Ledaig 1997 That Boutique-y Whisky Company Batch 21 21 yo

 

 

 

58,2°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By That Boutique-y Whisky Company

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm

 

 

 

A new bottling from That Boutique-y Whisky Company, a trading company set up in 2012 that evolves around Master of Malt and is owned by the Atom Brands group. This is a Ledaig aged in a single Sherry Butt. By the way, how can you have a 21-year-old juice distilled in 1997 and not released until 2023? It's 4 years short. What happened to the whisky during those 4 years? Has it gone round the world on an electric scooter? It's all very mysterious... 567 bottles are on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is fresh, with iodine and plastic, salty waves crashing on a beach of pebbles, quartz and slate, and a few drops of apricot juice. Blond tobacco, sticky peat. Squeezed lemon in the background. On the palate, it's silk, a few candied citrus fruits, rosewater, a maritime touch, destructive spices, nutmeg and cumin. Salt and minerals. The finish is long, full and explosive, with woody gravel, cloves, a pinch of cinnamon, tar and melted plastic. A bit cheesy at the end.

In Short, 

Excellent, as is often the case with this distillery. It has the complexity of age, but also the ardour of youth, it complements each other well. On the other hand, I didn't smell too much Sherry, which is strange, there was quite a lot of lemon and minerality, barely any cinnamon and apricots, it was the distillate that took over, but so much the better. The price is right, so you'll want to snap it up. To be reserved for fans, of course, it's dirty, that's for sure..

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Skeletal Family - She Cries Alone

Caol Ila 2008 That Boutique-y Whisky Company Batch 23 14 yo

 

 

 

54,9°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Refill Hogshead and 1st Fill Oloroso Octaves Finish

Independent Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

That Boutique-y Whisky Company is one of the few trading companies belonging to the Atom Brands group. Created in 2012 by the gentlemen of Master of Malt, it has gradually acquired its own autonomy. Here, a Caol Ila of a respectable age, first aged in a simple refill Hogshead, then transferred to small Octave 1st Fill Oloroso casks. The result is 525 bottles adorned with a hand-drawn design by Emily Chapell, like all the company's bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Tar and ash, mucky peat. Bewitching smoke, liquorice, dark chocolate, damp earth, dried banana, apricots and quinces. Beautiful fullness. On the palate, the Sherry is a bit more noticeable. Velvety, milk chocolate, smoked fruits, intense and varied spices, nutmeg, pepper, mustard. Delicate oak. The finish is quite long and relatively explosive, somewhat foresty, with chestnut bogue and humus, but above all there's the full-bodied smoke of fuel and gas oil that we love. A trail of salt and shortbread biscuits.

 

In Short, 

There's nothing particularly new here, but it's very pleasant. Despite its age, the peat remains intense, the iodine character is very discreet, as always with Sherry-aged Caol Ila, and there are lovely chocolatey and smoky flavours. To be reserved for enthusiasts, of course, but I'm surprised at the rather low price on offer, so I'd suggest you rush out and buy it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Twin Tribes - Monolith

Port Charlotte 13 yo Darkness

 

 

 

51,3°

Distillery : Bruichladich - Islay

Oloroso Sherry Octave Cask Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Master of Malt  

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 40 ppm

As well as being an excellent online retailer, Master of Malt is a reputable independent bottler, and has been since 1985. They were bought out by Atom Brands, but their Darkness range is still representative of their work. Here, this Port Charlotte is finished in an Octave cask of Oloroso Sherry. These are casks of around 60 litres, to intensify the interaction with the wood. Only 111 bottles are advertised by La Maison du Whisky, which has exclusivity for this bottle, but there are obviously a few more, as the one I picked from was numbered 115.

Let's Taste It : 

This is a fine Oloroso cask, a variety of dried fruits, apple compote with chunks, a cinnamon leaf, damp leather, varnished wood, drained oil, chocolaty liquorice, with a hint of astringency and thick peat full of soot, black earth and gas oil. On the palate, it's round, greedy, nougat, soft toffee, genoise, marzipan, chewy smoke, deep spices, black pepper and nutmeg. The finish is long, fruity, oily, with a few bits of smoked ham. Biscuits filled with sesame cream, red fruit concentrate, chocolate fondant, a coffee bean.

