Bruichladdich 2009 Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. 13 yo

 

 

 

59,8°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay 

Ex-Pauillac Red Wine Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

As the trading company Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. was founded in 2012 by former representatives of the Bruichladdich distillery, they bottle a lot of casks from that distillery. Here we have a 13 year old matured in a red wine Hogshead from the Pauillac region, a very famous Bordeaux wine area. It doesn't say which château supplied the cask, which means it's definitely not a Château Lafite. 310 bottles were crafted, after maturing for precisely 13 years, 9 months and 26 days. The sale is reserved exclusively for the European Union market.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Macerated fruits, it's syrupy, almost gooey. Bottom of a bottle of amarena. Then it moves more towards red fruits, damsons, even raspberries. With vinous, woody, caramelised hints. Grainy whiffs in the background, wheat and a touch of citrus, pineapple. After a while it becomes really complex. Finely chopped brown tobacco, cooked butter, honeysuckle. On the palate, it's simpler, wood soaked in treacle and caramel, a few spices, liquorice, nutmeg. Quite a long, relatively explosive finish, damp bark, vegetable moss, hot chocolate, hazelnut coulis. Arabica coffee.

 

In Short, 

The nose is really good, but on the palate, I didn't find that the maturation worked very well. The distillery's hallmarks are sidelined, in favour of winey fragrances without much consistency. It's still a pleasure to drink. Perhaps best reserved for fans of Bordeaux wines. The price is quite high, no tax haven in the European Union.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           A.A. Williams - The Echo

Waterford 2016 Organic Gaia 1.1 3 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Waterford - Ireland

1st Fill Bourbon, New American Oak, French Oak and Natural Sweet Wine Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2020

Unchilliltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

After having sold Bruichladdich to Remy Cointreau in 2012, Mark Reynier went on to found Waterford in 2016, an Irish distillery whose principle is to reveal the power of terroir, that is, to show that the quality of whisky depends on the place where it was distilled and aged, and where the barley used to make it matured. And in 2020, the first whiskies were released, in the form of a number of limited editions. This one is an organic whisky named Gaia, after the goddess of the same name. It is distilled from organic Irish barley, and has undergone a fairly complex ageing process lasting 3 years and 11 months. 24,000 bottles have been released, it is a large limited edition. This expression won a silver medal at the World Whiskies Awards.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

There's something robust in this, it's very cereal-based, cereal bar, dried corn, granola, and some buttery toasts, white plums, mirabelles, violet in the background, a mineral note, quartz, salt, it's also earthy I think, dry earth. Silica. On the palate, still cereals, but it's a little more lively, vanilla milk and oat flakes, crusty bread, ample spices, milk chocolate. Long finish, wheat grains, reeds, the earth becomes softer, it's ferruginous, walnuts and hazelnuts, marzipan, dates.

 

In Short, 

After contributing to the creation of the modern whisky with Bruichladdich, Mark Reynier has gone even further with Waterford, arguably creating the post-modern whisky. It's a divisive bottling, criticised for its youth and for the values it defends, emphasising ecology and the notion of terroir. Others have excessively praised it for the same reasons. But when you simply taste the product, putting aside all the rhetoric and principles, you realise that it's very interesting, original and incredibly well made. The youthfulness of the distillate is barely noticeable, and the influence of the organic barley is impressive. This is something you absolutely must try if you're a whisky lover. Afterwards, you either like it or you don't, to each his own. As for the price, it's rather high for a three-year-old, but it's also a question of supporting a young, up-and-coming distillery.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Old Heavy Hands - The Flood

Bruichladdich 2008 Bere Barley 9 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay 

Ex-Bourbon and Tennessee Whisky American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2017

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

The Bere Barley range was launched in 2012. The idea is to use a barley that has fallen into disuse, Bere Barley. It's probably the oldest barley used in the British Isles, and it's also highly resistant to harsh climates and inhospitable soils, but it's less profitable than Concerto or Odyssey barley, which is why growing Bere Barley was almost completely abandoned during the 20th century. The gentlemen at Bruichladdich, never short of good ideas, have brought it back into fashion with this more or less annual range. This one is 9 years old, aged in American oak casks to allow the distillate to express itself. Batch size is 18,000 bottles, which should be enough.

