Isle of Raasay The Draam Batch R-01.5.1

 

 

 

46,4°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

1st Fill Rye Whiskey, Chinkapin Virgin Oak and 1st Fill Bordeaux Red Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm 

 

 

 

This series has been running since 2021, but until 2025 it didn’t have a name. Then it was named ‘The Draam’, and we’re now on the 6th Batch. The numbering system is a bit unusual: first R-01, then R-01.1, R-01.2, and so on. Bear in mind that there have sometimes been autumn Batches, numbered R-02, then R-02.1, and so on. In short, it’s a bit of a headache. But the recipe remains the same every time, it’s always a six-stage maturation process, using three types of cask and two types of barley, peated and unpeated. Yes, that’s complicated too. But what matters is the result, and given that it’s neither chill-filtered nor coloured, we can look forward to something special. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

It’s coastal, rocky, chalky. Slightly fruity, but above all salty. Mellow peat, sharp vanilla, crystalline iodine. Drops of honey, evanescent cereals, lemon zest. But above all, the sea air. On the palate, it’s pleasant, even funky, but it’s light too. The influence of the rye casks is noticeable, grainy cereals, caramel, subtle floral notes. A few spices, cloves, white pepper. A fairly long finish, very decent, tobacco, biscuits, cold ashes, granite, lumps of coal, mirabelle plums.

 

In Short, 

It seems to me that this expression is now at the peak of its potential. The coastal elements are beautifully highlighted, the flavours are very well balanced, and the Bordeaux oak is not noticeable at all, apart from a slight fruity note. It’s a fine achievement. There’s no mention of age on the label, so we can hope it’s a little older than three years. The price remains a little high, no doubt due to the complex maturation process and the almost artisanal production methods. 

Score : 86 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Alanis Morissette - Season of the Witch

The Yamazaki 2015 Refill Spanish Oak Bottled 2026

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Yamazaki - Japan

Refill Spanish Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

A new limited edition from the Suntory Group, this product is not yet on sale in France, but will be within a fortnight or so. However, it is currently available in Singapore and Germany, and perhaps elsewhere too. It is a Yamazaki aged for at least ten years and matured in refill Spanish oak casks, meaning sherry casks. Unless, that is, they are new-make casks or wine casks, which would indeed be quite experimental. There are no details on whether it has been chill-filtered or if colouring has been added, which is a shame. 3,000 bottles are being released across 20 different countries, it’s a great campaign. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Intense and mellow sherry, sweet-and-sour sauce, soft caramel, apricot compote, roasted walnuts, prunes, candied oranges, touches of sulphur and rancio, varnished wood, dark chocolate, hairspray, sandalwood, shiitake mushrooms. A rich, woody and fruity depth, a damp forest glade, macerated chestnuts, bark. On the palate, the fruit takes the lead, but a waxy note lingers, candied cherries, dried figs, blueberry tart, baked apples, tomatoes and peppers, fir honey and herbaceous notes, eucalyptus, ginkgo, primroses, which pair well with nutmeg and ginger. A fairly long finish, with a hint of smoke, cigar box, raw wood and a pinch of salt. Crushed hazelnuts, tanned leather, earth and liquorice, coffee grounds, it is intense and deep. 

 

In Short, 

To my taste, the sherry is a little too strong, especially on the nose, although it is also very subtle and complex. On the palate and in the finish, it seems better to me, even very good, but I’m not entirely convinced. I detect not only sherry but also some vinous notes, it goes well with the distillery’s character, but I’d say it goes a bit too far. All the more so because the price is absolutely out of this world. Especially as it’s reduced. 

