Kilkerran 2011 Cadenhead's Original Collection 13 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Glengyle - Campbeltown

Bourbon Barrels and Ruby Port Casks

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated from 12 to 15 ppm

 

 

 

Independent bottlings from the Glengyle distillery are rare, and in fact this one is not, since Cadenhead and the distillery share the same owner, the Mitchell family. It is therefore a necessarily remarkable product, which is why it was decided to release it at Cadenhead rather than directly as an Original Bottling. The combination of Bourbon and Port casks ensures the research of an interesting balance.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

The Port influence is both intense and measured. The fruit is very present, with plums, blackberry jam, blackcurrants and black grapes, as well as an exotic touch of passion fruit. At the same time, the distillery's character is present, with light peat adding depth, charcoal and mineral notes of dry hay and a pinch of coarse salt. On the palate, it's more unequivocal, the fruit is stronger, on cherry, redcurrant, pomegranate, some grainy cereals accompanied by a little dirtiness. The finish is long, dark and almost explosive, caramel and dark chocolate, a few more red plums, fir honey, earthy roots.

 

In Short, 

That's certainly something to remember. The Port is very intense, much to my delight, as I like Port cask ageing, but it doesn't take away too much of the distillery's markers. So it's a great success, except for the palate, which I found a little smooth, but good nonetheless. I would have considered buying it, but it's definitely too expensive, especially at this discount.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Comet is Coming - Blood of the Past

Laphroaig 1988 The Ian Hunter Story Book 5 : Enduring Spirit 34 yo

 

 

 

45,5°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay 

American White Oak Bourbon Barrels and 1st Fill European Oak Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Ian Hunter is one of the great names who have contributed to the success of the distillery, and one of the great names in whisky itself. He is said to have popularised the use of American oak to age whisky. He is also credited with the distillery's current malting area, which is still in use. So it's understandable that, from 2019, a series of bottlings entitled The Ian Hunter Story has been dedicated to him. This one is the final bottling in the series, released in September 2023, despite being bottled a year earlier on 22 August 2022. It is indeed Cask Strength despite the low alcohol content, and only one site states that it is not coloured, but it would be a crime to do so on such an old spirit. The number of bottles produced is not given.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A deluge of tropical fruit on the nose, papaya, pineapple, mango, prickly pear, guava, passion fruit, grapefruit, deep vanilla, lemon slices. All this with a lovely woody patina, beeswax, wildflower honey, birch resin, ripe apricots, mirabelle plums and greengages. Almost undetectable smoke, but haunting and dancing, charcoal toast, dry earth and a medicinal touch. Then the costal elements reveal themselves, iridescent salt, whiffs of crystalline iodine, delicate quartz. Chalky notes, but the fruit persists and gives the whole an airy character. On the palate, great sweetness, the fruit is more candied, with some sultanas, caramel syrup, a fine layer of peat, buckwheat pancakes, ewe's milk cheese. Shimmering spices. The finish is very long and quite explosive despite the low alcohol content, grey ash, pellets, vanilla beans. There are still hints of fruit and honey, chocolate and coffee.

 

In Short, 

I've tasted it three times in the space of two weeks, so I'm pretty sure of my notes, and I'm surprised not many people mention the abundance of exotic fruit in there. It's better than the old Bowmores. The peat is very subdued, but overall the balance is pretty fantastic. The palate and finish are marvellous, but the nose is still beyond that, it's a real epiphany, and now I think about it every day. It's an absolutely exceptional product, but the strongest thing about it is the price.

Score : 92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Samaris - Glaedur

Blair Athol 2009 Cadenhead Original Collection 14 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Blair Athol - Highlands

Bourbon Casks and Oloroso Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This one spent around 13 years in classic Bourbon casks, before being finished for 15 months in Oloroso Sherry casks. Blair Athol has been owned by Diageo since 1985, with only one official bottling. It is, however, a good distillery which has the advantage of marrying well with Sherry.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nice and mellow sherry, but it lacks a little complexity. Red fruit jam, redcurrants, wild strawberries, minty freshness, candied ginger, a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom. Blood orange, gingerbread, cookie dough. It's slightly light on the palate, with muscat grapes, orchard fruits, apples and pears, and melting chocolate. Nutmeg and cloves. Very decent finish, quite long but not explosive, salted butter caramel, orange marmalade, varnished wood, black tea. A grain of coffee.

