Ardmore 1985 Whiskyland Chapter Thirty-Six 41 yo

 

 

 

45,3°

Distillery : The Ardmore - Highlands

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

At the end of last year, as part of the same range, a 40-year-old Ardmore was released. It was ‘Chapter Twenty-Five’, a blend of two Refill Hogsheads released especially to celebrate the birthday of Angus MacRaild, one of the founders of Decadent Drinks. That’s why there was a birthday cake depicted on the label. But in fact, there was a third Refill Hogshead cask, Angus had simply decided to keep it for later. That ‘later’ has now arrived, and here it is. Distilled in the same year as the two sister casks bottled for the anniversary, it is now 41 years old. Only 102 bottles are being released, perhaps the team decided to keep a few for themselves, which I certainly wouldn’t hold against them. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very subtle peat that builds slowly, kerosene, sticky honey, varnished wood, exotic fruits, mango, maracuja, pineapple, candied banana, a hint of wax and juicy apples. Very subtle vanilla, a touch of lemon zest, a pinch of salt. On the palate, it’s perfect, the peat is slightly mineral, with a chiselled limestone quality, but overall it’s very smooth, oily yellow plums and elegant oak, the vanilla is a little more pronounced. An incredibly powerful finish given the low alcohol content, hail, pepper and cloves, marzipan, fig cake. A touch of herbaceousness. 

 

In Short, 

It was truly exquisite, very subtle and impressive, it’s hard to write a review that does justice to this nectar. Although I did find the peat quite pronounced, a lovely power on the finish and some absolutely fabulous notes of wax. Great elegance, superb balance, a bit old-school but also very modern. Without a doubt one of the best Ardmores available on the market. Of course, the price puts a damper on some people’s ambitions, but it’s not that expensive for what it is. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                               Tina Arena - True Faith

Auchentoshan 1998 Asta Morris Heritage 24 yo

 

 

 

54°

Distillery : Auchentoshan - Lowlands

Ex-Bourbon Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Asta Morris 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Let’s take a quick trip to Belgium, as that is where Asta Morris was founded in 2009, under the guidance of Bert Bruyneel, a whisky enthusiast. They release only a few bottlings a year, but they are of great quality. Here is an Auchentoshan of a respectable age, matured in a simple Bourbon cask, the ideal choice for exploring new horizons. 164 bottles were available for sale.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Immediately, a wonderful burst of fruit, further enhanced if you add a drop or two of water, mirabelle plum tart, very ripe yellow plums, bananas, juicy white grapes, Comice pears, Granny Smith apples. Alongside this, a good dose of melted butter, a hint of warm wax, cane sugar, untreated wood, caramelised pralines, a generous dash of vanilla, candied lemon. On the palate, the vanilla becomes more pronounced, it’s slightly less complex, but I detect a touch of exoticism, shortbread biscuits, candied chestnuts, almonds. The finish is long and powerful, which is surprising after such sweetness, very juicy, leavened bread, runny honey, a pinch of mandarin. The spices are very subtle overall, including nutmeg.  

 

In Short, 

I’m by no means an expert on this distillery, but it strikes me that this is a very successful and rather original whisky. It lacks the characteristics I’ve heard mentioned, the famous ‘chewing gum’ note, and the smooth, delicate character that comes from triple distillation. Instead, it has a lovely character, with plenty of fruit and richness, whilst remaining very well-balanced and approachable. A summer whisky that needs a few drops of water to really come into its own. You can still find it here and there, but at a price that’s hard to swallow. Perhaps scouring the auctions is still the best option. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                    Lizzy MacAlpine - The Light in the Painting

Ardbeg Lord of The Isles 25 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt 

Launched on 2001

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

Let’s take a brief look back at the history here. When Glenmorangie PLC bought Ardbeg in 1997, the distillery was on its last legs. And yet it had incredible potential. The first expression they released was the now legendary 17-year-old, which was magnificent but had a low alcohol content (40% ABV). Then came the Ardbeg Ten in 2000, which is still available today and is one of the finest Core Range expressions in the history of whisky. And the third expression is this one: the Lord of the Isles, launched in 2001. It is 25 years old, so distilled in 1976, and, as I’ve read, it also includes casks dating from 1974 and 1975. 85% of the casks are Bourbon casks, 15% are Sherry casks. It remained in production until 2007, when it was discontinued. That said, the one I tasted was apparently bottled in 2008, according to the waiter, who knows his stuff very well. I couldn’t check the date on the bottle, it was too dark. In any case, it is certainly one of this distillery’s most sought-after bottlings. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Immediately, a wall of enticing, rounded and velvety smoke. But what’s interesting is what lies behind it, it's creamy, vanilla, goat’s milk, lilac, mashed banana. If you dig a little deeper, you find all the distillery’s hallmarks, it’s very complex, with a very subtle minerality, limestone and quartz, measured hints of iodine, seaweed and gravel, soot and rocks, fly ash, petrichor. Light lemon and caramel in very small quantities. On the palate, vanilla éclair, egg yolk, egg custard, with a good layer of peat in the background. Spices derived from the wood, cinnamon, coriander, cloves. Bittersweet cream, mandarin peel, and a zest of candied citrus. A very long finish, which seems to lift the ground, ashy, earthy, charcoal-like. A few herbaceous notes, melted butter, warm wax, Belle Hélène pear, flint, tinder, hot ashes. 

