Caperdonich 21 yo Peated Small Batch Release Batch N° CP/002

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Caperdonich - Speyside

American Oak Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Slightly Peated 

 

 

 

The distillery also produced peated juice, surprising as it may seem, and apparently in sufficient quantities to produce five batches of 21-year-old whisky between 2019 and 2023. This one is the second batch, released in 2020, and we can be sure that the maturation process will not distort the distillate. The level of peat is light, I don't know the exact amount, but in my opinion it is less than 20 ppm. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is very balanced, light and rustic, very fresh apples and citrus fruits, cut hay and herbaceous notes, with a fairly garden-like peat, cooked vegetables, orange peel with a hint of salt, freshly ground cereals. On the palate, slightly rough vanilla, roasted pineapple and chocolate-covered apple, the spices are quite intense, black pepper, cloves, cumin. Long and powerful finish, it becomes more earthy, with some dried fruit, old books, seductive smoke, tubers, nuts, lianas, truffles.

 

In Short, 

The peat adds that touch of personality that was missing from the distillate, making it more rustic and intense, with more character and contrast, but it still has a beautiful balance. A very good experience for me, it's a shame that the price means I can't afford to buy it. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Mia Marlene - Witching Hour

Caperdonich 21 yo Small Batch Release Batch N° CA/002

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Caperdonich - Speyside

1st Fill American Oak Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition  

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This bottling series was released well after the distillery closed in 2002. There were five batches, dating from 2019 to 2023. This is the second, so it was bottled in early 2020, just before lockdown. The ageing process is not complex, leaving plenty of room for the distillate to shine. No idea how many bottles were produced.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Creamy and braised vanilla, delicate floral notes, lilac, lily, candied fruit, orange, banana, shortbread biscuits dusted with icing sugar, green apple, fresh pear, small clementines, mirabelle plums. On the palate, it is silky smooth, pear purée, beaten egg whites, whipped cream, a generous dash of vanilla, very subtle spices. The finish is pleasant, walnuts and hazelnuts, English cream, a pinch of coconut, wood shavings, white chocolate, cake batter, sponge cake. Peanut butter.

 

 

In Short, 

It is delicate, airy and smooth, but the fruit flavours are varied and complex, with a slight sweetness. It is very well made, but perhaps it lacks a little personality to make it stand out more. In any case, I found it very pleasant to drink. The price is based on the rarity of the product, not its quality, which is why it is so high. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :  

                                           Dzivia - Flower Maiden

Octomore 2019 Edition 16.1 The Impossible Equation 5 yo

 

 

 

59,3°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

1st Fill Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 101,4 ppm

 

 

 

The first version of the 16th Octomore batch is like the others, aged in Bourbon casks and made with Concerto barley from mainland Scotland. Each time, it's the same, and each time, there are a few small differences, which are always nice to notice.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very creamy nose, but not like pastry cream, with a pile of peat and a medicinal touch, dried heather, almonds, cut hay, intense mineral notes, vanilla and lemon, but in the background, semi-salted butter, barley sugar, apricot jam and floral fragrances. On the palate, roasted hazelnuts, coconut, salted and creamy caramel, green apple, seaweed, ginger. Abundant peat and spices. Very long, very well-crafted finish, a generous pinch of salt, marzipan, chimney fire, dark chocolate and mint, honey, ether. Intense pepper and lots of smoke.

 

In Short, 

Since 12.1, I have found the Octomore .1 series to be consistently excellent. 13.1 and 15.1 were very elegant, and this one is more rustic, more country-style, but still with a certain elegance. Farmhouse touches rub shoulders with mineral notes, fruit and sweetness meet peat. Honestly, it's expensive, but I don't find the price that excessive. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Patriarkh - Wierszalin IV

Caol Ila 2012 Decadent Drams 13 yo

 

 

 

53,1°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Caol Ila and sherry generally go well together. Here we have a 13-year-old whisky that has matured in a single first-fill sherry hogshead, promising a beautiful fruitiness. 212 bottles have been released for sale. The Decadent Drams range was launched last year, succeeding the previous range, Whisky Sponge, which ended at the same time. Nearly 50 whiskies have already been released. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Creamy peat, chestnut cream and damp charcoal, pencil lead and fig, blueberry jam. A few red fruits coated in melted chocolate, smoked bacon, chimney soot, well-hidden mineral and earthy elements, quartz, sea spray, seaweed. Full ashtray. On the palate, it is deep, woody, honey and caramel, strawberry coulis, a good layer of peat, varnish, old leather, mastered spices. On the finish, burnt rubber, it is long, powerful, but not quite explosive, a touch of iodine and dust, exotic fruits, coffee beans. A mint leaf. 

