Glen Grant 1995 Whiskyland Chapter Twenty-two 30 yo

 

 

 

46,8°

Distillery : The Glen Grant - Speyside

1 Refill Bourbon Barrel, 1 1st Fill Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Let’s take a quick look back, at the end of last year, Decadent Drinks released this little gem, a blend of two casks from the famous Speyside distillery, one a Refill Bourbon Barrel from 1993, the other a 1st Fill Sherry Hogshead from 1995. This means the influence of the sherry will be quite restrained. Only 177 bottles were produced from these two casks, the angels’ share has certainly done its job. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is light and perfectly structured, not at all overpowering, on the contrary it is a small crystalline stream, slightly sticky, crisp caramel, nougat, light but thick honey, resin, mirabelle plums, damp wood, brandied cherries, blackberry tart, malted grains. A zest of citrus, wheat ready for harvest. On the palate, raisin cake, dates, melted chocolate, a drop of vinegar, assorted jams, quinces, red berries, light woodiness, powerful and varied spices. A long, powerful, splashy finish, liquorice, gingerbread, hot chestnuts, cooked mushrooms, it is quite forest-like, even earthy, ferns, roots. 

 

In Short, 

A really nice blend, the sherry notes are balanced by a very subtle Bourbon influence, creating a wonderful balance, with some cereal notes punctuated by red fruits. The alcohol content is quite low, but you don’t feel the lack of body. The price, on the other hand, you can feel it, it’s very high – truly excessive in this case – which makes this a rather extravagant purchase. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            VLMV - I Am An Officer

Glenturret 1990 Whiskyland Chapter Twenty-Nine 35 yo

 

 

 

41,5°

Distillery : The Glenturret - Highlands 

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

It has been less than two years since the Whiskyland collection was launched, and we are already at chapter 29. And each time, these are very mature whiskies, sourced from exceptional casks. Here, a 35-year-old Glenturret, having spent its entire youth in a refill hogshead, allowing it to express itself fully. Except that a good portion of the alcohol has already evaporated, in fact it was time to bottle this one. 231 bottles were nevertheless taken from the cask. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Liquid honey, waxed wood, malted cereals, pine resin, spring freshness, buttered brioche, subtle floral notes. Creamy citrus, fresh exotic fruits, a pinch of iodine, hand cream. Slight minerality. On the palate, it is creamy and oily, an elegant woodiness, egg yolk, yellow plums, then fairly pronounced spices, nutmeg, clove. A very long finish but not particularly powerful, candied mirabelle plums, very ripe bananas, crushed wheat, more wax, cookie dough, a drop of caramel. 

 

In Short, 

The nose is superb, the rest is excellent, but its lack of power is still somewhat noticeable. It’s a truly beautiful bottling, showcasing the very essence of a distillery that remains all too little known. The price is, of course, very high, which is hardly surprising given its age. What can one say? We’d rather be millionaires. 

Score : 90 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Little Willie John - Made for Me

Kilchoman 2011 20th Anniversary Casks Series 100% Islay Casks 14 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

On 14 December 2005, the first Kilchoman cask was filled. To mark the 20th anniversary of this great day, Anthony Wills, the distillery’s owner and founder, decided to open 20 casks and create four different bottlings, five casks per bottling. This is one of the four, distilled on 24 March 2011 and bottled on 21 April 2025, giving it exactly 14 years in the cask. There are 5 ex-Oloroso sherry butts, resulting in a total of 3,145 bottles. All stages of production took place on Islay, which is why the peat level is slightly lower than usual. Nowhere does it state that the whisky is cask strength, so I’m assuming it isn’t, though I can’t say for certain. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Hazy, fresh, spicy and fruity sherry, barbecue smoke with a good layer of soot, dried fruit, raisins, dates, figs, apricots, crushed nuts, a strong whiff of iodine, baked apples, cinnamon, damp leather, smoked ham and strawberry jam. It becomes more vegetal and herbal after a while. Tobacco leaves, very discreet cereals. On the palate, fresh fruit, damson plums, some red berries, white peaches, blood oranges. A clump of dried, dusty peat. Lingering spices, acacia honey. FFairly long and powerful finish, though not overwhelmingly so, charcoal, chocolate, coffee, grilled meat, liquorice. Caramel and blackberries, a pinch of salt. 

