Whisky-news.com is a fully independent whisky website created in 2006 by a whisky enthusiast for the whisky enthusiasts, from novice to expert, with a huge collection of tasting notes, distillery presentations, whisky fair reports in Europe, reports about whisky from all over the world, and many more. It is also the leading site for whisky literature review. Updated almost daily and free from financial support from any whisky company.
For the full list of tasting notes, click here
 |
Ardbeg 23 YO Vintage Y2K, OB, 46%, B :2024. Price:  Colour: Gold Nose: Mineral, ashy, peaty, smoky, oaky, slightly earthy and rooty, on a rather dry maritime peat smoke, charred wood, vanilla and oaky spices. Those rather heavy flavours of charred and toasted wood reminds me of the Ardbeg alligator. Taste: Oaky, tarry, ashy, peaty, with loads of charred wood, liquorice, peat smoke, some seaweeds, tar and lime juice. The finish is rather long, smoky, maritime, on peat smoke, ashes, and lots of charred wood. Impression: A very modern packaging for a very modern whisky, heavily driven by the wood, with likely a substantial amount of fist fill and heavily charred bourbon cask. Not really to my liking. Rating: 13/20  FP:A5
|
 |
Ardbeg Anthology 14 YO, OB, 46%, B :2024. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Smoky, peaty, maritime, salty, on a nice maritime peat smoke, grapes, pronounced winey flavours (Madeira), vanilla, seaweeds, some camphor, soot and tar. With time, the winey flavours becomes less intense. Taste: Intense, oaky, modern, winey, peaty, smoky, maritime, on maritime peat smoke, grapes, rather dry winey flavours, some seaweeds and iodine. The influence of madeira is well present and round. The finish is rather long, intense, peaty, oaky, maritime, with seaweeds, iodine and dry winey flavours. Impression: An intense, peaty and oaky Ardbeg, with rather active ex-bourbon casks and ex-Madeira wine casks. These aromas are well combined and if you like Madeira, it gives a pleasant twist to Ardbeg. Rating: 15/20  FP:G6
|
 |
Ardbeg 17 YO, OB, 40%, B :2024. Price: Colour: Old gold. Colour: Straw Nose: Smoky to very smoky, peaty, mineral, maritime, slightly citric, on seaweeds, iodine, camphor and light medicinal flavours. Smooth. The peat smoke is not as intense as in most Ardbeg, lighter, but also more subtle and elegant. Very good. Taste: Oaky, spicy, salty, maritime, slightly medicinal, with light oaky and freshly sawn wood, some seaweeds, lemon vanilla and a nice rather light and elegant maritime and slightly medicinal peat smoke. The finish is long, smooth, rather light, with some oak spices, lemon, seaweeds, iodine and a nice rather complex peat smoke. There is a long peaty-tarry retroolfaction. Impression: The Ardbeg 17 YO was a special expression when it was released, as it was the first Ardbeg done with peated Ardbeg and the unpeated Kildalton Ardbeg. Bill Lumsden wanted to recreate it. The result is a very nice mildly peated Ardbeg, complex and very elegant that I enjoyed very much. Not sure if they used some Kildalton in the mix, but the result is very nice, reminiscent of the old 17 YO, with more oak spices and citrus. Rating: 16/20 FP:A4
|
 |
Orma In Lain, OB, 44%, B:2024. Price:  Colour: Old gold. Nose: The smell of Swiss pine wood is very strong, followed by pine wood sap and light smooth flavours. Smells like a Swiss Alpine refuge. I like this very much. Taste: Sappy, woody, with lots of Swiss pine wood, some pine wood sap, nice creamy malty flavours, some light sweet and sugary flavours, as well as various spices and grapes. The finish is long, sappy, malty, slightly creamy and winey, with lots of Swiss pine wood, some sweet sugary and winey flavours. Impression: A very original single malt, with a final maturation of local Swiss pine wood, smelling good the Swiss alpine refuge. I like it very much, but it might not to be everyone’s taste. Rating: 14/20 FP:FC1
|
 |
Orma Infinit, OB, 44%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, oaky, spicy, on oak spices, vanilla, light winey flavours, and a touch of fir tree. Taste: Oaky, spicy, slightly winey, on freshly sawn wood, vanilla, oaky spices, light sugary winey flavours, some tree sap. The finish is medium, oaky, spicy, winey, on oak spices, vanilla, some tree sap, grapes and light malty flavours. Impression: Matured in ex-bourbon, virgin oak and ex-Pinot Noir wine casks. A single malt starting first on intense fresh oaky flavours before the red wine casks flavours are coming. Rather different from the X and rougher. Rating: 13/20 D1 |
 |
Orma X, OB, 44%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very smooth, silky, with light winey flavours, smooth malty flavours, some soft spices, cocoa and light nutty flavours. Very nice. Taste: Very smooth, sugary, winey, on smooth, sugary red wine flavours, spices, cinnamon, cloves, some tree sap. The finish is long, smooth, malty, winey, on red wine, spices, cloves, cinnamon, cocoa and some nutty. Diluted, it becomes more creamy and smoother. Impression: A very smooth and rather silky Swiss single malt, with smooth winey flavours, spices, light nutty flavours and some cocoa. It has been many years since I tasted the Orma single malt and I was positively surprised about the improvement of the quality of this whisky, very smooth and with a rather silky mouthfeel.X refers to its age, 10 years. Rating: 14/20 FP:F1
|
 |
MaltAge 2018, OB, 52.9%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Clean, floral, malty, slightly fragrant, with rather spicy-dry winey flavours. The driest and most spicy nose from the Maltage tasted. With time, it become slightly sweeter, fruitier and more complex. Taste: Clean, malty to very malty, yeasty, winey, with nice light fruity flavours, some fresh grapes, sweet sugary flavours and some light nutty flavours. The finish is long, smooth, rather complex, with light complex winey flavours, some grapes, orchards fruits and sugar. Impression: Another very good expression of Maltage, balanced, rather complex, with a light spicy touch and an elegant winey flavour, with an interesting sweet and dry interplay. Matured in fine de Pinot and bourbon casks Rating: 14/20 FP:C1
|
 |
MaltAge 2017 Whisky Inaugural Sherry, OB, 48.3%, B:2022. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Smooth, elegant, round, rather complex, on soft spices, leather, dried fruits, light round malty and slightly yeasty flavours, as well as some fudge. Very nice. Taste: Very round, smooth, silky, slightly yeasty, with nice round and high grade leather, some toffee, Dundee’s cake and fudge. The finish is long, smooth, velvety, on nice round leather, dried fruits, some fudge, cocoa and toffee, with elegant malty flavours (ovomaltine). Impression: Matured exclusively in ex-sherry casks, it is a very round and rather velvety expression of Maltage, with light malty flavours, on cocoa, toffee and high grade leather. Very pleasant to drink and a rather sharp contrast to the smooth and cleaner Maltage 2018. Rating: 15/20 FP:G1
|
 |
MaltAge 2019, OB, 51.5%, B :2024. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Very clean, smooth, malty, on vanilla custard, some juicy orchards fruits, light grassy and sweet-sugary winey flavours. Well balanced and rather complex. Taste: Rich, sweet, winey, complex, malty, slightly spicy, with nice orchards fruits, clean malty flavours, some high quality sweet wine and light oaky and vanilla flavours, with a subtle and elegant yeasty flavour and green apples. Diluted, there are some almonds. The finish is rather long, smooth, bold, malty, slightly creamy, with some vanilla, pastries and light sweet winey flavours. Impression: Matured in ex-sherry and ex- bourbon bloodtub casks and then in ex- vin jaune casks. A very nice single malt, with an elegant integration of the flavours from the different cask, well-integrated and subtle. Rating: 14/20 FP:C1
|
 |
MaltAge 2018 Whisky Inaugural, OB, 50.1%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Malty, smooth, slightly spicy, with nice round sweet winey flavours, soft spices, some vanilla, oak spices, and light yeasty and grassy flavours. Taste: Intense, malty, spicy, yeasty, on clean malty flavours, light spicy flavours, vanilla, winey flavours. Complex. The finish is long, balanced, malty, slightly winey, with some hops, vanilla and rathe sweet winey flavours. Diluted, it becomes more fruity, on apples and slightly citric fruits. Impression: A very nice Swiss single malt from Geneva matured in ex-bourbon and ex-vin jaune de Satigny, with a very nice distillate and well controlled maturation. We can taste the high quality beer and the influence of the brewing yeast. Rating: 14/20  FP:C1
|
 |
Scapa 16 YO, OB, 48%, B :2024, Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, slightly spicy and maritime, with nice mellow honey flavours, vanilla, some peach, apricots and light floral flavours. Nicely mellow and rather complex. Taste: Fresh, juicy, fruity, slightly oaky and grassy, with nice mellow grassy flavours, honey, peach, papaya, guava, some seabrine and vanilla. Complex. The finish is rather long, fruity, rich, rather sweet and grassy, with lovely juicy fruity flavours, some vanilla and nice honey flavours. Impression: Another very good expression of Scapa, more complex and fruitier than the 10 YO. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Scapa 10 YO, OB, 48%, B :2024. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Smooth, slightly salty and fruity, on vanilla, some seabrine, yellow fruits and light floral flavours and a touch of honey. Balanced and rather complex. Taste: Fresh, spicy, round, fruity, with some sea brine, nice ripe yellow fruits, some papaya, and liquid honey. Diluted, it becomes more intense and fruitier. The finish is medium to long, rich, intense, slightly oaky and spicy, on fresh vanilla, some honey and yellow fruits. Impression: A very good whisky, fresh, rather fruity with some light honey flavours. It reminds me of the old 8 YO, with more intensity, spices and fruitiness. A very good value and well-made whisky. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1
|
|
Bunnahahbain 2008 for Whisky Bibliothek, 16 YO, Signatory, 56,1%, B:2024, cask 1167. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Saly to very salty, round, on leather salted toffee, high grade leather, seabrine, some tangerine, orange, and light exotic flavours. Very good. Taste: Salty, round, spicy, on sultanas, orange, tangerine, cinnamon, cardamom, some pastries, salted caramel, dark chocolate with “fleur de sel”, treacle, toffee and Dundee’s cake. Very fruity and rich. Diluted, it become more fruity, with more exotic fruits. The finish is long, rich, juicy, fruity, salty, on leather, tannins, black liquorice, salted caramel, orange, tangerine and exotic fruits. Impression: An excellent, smooth, harmonious Bunna, with a lovely combination of fruity flavours, leather and sea salt. Dangerously drinkable. Rating: 17/20 FP:G2
