Kilkerran 8 yo Cask Strength Bourbon Cask Matured 2025

 

 

 

57,7°

Distillery : Glengyle - Campbeltown

Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated from 12 to 15 ppm

 

 

 

Here, then, is the 12th batch of the 8-year-old Cask Strength, a series that began in 2017. Like its predecessor, it has been entirely matured in Bourbon casks, this is the sixth batch to follow this maturation process, with five batches having been matured in Sherry casks and one in Port casks. Bottled in December 2025, it went on sale around the end of February or beginning of March this year.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

It is both creamy and full-bodied, with a touch of citrus, lemon zest and grapefruit, a pinch of iodine and limestone, white grapes and mirabelle plums, barley sugar, freshly cut young wood, onctuous vanilla, toffee. Rustic cereals, runny honey, bergamot. On the palate, it is particularly successful, very oily and honeyed, rose water, almonds, lychees, black pepper, cloves. A long, very pleasant finish, a hint of peat, dry earth, gypsum, a few drops of tar, fermented white fruits, nuts. 

 

In Short, 

I found the nose a bit conventional, even a little shy, it’s pure Kilkerran, with little originality, apart from that unusual herbaceous note. On the palate, however, it’s excellent, and the finish is also very good. Overall, it’s almost as good as the previous batch, which I thought was one of the best, and the price has become quite affordable, so I’m wondering whether I might give in to the temptation to buy a bottle. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                               To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                               Weather Systems - Synaesthesia

Laphroaig 30 yo 2024 Release

 

 

 

45,8°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

American Oak Ex-Bourbon Casks, European Oak Ex-Sherry Hogsheads and Butts 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Occasionally, the distillery releases a 30-year-old whisky, always as a limited edition. This might be to pay tribute to Ian Hunter, or to celebrate an anniversary. In 2024, two 30-year-old whiskies were released, including this one, which does not commemorate any particular event or person. It is simply a 30-year-old, slightly diluted, resulting from a blend of European sherry casks and American bourbon casks. It was intended to be an annual release, but there has been no news of a new batch in 2025, nor this year. Perhaps not enough were sold. There were 10,500 bottles available for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The balance is magnificent, with, on the one hand, skilfully measured coastal notes, a very subtle medicinal touch, fresh iodine, and, on the other, juicy citrus fruits, a chalky smokiness, a faint hint of vanilla. On closer inspection, one detects vegetal notes, parsley, thyme, a spoonful of lard. Salt and icing sugar. A few tropical fruits emerge, mango, papaya. On the palate, it is also perfectly balanced, white grape, rich minerality, peat permeating the fruit, orange and grapefruit, light spices. A very long finish, slowly taking over everything, noble varnished wood, a zest of lime, a full ashtray, burnt tyre, liquorice and dark chocolate, freshly ground coffee beans. Dark tobacco, tar. Hazelnuts. 

 

In Short, 

It’s truly superb, as one might expect, though the exotic fruit notes are a little subdued, and it lacks the depth and complexity of the 25-year-old – at least the ones I’ve tasted. I can see why it hasn’t been as successful as hoped, it isn’t quite as good as one might have expected. It is, however, a sublime bottling, very well-balanced, though perhaps lacking a little character, except on the finish. Buying it is obviously a significant investment, so it might be best to think twice. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Go Kurosawa - Moon, Please

Bruichladdich 14 yo Yellow Submarine [Reclassified]

 

 

 

54,2°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

1st Fill Bourbon and French Red Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It has now been a quarter of a century since the Bruichladdich distillery reopened, and we cannot emphasise enough what a miracle this reopening is, and what an exceptionally bold undertaking it was. To celebrate this momentous occasion in the history of whisky and this success, there is nothing quite like reviving one of the distillery’s most legendary bottlings: the Yellow Submarine. Originally released in 2005 to welcome a Royal Navy contingent who had come to retrieve a mysterious yellow submarine that had run aground off the coast of Islay, it was reissued several times in the following years, then revived for the first time in 2018 with a truly epic 25-year-old expression that has gone down in history. This one is only 14 years old, like the first editions, it is matured in Bourbon and French red wine casks, and 12,000 bottles have been produced. Bottling took place in late March 2026, which is why I am almost certain that distillation took place in late 2011. It is slightly diluted and subtitled ‘Whisky of Mass Distinction IV’, a play on the acronym WMD, which usually stands for ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’. It was released to mark Feis Ile 2026, but is available in many shops these days. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Vanilla and honey, egg custard, caramel sauce, it’s floral and grainy. Wax and lychees, candied barley, cooked mirabelle plums, yet the balance is fabulous. A variety of citrus fruits, from pineapple to lime, wafers topped with whipped cream. Subtle mint, a generous hint of slightly salty iodine. On the palate, it is onctuous, creamy, speculoos biscuits, candied lemon, soft banana, Reine-Claude plum jam, very subtle spices. A long and explosive finish, shortbread biscuits, liquorice sticks, aniseed, blond tobacco leaves, mineral overtones. 

