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28Nov 23

St Moritzer 2012 40 Jahre Bernasconi Waldhaus am See, 11 YO, OB, 46%, B:2023, refill sherry cask 6. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Fresh, floral, slightly fragrant, on round sherry flavours, round malty flavours, orange zest, some spices, cardamom, leather and a touch of toffee. Intense.
Taste: Malty, fragrant, spicy, smooth, on porridge, apricots, peach, some red berries, lacquer and round grassy flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly more grassy and malty. The finish is rather long, oily, creamy, floral, slightly fragrant, with some lacquer, orange zest, dried fruits, round grassy and nutty flavours, as well as orange zest. Rather smooth.
Impression: A very nice Swiss single malt, round, grassy, rich, slightly nutty, with nice round sweet fruity flavours.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E2

24Nov 23

Secret Highland Batch 12 2008,  Sansibar, 44.9%, B :2022, Sherry butt. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Round, spicy, rather mellow and complex, on honey, aromatic herbs, humus, some fudge, candied ginger, leather and light dried fruits. Nicely balanced and rather complex.
Taste: Rich, spicy, complex, sweet, slightly smoky, on honey, nuts, candied ginger, dried fruits, leather, fudge, sultanas, and humus. The finish is rather long, mellow, spicy, slightly aromatic, on humus, ginger, dried fruits, heather honey, orange, sultanas, leather, old furniture and some beeswax.
Impression: Distilled at Glengarioch distillery, this is a very nice, complex, mellow, rich expression of Glen Garioch, spicy and with a fair amount of dried fruits and leather.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G2

23Nov 23

Glen Garioch 2010 Old Particular, 12 YO, Douglas Laing, 48.4%, B :2022, DL15923. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Fresh, clean, spicy, on fresh ginger, light aromatic herbs, some citrus and a touch of vanilla.
Taste: Light, fresh, spicy, slightly juicy, with some heather, aromatic herbs, ginger, a slight smokiness, oak spices, and a touch of citrus. The finish is medium to long, aromatic, spicy, slightly smoky, on aromatic herbs, ginger, humus, some heather, citrus, vanilla and a light smokiness.
Impression: A nice, clean, spicy and rather fresh Glen Garioch, with little influence from the wood.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

17Nov 23

Blue Hanger, Berry Bros & Rudd, 80 Proof, B:1950s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Slightly austere and smoky, on soot, old aromatic peat smoke, aromatic herbs, some old tobacco leaves, a hint of sea brine and heather. Complex.
Taste: Light, floral, aromatic, moderately peaty and smoky, rather austere and dry, aromatic peat smoke, soot, some tar, sea brine, leather, heather, old bonfire smoke, burnt wood and some flintstone.
Impression: I love these old styles of blends, rather austere, peaty and smoky, with nice aromatic herbs, old leather and books, as well as slightly mineral.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C5

15Nov 23

Glen Garioch 1998 for Binny’s, 16 YO, OB, 55.1%, B:2014, cask 987. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Smooth, malty, aromatic to very aromatic, slightly mineral and creamy,  on ginger and some orchard’s fruits.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, malty, aromatic, slightly creamy, with lots of spices, some almonds and citrus. It becomes more peppery over time. The finish is medium, slightly young and sweet, spicy, peppery, gingery, malty, slightly creamy, on ginger roots, vanilla, black pepper and some almonds, with some bitter lemon and light aromatic flavours. Diluted, it becomes slightly fragrant and with some additional lavender flavours.
Impression: From the first year of unpeated Glen Garioch production, with strong gingery flavours, as well as sweet malty and slightly creamy flavours. Very good.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

13Nov 23

Glenfiddich Experimental 5 Orchards Experiments, OB, 43%, B :2023. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh to very fresh, with lots of orchards fruits, granny smith apples, pears, light floral flavours and a touch of soft spices.
Taste: Light, extremely fresh, floral, on vanilla, lots of pear juice, green apples, some canned orchards and  apple eau-de-vie. Very strong fresh orchard fruits flavours. The finish is medium, smooth, very fresh, slightly sweet, with lots of sweet orchards fruits composed of green apples and fresh pears drops, as well as a light fresh floral flavours and some vanilla.
Impression: A very light expression of Glenfiddich, with very strong and refreshing orchards fruits. This Glenfiddich has been partially matured in Somerset Pomona spirits casks, a blend of apple cider brandy and apple juice. This final maturation enhances the orchard flavours present in the Glenfiddich spirit and provides a refreshing expression of Glenfiddich. Should be a great drink for the summer.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

09Nov 23

Agitator 2018 The Pioneers, Berry Bros & Rudd, 57.7%, B:2023, cask 741, 369 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, intense, oaky, smoky, spicy, with some juniper, vanilla, gentian, peat smoke, pineapples, and some soot.  Very nice.
Taste: Smoky, intense, salty, mineral, rooty, aromatic, pneumatic, on bacon, meaty, aromatic and mineral peat smoke, soot, tar and a touch of liquorice. Very good. The finish is long, thick, meaty, smoky, on meaty peat smoke, smoked bacon, tar, some juniper and mineral flavours.
Impression: Agitator is a distillery based in Arboga in Sweden. One of their unique feature is vacuum distillation to reduce the boiling temperature of the whisky. A whisky with a strong and meaty smokiness that I enjoyed very much.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

08Nov 23

Blair Athol 2008 for Waldhaus am See, 13 YO, Signatory, 54.4%, B:2021, cask 4. Price:
Colour: Dark amber
Nose: Floral to very floral, fragrant, slightly malty, round, fresh, floral, fragrant, on dried fruits, orange, juicy oak, and some exotic fruits.
Taste: Fruity to very fruity, spicy, floral, round, with lovely rich floral flavours, juicy fruity flavours, as well as light malty flavours. The finish is long, rich, fruity, floral, nicely balanced, in juicy fruity flavours, some oak spices and nice malty flavours.
Impression: A very nice expression of Blair Athol, rich and fruity, with nicely integrated floral and slightly malty flavours.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D1