 

In Short, 

It has just about everything you'd expect. The Port Charlotte distillate is a decidedly good match for the Sherry. The downside is that it's not particularly surprising, but sometimes it's better to get exactly what you want. The price, on the other hand, is excessive, especially for 50cl bottles.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Jesus and Mary Chain - Cracking Up

Highland Park 18 yo Darkness

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Pedro Ximénez Octave Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Master Of Malt

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Everyone has heard about the Master of Malt online shop, but few people know that they were first and foremost independent bottlers, and have been since 1985. The Darkness range is the group's most emblematic, and this Highland Park 18yo finished in an Octave cask of Pedro Ximénez Sherry is undoubtedly one of their jewels. Only 117 bottles were made from this single 60-litre cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Lots of wood, with several layers of varnish, melting dark chocolate, apple compote sprinkled with cinnamon, Agen prunes, dried figs, you can smell the bushes and heather typical of the distillery, but you have to say it quickly. Fine, chiselled smoke. Velvety and warm on the palate. Honey blends with chocolate mousse, fresh pear, apricots, a wide range of spices, paprika, cardamom, nutmeg. Fairly long finish, but lacks explosiveness, foresty, sandy, candied fruits, salt and pepper, slightly marshy earth.

 

In Short, 

The Sherry adds a nice complexity, without overpowering the distillate, which retains its personality. It's really nice and rich, but there's something missing to make it great. The price is outrageous, especially for 50cl bottles.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Puma Blue - Moon Undah Water

SMWS 2016 149.3 A Walk in the Woods The New Wave 6 yo

 

 

 

60,6°

Distillery : Ardnamurchan - Highlands 

1st Fill American Oak Pedro Ximénez Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a trading company and connoisseurs' club founded in 1983 by Pip Hills, has decided to take an interest in promising young distilleries, and has even launched a small series for the occasion, The New Wave, which brings together 6 bottlings so far. And among them this one, from Ardnamurchan, a young distillery founded in 2014 and owned by Adelphi, another highly reputable trading company. The maturation is original, as it is a Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask, but of American oak, whereas Sherry casks are generally built with European oak. 650 bottles were supplied, and sold primarily in the USA.

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, it is costal and at the same time pastry-like. I recognise the impetuous ardour of youth, with iodine, kelp, the power of the swell, but also Granny Smith apples, cream, mille-feuilles, icing sugar. Sabayon, pastry cream on the palate, slightly syrupy and leafy, autumn leaves, acorns and bark. Expressive spices, cloves, cumin. The finish is long and explosive, with some maritime fragrances, a trail of salt, but also humus, vegetal moss, damp black earth.

In Short, 

While there are indeed forestry elements in this bottle, it also has maritime notes and some lovely pastry flavours. You can smell the youth, but it's powerful and full-bodied, which can also be an advantage. All in all, not bad at all! A bit more than remarkable, it's really good. On the other hand, the price is too high in my opinion, especially as you also have to pay a membership fee to be allowed to buy it. However, if you're interested, they still have 17.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Sonic Rootz - Wheels are Turning

Convalmore 1982 Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 40 yo

 

 

 

55,5°

Distillery : Convalmore - Speyside

Refill American Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Convalmore is one of those closed distilleries. Like most of the others, in 1985 the Whisky Loch took its toll. It's a sad story, but not for those who had the good idea of stocking casks at the right time, notably Gordon & MacPhail. They had already released cask 154 two years ago, distilled the same year and therefore 38 years old. And now they've gone one better, as this one, cask 155, is 40 years old. Quite an age for a whisky. The angels' share must have been generous, because only 104 bottles were launched.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Citrusy nose, with creamy lemon, dried pineapple, cooked orange, exotic fruits and burnt butter. Elegant oak, varnish and toasted, malted cereals. Loose earth. Eucalyptus, some floral hints. On the palate, more on the fruits of the orchard, juicy green apples and Comice pears, with leafy touches and rich spices. Warm chestnuts. Candied vanilla. Cinnamon, apricot jam. Deep, rather interminable finish of brown sugar, baked apples, American tobacco, oak leaf, cola.

