Glenburgie 2004 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 21 yo

 

 

 

57,3° 

Distillery : Glenburgie - Speyside

Refill Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Connoiseurs Choice is undoubtedly one of the oldest ranges in the history of whisky, having been created in 1968 by George Urquhart, and it now comprises over 2,000 bottlings. This one is a 21-year-old Glenburgie, which spent its early years in a refill sherry hogshead, resulting in 243 bottles ready to bring us great pleasure.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

The sherry struck me as nuanced and oaky, dried fruit steeped in tobacco, dates, figs, acacia honey and floor wax, milk chocolate, blood oranges soaked in wine, a coffee bean, egg custard, raspberry and blueberry jam. On the palate, wild berries, woody spices, prunes in honey, moist marzipan, pudding, crushed redcurrants. A tablespoonful of cinnamon. A long, powerful finish, digging in black earth, ferns, bark, heather, watermelon, argan oil, macerated walnuts and hazelnuts. 

 

In Short, 

Some have criticised this one for having a sulphurous note, but I didn’t detect any myself. That said, the sherry is intense and deep, it takes over everything in its path, you have to admit that. But it’s not really a ‘sherry bomb’, as it’s nuanced and varied. Be that as it may, I really enjoyed it. What’s more, the price isn’t that high for a 21-year-old. 

Score : 89 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             KXLLER - Golden Static

Lochlea Smoke Without Fire

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Lochlea - Lowlands

Ex-Peated Refill Bourbon Barrels and Red Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt 

Launched in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

And here is the third and final expression to appear in Lochlea’s Core Range in 2025. Named ‘Smoke Without Fire’, it is a blend of ex-peated refill bourbon barrels and red wine casks. The distillery does not use peated barley, but recycles old casks that previously contained peated whisky. The casks come from Laphroaig, as John Campbell, former Distillery Manager at Laphroaig, went on to work for Lochlea as Production Director and Master Blender from 2021 to 2024. Red wine casks are also added to accentuate the fruitiness. As I've already said, the whisky is almost entirely produced on site, with the exception of the malting process. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is delicate, barely smoky, and blends with a variety of white fruits, bananas, mirabelle plums, grapes. Fried onions, a pinch of ash, orchard fruits, a zest of lemon and traces of salt, along with grains still imbued with earth. On the palate, it is once again light, but the fruit is present, vanilla, pears and apples, a hint of aniseed, and spices that remain fairly subtle. The finish is more peaty, fuller-bodied, earthy and spicy. Pepper, cloves and liquorice, roasted wheat, notes of charcoal and dried leaves. 

 

In Short, 

Peat adds a little something extra, in terms of body and depth, and character too. It gives this distillery, which can sometimes be a bit too mild, a slightly different personality, though it remains very mainstream. I think this is my favourite from the new Single Estate range, but that’s just a matter of taste. The price is still reasonable.

Score : 85+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Man/Woman/Chainsaw - Nosedive

Octomore 2020 Edition 17.1 The Impossible Equation 5 yo

 

 

 

59,7°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

1st Fill Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 81 ppm

 

 

 

This is already the 17th Octomore batch, and there’s no telling when it will end, given that the 18th season is already planned. Here we have a 5-year-old whisky, matured entirely in first-fill bourbon casks, made from Concerto barley peated to 81 ppm, sourced from the Scottish mainland. It couldn’t be more classic for an Octomore, and yet it still works a treat. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A wave of mineral and sea salt notes, limestone, flecks of quartz, kelp, dried seaweed. A dry white smoke, gently suffocating. Incandescent peat lending great depth. A touch of creamy, even rich, fruit, almond paste, white peach, a zest of citrus fruits steeped in molasses. Campfire, waxy grains, a hint of ginger. On the palate, it is very dense and spicy, almost solid vanilla cream, stiffly whipped egg whites, candied bananas. Powerful and very long finish, avalanche of rocks, coconut, hot embers, sea salt, lychees. Lemon fruit jellies.  

In Short, 

I particularly liked this one, even though it isn’t the best Octomore from the .1 series that I’ve tasted. It’s particularly briny, maritime and mineral, that’s what I really liked about it. The smoke is intense, but it delicately envelops some very pleasant white fruits. A real success, which restores a sense of originality to this product, whose batches can sometimes seem a bit similar. The price is a bit too high for my liking, though, but if you look hard enough, you can find it at reasonable amounts. 