06Nov 23

Caperdonich 25 YO Small Batch, OB, 48%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round, mellow, grassy, rather floral, with some bitter aromatic herbs, vanilla, ripe tropical fruits, vanilla custard and a hint of juniper. Very good.
Taste: Light, floral to very floral, slightly grassy, rather mellow, on juicy oaky flavours, some aromatic herbs, vanilla and lychees. The finish is medium to long, and on the same flavours.
Impression: A nice and rather complex whisky, floral, with moderate aromatic and grassy flavours. The flavours are very nice, but I wish they were more intense.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B1

04Nov 23

Caperdonich 25 YO Small Batch Peated, OB, 45.5%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very peated and smoky, with strong aromas of smoked bacon, a rather dry meaty and aromatic peat smoke, light floral flavours, soot and disinfectant.
Taste: Very peaty, dry, smoky and rather aromatic, with lots of smoked bacon, meaty and aromatic peat smoke, as well as disinfectant and some iodine. The finish is long, smoky, peaty, meaty, rather aromatic, moderately floral, with meaty and aromatic peat smoke, some iodine, vanilla and aromatic herbs. 
Impression: A very good and intense peated Caperdonich, with a lovely meaty aromatic peat smoke and a good complexity. A real pleasure.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A6

30 Oct 23

GlenDronach 1994 for LMDW, 28 YO, OB, 51.1%, B:2023, cask 2023. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, fruity, floral, with light nutty flavours, high grade leather, some dark berries, a mixture of dried and sweet fruits, including sultanas, orange, with some lacquer and nice floral flavours. Balanced and complex.
Taste: Round, floral, fragrant, on berries, leather, fresh lacquer, orange, orange zest, some dark cocoa, old furniture, and a touch of humus. Complex. The finish is long, floral, slightly fragrant, rich, rather complex, on precious wood, dark berries, including cherries. Diluted, it becomes more on dark chocolate and a dash of spices.
Impression: A very good, rich, complex and well balanced GlenDronach, with lovely dark fruits.  One of the nicest GlenDronach I have tasted these last years.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G1

09 Oct 23

Le Breuil Single Malt, OB, 46%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Malty, round, smooth, on slightly green and fresh orchards fruits, with some vanilla, oak spices and pears.
Taste: Very smooth, malty, slightly winey, bold, on grist, freshly ground malt, light oaky flavours, some orchards fruits and vanilla. The finish is medium, malty to very malty, smooth, slightly oaky, with some juicy oak, orchards fruits and vanilla. Diluted, it becomes smoother and simpler.
Impression: A rather easy drinking and malty French single malt,  young and smooth, but enjoyable.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

06 Oct 23

Kaiyo Cask Strength, OB, 53%, B:2021. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Intense, nutty, smooth, with some varnish, oak spices and lacquer. Rather young.
Taste: Young, smooth, spicy to very spicy, on varnish, fresh wood, burnt sugar, some lacquer and oak spices. The finish is medium, smooth, fresh, spicy, oaky, with some juicy malt and oak, as well as a touch of varnish.
Impression: A rather rough whisky, tasting young, with spices and a fair dose of varnish on the nose. Unbalanced.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A1

05 Oct 23

Kaiyo Mizunara First Edition The Rubi, OB, 46%, B :2021. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Fresh, slightly round and winey, on light oaky and nutty flavours, light creamy flavours, and a touch of varnish,
Taste: Very smooth, young, with some varnish, light sweet and round fruity flavours, some grapes, vanilla and a touch of butter. The finish is medium, very smooth, slightly creamy and buttery, with light floral flavours and round oak spices.
Impression: Kaiyo are blended malts from Japan, with a rather special history (see https://www.whisky-news.com/En/reports/Whiskyschiff_LU_2022.html for more details). The whisky taste rather young and fresh, rather smooth and with light honey-spicy flavours, and the mizunara adding some vanilla and creamy flavours.
Rating: 12/20 FP:C1

02 Oct 23

Scapa 12 YO Distillery Exclusive, OB, 48.2%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, round, rather fruity, on vanilla, mango, light maritime flavours, green orchards fruits and a touch of heather.
Taste: Fresh, zesty, slightly maritime and oaky, on lemon zest, mango, vanilla, green orchards fruits, some heather, wax and dough. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on exotic fruits. The finish is rather long, fresh, zesty, lemony, on green orchards fruits, vanilla, custard, some mango and a touch of smoke and slightly sour berries.
Impression: A very nice, fresh, rather fruity single malt, with very nice zesty, mango and green orchards fruits.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

30 Sep 23

Lochlea, Our Barley, OB, 46%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, young, gristy, on pear drops, freshly ground barley, oak spices and fresh grassy flavours, as well as some melon.
Taste: Smooth, light, floral, on green barley, some vanilla, ginger and oaky spices. The finish is medium, young, gristy, slightly floral and with some ginger and fresh orchards fruits.
Impression: A nice, fresh, slightly oaky and malty malt. Nicely made, but still very young.
Rating : 11/20 FP:A1

