Talisker The Wild Blue 2025 Edition

 

 

 

48,2°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

South African Atlantic Coast Red Wine Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

Two years earlier, the distillery had launched Wilder Seas, a bottling in aid of the NGO Parley. I’m talking about it here. Apparently, it went down a treat, because these good people did it again and launched this one last year, in aid of another charity, the Blue Marine Foundation, whose mission is to clean up the oceans. For every bottle sold, £3 will be donated to the charity. And as there are 37,536 bottles, that makes £112,608 that they have pledged to donate – a tidy sum. What’s more, the glass used is 100% recycled, and there is no box to limit the carbon footprint. As Wilder Seas was finished in Cognac, a special finish had to be found for this one too, and that turned out to be South African red wine from the Atlantic coast. The finish lasted exactly 16 months. I haven’t been able to find any information at all about the initial maturation, but I assume it was simply in Bourbon casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Sticky fruit, juicy quinces and apricots, grenadine, balanced by the influence of a few bourbon casks, wood steeped in citrus, kumquat, green tomatoes, tannins. Dusty peat, grains of charcoal, basalt, discreet coastal notes. Intense iodine, unrefined salt. On the palate, golden honey, banana, mirabelle plums, buttery vanilla, pronounced spices, cumin, nutmeg. A subtle layer of peat, dates, raisins. A slight bitterness on the finish, green asparagus, olives, cola, hints of charcoal, varnished bark, hazelnuts, cauliflower, a touch of cereal.

 

In Short, 

It’s a high-quality bottling, though the influence of the red wine isn’t entirely positive. I found that it masked the Talisker profile somewhat, particularly its coastal character. In my opinion, a white wine finish might have been a better idea. But perhaps that’s what they’ll do with the next edition. As for the price, I think it’s perfectly reasonable. 

In Short : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Flea featuring Nick Cave - Wichita Lineman

Balvy 1989 The Whisky Jury 35 yo

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : The Balvenie - Speyside

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By The Whisky Jury

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Among the recent releases from The Whisky Jury is this teaspooned Balvenie, which means that a tiny amount of another whisky has been added to a Balvenie cask. This makes it a Blended Malt, and it’s cheaper. I’m all for this sort of thing to ease the strain on my wallet. 278 bottles have been put on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A variety of cereals, coated in butter, drizzled with honey. Ground almonds, candied vanilla, floral hints, subtle mineral notes. Freshly ploughed earth, cigar box, Armenian paper. Juicy citrus fruits, mirabelle plums, mashed bananas, pear crumble, lavender. On the palate, it is pulpy and honeyed. Ripe plums, greengage jam, egg yolk, brioche. Lemon fondant. Lively spices, cumin, clove. A very long, woody finish, full of wax, ganache biscuit, olive oil. White grapes. 

 

In Short, 

It’s very interesting, the nose and finish in particular are fantastic. It’s less rounded and honeyed than the Balvenie’s official bottlings, and has more of a malty, fruity and oaky character. In a word, it’s more varied and subtle. It’s an excellent bottling, and the price is very reasonable for a 35-year-old. If you’re a fan of this style and can afford it, don’t hesitate. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Poppy Ackroyd - For Those Who Wait

House of Hazelwood Legacy Collection Queen of the Hebrides 36 yo

 

 

 

43,4°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

American Oak Cask

Independent Bottling 

By House of Hazelwood 

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

This time, the prestigious House of Hazelwood, founded in 2022, ventures to Islay and presents us with a wonderful 36-year-old blended malt. There is no clue as to its exact origin, all we know is that it was matured in a single American oak cask, yielding 274 bottles. As it was distilled around 1988, we can deduce that it is not Ardbeg, which was inactive at the time, nor Ardnahoe or Kilchoman, which were not yet open, nor Bruichladdich or Bunnahabhain, which did not produce peated whiskies. That leaves Bowmore, Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Laphroaig.  

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An elegant wisp of smoke with a hint of minerality, gravel and quartz, but above all beautifully integrated coastal notes, sea spray and salt crystals, dried seaweed, and the iodine-rich air of the open sea. Behind this, discreet dried fruit, mellow honey, grainy cereals, and a slight touch of soot. The peat is just a bit more pronounced on the palate, with a rustic character, topped by very subtle vanilla and citrus. Grapefruit, agave, lime, herbaceous undertones, sun-bleached grass, reeds. Dates and quinces, delicate spices. A very long finish, not particularly strong but characterful, crushed hazelnuts and peanuts, fragments of rock, gypsum, a dash of mud, herbs, leaves of blond tobacco. Birch bark, autumnal scents, cigar ash on the retro-olfaction. 

