Mac-Talla Pedro Ximénez Fèis Ile 2023

 

 

 

54,6°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks 

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

The Morrison family launched the Mac-Talla brand in 2021. At the time, as they were the former owners of the Bowmore distillery, many assumed that Mac-Talla actually came from Bowmore, and it certainly did. But the Brand Ambassador confirmed to me that several distilleries were involved, so it could just as easily be Caol Ila, by far the largest distillery on the island, or another. In any case, what we have here is a limited edition bottling whose contents have been aged entirely in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, for a period that remains a mystery. It has been launched on the occasion of Fèis Ile 2023, a music and whisky festival held every May on the island of Islay.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Round and slightly coppery nose, the Sherry does its job, dried fruits, dates, figs, bananas, tanned leather, varnished wood, then the peat rises, ashen, full of soot, liquorice, melted chocolate. Red fruits in the background, redcurrants, raspberries. A drop of treacle. Brown sugar, peanut butter. On the palate, it's young, slightly watery, fruit paste, soft caramel, fudge, rather unruly spices, cloves, cumin, black pepper. Powerful, coal-like, liquoriced finish, but not long enough, dark chocolate chips, dry earth.

 

In Short, 

In my opinion, this is Caol Ila, the peat seems too strong to be Bowmore, and I recognise the ashy, sooty profile of Caol Ila with Sherry. The nose and finish are very good, especially the nose, which is very round and velvety, but the palate is a little pale, the product is undoubtedly very young, which is a shame. But it's still a good thing that's not stupid to buy, even if, personally, I find it a little expensive.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Komodrag & The Mounodor - Stone in the Field

Mac-Talla Mara Cask Strength 2022

 

 

 

58,2°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Ex-Bourbon American Oak Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

 

 

 

I've already talked about the Mac-Talla Mara Cask Strength here, and it's not my habit to talk about the same bottle twice, but these are special circumstances. When the Mac-Talla Mara was launched in 2020, the rumours were that it was Bowmore, which was confirmed by several clues (the announced peat content, the fact that Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers are former owners of the distillery), and having tasted it, I could have sworn that it was. But then I tasted it again recently, and I didn't find the Bowmore markers at all, but rather those of another well-known distillery. So I asked around, and the Brand Ambassador confirmed that Mac-Talla is a brand that uses several distilleries, in other words, they don't only bottle Bowmore. And I noticed that on Whiskybase, a second batch of this bottling was made in 2022, and that the rate is not at all the same. Could it be that they've changed distilleries?

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's very iodised and coastal, with a sea breeze, foam, seaweed, kelp, shellfish and plenty of salt. A few mineral and herbaceous touches, limestone, slate, quartz, tall grass and reeds. White fruits, but very far in the background. Cigar ash, thick peat. On the palate, it's full-bodied, a little fruitier, with a hint of vanilla and yellow plums, pleasant spices, cloves and grey pepper. The finish is long, powerful, everything you'd expect from a Cask Strength, notes of coal and tar, but also salt, tide, fresh fish, pebbles, a zest of lemon.

 

In Short, 

In my opinion, this one is very different from the one I tasted a few years ago, and it's Caol Ila. And if these gentlemen have decided to change distilleries, then that's a very good idea, because it's more powerful, more characterful, more coastal. Much better, in fact. Young Bowmore without Sherry isn't great, it needs at least 18 years to develop its full potential. The good Bowmore under 18 that I tasted were all aged in Sherry casks. Caol Ila, on the other hand, tastes very good young and in Bourbon casks, because it's very coastal, full of smoke and iodine, it's got character, and it's easily recognizable. After all, I'm just saying that, but I can't be sure, I could be talking nonsense. In any case, I now think that Mac-Talla Mara is a good cask strength whisky, and the price is right, so I reckon it's not a bad idea to buy it.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Darkness Foundation - Omega

Mac-Talla Oloroso Limited Edition

 

 

 

54,8°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

1st Fill and 2d Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

 

 

 

Every year around Feis Ile, the famous spirits and music festival held on Islay, Mac-Talla releases a new limited edition. This one is the 3rd, and was aged exclusively in first and second fill Oloroso Sherry Butts from Bodega José y Miguel Martin. On some websites, I read that the distillate was aged for 7 years, and on others, 10 to 15. The first assumption is of course the most likely. 12 Butts were used, bringing a total to around 5,000 bottles. One site mentions a peat content of 30 ppm, which does not correspond to any of the levels used on the Isle of Islay, but Bowmore is at 25, and Caol Ila at 35, so the hypotheses oscillate between these two distilleries.