Let's Taste It : 

It's airy, delicately iodised and very cereal-like. Vanilla butter, lemon pulp, the roughness of rye, peach stones. Slightly woody bitterness. Wheat grains left to warm in the sun. Barely cooked bread dough. Egg custard, pastry cream, but with a few spices, cinnamon, oregano. On the palate, lots of character, country-style bread crust, crispy genoise, drops of pineapple juice, woody barley, light spices. Very consistent. Long, pleasant finish, yeast, flakes of oatmeal, shortbread biscuits, filled with vanilla.

 

In Short, 

The more time goes by, the more I find this range excellent. Each new expression I taste pleases me a little more. Is it me who is more and more seduced, or is it the juice that gets better each time? In any case, if I ever bought one, it would be this one. The nose is full-bodied, expressive, almost complex. What bothers me is that the value for money isn't there. Experimentation is expensive.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Pecos & The Roodtops - The Damn Song

Glengoyne 25 yo 2014

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

Sherry Seasoned European Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

The first Glengoyne 25yo was bottled in January 2014, it's called The First Fill, and it's 46° alcohol. This one is the 2nd Batch, bottled in March 2014, and it says 48° alcohol, which is better. According to one website, the casks used are all Oloroso Sherry, but the others say nothing about this. These are, of course, rare and highly sought-after whiskies.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Immediately you get to the very heart of the sherry, it's heavy, syrupy, bursting with a wide variety of fruits, plums, damsons, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, mangoes, figs, gooseberries, covered in melting chocolate, with notes of coffee, chicory, well-integrated cereals, old varnished wood, like in those old cupboards, parchment, floral and spicy notes. On the palate, still dark fruits, toffee, cocoa powder, cinnamon. Liquorice and dried banana, the spices are full and intense. The finish is very long and fairly powerful, with lots of chocolate and coffee, dried apricots, dates, quince jam and thyme.

 

In Short, 

It would have needed a few degrees more alcohol, and I would have ranked this whisky among the best I've drunk. And with a few ppm of peat, I would have put it in my personal top 5. But 48° is already very good. Let's face it, it really is a magnificent product, perfectly crafted, and the nose in particular is sublime. As for the price, it's obviously extremely high, but less than some other 25-year-olds, such as Macallan. It is obviously a major investment to acquire it.

Score : 91  

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Bonny B. - Roll Jordan Roll

Glen Ord 1996 Cadenhead's Authentic Collection Cask Strength 21 yo

 

 

 

55,7°

Distillery : Glen Ord - Highlands

Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2017

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

Glen Ord is a little-known distillery, but it is one of those behind the Singleton brand, and one of the main ingredients in Johnnie Walker Blend. It's a guarantee of quality. Cadenhead has made several dozen bottlings from this distillery, including this one, which was aged for 21 years in a Bourbon Hogshead before filling 252 bottles.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Young wood and soft fruit, it's airy, with grains of puffed rice, liquid honey, lime, and behind, pumpkin, butternut with some fine spices. After a while, it becomes forestry, and mineral, with notes of gypsum and gravel. The palate is very smooth and pleasant, with light vanilla, then the spices arrive and it becomes more violent, with grey pepper and cumin. Very long finish, with citrus fruits, grapefruit, candied pineapple, dry bark, apricots. Peach pits.

 

In Short, 

This is a very good whisky, interesting and original, light but with a certain character. At once mineral, foresty, fruity, grainy and, of course, woody. It comes up at auction from time to time, and as it's not widely known, it's a good opportunity to do some bargains.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Jenny Hval - Spells

Lagavulin 12 yo Limited Edition 2014

 

 

 

54,4° 

Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay 

Refill American Oak Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 38 ppm 

In 2014, the Diageo Special Releases were well worth a look. There was a 35-year-old Port Ellen, a Brora of the same age, and a 30-year-old Caol Ila, among others. The only affordable bottles were an unpeated 15-year-old Caol Ila, and this Lagavulin, one of the distillery's hallmarks, in its 14th incarnation. It's an essential tradition, 12 years, in Refill American  oak casks, to give the distillate all the room it needs, and the rest is up to you to savour. 31,428 bottles were released for sale.

