Nc'nean 7 yo Mystery Malt Series NO.6

 

 

 

46,3°

Distillery : Nc'nean - Highlands 

Rejuvenated STR ex-Wine Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt  

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

There ought to be a competition for distilleries with the most unpronounceable names, and this one, founded in 2017 by Annabel Thomas, would certainly be in with a good chance. The Thompson brothers picked up a cask or two and included it in the 6th Batch of their Mystery Malt range, those black bottles whose origin you only discover once you’ve opened them. Of the 9,960 bottles in this 6th batch, 361 come from Nc’nean, and curiously enough, the maturation is exactly the same as for the Lindores Abbey I mentioned yesterday. Will the result be similar?

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

It’s very mellow, bread cake with raisins, rum baba, cheesecake. Honey and lemon, very light acidity, robust oak, mineral and even coastal notes. A pinch of fine salt, vanilla extract, Frécinette bananas. On the palate, it is well-balanced, with the fruit blending with the smoothness of a sweet wine, mirabelle plums, kumquats, grapefruit. Spices with real character, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon. A fairly long finish, lemon biscuits, floral aromas, toasted oak. White chocolate, cooked rice, stuffed cabbage. Melt-in-the-mouth caramel. 

 

In Short, 

It is indeed quite similar in character to the Lindores Abbey from the same batch, but the quality of the distillate lends it a certain robustness and some very pleasant mineral notes. On the other hand, it is less rich. It’s hard to say which of the two I preferred, both are interesting and well worth a closer look. The price is a bit high for a 7-year-old, though, but with a bit of luck, you might snap up a 29-year-old Ben Nevis for the same price. 

Score : 87 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Sophia Bacino - Cherry Trees

Lindores Abbey 6 yo Mystery Malt Series NO.6

 

 

 

46,3°

Distillery : Lindores Abbey - Lowlands

Rejuvenated STR ex-Wine Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt  

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

How about we play a game? And what better way to do that than by exploring the 6th Batch of the Mystery Malt range launched by the Thompson Bros. This batch comprises exactly 9,960 bottles, amongst which you’ll find 38 different whiskies. The youngest is 6 years old, the oldest 29. When you pick up a bottle, you don’t know which whisky you’ll get. They all look the same, and it’s simply a sticker on the cap that will reveal the truth. But to find out, you have to open the bottle. I took a chance and, lucky as I am, I ended up with the youngest one! So it’s a 6-year-old Lindores Abbey that has been matured in Rejuvenated Shaved, Toasted and Recharred (STR) Wine Hogsheads. This accounts for 3.71 per cent of the batch, or 370 bottles.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is both dense and mellow, slightly fresh, with delicately tart fruit, not-too-ripe mirabelles, Reine-Claude plums, citrus fruits, kumquat, yuzu, lime. Mandarins, pistachios and young, untreated wood. On the palate, orchard fruits, small red apples, egg flan, mashed bananas, apricots, honey, followed by some cereal, cut hay. Subtle yet distinctive spices, nutmeg, white pepper. A fairly long, well-structured finish, fresh figs, lemon zest, a pinch of salt. Wood shavings, floral fragrances. 

 

In Short, 

It’s interesting and original. The cask imparts a variety of fruit and citrus notes, along with a slight acidity, the influence of the wood is noticeable despite the whisky’s youth. The distillate’s sweet, floral character remains intact. Although young, this is a whisky with real personality. The Mystery Malts are all sold at the same price. For some, it’s an incredible bargain; in this case, we’d say the 6-year-old is a bit on the pricey side. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Bird of the Muses - Misplaced Alien

Bunnahabhain 12 yo Pride of Islay

 

 

 