 

In Short, 

It’s really very good, neither the sherry nor the peat is overly pronounced, leaving room for a variety of flavours and fruits rarely found in a peated whisky. It’s complex and deep, but eventually quite easy to drink. The only issue is the price, it’s sold at the price of an 18-year-old, which isn’t great value. 

Score : 88

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Anne Bloom - The Saddest Smile

Springbank 18 yo 2025

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Springbank - Campbeltown 

50% Bourbon Casks, 45% Sherry Casks, 5% Rum Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

This is the very latest in the long series of 18-year-olds launched in 2009, making it the 17th batch of this now-traditional expression. The maturation process is unusual, as it involves rum casks, this had already been tried in 2023 and was fairly well received by the public, so they’ve done it again. I’d love to know how many bottles are released each year, it’s not possible to give a precise figure, but it must be in the region of 20,000 or 30,000 bottles. The bottling date is 8 December 2025, with a release in February 2026, distillation therefore took place between 9 December 2006 and 8 December 2007.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Yellow fruit, mellow plum, cake batter, a dash of vanilla, a generous slice of pineapple. Light smoke, dust of peat. Flambéed bananas, mountain honey, almond powder, untreated wood, crushed nuts. In the background, barn-like aromas, but very discreet. Faint mineral notes with a hint of citrus. On the palate, it is velvety, smooth as silk, liqueur-like almonds and lychees, persimmon, vanilla milk, subtle spices, black pepper, cloves. A very long, full-bodied finish, a pinch of charcoal, a drop of grapefruit juice, blond tobacco, cigar ash, cola nuts, dried fruit, dates, raisins.

 

In Short, 

I preferred it to the previous Springbank 18-year-olds I’d tasted, I found it more expressive and fruitier, probably thanks to the influence of the sherry casks. The rum is barely detectable, I just noticed plenty of citrus notes, but it isn’t sweet, and that’s just as well. That said, this series follows the same pattern, I find it a bit too gentle, hard to find in there the character and originality of the 10-year-old, with its barn-like aromas and coastal, mineral notes. That’s my main criticism. The price has thankfully dropped a little, but not enough for my liking, this craze surrounding Springbank is truly regrettable. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Future Islands - Sail

Noah's Mill Genuine Bourbon Whiskey Batch N°24-05

 

 

 

57,15°

Distillery : Willett Distillery - U.S.A.

New Charred Oak Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Bourbon Whiskey

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Willett Distillery is one of the few distilleries in the US that remains family-owned. Founded in 1936, it is now run by the heirs of the founder, A. Lambert Willett. Within this distillery, Noah’s Mill is a brand that has been in existence for at least thirty years, initially it was marketed with a 15-year-old age statement, but from the early 2000s onwards it was sold only as a NAS. However, we know that, according to its recipe, it blends whiskies aged between 4 and 22 years (there must be more of the 4-year-old than the 22-year-old). Its mash bill is as follows: 72% maize, 13% rye and 15% barley. Originally, it was a blend from various distilleries, but recent batches come exclusively from Willett in Kentucky. This is one of the most recent batches, released by La Maison du Whisky for exclusive sale in France. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Cereals soaked in caramel, melting chocolate, olive oil, fir honey, hazelnuts. The cereals have a very rustic character, you can detect rye, roasted maize, pine nuts, and smooth, freshly sanded wood. Fresh vanilla, slightly syrupy fruit. On the palate, it’s truly coarse-grained, freshly harvested wheat, dry herbs, bread fresh from the oven. Soft brioche, spread with greengage jam, dry earth, barn, crushed almonds. Long and powerful finish, though not quite as intense as one might expect, abundance of grains, country bread, a knob of butter, dry twigs. Fried onions.

