Classic of Islay 2018 c. 125

 

 

 

57,7°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay 

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Jack Wiebers Whisky World

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

Since 2003, hence more than 20 years, bottler Jack Wiebers Whisky World has been bringing us these Classic of Islay, a selection of single cask bottlings from the island of Islay, unaged but cask-strength and without chill filtration or colouring. The distillery that produced the juice remains a secret, but on the label you can see the bay where Lagavulin is located. The bottle in my hand dates from 2018 and comes from cask 125. The nature of the cask is not specified, but it is obvious that it is a Sherry cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Slightly acid apple pie. Thick, charcoal-laden smoke. Dried apricots, figs, dates. Pinch of cinnamon. Good fullness with a bit of water. A hint of iodine. Sultanas. Palate full of nutmeg and pine cones, a dash of liquorice. Heather and cooked apples. Violent spices, ginger, cloves, cumin. Long, caramelised finish, charcoal, chocolate filled with ganache. Traces of damp earth, mushrooms and goji berries. Vegetal moss. Undergrowth. Brown tobacco, warm chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

This slight acidity on the nose bothered me a little. Otherwise, it's a really nice whisky, especially the finish, but it's not quite balanced. If the Sherry were a little better blended, it would give something delicious, but here, it's just quite good. In my opinion, this is indeed Lagavulin, and it's incredible to have a Single Cask at such a low price.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           No Terror in the Bang - Monster

Elements of Islay Peat Full Proof

 

 

 

59,3°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Bourbon Casks

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Core Range 

Blended Malt 

Launched in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Heavily Peated

Elements of Islay is a range launched in 2008 by Speciality Drinks, which later changed its name to become Elixir Distillers. Within a few years, it had established itself as a benchmark for Islay whisky, and for the whisky world in general. That's why, in 2016, the Singh brothers, who own the brand, decided to release a Core Range. This will be two bottlings, one reduced, Peat Pure Islay, and the other cask strength, Peat Full Proof. It's the latter that interests us today. It graced the shelves of every self-respecting peated whisky lover, before disappearing from 2022, when the Singh brothers launched a new range, made up of three bottlings, which we'll certainly be talking about again one day. According to my information, each batch of this Peat Full Proof is made from around sixty casks. The distilleries involved come from the south and north of the island. So, obviously, we're not talking about Kilchoman, Bowmore and Bruichladdich, which tend to be located in the west. Rumours are rife about Caol Ila and Laphroaig, but I found the Bunnahabhain mineral brand there. There's definitely Caol Ila, though. Others have found Lagavulin. In any case, there's a lot of talk about it.

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful synthesis, ashy and grainy peat, balanced, granitic, windy. Iodine notes in the background. It's quite full-bodied, misty. The air is full of moisture, like when a storm is brewing. A hint of vanilla after a while, no fruit. Quite velvety on the palate, peppery, cumin, salty freshness, sea spray, seaweed, kelp. Smoked tea, verbena, lemon zest. Quite long and powerful finish, limestone, slate, quartz. Ashes, chocolate, tobacco. Pie crust, hazelnuts.

In Short, 

Not all the island's malts can be found here, but this is a fine illustration of them all. The peat is at once mineral, maritime and iodised. I wouldn't be surprised if at least 4 distilleries were involved: Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Laphroaig and Lagavulin. And maybe it even changes with the Batches. In any case, I thought it was well done and well balanced. Of course, there's a lot of peat, but it's perfectly showcased and very varied. On the other hand, it's true that there isn't much fruit, as the casks had very little influence here. I'm glad to have this relic at my disposal, the price was really good at the time, it was an excellent bargain.

Score : 87

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Sprints - Literary Mind

Peat's Beast Batch Strength Pedro Ximénez Sherry Wood Finish 2020

 

 

 

54,1°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Speyside

Bourbon Casks and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Fox Fitzgerald Whisky Trading Company

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated

Fox Fitzgerald Whisky Trading Company was founded in England by Eamon Jones and Aidan Smith. In 14 years, their main achievement has been to create the Peat's Beast brand, apart from which they have only produced around thirty bottlings. Peat's Beast is a heavily peated version from a Speyside distillery, rumoured to be Benromach, but it could also be BenRiach or even Ardmore. Peat's Beast Batch Strength is a high alcohol edition, always the same, 54.1°. This proves that it is not Cask Strength, contrary to what many sales websites claim. And this one has been further finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks for nine months. Batches come out regularly, two or three a year, this one was bottled on 13 August 2020, according to the date laser-engraved on the bottle. But I doubt there's much difference between the different Batches.

