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

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

Craigellachie 2008 Fàire - Orizzonti di Riccardo Furini 16 yo

 

 

 

60,9°

Distillery : Craigellachie - Speyside

Sherry Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The third and final release in this small series launched this year by Hidden Spirits, combining the work of Riccardo Furini with whisky. Here we have a Craigellachie that has spent 16 years in a sherry cask, yielding only 105 bottles, exactly like the other two. The artwork chosen to illustrate the label is entitled I Cani abbaiano si agitano i Cavalli.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A nose typical of the distillery, both robust and indulgent, dates, dried bananas, cherries in brandy, cranberry jam, dark chocolate filled with orange, soft caramel, old leather, apple crumble sprinkled with cinnamon. On the palate, it is thick and silky, purée of red berries, of quinces, apricots and raisins, cloves, cocoa powder and compote. The finish is more cereal-like and woody, with wood chips, damp hay, hazelnuts and chestnuts, biscuits stuffed with red berries, light coffee, earthy notes.

 

In Short, 

There is a beautiful complexity and character, the sherry blends very well with the distillery's profile. It is rich but not overly so, with a slightly rustic, farmhouse feel, woody and forest-like. It has a beautiful depth that can be appreciated over time. However, I find the price too high, I understand that the design is expensive, but it is above all the whisky that we are buying. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           mercury - Special

Macduff 2008 Fàire - Orizzonti di Riccardo Furini 16 yo

 

 

 

53,5°

Distillery : Macduff - Highlands

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

A new addition to this series launched in 2025 by Hidden Spirits, which brings together three bottlings that illustrate the works of Riccardo Furini. This time, it is a Macduff that has spent 16 years in a sherry cask and yielded only 105 bottles. The artwork featured on the label is entitled Orizzonte. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is stronger, more intense, forest berries, deep spices, soft bark, black earth, chocolate fondant, heather honey, raisins, braised nuts, a zest of blood orange. In the background, a few discreet mineral notes. Elegant woodiness, mahogany. On the palate, it is rich and balanced, red fruit jam, dates, stuffed figs, soft toffee and a slight pinch of salt. Warm, spicy finish, cocoa powder, hazelnuts and cashews, roots, cooked mushrooms. Filled cabbage. Cinnamon.

 

In Short, 

I really liked it, it has a certain personality, ranging from forest notes to a slight coastal saltiness. The sherry gives it a lovely fruitiness, but also enriches the character of the distillate. However, it is still a little expensive, so I'm not sure if I would recommend buying it. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Möng - Ohilen

Allt-a-Bhainne 2008 Fàire - Orizzonti di Riccardo Furini 16 yo

 

 

 

52,5°

Distillery : Allt-a-Bhainne - Speyside

Sherry Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is a new series from Hidden Spirits, an independent bottler founded in 2013 by Andrea Ferrari, featuring the works of Italian painter Riccardo Furini. The whisky chosen to launch this collection is an Allt-a-Bhainne that has spent 16 years in a sherry cask, yielding only 105 bottles. The artwork featured on the label is entitled Dauni. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is cereal-like, toasted wheat, muesli, malted barley, but it is also airy, damp hay, varnished wood. Some dried fruits, raisins, figs, quince jam and a touch of chutney. Roasted hazelnuts, dark chocolate. On the palate, the sherry is a little more expressive, wild berries set against woody notes, sea buckthorn tea, greengages and a coffee bean. Crunchy cereals, melted spices. A lovely finish, quite long but not quite explosive, cocoa powder, candied orange peel, soft bark, lichen and moss. 