 

In Short, 

Rye is the grain that stood out most to me, it struck me as very rustic, even rough. I’d read that it was a smooth whisky, but I didn’t find it smooth at all, rather grainy, earthy and rustic. That said, I really appreciated its character, more grain and less sweetness than Blanton’s, but more power, variety and depth than Weller 12 Year Old. This one has its place on the shelves of bourbon enthusiasts. The price seems more or less right to me.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Robb Benson - The Crow

Tamdhu 2016 Duich Copper & Oak Series III 9 yo

 

 

 

60,3°

Distillery : Tamdhu - Speyside

Refill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Fib Whisky Limited 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The company was founded in 2017 under the name Kilrymont Distilling, before being renamed Fib Whisky Ltd in 2021. It is run by two brothers, Iain and Andrew Mundy, who are always keen to experiment with new finishing techniques. But here, nothing too daring, a simple Refill Bourbon Barrel does the job, yielding just 54 bottles, sold exclusively in the UK. The other half of the cask was used for another bottling, finished in a Madeira Barrique this time. It is rare to find a Tamdhu without Sherry, which is why this one is so interesting. Like all the company’s labels, it was designed by Orla Stevens. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Sweet fruit, intense wax, citrus and white peach, lemon tart, pineapple cake, vanilla cream, scrambled eggs. Lovely freshness, spring dew, shards of limestone, steamed rice. On the palate, fresh almonds, juicy pears, lychee, coconut, argan oil, pronounced spices, cloves, black pepper. A long and powerful finish that develops slowly, damp earth, oak bark, chocolate, light coffee, very subtle bitterness, drops of honey, varnished wood, artichoke heart, diced green apple.

 

In Short, 

I really like the nose, it’s reminiscent of a Clynelish but without the peat, with plenty of fruit, like a Glenburgie. The finish is very powerful but quite well integrated. The price was very reasonable, making it a real bargain, but unfortunately, it’s nearly completely sold out now. I haven’t tasted the sister cask finished in Madeira, but frankly, I think they should have bottled the whole cask without any finishing.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Lola Bates - Girl's Girl

Imperial 1995 Liquid Library 16 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Imperial - Speyside 

Ex-Bourbon Wood 

Independent Bottling 

By The Whisky Agency 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2011

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Having closed in 1998 and been demolished in 2013, Imperial is a distillery that has captured the imagination and fuelled legends. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a bottle at a reasonable price. That is why this one is attracting attention. Aged for just 16 years and matured in Bourbon wood, it should live up to the expectations of many enthusiasts. One small drawback: it is not Cask Strength, but diluted to 46%. Furthermore, nowhere does it state that it is a Single Cask, yet only 194 bottles have been released. Unless they’ve used cask ends, I can’t see how you could blend a whisky that isn’t too old and still end up with just 194 bottles at a reduced alcohol content. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Fully ripe yellow fruits, bursting with juice, squeezed citrus, lemon, grapefruit, mirabelle plums, banana. A hint of oak, beeswax, it is elegant and well-balanced, tarte Tatin, crusty bread with a thick layer of butter, an exotic touch in the background, papaya and mango. On the palate, it is spicy, oily, white grapes, yellow plums, melon juice, fresh walnuts. A long finish, with depth but not overly explosive, dried fruit, apricots, quince jam, figs, chlorophyll, angelica, marshmallow.

 

In Short, 

Due to the dilution, there’s a lack of body which costs it at least one point, but otherwise it’s a very good whisky. The nose in particular is superb, generous with fruit yet also very subtle and elegant. The advantage of the dilution is that it’s a pleasure to drink, it goes down a treat. But it’s the complexity that really catches the eye. You can pick it up at a bargain price at auction, it’s the sort of hidden gem overlooked by the masses that you simply mustn’t miss out on. 