22 Sep 23

Invergordon 1972, 50 YO, Dramcatcher, 41.5%, B:2023, cask 106192, 60 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Round, mellow, grainy, on cooked cereals, peach, melon, some yellow fruits, vanilla and light fragrant flavours
Taste: Floral, round, fragrant, on vanilla, cooked cereals, daffodils, yellow flowers, yellow fruits, some cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of varnish. The finish is medium to long, round, mellow, on cinnamon, cooked cereals, some corn syrup, yellow flowers, peach, papaya, vanilla and a hint of nuts. Diluted, it becomes more floral and fragrant.
Impression: A very good, mellow and round single grain, with a nice combination of grainy, fruity and floral flavours, without any woody influence. Surprisingly fresh for such a venerable age. A good value whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

08 Sep 23

Old Pulteney 2006 for Glenfarhn, OB, 53%, B:2022, Cask 736. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Round, fruity, slightly salty,  some citrus, seabrine, vanilla, vanilla custard, light aromatic herbs and quince.
Taste: Fruity, salty, rich, slightly grassy and aromatic, with some sea brine, yellow fruits, vanilla, lychees, ripe orchards fruits and nice round aromatic and slightly bitter herbs. The finish is long, fruity, salty, moderately aromatic, some bitter lemon, sea brine, yellow fruits and ripe orchards fruits.
Impression: A very good, mellow, rich and rather fruity Old Pulteney, with a nice coastal and slightly austere influence.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

07 Sep 23

Chivas Royal Salute Snow Polo, 21 YO, OB, 46.5%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Fresh, round, elegant, well balanced, with a mixture of exotic fruits, dried fruits, vanilla and porridge. The balance of the flavours on the nose is rather impressive.
Taste: Very smooth, elegant, rather silky, with a lovely juicy and slightly grainy mouthfeel, with elegant dried fruits (peach, apricots, some mandarin), vanilla and a few other exotic fruits, as well as a touch of almonds. The finish is rather long, smooth, mellow, elegant, with elegant light fruity fruity and grainy flavours.
Impression: An excellent blended grain, very elegant, with a delicious luscious fruity mouthfeel. The mouthfeel was really impressive by its elegance and subtlety of flavours. A real tour de force.
Rating: 16/20 FP:C1

31 Aug 23

Craigellachie Speyside Malt 2009, Samaroli, 43%, B:2021. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Complex, mellow, rich, floral, fruity to very fruity, on lovely ripe fruits, nice summery floral flavours, honey, vanilla and some gooseberries. Very good.
Taste:  Floral to very floral, slightly oaky, intense, fresh, on vanilla, oak spices, some honey and heather. The finish is medium, round, floral to very floral, on vanilla, nice fresh floral flavours, some vanilla and oak spices.
Impression: A very nice intense and floral Craigellachie, with a nice balance and rather complex.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

22 Aug 23

Scapa 14 YO Distillery Reserve, OB, 63.2%, B :2023, 1st fill sherry butt, cask 623. Price:
Colour: Dark amber
Nose: Rich, thick, chewy, with loads of dried fruits, figs, cocoa, leather, plums, Dundee cake, sultanas, light floral flavours, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Taste: Thick, chewy, rich, intense, spicy, on Dundee cake, lots of dried fruits, high grade leather, cocoa, sultanas, orange, dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, and some tannins. The finish is long, thick, chewy, on dried fruits, leather, dark chocolate, heather, some orchards fruits, light maritime flavours, cinnamon and nutmeg, and underlying Cachou (liquorice tablets) flavours.
Impression: A very example of sherry matured Scapa from an excellent sherry cask giving a thick, heavy and chewy mouthfeel, without being tannic or bitter. Some might find the influence of the sherry too heavy on the character of the distillery, but I enjoyed this one very much.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G1

20 Aug 23

CRN 57 18 YO, OB, 43%, B :2023. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round, floral, slightly spicy, on leather, orange, dried fruits, sultanas, some mushrooms (chanterelle), fudge, dates and a touch of tropical ripe fruits. Balanced.
Taste: Very smooth, mellow, rich, fruity, on Christmas Cake, sultanas, candied orange, cocoa, tropical fruits, high grade leather, figs and rich spices. The finish is long, mellow, rather complex, fruity, on Christmas cake, candied fruits, nice mellow spices, cinnamon, cocoa, figs and exotic fruits.
Impression: A nice, rich, complex, fruity blended malt, with a pleasant combination of toffee, dried fruits, leather and spices.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E2

14 Aug 23

CRN 57 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, spicy, on vanilla, toffee, on nice fresh floral flavours, some slightly green pineapples and light nutty flavours. Rather crisp and pleasant.
Taste: Smooth, fresh, floral, slightly spicy, with rather sweet and soft floral flavours (new make like), vanilla, some mango, exotic fruits, pineapples and toffee. Diluted, it becomes slightly more on banana, but also slightly bitter and tobacco quid. The finish is medium, round, spicy, on leather, pepper, toffee, candied orange, some sultana, banana flambee and dark chocolate.
Impression: A blended malt, starting with a rather fresh and floral nose, rather smooth and slightly young on the palate, before it moves to more mellow, sweeter and richer flavours on the palate, as if the influence of the ex-bourbon casks was dominant on the nose and the ex-sherry casks on the palate. Not the most easy whisky. Sold exclusively at the distillery.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D2

29 Jul 23

Benriach 25 YO Four Cask Matured, OB, 46%, B;2022. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Winey, smokey, floral, slightly dry, on old dry aromatic peat smoke, old leather, grapes, rather strong winey flavours, spices and some honey.
Taste: Winey, spicy to very spicy, on leather, old dry aromatic peat smoke, heather, some honey, spices, cinnamon and some dried fruits. Diluted, it becomes more winey, meaty and slightly soapy. The finish is long, dry, winey, smoky, slightly meaty, tarry and peaty, on old leather, spices, grapes, dried fruits, some honey and aromatic peat smoke.
Impression: In the past, Benriach had a non-peated (Speyside) and a peated range, now the peated and unpeated are vatted together. In this expression of Benriach, casks matured in new wood, ex sherry, bourbon and madeira and vatted together. I like very much the old meaty and smoky aromatic peat smoke, but the madeira flavours are dominating and the whole lacks some balance, I enjoyed the former version better.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G4

