, morning dew, liquorice stick, calisson d'Aix, apple crumble and egg flan. Very long and explosive finish, with a wide variety of fruits, from citrus to peanuts, candied lemon, mirabelle plums, dark chocolate and cashews. Acacia honey, coffee beans, elastic leather. A sage leaf. 

 

In Short, 

A particularly vibrant Macallan, with a wide variety of fruit flavours and the elegant woody profile that is the hallmark of this distillery. It is very sherry-like at first, then becomes increasingly balanced. It is obviously a must-have for any fan of this distillery or this type of profile, but unfortunately the excessive price is a deterrent to purchase. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Katarina Pejak - Slow Explosion

Aultmore 2011 Signatory Vintage La Maison du Whisky Exclusive Bottling 14 yo

 

 

 

61,7°

Distillery : Aultmore - Speyside

1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Hogshead Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The Collection Plume is the result of a collaboration between Signatory Vintage and La Maison du Whisky. It presents cask strength bottlings aged in first-fill sherry casks. This is now the tenth batch in the collection (Chapter X, as written on the label), and we have an Aultmore, a little-known distillery owned by Bacardi. Here, the time spent in a 1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Hogshead is only a finish, and we have no details about the initial maturation. 344 bottles are sold as part of the Itinéraires series.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Sticky sherry, very fruity, full of caramel and treacle, fig jam, blood orange purée, a ladleful of cinnamon, dark chocolate, raisins and dried apricots, candied cherries, acacia honey, cloves, Aosta ham. On the palate, apple compote, cocoa powder, dates and prunes, light earthy notes, intense spices. Damson crumble. Rather long and woody finish, quite powerful, fruit paste, liquorice, chestnut cream, butternut tart, saffron. Fine vegetal touches, lichen, ivy. Traces of limestone. 

 

 

In Short, 

This is a fairly intense sherry, which is the hallmark of the collection. However, although the nose is very fruity and jammy, it lacks a little body, and the palate, while certainly rich, is a little dry. I like it, but it's certainly not the best in the collection. The price is reasonable, but I still think it's a little expensive for what it is. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Aynsley Lister - Need Her So Bad

Balmenach 2008 The Art of Maturation Benchmark Collection Itinéraires 17 yo

 

 

 

54,5°

Distillery : Balmenach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid  

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Balmenach was founded in 1824, and after being owned by Diageo between 1922 and 1997, it is now owned by Inver House Distillers, which also owns Balblair, Knockdhu, Pulteney and Speyburn. It is a renowned old school whisky, with long fermentation and worm tubs for steam. Original bottlings are extremely rare, with the last one dating back to 2002. Almost all of the production goes into blends, but some independent bottlings are highly regarded. This one has the merit of being rather old, and maturation in a first-fill bourbon barrel will allow the distillate to be fully appreciated. Only 150 bottles have been released for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Leavened cereals, barley, wheat, millet, sweet butter, evanescent vanilla, acacia honey, egg custard, rustic woodiness, sweet potatoes. Slices of lime, large country bread, cut hay, liquorice stick, and a light pinch of fine salt. On the palate, it is more indulgent, Williams pear and Granny Smith apple, beeswax, more cereals, rice cake, runny caramel, ginger and cinnamon. The finish is rather pleasant, long and powerful, blond tobacco, dried fruit, resin, biscuits dipped in milk and a gentle saltiness. 

 

In Short, 

It is indeed a distinctive style, old-fashioned, light but with a certain character, and delicious fruit. I think that something interesting could be done with this distillate, we should be able to taste it more often. Now is a good opportunity, but unfortunately I find the price a bit steep. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Courtney Barnett - Depreston

Ardmore 2008 Distillery Labels 15 yo

 

 

 

46° 

The Ardmore - Highlands

Bourbon Casks

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

Part of the Distillery Labels range, which brings together Gordon & MacPhail's reduced but vintage bottlings, this Ardmore is announced as being 15 years old, although this is not written on the bottle. It is a blend of several Bourbon casks, and the peat level is the usual one for Ardmore. 

 

Let's Taste It :  

On the nose, light peat, slightly dusty, slightly stony, ointment, dried and earthy cereals, hints of vegetation and caramel, mirabelle and greengage plums, green apples. A zest of lemon. Fragrances of iodine, seaweed, ash. On the palate, it is pastry-like, egg custard, vanilla cream, nougatine, fresh walnuts, toasted wheat, various spices, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne pepper. Fairly long, powerful finish, traces of tar, gently charred wood, almonds and cashews. Dry biscuits, mustard seeds.