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                    The Red Clay Strays - Demons in Your Choir

Amrut 2014 Special Limited Edition Selected by La Maison du Whisky 7 yo

 

 

 

60°

Distillery : Amrut - India 

Ex-Bourbon Cask and Brandy Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The famous Indian distillery has released nearly 100 Special Limited Editions, but only a few have been selected by La Maison du Whisky for priority sale on the French market. This one has been finished in a brandy cask, which is rather unusual. 150 bottles have been made available for sale. The spirit has not been chill-filtered or coloured, however I doubt it is cask strength – at exactly 60% ABV, that would be a strange coincidence. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A lovely balance right from the start, fruit preserved in brandy, grapes in liqueur, macerated cherries, flaked almonds, lychees, raspberry coulis, peppers marinated in oil, strawberry cake, shortcrust pastry, acacia honey, heady floral notes, cherry blossom, damson plums. On the palate, it leans more towards jam, blackberries and redcurrants, with some dried fruit, creamy vanilla, brioche. Quite pronounced spices, slightly minty. A powerful, long and explosive finish, more leafy, bay leaves, black pepper, candied fruit, soft caramel. Touch of mango.

 

In Short, 

This is a truly fine Amrut. To be honest, I’ve never really been convinced by this distillery, but this bottling has won me over. The nose is a true work of art, the palate is perfectly fruity, and the finish is long and explosive. It’s a real success. However, it’s sold out almost everywhere, and when you do find it, the price is quite high, so it’s best reserved for fans of the profile. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Sahalé - Djinn

Orkney Sponge 2005 Edition 002 16 yo

 

 

 

55°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Decadent Drinks

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

In the early 20th century, there was a distillery on the main island of the Orkney archipelago, located in the town of Stromness and bearing the same name. It closed in 1928, almost a hundred years ago. It produced a whisky marketed under the name Old Orkney, and it is to this that Angus MacRaild wishes to pay tribute with his Old Orkney range, which he also occasionally refers to as Orkney Sponge. Eleven Old Orkney whiskies have been launched by Decadent Drinks, and this is the second. Having spent 16 years in a single Refill Hogshead, it yielded 341 bottles. It is not Cask Strength, it has been slightly diluted. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Orange peel and juicy grapefruit, slices of lime, lemon cake, there’s plenty of citrus here. Intense yellow fruits, gently weathered wood, thick honey, a hint of peat, liquorice stick, a few mirabelle plums and Reine-Claude plums. Ripe apricots, bananas, a trace of exotic fruits. Light mineral notes, but becoming increasingly pronounced. On the palate, a dash of creamy vanilla, brioche, rum baba, more citrus, rather pleasant spices, cinnamon and benzoin. A long, powerful, explosive finish, candied fruit, shortbread biscuits, cooked egg yolk, a pinch of salt, quartz.

 

In Short, 

A very fruity, very citrusy Highland Park, with a slight patina and very subtle peat. I didn’t find it particularly well-balanced, it seemed to me that the fruit was a bit overpowering. But it’s a good whisky, intense, full of character, not quite as ‘old school’ as the marketing claims, I actually find it quite modern. Unfortunately, it’s sold out everywhere, which is a shame as the launch price wasn’t bad. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Black Maze - Love

Jura 1998 Hidden Spirits 21 yo

 

 

 

51,3°

Distillery : Isle of Jura - Islands

Refill Bourbon

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is the only Isle of Jura bottled by Hidden Spirits, making it a real rarity. Having spent 21 years in a refill bourbon cask, it yielded just 267 bottles – no more. It is said to belong to the Classic Version range, but this is not specified on the label. Hidden Spirits is an Italian bottler founded in 2013 in Ferrara by Andrea Ferrari, they have nearly 150 expressions to their name. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Whiffs of minerals and sea salt, with fresh fruit, yellow apples, mirabelle plums, bananas. Perhaps even exotic fruits. Egg custard, vanilla extract, dates and figs. Lemon tart, generously buttered toast, a few drops of wax. Floral notes. On the palate, the butter and vanilla become more prominent, along with coarse grains, dry, freshly cut straw, walnuts and almonds. Rather subtle spices. A finish that develops well at first, then cuts short, liquorice stick, hazelnuts, marzipan, ginger, vanilla, coconut.

