House of Hazelwood 1972 The Charles Gordon Collection The Old Ways 51 yo

 

 

 

50,1°

Distillery : Girvan - Lowlands

American Oak Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By House of Hazelwood

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Here we have a cask that may well have been overlooked amongst the countless batches distilled in 1972 at the Girvan distillery. Back then, Single Grain Whisky was very different. Today, wheat is mainly used, but at the time it was maize, imported directly from the USA. But the biggest difference was that the stills retained heavier flavours, as they were made entirely of copper and had three columns. Charles Gordon was the man running the distillery he had founded himself at that time, and that is why this cask, fortunately unearthed today, pays tribute to him. Neither the original distillery nor the age are indicated on the bottle, but the newspapers reporting on the release of this little gem make no secret of it. Only 123 bottles were put on sale.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Grainy cereals, vaporous fruits, mirabelle plums, cooked pears, dates. Melt-in-the-mouth toffee, brown sugar, barley sugar, a knob of butter. Shoe polish, candle wax, beeswax, cough syrup. Apple crumble, plenty of cinnamon and cardamom. A hint of pineapple and vanilla cream, buttered toast, spring freshness. On the palate, shortbread biscuits dipped in tea, olive oil with notes of orange, rhubarb and cotton candy, egg custard. Mountain honey, wild flowers, a few red berries and discreet spices. Extremely long finish, cooked apples, black tea, burnt rubber, melting dark chocolate, slightly syrupy raisins. 

 

In Short, 

It’s absolutely superb, with an incredible intensity, so much so that I was surprised to learn it had been aged in just a single American oak cask. The influence of the wood is decisive here, creating a riot of varied flavours. As for the price, it is unfortunately astronomical, and out of reach for any honest worker who lacks the know-how to get involved in high finance.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           East Duo - Nisli & Ushguli

House of Hazelwood 1968 The Charles Gordon Collection The Cask Trials 53 yo

 

 

 

49,2°

Distillery : Girvan - Lowlands

1st Fill Spanish Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By House of Hazelwood 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The age may seem impressive, but of the thirty bottlings released by House of Hazelwood so far, this one isn’t even among the top five oldest. That said, 53 years is quite something. Especially when, like this one, it has been matured all that time in a single first-fill sherry butt sourced directly from Spain. 303 bottles have been produced. It is a grain whisky and, although the distillery’s name is not indicated on the bottle, it can only be Girvan, the distillery opened in 1963 by William Grant & Sons, who also own House of Hazelwood. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is very powerful, fermented fruits, Amarena cherries, luscious grapes, dried fruits too, dates, figs, apricots, pine resin, waterlogged wood, meat juices, red fruit coulis, blood oranges. Melt-in-the-mouth toffee, walnut oil, dark chocolate, cinnamon, acacia honey. Rare earthy and damp notes. Dried herbs, thyme, rosemary. On the palate, it is thick, marinated, oaky, ground coffee, macadamia nuts, a purée of assorted fruits, pears, raspberries, damsons, pineapple, rich citrus, heavy spices, nutmeg, cloves. Cod liver oil. An endless finish, far more powerful than I would have thought, splinters of wood dipped in chocolate, chestnut cream, liquorice, raisins, chopped dark tobacco leaves, and lastly some candied fruit, sugar pearls, peppermint. 

 

In Short, 

An incredible sherry, so intense it’s hard to believe, with unrivalled depth. You’re immersed in dark chocolate and coffee, with powerful woody notes and a wide variety of fruits. I’d love to be a millionaire just so I could afford this one – yes, because the price is actually completely prohibitive. 

