Orkney Sponge 2005 Edition 002 16 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

In the early 20th century, there was a distillery on the main island of the Orkney archipelago, located in the town of Stromness and bearing the same name. It closed in 1928, almost a hundred years ago. It produced a whisky marketed under the name Old Orkney, and it is to this that Angus MacRaild wishes to pay tribute with his Old Orkney range, which he also occasionally refers to as Orkney Sponge. Eleven Old Orkney whiskies have been launched by Decadent Drinks, and this is the second. Having spent 16 years in a single Refill Hogshead, it yielded 341 bottles. It is not Cask Strength, it has been slightly diluted. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Orange peel and juicy grapefruit, slices of lime, lemon cake, there’s plenty of citrus here. Intense yellow fruits, gently weathered wood, thick honey, a hint of peat, liquorice stick, a few mirabelle plums and Reine-Claude plums. Ripe apricots, bananas, a trace of exotic fruits. Light mineral notes, but becoming increasingly pronounced. On the palate, a dash of creamy vanilla, brioche, rum baba, more citrus, rather pleasant spices, cinnamon and benzoin. A long, powerful, explosive finish, candied fruit, shortbread biscuits, cooked egg yolk, a pinch of salt, quartz.

 

In Short, 

A very fruity, very citrusy Highland Park, with a slight patina and very subtle peat. I didn’t find it particularly well-balanced, it seemed to me that the fruit was a bit overpowering. But it’s a good whisky, intense, full of character, not quite as ‘old school’ as the marketing claims, I actually find it quite modern. Unfortunately, it’s sold out everywhere, which is a shame as the launch price wasn’t bad. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Black Maze - Love

Jura 1998 Hidden Spirits 21 yo

 

 

 

51,3°

Distillery : Isle of Jura - Islands

Refill Bourbon

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is the only Isle of Jura bottled by Hidden Spirits, making it a real rarity. Having spent 21 years in a refill bourbon cask, it yielded just 267 bottles – no more. It is said to belong to the Classic Version range, but this is not specified on the label. Hidden Spirits is an Italian bottler founded in 2013 in Ferrara by Andrea Ferrari, they have nearly 150 expressions to their name. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Whiffs of minerals and sea salt, with fresh fruit, yellow apples, mirabelle plums, bananas. Perhaps even exotic fruits. Egg custard, vanilla extract, dates and figs. Lemon tart, generously buttered toast, a few drops of wax. Floral notes. On the palate, the butter and vanilla become more prominent, along with coarse grains, dry, freshly cut straw, walnuts and almonds. Rather subtle spices. A finish that develops well at first, then cuts short, liquorice stick, hazelnuts, marzipan, ginger, vanilla, coconut.

 

In Short, 

It’s not the best Jura I’ve tasted, but it’s very typical of the distillery, with mineral and fruity notes, and a hint of coastal influence. That said, it does have a bit of a personality of its own, with a touch of butter and wax here and there. In any case, it’s very good, except for the finish, which seemed a bit short to me. You can still find it on certain websites, but at a high price, really best reserved for dedicated collectors. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Minute Taker - Losing Self-Control

Mortlach 2005 10th Anniversary Bar Oaks Dram Edition #01 9 yo

 

 

 

58,4°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2015 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Artist range was launched in 2012 by La Maison du Whisky, so in 2015 we were at the very start of this adventure, and what was released at that time is now considered a rarity. Here we have this Mortlach, bottled in 2015 to mark the 10th anniversary of Bar Oaks Dram, an establishment in Osaka run by Yoshihiko Ito. The cask used is a standard Hogshead, but it is unclear where some of the staves came from, or whether any sherry was involved. Given the very pale colour of the whisky, this is unlikely. 309 bottles were released at the time, and it is very difficult to get hold of one today. Nowhere is it stated that it is unchillfiltered, but I trust La Maison du Whisky on this point. The cask comes from the warehouses of Signatory Vintage, which does not usually chill-filter its whiskies. The label is the work of the artist Yuuka Yamada. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite powerful mineral notes, stones from the bottom of a well, semi-salted butter that’s half-melted, limestone and quartz. Alongside these, delicate floral hints and juicy fruits, mirabelle plums, Conference pears, white peaches, it’s rather luscious, reminiscent of brandy. A trace of charcoal, steamed rice, aged pine honey. Noble wood with a layer of varnish. On the palate, the same fruits, with a more direct attack, and slightly candied citrus. It is oily and waxy, warm wax, green tea, lively spices. An explosive finish, very long and varied, it goes off in all directions, green fruits, damp wood, loose earth, hazelnuts and dark chocolate, apple crumble and cinnamon. 

