Kilchoman Sanaig

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Oloroso Sherry and Ex-Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2015

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

The second edition in Kilchoman's Core Range after the Machir Bay, the Sanaig is dominated by sherry, while its colleague is dominated by bourbon. There is no mention of age, but rumour has it that it is in fact 4 to 5 years old.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Iodised nose, tide, seaweed, sea spray, silt and good full-bodied peat. The sherry is tasty, thick, leather and red fruits. Damsons, cherry pudding, black grapes, morello cherries, blackcurrants, cranberries. A bit of well rare meat, braised with shallots, a good flank steak no doubt. The palate is in the same vein, peat, prunes, sandalwood, Armenian paper, wine sauce, a little bloody. Spices, but not too strong, pepper, cloves, saffron. The finish is charred, fairly balanced. Heather earth, damp tree bark, truffles.  

 

In Short, 

It's still a bit young, but it's very pleasant. The sherry is full of character, as meaty as you could wish for, and combines well with the heavy peat. The value for money is not too bad, so it's worth giving in to temptation.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                                    Steppenwolf - Born to Be Wild

Octomore 10.2 Diàlogos 2010 8 yo

 

 

 

56,9°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

1st Fill American and 3d Fill Sauternes Casks

Original Bottling 

Travel Retail Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 96,9 ppm

 

 

 

The 2nd version of the 10th batch in the Octomore series has been aged for 4 years in American casks, followed by a further 4 years in third-fill Sauternes casks. Made from Optic and Oxbridge barley, the edition is limited to 24,000 units, destined for the travel trade.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

With a background of iodine, an extremely gentle balance. Delicate, almost tender. The influence of bourbon can be felt, honey, lime pulp, but also wine casks, liquorous, candied white plum, Sauternes is clearly recognisable. The beach in a very sunny spot. Pastry flavour, icing sugar, genoise. The peat is barely perceptible, yet it's very strong. It's hard to put it any other way. It is so well integrated that it is part of the texture of each scent. But it doesn't impose itself. There's a slight astringency nonetheless. The vanilla is really intense, it's like crunching the beans one by one inside the pod. The addition of water doesn't do much, on the contrary. A touch of charcoal if left to air for a long time. On the palate, it's very suave, the Sauternes comes through here too, but there's also a hint of saltiness, oysters, lemonade, and then the spices rise, without being too strong. Coriander, cloves, laurel. Mirabelles in the finish, then it's more woody, meaty, duck with orange I'd say. Very long. Very smooth overall, neither plastic nor medicinal notes. Great art.

 

In Short, 

Such balance is extremely impressive. I'm a big fan of good Sauternes, so I must say I loved it. It's beautifully made. Despite the price, don't hesitate if you can afford it.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Rush - The Trees

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : The Balvenie - Speyside

Ex-Bourbon Casks and Caribbean Rum Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2010

Unchillfiltered

Peated around 6 ppm

 

 

 

Never short of ideas, David Stewart proposed a distillate finished in Caribbean rum barrels. The recipe was a hit, because this product is still sold today, and apparently with some success.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful balance between vanilla, white fruits, the amber influence of rum and sweet caramel. Overall, it's fresh, fruity and slightly iodised. On the palate, citrus fruits, cane syrup and white grapes, pineapple, mango, banana, papaya, as well as grapefruit and blood orange, all well oaked. Tropical fragrances, herbaceous moisture. Cinnamon, Indian spices. The finish is fairly long but not very strong, with jujube, gooseberry, vanilla and a few shellfish.

 

In Short, 

It's original and well thought out, as always. I'm very wary of finishes in rum barrels, which are often too sweet, yet I really liked this one, where the fruit tempers the rum's noxious effects. As for the price, I think it's a bit on the low side, but enthusiasts may be tempted.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Sam & Dave - Soul Man 

Highland Park 1999 Full Volume 17 yo

 

 

 

47,2°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Ex-Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2017

Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Another limited edition from Highland Park, this time paying tribute to the world of music. And, judging by the packaging, which reproduces two Marshall amps, it's clearly rock music.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Although light, the peat is what strikes you first. Delicately smoky, like a campfire that's been out for a while. Behind, a creamy sweetness, with toffee and wood. The influence of bourbon is felt, with vanilla and delicate citrus fruits. Bushes, heather. The texture of the whisky is very suave, as if silky. There's honey aplenty, mint lozenges and a hint of iodine. Slight saltiness. The finish is quite long, on charcoal and wood. Milk chocolate, cola, damp earth.

