Fettercairn 2007 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 17 yo c. 17602205

 

 

 

58,4°

Distillery : Fettercairn - Highlands

Refill American Oak Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Gordon & MacPhail has currently released eight bottlings of Fettercairn distilled in 2007, including three in 2025, which are therefore the same age. While the other two were aged in sherry casks, this one spent 17 years and at least six months in a refill American oak hogshead. Exactly 299 bottles were produced.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Wax and iodine, liquid paraffin, a fine pinch of salt, and yellow fruits. Mirabelle plum pulp, crushed bananas, Comice pears. Lemon slices, crispy malt biscuits, hazelnut, a dash of vanilla. Elegant woodiness. On the palate, candied citrus fruits, exotic fruits, papaya, a hint of mango, it's honeyed but smooth, rose water, floral overtones. Black pepper, cloves. Fairly long finish, woody, spicy, powerful, brown sugar, dried apricots and raisins, apple squares, almonds, cashews.  

 

In Short, 

This is my third Fettercairn, and it's the first one where I detect real character. There are mineral and waxy notes, after all the sea is only 11 miles from the distillery. But it's also very fruity, with a distinct pulpiness and juiciness. It reminds me a little of Clynelish, but without a trace of peat and with more fruitiness. This is definitely a bottling worth seeking out, provided you can find it at a reasonable price. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           HVOB - Home

Ledaig 2011 The Whisky Jury 13 yo

 

 

 

56°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

2d Fill Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By The Whisky Jury

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm

 

 

 

It seems that The Whisky Jury released this one to celebrate its sixth anniversary. It is a very respectable bottling, aged for 13 years and 7 months in a second-fill Hogshead, which allows the distillate to express itself fully. There are 317 bottles on the market, which is not a bad way to mark another year. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Iodine and limestone, slightly dirty rocks, dotted with earth, beautiful maritime breadth, sea air, white chalk and vanilla, it's slightly woody, a dash of honey and exotic fruits. Salt stalactites, a zest of citrus, foam and sea spray. On the palate, it's oily, lychees, poached eggs, candied vanilla, oyster juice, white grapes. Then some spices, mirabelle plums, cumin, white pepper. Long and explosive finish, which opens like a flower, coconut, two or three strands of straw, pistachio and icing sugar. Vanilla icing, liquorice stick. Fennel.

 

In Short, 

A very nice bottling, very mineral and iodine-like, with the usual dirtiness, but that doesn't prevent the fruit from blossoming. You're rarely disappointed with Ledaig, and even less so with The Whisky Jury. What's more, the price isn't very high, so I'm starting to regret only buying a sample and not a whole bottle. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Flawed Mangoes - Surreal

Ardbeg Scorch Committee Release

 

 

 

51,7° 

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay 

Heavily Charred Ex-Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 54 ppm 

 

 

 

I had the opportunity to try the reduced version of this one, which I mentioned here. This one is the version reserved for members of the Committee Release, and it is cask strength. It is the special edition for Feis Ile 2021, a music and whisky festival held every year on the island of Islay. Heavily charred bourbon casks were used for the occasion, and it is said that these are the most heavily charred casks the distillery has ever used. Some even say that these are the Ardbeg Alligator casks that have actually been reused. If this is true, it allows us to estimate the approximate age of this Scorch, as the Alligator is the special edition for Feis Ile 2011, ten years earlier.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Good, rich limestone and iodine peat, with seaweed and fish scales, but also candied vanilla, lemon and grapefruit zest, lychees, parsley, thyme, and some very subtle floral notes. Sea breeze, dried seaweed and scallops. On the palate, it's more about almonds, orgeat, vanilla and pepper, cloves and cumin, but also cold ashes, charcoal and soot throughout. Very long and explosive finish, mineral, full of chalk, but also apples, and of course fuel oil, lignite, cola, a square of chocolate, coffee, dried figs.