 

In Short, 

It's good, but not very complex, despite its respectable age. I may have missed something, but I didn't find this one remarkable, especially on the palate. The price seems rather high to me, other Blair Athols are much more interesting. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Madison Cunningham - Wake

Glenburgie-Glenlivet 2010 Cadenhead Original Collection 13 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Glenburgie - Speyside

Refill Bourbon Barrels, Port Casks and Refill Bourbon Finish

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

These gentlemen from Cadenhead are definitely very thorough, and here they have once again opted for triple maturation. The whisky first spent 10 years in Refill Bourbon Barrels, then 26 months in Port casks. At this point, the team felt that the Port casks overpowered the spirit, so they put the liquid back into Refill Bourbon Barrels, for 11 months. They're always looking for the right balance.

Let's Taste It : 

Slightly acidic and sour notes, pink currants, dried oranges, ginger, ginseng roots. Candied cherries, quetsches, clafoutis. Soft wood, candies, sweet herbs. A few hazelnuts and cashew nuts. On the palate, meaty caramel, viandox, wine sauce. We're more into blackberries and forest berries. Perhaps a little blackcurrant. Small tomatoes, pomegranate seeds, muscat grapes. Spices quite present. Fairly long finish, not very powerful, coffee and dark chocolate, damp earth, pipe tobacco, crushed nuts.

 

In Short, 

The Port is still quite powerful, it must have been very strong before the finish in Refill Bourbon Barrels. Here, the result is pleasant, but with a slight acidity. I like the influence of the Port casks, so I liked it. The price is just decent. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Steely Dan - Do It Again

Glen Elgin-Glenlivet 2009 Cadenhead Original Collection 13 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Glen Elgin - Speyside

Bourbon Casks and Manzanilla Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This Glen Elgin first spent 12 years in Bourbon casks, then, in March 2022, the liquid was transferred to Manzanilla Sherry casks, for an 18-month finish. It's a dry white sherry from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, produced with the Palomino grape. I'm curious about the result. 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite dry sherry, more on almonds, light vanilla, custard and apple pie sprinkled with cinnamon, an ounce of citrus. Fruity pulp, tropical scents, wild strawberries. Light woodiness, rosewood, orange peel. On the palate, the wood is more intense, damp bark, wild berries, peppermint, it's a little oily, with herbal notes. The spices gradually rise, black pepper, cumin. Quite a long finish, spicy, woody, clove, dried fruit, dates, figs, milk chocolate, vergeoise. Pastry cream.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad, but it's too discreet, unremarkable. I have the feeling that the Sherry casks have erased the already light character of the distillery, but as it's a dry Sherry, it hasn't really influenced the whisky. As a result, although it's not bad, and is even pleasant to drink, it's not very interesting. The price is quite low, but even so, I'm not sure I'd recommend buying it.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Rosali - Rewind

Tamdhu-Glenlivet 2007 Cadenhead Original Collection 15 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Tamdhu - Speyside 

Refill Bourbon Barrels, Oloroso Sherry Casks and Refill Bourbon Finish

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Tamdhu is renowned for its fruity and pulpy character, but here the ageing is undoubtedly the most intriguing. This one is triple matured, first in Refill Bourbon Barrels, then 20 months in Oloroso Sherry Casks, and finally 11 months again in Refill Bourbon Barrels. Why this versatility? What will it bring to the distillate?

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry is very intense, almost too much so, a liqueur of red fruits, blueberries, raspberries, oregano, Aosta ham, spongy wood, blood oranges, clementines, candied cherries. In the background, earthy touches, exotic spices, blood sauce. Saffron, grated nutmeg, cinnamon. On the palate, it's syrupy, heady, melted dark chocolate, stretto coffee, blackberry jam, redcurrants, tomato coulis. The spices are a little less present, black pepper, cola. The finish is fairly long, very opulent, black earth, charcoal, burnt caramel. A hint of bitterness and vegetal notes at the end.