 

In Short, 

I’m not sure I’ve done it full justice, but one thing’s for certain: it’s very original. It’s a non-Sherry-cask Mortlach, which is rare enough to be worth noting, and it’s surprising to find such strong mineral notes and a hint of damp, stony earth. In any case, it’s very complex and absolutely delicious. The price is still high, but in any case, you have to find it first, that’s what requires the most effort. 

Score : 90  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            VioletteScape - Déliquescence

A Speyside Distillery 1990 Thompson Bros. 31 yo

 

 

 

49,6°

Distillery Officialy Unknown - Speyside

Refill Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

There are plenty of curiosities in Dornoch, at the Thompson brothers’ place, and that comes with a bit of mystery. Here we have an unknown Speyside distillery, a cask that has been aged for 31 years and 8 months, with just 147 bottles. It is available exclusively in Germany, as Kirsch Import was entrusted with the task of selling it under the best possible conditions. It sold out very quickly. Theories were rife as to the identity of the distillery: Glenlivet, Glenrothes... But why refuse to reveal the name of the former? The latter, on the other hand, why not? Yet it is extremely rare for them to sell casks to independent bottlers. The mystery remains unsolved. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is light and airy, with notes of lemon meringue tart, semi-melted butter, warm brioche, waves of fruity aromas, but there are also quite pronounced mineral notes, salt and quartz, damp undergrowth, candied grapefruit, vanilla fondant, toasted wheat. On the palate, it is supple and balanced, argan oil, slivered almonds, powdered Parmesan, egg flan, île flottante, yellow fruits, and a few rare spices. A very pleasant finish, though it lacks a bit of punch, wood shavings, blond tobacco, butter biscuits, hazelnut, liquorice, speculoos, a hint of aniseed.

 

In Short, 

It’s a superb Speyside, just as you’d expect, both delicate and intense, full of varied flavours yet very well-balanced. That said, this one has quite pronounced mineral notes, it seemed to me, and that reminds me of Glen Elgin. But I’m also thinking of Macallan or Tamdhu, a distillery we’re not used to seeing aged in Bourbon casks, and therefore difficult to recognise. As for the price, it’s not excessive given the age. Fans of this style can go for it, but it’s no longer available. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            The Beths - Til My Heart Stops

Kilchoman 2013 100% Islay Sherry Cask Matured 11 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

The distillery is starting to release more and more 100% Islay bottlings, which is a rather good sign, they are becoming increasingly self-sufficient. Here, we have a blend of 16 casks, all ex-Oloroso sherry butts, which have been aged for at least 11 years, the distillation dates span three years, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The peat level is low, as is typical of 100% Islay whiskies. The number of bottles is not specified, but it must be over 10,000. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is not particularly powerful, but rather light and airy, orange peel, dried fruit, raisins, figs, brandied cherries, dates. Varnished wood, blackberry tart, delicate smoky notes full of soot, melting caramel, Aosta ham, leather, a whiff of sea salt and citrus. On the palate, damson plums, but also coffee, dark chocolate, dark tobacco, a few cereals, and various spices, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon. A fairly long finish, but not overly intense, candied ginger, citrus zest, charcoal, shellfish, a pinch of salt, damp wood, pine needles. 

 

In Short, 

I’ll be honest, it’s nothing to write home about. It lacks punch and, consequently, character – light peat, light sherry, a rather mild finish – and this isn’t made up for by any real complexity. It’s still a decent whisky, but I prefer the Loch Gorm, which I think is cheaper.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            The Telescopes - White Noise