 

In Short, 

It's very similar to the reduced version, just a few degrees stronger, which adds power and density, but otherwise the profile is exactly the same. It's surprising, given that the price is very different, I was expecting something significantly better, but that's not the case. That said, I've always thought it was one of Ardbeg's best limited editions, after Dark Cove and Ardbog, and my opinion hasn't changed. The only problem is that the price is ridiculously high. But if, like me, you have the opportunity to get your hands on half a bottle at a bargain price, don't hesitate. 

Score : 89  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Travo - Arrow of Motion

An Orkney Distillery 2005 The Dava Way 17 yo

 

 

 

60,3°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By The Dava Way 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

The Dava Way is a 38 km (24 miles) long-distance path that mostly follows the route of the former Highland Railway between Grantown and Forres. It is also the name of this Scottish independent bottler which was created in 2022. To date, they have produced around fifteen bottlings, including this 17-year-old Orkney, which is actually a Highland Park, with an easily recognisable profile. Drawn from a single Hogshead, 300 bottles were filled. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, light and grainy peat, citrus fruits rubbed with butter, beeswax, egg yolk, pineapple, lemon, mirabelle plums, wildflower honey. It is mellow, brioche, vanilla, and even coconut, lychee, almond paste, and a few very subtle mineral notes. Iodine freshness. On the palate, the honey is more intense, it's floral, gourmand, then peppery, warm, woody, liquorice, macerated grapes, cherries in brandy. Very long and powerful finish, melon, prickly pear, orange zest, olive oil. A pinch of salt. Sweet smoothness at the very end.

In Short, 

I was impressed by the nose, with its distinctive, buttery, honeyed character, which is very pleasant. The rest is very good, especially the finish, which seems to go on forever. This is a very good whisky that all Highland Park enthusiasts should get their hands on. Unfortunately, it is not available in France, and even elsewhere, it is almost impossible to find. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ora Cogan - Division

The Dark Side of the M 2005 Artist #15 The Dark Side of the Moon 20 yo

 

 

 

61,1°

Distillery : The Macallan -Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is the latest addition to the Artist #15 range, launched at Whisky Live Paris 2025 by La Maison du Whisky, which has been organising the event and each batch of Artist since 2011. Although the name of the distillery is not specified, there is no doubt about it. It is a 20-year-old whisky, matured in a first-fill sherry butt, which yielded 331 bottles. The label features an artwork by Stenjwa Luthuli entitled The Native Umdabu. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is both fine and intense, plum compote, waxed furniture, polished red fruits, raspberries and damsons. Blood oranges, a slice of lemon, melting toffee, dried apricots, noble wood, shea butter and vanilla. Some spices, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg. On the palate, it is very mellow, gingerbread, chestnut cream, maple syrup, dried fruit, candied fruit, slivered almonds, powerful spices, black pepper, cloves. Liquorice, pine honey, a few drops of coffee. Long and powerful finish, explosive, where rare cereals are overwhelmed by spices and caramel, dark chocolate, brown tobacco crumbs, buttered bread. Roots still black with earth.

 

In Short, 

It's different from the regular Macallan range, more lively, more fruity, more intense. If you appreciate this distillery, you really must try it. It's very well made, but above all it's original and varied. The price is of course a challenge, but given the distillery's reputation, it could be worse. Those who can afford it should go for it, it's an excellent bottling. 

Score : 90 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine

Bunnahabhain 2018 The Single Malts of Scotland Small Batch 6 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Bunnahabhain - Islay 

Refill Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Heavily Peated 

 

 

 

This heavily peated Bunnahabhain is a welcome addition to the new Small Batch collection launched last year by Elixir Distillers. Matured in five refill hogsheads, it has the vigour and spirit of youth, but at the same time is not overly powerful as the alcohol content remains relatively low. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

The nose seems perfect to me, lace-like limestone and freshly refined Guérande salt, sea breeze, seaweed, kelp, shellfish, all with a beautifully measured peatiness. Oysters and sweet white wine, yellow plums, lime, crystallised vanilla, a slight medicinal touch, ether. On the palate, it is somewhat oily, lemon, sea salt and ash, some spices, cloves and black pepper. Liquid honey. The finish is quite long, pleasant, mineral, salty, medicinal, chalky, nougat, coffee, light wood, wood-fired chestnuts.  

