Isle of Raasay 2022 The Chinkapin Batch C-01.1.1

 

 

 

50,2°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

Fresh and Refill Chinkapin Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Lightly Peated

 

 

 

This is the new release for the year from this distillery, founded in 2017 on the island of Raasay, which is one of Scotland’s most interesting young distilleries. Eighty per cent of the whisky has been matured in virgin oak casks, and 20 per cent in refill casks. Some of the barley used is peated at around 50 ppm, whilst the rest is unpeated. The proportions are not specified, so I cannot estimate the peat level, but it is relatively light, less than 30 ppm anyway. These new American oak casks have a high vanillin content. They were toasted and charred specifically for the distillery. As for the age, it is a minimum of three years, the last distillation took place in 2022, and the bottling in February 2026.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Toasted wheat, cinnamon, smoky wood, dates, egg flan. Peat sinking into black earth and damp bark. Coffee grounds, Van Houten chocolate. Wild berries, a pinch of sea salt. A hint of minerality, the scent of the open sea. On the palate, the vanilla is intense, as are the citrus notes, crushed lemon, freshly squeezed grapefruit. Mountain honey, redcurrants, almost floral peat, cured ham. Very powerful spices, leading into a long finish, full of smoke, sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, cumin and various peppers. Sanded wood. 

 

In Short, 

It’s much more intense than The Draam, but not necessarily more complex. There’s a strong woody note, but without any bitterness, the peat is more pronounced, with both floral and mineral notes, and the spices are quite intense. I found it very enjoyable, it really brings out the best in the spirit, and it’s full of character. The price makes me a bit hesitant to buy it, but it’s definitely worth a taste. 

Score : 87+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Sabrina Jordan - Burden the Heavens

Isle of Raasay The Draam Batch R-01.5.1

 

 

 

46,4°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

1st Fill Rye Whiskey, Chinkapin Virgin Oak and 1st Fill Bordeaux Red Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm 

 

 

 

This series has been running since 2021, but until 2025 it didn’t have a name. Then it was named ‘The Draam’, and we’re now on the 6th Batch. The numbering system is a bit unusual: first R-01, then R-01.1, R-01.2, and so on. Bear in mind that there have sometimes been autumn Batches, numbered R-02, then R-02.1, and so on. In short, it’s a bit of a headache. But the recipe remains the same every time, it’s always a six-stage maturation process, using three types of cask and two types of barley, peated and unpeated. Yes, that’s complicated too. But what matters is the result, and given that it’s neither chill-filtered nor coloured, we can look forward to something special. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

It’s coastal, rocky, chalky. Slightly fruity, but above all salty. Mellow peat, sharp vanilla, crystalline iodine. Drops of honey, evanescent cereals, lemon zest. But above all, the sea air. On the palate, it’s pleasant, even funky, but it’s light too. The influence of the rye casks is noticeable, grainy cereals, caramel, subtle floral notes. A few spices, cloves, white pepper. A fairly long finish, very decent, tobacco, biscuits, cold ashes, granite, lumps of coal, mirabelle plums.

 

In Short, 

It seems to me that this expression is now at the peak of its potential. The coastal elements are beautifully highlighted, the flavours are very well balanced, and the Bordeaux oak is not noticeable at all, apart from a slight fruity note. It’s a fine achievement. There’s no mention of age on the label, so we can hope it’s a little older than three years. The price remains a little high, no doubt due to the complex maturation process and the almost artisanal production methods. 

Score : 86 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Alanis Morissette - Season of the Witch

The Yamazaki 2015 Refill Spanish Oak Bottled 2026

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Yamazaki - Japan

Refill Spanish Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

A new limited edition from the Suntory Group, this product is not yet on sale in France, but will be within a fortnight or so. However, it is currently available in Singapore and Germany, and perhaps elsewhere too. It is a Yamazaki aged for at least ten years and matured in refill Spanish oak casks, meaning sherry casks. Unless, that is, they are new-make casks or wine casks, which would indeed be quite experimental. There are no details on whether it has been chill-filtered or if colouring has been added, which is a shame. 3,000 bottles are being released across 20 different countries, it’s a great campaign. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Intense and mellow sherry, sweet-and-sour sauce, soft caramel, apricot compote, roasted walnuts, prunes, candied oranges, touches of sulphur and rancio, varnished wood, dark chocolate, hairspray, sandalwood, shiitake mushrooms. A rich, woody and fruity depth, a damp forest glade, macerated chestnuts, bark. On the palate, the fruit takes the lead, but a waxy note lingers, candied cherries, dried figs, blueberry tart, baked apples, tomatoes and peppers, fir honey and herbaceous notes, eucalyptus, ginkgo, primroses, which pair well with nutmeg and ginger. A fairly long finish, with a hint of smoke, cigar box, raw wood and a pinch of salt. Crushed hazelnuts, tanned leather, earth and liquorice, coffee grounds, it is intense and deep. 

