Glen Keith 1996 Cask Strength Collection Symington's Choice 26 yo

 

 

 

58°

Distillery : Glen Keith - Speyside

2d Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Glen Keith is the main distillery supplying the Chivas brand, which is why its single malt bottlings are rare. This one is interesting in more ways than one. Single cask, aged 26 years, and matured in second-fill Oloroso Sherry, it still allows the distillate to express itself, but the Sherry's influence enhances it. 635 bottles were released, and the whole set was included in the Symington's Choice sub-range, which proves that it is not insignificant.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Figs, dates, thick mountain honey. Elegant oak, peach pit, quince jam. A few cranberries, but discreet, pine cones, eucalyptus. Forest undergrowth, heather. Rich, dark earth. Smooth and velvety on the palate, raisins, apple crumble, cinnamon, chocolate powder, intense spices, walnuts and hazelnuts. Long finish, quite successful, woody and earthy, very slight touch of bitterness, orange jam, dark chocolate, coffee grounds. Chicory, cloves.

In Short, 

The Sherry adds some extra elements, but we also lose some of the originality of this little-known distillery. It's still a very good bottling, which will satisfy the curious as well as enthusiasts. The price is really high, but you can cut costs by going to certain websites.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Tom Misch - It Runs Through Me

Bruichladdich 2004 Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. Collection New Vibrations 18 yo

 

 

 

55,2°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay 

Ex-Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated  

Echoing the 20 Year Old I mentioned yesterday, which was aged in a Bourbon cask, this 18 Year Old was aged in a Sherry cask. This makes a total of two complementary bottlings, both launched as part of the New Vibrations collection, of which La Maison du Whisky is the depository.

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful, elegant Sherry, with blueberry jam, jellied blackberries, fermented blackcurrants, some charcoal hints, varnished wood, quince purée, elastici and leather, smoked ham in the background, with a few cereals. On the palate, red fruits in profusion, syrupy and liquorish, slightly rancio, then a bit candied, with beautiful spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom. The finish is long, intense and explosive, charcoal and liquorice, black berries, a touch of tar and curdled blood.

In Short, 

An intense and very fruity Sherry, very successful, very pleasant. What's more, it's interesting because it doesn't have the same profile at all as the 20-year-old, which was salty and iodised. There's nothing costal here, just a few cereals, and it's mainly fruit that dominates. Sherry-aged Bruichladdichs are rare, but I'd tasted two magnificent ones from Archives, this one is just excellent, which is already something. Unfortunately, the price is simply ridiculous, and relegates this bottle to oblivion, which is a shame.

Score : 90

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           New Trolls - The Seventh Season

Bruichladdich 2002 Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. Collection New Vibrations 20 yo

 

 

 

57,4°

Distillery : Bruichladich - Islay 

Ex-Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Single Cask 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This 20-year-old Bruichladdich, aged in a single Bourbon cask, is also part of the New Vibrations collection, which will be sold exclusively on the French market, in particular at La Maison du Whisky. Remember that the founders of Rest & Be Thanfful Whisky are former collaborators of the distillery, and have a special relationship with its employees. 272 bottles of this nectar were filled.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Airy, iodised nose, with a lovely sea breeze and a hint of salt. Vanilla and lemon join the dance. Mineral hints. After a while, the cereals come through: cut hay, muesli, roasted wheat. On the palate, still vanilla, but also orchard fruits, green apples, Conference pears. Quartz and slate. Spices arrive with green plants, damp grass, walnuts. The finish is rather explosive, powerful but not extremely long, with light honey, liquorice and cereals. Chestnuts and puffed rice.

 

In Short, 

A surprisingly mineral and salty Bruichladdich, a lovely originality. The rest is well balanced. This is a remarkable product because of the rarity of its profile for this distillery. On the other hand, the price is too high in my opinion, which is a shame.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Revivalists - Wish I Knew You

Strathenry 2016 Small Batch #2 Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. 6 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : InchDairnie - Lowlands

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Oloroso Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling  

By Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

InchDairnie is this young Lowlands distillery that started distilling in December 2015 and is beginning to make a name for itself. It markets two types of malt, peated under the name of Finglassie, and unpeated under the name of Strathenry. This one is aged for 6 years in Bourbon casks before being finished in Butts of Oloroso Sherry to give it depth. Launched as part of the Small Batch #2 collection, 3265 bottles are being released.