|
 |
Linkwood for Whisky-bibliothek.ch 2008, 15 YO, Signatory, 57.6%, B:2023, cask 803837. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Fresh, floral, rather round and mellow, with some liquid honey, lime blossom, yellow fruits and light malty flavours. Taste: Mellow, very round, floral, juicy, sweet, on nice aromas of liquid honey, peach, apricots, light grassy flavours and vanilla custard. Very nice and fruity. The finish is rather long, floral, fruity, sweet, juicy, on a lovely combination of fruity, honey and round floral flavours. Impression: A very nice, mellow, balanced, on nice juicy, fruity and floral flavours. Very pleasant and round. Rating: 15/20 FP:C1
|
|
Brora 1977 “An Islay By Another Name” 61.5, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 59.4%, B:1998. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Smoky, farmy, austere, moderately peaty, slightly mineral, on stables, dry aromatic peat smoke, some seabrine, mustard seeds. With time, it becomes more medicinal, with some soot and mineral oil, with a touch of menthol. Taste: Peaty, complex, farmy to very farmy, austere, mineral, herbal, on nice dry aromatic peat smoke, stables, camphor, some grapefruits, mustard seeds, lemon peel, and menthol. Nicely balanced and complex. Diluted, it becomes mellower, more complex, on chalk, with some soot, tar, more camphor and more spices. The finish is long to very long, peaty, herbal, aromatic, rather medicinal, with some seabrine, mineral oil, aromatic herbs and peat smoke, lemon peel, camphor, medicinal, flintstone, some stable flavours and some coffee beans. Impression: A delicious Brora, moderately peaty, with lovely austere, mineral flavours, citrus and moderately farmy flavours. Very nicely balanced and rather complex. Rating: 18/20 FP:C4
|
|
Kildalton 2009, 14 YO, DramCatacher, 52.1%, B:2023, cask 1102. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Round, peaty, smoky, slightly medicinal, maritime and oaky, on seaweeds, seashells, some sea brine, peat smoke and a touch of menthol. It becomes more maritime and on iodine over time. Taste: Round, smooth, smoky, peaty, citric, slightly oaky, on sea brine, lemon, peat smoke, disinfectant, iodine, tar, vanilla and some seaweeds. Rather gentle. The finish is medium, peaty, smoky, slightly oaky and citric, on citrus, peat smoke, some iodine and seaweeds. Impression: A very nice and round Kildalton, rather smooth and gentle, with light oaky spices and citrus. Rating: 15/20 FP:A5
|
 |
Secret Orkney 2006, 17 YO, Dramcatcher, 52.4%, B:2023, cask 65. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Clean, smooth, rather round, slightly floral, with some hay, vanilla, honey and sea brine. Taste: Smooth, slightly oaky and maritime, with some sea brine, sea spray, vanilla, some heather honey, candied ginger and orange, as well as some dry flowers. The finish is medium and on the same flavours, with some tobacco quid at the end. Impression: A nice, smooth, round and rather floral expression of Highland Park, rather light. Rating: 14/20 FP:A2
|
 |
Craigellachie 2009, 13 YO, Dramcatcher, 51.5%, B :2023, cask 5005. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, floral, fruity, with lovely light fresh fruity flavours, liquid honey, light grassy flavours, almonds, elderberries flowers, and some other light sugary flavours. Very good. Taste: Very floral, fresh, slightly yeasty, on soft spices, hops, some bold grassy flavours, light and fresh floral flavours, some elderberries, vanilla and round summer flowers. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, with lovely round floral flavours, some elderberries flowers, vanilla, a touch of marzipan, peach and pastries. Diluted, it becomes more on pastries. Impression: A very interesting Craigellachie, as most Craigellachie have a very strong sherry influence. The influence of the wood is very light in this expression, allowing the elegant and floral to shine, with its nice soft floral flavours and light soft fruity flavours. Very good. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Glen Moray 2007, 14 YO, Dramcatcher, 52.4%, B:2022, cask 6211. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Fresh, floral, fragrant to very fragrant, on fresh floral and fragrant flavours, light vanilla flaours, some light oaky flavours and a touch of ginger and pears. Taste: Round, floral, creamy, on vanilla, light and round floral flavours, some vanilla custard, a touch of ginger and pepper. The finish is medium, fresh, floral, slightly fragrant, on vanilla, some custard, light spicy (including ginger and pink pepper). Impression: A nice fresh and rather floral Glen Moray, with some pleasant round vanilla flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Glendronach 18 YO, OB, 46%, B :2024. Price: Colour: Dark amber Nose: Rich, fruity, slightly flora, on dark chocolate, cocoa, leather, walnuts, a mixture of dried fruits and rather juicy exotic fruits, as well as some cinnamon, and cloves. Very nice. Taste: Rich, round, juicy, floral, slightly nutty and spicy, on cocoa, roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate, tangerine, orange, Dundee’s cake, cinnamon, some cloves, toffee, walnuts, treacle, sultanas and some honey. The finish is long, rather mellow, fruity, balanced and rich, on leather, spices, fruits, cocoa, some coffee, walnuts, treacle and berries. Impression: This version is matured in ex-oloroso casks, while the younger expressions were bottled in a mixture of ex-PX and Oloroso. Somewhat surprisingly, it tasted as the most dry and nutty version. Very enjoyable and well-made. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1
|
 |
Glendronach 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Intense, fresh, slightly oaky and spicy, on summer floral flavours, vanilla, sultanas and some berries. Round and warm. Taste: Intense, oaky, floral, fragrant, sweet, on vanilla, oak spices, sultanas, orange juice, some heather and honey. The finish is medium, rather oaky and spicy, on vanilla, orange and light floral flavours. Impression: A rather oaky and spicy expression of Glendronach, on floral and some juicy flavours. I found it rather rough. Rating: 13/20 FP:D1
|
 |
Glendronach 15 YO, OB, 46%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, smooth, moderately floral, on dried fruits, dark berries, sultanas, cinnamon, nutmeg ,round summer floral flavours and chocolate. With time, it becomes more fruity. Markedly less oaky and fruitier than the 12 YO. Taste: Smooth, floral, juicy, slightly spicy and oaky, on juicy oak, cocoa, toffee, orange, sultanas and some exotic fruits. The finish is medium, round, floral, with a nice mixture of floral, juicy and cocoa flavours. Impression: A very nice, juicy and balanced Glendronach, with a combination of nice juicy and dried fruits. Rating: 15/20 FP:E1
|
 |
Secret Islay Single Malt 2009, The Whisky Agency, 50.7%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very peaty, dry, tarry, rooty, sooty, on a very dry peat smoke, some camphor, iodine, bandages, soot, tar and dry roots. Very intense. Taste: Very peaty, intense and dry, smoky, on oak spices, dry peat smoke, iodine, dried roots, tar, soot, lapsang souchong and some earthy flavours. The finish is long, dry, rooty, peaty, smoky, on dry peat smoke, tar, soot, some earthy and slightly aromatic flavours Impression: A very nice Laphroaig, in a similar style as the Secret Islay 2010 TWA recently tasted. Very dry, rooty and peaty. Rating: 17/20 FP:A7
|
 |
Chichibu Paris Edition, OB, 50.5%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Fresh, malty to very malty, creamy, on orchards fruits (mainly pears), vanilla, some heather and nice grassy flavours as well as some quince gelly. Taste: Fresh, round, malty, grassy, with some green pears, honey and round malty and grassy flavours, as well as some starch and vanilla. Diluted, it becomes more creamy. The finish is medium, light, fresh, malty and grassy, with light grassy flavours, pears drops, vanilla, a touch of smoke and honey. Impression: A nice fresh, malty and grassy Chichibu, with light green fruity flavours and creamy flavours that seemed rather young. Rating: 14/20 FP:B1
|
 |
CRN 57° blended malt 57 YO, OB, 43.1%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Dark amber Nose: Intense, spicy, sappy to very sappy, green, aromatic, on roasted coffee beans, some tobacco, nuts, leather, sultanas, dark chocolate and a touch of lacquer. Very nice. Taste: Complex, with a mixture of dry tannin and sweet fruity flavours, leather, liquorice, lacquer, figs, dates, sultanas, orange, marmalade, a light mineral peat smoke, some grassy flavours, roasted coffee beans, tree sap, cloves, and lingering cocoa and chocolate flavours. The finish is of medium length, rather juicy, on leather, nice round leather, fudge, cinnamon, cocoa, some roasted coffee beans and ovaltine. Diluted, there are nice flavour of chocolate, orange, sultanas and some papaya released. Impression: An excellent blended malt, with a nose close to the 70 YO, with an initial slightly bitter attack lasting just a couple of seconds before nice fruity flavours are released with toffee, leather and lovely chocolate flavours. The finish is excellent, although shorter than the 70 YO. A very well-made whisky and without any astringency. Rating: 18/20 FP:F2
|
 |
CRN 57° blended malt 70 YO, OB, 45.2%, B:2024, Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Rich, complex, intense, with lovely aromatic flavours, nice tree sap, soft spices, cococa, toffee, high grade leather, dried fruits, including some orange. A delicious old style of whisky, with a light mineral smoke as well. Taste: Resinous, mineral, rather smoky, floral, on high grade leather, soft spices, cinnamon, black liquorice, waxy tree sap, old mineral peat smoke, some aromatic smoke, tobacco quid, cocoa, toffee, precious wood, roasted coffee beans and some woodlands. The finish is long, floral, rich, complex, slightly nutty, with nice old high grade leather, precious wood, some tree sap, mineral and aromatic peat smoke, soft spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, hand-made toffee, roasted coffee beans and tobacco quid. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter. Impression: A delicious old style whisky reminding me of the Macallan from the 1940s with its mineral smokiness and some tree sap, combined with an excellent rich sherry influence. The freshness for such an aged whisky is amazing and not all tannic or rubbery. A real tour de force. I just wished the pleasure was longer! Rating: 19/20 FP:G2
|
 |
