Springbank 2010 Local Barley 10 yo

 

 

 

55,6°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

Oloroso Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

This is the 6th bottling in the Local Barley series since it was relaunched in 2016. The bottling was made at the end of 2020 for a release in early 2021. 8,500 bottles were filled, and this time only Oloroso Sherry casks were used. This is the only time that the ageing is 100% Sherry with a Local Barley. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Unctuous sherry, very chocolaty with an ounce of ground coffee, noble wood, somewhat exotic, dates, dried figs and bananas, fermented grapes. Cereals are in the background, fresh, wet hay, just-cut wheat. Honey biscuits, sunflower oil. Exotic fruits, bananas, papayas, a hint of peat. It's silky on the palate, rosewater, passion fruit, melting caramel, then lively spices, accompanied by citrus fruits, grapefruit, kumquat. The finish is very long and powerful just as it should be, liquorish, woody, tinder, black tea, olives, muscat grapes, gingerbread, set with candied fruit. Nutmeg, cinnamon.

 

In Short, 

It's excellent, the Sherry is very intense, but it leaves a bit of room for the distillery's markers. That said, it's one of the best-rated Local Barleys, and I'm not sure it's my favourite. I prefer it when there's a balance between Sherry and Bourbon. As for the price, it's now astronomical, and totally out of line. The release price was acceptable, but speculation has taken its toll on this wonderful bottling. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Tom JJ - All Your Love

Littlemill 1976 250th Anniversary 45 yo

 

 

 

40,8°

Distillery : Littlemill - Lowlands

American Oak Cask and 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

If the distillery had not closed its doors for good in 1994, it would have celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2022. The Loch Lomond group, which now owns all the remaining casks of Littlemill, was keen to celebrate this anniversary, even if it is more of a commemoration. It's an opportunity to release this 45 year old, at the time the oldest Littlemill ever produced. It was succeeded last year by a 47-year-old. It spent almost 45 years in an American oak cask, before being finished for 6 months in a 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead. And 250 bottles are on sale, at an eye-watering price. Each bottle comes with a box featuring an original photograph by Stephan Sappert, an artist who works exclusively with 19th-century materials. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Typically Littlemill nose, blood oranges and orchard fruits, yellow apples, juicy pears, peaches, herbaceous notes, laurel and honeysuckle, warm chestnuts, forest berries, rough bark. Vanilla, of course, acacia honey, a lime zest, grapefruit, reeds, a few vegetables, leeks, medlars, turnips. Delicately floral notes. On the palate, it's silky, smooth, balanced, close to perfection. Litchis, rosewater, exotic fruit, melon, apricots, but behind that, chocolate, honey, almond milk, and very discreet spices, nutmeg, cinnamon. The finish is long, but not very powerful, with lots of hazelnuts and cashew nuts, parsley, noble wood, notes of coffee, earth, charcoal. 

 

In Short, 

It's really excellent, intense and original. I thought it was a very typical Littlemill, but with a few hints of Sherry, blood oranges, chocolate and honey, hazelnuts. The finish, on the other hand, seemed relatively weak, but I'd tasted a number of much stronger whiskies before, so I think if I tasted it on its own, as I should, it would be much more enjoyable. The price is, of course, outrageous, this is not a whisky made to be drunk, but for speculators to have fun with. Nonetheless, it's really very good. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Joseph Haydn - Symphony n°49 in F minor "La Passione"

Tobermory 2008 A Single Cask Collection : Coasts & Shores 16 yo

 

 

 

54,9°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Bourbon Hogshead and Oloroso Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Berry Bros. & Rudd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

There are around 25 bottlings in the Coasts & Shores series, which is designed to highlight the coastal character of distilleries, often located close to the sea. Here we have a Tobermory, which certainly took a few years to finish in an Oloroso Sherry cask. Will the influence of Sherry obliterate the costal character of the distillery? We shall see. 446 bottles have been released for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite dry sherry, redcurrants and pomegranate, then it becomes more pulpy, red plums and grapes, cherry clafoutis, raspberry coulis, lovely woodiness, elastic leather, quince jam, gingerbread. It's silky on the palate, soya milk and red fruit, egg yolk, morello cherries, some spices, candied rhubarb. Long finish, close to explosion but not quite, soft bark, mahogany, nutmeg, pudding, stuffed figs, dried dates, apricots, liquorice, squid ink, candied cherry. Cashew nuts.  

 

In Short, 

So, it's a superb Sherry Bomb, but there's none of the distillery's costal character, which is already discreet, even in a Bourbon bottling. The Sherry is intense, very present, and I don't think anyone could identify any other elements. That said, it's really well made, it's not sickening, there's no sulphur, it's very fresh Sherry, and if I only had one Sherry-finished bottling, I wouldn't mind it being this one. The price is pretty attractive, and I'd recommend buying it for those who like the profile, but there's not much left, so you'll have to hurry. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :  

 

                                           Rəhman Məmmədli - Dervish

Bruichladdich Black Art Edition 11.1 24 yo

 

 

 

44,2°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

So this is the 11th edition of Black Art, and the 7th under the responsibility of Adam Hannett, the venue's master distiller. For the occasion, he has decided not to divulge the types of cask used for this one - it's a secret and he won't tell anyone. Okay, but why is that? Are there any unmentionable casks? A tequila or mezcal cask that would bring down the value of the bottle? I'm surprised, because this type of cask was rarely used in the 1990s. In any case, I'm frustrated by this cult of secrecy. For me, the pleasure of discovering a bottle is also knowing where it comes from and how it was made. The second strange thing is that the juice is 24 years old. Since it was bottled in June 2023, we can deduce that the most recent cask was distilled in early 1999 or late 1998. Except that the distillery was closed at the time, and was not producing anything at all. Production ceased in December 1993, so either the whisky is much older than 24 years, or one or two casks were distilled when the distillery was closed, or the whisky was kept somewhere other than in oak casks for some time, which would explain the age inconsistency. Honestly, it's the 3rd hypothesis that seems most likely to me, and it would explain why Adam Hannett is fiercely secretive about the ageing process. 1286 bottles were produced, but this is only specified by one site, so this figure is not totally reliable. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's both winey, with a hint of vanilla, and rich in dried fruit, damp leather, grapefruit zest, melting chocolate on a juicy pear, floral and exotic fruit notes, it's pulpy, full-bodied and sweet. A light sea breeze tops it all off, with a pinch of coarse salt. On the palate, it's smooth and suave, with dried fruit, dates, figs, but also rose loukoum, pistachio, notes of wood, cinnamon, nutmeg and saffron. The fruit becomes darker, quetsches, red grapes. Quite a long finish, with a certain character despite the low alcohol content, almond paste, warm honey, fruit coulis, coconut crumbs, dried pineapple. 

 

In Short, 

It's very complex and varied, I'm thinking of Bourbon and Sherry casks, but also white wine or white spirits casks. We know the distillery staff's taste for experimentation, and that's why we like them, which is why I really don't understand why the ageing processes are kept secret. A Bruichladdich fan is prepared to hear a lot, has no prejudices, and is always thirsty for discovery. I know it, because I'm one of them, and that's why we love this distillery, because it's always looking for original things. So why keep it a secret? I have the impression that it's a shameful family secret, but even in that case it's better to get it all out in the open. Anyway, the fact remains that this is a very good whisky, original, rich and varied, and totally successful. Obviously, the price is too high for what it is, but that's the price of experimentation I suppose. For absolute fans only. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                 Akua Naru - Poetry : How Does It Feel Now???

Littlemill 1990 Cask Reflections Release N°1 33 yo

 

 

 

49,1°

Distillery : Littlemill - Lowlands 

Refill Bourbon Barrels and Mizunara Oak Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's been more than thirty years since the distillery was mothballed now, and there are not a lot of casks left. They were acquired by the Loch Lomond group, who keep them on their distillery site. A limited edition is released occasionally, each time more expensive, older and rarer. Here, we have a 33-year-old divided into 570 bottles. A finishing period of 4 months and two weeks in Mizunara oak casks will no doubt add a little more finesse to the woodiness. I would have liked to know whether the whisky was chill-filtered or not, but no one said. It's a shame, because it's important. The idea that it could be seems rather scandalous to me, for a product of this age and price. It's been almost a year since it was released, as the first in the Cask Reflections series, and I think the 2nd will be arriving soon.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The woodiness is quite intense from the start, with dry bark, tinder, sandalwood, liquorice stick. Light, spongy candied fruits, grapefruit, papaya, yellow plums, discreet citrus notes mixed with forest nuances. Almond cream, mashed banana. On the palate, it's really smooth and balanced, rosewater, lychee, flower honey, white melon. The spices are not at all aggressive but very present, cinnamon, nutmeg. The finish is long and winding, with a return of liquorice, rough wood, bread cake, dried raisins, melting chocolate, fig paste, gingerbread, kiwi. 

 

In Short, 

I don't know if this kind of whisky is really made to be drunk, the price is so high that it will also attract investors, who won't touch a drop of it, and will be looking to sell it for more in ten years' time. That said, it has to be very good, so that the value is not lost. That's the paradox of whisky speculation. You have to be sure that it's very good, even if you never open the bottle. And so it is excellent, and even a little more so. The nose is the most impressive, but the palate is perfect too. The finish could have been a little longer, but it has other qualities, it's really varied and deep. In short, this is an exceptional whisky. The finish in Mizunara oak casks brings an intense woodiness and notes of creamy honey. I had a great time, and I wish I'd tasted this nectar in better conditions, perhaps my score could have been even better. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Dhafer Youssef - Soupir Eternel

Tamnavulin 2007 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 16 yo c. 700367

 

 

 

57,4°

Distillery : Tamnavulin - Speyside

Refill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Mothballed in 1995 and reopened only in 2007, Tamnavulin is not a very well-known distillery, first because of all these years of silence, then because a lot of its production goes to the Blends. And there are very few independent bottlings from this distillery. This one is a 16 year-old, raised in a Refill Bourbon Barrel, that means the distillate has everything to thrive. Only 165 bottles were produced. 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A small deluge of fruit, white and yellow peaches, bananas and pineapples, white and red grapes, mirabelle plums, juicy pears. A touch of cereal, hay, cowshed, then mixed floral fragrances, quite pleasant, cherry blossom, tulip, daisy. Pastry cream in the background, citrus fruit, candied lemon. On the palate, it's solid but less subtle, creamy vanilla, almond milk, liquid honey, lime pulp. Discreet spices, nutmeg, ginger. Very long and explosive finish, lightly burnt chocolate fondant, walnut biscuits, semi-salted butter, cashew nuts. 

 

In Short, 

I really liked it, especially the nose, which is very fruity and floral. The palate is slightly honeyed and milky, but a little less complex than the nose. The finish is very well done, very well executed. A fine product, a credit to this distillery. What's more, the price is right, but when you have a good product at a low price, what usually happens is that it sells out quickly, and that's the case here. There are still a few German sites that do not deliver abroad, and auctions. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Marcator - Yearning

Bunnahabhain 2009 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 14 yo c. 358

 

 

 

57,6°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay 

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

There are some bottles that you just go for without thinking, these are equations that can only lead to quality. When you read Bunnahabhain, Gordon & MacPhail, Sherry, you know it can only be good. And if, in addition, the age is honourable and the cask is first-fill, our first impression can only be confirmed. 361 bottles were delivered to the public. Not to be confused with another Bunnahabhain of the same age and vintage, produced by the same bottler, but for the benefit of The Whisky Explorer Society, which is why I've included the cask number. 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Soft toffee, marzipan biscuit sprinkled with cinnamon, nougatine, genoise, brioche, it's a little summit of indulgence, mellow and sweet. Palets bretons, filled with semi-salted butter, white and red grape clafoutis, whipped cream, the whole enhanced by a very slight coastal character, sea spray, iodine freshness. Well-balanced on the palate, speculoos and delicate woodiness, apple cannelés, a variety of spices, even exotic ones, curry. The finish is long and languorous, brown sugar melting in a caramel sauce, grilled bacon, crushed hazelnuts. 

 

In Short, 

It's really what you'd expect, cakey and delicious, with a slight saline character. It's good, but it would have been even better with a few more years. Personally, I would have let this barrel work a little longer. The fact remains that you have a superb time, and the price is not at all excessive, so it's worth buying this little gem, which I got on a very attractive special offer.

Score : 89  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           anaiis - In The Dark

Ben Nevis 2012 Single Cask Collection Foundations 11 yo

 

 

 

59,4°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands 

American Wine Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

In 2023, a 10-year old Ben Nevis caused a sensation at Whisky Live Paris, because it had been aged in an American wine cask, and the profile was truly original. Last year, at the latest Whisky Live Paris, we were treated to the sister cask, another Ben Nevis aged in an American wine cask, but this time aged for 11 years. It was integrated into the Collection Foundations to produce the same effect as its predecessor, but this time the comments were less enthusiastic. 264 bottles were put up for sale. 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's complex on the nose, but very vinous all the same, with several woody phases, peach and apricot stones, balsamic vinegar, pan-fried mushrooms, red fruit purée, citrus fruits, lime, grapefruit. On the palate, the distillery's profile comes back a little, with exotic fruits, but also swamps, chocolate for cakes, forest berries, some red fruits, but more redcurrants, expressive spices, cloves, nutmeg, cumin. Long, powerful, deep finish, charcoal and damp earth, black radish, roots, liquorice, cooked apples. 

 

In Short, 

This time, the magic didn't work as well. It's very interesting, but the balance isn't perfect, the cask eats up a bit of the distillery's character. It's still very complex and nuanced, even deep, but there's no real overall idea, the different markers are scattered and don't form a coherent whole. That said, I liked the finish, which I found perfect. The nose isn't bad and the palate is intense, it's a good, even very good whisky, but it's not a success either. As for the price, it's really high and not worth buying. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Savages - You're My Chocolate