Let's Taste It : 

Airy and ethereal on the nose, with a hint of iodine, but it seemed to me mostly pastry, whipped cream, mille-feuilles, vanilla custard, but also fruity, with orchard fruits, and a bit cerealy, herbaceous. The cereals assert themselves on the palate, with cracked wheat, malted barley, almonds and lime. Some spice, but nothing overpowering. The finish is well done, explosive without being exceptional, with tall herbs, reeds, bamboo, vanilla milk, egg white and cloves.

In Short, 

I liked it, it's quite original. It's young, but not too much so. On the other hand, the Oloroso finish must not have been long because I didn't smell much. All in all, a unusual and well-made whisky. What's more, the price is very attractive, so give it a try if you haven't already. By the way, it's already sold out on several websites, which is a sign that it's popular and the value is rising.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                                     Phum Viphurit - Hello, Aniety

Tullibardine 2006 Whisky Sponge Edition n°79 17 yo

 

 

 

52,7°

Distillery : Tullibardine - Highlands 

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

At Whisky Sponge, each expression is numbered, and this is the 79th. It's a Tullibardine aged in a first-fill Sherry Hogshead, from which 283 bottles were extracted. When you see the colour of the juice, you think it's bound to be a Sherry Bomb, but in Single Cask, something more or less refined.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very rancio start, apricot juice, fermented cherry purée, quince jam, candied blackcurrants. Floor wax, animal fat, smoked ham, figs and sultanas, chocolate fondant. Walnuts, hazelnuts. On the palate, less violent, more on vanilla and candied fruits, well oaked, with clove and cinnamon in the background. A few red fruits nonetheless. The finish is long and well-crafted, with liquorice, bitter oranges, clementines and chocolate powder used on cakes. Damp earth.

 

In Short, 

It is indeed a Sherry Bomb, but it's elaborate enough that we can't complain. It's very intense, but I didn't feel any sulphur. Frankly, I'm a great enthusiast of this kind of product, and I found it very successful here, exactly what it needed, without excess. It's completely sold out and I have no idea of the price, but if you find one, let me know.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso - La Conquista Della Posizione Eretta

Glentauchers 2005 Whisky Sponge Exclusive Edition n°3 New Vibrations 17 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Glentauchers - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

There are two Glentauchers distilled in 2005 and bottled in 2023 by Whisky Sponge. The first, aged 18 years, has shone around the world. The second, this one, is an exclusive edition limited to France, reserved for the New Vibrations collection launched by La Maison du Whisky. It was aged for 17 years in a single Sherry Butt, resulting in 300 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very soft, mellow, with exotic fruits and lemon, mango, papaya, banana, and a certain woody freshness. Some candied, even fermented fruits. Creamy on the palate, with custard, a dash of vanilla, coconut, whipped cream and genoise, spices in the background, but nothing earth-shattering. Chocolate and liquorice notes at the end. Long finish, not really explosive but very pleasant, warm croissant, buttered bread, raisins and dates, with earthy, woody hints. Nuts.

 

In Short, 

Quite typical of Speyside, I'd say, sweet and fruity, light but bewitching. It's a pity that we don't have more access to this distillery, most of whose production is devoted to blends. The price is unfortunately prohibitive, without which I would recommend this whisky unreservedly to fans of the profile.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Tengger - Exhale

Balblair 2008 Equinox & Solstice Summer Edition 15 yo

 

 

 

