Ardnamurchan 2018 AD/Madeira Cask Release 6 yo

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Ardnamurchan - Highlands

Bourbon Barrels and Madeira Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 16 ppm

 

 

 

The latest Ardnamurchan release to cause a stir is this one. A double maturation that began in Bourbon Barrels and ended in Madeira Casks, 6 years old. It's been on sale for just over two months now, and as I really liked the 10 year old that came out a little while ago, I wanted to try this one. This is a limited edition of 19598 bottles. It is the second one form this distillery to be finished in Madeira Casks, the previous one was launched in 2022. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Dried wheat, light breeze, some ripe fruits, pears, lychees. Hairspray, fresh tobacco leaves, a touch of peat, heather honey, mellow vanilla, a zest of lemon. Peach pits, young wood, cooked apples, greengage jam. On the palate, it's quite thick, honeyed, apple pie, cake pastry, well-inspired spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika. Quite a long finish, melted caramel, tobacco crumbs, hints of malt, royal jelly. Warm honey, treacle, smoke tea. A sugar cube dipped in wine sauce.   

 

In Short, 

I have to say I'm a little disappointed. It's a good quality, but given the price and the growing reputation of the distillery, I expected better. The Madeira flavour is quite discreet, and yet it's enough to take us away from the distillery's profile. On the whole, it's still too young, it should have waited a little longer. I'm not sure I'd recommend buying it. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Blauka - Wolta

Craigellachie 2014 100 Proof Edition #39 10 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Craigellachie - Speyside 

1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Hogsheads, 2d Fill Oloroso Butts, & Dechar/Rechar Hogsheads

Independent Bottling

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

So the 39th bottling in the 100 Proof range, launched in January 2024, is a Craigellachie that has undergone a fairly complex triple maturation process. Having spent 10 years in the casks and released several thousand bottles, it's always worth dipping your lips in. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Candied cherries, Morello cherries, varnished wood, soaked leather, very ripe mirabelles. Blueberry tart, shortcrust pastry, iced tea, mint leaves. Melted butter, palets bretons. A touch of salt. Very light smoke resulting from burnt wood. On the palate, waxed wood, liquorice stick, churned butter, fermented plum. Slightly strong spices, cumin, cloves, black pepper. Powerful, languorous finish, but not so long, charcoal, liquorice sweets, melting toffee, roasted nuts, cooked mushrooms. 

 

In Short, 

The burnt casks mean that the Sherry doesn't take up all the room, and the result is a well-balanced, pleasant bottling with a certain character. As always with this range, the price is rather attractive, and fans of this distillery can embark on a purchase with confidence. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ellen Beth Abdi - Who This World is Made For 

Ben Nevis 2012 The Duchess 12 yo

 

 

 

54,7°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By The Duchess

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Bottles of young Ben Nevis are becoming more and more common, and I've noticed that they often undergo ageing or even finishing that is, to say the least, original. Most of the time it's Sherry, but recent bottlings have also included Montravel or American wine. And when it's simply Bourbon ageing, the distillate is more peated than usual. Why these experiments? Isn't Ben Nevis good enough in a simple Hogshead? That's what we're going to see with this one, which was aged very simply, but still lasted 12 years. 284 bottles came out of the cask, inserted in the Game & Wildlife Series range. I wasn't familiar with this bottler, who has only produced around 14 products in over 10 years of existence, but they mainly make rum. The label was designed by Hans Dillesse. 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Brioche, ethereal vanilla, juicy exotic fruits, earthy peat, limestone, a pinch of icing sugar, almond paste, pineapple, grapefruit, cooked banana. Maritime fragrances, sea spray, kelp, foam, small shellfish. On the palate, candied citrus fruits, cannoli, with a touch of sparkle and wood, lively spices, pepper, paprika, nutmeg, lychees, duck fat. Long and almost explosive finish, crushed hazelnuts, beeswax, liquid honey, fine sand, bulgur. Roasted barley. A few grains of salt.  

