Dalwhinnie 15 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Dalwhinnie - Highlands

American Oak Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 1982

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Dalwhinnie 15 is said to have been created in 1982, making it one of the oldest aged single malts on the market. It comes from Scotland's highest and therefore coldest distillery. It was included in Diageo's Single Classic Malts range in 1987 or 1988, and this is where its reputation comes from. The distillery produces mainly for Blends, but has three expressions in its Core Range, including this one, the only one to be aged.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose oozes fir honey, heather and roots. Wheat spikes rocked by the wind, tall herbs, frisée lettuce, with hints of wood, bark, acorns, yellow apples, even mirabelle plums. Chasselas grapes. On the palate, vanilla and pastry cream, a few farmhouse touches, hay, smoked straw. Rustic cereals, dry spices, cloves, nutmeg. The finish is short but pleasant, whipped cream, cider, malted barley, millet grains, all sprinkled with lemon pulp, grated ginger, dry earth, pistachio, chestnut.

 

In Short, 

I discovered it when I was a teenager, and I have to say I never liked it. Today, I have to admit that it has qualities, and even a personality. You don't stay on the market for more than forty years for no reason. For me, it remains very austere, even arid, severe, despite the touches of pastry and honey. I'm not happy with the 43° alcohol level, I feel like it's less, it's very light. It has its enthusiasts, I'm not judging.

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Low - Words

Cragganmore 12 yo

 

 

 

40° 

Distillery : Cragganmore - Speyside

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 1987

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

It is not clear when Cragganmore 12yo was launched. It certainly existed in 1988, when it joined Diageo's range of Single Classic Malts. I've also found a source that mentions its existence in 1987, but it's not very solid. So it's possible that it was launched earlier, but it's also possible that it was included in the Single Classic Malts as soon as it was created. In any case, I was surprised to learn that it was very lightly peated, reportedly up to 3 ppm. The precise recipe is of course kept secret, but it is cold-filtered and coloured.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very light nose, more lemon than vanilla. Pulpy white fruit, pastry cream, raisins and plums. Crushed almonds and heather. Woody and leafy notes, laurel, thyme, humus. Quince jam. On the palate, it's honeyed, with pear and green apple juice and a hint of citrus zest. The spices are present, clove and white pepper. Caramel cut with water. The finish is rather successful, long, earthy, ginger, lime, malted barley, poached eggs, hay, toast rubbed with garlic. Chestnuts, hazelnuts. Mint leaf.

In Short, 

The nose could be nice, but at such a low alcohol level and with cold filtration, it has lost quite a lot of its flavour. The same goes for the palate, you get the impression that this is a restrained whisky, with limited potential. This is something we'd love to discover at 46° and unfiltered. Unfortunately, the demands of the market mean that we only have this ersatz to satisfy us, at a price that's not so cheap either.

Score : 83

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Information Society - Repetition

Linkwood 2007 Silver Seal Young 15 yo

 

 

 

57,2°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

Oloroso Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Silver Seal 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's surprising that anyone would consider a Linkwood aged 15 to be young, but Massimo Righi, current owner of Silver Seal, has included it in his Young range. Aged in a single cask of Oloroso Sherry, it promises to tell some great stories. 271 bottles have been released for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's an autumnal Sherry, with the smell of dead leaves and chestnuts littering the streets. Dried dates and apricots, cinnamon cake, brown sugar, sweet butter. Luscious vanilla and a touch of exotic fruit. On the palate, milk chocolate and fruit pastes, marrons glacés and quince jam. The spices are barely perceptible. Green tea. Long, explosive, even never-ending finish, nut pie, thick leather, dry bark, cola, peanut butter, speculoos cream. Thyme, rosemary.

 

In Short, 

Less intense and powerful than the Dailuaine in the same range, but it has its own personality and you can't forget it. It's not the usual explosion of fruit that you get with Linkwood, it's something more original. An experiment worth trying if you can afford it.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Shannon Jae Ridout - Ranger's Moon

Dailuaine 2008 Silver Seal Young 14 yo

 

 

 

57,2°

Distillery : Dailuaine - Speyside

Oloroso Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Silver Seal 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Formerly owned by its creator Ernesto Mainardi, Silver Seal passed into the hands of Massimo Righi in 2010. His company is recognised as one of the best. This Dailuaine has been aged for 14 years in an Oloroso Sherry cask, which must be a first-fill cask because the Sherry is so intense. 233 bottles came out of the cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A superb Sherry on the nose, very intense and elegant, cherry cream, pomegranate juice, raspberry, blackcurrant. Copper notes, perhaps a touch of sulphur, but also blood oranges, clementines, saffron and cinnamon, tomato pulp. Burnt wood, damp bark. It is oily on the palate, the fruit is rather dry, apricots, grapes, bananas, dates, but the spices arrive, tabasco, chilli and pepper. The finish is long, explosive, waxy, honeyed, royal jelly, amber, soaked leather, nougatine, heavy caramel. A few earthy hints at the end.