Let's Taste It : 

Grainy smoke, set with charcoal. But the Sherry brings velvety fruits, raspberries and blackberries. It's deep and earthy. Dried fruit, dates and apricots. Burnt hay. Liquorice and fuel oil. On the palate, the fruits stand out, cranberries, gooseberries, quince, sultanas, it's quite oily, toffee burning on the pan, not-so-strong spices, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cumin. Long and charcoal finish, woody, cinnamon, bark, dark chocolate, braised mushrooms, fermented cherries.

In Short, 

It really is a success. I know I tend to exaggerate my rates on very peaty whiskies because I love it, but this is not the case here, it's just a very good bottle, the Sherry penetrates the distillate very well, without completely erasing it. The peat is there, powerful, and the earthy hints seem to confirm that this is Benromach or BenRiach. I'd recommend buying it for enthusiasts, but be careful to find it at the right price, as it can vary by as much as double depending on where it's sold.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Divine Martyr - Absolution

Chichibu 2016 Collection New Vibrations 6 yo c. 6959

 

 

 

63,1°

Distillery : Chichibu - Japan

2d Fill Sherry Hogshead Spanish Oak

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Slightly Peated

Chichibu is a distillery opened in 2008 by the grandson of the founder of the Hanyu distillery, which closed in 2000. And the least we can say is that they've found the marketing recipe for success that Hanyu ultimately missed out on, so it's a fine form of revenge. Only limited editions are produced, in order to drive collectors crazy and maintain a small-scale profile. This bottling is only 6 years old, but that's already relatively old for a Japanese whisky. Aged in a 2nd fill Hogshead Sherry, 289 bottles were released from the cask, initially sold exclusively in France under the New Vibrations label.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is as well done as you'd expect, very balanced and mellow with coarse-grained cereals and juicy fruits, groundnuts, citrus. Squeezed lemon, peanuts, hazelnuts, pears and apples. Notes of paprika, saffron. Perhaps slightly floral. On the palate, still beautifully balanced, with vanilla, pineapple, grapefruit and pine needles. Then measured spices give way to verbena and camomile. The finish is long and pleasant, a veil of silk, slightly minty mountain honey, crushed walnuts, aniseed biscuit crumbs, candied lemon.

In Short, 

You get the impression of tasting a craftsman's work, as is often the case with this distillery. It's extremely good, stunningly balanced and very silky, but for me it lacks a bit of character. The peat is barely noticeable. The price is absolutely ridiculous, which means that most people who buy this whisky will not do so to drink it, but to speculate.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Balmorhea - The Winter

BenRiach 1994 Cask Edition 28 yo c. 8127

 

 

 

53,6°

Distillery : The BenRiach - Speyside

Virgin Oak Hogshead 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Still part of the Collection New Vibrations, this 28-year-old virgin cask has been selected by La Maison du Whisky for an exclusive sale in France. 274 bottles were offered for sale. Virgin casks are fairly rare in the whisky world, especially at this age, so this bottling piqued my curiosity. The whisky is described as peaty, with an unspecified ppm level, which is difficult to assess.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is full-bodied and very fruity, with citrus, lemon, pineapple, grapefruit, and white fruits, mirabelles, plums, bananas, followed by earthy and smoky hints, dark chocolate and soot, delicate woodiness, forest touches, lichen and vegetal moss, damp bark. Quite malty on the palate, with hints of tobacco, vanilla, lemon. Some meatiness, but also herbaceous. Deep spices, ginger, nutmeg. Long, unctuous finish, with notes of honey and molasses. Melting milk chocolate, cinnamon, paprika, earth and tobacco.