Kilchoman 2015 100% Islay 15th Edition 9 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Every year since 2011, the distillery has released this 100% Islay edition, produced entirely on the island, as its name suggests. The peat level is lower than usual, and the age is generally 9 years. Here, we have a release made with Concerto and Publican barley, harvested, processed and malted in 2014 and 2015 at Rockside Farm, and matured in 54 ex-bourbon barrels. The batch was opened in 2025 and filled a whopping 13,000 bottles. I’m surprised that the whisky was distilled in 2015, as less than five months to prepare the barley for distillation seems rather short to me.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is light, very cereal-like, a whiff of iodine, rice cake and vanilla, cut hay, toasted wheat, roasted corn. Oak bark, a fleeting hint of smoke, melted butter, dried herbs. A touch of white peaches and bananas. Mineral and salty notes, a zest of lemon. On the palate, it is creamy, bursting with fruit, mirabelle plums, vanilla, grapefruit, yellow apples. White chocolate, salted butter caramel, and of course a layer of earthy and damp peat, prominent spices, cloves, nutmeg, ginger. A fairly long finish, full of peat, crushed hazelnuts, thick honey, shortbread biscuits, reeds and pepper, cigarette ash.

 

In Short, 

It strikes me as a success, the peat is a little more subtle, yet still very much present, giving way to fruit and cereal notes. The distillate seems purer, but also less assertive. I’ve never been a big fan of this range, but I must admit it’s getting better and better crafted. The price seems very high to me, producing whisky using traditional methods is expensive. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            uncady - Red Line, Blue Line

The Hearach 2018 Single Cask Collection Itinéraires 6 yo

 

 

 

59°

Distillery : Isle of Harris - Islands 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

The young Isle of Harris distillery, founded in 2015, is being showcased by La Maison du Whisky, which has decided to include it in the Collection Itinéraires, featuring cask 1908, distilled in 2018 and then matured for six years in a first-fill bourbon cask. The barley used is of the Concerto and Laureate varieties. 240 bottles are being released. Whether it is Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured and Cask Strength is not specified anywhere, but I trust La Maison du Whisky on these points. However, there is another bottling, also part of the Collection Itinéraires range, from the same cask, but with an alcohol content of just 58.6%. I believe the flavour profile is exactly the same, it is a sister cask. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An elegant, fresh and coastal nose, iodine and dried seaweed, kelp and whelks. It is airy, with oysters and mineral notes. Sweet vanilla, perfectly balanced, enveloped in a chiselled smokiness, a zest of citrus, honey-coated grains, yellow herbs, heather. On the palate, it is lighter, a little too young, not quite ripe plums, white chocolate, banana, vanilla and slices of lime, a good layer of peat, lively spices. The finish is quite long and very intense, full of charcoal, tangy, soot and caramel, grapefruit, sage, sea spray, beach sand. 

 

In Short, 

I really liked the nose, which seems very promising to me, and the finish has a punch that’s bound to appeal. On the other hand, on the palate, it’s still too young, almost watery – a shame. This distillery certainly has huge potential, it’s one of the five young distilleries I’m particularly interested in (Ardnamurchan, Lagg, Torabhaig, Raasay and Harris), but it will need a few more years before it’s truly competitive. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            oktobernatt - Rasa

Arran 2015 Private Cask Collection Itinéraires 9 yo

 

 

 

60,7°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

Refill Sherry Hogshead

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

Also part of the Collection Itinéraires, this 9-year-old Arran has been crafted from heavily peated barley. Previously, it was the Machrie Moor brand that represented peated whisky from the island’s first distillery. But now that another distillery exists, dedicated solely to peat, Machrie Moor has disappeared, and this type of bottling is set to disappear too. This whisky was matured in a Refill Sherry Hogshead, 179 bottles are being released, and it has been selected by La Maison du Whisky for priority sale in France.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It’s fresh, bursting with citrus and caramel, yet also minty, with a robust, mineral-driven peatiness, salt crystals, a touch of limestone, quartz and iodine. Rustic grains, ginger, dark chocolate, subtle smoke, raisins. On the palate, it is robust, lemon and grapefruit, barley biscuits, gingerbread, and a good layer of peat and spices, clove, cumin, nutmeg. A very long, powerful finish, apple fritters, quince jam, almond paste, coffee grounds, shards of basalt rock, gypsum. 

 

In Short, 

I really enjoyed it, the peat is intense, dry and mineral, truly characteristic, and it gives the spirit a strong personality, lending it a lovely character. The Sherry is not at all powerful, that leaves room for the distillate to thrive in an interesting way. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too expensive for my taste. Otherwise, I might well consider buying it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Kelsey Lu - Dreams