Mortlach 2005 10th Anniversary Bar Oaks Dram Edition #01 9 yo

 

 

 

58,4°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2015 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Artist range was launched in 2012 by La Maison du Whisky, so in 2015 we were at the very start of this adventure, and what was released at that time is now considered a rarity. Here we have this Mortlach, bottled in 2015 to mark the 10th anniversary of Bar Oaks Dram, an establishment in Osaka run by Yoshihiko Ito. The cask used is a standard Hogshead, but it is unclear where some of the staves came from, or whether any sherry was involved. Given the very pale colour of the whisky, this is unlikely. 309 bottles were released at the time, and it is very difficult to get hold of one today. Nowhere is it stated that it is unchillfiltered, but I trust La Maison du Whisky on this point. The cask comes from the warehouses of Signatory Vintage, which does not usually chill-filter its whiskies. The label is the work of the artist Yuuka Yamada. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite powerful mineral notes, stones from the bottom of a well, semi-salted butter that’s half-melted, limestone and quartz. Alongside these, delicate floral hints and juicy fruits, mirabelle plums, Conference pears, white peaches, it’s rather luscious, reminiscent of brandy. A trace of charcoal, steamed rice, aged pine honey. Noble wood with a layer of varnish. On the palate, the same fruits, with a more direct attack, and slightly candied citrus. It is oily and waxy, warm wax, green tea, lively spices. An explosive finish, very long and varied, it goes off in all directions, green fruits, damp wood, loose earth, hazelnuts and dark chocolate, apple crumble and cinnamon. 

 

In Short, 

I’m not sure I’ve done it full justice, but one thing’s for certain: it’s very original. It’s a non-Sherry-cask Mortlach, which is rare enough to be worth noting, and it’s surprising to find such strong mineral notes and a hint of damp, stony earth. In any case, it’s very complex and absolutely delicious. The price is still high, but in any case, you have to find it first, that’s what requires the most effort. 

Score : 90  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            VioletteScape - Déliquescence

A Speyside Distillery 1990 Thompson Bros. 31 yo

 

 

 

49,6°

Distillery Officialy Unknown - Speyside

Refill Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

There are plenty of curiosities in Dornoch, at the Thompson brothers’ place, and that comes with a bit of mystery. Here we have an unknown Speyside distillery, a cask that has been aged for 31 years and 8 months, with just 147 bottles. It is available exclusively in Germany, as Kirsch Import was entrusted with the task of selling it under the best possible conditions. It sold out very quickly. Theories were rife as to the identity of the distillery: Glenlivet, Glenrothes... But why refuse to reveal the name of the former? The latter, on the other hand, why not? Yet it is extremely rare for them to sell casks to independent bottlers. The mystery remains unsolved. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is light and airy, with notes of lemon meringue tart, semi-melted butter, warm brioche, waves of fruity aromas, but there are also quite pronounced mineral notes, salt and quartz, damp undergrowth, candied grapefruit, vanilla fondant, toasted wheat. On the palate, it is supple and balanced, argan oil, slivered almonds, powdered Parmesan, egg flan, île flottante, yellow fruits, and a few rare spices. A very pleasant finish, though it lacks a bit of punch, wood shavings, blond tobacco, butter biscuits, hazelnut, liquorice, speculoos, a hint of aniseed.

 

In Short, 

It’s a superb Speyside, just as you’d expect, both delicate and intense, full of varied flavours yet very well-balanced. That said, this one has quite pronounced mineral notes, it seemed to me, and that reminds me of Glen Elgin. But I’m also thinking of Macallan or Tamdhu, a distillery we’re not used to seeing aged in Bourbon casks, and therefore difficult to recognise. As for the price, it’s not excessive given the age. Fans of this style can go for it, but it’s no longer available. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            The Beths - Til My Heart Stops

Kilchoman 2013 100% Islay Sherry Cask Matured 11 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

The distillery is starting to release more and more 100% Islay bottlings, which is a rather good sign, they are becoming increasingly self-sufficient. Here, we have a blend of 16 casks, all ex-Oloroso sherry butts, which have been aged for at least 11 years, the distillation dates span three years, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The peat level is low, as is typical of 100% Islay whiskies. The number of bottles is not specified, but it must be over 10,000. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is not particularly powerful, but rather light and airy, orange peel, dried fruit, raisins, figs, brandied cherries, dates. Varnished wood, blackberry tart, delicate smoky notes full of soot, melting caramel, Aosta ham, leather, a whiff of sea salt and citrus. On the palate, damson plums, but also coffee, dark chocolate, dark tobacco, a few cereals, and various spices, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon. A fairly long finish, but not overly intense, candied ginger, citrus zest, charcoal, shellfish, a pinch of salt, damp wood, pine needles. 