 

In Short, 

To my taste, the sherry is a little too strong, especially on the nose, although it is also very subtle and complex. On the palate and in the finish, it seems better to me, even very good, but I’m not entirely convinced. I detect not only sherry but also some vinous notes, it goes well with the distillery’s character, but I’d say it goes a bit too far. All the more so because the price is absolutely out of this world. Especially as it’s reduced. 

Score : 89-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Ane Brun - Hold Me

Stauning Høst

 

 

 

40,5°

Distillery : Stauning - Danemark

American Oak Virgin Casks, Bourbon Barrels, and Port Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Blended Whisky

Launched in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It was with great caution that I brought my nose close to this glass, given what a disaster it was the last time I tasted a Stauning. But some very trustworthy people had actively recommended it to me, and I decided to put my faith in them. And so here I am with this, that means a blend of malted barley and malted rye, the malting having been carried out at local producers. It’s matured primarily in American oak casks, some virgin, others not, and a few Port casks. The bottle design dates from 2025, it’s much better than the old one, let’s hope it also reflects an improvement in quality. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Fresh apple, a dash of creamy vanilla, and coarse, rustic grains coated in honey. Grape seed oil, caramel, peaches, and a few red berries in the background, cherries and redcurrants, but it’s a little bitter. On the palate, it’s creamy, crushed banana, cake batter, it’s sweet too, rose water, lychees. However, the very low alcohol content means it doesn’t linger on the palate for very long. Wild berries, nutmeg. A relatively short finish, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco, a pinch of cinnamon, toasted nuts, and more cereals. 

 

In Short, 

I must admit it’s much better than last time. I quite like cereal notes, and this whisky is full of them. However, this whisky’s appeal is very limited, due to the lack of an age statement and the very low alcohol content. Besides, I find the price a bit high. 

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             dodie - The Answer

MacPhail's 40 yo 2025

 

 

 

46°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Speyside

Sherry Casks 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Since its beginnings, Gordon & MacPhail has been offering matured whiskies from distilleries whose names are not disclosed. This is a long-standing tradition amongst independent bottlers, which allows to showcase them more effectively than the original distillery could, which is a handy way to raise their own name. Gordon & MacPhail have absolutely no need to promote their name, they are recognised as being amongst the very best, but they continue this old-school tradition, particularly with very mature whiskies, such as this one.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An exquisite nose, very beeswax-like, dried apricots, slight minerality and various kinds of candied fruit, cherries, rhubarb, grapes, papaya, roasted hazelnuts, liquid milk chocolate, small yellow apples, citrus zest, chestnut cream, molasses. On the palate, it is very evanescent, candied red fruits, woody spices, an exotic touch, a drop of passion fruit, a dash of orange and argan oil, old leather. Old Bottle Effect, furniture polish. An endless finish, with cinnamon, currants, pipe tobacco, Tarte Tatin sprinkled with fine salt. Dried flowers right at the very end.

 

In Short, 

I wasn’t exactly blown away by the 30-year-old from the same collection released in 2024, but this one is a true work of art. The sherry notes are perfectly refined, blending with a range of very subtle aromas that make it impossible to identify the distillery. I’ve read on social media that it’s a Mortlach, but I didn’t recognise any of its typical characteristics, so that remains purely speculative. The price is, of course, absolutely crazy, but the quality is there, those who have nothing better to do with their money won’t be disappointed.