 

In Short,

C'est du très bon travail, mais la douceur et la suavité du produit ne correspondent pas vraiment à l'idée que je me faisais d'un Full Volume. Cela dit pourquoi pas. Reste que les profils uniquement bourbon ne sont pas ce qui me plaisent le plus dans le monde du whisky. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                          Jane's Addiction - Three Days 

Rock Island 21 yo

 

 

 

46,8°

Distillery : Caol Ila, Isle of Jura, The Arran, Highland Park - Islay and Islands

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt  

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 15 ppm

As part of the Remarkable Regional Malts range, Rock Island is a blend of different whiskies from the Scottish islands. Previously called Rock Oyster, the trading company decided to change the name so as not to put off those who don't like oysters, and to coincide with this new launch, a limited 21-year-old edition has been offered.

Let's Taste It : 

A typical island nose, tide, iodine, beach at low tide, seaweed, kelp, and behind that some vegetal elements, scrubs, ferns, heather earth, light sherry and vanilla, light fruits on the palate, it's sweet, even pastry-like, but it doesn't hide the more austere and wild side, candied apricots, mirabelle plum tart, chocolate pears. Finally, some exotic fruits, banana, pineapple. The finish is good but nothing more, just the right amount of length, woody and lemony.

 

In Short, 

It's good and a little creamier and more pastry-like than the Rock Island in NAS. On the other hand, I don't think it's fundamentally better, either more complex or more intense. Perhaps seasoned connoisseurs will appreciate it.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                                     Chicago - I'm a Man

Port Charlotte 2004 The Cooper's Choice 9 yo c. 1036

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By  The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 40 ppm

The Cooper's Choice is a well-known range of Scotch whisky single casks. This particular bottling is reduced, which is a rare occurrence, and limited to 650 bottles. The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Limited also produces the Finlaggan range.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very intense smoky peat, barely softened by a few lemon and vanilla fragrances. Juicy white plum, candied ginger, thyme, rosemary. It's herbaceous, earthy and iodised. Ether, mothballs, burnt plastic. At the end, the vanilla becomes creamy, it's a bit sweet nonetheless. Nice balance once all the smoke has evaporated. Minty sweetness, quite fresh. On the palate, concentrated honey, grapefruit, lychee, then spices and peat rise. Behind, fruity creaminess, mango, passion fruit. A pinch of coarse salt. The finish is a tad carbonated, just the right amount of aggression, long, with rhubarb jam, apricot in syrup, and apple.

 

In Short, 

It has a wonderful nose, and when I smelled it I wondered if it wasn't a cask strength, and the rest is very worthy, it's a bit of a shame that it's reduced. The fact remains that this is a very good whisky, typical of Port Charlotte, but a little expensive for what it is.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                                    The Byrds - Eight Miles High

Elements of Islay 2011 Oc6 8 yo

 

 

 

58,1°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Uchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

 

 

 

This is the sixth version of Octomore from Elixir Distillers, and the latest to date. I regret that the peat content is not specified anywhere, but I assume that it exceeds 100 ppm. I do know, however, that 870 bottles are available.

Let's Taste It : 

Thick and swampy peat, it's so powerful, damp, mouldy, mangrove, clammy tropical scents, vanilla and lime, enhanced by a light cherry. Iodine and orange jam. A hint of ginger. On the palate, some cereals, wheat, barley, millet, but it remains very bourbon-like, and vanilla settles in, amid peppery spices. Yellow plums, a dash of banana. Satisfying finish, long enough to be mentioned, earthy, charcoal, but also cola and wheat germ. Limestone rock.

In Short, 

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed. I'm no Octomore expert, but it seems to me that some bottlings lack complexity, too insistent on the bourbon profile. That's the case with this one, in my opinion. It's still a hell of a peat explosion, though.