 

In Short, 

I’ll be honest, it’s nothing to write home about. It lacks punch and, consequently, character – light peat, light sherry, a rather mild finish – and this isn’t made up for by any real complexity. It’s still a decent whisky, but I prefer the Loch Gorm, which I think is cheaper.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            The Telescopes - White Noise

Kilchoman 2015 100% Islay 15th Edition 9 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Every year since 2011, the distillery has released this 100% Islay edition, produced entirely on the island, as its name suggests. The peat level is lower than usual, and the age is generally 9 years. Here, we have a release made with Concerto and Publican barley, harvested, processed and malted in 2014 and 2015 at Rockside Farm, and matured in 54 ex-bourbon barrels. The batch was opened in 2025 and filled a whopping 13,000 bottles. I’m surprised that the whisky was distilled in 2015, as less than five months to prepare the barley for distillation seems rather short to me.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is light, very cereal-like, a whiff of iodine, rice cake and vanilla, cut hay, toasted wheat, roasted corn. Oak bark, a fleeting hint of smoke, melted butter, dried herbs. A touch of white peaches and bananas. Mineral and salty notes, a zest of lemon. On the palate, it is creamy, bursting with fruit, mirabelle plums, vanilla, grapefruit, yellow apples. White chocolate, salted butter caramel, and of course a layer of earthy and damp peat, prominent spices, cloves, nutmeg, ginger. A fairly long finish, full of peat, crushed hazelnuts, thick honey, shortbread biscuits, reeds and pepper, cigarette ash.

 

In Short, 

It strikes me as a success, the peat is a little more subtle, yet still very much present, giving way to fruit and cereal notes. The distillate seems purer, but also less assertive. I’ve never been a big fan of this range, but I must admit it’s getting better and better crafted. The price seems very high to me, producing whisky using traditional methods is expensive. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            uncady - Red Line, Blue Line

The Hearach 2018 Single Cask Collection Itinéraires 6 yo

 

 

 

59°

Distillery : Isle of Harris - Islands 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

The young Isle of Harris distillery, founded in 2015, is being showcased by La Maison du Whisky, which has decided to include it in the Collection Itinéraires, featuring cask 1908, distilled in 2018 and then matured for six years in a first-fill bourbon cask. The barley used is of the Concerto and Laureate varieties. 240 bottles are being released. Whether it is Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured and Cask Strength is not specified anywhere, but I trust La Maison du Whisky on these points. However, there is another bottling, also part of the Collection Itinéraires range, from the same cask, but with an alcohol content of just 58.6%. I believe the flavour profile is exactly the same, it is a sister cask. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An elegant, fresh and coastal nose, iodine and dried seaweed, kelp and whelks. It is airy, with oysters and mineral notes. Sweet vanilla, perfectly balanced, enveloped in a chiselled smokiness, a zest of citrus, honey-coated grains, yellow herbs, heather. On the palate, it is lighter, a little too young, not quite ripe plums, white chocolate, banana, vanilla and slices of lime, a good layer of peat, lively spices. The finish is quite long and very intense, full of charcoal, tangy, soot and caramel, grapefruit, sage, sea spray, beach sand. 