West Cork Peat Charred Cask, OB, 43%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, smoky, tarry, dry, on grilled bread, soot, bonfire smoke. The peat smoke seems unbalanced. Taste: Dirty, sooty, tarry, peaty, on grilled break, vanilla, fresh orchards fruits, peat smoke and bonfire smoke. The finish is medium, smooth, dry, tarry, peaty, on vanilla, freshly pressed orchards fruits, peat smoke and tar. Impression: Matured in ex peated casks, the dry peat smoke dominates the fresh and light distillate. The peat smoke is not so well-integrated. Interesting varitation from the core range. More precisely, this whiskey is triple distilled and initially matured in Sherry casks before being finished in casks that have been heavily charred using peat harvested from the local boglands of Glengarriff Forest in West Cork. Rating: 13/20 FP:C6
|
 |
Highland Milk for Sacccore & Speed, 8 YO, OB, 86 proof, B:1940s. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Bold, smoky, slightly waxy and malty, with a nice old style of smoky malt, some peat, dried fruits, honey, light mineral flavours, as well as some floral flavours. Very nice. Taste: Bold, grassy, smoky, earthy, with a nice old earthy peat smoke, some elderberries blossom, vanilla, sultana, orange, some leather and old peat bonfire smoke, as well as some honey and wax. The finish is medium to long, bold, smoky, moderately peaty, on cocoa, vanilla, sultanas, orange and a nice earthy peat smoke. Impression: A lovely bold and rather smoky old style of whisky, with some bold earthy peat smoke, dried fruits and nice light round floral flavours. Very pleasant. An Thank you Nicolas. Rating: 15/20 FP:G4
|
 |
Eden Mill Bourbon, OB, 46%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, smooth, floral, on vanilla, oak spices and some heather. Taste: Spicy, oaky, rather rich and floral, with nice fruity flavours, oak spices, either, nice fresh floral flavours, some Mirabelle, pepper and quince. The finish is medium, fresh, floral, oaky, spicy, slightly fragrant and malty, on oak spices, pepper, vanilla and some orchard fruits. Diluted, there is a light smokiness. Impression: A rather young whisky, showing some pleasant heavy body and a nice combination of fruity, spicy and floral flavours. The distillate seems young and the casks very active Rating: 12/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Glen Garioch Equinox & Solstice Summer 2022, 10 YO, Decadent Drinks, 48.5%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, sharp, intense, slightly spicy and floral, becoming more complex and aromatic over time, on candied ginger, spices, some light smoky and aromatic flavours, vanilla, then comes some heather, honey and wax. Rather complex. Taste: Floral, round, warm, malty, on nice fresh floral flavours, spices, ginger, freshly crushed and sun bathed barley, some quince, nice warm vanilla custard, some heather honey, grassy flavours and quince. Impression: A nice, round and warm Glen Garioch, on the soft side. Not the most typical Glen Garioch but pleasant. Rating: 14/20 FP:B1
|
 |
Irish Single Malt 2002 Acla Open Day 2024, 21 YO, Acla Selection, 51.3%, B:2024, cask 11682. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Intense, rich, complex, fruity, floral, slightly spicy, on ripe exotic and orchards fruits, with a touch of smoke and quince gelly. A lovely nose. Taste: Fresh, smooth to very smooth, almost silky, with nice malty flavours, floral heather, freshly crushed barley, orchards fruits and light spices. The finish is medium, soft, round, smooth, malty, slightly creamy and spicy, on ripe orchards fruits, nice round floral flavours, vanilla, a touch of exotic and grassy flavours, as well as a touch of smoke and candied ginger. Diluted, it becomes fruitier. Impression: A very nice, fresh, and complex Irish single malt distilled at Cooley, with lovely round fruity and nice soft floral flavours. Very good. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Secret Islay Distillery 2010, 12 YO, The Whisky Agency, 49.4%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Dry to very dry, peaty, smoky, rooty, on dry peat smoke, tar, peat, soot and bonfire smoke. Taste: Dry to very dry, peaty, smoky, rooty, on hemp rope, tar, soot and an intense peat smoke, as well as some medicinal flavours and salt. Impression: Distilled at Laphroaig, it is a very dry and peaty expression from that distillery, with light medicinal and maritime flavours. The driest and most peaty Laphroaig that I can remember. An atypical Laphroaig that I enjoyed very much. Rating: 17/20 FP:A8
|
 |
Glenlochy 1974, Dun Eideann, 53.3%, B: 2002, cask 4461. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fruity, rich, dusty, slightly rusty, malty and aromatic, on old aromatic smoke, some dust, light mineral peaty flavours and straw, as well as vanilla, a touch of heather and Mirabelle. Very good and old style whisky. Taste: Fruity, smoky, rich, complex, dirty, rather aromatic, slightly mineral and peaty, on quince and mirabelle liqueurs, straw, yellow fruits, aromatic smoke, nice “dirty” flavours, some flintstone, old soot and a few pear drops. The finish is long, aromatic, slightly mineral, oily, dirty, smoky and peaty, with some old fashioned peat smoke, old soot. Diluted, it becomes slightly sweeter, more grassy and oily. Impression: A delicious old style of Highland single malt, with a combination of austere, mineral and fruity flavours, as well as some discreet old peat smoke. Most enjoyable and with a lovely balance. Rating: 18/20 FP:A4 |
 |
Alfheim Bivrost, OB, 46%, B:2023. Price: Colour: old gold Nose: Fruity, round, with lots of honey, light floral flavours, cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as a touch of orchards fruits. Taste: Round, spicy, slightly smooth, on fresh orchards, cinnamon rolls, freshly sawn wood, toffee, vanilla and other spices. The finish is medium, rather round, smooth (yoing), on various spices (including cinnamon), honey and vanilla, Impression: Distilled in Norway at the Aurora distillery, this whisky was matured in a mixture of European, American, Hungarian oak, chinquapin and colombian oak, resulting in a nice round and spicy whisky, with a fair amount of cinnamon, nutmeg and honey, as well as fresh orchards fruits. Markedly better than its neighbourFloki. Rating: 13/20 FP:C1
|
 |
Daftmill 2010 for Japan, OB, 60.1%, B:2022, cask 090/2010. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, elegant, malty, slightly spicy and fruity, on nice barley flavours, dough, vanilla, some quince, mirabelle and light aromatic flavours. Taste: Warm, malty, elegant, slightly spicy, with some light orchards fruits, fresh barley, vanilla, Mirabelle, some peach and dried raisins. Impression: A nice Daftmill, elegant, malty and with nice light ripe fruity flavours. Rating: 13/20 FP:B2
|
 |
Floki 2020, OB, 47%, B:2023, cask 36. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Light, young, very fresh and smooth, on new make, green malt, on freshly crushed barley and some juniper. Original. Taste: Very young and smooth, rathe immature, on juniper, some fresh barley and feinty flavours. The finish is short, smooth, immature, slightly bitter, on juniper berries, juniper bushes, and fresh barley. Impression: A very young Icelandic whisky that taste almost like a new make, with strong juniper berries. It taste more like schnapps than whisky. Special. Rating: 09/20  FP:A1
|
 |
Laphroaig Black 2000 XOP, Douglas Laing, 49.57%, B:2022. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very peaty and complex, with a delicious medicinal and maritime complex peat smoke, seaweeds, camphor, some iodine and disinfectant. Excellent. Taste: Salty, phenolic, medicinal, on iodine, peat smoke, disinfectant, light rooty flavours, some tar, charred wood, sea weeds and a touch of citrus. Nicely complex and elegant. The finish is long, very medicinal, peaty, smoky, medicinal, with a lovely complex and subtle medicinal peat smoke, on iodine, sea brine, sea weeds, citrus, soot, disinfectant and light rooty flavours. With water, the intensity of the flavours drops markedly. Impression: A very good medicinal Laphroaig, with a lovely peat smoke, complex and maritime. Better not to add to much water. Rating: 17/20 FP:A6
|
 |
Craigellachie 2005, 16 YO, Long Valley, 50%, B :2021. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, floral, with some sultanas, blackberries, vanilla, and oak spices. Taste: Floral intense, slightly spirity and oaky, on vanilla, candied orange, some sultanas, oak spices and light winey flavours. Clean. The finish is medium, oaky, rich, clean, on vanilla, some dried fruits and clean floral flavours. Impression: A clean and rather sharp Craigellachie, with nice modern oaky flavours, combining some vanilla and dried fruits. Rating: 14/20 FP:D1
|
 |
Blended Malt 2001 BIM 283, 20 YO, Brothers in Malt, 44.6%, B:2022, Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Rich, spicy, malty, warm, on rich spices, leather, dried fruits, light round floral flavours, some orange, banana, and cinnamon. Taste: Rich, spicy to very spicy, round, on sultanas, some orange, leather, dried fruits, Christmas cake, some cinnamon, banana and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, rich, spicy, rather intense and complex, on spices, some dried fruits, sultanas, orange and quite some floral flavours. Impression: A nice rich spicy and rather intense blended malt, with a mixture of dried fruits, floral flavours and some oak spices. Rating: 14/20 FP:E2
|
 |
Scalasaig Island Hopper distilled at Tobermory, 2013, 46.5%, B:2022. Price: Colour: GoldNose: Clean, maritime, slightly salty, on sea brine, vanilla, some seaweeds, dried fruits, sultanas, and some candied oranges. Smooth and elegant. Taste: Maritime, clean, elegant, slightly salty and maritime, on vanilla, almonds, sultanas, leather, some candied orange, vanilla and nice light round winey flavours. The finish is rather long, elegant, smooth, with nice round sherry flavours. Impression: A very nice and elegant Tobermory, clean, smooth, with nice elegant sherry flavours, with a dash of seabrine. Rating: 14/20 FP:G2
|
 |
Highland Park 21 YO, OB, 46%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round to very round, on heather, some honey, vanilla, and a touch of dried fruits, fudge and smoke. Well balanced. Taste: Smoky, round, mellow, on fudge, candied orange, some old leather, heather, a nice smokiness, sticky toffee and a touch of sea brine. The finish is rather long, smoky, round, mellow, on toffee, candied oranges, leather, a touch of high grade rubber and fudge. Diluted, it becomes slightly creamier. Impression: I haven’t tried the 21 YO for several years and the latest batch was a good surprise, as it showed a very nice balance, between some round vanilla, dried fruits and fudge flavours, as well as some nice underlying smokiness. Good stuff! Rating: 15/20 FP:D3
|
 |
Glenallachie 2007 For Waldhaus am See, 14 YO, Signatory, 64.9%, B :2022. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Round, floral, mellow, syrupy, on dried fruits, sultanas, leather, plums, nice rich floral flavours and some precious wood. Taste: Rich, intense, spicy, syrupy, on dried fruits, leather, some nuts, orange, leather, and precious wood. The finish is long, syrupy, slightly dry, on dried fruits, nuts, nice floral flavours, leather and some precious wood. Diluted, the finish becomes drier, bitterer and more nutty. Impression: A nice rich and syrupy single Malt, heavy on the sherry and rather intense. Rating : 15/20 FP:G1