Score : 89+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                    Chewing Gum - Dirt Girl

Lochlea Dark Briar

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Lochlea - Lowlands

Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso and Port Casks

Original Bottling  

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncolloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Of the three new expressions from the distillery launched in 2025, this one emphasises sherry and port, and therefore fruitiness. It forms part of the Core Range, so it will be readily available. Once again, despite the ‘Single Estate’ label, it is not strictly speaking a Single Farm Estate, as the malting is not carried out on site. Nevertheless, the effort to produce a whisky made almost entirely on-site, with a very long fermentation period (66 to 116 hours depending on the batch), is to be commended. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is full-bodied but slightly dry, red berries, raisins, blueberries and redcurrants, toasted oak, treacle. Melting caramel, toffee, gingerbread with a good dose of cinnamon. A touch of varnish, fir honey. On the palate, the fruit return, blueberry tart, raspberry jam, strawberry syrup, candied cherries. It’s quite creamy, with vinous notes and, of course, spices such as cloves, nutmeg, pepper. The finish is quite long, liquorice, concentrated fruit, plenty of spice, yet it remains pleasant. Tobacco and benzoin. 

 

In Short, 

It’s often the same with sherry. The advantage is that it enhances the quality, but you lose a little of the whisky’s personality. That’s the case here too, it’s a lovely sherry, albeit a little young, which brings a pleasant fruitiness, but the distillery’s light and evanescent character fades into the background. This does not detract from the fundamental quality of the product, but one is entitled to prefer the distinctiveness of a more characteristic profile. That said, the price here is very reasonable, so it would be a sound purchase. 

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Tove Lo - No One Dies From Love

Williamson 2014 British Dragonflies 11 yo

 

 

 

61,4°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Archives

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm 

 

 

 

Normally, when the name ‘Williamson’ is used, in honour of Bessie Williamson, the only woman to have run a distillery in the 20th century, it is to conceal the fact that it is actually a Laphroaig. At Archives, they haven’t quite grasped the concept, as the bottle states: ‘Williamson distilled at Laphroaig Distillery’. What’s the point of calling it ‘Williamson’ if you’re allowed to say it’s a Laphroaig? ‘Williamson’ is also used to describe young, fiery Laphroaigs, and this one is certainly fiery, given the stated alcohol content. At Archives, a Dutch company founded in 2011, bottlings are always cask strength, which is why the alcohol content can sometimes be very high. But there’s nothing to stop you adding a little water to your glass. This one was bottled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Heads and Tails, an independent bottler based in Canada. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The smoke hits you right in the face. Thick, laden with ash, deeply maritime. Iodine and seaweed, a violent sea breeze, sea foam and fish scales. Shards of rock, chalky mineral nuances, quartz, flint. Behind all this, sweet butter, a dash of vanilla and a few plums and bananas. Orange peel. On the palate, it’s quite oily, almond oil, juicy pears, lychees, perhaps a bit of coconut. Then the spices come through, fierce, white pepper, cumin, horseradish. The finish is rather intense, though not as much as I’d expected, nor is it particularly long, dark tobacco, charcoal and liquorice. It’s very medicinal and salty, used bandages soaked in disinfectant, cold ash, cough syrup with a faintly sweet note. 

 

In Short, 

It’s actually more of a Williamson than a Laphroaig, because right from the first sniff it’s a storm of smoke and iodine. It’s as if you’re standing on the railings of an old fishmonger’s boat, with fuel oil leaking and piles of fish wriggling about on the deck. But on the palate, it’s still quite fruity, and the finish is superb, very medicinal, and the alcohol seemed well integrated to me. A very good Laphroaig, then, or rather, a Williamson, which lacks just a touch of genius to be perfect. 