 

In Short, 

Yes, it's a particularly good Sherry Caol Ila, but I'm not entirely convinced. Admittedly, the balance is very good, the fruity notes and peat are not overpowering, and you can detect the subtle characteristics of the distillate, but it lacks that little something extra, that touch of genius that would make it perfect. What's more, the price is still very high for what it is, let's not exaggerate.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Calva Louise - Camino

An Islay Distillery 19 yo Macbeth A Whisky Collection The Witches Series First Witch

 

 

 

51,7°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Pedro Ximénez Sherry Butts 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

Seventeen bottlings have already been released, from 17 different distilleries, to illustrate the first 17 characters in the tragedy of Macbeth. That leaves 25 out of the 42 planned. And among the expressions in Act I, I hadn't had the opportunity to taste this 19-year-old from the island of Islay, which is in fact an Ardbeg. Ageing in Pedro Ximénez Sherry Butts should give it a fruity flavour. 1,800 bottles have flooded the shops.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Immediately, the typical Ardbeg heavy smoke, thick and charred, but also slightly sweet. Sharpening leather, fig cream, raisins, blood oranges, dark tobacco, and all kinds of candied fruit. Behind this, a touch of iodine and seaweed. On the palate, it is very intense, with oranges mingling with smoked bacon, blackberry jam sprinkled with cinnamon, dark chocolate, mocha, characterful spices. The finish is endless, powerful, chestnut cream, delicately bitter chocolate, damp black earth.

 

In Short, 

This is a truly memorable, even exceptional Ardbeg. The sherry is perfectly balanced and the peat is very intense without being overpowering. It's just perfect. Ardbeg has always been successful with its sherry cask maturation, and this one is no exception. That said, Ruben claims that it is a two-year finish, not a full maturation, but he is the only one to say so. In any case, it's a killer, sold at a completely crazy price.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           New Model Army - Vagabonds

Glentauchers 27 yo Macbeth A Whisky Collection The Thanes Series Lennox

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Glentauchers - Speyside

Refill Bourbon Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The exploration continues within the Macbeth Collection, a bold project launched by Rare Livingstone and Elixir Distillers, which consists of releasing an original whisky for each character in Shakespeare's masterpiece. So far, 17 expressions have been released, out of a planned total of 42. Here, a 27-year-old Glentauchers illustrates the character of Lennox. It has been aged in refill bourbon barrels and has yielded 300 bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nose full of creamy vanilla and orchard fruits. Golden Smith apples, Williams pears, peaches of all colours, nectarines, yellow plums, bananas. Some citrus fruits too, floral fragrances, varnished wood, beeswax. Cut hay, damp grass. On the palate, it is smooth and even fruitier, if possible, pineapple, papaya, mirabelle plums, coconut, crème brûlée, caramel and cereals mixed with honey. Dancing spices. The finish is elegantly woody, satiny, slightly smoky berries, dried fruit, walnuts and hazelnuts, candied ginger.

 

In Short, 

It's quite rare to find a Glentauchers of this age, and one aged in Bourbon Barrels at that. It has a lovely character typical of Speyside, with rich, pulpy fruit, sometimes candied, and beautiful floral fragrances. I would have liked a few mineral notes in addition, but it is already very good as it is. The price is of course too high for this humble servant, but it is well worth a few sacrifices. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Boo Radleys - From the Bench at Belvidere

Octomore 2019 Edition 16.2 The Impossible Equation 5 yo

 

 

 

58,1°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay 

Oloroso Sherry and Bordeaux Wine Casks, Madeira and Moscatel Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 101,4 ppm

 

 

 