Score : 86

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                                    Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains

The Balvenie Port Wood 21 yo

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : The Balvenie - Speyside

Ex-Bourbon Casks and Port Pipes Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 1996 

Unchillfiltered

Almost Unpeated

To make this whisky, David Stewart, the distillery's Cellar Master, used a blend of bourbon cask-aged distillates that had matured for several months in 30-year-old casks that had housed prestigious Ports.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Red fruits, light blackcurrant, blueberry, pear, gooseberry, blackberry, muscat grape, sweet apple, this nose is bewitching, with just enough spices to enhance the fruits. Wine lees, saffron. A maderised palate with vanilla, prune, cinnamon and benzoin. Intense oak adds structure. Despite the low alcohol content, it is very mature. Quite a long finish, with juicy red plums. Heather earth, peach skin, blood orange, barley sugar. Takes a long time to fade.

 

In Short, 

It's very good, very nuanced and balanced. Nevertheless, at this price, I think they could have made an effort on the alcohol content. It's really light for a hardened palate.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

  

                                                    The Cult - Indian Lyrics

Bowmore Vault Edit 1°N Second Release 'Peat Smoke'

 

 

 

50,1°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Bourbon Casks and Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

Vault Edit 1°N is a range of four whiskies, each illustrating one of the distillery's hallmarks. This one, the second, is peat. Ageing takes place in the famous N°1 Vault, located in Bowmore below sea level.

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is a little stronger here than in other bottlings from the place. A slice of sherry, without being overpowering, dried fruits and leather. It's salty, the tide is high, seafood is at hand, bottarga, shellfish, periwinkles. Brine. There's also a woody influence, which gives it a certain balance. Silky on the palate, more apricot and quince than blackcurrant, accompanying the iodised notes with a fine balance. The spices come to the fore, with pepper, paprika, turmeric and chilli. Long finish, surfing on peat. Earthy limestone, charcoal. Coarse salt melts on the tongue.

 

In Short, 

I find this second edition better than the first. It's less salty, but more iodised, and the sherry adds a little extra flavour. This is a bottling you must have if you like Bowmore, but curiously it's very difficult to get hold of.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           The Mission - Wasteland

Bowmore 1997 The Perfect Dram 15 yo

 

 

 

52,5°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By The Whisky Agency 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2013

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

This long-established bottling is much sought-after on the market. Although it doesn't say 'Single Cask' on the bottle, it does say 'Matured in an Ex-Bourbon Barrel'. And if there's only one barrel, it's a Single Cask. And there are only 153 copies in existence.

Let's Taste It : 

Fairly light mountain honey. Thick peat, limestone, earthy rock, gypsum. The edge of a beach with lots of seaweed. Mud. Sea breeze. Fresh iodine. Coarse salt. Hints of exotic fruits, pineapple, banana. Quite strong smoke, cigarette ash. Caramel and eucalyptus candy. On the palate, the spices are there from the start. Liquorice and vanilla. Warm tones of blood orange and blackcurrant. Black pepper. Aniseed finish, muscular without being explosive, but long enough, woody, slightly earthy, with more liquorice.

 

In Short, 

It doesn't disappoint. It's sufficiently ashy, rocky, peaty, iodised, and at the same time sweet and fruity to give a good time. The product has been completely sold out for some time now, but in the unlikely event that you find it, it would be wise to give it a try, provided the price isn't too steep.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          The Raconteurs - Steady, As She Goes

Compass Box The Circle Release N°1

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Tamdhu, Clynelish, Highland Park, Dailuaine, Teaninich - Speyside, Highlands

1st Fill Bourbon Barrels, Refill Shery Butts, Recharred American Hogsheads, French Oak

Independent Bottling

By Compass Box

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

In 2018, Compass Box created The Circle, an assembly of bar owners who are experts in blending. All together, they are supposed to express their creativity in a big competition. The Circle Release N°1 is the product created by the winning barkeeper in the first competition.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sun. Summer fruits, melon, watermelon, blood orange, pear. Vanilla ice cream. Toasted wheat grains, dry earth, some citrus, more grapefruit than lemon. Iodine, very light peat. Heather, it must be Highland Park. Sheep's milk. On the palate, the fruits become slightly acidic, Granny Smith apple, banana, rhubarb. Cane syrup. On the pastry side, chantilly, custard. Perhaps a bit of pumpkin. Some spices, nutmeg, cardamom. The finish is fairly long and fades into a dance of fruits and vanilla.