 

In Short, 

It truly lives up to its reputation, highly complex, with incredible balance, intense yet not at all aggressive. The alcohol is, moreover, beautifully integrated. Undoubtedly the distillery’s finest expression in the Core Range. If you’re a fan of the distillery, you simply must have tasted it at least once. However, owning a bottle is reserved for the very wealthiest amongst us, given the price of this gem. There’s no point in dreaming about it. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                   And Also The Trees - Slow Pulse Boy

Ledaig 2009 The Whisky Agency An Independent Bottling 16 yo

 

 

 

52,9°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By The Whisky Agency

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm 

 

 

 

Founded in 2008, the German company The Whisky Agency is one whose high standards are well established. Here is a 16-year-old Ledaig, matured in a single hogshead that had previously contained bourbon, yielding a mere 295 bottles. No additives, no chill filtration, and bottled at cask strength, these are the company’s standards. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A lovely balance between a sharp minerality and a mellow bourbon, vanilla and caramelised honey, underpinned by a wild, barely restrained peatiness. It’s almost indulgent, vanilla éclair, a hint of lemon, kelp and dried seaweed. Chalk and blond tobacco. The palate is very vanilla-driven, a touch of clove, lychees, a gentle sweetness, orgeat, subdued spices. A very long finish, tamed power, candied lemon, prickly pear, white peach. Towards the end, it’s almost acrid, burnt wood, lumps of lignite, dark pipe tobacco. 

 

In Short, 

For me, this is a classic Ledaig, exactly as it should be, with a lovely balance between the elegance of the cask and the bold character of the spirit. I really love this distillery because it offers such contrasts. That said, this is a fine effort, but nothing exceptionally stunning or original either. It’s very well made, exactly what you’d expect, but nothing more. The price strikes me as slightly high, but any fan of this style will find it to their liking. 

Score : 89   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Valerie June - Smokestack

Hazelburn 2018 Oloroso Cask Matured 7 yo

 

 

 

47,9°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

Fresh Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The first Hazelburn Oloroso Cask Matured was released in 2017, and had been aged for 13 years. Subsequent releases were aged for roughly the same number of years, and the 7th Batch, released at the end of November 2023, was even 15 years old. We then had to wait a year and a half – it seemed as though the series had come to an end – before the 8th Batch arrived, but it was only 8 years old. This one, the latest release, is even younger, at just 7 years old. It was released in July, with 9,000 bottles spreading across the market. The recipe remains the same, Oloroso sherry casks, mainly first-fill, and triple distillation, but with a much shorter maturation period. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Caramel cake, chocolate fondant. Molasses, toffee, dates, redcurrants, prunes, Muscat grapes, bark macerated in wine, cherries in brandy, spongy leather, acacia honey, hazelnuts, brown sugar. Very fruity on the palate, raspberry, pomegranate, blueberries, quite oily, a hint of tobacco, pepper and clove. A fairly long finish, fig and raisins, earth and a slightly overpowering note of nutmeg, coffee grounds. The oak is very prominent, with a touch of bitterness. Peach stone, pipe tobacco. Very slight salinity.

 

In Short, 

The whisky’s youth isn’t particularly noticeable, but the sherry is intense. This gives it a lovely nose and a very pleasant palate, and the finish is good, but the whisky was on the verge of becoming too oaky. Perhaps that’s why it was bottled so young? Unless it was due to a shortage of stock, which would be the most reasonable explanation. In any case, there is complexity, but I’m not entirely satisfied with this one, there are some flaws. What’s more, the price is high for a 7-year-old, but then again, it’s a Springbank, so everyone buys it regardless of the price. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                    VHU - Estrella de la Mañana

Glen Ord 2012 100 Proof Edition #46 12 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Glen Ord - Highlands

1st Fill Bourbon Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This one was released over a year ago, but I only managed to get hold of a sample recently. Perhaps that was a mistake, as I know just how unfairly overlooked this distillery is, and the rare 100 Proof bottlings aged in bourbon casks are often interesting. All the more so as this one is 12 years old, which is not that bad.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A lovely lemony freshness, with a slight acidity. Subtle bursts of iodine, skilfully distilled. Brioche, lamb’s lettuce salad, a drizzle of creamy vanilla. Oily grains, lime blossom honey, a whisper of chlorophyll. Fairly subtle floral notes. The oily character is repeated on the palate, but the influence of the wood is also evident, bark, splinters, a few very ripe plums, fairly robust spices, herbaceous touches. It is quite mellow. Candied lemon on the finish, quite long, almost pastry-like, liquorice and cola, hazelnuts, macerated apples. The oaky notes linger nonetheless. Crushed pepper.