|
 |
The Holy Illicit 2009 Blended Malt, 13 YO, The Whisky Cask Company, 56.0%, B:2023, Oloroso, 339 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Clean, rather fresh, slightly coastal, with some vanilla, oak spices, a touch of dried smoke, as well as some heather. Taste: Clean, coastal, slightly oily, on sea brine, green apples, marshmallow, and with round vanilla and creamy flavours. The finish is medium, round, slightly coastal, on vanilla, honey, some toffee, a hint of smoke, rubber and a some orange zest. Impression: A nice whisky, rather clean on the nose, becoming nicely round on the palate, with some toffee, fudge and honey. Rating: 14/20 FP:C1
|
 |
Loch Lomond 2014 For Best Taste Trading, OB, 58.5%, B :2022, Sauternes cask 21/618-3. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Fresh, grainy, floral, slightly oaky, soft, on soft floral flavours, vanilla, grist, freshly crushed barley and some yellow fruits. With time, fruitier and more honey. Taste: Rich, spicy, round, grassy, on dried fruits, parsley, orange, some rubber, rich floral flavours, and quite fruity. The finish is rather long and fruity, rich, grassy, on dried fruits, sultanas, leather, some grassy and exotic fruits. Diluted, it becomes softer and more on leather. With time, the finish is slightly bitter. Impression: A nice, grassy and rich single malt, rather fruity, bold and floral. Very good. Rating : 14/20 FP:G1
|
 |
Loch Lomond 2011 for Best Taste Trading, OB, 63.8%, B:2022, First fill Limousin cask 2d379-4. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: Bold, very round, on fudge, dried fruits, grapes, light round winey flavours, on oak spices, some gingerbread and Christmas cake. Taste: Malty, winey, slightly hot, on vanilla, oak spices, some tree sap, grapes, pines, and other spices. Diluted, it becomes more floral, rounder and on sultanas. The finish is medium, malty, floral, smooth, on rather sweet dried fruits, orange, leather and fudge. Impression: An original Loch Lomond, combining smooth winey flavours, dried fruits, vanilla and some oak spices. Rating: 12/20 FP:F1
|
 |
Hazelburn 2006, 15 YO, OB, 54.2%, B :2022. Price: Colour: Amber Nose: On old wood and furniture, old leather, toffee, figs, some musk, mushrooms, sticky fudge, cocoa, and some ground coffee. With a certain complexity. Rather thick and syrupy aromas. Taste: Rich, dry, slightly woody, on ground coffee, caramel, toffee, some mold, mushrooms, musk, sultanas and cocoa. Slightly astringent. The finish is medium to long, dry, intense, thick, slightly woody, with some old burn rubber, overinfused black tea and coffee. Diluted, it becomes more astringent. Impression: A well matured Hazelburn, with lots of dried sherry, toffee, cocoa and coffee beans, as well as some old rubber in the background. For sherry freaks. Rating: 14/20 FP:H1
|
 |
Secret Islay 2009, 14 YO, The Whisky Agency, 58.7%, B:2023, 428 bottles. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Medicinal, smoky, peaty, maritime, on iodine, disinfectant, peat smoke, bandages, some tar, roots and bonfire smoke, and sea salt. Taste: Oaky, maritime, salty, on woodlands, peat smoke, wet wood, liquorice roots, some iodine, disinfectant and seaweeds, The finish is medium to long, peaty, smoky, tarry, maritime, oaky, on wet wood, vanilla, peat smoke, some iodine, citrus, seaweeds and soot. Impression: Distilled at Ardbeg, the nose is very lovely, and reminding me of the 1972 style on the nose, but then it becomes more oaky and modern on the palate Rating: 14/20 FP:A6
|
 |
Auchentoshan 1998, A Few Barrels Company, 54.5%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Floral, intense, with lots of orchards fruits, on nice grassy flavours, vanilla, some almond, and a touch of heather. Nicely balance and very good. Taste: Fresh, intense, oaky, on vanilla, fresh orchards fruits, juicy fruity flavours, light spices, grassy, with some aromatic herbs and oak spices. The finish is medium to long, rich, grassy, fresh, on nice grassy and orchards fruits flavours. Impression: A very good, fresh and intense Auchentoshan, with lovely orchards fruits. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Dornoch 2018, 5 YO, OB, 57.4%, B :2023, cask 124. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very fresh, intense, floral, smooth, malty, slightly spirity, with some yeast, coarsely crushed barley, dust, light nutty flavours, including some almonds as well as some vanilla. Taste: Young, smooth, clean, gristy, malty, nutty, slightly green, with green nutty flavours, freshly crushed barley, barley husk, some almonds, vanilla, and yesty flavours. The finish is medium, dirty, malty, slightly green and nutty, with some vanilla, oak spices, and grape sugar. Impression: Phil and Simon Thompson are working with different types of barley and yeast to create an old style of single malts. This single malt has a very light influence of the cask and thus the distillate appears very naked. It appears first as being a young and smooth whisky, but if you take the time to nose and to taste it, you will find a rather complex whisky, with various subtle flavours. I probably nosed it for 10 minutes before tasting it, as it kept evolving. A whisky to savour and very rewarding if you take your time. Rating: 14/20 FP:B2 |
 |
Cragganmore 1985 Cask of Distinction for Wu Dram Clan, 38 YO, OB, 45.3%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Gold-gold gold Nose: Waxy, slightly mineral, on beeswax, vanilla, almond paste, some nice creamy flavours, a hint of smoke, light discreet floral flavours, as well some papaya, gooseberries and light aromatic flavours. Very good. Tasted blind, the nose resembles to the old Clynelish. Taste: Waxy, on orchard’s fruits, lemon peel, some candied grapefruits, paraffin, smoke, honey, guava and other citrus. Rather mineral. The finish is long, waxy, citric, sappy, on tree sap, various citrus, with some pollen, honey, light mineral flavours, aromatic herbs, vanilla and a touch of smoke. Impression: An excellent expression of Cragganmore, rather different than the standard bottling, rather waxy, with some citrus and mineral flavours. Complex and well balanced. Rating: 17/20 FP:B2
|
 |
Glen Garioch 1965 Lemar Import, 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:1970s. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Peaty, smoky, aromatic, moderately waxy, mineral and zesty, on a moderate aromatic peat smoke, roots, aromatic herbs, some tar and soot. Very good. Taste: Oily, waxy, peaty, smoky, aromatic, mildly citric, on old leather, peat smoke, soot, paraffin, mineral oil, aromatic herbs and various citrus fruits, as well as some honey and dry roots. The finish is rather long, waxy, oily, peaty, aromatic and citric. Impression: I love this old style of Glen Garioch, rather complex, waxy, oily and citric, with a very nice old fashioned aromatic peat smoke and citrus fruits, mainly grapefruits. Rating: 17/20 FP:D5
|
 |
Ardbeg 2006 For Sweden, 15 YO, OB, 51.9%, B :2022, Oloroso cask 7170, 590 bottles. Price: Colour: Gold-old gold Nose: Very nice peaty, maritime, smoky and ashy single malt, with lots of seadweeds, camphor, some medicinal flavours, soot, ash and tar. Rather dry and rooty. Taste: Intense to very intense, medicinal, sooty, smoky, peaty, maritime, with a lovely maritime peat smoke, on iodine, camphor, seaweeds, peat smoke, some ash, soot and tar. Complex. The finish is long, maritime, citric, medicinal, moderately salty and maritime, on seaweeds, iodine, camphor and bandages. Impression: An excellent, intense, rich, maritime and medicinal Ardbeg, reminding me of some 1972 Ardbeg. Excellent. Rating: 17/20 FP:C6
|
 |
Ardbeg Day 2024, D:2011, 12 YO, OB, 58.3%, B :2023, Amontillado cask 2453, 638 bottles. Price: Colour: Brown-amber Nose: Round, meaty, smoky, moderately maritime, slightly syrupy, with light acetic flavours, sultanas, dried fruits, grapes, some light medicinal and seaweeds flavours. The nose is rather close. Taste: Salty to very salty, light, slightly syrupy, smoky, peaty and medicinal, on sea salt, sea brine, some light balsamic vinegar, grapes, camphor and oak spices. Rather rough. The finish is medium, salty, maritime, rather salty and oaky, with some peat smoke, brown sugar, grapes, balsamic vinegar, sea weeds and camphor. Impression: A rather rough, salty and oaky Ardbeg selected for the Ardbeg Day 2024, from the experimental cask series. Rather weak and the amontillado brings some sweet-acetic flavours. Sold for 500 euros, you can find many price values Ardbeg. Rating: 14/20 FP:F5
|
 |
Benriach Smoke Season, OB, 52.8%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, rough, tarry, ashy, peaty, smoky, on a rather rough tarry peat smoke, soot, ashes and aromatic herbs. Taste: Sooty, bitter, smoky, peaty, on chlorine, dry aromatic peat smoke, and freshly cut peat. The finish is mediun, bitter, slightly astringent, smoky, on wet aromatic peat smoke, some artichoke, peat smoke and soot. Impression: A very aromatic, greasy and peaty Benriach, rather young and rough. Rating: 11/20 FP:A7
|
 |
Benriach Malting Season Batch 2, OB, 48.9%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Young, fresh, malty, on grist, vanilla, oak spice, fresh young and fragrant floral flavours. Rather modern. Taste: Young, oaky, modern, floral, rather rough, gristy, on freshly sawn oak, vanilla, some grist and freshly ground malt. The finish is medium, modern, oaky and on the same flavours. Impression: A rather rough young, oaky, modern with fragrant fresh floral flavours. Taste like a t 6 to 8 YO single malt matured in active first fill bourbon cask. Rating: 10/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Highland Malt 1987, 36 YO, The Maltbarn, 49.8%, B:2023, Price: Colour: gold Nose:Very fruity, rich, rather heavy, moderately grassy and spicy, on honey, orange juice, a mixture of dried fruits, peach and tangerine, as well as some grassy flavours. Taste: Floral, slightly fragrant and spicy, with various spices, including cardamom, on orange, cinnamon, vanilla, toffee, sultanas, and some lacquer. The finish is medium, rather bold and heavy and on the same flavours. Impression: A heavy single malt, rather floral and fruity, with a light fragrance and various fruits. Rating: 14/20 FP:D1
|
 |