48,5°

Distillery : Balblair - Highlands

2 Firsr Fill Bourbon Barrels 

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Editon 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The principle behind the Equinox & Solstice range is to release 4 bottlings a year, each time on the day of the equinox or solstice. The whisky is always reduced to 48.5°, and is not a Single Cask. Each one is supposed to illustrate the season in which it is bottled, and it will be a simple whisky, not too expensive, to be enjoyed with friends, in the great outdoors. That's the concept, anyway. If you're drinking it alone in the office, I don't think anybody will hold it against you. So this Balblair was released on the day of the summer solstice, the season it is supposed to represent, thanks to its ageing in Bourbon casks. The label is a gradation of colours designed by Isle of Skye-based artist Ellis O'Connor.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is bursting with fruit, mainly orchard fruit, green apples, Comices pears, juicy peaches, nectarines and apricots, but also some exotic fruits, fresh pineapple, passion fruit and kiwi. The whole is sprinkled with lemon and ginger, and seasoned with an elegant woodiness, whole almonds and cherry stones. The palate is more conventional, with vanilla, citrus fruits, hints of pastry and icing sugar, and a few spices, cloves and nutmeg. Long, comfortable finish, humus and chestnuts, return of fruits, cereal notes.

 

In Short, 

A nice whisky indeed. But the nose is really astonishing with all these fruits. It's a good piece of work, the juice is very pleasant. As for the price, it's a bit high, but yes, you can buy it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ocean Alley - Confidence

Tormore 1999 The Single Malts of Scotland 23 yo

 

 

 

54,5°

Distillery : Tormore - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

The Singh brothers having bought the Tormore distillery just over a year ago, this bottling is not really independent. In fact, to my knowledge, it is the very first bottling of Tormore to be released by The Single Malts of Scotland. And certainly not the last. This is also a special occasion because it has been selected by La Maison du Whisky to be part of the New Vibrations Collection, so it will be sold exclusively on the French market. 189 bottles have been produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A pastry nose, mille-feuilles and whipped cream, genoise, but also a certain nervousness, green wood, ginger, pepper, tall herbs, cinnamon. A hint of aniseed and lemon. Mellow on the palate, vanilla custard, rum baba, pineapple juice, lychee, and notes of verbena and camomile. Powerful spices combine with citrus to give character. Long, beautiful finish, grapefruit, clove, some earthy notes, humus, but creamy enough nonetheless. Liquorice stick and cereals.

 

In Short, 

All the characteristics of a Speyside, but with a twist of character. It's both light and assertive, classic with a touch of originality. I'm sure we'll be talking more about Tormore in the near future. However, there's nothing exceptional here, just a successful Speyside, with a lovely typicity and a few personal touches. Unfortunately, the price is too high for me to recommend buying it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Sophie Ellis Bextor - Groovejet (If This ain't Love)

BenRiach 1997 Cask Edition Rum Barrel 25 yo c. 7779

 

 

 

54,1°

Distillery : The Benriach - Speyside

Rum Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

Among the ten or so expressions released this year in the Cask Edition range, La Maison du Whisky has selected this one to be sold exclusively within its walls as part of the Collection New Vibrations. Only 196 bottles come from this single cask of rum which was the matrix of it. You never know for sure with Benriach, but it is announced as being unpeated.

Let's Taste It : 

Light, evanescent nose, beautiful earth ready to be ploughed, cherries, figs, chestnuts, forest undergrowth with a few mushrooms. Then, a certain exotic freshness, hints of camphor and iodine. Intense but fairly silky on the palate, with candied pineapple, papaya and lemon, brown sugar, mirabelle plums and rather strong spices, nutmeg, cumin and black pepper. Very long finish, on white chocolate, a few tannic and bitter notes, ginger. As explosive as it gets.

In Short, 

A rum cask is bound to arouse suspicion. But here it's quite successful, the exotic fragrances don't hide too much of the distillery's profile, and are neither sour nor too sweet. This will appeal to fans of this type of profile. Personally, I find that Benriach's character doesn't go very well with rum. But my point of view is probably biased by the fact that I'm not a fan of ageing in rum casks. As for the price, I don't like it either. It's way above the usual market prices in any case.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Zacharie Defaut - Mama

Ben Nevis 2012 Single Cask Collection New Vibrations 10 yo

 

 

 

59,3°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

American Wine Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Always in the know, the Ben Nevis distillery has managed to place one of its casks in the New Vibrations collection, brought by La Maison du Whisky, whose 268 bottles will delight enthusiasts. This time, however, it's an American wine cask, so it's safe to assume that the clever folks at the distillery have taken advantage of the opportunity to donate a cask that they would have found hard to sell elsewhere.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is initially airy and iodised, with a lovely sea breeze and mineral hints, before drifting towards damp forest undergrowth, pan-fried mushrooms, waterlogged humus and soft bark. Beeswax and mirabelle plums, but also floral hues, lime blossom, hyacinth, and touches of lemon. The spices are intense, with cloves, cumin and nutmeg on the palate, and notes of truffle among the citrus and vanilla. Infusion, chamomile or verbena and a pinch of juniper. The finish is long, powerful, deep and intense, full of vegetables, courgettes, aubergines and plantains. A few drops of honey and melted chocolate.

