Cadenhead's Peated Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 2025

 

 

 

57,7°

Distilleries : Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain and others - Scotland

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition

Blended Malt 

Launched in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

In a number of Cadenhead shops, you can find demijohns filled with whisky. There are three of them: one for Bourbon, one for Sherry and one for Peated. It is impossible to know exactly what is inside them, as the contents change depending on what is added over the months. You can have a bottle filled by hand, either 20 cl or 70 cl. So I was able to taste a sip of Peated Blended Malt from a bottle that had been filled in 2025, with an alcohol content of 57.7%. I was assured that the two distilleries most used are Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain, but nothing is known about the others.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite oily peat on the nose, with hints of the sea, silt, seaweed, kelp, and a good dose of sea spray, whelks, razor clams, oysters, mussels, limestone and quartz, chalky rock, tar, creamy vanilla, and a vague zest of lemon. On the palate, it is rough, the peat becomes earthy, a little drier, dark chocolate and coffee, bottarga, Morteau sausage, lots of pepper and cloves. Banana, perhaps lychee. Quite a long and powerful finish, chalk and fuel oil, some subtle fruit, yam, black radish, a few drops of citrus.

 

In Short, 

For me, it's the perfect daily dram. The alcohol content is a little strong, admittedly, but it has character and lovely contrasts between the peaty, mineral and maritime notes and the fruits that linger in the background. It's powerful and intense, which is just how I like it. I admit it lacks a little subtlety, but that's why it's a daily dram. It offers good value for money and is worth trying. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Frankie and The Witch Fingers - Empire

Auchentoshan 20 yo Whisky Craft Season Two

 

 

 

55,1°

Distillery : Auchentoshan - Lowlands

2d Fill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Whisky Craft

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Whisky Craft is a very young Scottish bottler that came into being just this year. They are now on their fifth bottling, an Auchentoshan that spent 20 years in a second-fill hogshead, yielding 225 bottles. The distillation date has not been disclosed, but it is definitely a single cask, most likely cask strength, included in the company's second release, called Season Two.

Let's Taste It : 

It is fresh and lemony, with salty and mineral notes that give it character, chalk, gypsum, limestone. But very quickly, juicy fruits come through, Williams pear, mirabelle plum, and cotton candy, strawberry chewing gum, with a lovely caramel coulis and pastry cream. On the palate, grapefruit and mountain honey, orange zest and ripe banana. The spices are very subtle. On the finish, shortbread dough, a pinch of salt, then it becomes herbaceous, mint, sage, reeds. A very light peppery touch, oak leaf, walnut.

 

In Short, 

I am still unfamiliar with this distillery, but I have been told that it fits the profile of a very good Auchentoshan perfectly, and I am inclined to believe it. I enjoyed the fruit, citrus and cotton candy notes, but what surprised me most was the mineral character that gives it such a distinctive personality. This is definitely a whisky worth exploring, and it offers very good value for money. A bottler to keep an eye on.

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Röyksopp - Stay Awhile

Ledaig 2009 The Art of Maturation Benchmark Collection Itinéraires 16 yo

 

 

 

50,4°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

1st Fill Amontillado Octave Sherry Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm

 

 

 

Part of the Collection Itinéraires, this Ledaig has been aged in Amontillado sherry casks, a fairly dry sherry. Only 81 bottles have been produced, which is very few, and they are reserved for the French market.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is fruity and airy, coastal and cereal-like. Candied lemon, pomegranate and redcurrants, ripe pears overwhelmed by medicinal and salty peat, full of sea spray and seaweed. Evanescent iodine, and in the background, muesli and almond milk, beeswax. On the palate, a strong dose of peat at first, then quartz, salt, and gradually, pastry cream, citrus coulis, passion fruit. Discreet spices. Quite a long finish, almost explosive, liquorice, blond tobacco, ash and seaweed, unrefined sea salt. Mussels and rice powder.