 

In Short, 

A remarkable Ardmore, a bit austere, with a slightly more pronounced peatiness than usual. It's pleasant to drink and full of character, complex but not overly so, with measured strength. It's the kind of thing that makes you knock back glass after glass without thinking. The price is really good, it's worth spending some time on. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Dead Astropilots - You Should Know

Glentauchers 2008 Distillery Labels 14 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Glentauchers - Speyside

Sherry Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Gordon & MacPhail has all kinds of sub-ranges and original series, including this Distillery Labels, which brings together vintage bottlings, but also reduced and non-single cask ones. This one is a Glentauchers, aged as it should be in Sherry Hogsheads. It is advertised on two websites as being 14 years old, but this seems surprising to me as it was bottled on 13 December 2023. Further more, the Hogsheads are announced as being first fill on one website and refill on another. It is therefore difficult to be certain of anything, but in any case, the age is more than acceptable, and the hogsheads are indeed sherry casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, creamy vanilla, baked apples, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts, woody cereals, but also some iodine notes, sea breeze, lemon zest, two drops of blood orange, milk chocolate, a pinch of cinnamon, brioche. On the palate, yellow peach, caramel éclair, mixed fruit compote. Woody notes, melted butter, fairly prominent spices, a hint of bitterness. Fairly long, powerful, woody and mineral finish, thick honey, bay leaf, biscuits, macaroons, fresh walnuts and a touch of clove.

 

In Short, 

It's very pleasant, typical of Speyside, with subtle sherry notes, light and pulpy fruit, wood and petals. I'm starting to find character in this distillery, thanks to this unassuming bottling. It's a reasonable purchase, you just have to be careful to choose the right retailer, as prices vary quite significantly. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ina Forsman - Bubbly Kisses

Ardbeg Eureka ! 25 Years of the Ardbeg Committee

 

 

 

52,2°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Pedro Ximénez Sherry and Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm 

 

 

 

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee, this special bottling was launched in February 2025. As usual, it is non-age-stated, but made from roasted malt spirit matured in Bourbon casks and Pedro Ximénez casks. The result has an interesting alcohol content, but it is not cask strength. I would like to know how many bottles are available, but this information is being kept secret. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is relatively light, metallic fragments, rocky splinters, vaporous but powerful, enveloping smoke, patches of salt, limestone, sea spray, iodine, liquid vanilla. Mirabelle plums, white grapes, pastry cream, pomade. On the palate, it is successful, vanilla and coconut, rose water, then powerful spices, clove, black pepper, slight woody bitterness. Powerful and long finish, but not quite explosive, white chocolate, dried herbs, angelica, tarry rock, liquorice, dried figs.

 

In Short, 

I'll be honest: it seemed to me to be the best Ardbeg from the Committee in a long time. Hypernova is extremely good, but it's also very expensive, and apart from that one, you have to go back to Scorch, which dates back to 2021. That said, I haven't tasted everything; I'm missing Fermutation and Anamorphic. It's a good Ardbeg, with very pronounced mineral notes, more than maritime, and a real gourmand dimension. A must-try for any self-respecting fan of the distillery, but unfortunately the price is still too high. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Traitrs - I Was Ill, You Were Wrong

Laphroaig 2015 The Single Malts of Scotland Small Batch 10 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Refill Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm 

 

 

 

Elixir Distillers has discontinued its Reserve Casks sub-range, replacing it with this new series, Small Batch. Among the first releases, this Laphroaig immediately caught the public's attention. Although reduced to 48% ABV, it is nevertheless the result of a blend of three refill hogsheads, and ten years is a respectable age.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very soft nose, almost fluffy, cotton, cotton candy, coconut, light and seductive smoke. Shortcrust pastry with a dash of vanilla, clouds of citrus, but gradually the peat rises. It becomes dirtier, with balsamic rock, gypsum, sea spray and ether. But the balance is maintained, nougat, brown sugar, the smoke becomes grimy, carrying nuggets of coal and soot. Chocolate lace, marzipan. On the palate, barley sugar, icing sugar, more coconut, vanilla ice cream, rose Turkish delight, lilac, cat's tongue biscuits, light mineral notes, then fairly strong spices, cumin and cloves. A fairly long finish with good body, tobacco, liquorice, fresh fig, a hint of aniseed, shortbread biscuits and hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

The Laphroaig profile is very recognisable, yet at the same time it is smooth and subtle. The iodine notes and medicinal touch are definitely there, but they are balanced with white fruits and a pleasant sweetness. It is a rather old-school Laphroaig, nothing like the full-bodied, aggressive Laphroaigs that are sometimes found today. I find it simply excellent. For me, it's the perfect daily dram, perhaps even a little too good for that. What's more, the price is very reasonable, so you should snap it up. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Pirx - Silence in Two