Ben Nevis Traditional Peated Malt

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands 

Sherry and Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt 

Launched in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 30 ppm

 

 

 

This expression is completely new, dating from this summer apparently. However, it is very likely to be more or less the same as Mc Donald's Celebrated Traditional, first launched in 2010 to celebrate the distillery's 185th anniversary, then relaunched in 2019 with a new label. It is a young juice, probably 5 years old, matured mainly in Sherry casks, and peated at around 30 or even 35 ppm. The idea is to recreate old-fashioned whiskies, as they were made in the 19th century. We can therefore assume that with this new expression, only the name and label have changed.

Let's Taste It : 

Velvety nose, fig and chocolate, raisin pudding, bewitching smoke, cereals in the background, apricots, quinces, fruit purée, pumpkin and carrots. Coffee grounds. Warm, woody palate, once again full of chocolate and coffee, dried banana, prunes, the peat gives the distillate its full dimension, rich spices, nutmeg, pepper, cloves. The finish is quite long, pleasant, foresty, with undergrowth, bark, bay leaf, and more chocolate, dried fruits, damp leather, exotic wood, earth good for ploughing.

 

In Short, 

The peat gives it all its fullness, and I found that in the end, despite its youth, it was better than the recent 10 year old. Apparently it's nowhere to be found at the moment, so we'll have to wait a few weeks or months before it's available in all the specialist shops, at which point we'll see whether the price is reasonable.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Winery Dogs - Stars

Ben Nevis 10 yo 2021

46°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands 

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 1996

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

The 10-year-old Ben Nevis is around since 1996, but I wouldn't bet that the recipe hasn't evolved in 27 years. Each time they launch a new edition of this, it is quickly sold out. The previous one, dating back from 2016, was splendid. I was told that there was another edition in 2019, that quickly disappeared, but it's far from certain. This one seems to last though, it was launched two years ago and you can still find it more or less everywhere. It's got a new label, very minimalist, which allows us not to mistake it with the older ones, how convenient. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose has some similarities to that of Coire Leis, but is more focused on dates, exotic fruits and chocolate. Coffee, varnished wood and dried fruits. Beeswax, a hint of smoke, the distillery's distinctive character is there, but in a less prominent way. On the palate, it's honeyed, slightly lemony and sparkling, with lively spices, notes of dried banana and chicory, a bit dry at the end. The finish is long, with notes of heather, chocolate cake, undergrowth, humus and fermented grapes.

 

In Short, 

For me, who loved the 2016 edition, it's a disappointment. It feels younger, more diluted, even though it's not. Moreover, it is less peated. It's Ben Nevis all right, and a good one, but the expression is gradually losing its identity, with the best casks feeding into Japanese blends. It's a real shame. That said, it's still well above most 10-year-olds on the market. The price is outrageously high.

Score : 87    

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Stone Temple Pilots - Plush

Ben Nevis Coire Leis

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

In 2021, the distillery, owned by the Japanese Nikka group, is launching a new regular range. And one of the new expressions in this range is the Coire Leis, a NAS aged in Bourbon casks, but from "expertly selected casks". So much the better. The age is not mentioned, but it is thought to be between 7 and 8 years old.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is sweet and honeyed, both pastry and woody, with cinnamon and other spices. The wood is rather exotic, with hints of cocoa and dates, as well as yellow plum pulp and thick vanilla. A touch of lemon. The palate, on the other hand, is light and watery, with few flavours, perhaps white chocolate filled with dried raisinas, but fortunately the spices, nutmeg and pepper, save the day a bit. The finish is correct, long, with heather and more spices, quite strong this time. Undergrowth and humus.