Let's Taste It : 

A classical Lagavulin. Smoky lemon and the fullness of iodine. Sea spray, foam and a citrus zest. Grapefruit too. In the background, a rather thick and muddy peat, but not overpowering. A few pungent spices give it a funk. A slice of gherkin, pickles. Crushed banana. On the palate, it's very oily and rather smooth, solid honey, still citrus fruits, then the spices rise, black pepper, grated nutmeg, fairly strong cloves. Chocolate chips. The finish is long, very powerful, peppery, taking you far away, lemon and white grape pulp coming through, coconut cream. Blond American tobacco. A few wisps of straw. Lemonade with bubbles.

 

In Short, 

This really is the Lagavulin 12-year-old in all its purity. Well-balanced and smooth, but at the same time there's a hint of cold ash, thick peat, heavy smoke and a few meaty notes. It is in this contrast that lies the secret of an expression that has made the great days of the distillery. What's more, the design of the bottle was perfect, nothing like the vulgar kitsch of today. It can still be found at auction for an acceptable price, around twice the release price. For the curious, it's certainly worth a try.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Marisa & The Moths - If You Knew

Aberlour 1991 Whisky Sponge Edition N°92 33 yo

 

 

 

49,7°

Distillery : Aberlour - Speyside

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

We're coming to the end of the Whisky Sponge series, which is due to stop at the 100th bottling, as promised by Angus MsRaild, co-founder of Decadent Drinks. And with each new issue, we have the feeling that it's getting better. Here is an Aberlour that is the result of blending two Bourbon Refill Hogsheads, one filled in 1989, the other in 1991. Only 297 bottles were made.

Let's Taste It : 

Nice airy fullness, with juicy and gourmand fruits, lemon tart, vanilla and agave, mango and pineapple. The whole in a superb balance. A touch of wax, candle wax, Normandy butter, green apples. A slight hint of citrus in the background. Then it becomes more vegetal, with green plants and succulent leaves. On the palate, it's still fruit salad, it's silky, grapefruit, lychee, with woody notes, spices, pepper, cumin, fermented red cherries. Very fine, vigorous and long finish, varnished wood, molasses, melted caramel, dates, cola, liquorice. Candied lemon in retro-olfaction.

 

In Short, 

The quality of the Aberlour distillate can be judged from this bottling, which is certainly one of its finest. There's a magnificent fruitiness, which you'll have to come back to several times before appreciating its full flavour, and very fine herbal notes. This is something you absolutely must have if you appreciate the distillery. On the other hand, the price hurts.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Wet Carpet - Shadowx

Mannochmore 2010 Malts of Scotland c. MoS20008

 

 

 

55,6°

Distillery : Mannochmore - Speyside

Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Malts of Scotland

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

The German trading company Malts of Scotland was created in 2005 by Thomas Ewers. They launched this Mannochmore in 2020, and it created a bit of a fuss, because Serge Valentin scored it 90, saying it reminded him some lovely Rosebanks, a legendary closed distillery. A lot of people were surprised of that verdict, and the bottling was brought to the fore, which it didn't necessarily deserved. In reaction, other influencers wanted to give it a low rating, and this gave rise to a controversy, which seems pointless today, four years later. It is time to rediscover this beautiful bottling, without worrying about all that. It is a set of 299 bottles, apparently 9 years old, but I'm not sure about that. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Woody lemon, a touch of caramel and treacle, solvent that gives some fullness, a certain chalky minerality, and yellow fruits, plums, bananas, pineapple. Some vanilla in the background. On the palate, liquid honey, candied lemon, with cereal touches of barley, wheat and puffed rice. Light spices, mentholated notes. Vegetal hints. The finish is fairly clean, well-crafted, but with just the right amount of power, Haribo bananas, vanilla liqueur, damp bark, dill, limoncello.

 

In Short, 

I couldn't say if it looks like Rosebank, as I've never tasted it. But in any case, it's very good. Without being exceptional, the profile is original, both gourmand and with a certain complexity, bringing out some flavours rarely found elsewhere. The release price was quite right, and even today it can be bought without too many sacrifices at auction. I suggest buying it occasionally if you are a fan of the profile.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listeed While Sipping :

 

                                           Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra - The Bed Song

Miltonduff 1998 Monologue A Whisky Anthology 21 yo

 

 

 

49,7°

Distillery : Miltonduff - Speyside 

Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Chapter7

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

Chapter 7 is an award-winning independent whisky bottler founded by Selim Evin, a whisky enthusiast, in 2014. They are focusing on Single Cask Scotch and Small Batch Blended Malt Bottlings. Theur wide range A Whisky Anthology is divided in four sections : Prologue, Monologue, Anecdote and Chronicle. It's a very literary project. This one is a pure product from Speyside, raised in a Bourbon Hogshead for 21 years. Only 238 bottles were put on sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