 

In Short, 

It's very interesting, the sherry gives it a slightly austere fruitiness, reminiscent of undergrowth, the distillate is elegant, and the age gives it a beautiful maturity. Unfortunately, the price is a little high for what it is, in my opinion, but fans of this profile will enjoy it. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lucinda Williams - The World's Gone Wrong

Ben Nevis 2018 Hidden Spirits 7 yo

 

 

 

53,1°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

2d Fill Sherry Peated Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Also part of the Glasgow Bus Series, this 7-year-old Ben Nevis has been matured entirely in a second-fill sherry cask, which was previously filled with peated whisky. This gives the product a smoky character, a practice often seen at Ben Nevis, but not with sherry casks. Only 150 bottles are available for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is not too strong, the smoke is evanescent, and blends effortlessly with salty and fruity, even mineral notes. Melting chocolate, ripe mirabelle plums, spicy wood, dried dates and figs. Cold ashes, burnt coffee beans, meringue cream and flambéed banana. On the palate, damp leather and oak bark, liquid honey, sweet plums, caramel cream. Shimmering spices and subtle smoke. A fairly long and powerful finish, resinous wood, blowtorch-caramelised sugar, greengage clafoutis, cocoa, dry earth and a hint of salt.

 

In Short, 

True to its pedigree, this Ben Nevis is intense, complex and rich, as well as full of smoke. It has a beautiful character, but with a certain subtlety despite the youthfulness of the product. A lovely bottling, worth buying as the price is really low. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Sledges - June is Better Than July

Blair Athol 2011 Hidden Spirits 13 yo

 

 

 

51,4°

Distillery : Blair Athol - Highlands

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Continuing my tour of new releases from Hidden Spirits, I come to this 13-year-old Blair Athol, part of the Glasgow Bus Series, as the label features attractive vintage buses. It was aged in a 1st fill sherry hogshead, so I can expect a fruity flavour. 215 bottles were released from the cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Mountain honey, studded with dried fruit, raisins, figs, dates, brown sugar and melting chocolate. Crushed walnuts, fresh leather, a hint of orange zest, but also some mineral notes, chalk, quartz and gypsum. A pinch of salt. On the palate, it is smooth and velvety, mocha fondant, with cinnamon and candied ginger, nutmeg and delicate woody notes, rustic cereals and freshly cut hay. Fairly long finish, brioche, soft caramel, orange chutney. A touch of iodine and salt. 

 

In Short, 

It's not bad at all, the sherry is really well integrated. However, the balance isn't perfect, the mineral notes are a little strong, but after all, that gives it character. This bottling has its original side, but overall it's very old school, which is charming. What's more, the price is low, so those who are curious should take an interest.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Alice Costelloe - Anywhere Else

Longmorn 2008 Hidden Spirits 17 yo

 

 

 

50,7°

Distillery : Longmorn - Speyside

2d Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Let's take a quick look at Hidden Spirits, an independent Italian bottler founded in 2013 that I am particularly fond of. Here we have a Longmorn that has spent 17 years in a second-fill bourbon barrel, which should give the distillate plenty of time to express itself. The label features a vintage bus, which is why this whisky belongs to the Glasgow Bus Series. 217 bottles are available for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Creamy nose, thick vanilla and Italia grape pulp, white chocolate, banana purée, and various citrus fruits, lime, mandarin. Orchard fruits, Golden Smith apples and Conference pears, elegant and spicy woody notes. On the palate, it is indulgent, banana cake, brioche, vanilla icing, melted butter, subtle spices, cumin. Fairly long finish, still indulgent, honeyed, pine resin, shortbread biscuits, mint and candied fruit, malted cereals, roasted hazelnuts, a small grain of coffee. A pinch of salt. 

 

In Short, 

It is elegant and rich, well-made, delicately woody and abundantly fruity, all lovers of this profile will appreciate it. It is still available at an attractive price, but that is unlikely to last, so I suggest purchasing it now. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ma Polaine - Been Loved Too Much

Ledaig Unpeated 1995 Hidden Spirits Highproof Version 25 yo

 

 

 

50,2°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Refill Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