 

In Short, 

I can understand why the liquid was put back into a Refill Bourbon Barrel, the Sherry was a little too invasive, and the trend had to be reversed, or at least an attempt made. The result is a whisky saturated with sherry, a little excessive, but which may appeal precisely for that reason. The price seems to me excessive for what it is.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek - Cool Hand

Macduff 2011 Cadenhead's Original Collection 13 yo

 

46°

Distillery : Macduff - Highlands

Bourbon Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

In my opinion, Macduff is one of the most underrated distilleries. That's why I'm always delighted to discover a new expression. Especially as here we have a very simple maturation in Bourbon Barrels, which gives the distillate free rein.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is full and fresh, rural, farmy, airy, wind-blown cereals, hints of iodine and undergrowth, evanescent fruit clustering around vanilla. Light coppery tones, waxy patina, plums of all colours, soft butter, toasted wheat, linseed. On the palate, honey, orchard fruit, but it's a little rustic, yellow apples, pears and apricots. A dash of caramel, well seasoned spices. Birch bark. Quite a long, grainy, woody finish, beeswax, raisins, tinder, braised chestnuts. Milk chocolate.

 

In Short, 

A very nice little Macduff, which confirms my feeling about this distillery. To be discovered for its rural and slightly cereal character. It's complex and waxy, like a Clynelish, but milder. The price is a little high, but not too bad. This is the kind of product you should keep an eye on, and occasionally snatch up. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Wednesday - Chosen to Deserve

Glenallachie-Glenlivet 2014 Cadenhead's Original Collection 10 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : The GlenAllachie - Speyside

Bourbon Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This distillery is known for often using sherry casks, which is why this bottling immediately caught my attention. It's not often that you get the chance to taste GlenAllachie aged in bourbon casks. The number of bottles available for sale is unknown, but at least it's not chill-filtered, which is something. 

Let's Taste It : 

It is very fruity, but also floral. Generous vanilla, combined with orchard fruits, white peaches, crisp apples and juicy pears, grapefruit, pineapple and papaya, buttered toast. Shiny wax wood, pollen, pistil, crème brûlée. Melon, kiwi, a few herbaceous notes. On the palate, it is pastry-like, with white grapes, almonds, and vanilla éclairs. Measured spices, ginger, and cinnamon. Fairly long finish, hazelnuts and caramel, robust but not explosive. Shortbread cookies, egg yolk, english custard.

In Short, 

Finally, the distillery reveals its true nature, and it's very good. They should make more bottlings like this, generous and fruity, with lots of butter. The price is a little high, but still reasonable. I vote for buying it. 

Score : 87

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Mei Semones - Kodoku

Kilkerran Heavily Peated Small Batch Batch N°12

 

 

 

58,4°

Distillery : Glengyle - Campbeltown

90% Bourbon and 10% Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 45 ppm

 

 

 

It's always a pleasure to see a new Batch of Kilkerran Heavily Peated, which comes out twice a year. Nobody realised that the peat content was almost halved in the previous Batch, and that didn't detract from the quality of the product. So we're sticking with 45 ppm for this one, though the maturation remains the same, with a large majority of Bourbon casks, and a tiny remnant of Sherry to give it a little roundness.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Sponge cake, vanilla, honey and semi-salted butter, brioche, all served with a few exotic fruits. Peaches, juicy pears, dates. Cake batter, a zest of lemon, and all with mineral notes, limestone, quartz, chalk, and of course a slight costal character. On the palate, it's very well balanced, with a slight woodiness drifting towards grapefruit, vergeoise, marshmallow, a hint of pineapple, papaya, and more minerality. Intense spices, nutmeg, black pepper, chilli. The finish is long and almost explosive, with a good layer of herbal peat, damp wood, volcanic rock, cola, dark chocolate chips and a touch of white fruit.

In Short, 

I have the impression that this one is even better than the previous ones. There's a superb balance, a lovely sweetness that goes very well with the peat. Of course, I'd have to taste it again, but I feel that the quality of the very good early Batches has been restored. That's very encouraging. What's more, the price still hasn't gone up, in fact it seems to have come down a little. Now's the time to buy.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Messa - Pilgrim

Isle of Raasay 2019 Na Sia Single Cask Series Unpeated Chinkapin Oak Cask 5 yo c.19/622

 

 

 

62°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

Chinkapin Virgin Oak Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

The Na Sia Single Cask series seems endless, with bottlings coming thick and fast, leaving us spoiled for choice. Here we have the contents of a virgin Chinkapin Oak cask, distilled in 2019 and bottled fairly recently, so the age of 5 years seems logical. Anyway, each batch in the series is released every two years, 3 years, 5 years, and soon 7 years, up to 11 years. It is therefore impossible in principle for the whisky to be 4 years old. The scientific name for Chinkapin oak is Quercus Muehlenbergii, it is an American oak. It is intensely toasted, which reveals the natural sugars in the wood.