Coleburn 1978, 17 YO Cadenhead’s, 62%, B:1995. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Bold, moderately oily and smoky, slightly austere and grassy, with some bold and aromatic peat smoke, mineral oil, some apples and green grassy flavours. Taste: Bold, oily, slightly aromatic and spicy, balanced, with a mixture of waxy, mineral, bold and oily flavours, mixed with some old peat smoke and aromatic herbs. The finish is medium, waxy, oily, slightly peaty and smoky, with some old peat smoke, graphite, mineral oil, light grassy and aromatic flavours. Impression: Coleburn is a whisky with a strong personality and I like the style of this distillery, combining some peat smoke with an oily-waxy-mineral mouthfeel. Playful and enjoyable. Rating: 16/20 FP:A3
|
 |
Irish Single Malt 2002, The Whisky Agency, 49%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Fruity, rather fresh, slightly mellow and green, on orchards fruits, some vanilla, oak spice, slightly green herbal and with some mild exotic fruits. Rather complex. Taste: Rich, rather bold and malty, very fruity, mildly spicy, with ripe exotic fruits such as papaya and guava, as well as elderberry flowers and gooseberries, a touch of smoke, marzipan and oak spices. Complex. The finish is rather long, spicy, slightly oaky, bold and malty, on marzipan, exotic fruits, orchards fruits, vanilla as well as some gooseberries. Diluted, it becomes slightly more oaky. Impression: A nice, rich, fruity, malty and slightly oaky Irish whisk(e)y, with lovely fruity flavours mixed with some oak spices. From Cooley distillery. Rating: 16/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Johnett Single Cask Merlot 2013, OB, 55.5%, B:2023, cask 49. Price: Colour: Old gold-red Nose: Winey, very round, malty, on orchards fruits, some vanilla, spices, red wines and spices. Taste: Winey, fresh, grassy, on freshly pressed and slightly green orchard fruits, including a fair dose of Williams pears, some spice, red winey flavours, and vanilla custard. The finish is medium, bold, malty, slightly grassy, with rather intense and pleasant freshly pressed orchards fruits, vanilla custard, spices and mild winey flavours. Impression: A Swiss single malt matured exclusively in ex Swiss Pinot noir wine and my oldest Johnett so far. A lovely rich fruity, malty and grassy whisky, with a mild and round red wine influence. Rating: 14/20 FP:G1
|
 |
Balmenach 2013 Port, 10 YO, The Whisky Chamber, 57.8%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Red Nose: Floral, malty, winey, rich, rather spicy, on syrupy winey flavours, grapes, nice rather fragrant floral flavours and with some dried fruits. With some balsamic vinegar Taste: Fragrant, floral, sugary, moderately malty and floral, with spices, red winey flavours, vanilla and dried fruits, including grapes. The finish is rather long and syrupy, winey, bold, floral, moderately creamy and malty, on dried fruits, syrupy winey flavours, grapes and a nice fragrance. Impression: A nice Balmenach, with a pleasant fruity and rather sweet influence from the Port cask. Well balanced and integrated. Note: on the label, there is a typo with the bottling date. It should be 2023 and not 2020. Rating: 14/20 FP:G1
|
 |
Longmorn 1966 Private Collection, 35 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 46%, B:2022. Price: Colour: Dark amber. Nose: Rich, intense to very intense, tannic, fragrant, on lacquer, tannins, precious wood, some marmalade, dark chocolate, cloves, cinnamon and some incense. Taste: Floral to very floral, fragrant, tannic to very tannic, dry, rubbery, on lacquer, burnt rubber, some smoke, lacquer and incense. The finish is long, dry, tannic, fragrant, floral, bitter, woody, on very dark chocolate. Impression: The nose was rather pleasant, like the initial mouthfeel, but then the wood extract, roasted coffee beans, tannins, lacquer and rubber dominates and dries your month. Too old and woody. If you have a bottle, keep it closed. Rating: 10/20 FP:H2
|
 |
Springbank 2010 Local Barley, 11 YO, OB, 54.1%, B :2023. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Rich, complex, rather oily and spicy, on sea brine, light mineral and old mineral oil flavours, various spices, some aromatic herbs, coconut, peat smoke and wax. Very good. Taste: Spicy, rich, oily, waxy, on sea brine, wet wood, some mineral oil, coconut, various slightly green nuts, peat smoke, lemon and motor oil. The finish is medium, slightly rough, smoky, salty and spicy, with slightly green nuts, mineral oil, a light peat smoke, sea brine, wax and lemon. Impression: A very good Springbank, rich, spicy, slightly waxy, with some sea brine and various nutty flavours. Rating: 16/20 FP:C2
|
 |
Tullibardine 2011, 11 YO, Awico, 56.0%, B:2022, cask 0287. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Floral, malty, fruity, rather rich, with round and sweet fruity flavours, orange, sultanas, light winey flavours, leather, round floral flavours and a light fragrance. Complex and very pleasant. Taste: Floral, rich, juicy, malty, rather intense, with nice sweet and juicy fruity flavours of peach, orange, tropical fruits, melon, light grassy and malty flavours, as well as some leather and sultanas. The finish is rather long, fragrant, floral, intense, slightly bitter and winey, with some sultanas, toffee, freshly cut flowers and vanilla. Impression: A very intense Tullibardine, rathe fruity and rich on the nose and palate, before becoming more floral and fragrant on the finish. A whisky that changes over time and a very good example from that distillery. Rating: 15/20 FP:C2
|
 |
Secret Islay, 25 YO, C. Dully Selection, 47.9%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Mellow, peaty to very peaty, with a lovely bold and lingering maritime peat smoke, sea brine and light medicinal flavours. The peat smoke is mellow, intense and remarkable complex. I haven’t tasted such a nice peat smoke in a Laphroaig for a very long time. Becoming more medicinal and slightly fruity with time. Taste: Maritime, peaty, fruity, medicinal, on a mixture of medicinal and maritime peat smoke, sea spray, seaweeds, tropical fruits, pink grapfefruits and old bonfire smoke, as well as some tar and citrus. The finish is long, smoky, peaty, maritime, medicinal, on iodine, seaweeds, tar, bonfire smoke, some soot, bandage and always this lovely medicinal peat smoke, with some light citric flavours. Impression: A delicious single malt distilled at the Laphroaig distillery. This vatting of different casks aged for at least 25 years is remarkably intense, smoky and peaty, with lovely medicinal flavours. Excellent. Rating: 17/20 FP:A5
|
 |
Secret Islay 1991 for Aqua Vitae Taiwan, 32 YO, C. Dully Selection, 49.8%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Mellow, moderately smoky, peaty and maritime, slightly citric and bitter. Rather subtle and markedly less peaty than the 25 YO. Taste: Maritime, fruity, on sea brine, citrus, some peat smoke, guava, papaya, gooseberries, some grapefruit and a mild and mellow peat smoke. The finish is medium, maritime, slightly citric, medicinal and peaty, with some tar, soot, light mineral flavours (graphite), citrus, some iodine and medicinal peat smoke. Impression: A mellow Laphroaig, subtle, medicinal, with a light peat smoke. A nice old Laphroaig but tasted together with the excellent 25 YO, I miss the intensity from that one. Rating: 16/20 FP:A3
|
 |
Säntisblick Malt Single Cask Vieille Prune, OB, 43%, B :2023. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: The influence of the Prune (schnapps) kicks in as soon as you bring your nose close to the glass, followed by aromatic flavours (dry aromatic herbs), as well as some hay. Original. Taste: Fresh, aromatic, on elderberries flowers, Prune (schnapps), some oaky spices, hops and light aromatic herbs. The finish is medium and on the same flavours. Impression: Never tried a single malt matured in ex-Prune schnapps cask. The result is original, i.e., different from almost all whiskies that I have tasted. It is far from being unpleasant, as the Prune influence is well-integrated. One of these whiskies difficult to classify. Rating: 12/20 FP:B1
|
 |
Bernina Glacier Swiss whisky, OB, B:2023. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Fresh, floral, on fruit schnapps (eau-de-vie), sweet malty flavours, some grape sugar, vanilla and fragrance. Very fresh and fragrant. Taste: Very smooth, with lots of fresh pears, light grassy and malty flavours, grape sugar, some fragrance, vanilla and schnapps. Diluted, it becomes spicier and on red wine, with freshly crushed barley. Impression: With such a smooth and schnapps-like flavours, this whisky distilled in the Swiss Valais and matured in the Swiss national park, suggests strongly the use of a Holstein still. Made with wheat and barley. With its winey flavours, it has been probably matured in ex-red wine casks. An original and refreshing whisky. Rating: 11/20 FP:D1
|
 |
Glenglassaugh 12 YO, OB, 45%, B:2023. Price: Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, malty, grassy, rather fruity and bold, with some sultanas, liquid honey, grassy and light fruity flavours and a touch of sea brine. Very nice. Taste: Grassy, rather green and spicy, moderately oaky, with a light smokiness, sea brine, honey, orchards fruits, oak spices and some green grass. The finish is medium, rather sweet, grassy and fruity, with light winey flavours, sultanas, grapes, some orchards fruits and honey. Impression: A very nice, grassy and rather Glenglassaugh, with an oaky bite suggesting a fair proportion of first fill casks. Rating: 13/20 FP:D2
|
 |
Pokeno Origin, OB, 43%, B :2024. Price: Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very smooth, light, clean, slightly malty, on green malt, freshly cut grass, vanilla, some green orchards and a touch of lemon peel. Fresh. Taste: Creamy, round, malty, on marshmallow, lemon peel, gingerbread, freshly cut grass, lemon curd and some green apples. With a nice mouthfeel. Diluted, more on Haribo gummi bears. The finish is rather long, modern, smooth, on oak spices, moderately grassy and malty, on green apples, Haribo gummi bears, lemon peel, vanilla custard and some gingerbread. Impression: A new whisky from New Zealand, young, but remarkably complex for its age, well balance and full bodied. A very nice whisky. Rating: 12/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Blended Sutherland Malt for Limburg Whiskey Fair 2024, Thompson Bros, 47.8%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Fresh, malty, waxy, with some citrus, coarse g barley, some yeast, vanilla, light floral aromas and some peat smoke. Taste: Fresh, malty to very malty, on lemon, wax, grist, lemon curd, some yeast, light nutty flavours and a touch of smoke. The finish is medium, rather light and citric, on lemon, bitter lemon, vanilla, some gooseberries, beeswax and a touch of smoke. General impression: A pleasant and fresh blended malt from a vatting of Sutherland single malts (Clynelish, Dornoch and Brora), with beautiful lemony and waxy flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP:A2
|
 |
