Laphroaig 25 yo Cask Strength 2023

 

 

 

47,3°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength 

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

It seems this is the very last 25-year-old Cask Strength in this series, which began in 1998. We’ve been waiting for the new batch for three years, but it hasn’t arrived, and we have to come to terms with this painful news: there won’t be any more. Just like the 10-year-old Cask Strength we’ve been waiting for for two years, it seems the distillery is radically overhauling its lineup. And so, as the very last 25-year-old, it has a first distinctive feature: it was aged entirely in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels. No sherry this time. The second unique feature is that the alcohol content is fairly low, which will make it easier to drink. As for the coloring, it’s still unclear, I found a website that claims it isn’t colored, but nothing is mentioned on the others. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is ethereal, particularly dark and earthy. Greasy ash, sea salt, fairly pronounced medicinal notes, sharp iodine, kelp and dried seaweed. All of this is rubbed with lemon peel, it's bursting with citrus, yet it’s also charcoal-like, cavernous, dusty. The peat is very present. A touch of exotic fruits, pineapple, grapefruit, Frécinette banana. Dark chocolate, a dash of vanilla. On the palate, it’s oily, honeyed, heavily peated, but with a wonderful smoothness, lychees, almonds, white peaches. Light mineral notes, limestone, a pinch of salt. Very long finish—not extremely strong, but expressive and herbaceous. Barley sugar, pencil lead, gypsum, bits of charcoal, cucumber, melon, earth, coffee, and tobacco. A dusting of cinnamon. 

 

In Short, 

I loved the nose, which is pure Laphroaig. No doubt the aging exclusively in Bourbon casks brings out the distillery’s character, and it’s truly incredible. On the other hand, on the palate and in the finish, it’s excellent, smooth and balanced, perfect, but it lacks just a touch of power due to the low alcohol content. As with the previous editions I’ve tasted, I’m blown away by the persistence of the peat and the mineral, medicinal, and coastal notes. Even after 25 years, the whiskey retains all its radicalism, but it’s much more harmonious and complex. The price, of course, is very high, even higher than usual, it seems to me. But how can I put it? You don’t haggle over the price of a piece of history. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                               To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                              Chrysta Bell - Sycamore Trees

Bowmore 2010 Milroy's 15 yo

 

 

 

53,7°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay 

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Milroy's of Soho

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

Right now, there are a number of independent bottlings from Bowmore on the market, at much more attractive prices than in recent years. Notably this one, aged 15 years, 7 months, and 24 days, which was matured in a single Bourbon barrel that must have allowed the distillate to truly blossom. Milroy’s of Soho is a long-established company, dating back to the 1960s, and it produces only a small number of bottlings each year. This time, it has partnered with The Whisky Agency to launch this Bowmore, which will thus be showcased to its fullest potential. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Creamy nose, lemon pulp, pastry cream, a shovelful of iodine and seaweed, grapefruit, fluffy peat, gravel, a dash of vanilla and pineapple, half-burnt dry hay. Molasses. It’s rustic, almost country-style, Gavottes and coastal notes. On the palate, the citrus is just as prominent, with a peaty undertone, slightly woody, pulpy plums, syrupy bananas, crumbs of charcoal, fairly subtle spices. A very long finish that evolves slowly, lemon tart, shortbread cookies, lime zest, asparagus, a pinch of salt. Volcanic soil full of minerals.

 

In Short, 

I’m slightly disappointed by the nose, which is unstable, sometimes a bit earthy and rustic, and other times pure Bowmore, coastal, subtle, and slightly herbaceous. On the other hand, on the palate and in the finish, it’s exactly what I was hoping for, lots of citrus and even exotic fruits, along with a delicate peatiness. Overall, I’m not sorry I picked up this bottle, and I think it will improve with age, the minor flaws on the nose will certainly fade away. The price is quite reasonable, it’s nice to find an affordable Bowmore again. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ethan Gold - I'm Always Sad

Highland Park 16 yo Between You and I

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Virgin Swedish Oak, Ex-Bourbon and Sherry Seasoned Casks  

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 8 ppm 

 

 

 

Highland Park released a new limited edition last year, and for the occasion, they asked Michelin-starred chef Björn Frantzén to showcase it, which is why his name is on the box. Virgin Swedish oak casks have never been used before by the distillery, and likely by any distillery in Scotland, so it’s definitely worth a try. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A rather warm sherry character, with a hint of mandarin and just the right amount of peat. A light, briny freshness, soft caramel, lime slices, cinnamon, and candied cherry. Hazelnuts, mint leaves, juicy peaches and pears. Spicy on the palate, slightly tangy and woody, blood orange, honeycomb, heather, banana and marzipan. Blond tobacco, dried fruits. White melon. The finish is not very strong but long, delicate charcoal notes, orange peel, limestone bubbles, melt-in-your-mouth toffee, herbaceous notes, angelica and reeds. A touch of anise.