24 Jul 23

Ledaig 2011 for Hermann Brothers, 10 YO, Signatory, 59.8%, B:2022, Port Cask. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very peaty, dry and maritime, medicinal, clean, maritime, on seaweeds, camphor and a touch of sugary flavours.
Taste: Light, clean, oaky, peaty, medicinal, slightly winey and sugary, on oak spices, iodine, disinfectant, seaweeds, dry maritime peat smoke and some light sweet-winey flavours. The finish is medium, maritime, peaty, clean, and medicinal.
Impression: A rather medicinal and peaty expression of Ledaig, clean and light, with the Port cask contributing to light sugary-winey flavours, rounding the edges. A nice expression.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C6

17 Jul 23

Lochindaal 2007, 14 YO, The Whisky Broker, 59.4%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, maritime, slightly mellow, on vanilla, oak spice, maritime peat smoke, some iodine and tar.
Taste: Light, round, moderately peaty, slightly creamy and tarry, on a rather round maritime peat smoke, moderately maritime, with some vanilla custard, a touch of dried fruits.
Impression: A rather nice expression of Port Charlotte, with a rather mellow peatiness, rather round and pleasant to drink, not as dry and tarry as younger expressions. Matured in an ex-sherry cask, the influence from the sherry is very mild. Thank you Lukas.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C5

11 Jul 23

Redbreast 27 YO Ruby Red Port, OB, 53.5%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, complex, bold, very fruity, on mango, passion fruits, guava and other ripe exotic fruits. Delicious.
Taste: Round, bold, creamy, slightly geen, with lots of ripe tropical fruits (passion fruits, papaya, mango), with a touch of yuzu. The fruitiness is impressive. The finish is long, complex, creamy, on various ripe exotic fruits, light grassy and honey flavours.
Impression: A deliciously fruity Redbreast, with a very good complexity and delicious tropical fruity flavours. A vatting of Bourbon, sherry and Port casks.
Rating:  17/20 FP:D1

28 Jun 23

Athru 2004 for House of Single Malt, OB, 58.2%, B :2022, cask 0406011944. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very light and smooth, elegant, on light and slightly green orchards fruits, some almonds and marzipan, as well a light floral flavours. Fresh to very fresh.
Taste: Round, fruity to very fruity, malty, on orchards fruits, ripe yellow fruits, some pineappples, light spicy flavours, porridge, cinnamon, some nutmegs and pecan nuts. The finish is long, rich, smooth, fruity to very fruity, rich, elegant, on a mixture of grassy and malty flavours,  ripe exotic fruits. And a touch of spices
Impression: Arthu is an Irish single malt bottled by the Lough Gill distillery. As the distillery was commissioned only in 2009, this single malt was not distilled at the distillery, but coming from the old Cooley stocks. A delicious, smooth, bold and very fruity Irish single malt. One of the best Irish I have tasted these last years. An excellent pick from Ivan.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B1

26 Jun 23

Tobermory 2008 for World of Whisky, 14 YO, Carn Mor, 60.8%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very round, slightly meaty and maritime, on nice round leather, Christmas cake, orange, dark berries, some coastal flavours and a touch of smoke.
Taste: Very round, on berries, leather, wood polish, some leather, black and red currant, sea tang, some honey, candied orange, sultanas, cinnamon, and figs. The finish is long, very round and nice, with a lovely smooth and round mouthfeel. Diluted, it becomes slightly minty and on nice lacquer flavours.
Impression: A very smooth and round Tobermory, slightly maritime and with a very elegant round sherry influence on leather and berries.
Rating: 14/20 FP:F1

24 Jun 23

Highland Park Cask Strength Batch 3, OB, 64.1%, B :2023. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Dry, rubbery, on leather, dry and fresh  rubber, orange, some smoke, sea brine, and honey.
Taste: Rich, spicy, dry, rubbery, slightly maritime, on a mixture of dry and fresh rubber, toffee, orange and heather. The finish is medium and on the same flavours.
Impression: A rather rubbery expression of Highland park, too much to my liking.
Rating: 12/20 FP:F2

16 Jun 23

Spey (Linkwood), Samaroli 45%, B:2021. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Smooth, round, floral to very floral, on soft floral flavours, a touch of hay and vanilla, as well as some quince and Mirabelle. Very nice and well balanced.
Taste: Light, fresh, floral to very floral, with some straw, on fresh floral flavours, some yellow fruits, quince, lavender, as well as a touch of heather. With a slightly bitter retro-olfaction. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, on vanilla, nice fresh floral flavours, with a hint of smoke and a slight bitterness
Impression: A nice and elegant floral Linkwood, fresh, slightly smoky and with some nice yellow fruits and quince.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

12 Jun 23

Ballindalloch Castle Pure Malt 1968/71, Private Bottling, 46.2%, B:1992. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, round, spicy, with some leather, sultanas, precious wood, some toffee and round spices. Elegant and rather subtle.
Taste: Rich, complex, mellow, with lovely and subtle spices, mellow fruity flavours, some light underlying peat smoke, dried fruits, sultanas, leather, a touch of exotic fruits, precious wood and high grade leather. The finish is long, rich, spicy, mellow, complex to very complex, on nice rich and mellow spicy flavours, some dried fruits, a touch of exotic fruits and a light peat smoke.
Impression: This whisky was not distilled at the new Ballindalloch distillery, but certainly at the other distillery located in the village of Ballindalloch starting with a G. This whisky is a delicious example of old style of Speyside single malt, rich, complex, spicy, with various dried fruits, round spices and some light peat smoke. It is so good to taste again such old prime whiskies.
Rating: 18/20 FP:G3

