Caol Ila 2007 The Spirit of Art 15 yo

 

 

 

53,4°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Bota Punta/No Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Valinch & Mallet

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Valinch & Mallet, a trading company run by two Italian whisky lovers, launched The Spirit of Art series in 2021. Each bottle is to be decorated with a work of art. This bottle features a portrait of Giuliano Sale. But the real originality of this bottling is that it was aged in a Bota Punta Sherry cask, which is quite unprecedented, for 15 years. The result was 485 bottles released last spring.

Let's Taste It : 

A drop of tar in a thick, suave liqueur. It's quite balanced. Brown sugar, quince jam, sprinkled with cinnamon, orange peel. Swirling smoke. Peat bricks. Fermented cherries. Blackberries and cranberries. On the palate, light cane sugar, reeds, vermicelli soup, chocolate and fig, dancing spices. Very long, explosive finish, different layers of genoise and pastry cream, cola, honey, some cereals, toasted wheat, burnt barley. The peat comes through a bit, but discreetly.

In Short, 

It's a fairly dry Sherry, it seemed to me, slightly sweet and liquorish. Interesting stuff. But the Oloroso is better. It's a conclusive experience that will delight the curious and lovers of the distillery. The price is high, probably because of the work of art and the rarity of the cask, but in any case it's sold out. It can be found on auction sites, where it sells for more or less the release price.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ida Mae - Wild Flying Dove

Caol Ila 2011 Valinch & Mallet The Peat(y)ful Pack Madness 10 yo

 

 

 

52,6°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Ex-Bourbon Cask and Entre-Deux-Mers Bordeaux Wine Barrique Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Valinch & Mallet Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Back to real peat for the last bottling of this The Peat(y)ful Pack Madness range by Valinch & Mallet launched at the very beginning of 2022 within its wider range The Spirit of Art. Here is a Caol Ila which spent the first two years of its life in a classic Bourbon cask before being transferred to a Bordeaux wine cask of the Entre-Deux-Mers, which are dry or sweet white wines produced near the Gironde estuary. After 8 years of this second maturation, the result was deposited in 374 different bottles, with a beautiful illustration by the great artist Laura Paperina on the label.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Typical Caol Ila hallmarks, iodine, sea breeze, ashy peat, foam, kelp, vaporous smoke, fishes, combined with a syrupy profile, velvety, slightly fermented red fruits, blueberries, blackberries, gooseberries, raspberries, forest berries, thyme, heather, earth and spices. Very balanced mouth, between vanilla, spices and seaweed, paprika, cardamom, a grain of mustard, pastry cream, a square of milk chocolate. Very long finish, well made, explosive, syrupy, sour cherries, prunes, nutmeg, earthy dark chocolate, acorns and hazelnuts.

In Short, 

This time it's totally successful. A bottling that makes the distillate speak as much as the cask is rare. There they coexist and compete in various flavours, as contradictory as they are complementary, to produce a particularly original and tasty juice. Undoubtedly the best success of this range. It was noticed, because everything was sold very quickly, and today there are only a few copies on the secondary market at a price that hurts the rear end.

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Polyphia - Ego Death

Ardmore 2009 Valinch & Mallet The Peat(y)ful Pack Madness 12 yo

 

 

 

52,2°

Distillery : The Ardmore - Highlands

Ex-Bourbon Cask and Ex-Faraon Oloroso Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Valnch & Mallet Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 12 ppm

 

 

 

The Peat(y)ful Pack Madness range would belong to another, larger range within Valinch & Mallet, called The Spirit of Art, the principle  of which is to illustrate a bottle of whisky with a contemporary work of art. Here the bottles are adorned with the delirious and provocative images of Laura Paperina, an internationally renowned artist. But what interests us the most is inside the bottle, it is some Ardmore distilled in 2009 and aged for 8 and a half years in a Bourbon cask before being transferred for the next three and a half years in an Oloroso Sherry cask from the famous Faraon brand. The result was distributed among 338 different bottles before going on sale in early January 2022.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very successful nose, both creamy and filled with dried fruits, grapes, apricots, dates, figs. Some red fruits are present too, but discreet, raspberries, blackberries. Stretched leather. Well integrated smoke into the whole, light. Vanilla eclair, genoise. On the palate, it's still sweet and creamy, but also quite spicy, turmeric, cumin, cloves, black pepper. Heather, black earth, and a nice rather long finish to complete it all, charcoal, forestry, on chestnuts and pine cones. Again some red fruits, blueberries, blackcurrants, stick of liquorice in retro-olfaction.