Score : 89-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Ane Brun - Hold Me

Stauning Høst

 

 

 

40,5°

Distillery : Stauning - Danemark

American Oak Virgin Casks, Bourbon Barrels, and Port Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Blended Whisky

Launched in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It was with great caution that I brought my nose close to this glass, given what a disaster it was the last time I tasted a Stauning. But some very trustworthy people had actively recommended it to me, and I decided to put my faith in them. And so here I am with this, that means a blend of malted barley and malted rye, the malting having been carried out at local producers. It’s matured primarily in American oak casks, some virgin, others not, and a few Port casks. The bottle design dates from 2025, it’s much better than the old one, let’s hope it also reflects an improvement in quality. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Fresh apple, a dash of creamy vanilla, and coarse, rustic grains coated in honey. Grape seed oil, caramel, peaches, and a few red berries in the background, cherries and redcurrants, but it’s a little bitter. On the palate, it’s creamy, crushed banana, cake batter, it’s sweet too, rose water, lychees. However, the very low alcohol content means it doesn’t linger on the palate for very long. Wild berries, nutmeg. A relatively short finish, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco, a pinch of cinnamon, toasted nuts, and more cereals. 

 

In Short, 

I must admit it’s much better than last time. I quite like cereal notes, and this whisky is full of them. However, this whisky’s appeal is very limited, due to the lack of an age statement and the very low alcohol content. Besides, I find the price a bit high. 

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             dodie - The Answer

MacPhail's 40 yo 2025

 

 

 

46°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Speyside

Sherry Casks 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Since its beginnings, Gordon & MacPhail has been offering matured whiskies from distilleries whose names are not disclosed. This is a long-standing tradition amongst independent bottlers, which allows to showcase them more effectively than the original distillery could, which is a handy way to raise their own name. Gordon & MacPhail have absolutely no need to promote their name, they are recognised as being amongst the very best, but they continue this old-school tradition, particularly with very mature whiskies, such as this one.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An exquisite nose, very beeswax-like, dried apricots, slight minerality and various kinds of candied fruit, cherries, rhubarb, grapes, papaya, roasted hazelnuts, liquid milk chocolate, small yellow apples, citrus zest, chestnut cream, molasses. On the palate, it is very evanescent, candied red fruits, woody spices, an exotic touch, a drop of passion fruit, a dash of orange and argan oil, old leather. Old Bottle Effect, furniture polish. An endless finish, with cinnamon, currants, pipe tobacco, Tarte Tatin sprinkled with fine salt. Dried flowers right at the very end.

 

In Short, 

I wasn’t exactly blown away by the 30-year-old from the same collection released in 2024, but this one is a true work of art. The sherry notes are perfectly refined, blending with a range of very subtle aromas that make it impossible to identify the distillery. I’ve read on social media that it’s a Mortlach, but I didn’t recognise any of its typical characteristics, so that remains purely speculative. The price is, of course, absolutely crazy, but the quality is there, those who have nothing better to do with their money won’t be disappointed.

Score : 91+ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Velvet Haze - The Man Who Sold the Rain

Highland Park 2005 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 20 yo

 

 

 

59,7°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

1st Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

After Pulteney, Highland Park. We’re still in the far north of the British Isles, and we’ve even left the mainland behind. Here we have a first-fill sherry butt that was left to mature for 20 years before pouring out the equivalent of 632 bottles. It was released last year to mark Gordon & MacPhail’s 130th anniversary. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Light, grainy peat and airy iodine. Pulpy yellow fruits and biscuit dough mixed with cereals. Dried apricots, heather honey, mandarin zest and a dash of vanilla. A few spices and sea spray, cinnamon, cardamom, raisins. On the palate, it’s very velvety, though just a tad drying, stiffly whipped egg whites, custard, woody and peppery notes, juicy Reine-Claude plums, almost candied. A very long, explosive finish, shortbread biscuits, a pinch of salt, a touch of minerality, a mint leaf and banana purée. Ginger. 

 

In Short, 

Here’s one that strikes a perfect balance between the subtle influence of sherry and the distillate’s strong character, all delivered with subtlety and finesse. It’s truly a little gem if you’re a fan of heather honey and juicy fruit, but the peat is there too, with chalky and iodine-like notes, lending it a more troubled, deeper character. The price is justified given its age, but a little on the expensive side considering the quality, as it’s very well made but not quite sublime. Best bought on special offer. 