Score : 89+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             New Day Dawn - Whatever It Takes

Armorik Sherry Cask

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Warenghem - France

Oloroso Sherry Butts 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Lauched in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This whisky was launched in 2020. At the time, the bottle label was entirely red. However, they changed the packaging in 2021, then again in 2024, and most recently in 2026. The recipe, however, has remained the same. Today, the fact that it has been matured entirely in Oloroso sherry butts is highlighted, as is the absence of chill filtration and colouring. This is a mark of quality and respect for the consumer. As the packaging is brand new, I only have a photo of my own to show you. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Lovely roundness, the sherry influence is not too pronounced. Red berries, raisins, figs, dates, raspberry jam, earthy and spicy nuances, cinnamon, nutmeg and cumin. Blood oranges, crushed apricots, dried bananas. A few herbaceous notes. On the palate, baked apples, honey, very ripe mirabelle plums and a few cereals. The spices are still there and blend with a hint of Viandox. Beef stew. A fairly long, very respectable finish, liquorice, redcurrant jelly bringing a touch of acidity, velvety caramel, cloves. Perhaps a blueberry or two. 

 

In Short, 

It’s well made, there’s no reason to complain about it. What bothers me is that it lacks a bit of originality. It’s a good sherry-cask whisky, but it’s nothing new, there’s nothing special about it. The price is reasonable, so why not buy a bottle? But you could just as easily ask the opposite: why buy one?

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                 To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                       Nation of Language - I'm Not Ready For The Change

Armorik Small Batch Chouchenn

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Warenghem - France 

Chouchenn and French Breton oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Launched as a limited edition in 2025, this whisky was quickly added to the core range the following year due to its success. It is a bold move to produce a whisky aged in Chouchenn casks – Chouchenn being a mead native to Brittany, that is to say, a honey-based spirit. And they did just that. But what’s more, not content with simply producing the only whisky of its kind, they have gone to great lengths to create a whisky that is exclusively Breton. The only casks used are Breton oak casks, either new or previously used for Chouchenn, the barley comes mainly from Brittany and is, moreover, certified organic, and bottling takes place on the distillery’s premises. The only aspect about which we know nothing, or very little, is the malting process, other than that it complies with organic regulations. In any case, this is a product whose originality is bound to appeal to any self-respecting whisky lover. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

First of all, a rather rich and thick waxiness, then the honey fills the nose. Makroudes, cinnamon biscuits, cloves, royal jelly, candied mirabelle plums. Behind this, the wood offers a lovely velvety texture, varnish, Vendée brioche, crunchy caramel, and lovely notes of vanilla. Flambéed bananas, melted butter. Honey-coated fruit on the palate, pears and peaches, a few dates and raisins. The spices are subtle, faint maritime hints in the background. A fairly long finish, slightly astringent, chocolate sweets, dark honey, a pinch of earth, liquorice and dried figs. 

 

In Short, 

Here, originality goes hand in hand with a certain quality, the virgin oak casks are used to great effect and blend with the honey without imparting the slightest hint of bitterness. There are a few flaws, notably a finish that is a little aggressive, though long and rich, and a palate that is just a touch light. Overall, however, I think it’s a success, and I’d even say this is the direction to take. Doing what others don’t do, and doing it well, that goes without saying. The price is, of course, a little high, the Research & Development department’s efforts need to be recouped, but it’s still reasonable. Buying a bottle might just satisfy your curiosity. 

Score : 85+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Denez Prigent featuring Lisa Gerrard - An Hini a Garan

Armorik Men Ruz

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Warengehm - France 

Bourbon, STR, Oloroso Sherry and Virgin Breton Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt 

Launched in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is the latest release to hit the small world of French whisky this autumn. This newcomer has undergone a complex maturation process, involving four different types of cask, predominantly Bourbon and new oak casks. It is reportedly ‘approximately’ five years old, at least that’s what the Brand Ambassador said. The alcohol content is a little low, but it remains unchillfiltered, which I welcome. Men Ruz means ‘Red Stone’ in Breton, a tribute to the Côte de Granit Rose, found in this part of Brittany, near Lannion, where the distillery is located. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A nose full of honey, the influence of the new oak barrels is very well controlled, there are notes of caramel, sponge cake and brioche, but no bitterness whatsoever. Churned butter, juicy yellow fruits, mashed bananas, rum baba, a few coastal nuances, iodine, limestone, quartz. A fresh, maritime character. The palate is, unfortunately, light, but smooth and well-balanced, vanilla, royal jelly, egg custard, solid untreated wood, cherry or pine, crème brûlée, spices that aren’t too disturbing. The finish isn’t very long and is rather astringent,  charcoal, liquorice, splinters, soft bark, lichen, cloves. Mushroom cream. 