 

In Short, 

Despite the strong influence of sherry, this Ledaig retains its character, softened only slightly by a parade of ripe, sometimes candied fruits. There is a beautiful balance and variety of flavours between the sweetness of the fruit and the mineral roughness. This will appeal to any self-respecting fan of the distillery, without being a masterpiece. It is neither quite as assertive nor as subtle as that. But it is still an enjoyable experience. The price is quite high, as evidenced by the fact that it is not yet sold out despite the small number of bottles available. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Rocket - Another Second Chance

Bowmore 2014 Old Particular 11 yo

 

 

 

62,4°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

This Bowmore yielded only 220 bottles and spent 11 years in a single refill bourbon barrel, ensuring that the distillate is showcased to its best advantage. It was added to the Collection Itinéraires for Whisky Live Paris 2025 and is therefore reserved for the French market.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very intense nose, creamy, fruity, mirabelle and greengage plums, vanilla, abundant citrus fruits, coated in rich, salty peat. Dried fruit, pineapple and banana, liquorice, under a shower of ashes and sea spray. Iodine gradually balancing out. Very pleasant on the palate, with the fruit slightly overwhelming the peat, it's pulpy, citrusy, even exotic, lychee, grapefruit, papaya, with pear and apple. The spices are restrained. The finish is quite long, iodine and oily, with shortbread biscuits, herbaceous notes, reeds, bamboo, a mineral background, slate, quartz, sleet and, of course, cold ashes.

 

In Short, 

A very pleasant Bowmore, intensely fruity, where iodine and peat are a little more discreet, but still very present in the background. That said, I find it lacks a little body or authenticity, I've come to expect better from this distillery. But excellence breeds high standards. In any case, despite the price, which I find high, it is already completely sold out.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Orvak - Only You

Talisker 2011 Old Particular 14 yo

 

 

 

54,8°

Distillery : Talisker - Islands

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 22 ppm

 

 

 

Independent bottlings of Talisker are rare, which is why this one deserves attention, especially since it is aged 14 years to the day (it was bottled on the anniversary of its distillation), matured in a Refill Hogshead that will bring out the best in the distillate, and only 227 bottles exist. It has been included in the Itinéraires collection designed by La Maison du Whisky on the occasion of Whisky Live Paris 2025.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Fresh and coastal nose, lemony and mineral, with oysters, whelks, a good dose of iodine and sea spray, seaweed, rough smoke, spongy peat, slate and quartz shards. Coarse sea salt. Behind that, creamy vanilla, apples and pears, perhaps even lychee and almonds. It's fine and chiseled on the palate, liquorice and salicornia, light citrus, grapefruit, a dash of English custard, still vanilla, a little milky, spices full of character, black pepper, cloves, cumin. Chalky, salty finish with a hint of cereal, limestone and scallops, olive oil, a zest of lemon.

 

In Short, 

So typical. It's Talisker through and through, nothing more, nothing less. Absolutely nothing exceptional, but with a distinctive identity, a unique character, deeply marine and mineral, with a noticeable peatiness that is never overpowering. It's the dream bottling for all fans of the distillery, but nothing remarkable for those who are not particularly fond of it. The only problem is the price, which is very high, but it must be said that independent Taliskers are so rare that it is entirely in line with the market.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Remina - Silence and the Silver Sea

Benromach 2014 Single Cask Collection Itinéraires 10 yo

 

58,3

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead 

Original Bottling

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

And the last Benromach selected by La Maison du Whisky to be part of the Itinéraires Collection is this one, a young and spirited whisky that matured in a first-fill sherry hogshead, for a total of 304 bottles. Made with Concerto barley and produced using a long fermentation process, this is a pure old-school bottling.

Let's Taste It : 

Very mellow on the nose, with greengages, juicy mirabelle plums, but also mineral, quartz, salt and chalk. The peat is discreet. Dried fruit, figs, pineapple, apricots, fresh walnuts and cashews. Some citrus fruit, damp leather and apple compote. On the palate, beautiful finesse, lovely woodiness, floor wax, milk chocolate, creamy vanilla, liquorice and ginger. Intense spices, salted almonds, orange peel. Long and elegant finish, creamy and herbaceous, dried mandarins and Conference pears, shortbread biscuits with fine sea salt, brewer's yeast, cooked egg yolk.