 

In Short, 

The least we can say is that it's original, thanks to La Maison du Whisky for drawing our attention to such a unique expression. With Ben Nevis, you should always expect to be surprised. Here it is the case, but there's also a nice balance and the flavours aren't shocking. In fact, this whisky is more a territory to be explored than a beauty to be savoured. At that level, it's really strong. The only regret is the price, too high in my opinion, but not for everyone, as it's already sold out.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Dandy Warhols - Down Like Disco

Craigellachie 1999 Exceptional Cask Series 23 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Craigellachie - Speyside

Oloroso Sherry Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

As part of the New Vibrations collection, which means exclusive distribution with La Maison du Whisky, the distillery is releasing one of its finest pearls, a juice aged in a single Oloroso Sherry cask for 23 years, 1 month and 15 days, from which 582 bottles have been released.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Genoise, melting caramel drizzled with whipped cream, exotic fruits, roasted pineapple, papaya and passion fruit juice, frosted lemon, juicy peaches, elegant oak, hazelnuts and whole almonds, some cereal and malty hints. Creamy palate marked by citrus fruits, perhaps with a touch of mineral, and intense spices, cloves, cumin. The finish is both foresty and iodised, with beeswax, a touch of salt and humus, a return of exotic fruits, sunflower seeds at the end.

 

In Short, 

I wish I could say it was a delight, but the fact is that I may have missed something. The nose and finish are truly complex and intense, but the palate was a little too lemony for my taste. Others thought it was a superb expression, and you can believe them as much as you can believe me and my reservations. As for the price, everyone agrees that it's too much.

Score : 89     

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Paper Kites - Mercy

Glen Garioch 1992 Artist #13 Over 30 yo

 

 

 

57,9°

Disitllery : Glen Garioch - Highlands

Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchilliltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Slightly Peated

 

 

 

Glen Garioch is a distillery not far from Speyside, but still in the Highlands. Opened in 1797, it is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. It is now owned by Beam Suntory, along with Bowmore, Ardmore and Laphroaig. Few single malt bottlings leave its walls, so it's always worth picking up a dram. Here we have a 30-year-old one, aged in a Hogshead by Taiwanese independent bottler Hua Yang, founded in 2008. Hua Yang has given his finest gems to La Maison du Whisky, in order to build the new batch of the Artist range, subtitled Spirits Shop Selection, which will be sold as part of the New Vibrations collection. This was followed by a limited edition of 227 bottles decorated with the work Singed Sierra by Wang Yung Chiu, and that gave me the opportunity to discover a new distillery.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Floral nose, with pronounced fruits, ripe mirabelle plums and greengages, apricots and quinces. Lilac and hyacinth dominate, with some earthy hints in the background. It's waxy, honeyed and very slightly camphorated. I don't smell any peat. On the palate, orchard fruits come to the fore, Conference pears, yellow apples, a zest of lemon and lovely spices, nutmeg, benzoin, cumin. The finish is quite long, full of energy, hazelnut and chickpea seeds, whole almonds and earth with bits of orange. Perhaps a pinch of peat on this finish.

 

In Short, 

I really liked the nose, which I found to be very floral and fruity, with character. The rest is up to scratch without being overwhelming. As for the peat, there must be 4 or 5 ppm of it, no more, just enough to give the whole some depth. A great opportunity to showcase this too little-known distillery. Obviously, the very high price is a brake on the thirst for knowledge.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Slow Blow Fuse - The Bottle

Benriach 1991 Artist #13 Over 30 yo

 

 

 

