A Speyside Distillery 2009 The Single Malts of Scotland 15 yo

 

 

 

57,5°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Speyside

Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This 15-year-old, which yielded 657 bottles, may actually be a Macallan. The employee who served me the glass informed me of this. And it fits the profile, ageing in an Oloroso Sherry Butt, name undisclosed, as with all independently bottled Macallans. Therefore, it's a bargain, a Macallan of this age at an acceptable price. Provided it lives up to its reputation.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Squares of dark chocolate and fudge that melt in your mouth. Orange marmalade, dried apricots, red fruit coulis, blueberry tart. Dates, figs, sultanas, pecans. A generous pinch of cinnamon, noble and elegant woodiness, cherries in brandy, dark tobacco leaves, cigar box. On the palate, it is velvety, woody, onctuous, blood orange pulp, dried fruit, varied and powerful spices, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg. Prickly pear and wild strawberry, forest honey, molasses, cocoa powder. Long and powerful finish, coffee beans, wood wax, roasted nuts, subtle cereal notes, dry earth, barley sugar. 

 

In Short, 

It's a hell of a sherry, very intense, voluptuous and deep, which fits Macallan's profile very well. That said, it's still very woody, and the fruit is really very fermented. But there's no sulphur or other flaws. If it's confirmed that it's a Macallan, then it's a very good deal, because the price is really low. But word must have got around, because there isn't much left, so you'll have to be quick. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Donna Hourigan & The Lucky Lips Band - Crash & Burn

Union Distillery Vintage 2005 II Edition Double Wood 20 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Union Distillery - Brazil

Ex-Bourbon American Oak Barrels and French Wine Finish 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is the second bottling from this Brazilian distillery that I have had the chance to taste. I really liked the previous one, and I wrote about it here. This whisky is 20 years old, having spent 17 years in ex-Bourbon American oak barrels and 3 years in French wine casks. It is a limited edition of 2005 bottles, matching the year of distillation.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :

Candied quinces, cut hay, lemon chutney, lime slices, ginger, vanilla and mountain honey, rustic woodiness, but nonetheless with a touch of varnish, raisins, figs, cherries. On the palate, it is relatively balanced, tannins, wild berries, but also roasted pineapple, damsons, cooked plums. Moist spices, green tea, macerated almonds. A fairly long, subtle finish, but not particularly powerful, milk chocolate, hazelnuts, a few drops of chicory. Damp wood, mangrove, reeds.  

 

In Short, 

There is still that slightly tropical profile, but this time it is partly masked by the influence of French wine, which is a shame, as the product loses some of its identity. It is still a fine whisky, but I must say that I preferred the previous one. The price is still reasonable for a 20-year-old, so those who are curious can give it a try, but you have to find it first. 

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           City of the Sun - Second Sun

Ardnamurchan 2018 AD/08:18 Cask 1060 Exclusively Bottled For The Good Spirits Co. 5 yo

 

 

 

58,9°

Distillery : Ardnamurchan - Highlands

1st Fill Spanish Oak Oloroso Sherry Butt 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

In 2024, the distillery released a series of four single cask bottlings, all aged in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts and all made from Golden Promise barley, a specific variety widely used in the 1960s and 1970s but now abandoned because it is considered unprofitable. This is therefore something of a minor revolution. For many, Ardnamurchan embodies modern whisky, but this modernism often consists of returning to the past to rediscover the quality and craftsmanship that prevailed there. This whisky is precisely five years old and has been bottled especially for a Glasgow retailer called The Good Spirits Co. 674 bottles were filled.  

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Varnished noble wood, red fruit jam, maple syrup, hints of wax, blood oranges, candied apricots, ethereal cereals, blueberry cake, Muscat grapes, light vinous notes, a zest of citrus, pine needles, cedar cones, Agen prunes. On the palate, it is remarkably oily, even viscous, candied cherry coulis, amarena, balsamic vinegar, damson tart, fir honey, a generous dose of cinnamon, dark chocolate, red pepper. The finish is long and almost explosive, fig paste, oak bark, fruit cake, thyme branches, espresso coffee, damp earth, rich flowers.