 

In Short, 

As you'd expect at this age, it's monstrous. Very complex on the nose, silky on the palate, but above all it's the finish that's impressive. A true work of art. As for the price, what can I say? Those for whom it represents a month's salary can already consider themselves lucky. I hope that at least some of those who buy it will open it.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Kamasi Whasington - Truth

Caol Ila 2007 The Spirit of Art 15 yo

 

 

 

53,4°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Bota Punta/No Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Valinch & Mallet

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Valinch & Mallet, a trading company run by two Italian whisky lovers, launched The Spirit of Art series in 2021. Each bottle is to be decorated with a work of art. This bottle features a portrait of Giuliano Sale. But the real originality of this bottling is that it was aged in a Bota Punta Sherry cask, which is quite unprecedented, for 15 years. The result was 485 bottles released last spring.

Let's Taste It : 

A drop of tar in a thick, suave liqueur. It's quite balanced. Brown sugar, quince jam, sprinkled with cinnamon, orange peel. Swirling smoke. Peat bricks. Fermented cherries. Blackberries and cranberries. On the palate, light cane sugar, reeds, vermicelli soup, chocolate and fig, dancing spices. Very long, explosive finish, different layers of genoise and pastry cream, cola, honey, some cereals, toasted wheat, burnt barley. The peat comes through a bit, but discreetly.

In Short, 

It's a fairly dry Sherry, it seemed to me, slightly sweet and liquorish. Interesting stuff. But the Oloroso is better. It's a conclusive experience that will delight the curious and lovers of the distillery. The price is high, probably because of the work of art and the rarity of the cask, but in any case it's sold out. It can be found on auction sites, where it sells for more or less the release price.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ida Mae - Wild Flying Dove

Allt-a-Bhainne 2005 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 17 yo

 

 

 

60,6°

Distillery : Allt-a-Bhainne - Speyside

Refill American Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

A new distillery for me to discover, and in ideal conditions, as it's through independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, reputed to be one of the greatest, established since 1895, and it's terrible news to know that they're going to stop independent trading in the next few years. Also, the cask used here is a single Refill Hogshead of American oak, so the distillery's character won't be disturbed by foreign flavours. I'll be able to discover its personality. This edition produced 310 bottles.

Let's Taste It : 

A slice of lemon, cake pastry, lemon tart, meringue, shortbread biscuits, mountain honey, a drop of Worcestershire sauce, very light acidity. Candied ginger. Exotic fruits in the background. On the palate, vanilla stands out, vanilla custard, pastry cream, yellow plums, kumquats, coarse cereals, muesli. Discreet spices, like a pleasant tingle. A zest of lemon. Well-crafted, long, biscuity finish, diluted in goat's milk. It's pastry to the end, still lemony and vanilla-flavoured.

In Short, 

Finally, the cask has a noticeable influence, but I'm not complaining. It's very pastry-like, with lots of lemon and vanilla; the distillate must be very light for the cask to take over in this way. In any case, it's a very fine bottling, which will delight fans of this kind of profile. It can still be found here and there at a price that is in line with the current market, which is to say expensive but not unaffordable.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sippinfg :

 

                                           Karina - Nada es Para Siempre

Bunnahabhain 2004 Limited Release Moine Brandy Finish 12 yo

 

 

 

55,3°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay 

Sherry Casks and Brandy Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2017

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 40 ppm

 

 

 

For some years now, the people at the distillery have been having fun bringing out different Limited Releases with original finishes. This was one of the first, finished in Brandy casks. The first maturation took place in Sherry casks for 9 years, then the distillate was poured into Brandy casks for 3 years. 4152 bottles were obtained from this experiment.

