Redbreast 21 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Midleton - Ireland

American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels and 1st Fill Spanish Oak Oloroso Sherry Seasoned Butts

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Pot Still

Launched in 2013

Unchillfiltered

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This 21-year-old is the third release in the brand’s Core Range, following the 12-year-old and the 15-year-old, the 12-year-old Cask Strength being an annual limited edition. It blends whiskies aged between 21 and 28 years, matured either in ex-Bourbon barrels or in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts. It appears that the proportion of malted barley and Oloroso sherry butts is higher in this one. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Honeycomb, rum baba, vanilla crumble, rich and intense oak, a touch of iodine, melon, fresh cereals, candle wax, dried apricots. Baked apples, damp leather, light spices, cinnamon, and cocoa. On the palate, it is primarily oaky, waffles drizzled with maple syrup, pastry cream, slightly more pronounced spices, cloves, black pepper. Vanilla extract. The freshness of lychee. Peanut butter. A beautiful, long finish, delicately peppery, honey and lemon coulis. Ginger, shortbread biscuits. 

 

In Short, 

Perhaps there are more sherry casks involved, personally I found the bourbon influence to be noticeable, but very pleasant, creamy, between honey and lemon, vanilla and biscuit. Overall, it’s very well crafted, nuanced, subtle, in the same vein as the 15-year-old, but even smoother and full of finesse. Here again, a slight lack of punch is the only flaw. The price, however, seems too high to me. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                               Mikaela Davis - Saturday Morining 

Redbreast 18 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Midleton - Ireland

Bourbon Barrels, Oloroso Sherry Butts, Cream Sherry and Ruby Port Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Pot Still 

Launched in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

I would have thought that Redbreast 18 Year Old had been around for decades, but no, it wasn’t launched until 2024. Redbreast is therefore a range that continues to expand and is seeking true variety. What does this one offer compared to the other expressions, the 15 Year Old or the 21 Year Old, which exist since longer? It’s those famous Cream Sherry Casks, from the Antonio Pàez Lobato cooperage, it is a sweetened blended sherry, involving Oloroso mixed with a portion of Pedro Ximénez. And of course, the use of Ruby Port Casks, which deepen the sherry notes. All of this makes the 18-Year-Old a truly unique and original expression. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It’s very fruity, with a wide variety of fruit notes. Cherry, raspberry, but also mirabelle plums, dates, dried bananas. It has a lovely creaminess, along with a touch of honey, a hint of iodine, walnut cake, dark chocolate, damp earth, and grass. On the palate, it is velvety, oaky, elegant, honey and cake filling, crushed figs, grapes of every color. Spices are almost nonexistent. The finish is long, well-structured, a whisper of charcoal and earth, cinnamon, saffron, waxed then varnished wood, molasses, mocha, royal jelly. 

 

In Short, 

It’s a continuation of the 12-year-old, but with more intensity, depth, and power. It has a creamy, smooth, and woody character that’s very pleasant. That said, it lacks a bit of strength and body to be perfect. I really liked it, but I find the price far too high.

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Kingfishr - Caroline

Redbreast 12 yo Cask Strength Batch N°B1/23

 

 

 

57,2°

Distillery : Midleton - Ireland

American Oak Bourbon Barrels and Spanish Oak Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Pot Still 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Redbreast 12-Year-Old Cask Strength was launched in 2011, with one batch released each year, except in 2019, when two batches were released. This is therefore the 14th batch. It’s still the same recipe, more or less the same as the diluted 12-year-old, except that it’s unchill-filtered. The slight problem is that there was no batch in 2025 and we’re still waiting for this year’s. Could the series have come to an end? The number of bottles released isn’t specified, but batches generally range from 70 to 75 casks, or about 30,000 bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Creamy honey, very juicy yellow plums, lemon zest, freshly cut young wood. Light floral notes, a hint of iodine. Bananas and dates, apricots and mandarin, melting toffee, buttered toasts. On the palate, pure honey. It’s a bit light, though, rather spicy, vanilla, citrus, and ginger. Pastry cream and cooked fruit, but also a few malty cereals and cut hay. A full-bodied, long finish, woody and earthy, deep spices, royal jelly. Egg custard, shortbread cookies, fresh mint. Hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