And what happens to the thief when he no longer steals? And what happens to the bird when it stops flying? And what happens to Ledaig when it is no longer peated? Andrea Ferrari has sought to answer this question by bottling this Ledaig Unpeated, which has spent 25 years in a Refill Bourbon Hogshead. It's not Tobermory, it's Ledaig, because the production processes aren't the same, and this is indeed a Ledaig that's been made, except that the peat hasn't been added - it's the only ingredient that's missing. Was this an oversight, or was it done on purpose? We'll never know the answer to that question, but in my opinion, it was an oversight. 248 bottles went on sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Light autumn breeze, dead leaves macerated in orange jam, pastry cream, a dash of vanilla, a slice of lime. But there's still a background of dirtiness, melted plastic, grit, small gravel. Nice iodine fullness, sea spray, foam. Elderberry honey. On the palate, green tea, herbaceous notes, parsley, bay leaf, pinch of citrus fruit, powerful spices, cumin, cloves, black pepper, grapefruit pulp. Very long finish, shortbread biscuits, green apple, more grapefruit, freshly cut wood, slight bitterness, dusty charcoal. Fresh mint, almost fluoridated.

 

In Short, 

I can confirm that this is Ledaig, but without the peat. There's none of the fruitiness and elegance of Tobermory, it's still a dirty, unconventional whisky. And the peat is missing, because it would have given meaning to all this weirdness. It's a good bottling, but with too little fruit, sweetness or iodine to make up for the lack of peat, in my humble opinion. It's still original and very interesting, especially for the Ledaig fan that I am. But who's going to pay such a price, which is justified given the age of the beast, for something that's only interesting? It has to be exciting, bewitching, seductive. And here it isn't, it's just astonishing, mysterious and intriguing. I still had a good time, and I don't regret buying the sample, but for once, I'd advise against buying a bottle of Ledaig, and against buying from Hidden Spirits. But well done to Andrea Ferrari for the experience. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Anni - Deliverance (Acoustic Version)

Strathisla 2002 Hidden Spirits Highproof Version 17 yo

 

 

 

52,4°

Distillery : Strahisla - Speyside

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

One of the secret treasures at Hidden Spirits is this 17-year-old Strathisla, bottled in 2020 and released in just 201 bottles. Bourbon cask-aged Strathisla are rare, so this one deserves a closer look.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Bubbles of iodine, coconut milk, mellow vanilla, a slice of melon, butterscotch, almond paste, lychees, discreet herbaceous notes, candied angelica, a little hay, reeds, liquid caramel, acacia honey, exotic wood. Cake dough. On the palate, very white fruit, white grapes, white peaches, perhaps a hint of banana. Slight country roughness, tobacco leaves, disparate spices. A zest of lemon. Long finish, braised chestnuts, roasted walnuts, gradually gaining strength, small squid, pecans, bounty crumbs. Toasted wheat.

 

In Short, 

A few years ago, the Artist range launched a series of Strathisla, including a magnificent 15-year-old. However, these were almost only aged in Sherry casks. Whereas this bottling, aged in a Bourbon cask, reveals a unique and very pleasant character. La Maison du Whisky was right to highlight this distillery, but perhaps it put a little too much emphasis on the Sherry. Fortunately, this one sheds light on the true nature of this underestimated distillery, since most of its production is reserved for Chivas Brothers blends. The price, on the other hand, is a bit high, which is a shame.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Fiona Apple - Shadowboxer

Caol Ila 2012 Hidden Spirits Classic Version 12 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Refill Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

This Classic Version range from Hidden Spirits offers demanding Daily Drams that reflect the identity of the distillery or the region. Most of the time, the whisky is reduced to 48° and aged in a cask that will have little influence, in this case a Refill Bourbon Cask. This Caol Ila is therefore an opportunity to rediscover the distillery. The number of bottles produced is unknown.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's pure Caol Ila, with iodine, sea breeze, limestone, sea spray, seaweed, fish, and also a very grimy smoke, tyre, rubber, liquorice. A dash of vanilla, lemon zest and even a few mirabelle plums. Dust, pebble beach. Quartz, slate. The palate is fruitier, the peat more discreet, Île flottante with its custard, almond milk, meringue, a hint of pineapple. Lively spices, pepper, nutmeg. A powerful finish, with the peat returning in force, thick, solid, earthy and mineral, sandstone, chalk, white chocolate, sultanas, cashew nuts and crushed peanuts.

