Talisker 25 yo

45,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Sherry and Bourbon Hogsheads

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2011

Peated around 22 ppm

This edition is the high point of the distillery's regular range, but not the pinnacle, as there is also a 30-year-old.

Let's Taste It : 

Not much peat and not much iodine in the nostrils, but what subtlety. Old wood, applesauce, porridge, plum, greengage, fig, vanilla. On the palate, very oily, hazelnuts, walnuts, elderberry, salted butter, an ounce of caramel. Gingerbread. But the pepper remains very discreet. It's more like wild herbs, fermented fruits, a bit of molasses and milk chocolate. The finish is long and bewitching, some scrub, aniseed and cola. Light liquorice in retro-olfaction.

 

In Short, 

A very fruity version, typical of the distillery, it's delicious. That said, the price makes it difficult to access.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Tom Waits - A Sweet Little Bullet From a Pretty Blue Gun

Talisker 25 yo Natural Cask Strength 2009

54,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Bourbon and Sherry Refill Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2009

Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

Included in the Diageo Special Releases in 2009, this 25-Year-Old is the last to be released in cask strength, and for this reason it is highly sought-after. Only 5862 bottles were produced.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is less iodised, less marine, but very fruity. Apricot is the dominant flavour, as it is one of the distillery's hallmarks, along with a hint of heather. The addition of water brings out the vanilla and white fruits. Mirabelle plum with a hint of spice, butter, applesauce and elderberry. Just a drop of peat, no ash or smoke. Very greedy nonetheless. After half an hour, the pear takes over. It's very sweet, slightly woody and earthy. The palate is light, with no trace of alcohol and a touch of plum. On the other hand, the heather and pepper are invasive, and the finish is very woody; very long, I'd say endless.

 

In Short,  

Touching on the divine, this is, in my opinion, the best that Talisker can produce. The price is obviously a deterrent, but don't hesitate if you can afford it.. 

Score : 91

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Mari Boine - Goaskinviellja

Talisker 8 yo Special Release 2018

59,4°

Distillery : Talisker - Islay 

1st Fill ex-Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

Included in the 2018 Diageo Special Releases, this limited edition was a runaway success, and the 4680 bottles put on sale went up in smoke fairly quickly. It is now extremely difficult to find. 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very similar to that of the 18-year-old Talisker, strongly iodised, very maritime, with just the right amount of vanilla, smoke and heather. But it's less prominent, sweeter. Lots of juicy white fruits, pears and plums. Beetroot, toffee, a touch of earth, it's definitely very enjoyable. The palate is suave, apricot, very Talisker, with a touch of wood and vanilla. Excellent finish, very violent and long, full of greengages and mirabelles, a touch of charcoal. Fudge in retro-olfaction.

 

In Short, 

It's undeniably a success, complex and very representative of the distillery despite its young age. That said, this bottling is a victim of its own success, and its price has risen somewhat disproportionately.

Score : 88

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Van Morrison - Wavelength

Talisker Select Reserve House of Greyjoy Game of Thrones Limited Edition

45,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands 

Heavily Charred and Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Peated around 22 ppm

This limited edition went on sale in early 2019, a few months before the final season of the Game of Thrones TV series. House Greyjoy is one of the Great Houses of the imaginary Kingdom of Westeros, located on the Iron Islands. The bottling is the result of a blend of bourbon casks and others that have been powerfully toasted, in other words burnt with a blowtorch.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very similar to that of the Storm, there's no doubt about that. Perhaps slightly sweeter. The sherry is less present, as are the iodine and heather, in short it's a little impersonal. That said, it's pleasant, I find a bit of lavender, icing sugar and genoise. It's very slightly minty. A touch of earthiness, coarse salt. On the palate, it's quite fruity, with hazelnuts, plums, pears and figs. The finish, on the other hand, is much better than that of the Storm, woody, caramelised, resinous, but without putting the fruit aside.