At first cereal-like, then lemony with a touch of iodine, the fruits come into play next, mirabelle plums, greengages, bananas, conference pears, and with the addition of water it becomes more vegetal, tall herbs, bay leaves, acorns, bamboo and reeds. The whole is very well balanced, light but subtle and complex. The palate is smoother, with crushed grapes, exotic fruits, papaya, mango and a dash of vanilla. The spices are rather light, leading to a perfectly measured finish, not explosive but very long, woody, with hints of charcoal and roots. Nutmeg, cola.

 

In Short, 

I don't know this distillery at all, so all I can say is that it's very well made, with a very interesting and pleasant nose that unfolds in three stages, a discreet and subtle palate typical of Speyside, and a nice, long finish. Today, 4 years after its release, it is no longer really available, but then the price was rather attractive. Let's keep an eye out for other similar bottlings.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Blick Bassy - LoBa

Chichibu 2015 Collection Foundations 8 yo c. 4334

 

 

 

63,3°

Distillery : Chichibu - Japan

1sr Fill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated 

Released on the precise date of 10 July 2024, this Chichibu has a special meaning because it was bottled by Jean-Marc Bellier, a very important and endearing figure at La Maison du Whisky who, as I understand it, retired on that date. More than a gift, it's a totem, a testimony to Jean-Marc's exceptional contribution to the world of whisky, in France and elsewhere. Incidentally, it's also a rather rare Chichibu, matured for 8 years in a 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, distributed in just 165 bottles.

Let's Taste It : 

The contribution of the Bourbon barrel is very well integrated: candied lemon, vanilla cream, papaya, pineapple, with saline and floral touches. It's mellow, egg custard, fruity, crushed pear and bursting with heather honey. On the palate, it's woodier and spicier, with brioche, marzipan and coconut. It's quite peppery, but also softened by the influence of Bourbon. The finish is long and explosive, but also unctuous, with melting butter on farmhouse bread, young pine, warm chestnuts, a dash of liquorice, earthy hints, and melting caramel.

In Short, 

I'm not a big fan of Chichibu, but this is without doubt the best I've tasted. The others lacked that touch of genius that is so abundant in this one. Oh my God, the price had escaped me! It's quite outrageous, and therefore reserved for a very wealthy elite. That said, I'm sure it will soon be available at auction at slightly more affordable prices. Or not.

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Balthvs - Ojos Verdes

Ben Nevis 1997 The Single Malts of Scotland 22 yo

 

 

 

58,4°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Eixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

This Ben Nevis aged in a single Sherry Butt yielded 540 bottles. It is part of a set of 4 bottlings from the same year released between 2018 and 2021 by the Singh brothers, all aged in Sherry casks. This is the second. It's not entirely clear whether it's Cask Strength, the website does state that this range is bottled at ‘optimum strength’, not Cask Strength.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Walnuts and peanuts coated in caramel, plums and prunes, dates, raisins and dried apricots, figs, quinces, a few gooseberries here and there, all with a lovely mellow woodiness, patent leather, chocolatey spices, blood oranges sprinkled with cinnamon. Coffee éclair. It's relatively dirty, with a discreet touch of rancio and sulphur. On the palate, thick acacia honey, vanilla milk shake, roasted almonds, exotic spices, saffron and cardamom, star anise, vergeoise, soya milk. Long, explosive finish, liquorice and grey tobacco, thyme and rosemary, mentholated, herbaceous, earthy hints. Peppery barley sugar, French toast, orange jam with a touch of bitterness, ginger.