46,1°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay 

Madeira Wine Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

At 12 years old, Bunnahabhain’s whisky is already showing maturity, you can trust them on that. This particular expression has even been matured for over five years in Madeira wine barriques. In fact, you need to limit the finishing time with these naturally sweet wines, as it could ruin the whisky if left for too long. I suppose the initial maturation took place in Bourbon casks, but I’ve had no indication about that. Nor are there any details on the number of bottles produced. The Thompson brothers prefer to keep this one a mystery. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A very waxy, fruity and almost syrupy nose, cherry jam, orange marmalade, a generous hint of citrus and cinnamon, dried apricots, gingerbread with angelica. Lovely minerality in the background, iodine and a pinch of salt. On the palate, mandarin, honey and buttered toast, apple crumble with crushed hazelnuts, leather and lovely spices, cloves, saffron and curry. Sandalwood. A very long finish, blond tobacco, walnut oil, dried bananas, beach pebbles, chocolate and coffee.

 

In Short, 

I was worried that the Madeira inlfuence might be too overpowering, but I was wrong, it’s perfectly balanced. The coastal character of the distillate still comes through, and the fruit isn’t too sweet. This makes for another thoroughly enjoyable bottling at a bargain price. Well done, Thompson brothers, but how on earth do you do it?

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Jesse Will - Spirals

Blended Scotch Whisky The Final Release 9 yo

 

 

 

45°

Distilleries Officially Unknown - Speyside

Ex-Sherry Casks 

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Blended Scotch Whisky

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Sometimes there are fundamental errors. Here, we have a distillery that’s kept secret, but which we’re told is highly sought-after and renowned for its sherry cask maturations. It’s said to be from Speyside… Macallan? Glenfarclas? Mortlach? And, by mistake, it is said to have been blended with a small quantity of grain whisky from another distillery. That’s either a disaster or rather intriguing. 6,000 bottles are expected. The Speyside malt whisky is said to be 15 years old, and the grain whisky is 9 years old, hence the official age. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry seems to me to be well brought out, it’s balanced and well-crafted, dried fruit, raisins, dates, walnuts, blood oranges, stuffed figs, polished wood, apple compote, runny caramel, dark chocolate, blueberry, redcurrant tart. On the palate, it’s more honeyed, unctuous, sweet almond, wild strawberry, melt-in-the-mouth toffee, candied cherries, warming spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove. The finish is quite long, with an ounce of power, blond tobacco, dried apricots, charred wood resin, hazelnut cream, peppermint leaf. 

 

In Short, 

It’s not bad at all, a lovely sherry cask whisky just the way we like it, not too overpowering, but warm, full of dried fruit, smooth caramel and lovely spices. A lovely Christmas whisky at a reasonable price, it's well worth buying. Personally, I think it's a Macallan, and if that's the case, it's a bargain at this price, especially as there can't be much grain whisky in it, I didn't detect any at all. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Susanne Sundfør - White Fox

Sutherland From The World Famous Clynelish Distillery 8 yo Batch 002

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Clynelish - Highlands

Refill Hogsheads 

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 8 ppm 

 

 

 

The Thompson brothers must have a great relationship with Cynelish, because they bottle quite a lot of it. Sometimes as a blend, like this Sutherland 5-year-old that I tasted a few years ago, or here, as a rather young single malt. The alcohol content is spot on, and the maturation in refill hogsheads really allows the spirit to shine. Just like Batch 001, Batch 002 apparently comprises 2,187 bottles.   

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Slices of lime and beeswax, candle wax, a briny freshness and salty sea spray, almond paste, salted butter caramel, malty sweetness, cookie dough. Mirabelle plums, bananas, white peaches, a pinch of cinnamon. On the palate, pineapple, grapefruit, heather honey, freshly squeezed oranges. Mineral notes follow, liquid vanilla, it is both oily and waxy. Spices and a few green olives. A very long, perfect, fruity finish, barely woody, milk chocolate, ginger, more citrus, slightly herbaceous at the end.  

 

In Short, 

Honestly, it’s brilliant. It really is the sort of little Clynelish you dream of to liven up an evening. It’s young, sure, but it’s got character, a strong personality and a real presence. And it’s very affordable. Right, I’ve got to have it. 