 

In Short, 

An excellent Caol Ila, which I really enjoyed. The typicity is incredible, and there's also a lovely complexity. Honestly, I've rarely enjoyed such a Caol Ila, and I've tasted a lot of them. It's still a reduced 12 year old, of course, but it's much better than you'd expect. The price seems fair, but it's hard to find.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Night in Athens - Words Unspoken

Croftengea 2017 Hidden Spirits A Year Long Celebration 6 yo

 

 

 

50,4°

Distillery : Loch Lomond - Highlands

Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits  

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated from 40 to 55 ppm 

I'd forgotten there was a fourth bottling in the A Year Long Celebration series, in honour of 11 years of Hidden Spirits, an Italian bottler founded in 2013 by Andrea Ferrari. I'm going to try and list all the brands to come out of the Loch Lomond distillery. There are the unpeated ones: Loch Lomond, Old Rhosdhu, Inchmurrin, and the peated: Inchmoam, Inchfad and Croftengea. Each whisky is produced differently. Croftengea is the most heavily peated, double distilled in straight-neck stills, in the same way as Inchmurrin, except that Inchmurrin is not peated. This Croftengea doesn't seem to be one of the most peaty, it must be around 40/45 ppm, and it was aged in a single Bourbon cask for only 6 years. I don't know how many bottles were produced.

Let's Taste It : 

Very mineral nose, with limestone and quartz, gypsum, slate. Peat and grit, earthy smoke. Lemon notes in the background, vanilla ointment, coconut, white chocolate. Fresh iodine, some sea spray. On the palate, it's oily, a thick layer of peat, charcoal balls, roots, but also almond milk, very ripe pears, cloves and grey pepper. Quite a long finish, quite worthy, charcoal-like, woody, dark chocolate, coffee, forest berries, ginger, bark, chestnuts in their husks, humus. 

 

In Short, 

It's not bad at all, with good earthy peat, but also mineral, typical of the Highlands, and I also found a few hints of costal, which would come from the islands. It's a little Peat Bomb, with character and an original personality, albeit a little young. The price is too high in my opinion, you can find just as good for less, but Peat Bombs from the Highlands are rare after all.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Golden Apes - The Highest Point

Campbeltown 2016 Hidden Spirits Classic Version 8 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distilleries : Glen Scotia, Springbank - Campbeltown 

Refill Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated 

 

 

 

The Classic Version range offers some interesting daily drams from Hidden Spirits, an independent Italian bottler established in 2013. These are original and reduced bottlings, so easier to drink. Here we have a Blended Malt from Campbeltown, Andrea Ferrari himself told me it was 90% Glen Scotia and 10% Springbank. This mix has grown for 8 years in the same Refill Bourbon Cask, to finally give us this little thing. Unfortunately, we don't know how many bottles were made. A previous edition of the same Blend was released in 2022, with some success.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very successful nose, very Campbeltown, costal with honey and brioche, coarse sea salt, iodised freshness, vanilla fragrances, a zest of lemon, some exotic fruit, sea spray, seafood, seaweed, a light layer of limestone and genoise. Icing sugar, meringue. On the palate, it's a little light but pleasant, with lemonade, citrus fruit, orange blossom, hints of papaya, kumquat, salted butter caramel and well-integrated spices. Very long finish, quite powerful given the alcohol content, shortbread biscuits, pinch of aniseed, floral notes, peanuts, cashew nuts, sultanas.

