Ben Nevis 1996 Les Fûts oubliés 26 yo

 

 

 

46,5°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands 

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Celtic Whisky Distilleries

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength 

Almost Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is the second release of independent bottlings from Celtic Whisky Distillery, these come from a batch of casks that were supposedly forgotten in the back of the distillery’s warehouses. Among others, this Ben Nevis was distilled in 1996 and released 26 years later in a limited run of 209 bottles. Since the casks were aged at the distillery itself in Brittany, it is not officially a Scotch whisky, which is why it is less expensive. The label was designed by the artist Averi. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A lovely and fresh cereal-like aroma, fields of freshly harvested wheat, honey and molasses, slightly fermented white fruits, citrus, it’s vaguely effervescent, mellow, pear tart, peach melba, nougat, very light hint of minerality and limestone. On the palate, it’s smoother, lighter, very supple, subtle oak, egg custard, a dash of vanilla, dried pineapple, subtle spices, sun-kissed herbs. Very long finish, full of almonds, cooked pears, a touch of exoticism, and even tropical notes, banana split, papaya, cheesecake, chives. 

 

In Short, 

I’ll be very clear, this is a far cry from the usual 1996 Ben Nevis whiskies, the fruit is less pronounced, the exotic notes are almost exclusively present in the finish, and the alcohol content feels a bit low on the palate. It’s still a very good whiskey, though, with a highly complex nose and a superb finish. It used to be available at a really attractive price exclusively at Le Comptoir Irlandais, a French retail chain, but now it’s completely sold out, which is hardly surprising. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                      Steven Wilson - On Chapel Slope

Linkwood 1991 Signatory Vintage 19 yo c. 10359 + 10360

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

Ex-Bourbon Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2010

Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

In the 2010s, it wasn’t uncommon to come across this kind of bottling: a fine distillery, 19 years old, but diluted to 43 ABV and cold-filtered. Today, no one would ever do that. Yet it did make it possible to get some great bottles at a low price. This one is a blend of two Bourbon Hogsheads that yielded a total of 747 bottles. 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Gum, slivered almonds, a blend of delicate floral and mineral notes, a pinch of powdered sugar. Creamy vanilla, fresh lemon, lychee, pears and peaches. Sweet zucchini flower fritters, bread dough dusted with flour, freshly sanded wood. On the palate, it’s caramelized, egg custard, mountain honey and orange blossom, spices are almost nonexistent, marzipan, white grapes. A very pleasant finish, fairly long, hazelnut shortbread, crème fraîche, ginger, slightly tart candies. Grainy, malty, toasted cereals. Cooked egg yolk. 

 

In Short, 

I'm surprised, because it's not very fruity, unlike the typical Linkwood profile. On the other hand, there are lovely floral and mineral notes, along with citrus and white fruits. A lovely, somewhat unconventional Linkwood that suffers a bit from its low alcohol content and cold filtration. It’s sold out everywhere, but the friend who let us try it found it at a ridiculous price at a corner grocery store, so who knows, you might get lucky. 

Score : 88  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Chloé Antoniotti - Sakura

Ardnamurchan 2019 AD/Sherry Cask Release 2025

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Ardnamurchan - Highlands 

Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

I had never had the chance to taste Ardnamurchan’s Sherry Cask Releases. It is an annual limited edition that has been available since 2023, so this is the third batch. There are also several Sherry Cask Releases available at cask strength, but they are reserved for certain countries and are hard to find outside those target markets. This batch is a blend of 24 casks, 14 hogsheads and 10 butts, most of which are Oloroso sherry casks, though not all. Only a few casks are peated. These are not finished whiskies, the maturation is complete. Overall, 13,056 bottles were produced. 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry appears to me to work very well here, with intense fruit notes, pear cake, red berries dominated by redcurrants and raspberries, leather, jam, cooked fruit. But the distillate still comes through, roasted grains, macerated wood, cut hay, and a hint of iodine. The palate is satisfying, creamy, molasses, still-warm caramel, raisin pudding in custard, pumpkin, some ash mingling with spices. The finish is long, charred, flavored tobacco, coffee grounds, dark chocolate, varnished wood, a few smoky notes. A pinch of pepper. 