In Short, 

I'm not a big fan of virgin casks, which generally give a bitterness that's not at all to my taste, but this is not the case here. On the contrary, it's fruity and delicate, and the influence of the wood is very discreet, making way for a superb, refined, racy distillate. It's extremely well crafted. The peat is not particularly remarkable. I'd recommend buying it if it weren't so expensive.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Gregg Molnar - Recovery Blues

Kilchoman 2015 100% Islay Single Cask 8 yo

 

 

 

57,9°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

This whisky goes hand in hand with the one we saw earlier, the first had 75 hours of fermentation, this one has 100. Apart from that, everything is exactly the same, or the differences are minute. The first has matured for 8 years and 11 months, this one for 8 years and six months. The cask used is a simple Bourbon Barrel in both cases. Same peat content, same 100% Islay production process, with barley grown at Rockside Farm, on the distillery site. The only notable difference is the extra 25 hours of maturation. Will they be noticeable in the profile of the distillate? That's what we're going to find out straight away. 254 bottles were on sale

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

More astringent, more mineral, more medicinal peat. Wisps of smoke wrapped in limestone and salt, quartz, seawater, seaweed, kelp, foam. Ethereal fruits and lively spices, ginger, guava, papaya. A few drops of honey. Well-balanced palate, between hard and thick peat, and juicy white fruits, Comice pears and plums. Coarse grains cereals, muesli, wheat and bulgur. Cumin and cinnamon. Long, explosive finish, very well crafted, black charcoal, but also almond milk and barley sugar. Hints of iodine and streaks of salt.

In Short, 

It's much more intense, complex and, above all, varied than its predecessor, which took 75 hours to fermentation. The difference is impressive. Of the two, I'd choose this one without hesitation, and I'm not the only one : this one's sold out, while the other with 75 hours is still available. The price is still high, though.  

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Paradise Lost - Beneath Broken Earth

Kilchoman 2014 100% Islay Single Cask 8 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Bourbon Barrel 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Still part of the Collection New Vibrations launched by La Maison du Whisky, and which involves exclusive sales in France, this Kilchoman is the fruit of a very interesting experiment. Two casks are of the same age and maturation. The only difference is the length of time taken to ferment the distillate, in this case 75 hours, a fermentation that is thought to be short, but is actually not. Then the liquid spends almost 9 years in the cask - in fact, it's bottled a day before it reaches 9 years of maturation! It is then placed in 250 bottles. The point is to see the difference with the twin brother, which will undergo 100 hours of maturation.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very smoky peat, granular, thick, to cut with a knife. Slate, quartz, limestone. A very full ashtray, blond tobacco, toasted cereals, medicinal touch. Perhaps some white fruits, lychee, but it has to be said quickly. The palate is more expressive, lemony, the peat fruitier, more floral. The spices are quite energetic, though, mixed with salt and a hint of iodine. Long, dense, charcoal finish. Oily earth stuffed with peat, cereals return, cut hay, dried straw, mirabelle plums, Chasselas grapes. Hazelnuts.

In Short, 

A Kilchoman full of character, where the peat is really intense despite the low ppm. A radical and well-crafted peat bomb, with some fruits and cereals, it's relatively complex. Enough to satisfy the appetites of die-hard Kilchoman peat fans, except that the price is truly indecent.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Type O Negative - Love You to Death

Kilchoman 2010 100% Islay Single Cask 12 yo

 

 

 

54,5°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Bourbon Barrel 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Kilchoman 100% Islay represents around 25% of the distillery's production. They are made from barley grown on Islay at their own farm, Rockside Farm. Malting and bottling are also carried out on site. Echoing the 100% Islay Single Cask distilled in 2011 that I wrote about here, this one was entirely made with malted and kiln-peated barley, hence the nickname 'Islay Kiln Peat'. 244 bottles have been released and included in the Collection New Vibrations, which implies an exclusive sale in France by La Maison du Whisky.

Let's Taste It : 

It seemed to me that the peat was very intense, mineral, refreshed by whiffs of iodine, slate, quartz and bits of salt. Grainy smoke, enriched by pulpy and oily white fruits. Molasses, mountain honey, limestone. On the palate, cereals come to the fore, puffed rice, malted barley, muesli and porridge, but the charcoal hints of peat are still very much present. Small notes of vanilla, lively spices, cumin, pepper and cloves. The finish is long, explosive, full of gas oil and minerality, with just a few peanut and hazelnut crumbs and a zest of lemon.

 

In Short, 

In general, I'm not a big fan of Kilchoman's 100% Islay, which I find too light. Here, on the contrary, it's very intense, with a radical and very seductive character. The distillery is instantly recognisable, with its great minerality and slightly rough cereal notes. It's like nothing else on Islay. So it's very interesting, but unfortunately the price is disproportionate, which is a shame.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Eluveitie - The Call of the Mountains

Aberlour 21 yo Crafted Small Batch Limited Release 2023

 

 

 

47,4°

Distillery : Aberlour - Speyside

1st Fill American Oak Cask

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

For the Whisky Live Paris, Aberlour often provides one of its finest casks, so that the contents can be sold exclusively in France by the company organising the event, La Maison du Whisky. Here we have a simple 1st Fill American oak cask, which must have previously contained Bourbon. A total of 138 bottles have been released to join the shelves of spirits shops.