Let's Taste It : 

Thick and dusty peat, with vinous hints. Sweet smoke, white fruits, citrus, dried raisins, avocado. Bitter wood. Nutmeg, aniseed. Asparagus, parsley. Even a touch of mayonnaise. It's waxy. Smoke hides the nuances. On the palate, it's softer, more balanced, oily. Frécinette bananas, greengages and mirabelle plums, lychees, a few drops of honey, powerful spices, cumin, black pepper. Destructive finish, chocolate, fig paste, grapes, a lemon zest, cola. A dash of vanilla.

In Short, 

The nose is a bit sweet, like barley sugar, but it's quite successful. The palate is oily and dense, and the finish is powerful, long and expressive.. In conclusion, it's nice, but not very Bunnahabhain-like, therefore I didn't like it very much. Besides I haven't heard of other finishes in Brandy casks, perhaps that's for a good reason. It can still be found on certain websites, but at a much too high price.

Score : 87

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Aphrodite's Child - The Four Horsemen

Ireland 2001 The Nectar of the Daily Drams 22 yo Orange Label

 

 

 

53,4°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Ireland

Independent Bottling 

By Daily Dram

Limited Edition 

SingleCask

Bottled in 2023

Cask Strength

Slightly Peated 

Daily Dram is a Belgian trading company founded in 2008 by the gentlemen from The Nectar, a large spirits import company. In 2015, they released an Ireland 1991 with the Virgin Mary drawn on the label, which caused quite a stir. Eight years later, they're at it again, with a trilogy of three new bottlings of Irish Whiskey, each 22 years old, featuring a portrait of a woman who bears a strong resemblance with the Virgin Mary. We really don't know much about these three expressions. Nothing about cold filtration, colouring or the number of bottles produced. Nothing about the original distillery, but it may well be Cooley, when it was still owned by John Teeling. Each one has its own colour, and that's how you distinguish them. The only one I was able to taste was orange.

Let's Taste It : 

Lots of cereals, wheat, barley, millet, it's mellow, with vanilla custard, cinnamon, a floral touch and waxed wood. Grated nutmeg, yellow fruits. Light peat in the background, earthy and stony. Some exotic fruits. Beeswax. Silky on the palate, very liquid honey, green apple, ethereal cereals. Spices combine with a touch of caramel, clove, benzoin and green pepper. Long, woody finish with hints of genoise and marzipan, gingerbread, hazelnut, ripe mirabelle plum, banana. Pastry cream.

In Short, 

Many rare qualities, including a superb finish, a beautiful, very Irish nose, and honey on the palate. This is a very fine bottling, which will delight connoisseurs. Unfortunately, it's sold out everywhere, we don't wonder why.

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Half Moon Run - 9Beat

Imperial 1995 Silver Seal Collection New Vibrations 27 yo

 

 

 

50,4°

Distillery : Imperial - Speyside

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Silver Seal 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Silver Seal is a legendary Italian trading company run by the no less legendary Massimo Righi, who also owns the Whisky Antique shop in Modena. Its bottlings are as rare as they are sought-after, and here we have a 27-year-old Imperial, aged in a single Sherry cask, which produced only 160 bottles. These are sold exclusively by La Maison du Whisky as part of the New Vibrations collection.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

We're talking about a well-balanced, full-bodied Sherry, with chocolate, figs, liquorice, macerated red fruits, orange jam and chestnut cream. Buttered bread and a nutty butter flavour, one of the distillery's hallmarks. Velvety, woody palate, chocolate mousse, coffee grounds, bark, nutmeg, the spices are rich and intense. Nougat and soft toffee, the finish is long, beautiful, wood resin and cola, barley sugar, various cereals, holly leaves and eucalyptus. A mint note.