 

In Short, 

I feel a little annoyed to say so, but this is an excellent Ben Nevis, not far removed from their legendary, much older productions. The intensity of the fruit is incredible, and the maritime touches are superb. And what's more, it's sold at a very low price. I hope that, by saying this, I'm not going to provoke a rush on this bottle, because I haven't bought it yet. So I'd strongly recommend buying it, but only when I've got mine. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Rùnahild - Fylgja

Islay Single Malt 2009 Royal Mile Whiskies 14 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery Officialy Unknown - Islay

Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Royal Mile Whiskies 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, there's a world-famous shop where you can find all the whiskies you need. And occasionally, they bottle their own. This is the case here, with this 14-year-old Islay nectar, aged in a simple Hogshead. The identity of the distillery is kept secret, but the shop's website indicates that the flavours are close to Caol Ila and Lagavulin. 384 bottles have been put on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The climate is harsh, with sprays of foam crashing against the slate and gypsum cliffs, dried seaweed and a good pinch of salt. Fortunately, we have a good vanilla custard and a few crushed almonds. Smoky, not too strong, fairly mild, with a slight medicinal touch. On the palate, green apples, Conference pears and white grapes, but the peat is close by, thick and soft. Lime, grapefruit and charcoal balls. Perennial spices. Long, rustic finish, burnt kindling, tar and sea spray. Almond paste with a pinch of salt.

 

In Short, 

The profile is indeed reminiscent of Caol Ila and Lagavulin, very coastal, maritime, even mineral. But I'm leaning towards the latter, because at the same time it's elegant and has a certain finesse that can only be found in Lagavulin. It's a very good whisky, I just regret that it's reduced to 46°, if it were cask strength, it would be magnificent. The price is a bit high in my opinion, but I have to believe that it's deserved, because these days it's all sold out, it's totally impossible to find, except perhaps at auction, but that takes luck and persistence.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Atlas - Scottish Islands

Daftmill 2009 Double Single Bottled Exclusively for Aqvavitae 15 yo

 

 

 

55° 

Distillery : Daftmill - Lowlands

1st Fill Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's been 20 years now that the distillery has been gracing us with its Single Farm bottlings, made entirely in-house, from growing the barley to bottling. Their undeniable expertise is beginning to shine through, with this one in particular, a blend of two 15-year-old 1st Fill Bourbon casks, giving 362 bottles to savour. Aqvavitae is a YouTube channel run by a great whisky fan, and this is one of the first bottlings in his honour.   

Let's Taste It : 

A dash of vanilla and citrus fruits galore, but also angelica, olives, reeds, crushed walnuts, marshmallow and crème fraîche. A few discreet mineral touches, and if you go that way, rustic, raw cereals too. But it's still very herbaceous, with green fruit, greengages, mirabelle plums, peach pits. On the palate, it's silky and limpid, with spring water, rose loukoum, chestnut leaves, almond paste, light spices, cloves. The finish is very long, pleasant, once again, very herbal, leeks, celery, two drops of balsamic vinegar, charcoal and earth.

 

In Short, 

There's a lot more personality in this one than in any other Daftmill I've tasted. This one really has the character of the distillery and it's impressive. For me, this is a very good bottling, but the price is high, so you have to make sacrifices.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Vega Trails - Largo

Octomore Edition 03.1 5 yo

 

 

 

59°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay 

American Oak Bourbon Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2010

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 152 ppm

 

 

 

Back in the early days of Octomore, the brand's communications were less polished. No subtitles like Dialogos or The Impossible Equation. Just the age, the casks used and the ppm level. Personally, that's enough for me. A lot of people say that the first Octomore were much better, and I'm happy to verify that today. This one is a limited edition of 18,000.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A wall of herbaceous peat, granite, tall grass, reeds, with a dash of vanilla and rocky smoke. After a few minutes, bubbles of icing sugar, fresh lychees, mashed banana, white peaches. Rosewater, Turkish delight, it's all very delicate, strangely enough. On the palate, solid and  thick peat, but also mirabelle plums, airy, iodised notes, citrus fruit, grapefruit, pineapple, lime. Angelica. The finish is long and explosive, typical of Octomore, destroying everything in its path, but at the same time quite supple, charcoal, damp earth, dark chocolate, marrons glacés. It's slightly velvety.