 

In Short, 

An extraordinary and highly original blend. The perfect summer whisky, not to be missed. Too bad the price is a bit hot too.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                                    The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations

Ben Nevis 10 yo 2016

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

Sherry and Ex-Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 1996

Unchillfiltered

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

As the distillery was bought by the Japanese group Nikka in 1989, most of the production is reserved for Japanese blends (which are therefore no longer really Japanese). As a result, it has become difficult to obtain this 10-year-old, whose distillery took its name from the highest mountain in Scotland, at the foot of which it is located. This edition dates from 2016, but is said to be respectful to the Ben Nevis trademark.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very woody nose, very successful, perfect balance between soft caramel, blackberry, plum, fresh fig, cereals and damsons. Very dense on the palate, fruity, apple, mixed with light coffee and dark chocolate. Liquorice and blueberries. Spices, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, but just the right amount. Very long finish with prunes, the wood returns, with notes of cola, cereals, oats, puffed rice and yeast. Heather earth and chestnuts in retro-olfaction. Toffee.

 

In Short, 

It's a total success, and without doubt the best I've tasted of its age and alcohol content from the Highlands. A classic, a must-have, with no strings attached.

Score : 88 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                     The Stone Roses - I am The Resurrection

Glenburgie 1995 Cask Strength Collection 23 yo c. 6576 & 6577

 

 

 

52,5°

Distillery : Glenburgie - Speyside 

Bourbon Hogsheads

Independznt Bottling

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

The distillery is used exclusively to produce the famous Ballantine's blend. Sometimes you come across independent bottlings of Single Malt from this distillery under the name Glencraig. That's why it's so rare to taste Glenburgie Single Malt presented as it is. Especially in cask strength. This is a blend of two different casks, resulting in 328 bottles.

Let's Taste It : 

Damsons, prunes and grains, intense cereals, wheat, oats, puffed rice. Hay, dry earth, roasted peanuts and cashew nuts. A few dried grapes. In the countryside, on a bright sunny day. The palate is lighter, with orchard fruits, apples and pears. Juicy fruits, with no acidity. And even a few vegetables, carrots, fennel, leeks. Barely noticeable spices. Very pleasant finish, long and sweet, with vanilla. Return of cereals in retro-olfaction. Sparkling lemonade.

In Short, 

A curiosity, and a high quality whisky for Speyside lovers. This is a glimpse of what they could do at Glenburgie if they really bothered, instead of just making do with Ballantine's. This bottling, which is all too rare, is of course sold out.

Score : 88

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Scott Walker - Just One Smile

Big Peat Christmas Edition 2019

 

 

 

53,7°

Distillery : Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Port Ellen - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Casks

Independent Bottling

By Douglas Laing & Co.

Limited Edition

Blended Malt

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 40 ppm

 

 

 

Every Christmas, Douglas Laing's spoils us with this cask strength edition of the famous Big Peat. And it's been going on since 2011. So this is the 9th edition. This batch is numbered 95.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A very well-balanced vanilla and bourbon nose, quite sweet even, with genoise, whipped cream and pastry cream. Icing sugar. But the peat is there of course, powerful, in the company of fresh and salty iodine. It's the morning breeze on the beach. On the palate, still vanilla, a hint of lemon, white fruits, mirabelle plums, kumquats, bathed in thick peat. The explosive finish is very enjoyable, long enough and perfectly mastered. Coal, limestone, gravel.

 

In Short, 

Powerful and typically Islay peat wrapped in a delicate bourbon, that's what it's all about. The price is very reasonable, so don't hesitate to give it a try.

Score : 88 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

Port Askaig 10th Anniversary 10 yo

 

 

 

55,85°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Refill American Hogsheads, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrels and Solera Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

 

 

 

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Port Askaig range is now offering this limited edition, still from a distillery as mysterious as it is easy to recognise. The alcohol content is precisely 55.85°, which also happens to be the latitude of the village of Port Askaig on Islay. Of course, 10,000 copies were produced, so many symbols.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Once again a very maritime and peaty profile, but without masking the fruit. Although the demonstrator tells me it's Laphroaig, I'm convinced it's Caol Ila, but without red fruits, it's very similar to Moch, with 12° more alcohol. It's the tide, iodine, coarse salt, stone, oysters, whelks, bottarga, mud, seaweed, all with a little vanilla, a dash of ashy smoke, some white fruits, plums, mirabelles and pears. Oily and spicy on the palate, honey and ash, pepper, cardamom and lemon meringue pie. Very long finish, caramel, charcoal, fuel oil, vanilla custard and candied lemon.