 

In Short, 

We recognize the Ben Nevis brand and its authenticity, with a beautiful nose and a fine fullness. On the palate, however, it's too light and it just doesn't work. Having said that, on the whole it's not bad at all, it's just that it doesn't live up to the reputation of this excellent distillery, and the price is ridiculously high.. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           La Ferni - El Arriero

Benromach 21 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon & Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2020

Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

A first 21yo was launched in 2005, but as the distillery was closed from 1983 to 1998, it was not designed to last long. So we had to wait until 2020 for a new edition of this 21 yo, this time completely different of course. Produced exclusively in first-fill casks, and without colouring, however it is not known whether it is chill-filtered or not.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Exceptionally creamy and honeyed. This is authentic Benromach character, with notes of vanilla custard, whipped cream, cinnamon leaf and nutmeg. Baked oranges, grapefruit and a grain of gooseberry. The smoke is barely perceptible. On the palate, candied vanilla, lemon zest, very well balanced. Yellow fruits, very discreet spices. The finish is long and well mastered, with hints of cereals, rye and wheat, dried fruits, dates and apricots. Fresh fig, sandy earth.

 

In Short, 

Excellent work, but not earth-shattering either. It's pretty much what you'd expect. I'd like to say it's genius, but it's not. On the other hand, the price is rather attractive for such an age, so you might give in to temptation if you're a fan of the distillery.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Michael Locke - Cost of Lovin'

Benromach 2011 Contrasts: Double Matured 12 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Casks and Bordeaux Wine Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

In fact, this bottle hasn't even been released yet. But it won't be long now. Within the Contrasts range inaugurated three years ago, the people at Benromach allow themselves to experiment. In this case, the distillate is matured twice, first in Bourbon casks for 7 years, then in Bordeaux wine casks for a further 5 years. The number of bottles produced is unknown. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Typically vinous nose, but very well done. Macerated muscat grapes, heather earth, lingonberries and blackcurrants, black berries, leafy undergrowth. No acidity, but rich spices, paprika, saffron, nutmeg. A delicate, barely charred smoke blurs the picture. Beeswax, fresh Noirmoutiers butter. Silky palate, pleasant but no more than that, with some red fruits, a bit earthy, very measured spices. Long, pleasant, sparkling finish, hard bread, croutons rubbed with garlic, varnished wood. Damp earth and bark.

 

In Short, 

It's very well made, but you have to like wine barrel finishes. I have no idea of the price when it comes out, but it should be the same as the others in the same range, so fair enough.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Max Merritt & The Meteors - Slipping Away

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Series Peated Chinkapin Oak Cask 3 yo c. 19/52

 

 

 

61,8°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

1st Fill Chinkapin Oak Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 48 ppm

 

 

 

Among the 6 types of cask used to make their first Single Malt, the casks of Chinkapin, a type of American oak, are particularly important, as they give the distillery its woody character. Here, in this Single Cask, the Chinkapin cask was filled with a distillate peated to 48 ppm. Three years later, the content was bottled at an unknown number.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very woody, with fresh, young wood, just cut, the smell of sap, fingers running over the grooves, wood with exotic scents, waxed parquet, spices. Something tropical. Beautiful dry peat to enhance it all. It's caramelised. On the palate, a bit light nonetheless, green wood, small branches torn off with the bark still on. Oily deciduous leaves. A few cranberries on the finish, long, powerful, peppery, fermented grapes, wood juice, resin, splinters, cola nuts, chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

What an experience! It's original, the woody character is really intense and goes very well with dry peat. No bitterness here, as the cask has been well toasted, it's hidden by the caramel. The only flaw is that it's still light on the palate, and you can feel the youth of the product, but it's beautiful anyway. The price, however, is exaggerated, which is a shame.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Bleachers - Modern Girl

Elements of Islay 2004 Ma3 15 yo

 

 

 

55,2°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrels 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated from 35 to 45 ppm

 

 

 

Margadale is the name given to Elements of Islay's peated Bunnahabhain. It's a good idea, as it ensures that you don't make mistakes, as sometimes happens with the original bottlings. This one is the third in the range, aged for 15 years in a combination of two Bourbon casks, the maturation was simple and should give the distillate complete freedom. 734 bottles have been released for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful balance. Soot and charcoal, fresh iodine, honey and vanilla in the background. Beautifully chiselled peat, mineral and fishy. Steep cliffs, gypsum and silica, sea breeze. Sea spray. After a while, buttered bread and lemonade. On the palate, it's syrupy and silky, with austere spices, exotic wood and bread crust. A fine, long finish, where the iodine returns, brown tobacco and cola nuts, grated nutmeg, black tea. Over several waves, it's slightly herbaceous. Peppermint.

