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

White Peak 2018 Thompson Bros. 7 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : White Peak - England

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 10 ppm

 

 

 

White Peak is an English distillery located in Derbyshire, it opened in 2016 and has been quietly going about its business ever since. In 2022, they released their first expressions, but success has yet to materialise. They use local yeasts and a very long fermentation time of 140 hours, which should produce something interesting. But it was last year that two independent bottlings were released that got connoisseurs talking, one in Elixir Distillers' Whisky Trail collection and the other being this one. Aged for seven years in a first-fill bourbon cask, it yielded 247 bottles and attracted the curious. From what I have read, this is the 16th cask filled at the distillery. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A nose full of character, angelica, agave, a pinch of salt and a tiny whiff of iodine. It is crystalline and citrusy, slices of lime, shellfish, light earthy peat, vanilla cream, toasted almonds, young and fresh wood, cooked egg yolk, spices and various cereals. On the palate, there is more fruit, vanilla and yellow plums, crunchy pears, still full of citrus, grapefruit and lemon. Light mineral notes, even coastal, salty, balanced spices. The finish is quite long and honestly powerful, wheat semolina, more candied lemon, ginger nuggets, almond paste, salt flakes, foam and moss. 

 

In Short, 

It is completely original and intriguing, light peat giving depth, while brewer's yeast brings notes of citrus and salty iodine. The very long fermentation intensifies the cereal notes, and the Bourbon cask appears to be of good quality, resulting in a beautiful fruitiness. Considering its age, it is a complete success, and what's more, at a reasonable price. Looking forward to discover older expressions. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Strange Fruit - Monopolar

Craigellachie 1997 Les Fûts oubliés 25 yo

 

 

 

50,5°

Distillery : Craigellachie - Speyside

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Celtic Whisky Distillerie

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Celtic Whisky Distillerie is a French distillery founded in 1997, but it is also an independent bottler that purchased a few casks a long time ago. These few casks are now bottled and ready for sale, now that the distillery and all its stock has been sold to Maison Villevert. Five have been released so far, and 17 are planned. This one is a 25-year-old Craigellachie, aged in a single hogshead for 25 years, 10 months and 25 days. As the cask was stored in the cellars of the Breton distillery, it does not have the Scotch Whisky designation. However, it is indeed a Single Cask and only 289 bottles are available, exclusively at Le Comptoir Irlandais in France. The label is the work of the visual artist Erika Raio. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Malty and honeyed notes, very subtle with wax and varnish, stewed fruit and soft wood, caressing spices, a whiff of smoke. Soft caramel, chestnut cream, candied apricots, juicy greengages, delicate floral scents, mirabelle plums. On the palate, Comice pears, lychees, it's soft and velvety, vanilla and grated coconut, raisins and dried figs, a pinch of cinnamon, oak bark. Fairly long, explosive finish, chocolatey, cereal, hummus, a drop of olive oil, a few crunchy nuts, green tea. 

 

In Short, 

It's not much like the usual Craigellachies, it's not as robust and there's less character, but on the other hand it's very subtle and honeyed, the wood is particularly well balanced, I really liked it. With this expression, you're totally in Speyside, whereas Craigellachie often has a Highlands feel to it, and honestly I prefer it that way. What's more, the price is incredibly low, perhaps because it doesn't have the Scotch Whisky designation. Definitely an opportunity not to be missed. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           SpaceAcre - Say

North British 1991 Zn09 Cyberpunk

 

 

 

45,6°

Distillery : North British - Lowlands

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Mava Spirit

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's been a long time since I've had the pleasure of tasting something from Zero Nine Spirits, a French bottler specialising in rum, but which also produces whisky. This one is a North British, a distillery located in the Gorgie district of Edinburgh, which produces only grain whisky. According to several websites, it has been aged for 32 years, but this is not specified on the label. The label may contain an error, as some show a bottling date of 2023, while others show 2024. A total of 244 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

At first a bit waxy, the it is incredibly floral with light fruit, liquid honey, ripe white plums, mirabelles, greengages, Frécinette bananas, rose petals, tulips, dahlias, coconut, papaya, melon. It is also airy, with hints of barley sugar and caramel sweets. On the palate, it is smooth and fruity, creamy vanilla, orange zest, guava, a few woody notes, infinitesimal spices. The finish is long, almost explosive, the fruit becomes candied, vanilla icing, cooked parsnips, fennel, very delicate bitterness.

 

In Short, 

You don't recognise Single Grain here, there's no cereal profile or wood glue. It's particularly floral and fruity, very refined, and with a lovely long finish despite the low alcohol content. A total success if you ask me, and at a very attractive price. I'm even considering buying some, even though it's not at all my cup of tea usually. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Phaeleh - The Mist

Miltonduff 2007 The Single Malts of Scotland 17 yo

 

 

 

59,6°

Distillery : Miltonduff - Speyside

Refill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Among the recent additions to this prestigious collection, this Miltonduff is appealing due to its advanced age, 17 years, five months and 1 days, and its maturation, which could give it a fruity flavour without being overpowering. We have 625 bottles available. The high alcohol content suggests that this is a cask strength whisky, although this is not always the case with Elixir Distillers.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is a little light, citrus notes with floral touches, thick caramel, pine honey, vanilla, spring breeze in the heart of the forest, walnuts and hazelnuts, dates and almonds, melted butter, barley sugar, nougat. On the palate, it is oily, rather like olive oil, with dried fruit, dates, raisins, apricots. Woody notes, prominent spices, and a slice of lemon. The finish is quite long but not particularly powerful, crushed nuts, shortbread biscuits, tanned leather, slightly burnt caramel. A hint of bitterness at the very end. 