 

In Short, 

Considering its young age, this is a very pleasant surprise. The nose is particularly well crafted, with coastal and medicinal notes, very present peat that is not too strong, and well-balanced mineral notes. On the palate, however, it is less interesting, but still good. The finish is long and powerful just as it should be. My only regret is that with a few more years and cask strength, it would have made an excellent whisky, undoubtedly one of the best peated Bunnahabhains. That said, the profile is unique, with very intense peat and coastal notes, but not too high an alcohol content. The price is really very low, so it's hard to resist buying it. 

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Endive - 10,000 Dead Roses

A Speyside Distillery 2009 The Single Malts of Scotland 15 yo

 

 

 

57,5°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Speyside

Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This 15-year-old, which yielded 657 bottles, may actually be a Macallan. The employee who served me the glass informed me of this. And it fits the profile, ageing in an Oloroso Sherry Butt, name undisclosed, as with all independently bottled Macallans. However, the engraving on the label depicts another distillery, known as Speyside Distillery, which was operational between 1990 and 2025. More precisely, it closed on 1 May 2025, and the cask in question was opened on 28 April of the same year, which is a curious coincidence. It is impossible to decide between the two hypotheses, but in any case it is definitely a Sherry, aged 15 years, 5 months and 26 days, ready to be enjoyed.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Squares of dark chocolate and fudge that melt in your mouth. Orange marmalade, dried apricots, red fruit coulis, blueberry tart. Dates, figs, sultanas, pecans. A generous pinch of cinnamon, noble and elegant woodiness, cherries in brandy, dark tobacco leaves, cigar box. On the palate, it is velvety, woody, onctuous, blood orange pulp, dried fruit, varied and powerful spices, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg. Prickly pear and wild strawberry, forest honey, molasses, cocoa powder. Long and powerful finish, coffee beans, wood wax, roasted nuts, subtle cereal notes, dry earth, barley sugar. 

 

In Short, 

It's a hell of a sherry, very intense, voluptuous and deep, which fits Macallan's profile. That said, it's still very woody, and the fruit is really very fermented. But there's no sulphur or other flaws. If it's confirmed that it's a Macallan, then it's a very good deal, because the price is really low. So low that I doubt it is actually a Macallan. It's up to you to decide, but there isn't much left, so you'll have to be quick. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Donna Hourigan & The Lucky Lips Band - Crash & Burn

Union Distillery Vintage 2005 II Edition Double Wood 20 yo

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Union Distillery - Brazil

Ex-Bourbon American Oak Barrels and French Wine Finish 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

This is the second bottling from this Brazilian distillery that I have had the chance to taste. I really liked the previous one, and I wrote about it here. This whisky is 20 years old, having spent 17 years in ex-Bourbon American oak barrels and 3 years in French wine casks. It is a limited edition of 2005 bottles, matching the year of distillation.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :

Candied quinces, cut hay, lemon chutney, lime slices, ginger, vanilla and mountain honey, rustic woodiness, but nonetheless with a touch of varnish, raisins, figs, cherries. On the palate, it is relatively balanced, tannins, wild berries, but also roasted pineapple, damsons, cooked plums. Moist spices, green tea, macerated almonds. A fairly long, subtle finish, but not particularly powerful, milk chocolate, hazelnuts, a few drops of chicory. Damp wood, mangrove, reeds.  

 

In Short, 

There is still that slightly tropical profile, but this time it is partly masked by the influence of French wine, which is a shame, as the product loses some of its identity. It is still a fine whisky, but I must say that I preferred the previous one. The price is still reasonable for a 20-year-old, so those who are curious can give it a try, but you have to find it first. 

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           City of the Sun - Second Sun