 

In Short, 

It's not that old school, it's a beautiful, intense sherry without being overpowering. The distillery retains its mineral profile, but I found little cereal or cut hay. It's nicely fruity and spicy, yet smooth and balanced at the same time. The price is more or less decent, so it's worth considering a purchase.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Leif de Leeuw Band - Small Town

Benromach 2009 Super Tuscan Wine Cask Collection Itinéraires 15 yo

 

 

 

58,2°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside 

1st Fill Sassicaia Wine Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

Another Benromach selected by La Maison du Whisky to be part of the Itinéraires collection, this one was aged in a Sassicaia cask from Tuscany. It is 15 years old, but at 17 days short, it was 16. 272 bottles were put on sale.

Let's Taste It : 

The influence of wine is powerful, black grapes, tannins, blackberry soup, light and liquid soot. Forest honey, pine resin, cold ashes. Dark chocolate, coffee, a zest of lemon. Dried fruit, dates, figs. Persistent woodiness. On the palate, it is smooth, fruity, very ripe pear, candied fruit, vast and intense spices, clove, cumin, pepper. Creamy vanilla, coconut milk. Long finish, but not so powerful, black berries, various cereals, candied lemon, fried onions, some mineral and earthy notes. Charcoal and roots.

In Short, 

I tasted it twice. The first time, I liked it, but the second time, I found that the influence of the wine was too strong and that the overall balance was off. Perhaps what changed was how long the bottle had been open. But what is certain is that the wine is very present, and full maturation in wine barrels is risky. I don't think it's advisable to buy this one, especially as the price is very high. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           DakhaBrakha - Carpathian Rap

Benromach 2002 Single Cask Collection Itinéraires 22 yo

 

 

 

57,2°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

After being the subject of an entire series within the Artist range last year, the distillery is continuing its partnership with La Maison du Whisky and has allowed the latter to select this cask from their warehouses. Having aged for 22 years, 6 months, three weeks and three days in a Single 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, this is a pure Benromach. Only 157 bottles were released from the barrel, making it a rarity reserved for the French market. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

A nose that is entirely typical of the distillery, very clean and expressive, with notes of fleur de sel, dry hay, light vanilla, floor wax, pine needles, melted butter, generous lemon squirts, grainy cereals, orange peel, pulpy mirabelle plums, fresh apples, a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, fruit paste, with liquorice, and still that intense salinity, creamy honey, vanilla and citrus, herbaceous and woody notes, various spices. Long, powerful finish, lemon cream, slices of green apple, pine bark, curry, dried banana, malted barley, ferns.

 

In Short, 

This is truly the quintessence of Benromach. I've tasted better ones than this one, but I don't think any more authentic. The others were either aged in sherry or something else that diminished the influence of the distillate, or had a creamy profile due to the Bourbon cask, which was very pleasant, but again, the distillate wasn't as prominent. There's personality here, and even a lot of character, with salt and dry hay, abundant cereals and pulpy fruits. This is the bottle for all fans of the distillery, so much so that it's completely sold out today, despite its fairly high price. It's a shame, I would have enjoyed it.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Kindred Valley - Why I'm Crying

Compass Box This is not a Blend

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Clynelish 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrels and Former Bowmore Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Compass Box 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 8 ppm

 

 

 

Compass Box has always had a history with Clynelish. Of the fifteen bottlings I have tasted from them, only three did not contain Clynelish. That is why, when the question of releasing a Single Malt arose, it had to be a Clynelish. That said, this is not the first Single Malt released by Compass Box. The first two Myths & Legends, dating from 2019, were already single malts. This one is a blend of seven first-fill bourbon barrels, into which some Clynelish distilled in 2015 was added. Then, in 2025, it was transferred for eight weeks to casks that had contained Bowmore since 2002. Finally, 1,278 bottles were produced, specially designed for the French market.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A very coastal nose, salty, full of sea spray and iodine, but also a sweet fruity flavour, fine creamy vanilla, candied lemon, Belle-Hélène pear. Rustic cereals, a slight medicinal touch, forest and woody fragrances, a few spices, acacia honey. On the palate, peat makes its entrance, but discreetly, beeswax, almond milk, dried herbs, sleet, melted butter, and a slice of pineapple. Clove and nutmeg. Rich, fairly long finish, with a certain power, notes of liquorice, even aniseed, salicornia, eucalyptus, rosemary. It is vaguely floral, dried flower fritters, and hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