 

In Short, 

Once the fashion effect had worn off, we realised that this bottling, while enjoyable, was not up to the standard of the illustrious 10-year-old. 

Score : 84

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Foo Fighters - Best Of You

Talisker Port Ruighe

45,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Bourbon, Charred and Sherry Casks, Port Wine Finish

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2013

Peated around 22 ppm

This edition undergoes a triple maturation process, in Bourbon and Sherry casks, as well as in casks with an extreme toasting process, which means they are burnt with a blowtorch. Finally, it is finished in port casks. It is named after the Gaelic name of the main port on the Isle of Skye, where the distillery is located.

Let's Taste It : 

Talisker's typicality is obstructed by vinous hints of soggy wood, old plum, crushed cherry. The iodine and peat are well behind, trying to blossom, without success. It's a shame, but it's not bad. On the palate, the principle is the same, but the marriage is more effective, between the light vanilla peat and the syrupy torpor of the port. It's a bit maderised, with raspberry and a few exotic fruits such as lychee and kumquat. But the earth and pepper come to the fore and the finish is a little heartbreaking, more on red wine and gooseberry. Some bark and humus in retro-olfaction, but it's short.

 

In Short, 

I wasn't convinced by this overly complex triple maturation, which seems to have overshadowed the quality of the distillate. A dispensable purchase in my humble opinion. 

Score : 82

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Texas - I Don't Want a Lover

Talisker Storm

45,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Refill and Toasted Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2013

Peated around 22 ppm

This bottling has been aged partly in toasted casks, meaning it has been torched.

Let's Taste It : 

This is a Talisker very influenced by bourbon casks, with sweet vanilla, sugar cane and icing sugar. There's a hint of iodine and heather, but it's in the background, and very little peat. Then comes red fruits, strawberry, prune and dried grape. A touch of earth and cherry. Could it also have been aged in sherry casks? The whole is well balanced. An ounce of sea salt to flesh it out. A few wisps of smoke. On the palate, it's softer and vinous at first, almost syrupy, with hazelnuts, leather, caramel and apple, but the pepper rises very quickly. The finish is quite strong, but it holds up. Relatively long, it leaves a charcoal, tar and humus taste.

 

In Short, 

A hint of vanilla softens the roughness of the Talisker profile, it's very pleasant, but at almost the same price, the 10 year old is still much better.

Score : 83

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          The Strokes - Reptilia

Talisker Skye

45,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Refill and Toasted Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2015

Peated around 22 ppm

This is the distillery's entry-level range, aged partly in toasted casks, meaning they are burnt with a blowtorch.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is peaty, spicy, lively, smoky and marinated, with a medicinal touch and cinnamon. It smells of smoked fish, a touch of iodine, country ham, holly and dry dust. The palate is suave, with peat and brown sugar, a touch of molasses and, it seems, prunes. Measured spices, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg. The finish is salty and peppery, a little pungent, with earth and cardamom. Quite long on the palate, but on the whole this whisky is too young to be really good.

 

In Short, 

It's really young and a bit too aggressive. Sold at almost the same price as the 10-year-old, it's better to go for the latter.

Score : 80

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          The Libertines - Don't Look Back Into The Sun

Caol Ila 25 yo

43°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2009

Peated around 35 ppm

With this 25-year-old, we discover the pinnacle of Caol Ila's regular range.

Let's Taste It :

Robust smoke, chocolate. It's fruity, sweet, banana, juicy apple, pomegranate, gooseberry. A touch of peat to cement it all together. Slightly peppery palate, woody, caramel, liquorice, pumpkin. Oily. Exotic fruits stand out: mango, maracuja. A long finish, with chocolate and hazelnuts, or could it be puffed rice? Some spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, saffron. After a few minutes, a zest of lemon and a touch of salt. Crushed chestnuts, heather.

 

In Short, 

It's absolutely delicious, with strong fruit, chocolate and an ounce of peat. You should get hold of a bottle as soon as possible, as long as you can find it at a reasonable price. 