 

In Short, 

It’s not the best Jura I’ve tasted, but it’s very typical of the distillery, with mineral and fruity notes, and a hint of coastal influence. That said, it does have a bit of a personality of its own, with a touch of butter and wax here and there. In any case, it’s very good, except for the finish, which seemed a bit short to me. You can still find it on certain websites, but at a high price, really best reserved for dedicated collectors. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Minute Taker - Losing Self-Control

Mortlach 2005 10th Anniversary Bar Oaks Dram Edition #01 9 yo

 

 

 

58,4°

Distillery : Mortlach - Speyside

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2015 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Artist range was launched in 2012 by La Maison du Whisky, so in 2015 we were at the very start of this adventure, and what was released at that time is now considered a rarity. Here we have this Mortlach, bottled in 2015 to mark the 10th anniversary of Bar Oaks Dram, an establishment in Osaka run by Yoshihiko Ito. The cask used is a standard Hogshead, but it is unclear where some of the staves came from, or whether any sherry was involved. Given the very pale colour of the whisky, this is unlikely. 309 bottles were released at the time, and it is very difficult to get hold of one today. Nowhere is it stated that it is unchillfiltered, but I trust La Maison du Whisky on this point. The cask comes from the warehouses of Signatory Vintage, which does not usually chill-filter its whiskies. The label is the work of the artist Yuuka Yamada. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Quite powerful mineral notes, stones from the bottom of a well, semi-salted butter that’s half-melted, limestone and quartz. Alongside these, delicate floral hints and juicy fruits, mirabelle plums, Conference pears, white peaches, it’s rather luscious, reminiscent of brandy. A trace of charcoal, steamed rice, aged pine honey. Noble wood with a layer of varnish. On the palate, the same fruits, with a more direct attack, and slightly candied citrus. It is oily and waxy, warm wax, green tea, lively spices. An explosive finish, very long and varied, it goes off in all directions, green fruits, damp wood, loose earth, hazelnuts and dark chocolate, apple crumble and cinnamon. 

 

In Short, 

I’m not sure I’ve done it full justice, but one thing’s for certain: it’s very original. It’s a non-Sherry-cask Mortlach, which is rare enough to be worth noting, and it’s surprising to find such strong mineral notes and a hint of damp, stony earth. In any case, it’s very complex and absolutely delicious. The price is still high, but in any case, you have to find it first, that’s what requires the most effort. 

Score : 90  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            VioletteScape - Déliquescence

A Speyside Distillery 1990 Thompson Bros. 31 yo

 

 

 

49,6°

Distillery Officialy Unknown - Speyside

Refill Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

There are plenty of curiosities in Dornoch, at the Thompson brothers’ place, and that comes with a bit of mystery. Here we have an unknown Speyside distillery, a cask that has been aged for 31 years and 8 months, with just 147 bottles. It is available exclusively in Germany, as Kirsch Import was entrusted with the task of selling it under the best possible conditions. It sold out very quickly. Theories were rife as to the identity of the distillery: Glenlivet, Glenrothes... But why refuse to reveal the name of the former? The latter, on the other hand, why not? Yet it is extremely rare for them to sell casks to independent bottlers. The mystery remains unsolved. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is light and airy, with notes of lemon meringue tart, semi-melted butter, warm brioche, waves of fruity aromas, but there are also quite pronounced mineral notes, salt and quartz, damp undergrowth, candied grapefruit, vanilla fondant, toasted wheat. On the palate, it is supple and balanced, argan oil, slivered almonds, powdered Parmesan, egg flan, île flottante, yellow fruits, and a few rare spices. A very pleasant finish, though it lacks a bit of punch, wood shavings, blond tobacco, butter biscuits, hazelnut, liquorice, speculoos, a hint of aniseed.