The 16th batch of Octomore has a rather complicated second version: aged in Oloroso sherry and Bordeaux wine casks, it was then finished for a year in Madeira and Moscatel wine casks. The result is bound to be at least a little fruity. The barley used is Concerto from mainland Scotland.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Suffocating, intoxicating, blinding smoke. Quite dry, full of soot and charcoal, thick, almost solid. Iodine and limestone, salt deposits, stalactites. And behind that, raspberries, a few strawberries, cranberry jam. At the very bottom, crispy cereals, muesli, puffed rice. Pastry cream, rustic woodiness, brown sugar. On the palate, it is silky, light, evanescent, a bubble of icing sugar on a honey and walnut cake, then intense spices, cumin, black pepper, chilli. Very slight touch of bitterness. Extremely violent and long finish, cola, damp leather, salt dough, charcoal nuggets, apricot juice, dates, egg cream, brewer's yeast, basalt and granite rocks.

 

In Short, 

Octomore still has that magical, contrasting character, between fruit, subtlety and enormous smoke, like a tidal wave. However, this time, the balance is less effective. You can smell the alcohol on the nose, and the spices are very strong on the palate. So I'm a little disappointed, but I'm still giving it a very good rating, because all of this is made up for by the totally incredible finish, which is as long as it is complex and devastating. In short, it's not as good as usual, but it's still a success. Obviously, the price is very high, but what is money after all?

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Pile - Bouncing in Blue

Lagavulin 12 yo Special Release 2025 Grain & Embers

 

 

 

56,5°

Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay

Refill Casks, Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Seasoned Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 38 ppm

 

 

 

It is always a pleasure to see the return of the Diageo Special Release range, which comes out every year around September, particularly Lagavulin, since it is the most famous bottling and the only one that is released every year. Here, the maturation process is somewhat unusual, as Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Seasoned Casks have been added to the more traditional Refill Casks. Let's hope it's more successful than the 2022 and 2023 experiments, which I didn't particularly like.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

At first, it's iodine and the tide, sea spray, and strong mineral notes, gypsum cliffs, limestone, quartz, slate. Rocky peat, with a hint of caramel and vanilla, seductive smoke full of soot, then there are ripe plums, crushed bananas, pastry cream, brown sugar, old wood, lemon and a zest of pineapple, papaya, prickly pear. On the palate, it is very mellow, white grapes and lychee, dragon fruit, then very powerful spices, cloves, cumin and chilli. Rose water. Long and delicately intense finish, white chocolate, dry earth, blond tobacco, lime, a slight woody and bitter note at the end.

 

In Short, 

There has been a lot of criticism of this one, both from those who demand the same Bourbon Cask maturation every year, and from those who were hoping for a genuine Cask Strength Sherry bottling. Personally, I liked it. I see no reason to be disappointed, as it retains the typical characteristics of Lagavulin 12 Year Old, with its mineral and iodine notes, heady peat and tobacco. The additional casks just add a little more fruitiness and sweetness, which is a plus. Indeed, a totally sherry cask strength bottling would be a good idea, perhaps another time, but in the meantime, this one is not bad at all. It's only the price, which is too high, that prevents me from buying it. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Kirlian Camera - K-Pax

Highland Park 18 yo Macbeth A Whisky Collection The Thanes Series Young Siward

 

 

 

50,8°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Refill Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Still part of the Macbeth collection, whose somewhat crazy ambition is to offer a specific bottling for each character in the famous tragedy, this Highland Park illustrates the character of the young Siward. However, the whisky is not young, it is 18 years old, which is not bad, and has been aged in Refill Hogsheads, which will allow the distillate to reach its full potential. 650 bottles have been released.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Light heather on rocky ground, bushes, dry earth, and honey. Of course, there is a subtle hint of peat, but above all a mellow vanilla, with ripe plums, banana, and a generous zest of lemon. Iodine adds depth, traces of saltiness. On the palate, the honey is thicker, accompanied by fruit and nuts, dried herbs, malted cereals, candied ginger and a touch of aniseed, or peppermint. Long and powerful finish, melt-in-the-mouth biscuits filled with honey, limestone and peat, cut hay, various spices. 