 

In Short, 

As usual, it was a success. The maturation is simple, but the result is complex, so much so that I wondered whether there had been a mistake and that other, more active casks had been used. The release price was really attractive, that was only 4 years ago. Today, it has more than doubled.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Golden Earring - Mad Love's Coming

Benromach 2012 Contrasts: Kiln Dried Oak 10 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

Virgin Oak Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

To compare with the Air Dried Oak, aged in air-dried casks for three years, they have released this Kilm Dried Oak, distilled at the same time as the previous one, of the same age, but aged in air-dried casks for just two years before being heated in a kiln. We don't know how many bottles were produced. This is typical of the Contrasts range, which was launched three years ago: it's all about experimenting.

Let's Taste It : 

Very honeyed and woody, with gingerbread, shortbread biscuits and smoked tea. The fruits are present but a bit hidden, with a fine, sweet smoke. Soft caramel, warm butter, bread just out of the oven. Some dried fruits, raisins, apricots. Nougat and braised vanilla. A bit light on the palate, with some cereals, but lacking a little in flavour, it's ethereal and floral. Nice, syrupy spices. The finish is quite long and rich, with coffee grounds, tobacco, heather, chicory and dark chocolate.

In Short, 

I preferred this one, which was warmer, more woody and honeyed, and more expressive on the nose. On the other hand, the palate seemed lighter to me. But to each his own, Ruben preferred the Air Dried Oak, for example. As for the price, it's just as expensive as the other one, but this time it's a bargain in my opinion.

Score : 87

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Daniel Caesar - Best Part

Benromach 2012 Contrasts: Air Dried Oak 10 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

Virgin Oak Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

For the last three years, this new Constrasts range has brought together all of Benromach's limited editions. The Peat Smoke, the Organic, but also a few curiosities like this Air Dried Oak, a juice aged for 10 years in virgin casks that have been air-dried for three years. Contrast this with another limited edition, Kiln Dried Oak, which underwent exactly the same maturation over the same number of years, but whose casks were only air-dried for two years before being toasted in a kiln. No indication about the number of bottles produced.

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

The nose is full-bodied, typical of Benromach, heather and vanilla, with that little twist of chocolate cola seed. White fruits of course, especially grapes. Orchard fruits too. It smells like nature, like a vegetable garden, but it's beautifully balanced. Very discreet caramel. On the palate, fruitcake and fairly rich spices, paprika, saffron, nutmeg. Good, long finish, cloves, red pepper, tree bark and damp earth, it's rich and deep, dried fruits, apricots, dates, goji berries.

 

In Short, 

It's a good Benromach, with no bitterness at all linked to poorly prepared virgin casks, and all the distillery's hallmarks are fully expressed, in a neutral setting. The price is a little bit high, but not enough to deter the curious. It could prove to be a worthwhile purchase.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                            Duff McKagan - I Just Don't Know

Lagg Corriecravie Edition 3 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Lagg - Islands

Ex-Bourbon Casks and Oloroso Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

The second entry in the regular range from this brand new distillery, Corriecravie is finished for 6 months in Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads from Jerez in Spain. For this release, the Lagg distillery used Concerto malted barley and water from their own borehole. It seems that this expression will be bottled in limited quantities once a year. In any case, this is the very first edition.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A velvety and fruity Sherry, where quinces and red fruits are tempered by notes of leather and spices, woody hints and soft caramel. Saffron, cinnamon, dates and figs, dried bananas, peanut chips. Charcoal-laden smoke in the background, adding thickness. Still a bit light on the palate, but better, fruitier, blackberries and fermented cherries, although the spices are lacking. Mineral and grassy, with a long, clovey, robust, chocolate and coffee finish. Peppery. Forest undergrowth and tree bark.