A Clynelish that bears the mark of Bowmore, salty and coastal, but which also retains a very pleasant fruitiness, with hints of wax and ointment. It is very good, very successful, very close to excellence. Perhaps just a little young. The elegance of Clynelish blends with a certain maritime roughness. The price is nevertheless high, to be reserved for fans of the profile.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Black Veil Brides - Lost it All

Ardbeg Smoketrails Napa Valley Edition

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Bourbon Barrels and Napa Valley Red Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Travel Retail Edition 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

The third Travel Retail bottling to be launched by Ardbeg is this one, a blend of Bourbon Barrels and red wine casks from Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon apparently. It seems that the entire batch was bottled in 2024, for a release in January 2025. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite intense peat, greasy smoke, cotton candy, subtle fruity notes in the background. Spongy wood, braised damsons, blackberry jam, overwhelming iodine. Sea spray, foam, almond paste. Finally, earthy notes, dry earth, crumbling. Tannins, tar, liquorice. It's quite clear on the palate, vanilla, but peppery, aniseed, candy that melts under the tongue, olive oil. The spices become stronger and stronger, cumin, cloves. Soft caramel. Quite violent, long finish, chicory, caramel, dripping charcoal, lots of liquorice. Dried red plums. Fragments of lignite.

 

In Short, 

All in all, it's not bad, but there are some major flaws. In my opinion, the liquid is very young, which means that the nose lacks a little complexity, and it's very light on the palate. Fortunately, the finish is really pleasant and makes up for it a little. It's the worst Ardbeg I've tasted so far, offering little of interest. At the price it's sold for, it's too expensive for what it is, but luckily I got it on special offer. I'm not sure I won't regret my purchase, though.

Score : 85  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           High Vis - Mind's a Lie

Tormore 2002 Legacy Casks 22 yo

 

 

 

48,5°

Distillery : Tormore - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Among the 15 to 20 bottlings released this year in the Legacy Casks range, this one is the oldest. Distilled in May 2002 and bottled in the same month in 2025, it spent at least 22 years and eleven months in a 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, yielding 140 bottles. Though it is not indicated on the label, several sources confirm that the age is indeed 22 years.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, pine resin, candied lemon with some exotic fragrances, it is waxy, even slightly medicinal, and at the same time greedy, ointment and vanilla, a touch of coconut. Then, sand, a few mineral notes, and spices galore, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon. Elegant woodiness. On the palate, lemon coulis, it's creamy with grapefruit and tarte Tatin, ginger. But also blond tobacco, green liquorice, spices mingling with herbaceous flavours. Very long and quite powerful finish, with a pinch of salt, verbena, mint leaf, cardamom, cereal muesli, rustic wheat, malted barley. Crushed chestnuts. 

 

In Short, 

There's real character in there, and that's what I liked about it. Despite its intensity, it's perfectly balanced, with each stage of the tasting flowing naturally from the previous one. Everything seems logical and refined, yet original. It's a real success, and bodes well for what the Singh brothers want to achieve with this distillery. It won't be anything sensible or discreet, it reminds me of Benromach, or even Clynelish. As for the price, however, there's nothing revolutionary about it, it's still quite high, at least not for everyone, since it's sold out almost everywhere, less than two months after its release.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           King Hannah - This Hotel Room

Arran 2014 Private Cask Collection Itinéraires 10 yo

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

In the Itinéraires collection launched at Whisky Live Paris 2025, this Single Cask from the Lochranza distillery, formerly known as Isle of Arran, is sure to intrigue. Matured for 10 years and almost 9 months in a single first-fill bourbon barrel, it will showcase the distillate. 233 bottles are available for sale, suggesting that the cask was small, which promises a beautiful interaction with the wood.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Light and indulgent nose with a hint of wax, grainy cereals, pine forest, orchard fruits, yellow apples, Comice pears and a touch of citrus zest. Smooth and supple woodiness, mint leaf, ginger and a pinch of cinnamon. On the palate, it is creamier, candied vanilla, frosted lemon, herbaceous notes and acacia honey. Spices full of vitality but not overpowering. Long, full-bodied, powerful finish, glue and green liquorice, blond tobacco, dried fruit, dates, pineapple, hazelnuts, muesli, verbena, bay leaf. Fried onions.