Let's Taste It : 

Dark, fruity, earthy Sherry on the nose. Light peat with a hint of minerality and sweetness. Blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, pie crust, custard, spices, brown sugar, cinnamon, wood and chocolate. Campfire, liquorice and tar. On the palate it's very decent, with red fruits and big spices, cardamom, cloves, blood orange, sultanas, a thin layer of ash. Long finish, earth and liquorice, espresso coffee and caramel, heather, cola, chocolate fondant, braised mushrooms.

 

In Short, 

An excellent little discovery, people don't talk about it much but the bottles are selling like hotcakes. The Sherry is very well integrated and blends magnificently with the peat, which is not too overpowering, it has everything it takes to delight connoisseurs. Bowmore often goes very well with Sherry, the fruit is intense and the iodine hardly noticeable, everything points to this distillery, especially as the Morrison family are one of its former owners. In any case, this is definitely a bottle up for grabs.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Crying Vessel - For What It's Worth

Williamson 2013 Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited 9 yo b. 2023

 

 

 

47,5°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay 

Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm 

Morrison and MacKay, which became Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers in 2021, bought a large number of casks from Laphroaig distilled in 2013. To date, they have produced 6 such bottlings, between 2021 and 2023, all named Williamson at the distillery's request and as a tribute to the woman who ran the distillery between 1954 and 1972. 2 are cask strength, and 4 are reduced, and of these 4, only one was bottled in 2023. The others are more difficult to distinguish. This one is a blend of 5 Boutbon Hogsheads that produced 1,798 bottles.

Let's Taste It : 

Right away, beautiful medicinal peat and limestone, betadine, bandages, coarse sea salt, sea foam and seaweed, sea breeze, iodine, kelp, star anise. Crushed white fruits, plums, yellow apples. Oysters, buttery vanilla, gravel. The palate is velvety and maritime, with a fine layer of peat, seafood, scallops and boutargues, custard and mirabelles, measured spices, pepper and cumin. On the finish, clove, bark, charcoal, upside-down ashtray, gypsum and quartz, mint leaf. Almonds.

In Short, 

A concentrate of Laphroaig, a beautiful peat that is at once medicinal, mineral and maritime. An intense experience, where you feel all the telluric vibrations of Scotland. And with that, the price is acceptable, it's worth it.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ghost Cop - Trouble

Old Perth Cask Strength

 

 

 

58,6°

Distilleries Officially Unknown - Speyside

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers

Core Range

Blended Malt 

Launched in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Old Perth is a brand that was born in 1908, thanks to the efforts of Peter Thomson, a native of Perth in Scotland, who was keen to add an alcoholic drink of his own to his grocery shop. It was a Blended Whisky with a good reputation, containing Macallan and Highland Park among other things, and not much grain whisky. But in the early 1980s, the heirs had to abandon its distribution. The brand was sold several times, until it fell into the hands of Morrison and Mackay, an independent bottler. It turns out that one of the members of the MacKay family had once worked for the Thomson family. They relaunched the brand in the early 2010s, and it became a perfectly decent Blended Malt. Then, in 2021, Morrison & Mackay became Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, and the Old Perth range was completely revamped, aged only in Sherry casks. The distilleries used are unknown, but it is sure they are from Speyside. The Brand Ambassador told me that they were distilleries famous for their Sherry cask bottlings. So Macallan and Aberlour come to mind.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Buttered sherry topped with caramel, intense and varied red fruits, blueberries, black cherries, blackcurrants, it's very velvety and round, raspberry jam, but also a zest of lemon, walnuts and treacle. Dried figs and apricots. On the palate, the spices are present from the outset, with caramelised leather and nutmeg. The red fruits are still there, with a round, velvety texture that's a great success. Cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is fine, quite powerful, long, heather, cola, black pepper, chocolate cake. A few earthy touches, black mushrooms and bark.