Score : 92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           The Irrepressibles - In This Shirt

North British 1991 Zn09 Cyberpunk

 

 

 

45,6°

Distillery : North British - Lowlands

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Mava Spirit

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's been a long time since I've had the pleasure of tasting something from Zero Nine Spirits, a French bottler specialising in rum, but which also produces whisky. This one is a North British, a distillery located in the Gorgie district of Edinburgh, which produces only grain whisky. According to several websites, it has been aged for 32 years, but this is not specified on the label. The label may contain an error, as some show a bottling date of 2023, while others show 2024. A total of 244 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

At first a bit waxy, the it is incredibly floral with light fruit, liquid honey, ripe white plums, mirabelles, greengages, Frécinette bananas, rose petals, tulips, dahlias, coconut, papaya, melon. It is also airy, with hints of barley sugar and caramel sweets. On the palate, it is smooth and fruity, creamy vanilla, orange zest, guava, a few woody notes, infinitesimal spices. The finish is long, almost explosive, the fruit becomes candied, vanilla icing, cooked parsnips, fennel, very delicate bitterness.

 

In Short, 

You don't recognise Single Grain here, there's no cereal profile or wood glue. It's particularly floral and fruity, very refined, and with a lovely long finish despite the low alcohol content. A total success if you ask me, and at a very attractive price. I'm even considering buying some, even though it's not at all my cup of tea usually. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                           Phaeleh - The Mist

Teaninich 8 yo Special Relase 2025 Daring Rye

 

 

 

60,3°

Distillery : Teaninich - Highlands

Ex-Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Grain

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This distillery is about to close, if it hasn't already done so, as it was announced last September. One of its last original bottlings will therefore be this one, which has the distinction of being a Single Grain, whereas the distillery usually produces Single Malt. It is a blend of malted barley and malted rye, and is called a single grain because it contains less than 51% malted rye, otherwise it would be called rye whisky. All of this has been quietly aged for 8 years in Bourbon casks before being released as part of the Diageo Special Releases. Distillation probably took place in 2016.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :    

On the nose, roasted bread spread with a generous layer of butter, toasted cereals, particularly rye, which is really recognisable, puffed rice, muesli, rustic honey. Country bread, wood chips, freshly cut wheat, lemon sweets, thick caramel. On the palate, it is creamier, with delicate vanilla and various citrus fruits. It is slightly tart, but the spices quickly come to the fore. Light woody and herbaceous notes. Medium-length finish, but powerful, with charcoal, peach pits, dried apricots, coconut. Roast corn, Ovaltine.

 

In Short, 

Overall, this product disappointed, it is poorly rated on Whiskybase, and even Ruben gave it less than 80 points. As for me, I find it an interesting experience, it has character and depth, and I like the strong presence of cereals. Admittedly, there's nothing exceptional about it, but I think it's not bad. However, I agree that the price is too high. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Lili Refrain - Nagal

Cameronbridge 1992 The Art of Maturation Mission Gold 32 yo

 

 

 

47,5°

Distillery : Cameronbridge - Lowlands

Bourbon Barrels and Uitvlugt Rum Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

As part of the Mission Gold range, which brings together the finest casks in their possession, Murray McDavid is launching this 32-year-old Cameronbridge, finished in Rum casks from the famous Uitvlugt distillery, which closed in 2000. Three different Barrels were used to make 720 bottles. It is therefore a Single Grain, but not a Single Cask. On the other hand, it does appear to be a Cask Strength, despite the low alcohol content, as confirmed by at least two sales websites.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's very well balanced, the cane sugar meeting rough wood and grainy cereals, muesli, puffed rice, mixed with honey and melted butter. Beeswax, lychee and a few floral notes. Fine vanilla and candied banana slices. Dates and other dried fruits, a pinch of icing sugar. It's slightly lighter on the palate, grapefruit, rosewater, diluted caramel. Very light spices. The finish is not very violent but very long, shortbread biscuits, coconut, a knob of pomade, discreet exotic fragrances. Rooty notes.