 

In Short, 

It could be any one of the four distilleries mentioned above. The peat is very light, but that’s to be expected given its age. What really struck me were the coastal notes, blended with citrus and dried fruit, a lovely blend. One small reservation: for me, it lacks a bit of intensity, to the extent that I don’t recognise it as an Islay, I would have thought it was Highland Park or BenRiach instead. The price, on the other hand, is very steep, although, given how expensive old Islay whiskies are these days, it might be a bargain after all. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Tamino - Babylon

House of Hazelwood The Charles Gordon Collection The Garden At Hazelwood 47 yo

 

 

 

43,7°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Scotland

Independent Bottling 

By House of Hazelwood

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

As they are part of William Grant & Sons, the blenders at House of Hazelwood have access to the oldest casks. In this case, we’re talking about a 47-year-old whisky, which is quite rare. As only 137 bottles are being released, I imagine that very few whiskies have been used in the blend – probably no more than two. I heard the demonstrator mention the Highlands, but perhaps I misunderstood. I’m not entirely sure, as William Grant & Sons doesn’t own a distillery in the Highlands, but you never know. Charles Grant Gordon was the great-grandson of William Grant, the founder of the Glenfiddich and Balvenie distilleries, and of one of the largest whisky groups. It was under his leadership that Glenfiddich launched the first single malt in the history of whisky, during the 1960s. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It’s quite particular, generous notes of lemon, potimarron squash, orchard fruits, peaches, pears, very ripe apples, floral honey, fresh lavender, holly. Grass after the rain, autumnal freshness, dried herbs, plum pulp, dried apricots. On the palate, it becomes distinctly herbaceous, peppermint, thyme, leek soup. But also very honeyed. Fresh figs, cooked fruit, mirabelle plums. Very light, fruity spices. A finish that borders on perfection, immensely long, just the right amount of explosiveness, lacquered noble wood, fried caramel, pear coulis, melting chocolate. A hint of root notes underneath it all, warm chestnuts, hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

I don’t know where it comes from, but I know just how good it is. The nose and finish are magnificent, and it’s truly astonishing given its very low alcohol content. On the palate, it lives up to expectations, fruity and herbal, very original. At this age, the character is intense, with no watery notes. The price, however, is completely crazy, you have to wonder whether it’s something to be enjoyed or something to speculate on. The second option is, unfortunately, the most likely. A shame, because it’s truly excellent. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Eolith - Ruminate

House of Hazelwood Legacy Collection The Lowlander 36 yo

 

 

 

45,9°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Lowlands

American White Oak Casks 

Independent Bottling 

By House of Hazelwood

Limited Edition 

Blended Scotch

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

House of Hazelwood is a very new company, founded in 2022. It is owned by the Gordon family, who also own William Grant & Sons. Suffice to say, they know a thing or two about blending. They have released only around thirty products so far, all of which are very mature. This one is made from different distilleries from the Lowlands region, it is a Blended Scotch, which means there is grain whisky in it. Now, the Gordon family owns the Girvan distillery in the Lowlands, so that is certainly where the grain whisky that contributed to this nectar comes from. However, they do not own a malt distillery in the Lowlands. But at the time, around 1988 and before, there were only three distilleries in operation in the region: Auchentoshan, Bladnoch and Glenkinchie. The latter two are owned by Diageo, which has a turbulent history with William Grant & Sons, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. 432 bottles are being released. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is superbly mellow, vanilla waffles, garden blossom honey, candied mandarins, powdery almonds, brown sugar. A zest of lemon. At the same time, crystalline salt, fresh grass, reeds and rich earth. Light mineral notes, freshly cut flint, sweet butter. On the palate, it is unfortunately very light, though perfectly balanced, pulpy fruit, greengages, Chasselas grapes, soft bananas. White chocolate. Shavings of waxed wood, hints of aniseed, cardamom, clove, then a very long but not particularly explosive finish, very ripe pear, crushed flowers, cooked egg yolk, hazelnut, a dash of peanut butter.