06 Jun 23

Port Ellen 1979, 22 YO, The Bottlers, 59.8%, B:2001, cask 1552. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peat and maritime, tarry, mineral, coastal, on maritime and moderately medicinal peat smoke, mineral oil, some camphor and chalk. A beautiful old style of peat smoke.
Taste: Peaty, smoky, maritime, medicinal, on sea weeds, camphor, iodine, maritime peat smoke, chalk, some mineral oil and tobacco quid. The finish is long, peaty, smoky, maritime, mineral, with some mineral peat smoke, disinfectant, iodine, seaweeds and chalk, as well as some mineral oil. With a rather salty and minty retro-olfaction.
Impression:  An excellent Port Ellen, complex to very complex, combining maritime peat smoke, mineral, medicinal and maritime flavours. Thank you Nicolas. It is becoming increasingly rare to taste such “young” and vibrant Port Ellen.
Rating:  18/20 FP:A5

03 Jun 23

Pog an Dragon 2013, The Whisky Chamber, 58.2%, B:2021, Port Cask 10554. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very peaty, maritime, smoky, phenolic, meaty, rather syrupy, on dark fruits, maritime and medicinal peat smoke, iodine, leather, fudge and light winey flavours. Very intense and good.
Taste: Very peaty, maritime, smoky, medicinal, slightly meaty, with some iodine, peat smoke, seaweeds, light winey flavours, toffee and leather.
Impression: A very smoky Islay single malt distilled at Lagavulin, rather medicinal and nice moderate syrupy flavours coming from the Port Cask. I liked it very much.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G6

30 May 23

Filey Bay for Whisky Bibliothek 2018, OB, 53.6%, B:2023, Madeira cask 950. Price:
Colour: Red-amber
Nose: Fresh, floral, winey, with some fresh barley, grapes, light and round oaky flavours and grape sugar.
Taste: Fresh, smooth to very smooth, on smooth winey flavours, grape sugar, sweet winey flavours, some dried and black fruits, as well as some tannins and burnt sugar.
Impression: A very smooth and rather sweet fresh and malty whisky, slightly floral, and with a nice and well-integrated influence from the Madeira cask. Impressive for a whisky at such an young age.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G1

28 May 23

Fettercain 18 YO, OB, 46.8%, B :2023, finished in Scottish oak. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Oaky, floral, on humus, freshly sawn wood, wood polish, lots of cinnamon from Magadascar, some vanilla, and fresh pears.
Taste: Minty, floral, slightly malty, with some varnish, freshly sawn wood, spearmint, toasted wood and vanilla. The finish is medium, oaky, fresh, minty, slightly malty, rather round, on toasted and fresh wood.
Impression: A very atypical Fettercairn, fresh and with fresh wood and minty flavours. A whisky that evolves markedly in the bottle over time. More enjoyable when freshly opened.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

27 Mai 23

Big Peat Islay Single Malt 2006, Douglas Laing, 48.4%, B:2022, cask 15594. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round, maritime, peaty, smoky, with nice round maritime and medicinal peat smoke, some sultanas, meaty flavours. hemp rope and a few drops of orange and dates. Rather round.
Taste: Maritime, salty, smoky, moderately peaty, slightly sweet, on dried fruits, soot, tar, peat smoke, iodine, some candied orange, soot, tar and smoked bacon. The finish is medium, rather mellow, medicinal, smoky, peaty and with some dried fruits.
Impression: A nice mellow and maritime smoky Islay single malt, slightly citric, with some dried fruits and light meaty flavours. Enjoyable.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D5

16 May 23

Lefort Augustin, OB, 42%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Creamy, malty, rather sugary, slightly winey, on sugar grapes, vanilla, vanilla custard, and round malty flavours. Nicely balanced.
Taste: Rich, malty to very malty, sugary, moderately winey, on grape sugar, sweet winey flavours, rich malty flavours and a nice balanced. The finish is medium, sweet, sugary, malty, and  with nice sweet sugary, winey and malty flavours.
Impression: A nice round and sweet French whisky, easy and enjoyable to drink. Matured in ex-Cognac casks.Very good value.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

14 May 23

Clynelish 1997, 23 YO, The Whisky Cask Company, 53.3%, B:2021. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Complex, mustardy, farmy, slightly smoky and citric, on stable, wax, some light smoky notes, citrus, flintstones and a touch of coastal flavours. Very balanced.
Taste: Crystalline, waxy, mellow, citric, with some heather, candied citrus, flinstone, some mineral wax, and a touch of stable. Very complex. The finish is long and on the same aromas. Diluted, it becomes slightly more citric and smokier.
Impression: An excellent mineral, complex and very well balanced Clynelish, with a lovely balance between the waxy, mineral and citric flavours. One of the best recently bottle Clynelish I have tasted these last years.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A1

09 May 23

Secret Highland Single Malt 2013, Sansibar, 52.5%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Clean to very clean, waxy, on lemon peel, vanilla, flintstone, some green apple, light stable flavours and a fair amount of candle wax.
Taste: Young, fresh, oaky, citric, waxy, on lemon peel, candle wax, green apples, sea brine, as well some vanilla. Diluted, it becomes smokier. The finish is medium, citric, waxy, slightly austere, on candle wax, bitter lemon, oak spices, vanilla,  some green apples, flintstone and seabrine.
Impression: A young, sharp, clean and waxy single malt distilled at Clynelish. A very good one, still rather youngish.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