 

In Short, 

I was much more interested in this than in the Kilmory, and for me it's a success, 6 months in good Sherry casks and everything falls into place. Of course, it's still young, but it's well made, and the high alcohol content gives it punch. The price can be very attractive if you take the trouble to look for it, so I recommend buying it.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Royal Blood - Figure It Out

Lagg Kilmory Edition 3 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Lagg - Islands

100% 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt 

Launched in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

After a few inaugural bottlings in small quantities last year, the brand new distillery founded by the Isle of Arran team launched this first element of their Core Range this spring. Produced from Concerto malted barley peated to 50 ppm and water from the distillery's borehole, it is intended to give an idea of Lagg's very identity.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very full on the nose, but also very herbaceous, with angelica, bay leaf, fern and a hint of menthol. It's also fresh, with a wave of iodine and sea spray, and cereal-like, wheat and rye. The peat is strong but balanced, grainy, limestone smoke. The palate is a bit lighter, here you can feel that it's only three years old, vanilla and tall herbs, reeds, light spices. The finish is quite long and good, with the fruits coming through, ripe plums, mirabelles, greengages, a pinch of salt, damp earth and cola nuts. 

 

In Short, 

It's well made, with character, and the finish is particularly good, but on the palate it's light, and I found the profile a little odd, not to my taste. All in all, it's nice though. I'd advise you to taste it before you buy, to see if it's right for you.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Kerala Dust - Night Bell

Torabhaig 2018 Special Reserve 5 yo

 

 

 

61,1°

Distillery : Torabhaig - Islands

Bourbon, Olroros and Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Virgin American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

 

 

 

As we've been kind and generous customers of the distillery, they've reserved this special bottling for us French, limited to 2,400 bottles and aged for 5 years. Distilled and bottled in the same month as Allt Gleann Batch Strength, it also has exactly the same alcohol content. But it is not matured in the same way, as some Sherry casks have also been used. However, the peat content is not known, which is surprising from Torabhaig, who has always been meticulous on this point.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is rounder, but also more austere, then more mellow and velvety. The Sherry has a slight influence, which intensifies with aeration, bringing complexity and fruits, quinces, apricots, mirabelles, a bit candied. Jammy. Bourbon vanilla is also present, but thicker and more pastry-like. A very discreet hint of iodine. On the palate, the vanilla is more prominent, with muscat grapes. The spices are fairly controlled and pleasant. The finish is softer, but long and strong nonetheless, honeyed, with yellow plums and banana.

 

In Short, 

Slightly better than the Allt Gleann Batch Strength, the Sherry casks add a little extra, but soften the finish, so much the better perhaps. We're in luck, because this bottling is one of the distillery's best, and at a very good price. I wouldn't be surprised if it runs out quickly.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The War on Drugs - Under the Pressure

Torabhaig Allt Gleann The Legacy Series Batch Strength 5 yo

 

 

 

61,1°

Distillery : Torabhaig - Islands

1st Fill, Refill American Whiskey and Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated arouund 78 ppm

 

 

 

This, the distillery's first Batch Strength, is also the last Batch of Allt Gleann, the expression that was the distillery's benchmark for two years. Before the team embarked on a new adventure, they wanted to release something remarkable so that Allt Gleann would be remembered. The maturation hasn't really changed in two years, but this time the juice is older, at least 60 months, that is 5 years, which is starting to look respectable. The peat content after grain malting is 78 ppm, but only 22.8 ppm after distillation, which follows a specific process to soften the peat and make it more palatable. I would have liked to know the number of bottles produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A creamy, mille-feuilles nose, almost pastry-like, with vanilla, peat is very present, unctuous, warm, and the iodine character is slightly subdued. Shortbread biscuits, liquid honey, some white fruits, plums and grapes. Pleasant on the palate, velvety, cooked apple, pear coated in white chocolate, egg yolk. Not much spice, but some cloves. The finish is strong, very peppery, long as it should be, iodised lemon, limestone, bushes and heather. A touch of grapefruit. Citrus tart.