Let's Taste It : 

Attractive, gourmand and fruity nose, with a heady fullness, vanilla, mirabelles, greengages, juicy pears, candied lemon, a few malty and cereal notes, cut hay, ripe wheat, evolving towards exotic fruits, papaya, mango, and coconut milk. Cardamom and woody liquorice, light floral touches. The palate is as fruity as ever, with banana, pineapple and lychee, and creamy, custard, mentholated. Light, harmonious spices, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric. A bit drying at the end. Long, fairly explosive finish, in a hullabaloo of cereals, barley, millet, corn, earth and hazlenuts crumbs in the background. Tart apple juice.

In Short, 

A fine success, combining fruits and cereals in a well-balanced symphony. It's a friendly whisky, but also very nuanced. Unfortunately, it's very expensive, so it's best reserved for absolute and very wealthy fans.

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                                     Pat Metheny Group - Have you Heard?

Caol Ila 2007 The Single Malts of Scotland Collection New Vibrations 15 yo

 

 

 

59,9°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Refill Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Elixir Distillers always has something to offer for special occasions. Here, it's a 15-year-old Caol Ila, aged in a Refill Hogshead, which will allow the distillate to preserve all its character. It has been selected to be part of the Collection New Vibrations, and will therefore be sold exclusively by La Maison du Whisky. 283 bottles were filled. We cannot be sure that the bottling is Cask Strength, within The Single Malts of Scotland brand, they are not always. The website states "optimum Strength", not Cask Strength.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Pastry cream and iodine, granitic smoke, silica, quartz, whipped up by the sea air. At the same time, it's quite gourmand, with whipped cream, nougatine and white fruits. A medicinal touch, ointment and wild mint, a pinch of salt. On the palate, the delicacy takes over, vanilla pudding, cheesecake, meringue cream, floating island with custard. The spices are discreet. A fine layer of peat coats the palate. The finish is long, fairly powerful, biscuity, salty, a shower of ashes on almond paste, a few fruity notes, pears and plums, woody nuts.

 

In Short, 

Particularly well made, this Caol Ila blends gluttony and iodine, smoke and sweetness. It reminds me of a Norwegian omelette, ice cream inside a flambéed cream. In any case, it's original, fairly well-balanced, with a powerful finish, which connoisseurs will appreciate. The problem is that it's too expensive.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Third Mind - Morining Dew

Caol Ila 2009 The Dava Way 13 yo

 

 

 

55,2°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By The Dava Way 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm 

The Dava Way Project is the trading company founded by Dariusz Plazewski, the owner of the Bimber distillery. It refers to the 24 miles road between the Speyside towns of Granton on Spey and Forres. But that doesn't prevent from reserving casks from other regions of Scotland, like Islay here, with this 13-year-old Caol Ila, which is a perfect replica of a 12-year-old from the same brand and same vintage that has undergone the same maturation process. Only this one was selected by La Maison du Whisky for an exclusive sale in France, as part of the New Vibrations Collection, and the 12-year-old was not. 310 bottles were offered for sale.

Let's Taste It : 

This is the typical Caol Ila maritime nose, intense, fresh iodine, kelp and foam, semi-salted butter, a light drizzle of fairly dry vanilla, sea breeze, seaweed, thick, ashy peat, nice fullness, a hint of liquorice. The palate is a bit light, but the vanilla and white fruits are pleasant, a good layer of peat, silt, nice spices, sea spray. The finish is long and powerful, with cloves, liquorice, white chocolate, ginger, nuts, blond tobacco, malty notes and a zest of orange.