Score : 89+  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Dead Gowns - Hardcore or Wellness

Pulteney 2005 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 20 yo

 

 

 

56,9°

Distillery : Pulteney - Highlands

Refill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is only the sixth Pulteney I taste, and the first from an independent bottler. Suffice to say, I was really looking forward to this experience. This is a distillery that certainly deserves a closer look, as it has a well-known and recognised profile, and one doesn’t often get the chance to try its whiskies. That was without taking into account the maturation, in a single Refill Sherry Butt, which risks overshadowing the distillate’s merits. 534 bottles have flooded the shelves.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry character is quite pronounced, raisins and dried apricots, apple compote, red berry jam, candied oranges, dates and dried figs, cinnamon and ginger. Underlying this is a lovely salinity and some maritime notes, sea spray, sea foam. On the palate, caramel, ginger, yellow peaches, walnuts, full-tanned leather, woody spices, nutmeg. The finish is quite long, not too violent, it’s more cereal-like, toasted wheat, malted barley, crème brûlée, cough sweets, cola, treacle, bark. Floral honey. 

 

In Short, 

I did detect a hint of salt, but only on the nose. Apart from that, it’s just another Sherry bottling, very well made, certainly, but nothing remarkable. Apparently, the sherry wasn’t ‘refill’ enough. It’s a shame because the spirit is old, it could have offered some lovely subtlety. Perhaps it should have been bottled earlier, before the cask took over. As it stands, the price seems a bit steep to me. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Clint & The Cosmic Wake - Don't Cry Baby

Laphroaig 35 yo Strong Characters Dugald Johnston 1847-1877

 

 

 

43,8°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

American White Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Two years after the first chapter in this ‘Strong Characters’ series, the second chapter is finally here, dedicated to Dugald Johnston, son of Donald, who took over the distillery in 1847 following his father’s sudden death. Brit Brady has designed the label, which appears to illustrate this episode. As for the whisky itself, it has been aged for 35 years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, allowing the distillate to express itself fully. 5,500 bottles are being released. I wonder if they’re going to dedicate a bottling to every single distillery manager. Because there are still a good dozen of them, and at the rate of one bottle every two years, we’ll be at it until 2050. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A perfect Laphroaig, with just the right amount of tar, smoke, disinfectant and iodine to delicately envelop the ripe fruits, lemon, pineapple, vanilla, redcurrants, green apples and white peaches. Fruit cake soaked in fuel oil, candied cherries. Lovely airy fullness, sea breeze, mineral intensity. On the palate, a salad of macerated fruit, thick peat, waterlogged wood dotted with moss and mushrooms, hazelnut cream, almond paste. Spices that are by no means overpowering, yet possess great depth. A finish as long as a sociology lecture, full of bandages and chloroform, black pepper, butter biscuits. Honey, dried papaya. Sea spray. 

 

In Short, 

This is the oldest Laphroaig I’ve tasted so far, and it’s quite magnificent. There’s so much tar and fuel oil on the nose that I thought it might have been aged in sherry casks. The finish is endless, and on the palate it’s very smooth, like a marvellous oasis amidst a whirlwind of intense flavours. Well done, but you’ll need to think about bringing the prices down a bit. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             The Opposition - Very Little Glory 

Laphroaig 10 yo Original Cask Strength Batch 015

 

 

 

56,5°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Recharred Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm 

 

 

 

For over two years now, there’s been no news of a new batch of the 10-year-old Cask Strength, it’s really sad. I asked the distillery’s new Brand Ambassador about this, and he assured me that the series isn’t over, that they’re just adapting to demand. And apparently, demand isn’t strong enough. I’m consoling myself with Batch 15, bottled in December 2021 and released in August 2022. It was matured in Bourbon casks that were re-charred for the occasion; I think they were charred right down to the staves. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Tar, asphalt, burnt-out car wrecks, peat with thick smoke full of coal and soot, pebbles of limestone and granite. Touch of medicine and disinfectant. Shoe polish and engine oil. Faint whiffs of alcohol. On the palate, very oily, linseed oil, Muscat grapes and redcurrants, buried walnuts, chocolate fondant, coffee grounds, puddles of fuel oil, powerful spices, nutmeg and black pepper. A rather long finish, lignite, dark tobacco, stretto coffee, liquorice and caramel, cola nuts, remarkable bitterness.