51,2°

Distillery : The BenRiach - Speyside

2d Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Already the 13th year that we have the opportunity to discover exceptional casks thanks to the Artist Range. This year, we're dealing with a number of very old products, brought together thanks to the Taiwanese independent bottler Hua Yang, founded in 2008, which provides here its finest treasures. Among them is this BenRiach, aged for at least 31 years in a 2d fill Sherry Butt. It's an opportunity to discover the most secret sides of this distillery, which I hold so dear. 564 bottles of this nectar have been produced and sold more or less exclusively at La Maison du Whisky as part of the New Vibrations collection, stamped Spirits Shop Selection and adorned with a painting by Wang Yung Chiu entitled Moira Obscura.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is both jammy and earthy, orange and mirabelle plum jam, very fruity, rather red fruits, blueberries and cranberries, blackcurrant, but also exotic, lychees, papaya, with delicate touches of liquorice and varnished wood, orchard fruits and a few drops of lemon and vanilla. Slightly damp fertile earth, rich in vegetation, almost chocolaty. On the palate, cakes, vanilla custard, apple pie, far aux prunes, with bursts of ginger and cinnamon. The spices are light, giving way to lime blossom and verbena in the background. Very respectable finish, long and satiny, black tea, grated nutmeg, chestnuts and dark chocolate, earthy hints, heather. Nuts, butternut.

 

In Short, 

Yes, you can recognise the distillery, with its earthy, fruity, pastoral and vegetal notes. Yes, it bears its age well, it's silky and subtle, refined and very well made. Well done to all those involved in making this whisky. And yes, the price is outstanding, as expensive as you might fear. So, no, it's not for me, nor for 97% of the population.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Robert Cray - I Shiver

Blanton's Single Barrel La Maison du Whisky 2023 River Edition c. 11

 

 

 

64,4°

Distillery : Buffalo Trace - Kentucky 

Charred American White Oak Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Barrel Bourbon

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

In 2016, to mark the 60th anniversary of La Maison du Whisky, Buffalo Trace offered some of its Blanton's casks for exclusive sale in the Paris shop. And the working relationship has been going strong ever since. Every year at Whisky Live, we have the opportunity to taste a few casks of Blanton's Single Barrel, which are then sold exclusively by La Maison du Whisky. This year, there's no change, except that this time it's a tribute to the rivers, the Kentucky and the Seine in Paris. The new batch of Blanton's Single Barrel made available to La Maison du Whisky will therefore be subtitled River Edition. I tasted a drop of cask 11, of which 200 copies are being sold under the New Vibrations collection.

 

Lets Taste It  :

Sticky caramel, icing sugar, almost iodised. Honeyed freshness. Beautiful fullness of wood. Sugar cane, with something slightly boggy about it. Grooves in the wood. A hint of vanilla. On the palate, quince purée, toffee, spongy wood, intense spices, grated nutmeg, pepper and cumin. Melted butter, shortbread biscuit. Barley sugar. The finish is long, deep and woody, autumn leaves, gingerbread, a touch of liquorice and warm earth, brown sugar, candied fruits.

In Short, 

The alcohol is perfectly integrated, and the intensity of the flavours is impressive. It's the same thing every year, and it's different every time. Here we have a certain freshness, and at the same time a depth of sweet fruits that is very pleasant. That said, I think I preferred the 2022 batch, at least the ones I tasted. A question of taste, no doubt. Otherwise, the price is really outrageous, but if there are people willing to pay that price, so much the better, or too bad for them.

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Nortons - Married to the Blues

Version Française 2003 Blavier 20 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery Officially Unknown - France