 

In Short, 

It’s a relatively classic sherry, but the distillery’s character still comes through on the nose. On the palate and in the finish, a little less so. It’s really well-made and very pleasant to drink. You don’t really notice how young it is, the peat is very subtle. It’s a little treat you won’t want to pass up. The price is fair, if you’re interested, go for it. 

Score : 87+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Hiqby - Nothing

Ardnamurchan 2017 AD/Paul Lanois 5th Release 8 yo

 

 

 

57,4°

Distillery : Ardnamurchan - Highlands

1st Fill American Oak Bourbon Barrels and Champagne Wine Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It took nearly two years for this expression to reach its 5th Batch. Launched in 2021, it had previously been an annual release. This one was matured in 1st Fill American Oak Bourbon Barrels before undergoing a finishing period of approximately 14 months in Champagne wine Barriques sourced from Domain Paul Lanois in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, France. It's a blending of around 10 casks, yielding exactly 5726 bottles, 2500 more than the previous batch. The age has also increased, approaching nine years, distilled in March 2017 and bottled in February 2026, whereas earlier batches were around 6 or 7 years old. Less frequent releases, but with greater volume and age, it's a good deal.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is floral and fruity, very citrusy with barley sugar, blood oranges, crushed almonds, rum-soaked raisins, candied lemon, a few farmyard notes of cut hay and peach pits. Salted butter caramel. On the palate, it is oily and intensely fruity, fresh apricots, totasted nuts, vanilla cream and liquid honey, ginger and rhubarb in the background. Dulce de leche and cracked black pepper. A powerful finish, blond tobacco, liquorice, sanded wood, a pinch of sea salt, mirabelle plum and banana fruit jellies. 

 

In Short, 

To be honest, I usually struggle with this edition since I'm not a fan of Champagne, but I have to admit that this batch is much better than the others. More maturity, more structure and fruitiness, an oilier spirit and a very fine finish, it's a genuinely solid whisky. What's more, it seems that the price has come down. It's an improvement all around.   

Score : 87+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Starmother - Hesitation

Ardnamurchan 2016 AD/10 yo 2026

 

 

 

46,8°

Distillery : Ardnamurchan - Highlands

Bourbon Barrels and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated from 15 to 18 ppm

 

 

 

It is the third 10 year old released by the distillery. In 2024, a first 10 year old anniversary edition appeared, finished in Champagne wine barriques. Then, in 2025, we were offered another one, featuring a blending of Bourbon Barrels and Sherry casks. This latest release follows nearly exactly the same recipe. A large majority of Bourbon Barrels distilled in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and a few Sherry Casks to add depth and complexity. Half of the spirit is peated, and half is unpeated, resulting in an overall level of 15 to 18 ppm, given that Ardnamurchan barley is peated to 30-35 ppm - when it is peated. While this is currently an annual batch, the people at the distillery fully intends to add it to the core range as soon as possible. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is truly interesting, with a delicate, barely tart fruitiness, notes of iodine, swetness and florals, spices up by a touch of peat. Malty citrus, salt-soaked Janerik green plums, candied bananas, liquid honey. Faint woody undertones. On the palate, it is well-structured, pear and other orchard fruits, peaches and red apples, alongside toasted cereals, lemon peel. Few spices, but a generous pinch of salt. The finish is long and powerful, tobacco, liquorice, fresh figs, damp bark, all dusted with cinnamon. Thick ashes.  