 

In Short, 

A beautiful, well-crafted Arran, typical of the distillery but with a touch of originality nonetheless. Despite being a first-fill bourbon barrel, it is not overly fruity or sweet, but rather has notes of wax, forest and various spices. As for the price, it is a little high for what it is, so it might be better to wait for a promotion.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Horsegirl - In Twos

Daftmill 2011 Collection Itinéraires 13 yo

 

 

 

58,9°

Distillery : Daftmill - Lowlands

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Farm Estate 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

As part of the Itinéraires Collection launched by La Maison du Whisky at Whisky Live Paris 2025, this Daftmill was aged for 13 years in a first-fill Oloroso sherry butt supplied by Bodega José y Miguel Martin, before being released in a limited edition of 300 bottles. It is a Single Farm Estate, which means that the bottling was entirely conceived on the Daftmill farm, the barley is grown and malted on site, the whisky is matured and even bottled on site.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :   

Intense and honeyed sherry, red fruit purée, raspberries, redcurrants, apricots, milk chocolate, curry and goat's milk, hazelnuts, cashews, fruit jellies, and a hint of citrus fruits, lime, orange and mandarin. Cedar bark, pine needles. On the palate, the honey is more liquid, with a dash of vanilla, dry grass, jams, deeply present malted cereals, which complement the spices. A woody, elegant, long and powerful finish, with balsamic vinegar, pine resin, dry bark, ginger, crushed chestnuts.

 

In Short,

To be honest, I don't know what to think of this Daftmill, I've tasted it twice. The first time, I really liked it, but the second time, I found the sherry flavour much too strong, slightly acidic and unbalanced. I imagine both are valid, depending on when the bottle was opened. If the bottle has been open long enough, it's fine, but if it's just been opened, it's too strong. Other factors must come into play, but it's these small details that can turn a very good product into something excessive and unbalanced. In any case, the price here is far too high. Even if the whisky is as good as what I tasted the first time, it's too expensive.

Score : 88  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Humbe - Morfina

Ardmore 2009 Artist #15 The Dark Side of the Moon 15 yo

 

 

 

57°

Distillery : The Ardmore - Highlands

1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

Once again selected from casks stored in Signatory Vintage's warehouses, this 15-year-old Ardmore was finished in a first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead, yielding 337 bottles. The artwork chosen to adorn the label is entitled Identity Demands, by Sthenjwa Luthuli.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A beautiful and thick sherry, enhanced by a slightly charred, dry and earthy peat. Red fruit coulis, blackberries, blueberries, pie crust with a pinch of sea salt, elegant smoke and toasted cereals, hot bacon and caramel, apricots and redcurrants. On the palate, creamy honey, a few drops of oil, fermented fruit, rare beef steak slightly charred in places, ginger, dried banana, various spices, cloves, black pepper. Long and explosive finish, liquorice, still-smoking cigar ash, coffee and dark chocolate, a few exotic fruits rubbed on varnished wood, semi-salted butter, malted barley.

 

In Short, 

This is a very well-made sherry, thoroughly successful, with a touch of originality. There are also coastal notes and some remnants of the distillery's profile, but the balance is still very good. The price is a little high, but fans of sherry and the distillery will find it well worth it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lor3l3i - Ghost

Ben Nevis 2015 Artist #15 The Dark Side of the Moon 10 yo

 

 

 

58,3°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

1st Fill Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated 

 

 

 

This year, the Artist range is launching not one, but two series. The first was Something in the Water, created in collaboration with Elixir Distillers. The second is this one, The Dark Side of the Moon, created with the assistance of Signatory Vintage. And I'm starting with this 10-year-old Ben Nevis, finished in a first-fill sherry butt. 655 bottles were filled, and the artwork decorating the label is by Sthenjwa Luthuli and is untitled.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A sherry at its best, with syrupy red fruits, blueberries, cherries, redcurrants, exotic wood, a drop of balsamic vinegar, subtle mineral notes and liquorice, blood oranges, dark melting chocolate, black damp earth, a hint of pepper, terracotta, dates and saffron. On the palate, liquid honey, argan oil, coffee, blackberry jelly, raspberries and wild strawberries, orange blossom. Spices mingle with wood. Very slightly vinous finish, chestnut cream, dry leaves, bark, dried apricots, red fruit paste. Pan-fried mushrooms with parsley.

