Benromach 15 yo

43°

Distillery : Benromach - Speyside

Bourbon and Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2015

Peated around 12 ppm

This is the prestige edition from the Benromach distillery.

Lets Taste It : 

Fine and delicate smoke, nose more inclined towards bourbon, greengage, citrus fruit, braised vanilla. A bit rural, even pastoral. Cooked vegetables, carrots, beans and leeks. On the palate, white fruits, grapes, pears and plums, coarse salt, vanilla with a hint of sweetness, lychee, mango. Tangy apple, a trace of lemonade, sparkling spices, long and very sweet finish, floral notes, jasmine, honeysuckle, vanilla bean, soya milk, slight woodiness.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad at all, and if you can find one at a reasonable price, don't hesitate. 

Score : 86

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           R.E.M. - Losing My Religion

Bunnahabhain 11 yo Discovery

43°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling

By Gordon & MacPhail

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Edited in 2018

Almost Unpeated

Launched in 2018, the Discovery range is one of the five collections from bottler Gordon & MacPhail. It is undoubtedly the most accessible to the general public, with non-vintage bottlings at a reasonable price.

Let's Taste It : 

A very delicious nose, candied fruits, baked apples, tart Tatin, beeswax, green apple, grape juice. A hint of smoke and iodine. Mirabelles, greengages, pan-fried pineapple with a touch of caramel. Grapefruit. On the palate, more fruity acidity, golden smith, green tea, yellow plums, grapes and some citrus fruits. Gooseberries. A pinch of pepper and other spices. The finish is pleasant, relatively long, pastry-like, chocolate cake, pudding, fig with almonds.

 

In Short, 

An interesting variation on the Bunnahabhain theme, a little less pastry-like and more on tangy fruits. You can indulge yourself on occasion, but this bottling has become hard to find.

Score : 85

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Charlie Winston - In Your Hands

Bunnahabhain 2007 Mòine Feis Isle 2018 10 yo

59,5°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

On the occasion of Feis Isle 2018, Bunnahabhain released this limited bottling of 1,881 units, in a peated version. It is precisely in 1881 that the distillery was built. 

Let's Taste It : 

Very dark sherry, amarena, blackberry liqueur, very fine smoke. Wood gorged with sap, apricot juice, foresty peat. Smoke blends with blackcurrant, red fruits take over, damsons, muscat grapes, blueberry. Earth, campfire, barbecue, melting fat. Quite smooth on the palate, spicy, varnished wood, red plum, crushed strawberry. Cloves. The finish takes us far away, charcoal and heather earth, humus, ferns, pungent caramel, salted butter, hint of aniseed.

 

In Short, 

It's obviously very good, and the combination of peat and sherry is enriched by a foresty note. Unfortunately the price has become extravagant. 

Score : 89

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                            Morcheeba - The Sea

Elements of Islay 2001 Bn7 16 yo

55,7°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling

By Elixir Distillers

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

The Elements of Islay range offers 50cl cask strength bottlings of Islay whiskies, here it is the 7th Bunnahabhain they made, and it's unpeated, they name the peated ones Ma, for Margadale. A total of 1,620 units were released.

Let's Taste It : 

A very solid nose with a rather dry sherry, on hazelnuts and pistachio, freshly varnished wood and a few cereal scents. Caramel and apricot, floral notes, cashew nuts, white gooseberry, plum and pear. The palate is full of indulgence, with candied sugar, nougatine, pastry cream and a hint of vanilla. Candied fruits, apples and cherries, then spices and cane syrup. Strong and fruity finish with sour apple, caramel and potato crisps. Slightly acidic.

 

In Short, 

Very good, with hints of dried fruits and apricots, and worth a try if you get the chance. But be warned, this particular edition has become very hard to find. Perhaps a more recent bottling in the same range will satisfy you.

Score : 88

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Julien Loureau - Lonely Night

Bunnahabhain 1990 Pitcaple for RYF 21 yo

46°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling

By Duncan Taylor Limited

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2012

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

RYF is an independent bottler. With this edition, Duncan Taylor pays a sort of tribute to one of his colleagues.

