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

Edradour 2012 Cask Strength Collection Collection Itinéraires 12 yo

 

 

 

59,2°

Distillery : Edradour - Highlands

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Edradour was acquired by Andrew Symington in 2002, which means that this bottling is not truly independent, as the Symington brothers are also the founders of Signatory Vintage. In any case, it was selected by La Maison du Whisky to be part of the Collection Itinéraires, launched at Whisky Live Paris 2025. It was matured in a first-fill Oloroso sherry butt and 564 bottles made it onto the shelves. 

Let's Taste It : 

Blueberry, redcurrant, raspberry jam. Dried apricots, dates, hazelnut chocolate, apple compote, paprika. Behind, there is a farm with its pastures, cut cereals, hay, lush grass, caramelised earth. On the palate, it is very well made, egg custard, blood orange, English cream, elegant woodiness, tobacco, quince jelly, candied citrus fruits. A light dash of vanilla mingles with more exotic flavours. Quite expressive spices. The finish is explosive but slow to develop, pastry cream, shortbread biscuits, ginger, dried pineapple, pine resin and liquorice.

 

In Short, 

A beautiful, vigorous sherry with a certain character, whiffs of the countryside and earth, exotic fruits, all mixed together to create a wonderful cocktail with a beautiful personality. Of course, you have to like sherry, because it is very intense. Unfortunately, the price is high for what it is, but fans of this profile may be tempted.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Elea Calvet - Memento Mori

Glenrothes 1995 Cask Strength Collection Symington's Choice 30 yo c. 6980

 

 

 

54,4°

Distillery : Glenrothes - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Cask Strength Collection series is already a guarantee of quality, but with the Symington's Choice seal on top of that, you can be sure you're getting the best casks from Signatory Vintage, a company founded in 1988 by the Symington brothers. This one is a Glenrothes, aged for 30 years, 1 month and 27 days, which spent its entire maturation period in a first-fill Oloroso sherry butt. 499 bottles were produced from the cask. Not to be confused with cask 933, distilled and bottled in the same year. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

The sherry is very intense, with notes of fig jam, apple tart sprinkled with cinnamon, raspberry coulis, dates and dried apricots, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, chocolate fondant, marzipan, creamy vanilla, damp wood, salted butter caramel, honey, floor wax, incense, freshly tanned leather. On the palate, it is very rich and very sweet, but without excess, with raisins, slivered almonds, crushed quinces, a number of candied fruits and a generous helping of spices, crème brûlée, a zest of lemon. The finish begins with dark chocolate, coffee beans, mahogany, melted butter, shortbread biscuits, a hint of wild strawberries. Roasted nuts, nougat.

 

In Short, 

It has everything that is good about sherry: it is rich, indulgent, varied, deep and intense. Some may regret not finding the character of the distillate, but this is Glenrothes, always aged in sherry casks, and that's no coincidence. The price is of course very high, but not beyond what the market demands, so enthusiasts with the means may be tempted to splurge.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Julia Holter - Evening Mood

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