Kilchoman 2014 The Wills Family Cask Collection Ruby Port Cask 6 yo

 

 

 

55,6°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay 

Ruby Port Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

The well-known French spirits retailer and Kilchoman importer La Maison du Whisky launched in 2020 an exclusive range of 5 Kilchoman single cask bottlings under the name “The Wills Family Cask Collection”. The series is based on the concept that each of the five members of the Kilchoman founders family selects a special favourite cask. This one is chosen by Peter Wills, the youngest of the three sons, it is a 6 year old Ruby Port Cask and it was sold in 286 copies. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Rich Port but quite mastered. Damsons and raisins, chubby apricots, green tea. Syrupy blackberries. But a medicinal touch sets in quickly, it's amazing, bandages, disinfectant, camphor and ether. Fairly strong coal and fuel oil, behind mineral peat. On the palate, it jostles, it's smooth and delightful, and at the same time the peat is deep, almost aggressive. Spices well present, paprika and clove, before a fairly long finish, limestone, cola, dried figs. Ointment. Hazelnut. A pinch of coffee. 

 

In Short, 

Very good and robust, but confusing. On one side, rich and deep fruits, on the other a crazy beat up medicinal peat. I didn't think it went so well together, though I like very much what Laphroaig does with Port. In any case the experience is strong and interesting. About the price, it was expensive without being overpriced when it was released, and today, you can still find it on some French sites if you look closely, at the same amount.

Score : 88 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Coheed and Cambria - Welcome Home

Bowmore 2002 The Character of Islay Whisky Company 18 yo c. 11717

 

 

 

52,8°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Refill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By The Character of Islay Whisky Company 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

Created in 2019 within the Atom Brands group, The Character of Islay Whisky Company is looking for juices coming only from this island which is nicknamed The Mecca of Whisky. Here we have an 18-year-old Bowmore, aged simply in a Bourbon Refill cask, which gave a total of 182 bottles. It is part of The Stories of Wind & Wave range, which is not mentioned on the bottle.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Crystalline, salty, marine nose. Fish and kelp, very Bowmore. Peat at first a little rough, then softer, with an almond nuance. It is mineral, even metallic. Iodine, sea breeze, but very subtle. Some white fruits, vanilla and juicy pears. Lychee. Very smooth palate, lemon and grapefruit, olive oil, the spices rise slowly, cumin, cloves, pepper. Iron filings. Long and explosive finish, woody, nutmeg, forestry earth, acorns, heather, chestnut leaves. Lemon pulp at the very end.

 

In Short, 

A beautiful Bowmore, fairly classic, salty and marine, slightly fruity and spicy. I didn't taste it alone, and my comrades found lots of things in it that I didn't find, exotic fruits and a nice mellowness. Hence, I am not sure that my review is the best possible for this product, but it is mine. I tasted it several times, in different settings, there is no possible doubt, that's what I felt. The price seems too high to me, but maybe, given what I missed, is the right one.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Joshua Quimby - Kate McCannon

Port Charlotte 2001 Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. 13 yo c. R091600007

 

 

 

64,6°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay 

Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Company 

Limited Edtion 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2015

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 40 ppm  

In 2015, Rest & Be Thankful Whisky Co. has only been around since three years. But this is already their 5th Port Charlotte bottling, since their founders are former collaborators of the distillery. The brand having been launched in 2001, at the time it was the oldest Port Charlotte in existence. Having spent 13 years, 9 months and 3 weeks in a Sherry cask, it was divided into 709 bottles before being launched into the market.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The Sherry is very measured, you can hardly recognize it, it's just fruity, with orange, plum, juicy pear, elastic and nuts. Behind, a beautiful ashy smoke, perfectly managed, on a layer of rocky peat. Fuel oil, motor oil, it's almost sweet. On the palate, it's balanced, the peat is quite strong but allows the fruit to pass through, more from the orchard, not really exotic. The spices are quiet, It's easy to drink despite the high alcohol content. Nice finish, long and perfectly mastered, ashy and damp earth, burnt wood, dark chocolate. A pinch of coffee powder.