 

In Short, 

It’s a superb Speyside, just as you’d expect, both delicate and intense, full of varied flavours yet very well-balanced. That said, this one has quite pronounced mineral notes, it seemed to me, and that reminds me of Glen Elgin. But I’m also thinking of Macallan or Tamdhu, a distillery we’re not used to seeing aged in Bourbon casks, and therefore difficult to recognise. As for the price, it’s not excessive given the age. Fans of this style can go for it, but it’s no longer available. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            The Beths - Til My Heart Stops

Kilchoman 2013 100% Islay Sherry Cask Matured 11 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

The distillery is starting to release more and more 100% Islay bottlings, which is a rather good sign, they are becoming increasingly self-sufficient. Here, we have a blend of 16 casks, all ex-Oloroso sherry butts, which have been aged for at least 11 years, the distillation dates span three years, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The peat level is low, as is typical of 100% Islay whiskies. The number of bottles is not specified, but it must be over 10,000. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is not particularly powerful, but rather light and airy, orange peel, dried fruit, raisins, figs, brandied cherries, dates. Varnished wood, blackberry tart, delicate smoky notes full of soot, melting caramel, Aosta ham, leather, a whiff of sea salt and citrus. On the palate, damson plums, but also coffee, dark chocolate, dark tobacco, a few cereals, and various spices, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon. A fairly long finish, but not overly intense, candied ginger, citrus zest, charcoal, shellfish, a pinch of salt, damp wood, pine needles. 

 

In Short, 

I’ll be honest, it’s nothing to write home about. It lacks punch and, consequently, character – light peat, light sherry, a rather mild finish – and this isn’t made up for by any real complexity. It’s still a decent whisky, but I prefer the Loch Gorm, which I think is cheaper.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            The Telescopes - White Noise

Kilchoman 2015 100% Islay 15th Edition 9 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Every year since 2011, the distillery has released this 100% Islay edition, produced entirely on the island, as its name suggests. The peat level is lower than usual, and the age is generally 9 years. Here, we have a release made with Concerto and Publican barley, harvested, processed and malted in 2014 and 2015 at Rockside Farm, and matured in 54 ex-bourbon barrels. The batch was opened in 2025 and filled a whopping 13,000 bottles. I’m surprised that the whisky was distilled in 2015, as less than five months to prepare the barley for distillation seems rather short to me.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is light, very cereal-like, a whiff of iodine, rice cake and vanilla, cut hay, toasted wheat, roasted corn. Oak bark, a fleeting hint of smoke, melted butter, dried herbs. A touch of white peaches and bananas. Mineral and salty notes, a zest of lemon. On the palate, it is creamy, bursting with fruit, mirabelle plums, vanilla, grapefruit, yellow apples. White chocolate, salted butter caramel, and of course a layer of earthy and damp peat, prominent spices, cloves, nutmeg, ginger. A fairly long finish, full of peat, crushed hazelnuts, thick honey, shortbread biscuits, reeds and pepper, cigarette ash.

 

In Short, 

It strikes me as a success, the peat is a little more subtle, yet still very much present, giving way to fruit and cereal notes. The distillate seems purer, but also less assertive. I’ve never been a big fan of this range, but I must admit it’s getting better and better crafted. The price seems very high to me, producing whisky using traditional methods is expensive. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            uncady - Red Line, Blue Line

The Hearach 2018 Single Cask Collection Itinéraires 6 yo

 

 

 

59°

Distillery : Isle of Harris - Islands 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

The young Isle of Harris distillery, founded in 2015, is being showcased by La Maison du Whisky, which has decided to include it in the Collection Itinéraires, featuring cask 1908, distilled in 2018 and then matured for six years in a first-fill bourbon cask. The barley used is of the Concerto and Laureate varieties. 240 bottles are being released. Whether it is Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured and Cask Strength is not specified anywhere, but I trust La Maison du Whisky on these points. However, there is another bottling, also part of the Collection Itinéraires range, from the same cask, but with an alcohol content of just 58.6%. I believe the flavour profile is exactly the same, it is a sister cask. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An elegant, fresh and coastal nose, iodine and dried seaweed, kelp and whelks. It is airy, with oysters and mineral notes. Sweet vanilla, perfectly balanced, enveloped in a chiselled smokiness, a zest of citrus, honey-coated grains, yellow herbs, heather. On the palate, it is lighter, a little too young, not quite ripe plums, white chocolate, banana, vanilla and slices of lime, a good layer of peat, lively spices. The finish is quite long and very intense, full of charcoal, tangy, soot and caramel, grapefruit, sage, sea spray, beach sand. 