 

In Short, 

This is a perfectly successful Blended Malt, well up to the standard of a Single Malt. Everything is very well integrated and the balance is perfect. It lacks a little complexity, it's really Sherry and nothing else, but it's very well done, perfect for enthusiasts. What's more, I can see that the price is very reasonable. A must try if you like the profile.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Van Der Graaf Generator - Darkness

Glen Keith 2013 Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited 10 yo

 

 

 

47,5°

Distillery : Glen Keith - Speyside

3 Bourbon and 1 Virgin Oak Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Built in 1957, Glen Keith is another of those distilleries where almost all the production goes into blends, notably Chivas Regal, Passport and 101 Pipers. Fortunately, the independent bottlers are there to help us discover the hidden character of this distillery, here thanks to a blending of 3 Bourbon Barrels and 1 Virgin, all from American oak, having kept the precious liquor for 10 years, for a total of 1,425 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The fruit is very present, blood oranges, quinces and apricots, the whole malted and chocolatey, soft cereals, maple syrup and acacia honey. A touch of airy freshness, with a pinch of salt and quartz. On the palate, light velvet, molasses and candied figs, black grapes, dried bananas, but intense spices, nutmeg, cumin, cayenne pepper. Lemon, grapefruit and other citrus fruits. Long finish, liquorice, chocolate, coffee, cloves, elegant woodiness. Amadou, hot chestnuts. Fried mushrooms.

 

In Short, 

Among these distilleries used almost exclusively for industrial purposes, I've come to think that Glen Keith is certainly the most interesting. A variety of fruit pulps, wood and chocolate are its hallmarks, always with a fine balance that does not detract from the intensity of the flavours. This one is a great success, and you can still find it, but at a slightly high price.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Lonnie Brooks - In The Dark 

Dalmunach 2018 Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited 6 yo

 

 

 

47,5°

Distillery : Dalmunach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison Scotch Whisky Distilers

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Dalmunach is a distillery specially designed to supply the Chivas brand, a world-famous Blend. It has a capacity of 10 million litres of pure alcohol a year, so it's a huge industry, and almost all the production goes into Blends. So it's interesting to have a Dalmunach in Single Malt, and it's pretty rare. As the distillery opened in 2015, it can only be young, and it's aged in Bourbon casks, which gives us a good insight into the distillate. It's a blend of 3 Barrels, which gives us 642 bottles.

Let's Taste It : 

From the outset, it's very cereal-based, with puffed rice, cracked wheat, vanilla-flavoured barley, walnuts, a zest of lemon, and buttered slices of farmhouse bread. It's airy, fruity and even slightly floral, daisies and poppies. On the palate, the malt stands out, mixed with white fruits, plums and grapes, still vanilla, and lime. The spices are light, not at all aggressive. White chocolate. Very acceptable, almost long finish, cola, dried fruits, raisins and figs, cocoa powder, bark.

In Short, 

It's a whisky with rather weak character, really calibrated for blends. But the casks add a nice fruitiness, the finish is nice, and I enjoyed it. It's almost sold out everywhere, which means it's attracting the curious, and I don't think they'll be disappointed. The price is decent but variable.

Score : 86

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Rats on Rafts - Japanese Medicine

Mac-Talla Mara Cask Strength

 

 

 

58,2°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay 

Ex-Bourbon American Oak Barrels 

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers

Core Range 

Launched in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated from 20 to 25 ppm

 

 

 

New peaty series from these gentlemen at Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, formerly Morrison and Mackay, who have been in the whisky business for several generations. Officially, the provenance of the juice is kept secret, but we do know that it comes from Islay, and that the peat level is around 25 ppm. And the only Islay distillery that uses this level of peat is Bowmore. When you also know that the Morrison family is the former owner of Bowmore, there's not much doubt. Some websites claim that this whisky is 15 years old, which I find very hard to believe.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The peat is relatively light, which tends to confirm that this is a Bowmore. By contrast, the influence of Bourbon casks is noticeable. Honey, lemon, mirabelle plums, fresh young wood. Slightly metallic smoke. Hints of cellar and white lime. The peat gradually becomes stronger. Then it becomes slightly vegetal and herbaceous. Vanilla on the palate but light, lychees, relatively strong spices, cumin and cloves, floral touches, then a fine, fairly long finish on gravel and humus, chocolate and cola. Green tea.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad, but I'm not particularly impressed. It seemed to me that there was nothing special about this whisky. When it lacks nuance, it can make a good Peat Bomb, but that's not possible here, the peat content is too low. Fortunately, the price is right, that's all we need.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Blue October - Hate Me

Caol Ila 2012 Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited 8 yo

 

 

 

47,5°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Oloroso Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