 

In Short, 

The grain here is softened by the Rum, and the whole is blended into a very nice balance. I really liked it, even though I'm not a fan of Rum casks at all. It's a very nice curiosity, worth trying if you can afford it. The price seems right for what it is, but it's expensive anyway.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           DieveNoire - Morning Star 

Cameron Bridge 26 yo Special Release 2022 The Knight's Golden Triumph

 

 

 

56,2°

Distillery : Cameronbridge - Lowlands

Refill American Oak Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Cameronbridge is Scotland's largest grain distillery, producing nearly 140 million litres of pure alcohol a year, and is the source of a large number of blends. Original bottlings in its name are fairly rare, and it is the only one included in the Diageo Special Releases. It has been aged in Refill American Oak Barrels to bring out the best in the distillate. I find the subtitle on this bottle rather embarrassing.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very floral and soothing nose, airy, with notes of jasmine, vanilla, a heavy dose of wax and honey. Milk chocolate, salted butter caramel, grainy cereals, puffed rice, toasted wheat, fresh hay. Pastry cream, brown sugar, nougatine, green apples, mint sweets. The palate is very unctuous, gourmand, lemon tart, candied coconut pulp, blond tobacco, freshly cut wood. Discreet spices, black pepper, cumin. Toffee on the finish, amber, muesli, honeyed butter, sawdust. Roasted peanuts, varnish.

In Short, 

Unlike many people, I found it very good. Perhaps because the bottle had been open for a long time, the whisky had had time to air out, and there were no longer the notes of fatty alcohol that bothered drinkers at first. It's very floral and not very exuberant, but subtle, smooth and well-balanced. The price, on the other hand, is far too high, it's almost the price of a single malt, so don't go overboard.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Béesau - Pas Encore

Cameronbridge 2012 100 Proof Edition #1 Single Grain Scotch Whisky 12 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Cameronbridge - Lowlands

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2025 

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Given the success of the 100 Proof range launched in January 2024, the gentlemen at Signatory had the idea of launching a brand new range, more or less the same, but with Single Grain Scotch Whisky. And so this Cameronbridge was launched last March. Cameronbridge is the oldest and largest grain distillery in Scotland and probably in the world. There is another Cameronbridge 100 Proof, Edition #3, but this one is 16 years old and aged in Oloroso Sherry casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Plenty of dry cereals, wheat, barley, bulgur, oily vanilla, wax with a medicinal touch. You can smell the freshness of ether, there's alcohol too, some fruits of the sun, pineapple and white plums, a drop of honey. On the palate, it's monochrome, warm cereals, crunchy, grainy, egg custard, breadcrumbs, earthy reflections, lively spices. A hint of almonds on the finish, more wax, an ounce of bitterness, corn dodger, cola nut, white nougat, egg yolk. Unrefined honey, puffed rice. A few hazelnuts.  

 

In Short, 

Frankly, I didn't like it too much. Apart from the finish, which is beautiful and makes up for the rest a little, there's really nothing interesting in this whisky, which I find a little too simple and abrupt. 12 years must still be too young for a Single Grain, and the ageing in Bourbon casks doesn't help. I think it's the least good of the 100 Proof range that I've tasted, and I've tasted nearly 40 of them, so maybe it's better to try the other Cameronbridge 100 Proof, the Edition #3.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Cesair - The Ruin

North of Scotland 1964 50 yo

 

 

 

40,4°

Distillery : North of Scotland - Lowlands

Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain

Bottled in 2017

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength 

Totally Unpeated

The North of Scotland distillery existed between 1957 and 1980. As its name doesn't suggest, it was located in the Lowlands, more in the south of Scotland, in the town of Alloa. The bottling we are talking about here is the distillery's only original bottling; there will be no other. In fact, I wonder how it came to be released in 2017, 37 years after the distillery closed. To be honest, it was on the Elixir Distillers stand at the last Whisky Live Paris, so I think the trading company was involved in the distribution of the product, if not the bottling. It's a blend of 6 Bourbon Barrels, distilled in 1964 and bottled in 2017, so it's more like 52 years old actually. 1500 bottles were released.