 

In Short, 

I really liked the nose, which seems very promising to me, and the finish has a punch that’s bound to appeal. On the other hand, on the palate, it’s still too young, almost watery – a shame. This distillery certainly has huge potential, it’s one of the five young distilleries I’m particularly interested in (Ardnamurchan, Lagg, Torabhaig, Raasay and Harris), but it will need a few more years before it’s truly competitive. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            oktobernatt - Rasa

Arran 2015 Private Cask Collection Itinéraires 9 yo

 

 

 

60,7°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

Refill Sherry Hogshead

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

Also part of the Collection Itinéraires, this 9-year-old Arran has been crafted from heavily peated barley. Previously, it was the Machrie Moor brand that represented peated whisky from the island’s first distillery. But now that another distillery exists, dedicated solely to peat, Machrie Moor has disappeared, and this type of bottling is set to disappear too. This whisky was matured in a Refill Sherry Hogshead, 179 bottles are being released, and it has been selected by La Maison du Whisky for priority sale in France.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It’s fresh, bursting with citrus and caramel, yet also minty, with a robust, mineral-driven peatiness, salt crystals, a touch of limestone, quartz and iodine. Rustic grains, ginger, dark chocolate, subtle smoke, raisins. On the palate, it is robust, lemon and grapefruit, barley biscuits, gingerbread, and a good layer of peat and spices, clove, cumin, nutmeg. A very long, powerful finish, apple fritters, quince jam, almond paste, coffee grounds, shards of basalt rock, gypsum. 

 

In Short, 

I really enjoyed it, the peat is intense, dry and mineral, truly characteristic, and it gives the spirit a strong personality, lending it a lovely character. The Sherry is not at all powerful, that leaves room for the distillate to thrive in an interesting way. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too expensive for my taste. Otherwise, I might well consider buying it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                            Kelsey Lu - Dreams

Glenfarclas 2014 Single Cask Collection Itinéraires 11 yo

 

 

 

59,2°

Distillery : Glenfarclas - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Part of the Collection Itinéraires range, this Glenfarclas matured in a sherry cask in keeping with tradition will delight us with its 311 bottles, available primarily on the French market. Crafted from Laureate barley and having undergone a 106-hour fermentation, this viscous little gem looks very promising. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Orange peel, raspberry coulis, mandarin, dried apricot, dark chocolate, walnuts and mango, with a gentle mentholated flavour, slightly chalky and camphor-like. Mixed cereals with strawberry jam, blackberry ice cream, soft caramel, macerated grapes, earthy and peppery notes. On the palate, it is creamy, continuing in the same vein, orange marmalade dusted with cocoa, candied ginger, cinnamon, sarments du Médoc, lavender honey, nutmeg, fruit jellies. The finish is quite long, lively deep, liquorice and dark chocolate, dried figs, chestnut purée, a hint of cooked mushrooms, candied kumquats, eucalyptus leaf. 

 

In Short, 

This is a sherry worthy of the distillery, intense, distinctive, with a wonderful burst of flavours, indulgent but also earthy, even with a touch of copper. You can spot this family-run distillery’s signature style a mile off. This is an experience that deserves to be explored further, but I don’t understand the exorbitant price, as it should be half the cost. 