 

In Short, 

The nose is really pleasant, you can really savour it, but then it gets a bit more complicated, on the palate it’s fine but a bit too light, and the finish is a little harsh. That said, it’s an entry-level whisky that’ll be sold at a low price, so it would be silly to expect miracles from it. Given the price it’s on sale for, I think it’s not bad at all, in fact, quite nice. 

Score : 84+ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                   Stéphane Giacalone - Le Sentier des orages

Yeun Elez 2021 Single Cask Anthologiezh 5 yo

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Warenghem - France

STR Wine Cask

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

The Yeun Elez range comprises peated whiskies produced in Warenghem. They are very often released as Single Cask and Cask Strength expressions, and are made with peated barley at 50 ppm. This one is the most recent addition to the range, it is five years old and has been matured in an STR Wine Cask. STR stands for ‘scraped, toasted and re-charred’, meaning the cask has been reworked to rejuvenate it and charred to the maximum. 280 bottles were produced from it. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A thick, suffocating and rather dry smoke, where a few winy reflections, dried fruit and wild berries, emerge. The smoke is steeped in soot, charcoal and dust, with mineral notes of granite, quartz, basalt. The fruit gradually comes to the fore: peaches, apricots, white grapes. Dried herbs. On the palate, it is quite full-bodied, blackberry jam, lemon zests, pears, not too strong spices, cloves, dark chocolate. A long, almost explosive finish, charcoal, spongy peat, caramel and liquorice. Mandarin peel. It is slightly medicinal, even earthy.

 

In Short, 

I’m not exactly thrilled. The smoke overpowers most of the distillate and that’s practically all you can feel. It’s particularly dry on the nose, reminiscent of terracotta, I only detected medicinal or coastal notes on the finish, and even then, there were very few. It’s still powerful and full of character, but it’s a far cry from Islay’s masterpieces. Only the finish struck me as pleasant, it saves the whole thing a little. At that price, frankly, I’d suggest looking elsewhere instead. 

Score : 86-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                      Sleep - The Morrisist

Ben Nevis 2012 The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks 10 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

5 Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

I still have quite a few bottles from Elixir Distillers’ now-defunct Reserve Casks range, including some Ben Nevis whiskies. This one is 10 years old, it’s a blend of five Oloroso sherry hogsheads, and the distillate is peated. I’ve labelled it ‘Heavily Peated’, as that’s the traditional description for Ben Nevis, but the peat level doesn’t exceed 30 ppm. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Slightly woody smoke, ground nutmeg, dark chocolate, flambéed caramel, cooked mushrooms and chestnuts, moss and lichen, fig jam. Lovely creaminess of prunes, dried bananas, and a dash of vanilla. Freshly ploughed earth, petrichor. Fir honey. Hints of minerality. Velvety on the palate, dates, raisins, smoky bark, black tea, fresh apples, very subtle spices, candied lemon. A somewhat harsh but long finish, dark tobacco, pralines, barely bitter wood, dried herbs, cola nuts, coffee grounds. 

 

In Short, 

This is the classic profile of sherry-matured Ben Nevis whiskies, forestry, earthy, yet with a variety of fruit notes. However, in this case, I found a few minor flaws, the wood is a little too prominent, particularly on the finish, and it feels a bit light on the palate. It’s still a good whisky, the nose is complex, and the rest is pleasant. It has personality and character, and the price is reasonable. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Lebanon Hanover - The Last Thing 

Armorik 10 yo Signature 2026

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Warenghem - France

Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry and Virgin Breton oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

As early as 2015, 10-year-old whiskies were included amongst the Warenghem distillery’s releases, but these were very limited-edition single cask bottlings. The 10-year-old, as we know it today, first appeared in 2018 to celebrate 20 years of whisky production at the distillery (which had previously made other spirits). But this month, a new 10-year-old is on the horizon, the packaging has changed, as have the recipe, the price and even the name. The aim is to compete with Scottish 10-year-olds, both in terms of price and quality, which is a bold move. The price has therefore dropped by 15 per cent, I applaud this commendable effort. However, if I’ve understood correctly, this is still a limited edition, with batches of 5,000 bottles. To be confirmed later. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A rich and balanced nose, with lovely fruitiness from the sherry, plums, even prunes, chocolate cake, juicy pears, candied cherries, white grapes and conifer honey, whilst the bourbon lends a certain stability, creamy vanilla, cereal biscuits, the new oak casks contribute an elegant, rustic woodiness rich in caramel. On the palate, it is somewhat light but pleasant, the fruit is integrated into an oily texture, particularly green apple, good length on the palate, well-controlled spices. Roasted hazelnuts. Fairly long finish, though slightly astringent, dark tobacco, earth and ferns, the wood becomes more pronounced, even rough, modelling clay, cashew nuts and a pinch of salt. 