 

In Short, 

For all lovers of Caol Ila, and Islay in general, this is a must-have. A perfect marriage of fruits, iodine and peat, it's the epitome of what can be done on this mythical island. A must-have.

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listenedd While Sipping :

 

                                           Talk Talk - Such A Shame

Caol Ila 2006 Cask Strength Collection 12 yo c. 311562 & 311563

 

 

 

55,9°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Bourbon Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm 

Signatory Vintage is presenting this blend of two casks distilled on the same day. These are casks nos. 311562 and 311563, giving us 492 bottles. The maturation is dominated by bourbon.

Let's Taste It : 

Perfect balance on the nose, very light vanilla and fairly strong peat, iodised but not overpowering. We're on the beach at low tide. Our feet sink into the damp sand. Salty fragrances, shells, sea worms. Kelp, mud, seaweed. A lemon zest. White fruits on the palate, grapes, plums, mirabelles, and a few exotic fruits. The peat becomes astringent. Excellent finish, long and well-managed, not too strong, slightly pastry-like, with icing sugar and meringue. 

 

In Short, 

A very fine blend, and what's surprising is that it gives a rather different result compared to the other bottling, distilled on the same day and kept in casks of the same type. This would obviously be worth investigating further, but this edition is now sold out and the price would be excessive today.

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                            Echo & The Bunnymen - The Cutter

Bunnahabhain 2007 Cask Strength Collection 12 yo c. 584

 

 

 

58°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

1st Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

The Cask Strength Collection is an essential reference for independent bottlers. They systematically offer first-class bottlings in Cask Strength and very often in Single Cask. Here we have a 12 year old from Bunnahabhain, limited to 604 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Fruits leap happily from the glass, prunes, damsons, mirabelles, greengages, Conference pears, brandy, lychee liqueur. Dried fruits: fig, apricot. The sherry is of course predominant, with leather, saffron and wine lees. Grape pulp on the palate, green apple, slightly acid, yellow plum, and a few exotic fruits, banana, pineapple. A hint of vanilla, some very light spices. The finish is also long and very fruity, but more on red fruits, raspberry and blackcurrant.

 

In Short, 

Perfect maturation, for a very successful and original profile. I've rarely seen such a fruity whisky. What's more, the price is still reasonable for this bottling, so it's well worth it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Sweet Smoke - First Jam 

G. Rozelieures Tourbé Collection

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Grallet-Dupic - France 

Kentucky Ex-Bourbon Casks and French Limousin Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2015

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm

Founded in 1860, the Grallet family distillery in Lorraine used to produce Mirabelle brandy. In 2002, they began making whisky. By producing their own barley and opting for environmentally-friendly production methods, they have established themselves as an intelligent brand that is built to last. This peated edition is aged for around eight years before bottling.

 

Let's Taste It : 

Interesting nose, the minty notes fade quickly to make way for fairly thick peat. It's vegetal and slightly iodised at the same time. Limestone earth. Not much salt. At 25 ppm it's not very strong, I think of Talisker, without the heather or the rockiness. On the palate, a cloud of peat, which is the strongest, the vanilla recedes into the background. Slightly pungent, with cloves and pepper. The finish at 46° is quite worthy, long and carbonated. Dry earth, oak leaves.

 

In Short, 

The peat is effective in masking the minor flaws of this still young distillery, but full of good intentions and creativity, and therefore promising. On the other hand, the quality/price ratio is misplaced.