Jura Yellow Wine Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Let's turn now to this strange bottling that caused such a sensation at the last Whisky Live. Distilled in 2003 in a Blavier-type still designed by a cauldron-maker of the same name at the beginning of the 20th century, the liquid then spent 20 years in a Jura yellow wine cask, before being transferred to 219 bottles. The distillery is unknown, but we know from the label that the whisky comes from Burgundy. And we have two distilleries in Burgundy, the famous Rouget de l'Isle, and a much less well-known one, the Brûlerie du Revermont. This Brûlerie du Revermont, also known as the Tissot distillery, has a Blavier still, and needless to say, these are very rare. This still is unusual in that it has two rectification columns, one of which has ceramic rings. It was originally designed to distil perfume, in particular lavender, and was diverted from this function by the distillery, which bought it in 1923 or 1934 (sources differ). And this almost unknown Brûlerie du Revermont produces Prohibition, a whisky aged in barrels of Jura yellow wine. So I think I've found the origin of the juice, except that, according to one source, it didn't start distilling whisky until 2006. So the enigma is not quite solved, but you can still taste the whisky.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It feels like I've fallen into a bottle of Sherry, but it's very well done. Red fruit purée, with charcoal wood and slight oxidative notes, rust, paprika, curry, tomato pulp. Cranberry jam and a few raspberries. On the palate, it's all the same, with malty hints, some cereals in the background and a nice woodiness, but the main thing is very expressive fruits and some charcoal and earthy hints. The finish is long and languorous, with forestry touches, almost bloody, duck à l'orange, very slight bitterness, cashew nuts and cardamom.

 

In Short, 

Yes, it's very original, saturated with yellow wine that's very similar to Sherry, and many people don't like it, I understand, it's nothing like a typical whisky. But that's precisely why I love whisky, this possibility of varied and extreme flavours, and in this case, I really enjoyed this thing, which I find quite exceptional, whether you like it or not. I wasn't the only one, the public flocked to it despite the high price. There are still a few bottles available on certain sites, but you'll have to hurry. As for me, I decided to resist the temptation, because at that price I'd rather have a really good Scotch whisky, from Bruichladdich or Laphroaig, sorry.

Score : 90     

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Boards of Canada - Everything You Do Is a Balloon

The Arran Malt 14 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Isle of Arran - Islands 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel and Sherry Hogsheads 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The Isle of Arran distillery was founded in 1995, and the 14-year-old was produced in 2010. Made from a blend of Bourbon Barrels and Sherry Hogsheads, the distillate has yet been given pride of place. The design of the bottle was completely changed in 2014, without necessarily changing the recipe. In 2019, the distillery's range was completely overhauled, and unfortunately this expression disappeared completely.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's malty, mellow and slightly spicy. Whole walnut, waxed floor, chestnut in its bug. Ripe fruits, greengages and cherries. Green wood, like a shadow of smoke. Lime and lychees, fresh cardamom. Fruity, leafy palate, ginger and mint jelly, crunchy pears, quince jam, white gooseberries. Light spices, pepper and nutmeg. Long, powerful finish, liquorice stick, amadou wood, farmhouse bread and fig pulp, candied angelica. Oats sprinkled with flour. A zest of lemon.

 

In Short, 

What a shame they stopped producing this little delight. The influence of the cask is very slight, it just enhances the fruit, and we have a very pure distillate, quite country-like and pastoral. An old school whisky. It's very pleasant and light, with discreet lemon and vegetal fragrances. I'll have to taste the bottle carefully, as there will certainly be no more.

Score : 86 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Bill Withers - Harlem

Armorik 2008 Single Cask 2023 Collection New Vibrations 14 yo

 

 

 

58°

Distillery : Warenghem - France 

Spanish Sherry Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Founded in 1900, the Warenghem distillery is a pioneer, since it was here that the first drop of French whisky was distilled in 1983. Here we have a 14-year-old Sherry single cask, which is not bad for a French whisky. The result numbered 450 bottles, which were quickly sold out. However, there is no indication of whether or not the whisky has been chill-filtered.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A heady, iodised nose of bitter chocolate, macerated cherries and blackberry liqueur. The freshness of the sea air, gooseberries and cranberries, walnuts galore. Damp wood, with an ounce of charcoal, liquid liquorice. Blueberries. Malted cereals in the background. On the palate, caramel and sherry, melting toffee, dripping honey, chocolate and fig cake. Expressive spices that blend well with the fruit, paprika and nutmeg, a hint of mustard. Quite a long, well-crafted finish, the iodine returns a little, but above all the jammy red fruits, soft caramel, wood juice, humus and decomposed plants.