Let's Taste It : 

Varnished wood, thick caramel, cranberry syrup, prunes, a barely perceptible wisp of smoke, hazelnuts and chocolate cream, peanut butter, exotic fruits that gently impose themselves, papaya, mango, maracuja, a touch of genoise and candy sugar, candied fruits galore, with an ounce of iodine and lemon, or maybe sour apple, pistachio. Slightly salty and earthy. The palate is liquorish, a bit bland but with lemon and apple, then the spices, which are quite strong, draw the attention. Woody, cough syrup, pear and apricot, with a light, fruity, fairly long finish. Then the wood returns, with a hint of soft caramel.

 

In Short, 

Very subtle and original, you shouldn't hesitate if you find a copy of this now unobtainable nectar at a reasonable price. 

Score : 88

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Charlie Haden Quartet West - First Song

Kilchoman 2011 Red Wine Finish Single Cask for The Nectar 7 yo c. 171/2011

56,7°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

Red Wine Cask Finish

Original Bottling

Limited Edition

Single Cask

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

This limited edition of 246 bottles was launched in tribute to The Nectar, Belgium's largest whisky distributor and organiser of the Spirits in the Sky festival.

Let's Taste It : 

The initial nose is slightly acidic, with gooseberries and cranberries. Then the typical Kilchoman smoke, mineral, soft but deep, and delicately iodised. The nose expands and the marriage is made, red apple, rare meat, tabasco, heather earth, grenadine drizzle. With water it softens, with woody hints, dried apricots and white grapes. Very spicy on the palate, with red fruits that stand out, gooseberries and blackcurrants, it's a pure indulgence. Fairly dry finish, more on pear, tomato and carrot. Charcoal depth. A touch of blackcurrant. Very long on the palate. I think it's better without water.

In Short, 

An excellent curiosity to enjoy, with a strong red fruit flavor. The price is a little high, so it's best reserved for fans of the distillery.

Score : 87

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

    

                                           Anouar Brahem - The Astounding Eyes of Rita

Bunnahabhain 18 yo

46,3°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay

Sherry Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2015

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

This is the prestige edition of the Bunnahabhain range. This 18-year-old has been around for a long time, but it was only in 2015 that it was granted this alcohol level.

Let's Taste It : 

Very rich, very greedy sherry, with a hint of iodine. Black cherry, varnished wood, apple compote, lightly salted caramel, ripe damsons. A bit of damp earth, blackberry liqueur, with vinous scents, and an ounce of very fine smoke. A smoke that would come from a gas lighter, with a slightly metallic edge. It's decidedly fruity, with juicy pear, mirabelle plum, apricot, some exotic fruits, mango, papaya, passion fruit. Dates and a touch of chocolate. Orange marmalade.
On the palate, the wood and leather come through, with a waxed, very smooth texture, and dried fruits, mainly apricots and raisins, almonds, very few spices, then earth, dark chocolate, cherry and blackcurrant. Very long finish, a touch of charcoal and caramel, with dried fruits in retro-olfaction. A shovelful of very dark humus, the kind you find in the forest. Quite dry at the end, reminiscent of hazelnut.

 

In Short, 

It really is a superb delicacy. A must-have, if you can find it at a reasonable price.

Score : 89

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Erik Truffaz - Sweet Mercy

Caol Ila 18 yo

43°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range

Single Malt

Launched in 2002

Peated around 35 ppm

This 18 Year Old is the prestige edition of the Caol Ila range.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose has been transformed by a long maturation. The peat is more discreet, but very present. Wood, varnish, candied cherry, raspberry, chocolate milk. A touch of blackberry. Full of indulgence. Slight acidity on the palate. Still red fruits. But it's velvety at the same time, with a hint of vanilla. Light pepper. Armfuls of mocha on the finish. An ounce of chicory. And this finish is long, almost endless. You can feel the fruits on the tip of your tongue a minute later. This is a really pleasant, delicate whisky, more subtle than the 12-year-old, but it lacks a little peat.

 

In Short, 

A superb piece of work, to be enjoyed with care. A must-have, especially as the price is still (for the moment?) affordable. 

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Lhasa - I'm Going In