 

In Short, 

It's a big slap in the face. The Sherry is intense, but not too sweet, and it leaves plenty of room for the distillate, which blends magnificently with the influence of the wood. What can I say except that it's a huge success? I shed a tear when I read the price. To be reserved for unconditional fans and smugglers of all kinds.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Gaye Su Akyol - Vurgunum Ama Acelesi Yok

Bimber Ex-Bourbon Oak Casks Batch N°4

 

 

 

51,2°

Distillery : Bimber - England 

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon American White Oak Quercus Alba Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Bimber distillery has been in the news for a few years now. Based in London, founded in 2016 by whisky lovers from Poland, it is still young but enjoys an excellent reputation. For example, here we have the 4th Batch of an NAS Cask Strength aged in first-fill Quercus Alba casks. The juice is made from barley grown by the distillery, malting took place on a specially dedicated floor at Warmnster Maltings and fermentation lasted an extremely long 7 days. Everything is done to ensure the highest possible quality, down to the smallest detail. 7,000 bottles make up this limited edition.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very fruity, with the Bourbon leaving its mark, but in a smooth, subtle way. Lemon, creamy vanilla, ripe white plums and green apples. Fresh wood, wheat and other cereals, barley, spelt. Ethereal and very well balanced. The palate is in the same vein, airy, woody, refined, but also fruity, with white and yellow fruits, and consensual spices, pepper, cumin. The finish is long and slightly explosive, with chestnuts, cereals, lemon zest and oak leaves.

 

In Short, 

It's extremely well made, and the products used, both the casks and the barley, are of excellent quality. It's not too young, it can't be more than 6 years old, but you can't feel it. However, it is a bit smooth, the maturation is a fairly simple one, and the distillate is not a monster of character, perhaps needing a special touch to enhance it. The price is right if you choose the right places.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Vegyn - Halo Flip

Glenturret 2013 The Cooper's Choice 9 yo c. 59

 

 

 

58°

Distillery : The Glenturret - Highlands

Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Ltd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Ruadh Maor Heavily Peated

 

 

 

Glenturret is a Highland distillery, and by reputation the oldest still in operation. They make unpeated and peated distillate, and this one is peated, but the ppm level is not mentioned. In my humble opinion, it should be around 25. Here the maturation is simple, in order to preserve all the purity of the distillate. 360 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose seems to me to be very mild and not very peaty, but with good thickness and an interesting subtlety. Earthy, a bit dusty, woody, with gravel and silica. Rock glistening in the sun, some white fruits, pine needles. Full on the palate, with egg yolk, cereal, muesli. Toasted wheat, an ounce of vanilla, a pinch of salt. Lumpy spices. Long, powerful finish, spicy, dry earth, clove, a touch of cinnamon, white grape. Fine sand. Bushes and ferns. Icing sugar.

 

In Short, 

It's well done. A lovely earthy, country peat, and a very discreet cask, which lets the distillate speak for itself, but I don't know this distillery well, and I didn't pick out any markers. It's nevertheless quite fine, with just the right amount of power, and the price is right if you look hard enough. Worth a try.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Tedeschi Trucks Band - Anyhow

Glenallachie 2016 The Cooper's Choice 6 yo

 

 

 

53,5°

Distillery : The GlenAllachie - Speyside

American Oak Barrel and Port Wood Finish

Independent Bottling 

By The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

This 6-year-old GlenAllachie is apparently reserved for the French market. First aged in a Bourbon cask, it was then immersed in a Port cask. 372 bottles were released for sale. Not to be confused with The Cooper's Choice Summer Fruits, also finished in a Port cask, bottled the same year, but with no mention of age.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Raspberry, damson, strawberry, but not acid, it's really very fruity, jam-like, with bits in it, and sprinkled with cinnamon. Peaches and nectarines, very ripe grapes. Slight woodiness. Still very fruity on the palate, but more on blueberry pie and cranberry, blackberry, blackcurrant. Dark chocolate with sultana filling. The spices are very present, paprika and nutmeg. A touch of raspberry on the finish, cloves, earth, damp undergrowth, tree leaves, warm chestnuts. Fig jam.

 

In Short, 

It's enormously fruity, to the point where you don't know which fruit to mention. It's very well done in its genre, admittedly the fruit is overpowering, but it's not acidic, it's complex and you can still recognise a bit of the distillery. I couldn't find it available anywhere, but judging by the range's usual prices, it's very reasonable.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Trevor Rabin - Push

Meikle Tòir 5 yo The Sherry One

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : The GlenAllachie - Speyside

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Puncheon Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

This is the third and final expression in the Core Range of this new brand, which introduces us to the peat of Speyside, and more specifically that of GlenAllachie, under the direction of Billy Walker. This time, the distillate has been partly immersed in Puncheon Sherry Casks, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez, to produce a fruitier version. As with the other bottlings, the whisky took 160 hours to ferment, which is an extremely long time, and promises a fine quality of the juice.