07 May 23

Highland Park 2007 for World of Whisky.ch, 13 YO, OB, 61.7%, B:2021, cask 4938. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Round, slightly mellow, smoky and peaty, on heather honey, a nice light round peat smoke, some orange, leather and a touch of fudge. Nicely balanced and rather complex.
Taste: Dry, smoky, round, on leather, burnt heather, some old meaty peat smoke, orange, figs, candied orange, and high grade old rubber, The finish is rather long, dry, smoky, on old leather and rubber, peat smoke, candied orange, some heather and honey. Diluted, it becomes more fruity but also more on tannins and slightly bitter.
Impression: A very good expression of Highland Park, rather smoky and reminding me of the Highland Park bottled in the early 2000s. I like this style very much.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D3

02 May 23

Dornoch for Caora, 5 YO, OB, 59.2%, B:2023, cask 8. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Oaky, dirty, slightly musty, fresh, on orchards fruits, light floral flavours, some yeast, grist and light vanilla flavours. With an old style of “dirty” nose.
Taste: Young, smooth, dirty, moderately spicy, on wet wood, oak spice, vanilla, some toffee, yeast broth, grist and wet woodlands. The finish is medium, spicy, dirty, gristy, on wet wood, yeast broth and some orchards fruits. Diluted, it becomes more on fresh pears.
Impression: A young whisky showing some nice complexity and on old style of whisky, oily, gristy and “dirty”, which offers a wide range of flavours. A nice one and I am looking for tasting more matured single malts from that distillery. Well crafted.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

30 Avr 23

Teaninich 2008, 14 YO, The Whisky Chamber, 50.1%, B :2022, PX QC cask. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, round, malty, slightly green and grassy, with nice round dried fruits, dates and candied orange. The sherry flavours are mild and very well-integrated.
Taste: Green, grassy, malty, floral to very floral, with some freshly cut grass, green malt, soft spices, fudge, dates, some nice round leather and candied oranges. The finish is rather long, very round, green, moderately malty and floral, on fudge, green malt, some soft leather and dried fruits.
Impression: A surprising expression of Teaninich, matured in an ex-PX casks, that has a very pleasant and round mouthfeel. Not extremely complex, but easy drinking and enjoyable. More interesting and satisfying than most single malts coming from that distillery.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G1

19 Apr 23

Ardmore 2009, Liquid Treasures, 54.2%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, round, tarry, on a dry aromatic peat smoke, some wine and sugary flavours. The rum is well noticeable.
Taste: Peaty, dry, tarry, on sweet sugary flavours, some varnish, aromatic peat smoke, light winey and sugary flavours. The finish is medium to long, elegant, peaty, smoky, slightly dry and aromatic, with a light winey and sugary flavours.
Impression: The distillate is very good, peaty and aromatic, with very limited oaky influence, but a rather pronounced influence from the Rum cask, too much to my liking.
Rating:14/20 FP:D1

18 Apr 23

Aberlour  2012, The Whisky Chamber, 57.6%, Ruby Port Cask 0296. Price:
Colour: Ruby red
Nose: Rich, thick, syrupy, winey, on rather thick and syrupy Ruby Port, some oak spices, leather, grapes, some round flavours, vanilla and honey.
Taste: Rich, oaky, winey, syrupy, rather thick, on syrupy Port, sultanas, grapes, some vanilla, oak spice and winey flavours. Diluted, it becomes fresher, lighter, and more on Port. The finish is rather long, thick, syrupy, winey, on thick and syrupy winey flavours, sugary Port, vanilla and light floral flavours.
Impression: An original Aberlour, with a strong and syrupy Port influence coming from its full maturation in an Port Cask. The distillate is nice and clean, and should appeal to anyone who enjoy Port matured whiskies.
Rating: 14/20 FP:F1

17 Apr 23

Blended Scotch, 50 YO, The Maltman, 44.5%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, mellow, moderately grainy, on leather, cooked cereals, leather, orange, cinnamon, dried fruits, sultanas, and some other ripe fruits. Well balanced and rather complex.
Taste: Rich, spicy, grainy, mellow, rather rich, with nice spicy flavours, cinnamon, dried fruits, leather, some lacquer, orange blossom, some toffee and ripe exotic fruits. The finish is long, bold, rich, grainy, moderately spicy, on leather, fudge, nice spices, some exotic fruits, cooked cereals, orange and some lacquer. Nicely balanced.
Impression: A very nice balanced Blended malt, complex and with a very nice mouthfeel, without any woody flavours. A very good value whisky.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G2

13 Apr 23

Caol Ila 40 YO, Elixir Distillers, 49.1%, B:2022, 108 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Woaww, an explosion of mellow, complex, old fashioned medicinal peat smoke, with some tar, seaweeds, camphor, iodine and a touch of soot. A delicious nose.
Taste: Maritime, medicinal, smoky, on citrus, old mild and mellow maritime and medicinal peat smoke, iodine, seaweeds, some camphor, soot and bonfire smoke. Complex. The finish is long, maritime, medicinal, smoky, with mellow peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine, camphor, bonfire smoke, some citrus, soot and ashes.
Impression: An excellent Caol Ila, with a mellow peat smoke, on iodine, camphor, medicinal flavours, some citrus and soot. With a very long and lingering medicinal peat smoke.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A4

 

09 Apr 23

Jura 18 YO, OB, 44%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Oaky, rather fresh and malty, with some winey flavours, straw, vanilla and nuts.
Taste: Salty, oaky, juicy, fresh, rather malty, with nice round floral flavours, orange, quince, some grapes, oak spices and grassy flavours. The finish is medium, oaky, floral, spicy, slightly bitter, on marmalade, oak spices, liquorice roots and some sea brine. Diluted, it becomes slightly more bitter.
Impression: A whisky with a nice fresh nose, rather oaky and intense on the palate. A nice and modern whisky, with a rather present influence from the wood.
Rating:14/20 FP:C1