 

In Short, 

As an Octomore fan, I can confirm that the oldest are the best. I have the 04.2 at home, and it's my favourite. And this one is without doubt the best of the .1 series that I've tasted. Those of today are less fruity, less sweet, they have a more classic profile with the basic elements of Bourbon. Fortunately, those from the .2 and .3 series are more complex. The .1s of the old days are worth the .2s and .3s of today. On the other hand, now you have to spend a hell of a lot of money to find one from that era, I don't think it's worth it any more.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Supping :

 

                                           Mùr - Heimsslit

Port Ellen 1979 Gordon & MacPhail Cask 20 yo

 

 

 

60,7°

Distillery : Port Ellen - Islay 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2000

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

This is my first foray into the world of this legendary distillery, which closed in 1983 and was recently reopened. This bottling is a blend of two casks, so it's not quite a Single Cask. At the time, it was barely a year before the release of Port Ellen 1st Release, which would reveal to the world the incredible quality of this hitherto unknown distillery. So, at the time of its release, this bottling was nothing exceptional, it was a curiosity.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Delicately farmhouse peat, but also sweet, raw wheat, fruit paste, pistachio loukoum, waves of fine smoke that gradually envelop the nose, white grapes, braised almonds, green apples, white peaches, ripe pears. Notes of gypsum, slate and limestone, with a medicinal touch in the background. It's very smooth on the palate, the peat becomes discreet, various white fruits, cereals galore, muesli cake, almond and coconut milk, white chocolate, barely perceptible spices. Very long, interminable finish, digging into gypsum, icing sugar, white currants, rice powder, creamy vanilla, liquorice stick.

 

In Short, 

The legend is justified, this is indeed an exceptional bottling, and far from the best, if the experts are to be believed. Subtle but full of character peat that doesn't mask a deluge of fruits and rustic cereals. Intense mineral notes, incomparable mellowness, a gourmet edge... I'm probably getting carried away, but this one has everything you need to make a great whisky. As for the price, it is of course astronomical, but you have to take into account the rarity of the product. Even if the distillery is here again, it will never be the same. It's a nectar lost forever.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           A Tergo Lupi - Furia

Bowmore Cask Strength Glass Printed Label

 

 

 

56°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in the early 1990s

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

Another fine piece of history we have here. Bowmore's first Cask Strength bottlings appeared in the early 1990s. I know they were around in 1995, and I presume it was around before that as well. I assume it's Cask Strength, even though it's still the same exact alcohol content, they must have combined the casks so that it makes exactly 56°, like Glenfarclas 105. It's probably non-chill filtered too, as their regular range was. On the other hand, there must surely have been colouring. According to a website I found, it was aged in Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks. The 1990s was the period when Bowmore was still affected by French Whore Perfume, so you have to be careful. Some bottles are completely destroyed by this bad smell of violet perfume, certainly those dating from the first half of the 1990s. Others are saved from this disaster, and the one I tasted had escaped it.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Mellow vanilla, nougatine, light smoky and medicinal notes, fine powdery peat, and on top a delight of exotic fruits, papaya, pineapple, prickly pear, candied banana, orange slices, sweet potatoes, ripe lemon. A hint of iodine in the background, fresh limestone, sea spray, guano, green seaweed. On the palate, it's both powerful and delicate, almond milk, whitewashed peat, very discreet floral touches, soft vanilla cake, salted butter caramel, hot fudge, discreet spices. The long and powerful finish returns to the costal character, sea foam, saline touches, puffed rice, almond paste, vanilla blossom, Turkish delight.

 

In Short, 

I think the bottle I tasted 1cl of dates from the very early 2000s, the FWP problem was solved in 1994, and a few years later the whisky from Bowmore is excellent again. The exotic fruits are intense, and the smoke is incredible, powdery and subtle as diamonds. It's superb, but that's the problem. You have to avoid the bad bottles full of violet disinfectant, and stumbling across the good ones is a lottery. These bottles are very old and extremely expensive. So I'm not sure I'd recommend buying them, especially if there's a 50/50 chance you'll come across something that's no good. The life of a whisky fan is really complicated sometimes.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Cosmic Garden Project - Olympus Mons

Tamdhu 1973 Gordon & MacPhail Rare Old 29 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Tamdhu - Speyside

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2002

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

There's very little information about this bottle, I don't even know if it's a Single Cask or not. In any case, it's a piece of history, distilled in 1973 and bottled 29 years later. It seems to have been forgotten for a decade or two, before a bottle turned up at auction. It was aged in Sherry casks, but I don't have any further details. It seems that the bottling was done in collaboration with La Maison du Whisky.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Magnificent sherry nose, cascade of red fruit coulis, candied blackcurrant, blackberry cake, raspberry jelly, stuffed figs, almond paste, marzipan, my grandmother's fruit cake, chocolate mousse, tomato soup. On the palate, velvety mushrooms, still a lot of red fruit, with shortbread pastry, Britanny biscuits, braised vanilla, cashew nuts, beeswax, spices that are lively but rare. Very long finish, red fruit purée, earth and chocolate, cloves, light floral notes, roses and tulips. Cachous.