In Short, 

An intense, dark and foresty sherry, it's difficult to identify the distillery's profile, but that doesn't matter because it's really good and original, dirty, full of personality. Ben Nevis whiskies always have something extra, and in this case, the cask is truly excellent. A few more years and it would have been truly great, though. As for the price, it's reasonable, so buying it would be no shame.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Etta Marcus - Teenage Messiah

Blair Athol 2011 Cask Strength Collection 13 yo c. 6

 

 

 

57,7°

Distillery : Blair Athol - Highlands

1st Fill Ruby Port Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

I tend to enjoy whisky aged in port casks, but I'm not sure how it will turn out with Blair Athol. This one spent 13 years, 6 months and 15 days in a first-fill Ruby Port Hogshead. Ruby Port is very sweet, and that could be overpowering. 310 bottles are available for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Nose candied fruit, jams, it's mellow and sweet but with body, soft toffee, apple crumble, red plums, milk chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, cinnamon, a few blueberries, wild strawberries, raspberries. Ginger. On the palate, sponge cake, slightly drier fruits, stuffed dates, orange peel, cherry clafoutis, subtle cereal notes, liquorice stick. Lively spices, clove, black pepper. Fairly long finish, but not quite explosive, roots, nutmeg, pomegranate seeds, dark chocolate, a knob of cream, chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

The port is very present, with the distillery's typical mellow profile. There is a certain balance, but it still lacks a little personality. Again, however, the price is very reasonable, so it's worth giving it a try.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Bachar Mar-Khalifé - Olive Tree

Jura 2009 Cask Strength Collection 16 yo c. 16

 

 

 

54,4°

Distillery : Isle of Jura - Islands

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated  

 

 

 

This native of the Isle of Jura certainly spent its early years in a Bourbon cask before being finished in a 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt. 677 bottles were produced. It seemed to me that it was very slightly peaty, but apparently not. Not to be confused with its sister cask, Cask 15, distilled and bottled on almost the same day, with the same finish.

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A sweet and slightly floral sherry with red fruits, but above all dried fruits, dates, nuts, figs and a square of dark chocolate. Pine needles, salty notes but also a little earthy. Wood varnish, sticky resin. On the palate, olive oil, dried apricots, quince jam, with a slight acidity, but also woody notes, mahogany, forest honey. Various spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper. Long and powerful finish, damp leather, roasted almonds, dried herbs, fruit jellies, caramel and resin. Thyme.

 

In Short, 

The sherry is very present and blends quite well with the distillery's profile, but it still dominates. This makes for a good whisky, with a very successful nose and finish, but there are a few flaws on the palate. The price is reasonable, so it's worth giving it a try. Refill casks would have been better, though.

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                            Japanese Breakfast - Honey Water

Speyside (M) 2009 Exceptional Cask 100 Proof Edition #13 16 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery Officialy Unknown - Speyside

Olroso Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

We are already at the 13th Exceptional Cask in the 100 Proof range, launched in January 2024. There's no point in hiding it, this is a Macallan, aged in Oloroso Sherry Butts for 16 years. So this is a real rarity we have here.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A pulpy and mellow sherry, intense and dark. Soaked wood, red fruit salad, redcurrants, watermelon, blueberries, chocolate coulis, balsamic vinegar, walnuts and dates, coq au vin, orange peel, melted caramel, blackberry jelly, damson plums. Very slight hint of sulphur. On the palate, thick honey, raspberries and red peppers, dark chocolate squares and stretto coffee, grilled hazelnuts, roasted almonds, Agen prunes, cinnamon galore, nutmeg, cloves and a good pinch of pepper. Fairly long, powerful finish with notes of charcoal, terracotta, goji berries, coppery reflections, intense and varied spices, black and damp earth with small mushrooms. Forest undergrowth.