In Short, 

Nothing particularly original, but it's very well done A classic Caol Ila, slightly medicinal and deeply marine, with some fruity nuances. It always works. The price, on the other hand, doesn't really work, it's far too high for my taste, which is a shame.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           MJ Lenderman - You are Every Girl to Me

Ardmore 2011 WLP23 Whisky Live Paris 12 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : The Ardmore - Speyside

Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

And here's the cask specially selected for the Whisky Live Paris event. Bottled on the eve of France's National Day, it yielded 867 bottles. Signatory Vintage supplied the cask, as it does every year. I don't know how long they've been producing a bottle especially for Whisky Live, but I do know that last year, in 2022, it was a Bunnahabhain, and in 2021, it was a Caol Ila. Like the others, this one is reduced to 46°, but this one is a little older, and it doesn't say on the bottle whether it's non-chill filtered. Still, it would be surprising if it were.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Buttery bread, beautiful peat, intense and smoky, but not overpowering either, evanescent vanilla and white plum, touches of ethereal iodine that give a lovely fullness. Cereals, with cracked wheat and cut hay, but it's also very slightly dirty, with motor oil and gas oil. On the palate, it's like a sweet, with vanilla and lemon, honeyed, unctuous with a hint of acidity. Soft toffee, gingerbread, light spices. The finish is fairly long but not very strong, with cloves, chestnuts and Indian spices. Malty notes.

 

In Short, 

The Ardmore distillery was one of the highlights of this Whisky Live. Several very interesting Ardmores were offered for tasting, of which this is one of the least remarkable. But that's no big deal, the special bottlings for Whisky Live are mostly something commemorative, it's never a great whisky. Incidentally, I found this one better than its predecessors, older and more nuanced thanks to the Oloroso Sherry Butt. On the other hand, the price is high, but it will always look good on the shelf.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Wildmen Bluesband - It's Freezing in My Heart

Campbeltown Loch 2023

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Springbank, Kilkerran, Glen Scotia - Campbeltown

Bourbon and Sherry Casks 

Independent Bottling 

By Springbank Distillers Ltd. 

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

From time to time, these gentlemen from Springbank reactivate their trading company Springbank Distillers Ltd. to release a new Blended under the Campbeltown Loch brand. To do this, they always team up with other distilleries, which is why this bottling is considered independent. This one is a combination of the three Campbeltown distilleries, including the two owned by the Mitchell family, and Glen Scotia. The age of the product is unknown, as is the number of bottles produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Warm, friendly notes of brioche and gingerbread. The patina of wood, fatty wax, knobs of butter and speculoos. Leather, cinnamon shortbread biscuit, warm caramel. A touch of vanilla and flambéed bananas. After a while, we recognise the Springbank profile, with a zest of citrus. On the palate, a bit watery, malted cereals, puffed rice, raw wood, glazed with splinters, warm bread, just out of the oven, the crust shiny. Copper hints, light spices, cloves and cardamom. Fairly long, buttery finish, cola, warm croissant, vanilla cream, cut hay, sparkling lemon.

 

In Short, 

A pleasant whisky to enjoy with friends. You can recognise the Springbank profile, but the Kilkerran and Glen Scotia characters remain unnoticed as far as I'm concerned. The nose is really pleasant, impregnated with Sherry, but the palate is a bit light. It should be drunk quickly. The price is OK, I suppose it's something to reserve for fans of the region.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Tropic Vibrations - Light it Up

Hazelburn 2008 Oloroso Cask Matured 15 yo

 

 

 

55,8°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown 

Oloroso Sherry Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The first Hazelburn 15 Year Old was released in the late spring of 2022, and everyone thought it was outstanding. It was such a success that the distillery had no choice but to repeat the experience. This was done at the end of last year, with a new 15-year-old that had undergone exactly the same maturation, in Oloroso Sherry casks. Distilled in June 2008, it was bottled on 18 September 2023, and 9,000 bottles were sent around the world.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is more velvety, with soft caramel and sandalwood. Smoked bark, heather earth, saffron, melting candle wax. Quince jam, candied prunes, almond paste. Banana, a lemon zest. On the palate, the corduroy is still there, but the wood becomes more intense, with a roaring fire, golden bread crust, cinnamon, speculoos shortbread biscuits, soft gingerbread, light spices, cloves. Fairly long finish, but not very powerful. Amadou, Armenian paper, apple crumble, thyme. Liquorice.