Score : 88+ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Madlen Keys - I Remember

Invergordon 1972 The Fishes of Samoa 50 yo

 

 

 

44,6°

Distillery : Invergordon - Highlands

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Archives 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

I can't believe this is the first time I've tasted an Invergordon Single Grain. I could have sworn I'd tasted one before. It's a distillery owned by White & Mackay, founded in 1959, it's found in the brand's blends, and it's rare to come across a bottle of it as a Single Grain. This one is 50 years old—plus 7 days—and was aged in a single Bourbon barrel. Only 93 bottles were released for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, candied lemon, a cascade of various citrus fruits, grapefruit, as well as pineapple, yuzu and mandarin, aniseed biscuits, very smooth wood, crème caramel, crème brûlée, heather honey, crunchy nougat. And, of course, plenty of grains, almonds, beeswax. On the palate, wood resin, a drop of vinegar, fairly subtle spices, hazelnuts, floor wax, very ripe mirabelle plums, mashed bananas, tobacco leaves. An almost endless finish, coffee grounds, liquorice, peppermint, salted butter caramel, roasted walnuts, a square of dark chocolate and fresh herbs. Muesli. 

 

In Short, 

It’s absolutely enchanting. I’m not usually a fan of lemon, but this is simply magical. Ultimately, it doesn’t taste all that much like cereal, it’s more waxy, slightly woody and fruity, with quite a lot of exotic fruit. It’s certainly one of the best single grains I’ve ever tasted. Now for the bad news, the price is very high, it’s actually gone completely mad since it’s sold out everywhere. 

Score : 91+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Caoilfhionn Rose - Horizon

Tomatin 1994 The Fishes of Samoa 31 yo

 

 

 

49,9°

Distillery : Tomatin - Highlands

Refill Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Archives 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This one spent 31 years, 1 month and 12 days in a simple Refill Hogshead, before filling 247 bottles. It is part of the prestigious collection The Fishes of Samoa, each bottling of which represents a different fish that inhabits the waters of this archipelago. Here, it is the Farancia Abacura. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose seemed perfect, slightly iodized, airy, clear. Pine resin, lemon zest, Williams pears. White peach, beeswax, vanilla bean. Discreet mineral and forest touches. Straw strand, half-salt butter. On the palate, it is fresh, fruity, honey and vanilla cream, mandarins, melon, mirabelles, juicy pears. Polished parquet in the background, some spices. Very long, satisfying finish, candied citrus fruits, ginger, a pinch of cinnamon, candle wax, brioche, pastry cream. Wood Shavings. 

 

In Short, 

It is an excellent Tomatin, smooth and airy on the nose, very fruity on the palate. Wood has a certain influence and brings wax, spices, resin. More curiously, I also found some mineral and iodized touches. It’s very pleasant to drink, and it’s original. What more could you ask for? The price? It’s high of course, but not outrageous. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             The Galway Shawl - The Haar

Benromach 2008 Single Cask Specially Bottled For Whiskybase 18 yo

 

 

 

59,1°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm 

 

 

 

It’s always nice to see a cask specially bottled for you. Here, this Benromach aged for 18 years and two days exactly in a 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, yielded 229 bottles, which will be sold exclusively on the Whiskybase Shop, the largest whisky bottle referencing site in the world. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is fresh, iodized and cereal-like, with a slight dusty peat that adds spice to the whole. Fresh lemon slices, creamy vanilla, runny caramel, butter toasts, ripe yellow plums. Vendée brioche, grilled bark. A pinch of salt. On the palate, it’s oily, flan with eggs, pastry cream, fried bacon, salted butter caramel. A few fruits too, but the spices settle in, white pepper, cloves. Long finish, grainy and explosive, sweet, liquorice, wild honey, fondant toffee, blond tobacco, roasted nuts. 

 

In Short, 

A classic Benromach, quite recognizable, with a beautiful maturity, light peat, honey and brioche, yellow fruits, cereals, everything you can expect from such a distillery at this age. Given the age, the price didn’t seem excessive to me. Since it’s a very classic bottling, fans of the profile should be delighted. 

Score : 88+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Diana Caldaru - Spend the Night