 

In Short, 

I’m surprised there’s no sherry in there, as it’s quite fruity on the palate. As for the rest, it feels like sticking your head under the bonnet of an old car, whilst eating liquorice sweets and drinking coffee. Totally radical and totally brilliant. If you don’t like it, that’s your loss. It’s worth noting that it’s very different from Batch 14, which was much more citrusy and honeyed. This one is very dark, with red berries and dried fruit on the palate. The price is perfectly reasonable for what it is.  

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Clan of Xymox - Broken Heart

Bowmore 9 yo

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

American Oak Bourbon and European Oak Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt 

Launched in 2021

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

It began with a 9-year-old 'Sherry Cask Matured' whisky, launched in 2016 as a limited edition. Then, in 2020, a new 9-year-old was announced as part of the regular range. Described as having been matured in a combination of Bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry casks, the recipe is apparently not the same as that of the 2016 limited edition. The whisky is chill-filtered and coloured, which is a great pity. A new bottling was released in September 2025. It is not certain whether this was the same recipe, this information has not been disclosed. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A light wisp of smoke drifts into the nostrils, laden with sea salt and limestone. Guano, sea spray. A few fruits, soft caramel. Lemon and orange zest. Creamy honey, young wood, a touch of iodine and menthol. On the palate, it is very smooth, lychees and vanilla, coconut, orchard fruits that are not quite ripe. Subtle spices. Metallic notes. A finish that isn’t too short, a pinch of charcoal, a good layer of peat, dried seaweed, various rocks, salty sediments, white grapes, splinters. Beach sand. 

 

In Short, 

I think it’s very similar to the 12-year-old. The nose is more expressive, though, or so it seemed to me. On the other hand, on the palate and in the finish, it struck me as less robust. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a very light whisky, a bit too watery. But it’s fine. 

Score : 82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Jacqueline Frazey - Tightrope

Bowmore 21 yo Sherry Oak Cask

 

 

 

46,8°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

American Oak Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks, 1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2024

Unchillfiltered 

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

I’d missed this one when it was released, two years ago. It’s time to rectify that oversight. There are other Bowmore 21-year-olds in their original bottlings, but they’ve always eluded me. This one is very sherry-forward, having been initially matured partly in Oloroso casks and finished in Pedro Ximénez casks. Unlike the other expressions in the Sherry Oak Cask series, it is stated that it is unchillfiltered, however there is no mention of whether or not it has been coloured. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A very fruity nose, blueberries, blackberries and redcurrants, alongside varnished wood, forest and copper notes, with a backdrop of peat. Charcoal and dark chocolate, raspberry coulis, soft caramel. A few grains of salt, ginger. On the palate, more red fruits, barely fermented, damson plums and blackcurrants, in addition to those already mentioned, subtle spices, cloves, nutmeg, dates and dried figs. A very long finish, tobacco and liquorice, a touch of coffee, forest shadows, acorns and ferns. Black earth, wood and mushrooms. Very slight bitterness.

 

In Short, 

To be honest, it’s very good, on a par with the 18-year-old Deep and Complex, except that the latter is peatier, more mineral, and therefore more typical of Bowmore, whilst this one is fruitier, more oaky, but less characteristic of the distillery. The main difference is the price, this one costs three times as much as the Deep and Complex, for just three more years’ ageing. I’d like someone to explain that to me.  