Old Rhosdhu distilled at Loch Lomond 1984, 30 YO, C. Dully Selection, 48.6%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Grassy to very grassy, waxy, complex, slightly mineral, on guava, papaya, old style of vanilla, with some pollen, a touch of aromatic herbs, dry herbs as well yellow fruits. Very good. Taste: Malty, grassy, slightly green and spicy, with a light underlying smoke, gooseberries, guava, papaya, some mango, heather honey and vanilla custard. The finish is long, intense, complex, grassy, rich, with light mineral and citric flavours released, before aromas of mango, guava and papaya, mixed with some vanilla comes into play. Impression: I tried in the past a few Old Rhosdhu which were of very quality. This one is one of the best I have tasted from that distillery, with its bold grassy flavours, complemented by some exotic fruits and citrus to contributing to a very enjoyable and complex single malt. Don’t look at the distillery name, just taste it! Rating: 17/20 FP:B2
|
 |
Ballindalloch 2016 for Benelux, OB, 61.1%, B :2024, cask 5 ex-bourbon. Price: Colour: Gold Nose: Very round, floral, on vanilla custard, pastries, ripe yellow fruits, some marshmallow. It becomes very fruity with time, with more tropical flavours (pineapples). Taste: Rich, floral, spicy, slightly oaky, with lovely round vanilla flavours, some almonds, pineapples and yellow fruits. The finish is medium to long, bold, malty, with a nice and heavy body, on vanilla, yellow fruits and pineapples, as well as some other exotic fruits. Impression: A very pleasant whisky, bold, rather heavy and creamy, with lovely fruits flavours. My first Ballindalloch and a very positive surprise. Rating: 15/20 FP:B1
|
 |
Lion’s charity Vat 1937-89, OB, 44.3%, B:2018. Price: Colour: old gold-amber Nose: Intense, thick, meaty, spicy, peaty, sooty, on charred wood, old intense and bold peat smoke from a croft house, dirty, on leather, figs, dates, candied oranges. Very complex, with a beautiful old style of peat smoke. Stunning. Taste: Wow. Immensely complex, with lots of dried fruits, old high grade leather, soot, old peat smoke, some seabrine, orange, sultanas, mineral flavours and various spices, as well as old furnitures. The finish is very long, complex, fruity, peaty, sooty, with a lingering old-style of sooty and bold peat smoke, reminding me of the old Scottish croft house heated with peat. Diluted, it becomes more fruity and the exotics fruits more intense. Impression: A stunning whisky, powerful, intense, immensely complex, combining an old style of rich sherry with old sooty peat smoke. Smells very good the old style of peated Islay whiskies from the mid-60s combined with the finest sherry malts from the Highlands. Created by Diego Sandrin, the founder of Lions whisky, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago. Simply delicious. The composition is original as tt took 7 years to fill two 20 lt casks with samples and leftovers of any bottle opened by Lion's Whisky, some very high end samples like the Samaroli Bouquet and 1967 Laph (vintages 1937 to 1989) were poured from 2006 to 2013 then aged for a further 5 years until 2018, then 40 bottles were handbottled and sealed. Thank you Aaron and rest in peace Diego. Rating: 19/20 FP:F5 |
 |
Royal Brackla 2011 Special Edition for AllcohAll Buchen, The Whisky Agency, 53.4%, B:2023, Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Sharp, modern, oaky, slightly spicy, with some new make smoothness, freshly sawn oaky, oak spices and fresh spring floral flavours. Taste: Young to very young, smooth (new make), on fresh floral flavours, some green orchard’s fruits, vanilla, oak spices and some ginger. The finish is medium, young, smooth, on fresh floral flavours, some green orchards fruits, a slight bitterness and fresh oaky flavours. Impression: A rather unexpected Royal Brackla from The Whisky Agency, as the cask was rather inactive, thus the character of the distillate is very apparent with a new make-like flavour profile. Rating: 11/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Filey Bay IPA finish, OB, 46%, B.2023, batch 1, Price: Colour: Straw Nose: Fresh, malty, young, slightly yeasty, with some hops and light green malty flavours. Taste: Fresh, floral, with some yeast, malt, hops, light floral flavours, some vanilla and beer flavours. The finish is medium, fresh, malty, slightly yeast, with some vanilla, hops and yeast. Impression: A smooth, young and malty malt, with nice yeasty and hops flavours from the IPA cask. Rating: 11/20 FP:A1
|
 |
Macallan Harmony Amber Meadow, OB, 44%, B:2024. Price: Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Fruity, rich, spicy, floral, on nice round floral flavours, sultanas, oranges, cocoa and honey. Taste: Smooth, floral, very winey, on grapes, spices, red wine, honey, sultanas, cocoa, ginger, dried ginger powder, some light bitter and floral flavours and cinnamon. The finish is medium, floral, rather dry and ginger, moderately bitter, on marmalade, bitter orange, cocoa, fresh ginger, dark chocolate and cinnamon. Impression: A Macallan with a nice elegant floral flavours, and rather light nose, rather fruity, becoming rather spicy and bitter on the palate. A bit too rough and unbalanced to my liking. Rating: 11/20 FP:D1
|
 |
Auchindoran (Aultmore) 2008, 14 YO, The Whisky Cask Company, 54.2%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: old gold-amber Nose: Rich, bold, spicy, on leather, dried fruits, some honey, dates, fudge, light floral flavours and some round and mellow spices. Complex and intense. Taste: Thick, syrupy, floral, spicy, on toffee, fudge, some rubber, sea brine, caramel sale, cream and dates. The finish is medium, rich, yeasty, floral, slightly fragrant and spicy, with some rubber, dates, spices and toffee. Impression: A thick, rich, spicy and rather heavy whisky, with a strong sherry influence. Rating: 13/20 FP: G2 |
 |
Glen Garioch 11 YO Classic, Acla da Fans, 52.5%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Straw Nose: Spicy, gingery, intense, with a light smokiness, candied ginger, some vanilla, aromatic herbs and heather. Rather complex. Taste: Very spicy (ginger), clean, slightly green and smoky, with lots of candied ginger, on ginger ale, grassy flavours, some light malty flavours and heather. The finish is medium, clean, spicy, on ginger, candied ginger, smooth and green malty flavours, some vanilla, heather and light floral flavours. Impression: A clean and smooth Glengarioch, with lots of ginger, with the whole rather balanced. Rating: 13/20 FP: A2 |
 |
Single Minded Secret Islay World of Whisky Trilogie The Handover 2017, Douglas Laing, 60.2%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Young, peaty, maritime, smooth, medicinal, on seaweeds, menthol, spearmint, hemp rope, oak, iodine and citrus. Taste: Young, smooth, clean, peaty, maritime, on lemon peel, seaweeds, a mixture of spearmint and menthol, hemp rope and some iodine. The finish is mediu and on the same flavours. Impression: A young, clean and intense single malt distilled in the East shore of Islay, rather peaty with a very discreet influence from the cask. A young, clean and citric Caol Ila, with nice mentholated flavours. Rating: 14/20 FP: A7 |
 |
Ardmore 2013 10th Anniversary, 10 YO, Hidden Spirits, 53.2%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Straw Nose: Very peaty, dry, grassy, aromatic, slightly austere, smoky, on an intense dry and aromatic peat smoke, some juniper bushes and light floral flavours. Sharp and intense. Taste: Fresh, light, sharp, slightly floral, on an intense aromatic peat smoke, aromatic herbs, slightly austere, and some heather. The finish is medium, rather sharp and peaty, smoky, aromatic, but also rather complex, with some vanilla and heather. Impression: An Ardmore with a very sharp and clean peaty smoke, with a more complex and balanced aromatic peat smoke profile on the palate. Very good. Rating: 15/20 |
 |
Blair Athol 2009 For Whisky & Music, 14 YO, DramCatcher, 52.4%, B :2023. Price:
Colour: Amber Nose: Round, floral, slightly spicy, with some hops, round and fresh leather, light grassy flavours, some candied oranges, dry flowers, light winey flavours, and nice sweet fruity flavours, as well as some sultanas. Rich and well balanced. Taste: Intense, rather complex, floral, slightly winey, moderately spicy, on leather, sultanas, hops, oranges, honey, some precious wood and various spices. Rather juicy, with some berries as well. The finish is rather long, rich, fruity, with a nice body, and a combination of juicy and fruity flavours, on various fruity flavours, cinnamon, cocoal, dates, sultanas, figs and a touch of hops. Impression: Blair Athol has a pretty strong personality and not my favourite style of whisky. However, this version has a very nice sweet and round sherry influence, giving a nice rich body. Very good! Rating: 15/20 FP:G1 |
 |
Highland Park Single Cask Edition France 2010, 11 YO, OB, 64.4%, B:2023, cask 2777. Price:
Colour: Amber Nose: Round, floral, slightly smoky and fragrant, on peat smoke, heather, orange, orange peel, honey, sultanas, leather, some precious wood and a touch of lacquer. Tate: Round, smoky, intense, balanced, slightly floral, on heather peat smoke, orange, toffee, sultanas, roasted coffee beans, lacquer, some heather honey and marmalade. The finish is rather long, smoky, rich, round, on dried fruits, orange, heather, peat smoke and marmalade. Impression: A very good round and sherry Highland Park, with a nice smoky flavours and nice dried fruits. Rating: 15/20 FP:G3 |
 |
Torabhaig Special Reserve 2018, OB, 61.1%, B :2023. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very peaty and smoky, maritime, slightly salty, on a rich maritime peat smoke, soot, tar, hemp rope, some disinfectant. Very intense and punchy, with a nice complexity. Taste: Salty, maritime, intense, phenolic, on maritime peat smoke, disinfectant, iodine, soot and seaweeds. The finish is long, dry, maritime, smoky, medicinal, peaty, on soot, tar and many medicinal flavours. Impression: A very good, rich, intense, maritime, medicinal and peaty whisky. From s mixture of ex-bourbon, PX, Oloroso and virgin American oak casks. Rating: 16/20 FP:A7 |
 |
The Hielanman Old Liqueur, Cadenhead’s, 70° Proof, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Old gold Nose: Definitely old style, slightly starchy, on cold ashes and peat smoke, wet tobacco leaves, some ore, orange liqueur, mineral oil, light grassy and honey flavours. Slightly softer and more floral than the Robertson’s. Very good. Taste: Thin, starchy, floral, on quince, vanilla, melon, orange, tangerine, light mineral flavours, some paraffin, sea brine and cold with, some fudge at the end. The finish is medium, floral, slightly mineral, with some honey, leather, mineral oil, tangerine, light earthy and aromatic flavours and a touch of fudge. Diluted, it becomes more on caramel. Impression: A good old-fashioned blend, slightly oily and floral, with light mineral and fruity flavours. Thank you whisky.auction. Rating: 13/20 FP:D2 |
 |