In Short, 

To be honest, it’s not far off the quality of some 10-year-old Scotch whiskies, but it’s not quite there yet. The nose is actually quite good, but it lacks a bit of character, the palate is pleasant, but still a little light, the finish is quite long, but still a bit harsh. I know just how difficult it has been to produce a 10-year-old in France, and I congratulate this distillery on that. But to compete with Scottish 10-year-olds is perhaps a bit ambitious at the moment. Certainly, the price is attractive and the quality is undeniable, but they’ll need to make a bit more of an effort. 

Score : 85  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                      Catherine Ringer - Intermitent Lover

Armorik 15 yo Édition Limitée 2026

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Warenghem - France 

Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 10 ppm

 

 

 

The distillery’s first 15-year-old was released in 2021, but this was a special bottling for The Nectar, the renowned Belgian independent distributor and bottler. From 2022 onwards, a new batch of 15-year-olds has been flooding the markets every year. These batches consist of 1,500 bottles. This new batch is no different, except that the bottle’s packaging has been completely redesigned. As the whisky was distilled in 2011 and earlier, it is still slightly peaty, because it was precisely in 2011 that the distillery decided to stop using peated barley in the production of Armorik. Peat will now be reserved for another of the distillery’s brands: Yeun Elez.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An enticing nose, with hints of honey and custard, Reine-Claude plum jam, whole almonds, soft bananas, and a whisper of peat to round it all off. Woody caramel, chocolate fondant, dried figs, apricot, nutmeg and cinnamon. Crushed walnuts, a touch of lemon zest. On the palate, it remains pleasant, with a dash of vanilla accompanying orchard fruits, red apples, Comice pears, a few herbaceous notes, dandelion, and well-balanced spices. The finish is quite long, chocolatey and earthy, slightly astringent, damp bark, dates, cooked onions, hazelnuts and a few wisps of tobacco. 

 

In Short, 

This is the distillery’s flagship expression. Right from the nose, you can tell it’s in a different league to the younger products, and this is borne out on the palate and in the finish. It’s very well crafted, well-balanced, and the price is almost reasonable. I’m almost tempted to recommend buying it, but the value for money is still a little lacking. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Les Rita Mitsouko - Marcia Baila

Armorik 2007 Édition Rare 18 yo

 

 

 

48,7°

Distillery : Warenghem - France

Oloroso Sherry and Sauternes Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 10 ppm

 

 

 

Armorik released its first 18-year-old whisky last year, in September 2025. This one is a new batch, with a recipe that appears to be the same, but with new packaging and a new name: Édition Rare. It is a limited edition of 300 bottles, with approximately 70% aged in Oloroso sherry casks and 30% in Sauternes wine casks. The Sauternes casks are the youngest, but it is stated that the sherry casks are at least 20 years old. There is another version, a cask-strength release from the same blending, limited to 150 bottles, which I haven’t been able to taste. That makes a total of 450 bottles, no more than three casks in my humble opinion. This new expression has only just been released, and unfortunately I don’t have a good photo of it.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Very pronounced, deep and intense sherry notes, strawberry coulis, raspberry purée, candied redcurrants, tanned leather, walnuts and chocolate fondant. There is a very subtle hint of sulphur, but it is well integrated, along with very light peat and forest aromas, ferns and acorns, even earthy notes. A pinch of nutmeg. On the palate, the fruit is smoother but still distinctly red, blueberry tart, jams, almonds and honey. A very long finish, though not particularly powerful, with pepper and dark tobacco, cooked mushrooms, hot chestnuts, cola and heather. Meat gravy. 