It’s often said that the 12-year-old Cask Strength is the cask-strength version of the 12-year-old, but that’s not quite accurate, there’s significantly less sherry in the Cask Strength. That said, it’s true that the difference between batches is hard to pin down. Personally, I found this one to be better, but my verdict would likely have been different at another time or in a different context. Still, it’s quite well-made and the price is fair, all fans of the brand should pick one up. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Seo Linn - Óró Sé do Bheatha Bhaile

Highland Park 2006 The Decanter Collection 18 yo

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm 

 

 

 

When this release came out a little less than two years ago, I seriously considered buying it but never actually did. It was intriguing because it was matured in hogsheads, which might lead one to believe the spirit would hold its own. On the other hand, it’s not a single cask and is diluted to 52% ABV. There’s no indication of how many bottles were released, or of the exact peat level, which can vary with this distillery. Given the uncertainty, I decided to hold off, but I’ve always wanted to taste it at least once to form my own opinion. Now I’ve finally done so. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Candied banana, then it opens up beautifully, with iodine, a hint of peat, lemon chutney, and heather, of course. Pulpy plums, candle wax, sweet potatoes, grapefruit. Subtle mineral notes. On the palate, it’s smooth and syrupy, orgeat, lychees, limoncello, clove and black pepper. A fairly long finish, very pleasant without being too powerful, shortbread, palets breton cookies, a generous pinch of coarse salt, shards of charcoal, beach sand, dried seaweed, very light woody bitterness. Kumquat.

 

In Short, 

At first I found it interesting, but not particularly moving, there was a bit too much citrus for my taste, though it was balanced by a waxy note—still, it was a bit unusual. But then the finish won me over, I found it perfect, still very citrusy, but with shortbread biscuits and a sea breeze that came together beautifully. All in all, I think there are a few minor flaws, but it’s still a good product, though a bit pricey. There are better things from the same distillery, but they aren’t necessarily any easier to find. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                               Them - Find the Time

Laphroaig 15 yo 2026

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2026

Unchillfiltered

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Laphroaig 15 Year Old was first released around 1985. At the time, it had an alcohol content of 40% and was fitted with a screw cap. It was then known as Prime 15 Year Old. Then, during the 1990s, the alcohol content was increased to 43% and a cork stopper was introduced. I don’t know exactly when production of this 15-year-old ceased, but apparently it was in 2009, although some mention bottlings that may have taken place in the early 2010s. In any case, it was a huge disappointment for all the distillery’s fans. Then there was the 15-year-old ‘200th Anniversary of Laphroaig’ in 2015, but that was a limited edition. Next came the Cairdeas 15-year-old in 2017, another limited edition. And here it is again today, more than fifteen years later! This time, it’s 46% ABV and is advertised as ‘non-chill-filtered’ on some websites, which pleases me. The whisky is aged entirely in American oak casks that previously held bourbon, and I don’t think there are many first-fill casks in the batch, which leaves plenty of room for the spirit to shine.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The full expression of Laphroaig, harsh smoke, tar, grassy peat, dust, disinfectant, ointment, with a delicate honeyed sweetness, heather, candied angelica, a whisper of citrus, and a generous dose of iodine, powerful, a few pebbles and seafood. On the palate, it is velvety, polished fruit, mirabelle plums, bananas, vanilla, varnished wood, the peat comes through later, cold ash, dry earth, measured spices, pepper, cloves. The finish is quite long, full of ash, asphalt, coffee, volcanic rock, shards of coal, black chalk, dark tobacco, an ocean of fuel oil.

 

In Short, 

Rather than simply a return to the distillery’s history, what we are invited to experience today is a genuine reconciliation, for the discontinuation of the 15-year-old has always seemed unjustified. But this 15-year-old is not the same as the one from back then, it is more robust, more Laphroaigish, with a finish that really gets your hands dirty, very long and charcoal-like. I found a lovely contrast between the sweet flavours of the cask and the distillery’s strong identity, which is perfectly evident here. I think it is an excellent whisky at a fair price, and I’ll definitely be buying a bottle. That said, I tasted it alongside the Springbank 10-year-old, and the latter is a cut above. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                 Blood Desire - Darkness Dance

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