Let's Taste It : 

The woodiness is immediately intense, chiselled bark, sawdust, wood chips. White chocolate, pastry cream, a hint of smoke. Pine needles, white grapes, vanilla pod. Very light citrus fruits, chalky notes, refreshing iodine. On the palate, it is pleasant and smooth, liquid caramel, fir resin, thick honey. Pink plums, lively spices, crushed almonds and cereals. The finish is long and powerful, destructive, dry earth, hot chestnuts, hazelnuts and walnuts, young wood, grassy notes. Whitewash.

In Short, 

It's very intense, but not at all bitter or sickening. The wood is very present throughout the tasting, but coated with caramel, honey and resin, which makes it pleasant and successful overall. I think it can mainly be found in France, at a price that I find a little too high. But it's an experience worth trying.

Score : 88 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           IzzI RAI - The Talk

Isle of Raasay 2021 Special Release Exclusivité France 2025 4 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

Ex-Burgundy Red Wine Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The distillery on the Isle of Raasay has always had a special relationship with France, especially as it has French employees. Here we have a Special Release exclusively for the French market, just to make our neighbours jealous. For the occasion, the text on the label and packaging is in French. It was matured in Burgundy wine casks, aged for 4 years, and the barley used was unpeated. 2,000 bottles are on sale at the moment, but I've been told that even more bottles are ready to flood France, or perhaps another country.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :   

The nose is light but tasty, with hints of the sea, limestone, iodine and other mineral notes, austere fruitiness, muscat grapes, redcurrants, candied aubergines, and a few traces of vanilla and custard. Varnished wood, laurel, forest after rain, undergrowth. On the palate, it's unctuous, velvety, chestnut cream, peanut butter, lumpy caramel, vergeoise, chocolate macaroons, acacia honey, discreet spices, cloves, nutmeg. The finish is long, sufficiently robust, roots, oak bark, coffee beans, cocoa, earthy notes, heather.

 

In Short, 

It's a little different from the distillery's other bottlings, first of all there's no peat, then the costal character is less present, the fruit is more intense, and there's also an interesting woody patina, which is the influence of the casks. I liked it, but my tasting partner was less enthusiastic, as wine casks can sometimes be divisive. Here, I thought it was well balanced, neither acidic nor too woody. The price seems acceptable to me, it's not for sale yet, we'll have to wait a few weeks, but to be honest I'm considering a purchase.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                     Tickle the Sage - Tickle the Sage

Isle of Raasay 2021 The Draam R-01.4.1 3 yo

 

 

 

46,4°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands 

1st Fill Rye Whiskey, Chinkapin Virgin Oak and 1st Fill Bordeaux Red Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm 

 

 

 

The Draam is the new name of the R Lightly Peated series which appeared in 2021. The principle: each year, at least two new bottlings are made using the same recipe, based on six different casks, 1st Fill Rye, Chinkapin Oak and 1st Fill Bordeaux Red Wine, in both peated and unpeated varieties. The blend of all this creates the distillery's most accessible whisky, this being the 11th Batch, each time with a new and more incomprehensible code number. This one is made with Laureate barley from Scotland, the age is 3 to 5 years, and the number of bottles produced remains a mystery.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Light lemon with costal notes, pulpy grapefruit, a spoonful of vanilla cream, fragile woodiness, grapes and lychees. Cinnamon, chocolate powder, a drop of pineapple. Sea spray, foam, sea air. Subdued peat, rocky and chalky. On the palate, it's still a little light, but the fruit fills in the gaps, banana, various citrus fruits, white grapes, liquid caramel, pleasant spices. Quite remarkable finish, oak bark, freshly cut wood, a few cereals, puffed rice, nuts, apple pieces. A pinch of iodine.