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Mary in the Junkyard - Crash Landing

Ardbeg Trudernish 15 yo

 

 

 

48,8°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Bourbon, American Oak New Charred and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

I remember eight years ago, during a conversation with another whisky enthusiast, I said that what Ardbeg needed was a 15/16-year-old expression, more complex than the Ten, but still with the vigour of youth. My wish has finally come true, and what’s more, it’s been added to the Core Range, meaning we’ll always have a bottle to hand. It’s a blend of three types of cask, Bourbon, American Oak New Charred, and Oloroso Sherry casks. The sherry casks will lend roundness and fruitiness, the heavily charred new casks will contribute vanilla and caramel notes, whilst the Bourbon casks will bring honey, oaky notes and citrus. It’s already quite different from the Ten, which is matured exclusively in Bourbon casks. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It is smoother and more subtle than the Ten, dried lemongrass, woody vanilla, liquid caramel, and a powerful, granite-like, chalky smokiness. Peat in the background, slightly earthy, fudge, very ripe apricots, grapefruit, sage, seaweed and kelp. On the palate, there is some fruit, and a certain roundness, red plums, juicy pears, creamy vanilla, all well-spiced, cloves, cumin, white pepper. A lovely, long finish, charcoal-like, liquorice, eucalyptus, candied lemon, kumquat, coarse sea salt, dark chocolate, gypsum rocks. A medicinal and herbaceous touch. 

 

In Short, 

I compared it with the Ten and my verdict is as follows: when it comes to the nose, the Ten comes out on top, the purity of the Ten’s nose is hard to match, it really captures the distillery’s character, and that’s what we love. The Trudernish’s nose is a little too sweet, too vanilla-like, too mild. On the other hand, on the palate and in the finish, I preferred the Trudernish, the finish is longer, with more liquorice, and on the palate there’s more fruit and more roundness. All in all, I’d say it’s very slightly superior to the Ten, but I also understand those who prefer the Ten, as it’s a more typical Ardbeg. In fact, there’s plenty to be pleased about with this new addition to the Core Range, it’s not exceptional, but it’s the sort of whisky we’ll be happy to buy again. Especially as the price is very reasonable, in this case. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Spin Doctors - Two Princes

Ardbeg Dolce

 

 

 

47,8°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

American Oak Ex-Bourbon and Sicilian Marsala Wine Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

And here is the annual Ardbeg Day release, which we’ve been enjoying every year for the past fifteen years now, during the Feis Ile, the festival held on the island of Islay, when the distillery opens its doors to a wide audience. To be honest, the last release in the series that I liked was the Scorch, which came out five years ago now. This one has been partly matured in Marsala casks, a sweet Sicilian wine. That’s all we know, in fact, there’s no information on the age or the number of bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Heavy smokiness combined with lemon, candied apricots, white raisins, freshly squeezed oranges, crushed grapefruit and sliced lime. Aniseed biscuits, pine needles, slightly rough mineral notes. Salty limestone, mirabelle plums. On the palate, cinnamon, fresh pineapple, candied lemon, Prosciutto di Parma, dates and dried figs. Nuts, intense spices, a pinch of sea salt. A long, biscuit-like finish with charcoal and liquorice, cigar ash, young bark, dried tobacco, engine oil, caramel and shea butter. 

 

In Short, 

I don’t think it’s bad, but you’ve got to like citrus. It certainly has the merit of being original, and I really did enjoy the finish. It’s a summery Ardbeg, very fresh and approachable, where the smoke is almost sweet. It’s similar to the Drum, but I preferred the Dolce. It’s not on a par with my favourite Ardbeg Day releases, the Dark Cove, the Ardbog, the Scorch, the Auriverdes, the Blaaack, or even the Kelpie, but it’s not far behind the latter. I wouldn’t go so far as to recommend buying it, I prefer the Ten, which is much cheaper. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Kittridge - Root Rot

Ardbeg 2000 Y2K Series 25 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay 

Bourbon Casks and Spanish Tempranillo Red Wine Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered

Peated around 54 ppm 

 

 

 

