Kilchoman 2011 20th Anniversary Casks Series 100% Islay Casks 14 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

On 14 December 2005, the first Kilchoman cask was filled. To mark the 20th anniversary of this great day, Anthony Wills, the distillery’s owner and founder, decided to open 20 casks and create four different bottlings, five casks per bottling. This is one of the four, distilled on 24 March 2011 and bottled on 21 April 2025, giving it exactly 14 years in the cask. There are 5 ex-Oloroso sherry butts, resulting in a total of 3,145 bottles. All stages of production took place on Islay, which is why the peat level is slightly lower than usual. Nowhere does it state that the whisky is cask strength, so I’m assuming it isn’t, though I can’t say for certain. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Hazy, fresh, spicy and fruity sherry, barbecue smoke with a good layer of soot, dried fruit, raisins, dates, figs, apricots, crushed nuts, a strong whiff of iodine, baked apples, cinnamon, damp leather, smoked ham and strawberry jam. It becomes more vegetal and herbal after a while. Tobacco leaves, very discreet cereals. On the palate, fresh fruit, damson plums, some red berries, white peaches, blood oranges. A clump of dried, dusty peat. Lingering spices, acacia honey. FFairly long and powerful finish, though not overwhelmingly so, charcoal, chocolate, coffee, grilled meat, liquorice. Caramel and blackberries, a pinch of salt. 

 

In Short, 

It’s really very good, neither the sherry nor the peat is overly pronounced, leaving room for a variety of flavours and fruits rarely found in a peated whisky. It’s complex and deep, but eventually quite easy to drink. The only issue is the price, it’s sold at the price of an 18-year-old, which isn’t great value. 

Score : 88

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Anne Bloom - The Saddest Smile

Springbank 18 yo 2025

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown 

50% Bourbon Casks, 45% Sherry Casks, 5% Rum Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

This is the very latest in the long series of 18-year-olds launched in 2009, making it the 17th batch of this now-traditional expression. The maturation process is unusual, as it involves rum casks, this had already been tried in 2023 and was fairly well received by the public, so they’ve done it again. I’d love to know how many bottles are released each year, it’s not possible to give a precise figure, but it must be in the region of 20,000 or 30,000 bottles. The bottling date is 8 December 2025, with a release in February 2026, distillation therefore took place between 9 December 2006 and 8 December 2007.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Yellow fruit, mellow plum, cake batter, a dash of vanilla, a generous slice of pineapple. Light smoke, dust of peat. Flambéed bananas, mountain honey, almond powder, untreated wood, crushed nuts. In the background, barn-like aromas, but very discreet. Faint mineral notes with a hint of citrus. On the palate, it is velvety, smooth as silk, liqueur-like almonds and lychees, persimmon, vanilla milk, subtle spices, black pepper, cloves. A very long, full-bodied finish, a pinch of charcoal, a drop of grapefruit juice, blond tobacco, cigar ash, cola nuts, dried fruit, dates, raisins.

 

In Short, 

I preferred it to the previous Springbank 18-year-olds I’d tasted, I found it more expressive and fruitier, probably thanks to the influence of the sherry casks. The rum is barely detectable, I just noticed plenty of citrus notes, but it isn’t sweet, and that’s just as well. That said, this series follows the same pattern, I find it a bit too gentle, hard to find in there the character and originality of the 10-year-old, with its barn-like aromas and coastal, mineral notes. That’s my main criticism. The price has thankfully dropped a little, but not enough for my liking, this craze surrounding Springbank is truly regrettable. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Future Islands - Sail

Noah's Mill Genuine Bourbon Whiskey Batch N°24-05

 

 

 

57,15°

Distillery : Willett Distillery - U.S.A.

New Charred Oak Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Bourbon Whiskey

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Willett Distillery is one of the few distilleries in the US that remains family-owned. Founded in 1936, it is now run by the heirs of the founder, A. Lambert Willett. Within this distillery, Noah’s Mill is a brand that has been in existence for at least thirty years, initially it was marketed with a 15-year-old age statement, but from the early 2000s onwards it was sold only as a NAS. However, we know that, according to its recipe, it blends whiskies aged between 4 and 22 years (there must be more of the 4-year-old than the 22-year-old). Its mash bill is as follows: 72% maize, 13% rye and 15% barley. Originally, it was a blend from various distilleries, but recent batches come exclusively from Willett in Kentucky. This is one of the most recent batches, released by La Maison du Whisky for exclusive sale in France. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Cereals soaked in caramel, melting chocolate, olive oil, fir honey, hazelnuts. The cereals have a very rustic character, you can detect rye, roasted maize, pine nuts, and smooth, freshly sanded wood. Fresh vanilla, slightly syrupy fruit. On the palate, it’s truly coarse-grained, freshly harvested wheat, dry herbs, bread fresh from the oven. Soft brioche, spread with greengage jam, dry earth, barn, crushed almonds. Long and powerful finish, though not quite as intense as one might expect, abundance of grains, country bread, a knob of butter, dry twigs. Fried onions.