Score : 81  

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Bernard Lavilliers - Stand The Ghetto

G. Rozelieures Rare Collection

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Grallet-Dupic - France

Ex-Cognac, 1st Fill Sherry and Ex-Sauternes Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Edited in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 6 ppm

Founded in 1860, the Grallet family distillery in Lorraine used to produce Mirabelle brandy. In 2002, they began making whisky. By producing their own barley and opting for environmentally-friendly production methods, they have established themselves as an intelligent brand that is built to last. This limited edition Rare Collection was first produced in 2014, and a 2nd batch was offered in 2018. This is the one I was given to taste. It has been aged for four to five years.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is similar to that of the Origine Collection from the same distillery. Malty and slightly minty, it is fresh, with a certain fullness, tarragon, aniseed. Wheat, cereals, exotic spices. On the palate, the Sauternes finish adds a little extra, a certain richness that moves towards white fruit, juicy pear. Smoother and quite pleasant. Vanilla, malt, cereals. The finish is as mediocre as ever, though, short and astringent, with just a hint of oak. This is regrettable.

In Short, 

The Sauternes casks save the product a bit, but the finish is painful and leaves a bad memory. Well done for the nose and for this fine blend, now they'll have to deal with the finish.

Score : 79

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Christophe - Océan d'Amour

G. Rozelieures Origine Collection

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Grallet-Dupic - France 

Ex-Cognac and 1st Fill Fino Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2007

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 6 ppm

 

 

 

Founded in 1860, the Grallet family distillery in Lorraine used to produce Mirabelle brandy. In 2002, they began making whisky. By producing their own barley and opting for environmentally-friendly production methods, they have established themselves as an intelligent brand that is built to last. Their first expression, launched in 2007, is this Origine Collection, which marked the beginning of their success. Today it is the 2nd largest distillery in France in terms of volume. It's a lightly peated whisky aged for three to four years.

Let's Taste It : 

Pleasant, malty, slightly minty nose. Fresh, with a certain fullness, tarragon, aniseed. Cereals, wheat, barley, millet. I'm reminded of the spices served at the end of meals in Indian restaurants. On the palate, it's a bit young though, vanilla, rather cereal-like limestone earth, it's not very original, but it comes through. The finish is mediocre, too aggressive for me, cheesy, astringent and fairly short. Just a few splinters of wood in retro-olfaction, but barely.

In Short, 

The liquid is certainly fragrant, but far too young for my taste. The most difficult thing to master in whisky, the finish, is completely lacking here. I'm sorry to say it, but despite some good points, this product betrays a lack of experience and know-how.

Score : 78

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                          La Rue Kétanou - L'Ardoise 

The BenRiach Curiositas 10 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : The BenRiach - Speyside

American Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2004

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 55 ppm

 

 

 

For a good fifteen years, this Curiositas was the benchmark for Speyside peat, no one else around offered such a peaty product. Unfortunately, it is now discontinued.

Let's Taste It : 

The peat seems light and yet quite astringent, with a medicinal touch, plastic, all quite damp. Grass cut in the rain, soggy earth, slush. Very bourbony, with an undertone of braised vanilla and smoked ham, quite tasty. Crushed lemon, grapefruit pulp. On the palate, it's still young, metallic, thick peat, white fruits, juicy grapes and ripe plums. The finish kicks in a bit, without being long. Crushed coal, limestone, chalk.

In Short, 

I'm glad I tasted it before it disappeared completely from the market, but I was disappointed. The bourbon influence is too strong for me, and the juice seemed young to me, even though I know that's not the case.

Score : 82

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Municipale Balcanica - Hava Nagila

Mackmyra Äppelblom

 

 

 

46,1°

Distillery : Mackmyra - Sweden 

American Oak and Bourbon Casks, Ex-Calvados Finish

Original Bottling

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Since 2014, Mackmyra has been offering us the Säsongswhisky range, which brings together annual limited editions associated with the seasons, in this case autumn with apples and a finish in calvados casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, varnish, glue and a few white fruits. Apples of course, small and slightly acidic, crunchy and fruity, quite ripe. A sensation of freshness, lemon, braised caramel, vanilla bean. Iodine, mineral hints. On the palate, the fruits take over a little more, with slightly green apricot, white plums, juicy peaches, Italian grapes and mirabelle plums. The finish is decent, not very long but enjoyable, and a bit sparkling. Semi-raw cider. Slight earthiness.

 

In Short, 

It's quite interesting. But on the whole it remains light, too soft, lacking character.

Score : 82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                            Alice Phoebe Lou - She