 

In Short, 

An exceptional product, the likes of which are rare. Sherry at the top of its game, it's hard to beat that. It's a shame that it's reduced to 46°, otherwise it would make a totally sublime bottling. Well, it's still sublime anyway. Unfortunately, it's very expensive, although not as much as you might imagine. But above all, it's totally impossible to find.

Score : 92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Frédéric Chopin - Nocturne n°20

Strathisla 2002 Hidden Spirits Highproof Version 17 yo

 

 

 

52,4°

Distillery : Strahisla - Speyside

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

One of the secret treasures at Hidden Spirits is this 17-year-old Strathisla, bottled in 2020 and released in just 201 bottles. Bourbon cask-aged Strathisla are rare, so this one deserves a closer look.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Bubbles of iodine, coconut milk, mellow vanilla, a slice of melon, butterscotch, almond paste, lychees, discreet herbaceous notes, candied angelica, a little hay, reeds, liquid caramel, acacia honey, exotic wood. Cake dough. On the palate, very white fruit, white grapes, white peaches, perhaps a hint of banana. Slight country roughness, tobacco leaves, disparate spices. A zest of lemon. Long finish, braised chestnuts, roasted walnuts, gradually gaining strength, small squid, pecans, bounty crumbs. Toasted wheat.

 

In Short, 

A few years ago, the Artist range launched a series of Strathisla, including a magnificent 15-year-old. However, these were almost only aged in Sherry casks. Whereas this bottling, aged in a Bourbon cask, reveals a unique and very pleasant character. La Maison du Whisky was right to highlight this distillery, but perhaps it put a little too much emphasis on the Sherry. Fortunately, this one sheds light on the true nature of this underestimated distillery, since most of its production is reserved for Chivas Brothers blends. The price, on the other hand, is a bit high, which is a shame.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Fiona Apple - Shadowboxer

Scapa 21 yo

 

 

 

52,9°

Distillery : Scapa - Islands 

American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

In line with this new regular range launched in 2024, the distillery is releasing this 21 year old, with the same ageing as the 10 year old and the 16 year old, and this time in cask strength. The odd thing is, however, that this time the liquid is coloured, whereas this does not seem to be the case with the other expressions. Why colour a whisky of such an honourable age, sold at such a price? It scares off connoisseurs, even if it doesn't actually change the taste. I don't quite understand the strategy here.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Brioche, braised almonds, the nose is perfectly balanced and very airy, supple and ample iodine, with a very discreet pinch of salt, vanilla bean, liquorice stick, dried exotic fruit, but also honeyed cereals. Hints of citrus and hazelnut. On the palate, it's creamy, flavoured with noble wood, vanilla pastry cream, walnut honey, maple syrup, notes of red berries and forest berries, well-tamed spices. Long finish, calissons d'Aix, orangettes coated in milk chocolate, chicory, herbal touches. Dried apricots.

 

In Short, 

It's very good, more velvety, with roasted almonds and walnuts, perhaps a bit of cinnamon. It's very well done, very subtle, almost bewitching, but this time the price is really exaggerated. You can find much better for the same price, and without colourings. I don't know if I can recommend buying it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Camp Saint Helene - Call for Me

Scapa 16 yo 2024

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Scapa - Islands

American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Scapa 16 Year Old was first launched in 2008, reduced to 40° and chill filtered, but it quickly became sought after as it was the last representative of the distillery's Core Range, the only way to get a Single Malt from them. It then became legendary because production ceased in 2015, and the only Single Malts to leave the distillery were of poor quality. So it was a veritable resurrection when this 16-year-old was re-produced, eight years later, this time non-chill-filtered and with a more than solid alcohol content.    