 

In Short, 

A lovely whisky, but heavily influenced by sherry, which detracts slightly from its originality. The nose is deep and complex, and the finish is very long, only the palate falls slightly short, though it remains pleasant nonetheless. It is a very respectable whisky, but where it lacks competitiveness is undoubtedly in terms of price, which I find high. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                       To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                      Minuit - Sur les Berges

Lochlea Orchard & Oak

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Lochlea - Lowlands

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels, Virgin American Oak and Ex-Calvados Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

In 2025, the distillery launched a new range called Single Estate, and Orchard & Oak is one of the three expressions in this range. It’s part of the Core Range, so it’s set to be around for quite some time. That said, the range is called Single Estate because they claim that everything is done on-site. Indeed, the barley is grown in their fields, bottling is carried out on site, and fermentation, distillation and maturation all take place on site, which is excellent. Except that the malting isn’t done on site, which means it isn’t a true Single Farm Estate. And don’t confuse Single Farm Estate with Single Cask. Just because it’s a ‘Single Farm Estate’ (which isn’t the case here) doesn’t mean it’s a ‘Single Cask’. A ‘Single Farm Estate’ can be the result of blending several casks. All these considerations aside, it’s always interesting to taste this sort of thing, it inevitably has a strong identity. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

You immediately recognise the finesse and sweetness of the Calvados, with notes of fresh green apple and syrup or treacle, followed by woody vanilla and honeyed caramel. Slightly more discreet cereal and herbaceous notes, though clearly present, reeds, tall grasses and freshly cut hay. Juicy pears and Chasselas grapes. It’s also floral. Porridge. On the palate, it’s somewhat light, vanilla, honey, elderflower, but there are a few spices too, the apples are cooked in butter. Nutmeg and cinnamon. The finish is more than decent, and even pleasant, with a generous zest of lemon, still full of orchard fruits, a mint leaf, minced almonds, a pinch of salt and earth. 

 

In Short, 

The Calvados casks add a little something extra in terms of flavour, and also in terms of viscosity, it’s a bit oilier. This complements the distillery’s profile very well, enhancing its rustic, countryside character. Whilst remaining elegant. For me, it’s a success, and the price isn’t that high. Perhaps it’s worth buying. It would be better if the age were stated, though. 

Score : 85 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Melusina - L'Ultimo Sguardo

Kilkerran 16 yo 2026

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Glengyle - Campbeltown

100% Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated from 12 to 15 ppm 

 

 

 

After a few years, I’m back to taste the Kilkerran 16-year-old, of which a new batch has been released every year since 2020. This is therefore the 7th batch, and it is the first to be matured entirely in Oloroso sherry casks. All the other releases were dominated by bourbon, although it is true that the previous one, from 2025, already had a significant amount of sherry. So this is something new, and it’s interesting. However, we do not know how many bottles were produced.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is initially intense and sulphurous, but gradually rounds out as it breathes. A light woody smokiness, toasted bark, roasted peanuts. Raisins, figs, a variety of red berries, particularly redcurrants and blueberries, and prunes. Quite spicy on the palate, bread cake, candied chestnuts, dried bananas, candied Reine-Claude plums, nutmeg and cloves. Thick caramel, spruce honey, a touch of charcoal. A long finish, quite powerful but not overly so, coffee and dark tobacco, dark chocolate, brownie sprinkled with walnuts. Cooked mushrooms, ferns.

 

In Short, 

Perhaps the bottle had only just been opened, which is why the sherry was a bit too strong for my taste. But after a few weeks or months once it’s been opened, I suppose it’ll be better. Overall, I thought it was good, but it suffers from the same flaw as other Kilkerran 16-year-olds I’ve tasted: a lack of character that isn’t made up for by subtlety. In a nutshell, it’s too old to be powerful, but not yet old enough to be very complex. The sherry adds a touch of originality, but it doesn’t change the essence of the whisky. Consequently, it’s a good bottling, but nothing exceptional, and I’m not sure I’d recommend buying it. Others have enjoyed it more than I have, we’ll have to see how it develops after a few weeks of being open. 