 

In Short, 

Golden Promise barley has a beautiful effect on the oily texture of the liquid, as well as on the very sweet cereal notes. The sherry cask is of high quality, perhaps a little overpowering but very intense. Overall, this is a bottling with rare qualities, but still a little too young, where the wood does not quite match the sherry, and where the balanced texture clashes with the power of the spices. It is of course very difficult to find, and you will probably have to go as far as Glasgow, but The Whisky Exchange sells a Sister Cask, produced under the same conditions. It is a curiosity worth discovering, although it is a little expensive.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Tito & Tarantula - After Dark

Irish Diamonds 2005 The Alambic Classique Collection Small Batch N°01 16 yo

 

 

 

59,4°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Ireland

Ex Burgundy Barrique Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Alambic Classique 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Irish Diamonds Collection was launched in 2017 by Alambic Classique, a highly renowned German bottler. Since then, around fifteen expressions have been released. The name of the distillery is unknown, but there were only three in Ireland at the time, and Midleton does not usually produce single malt. That leaves two possibilities: Cooley and Bushmills, with the former being by far the most likely. However, the aromatic profile also resembles Bushmills, so we can never be certain. The whisky was aged entirely in an ex-Burgundy Barrique Barrel, it seems, and 268 bottles came out of it. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, greengage and quince jam, with strong woody notes, melting caramel, liquorice, green apples, malted cereals. Vanilla and thick honey, red grapes, orange shortbread biscuits, dried fruit, very slight acidity. On the palate, it is creamy, jammy, malty, but it is the wood that stands out most, softened by caramel and plums, wax and a touch of charcoal, spices, soaked leather, rather candied fruit towards the end, grapefruit and damson plums. Explosive and long finish, full of character, tannins, cooked fruit, almost syrupy, treacle, bitter herbs, pine needles.

 

In Short, 

I found it difficult to appreciate this one, as I was given it to taste right after a very strong Laphroaig. But overall, I think I understood its value. It is very woody and fruity, the wine blends well with the whole, it has a powerful and pleasant character, it is a good product, which does not particularly have an Irish profile. If you can find it at a good price, there is no reason to hesitate. No reason to break the bank either. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

  

                                           Shadow Casters - Fade Me Black

Talisker Surge

 

 

 

45,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

1st Fill American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Travel Retail Edition

Single Malt 

Launched in 2022

Unchillfiltered

Peated around 22 ppm 

 

 

 

This is the distillery's new expression, designed for travel retail but available almost everywhere. It replaces Dark Storm, which has apparently disappeared. There is some encouraging news about this one: it is aged exclusively in first-fill Bourbon barrels and is non-chill filtered. However, it is coloured, but this does not affect the taste. All of which makes it very interesting. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Earthy peat, animal sweat, wet dog, subtle coastal notes, pearls of iodine, sea breeze, seaweed, kelp, limestone. Candied apricots, treacle, varnished wood, caramel and milk chocolate, drops of fir tree honey. On the palate, powerful caramel, quince jam, it's slightly watery, dried banana, vanilla, lychee, and the distillery's typical peppery note. Fairly long and powerful finish, charcoal, liquorice, smoked wood, hazelnuts, Carambar, mint sweets, cola. Foam, sea spray. 

In Short,  

As is often the case with this type of bottling, it is a blend of very young and older whiskies, which means that the whisky oscillates between all the flaws of immaturity and a few more pleasant notes. Overall, it is not bad without being particularly interesting, except for the finish, which is powerful and quite long. I wouldn't recommend buying it, as it's more expensive than the 10-year-old, which I think is better. But if you're longing for Talisker and this is the only one you have to hand, it'll do.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           deary - Seabird

Glenburgie 2011 The Fishes of Samoa 12 yo

 

 

 

59,8°

Distillery : Glenburgie - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Archives 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Fishes of Samoa collection launched by Archives, a Dutch bottler founded by the same people who launched Whiskybase, has a really good reputation. Personally, I have never been disappointed. Here we have a relatively young Glenburgie, aged in a first-fill bourbon barrel for 12 years, 7 months and 17 days. 223 bottles are available for sale, with a very attractive alcohol content. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Immediately, yellow fruits, thick honey, mellow touches, mirabelle and greengage plums, straws, earthy notes, pencil lead, mineral notes, limestone, chalk, lemon slices, peppermint, wood wax, ripe apricots, waste oil. On the palate, crème brûlée, egg custard, crisp green apples, liquorice sticks, beeswax, light woodiness, candied peaches, all sprinkled with cinnamon, pepper and cloves, mashed banana. Beautiful finish, powerful and long, punchy, bread dough, marzipan, ginger, blood oranges, slivered almonds, reeds. Vanilla and mint.  