 

In Short, 

As expected, it’s a lovely, fruity whisky, smooth and oily, with a welcome hint of grain. Fans of this style would do well to give it a try. All the more so as the price is very reasonable, just like the rest of the range.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Marissa Nadler - Drive

Ben Nevis 2019 100 Proof Edition #75 7 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

2d Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts 

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

There are no fewer than eight Ben Nevis bottlings in the 100 Proof range, launched in early 2024, and this is only the fourth one I’ve tried. This one has a distinctive feature found only on 100 Proof #1 and #17: it is heavily peated. The peat isn’t all that heavy, I’d estimate it at around 30 ppm, but for a Highland whisky, that’s already impressive. However, like many 100 Proof bottlings, and all the Ben Nevis whiskies in this range, it’s matured in sherry casks, in this case second-fill Oloroso sherry butts. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Lovely forestry and fruity fragrances, dates, figs, berries, ferns, but the peat quickly takes over and dominates everything. It is thick, grassy, with a hint of earth, wet dog. It then balances out, forest glade and bark, it becomes rocky, but rather vegetal overall. A zest of lemon. The palate is quite oily, walnut oil, it’s mellow, sweet, treacle, runny honey, beaten eggs, a wooden touch, subtle spices, white pepper. The finish develops slowly, eventually becoming powerful. Bark, vines, hot chestnuts, cork oak, traces of charcoal and liquorice, warm caramel.

 

In Short, 

This is certainly the first time I’ve found the peat to be too strong, to the point where it masks the rest of the profile somewhat. But that’s the case here, it results in a Ben Nevis full of character, but one that lacks complexity, particularly on the nose. That said, the finish is really well executed, and it’s pleasant on the palate, so I’m giving it a good mark. The price is very low, as is always the case with this range. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                 To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                   Katia Pojidaeva - Inherited Scars

Octomore 2012 Single Cask 2nd Fill Monbazillac Cask 11 yo

 

 

 

60,4°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

2d Fill Monbazillac Cask

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 156 ppm

 

 

 

Since last year, a series of Octomore Single Cask releases has been flooding the markets, and each one is reserved for a specific country. Germany has already had two, whilst France has yet to receive any. There are releases for Japan, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, one for Global Travel Retail, and one for the distillery’s Visitor Centre on Islay. This one appears to be the very first to be released, launched in Germany in April 2025. It has been matured for 11 years in a second-fill Monbazillac cask, a sweet white wine from the south of France. 294 bottles are being released. I don’t usually label Octomore releases as ‘Cask Strength’ anymore, as the distillery’s Brand Ambassador told me that Octomore whiskies are always slightly diluted. But this one does indeed appear to be Cask Strength – all the websites specify this – and such a high alcohol content after 11 years is truly remarkable. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The wine influence is intense, candied white grapes, pineapple, cinnamon, caramelised apricots, Frécinette bananas, treacle. The peat is subtle for an Octomore, smoke rich in iodine and limestone, perfectly balanced. After a while, it becomes rich and pastry-like, yet still iodine-tinged, egg custard and royal jelly. Intense woodiness, as if torched. Warm wax, semi-salted butter, crème brûlée. Very light acidity, lemon Turkish delight. Then intense maritime notes, the tide, kelp, sea foam, fish scales. On the palate, it is pulpy, viscous, very mirabelle plums, very egg yolk, an abundance of spices, soaking syrup, vanilla extract, almonds and lychees, a hint of clove, aged pipe tobacco. An incredibly smooth and long finish, creamy and sandy, mountain honey, macerated dates, fresh figs, pressed apples. Drop of charcoal, brown sugar. Chinese nougat, hot sweetcorn, churned butter.

 

In Short, 

I’m putting this straight onto my list of favourite Octomores, after the 04.2, the 08.3 and the 10-year-old Third Edition, but before the Friends of Bruichladdich (a quick thought for Derek Mather 😢). So, with this one, here are my top five favourite Octomores! This one’s palate is just a tiny bit below the top three, which are sublime. But it’s an exceptional Octomore, with a nose that’s constantly changing, shifting between the sweet, fruity influence of the cask, intense peat and maritime notes. The finish is magnificent too, the alcohol is incredibly well integrated, and it unfolds through multiple layers, it’s very long. The price, on the other hand, isn’t magnificent at all, especially now that it’s sold out almost everywhere. It’s far too much. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Sleep Dealer - A Storm Was Gathering