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very airy, with crystalline iodine, bubbles of icing sugar, candied lemon zest, vaporous vanilla and whisked eggs. Sea breeze, fresh sea spray, a pinch of salt, clementine quertier, pineapple pulp, dried mango. Slightly smoky wood, tinder. On the palate, applesauce, crumble, again some exotic fruit, and also a maritime, even mineral freshness. It's a little creamy, with mashed bananas. Long finish, Belle Hélène pear, custard, mint leaf, sea foam, waves, quartz beads, slate.

 

In Short, 

It's the same ageing as the 10 year old, the same profile, but it goes further, it's more subtle, fruitier, a little less costal, the flavours are deeper, and here I really felt the exotic fruits. It's a great success, but this time the price is a bit high, and I think it should be reserved for absolute fans.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Lila Forde - Vessel

Scapa 10 yo 2024

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Scapa - Orkney 

American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched on 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is the kind of news that can only delight any self-respecting whisky lover. At the end of last year, the Scapa distillery, which had been releasing only bottom-of-the-range Single Malts with no age since a while ago, launched a new range, aged, with a solid alcohol content and not chill-filtered. What is this miracle? Which executive at Pernod Ricard has been struck by a sudden illumination? In any case, just one word: thank you! Scapa was undoubtedly the distillery with the greatest untapped potential in Scotland, although there is competition in this field. So here we have the youngest of the range, aged in Bourbon casks, nothing superfluous, and it's perfect.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's very coastal and iodised, sea spray, waves, kelp, but also very sweet, icing sugar, vanilla, salted butter caramel, baked apples, a few mineral notes, limestone, quartz, an airy, ethereal freshness, whisked eggs, candied banana. It's delicate on the palate, still very marine and mineral, but with beeswax and white plum. Rosewater, Turkish delight, then discreet spices. The finish is long, just powerful enough, pastry cream, dried exotic fruits, pineapple, papaya, white chocolate.

 

In Short, 

I liked the fine balance between the powerful costal character and the delicate sweetness. The casks have a nice influence, without devouring the distillate. It has to be said that Scapa is once again one of the distilleries that count. If they could also sell a few casks to independent bottlers, that would be really wonderful. In any case, for this one, the price is in line with the current market, a little high, but still acceptable, and I strongly recommend buying it.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Sona Jobarteh - Kambengwo

Caperdonich 25 yo Small Batch Release Batch CA/002

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Caperdonich - Speyside

1st Fill American Oak Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

In this range launched in 2019, the Secret Speyside Collection, there are two types of Caperdonich, the peated and the unpeated. There were 5 batches of unpeated, and 4 Batches of peated, before this annual limited edition disappeared, due to a lack of casks I suppose. Here we have the 2nd Batch of unpeated Caperdonich, numbered CA/002, bottled in 2020, reduced to 48° and aged in related Bourbon casks. This is a limited edition of over 11500 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Lemon, almost acidic, which takes on fullness and becomes candied at the end, floral honey, creamy vanilla, some exotic fruit, papaya, prickly pear, pineapple, melted butter, discreet woodiness, untreated pine, dry earth, herbaceous notes. On the palate, ripe yellow plums, mashed bananas, but it's light, almost silky, a concentrate of sunshine, perhaps a few cereals, very controlled spices. Long finish, not very powerful, but pleasant, braised chestnuts, roasted nuts, hazelnuts, cashew, liquorice stick, coconut milk. Mirabelles.

 

In Short, 

I was a little taken aback by the lightness of the flavours and the low alcohol content, but after a time of adjustment, I came to appreciate the distillery's typical character, the lively citrus fruits that extend to exotic fruits, a very pleasant mellowness, and a good length on the palate. Unfortunately, the price is prohibitive, but it's a fine bottling and a great success.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Hello Seahorse! - Al Fuego

Caperdonich 25 yo Small Batch Release Batch CP/001

 

 

 

45,5°

Distillery : Caperdonich - Speyside

Hogsheads

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Lightly Peated

 

 

 

It is still Chivas Brothers that has taken the initiative of releasing these aged bottlings from distilleries that have nurtured various Blends for decades, as part of this Secret Speyside Collection range. Here we have a 25-year-old Caperdonich, from a distillery that closed in 2002 and was destroyed in 2011. So it's one of the last witnesses of a time gone forever. Here we have the peated version; I'll talk about the unpeated version soon. The peat is light, a little less than 20 ppm in my opinion. The ageing is marked by the influence of Bourbon, these are Hogsheads, but I suspect the presence of American oak. The bottles are numbered, and I know there are at least 7500 of them.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Light, slightly candied lemon, dusty peat, gravel, ripe yellow plums and crushed bananas. Chimney smoke, white peaches, fresh and airy iodine notes, more or less floral and sweet, stiffly beaten eggs, pastry cream. On the palate, still lots of fruit, green apples, sweet pears, the peat is barely perceptible, but brings some dirtiness, which creates a nice contrast. Rose loukoum, then timid spices, cloves, nutmeg. Quite a long, deep finish, a few drops of soot, warm chestnuts, delicate woodiness, melted churn butter, the kind you put on croissants.