The Y2K Series is apparently something you don't want to miss. It consists of three bottlings distilled in the same year, 2000. The first is 23 years old and was finished in Oloroso sherry casks, the second is 24 years old and was finished in Amontillado sherry casks. And this one, the third and final release in the series, was finished in Spanish red wine casks from the Tempranillo region, specifically from the Numanthia bodego, which is also owned by LVMH. It’s a Toro wine appellation, made from small, thick-skinned red grapes that are rich in color and high in tannins. It’s unclear how long the finishing process lasted or how many bottles are being released, information I would have liked to know if I’d planned to buy one. Come to think of it, it’s odd that nowhere does it specify whether it’s colored or not. Normally, Ardbeg is never colored, but in this case, the doubt remains. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Rich and dense black grapes, black tulip, great depth of peat with plenty of soot, smoky blackberries, redcurrant seeds, drops of honey, candied rhubarb, lingering caramel, liquorice, shoe polish. Balsamic vinegar, coffee grounds. On the palate, it is warm, argan oil, the oak offers a lovely development, dark chocolate, pomegranate, tannins, rich earth, charcoal-laden barbecue grease, pronounced spices, cloves, black pepper. A very long, very whirling finish, not very violent, chocolate pralines, black berries, wood soaked in fuel oil, capers, diesel. Mustard seeds, dragon fruit.

 

In Short, 

It’s truly original and captivating, with great depth and complexity. You’re immersed in red berries, in a thick, almost viscous liquid, and in the powerful characteristics of the Ardbeg profile. It’s a real treat. That said, it’s completely overpriced, twice as expensive as it should be, in my humble opinion. Wait until you find it at auction.

Score : 90+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                       This Eternal Decay - Red Orchid   

Ardbeg 2013 Single Cask Exclusive to France 10 yo

 

 

 

57,6°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

Sometimes, we’re glad to be French. Like those moments when we get the chance to taste this Single Cask, crafted at one of the world’s peatiest distilleries, 10 years old, first-fill bourbon barrel, cask strength, and only 243 bottles, exclusively for us, the little Frenchies. This cask, numbered 7195, is reserved for the Caves Ambassades Ardbeg in France. Foreigners can drink it, of course, but you have to come to France to buy it. Or find it at auction. Wouldn't you say we're lucky?  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Mellow citrus, with a medicinal touch and floral honey. A crystalline, menthol-like fullness, lemon zest, tropical fruits, a slice of smoky pineapple, peat that seems light and slightly dry, papaya, earthy dust, and a few splashes of sea spray. On the palate, slivered almonds, woody honey, candied bananas, creamy vanilla, a trace of coconut, fairly strong spices, nutmeg and cloves. A very long, very powerful finish, sliced lime, orange blossom, mineral notes, white pepper, prickly pear, a slice of cured ham, scallops, speculoos crumbs. An aftertaste of asphalt, spongy peat, petrichor, yet always with a touch of indulgence, white currant, almond paste. 

 

In Short, 

We’re really lucky, because this is absolutely delicious. The nose is incredible, pure, concentrated Ardbeg, vaguely reminiscent of the Ten, but ten times better. The palate is perfect, full of exotic fruits, you can barely taste the peat. And the finish is fantastic, returning to a full minerality, the quintessential Ardbeg peaty character. I loved every drop of the small centiliter I was given, from start to finish. On the other hand, the price is completely delusional. Even at half price, it would still be too expensive. 

Score : 91+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Green Day - Jesus of Suburbia

Glen Grant 2009 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 16 yo c. 900941

 

 

 

58,6°

Distillery : The Glen Grant - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Butt 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Glen Grant is a distillery that is both famous and little-known. Everyone knows of it, but it’s not every day that you get the chance to taste one of its single malts, since most of its production goes into well-known blends. Here we have a 16-year-old expression, having spent its early days in a first-fill sherry butt, which yielded 631 bottles, enough to satisfy everyone’s curiosity. Not to be confused with the sister cask, No. 900933, which was aged in a refill sherry hogshead. 

  

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is very lemony and honeyed, almost tart. It features raisins, dates, caramel sauce, oranges, mandarins, kumquats. A generous dose of cinnamon and a hint of bergamot. Mint leaves. On the palate, roasted almonds, crushed walnuts, vanilla and lime. Dried fruits, perhaps exotic, and subtle spices. A long, well-structured finish, apricot jam, shortbread cookies, red currants, nutmeg, and a few subtle mineral and salty notes. Crème brûlée and sandalwood. 

 

In Short, 

I detected a few minor flaws on the nose, along with a slight acidity. It’s better on the palate, and the finish is really good. Overall, it’s not bad at all, but you have to like citrus flavors. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, especially given its age and price, you’d expect better from one of the most renowned independent bottlers. 