Let's Taste It : 

It's very well-balanced, with caramelized cereals, maple syrup, baked apple, wood resin, nougatine. A drizzle of red fruit, or perhaps blood oranges, on a mattress of brioche, vanilla ice cream. It's very smooth on the palate, crème caramel, forest honey, egg custard, roasted cereals and hazelnuts. Delicate spices, cinnamon, oregano, cloves. The finish is long but not aggressive, with almonds and cashew nuts, more butterscotch and bark, warm chestnuts, heather.

In Short, 

It's obviously very good, but I'm not entirely convinced. The price is of course astronomical, and for that price I expect a little more character or originality. This is just an extremely well-made grain whisky, so it should be reserved for absolute fans of this type of profile.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Christian Nieves- Jumba Ribara

North British 1988 Xtra Old Particular 35 yo

 

 

 

41,9°

Distillery : North British - Lowlands

Refill Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

As its name doesn't suggest, North British Distillery is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it was founded in 1885. It is exclusively a grain distillery, supplying mainly Diageo and Edrington Group blends, including Johnnie Walker and The Famous Grouse. A few independent bottlings are released each year, often very old; here we have a 35-year-old aged in a Refill Bourbon Barrel, which yielded 157 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Various cereals, almonds, creamy vanilla, a hint of coconut, the influence of wood can be felt, with sweet spices, tinder, maple syrup. The whole is rounded and well-balanced, with sponge cake, brown sugar and soft caramel. On the palate, cereals again, toasted wheat, puffed rice, airy oats, but this time accompanied by white fruit, plums, mirabelles, bananas, Chasselas grapes. Very light spices, a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves. Long finish without being too violent, pleasant, acacia honey, buttered bread, sandy beach and a drop of sunflower oil. Chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

This is an excellent Single Grain, very cereal-like, fruity and indulgent at times. It's exactly what you'd expect, which is as much an advantage as a drawback, as you'd also hope for a little originality. The influence of the Bourbon is very discreet, so the distillate is quite pure, ennobled by the age. On the other hand, the alcohol content is rather low and it lacks a little punch. The price is acceptable in absolute terms, but too high for those who are not absolute fans of the profile.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Mae Bird - Courage

Girvan 1991 Cadenhead's Original Collection 33 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Girvan - Lowlands

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Girvan is the famous distillery built in 9 months in 1963 by the Grant family, when Distillers Company Limited stopped supplying them with grain whisky produced in Cameronbridge. It is now the main source of Grant's Blends, particularly Triple Wood. Here, we have it as a Single Grain, aged in a single Bourbon Barrel, so that we can appreciate its full personality. No indication of the number of bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The cereals are very varied and intense, ranging from airy oats to sweet corn, crispy wheat grains and puffed rice, malted barley, rustic rye, millet. Brioche, all coated in caramel. Ethereal almond, cloud of milk. On the palate, vanilla comes in, it's slightly fruity but the cereals remain predominant. Very light spices, mirabelle plums and green apples. Deep finish, but could be longer, custard, sponge cake, white raisins, fudge, resin, cinnamon.

 

In Short, 

A very good grain whisky, although I do regret that the alcohol content isn't a little higher, as it's a little light on the palate. As for the rest, it's sure to please grain whisky lovers. It's intense and rather complex. The price is a bit high, though.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Maria Williams - Humbled and Defanged

Cameronbridge 1982 Liquid Treasures From Miles Away 38 yo

 

 

 

48,6°

Distillery : Cameronbridge - Lowlands

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Liquid Treasures 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Cameronbridge is one of the largest distilleries of the world, producing 136 million littres of pure alcohol per year, and it's only grain whisky. It belongs to Diageo, so we can assume a bit of Cameronbridge can be found in all the famous blends from the renowned company. The German brand Liquid Treasures, founded in 2011 by the liquor trading company eSpirits, decided to enlight this distillery with this bottling, a 38 year old Single Cask, aged in a barrel of Bourbon, that means the distillate will be able to thrive peacefully. Only 140 bottles were put on sale. It was integrated in the From Miles Away range, dedicated to the beauty of nature. The label is adorned with a photography by Matt Deakin, famous landscape photographer. 