 

In Short, 

It's much better than the previous editions I tasted. The juice is more mature, rounder and more balanced. It's starting to have a character of its own, more mellow than Talisker, even if the resemblance is still there. What's more, the finish is really well done. The price is quite right, and I'd recommend buying it without reservation.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Geese - Disco

Isle of Raasay Distillery Special Release Rye and Sherry Double Cask 2022

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

Ex-Rye Whiskey Cask and Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez Sherry Quarter Casks Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 48 ppm

 

 

 

Following the success of the first Distillery Special Release 2021, these gentlemen at Raasay are attempting a second edition of exactly the same product. A first maturation in Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey casks, and a second in Sherry Quarter Casks, to speed up the ageing process. This time we have the exact production figure, 8556 bottles. It must not be more than three years old.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Leathery, apples, orange compote, mandarins, cinnamon and cardamom, mirabelle plums. Woody hints, rather exotic wood, bay leaves. Bewitching, fairly discreet smoke, loaded with a hint of soot. The palate seemed to me very smooth, more on dried fruits than red fruits, apricots, quinces, dates and bananas, rich spices that envelop without assaulting, leading to a powerful, long finish on heather, eucalyptus, forest berries and a few wild strawberries. Tree bark, humus.

 

In Short, 

I am surprised, having tasted the first edition a year earlier, and this one seems to me to be much more mature, with a richer nose and a more powerful finish. It's a very fine bottling, which completes what was initiated with the previous one. If possible, you should get this one, even if the price is still a bit high.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio - Move On Up

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Series Peated Ex-Bordeaux Red Wine Cask 3 yo c. 18/670

 

 

 

61,6°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

Ex-Bordeaux Red Wine Cask

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 48 ppm

 

 

 

The Na Sia Single Cask Series includes three types of maturation, using either unpeated barley or barley peated at 48 ppm. These three types of maturation were used to create the distillery's first Single Malt. Here we have a single cask of Bordeaux wine, in which the whisky was aged for 3 years and nine months, resulting in 273 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is interesting, grainy and mineral. It stands out. The influence of the Bordeaux cask is recognisable, both earthy and fruity, with red fruits and heather. Hints of iodine and limestone. Wax and varnish. On the palate, fermented cherries combine with cigar smoke. Intense spices, paprika, pepper and nutmeg. A pinch of saffron. The finish is long and explosive, with a succession of layers. Earth, forest berries, bark and resin, mushrooms. Rocky sand.

In Short, 

I found the marriage between the Bordeaux wine and the island character of this distillery a little less successful. It should have been a more subtle distillate, with less character. That said, it's pleasant to drink, and the finish is really impressive. Once again, the price is high, as the distillery is not yet fully competitive on the market, but that should come.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Silveroller - Hold

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Series Unpeated Chinkapin Oak Cask c. 19/164

 

 

 

61,9°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

1st Fill Chinkapin Oak Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

With their Na Sia recipe, Isle of Raasay has released its first Single Malt, resulting from a sextuple maturation in peated and unpeated Chinkapin, Bordeaux wine and Rye Whiskey casks. The Na Sia Single Casks Series develops the concept by introducing Single Casks aged in one of these six types of cask. Several casks of all types were opened this year, including this one. The number of bottles produced is not known, no more than a few hundred, as the casks are no larger than 170 litres. The age of the juice is certainly 3 years old, although this is not official.