Let's Taste It : 

It's very well-balanced, subtle, rich in fruits, deep, with figs, chocolate, red fruits, and fine, silky smoke. Raspberries and blueberries, dried fruits, a touch of charcoal, liquorice. Some walnuts in the background. It's slightly earthy. The palate is a bit light, but still pleasant, fruitier, dates, gooseberries, blackcurrants, intense spices, blackberries. The finish is long and beautiful, with a measured explosiveness, fruity, more dried fruits, raisins, prunes, ferns, undergrowth, tree leaves.

In Short, 

Like the rest of the range, it's a great success, with fine balance and elegant subtlety that doesn't mask the earthy and country peat. It has personality, but also nuance. What's more, the price is very attractive. However, I think there's a better combination of peat and Sherry, it's very well done, but there's nothing exceptional about it. For me, it's definitely the Original that's up for grabs, the others are nice but not entirely convincing.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Beyond The Black - Is There Anybody Out There?

Meikle Tòir 5 yo The Chinquapin One

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : The GlenAllachie - Speyside

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon and Chinquapin Virgin Oak Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

This is the second expression of this new brand designed by Billy Walker, which gives a fine taste of Speyside peat. This time, the whisky was matured partly in top-quality virgin Chinquapin oak casks from the Ozark region of Missouri in the United States, which promises a fine woodiness. The whisky was fermented for 160 hours during the production process, which is a very long time.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

As you'd expect, it's very woody, with splinters, roasted nuts, sap and resin, bark, hazelnuts, in short, everything the virgin oak can bring. Fig jam in the background, dark chocolate, forest berries. The palate is a bit light, you can feel the youth, but still vanilla and lemon, white fruits, virtually no spice, which is astonishing. The finish is long but not too aggressive, with a certain woody and fruity sweetness. Earth, warm chestnuts, ferns, forest undergrowth.

 

In Short, 

It's what you'd expect, very well made, and there's none of this unpleasant bitterness you sometimes find in virgin cask ageing. On the other hand, it clearly lacks complexity and even character. The virgin wood has blunted all the other flavours a little. For this reason, I prefer The Original. If you want to buy the whole range, OK, but if you're only going to buy one, it won't be this one. However, the price is still very reasonable.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                            Elegy of Madness - Portrait of a Ghost

Bunnahabhain Moine 2011 Cask Strength Collection La Maison du Whisky Exclusive Bottling 6 yo

 

 

 

60,5°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Bourbon Hogsheads 

Original Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 40 ppm

 

 

 

The relation between Signatory Vintage and La Maison du Whisky is strong. To such an extent that the Symington brothers, owners of Signatory, let their colleagues choose the casks they want to release exclusively. This is the case with this Bunnahabhain, a blending of two Hogsheads matured for 6 years, that gave 587 bottles. 

Let's Taste It : 

Very mineral, cottony peat. Ethereal iodine, salt crystals. Cloud of sweet milk. After a while, a few cereals appear. White fruits and vanilla. Chalky and damp. On the palate, icing sugar, powerful spices, cumin, mustard, white pepper. Malty hints in the background, barley sugar, cream. Then thick, whitish, earthy peat. A finish that sticks to the ceiling, but not very long. Nutmeg, dry black earth, clove. Slight touch of bitterness. Chilli pepper. Yellow plum, ripe banana.