06 Apr 23

Bunnahabhain 2008 For Ramseyer’s whisky connection, 12 YO, Signatory, 57.8%, B:2020, cask 1175. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Nicely round and fruity, maritime, coastal, on sea brine, yellow fruits, light floral flavours and some exotic fruits. Very nicely balanced and with lovely fruity flavours.
Taste: Fruity, floral, floral, round, salty, moderately maritime, on juicy yellow fruits, some exotic fruits, vanilla custard, dried fruits, toffee, dried fruits and underlying sea brine flavours. Well balanced and rather complex. Diluted, it becomes more winey. The finish is long, complex, balanced, elegant, fruity, moderately floral and maritime, on mixture of yellow, exotic and dried fruits, some leather and toffee.
Impression: A very nice unpeated Bunna, with lovely fruity flavours, dried fruits and the salty flavours from the West Coast of Islay. Remarkably complex.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D1

01 Apr 23

Inchgower 2008 For Switzerland, 14 YO, The First Editions, 59.6%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Salty, creamy, round, intense, on vanilla custard, sea brine, oak spices and a nice balance. With time, it becomes more and more on nice exotic fruits. Very good.
Taste: Intense, round, balanced, slightly floral and salty, on vanilla, vanilla custard, light creamy flavours and some exotic fruits, such as papaya. The finish is long, bold, creamy, slightly salty, on vanilla, vanilla custard, some sea brine and
Impression: A very good expression of Inchgower, round, intense, bold, rather creamy and with nice sea brine flavours. I enjoyed it very much.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A2

30 Mar 23

Inchgower 1997 for Whisky & Music Zurich, 23 YO, C. Dully, 59.9%, B:2023, cask 8788. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, intense, salty, mellow, fruity, on sea brine, dried fruits, peach, a light smokiness, some mango, papaya and vanilla.
Taste: Salty, intense, austere, rather complex, with a mixture of salty, citric and fruity flavours, as well as a light smokiness. The finish is medium to long, salty, citric, fruity, rather complex, on citrus, papaya, vanilla, sea brine and light smokiness.
Impression: A nice mature Inchgower combining salty, citric and slightly fruity flavours. Diluted, it becomes more maritime and with a touch of liquorice roots.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C2

22 Mar 23

West Cork Single Malt, OB, 40%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Soft to very soft, smooth, on honey, heather, some vanilla, oak spices and green orchards fruits.
Taste: Light, fresh, smooth to very smooth, green, on freshly cut grass, green apples, juicy oak and some liquid honey. The finish is medium, smooth, grassy, green, grassy, on green orchards fruits, freshly cut grass and some juicy oak. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier.
Impression: A nice, smooth, fresh, green and grassy Irish whiskey, pleasant and easy drinking.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

21 Mar 23

Old Rhosdhu 1990 The Exquisite Casks, 30 YO, Whisky Hood, 47.8%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Mellow, soft, floral, on hay, some yeast, vanilla, and broth.
Taste:  Light, rich, juicy, floral, on hay, on light floral favours, some juicy oak, broth and light yeasty flavours. The finish is long, mellow, smooth, on light floral flavours, juicy oak, some vanilla and yeast.
Impression: A very nice and smooth whisky, elegant, mellow and with nice light fruity flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B1

20 Mar 23

Craigellachie 2007 For Switzerland, 15 YO, The  First Edition, 57.9%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Round, floral, balanced, moderately fruity, smooth, on high grade leather, soft leather, round floral flavours, sultanas, some orange peel, and a touch of heather. Very nice.
Taste:  Complex, smooth, floral to very floral, on precious wood, lacquer, rich smooth floral flavours, sultanas, worn leather, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, heather and a touch of high grade rubber. Diluted, it becomes smoother and with some slightly more high grade leather and rubber. The finish is long, smooth, rich, floral, complex, on old leather, some precious wood, lacquer, orange and cinnamon.
Impression: A delicious sherry version of Craigellachie, rich, elegant and well balanced.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G1

 

15 Mar 23

Dingle 4th Release Single Pot Still, OB, 46.5%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Light, fresh, smooth, on vanilla and orchards fruits, with light fragrant and floral flavours.
Taste: Fresh, light, fragrant, slightly grassy, on fresh green flavours, some freshly cut grass and flowers, as well as vanilla and some green pears. The finish is medium, fresh, on green malt and orchards fruits.
Impression: A nice fresh and smooth Irish Pot Still that tasted slightly young.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

14 Mar 23

Nagahama Heavily Peated 2018, OB, 61.2%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, dry, aromatic, on a dry and aromatic peat smoke, tar, stables and soot. Very good.
Taste: Young, smooth, on vanilla, dry peat smoke, grilled bread, some soot and light bitter and aromatic herbs. The finish is medium, dry to very dry, peaty, tarry, light and on a dry aromatic peat smoke.
Impression: A heavily peated whisky from a new Japanese distillery, with a  very dry and aromatic peat smoke. A very promising young Japanese whisky.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A5

19 Feb 23

Isle of Jura 21 YO Fide, OB, 46.7%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, mellow, slightly maritime and winey, on seabrine, light round winey flavours, some grapes, honey, toffee and nice malty and orchards fruits. Complex. Very good.
Taste:  Very round, mellow, slightly salty and winey, on seabrine, dry winey flavours, grapes, some nutmeg and seaweeds. The finish is medium to long, maritime, slightly salty and yeasty, with nice winey flavours, sea brine, rubber and a touch of nutmeg. Diluted, it become more winey, salty and rubbery.
Impression: A nice maritime, mellow and rather complex Isle of Jura, rather winey.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G1