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The wood is intense, deep, but without bitterness, as it is very caramelised. Buttered bread, warm, half-melted butter, wood juice. Sap. A hint of vanilla in the background. Nice fullness. On the palate, same profile, wood splinters, butter and spices, transparent fruits, greengages, apples, grated nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, barley sugar. With so much alcohol, the finish is bound to be explosive, but it's also quite long, clove-like, with dry earth and starch, but again without bitterness. Hazelnuts, coarse wheat grains.

 

In Short, 

I'm very surprised. In general, I'm not very fond of this type of cask, where the wood stands out. It's bitter and I don't like bitterness. But they must have toasted the casks a lot, so that the natural sugars in the wood are very caramelised, resulting in something quite sweet, which goes down very well, while still being intense. It's very well done. I'd like to recommend buying it, but it's still a bit expensive.

Score : 87 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Southern River Band - Stan Qualen

Highland Park 2001 21 yo 2023 Release

 

 

 

46° 

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands 

Ex-Bourbon Hogsheads, 1st Fill Seasoned Sherry, American Oak and ex-Rioja Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

The first limited 21 year-old Highland Park was launched by the distillery in 2009 and was named the World's Single Malt Best Scotch Whisky the same year. Over a decade then passed before Gordon Motion, the Master Whisky Maker of the place, decided to release a new Batch of it. Then, a new edition appeared more or less each year. This one is the latest, brand new, and its particularity is that Ex-Rioja Casks were used. A total of 36 casks were used, but I don't know how many bottles. It is said on Whiskybase that it is non-chill filtered, but nobody else confirms it. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The intensity of the fruit is quite surprising, vanilla, caramelised apple, heather honey, white fruits, mirabelle plums, greengages, peaches, conifers and bushes. Pine cones. The peat is in the background but very present. The palate is still a tad light, though oily, lemony, vanilla-flavoured, woody, with toasted almonds and rich spices, nutmeg and pepper, cinnamon. A little drying, before a long, clove-like finish with cranberries and cumin. Paprika and small sour apples. Dry, sandy earth.  

In Short, 

It's something else after all, very rich and varied in flavour, with rare qualities. However, one small flaw persists: a relatively light palate. Apart from that, it's perfect, so to speak. The Rioja casks are perceptible on the finish. This is very good work. The price obviously makes you bristle, but it's more or less what's on the market at the moment.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Chris Bell - Elevator to Heaven

Highland Park 15 yo Viking Heart

 

 

 

44°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Bourbon Barrels and Sherry Seasoned Butts

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2023

Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Over the years, several 15-Year-Old have left the distillery's walls, either as limited editions or as quick forays into the regular range. This one was first released as a limited edition in 2021 in a ceramic bottle. Then, this year, they decided to include it in the Core Range, but in a normal glass bottle, gadgets work for only so long.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nice fullness on the nose, with woody Sherry, heather and cinnamon. Leather, honey, milk chocolate, soft toffee, and a trace of gooseberry jam, with pieces in it. Fir thorns. Eucalyptus. The palate is a bit light, with shy vanilla and lemon peel. Fortunately there are some spices, cloves and pepper, which liven things up a bit. The finish is woody and spicy, with tree bark, oily and foresty earth, humus and vegetal moss. Floral notes and juniper berries. Resin. Maybe a pinch of coarse salt.  

 

In Short, 

It's not bad, but the palate is light for me despite the 44°. You can feel the character of the distillery, but it would be better without chill filtration. What's more, the price is very high, as high as the 18yo was a few years ago. A purchase is out of the question in these conditions.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Meshell Ndegeocello - Boyfriend

Isle of Harris The Hearach Batch 5

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Isle of Harris - Islands

Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace Bourbon Casks, Oloroso and Fino Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 15 ppm

 

 

 