 

In Short, 

On the palate, it's still a little light, but the nose is very fresh and costal, and the finish is quite long and powerful despite the reduction. I enjoyed the previous batches, and this one is more delicate but more summer-like. The price seems reasonable, so you can treat yourself, and the bottle is very pretty, at least it's decorative.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Zennec Wave - Fade to Grey

Bowmore 18 yo Sherry Oak Cask

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon Casks, Oloroso Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2024

Peated around 25 ppm 

 

 

 

After the 12 and 15 year olds, I'm now experimenting with the 18 year old from the Sherry Oak Cask series launched last year. The maturation is exactly the same, the alcohol content remains fairly low, and we can only deplore the presence of colouring and cold filtration.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry is more intense, deeper, candied figs, melting chocolate, red fruit jam, brown tobacco, dancing floral notes, intense woodiness, hazelnuts and walnuts. Molasses, sticky caramel, slightly burnt at the edges. It's indulgent on the palate, from redcurrant to blueberry, and if you look hard enough you can find some exotic fruit. With a slight woody bitterness, very discreet and delicately smoky peat, raspy spices. Long finish, where the wood and charcoal stand out, but very well balanced, with cola nut and marzipan, vergeoise, filled wafers, vanilla extract, pipe tobacco.

 

In Short, 

So Bowmore has three 18-year-old whiskies, the classic 18yo, the 18yo Deep & Complex, and this one, the 18yo Sherry Oak Cask. To be honest, I find this one the least interesting. It's very good, but I don't find the distillery hallmarks that I like. No hint of saltiness or costality, too discreet peatiness, no forest undergrowth. It's a good Sherry, but several distilleries are capable of doing the same thing, and there's no distinctive character to the product. It's the least interesting, but it's also the most expensive, so go figure. To sum up, this new range is not very exciting. Admittedly, the 15yo offers a clear improvement on the classic 15yo, but it's far too expensive. The 12yo seems too weak to me, and the 18yo is good but loses its personality. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Marta - Out The Way

Bowmore 15 yo Sherry Oak Cask

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon Casks, Oloroso Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2024

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

I'm still exploring Bowmore's new Sherry range launched in 2024. The 15yo has followed exactly the same maturation as the 12yo, with lots of Oloroso, the alcohol content is a little higher, but it's still chill-filtered and coloured.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Velvety and mellow Dark Sherry, with just the right amount of syrupy dried fruit, blueberries and blackberries, dried bananas, dates, not to mention exotic wood, fir honey, dark chocolate and damp leather. Pipe tobacco, roasted hazelnuts. On the palate, it's more floral, more measured, but still very oily. Creamy vanilla, lemon zest, very discreet peat, some cereals, oak bark, damp undergrowth. Light but very present spices. Long finish, not very violent but pleasant, earth and coffee, exotic fruit, charcoal, dried herbs and roots.

 

In Short, 

This time, it's much better than the 12yo, with undeniable qualities, the Sherry is very well brought out, very measured, intense but not excessive. I found complexity on the nose and a fine finish. The problem is the price, which is ridiculous. At this price, you can get much better things, I don't understand the point of this price, besides, I have the impression that it doesn't sell so well.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Rest in Beats - Saltvand

Bowmore 12 yo Sherry Oak Cask

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon Casks, Oloroso Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2024

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

In 2024, Bowmore launched a new range, more focused on Sherry. I thought for a moment that the new range was going to replace the old one, but in fact no, the two continue to exist side by side. As a result, Bowmore now has 2 regular ranges and 2 Travel Retail ranges. Which makes by far the largest Core Range in Scotland, and possibly the world. So this one has been matured mainly in Sherry casks, with a Sherry finish added over it. It's unfortunately cold-filtered and coloured, with the lowest possible alcohol content.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry is well-crafted, there's no rancio or sour or acid notes, it's velvety, with dried fruits, dates, figs, red fruits that aren't too overpowering, dark honey, leather and earthy notes. But it's light. On the palate, it's very smooth, barely oily, you can hardly detect anything, lychees, medicinal vanilla, white grapes. Timid spices. And the finish is fine without more, not very long, raisins, chocolate and coffee, heather earth. Slightly waxy peat, charcoal and dark berries. Roasted hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad, but it's far too light. I don't understand how a 12-year-old can be so weak, despite maturing beautifully. What's more, the price is out of all proportion, it's far too expensive for what it is. It's really disappointing from this distillery, I'd hoped they'd finally be willing to improve their regular range, but that's not the case.

Score : 82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           a crestfallen child - Thirty Days

The Yamazaki 18 yo Mizunara Tsukuriwake 2024 Edition

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Yamazaki - Japan

Sherry, Bourbon, and Mizunara Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated 

 

 

 

I've been missing the last of the Tsukuriwake 2024 series, and now I've finally had a chance to taste it, and not just once, but twice! It's the usual Yamazaki 18yo, except that a larger proportion of Mizunara oak casks have been added. This promises sandalwood and spices galore. The number of bottles produced is not known.