Score : 88-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Willow Avalon - Hypothetically Speaking

Strathmill 2009 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 16 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Strathmill - Speyside 

Refill Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Strathmill Distillery, along with Strathisla and Glen Keith, is located in the small town of Keith in Moray. It is owned by Diageo, and I am not aware of any original bottlings under its name. That’s why a release like this one is so interesting: the Refill Bourbon Barrel will really let the distillate shine, and the average age will allow for a certain subtlety without completely overshadowing the youthful vigor. And then there’s Gordon & MacPhail, one of the very best on the market. 211 bottles are being released. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

More cereals, with toasted wheat, buttery malt, and a slight minty freshness. Citrus and molasses, fresh apple slices. A light touch of iodine, some herbaceous notes, cut hay. Lamb’s lettuce, whole walnuts. On the palate, it’s smooth, the citrus notes are more pronounced, grapefruit and orange zest, along with crushed almonds. Cocoa powder, subtle spices. A fairly long finish with dried fruit, shortbread cookies, a hint of anise, and even a whisper of liquorice. Dried herbs, a bouquet of wildflowers. 

 

In Short, 

All in all, it’s good, but it’s also smooth and light. I really liked the grainy and floral elements that make up its profile, the rest isn’t necessarily exceptional or remarkable. Its age does give it a nice complexity though, and it’s very pleasant to drink. The price is reasonable for a 16-year-old, but not necessarily for this one. 

Score : 88   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                     DownRiver Collective - Poor Man's Home

SMWS 2019 140.21 Puffs of Candyfloss Smoke 3 yo

 

 

 

62,7°

Distillery : Balcones Distilling - USA 

#3 Char New Oak Barrique 

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated 

 

 

 

Balcones Distilling is based in Waco, deep in the heart of Texas. Founded in 2009, it produces bourbon whiskey from blue corn, a little-known local variety. But it also produces single malt whiskey, and that’s exactly what we have here, a three-year-old expression that was apparently aged in a virgin, yet well-charred barrel. A total of 216 bottles were released to the market. This is an American whiskey, and it’s peated—which I believe is very rare. The peat level isn’t specified, but I estimate it at around 30 ppm. The sad story of this distillery is that its founder, Chip Tate, was fired by the investor in 2015. He had to leave the premises under police escort, even though he had built all the equipment himself. Today, Balcones is owned by Diageo and bears no resemblance to the small, artisanal business it was when it was first established in a former welding shop. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Liquid caramel and cinnamon, toasted pine bark, pine cones tossed into the fire, melt-in-your-mouth marshmallow, roast pork in the fireplace with herbs, earthy smoke laden with soot, giant Medjool dates, meat sauce, churned butter, a few candied cherries. On the palate, smoky wood with ham, liquid honey, maple syrup, grilled lemon. Spices are correctly balanced. The finish is powerful of course, though not quite long, candied ginger, barley sugar, a variety of aromatic herbs, the freshness of peppermint, crushed hazelnuts and traces of charcoal. 

 

In Short, 

It certainly has the merit of being very original, and it’s well-made to boot, but I recommend adding a few drops of water to lower the alcohol content. The oak is intense and dominates the tasting, fruit notes are scarce, but with all the caramel and aromas from the charred wood, it offers a lovely, indulgent flavor. The peat isn’t very strong and adds to the complexity. A lovely, powerful finish. The price is, of course, high for a 3-year-old, but it’s a very interesting and enjoyable curiosity that’s worth a few sacrifices. In any case, it’s sold out everywhere. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Twisted Teens - Florida Water Blues

Bowmore 2001 Artist #8 Sherry Over 15 yo

 

 

 

55,3°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay  

Bourbon Cask and Sherry Finish 

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm 

 

 

 

This relatively young Bowmore was selected to be part of the 8th batch of the Artist series, released each year on the occasion of Whisky Live Paris. It’s labeled “Over 15 yo,” but it could be as old as 17 years, since it was distilled in 2001 and bottled in 2018. I’d like to know how long the sherry finish lasted. 679 bottles were drawn from the cask. Japanese painter Takehiko Sugawara designed the label.  

