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

Springbank 12 yo Cask Strength Batch 24

 

 

 

54,1°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

60% Bourbon and 40% Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

It was only three years ago, and already five batches have come and gone. Since the distillery resumed releasing two batches a year, time has flown by. Where will it all end? This one is a blend of 60% Bourbon casks and 40% Sherry casks. This will ensure a good balance between the two, as the Sherry is more expressive than the Bourbon. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

I find the smokiness quite pronounced, yet at the same time it’s unctuous, figs and Reine-Claude plum jam, a few raspberries, floor wax, heather honey. But there are also some charcoal and soot, albeit in small quantities. Underlying this are sweet, indulgent notes, pastry cream, vanilla macarons, a pinch of icing sugar. On the palate, it’s less complex but very good, almonds, lychees, candied pear, white grapes, and well-balanced spices. The finish is long, mellow and just the right amount of powerful, resin, dates, cola, dried apricots, a very slight woody bitterness, hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

I was surprised to find a more pronounced peatiness than usual, along with some coal notes, but that might be because I’d had a Bowmore just before, even though I’d rinsed my glass. I’ll have to try it again sometime to be sure of what I tasted. In any case, it’s absolutely delicious, very smooth right from the nose, delicate on the palate and with a very long finish, without being quite explosive. It’s a really fine piece of work, making you wonder how they do it. As for the price, however, it’s well above what one might have hoped for, but that’s not their fault. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                              To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Gurriers - Top of the Bill

Laphroaig 11 yo Living Souls

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Refill Bourbon Barrels 

Independent Bottling 

By Living Souls 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

As I’ve really enjoyed it so far, I’m continuing to explore the Living Souls range, and I must say I’m delighted every time. Here we have a relatively young Laphroaig, matured in a blend of refill bourbon casks that bring out the best in the spirit. I’d have liked to know how many bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A bewitching smokiness and a few mineral hints, which barely mask the white grape pulp, liquid honey, lumps of charcoal, gravel, a subtle medicinal note. Candied banana, vanilla icing, heavy peat, a pinch of icing sugar. Ointment. On the palate too, the fruit is more pronounced, it’s sweet, buttered toast, lychees, almond paste, then the spices emerge, quite strongly, cumin, clove, black pepper. Quite oily overall. A very long finish, but not overly aggressive, royal jelly, puddles of petrol, prickly pears, dried tobacco, rustic wood, the peat resurfacing, liquorice, an ounce of bitterness.

 

In Short, 

This is the classic Laphroaig profile, with just the right amount of minerality, coastal character, medicinal and oily notes. But above all, there’s plenty of fruit, and the balance is beautifully maintained. Everything works very well together, and the price is really good value. If I were you, I’d hurry up and buy it. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                    Dead Serpent - Destruction

Laphroaig 2013 The Single Malts of Scotland 9 yo c. 190

 

 

 

61,4°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Elixir Distillers often release Laphroaigs of this sort, where the distillate is showcased in all its youthful vigour. This whisky is just 9 years and 11 days old and was drawn from a single hogshead that has allowed it to flourish. 332 bottles have seen the light of day. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Vanilla cream, traces of chalk, ointment and powdered almonds. Grey smoke from dust, floor wax, toasted cereals, goose fat, hints of petrol, methylated spirits. Medicinal notes in the background. On the palate, it’s a little simple but pleasant, juicy pears, cloves, white fruits, more vanilla, then cumin, horseradish. The finish is slightly better, and even long, deep, oily, coconut extract, chocolatey charcoal, dried bananas, velvety figs. Exotic wood and heather honey.

 

In Short, 

This one hasn’t quite managed to avoid a few flaws. On the nose, it’s unbalanced, with too much creamy vanilla, and the alcohol is very noticeable. On the palate, it’s a bit light, but pleasant. Fortunately, the finish saves the day somewhat, as it’s very good. Overall, I’d say it has a friendly profile with character despite its flaws, but one expects better from a product in this range. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend buying it, there are plenty of better-made Laphroaigs, and often cheaper too. 

Score : 87 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                Bonnie Tyler - It's a Heartache

Talisker 1977 Special Release 2012 35 yo

 

 

 

54,6°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

American and European Oak Refill Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2012

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

This is the oldest release in the Diageo Special Releases range, from Talisker, at any rate. The distillery has released older expressions, but you’d have to look in the Casks of Distinction or Prima & Ultima ranges, and they aren’t always cask strength. It is, therefore, a first-class whisky that I’ve been lucky enough to get my lips on. All the more so as the maturation is very straightforward, allowing the distillate to shine through. 3,090 bottles have been unleashed into the wild. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is simply perfect, airy, briny, mineral, smooth and of great purity, the aromas blend together to create a stunning balance. Then the fruit emerges gently, a hint of citrus zest, grapefruit, lime, the brightness of a mirabelle plum, a few drops of melted butter. A somewhat indecisive peat note, which remains in the shadows, never quite revealing itself. Fragments of limestone, seaweed and seafood. The rising tide. On the palate, it is subtle, fluffy, lychees, runny honey, perhaps exotic fruits, but barely perceptible, Golden Delicious apples, rock, basalt, and very discreet spices. A very long finish, slightly charred, rocky, gravelly, dusty, whispers of peat, the depth of the sea, squid, oily vanilla, a pinch of pepper.

 

In Short, 

This is truly a Talisker from another dimension, clean and incredibly subtle, with great depth. The distillate is there, venerable, but without any embellishment from the cask. It’s absolutely magnificent. To be honest, I think I preferred this one, because it was a tad fruitier. But in both cases, it’s truly a whisky that leaves a lasting impression. The price, of course, is enough to send you into a deep depression. 