Score : 90

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Jan Garbarek - Brother Wind March

Benromach 2008 Cask Strength Batch 1 10 yo

57,9°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2019

Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

Benromach releases vintage cask strength bottlings quite often, even several times a year, to reveal the quintessence of its distillate. This one was produced in 5500 copies.

Let's Taste It : 

Apple-vanilla nose, more specifically green apple and vanilla meringue ice cream. Pumpkin, butternut, yellow pepper. A touch of smoke, very dry hay. The sherry is light, with a few blueberries and prunes, but nothing more. Warm vanilla-spice palate, it's warm, pumpkin purée, lots of white fruits, coarse salt, and a vanilla-wood finish, with an ounce of red fruits, raspberry I'd say. Or maybe gooseberry? Quite a muscular finish given the alcohol content, and quite long. Sage.

 

In Short, 

A very typical expression of the distillery, with that country profile, vanilla and hay, and a touch of sherry. The price is very reasonable, so take advantage of it. 

Score : 88

         

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping : 

   

                                          Creedence Clearwater Revival - Suzie Q

Benromach 2010 Peat Smoke

59,9°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Hogsheads

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 34 ppm

Benromach has been producing this vintage Peat Smoke every year since 2007. This batch, which is rather less peaty than the first ones, has the originality of having been aged in sherry casks, and the advantage of being bottled in cask strength. 6,500 bottles were put on sale in 2019. 

Let's Taste It : 

Very rustic peat, reminiscent of burnt hay. The sherry then rises, a rather sweet sherry, with hints of apricot and dried fruits. Thick smoke. Lingonberries. Woody influence. A touch of acidity. With water, the nose becomes fuller. Slightly acidic on the palate, but suave at the same time, with rising spices and a lingering taste of light raspberry. The finish is violent but not too long, spicy and woody. It fades slowly, leaving a shade of white plum.

 

In Short, 

A highly successful expression that will appeal to enthusiasts. On the other hand, it has become hard to find, and a bit overpriced. 

Score : 87

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          The Inspector Cluzo - Rockfarmers

Benromach 1998 20th Anniversary Bottling 19 yo

56,2°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

1st Fill Oak Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the reopening of the distillery, 3,000 units of this limited edition were released, aged in virgin casks to bring out the full purity of the distillate.

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful fullness on the nose, a shade of peat and camphor, evanescent smoke. I slept in the hay, surrounded by fruits, grapes, peaches, apricots, and of course very sweet, almost honeyed vanilla. Earth a bit dry, grainy. Slight acidity, apple not quite ripe. Very fine balance. Velvety on the palate, with a hint of gooseberry, followed by rising spices and then pomegranate. Cloves. It's suave. Woody notes, including on the finish, which is fairly long, caramel, lingonberries. Cinnamon.

In Short, 

A very enjoyable nectar, very fruity and characteristic of the distillery. Unfortunately, the price is quite extravagant.

Score : 89

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Vic Chesnutt - Coward

Benromach 2008 Peat Smoke

46°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

Refill Bourbon Hogsheads

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered

Peated around 47 ppm

Since 2007, Benromach has regularly released peated and vintage versions of its distillate.

Let's Taste It : 

Very floury peat, almost suffocating smoke. A whiff of lemon. It smells of the countryside, the real one, animals rolling around in the grass, hay that's a little dry, slush, a hint of dung. Over time, the white fruits come out a bit more. On the palate, vanilla, coarse salt, smoked herring, the very dry hay is still there, someone has probably just set it on fire. Again some white fruits, which we still find in the finish, which is rather long and fruity, surprising, it contrasts with the rest. It ends on a woody note.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad, in fact it's interesting, a good alternative to Islay with this very country peat. However, the value for money is not very convincing. 

Score : 83

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning

Benromach 15 yo

43°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2015

Peated around 12 ppm

This is the prestige edition from the Benromach distillery.