 

In Short, 

Let's be clear, this is an exceptional Ben Nevis, not my favourite, but not far off. It comes from the distillery's golden years, when every distillation yielded something wonderful, and the Sherry is beautifully integrated. As for the price, that's another story unfortunately. When it first came out it was still acceptable, but now it's really high. I suppose we should be grateful that there are still a few available.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Hermanos Gutiérrez - Hijos del Sol

Knappogue Castle 1997 Ex-Libris Wind of Spices 24 yo

 

 

 

54,4°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Ireland

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limired Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

I'm still not sure about the provenance of this one, but some well-informed people have told me it's Bushmills, and that would make sense. Irish Distillers, which has been part of Pernod Ricard since 1988, sold Bushmills to Diageo in 2005. As a result, they can no longer use the Bushmills name, but they certainly have some old Bushmills casks hidden away in their warehouses. So they need to find another name to market these casks. And that's exactly what happened in 2021, when Irish Distillers bought the Knappogue Castle brand. That same year, five old vintages, 25 years and older, were launched by La Maison du Whisky, under the Knappogue Castle name. And the following year, there were three, including this one, aged for 24 years in a single Sherry cask. There was nothing after that, perhaps because they only had those eight casks. 526 bottles were put on sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry comes to the fore, red fruits with runny pulp, cherries, blueberries, gooseberries, with pastry notes, pie crust, cake cream. Pan-fried beetroot, roasted figs, spices, thyme, rosemary. Dark chocolate and coffee. Behind, you can detect a few cereals, but it's very light. On the palate, damsons and other red plums, old wood, chocolate and coffee become more prominent, but combined with blackberry jam and blood oranges, the spices are somewhat forgotten in all this. The finish is long, rich and explosive, with coffee now omnipresent, cocoa grounds, nutmeg, pepper, cloves, dates, prunes, brown tobacco.

 

In Short, 

Of course, you have to like Sherry, but it's still an excellent product, wonderfully well made. You can recognise Ireland with its cereal intensity, but above all it's Sherry. You can still find a few bottles on certain websites, but the price is very high, so not everyone has rushed out to buy it. If you can afford it, you won't regret your purchase.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Rod Stewart - I Don't Want To Talk About It

Ardnahoe Inaugural Release 5 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Ardnahoe - Islay

80% Ex-Bourbon and 20% Ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 40 ppm 

It's sure to be one of this year's small events in the world of whisky: Ardnahoe is finally releasing its first Single Malt, after more than 5 years of waiting. It is to the credit of the team who run the distillery that they have waited 5 years, rather than launching very young juices full of flaws. But the owners are the Hunter Laing group, who are already well known in the whisky trade, and their company gives them the funds to produce the best whisky possible. I've read here and there that the number of bottles put up for sale is enormous, 70,000, but some also say 20,000. So we can't be sure of anything, but the figure is significant in any case. The maturation comes from an interesting blending, no cold filtration, a respectable peat content, all the conditions are there for us to enjoy.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite fine smoky peat, clear and iodised, ethereal, fresh, maritime, with bourbonnesque hints, mirabelle plums and lychees, Chasselas grapes. After a while, it becomes more citrusy, but without acidity, with a very slight salty minerality. Pineapple, kumquat, but also a few astringent notes, wet dog, fish scales, limestone, so that it's not too smooth. Sweet and peppery on the palate, rose liqueur, a dash of lemon, a good dose of peat and spice, a touch of woody bitterness. This bitterness becomes creamier on the finish, like a confit of asparagus, prickly pear, prawn crisps, it's powerful, even a little too aggressive. On the other hand, it's very long, young wood, raw chestnuts, granola, maple syrup, cola.

 

In Short, 

I think the nose is very good, especially given the age of the spirit. It's not entirely complex, but it's nuanced and subtle. On the palate, it's well done too, the pepper is just a little strong, and I'm not fond of that little touch of bitterness. The finish is long and powerful, it's really successfull for a 5 year old, I wouldn't have batted an eyelid if someone had told me it was twice as old. I'm really impressed. As for the price, it's high, but that's normal, the distillery has to recoup its costs.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Thurston Moore - Sans Limites

Armorik Maître de Chai

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Warenghem - France

French and Portuguese Wine, Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry and Virgin French Oak Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

For this limited edition of 2,500 bottles, the distillery gave total freedom to its Maître de Chai Erwan Lefebvre, who decided to blend about ten very different casks: two 1st Fill Casks of Savennières wine, a dry white wine from the Pays de la Loire region, filled in 2015 and 2017, a 1st Fill cask of Pineau des Charentes, a sweet wine produced partly with cognac, filled in 2018, one 1st Fill Cask of Banyuls, a sweet natural wine from the Pyrenees, filled in 2019, a 1st Fill cask of Portuguese Vinho, filled in 2017,, 2 Barrels of Bourbon, one Refill, the other 1st Fill, filled in 2009 and 2012, two 1st Fill casks of Oloroso Sherry casks filled in 2014, one made from Spanish oak, the other from american oak, and finally a French virgin oak cask filled in 2017. So, the result is aged between 4 and 13 years and should give a wide range of flavours.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is a little imperfect, a mixture of alcohol, cheese and dried herbs. Pear and other orchard fruits, slight minty freshness. Pinch of salt. A drop of honey. Something mineral, between gravel and slate, or quartz. Palate initially mellow, egg custard, then spicy, peppery, with a slight thickness, bunches of grapes, plums. The finish is of medium length, a little scratchy on the glottis, small explosion, then red fruits which pass quickly, light woodiness, and finally marine fragrances, foam, fish, and caramel.