Score : 92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                              To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                Max Richter - On the Nature of Daylight

Bunnahabhain 2004 Old Islay 21 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

1st Fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Butts, 1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Hogshead Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

So, this is the third release in the ‘Island Hopping Series’, and it was launched last March. It is a 21-year-old Bunnahabhain, and, naturally, it has been matured in sherry casks. According to the Scotch Whisky Association, it cannot be described as a Single Cask, as the initial maturation took place in several sherry butts. However, several websites do present it as such, as the second maturation took place in a single Sherry Hogshead, and it is stated that this lasted several years. But it seems more logical to me to follow the Scotch Whisky Association’s guidance. 296 bottles are available for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A typical sherry from Bunnahabhain, lovely velvety balance, juicy red fruits, varnished wood, pastry cream. Thick bark rubbed with Muscat grapes, blueberry tart, citrus pulp. Chocolate, shea butter, Vanilla in its pod, caffè latte. On the palate, it leans more towards white and even exotic fruits, Comice pears, a drop of papaya juice, Golden Delicious apples, elegant oak, fairly light but noticeable spices. Clove and nutmeg. The finish is not overly violent, but very long, caramel-filled pralines, green tea, subtle hints of charcoal, black earth and fresh blackberries. Peach stones, notes of tinder, and a very slight bitterness.

 

In Short, 

To be perfectly honest, I have to say I’m a bit disappointed. A friend had told me it was exceptional, and certainly it’s very good, very representative of the distillery and has a lovely balance. However, it isn’t all that expressive and holds few surprises. Decadent Drinks has a huge reputation, and you always expect something outstanding from them, as that’s often the case. But not always, as we can see here. It’s still a lovely bottle of Bunnahabhain, very old-school and appealing, fans of this style might well overlook the high price to treat themselves to one. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                               Estela Alexandre Orquestra - Memòria

Springbank 12 yo Cask Strength Batch 29

 

 

 

56,6°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

100% Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

This one arrived rather unexpectedly, right in the middle of July, and just seven months after the previous batch. And, like the previous batch, it’s 100 per cent Bourbon-matured, which is quite rare in this series, which was launched in 2010. I love my Springbank aged in Bourbon casks, but I hope they don’t make it the norm, as I like a bit of variety too.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is creamy, english custard, generous vanilla, thick honey, blond tobacco, a rubbery quality, plums and crushed bananas. Hints of iodine, full-bodied peat, exposed beams, small pebbles, farmyard notes, hay, stable. Gentle indulgence, cereal bars. On the palate, olive oil, macerated almonds, prickly pears, sanded wood, powerful spices. Wheat germ. A very long finish, a touch of liquorice, charcoal and chocolate, chewing tobacco, beach sand, citrus pulp, grapefruit and lemon. An ounce of bitterness, asparagus.

 

In Short, 

I found the nose very fruity, and I tasted it alongside the other two 12-year-old Cask Strength 100% Bourbon whiskies I own, Batches 23 and 28, and I think this one is better. Lots of fruit on the nose, a rich, indulgent character, very oily on the palate, and a very long finish. Whereas the other two are more mineral, lighter and more ethereal. The only slight drawback on this one is that the wood has left a bit of a mark on the finish and there’s a very slight bitterness. Mind you, that’s not necessarily a flaw, but it does mean the balance is slightly off at that point. As for the price, it’s now too high for my liking, it’s a real shame, but we’ll just have to get used to it. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                 To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                  Alex Vile - Color Me Cold

Port Ellen 1983 The Cooper's Choice 14 yo

 

 

 

56,8°

Distillery : Port Ellen - Islay

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Ltd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 1998

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

There are five different bottlings of Port Ellen distilled in 1983, the year the distillery closed, and matured for 14 years before being released as part of The Cooper’s Choice collection. It is not possible to distinguish between them as the cask number is not specified. You therefore have to identify them by their alcohol content, and this one stands at 56.8 ABV, it was reserved for the Swiss market. It’s amusing because on some bottles there’s a typo, and the year of distillation given is 1993, not 1983. But that’s a mistake. We have no further details about this gem, as at the time, Port Ellen bottlings were by no means considered anything out of the ordinary. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A burst of peat verging on astringency, but which balances out shortly afterwards, it is thick, mineral, sticky with soot, and at the same time very pure, with a maritime character, punctuated by seaweed and fish scales. Behind this, herbaceous notes, reeds, dried dandelion, caramel and dried dates, molasses, toasted wood, all sprinkled with lemon and vanilla. On the palate, prunes and lychees, the peat becomes more subtle, more chalky, smoother, with an ounce of charcoal nonetheless, and powerful spices. Baked bananas, soggy biscuit. A long, powerful finish that builds slowly, becoming more cereal-like, shortbread, apple fritters, fragments of leather, warm wax, very ripe mirabelle plums.

 

In Short, 

I was particularly impressed by the nose, which was incredibly powerful, yet perfectly refined. But it took a long time to really open up. And finally, the finish was incredible, very long and complex. Yet another little piece of history that I’m glad to have experienced. That said, it is a bit misleading, the name is so steeped in myth. I’d be curious to see what would happen if we presented this wine in a blind tasting to a group of connoisseurs. We might be in for a few surprises. But the quality is there; that’s undeniable. I won’t mention the price, to avoid making everyone feel a bit down. 

Score : 91 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                    Swallow the Sun - Woven into Sorrow