Let's Taste It : 

Thick grain, cracked wheat, with earthy hints, but also exotic fruits, pineapple, banana. There's some solvent, even astringent, but in the background. Light vanilla, mirabelle plum pulp, greengages. Sunflower oil and brewer's yeast. Liquid honey. On the palate, it's syrupy, caramelised, quince and apricot jam, spices in the background, nutmeg. The finish is long and slightly explosive, sandy, shortbread biscuits, langue de chat, dried coconut, hazelnut powder.

 

In Short, 

A very fine bottling, with a superb balance between earthy grain and exotic fruit. For a single grain whisky, 38 years is not very old, and I found this whisky to be very fresh. You can't find it anywhere these days, which is a pity because the release price was attractive.

Score : 89 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                            Mean Mary - Sweet Jezebel

Port Dundas 1978 Xtra Old Particular Celebrating 75 Glorious Years of Whisky 45 yo

 

 

 

49,9°

Distillery : Port Dundas - Lowlands

Refill Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limted Edition 

Single Grain 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This year, Douglas Laing is 75 years old. Not the person, but the trading company, of course, now firmly established as one of the benchmarks for independent bottling. To celebrate this magnificent occasion, some equally magnificent casks have been brought out of storage. This one in particular came from the famous Port Dundas distillery, which passed away in 2010, but produced 39 million litres of pure alcohol a year in its heyday. It only produced grain whisky, which is why this bottle, of which I was lucky enough to taste a drop, is a Single Grain. Produced in a very limited edition of 106 bottles, it comes in a luxury box with decanter, tumbler and other goodies. Given the colour of the liquid, it's reasonable to assume that there were a few staves from a Sherry cask in the Refill Hogshead that held the precious liqueur for 45 years.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Intense cereals, cracked wheat, crispy maize, honeyed barley, flavoured with vanilla millet. A wonderful muesli set with fruits. Caramel and red plums, spicy wood, cinnamon, dried fruits, banana, apricot, goji. Quince jelly. Syrupy on the palate, very balanced, the maturation has done its work. Caramelised wood juice, toffee, slightly drying lingonberry and gooseberry juice, discreet but very broad spices, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves. The finish is truly superb, extremely long, peppery, intense, earthy, humus, chestnut, mushrooms, relatively fat and charred. Molasses, dark chocolate, a hint of coffee, squid ink.

 

In Short, 

It's very impressive. It's not the profile I love, but I'm blown away here. Everything is perfect and lives up to expectations, from the nose to the finish. Especially the finish, which I adored. The price too is impressive, it's the median salary for a month's work in France. Is it worth it? There are many other things you can do with the money you spend on this bottle. Buy a dozen very good bottles, almost as good but much cheaper, for example.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Chris Beard - All Night Long

Teeling Single Grain 13 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Cooley - Ireland

Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Ex-Bordeaux Red Wine Finish

Independent Bottling 

By The Teeling Whiskey Company

Limited Edition

Single Grain

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

Originally, Single Grain was not supposed to contain an ounce of malted barley, but gradually it was combined with a blend of cereals. Here we have 95% corn alcohol and 5% malted barley alcohol. As the product is 13 years old, we can deduce that it comes from the Cooley distillery, of which the Teeling brothers bought 16,000 casks when their father sold the distillery to Beam Suntory. So this is an independent bottling, and a limited series, even if the number of bottles on sale is not specified. The 4-year finish in Bordeaux red wine casks adds a touch of originality that the Teeling brothers are accustomed to, within the strict framework of Irish whiskey tradition.

 

Let's Taste It :

Bordeaux makes its mark, with heather earth, forest fruits, berries, blackberries and gooseberries. There are also conifers, with fir, pine needles and resin. Varnished wood. Red plums. Bulk cereals, puffed rice, wheat, corn, oats. All in fine balance. On the palate, it's vinous, muscat grape juice, rich spices, tannins, fat earth. The finish is a bit light but very long and warm, on cola and oak bark. Damp undergrowth. Grapes burst on the palate.

