Maclean's Nose Blended Scotch Whisky

 

 

 

46°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Highlands, Lowlands and Campbeltown

Bourbon Barrels and Hogsheads, Sherry Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Adelphi

Core Range 

Blended Scotch Whisky 

Launched in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Lightly Peated

 

 

 

Launched in 2023, this expression revives the traditions of blends created by independent bottlers in the 19th and 20th centuries. It features a selection of distilleries combined in an original recipe. The advantage here is that it is non-chill-filtered and uncoloured, and the alcohol content is 46°. As for the distilleries involved, Ardnamurchan is certainly one of them, and the Campbeltown whisky is most probably Glen Scotia. As for the grain whisky, some suggest North British, whilst others mention Cameronbridge. It is unlikely that any other distilleries are involved. 70 per cent of the grain is malted barley. The age appears to range between 5 and 7 years. The name pays tribute to Charles Maclean, an expert and renowned author of books on whisky, who chairs the Adelphi tasting committee. But Maclean’s Nose is also a headland on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, where the distillery of the same name is located. Some might have pointed out the uncanny resemblance between Charles Maclean’s nose and the headland known as Maclean’s Nose, but this remains purely speculative. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Caramel-coated cereals, somewhat rustic, buttered bread, wispy smoke, creamy honey, vanilla and yellow plums, lemon and treacle, aged leather, a few mineral and coastal notes, a pinch of salt, whiffs of iodine, seaside air. On the palate, it’s quite fruity, even spicy, mirabelle plums, bananas, pineapple, apricots and more, along with, of course, cereal and peat to provide structure. The finish fades rather quickly, which is a shame, but there are still biscuits, an ounce of charcoal, dried fruit, dates and nuts, traces of aniseed. 

 

In Short, 

For a blend, it’s actually more than not bad. It’s one of the best blended Scotch whiskies I’ve ever tasted, apart from the Compass Box blends, I can’t think of anything better. It’s ideal for those new to whisky, or if you simply must have a blend in your collection. What’s more, the price is really attractive, it’s the sort of thing you’d buy without a second thought. 

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Melissa Bonny - Snow on Mars

Isle of Raasay 2021 Dùn Cana Third Edition

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

American Oak Ex-Rye Whiskey Casks, Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Quarter Casks Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

I missed out on the second release of Dùn Cana, which was apparently reserved for the UK market, but I didn’t hesitate to give this third release a go when the opportunity arose. The recipe doesn’t seem to have changed since the first release: American oak ex-rye whisky casks, followed by a finish in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso quarter casks. This time, the finish appears to have lasted just over a month, which is very short indeed. Distillation took place in September 2021, and bottling in September 2025, but we cannot conclude from this that the whisky is four years old, as the vatting period (blending of all the casks) lasted nine months, from December 2024 to August 2025, and I do not know whether this vatting took place in an oak vat. Exactly 14,300 bottles were released for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

This sherry is well-made, but it is a little dry and very spicy. Enhanced by a gentle smokiness, with vanilla flan, roasted peaches and plums soaked in caramel. A few red berries, delicate coastal and mineral notes, a pinch of salt, sea spray. On the palate, vanilla-infused mirabelle plums, milk chocolate, blood orange, toasted almonds. Quite intense spices, black pepper and cloves. A very long and deep finish, dark tobacco, light peat, candied fruit, varnished wood. Ground hazelnut, speculoos, melt-in-the-mouth toffee. 

 

In Short, 

The one small thing that bothered me about the first edition, the spices being too strong, is still there. But apart from that, it seems to me that the quality has improved, the flavour is more intense, and the sherry is less overpowering. It’s a lovely blend, though the price is still a bit high for my liking. 

Score : 87+ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Annicke Shireen - False Gods

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