Isle of Harris distillery opened exactly 8 years ago, in October 2015. So it took a long time to have their first whisky. But it's here now, its name is The Hearach, this is how you call someone who lives on this island. It's unchillfiltered, at 46°, aged from 5 to 7 years old, and is slightly peaty. It followed a fourfold maturation, with two kinds of Bourbon casks, and two kinds of Sherry casks. So this a pretty complex and not so young whisky for a very first release. This is a limited edition, released in 7 different Batches, and the Batch 5 is reserved for the French market, 12326 bottles were put on sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's well-balanced, with honey, cereals, a pinch of iodine, sea spray, some vanilla but light. A zest of lemon, some fish and pebbles in the background. It's costal without being it too much, and the peat is barely perceptible, diffuse. The palate is fresh, maritime, the fruits stand out, but above all the vanilla and lemon. A few white grapes and mirabelle plums, but discreet. Then red pepper. The finish is decent, fairly long, not too strong, woody, earthy, with chestnuts and hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

It's a very good strategy to have waited long enough. This Hearach is relatively mature, you don't feel its youth, the complex maturation gives it a subtle and silky character. In my opinion, it's very successful, close to what Highland Park does but with more character and roundness. It's very promising, but unfortunately the price isn't at all competitive at the moment, so they'll have to improve on that.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                            Eagle Eye Cherry - Desireless

Westland 2014 Single Cask Collective #1: The Pioneers

 

 

 

53°

Distillery : Westland - Washington

Bourbon Barrel and Madeira Wine Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Berry Bros. & Rudd 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated from 20 to 25 ppm

Westland is a young distillery founded in 2010 and based in Seattle, Washington. This cask was selected by Berry Bros. because it is one of those very promising young distilleries that deserve to be showcased. For this reason, it was included in the Collective #1: The Pioneers series, which brings together ten young distilleries that, it seems, are still too little known. I wanted to give them a chance. I'm not sure whether the whisky is peated or not, but Westland often produces peated juice, and this one seemed to me to be, just after a Caol Ila. 207 bottles were produced.

Let's Taste It : 

Very mellow, woody, with fig, apricot, quinces, grape pulp, pudding, chocolate fondant, and a hint of sweet red fruits, plums and blackcurrant, it must be Madeira. Fruit cake. The palate is a bit light but good, with wood and shortbread biscuits, sugar pancakes, some spices, but very discreet, saffron, cardamom, cloves. Dried banana. Long finish, woody caramel, chocolate muffin with sprinkles, undergrowth and damp earth, some forest berries.

 

In Short, 

Yes, it's interesting, but, in my humble opinion, it's not quite there yet. I can't see any particular character, I can't see the profile of this distillery, and there are a few slight faults. That said, this is still a good product, and the efforts made and the progress made should certainly be encouraged. However, the price is inappropriate for a whisky less than 10 years old.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                            George Duke Trio - It's On

Caol Ila 2010 Single Cask Berry Bros. & Rudd 13 yo c. 311746

 

 

 

55,1°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Bourbon Hogshead and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Berry Bros. & Rudd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Apparently, Berry Bros. had a number of casks of Caol Ila distilled in 2010. They released some of them this year, and each had its own little finish, in Oloroso, or no finish at all. This one was finished in a Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask, it yielded 280 bottles and is destined for the French market.

Let's Taste It : 

I found the nose very balanced, with a drop of soot, wood and soft caramel. The peat is not too exuberant, nor is the Sherry, although there is a hint of meatiness and elasticity, red plums and bacon. The palate is full of sweet fruits, grapes, damsons, cranberries, spices, not too strong either, paprika, nutmeg, cumin. The finish is rich and deep, long enough, charcoal, earth, tar, cola, blackberries and blueberries. Smoked ham, peas with bacon, parsley.

In Short, 

Very pleasant, the Sherry is not too overpowering, but it still leaves its mark, this is a good, meaty Caol Ila. On the other hand, you shouldn't rely too much on the distillery's iodine and sea usual flavours. Like all Sherry-aged Caol Ila, it's rather earthy and tarry, with smoked meat, but that's fine too. The only thing wrong with it is the price, which is out of all proportion.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Richie Kotzen - Socialite