 

In Short, 

At first, I was a bit disappointed, as I found it very light, despite a superb nose. But on reflection, there is a great deal of subtlety to it, including on the palate and in the finish. It is truly a quintessential Lowland whisky, with gentle, understated spring-like flavours, very well-balanced and smooth. However, I was shocked by the price, clearly, it isn’t worth such extravagance. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Pitou - Knife

Caol Ila 2007 A Single Cask Collection : Crafted in Cask 18 yo

 

 

 

48,6°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Hogshead and Moscatel Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Berry Bros. & Rudd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Also part of the Crafted in Cask collection launched in 2025, which comprises around twenty bottlings, this Caol Ila, having spent approximately 15 years in a hogshead, followed by at least three years in a cask of Moscatel, a sweet wine produced on the Iberian Peninsula, has yielded only 78 bottles. Within this range, also known as Odyssey, all the products have undergone a finishing process of at least three years in a variety of casks. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The pairing of the fruity Moscatel and Caol Ila-style peat is a success. A sooty smokiness with dried apricots, redcurrant jam, fresh figs, tannins, a few grains of salt, fragrant herbs. Marinated shellfish. On the palate, Amarena cherries, damson plums, it is as smooth as honey, but just a touch light. Soaked wood, intense spices, cloves, black pepper. A fairly long, powerful finish, with notes of ash, charcoal, burnt rubber, fermented fruit, a hint of sea spray. Black tea. 

 

In Short, 

I really liked this one, bearing in mind that it’s very different from the Caol Ila Distillers Edition, which is also finished in Moscatel. But that must be white Moscatel, whereas this one is clearly influenced by red Moscatel. It’s much richer, deeper and more intense. And it goes very well with the Caol Ila peat, full of soot, charcoal and sea spray. On the other hand, the price is off-putting, it seemed to me, but that’s no doubt because of the very small number of bottles produced. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Devil Electric - Hypnotica

Benriach 1991 Exceptional Casks

 

 

 

48,3°

Distillery : The BenRiach - Speyside 

Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Berry Bros. & Rudd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This range from Berry Bros. & Rudd is aptly named, as it comprises nothing but truly timeless bottlings. Here is a BenRiach aged for at least 31 years, matured in a simple hogshead, yielding just 254 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A very subtle nose, though it lacks that certain something to be truly captivating, candied apples and pears, marzipan, pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, delicate wax, discreet woody notes, cooked bananas, liquid honey. Chasselas grapes, cut hay, rustic grains. On the palate, it is a little light, but very nuanced, creamy vanilla, melt-in-the-mouth fudge, praline chocolates, dried apricots, apple compote dusted with cinnamon, argan oil, cardamom, nutmeg, clove. A very long, well-structured finish, grainy, peppery, woody, raisins, a thicker waxiness, pine splinters, melted butter. 

 

In Short, 

I found it hard to get my head around it. The nose seemed very well crafted to me, but it lacked that touch of magic that makes you dream. On the palate, it’s very good but a tad light. The finish, on the other hand, is superb, almost endless, not too strong, and spicy. Overall, it’s an excellent whisky, but at this age, I was expecting something truly mind-blowing, and that’s not the case. The price is enough to give you cold sweats. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           DeVotchKa - Give Me Something to Believe

Sutherland 2000 A Single Cask Collection: Crafted in Cask 24 yo

 

 

 

52°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Highlands

Hogshead and Quarter Cask Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Berry Bros. & Rudd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated 

 

 

 

This one is the oldest release in the Crafted in Cask range, launched in 2025 and also known as Odyssey, which comprises around twenty bottlings that have undergone a finishing process of at least three years, mostly in wine casks. Here, it is a simple finish in a Quarter Cask, which intensifies the interaction between the whisky and the wood. Only 92 bottles are being released. The name of the distillery is being kept secret, but it is 98% certain that it is a Clynelish. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Wildflower honey, candied lemon, flaked almonds, cooked apples, sweet-and-sour sauce. Fresh cereals, white currants, creamy vanilla, and a variety of spices, cinnamon, cloves, ginger. Elegant oak, with a slightly waxy quality. On the palate, it is somewhat light but well-balanced, with small yellow apples, delicately tart, generous citrus, a mix of fruits, peaches and mirabelle plums, a few salty notes, more subtle spices. Fairly long and powerful finish, almond paste, a touch of smoke and wax, aniseed, peppermint, roots.

 

 

In Short, 

It’s not quite as good as I’d have hoped. With a Clynelish of this age, you expect something truly outstanding, but this one is just a very good whisky. However, it’s original enough to catch the eye and stick in the memory, the Quarter Cask finish adds an interesting tangy and bittersweet touch. Very few bottles are available, so those keen to try it would be wise to hurry, there are still enough left for now, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? The price is generally a bit on the high side. 

Score : 89  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Failure - The Air's on Fire