In Short, 

A very fine marriage between grain alcohol and Bordeaux wine. The result is really pleasant, with hints of cereals and red fruits, it's very greedy. It makes you want to buy one, but unfortunately the value for money isn't very exciting.

Score : 87 

                                         To Be Listened While Sipping :

    

                                         Natalie Merchant - Carnival

Teeling Single Grain

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Teeling - Ireland

Cabernet-Sauvignon Casks from California

Original Bottling

Core Range 

Single Grain  

Launched in 2013

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

Like the Small Batch, the Single Grain was first made from Whiskey sourced from the Cooley distillery, then, with the Teeling distillery having opened in 2014, it is safe to assume that editions bottled after 2018 did indeed come from the latter. The first Single Grain releases were limited editions, but it seems that they have now been integrated into the regular range. What makes them special is that they are aged entirely in Californian wine casks. The cereals used are corn and wheat.

Let's Taste It : 

Delicious treats, crème brûlée, genoise, hot corn. Wood, thistle, tall grass, reeds. A certain minty freshness. Cereals, of course, but I don't feel the crispiness and crunchiness of the grain. On the palate, nice balance between vanilla and cereals, hard corn kernels, hay. Lying in the hay. Egg yolk, melting caramel. Unfortunately, the finish is a bit aggressive and short, slightly woody, more like popcorn, a touch of caramel, or even aniseed.

 

In Short, 

I was really enthusiastic, until the finish, which brought the score down. It's a shame. Otherwise, this is a fine Single Grain with character, and the wine casks bring a smooth and sweet side that goes very well. Recommended for enthusiasts, although rather expensive.

Score : 83 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Alison Krauss - Carolina in my Mind

The Chita Suntory Whisky

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Chita - Japan

American White Oak, Sherry Spanish Oak and Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Grain 

Launched in 2015

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

To complete the group's range, Suntory has launched this single grain whisky from the Chita distillery, founded in 1972. This distillery only produces grain whisky, mainly from maize. So it's bourbon, so to speak. This Single Grain is a blend of three different agings, one in bourbon casks, one in Sherry casks and one in wine casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's iodised and fresh, the cereals are light and airy, millet and rice. Minty candy, fir thorns, eucalyptus leaves, heather. Subtle. On the palate, vanilla, apple, floral fragrances, wheat and corn grains. Lemon pips and peel. I can't smell the sherry or the wine, unless that's where a certain sweetness comes from. A herbal finish, with a hint of bitterness. Rather average. Vanilla returns in retro-olfaction, gently creamy. Cola and chestnuts. I think it's not bad.

 

In Short, 

I like the cereal profile, the strength of the grain. As for the rest, it's not bad, but it's not very exciting either. The value for money remains decent though.

Score : 82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Salvia Plath - Salvia Plath

Method and Madness Single Grain

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Midleton - Ireland

Bourbons Barrels and Toasted Spanish Casks Finish

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Grain 

Launched in 2017

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Within the pantagruelian Midleton distillery, which produces Redbreast, Tullamore Dew and Jameson, the Method and Madness micro-distillery is experimenting with a smaller range. This one is the Single Grain, an innovation from Irish Distillers, the distillery's owners.

Let's Taste It : 

Very cerealy, dried barley, puffed rice, crispy wheat, the sherry is rare, with young wood and some dried fruits, but more apricot than grape. Quince marmalade with a hint of cinnamon. On the palate, the roundness and sweetness of the corn come through, but it's not like bourbon, it's different, smoother and more evanescent. That said, the vanilla makes itself felt. I like the peppery, throat-clearing finish. Quite long, sandy and a pinch of salt.

In Short, 

A very interesting experience. If you like grain whiskies, it's definitely worth a try, even if the value for money is a little disappointing.

Score : 84

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U