 

In Short, 

A very typical Highland Park, but gentler than usual, with lots of fruit and honey, subtle peat and mild mineral notes. It's always very pleasant to drink, this is a distillery I'm very fond of. Apart from its exuberant fruitiness, there's nothing particularly special about this one. It's a shame the price is so high, otherwise I might have bought a bottle. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Lunariae - The Doll's Dream

Benrinnes 12 yo Macbeth A Whisky Collection The Household Series Soldier

 

 

 

53,5°

Distillery : Benrinnes - Speyside

2d Fill Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

More news about this crazy venture undertaken by Livingston and Elixir Distillers, which is to release an original bottling for each character in the tragedy of Macbeth. Here we have a 12-year-old Benrinnes, matured in Refill Sherry Butts, which yielded a total of 2,400 bottles.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is very creamy and mellow, with egg custard, pastry cream, raisins, runny caramel, dates, beeswax, melted butter, mandarin orange, and a few subtle red berries. Overall, beautiful balance. On the palate, it offers melt-in-the-mouth toffee, apple compote, ripe mirabelle plums, soy sauce and, once again, a hint of red berries. The spices are subtle but add complexity, with cinnamon, rosemary and pepper. The finish is woody, long and quite powerful, caramel, treacle, milk chocolate, dried meat, redcurrants. A few cereals. 

 

In Short, 

It's a lovely little bottling, with sherry enhancing the character and identity of the distillery, and the fairly high alcohol content adding power. Typical of Benrinnes, it has a rounded, mellow flavour. The price seems fair to me, and fans of this profile should take an interest. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Bjorn Winther - The Ghost

Tormore 2003 Legacy Casks 21 yo c. 647

 

 

 

48,4°

Distillery : Tormore - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Another addition to this extensive range, launched in 2025, named Legacy Casks, which brings together around twenty single cask bottlings showcasing the Tormore distillery, recently acquired by Elixir Distillers. Here is a 21-year-old whisky matured in a first-fill bourbon cask, with a total of 226 bottles produced.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Delicate mineral notes, white grape, Williams pear and white peach, citrus zest, lemon and grapefruit, creamy vanilla, generously buttered toast, all wrapped up in an elegant and refined woodiness. On the palate, the vanilla is lighter, the pear more delicate, the grapefruit more discreet, giving way to almond, lychee, caramelised pineapple tart and a few candied fruits. Spices barely noticeable. The finish is quite good but not very intense, sunflower oil, ripe mirabelle plums, toasts sprinkled with brown sugar, salted butter caramel. 

 

In Short, 

Once again, a very beautiful expression. This range has definitely won me over, although here the alcohol content is a little light, and the slightly excessive richness hides the mineral notes. The balance is not perfect, and I have found other expressions in the same range that are a little better. However, it is still of excellent quality, and although the price is high, it is still attractive, so it would be worth considering purchasing. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Elles Bailey - Better Days

Caol Ila 2013 Signatory Vintage La Maison du Whisky Exclusive Bottling 12 yo

 

 

 

54,5°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

1st Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

The second representative of Chapter X of the Plume Collection, this Caol Ila spent 12 years, two months and one day in a first-fill sherry butt, resulting in an astonishing number of 666 bottles. It was included in the Itinéraires series for priority sale on the French market by La Maison du Whisky. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is perfect, mellow, complex, deep, balanced, dark chocolate, elegant woodiness, quince tart, apple jam sprinkled with cinnamon, candied red berries, roasted nuts, which blend beautifully with fireplace ashes, heather earth, soot and tar, charcoal and caramel, a few notes of iodine in the background, rich peat, wisps of black smoke. On the palate, chocolate fondant, fig jam, ripe apricots, blood oranges, fried bacon and, of course, thick peat, dotted with truffle and morel mushrooms. The finish is once again perfect, warm chestnuts, coffee grounds, hot asphalt, prunes, sandalwood, grated nutmeg. 

 

In Short, 

In my opinion, this is the best you can get from a relatively young Caol Ila aged in a sherry cask. It's very intense, yet not too strong, there's a certain balance, with woodiness, smoothness and a variety of fruits. What's more, the price is very reasonable. It's definitely worth buying if you're a fan of this profile, but you'll have to hurry. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           BBO - Pull Me Under

Port Askaig 2008 Collection Itinéraires 16 yo

 

 

 

54,2°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Refill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

The Port Askaig range was launched by Elixir Distillers, then known as Speciality Drinks, in 2009. The aim was to pay tribute to Islay whisky, and more specifically to Caol Ila, as most Port Askaig whiskies actually come from this distillery. I'm not entirely sure if this is the case here, but the profile matches, and La Maison du Whisky website is quite explicit on this point. This bottling was selected to be part of the Collection Itinéraires launched at Whisky Live Paris 2025. 280 bottles were put on sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

There are fruits in there, pear, quince, and even almond, but there is also everything that makes Islay what it is: fuel oil, diesel and coal, sea foam, coarse sea salt and sea spray, grassy peat, mineral notes, chalk, quartz, limestone, powerful and captivating smoke. There is also a good dose of lemon and vanilla. On the palate, it's more like clafoutis, fruit cooked with eggs, a thick layer of peat and dry herbs, a slight medicinal touch, powerful spices, pepper and cumin. Long and violent finish, digging deep into the earth, shortbread biscuits, candied fruit, seaweed and kelp, cold ashes, thyme and rosemary. 

 

In Short, 

For me, it's a classic Islay, certainly a Caol Ila, with everything you need to enjoy it, and some pleasant fruity notes. Perhaps there were a few staves from a sherry cask in the Refill Hogshead. That said, it's also possible that it's a Lagavulin, I could be wrong. In any case, if you like this profile, you'll have a good time tasting this stuff. Only the price is a little off-putting. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sun Descends Alone - Once

Ledaig 2007 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength Collection Itinéraires 18 yo

 

 

 

54,9°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm 

 

 

 

No one can say no to an 18-year-old Ledaig, especially one Single Cask and released by Gordon & MacPhail. What's more, this one has been aged in a first-fill sherry hogshead, giving it a fruity flavour. 316 bottles have been brought out of nowhere.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Redcurrant jelly, assorted fruit pastes, forest honey, soaked leather, and behind, the brand's typical dirtiness, charcoal, damp earth, fuel oil and soot, slate, a slight medicinal and camphor touch, dust, iodine full of seaweed, sea spray. On the palate, the same dichotomy: on one side, the roundness of sherry, candied fruit, quince jam, dried apricots, dates, apple crumble; on the other, thick peat, dry earth, reeds and bamboo, tar, a drop of ether. Spices are relatively restrained. Powerful, long and deep finish, with dried fruit becoming tropical, banana and pineapple, honey becoming floral, lavender and lilac, and spices more present. Salicornia, the tide, seafood, scallops. 

 

In Short, 

There are some real qualities here, particularly in the finish, where the sherry and the brand's profile finally come together. But before that, on the palate, I found them separate, which disrupts the balance of the profile. So it's not entirely successful, but it's still very good. In a word, it's Ledaig, very reputable. The price seems fair to me, and I think it will sell out soon, so those who are interested should act quickly. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Coloma - Inside the Night

Macallan 2004 Speymalt 20 yo c. 22606601

 

 

 

58,9°

Distillery : The Macallan - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It is rare to have a range dedicated solely to one distillery, but this is the case with the Speymalt range, created in 1998, which brings together bottlings from the Macallan distillery alone. This shows just how unique this distillery is, and how close the ties are between it and Gordon & MacPhail. This 20-year-old gem yielded 330 bottles and was selected to be part of the Collection Itinéraires launched by La Maison du Whisky on the occasion of Whisky Live Paris 2025.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It: 

Fruit soup, redcurrants, tomato, raspberry, but also dried fruit, dates, bananas, grapes, figs. Very elegant woodiness and a variety of spices, artisanal chocolate, candied ginger and creamy vanilla. Waffle and filled biscuits, pine resin. On the palate, it is very balanced, orchard fruits, exotic fruits, a touch of iodine, spring freshness, morning dew, liquorice stick, calisson d'Aix, apple crumble and egg flan. Very long and explosive finish, with a wide variety of fruits, from citrus to peanuts, candied lemon, mirabelle plums, dark chocolate and cashews. Acacia honey, coffee beans, elastic leather. A sage leaf. 

 

In Short, 

A particularly vibrant Macallan, with a wide variety of fruit flavours and the elegant woody profile that is the hallmark of this distillery. It is very sherry-like at first, then becomes increasingly balanced. It is obviously a must-have for any fan of this distillery or this type of profile, but unfortunately the excessive price is a deterrent to purchase. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Katarina Pejak - Slow Explosion

Aultmore 2011 Signatory Vintage La Maison du Whisky Exclusive Bottling 14 yo

 

 

 

61,7°

Distillery : Aultmore - Speyside

1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Hogshead Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The Collection Plume is the result of a collaboration between Signatory Vintage and La Maison du Whisky. It presents cask strength bottlings aged in first-fill sherry casks. This is now the tenth batch in the collection (Chapter X, as written on the label), and we have an Aultmore, a little-known distillery owned by Bacardi. Here, the time spent in a 1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Hogshead is only a finish, and we have no details about the initial maturation. 344 bottles are sold as part of the Itinéraires series.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Sticky sherry, very fruity, full of caramel and treacle, fig jam, blood orange purée, a ladleful of cinnamon, dark chocolate, raisins and dried apricots, candied cherries, acacia honey, cloves, Aosta ham. On the palate, apple compote, cocoa powder, dates and prunes, light earthy notes, intense spices. Damson crumble. Rather long and woody finish, quite powerful, fruit paste, liquorice, chestnut cream, butternut tart, saffron. Fine vegetal touches, lichen, ivy. Traces of limestone. 

 

 

In Short, 

This is a fairly intense sherry, which is the hallmark of the collection. However, although the nose is very fruity and jammy, it lacks a little body, and the palate, while certainly rich, is a little dry. I like it, but it's certainly not the best in the collection. The price is reasonable, but I still think it's a little expensive for what it is. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Aynsley Lister - Need Her So Bad

Balmenach 2008 The Art of Maturation Benchmark Collection Itinéraires 17 yo

 

 

 

54,5°

Distillery : Balmenach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid  

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Balmenach was founded in 1824, and after being owned by Diageo between 1922 and 1997, it is now owned by Inver House Distillers, which also owns Balblair, Knockdhu, Pulteney and Speyburn. It is a renowned old school whisky, with long fermentation and worm tubs for steam. Original bottlings are extremely rare, with the last one dating back to 2002. Almost all of the production goes into blends, but some independent bottlings are highly regarded. This one has the merit of being rather old, and maturation in a first-fill bourbon barrel will allow the distillate to be fully appreciated. Only 150 bottles have been released for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Leavened cereals, barley, wheat, millet, sweet butter, evanescent vanilla, acacia honey, egg custard, rustic woodiness, sweet potatoes. Slices of lime, large country bread, cut hay, liquorice stick, and a light pinch of fine salt. On the palate, it is more indulgent, Williams pear and Granny Smith apple, beeswax, more cereals, rice cake, runny caramel, ginger and cinnamon. The finish is rather pleasant, long and powerful, blond tobacco, dried fruit, resin, biscuits dipped in milk and a gentle saltiness. 

 

In Short, 

It is indeed a distinctive style, old-fashioned, light but with a certain character, and delicious fruit. I think that something interesting could be done with this distillate, we should be able to taste it more often. Now is a good opportunity, but unfortunately I find the price a bit steep. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Courtney Barnett - Depreston

Ardmore 2008 Distillery Labels 15 yo

 

 

 

46° 

The Ardmore - Highlands

Bourbon Casks

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

Part of the Distillery Labels range, which brings together Gordon & MacPhail's reduced but vintage bottlings, this Ardmore is announced as being 15 years old, although this is not written on the bottle. It is a blend of several Bourbon casks, and the peat level is the usual one for Ardmore. 

 

Let's Taste It :  

On the nose, light peat, slightly dusty, slightly stony, ointment, dried and earthy cereals, hints of vegetation and caramel, mirabelle and greengage plums, green apples. A zest of lemon. Fragrances of iodine, seaweed, ash. On the palate, it is pastry-like, egg custard, vanilla cream, nougatine, fresh walnuts, toasted wheat, various spices, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne pepper. Fairly long, powerful finish, traces of tar, gently charred wood, almonds and cashews. Dry biscuits, mustard seeds.

 

In Short, 

A remarkable Ardmore, a bit austere, with a slightly more pronounced peatiness than usual. It's pleasant to drink and full of character, complex but not overly so, with measured strength. It's the kind of thing that makes you knock back glass after glass without thinking. The price is really good, it's worth spending some time on. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Dead Astropilots - You Should Know

Glentauchers 2008 Distillery Labels 14 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Glentauchers - Speyside

Sherry Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Gordon & MacPhail has all kinds of sub-ranges and original series, including this Distillery Labels, which brings together vintage bottlings, but also reduced and non-single cask ones. This one is a Glentauchers, aged as it should be in Sherry Hogsheads. It is advertised on two websites as being 14 years old, but this seems surprising to me as it was bottled on 13 December 2023. Further more, the Hogsheads are announced as being first fill on one website and refill on another. It is therefore difficult to be certain of anything, but in any case, the age is more than acceptable, and the hogsheads are indeed sherry casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, creamy vanilla, baked apples, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts, woody cereals, but also some iodine notes, sea breeze, lemon zest, two drops of blood orange, milk chocolate, a pinch of cinnamon, brioche. On the palate, yellow peach, caramel éclair, mixed fruit compote. Woody notes, melted butter, fairly prominent spices, a hint of bitterness. Fairly long, powerful, woody and mineral finish, thick honey, bay leaf, biscuits, macaroons, fresh walnuts and a touch of clove.

 

In Short, 

It's very pleasant, typical of Speyside, with subtle sherry notes, light and pulpy fruit, wood and petals. I'm starting to find character in this distillery, thanks to this unassuming bottling. It's a reasonable purchase, you just have to be careful to choose the right retailer, as prices vary quite significantly. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ina Forsman - Bubbly Kisses

Ardbeg Eureka ! 25 Years of the Ardbeg Committee

 

 

 

52,2°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Pedro Ximénez Sherry and Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm 

 

 

 

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee, this special bottling was launched in February 2025. As usual, it is non-age-stated, but made from roasted malt spirit matured in Bourbon casks and Pedro Ximénez casks. The result has an interesting alcohol content, but it is not cask strength. I would like to know how many bottles are available, but this information is being kept secret. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is relatively light, metallic fragments, rocky splinters, vaporous but powerful, enveloping smoke, patches of salt, limestone, sea spray, iodine, liquid vanilla. Mirabelle plums, white grapes, pastry cream, pomade. On the palate, it is successful, vanilla and coconut, rose water, then powerful spices, clove, black pepper, slight woody bitterness. Powerful and long finish, but not quite explosive, white chocolate, dried herbs, angelica, tarry rock, liquorice, dried figs.

 

In Short, 

I'll be honest: it seemed to me to be the best Ardbeg from the Committee in a long time. Hypernova is extremely good, but it's also very expensive, and apart from that one, you have to go back to Scorch, which dates back to 2021. That said, I haven't tasted everything; I'm missing Fermutation and Anamorphic. It's a good Ardbeg, with very pronounced mineral notes, more than maritime, and a real gourmand dimension. A must-try for any self-respecting fan of the distillery, but unfortunately the price is still too high. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Traitrs - I Was Ill, You Were Wrong

Laphroaig 2015 The Single Malts of Scotland Small Batch 10 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Refill Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm 

 

 

 

Elixir Distillers has discontinued its Reserve Casks sub-range, replacing it with this new series, Small Batch. Among the first releases, this Laphroaig immediately caught the public's attention. Although reduced to 48% ABV, it is nevertheless the result of a blend of three refill hogsheads, and ten years is a respectable age.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very soft nose, almost fluffy, cotton, cotton candy, coconut, light and seductive smoke. Shortcrust pastry with a dash of vanilla, clouds of citrus, but gradually the peat rises. It becomes dirtier, with balsamic rock, gypsum, sea spray and ether. But the balance is maintained, nougat, brown sugar, the smoke becomes grimy, carrying nuggets of coal and soot. Chocolate lace, marzipan. On the palate, barley sugar, icing sugar, more coconut, vanilla ice cream, rose Turkish delight, lilac, cat's tongue biscuits, light mineral notes, then fairly strong spices, cumin and cloves. A fairly long finish with good body, tobacco, liquorice, fresh fig, a hint of aniseed, shortbread biscuits and hazelnuts.

 

In Short, 

The Laphroaig profile is very recognisable, yet at the same time it is smooth and subtle. The iodine notes and medicinal touch are definitely there, but they are balanced with white fruits and a pleasant sweetness. It is a rather old-school Laphroaig, nothing like the full-bodied, aggressive Laphroaigs that are sometimes found today. I find it simply excellent. For me, it's the perfect daily dram, perhaps even a little too good for that. What's more, the price is very reasonable, so you should snap it up. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Pirx - Silence in Two