 

In Short, 

I read on specialist websites that there's too much Sherry in it, that it's too sweet, that there's sulphur, but I think it's excellent, as do those who have tasted it with me. Admittedly, it's very intense, and there's no doubt that you won't find the distillery's usual profile, but it's original, tasty, complex, and the finish is powerful and long. Obviously, it's not for all palates, just like very peaty whiskies. But that's exactly what I like about whisky, this extreme diversity of flavours. The good thing is that you can find it at a good price at auction.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Premiata Forniera Marconi - Harlequin

Cragganmore The Distillers Edition 2023

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Cragganmore - Speyside

American Oak Refill Barrels and Ruby Port Seasoned Recharred American Oak Finish  

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Totally Unpeated

Slightly different from its counterparts aged in Sherry casks from other distilleries, the Cragganmore Distillers Edition has been aged in Ruby Port Pipes. As for the rest, the principle remains the same, no age, no more vintage, but cold filtration and colouring still present.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Honey on the nose, with amarena cherries sprinkled with speculoos, nuts and candied red fruits, blueberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, milk chocolate, pastry cream, blood orange, green apples, juicy pears and vanilla. On the palate, it's light but pleasant and mellow, oily, fruit tart, damsons, jam, cinnamon, then wood and spices, cloves, pepper. Quite a long finish, correct for the alcohol level, figs, chocolate and bark, liquorice, herbaceous notes, honeysuckle, parsley.

 

In Short, 

I liked the nose, the palate and the finish are pleasant, but the low alcohol content is a little annoying. A few degrees more would do it a lot of good. All in all, it's not bad, though a bit expensive for what it is. I suggest waiting for a promotion.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Epica - The Ghost in Me

Glenkinchie The Distillers Edition 2023

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Glenkinchie - Lowlands

Refill Bourbon and Sherry Casks, Amontillado Seasoned Recharred American Oak Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Totally Unpeated

Like the other Distillers Editions, Glenkinchie's has lost its vintage in 2022. The rest of the process remains unchanged, with a double maturation and a finish in Sherry casks, different for each distillery. Glenkinchie uses Amontillado, a dry Sherry.

Let's Taste It :

Light and slightly acidic nose, cranberries, white grapes, apple compote, dried apricots, almonds, walnuts and peanuts. Some pastry notes, vanilla cream, melted white chocolate, whipped cream with bits of green apple. On the palate, it's honeyed, redcurrant tart, young wood, mirabelle plums, pepper shows through, giving it a bit of character. The finish is fairly long, but not very deep, hazelnuts, prawn crisps, banana candies, sweet ginger, bay leaves, cloves.

In Short, 

It's not bad, but I still found the nose very light. What's more, I don't really like this acidic side. But in the mouth and on the finish, it's quite balanced, pastry-like, and you have a good time. Overall, it's nothing exceptional and doesn't deserve its price.

Score : 85

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Johnossi - Gemini

Mortlach 20 yo Cowie's Blue Seal

 

 

 

43,4°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Ex-Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2018

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Alexander Cowie is the one who took over the distillery in 1896. It was he who created The Way, the very atypical way of creating whisky at Mortlach. One part of the product is fermented for 50 hours, which is short, the other for 120 hours, which is very long. 80% of the juice is distilled three times, the rest is distilled only twice. These are the most striking elements devised by Alexander Cowie to give Mortlach its character. The distillery had to pay tribute to him by naming the most prestigious bottle in their Core Range after him. But why Blue Seal? Quite simply, in 1973, one of Cowie's heirs discovered a wooden box buried in the basement of the family home. Inside, she found 12 bottles of whisky with a blue seal. Apparently this was Alexander Cowie's personal reserve, and that's why the bottles of Mortlach are blue today. This 20yo is the only representative of the distillery's new range that I had not yet tasted. It's unfortunately chill-filtered, which is a shame for a product of this age.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is full-bodied, solid and complex, with ethereal lemon, creamy vanilla and pulpy mirabelle plums. Beeswax, but also blond tobacco, toasts rubbed with garlic, fir tree honey, crispy bacon, noble and varnished wood, apricot jam sprinkled with cinnamon. Walnuts and grapefruit. On the palate, it's lighter but with lively spices, dry ham and caramel, more jam, ham pie. Quite a long finish, not really powerful but with personality. Toasted cereals, cola, bark, wood resin, charcoal, heather.