 

In Short, 

I was wondering why only a sherry cask finish, why not full maturation ? But I must admit that it is very well done. My small reservation is that Ardmore peat is still very light, you can barely feel it. So, does it have its place in a range dedicated to it ? The question arises, frankly. The distilleries which combine peat and Sherry very effectively are known, Bowmore, Ardbeg and others, but perhaps these gentlemen from Valinch & Mallet wanted peat from the Highlands? Apart from that, the price is still high, and besides, this is perhaps the reason why this bottling is still available on quite a few sites. Not quite Sherry, not quite peaty, not quite Ardmore either, as the distillate is a bit hidden, and quite expensive though, I'm not sure I would advise buying.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           BSI - Jelly Belly

Ledaig 2008 Valinch & Mallet The Peat(y)ful Pack Madness 13 yo

 

 

 

52,4°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Valinch & Mallet Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength 

Peated around 37 ppm

Within this new range The Peat(y)ful Pack Madness, launched by Valinch & Mallet during the first days of 2022, this Ledaig embodies the classic part. The idea is that, among the 4 bottlings of the range, each must have its own maturation. And for the trivial aging in a Bourbon barrel, it's Ledaig which sticks to it. 13 years of waiting, and the result is presented in the form of 303 bottles, with an illustration of Laurina Paperina, supposed to evoke the frenzy linked to a budding idea in a field that fascinates you, whisky by example.

Let's Taste It : 

Very controlled nose, with the influence of Bourbon combining very well with the peat from the Isle of Mull. Whiffs of smoke, burnt plastic, motor oil, and at the same time icing sugar, genoise, squeezed lemon. On the palate, blood oranges, fairly strong spices, turmeric, paprika, cumin, ginger, black tea, thick, spongy, stringy peat, a little mineral. Long, explosive, medicinal finish. Ether, iodine, bandages, coal and dust. Muddy sand. This an apotheosis.

In Short, 

Superb, classic, perfectly managed, I can't stop praising this beautiful bottling, both traditional and bold, because the Bourbon influence is important. Congratulations to the bottler, great job. What I like less is the price, which is completely disproportionate. Some will tell me this is the law of the market.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping:

 

                                           The Smiths - Barbarism Begins at Home

South Shore 2008 Valinch & Mallet The Peat(y)ful Pack Madness 13 yo

 

 

 

52,9°

Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay 

Ex-Boubon Cask and Rum Caroni Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Valinch & Mallet Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 38 ppm

 

 

 

In this new range called The Peat(y)ful Pack Madness which was released in January 2022, this South Shore is in fact a Lagavulin, no need to keep the suspense any longer. The particularity is that, after having staid for more than 8 years in a classic Bourbon barrel, it followed a second maturation in a Caroni Rum cask for nearly 5 years. Caroni is a rum distillery located in Trinidad and Tobago closed in 2003, and since its closure it has been the object of a cult to such an extent that we will soon be able to compare it to Brora or Port Ellen. Therefore, the 292 bottles produced were quickly sold out. The label is illustrated by the artist Laura Paperina, it is a universe both surreal and from the comics of our childhood.

 

 

 

Let'sTasteIt : 

Very sweet on the nose, so much so that it's amazing with Lagavulin's peat and character. The peat is smoky, boggy and stony, but it's also smooth and as if tamed by the Rum. A few fish sneak through the mire. Seafood. Nice sugary fullness, cane sugar, reeds, candied rhubarb. Some white fruits, plums, grapes, banana. Very suave and silky on the palate. Rose Loukoum. Fruits take flight, lemon, papaya, maracuja. Spices not too invasive, cumin, nutmeg, grey pepper. Thick peat. Long, beautiful finish, well crafted, with earth and gravel, charcoal, limestone, Greengages. Liquid honey. Scallops.