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Juicy red plums, Reine-Claude jam, damson pulp, apricot pits, forest honey, dried heather. The smoke is light, traces of soot around the fireplace, remnants of charcoal. A few iodine-like and salty notes, but they remain subtle. Supple leather, coffee grounds, dark chocolate. On the palate, candied cherries, blackberries swimming in pastry cream, flambéed waffles splashed with a light and damp peat note. Subtle spices, clove. A few salty, biscuity, floral, lemony notes on the finish, sea spray and dried seaweed. Tall grasses, reeds. 

 

In Short, 

I don't know how long the sherry finish lasted, but it was just the right length of time. The sherry is intense, yet still allows the character of the distillate to shine through. The aging is perfect, the peat is softened but still makes its presence felt, resulting in a whisky of beautiful subtlety, though still expressive. The price is honestly out of proportion, to the point where it no longer makes any sense.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             If These Trees Could Talk - Red Forest

Chichibu 2017 Anthology Collection - Kazumasa Nagai 8 yo c. 7966

 

 

 

63,3°

Distillery : Chichibu - Japan 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel  

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

With Chichibu, you can always expect something special. Here, a simple 8-year-old whiskey aged in a single first-fill bourbon barrel, it may not seem like much, but it holds a lot of promise. The barley selected is Odyssey barley, which is rarely used in whiskey. The label was designed by master designer Kazumasa Nagai. 192 bottles are being sold primarily through La Maison du Whisky, as part of its Anthology selection, on the occasion of Whisky Live Paris.  

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Lemon cut into slices and sprinkled with a pinch of salt, grapefruit zest, hazelnut cream, mountain honey, candied mirabelle plums, floral and anise notes, vanilla and mint cookies, delicate woody notes. Yogurt cake, cheese soufflé, dried pineapple. On the palate, it’s very fruity, but also features fried vegetables, artichokes and zucchini, which blend with creamy vanilla and banana. A long, powerful finish, where some cereals stand out, toasted wood, cardamom, pine cone, barley sugar. A slice of bread with semi-salted butter. 

 

In Short, 

Let's be clear, this is one of the best Chichibu whiskies I've ever tasted, and keep in mind that, generally speaking, they're all excellent, or nearly so. Everything about it is perfect, from its intense fruitiness to the notes of grain and barley sugar on the finish. Of course, the price is way too high, but it’s hard to pass up a gem like this just because of a lack of funds. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                        Stella Rose Gahan - Drugstore Romeo

Auchentoshan 2000 20 Rue d'Anjou 20 yo

 

 

 

59°

Distillery : Auchentoshan - Lowlands

Bourbon Barrel  

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This distillery tends to be underrated, but it’s actually quite impressive. It has a distinctive profile, a history, and a tradition. Here, it is presented as a special bottling, selected by Signatory Vintage for distribution primarily in France as part of the “20 Rue d’Anjou” range, the address of La Maison du Whisky’s flagship store. The aging process is straightforward, and 179 bottles have been made available to the public. 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Wild strawberry, or rather the center of the strawberry, where the flesh is almost white. Almond paste, icing sugar, lime, a wedge of grapefruit, Reine-Claude plum jam with a hint of acidity. A floral note, not-quite-ripe grapes. On the palate, vanilla ice cream, raisins, it’s oily, citrusy, fermented apples, mandarin peel, and white pepper. Lychee pits. A fairly long finish, not too violent, oily coconut, barley sugar, Guérande salt biscuits, lemon zest, white currant. White cabbage. 

 

In Short, 

It’s very interesting, full of citrus notes and with a hint of acidity. The distillery’s profile is subtle, hard to pinpoint, but still present. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to think it was aged in a rum cask, as there are a few characteristics that suggest it. It’s worth trying for the originality of its profile, especially since the price wasn’t at all exorbitant. You can still find it at La Maison du Whisky, by the way. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld - Still Smiling