17 Feb 23

Distillerie de Paris single malt, OB, 43%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very fragrant, soapy, perfumy, on tar soap, lavender, fur tree sap, wood spices, and fragrant hand wash. Taste like a fragrant soap shop. Very unsual.
Taste: Sappy, soapy, woody, fragrant, perfumy, slightly smoky, on fur tree sap, tar, lavender and slightly fragrant dried flavours. 
Impression: Maturation includes malt matured in Accacia and Chestnut casks, this single malt has a very unique flavour profile, very different from almost any whiskies that I tasted. Not a style that I like, but you might want to give it a try to experience something special.
Rating: 08/20 FP:D2

14 Feb 23

Ardmore 2009, 12 YO, DramCatcher, 51.4%, B:2022, cask 2624. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Intense, smoky, aromatic to very aromatic, slightly waxy and grassy, on intense peat smoke, vanilla, oak spices, lemon peel, some stable and other light citrusy flavours.
Taste :Intense, aromatic, waxy, floral, citric, smoky, sightly malty, on citrus, vanilla, oak spices, aromatic herbs, aromatic peat smoke, and some bitter aromatic herbs. Diluted, it becomes more on liquorice, tobacco quid and bitterer. The finish is rather long, intense, smoky, aromatic, moderately citric, slightly waxy, on aromatic peat smoke, vanilla, light floral flavours and lots of aromatic herbs, with some austere flavours
Impression: Another very good Ardmore, very intense, smoky and aromatic. A very intense and punchy Ardmore, with a very nice mixture of aromatic peat smoke and citrus. An excellent value single malt.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A5

13 Feb 23

Ardmore 1998, 24 YO, Acla Selection, 49.3%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smoky, aromatic to very aromatic, complex, on citrus, aromatic peat smoke, aromatic herbs, some lemon peel, bonfire smoke, vanilla and light slightly austere floral notes. Very good!
Taste: Floral, malty, smoky, complex, austere, aromatic to very aromatic, with a very nice complex aromatic and slightly austere peat smoke, some lemon peel, grapefruits, flintstone, vanilla and aromatic herbs. The finish is long to very long, smoky, complex, austere, aromatic to very aromatic, on aromatic peat smoke, some liquorice tablets (Cachou), aromatic herbs, wax and citrus. Diluted, it becomes more citric and with some bitter aromatic herbs.
Impression: Ardmore is often an underrated distillery, but the quality of the whisky is generally very good. This is a very nice expression of a rather peaty style of this distillery with some delicious smoky and aromatic flavours that I enjoy very much.  I enjoyed this malt very much.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A4

02 Feb 23

Ledaig 2001 for LMDW, 20 YO, Signatory, 58.8%,  B :2022, cask 860106. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Heavy, peaty, smoky, meaty, maritime, on dried fruits, old meaty peat smoke, slightly aromatic, on orange, sultanas, some old leather and rubber, marmalade, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Taste: Rubbery, meaty, peaty, maritime, smoky, on iodine, smoked ham, tar, peat smoke, some iodine, seaweeds, orange, dried fruits, leather, lacquer and old worn rubber. The finish is medium to long, rubbery, meaty, smoky, peaty, medicinal, with some leather, orange, tar, dried fruits and liquorice.
Impression: A nice, peaty, meaty and maritime Ledaig, with some rather pronounced rubbery flavours, not on burnt rubber, but more on old worn rubber,
Rating: 15/20 FP:G5

31 Jan 23

Moon Harbour Dock 1, OB, 45.8%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Young, smooth, winey, malty, slightly creamy, with moderate sweet winey flavours, custard, and a touch of spice and seabrine.
Taste: Light, smooth to very smooth, creamy, winey, slightly spicey, on sweet wine and some oak spices. The finish is medium, creamy, winey, slightly spicy and maritime, slightly syrupy as well, on oak spices, vanilla and winey flavours.
Impression: A nice smooth, creamy, easy drinking  and rather winey single malt.
Rating: 11/20 FP:D1

30 Jan 23

Moon Harbour Dock 3, OB, 45.8%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smoky, peaty, maritime, salty to very salty, on seaweeds, iodine, maritime peat smoke, kelps, sea brine and some seashells. Very maritime, salty and smoky.
Taste: Smoky to very smoky, maritime to very maritime, on seaweeds, kelp, smoke, some seashells, tar and soot, with some peat-like flavours. The finish is rather long, smoky to very smoky, on seabrine, iodine, seaweeds, maritime smoke and sea tang.
Impression: A very nice whisky, with a light maritime smoke, on seaweeds, iodine and some tar, as well as some light peat smoke-like flavours. The smoky flavours are not coming from peat smoke, but from the smoke of burnt seaweeds, giving a very maritime aspect to this whisky, with a nice smoothness, Very good and enjoyable.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A5

22 Jan 23

Imperial 32 YO, Elixir Distillers, 42.2%, B :2022. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Mellow to very mellow, complex, on nice summer floral flavours, pollen, vanilla, some ripe yellow fruits, heather honey, quince, aromatic and slightly austere herbs, and a touch of smoke
Taste: Mellow, delicate, grassy, moderately aromatic, on slighly austere aromatic herbs, vanilla, some yellow fruits, light grassy flavours and a hint of smoke. The finish is medium to long, complex, delicate, rather aromatic, slightly austere, with some vanilla, custard, aromatic herbs and a dash of smoke and citrus. Diluted, it becomes more on citrus.
Impression: A very nice, mellow, delicate and rather aromatic expression of Imperial. A whisky to savour.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A1

 

 

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