Port Ellen 1982 Old Malt Cask, 30 YO, Douglas Laing, 51.8%, B:2012, 154 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, oaky, maritime, smoky, peaty, with seaweeds, seawater and light medicinal notes. Smooth and gentle. Taste: Oaky, juicy, mellow, maritime, salty, on seaweeds, tobacco quid, peat smoke, light medicinal flavours. The finish is medium to long, oaky, salty, bitter, maritime, medicinal, on liquorice roots and some tar. Impression: A rather mellow Port Ellen, maritime and with a bitter finish. A whisky in transition, between the smooth and mellow Port Ellen and the young, intense and peaty ones. Rating: 14/20 FP:A5 |
 |
Port Ellen 1975, Samaroli, 45%, B:1998, 744 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold Nose: Clean, maritime, peaty to very peaty, slightly mineral, with some old bold peat smoke, seaweeds and light notes of disinfectant. Taste: Spicy to very spicy, intense, peaty, maritime, medicinal, clean, on seawater, seashells, bold peat smoke, flint stone and seawater. Diluted, it becomes saltier and rounder. The finish is medium to long, peaty, smoky, mineral, intense, oaky, with some seawater, seaweeds, salt, disinfectant, peat smoke and some vanilla. With a long maritime retro-olfaction. Impression: A very good, clean, peaty and mineral Port Ellen, with an initial spicy bite. Rating: 16/20 FP:A6 |
 |
Port Ellen 1978 Gemini remnant cask, 44 YO, OB, 53.6%, B:2024. Price:
Colour: old gold-amber Nose: Mellow, round, slightly smoky, austere, and aromatic, with some oak spices, peat smoke, disinfectant, light medicinal flavours. The nose is more discreet, less peated and more austere than the original cask. Taste: Round, aromatic, on round tannins and aromatic flavours, some peat smoke, spearmint, oranges, a touch of citrus, seaweeds, iodine and then old furnitures flavours are gaining strength, with some menthol. The finish is long, round, mellow, aromatic, with some sultanas, dates, figs, round leather, tree sap, heather and peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes more floral and on liquorice. Impression: From the same 3 casks of Port Ellen as the Original, but then filled for a final maturation in the remnant cask. The Remnant cask was used to store the overfill from cask and this cask was kept on a warehouse after the closure of the distillery in 1983, with some left over. Thus, the left over from the remnant cask was vatted together with some liquid from the 3 1978 European Cask from the Original Cask and left together for a while. The flavour profile is very different from the other bottling, rounder, more aromatic but also less dry and peated. More docile. Rating: 16/20 FP:E3 |
 |
Port Ellen 1978 Gemini Original Cask, 44 YO, OB, 54.9%, B:2024. Price:
Colour: old gold Nose: Peaty, smoky, maritime, medicinal, moderately mellow, on iodine, some camphor, disinfectant, peat smoke, some iodine, some leather, dried fruits, sea spray and bandages. An elegant and rather peaty nose. Taste: Peated, maritime, salty, medicinal, mellow, on iodine, peat smoke, bandages, some sea brine, seaweeds, disinfectant, sea shells, light flavours of sultanas, orange, nuts, cocoa and leather. The finish is rather long, medicinal, maritime, slightly citric, on a maritime and medicinal peat smoke, some seaweeds, iodine, disinfectant, a touch of spearmint, tannins, cocoa and dried fruits. Diluted, it becomes smokier and more on tree sap. Impression: A very good and mellow Port Ellen, rather peaty on the nose, with light sherry, medicinal and maritime flavours. The oldest official Port Ellen, made from 3 different European oak casks, with a light sherry influence. Very good. Rating: 17/20 FP:D5 |
 |
Singleton Glen Ord 38 YO, OB, 49.6%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Amber Nose: Aromatic, round, mellow, complex, on leather, old books, high grade leather, nice round floral flavours, sultanas, some candied oranges, light fragrant flavours and a touch of smoke. Very elegant and well balanced Taste: Rich, complex, floral, slightly malty, fruity, with lots of dried fruits, leather, old books, fine leather, sultanas, dried fruits, some precious wood, a touch of lacquer and smoke. Elegant and very smooth. Diluted, it becomes slightly spicier and more on cocoa, with light tannins. The finish is long, smooth, elegant, balanced, floral, with nice round fruity flavours, some honey, dried fruits, a light fragrant, precious wood, sultanas, dates, candied oranges and a touch of smoke. Impression: A very elegant and complex Glen ord, deliciously smooth. A whisky to savour with silky sherry influence and some cocoa. This expression was initially matured in America oak barrels for 12 years, before being moved over to a selection of bourbon, Pedro Ximénez sherry and Oloroso sherry Rating: 17/20 FP:F2 |
 |
Glen Ord 2012, 10 YO, The Whisky Chamber, 56.6%, B:2023, Sherry cask TWC 0302. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Very round, smooth, floral, on soft leather, sultanas, dried fruits, some dried figs, red berries and light malty flavours. Very elegant. Taste: Malty, slightly yeasty, round, on hops, fresh malty flavours, sultanas, dried fruits, some leather, figs, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg. The finish is medium, floral, with some dried flowers, hops, sultanas, nutmeg, some liquorice roots, figs and round leather, Impression: A very round, rich and rather fruity Glen ord, and very enjoyable to drink. Rating:14/20 FP:F1 |
 |
Glen Garioch 2011, 11 YO, A Few Barrels, 54.5%, B:2024, cask 2751A. Price:
Colour: Old gold Nose: Round, warm, on round spices, nice mellow aromatic herbs, candied oranges, some sultanas and leather. Very good and complex. Taste: Very round, almost silky, with nice mellow aromatic herbs, spices, candied oranges, sultanas, tangerine, cinnamon, soft leather, precious wood and some heather. The finish is long, round, spicy, aromatic, rather intense, with lots of dried fruits, slightly syrupy, on tannins, leather, sultanas and aromatic herbs. Impression: A very good Glen Garioch, rather intense and aromatic, with lovely round and slightly syrupy fruity flavours from the Oloroso cask, giving a nice complexity to the whole. Rating: 16/20 FP:E2 |
 |
Glen Garioch over 30 YO, D:1992, Artist LMDW, 57.9%, B:2023, Price:
Colour: Old gold Nose: Complex, rich, spicy, gingery, earthy, slightly aromatic and smoky, on ginger, earthy flavours, light mineral flavours, wax, spices, heather and some mineral and aromatic smoke. Very good. Taste: Intense, rich, spicy, gingery, aromatic, complex, mineral, on mineral and aromatic peat smoke, aromatic herbs, flintstone, candied ginger, mineral oil, and heather. The finish is long, rich, aromatic, oily, mineral, slightly austere, on aromatic herbs, aromatic peat smoke, chalk, flintstone, mineral oil and vanilla custard. Diluted, on dried roots, peat and soot. Impression: An excellent, rich, mineral, aromatic and complex Glen Garioch, slightly austere and with delicate aromatic mineral smoke. I loved it. Rating: 17/20 FP:D3 |
 |
Glen Garioch 2011, 12 YO, DramCatcher, 52.2%, B:2024, cask 4909. Price:
Colour: Gold Nose: Spicy, aromatic, rather rich and intense, on candied ginger, aromatic herbs, a touch of smoke, some oak spices, and slightly bitter aromatic herbs. Very good. Taste: Smooth, aromatic, rich, with lovely smooth aromatic flavours, some ginger, gingerbread, honey, a touch of candied citrus, some woodlands flavours and a touch of smoke. Complex , rather oily and well balanced. The finish is long, spicy, aromatic, rich, rather complex, on vanilla, aromatic herbs, ginger, some honey and light malty flavours. Impression: A very nice, rich, rather complex and oily Glen Garioch. Rating: 15/20 FP:A2 |
 |
Octomore 2010, 12 YO, A Few Barrels Company, 55.6% B :2024, cask 4524. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Peaty, farmy to very farmy, slightly mineral, with some seabrine, a touch of bitter lemon, iodine, seaweeds and disinfectant. Taste: Intense, complex, peaty to very peaty, smoky, with very nice intense farmy flavours, some idodine, light medicinal flavours, some candied citrus, light mineral flavours, disinfectant and a touch of menthol. The finish is very long, balanced, complex, farmy, slightly mineral and maritime, with a long round peat smoke, some citrus, a touch of menthol and vanilla, as well as some iodine and medicinal flavours. Impression: An excellent, very complex, well balanced and beautiful clean farmy flavours, with some citrus and light medicinal flavours. Reminds me of the Ardbeg from the 1970s and markedly more complex than any Octomore OB. A whisky to savour. Rating: 17/20 FP:A5 |
 |
Octomore 2002 Old Particular, 10 YO, Douglas Laing, 48.4%, B:2024. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Dry, peaty, smoky, maritime, rather sharp, on a rather dry and maritime peat smoke, light citric and farmy flavours. Taste: Dry, tarry to very tarry, peaty, citric, on seaweeds, iodine, tar, moderate farmy flavours, with some spearmint and liquorice. The finish is long, peaty, maritime, moderately farmy, on maritime peat smoke, with some spearmint, tar, soot, lemon juice and iodine. Impression: A very good, tarry, peaty, rather clean and citric Octomore, with a nice balance. Rating: 15/20 FP:A6 |
 |
Artesia Edition Sherry, OB, 45%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: On dark chocolate, dried plums, cherries, sultanas, musk, and leather. Balanced. Taste: Oaky, spicy, bitter, on dark chocolate, cherries, musk, aromatic and bitter herbs, mint, eucalyptus, sage, sultanas and wood spices. The finish is medium, slightly astringent, round, on dried fruits, coca, aromatic and bitter herbs, fresh eucalyptus, sage and a touch of mint. Impression: A French whisky with a rather nice and pleasant nose, getting rather bitter, oaky and aromatic on the palate. Rating: 13/20 FP:D2 |
 |
Bunnahabhain 44 YO, Elixir Distillers, 42.4%, B:2022, Price:
Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, soft, round, slightly maritime, with a light smokiness, some quince, exotic fruits, precious woods and a touch of leather. Rather contained. Taste: Mellow, fruity, slightly maritime, on precious wood, some tannins, quince, elderflower, and mango puree. The finish is medium, rather maritime, with some oak spices, tannins, candied exotic fruits, elderflowers, some seabrine and precious wood. Diluted, it becomes slightly fruitier and slightly smokier. Impression: Distilled in 1975, this is an elegant Bunna, on elderflowers, and some candied fruits. Very balanced, although not very expressive. Rating: 16/20 FP:B2 |
 |
Bowmore 25 YO XOP, Douglas Laing, 47.5%, B :2022, DL 16154. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Salty, maritime, rather mellow, slightly citric, with a gentle maritime peat smoke and sea brine. Taste: Mellow to very mellow, gentle, smoky, maritime slightly peaty and tarry, on seaweeds, citrus, tar, some iodine and other medicinal flavours. The finish is long, mellow, gentle, smoky, slightly peaty, with sea brine, seaweeds, a gentle peat smoke, some candied citrus and a touch of worn leather. Impression: A very nice, gentle and mellow Bowmore Rating: 15/20 FP:A4 |