 

In Short, 

I have the feeling that there are too many different casks, which cancels out certain flavours, a bit like putting too much spice in a dish. As is often the case with French whisky, there's a lot of audacity here, an appetite for experimentation, but it's not very successful. What remains is something mineral and fruity that is quite pleasant to drink, but with some notable flaws. The price is fairly high, but acceptable if you go to the right places.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Francis Cabrel - C'est écrit

Port Charlotte 2004 18 yo

 

 

 

54,3°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

74% Refill Sherry and 26% Refill French Oak Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 40 ppm  

Released at the beginning of 2024, only on the distillery's website, this Port Charlotte is presented as the oldest ever sold. This is probably true, as I've never seen one over 17 years old before. It was aged in Sherry and French wine casks. 6000 bottles were put on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Strong and deep smoke, but quickly coated in vinous hints, burnt wood, dried banana, lots of liquorice, tinder leaf, red plum, forest berries, damp earth, forest undergrowth, muscat grapes, red currants. damsons. Blueberry cake. Hot toffee. Liquorish palate, a fruity touch, prunes, black cherries, and the influence of wood behind, very light spices, cumin and nutmeg. Finish in a slow explosion, woody and deep, thick layer of peat, dried apricots, more liquorice. Dark chocolate, coffee grounds.

 

In Short, 

At first, I was a little disappointed, but after a few weeks of airing, the full scope of the product becomes apparent. It reminds me of the 10 Year Old, but more subtle and woody, more powerful too. You dive into chocolate, liquorice and peat, nd never come out again. It's bewitching. As for the price, it's rather high, so you'll have to grit your teeth, but if you're a true lover of the distillery like me, you won't be counting. The bottle is still available on the distillery's website, and elsewhere, but at a higher price.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Birdeatsbaby - Better Man

Laphroaig Càirdeas 2024 Cask Favourites 10 yo

 

 

 

52,4°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

1st Fill, 2d Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Quarter Casks, Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm

Every year since 2008, a Càirdeas has been offered at the end of the Feis Ile, but this year it's something special. It's the 30th anniversary of the Friends of Laphroaig association, so this one is 10 years old, which is already great. What's more, they've combined the two most acclaimed Càirdeas of the past, the 2019 Triple Wood and the 2021 PX Casks Cask Strength. The result is this Cask Favourites, which is apparently not Cask Strength but slightly reduced. In fact, there doesn't seem to be an Oloroso Casks finish like in the Triple Wood, so it's more like the PX Casks Cask Strength, but less powerful, and 10 years old. No indication of how many bottles are available.

Let's Taste It : 

Smoke in fine ashes, with everything that makes Laphroaig, a medicinal touch enhanced by Pedro Ximénez Sherry, chewy charcoal, garnet and muscatel grapes, a drizzle of melting chocolate, gooseberry and raspberry juice, but just a few drops. A touch of honey. Full ashtray. The balance is just perfect. On the palate, it's silk, but soaked in spongy peat and motor oil. Liquorice stick, candied quinces. Lignite behind, and the spices, especially pepper, appear after a long time. Long, virulent finish, rough coal, ash pate. Red fruits and gas oil, chalky earth, full of gypsum. Burnt wood, cola.