 

In Short, 

Incredible quality for a Blended Malt, great character despite the reduction, I'm really surprised by the high standard of this bottling. It's typically Campbeltown, with a real personality and beautiful fruity nuances. It's sometimes overpriced, but if you look hard enough, you'll find some very interesting special offers. Anyone who loves the profile should get one.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Throwing Muses - Pearl

Ledaig 2011 Hidden Spirits Selected by Aqua Vitae 11 yo

 

 

 

51,9°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits  

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm

 

 

 

The latest Ledaig to be launched by Hidden Spirits, an Italian bottler established in 2013, is this one, aged for 11 years in a Hogshead, and specially selected by Aqua Vitae, a Taiwanese sales site. 198 bottles were produced from this cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Thick smoke, full of ash and sleet. Coal, peat fog, I almost feel like coughing. Dirty minerals, salt and oil, dust, oysters full of limestone, clams, whelks. Pebbles and quartz. After a while, chocolate, medlars, prunes, braised nuts. Fresh iodine, white melon. On the palate, it is silky, full-bodied, fresh and mineral, slightly metallic, then the spices impose their law, nutmeg, cumin, cloves. The finish is long and not too violent, lychees, chestnuts and lignite blocks, caramelised wood, liquorice.

 

In Short, 

This is an excellent Ledaig, as Hidden Spirits knows how to make them. First there's a wall of ashy and mineral peat, which after a while gives way to a delicate and fruity distillate. A magnificent contrast. More than a year after its release, it's not available anywhere, so if you're lucky enough to come across it, don't hesitate.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           We Lost the Sea - A Dance With Death

Glasgow Distillery 2018 Hidden Spirits A Year Long Celebration 5 yo

 

 

 

50,9° 

Distillery : The Glasgow Distillery - Lowlands

Bourbon Cask and Oloroso Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

With this A Year Long Celebration series, Hidden Spirits is celebrating its eleventh anniversary, or rather the first anniversary after 10 years. Any occasion is a good one to bring out a small series, including one from Glasgow Distillery, matured for 4 years in a Bourbon Barrel, before being matured for a year in an Oloroso Sherry cask, which produced 256 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Slightly delicate and sweet notes, candied fruit, drops of honey, freshly cut cereals, discreet iodine, pears, peaches, clementines, lychees, hazelnuts and cracked wheat, a hint of lemon, very fine balance, very smooth aromas. On the palate, it's pulpy, watermelon, prickly pear, varnished wood but not very noticeable, a dash of vanilla, a pinch of cinnamon, dates, figs, sultanas. Quite a long, very respectable finish, cake pastry, crushed chestnuts, shortbread biscuits, perhaps speculoos and orange blossom, a touch of aniseed.

 

In Short, 

Not bad at all, despite its young age, which is completely unnoticeable. It's typical Lowland, but quite expressive all the same, with lots of fruit and good balance. The price may seem high for a 5-year-old, but the quality of the product will make you forget it. Definitely worth buying if you like the profile.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Crumb - Locket

Aultmore 2010 Hidden Spirits A Year Long Celebration 13 yo

 

 

 

51,5°

Distillery : Aultmore - Speyside

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

As it's been a year since they celebrated their 10th anniversary, the gentlemen at Hidden Spirits thought it was worth extending the celebration. Hence the interest of this A Year Long Celebration series, with this Aultmore having aged 13 years in a 1st Fill Single Bourbon Cask, and that produced 218 bottles. 

Let's Taste It : 

Very expressive nose for an Aultmore, with a little mineral edge, yellow fruits, plums, apples, pears, as well as dried fruits, cereals galore, and lemon pie. There's a hint of vanilla behind it, and a few spices. The palate is not bad, suave, fruity, spicy, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, varnished wood, dates, dried apricots, figs and raisins, quince jam, almonds. The finish is long and quite decent, with a pinch of pepper, earth and bark, a square of chocolate, and more cereals. Warm chestnuts.  

In Short, 

Aultmore is a little-known distillery, almost all of whose production goes into blends. One therefore tends to underestimate it. Justice is finally done with this charming bottling, in which fruit, wood and cereals are in abundance, and with a certain character. The price seems a little high, but it will appeal to fans of the profile.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Camera Obscura - Honey in the Sun

Tobermory 1996 Hidden Spirits A Year Long Celebration 27 yo

 

 

 

47,6°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Refill Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