 

In Short, 

The peat remains light yet ever-present. The Sherry is very subtle, serving only to enhance the spirit. Overall, it is a very solide, well-crafted bottling, though slightly lighter in character than other Ardnamurchan releases. The price is very reasonable, it is well worth buying without hesitation. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Lucy La Dusk - King in My Empire

Auchroisk 2010 Cadenhead's Original Collection 14 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Auchroisk - Speyside

Bourbon Casks and Manzanilla Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Yet another bottling from a little-known distillery that is bound to pique one’s curiosity. Furthermore, the finish in Manzanilla sherry casks, which lasted around two years, is interesting because Manzanilla sherry is quite rarely used and differs from other sherries. Auchroisk is a distillery founded in 1974 and owned by Diageo, it is mainly used in blends and for the Singleton brand. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A very approachable, fruity, smooth, mellow and deep sherry, juicy mirabelle plums, mashed bananas, camomile, apple tart, egg flan. Woody notes, bursts of citrus, runny honey, beeswax. Dried apricots and almonds. On the palate, it is slightly wine-like but well-integrated, pear liqueur, a generous dash of vanilla, macerated grapes, subtle herbaceous and spicy notes. A suitably long finish, shortbread biscuits, varnished wood, crushed almonds. Hazelnuts, cinnamon, a touch of bitterness. A pinch of pepper. 

 

In Short, 

I really liked it, it’s exactly what you’d expect. The sherry adds fruitiness without overpowering the spirit, it’s smooth, rich and almost complex. What’s more, given the distillery’s modest reputation, the price is low. All in all, it’s well worth buying. 

Score : 87+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Maria Andreu - Summertime Affair

Longrow 2002 Cadenhead's Original Collection 23 yo

 

 

 

43,7°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

1st Fill Olroso Sherry Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 55 ppm

 

 

 

It’s surprising that this one is being released as part of the Original Collection range, which is less prestigious. Perhaps the Authentic Collection or Enigma would have been more suitable ranges for such an aged product. However, the Authentic Collection specialises solely in single casks, whereas this is a blend of several first-fill Oloroso sherry hogsheads, and the Enigma range would not have benefited from the prestige of the Longrow brand, as the product’s origin is kept hidden within that range. The Original Collection is therefore the most suitable range, but it does seem a bit odd to see such a respectable age in it. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A very rich and deep sherry, red fruits, redcurrants, blueberries, vanilla pod, marzipan, cloves and cinnamon. A touch of iodine, lovely peat that lends great depth. Crème caramel, chocolate coulis, an ounce of charcoal. On the palate, it is slightly less varied, fresh figs, Reine-Claude plum jam, a few cereals, lovely maritime freshness, but plenty of spices immediately afterwards. A very long finish, liquorice and dark tobacco, dripping molasses, Belle Hélène pear, blackberry fruit jellies, thick and spongy peat, sea foam and sea spray. 

 

In Short, 

I’d love to say it’s perfect, but it’s not quite there. The nose and finish are superb, but on the palate I found it a bit simple and too smooth. I really appreciated the richness of the sherry, but also the maritime intensity that is rarely found at such a high level in Springbank. A very fine bottling, though unfortunately too expensive for what it is. Best reserved for fans only, but there are plenty of them when it comes to this distillery. 

Score : 89+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             San Holo - Surface

Tamdhu-Glenlivet 2013 Cadenhead's Original Collection 12 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Tamdhu - Speyside

Refill Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Tamdhu is a distillery whose whiskies are very rarely found in independent bottlings. Its output is used in numerous blends, and it also has to supply the regular range. That is why this simple bottling, matured in refill Oloroso sherry hogsheads, is bound to be of interest. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is mellow and fruity, mirabelle plums, Reine-Claudes, white grapes. Zest of oranges and mandarins, barley sugar, French toast, a few malty cereals, delicately steeped in caramel. Quite elegant woody notes, floor wax, bark. On the palate, it’s very nice, crème fraîche, white chocolate, banana coated in vanilla, freshly squeezed oranges, pears and peaches. A variety of spices, but not too overpowering. A long, powerful finish, blond tobacco, creamy cereals, egg flan, pine needles, toasted wood, ginger, cinnamon. 

 

In Short, 

It’s a wonderful burst of fruit, particularly citrus, with lovely woody notes and an abundance of cereal flavours. Honestly, what more could you ask for? It’s generous, complex and very approachable. The price is reasonable, it’s definitely worth considering a purchase. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Boy George - We Will Dance Again