 

In Short, 

Rye is the grain that stood out most to me, it struck me as very rustic, even rough. I’d read that it was a smooth whisky, but I didn’t find it smooth at all, rather grainy, earthy and rustic. That said, I really appreciated its character, more grain and less sweetness than Blanton’s, but more power, variety and depth than Weller 12 Year Old. This one has its place on the shelves of bourbon enthusiasts. The price seems more or less right to me.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Robb Benson - The Crow

Tamdhu 2016 Duich Copper & Oak Series III 9 yo

 

 

 

60,3°

Distillery : Tamdhu - Speyside

Refill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Fib Whisky Limited 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The company was founded in 2017 under the name Kilrymont Distilling, before being renamed Fib Whisky Ltd in 2021. It is run by two brothers, Iain and Andrew Mundy, who are always keen to experiment with new finishing techniques. But here, nothing too daring, a simple Refill Bourbon Barrel does the job, yielding just 54 bottles, sold exclusively in the UK. The other half of the cask was used for another bottling, finished in a Madeira Barrique this time. It is rare to find a Tamdhu without Sherry, which is why this one is so interesting. Like all the company’s labels, it was designed by Orla Stevens. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Sweet fruit, intense wax, citrus and white peach, lemon tart, pineapple cake, vanilla cream, scrambled eggs. Lovely freshness, spring dew, shards of limestone, steamed rice. On the palate, fresh almonds, juicy pears, lychee, coconut, argan oil, pronounced spices, cloves, black pepper. A long and powerful finish that develops slowly, damp earth, oak bark, chocolate, light coffee, very subtle bitterness, drops of honey, varnished wood, artichoke heart, diced green apple.

 

In Short, 

I really like the nose, it’s reminiscent of a Clynelish but without the peat, with plenty of fruit, like a Glenburgie. The finish is very powerful but quite well integrated. The price was very reasonable, making it a real bargain, but unfortunately, it’s nearly completely sold out now. I haven’t tasted the sister cask finished in Madeira, but frankly, I think they should have bottled the whole cask without any finishing.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Lola Bates - Girl's Girl

Imperial 1995 Liquid Library 16 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Imperial - Speyside 

Ex-Bourbon Wood 

Independent Bottling 

By The Whisky Agency 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2011

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Having closed in 1998 and been demolished in 2013, Imperial is a distillery that has captured the imagination and fuelled legends. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a bottle at a reasonable price. That is why this one is attracting attention. Aged for just 16 years and matured in Bourbon wood, it should live up to the expectations of many enthusiasts. One small drawback: it is not Cask Strength, but diluted to 46%. Furthermore, nowhere does it state that it is a Single Cask, yet only 194 bottles have been released. Unless they’ve used cask ends, I can’t see how you could blend a whisky that isn’t too old and still end up with just 194 bottles at a reduced alcohol content. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Fully ripe yellow fruits, bursting with juice, squeezed citrus, lemon, grapefruit, mirabelle plums, banana. A hint of oak, beeswax, it is elegant and well-balanced, tarte Tatin, crusty bread with a thick layer of butter, an exotic touch in the background, papaya and mango. On the palate, it is spicy, oily, white grapes, yellow plums, melon juice, fresh walnuts. A long finish, with depth but not overly explosive, dried fruit, apricots, quince jam, figs, chlorophyll, angelica, marshmallow.

 

In Short, 

Due to the dilution, there’s a lack of body which costs it at least one point, but otherwise it’s a very good whisky. The nose in particular is superb, generous with fruit yet also very subtle and elegant. The advantage of the dilution is that it’s a pleasure to drink, it goes down a treat. But it’s the complexity that really catches the eye. You can pick it up at a bargain price at auction, it’s the sort of hidden gem overlooked by the masses that you simply mustn’t miss out on. 