Lets Taste It : 

Fine and delicate smoke, nose more inclined towards bourbon, greengage, citrus fruit, braised vanilla. A bit rural, even pastoral. Cooked vegetables, carrots, beans and leeks. On the palate, white fruits, grapes, pears and plums, coarse salt, vanilla with a hint of sweetness, lychee, mango. Tangy apple, a trace of lemonade, sparkling spices, long and very sweet finish, floral notes, jasmine, honeysuckle, vanilla bean, soya milk, slight woodiness.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad at all, and if you can find one at a reasonable price, don't hesitate. 

Score : 86

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           R.E.M. - Losing My Religion

Bunnahabhain 11 yo Discovery

43°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling

By Gordon & MacPhail

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Edited in 2018

Almost Unpeated

Launched in 2018, the Discovery range is one of the five collections from bottler Gordon & MacPhail. It is undoubtedly the most accessible to the general public, with non-vintage bottlings at a reasonable price.

Let's Taste It : 

A very greedy nose, candied fruits, baked apples, tart tatin, beeswax, green apple, grape juice. A hint of smoke and iodine. Mirabelles, greengages, pan-fried pineapple with a touch of caramel. Grapefruit. On the palate, more fruity acidity, golden smith, green tea, yellow plums, grapes and some citrus fruits. Gooseberries. A pinch of pepper and other spices. The finish is pleasant, relatively long, pastry-like, chocolate cake, pudding, fig with almonds.

 

In Short, 

An interesting variation on the Bunnahabhain theme, a little less pastry-like and more on tangy fruits. You can indulge yourself on occasion, but this bottling has become hard to find.

Score : 85

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Charlie Winston - In Your Hands

Bunnahabhain 2007 Mòine Feis Isle 2018 10 yo

59,5°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

On the occasion of Feis Isle 2018, Bunnahabhain released this limited bottling of 1,881 units, in a peated version. It is precisely in 1881 that the distillery was built. 

Let's Taste It : 

Very dark sherry, amarena, blackberry liqueur, very fine smoke. Wood gorged with sap, apricot juice, foresty peat. Smoke blends with blackcurrant, red fruits take over, damsons, muscat grapes, blueberry. Earth, campfire, barbecue, melting fat. Quite smooth on the palate, spicy, varnished wood, red plum, crushed strawberry. Cloves. The finish takes us far away, charcoal and heather earth, humus, ferns, pungent caramel, salted butter, hint of aniseed.

 

In Short, 

It's obviously very good, and the combination of peat and sherry is enriched by a foresty note. Unfortunately the price has become extravagant. 

Score : 89

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                            Morcheeba - The Sea

Elements of Islay 2001 Bn7 16 yo

55,7°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

The Elements of Islay range offers 50cl cask strength bottlings of Islay whiskies, here it is the 7th Bunnahabhain they made, and it's unpeated, they name the peated ones Ma, for Margadale. A total of 1,620 units were released.

Let's Taste It : 

A very solid nose with a rather dry sherry, on hazelnuts and pistachio, freshly varnished wood and a few cereal scents. Caramel and apricot, floral notes, cashew nuts, white gooseberry, plum and pear. The palate is more greedy, with candied sugar, genoise, pastry cream and a hint of vanilla. Candied fruits, apples and cherries, then spices and cane syrup. Strong and fruity finish with sour apple, caramel and potato crisps. Slightly acidic.

 

In Short, 

Very good, with hints of dried fruits and apricots, and worth a try if you get the chance. But be warned, this particular edition has become very hard to find. Perhaps a more recent bottling in the same range will satisfy you.

Score : 88

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Julien Loureau - Lonely Night

Bunnahabhain 1990 Pitcaple for RYF 21 yo

46°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling

By Duncan Taylor Limited

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2012

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

RYF is an independent bottler. With this edition, Duncan Taylor pays a sort of tribute to one of his colleagues.