 

In Short, 

A classical Port Charlotte, which expresses  its exuberance without being bothered by Sherry. It is a very good whisky. What surprised me is that the alcohol is perfectly integrated, and the spices quite calm. It promises good times if you are able to find one of the last copies, still lying around in some European shops, at a slightly exaggerated price, even for the rarity of the product.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Violent Soho - Dope Calypso

Ledaig 2007 Artist Collective #2.2 11 yo

 

 

 

57,1° 

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Bourbon Barrels and Burgundy Wine Finish

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 37 ppm

 

 

 

This is the 2nd bottling from the 2nd Batch of the Artist Collective range, and it is the first Ledaig in the series. Having followed a first maturation in three Bourbon barrels, it was finished in Burgundy wine casks, but we don't know for how long. 811 bottles were produced. I am not sure if it is a Cask Strength, it is presented as such on the German sites, but not elsewhere. The rate of 57.1° corresponds to the traditional 100° Proof, it would be quite a coincidence if they had not reduced anything. The label and the box are adorned with an artwork by Swain McCaughrin entitled "Dissolve".

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Wave of iodine, ashy and gritty smoke. Seafood, razor clams, whelks, scallops. A few hints of vanilla, fairly strong peat, typical of the brand, peanuts and diesel oil, it's scrappy, metallic. Burnt plastic, mineral sheen, seaweed and kelp. And at the same time, it's ethereal, silky, a drop of caramel, olives. On the palate, sweet at first, coconut, soft caramel, fudge, then spices, cardamom, cloves, cumin. Beautiful finish, long and powerful, with nutmeg, resin, heather, damp earth. Black tea. A coffee bean.

 

In Short, 

The nose and the finish are really well made and complex, on the other hand the palate is good but nothing more. I barely felt the wine casks, maybe this is what gives the spicy and forestry character in the finish. I found it more coastal than usual, especially on the nose, and the divisive distillery markers are discreet. It remains a very good product, not the perfect Ledaig, but it provides an enjoyable time. The price is not right in my opinion, it was already expensive when it came out, and now it hasn't improved.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Damned - Plan 9 Channel 7

Ballechin 2005 The Ultimate Rare Reserve 14 yo

 

 

 

58,2°

Distillery : Edradour - Highlands 

Burgundy Wine Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Van Wees 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

Edradour is said to be the smallest distillery in the Highlands, with less than 100,000 liters of alcohol per year. They still allow themselves to exploit two brands, the one that bears the name of the distillery, and Ballechin, which brings together peated bottlings, up to 50 ppm. This one spent 14 years in a Burgundy wine cask, before being released in 269 copies. Rare Reserve is a sub-range of The Ultimate collection, which brings out very old things, this one is by far the youngest. It celebrates the 1001st The Ultimate bottling.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The influence of wine is quite rich, plum compote, pears, raspberries, leather, dried fruits, nuts. Nice peat, a little oily, filthy as it should be. It's mellow, and not too sweet, so much the better. Watermelon, dragon fruit, damson. On the palate, it is very red fruits, strawberries, dry earth, rather vegetal. Pomegranate and blackcurrant. Intense spices, paprika, nutmeg, clove. Pleasant finish, charcoal and earth, engine oil and still some red fruits, blackberries and blueberries. Cashew nut. Heather.

 

In Short, 

Very cask-driven, which is often the case with this distillery. That said, it's still decent here. It's neither sour nor too sweet, the distillery markers remain. The peat is very strong, it makes you think of Laphroaig or Port Charlotte. All in all a good winey whisky, unfortunately the price has become too high.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ride - Leave Them All Behind

Hellyers Road 2004 Peated 16 yo

 

 

 

61,7°

Distillery : Hellyers Road - Australia

American Ex-Bourbon Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Slightly Peated

 

 

 

Hellyers Road is a micro-distillery which began to produce in 1999 in the depths of Tasmania, just on the other side of the world. Its production does not exceed 120,000 liters of pure alcohol per year, which is very little. It's been about five years since it started to be known in Europe, and its reputation is enormous. Here we have a 16-year-old aged in a single American Bourbon cask, and sold exclusively in France via La Maison du Whisky, under the French Connections label. 192 bottles were filled. Only detail that is not mentioned, the peat rate remains an enigma, but I estimate it at around 20 ppm. Please note that there are several Peated Hellyers Road distilled in 2004, but this is the only one to be bottled at this age.