 

In Short, 

It’s absolutely perfect, the wine casks are very subtle and simply add a touch of fruitiness to the whole, it’s a very recognisable Bruichladdich, with all the hallmarks of the distillery’s character, but with a touch of cream and jam thrown in. For now, it’s still easy to find, I’d advise buying some straight away as we don’t know whether it’ll suddenly become a hot commodity or not. Needless to say, I’ve already snapped up a bottle myself. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Sadistic Mika Band - Suki Suki Suki

Springbank 2015 Local Barley 10 yo

 

 

 

55,2°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

60% Bourbon Casks, 40% Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

This is the latest Local Barley in the series – the eleventh, to be precise – distilled in July 2015 and bottled in October 2025, with a release at the end of the following month. The farm commissioned to grow the local barley is Clochkiel Farm, situated on the Kintyre Peninsula, 5 miles from the distillery. The barley used is the Bere variety, arguably the oldest in Europe; having all but disappeared at the turn of the century, it is now being used again more and more. 8,000 bottles are being released.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Wax, hay and melted butter spread over young, freshly stripped wood, smoke mingling with vanilla and citrus, the scent of iodine wafting through the reeds, then salt or icing sugar? A bit of both, no doubt, a zest of mandarin, unprocessed cereals and a few lychees, grape seeds, diced mango, clumps of earth, almonds. Rising bread dough, grapefruit. On the palate, it is smooth, rather citrusy, yet fruity, with juicy white and yellow fruits, pears, kumquats, bananas, grapes, and a peppery note, a pinch of peat and grains, mushrooms. A rather intense finish, very slightly acidic, lemon tart, blond tobacco, dried herbs, mustard, and a mildly bitter woodiness. 

 

In Short, 

I found this one to be particularly good, probably thanks to the barley variety, the oakiness is rustic and intense, the citrus notes are truly luscious, and the cereal notes are wonderfully rich. The finish, in particular, is magnificent. In short, as usual, this is true excellence in a bottle, enveloped in a myriad of aromas and flavours. And as usual, a few months after its release it’s completely sold out, you can now find it for at least double the original price, and even then it’s a quest worthy of the Holy Grail. 

Score : 90  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                    Gwenifer Raymond - Bleak Night in Rabbit's Wood

Laphroaig 33 yo Strong Characters Donald Johnston 1810-1847

 

 

 

43,8°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

American Oak Bourbon Casks and European Oak Sherry Hogsheads

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

With this prestigious release, the distillery and its team aim to pay tribute to one of its founders, Donald Johnston. It marks the first chapter in a series dedicated to the artisans behind one of the finest distilleries in the world. For the occasion, an alliance of Bourbon and Sherry casks has been created, and the bottle is adorned with a luxurious packaging illustrated by Bill Bragg. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Crème brûlée, a variety of pulpy tropical fruits, candied lemon, which blends with an ethereal limestone, evanescent iodine and fine salt. Subtle vegetal notes, rosemary, eucalyptus, which harmonise with a liquorice-tinged smokiness, rhubarb tart, angelica, and a melt-in-the-mouth toffee, baked apples. Waxed wood, a dash of vanilla, dried blond tobacco. On the palate, it is onctuous, almond paste, lychees, seafood salad, a good layer of ash and seaweed, juicy white fruits and citrus, grapefruit, oranges, runny honey, very discreet spices, red pepper, cinnamon. An immensely long and deep finish, incredible given the low alcohol content, tall grasses, sliced lime, full ashtray, wood varnish, pine resin, coffee grounds, smoke delicately filthy, cured ham, crushed hazelnuts, dark chocolate. 

 

In Short, 

There’s not much else to say other than wow – everything is perfect, everything is just right, the briny, slightly medicinal notes and tropical fruits, the intense smokiness and the superbly balanced spices – all of this makes for something absolutely exceptional that will linger in your memory for weeks. I did, however, prefer the 34 yo, whose nose would have converted me to Laphroaigism, were such a religion to exist. As for the price, it’s a small sacrifice to make for the salvation of your soul. 

Score : 92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Mono - Run On

Bowmore 100 Degrees Proof

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Original Bottling 

Travel Retail Edition 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2012

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

In 2012, to replace the Bowmore Cask Strength, which had been available exclusively through travel retail since 2007, the distillery launched this expression. The bottles are 1 litre in size, the maturation is not specified anywhere, but I suspect a combination of Bourbon and Sherry casks. It is presented as being Cask Strength, but I doubt it, because how is it that every batch has exactly the same alcohol content? Perhaps it is like the Glenfarclas 105, which blends different Cask Strength casks to achieve exactly the desired alcohol content. What is certain is that it is non-chill-filtered. However, there are colourings present, given the colour, there’s no doubt about that. It was replaced in 2017 by a whole range of aged but diluted whiskies, and since then there has been no Bowmore Cask Strength in the Original Bottling range. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Methylated spirits, slightly pungent wood varnish, Reine-Claude plum jam, rocky peat, dried herbs, rubber, reeds, barley sugar, brown sugar, a spoonful of fuel oil, soot powder, a few almonds. Delicate smoke. On the palate, it is slightly oily, woody, with notes of olive oil, wood wax, mirabelle plums, blood oranges, mandarins, followed by very strong spices, cumin and black pepper. On the finish, wood splinters, scrambled eggs, burnt plastic, bitter chocolate, ginger, cola, braised walnuts, light floral notes.