 

In Short, 

This is Mortlach with all its character. Often, older versions are soft and not very expressive. This one is, with all the complexity and style of Mortlach, even more pronounced than in the 12-year-old, I think. A very good product, but the price is very exaggerated, which is a shame.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Cock Robin - Worlds Apart

Caol Ila The Distillers Edition 2023

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Refill Bourbon Barrels and Moscatel Seasoned Recharred American Oak Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Since 2022, the Distillers Editions, which were the pride of Diageo, are no longer vintage, and there is nothing to differentiate this one from the 2022 one, apart from a typo in the address of the distillery. It is written Port Asking on the 2022 edition, and Port Askaig, which is correct, on the 2023. Is this still an annual limited edition, as it has been since 2006, or is it now in the Core Range? This is all very disappointing. The fact remains that we have the same ageing, finished in Moscatel casks, a sweet wine from Portugal. It's just that we no longer know how old the product is, let alone how many bottles are on sale.

Let's Taste It : 

Slightly acidic nose, bathed in still-warm cigar ash, herbaceous and earthy notes, but with a good dose of fruit pulp, yellow plums, mirabelles, lime, honey, papaya, plantain. A trail of salt, and even maritime hints if you're careful. On the palate, it's well done, silky, with icing sugar and rose loukoums. Pear juice and caramel. Quite elegant peat in the background, an overturned ashtray, but blended in overall. Quite a long, ashy, charcoal finish, with vinous tints, bark, sweet white fruit and vanilla.

In Short, 

Admittedly, it's about as good as the vintage Distillers Edition, and probably better than some of them. The balance between the sweetness of the Moscatel and the thick, fatty smoke is incredible. A deep complexity, and a lovely fruity sweetness. Obviously, the price has gone up, but it's still worth buying.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Silentways - Aeon

Miltonduff 2011 100 Proof Edition #14 12 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Miltonduff - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Like a number of Speyside distilleries, Miltonduff, founded in 1824, is one of the main ingredients in Ballantine's Blend. So this kind of independent bottling is always welcome, as it familiarises us with a distillery we don't get to know otherwise. As it was aged in first-fill Oloroso Sherry Butts, we can expect a whirlwind of Sherry.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Rich, complex and nuanced sherry. Apricots with chocolate chips, blood orange zest, quince compote, dried bananas, figs, blackberries, woody hints in the background. The palate is velvety, with candied dates, almond paste and argan oil. Forest honey. The spices are quite strong but well controlled, cumin, cloves, nutmeg. The finish is long, powerful but not too much, full of liquorice and caramel, coffee with a dash of chocolate, varnished wood.

 

In Short, 

This time, everything is right where it should be, there's a lovely fullness of fruit and wood, it's a fine Sherry. But not a Sherry Bomb in my opinion, there's a certain balance. The public was not mistaken, and it is now almost impossible to find, which is not surprising, given the price.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Danse Society - If You Were Only Listenning

Auchroisk 2010 100 Proof Edition #12 13 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Auchroisk - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts 

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Auchroisk distillery, founded in 1974, is one of the main ingredients in the J&B Blend. You don't see much Auchroisk in Single Malt, and that's why this bottling is so intriguing. It was aged in first-fill Butts of Oloroso Sherry, so it's a big and bold Sherry. The age is respectable, the alcohol content is powerful, it has all the ingredients for a Sherry Bomb. The number of bottles produced is unknown.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Raspberry liqueur, cherry not quite ripe, redcurrants. It's a bit acidic and requires a few drops of water. Delicate woodiness, melting toffee, blueberries and quinces, chocolate-covered pear. Apricot jam. On the palate, the wood is overpowering, with a note of beeswax, but the spices rise to the top, and are very present: cumin, cloves, black pepper. Liquorice, hint of aniseed. Quite a long, powerful finish, but with a touch of bitterness. Gressins with olive oil, dark chocolate, stretto coffee, balsamic vinegar. Grated nutmeg.