 

In Short, 

This Macallan is truly superb. The sherry is intense and deep, giving rise to extreme and varied flavours. At the same time, it is not overpowering, on the contrary, it releases the aromas. Given the rarity of the product and the incredibly low price, if you are even slightly fond of this profile, don't hesitate. My opinion is that it won't stay on the market for long.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Telenova - The Deep

Ben Nevis 2015 Whisky Live Paris 2025 10 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Signatory Vintage was responsible for the special bottling in honour of Whisky Live Paris 2025, and for the occasion we were provided with this Ben Nevis finished in a 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt. We don't know how long the second maturation lasted, nor where the first one took place, but at least it's a Single Cask. 856 bottles were on sale, exclusively at the exhibition shop. I assume it's non-chill filtered and non-coloured, because it's Signatory Vintage, but there's no mention of this anywhere.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It starts off airy, then develops into thick sherry, crushed cherries, redcurrant jam, raspberry coulis. Traces of charcoal, floral notes, light iridescent smoke, a pinch of salt and a few malted cereals. Smooth and sparkling woodiness reminiscent of the distillery's profile. On the palate, there are fewer red fruits, but it is sweeter, juicy pears and orange peel, raisins, dates, various spices, pepper, nutmeg, cumin. The finish is quite long and punchy, charcoal, coastal notes, soft sand, iodine, caramel and liquorice, dark tobacco, marzipan.

 

In Short, 

It's very pleasant to drink, the sherry does its job well, but you lose a little of the distillery's profile. For me, it's a good whisky with a strong sherry presence. It's well made and complex, but it lacks originality, I've drunk plenty of big sherries like this. What's more, it's reduced. On the plus side, the price is really low for a single cask. That's why it's sold out everywhere at the moment.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Fleurie - White Lace

Caol Ila 1984 Artist #15 Something in the Water 40 yo

 

 

 

51,3°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Sometimes you get lucky and come across genuine antiques, such as this Caol Ila, undoubtedly the pinnacle of this year's Artist range, having spent 40 years in a previously used hogshead, allowing the distillate to shine. Only 99 bottles have been produced, making it a true rarity. The artwork chosen to illustrate it is Meandering Through Relationships I, by Radhika Surana.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very fresh nose, concentrated coastal character, lacey iodine, abundant sea spray, seaweed and sea breeze. Very light but present peat, which adds depth. Oysters, razor clams, fresh sardines, scallops. Coarse sea salt, sprinkled with lemon, grapefruit and a dash of vanilla. A few herbaceous and mineral notes in the background, slate, reeds, peppermint. Very subtle floral fragrances, wispy smoke. On the palate, it is oily, full of mineral salts, very balanced. On a layer of peat, bottarga, bulgur wheat, salicornia, sweet cereals, almond paste, lard. Very discreet spices, nutmeg, white pepper. The spices become stronger on the finish, which is endless, explosive, the salt leaning slightly towards mint, acacia honey, lemon zest, liquorice. Then, soot and charcoal bring back all the peat and smoke.

 

In Short, 

It's truly magnificent, we really have all the essence of Caol Ila, incredible depth and complexity, and it goes in all directions. It is one of those wonderful whiskies whose tasting is more of a journey than an appreciation. The price, on the other hand, is as high as the International Space Station, it's really reserved for an elite.

Score : 92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Michelle Gurevich - Feel More

Laphroaig 2005 Artist #15 Something in the Water 20 yo

 

 

 

49,6°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

This Laphroaig underwent a completely straightforward maturation in a Bourbon Barrel. How will the distillate assert itself after this? Only 155 bottles were released for sale, the angel's share is significant. The label features Radhika Surana's artwork Meandering through Relationships III.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Typical Laphroaigish nose, crystalline peat and powerful iodine, sea spray, medicinal notes, some pulpy white fruits, even exotic ones, vanilla and mirabelle plum, a generous dose of citrus, captivating smoke, tar and cold ashes, seductive mineral notes, slate, chalk, but this time it's also a bit herbaceous, dry grass, cut hay, and the wood is quite present, roasted nuts, mahogany. On the palate, it's honeyed, with almond milk and green olive. Rich citrus, milk chocolate, then thick, dry and earthy peat takes over. Spices are not very expressive, but give it personality. The finish is not quite explosive, but rather long nonetheless, a large pinch of salt, cloves, coffee, some dried fruit, dates and figs. Crushed chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

It's very good, but not quite what I was hoping for. Although it has all the perfect characteristics of this distillery that I love, I feel it lacks punch and aggression. Perhaps the alcohol content is a little low, but I felt something was missing, despite a very successful nose. However, the price is extremely high, so it will be difficult to convince us that it's worth it.

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Katatonia - For My Demons