Let's Taste It : 

Dry wood, dark chocolate, cocoa beans, roots, dates, dried bananas, grainy cereals, ounces of coal, candied figs, muscat grapes, amarena cherries. Very light, dusty, bewitching peat. Cinnamon, nutmeg, sandalwood. It's lighter on the palate, with wood-polished vanilla and lemon, passion fruit, floral hints, forest berries, undergrowth, moss and light spices. Very long finish, shiitake mushrooms, kelp, vanilla bean and sesame seeds, green tea, roasted nuts, shortbread dough.

In Short, 

The addition of Mizunara casks is a good idea, as it intensifies the spices, the depth of the distillate and its complexity. This is an excellent product, unfortunately much, much, much too expensive, more typical and with more personality than the classic Yamazaki 18yo.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lizz Wright - Stop

Hibiki 21 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distilleries : Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita - Japan

American Ex-Bourbon Barrels, Ex-Sherry European and Mizunara Oak Casks  

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Blended Grain 

Launched in 1989

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Superlatives are in order when we talk about this Blend, launched in 1989 by the Suntory group, and legendary ever since. Its price has risen tenfold since it was first released, and now that stocks have run out it is very rare to find. However, it is still cold-filtered and coloured, which is not so sublime. But it was very common when at that time. What is really a revolutionary idea is the use of Mizunara oak casks, which were mainly used to make furniture back then.

Let's Taste It : 

Very light grainy smoke, dust, gravel, notes of braised caramel, dried fruit, compote, cherry clafoutis, fig jam, oranges and cranberries. Apricot skin, lemon zest, vanilla bean, exotic wood, cinnamon, saffron, sandalwood. On the palate, dark honey, dates and hazelnuts, red plum, black tea, chocolate fondant, heather earth, spices that take time to decant. Long, powerful finish, slices of roast beef, charcoal crumbs, crème brûlée, red fruit, redcurrants, blood and floral hints. Roasted wheat.

 

In Short, 

It's indeed an excellent product, perfectly balanced, quite complex and deep. On the palate, it's still a little light, but the rest is very interesting. I'd say it's worth the price at which it was launched in 1989, but certainly not the price at which it is sold today. At its current price, this product is no longer there for whisky lovers, but for speculators, which is a very different field.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Johannes Brahms - Symphonie N°3

Isle of Raasay Cask Strength Limited Edition 2025

 

 

 

61,6°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

1st Fill Rye Whiskey, Chinkapin Virgin Oak and 1st Fill Bordeaux Red Wine Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

The first Isle of Raasay Cask Strength bottlings were launched in 2024, but I didn't get a chance to taste them then. So this one is the 2nd Batch in the Cask Strength series, it's just their classic Lightly Peated bottling, with a blend of six cask types, half of which are peated, but without any reduction. It's an outturn of 5500 bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's fresh and salty, very costal, with a lovely sea breeze whipping across your face, iodine and intense mineral notes. Brioche, sliced lime, earthy hints, vanilla cream, banana, white grapes. On the palate, it's unctuous and fruity, pleasant peat but hardly noticeable, gravel, lemon pie, coconut, lively spices. Powerful finish, it takes off but remains enjoyable. Good length, sea foam, quartz, crystalline caramel, cooked pears, crème fraîche, dried fruit. Cold ashes, wood-fired chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

I like the character of the distillery, it's very costal and delicate at the same time. And here we find it in all its nakedness, it really is pure island whisky, with no false make-up. It's refreshing. The price is a little high, which is a pity, but fans of the profile may let themselves be tempted.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Cuspid - Nematode

Craigellachie 13 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Craigellachie - Speyside

Refill American Oak Bourbon Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2014 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Craigellachie is owned by Bacardi and it was in 2014 that a new range was launched, with a 13 year old, a 17 year old, and a 23 year old. The 13 year old is therefore the most accessible bottling and the distillery's signature. It is made with Worm Tubs, which are supposed to give a fuller-bodied distillate. Maturation is generally reported as being exclusively in Bourbon casks, but some say there are also a few Sherry casks, which is very possible.   