Let's Taste It : 

Varnished wood, thick caramel, cranberry syrup, prunes, a barely perceptible wisp of smoke, hazelnuts and chocolate cream, peanut butter, exotic fruits that gently impose themselves, papaya, mango, maracuja, a touch of genoise and candy sugar, candied fruits galore, with an ounce of iodine and lemon, or maybe sour apple, pistachio. Slightly salty and earthy. The palate is liquorish, a bit bland but with lemon and apple, then the spices, which are quite strong, draw the attention. Woody, cough syrup, pear and apricot, with a light, fruity, fairly long finish. Then the wood returns, with a hint of soft caramel.

 

In Short, 

Very subtle and original, you shouldn't hesitate if you find a copy of this now unobtainable nectar at a reasonable price. 

Score : 88

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Charlie Haden Quartet West - First Song

Kilchoman 2011 Red Wine Finish Single Cask for The Nectar 7 yo c. 171/2011

56,7°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Red Wine Cask Finish

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Cask

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

This limited edition of 246 bottles was launched in tribute to The Nectar, Belgium's largest whisky distributor and organiser of the Spirits in the Sky festival.

Let's Taste It : 

The initial nose is slightly acidic, with gooseberries and cranberries. Then the typical Kilchoman smoke, mineral, soft but deep, and delicately iodised. The nose expands and the marriage is made, red apple, rare meat, tabasco, heather earth, grenadine drizzle. With water it softens, with woody hints, dried apricots and white grapes. Very spicy on the palate, with red fruits that stand out, gooseberries and blackcurrants, it's quite greedy. Fairly dry finish, more on pear, tomato and carrot. Charcoal depth. A touch of blackcurrant. Very long on the palate. I think it's better without water.

In Short, 

An excellent curiosity to enjoy, with a strong red fruit flavour. The price is a little high, so it's best reserved for fans of the distillery.

Score : 87

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

    

                                           Anouar Brahem - The Astounding Eyes of Rita

Bunnahabhain 18 yo

46,3°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2015

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

This is the prestige edition of the Bunnahabhain range. This 18-year-old has been around for a long time, but it was only in 2015 that it was granted this alcohol level.

Let's Taste It : 

Very rich, very greedy sherry, with a hint of iodine. Black cherry, varnished wood, apple compote, lightly salted caramel, ripe damsons. A bit of damp earth, blackberry liqueur, with vinous scents, and an ounce of very fine smoke. A smoke that would come from a gas lighter, with a slightly metallic edge. It's decidedly fruity, with juicy pear, mirabelle plum, apricot, some exotic fruits, mango, papaya, passion fruit. Dates and a touch of chocolate. Orange marmalade.
On the palate, the wood and leather come through, with a waxed, very smooth texture, and dried fruits, mainly apricots and raisins, almonds, very few spices, then earth, dark chocolate, cherry and blackcurrant. Very long finish, a touch of charcoal and caramel, with dried fruits in retro-olfaction. A shovelful of very dark humus, the kind you find in the forest. Quite dry at the end, reminiscent of hazelnut.

 

In Short, 

It really is a superb delicacy. A must-have, if you can find it at a reasonable price.

Score : 89

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Erik Truffaz - Sweet Mercy

Caol Ila 18 yo

43°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2002

Peated around 35 ppm

This 18 Year Old is the prestige edition of the Caol Ila range.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose has been transformed by a long maturation. The peat is more discreet, but very present. Wood, varnish, candied cherry, raspberry, chocolate milk. A touch of blackberry. Quite greedy. Slight acidity on the palate. Still red fruits. But it's velvety at the same time, with a hint of vanilla. Light pepper.
Armfuls of mocha on the finish. An ounce of chicory. And this finish is long, almost endless. You can feel the fruits on the tip of your tongue a minute later. This is a really pleasant, delicate whisky, more subtle than the 12-year-old, but it lacks a little peat.

 

In Short, 

A superb piece of work, to be enjoyed with care. A must-have, especially as the price is still (for the moment?) affordable. 