 

In Short, 

It's a good sherry, admittedly a tad overpowering, but it gives a nice effect. I found a woody, malty character in the background that is closer to the distillery's personality. The price is decent for a 14 year old, so it's already sold out, as overpricing has become the norm. It can still be found in Singapore, but delivery is a long way off.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Kiefer - Superhero

Vilanova Cask n°346

 

 

 

49,2°

Distillery : Castan - France

Ex-Maury Wine Cask

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

France is full of little-known distilleries that produce even less, like this one, Castan, founded in 1941 and producing whisky since 2010. This jewel in the crown of Occitan agriculture produces an entirely organic spirit, using barley grown on site, because it is first and foremost a family farm. Here we have a rare bottling, aged in a single red wine cask, also an Occitan wine, known as Maury. There are 324 bottles in all. The only drawback is that it is not vintage or even aged. But the relatively low alcohol content for a cask strength reassures me a little. It is being sold exclusively at La Maison du Whisky, under the banner of the New Vibrations range.

Let's Taste It : 

Sweet prunes, dates and candied blueberries, the wine leaves its mark. Then the peat rises, warm and earthy, strong smoke, meaty as you wish, beef jerky, chorizo, with a hint of raspberry coulis. There's an air of autumn too, with dried fruits and dead leaves. It's a bit creamy. On the palate, the meat becomes rare, a nice layer of peat, steak with a pepper sauce, but I also find some cereals. Morello cherries, cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg. Quite a long, well-crafted finish, earth again, oak bark, heather and forest berries. Pureed fruit.

In Short, 

I was a bit suspicious when I saw that it was ageless, but it's good, really. It's right up my street, both peaty and very fruity. The price is a bit high though, otherwise I'd be tempted.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           UFO - Love to Love

Bunnahabhain Staoisha 2014 Cask Strength Collection 5 yo c. 10409

 

 

 

60,5°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Refill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 40 ppm

 

 

 

There are two types of peated Bunnahabhain, Moine and Staoisha. There's no difference between the two, it's just that Staoisha is always reserved for independent bottlings, while Moine is used primarily for original bottlings. But there are also independent bottlings of Moine, so there isn't really a rule. Signatory Vintage released two 5-year-old Staoisha in 2020, one aged in a Bourbon cask, the other aged in a Sherry cask, this one. 640 bottles were sold.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

At the same time mineral and pastry, mille-feuilles, vanilla custard, rocky sediments. Ginger and frangipane. Croissant with cream filling, white chocolate. A touch of salty iodine. Sea spray and foam. Dirty, dusty peat. Coarse sand. The palate is fruity and vanilla-flavoured, with sweet almonds, but very quickly the spices become fierce, with cumin and pepper. Quite long, powerful finish, watermelon and lemon. Full-bodied. Chestnut purée. Very slight hint of woody bitterness.

 

In Short, 

Really pleasant, and you can't feel the product's youth. Built on contrasts, between sweetness and powerful peat, enthusiasts will appreciate. It is now completely sold out, but can still be found at auction for a fair price.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           John - Trauma Mosaic

Kornog 2011 Ex-Libris Une Île en terre 12 yo

 

 

 

58,2°

Distillery : Celtic Whisky Distillerie - France

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

Last expression in this new series inaugurated by Ex-Libris, the highly selective range launched by La Maison du Whisky in 2021, this Kornog has been aged for 12 years in a first-fill Bourbon cask. Its name comes from a collection of poems by Yvon Le Men. The number of bottles produced remains a mystery.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is more iodine-based, fairly full-bodied, with a nice breadth, and it moves towards cereals, with cracked wheat, porridge, vanilla and white fruits. Peat in the background, rather discreet but pleasantly subtle. Pastry cream, sea air and a touch of salt. On the palate, the salt takes on greater importance, coating the fruits and with milk chocolate. The spices are powerful. Slightly acidic candy, it's a little syrupy. Successful finish, suitably long, woody, coffee, slightly bitter cocoa, muddy earth. Chestnut cream, pan-fried mushrooms. Parsley.

 

In Short, 

It's obviously more mature and well-balanced, but I preferred the youngest of the three, which showed a lot of character and a purer expression of the distillate. Especially as the difference isn't huge, only 4 years between the three. This one goes off a bit in all directions, with pastry elements, sweets, cereals, iodine and, of course, peat. I don't find it the most interesting. And the price is the highest, as if it were a 25 year old, it's really disproportionate.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Zaho de Sagazan - Dis-moi que tu m'aimes