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Lemony freshness, a dash of vanilla, ripe white plums and pears, fresh apples, whisked eggs, meringue, English custard, thick honey, perhaps a floral touch. Banana, pineapple in syrup. Discreet and slightly woody cereals. It's a bit flat on the palate, peach stones, vanilla concentrate, goat's milk. A zest of lemon, evanescent spices. Quite a long finish, and powerful given the relatively low alcohol content. Puffed rice, crispy wheat, prawn fritters, vanilla dessert cream. Coconut beads. Roasted peanuts.

 

In Short, 

This is an original Speyside, more robust than usual, with a seductive nose. The finish is quite interesting, but on the palate it's a bit flat, which is a shame. The value for money is decent, this is certainly a Speyside I could live with.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lana Del Rey - Ride

The Lakes The Whiskymaker's Editions Isadora

 

 

 

53°

Distillery : The Lakes Distillery - England 

Sherry and Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The Lakes is a distillery located in the very north of England, in the heart of the Lake District National Park. It opened in 2011, but the first distillation did not take place until December 2014, and the first Single Malts went on sale in 2018. The Whiskymaker's Editions series is launched in 2019, and it is the 4th Batch in this series that is voted World's Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards in 2022. This one was launched on International Women's Day, 8 March 2024, and was named after the great dancer Isadora Duncan. 900 bottles were produced, available only from the distillery. Nothing else has been revealed, so at this stage we can only speculate. The whisky can't be more than 9 years old, and it's probably less. I don't think it's Cask Strength, because at that age the natural alcohol content is higher. The casks used are being kept secret, but there are probably Sherry and Bourbon.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Candied lemon and mellow meringue, delicate mineral touches, crunchy sweets, syrupy caramel, lychees in syrup, grapefruit zest, dates, figs and light wood. Chocolate fondant, some red fruit. On the palate, lots of cinnamon, ginger, baked apples and woody caramel, fir resin, Oolong tea, minty and peppery notes. Quite a long finish, not too strong, well measured, earthy, forest berries, damp bark, cola, coffee beans, moss, slightly fermented pineapple at the very end. 

 

In Short, 

It's an excellent whisky for its age, oscillating between velvety citrus fruit and the markers of a deep, well-made Sherry. I'm impressed by such mastery, it's a shame you can't find it outside the distillery, except on a very few websites, but in any case it seems to be sold out. The price was apparently a bit high, but frankly, it's a curiosity worth discovering.

Score : 89  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           she's green - Graze

CRN57° 30 yo

 

 

 

51,9°

Distilleries Officially Unknown - Speyside

Sherry and Boubon Casks

Independent Bottling 

By The Cairn Distillery

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Cairn is a Speyside distillery launched in 2022 by Gordon & MacPhail, it's their second distillery after Benromach. They plan not to release a single single malt for another ten years or so, so to keep us waiting, they've launched a whole range, CRN57°, which is supposed to look like what The Cairn single malts will be like. It goes up to 70 years, so I'll never know if the real 70 year old The Cairn will actually be anything like the 70 year old Blend currently on the market. In fact, they're not taking many risks! More reasonable is this 30 year old Blend from various Speyside distilleries, the name of which is being kept secret, hopefully I'll be able to compare, if my doctor lets me, between two rations of vegetable soup and a plain yoghurt. The problem is that we know very little about this Blend, apart from its age and region of origin. Nothing about the maturation process, the number of bottles produced, the colouring or the cold filtration. Nor do we know whether it is Cask Strength.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's very coppery, woody, with a lovely old library effect, yellowed paper, damp cellar, old sherry, sour notes, but candied grapes, ripe apricot, blood oranges, dried banana, dates. Vanilla extract, pastry cream, coconut, a grain or two of salt. Bay leaves, thyme. On the palate, it's lighter, not quite balanced, but tasty. Plums and pears, ratatouille, aubergines, courgettes and hints of pepper, all delicately crunchy. Light spices. Long but not explosive finish, quince, barely burnt caramel, it runs down the throat, candied apricots. Icing sugar. Chamonix biscuits.

 

In Short, 

A very well-made old school Blend, with a very slight acidity and a clearly recognisable OBE. Well, to be honest, it's very good, but it's no masterpiece either, and value for money is a slight problem. Nevertheless, it's an excellent marketing product for teasing out a distillery's future, decades in advance. A touch of genius. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Brittany Davis - Mirrors