 

 

In Short, 

I think this one is very well done, it has a distinct character thanks to the Virgin Swedish Oak Casks, but also a certain citrusy freshness, it’s almost a summer whisky despite the peat, which is actually very subtle. The only thing is that the body is a bit light, which is the only minor flaw in my opinion. The price is a bit high, though, which is a shame. If it were a few euros cheaper, I would have bought it. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                 To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Band of Horses - The Funeral

Highland Park Heather

 

 

 

63,6°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

1st Fill and Refill European and American Oak Oloroso Sherry Seasoned Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

I was quietly waiting for Batch 6 in the Highland Park Cask Strength series, and this is what arrived instead. It’s also a limited edition, so it’s really just like Batch 6, but with a different name. It was aged exclusively in sherry casks, mostly refill casks, I’ve been told. The barley used was 100% peated, whereas normally it’s only 20%, making this a very peaty Highland Park. I’ve estimated 20 ppm, but that’s a minimum, it could be 30. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful rooty peat, earth and heather, it’s slightly fruity and floral, liquid honey, yellow plums and brown bananas, smoked mackerel, wood charred with a blowtorch. Plenty of iodine and mineral notes, along with bamboo and dark tobacco. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, maple syrup, pecans, as well as very burnt, woody, conifers, brush, a touch of herbaceousness, pungent spices. A fierce, charred finish, soot and coffee, dark chocolate, roasted chestnuts, but also long-lasting, dry earth, nutmeg, cinnamon. Red berries, a pinch of salt. 

 

In Short, 

The difference I noticed compared to the Highland Park Cask Strength series is that this one is younger and therefore less influenced by the cask. In addition, the peat is stronger, so the fruit notes are very discreet, it’s primarily stormy, smoky, and briny. It’s a vigorous Highland Park, but also austere, dark, despite the cheerful color of the packaging. I didn’t find it particularly impressive, until the finish, which is powerful yet very long, making it a good whiskey after all. The price is quite reasonable, at that price, it’s worth giving it a try out of sheer curiosity. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Austere - Just For a Moment...

Redbreast 27 yo Batch 6

 

 

 

55,9°

Distillery : Midleton - Ireland

Bourbon Barrels and Oloroso Sherry Casks, Ruby Port Pipes Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Pot Still 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This 27-year-old has been available since 2020, with one batch released each year. This year’s batch hasn’t been released yet, so this is the most recent one. The recipe is the same every time: classic aging in Bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks, followed by a finish in Ruby Port pipes. The duration of the finish isn’t specified, but I assume it’s fairly short. 

Let's Taste It :  

Soft prunes, oak bark, dates, figs. Onctuous woodiness, beef stew, fish soup, green olives. Raspberries and blackcurrants, though very subtle. Redcurrants, melt-in-the-mouth toffee, a hint of orange zest, an earthy and chocolatey note. Rhubarb. On the palate, the port makes its presence felt, fermented red fruits, crushed blueberries, dark chocolate, macerated cherries, very well-balanced spices. An almost endless, velvety finish with jammy fruits, clafoutis, black grapes, muscat, liquorice, exotic wood, black pepper, cloves. Caramel and cinnamon, toasted hazelnuts. 

 

In Short, 

It’s certainly excellent, though the port somewhat masks Redbreast’s character, you don’t get the usual variety of grains, instead it’s more about cooked fruit, with a slightly syrupy quality, a crimson hue, and great elegance. In some ways, it’s magnificent, in others, it’s a bit disappointing. There’s no doubt, however, that it isn’t worth the asking price, but it seems to be nearly impossible to find already, so there are fans. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lisa Ekdahl & Peter Nordahl Trio - When Did You Leave Heaven

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