 

In Short, 

The distillate is brought to a degree of purity rarely seen. The cask barely disturbs it, and the result is a fine, mineral, iodised, maritime peat that will delight enthusiasts. It's not really complex, but it's powerful and boldly radical. But above all, it's well crafted. The launch price was a bit high, but today it can be found at auction, and in general it's a bargain.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Dark Element - Not Your Monster

Meikle Tòir 5 yo The Original

 

 

 

50° 

Distillery : The GlenAllachie - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon, American Virgin Oak and Rye Whiskey Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Billy Walker is definitely a character. After restoring the glory of GlenDronach, Glenglaussaugh and BenRiach, three distilleries which he later sold, he is now working to sublimate the distillate from GlenAllachie. And not content with just succeeding, he also wants to give it a peated version, which will be called Meikle Tòir. The peat from Speyside is specific, it has little in common with that from Islay, it's not maritime, but rustic, earthy, vegetal. To bring out the best in it, Billy Walker chose to age his spirits in three different types of cask: first-fill Bourbon, American virgin oak and rye whiskey. The result is a 5-year-old whisky, it needs to stay young to preserve the power of the peat.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Cereals in a mess, quite rough, rye, barley, toasted wheat, muesli, but there's also the influence of Bourbon with lumpy vanilla and a zest of lemon. Heather honey, wood glue, caramel, liquorice. Unvarnished wood. A little soft on the palate, but you can still feel the character. Fruit and liquorice, plums, grapes, blueberries. There's a sense of coarse grain, unrefined and rather exuberant spices. Strong finish, earth and humus, flambéed chestnuts, nutmeg. Charcoal.

 

In Short, 

It's just as it should be, and even better than I expected. There's not much of the countryside here, but the peat is harmonious and intense, cereal-like, full of dried fruits and woody. Well done, Billy, once again. As for the price, it's just fine, and I'd recommend buying it before everyone realises what a bargain it is and that it's sold out.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Texas Hippie Coalition - Moonshine

Kilchoman 16 yo

 

 

 

50° 

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

It is a historic moment, the distillery finally introducing an expression with an official age statement, and what an age! 16 Years Old is quite simply the distillery's oldest whisky. It is a combination of 21 casks, which produced 5,000 bottles, most of them Bourbon barrels.

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, spices and honey, pungent sherry, quince and apricot jam, soft, grainy smoke. Gold flakes and candied vanilla, the Bourbon is there too. Very well done and fairly balanced. On the palate, sucking candy, dried fruits, soft caramel. Dates, bananas, figs, hints of leather, spices, nutmeg, cardamom, mustard. The finish is long and even explosive, a bit earthy, humus invades the taste buds and spreads, truffles, dark chocolate, coffee grounds. Charcoal, forest berries.

 

In Short, 

A truly excellent Kilchoman, with a well-balanced nose, a silky, sweet palate and a magnificent finish. I'm tempted to say that this is a really outstanding whisky, but it's only a very successful 16yo, let's say it's about the same level as the Caol Ila 18yo, with a little more power. And it's the price that's the problem, because it's sold as something extraordinary, at the price of a 20/25 year old. It's a shame.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Charlatans - One To Another

Kilchoman Triskele Casks French Exclusive N°1

 

 

 

48,6°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

75% Ex-Bourbon, 20% STR Wine and 5% Oloroso Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm  

This short series of Triskele Casks is based on the principle that three different elements bring perfect balance, as is the case in Celtic tradition, as illustrated by the symbol of the Triskele. Here, the three elements are three different but complementary casks, to create the perfect harmony. Bourbon casks, wine casks that have been sanded, toasted and re-charred, and Oloroso Sherry casks. Each with its own special touch. This bottle, designed on the occasion of Feis Ile for the French market, is sold exclusively by La Maison du Whisky. 1260 units have been released.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is original, with intense winey hints at first, but it is not acidic. Then tannins and fresh cherries. Powerful peat, mineral and charcoal, full of soot. A touch of iodine stands out, giving it good fullness. A bit leafy. Full and fruity on the palate, rich with fruits, some exotic, figs, white grapes, banana. Heather, delicate oak. Powerful spices, nutmeg, paprika. Long, ample finish, full of greengages, goji seeds, cashew nuts, bark, forest berries.

 

In Short, 

Very nice, even better than N°2 I think, which was a little drowned in the fruits. This one is a little rougher, darker, more syrupy. I prefer it, but both bottlings are interesting. It's really tempting, but the price is a bit high nonetheless, it's still a reduced NAS.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                            Blackshape - Itiiitiatiihylihyl