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Lhasa - I'm Going In

Ardbeg 2000 Traigh Bhan 19 yo Batch 1

46,2°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm

The distillery wanted to gratify us with a beautiful prestige edition, but as soon as the bottle went on sale, it was sold out. Today, it is very difficult to get hold of.

Let's Taste It : 

Very subtle peat, light lemon and other citrus, wood. Mountain honey, candied plum, very ripe mirabelles. A hint of iodine and foam. Smoke appears at the end of the nose, quite fine and grainy. Very well-balanced palate, with white fruits, vanilla, coconut and slowly rising spices. Quite a long finish with a whiff of charcoal and damp earth. Ferns. Undergrowth. An Ardbeg this old is a bit paradoxical, as if someone wanted to nuance the power.

In Short, 

It's certainly very good, even excellent, but I'm not totally convinced. The long maturation and subtlety don't make up for the lack of power, in my opinion. And anyway, the price is extravagant.

Score : 89

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Lou Reed - Oh Jim

Ardbeg Supernova SN 2010

60,1°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2010

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated above 100 ppm

There are 5 editions of Supernova. The 2009 (the 'Stellar'), followed by the 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2019 editions. The first two and the last were aged exclusively in bourbon casks, while the third and fourth also received a small number of sherry casks. The 2010 version has the highest alcohol content.

Let's Taste It :

The nose starts out very smoky, then the peat takes over, pure. It's the Ardbeg blast, this sensation of a punch in the face. A few white fruits, a touch of lemon, that's all. A vegetal, almost pastoral peat. With vegetables, a bit of varnish, wax and an ounce of earth. A power that makes your head spin. On the palate, the fruits come through, mirabelles, greengages, green apples, then the pepper hammers in. Finally, an explosive finish that leaves an aftertaste of charcoal and vanilla.

 

In Short, 

An interesting and pleasurable experience for sure. But for me, the whole thing is a bit monochrome, and the price is way beyond reasonable anyway. 

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping t :

  

                                           Deep Purple - Child In Time

Ardbeg Grooves Committee Release

51,6°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Charred Wine and Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2017

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 54 ppm

Bottled in 2017, this edition went on sale in 2018. It has been aged in charred casks, which are heated and charred to grooves.

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, strong pungent peat sprinkled with bourbon. Vanilla, caramel, icing sugar, a touch of mint. It's fresh, slightly woody and spicy. The palate is very carbonated, the peat explodes, a touch of salt, white fruits, plums and grapes, liquorice, then the pepper emerges, imposes itself with a thunderous force, leading to a rather timid and slightly short finish, with a hint of caramel, heather earth and walnuts. Liquorice, aniseed and mint in retro-olfaction.

In Short, 

It's very good, and rather original, peat, vanilla and charcoal are a good combination. On the other hand, the price is frankly exaggerated. It's far from bad, but it doesn't deserve the sky-high prices it's sold for.

Score : 87

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping : :

   

                                          Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way

Ardbeg 1999 Galileo 12 yo

49°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Marsala and Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2012

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm

This limited edition of 15,000 units pays tribute not only to the famous astronomer Galileo Galilei, but above all to the space probe that bears his name, launched in 1989 towards Jupiter. A few samples of this blend were sent into space aboard the Soyuz capsule in 2011, with the aim of observing the evolution of the whisky's molecules and aromas in a micro-gravity universe.

Let's Taste It : 

First the fruity influence of marsala casks, with candied cherries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, cinnamon, star anise, then the peat rises, grimy, rocky, oily. The marriage is made after a short struggle. At last, iodine freshness, but with thicker, earthier peat. At the end, the marsala is discreet, but it comes back on the palate, almost vinous, thick and tasty, muscat grapes, cranberry juice, then the spices rise. The finish is very long and quite deep, with caramel, red fruits and cumin.

 

In Short, 

A very pleasant expression, strongly marked by marsala, but totally disproportionately priced.