 

In Short, 

It lacks expressiveness for my taste, the nose is too light, and the finish lacks power. The casks must have been refilled once too often. It's good, but not intense enough, not deep enough. It's rare for this brand to leave me unsatisfied, but in this case it has. I should taste it again, though, as I may have missed something. That said, the price is generous, so enthusiasts can always give it a try, you never know. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Coals - RAVE03'

Ardbeg 8 yo For Discussion

 

 

 

50,8°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

1st Fill and Refill Bourbon Barrels, Refill Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm 

 

 

 

This one was released in 2021, and at the time I managed to buy it, but the bottle sat in a corner waiting. It took me almost five years to open it. Now that I've finally done so, I'm a little late to the discussion. But better late than never, and how can you resist an aged Ardbeg? It's so rare. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Iodine freshness, pale smoke, white fruits, mirabelle plums, Comice pears, quartz, limestone, all sprinkled with icing sugar. Beautiful fullness after a moment. Creosote, gravel, gypsum, and a dash of vanilla. Some vegetables, fennel, celery. On the palate, it is quite fruity, slightly creamy, banana and candied grape, vanilla ice cream, lychees, the peat is discreet. Pepper and cumin, not too strong. Beautiful finish, long and powerful, blocks of charcoal, blond tobacco, vanilla icing, cloves, nutmeg, mocha. Chocolate cookie. 

 

In Short, 

The Bourbon barrels bring out the coastal and mineral notes, highlighting white fruits, but there are also subtle vegetal notes. The smoke is accompanied by a beautiful complexity that borders on indulgence. This is a lovely bottling, similar to Ten, with a slightly more powerful finish and more fruit. Five years after its release, it is still available, sometimes at a very reasonable price. Any Ardbeg enthusiast should give it a try. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           VUUR - My Champion - Berlin

Torabhaig Sound of Sleat Batch Strength Legacy Series Chapter 4 5 yo

 

 

 

60,2°

Distillery : Torabhaig - Islay

1st Fill, Refill Bourbon and Virgin Quercus Alba American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 78 ppm

 

 

 

Alongside the reduced version of Sound of Sleat, this Cask Strength version was launched a few months later. There had already been a Batch Strength version for Allt Gleann, the chapter two, but none for the chapter three. For this one, the maturation was very slightly different, as new casks were used, which is not the case for the reduced version. However, the barley used is exactly the same, Laureate and Concerto, as well as the yeast, Pinnacle MG, and the fermentation, 72 hours. The peat level is very high, but the measurement is taken from the barley. In the glass, it is much lower, at 19 ppm. The age is officially stated on the distillery's website as 5 to 6 years. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, the peat is as balanced as ever, generously revealing cream, honey and yellow fruit. However, there are also coastal, mineral, maritime and salty notes, smoke, oysters, shellfish, iodine and seaweed. On the palate, it's not bad at all, citrus fruits, juicy pears, salted caramel, a good layer of peat and limestone, vanilla icing, measured spices, dark chocolate. The finish is long and with just the right amount of power, honey and roasted nuts, coarse sea salt, scallops, razor clams, just a hint of mud. 

 

In Short, 

Not only is it more powerful, it is actually better than the reduced version, with more fruitiness, but above all more character and variety of flavours. This is yet another success for Torabhaig, which already has quite a few under its belt. What's more, the price is really attractive if you shop around, so it's another bottle to add to my shopping list. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Domhain - Talamh Lom

Laphroaig 2014 The Single Malts of Scotland 11 yo c. 210

 

 

 

65,2°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay 

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Elixir Distillers has made a big splash this year with a series of six Laphroaig whiskies, all distilled in 2014 and released at the same time, all aged for 11 years, and all but one matured in the same type of cask, a Refill Hogshead. One was selected by La Maison du Whisky and is reserved for the French market. I wrote about it here. Another is reserved for the German market, and yet another for the New Zealand market. This one is reserved for everyone, and it has the distinction of having a very high alcohol content. 326 bottles have been released into the wild, and some are still available at the time of writing.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Woody and very chalky nose, thick satiny vanilla smoke, almost suffocating, then perfect balance, orange zest, juicy pears, almond paste. Some maritime notes, the tide, whelks and other shellfish. Generous dose of iodine, medicinal touch, bandages and betadine. Very smooth on the palate at first, vanilla with a little oyster juice, liquid honey, fairly strong pepper. Fairly long and very powerful finish, cumin and cola, large pieces of charcoal, sticky caramel, varnished wood, hot chestnuts, dried bananas. 

 

In Short, 

It is truly a masterpiece of its kind. It has the power and everything that characterises the distillery, and at the same time a beautiful harmony, a wonderful balance at times. The nose is not perfect, but on the palate and in the finish, it is excellent. The alcohol is fairly well integrated, there are no real flaws. What's more, the price is very reasonable, it's a real bargain. What more could you ask for?

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Winona Riders - Dopamina