In Short, 

You can't help comparing it with the previous 15 year old, and in fact I did a Face 2 Face with both of them. Many found this one a little less good, and that's true, the nose is woodier, more caramelised, in a word the Sherry is a little more intense, and therefore less complex. Apart from that, they're exactly the same. They are two excellent bottlings, sold a little too expensively because of the massive demand.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Blues 'n' Troublé - Blue Because of You

Allt-a-Bhainne 2000 Cask Strength Collection New Vibrations 23 yo

 

 

 

51,9°

Distillery : Allt-a-Bhainne - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is the third bottling among the 4 specially selected by La Maison du Whisky to be part of the Collection New Vibrations, which will therefore be distributed exclusively in France. This is an Allt-a-Bhainne, a little-known Speyside distillery, because it is recent and mainly devoted to blends. It was aged entirely in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry Butt, and 689 bottles were released. Some of Allt-a-Bhainne's production is slightly peaty, between 10 and 20 ppm, but this one was not reported to me as such, and I did not find any peat in it.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very rich and really fermented, syrupy, morello cherries and amarena, blackcurrants, damsons, raspberries, dried grapes and candied figs, damp leather, prunes, earthy hints. Slightly full of iodine. On the palate, on the other hand, it's a little smooth, a dash of liquorice, mushrooms and caramelised cooked fruits, but not much else, until the spices kick in, quite violently. The finish is long and strong, with fudge, chocolate, brown tobacco, truffle flakes, apricot jam, ginger and cardamom.

 

In Short, 

This is a very well-made Sherry. However, I was a little disappointed with the palate, which I found a bit insignificant after a very intense nose. Overall, it's more or less a Sherry monster, very intense, where the distillate is discreet. The price is high, but it's on special offer these days, and that's becoming decent.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Mike Morgan & The Crawl - Cold Wind

Benrinnes 2010 Cask Strength Collection New Vibrations 12 yo

 

 

 

57,6°

Distillery : Benrinnes - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is the second bottling I've had the chance to taste, among those specially released by Signatory Vintage for Whisky Live 2023, and which will be distributed by La Maison du Whisky via the Collection New Vibrations. This is a 12-year-old Benrinnes, and like its predecessor, it has been finished in an Oloroso Sherry Butt. Logically, the first maturation took place in a Bourbon Barrel. 683 bottles are on sale, exactly the same number as for the Linkwood, if this is a coincidence, it's a big one.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :   

Quite dark and intense sherry, leather, red fruits, blackberries, bilberries, cranberries, and all that sort of things. Earthy hints, with bark and heather. Clove and chocolate. On the palate, fermented cherries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, vinous notes with muscat grapes and very mastered oakiness. Lively spices, nutmeg, pepper and cardamom. The finish is long, full-bodied and velvety, with cocoa powder, sandalwood, fruit jelly and ginger. Some charcoal notes to finish. Crushed chestnuts.

In Short, 

This time, the influence of the finishing cask is intense and masks the distillate a little. I don't know much about this distillery, but this bottling isn't going to help me with that. The Sherry is very well made, gourmand, deep and complex. It does lack a little originality and personality, though. The price is high without being outrageous.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Buddy Whittington Band - Help me Through the Day

Ledaig 1999 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 23 yo

 

 

 

55,4°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Refill American Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm

 

 

 

In fact, aged Ledaig is relatively rare, for the simple reason that Ledaig was not at all renowned 20 or 30 years ago. Back then, people didn't buy many of their casks. It turned out to be a good investment, because today Ledaig casks are snapped up. This one was distilled in 1999, and it has two advantages. Firstly, it's a simple Refill American Hogshead, which will let the so typical distillate express itself, and secondly, it's a cask that has previously held Islay whisky. But they didn't tell me which one, personally I'd tend to think it's a Laphroaig, yet I could very well be wrong. 202 bottles have been released and distributed exclusively by La Maison du Whisky via the Collection New Vibrations.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Perfectly smooth, and at the same time perfectly dirty. Chiselled iodine, all the way to limestone, apples and yellow plums, and at the same time, the terrible Ledaig peat, with scents of melted plastic, whitewash, mucky roots. Soft caramel, gentian, honey, a medicinal touch, with bandages and turpentine, disinfectant. Slight herbal hints, tall grass, reeds. On the palate, the vanilla becomes more present, disturbed by thick peat and candied lemon. Genoise and slate, crème brûlée and salty, even maritime notes, seaweed and shellfish. Controlled spices that touch on liquorice. The finish is long and truly explosive, with biscuit leaves known as gavotte, grated nutmeg and star anise, vanilla soft cake and fresh walnuts, ginger.