 

In Short, 

There's a problem with the casks. The nose is slightly unbalanced, and on the palate, the wood is really overpowering. That's not bad in itself, in fact it's quite interesting, but it does leave a number of flaws. By adding a little water, the nose can be saved, but the rest will have to be dealt with. For this reason, I'd advise against buying it, but it's not far from being sold out, and you can't find it in France any more.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Julie Henrikke - Bare Lenge Nok

Tullibardine 2012 Cadenhead's Original Collection 12 yo

 

 

 

46° 

Distillery : Tullibardine - Highlands

Bourbon Barrels and Palo Cortado Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

According to the Cadenhead website, this Tullibardine was showing signs of flatness in 2021, so the team had the idea of transferring it to Palo Cortado Sherry casks, to restore some of its vigour. And after three years of finishing, the juice is ready to conquer our palates. No indication has been given as to how many bottles were distributed.

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry is intense, coppery, blood orange, apricot jam, candied cherries coated in dark chocolate, raspberry liqueur. Custard and whipped cream. The vanilla is in the background. Cake batter. It dries out on the palate, with cereals and dried fruit, a touch of citrus, young wood and mango. Rather discreet spices. Caramel lollipop. On the finish, iced coffee, salted butter toffee, it's powerful and quite long, autumn leaves, bark, resin, chestnut in its bug. Crushed quinces.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad at all. Indeed, the Palo Cortado Sherry gives it a bit of a swing. And it's a pleasant whisky to drink, well-made and balanced, marked by the Sherry, which would make a fine entry dram. The price is OK, but it's becoming hard to find.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Rosalie Cunningham - In the Shade of the Shadows

Ben Nevis 2012 Cadenhead's Original Collection 11 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

Bourbon Hogdheads

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

This Ben Nevis, aged in Bourbon Hogsheads, has all the makings of a pleasant opening to a tasting session. The discreet ageing process will allow the distillate to speak for itself. Nothing on the number of bottles produced.

Let's Taste It : 

You'll immediately recognise the distillery, this is pure Ben Nevis, the quintessential distillate. Applesauce seasoned with cinnamon and whipped cream, icing sugar, citrus fruits, moist forest, barley sugar soaked in pineapple juice, white grapes and mirabelle plums. Banana sweets. On the palate, more fruit, vanilla, a zest of lemon and grapefruit, a pinch of salt, indulgent spices. Cereals and redcurrants. Quite a long finish, powerful just as it should be, salted butter toffee, dates, figs, cola, liquorice stick.

 

In Short, 

If you like this distillery, you have to taste it at least once. It's 100% Ben Nevis, and that's when you realise just how full of character this distillate is. It's a pity that it's reduced and a bit young, it could have made an exceptional bottling with a little more patience. But at least it's not too expensive.

Score : 87

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           M.A.N. and The Maniacs - My House

Girvan 1991 Cadenhead's Original Collection 33 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Girvan - Lowlands

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Girvan is the famous distillery built in 9 months in 1963 by the Grant family, when Distillers Company Limited stopped supplying them with grain whisky produced in Cameronbridge. It is now the main source of Grant's Blends, particularly Triple Wood. Here, we have it as a Single Grain, aged in a single Bourbon Barrel, so that we can appreciate its full personality. No indication of the number of bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The cereals are very varied and intense, ranging from airy oats to sweet corn, crispy wheat grains and puffed rice, malted barley, rustic rye, millet. Brioche, all coated in caramel. Ethereal almond, cloud of milk. On the palate, vanilla comes in, it's slightly fruity but the cereals remain predominant. Very light spices, mirabelle plums and green apples. Deep finish, but could be longer, custard, sponge cake, white raisins, fudge, resin, cinnamon.