 

In Short, 

Quite typical of the distillery, it's light, lemony and quite fruity. The peat is discreet, giving fullness to the nose, but crushing the flavours a little. The alcohol content is low; all the other whiskies I tasted that day were much stronger, so my score may be a little harsh. In any case, it's very expensive for what it is, admittedly this is a closed distillery, but a limited edition of over 7,000 copies is not a rare edition.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Meg Baird - Through Eyes and Glass

Longmorn 25 yo Triple Cask Matured Batch L04

 

 

 

53,7°

Distillery : Longmorn - Speyside 

American Oak Casks, Hogsheads, Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Owned by Pernod Ricard through its subsidiary Chivas Brothers, Longmorn is a discreet distillery renowned for its fruity, indulgent character. Most of its production goes into blends, but there are also a number of original bottlings, such as this one, first launched in 2019 as part of the Secret Speyside Collection range. Here we have the Batch L04, bottled in 2022 but released in 2023. After this Batch, the 25 Year Old becomes part of the Core Range, and there is no longer any particular Batch.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Pear brioche, sponge cake, christmas pudding, raisins, candied fruits, waxed noble wood, chocolate and caramel, orange peel, dates and figs. Lime, a hint of blackcurrant, wel-ripened quetsches and mirabelles. Spring freshness, forest undergrowth. On the palate, chocolate-covered blood orange slices, maple syrup and cinnamon, walnut brownie, but also grapefruit and a very slight touch of bitterness, before plunging into a long, powerful finish, raspberry coulis and braised chestnuts, liquorice and dried prunes, damp bark and floral fragrances.

 

In Short, 

A very fruity and solid Longmorn, the Sherry is not overpowering, but gives a lovely warmth to the whole and emphasises the fruit. The balance is very good. The price, however, is too high for my liking, which is a shame as this is a fine bottling.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Anneke Van Giersbergen - When I Die

Glen Keith 21 yo Special Aged Release Batch GK/001

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Glen Keith - Speyside

1st Fill American Oak Casks and Refill European Oak Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

In 2019, Glen Keith's owners, Chivas Brothers, themselves owned by Pernod Ricard, decided to release a 21-year-old, at the rate of one batch per year. Single malt releases from Glen Keith were rare, as most of the production was reserved for blends. There was a 10-year-old in the 1990s, which was the only representative of the Core Range. Otherwise, we have a few limited editions, in particular these Special Aged Releases, which make a 21, a 25 and a 28 year old. These are limited editions in very large numbers, at least 8,000 bottles. It went on like that until 2023, when the Batch GK/005 was released, since when there has been no news.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's a charming little Speyside sweet, with almond paste, pineapple, lemon, soft vanilla, orchard fruits, white and yellow peaches, Conference pears, liquid honey and fresh walnuts. A few grassy, even cereal touches, but very discreet. On the palate, the same ingredients, but more woody, a delicate woodiness, peach stones, mahogany bark, toasted wheat, and still fruits, almost candied, apricots, oranges, white plums. Quite expressive spices, cloves, nutmeg. The finish is long and hearty, with melting milk chocolate, vanilla custard, ginger and yellow apples.