 

In Short, 

I really liked the nose, which seems very promising to me, and the finish has a punch that’s bound to appeal. On the other hand, on the palate, it’s still too young, almost watery – a shame. This distillery certainly has huge potential, it’s one of the five young distilleries I’m particularly interested in (Ardnamurchan, Lagg, Torabhaig, Raasay and Harris), but it will need a few more years before it’s truly competitive. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            oktobernatt - Rasa

Arran 2015 Private Cask Collection Itinéraires 9 yo

 

 

 

60,7°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

Refill Sherry Hogshead

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

Also part of the Collection Itinéraires, this 9-year-old Arran has been crafted from heavily peated barley. Previously, it was the Machrie Moor brand that represented peated whisky from the island’s first distillery. But now that another distillery exists, dedicated solely to peat, Machrie Moor has disappeared, and this type of bottling is set to disappear too. This whisky was matured in a Refill Sherry Hogshead, 179 bottles are being released, and it has been selected by La Maison du Whisky for priority sale in France.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It’s fresh, bursting with citrus and caramel, yet also minty, with a robust, mineral-driven peatiness, salt crystals, a touch of limestone, quartz and iodine. Rustic grains, ginger, dark chocolate, subtle smoke, raisins. On the palate, it is robust, lemon and grapefruit, barley biscuits, gingerbread, and a good layer of peat and spices, clove, cumin, nutmeg. A very long, powerful finish, apple fritters, quince jam, almond paste, coffee grounds, shards of basalt rock, gypsum. 

 

In Short, 

I really enjoyed it, the peat is intense, dry and mineral, truly characteristic, and it gives the spirit a strong personality, lending it a lovely character. The Sherry is not at all powerful, that leaves room for the distillate to thrive in an interesting way. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too expensive for my taste. Otherwise, I might well consider buying it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Kelsey Lu - Dreams

Glenfarclas 2014 Single Cask Collection Itinéraires 11 yo

 

 

 

59,2°

Distillery : Glenfarclas - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Part of the Collection Itinéraires range, this Glenfarclas matured in a sherry cask in keeping with tradition will delight us with its 311 bottles, available primarily on the French market. Crafted from Laureate barley and having undergone a 106-hour fermentation, this viscous little gem looks very promising. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Orange peel, raspberry coulis, mandarin, dried apricot, dark chocolate, walnuts and mango, with a gentle mentholated flavour, slightly chalky and camphor-like. Mixed cereals with strawberry jam, blackberry ice cream, soft caramel, macerated grapes, earthy and peppery notes. On the palate, it is creamy, continuing in the same vein, orange marmalade dusted with cocoa, candied ginger, cinnamon, sarments du Médoc, lavender honey, nutmeg, fruit jellies. The finish is quite long, lively deep, liquorice and dark chocolate, dried figs, chestnut purée, a hint of cooked mushrooms, candied kumquats, eucalyptus leaf. 

 

In Short, 

This is a sherry worthy of the distillery, intense, distinctive, with a wonderful burst of flavours, indulgent but also earthy, even with a touch of copper. You can spot this family-run distillery’s signature style a mile off. This is an experience that deserves to be explored further, but I don’t understand the exorbitant price, as it should be half the cost. 

Score : 89  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                              Two Lanes and Panama - Left Behind

Arran 2009 Private Cask Collection Itinéraires 15 yo

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

Ex-Sherry Hogshead 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Collection Itinéraires, launched by La Maison du Whisky on the occasion of Whisky Live 2025, features three Arran whiskies, including this one, which was distilled in 2009 and then matured for 15 years, eight months and two days in an ex-sherry hogshead. All this resulted in 254 bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

The sherry is not overly powerful, blood orange, mandarin, salted butter caramel, vanilla and milk chocolate, mirabelle plums and Reine-Claude plums, lemon tart, dates, dried apricots, and some cereal notes, toasted wheat, barley, millet. On the palate, it is predominantly fruity, luscious, grapefruit, Comice pear, lychee, shortbread biscuits, gingerbread, peppermint, a hint of cinnamon and ginger. The finish is quite powerful, white grapes, zucchini flower fritters, pumpkin soup, puffed rice, crunchy chocolate, a sprig of thyme. 

 

In Short, 

It really is an open-style sherry, which doesn’t hide the whisky at all, on the contrary, it adds complexity by broadening its flavour profile. You can still make out the distillery’s character, albeit softened considerably by the influence of the wood. This results in a lovely, fairly complex fruitiness. That said, nothing too spectacular either, I wonder if it’s actually worth the price in the end.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sirius - Stay with Me