The Dark Side of the M 2005 Artist #15 The Dark Side of the Moon 20 yo

 

 

 

61,1°

Distillery : The Macallan -Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is the latest addition to the Artist #15 range, launched at Whisky Live Paris 2025 by La Maison du Whisky, which has been organising the event and each batch of Artist since 2011. Although the name of the distillery is not specified, there is no doubt about it. It is a 20-year-old whisky, matured in a first-fill sherry butt, which yielded 331 bottles. The label features an artwork by Stenjwa Luthuli entitled The Native Umdabu. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is both fine and intense, plum compote, waxed furniture, polished red fruits, raspberries and damsons. Blood oranges, a slice of lemon, melting toffee, dried apricots, noble wood, shea butter and vanilla. Some spices, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg. On the palate, it is very mellow, gingerbread, chestnut cream, maple syrup, dried fruit, candied fruit, slivered almonds, powerful spices, black pepper, cloves. Liquorice, pine honey, a few drops of coffee. Long and powerful finish, explosive, where rare cereals are overwhelmed by spices and caramel, dark chocolate, brown tobacco crumbs, buttered bread. Roots still black with earth.

 

In Short, 

It's different from the regular Macallan range, more lively, more fruity, more intense. If you appreciate this distillery, you really must try it. It's very well made, but above all it's original and varied. The price is of course a challenge, but given the distillery's reputation, it could be worse. Those who can afford it should go for it, it's an excellent bottling. 

Score : 90 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

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