 

In Short, 

A very good grain whisky, although I do regret that the alcohol content isn't a little higher, as it's a little light on the palate. As for the rest, it's sure to please grain whisky lovers. It's intense and rather complex. The price is a bit high, though.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Maria Williams - Humbled and Defanged

Enigma 2008 Islay Single Malt 15 yo

 

 

 

54,8°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Bourbon Hogsheads 

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

This is the second Islay in the Enigma range. I've been assured that this one is a Lagavulin, and apparently the first one was too. So it has been aged for 15 years in Bourbon Hogsheads, which will allow us to fully appreciate the distillate. 1494 bottles were released.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Beautiful mineral intensity, but not too strong, quartz, silica, slate, coarse sea salt. Wind from the sea, thick peat, barely softened by the influence of the barrels, medicinal and full of fish. Limestone, gypsum, silt. Perhaps a hint of vanilla, banana and mirabelle plums, but that has to be said quickly. The palate is smoother, with light white fruits, apples and pears, rhubarb. Expressive spices, cloves, pepper, ginger. Long, herbaceous finish, with foresty and earthy notes, humus, spongy bark, black earth. Bay leaves, cola.

In Short, 

It matches the Lagavulin profile. It's intense, mineral, medicinal at times. It's closer to the 8yo than the 12yo, but there's a little complexity, and it's a bit softened by the age. To be reserved for fans of the distillery, especially as the price seems exaggerated.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Octale - Paranoia

Ardmore 2012 Cadenhead's Original Collection 11 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : The Ardmore - Speyside

Ruby Port Casks 

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

They're doing some experiments at Cadenhead, with Ardmore casks. Last year, I tasted something partially aged in Marsala casks, but they've done another one finished in Pinot Noir wine casks. And this time, they're not shy about it, it's aged entirely in Port casks. And not just any Port, but the sweetest, Ruby Port. We don't know how many bottles went on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Light damsons, sweet and syrupy blueberries, crushed red fruits, fairly pronounced vinous notes, but without any bitterness. Muscat grapes, dragon fruit. But behind it there is a lovely varnished woodiness, which adds solidity. On the palate, it's well done, you can recognise the distillery's profile, light and creamy peat with a hint of salt and something dusty, but the Port influence is still important, candied red fruits, blackcurrants, blackberries, redcurrants, well-controlled spices, nutmeg, black pepper. Long and relatively powerful finish, bark, humus, dark berries, almost charcoal. Liquorice, dark chocolate.

 

In Short, 

I think I particularly like Port cask ageing, especially Ruby Port. This one is also very good, as it doesn't completely hide the distillery's profile. As for the price, it's really worth it. I'm seriously considering of buying it.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Granvil Poynter - Cigarettes and Gin

Enigma 2009 Highland Single Malt 14 yo

 

 

 

53,9°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Highlands

Refill Bourbon Hogsheads and Refill Oloroso Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Slightly Peated

 

 

 

After a short foray into Speyside, here we are in the Highlands. This one is a Highlander aged in Refill casks for 14 years. As it was bottled in 2024, there's an 11 in 12 chance that it was distilled in 2009. However, I haven't the slightest clue about the distillery, I swear. Someone wrote somewhere that maybe it was Loch Lomond, and it's true that it fits the profile. But absolutely no certainty. 1986 bottles are on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, there's a lovely slightly candied lemon, sponge cake, brioche, creamy vanilla, and a pulpy fruitiness, plums, juicy apples, bananas, lychees, pineapple. Salted butter caramel, cereals, a few forest notes, ferns, humus. On the palate, the cereals stand out, toasted wheat, malted barley, oats. Slight hint of peat, with a pinch of salt, spices rise, cumin, white pepper. Quite a long finish, still very cerealy, coal nuggets, smoked wood, hay. Crushed almonds.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad, but nothing exceptional either. I barely smelled the peat, but I'm probably too used to Peat Bombs. I found that the cereals came back a little too often. That said, it does have a certain personality. The price seems a bit high to me, but within reasonable limits.

Score : 87

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Darwells - Little Pink Tree

Caol Ila 2013 100 Proof Edition #11 10 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

2d Fill Rum Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm 

This is the 2nd Caol Ila in the 100 Proof range launched by Signatory Vintage at the end of last year. The first was nothing really special, aged in Oloroso Sherry casks. This one has been aged entirely in Rum Barrels, which is something special. But it's a second fill, so we can hope that the Rum influence won't be too strong. We don't know how many bottles were produced.

Let's Taste It : 

A fine trail of cigar ash. Then the peat rises, laden with vanilla sweetness. Cane sugar, reeds, sweet potatoes, blond tobacco, lime, pineapple. The peat remains very intense. Frécinette bananas. On the palate, the rum's influence is clearer, with citrus and white fruits, papaya and grapefruit. A texture similar to sunflower oil. Spices very present, cumin and pepper. Long, fairly powerful finish, liquorice, prickly pear, cola and caramel. Tamarind.