Score : 89  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                              Two Lanes and Panama - Left Behind

Arran 2009 Private Cask Collection Itinéraires 15 yo

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Isle of Arran/Lochranza - Islands

Ex-Sherry Hogshead 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Collection Itinéraires, launched by La Maison du Whisky on the occasion of Whisky Live 2025, features three Arran whiskies, including this one, which was distilled in 2009 and then matured for 15 years, eight months and two days in an ex-sherry hogshead. All this resulted in 254 bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

The sherry is not overly powerful, blood orange, mandarin, salted butter caramel, vanilla and milk chocolate, mirabelle plums and Reine-Claude plums, lemon tart, dates, dried apricots, and some cereal notes, toasted wheat, barley, millet. On the palate, it is predominantly fruity, luscious, grapefruit, Comice pear, lychee, shortbread biscuits, gingerbread, peppermint, a hint of cinnamon and ginger. The finish is quite powerful, white grapes, zucchini flower fritters, pumpkin soup, puffed rice, crunchy chocolate, a sprig of thyme. 

 

In Short, 

It really is an open-style sherry, which doesn’t hide the whisky at all, on the contrary, it adds complexity by broadening its flavour profile. You can still make out the distillery’s character, albeit softened considerably by the influence of the wood. This results in a lovely, fairly complex fruitiness. That said, nothing too spectacular either, I wonder if it’s actually worth the price in the end.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sirius - Stay with Me

Hellyers Road 2016 Ex-Libris Seize the Fire 8 yo

 

 

 

63,7°

Distillery : Hellyers Road - Australia

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

At every Whisky Live Paris, we’re treated to a few bottlings from Hellyers Road, and they rarely disappoint. It’s true that a very special relationship has developed between La Maison du Whisky in France, which organises Whisky Live, and this distillery on the other side of the world. Here, an 8-year-old, aged in first-fill bourbon casks, with a production run of 206 bottles. The peat level isn’t specified, but I’d estimate it at around 30 ppm. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is somewhat dry, sandy, coppery. The esters are nevertheless powerful, with herbaceous and citrus notes, including pulpy lemon and kumquat. Patinated vanilla, flower of salt, green olives, roasted nuts, smoky wood, cigar ash. On the palate, there is little expression, but good balance and still a certain character: smooth cereals, very ripe mirabelle plums, dried seaweed, and a few spices, clove, cumin. A powerful finish, though a little short, straw, brown sugar, exotic wood bark. Balsamic vinegar, candied ginger, coriander. 

 

In Short, 

It has a very distinctive character, it’s interesting and complex, with a recognisable identity, though not quite fully developed. One thing’s for sure, it’s a whisky unlike any other. I’d have loved to try the others in the range, particularly the 10-year-old, as I get the feeling this one needs a few more years of ageing to really come into its own. A lovely character nonetheless, the price is a bit crazy, otherwise I would certainly have considered buying it.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lost in Kyiv - Burst

Penderyn 2010 Collection Itinéraires 15 yo

 

 

 

56,8°

Distillery : Penderyn - Wales 

Bourbon Barrel

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Single Cask 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Fifteen years is not a particularly common age for Penderyn, which opened in 2000. The second advantage is that this whisky has been matured in a single Bourbon cask, allowing the distillery’s character to fully develop. Only 102 bottles were drawn from the cask and included in the Collection Itinéraires, launched by La Maison du Whisky on the occasion of Whisky Live Paris 2025, for sale primarily in France. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Honey dripping from your fingers and ripe fruit, mirabelle plums, Reine-Claude plums, quince jam, Conference pears, yellow apples. Candle wax and rich floral notes, lacquered wood, creamy vanilla and a zest of lemon. On the palate, the fruit is even more pronounced, baked apples, Belle Hélène pear drizzled with chocolate, plum clafoutis, crumble sprinkled with cinnamon, black pepper. A long, explosive finish where the oak comes to the fore, liquorice, dried vanilla, fruit paste, shortbread biscuits, a warm chestnuts. 

 

In Short, 

It’s just the right age, here we have a riot of fruit, with notes of wax and elegant wood, generous honey – everything needed to make a fine whisky. The 10-year-old was still a little shy, more mineral, this one is perfectly mature. The price remains high, however, but with such a rare product, that’s hardly surprising. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Nessi Gomes - All Related