Score : 88

                                         To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear

Port Askaig 100° Proof

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Bourbon Casks

Independent Bottling

By Elixir Distillers 

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2015

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

The Port Askaig range was founded in 2009 by Speciality Drinks, a bottler whose name was changed to Elixir Distillers later. This ageless expression is the most accessible in the range, and the most ancient one.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is peaty, smoky, silty without being acidic, tempered by a pleasant maritime freshness and a pinch of salt. The palate is quite lemony, mixed with caramel and what seems to be pomegranate. Despite its 57° alcohol content, there's very little hint of alcohol, except on the finish, where the lemon gives way to red fruits and a touch of earth. A delicate length on the palate, slightly salty and oily. This is a good cask strength, quite fine and well thought out. The nose is similar to that of Caol Ila. I'd recommend adding a splash of water, which will give it much more balance.

In Short, 

A fine juice dominated by bourbon and peat, with a hint of red fruits. It's a really nice spirit, and at a fair price. You can treat yourself without regret.

Score : 86

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Lambchop - Give It

Oban 14 yo

43°

Distillery : Oban - Highlands

Refill Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 1982

Almost Unpeated

This one was included in the Classic Single Malts of Scotland in 1987, a selection of the most typical whiskies owned by Diageo.

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, smoky peat gives way to lemon and a sweet smell of nuts. A hint of menthol, herbaceous fragrances and an autumnal breeze. Light fruits, not too ripe. Quinces, apricots. On the palate, peat and honey return. A touch of vanilla. Peach core. The whole remains velvety and slightly woody.  The finish is very smooth and fairly long. A dash of dried fruits. Pungent cereals in retro-olfaction. Barley, hops, wheat. It's fragile and gently balanced.

In Short, 

It's velvet, as people often say. That said, it's not really up to my taste, lacking character.

Score : 83

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping : :

   

                                          Bonnie "Prince" Billy - I See A Darkness

Finlaggan Original Peaty

40°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay  

Bourbon Casks

Indeoendentt Bottling

By The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Limited

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 2009

Peated around 35 to 38 ppm

This bottling is quite old and well known to peat lovers. Some say it's Lagavulin, others say it's Caol Ila, but no one knows for sure. Ageing in bourbon casks is very likely.

Let's Taste It :

On the nose: salt, peat, salt. It's simple, direct, straight to the point. Well, that's not all, there's also ash, iodine, smoke, damp earth, limestone, guano. Wet grass after the rain. It's slightly medicinal. On the palate, the coarse salt combines with soft caramel, aniseed and a few spices. The finish is quite peppery, still salty, still spicy. The shade of salted caramel remains evanescent on the palate, but only for a short time. The lack of complexity is offset by the power of the coarse salt. Such simplicity was a daring move. I'm leaning towards Caol Ila.

 

In Short, 

The strongly iodised and peaty nose is very impressive. The rest lacks maturity and complexity. The value for money is very good, so why not let yourself be tempted, but don't expect great class.

Score : 82

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Gossip - Heavy Cross

Monkey Shoulder Batch 27

40°

Distillery : The Balvenie, Kininvie, Glenfiddich - Speyside

Independent Bottling

By William Grant & Sons

Core Range 

Blended Malt

Launched in 2005

Totally Unpeated

This Blended has been making its way into supermarkets over the last few years with some success.

Let's Taste It : 

A very Speyside profile, light and fruity with shy malty hints. Apricots, tulips and white fruits. Juicy pears. Some sweet candies, tagada strawberries. After a while, there are notes of exotic fruits, banana and mango. On the palate, it goes down smoothly. It's not aggressive but it lacks character. A cereal touch, malted barley and cola seeds, creamy vanilla, a few evanescent spices. Gentle finish, hops and lemon. Dried apricots. Milk chocolate avec hazelnuts. 

In Short, 

It's not bad at all, but it's still very light. In my opinion, it's sorely lacking in character. However, the value for money may prove convincing for some.

Score : 78

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive