Talisker 14 yo Special Release 2025 Molten Seas

 

 

 

53,9°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Bourbon Casks and Toasted American Oak Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

As it does every year, Talisker is launching a new batch as part of Diageo Special Releases, and this time, the age is quite high. This gives us hope for a high-quality product, like the 2019 batch, which was truly wonderful (I talk about it here). An intriguing detail: the finishing process took place in new American oak casks toasted by the heat of volcanic rocks from the Isle of Skye. I have no idea how this affects the taste, but it's an original concept. The marketing managers at Diageo have been hard at work again. But I have an idea, even though I'm no marketing expert: why not just make a good whisky, simply and well?

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Initially quite sweet and creamy on the nose, melted butter, egg custard. Then the coastal character gradually reveals itself. Candied lime, iodine and sea spray, high cliffs overlooking a rough sea. Pastry cream, pineapple. Burnt wood, slightly bitter, peach pit, bamboo bark. Waxy peat, liquid honey, floral notes, candied banana, quartz and limestone chips. On the palate, it is even more woody, with rose water, evanescent vanilla, coconut and malted cereals. Discreet spices, cumin, black pepper. Fairly long finish, not quite explosive, black radish, toasted wheat, a pinch of salt, straw, lychee juice.

 

In Short, 

Overall, it's good, especially the nose and finish, but there's a hesitation between a sweet, honeyed profile and burnt wood. The coastal character is present but a tad in the background. I wonder if the finish hasn't ruined the whisky slightly by hiding the nuances and subtleties brought about by 14 years in good quality Bourbon casks. Ultimately, it's still good, even very good, but I feel it could have been better. I'd need to taste it again to be sure. In any case, what is certain is that the price is too high for what it is, and I would not recommend buying it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Moon Idle - Godzilla

Ardbeg Smokiverse 25 Years of The Ardbeg Committee

 

 

 

48,3°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm 

 

 

 

To celebrate the Ardbeg Committee's 25th anniversary, a new limited edition was needed. This one stood out as the perfect bottling to represent everything the Ardbeg Committee has been doing for 25 years: no age statement, no mention of the casks used (I finally found a website where they talked about Bourbon casks, but it took a while), and no information on the number of bottles released either. But it has a quirky concept: the product was made from high gravity mash. In fact, it's just that less water and more malt than usual were used to produce the wort, which was therefore denser. The advantage is that a denser wort should produce more flavour, but you still need good quality casks and a fairly long ageing period to turn it all into a good whisky.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Suffocating peat, fairly intense herbaceous notes, angelica, liquorice stick, bay leaves. Lemon peel mixed with a good dose of iodine, sea spray, seaweed and kelp. Peppery, earthy and woody notes, seductive smoke. On the palate, it's not exceptional, but there is vigour, green apple, Italia grapes, aniseed, a pinch of pepper and, of course, a good dose of peat. Cumin and cloves, fresh walnuts. The finish is robust but not particularly long, with lots of vegetal notes, reeds, grass, water lilies, damp earth full of limestone, sunflower oil and macerated almonds.

 

In Short, 

It's always the same old story with Ardbeg: the nose is good, without being exceptional, the finish is powerful, but on the palate, it's too young and therefore watery. These little experiments are cute, but they end up getting tiresome. It's been a long time since I've had a limited edition that was better than, or even as good as, the Ten. What's more, the price is too high, it feels like a rip-off.

Score : 87  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Dead Cat - Post Scriptum

Clynelish 2008 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength Collection Itinéraires 17 yo

 

 

 

56,3°

Distillery : Clynelish - Highlands 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling

By Gordon & MacPhail

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 8 ppm

 

 

 

This whisky attracted a lot of interest as soon as it was released. Included in the Collection Itinéraires launched by La Maison du Whisky, which means it is mainly reserved for the French market, it was possible to discover it at the Whisky Live Paris 2025. Having spent 17 years in a 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, it was only possible to fill 182 bottles.   

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is light but perfectly balanced, with crystals of salt and quince, clementines, pineapple, quartz, gypsum and chalk. Mustard, condiments, paraffin, melted butter, baked apples, braised bananas, pita bread, creamy hummus, chickpeas, olive oil, chervil, fresh pear. Very fine, silky palate, vanilla, lychee, coconut, ripe peach, rose water, a pinch of cumin, cola nuts. Endless finish, explosive from start to finish without being too strong, tobacco leaves, lumpy wood, a tinge of bitterness, grated nutmeg, more prominent spices, white pepper, almonds, a drop of goat's milk.

 

In Short, 

This is an excellent Clynelish, decidedly modern, where wax gives way to fruit and mineral notes. The flavours are very varied, but this does not detract from its beautiful balance and character. In my opinion, this was truly a must-have bottle, and I bought it as soon as it went on sale. Especially since the price was quite reasonable. Now it's almost sold out everywhere, so it's going to be hard to get hold of. You need to act fast.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sofia Isella - Muse

Royal Brackla 2008 Cask Strength Collection Symington's Choice 16 yo c. 9

 

 

 

57,9°

Distillery : Royal Brackla - Highlands

1st Fill American Oak Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The Symington's Choice series adds further prestige to the Cask Strength Collection range, which has been around for decades. Here we have a 16-year-old Royal Brackla aged in a 1st Fill Sherry Butt, made from American oak, which is unusual. 671 bottles were distributed. It appears that there are three different casks of Royal Brackla distilled and bottled in the same year at Signatory, all three of which have undergone the same maturation process, so they should not be confused. This one is sold by La Maison du Whisky, among others, so it is the one I tasted. However, I am not sure there is much difference between the three. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Honey and vanilla, dried fruit, dates, raisins, apricots, figs, damp leather, lemon cake, apple tart, still-warm wax, yellow peaches, a whisper of mango, crushed nuts, cinnamon, even saffron. On the palate, it is fresher, with more wood, a touch of menthol, oily leaves, various fruits, slightly candied, more honey, intense spices. Long and powerful finish, still warm embers, fried bacon, red fruits, bread dough, apple compote, more cinnamon, roasted hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

The sherry is perfectly balanced, and the American oak adds a mellow flavour full of walnuts and hazelnuts. It is very pleasant to drink and very well made, but perhaps lacks a little character and personality. The price is very attractive, which means it is sold out almost everywhere, but you can still find it if you look hard enough. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Slow Readers Club - Boy So Blue

Linkwood 1995 Artist #15 The Dark Side of the Moon 30 yo

 

 

 

51°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Among the gems selected by La Maison du Whisky from Signatory Vintage's cellars for its new Artist range, this Linkwood finished in a first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead produced 339 bottles. The label features a work entitled Compassion by Stenjwa Luthuli. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

We have a fresher, more woody sherry, with wild strawberries, various citrus fruits, forest fragrances, holly, moss, bay leaves, molasses and acacia honey, cooked fruits, greengages, pears, almonds and lychees. On the palate, it is more peach and mango, with toasted cereals, crushed wood, roasted hazelnuts and ginger, relatively subtle spices, cloves and nutmeg. Powerful and very long finish, dates, raisins, figs, mahogany and cinnamon, vanilla and dark tobacco, a grain of redcurrant and a pinch of salt. 

 

In Short, 

An excellent Linkwood. It doesn't quite have the usual flood of fruitiness associated with this distillery, but it's not far off. Above all, the sherry gives it a velvety texture, honey and sweetness, with woody, herbal and indulgent notes, all beautifully balanced. Unfortunately, the price is far too high for this humble servant. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           whyohwhy - hori

Mortlach 1989 Artist #15 The Dark Side of the Moon Over 35 yo

 

 

 

44,2°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

2d Fill Sherry Butt 

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is the oldest Sherry bottling in the 15th release of the Artist range. The cask is a 2nd Fill Sherry, which gives us hope that it will not be particularly overpowering and that it will offer a fair marriage with the distillate. 250 bottles are being released, primarily for the French market. The label features the artwork Untitled by Stenjwa Luthuli. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, chocolate fondant, crushed fruits, blueberries, cherries, raspberries. Warm wax, blood orange, toasted nuts, pine needles, creamy vanilla, slivered almonds, salted butter caramel, soft toffee, pears in syrup. On the palate, blackberries, white peaches, liquid honey, candied fruit, dark chocolate and even coffee, a wide variety of spices, cinnamon, saffron, white pepper. The finish is wonderful, Corinth raisins, shortcrust pastry, woody wax, candied ginger, grilled bacon, a touch of dust a bit dirty, a few grains of cereal, cola, cocoa bean. 