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                    The Red Clay Strays - Demons in Your Choir

Amrut 2014 Special Limited Edition Selected by La Maison du Whisky 7 yo

 

 

 

60°

Distillery : Amrut - India 

Ex-Bourbon Cask and Brandy Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The famous Indian distillery has released nearly 100 Special Limited Editions, but only a few have been selected by La Maison du Whisky for priority sale on the French market. This one has been finished in a brandy cask, which is rather unusual. 150 bottles have been made available for sale. The spirit has not been chill-filtered or coloured, however I doubt it is cask strength – at exactly 60% ABV, that would be a strange coincidence. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A lovely balance right from the start, fruit preserved in brandy, grapes in liqueur, macerated cherries, flaked almonds, lychees, raspberry coulis, peppers marinated in oil, strawberry cake, shortcrust pastry, acacia honey, heady floral notes, cherry blossom, damson plums. On the palate, it leans more towards jam, blackberries and redcurrants, with some dried fruit, creamy vanilla, brioche. Quite pronounced spices, slightly minty. A powerful, long and explosive finish, more leafy, bay leaves, black pepper, candied fruit, soft caramel. Touch of mango.

 

In Short, 

This is a truly fine Amrut. To be honest, I’ve never really been convinced by this distillery, but this bottling has won me over. The nose is a true work of art, the palate is perfectly fruity, and the finish is long and explosive. It’s a real success. However, it’s sold out almost everywhere, and when you do find it, the price is quite high, so it’s best reserved for fans of the profile. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Sahalé - Djinn

Orkney Sponge 2005 Edition 002 16 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

In the early 20th century, there was a distillery on the main island of the Orkney archipelago, located in the town of Stromness and bearing the same name. It closed in 1928, almost a hundred years ago. It produced a whisky marketed under the name Old Orkney, and it is to this that Angus MacRaild wishes to pay tribute with his Old Orkney range, which he also occasionally refers to as Orkney Sponge. Eleven Old Orkney whiskies have been launched by Decadent Drinks, and this is the second. Having spent 16 years in a single Refill Hogshead, it yielded 341 bottles. It is not Cask Strength, it has been slightly diluted. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Orange peel and juicy grapefruit, slices of lime, lemon cake, there’s plenty of citrus here. Intense yellow fruits, gently weathered wood, thick honey, a hint of peat, liquorice stick, a few mirabelle plums and Reine-Claude plums. Ripe apricots, bananas, a trace of exotic fruits. Light mineral notes, but becoming increasingly pronounced. On the palate, a dash of creamy vanilla, brioche, rum baba, more citrus, rather pleasant spices, cinnamon and benzoin. A long, powerful, explosive finish, candied fruit, shortbread biscuits, cooked egg yolk, a pinch of salt, quartz.

 

In Short, 

A very fruity, very citrusy Highland Park, with a slight patina and very subtle peat. I didn’t find it particularly well-balanced, it seemed to me that the fruit was a bit overpowering. But it’s a good whisky, intense, full of character, not quite as ‘old school’ as the marketing claims, I actually find it quite modern. Unfortunately, it’s sold out everywhere, which is a shame as the launch price wasn’t bad. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Black Maze - Love

Jura 1998 Hidden Spirits 21 yo

 

 

 

51,3°

Distillery : Isle of Jura - Islands

Refill Bourbon

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is the only Isle of Jura bottled by Hidden Spirits, making it a real rarity. Having spent 21 years in a refill bourbon cask, it yielded just 267 bottles – no more. It is said to belong to the Classic Version range, but this is not specified on the label. Hidden Spirits is an Italian bottler founded in 2013 in Ferrara by Andrea Ferrari, they have nearly 150 expressions to their name. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Whiffs of minerals and sea salt, with fresh fruit, yellow apples, mirabelle plums, bananas. Perhaps even exotic fruits. Egg custard, vanilla extract, dates and figs. Lemon tart, generously buttered toast, a few drops of wax. Floral notes. On the palate, the butter and vanilla become more prominent, along with coarse grains, dry, freshly cut straw, walnuts and almonds. Rather subtle spices. A finish that develops well at first, then cuts short, liquorice stick, hazelnuts, marzipan, ginger, vanilla, coconut.

 

In Short, 

It’s not the best Jura I’ve tasted, but it’s very typical of the distillery, with mineral and fruity notes, and a hint of coastal influence. That said, it does have a bit of a personality of its own, with a touch of butter and wax here and there. In any case, it’s very good, except for the finish, which seemed a bit short to me. You can still find it on certain websites, but at a high price, really best reserved for dedicated collectors. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Minute Taker - Losing Self-Control