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                              Sun Vessel - Sacred Nobility

Teeling 1983 Vintage Reserve Collection 33 yo

 

 

 

42,9°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Ireland

2 Ex-Bourbon Casks

Independent Bottling 

By Teeling Whiskey Company 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Upon its release, this whisky was billed as “the oldest bottling of Irish Single Malt recently released”, and it is precisely its age that poses a problem. Where does it come from? It cannot be a Teeling, as their distillery only began operating in 2015, but it cannot be a Cooley either, as that distillery only started production in 1989. In 1983, there were only two active distilleries in Ireland, and only one of them produced Single Malt. That’s Old Bushmills. So this is an independent bottling, even though that isn’t stated anywhere. Only 275 bottles were released for sale, but I reckon the Teeling family kept a few bottles for themselves, and I can’t blame them. The very simple maturation process promises a very pure spirit. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

The nose offers a very varied and complex bouquet, intense and brimming with a variety of fruits, juicy pears, baked apples, exotic fruits such as papaya and even mango, buttered toast, floral notes, and a medley of citrus fruits including mandarins, lime, grapefruit, persimmon. Sweet notes are reminiscent of cane sugar, very pure vanilla and a few grains of cereal, but these are subtle and very well balanced. On the palate, it is smoother, even waxy, yet very well crafted, the vanilla blends with honey and mirabelle plums, light caramel, mashed bananas, perhaps a hint of coconut and apricot. The spices are almost undetectable. The finish is very long, very oily, and powerful despite the low alcohol content. Wood shavings, sweet cider, very ripe yellow plums, a trace of liquorice. Varnished wooden floor, blond tobacco. 

 

In Short, 

Thanks to an astonishing turn of events, I was able to taste it twice, and I’d like to thank the person who made it possible for me to be granted this great favour (Hi Steve!). It’s the oldest Irish whiskey I’ve ever tasted, and also the best, without a shadow of a doubt. What makes this nectar so special is, first and foremost, its maturation in Bourbon casks, which allows the spirit to reach its full potential. The other aged Irish whiskies I’ve tasted have been matured in Sherry, Port and even Burgundy wine casks. I’m all for experimentation, that’s part of what makes whiskey so wonderful. But nothing beats a very good Bourbon cask. And finally, despite its age, despite the triple distillation, and despite the low alcohol content, the spirit remains surprisingly expressive, deep and complex. Some old whiskies or whiskeys lose their intensity with age, but that is certainly not the case here. This makes it an excellent product that is an absolute must-try for anyone interested in Irish whiskey, a thoroughly respectable ‘Holy Grail’. Unfortunately, the price far exceeds the median French salary, and even my own salary. If samples could be sold, it would sell much better.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                  Jeff Buckley & Elizabeth Fraser - All Flowers in Town Bends Towards the Sun

Caol Ila 2008 The Young Rebels Collection N.3 8 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Bourbon Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask

Bottled in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

The Young Rebels Collection is a small range comprising 10 bottlings released between 2015 and 2019 – two expressions per year – aged between 5 and 9 years, with a relatively straightforward maturation process. A fine initiative from Hidden Spirits, an Italian bottler founded in 2013. Caol Ila is one of the distilleries most prominently featured in this small range, as it appears twice. Here, No. 3 is a straightforward 8-year-old expression. I believe it has been matured in a Bourbon cask, whilst this is not specified anywhere, given its organic profile, it seems obvious. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Thick smoke, full ashtray. Behind this lies a mineral, crystalline peat, saturated with iodine. Chiselled vanilla, juicy lemon, sea breeze and seaweed. Plum jam, spread with butter, meringue. A few drops of petrol, kerosene, puddle of engine oil. Creamy honey, flint, courgette flowers. On the palate, it’s viscous, the fruit blends with the peat, prickly pears, not-too-ripe bananas, damp earth in the background, charcoal. The spices aren’t overly intense, cloves, pepper. White chocolate cream. Powerful finish, dark tobacco, manganese, fuel oil. Muddy ashes. Light striker.

 

In Short, 

Caol Ila is really good even when young, here we have a lovely personality, plenty of character and a certain complexity. It’s exactly the sort of whisky I never tire of, if I’d had this bottle, I think I’d have finished it very quickly, in a month or two. I do regret that this sort of young but well-made bottling is becoming a bit of a rarity, except for Ben Nevis. It’s completely sold out now, but you can still find it at auction. 