 

In Short, 

This is an exceptional whisky, where the patina of time reveals an extraordinary variety of flavours, which nevertheless blend together in a balanced and subtle whole. It comes close to the best that sherry can offer in the world of whisky: a robust but refined product, softened by a whole host of delicious notes, including chocolate, pastry, fruit, wood, and even forest and meat. I would remind you that Mortlach uses 2.81 distillations, which increases the finesse and smoothness of the liquid. In other words, it is a masterpiece, at an extremely high price, but that doesn't even shock me. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Soft Machine - Backwards

Benrinnes 1997 Artist #15 The Dark Side of the Moon Over 25 yo

 

 

 

52,3°

Distillery : Benrinnes - Speyside

Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Amongst the fifteenth release of the Artist range, which is very varied this year, this Benrinnes catches the eye. Aged at least 27 years, it has spent its entire maturation period in a Sherry Hogshead, and everyone knows that Benrinnes pairs very well with Sherry. 221 bottles are promised to the public, primarily on the French market. A work entitled Emotional Connection, by Stenjwa Luthuli, is featured on the label.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Mellow and deep sherry, dates, Amarena cherries, floor wax, freshly tanned leather, salted butter caramel, wildflower honey, prunes and figs. Some forest scents, lichen and moss, mushrooms, creamy vanilla. On the palate, it is slightly more woody, with liquorice and dark chocolate, coffee beans, red fruit coulis, blood orange zest, marzipan and cooked fruit. Powerful spices, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cumin. Quite a long, explosive finish, pine resin, oak bark, argan oil, pipe tobacco. Yellow fruits, bananas and pears, toasted and indulgent cereals. 

 

In Short, 

It's everything you'd expect from a Benrinnes aged in a sherry cask, with something extra: a slightly dirty, woodsy, even earthy character. It's obviously very well made, with lots of varied flavours, but all consistent. It's just missing that little something to make it truly excellent. The price is really scary. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Boys Go To Jupiter - Handstand

Bunnahabhain 2013 Decadent Drams Exclusively Bottled for the Itinéraires Collection 11 yo

 

 

 

58,3°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Refill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Hogshead and Oloroso Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Slightly Peated

Decadent Drams is the new range launched by Decadent Drinks just over a year ago. It brings together mostly single cask and cask strength bottlings, but relatively young ones. Here we have an 11-year-old Bunnahabhain, unpeated, but aged in casks that previously contained peated whisky. Maturation took place in two stages, first in a Refill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Hogshead that previously contained Bunnahabhain Staoisha, then in a Refill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead that previously contained Ardnahoe. The transfer from one cask to another necessarily took place in 2020 at the earliest, as Ardnahoe became operational in 2017, and the liquid must remain in a cask for at least three years before it can be called whisky. 309 bottles were produced, which were reserved in priority for the French market, as was selected by La Maison du Whisky to be part of the Collection Itinéraires. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is very light, it's quite sweet, sherry with hazelnuts and pan-fried mushrooms, wild strawberries and forest fragrances, dark tobacco, hot chestnuts. A few mineral touches, slate, chalk, damp earth, wet leather. Copper notes. On the palate, it is well-made, balanced, citrus and molasses, roasted pineapple, grapefruit coulis, barley sugar, fermented fruit. Very measured spices, a pinch of sea salt. Fairly long finish with shortbread biscuits, fruit paste, crushed banana, liquorice, apple and cinnamon tart. Cashew nuts. 

 

In Short, 

It's very well made, but this light peatiness is a little unsettling. With Bunnahabhain, it's usually either very peaty or not peaty at all. It's good, but there are no particular qualities, it's just very balanced and subtle. And at the price it's selling for, it's really too expensive. No wonder there's still some left. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Xiu Xiu - Sad Mezcalita