Let's Taste It : 

A fairly fruity, farmy profile, delicate candied lemon, meringue, and very dry hay. The peat is not too strong, earthy, very well integrated. Yellow fruits, cereal fragrances, good depth. Summer scents, which are not bothered by peat, it's rare. On the palate, it's a little more conventional, but well made, a bit coastal and salty, delicate and sparkling fruits, apricot, white plum. Very nice and very long finish, more farmy, biscuity, a little creamy. Ripe wheat.

 

In Short, 

It's great. A very original profile, farmy, earthy, but also very fruity, even sweet. What I like the most, it's that there's nothing to do with Islay, and even with Scotland. It has his own identity. Not how I imagined Tasmania either, but this is a good surprise. Moreover, when it came out, the price was nearly o.k. Now, more or less three years later, it's a bit too expensive for my likings, but you can still order it if you are less reasonable than me. 

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                          Josh Meloy - Already Dead

Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Glenmorangie - Highlands 

Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered

Almost Unpeated 

 

 

 

After A Tale of Winter and A Tale of Cake, the series had to be continued. Dr. Bill Lumsden therefore had the idea of A Tale of The Forest, a whisky made with smoked barley using woodland plants. More precisely juniper berries, birch bark and heather blossoms, married with a little peat. The process is original and enticing, but that's no reason to hide the number of bottles produced, or the possible use of dyes. The label and box are illustrated by Thai artist Pomme Chan, who was inspired by the tropical forests of her country.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is interesting, quite fresh, with mellow lemon and pine needles. Sweet and dusty smoke. Nice oak, sand, red fruits, wild strawberries, blackberries, but it's a little unbalanced. A certain minerality, in a dry environment. On the palate, it's very average, the alcohol stands out, some forest fragrances, but barely. Coniferous. A little gasoline. The finish disappears very quickly, it hasn't arrived yet that it's already gone. Bark, some nuts. Heather.

 

In Short, 

The idea was good, but the whisky is less so. I liked the nose, despite some flaws, but the mouth and the finish seemed to me to be of poor value. I don't recommend buying it, maybe if you have the opportunity to taste it during a fair, it's better.

Score : 81 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Nanna - Godzilla

Caol Ila 2011 Scottish Roadsign Edition N°13 9 yo

 

 

 

59,4°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Bourbon Barrique

Independent Bottling 

By Flickenschild Gmbh & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Whizita.de is a German online site where you can place great orders, unfortunately they no longer deliver to the European Union. It belongs to a company called Flickenshild Gmbh & Co, and it seems they have been bottling for more than 20 years. In particular this series of Scottish Roadsign Edition, which totals 14 expressions in Single Cask, started in 2017. This is the N°13, it is a 9 year old Caol Ila with a classic aging, and the Roadsign is a warning for crossing badgers. 298 bottles were put on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Salty freshness, embellished with an ashy and dusty smoke, like a forest fire. Behind, a bourbon roundness, but light. The tide is soft, seaweed is rare. Limestone, the rock scratches the skin. Seafood, mussels and razor clams. Palate a little light, but velvety. A vanilla pod coats the peat and seawater. Spices a little too strong, cumin and black pepper. Long and quite powerful finish, mainly iodized. Earthy coal. Green tea. A wedge of lemon. 

 

In Short, 

It is a product that does not have a very good reputation, and I must say that unfortunately it is justified. It's good, but it lacks character. The nose and the mouth are very simple, a little too spicy, only the powerful finish catches up. An expression that will not go in the books, and besides, it was very difficult to collect some elements about it, now that it is sold out.

Score : 85

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Maid of Ace - Bone Deth