 

In Short, 

I wonder if there’s something wrong with this bottle. When I opened it, the cork gave way, and the first few sips tasted more like petrol than my favourite tipple. I left it to rest for a few weeks, and it’s a bit better now, but there are plenty of flaws. That said, it matches what I’ve been reading here and there, the nose is too woody, it’s too spicy on the palate, and the finish is a bit harsh. Overall, it’s frankly not great, but I’m not giving it too harsh a mark in case the problem is a poorly stored bottle. I bought it at auction and I don’t know where it was kept before. For now, at any rate, it’s a disappointment, and confirmation that Bowmore often causes problems when it’s under 18 years old. 

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                              To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                              Sadness - In The Distant Travels

Laphroaig 25 yo Cask Strength 2022

 

 

 

53,4° 

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Let’s compare the 25-year-old Ardbeg with its counterpart from Laphroaig. Laphroaig has been producing 25-year-olds for a very long time now. Since 2008, a Cask Strength version has been released nearly every year, and given that there was none in 2010, this one is therefore the 14th batch. It has been matured in a combination of Oloroso sherry butts and bourbon barrels. It is impossible to know whether it has been coloured or not, as no source specifies this, which generally means that it has been coloured. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A perfect balance between iodine notes, a dirty yet elegant peat, laced with soot and medicinal notes, and vibrant fruits, papaya, pineapple, flambéed banana, lychee, white grapes, mirabelle plums, lime, a whisper of vanilla, old wood. On the palate, thick honey, melting caramel, peaches, orgeat syrup, rose water, underpinned by a thick, vegetal peat that is, however, very well tamed. Subtle and varied spices. A superb finish, incredibly long, charcoal nuggets, soot here and there, lemon tart, bewitching smoke, balsamic vinegar, baked apples, rustic cereals. Dried seaweed, moistened ashes.

 

In Short, 

It’s a bit like the 25 yo in 2020, which I’m talking about here, in other words, the qualities of youth, vigor and a peaty intensity, combine here with the qualities of age, subtlety, complexity and the influence of the cask, to create a well-rounded whisky. Except that with this one, it’s even better, there’s a fairly high alcohol content that gives it a certain intensity, and fruity, exotic flavours that take you to heaven. I could go on talking about it for ages, but I must get to the price. It’s half the price of the Ardbeg, which is actually the same age, but it’s still a bit too expensive for me, unfortunately. Perhaps with a bit of luck at auction, I’ll one day have the privilege of getting my hands on a bottle. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Child of Night - Unafraid

Ardbeg 25 yo 2022

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

I didn’t know that the Ardbeg 25 Year Old was an annual limited edition; if the hostess hadn’t explained it to me, I would have missed it. I thought it was part of the Core Range, but that wasn’t a well-considered thought. As the 19-year-old is itself an annual release, there’s no reason why an older bottling shouldn’t be too. This one, bottled in 2022, is therefore Batch 3. There was a Batch 4, and even a Batch 5, but Batch 6 is apparently still a long way off. I gather the series has ended, unless it has become a biennial release. However, if this was bottled in 2022 and is 25 years old, then distillation must have taken place in 1997. Precisely the year Glenmorangie bought the distillery and it resumed production after six years of inactivity. The spirit is therefore exactly 25 years old, and not a day older. Apparently, they still managed to produce 6,000 bottles of it.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very ethereal peat, with a vaporous iodine note, oysters, drizzled with a splash of lemon zest, delicate vanilla, custard dusted with a pinch of salt, flecks of limestone, candied pears, bread fresh from the oven, a sun-kissed crust, and very subtle smoke. Smooth, oily palate, argan oil, runny honey, very elegant woodiness, a beach in spring, a slice of pineapple, pebbles and lychees, waxy cereals, almost undetectable spices. Very long, full-bodied finish, mineral, even rocky, sweetly charred, dark chocolate and coffee, metallic notes, hazelnuts and icing sugar, kelp and Guérande salt. Smoked salmon. 

 

In Short, 

Typically, quintessentially Ardbeg, instantly recognisable from the very first whiff, yet very subtle, balanced and not at all harsh. A refined experience, truly enjoyable, the bottling is truly exceptional, but is it worth the price? Absolutely not, even at half the price, it would still be too expensive. 

Score : 90 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Woodkid - The Golden Age