They seemed so happy to have celebrated their 10th anniversary at Hidden Spirits that they decided to do it again the following year, with the A Year Long Celebration series, which brings together three bottlings, including this one, a venerable Tobermory which bathed for 27 years in a Refill Bourbon Cask, giving us a distillate with all its character. 265 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An typical island profile, with a whiff of salt and sea spray, a refreshing sea breeze, but also indulgent, frangipane, vanilla icing, candied lemon. Freshly cut cereals, shortbread biscuits, a pinch of ginger. It's very mellow on the palate, with mountain honey, almond milk, lychees, white peaches and melon. Goat's cheese. The spices are discreet but add length, cloves, nutmeg. Very long finish, but not quite explosive, génoise, varnished wood, ginger and other roots, crushed chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

This is a very pleasant whisky to drink, with lots of nuances and a certain freshness. Perfect for summer. That said, I'm not entirely convinced, I find it a little smooth, but it does have its own personality, which is already a lot. The price is a bit high, but that's the market price, and it's still easy to find, so those who can afford it won't be disappointed.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                            Ancient Bards - Unending

Tomintoul 2010 Hidden Spirits 14 yo

 

 

 

52,2°

Distillery : Tomintoul - Speyside

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is the 4th bottling of Tomintoul made by Hidden Spirits, an Italian house inaugurated in 2013, and it's also the oldest. Like two of the other three, it is aged in Sherry casks. The number of bottles produced is unknown.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A pinch of salt, some meaty and leafy notes, it's airy, iodised, fresh. Moist leather. Behind, light and pleasant white fruits, grapes, plums, peaches, pears. Dried fruit too, dates, apricots, figs. It's quite mellow, and even indulgent. On the palate, the fruit becomes stewed, with a touch of liquorice, freshly cut wood, resin, and a few spices that carry through to the finish, pepper, cloves. Finally, it becomes pastry-like, with filled cakes, génoise, vanilla icing and hazelnut shavings.

 

In Short, 

I see here and there that the critics are not very enthusiastic about this one, which seems a bit unfair to me, I found it very good, I like the salty character on the first nose, which evolves into a more classic Speyside, full of dried fruit and sweetness. That said, I have to admit that the price is high for what it is. Fans of the profile can wait for a promotion.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Widespread Panic - Trashy

Ledaig 2009 Hidden Spirits La Maison du Whisky 65th Anniversary 12 yo

 

 

 

54,2°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Hidden Spirits 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm 

Since it was founded in 2013, Hidden Spirits has released a few bottlings of Ledaig, half a dozen to be precise. This one is the highest rated on Whiskybase, it was selected by La Maison du Whisky to celebrate their 65th anniversary, which is why it's mainly found on the French market. No indication has been found of the type of cask used, but the colour suggests that it is a Bourbon Barrel, probably Refill. The distillate will therefore be given pride of place. It's a shame we don't know how many bottles were produced.

Let's Taste It : 

Quite dirty smoke, coaly, earthy, with layers of tar and gravel. Very light vanilla, but it has to be said quickly. Iodine, limestone and guano. Whitewashed pebbles. With water, white grapes and olives. A squeeze of lemon. Salt-coated quartz, greyish soot, a medicinal touch. Essence, coconut oil. Haribo banana. Smooth and silky on the palate, incredibly ethereal and airy - what a contrast with the nose! But very quickly, metallic shards, rusty nails and tin cans, fairly strong pepper and cloves. Further on, creamy vanilla, butter sauce, lychees. Quite violent finish, full of cloves and charcoal, dry earth, more petrol, but with wood shavings, chestnut crumbs, hazelnuts. Rose water.
 

In Short, 

For fans of Ledaig, this is an absolutely prodigious bottling, in which the distillate appears in all its purity and depth. Ledaig's famous dirtiness is evident here, with nothing to dress it up, as is that rocky, salty minerality. Just some delicious fruit in the background, in stark contrast to the rest. I've tasted Ledaigs as good, if not better, but they were older, more nuanced. This one is really rough, in all its youthful ardour, and I love it. To my great surprise, I see that it can still be found on some less popular sites. The price is a bit high, but if you're a fan of the distillery, it's a must. As far as I'm concerned, I got mine on special offer.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Dahlia - Castle of Glass