 

In Short, 

A very good Glenburgie, a little fruit bomb, and as it is young, with some more original, vegetal, metallic and mineral notes. This makes for a Glenburgie full of character, but where the fruit is by no means neglected. My only slight reservation is that I would have liked to taste it with six or seven more years of ageing. But the advantage is that it is very inexpensive, and there are even a few bottles still available, so now is the time to grab a bargain. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           La Fonda - Kaleidoscope

Glenburgie 1998 High Spirits To Celebrate Mr Stefano Cremaschi 40th Birthday 21 yo

 

 

 

53,6°

Distillery : Glenburgie - Speyside

Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By High Spirits' Collection

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

I was completely unfamiliar with High Spirits' Collection, an independent Italian bottler founded in Rimini by Nadi Fiori at the end of the last century. Nadi Fiori has been in the whisky business for over forty years now, and it's fair to say that his products are often rare and exceptional. Here we have a 21-year-old Glenburgie distilled in 1998, distributed to celebrate Stefano Cremaschi's birthday, and what a wonderful gift that is. The nature of the cask is not specified, but based on the profile of the whisky, I would guess that it is a Bourbon Cask. Only 80 bottles in total were released, 40 of 750 cl and 40 Magnums of 1500 cl. I had access to one of these magnums.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, beautiful springtime richness, dew at dawn in a damp and leafy landscape, fairly rich floral tones, wood wax, liquid honey, white plums, juicy pears, macerated almonds, yellow apples, slices of melon. On the palate, it is very oily, olive oil, lychee juice, rose Turkish delight, creamy vanilla, orange zest, quince jam, roasted pineapple, then spices settle into green tea, cardamom and pepper. Very long and herbal finish, grapefruit and honey, calissons d'Aix, white grapes, a pinch of salt.

 

In Short, 

A beautiful expression, where fruit is prominent but topped with delicate, oily notes of rose and almond. I think this is an excellent whisky, and what's more, the bottle had only just been opened when I tasted it, so I'm sure it will blossom and become even better. The price is of course significant, especially as it is a rarity and sold out everywhere, but it is one for collectors and die-hard enthusiasts. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           No Clear Mind - When You're Not Here

SMWS 2008 48.171 Berrylicious 15 yo

 

 

 

52,7°

Distillery : Balmenach - Speyside

Ex-Bourbon Hogshead and 2d Fill Toasted American Oak Barrique Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Founded in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has now bottled nearly 15,000 casks in almost 43 years. Suffice to say, it's easy to get a little lost in all this variety and all these codes. Here we have a 15-year-old Balmenach which, after 12 years in a simple Bourbon Hogshead, was finished in a Toasted American Oak Barrique. As long as it's not mezcal or rum, I'm fine with it. 241 bottles have been produced, and at the time of writing, very few are still available. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Runny caramel and dates, varnished wood rubbed with Muscat grapes, woodland undergrowth, dry leaves, forest berries, roasted hazelnuts and peanuts, orange zest, whipped cream, a few candied yellow plums, possibly pineapple. On the palate, vanilla cream, coconut powder, intense woody notes, apricot kernel, smoked wheat galette, Basque cake with blueberry jam, very discreet spices. Long and fairly powerful finish, cola, milk chocolate, pieces of bark, resin, acacia honey. Vanilla pod, eucalyptus leaf. 

 

In Short, 

I found it very woody, even forest-like, but it's still a success. There is no bitterness, or it is almost imperceptible, the fruits are varied, and there is a good balance. I'm not very familiar with this distillery, so I don't know if this is typical of its profile, but in any case, it's very good. The release price was OK, but the price at which it's available today is a little too high for my taste. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Wild Horses - When I Was Younger