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Blues Pills - High Class Woman

Caol Ila 2007 Hidden Spirits Highproof Version 14 yo

 

 

 

53,7°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

2d Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm 

 

 

 

Among the releases from Hidden Spirits, there are two Caol Ila whiskies distilled in 2007 and of the same age, but the other has been bottled exclusively for The Whisky Roundabout, an Italian retail website. This one has simply been matured in a second-fill bourbon cask, which promises a pure distillate, and only 115 bottles were produced. A rarity, then, to be savoured with care. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A greyish but fairly fine peat, with a vibrant iodine note, blending with liquid honey, carved limestone and dried seaweed. The peat becomes spongy, accompanied by waffles with maple syrup, a buttered baguette and a generous pinch of salt. A hint of mango, a touch of lemon zest. And, of course, a rather rich smokiness. Lard. Pleasant, full-bodied palate, creamy vanilla, soya milk, soft fruits, pears and mirabelle plums. Then the spices, grey pepper, cumin, grow increasingly pronounced. A powerful, long, full-bodied finish, charcoal ground to a powder, bread soaked in milk, an ounce of earth. Very slight bitterness. Cola nuts.

 

In Short, 

It’s a very pleasant Caol Ila, but it lacks a bit of fullness. It has everything you’d expect from this distillery, but without any particular originality or complexity. Let’s not complain, though, it’s really enjoyable to drink, and it’s not overly expensive given its age. But I’m used to better from Hidden Spirits. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Death in Vegas - Scorpio Rising

Ben Nevis 2014 100 Proof Edition #63 10 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Butts and 2d Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

So, as I was saying, of the eight Ben Nevis whiskies in the 100 Proof lineup, only two are neither heavily peated nor aged in first-fill sherry casks. This one is one of those two, while it’s matured exclusively in sherry casks, not all of them are first-fill. Aged 10 years, with no added colorings or chill filtration, we can expect a bit of character from one of the best distilleries in the Highlands. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Definitely more sherry, along with apricot, yellow peach, mirabelle and Reine-Claude plums, a drop of honey, a wisp of smoky charcoal, dark tobacco, varnished wood. Liquid egg yolk. Crushed red berries. A whiff of iodine. On the palate, it’s not bad, oaky, slightly lemony, almonds, vanilla milk, but the spices come through quite quickly, cumin and black pepper. Macerated grapes, Chinese soya-banana cake. A fairly long finish, though not particularly powerful, chocolate brownie, hazelnuts, liquorice, a slight bitterness, earth and ferns. Fig biscuits.

 

In Short, 

I’m not sure what to say, but I found this one rather flat. The nose lacks depth and complexity, the palate is decent but nothing special, even the finish is less powerful than usual. Perhaps it’s just me, but I’ve tasted it alongside other products from the same range that didn’t make the same impression. It’s not bad, of course, but it doesn’t have the same character as previous releases. It’s an impression I’ll have the chance to confirm, as I’ve still got some left. In the meantime, I’d advise sticking to the other releases instead. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             New Constellations - Hot Blooded

Ben Nevis 2015 100 Proof Edition #80 10 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

Oloroso Sherry Butts Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

For now, there are eight Ben Nevis in the 100 Proof range, launched in January 2024 by Signatory Vintage. Three are labelled ‘Heavily Peated’, and three have been matured exclusively in first-fill sherry casks, making them more or less ‘sherry bombs’. Only two are fairly well-balanced, No. 63, which I’ll be discussing shortly, and this one, which was just finished in Oloroso sherry butts, after an initial maturation that was surely in bourbon casks. That’s why I find it interesting, one can hope that it captures the essence of Ben Nevis in all its complexity, completely unaltered by sherry or peat. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A creamy nose with hints of blood oranges and citrus, mashed banana, wax-coated wood, mountain honey, meringue, a touch of iodine, perhaps a drop of exotic fruit, papaya, pineapple. Very light acidity. On the palate, it is quite smooth, buttery and oily, but quite strong spices emerge, black pepper, cumin, a trace of molasses, egg yolk. The finish is quite long, powerful, wood charcoal, liquorice, a slight bitterness, terracotta. A zest of lemon. We find a little bit of peat.

 

In Short, 

Yes, I recognised the original Ben Nevis character in it, that fuzzy, funky quality which, in my opinion, has been somewhat lacking in the other bottlings in the same range. Unfortunately, a few minor flaws on the palate – too much spice, suggesting over-active casks – prevent me from giving it a higher score. But apart from that, it’s a very successful whisky that will delight fans of the distillery. I’d recommend buying it, especially as the price is ridiculously low. 

Score : 87+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                      Body Electrik! - Spaghettification