 

In Short, 

It's magnificent from start to finish. The best Càirdeas in my opinion, and in fact the best rated on Whiskybase at the moment. Everything is wonderfully balanced, very fruity, with the typical peatiness still quite present. It has to be said that the Càirdeas 2021 PX Casks Cask Strength was already my favourite, and this one has a very similar profile, but is older and therefore even more subtle. So it's only natural that I like this one even more. The price doesn't seem so high, and I wonder whether I won't buy a second bottle before it runs out.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Hana Piranha - The Devil Always Pulls Through

Kilkerran 8 yo Cask Strength Sherry Cask Matured 2024

 

 

 

57,4°

Distillery : Glengyle - Campbeltown

Oloroso Sherry Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated from 12 to 15 ppm

This is already the 10th Batch of this annual limited edition, which has sometimes been biennial, launched in 2017. It is aged in Oloroso Sherry casks, and is the 5th to have undergone this maturation, there are 4 aged in Bourbon casks, and 1 aged in Port casks. We don't know how many bottles were produced, but certainly more than 10,000.

Let's Taste It : 

Very gourmand sherry, vergeoise, genoise, brown sugar, caramel éclair, and behind, beautiful dry smoke, hay is burnt, with vanilla and a touch of iodine. Shortbread biscuits, but with the air of the sea, as if soaked in foam. A zest of lemon adds freshness. Breton cake with orange blossom. On the palate, it's a little watery at first, then becomes denser, dry vanilla, high herbs, and the spices rise, white pepper, liquid honey, peanut butter, and finally a long, barely explosive finish, hazelnut cream, buttered corn, sweet almonds.

 

In Short, 

Absolutely marvellous, the distillery has really taken things up a notch with this Batch, with its bold, perfectly balanced profile. Only the palate is a little off, slightly watery at first. It's a shame, because otherwise this would be a truly exceptional bottling, especially at this price, which is still relatively reasonable, given that this bottle is highly sought-after. Every year, it becomes a little harder to find.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny - Who Knows Where the Time Goes?

Springbank 12 yo Cask Strength 2024

 

 

 

57,2°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

70% Bourbon and 30% Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

This is the 25th batch of the 12 yo Cask Strength, which has now become almost as hard to find as the Local Barley or the Longrow 18 yo. This limited edition was launched in 2010, at first there were two batches a year, and now we're happy when there's one. Impossible to know how many bottles were produced. 

Let's Taste It : 

Melting brown sugar drowned in caramel, dates, dried figs, liquorice, at first we're in the Sherry, then more typical hallmarks appear, iodised freshness, fresh hay, young wood, all with a few blackberries and varied plums. Very light, enticing smoke, blocks of charcoal deep down. On the palate, it's liquorish, with fermented fruits, a hint of vanilla, woody bitterness, coffee in a percolator, with a square of dark chocolate, spices that aren't too strong, nutmeg and pepper. The finish is long, woody, caramelised, with cocoa beans, ginger and a variety of other spices.

 

In Short, 

I found it very gourmand, marked by the Sherry, the influence of the Bourbon is barely perceptible, the palate especially is very successful, it's like jam. On the other hand, the nose needs time to settle, at first it's alcoholic and not very complex, then the smoke rises and gives a very nice balance, the sensation of alcohol disappears. It's a great success. Obviously, if you can find a bottle without paying too much, you're a champion. As far as I'm concerned, I was really lucky.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Kirk Fletcher - Silver Spoon

Ben Nevis 2019 100 Proof Edition #1 4 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

Refill Oloroso Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

The 100 Proof range was launched at the beginning of 2024, with this heavily peated Ben Nevis, aged just 4 years to retain its ardour. The exact peat content has not been disclosed here, but in my humble opinion it is at least 40 ppm. This violence is softened by ageing in Oloroso Sherry Butts. The alcohol content has been reduced to the traditional 100° Proof, which guarantees great power. A total of 2988 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful peat, not as violent as all that, enticing, seductive, with a hint of sweetness, soft caramel and notes of iodine. Some spice adds a touch of madness. Bubble tea, iced coffee, crushed white grapes. A few drops of wax. Barley sugar, juicy mirabelle plums. Light dancing smoke. Mouth with a good dose of peat, it's malty, lemony, a bit cereal-like, then the pepper rises, quite strongly. Smooth liquorice, followed by a powerful, explosive, charcoal finish, melted dark chocolate, hazelnuts, cola, black radish. Some roots, perhaps ginger.

 

In Short, 

No less than you'd expect, with a peat that's quite violent and present, but not overpowering. You'll find the Ben Nevis markers and the soothing influence of Sherry. It's very nice, I'd recommend buying it for any peat lover, it's still available on a few sites.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened Whhile Sipping :

 

                                           Stoned Jesus - I'm The Mountain