Score : 91+ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Velvet Haze - The Man Who Sold the Rain

Highland Park 2005 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 20 yo

 

 

 

59,7°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

1st Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

After Pulteney, Highland Park. We’re still in the far north of the British Isles, and we’ve even left the mainland behind. Here we have a first-fill sherry butt that was left to mature for 20 years before pouring out the equivalent of 632 bottles. It was released last year to mark Gordon & MacPhail’s 130th anniversary. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Light, grainy peat and airy iodine. Pulpy yellow fruits and biscuit dough mixed with cereals. Dried apricots, heather honey, mandarin zest and a dash of vanilla. A few spices and sea spray, cinnamon, cardamom, raisins. On the palate, it’s very velvety, though just a tad drying, stiffly whipped egg whites, custard, woody and peppery notes, juicy Reine-Claude plums, almost candied. A very long, explosive finish, shortbread biscuits, a pinch of salt, a touch of minerality, a mint leaf and banana purée. Ginger. 

 

In Short, 

Here’s one that strikes a perfect balance between the subtle influence of sherry and the distillate’s strong character, all delivered with subtlety and finesse. It’s truly a little gem if you’re a fan of heather honey and juicy fruit, but the peat is there too, with chalky and iodine-like notes, lending it a more troubled, deeper character. The price is justified given its age, but a little on the expensive side considering the quality, as it’s very well made but not quite sublime. Best bought on special offer. 

Score : 89+  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Dead Gowns - Hardcore or Wellness

Pulteney 2005 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 20 yo

 

 

 

56,9°

Distillery : Pulteney - Highlands

Refill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is only the sixth Pulteney I taste, and the first from an independent bottler. Suffice to say, I was really looking forward to this experience. This is a distillery that certainly deserves a closer look, as it has a well-known and recognised profile, and one doesn’t often get the chance to try its whiskies. That was without taking into account the maturation, in a single Refill Sherry Butt, which risks overshadowing the distillate’s merits. 534 bottles have flooded the shelves.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry character is quite pronounced, raisins and dried apricots, apple compote, red berry jam, candied oranges, dates and dried figs, cinnamon and ginger. Underlying this is a lovely salinity and some maritime notes, sea spray, sea foam. On the palate, caramel, ginger, yellow peaches, walnuts, full-tanned leather, woody spices, nutmeg. The finish is quite long, not too violent, it’s more cereal-like, toasted wheat, malted barley, crème brûlée, cough sweets, cola, treacle, bark. Floral honey. 

 

In Short, 

I did detect a hint of salt, but only on the nose. Apart from that, it’s just another Sherry bottling, very well made, certainly, but nothing remarkable. Apparently, the sherry wasn’t ‘refill’ enough. It’s a shame because the spirit is old, it could have offered some lovely subtlety. Perhaps it should have been bottled earlier, before the cask took over. As it stands, the price seems a bit steep to me. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Clint & The Cosmic Wake - Don't Cry Baby

Laphroaig 35 yo Strong Characters Dugald Johnston 1847-1877

 

 

 

43,8°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

American White Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Two years after the first chapter in this ‘Strong Characters’ series, the second chapter is finally here, dedicated to Dugald Johnston, son of Donald, who took over the distillery in 1847 following his father’s sudden death. Brit Brady has designed the label, which appears to illustrate this episode. As for the whisky itself, it has been aged for 35 years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, allowing the distillate to express itself fully. 5,500 bottles are being released. I wonder if they’re going to dedicate a bottling to every single distillery manager. Because there are still a good dozen of them, and at the rate of one bottle every two years, we’ll be at it until 2050. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A perfect Laphroaig, with just the right amount of tar, smoke, disinfectant and iodine to delicately envelop the ripe fruits, lemon, pineapple, vanilla, redcurrants, green apples and white peaches. Fruit cake soaked in fuel oil, candied cherries. Lovely airy fullness, sea breeze, mineral intensity. On the palate, a salad of macerated fruit, thick peat, waterlogged wood dotted with moss and mushrooms, hazelnut cream, almond paste. Spices that are by no means overpowering, yet possess great depth. A finish as long as a sociology lecture, full of bandages and chloroform, black pepper, butter biscuits. Honey, dried papaya. Sea spray. 

 

In Short, 

This is the oldest Laphroaig I’ve tasted so far, and it’s quite magnificent. There’s so much tar and fuel oil on the nose that I thought it might have been aged in sherry casks. The finish is endless, and on the palate it’s very smooth, like a marvellous oasis amidst a whirlwind of intense flavours. Well done, but you’ll need to think about bringing the prices down a bit. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             The Opposition - Very Little Glory