 

In Short, 

Really cute, typically Speyside, with fruit galore and a light distillate. It would benefit from having a slightly higher alcohol content. The price is high for what it is, though, which is a shame. What's more, it's now hard to find.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ditte Elly - What am I

Speyside ( GL) 16 yo Exceptional Cask 100 Proof Edition #7

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Glenlivet - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads 

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Exceptional Casks form a separate series within the 100 Proofs, launched at the beginning of 2024. There are only 7 of them, while the other 100 Proofs now number over forty. They are supposed to be better, and sometimes come from rarer distilleries. This is the case here with this 16-year-old Glenlivet, aged in typical Sherry fashion. This distillery is owned by Pernod Ricard, and they don't sell many casks to independent bottlers, sine a lot of the production is used for blends. That's why this edition is exceptional. However, the strange thing is that there is no vintage here, whereas there is one on all 100 Proof bottlings. Perhaps an oversight.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Cascade of red fruits, strawberry coulis, raspberry purée, tomato soup, apple crumble. After a while, the influence of wood is felt, it becomes velvety, dark chocolate, ground coffee beans, mocha, soggy leather, unctuous caramel, creamy honey, royal jelly. It becomes increasingly mellow, walnut cakes, olive oil, nougatine. Wood charcoal. The palate is fairly round, with soft caramel, coffee liqueur, but very quickly the spices take over everything, cumin, black pepper, cloves. Finish Powerful and fairly long, Viennese coffee with lots of whipped cream, chocolate fondant, some grainy cereals, egg custard.

 

In Short, 

The casks must have been heavily Charred, because they weigh heavily on the flavours, both on the nose and on the palate. The result is a very woody nose and a very spicy palate. This kind of defect tends to fade with time, once the bottle has been opened. It's the sort of thing you have to open, then leave to rest for a month or two. That's why I gave it a fairly flattering rating, even though I didn't really enjoy the product. I think it will soon be better, and in fact it has already improved a little during the tasting. If it doesn't, I'll obviously lower my score. In any case, I think it's expensive for what it is, and the more time goes by, the more wary I become of whiskies that are too cask-driven, what interests me is the distillate. For me, the cask should only round out the distillate, not transform it.

Score : 88 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Cosmograf - You Didn't See the Thief

Aberlour 18 yo Double Sherry Cask Finish Batch N°004

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Aberlour - Speyside

American Oak and European Oak Casks, 1st Fill Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The Aberlour 18yo has been around for a long time, apparently since the 90s, but back then it was a limited edition, reserved for the French and American markets. From 2008, it became part of the Core Range, and available worldwide. At that time, it was coloured and cold-filtered. But in 2022, there was another change: it was now finished in 1st Fill Sherry casks, and divided into Batches. The first Batch was launched in 2022. The advantage was that it was now colour-free and unchill-filtered.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is quite pervasive, velvety, unctuous, apple crumble sprinkled with cinnamon, quince jam, orange marmalade, caramel and treacle, kneaded leather, blueberries and blackberries, slightly charred wood, fireplace. On the palate, as much sherry as ever, but it's very well done, almost bewitching, dried fruits, dates, apricots, figs and bananas, a few currants, ripe yellow peaches, melting toffee, rich spices, nutmeg, cloves and, of course, cinnamon. Long finish, ginger, sweet potatoes, plantains, lychees, earthy notes, roasted hazelnuts, pan-fried mushrooms.

 

In Short, 

It's deep and expressive, just what you'd expect from a bottling of this type. It seems to me that it's much better than the classic Aberlour 18yo, which was distributed between 2008 and 2022. The Sherry is more intense, brings more flavour, and the influence of the wood is very well controlled. On the other hand, the price has risen considerably, and the value for money is not very attractive.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Maurice John Vaughn - Computer Took my Job

Aberlour 17 yo Crafted Small Batch N°1.2

 

 

 

58,8°

Distillery : Aberlour - Speyside

57,4% European Oak Casks, 42,6% American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

A year ago, the distillery launched this bottling, the result of a blend between European oak casks, probably Sherry, and American oak casks, probably Bourbon. One website claims that this is a very limited edition of 432 bottles, but this seems strange to me, as several casks were used, unless they were very small casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, it's very mellow, brioche, cake dough, then honeyed, acacia honey, pine needles, dry earth, dried prunes, dates, figs, bananas and grapefruit, a dash of vanilla and a zest of lemon. On the palate, the fruit is a little more present and unctuous, but there's also the harshness of wood bark, resin, maple syrup, blood oranges, medlars and slightly mealy apricots. Intense spices, cumin, cloves. Long, fairly explosive finish, liquorice, very spicy, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pineapple juice.

 

In Short, 

A very solid Aberlour, in keeping with its reputation, with lots of fruit and velvet. The wood influence is intense, which makes me think that the casks must indeed have been small. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes the profile, although it's expensive for what it is.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Salin - Painted Lady