 

In Short, 

I find that rum doesn't go well with peat. I've felt that way several times with this type of bottling. Here, it's not bad, especially as the rum remains discreet given that it's a 2nd fill, and the peat is very strong. But I still find a lack of consistency. Having said that, I had a good time, there's a certain complexity. It's better than Ardbeg Drum anyway. And it's a lot cheaper.

Score : 87 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Coma Rossi - Oblivion

Enigma 2008 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 16 yo

 

 

 

53,6°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Speyside

Sherry Manzanilla Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated  

This Enigma range, launched last year, already has around thirty bottlings. Here we have a 16-year-old Speyside single malt aged in Hogsheads of Manzanilla, a fairly dry Sherry. There's no need to hide the fact that this is a Glenfarclas. 1,284 bottles came out of the casks.

Let's Taste It : 

Delicate notes of redcurrants, yellow plums, Chasselas grapes, cranberries, raspberries. But also orchard fruits, juicy pears and green apples. Lime, angelica honey, mint leaves. Dried apricots. Cedar wood. Unfortunately it's a little light on the palate, with citrus fruits and pastry cream, quince jam and light spices, almond paste. Forest and floral touches. Powerful finish, candied ginger, stick of liquorice, lots of pear. A few grains of wheat. Chestnuts.

In Short, 

It's pretty good, I liked the nose and the finish, but unfortunately the palate is a bit underwhelming in my opinion. That said, it's an interesting experience, and honestly, it's not expensive for its age.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Charlot - Watsu

Enigma 1997 Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 27 yo

 

 

 

51,8°

Distilleries Officially Unknown - Speyside

Bourbon Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's not every day you get to taste a whisky from the last century, and even if you don't know exactly where it comes from, it would be absurd to refuse. Here we have a Blended Malt aged in Bourbon Hogsheads distilled in 1997, the distilleries of origin are officially unknown, but somebody whispered in my ears something like Glenfiddich and Balvenie. It's a teaspooned whisky, meaning that most of the juice comes from a single distillery, but they've added a very small proportion of juice from elsewhere, to classify it as a Blended Malt and lower the selling price. 1140 bottles were filled.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very light nose, with forest notes, scents of pinewood, pine cones, resin, dry earth, humus. Toasted wheat and other cereals, oats, barley. Heather honey, cinnamon. Some white fruit in the background, mirabelle plums, yellow apples. It's windy and dusty. The palate is a little more expressive and balanced, cereals, vanilla, pastry cream, hot caramel, discreet spices, nutmeg. Deep and complex finish, muesli, cola, ginger, hints of wood. Coal, damp earth.

 

In Short, 

When I read the other reviews about this one, and see that they have nothing to do, I say to myself that there is some mystery in this bottle, so that we can all find something different in it. What I found was a classic Speyside, old school, quite foresty, well made, that will delight fans of the profile. It is still on sale on the Cadenhead website, at a price that I would describe as decent, especially for a 27 year old.

Score : 87

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Yuuf - Lever du sol

Springbank 15 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown

Ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2002

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

The history of Springbank's 15 Year Old takes us back several decades. There was one during the 1980s-1990s, but according to my information, it was not fully aged in Oloroso Sherry casks, like the one launched in 2002. That said, this is all very vague and I could be wrong. The fact remains that I have finally tasted this specimen of Springbank's Core Range, which has been very hard to find in recent years.

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry is perfectly integrated, acacia honey flowing over the hay and cereals that make up the distillery's profile. Light peat, but darkened by the Sherry, tyres, asphalt, combined with dried red fruit, cherries, blackcurrants and quince jam. Candied plums, liquid caramel, woody hints. The palate is lighter and very well balanced, treacle and blueberries, smoked wood and dried figs, spices not too aggressive, nutmeg, black pepper. Well-crafted finish with forest notes, chestnuts, plant moss, lianas, humus, acorns, a few black berries. Damp earth, bark.

In Short, 

The Sherry is very well brought in and adds extra complexity and fruit to the distillate. It makes for a very nice bottling. One minor regret is that the barnyard smells are absent, well, I didn't notice them, but all in all it's a great success. The price is high, of course, but it could be much worse, so I think you can still buy it.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Brijean - Bang Bag Boom