The Strictly Limited range appeared in 2012, it brings together varied bottlings, but young and reduced for the most part. It is always a blend of a few casks, hence the name. Here we have a Caol Ila aged for 8 years in Oloroso casks, and sold in the number of 1365 bottles, that is to say three or four casks. The bottler of this beautiful little thing changed its name recently. It was called Morrison and MacKay, it is now called Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Ashy smoke, soot and charcoal, enhanced with a dollop of brown sugar and dried grapes. Soft toffee, wild strawberries, black berries, blueberries, it's finger-licking good. Almost vinous. Apple crumble. The palate is as pronounced in red fruits as the nose, but a little more fermented. It's sticky, syrupy, a little carbonated. Blackberries, a drop of blackcurrant, figs, varnished wood in the background. The spices are very discreet, paprika and nutmeg. A pinch of mustard on the very long finish, with nutmeg, dates and liquorice returning.

 

In Short,

Typical of Caol Ila aged in Sherry or wine casks. No iodine, but the smoke comes out stronger, blacker. Delicate notes of red fruits, dried fruits, caramel, brown sugar, liquorice, spices. Nothing particularly original but it's so nice. Nothing to say about this bottling, only one small reservation: it lacks power for my taste. And not just because it's reduced, there's very little spice, the finish is by no means explosive. I have known whiskies that are less strong in alcohol and more powerful. But it can be very appreciated on the contrary, in any case it is well done. On its release, the price was really reasonable, the purchase was fundamental. Now it' has doubled and it's not really worth it.

Score: 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Spotlights - Sunset Burial

Clynelish 1996 Càrn Mòr Celebration of the Cask 21 yo

 

 

 

51,6°

Distillery : Clynelish - Highlands 

Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Morrison and MacKay

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 8 ppm

 

 

 

This is the second bottling from the Celebration of the Cask range that I've had the pleasure of tasting. The previous one is quite simply my favourite whisky, so expectations are high. A Clynelish matured in a sherry single cask for 21 years, and shared in 293 bottles, it can't be bad anyway.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A rather dry, almost cereal-like sherry at first, followed by tasty fruits, prunes, mirabelles, mixed with damp old wood, Madeira, fleshy, fat earth, the wind in the wheat. Perhaps a hint of iodine? No, it's more the fruits that have macerated, ointment rather than wax, and a hint of lemon. Apricot. Quince jam. Shade of peat. Clay. After a while, a light smoke sublimates the whole. A dash of vanilla. Slight bitterness on the palate, followed very quickly by spices: cumin, pepper, nutmeg. Prickly pear, melon. A touch of coffee. The finish is very long and powerful, with an espresso flavour, hazelnut, coffee grounds, chocolate beans.

 

In Short, 

This one is rather original for a Clynelish, less waxed, less exotic fruits, more macerated fruits. The lemon is discreet. Nevertheless, it is excellent, even beautiful, with notes of earth and smoke that give it good depth. But the spices are still a little strong on the palate. All in all, it's a pure delight to savour, and there's no need to hesitate if you find one last copy, provided, of course, you have the right bank account.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly

Bowmore 1991 Càrn Mòr Celebration of the Cask Black Gold 25 yo

54,6°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling

By Morrison and MacKay

Limited Edition

Single Cask

Bottled in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

The Càrn Mòr range includes exceptional whiskies, generally sold at very high prices. Here is a 25-year-old Bowmore Single Cask, bursting with sherry and available in a limited edition of just 560 units.

Let's Taste It :

Masses of smoke. It's thick, opaque. Behind, red fruits. Blackcurrant, raspberry. Trail of ash. Coal mine. Black earth. Burnt wood stump. Quinces. A bit of varnish. With the addition of water, the smoke becomes very intense, slightly earthy. Dry, vinous sherry. Raisins and cashew nuts. More smoke. The day after a fire. Fermented cherry. Barrels of ash. Roasted hair. Cooking meat, juicy. Bacon. Absolutely crazy. Very coppery, golden but silky on the palate. Blackberry juice. The pepper rises, without masking the vinous character, the alcohol is not noticeable at all, thick, woody liqueur, loaded with red fruits. Earthy finish, like the forest after the rain, never-ending. Not at all aggressive. Damp wood. So intense that, even after swallowing, I still feel like I've got whisky in my mouth. Crushed blueberries. Slightly acidic, like mirabelles. Coffee grounds. Finally, a little taste of blood.

 

In Short, 

It's divine. Simply divine. If you can afford it, you must get yourself a bottle.

Score : 94

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping : 

   

                                          Akosh S. Unit - Azértis