 

In Short, 

It really is a Ledaig at its best, where the beautifully executed maturation envelops a monstrously dirty distillate. I love contrasts in whisky, and this is one of the finest.  What's more, it's on special offer these days, at a really good price (it's a bit expensive the rest of the time), so it's going to be hard to resist.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Framed

Linkwood 2012 Cask Strength Collection New Vibrations 11 yo

 

 

 

57,4°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Signatory Vintage, a trading company founded in 1988 by Andrew and Brian Symington, and La Maison du Whisky have been working together for decades. At Whisky Live 2023, a number of casks were reserved for the Collection New Vibrations that was to be released, announcing an exclusive sale in France. This Linkwood was finished in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry Butt. It is reasonable to assume that the first part of its maturation took place in a Bourbon Barrel. 683 bottles were released from the cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A fairly rich sherry, apricot jam, apple crumble sprinkled with cinnamon, the blood orange reveals a slight acidity, quickly covered by the various spices. Gingerbread, discreet notes of chocolate and coffee, grated ginger. Well-balanced on the palate, between creamy, honeyed fruits and lively spices. It becomes exotic after a while, with melon and mango. The finish is long, close to explosion, where the coffee comes through, woody and liquoriced, dried fruits, dates, figs, chestnuts. Tangerines and lemons.

 

In Short, 

Because of the influence of the Sherry Butt, it's not the explosion of fruits we usually get from this distillery. But that doesn't detract from the quality, with a fine balance between strong spices and yellow fruits. It's very successful, without being overwhelming. The price is more or less affordable, so fans of the profile can consider a purchase without blushing.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Carolyn Wonderland - She Wants to Know

Macallan 2003 Speymalt 19 yo c. 13603611

 

 

 

58,5°

Distillery : The Macallan - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The links between Gordon & MacPhail are so close that they have inaugurated a range just for the two of them. This is Speymalt, dedicated entirely to the Macallan casks acquired by Gordon & MacPhail. Here we have a 19-year-old aged in a first-fill Sherry Hogshead. 149 bottles are available exclusively from La Maison du Whisky in France, via their Collection New Vibrations.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry effect is huge, full-bodied, with syrupy red fruits, fruit jellies, dates and dried figs, hazelnuts, almonds and peanuts, intense woody spices, cloves, turmeric, paprika, blood oranges topped with caramel, melted chocolate, quince jam, candied apricots, taut leather and hints of rhubarb. On the palate, a salad of stewed fruits, red fruits of course, but also pineapple, mango and passion fruit. Unctuous, with watermelon, cherry, blueberry, gooseberry and amarena. Milk chocolate chips, harmonious spices, cumin and nutmeg, as well as liquorice, blond tobacco and saffron. Very well-crafted finish, slightly earthy, coffee, chocolate, cinnamon, marzipan, very long, vanilla bean, cardamom, semi-salted butter, braised chestnuts. Ginger.

 

In Short, 

We came for a good ladleful of Sherry and we weren't disappointed, it's extremely varied, complex, with lots of fruits, spices and other multiple flavours. It's very balanced, very noble, very Macallan. Not a drop of rancio or sulphur, the Sherry is well handled by the wood, spices and chocolate. A jewel of a Sherry, but unfortunately the price is too high, which is a shame.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Smokin' Gun - Nothin' Good to Say     

Glenlossie 2012 Signatory Vintage La Maison du Whisky Exclusive Bottling 11 yo

 

 

 

63,5°

Distillery : Glenlossie - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncolored, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This bottling is part of the Plume Collection, which brings together editions aged in Sherry casks. It comes from Glenlossie, a little-known distillery used almost exclusively for blends, and was aged in an Oloroso Sherry Butt that produced 720 bottles. To mark the occasion, Signatory Vintage has teamed up with La Maison du Whisky, which is distributing the product exclusively in France under its New Vibrations label.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is heavy with syrupy Sherry, fermented red fruits, blueberries, gooseberries, bilberries and blackcurrants, crushed walnuts, cashews, amarena. Leafy notes in the background, laurel, eucalyptus, wisps of coffee. On the palate, candied and spicy fruits, topped with caramel and milk chocolate, citrus, grapefruit, blood orange, then the spices become quite violent, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, curry. The finish is long and tumultuous, with fruit purée, a touch of wood and charcoal, dried figs and dates, peanuts, parsley and rosemary.

 

In Short, 

You have to like Sherry, that's for sure. It's very good, but I found that the Sherry saturated the aromatic palette a bit. I'd say it's a rather successful Sherry Bomb, relatively complex and deep. However, I think the price is too high.

Score : 89 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           ChakSeng Lam - Sandalwood