 

In Short, 

I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about trying it, as the rum-whisky combination rarely works for me. But here, it's perfectly executed, it's a very fine piece of work. The peat is softened, and the fruits are increased tenfold. It's not too sweet, that's fine. On the other hand, the price hurts, but who cares, since it's already sold out everywhere. They should have sold it for even more, in fact.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                          Of Monsters and Men - Lakehouse

Bunnahabhain 2013 Valinch & Mallet The Young Masters Edition 9 yo

 

 

 

52,8°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay 

Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Valinch & Mallet Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

A young Bunnahabhain aged in a Sherry cask always does well in a collection. Here it is The Young Masters Edition, so don't expect some venerable juice. Only 378 bottles are put on sale, exclusively for the Scottish market it seems. We already know it's going to be hard to find.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Pleasant, liquorous nose, with a fine Sherry influence. Hazelnuts, fig and raspberry jam, dried apricots, muscat grapes. Forest berries, undergrowth, tree bark, vegetable moss, pine needles. It's also a bit sweet, with genoise and marzipan. Very round and well-balanced on the palate. Fruity, of course, with a hint of candied fruits. Spices under control, paprika, saffron, nutmeg. Very long finish, Vieille Prune, blackberry coulis, hint of blackcurrant, black earth, just the right amount of power. Charcoal, hot chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

Even young Bunnahabhains go very well with Sherry, here it is reminiscent of an old red fruits liqueur, with beautiful spices, a pure Christmas whisky, where the fruits are candied, braised, rather than simply served. A very nice expression, I found it on Italian sites at an acceptable price, elsewhere they're laughing at us, it's nonsense.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Allison Russel - Nightflyer

Linkwood 2010 Valinch & Mallet The Young Masters Edition 11 yo c. 134

 

 

 

53,2°

Distillery : Linkwood  Speyside 

Palo Cortado Sherry Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Valinch & Mallet Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

We continue to explore Valinch & Mallet's The Yong Masters Edition range with this graceful little Linkwwod aged in a Palo Cortado sherry cask for 11 years before being served in 550 cask strength bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very fruity, even floral nose, marmalade of red plums, ripe greengages, candied prunes, peaches, conference pears, yellow apples, perhaps a hint of lavender. Dried fruits, dates, figs, raisins, one or two apricots Very intense palate, almost vinous, with a fine basket of fruits, from the simplest, familiar but juicy orchard fruits, to the most exotic, papaya, kumquat, kiwi, dried banana, a few cashew nuts. The spices are very discreet, paprika and saffron. The finish is pleasant, not powerful but very long, with heather, laurel, undergrowth, dry earth, then more dried fruits, quinces and braised almonds.

In Short, 

As is often the case with Linkwood, a marvellous flood of fruits, particularly pronounced here. Not much power, not much spice, it's all left to the fruits that invade the palate. It's obviously very pleasant, and as long as you're happy with the price, which for me is a little exaggerated, there's no harm in buying it.

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Black Sea Dahu - Orbit

Glen Elgin 2009 Valinch & Mallet The Young Masters Edition 12 yo

 

 

 

53,1°

Distillery : Glen Elgin - Speyside

Bourbon Hogshead

Indepeneant Bottling 

By Valinch & Mallet Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Italian bottler Valinch & Mallet has been around for a good decade, but I've only heard about it for a few years. Within The Young Masters Edition range, this 12-year-old Glen Elgin was aged in a single Bourbon Hogshead before being released in 250 copies.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very sweet nose, vanilla coated with whipped cream, light iodine, cereal fragrances. Genoise, pastry cream, puffed rice. Beautiful woody and mineral fullness, but a little hidden by the gourmandise. The palate is milky and maritime, oysters, crayfish. Vanilla, coconut, chocolate chips. The spices are beautiful and well managed, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon. The finish is crystalline, lemon pulp, iodized freshness. Dry earth, mountain bushes, eucalyptus.

 

In Short, 

Beautiful object. With Glen Elgin, there is always something else, mineral, marine, iodized. The distillery is nevertheless about ten kilometers from the sea, but it is the feeling I have. It is also a very sweet product, which makes a beautiful blend, between greediness and marine minerality. The price is acceptable, a purchase is more than possible.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           James Bay - Hold Back The River