 |
Secret Islay 2009 10th Anniversary, Acla Selection, 54.2%, B :2023, cask 104. Price:
Colour: Gold Nose: Very peaty and smoky, maritime, phenolic, medicinal, on old seaweeds, camphor, iodine, maritime peat smoke, cresols, some tar, soot, vanilla, and dried fish. Taste: Maritime, salty, on iodine, seaweeds, tar, cresols, peat smoke, camphor, sea brine, dried fish and various medicinal flavours. The finish is long, rather complex, maritime and peaty, salty, on iodine, camphor, peat smoke and seaweeds. Diluted, it becomes more on menthol. Impression: This secret Islay single malt was distilled in the village of Ardbeg, a nice example of that distillery, with lots of smoke, medicinal and maritime flavours. Fairly priced for a whisky from that distillery. Rating: 16/20 FP:A6 |
 |
Octomore 14.1, OB, 59.6%, B :2024. vv
Colour: Straw Nose: Clean, dry, peaty, smoky, slightly oaky, on grilled bread, peat smoke, some tar and light maritime flavours. Taste: Clean, peaty, smooth (new make), on dry peat smoke, grilled bread, some vanilla, white sugar, some tar and sea brine. The finish is medium, light, clean, peaty, smoky, with light oaky flavours and vanilla. Impression:An Octomore with little influence from the ex-bourbon cask, with a fair dose of dry peat and new-make-like mouthfeel. Simple and rather young. Rating:10/20 FP:A7 |
 |
Glen Garioch 2015, 10th Anniversary, Acla Selection, 53.8%, B:2023, cask 5124. Price:
Colour: Straw Nose: Oaky, spicy, on ginger, some aromatic herbs, some oak spices, light austere flavours, and light nutty flavours. Taste: Nutty, green, spicy, waxy and slightly aromatic, rather austere, on green nutty flavours, ginger, some aromatic herbs, slightly vegetal and yeasty. The finish is medium to long, green, aromatic, waxy, spicy, slightly vegetal, yeasty, with rather strong green aromatic flavours, ground ginger, some citric wax and green nutty flavours. Impression: A rather green and vegetal expression of Glen Garioch, on a nutty and aromatic profile. Rating: 13/20 FP:A1 |
 |
Glen Grant 1998 10th Anniversary, 25 YO, Acla Selection, 48.7%, B:2023, refill sherry butt 13223. Price:
Colour: Straw Nose: Fresh, smooth, malty, sugary, slightly winey, on cane sugar, freshly crushed malt, some vanilla,light fresh end of spring floral flavours and a touch of spices. Smells young. Taste: Aromatic, very smooth, oily and malty, slightly spicy and floral, on fresh dough, freshly crushed barley, vanilla, quince and gooseberries. The finish is medium, smooth, floral, malty, and slightly spicy. With time, there is a hint of smoke. Impression: A single malt with very little wood influence, with a naked spirit, that tasted somewhat like a mellow new make. It shows an original side of Glen Grant. Rating: 12/20 FP:A2 |
 |
Talisker 27 YO Distillery Exclusive, OB, 58%, B:2021, 2000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Complex, maritime, slightly austere, moderately peaty, on seaweeds, iodine, peat smoke, some vanilla, citrus, and soot. Very nice. Needs some time to open up. Taste: Sweet, oaky, rather maritime, on sea salt, kelps, citrus, pepper, ginger, overinfused tea, and cocoa. The finish is medium, mellow, rather oaky, on ginger, pepper, some peat, ginger-lemon cookies, cinnamon, iodine as well as some overinfused black tea. Impression: A nice and complex Talisker, with a lovely slightly austere nose, with some woody astringency. Rating: 15/20 FP:A4 |
 |
Ardmore 2002, 19 YO, Caora, 55.2%, B:2021, cask 319. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Intense, very peaty, dry and aromatic, with an intense dry peat smoke, aromatic herbs, light floral flavours and a touch of vanilla. A clean, dry and peated Ardmore. Taste: Dry to very dry, peaty, aromatic and slightly tarry Ardmore, elegant, light, slightly maritime, with an intense peat smoke, rather aromatic, dry and moderately maritime. The finish is rather long, light, elegant and on the same flavours. Impression: A very nice Ardmore, surprisingly peaty and tarry for an Ardmore, with a light maritime influence. Reminds me of some Ardmore matured in ex-Laphroaig casks. Rating:15/20 FP:A7 |
 |
Speyside M for World of Whisky 40 Jahre Bernasconi 2005, 18 YO, Signatory, 58.8%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Amber Nose: Rich, floral, round, moderately spicy, on toffee, leather, round floral flavours, orange, sultanas, some lacquer, Christmas cake and dried fruits. Complex and well balanced. Taste: Rich, round, complex, floral to very floral, with rich round spicy flavours, violet, leather, sultanas, dried fruits, orange, toffee, Christmas cake, tangerine, high grade leather and precious wood. The finish is long, floral, spicy, complex, on high grade leather, dried fruits, sultanas, orange, cinnamon, violet, fudge, Christmas cake and precious wood. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter. Impression: A rich, intense, floral, complex and spicy single malt distilled at Macallan, with lots of dried fruits and precious wood. Better than most official whiskies from that distillery. Rating: 17/20 FP:G2 |
 |
Bimber for La Maison Du Whisky, OB, 58.9%, B:2023, cask 327/25. Price:
Colour: Old gold Nose: Spicy, oaky, winey, sweet, on sweet grapes, sweet winey flavours, oak spices and some green vegetal flavours. Unbalanced. Taste: Sweet, sugary, winey, spicy, oaky, with some menthol, pepper, sweet wine and other winey flavours. Unbalanced. The finish is medium to long, peppery, sweet, winey, oaky and with some banana. Impression: A wineskhy. A mixture of sweet Cognac and a young smooth and rather oaky distillate. Unbalanced and not at all to my liking. Better to keep the bottle sealed. Rating: 06/20  FP:G1 |
 |
Talisker World of Whisky Trilogy N°1 Single Minded, 12 YO, Douglas Laing, 56.3%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Clean, maritime, slightly citric and smoky, with some sea brine, seaweeds, and bonfire smoke and tar. Taste: Salty to very salty, slightly smoky and citric, on sea brine, sea salt, seaweeds and pink pepper, as well as some maritime peat smoke. Rather peppery. When water is added, there is an explosion of smoke and pepper.. The finish is medium to long, salty, peppery, moderately smoky, with some lemon zest, iodine, oysters and peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes more peppery, smoky and citric. Impression: A very nice Talisker, salty and maritime, that becomes more intense, maritime and peated with some water. Rating: 15/20 FP:A4 |
 |
Bowmore World of Whisky Single Minded Trilogy N° 3, 9 YO, Douglas Laing, 58.3%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Salty, smooth, rather clean, peaty, maritime, smoky, on dry peat smoke, sea brine, lemon peel, and some tobacco smoke. Zesty. Taste: Salty, smooth, maritime, smoky, with some menthol, sea brine, seaweeds, peat smoke, disinfectant, vanilla and candied lemon. The finish is medium to long, maritime, smoky, lightly peated, zesty, slightly medicinal, with some peat smoke, iodine, sea brine, seaweeds and citrus. Impression: A maritime, smoky and rather zesty Bowmore, with a strong seabrine influence. Rating: 13/20 FP:A6 |
 |
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Unami, OB, 42%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Old gold Nose: On roasted and salted nuts, spices, butterscotch, some candied orange, and a touch of sour apples. Taste: Maritime, slightly sour and salty, with light nutty flavours, butterscotch, candied oranges, light malty flavours, some cashew nuts, fresh leather, and a light citrus zest. The finish is medium to long, rather complex, combining slightly sour flavours, with seabrine, light spices, floral and nutty flavours. Impression: This is a creation to try creating the 5 fifth sense (e.g., sweet, salty), called Unami. The results is an elegant and rather complex Johnnie Walker, with a pleasant structure and various flavours emerging, all balanced and without any dominance. A whisky that I enjoyed keeping in the mouth, as it is somewhat playful, with elusive flavours. A captivating whisky. Rating: 15/20 FP:D2 |
 |
Holyrood Arrival, OB, 46.1%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, dirty, slightly austere, aromatic and coastal, with some butterscotch, leather and a touch of tree sap. Taste: Rich, intense, spicy, oaky, dirty, with some diesel smoke, sea brine, butterscotch, light winey flavours, oak spices, vanilla, some nuts, leather and green apples. The finish is medium to long, dirty, slightly coastal and aromatic, on green apples, butterscotch, some brown sugar, light winey flavours, apples, light aromatic herbs, some cashew nuts, sultanas and a touch of orange. Diluted, it becomes slightly smoky and austere. Impression: A very good, rich, old fashioned “dirty” whisky, like the Campbeltown single malts distilled in the 1960s. Matured in ex-bourbon, sherry and Rum casks. The result is very good, well-made and remarkably complex, especially for such a young whisky. Rating: 14/20 FP:D3 |
 |
Caperdonich 30 YO, OB, 53.6%, B:2022. Price:
Colour: Gold Nose: Intense, aromatic, moderately floral, with some aromatic bitter herbs, juniper, ripe exotic fruits, slightly austere flavours and quince. More intense than the 25 YO. Taste: Complex, mellow, floral, grassy, on round aromatic herbs, quince, ripe exotic fruits, some light austere flavours. Very good, rich and complex. The finish is long, rich, complex, fruity, slightly austere and aromatic, with nice fruity flavours, some slightly bitter aromatic herbs, light floral flavours and honey. Impression: A very good, rich, floral, aromatic and complex whisky, with nice fruity and aromatic flavours, well balanced and satisfying. Rating: 16/20 FP:B1 |
 |
Karuizawa 1991, Artist for LMDW, 60%, B:2018, cask 877. Price:
Colour: Amber-dark amber Nose: Thick, rich, floral, spicy, with lots of tannins, leather, some lacquer, dried plums, cardamom and candied oranges. Taste: Thick, heavy, chewy, tannic, on dried fruits, leather, tannins, cinnamon, orange, lacquer, cloves, orange, marmalade and liquorice roots. The finish is long, rich, tannic, floral, slightly dry and bitter, on tannins, lacquer, spices, precious wood, cloves, dark chocolate and orange. Impression: A very thick, rich and chewy, with spices, lots of tannins and dried fruits. Tasted fresh opened it was intense, rich and very satisfying, but tasted it again several weeks later, it appeared more tannic and drier. This was bottled in 2018, but then the stock was bought back some year later and relabeled in 2023. Rating: 16/20 FP:G1 |
 |
Springbank 10 YO, OB, 57%, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Tarry, mineral, smoky, dirty, maritime, on old tarry peat smoke, some soot, tar, harbor-like flavours, sultanas, dates, orange, leather and some lacquer. A delicious old style of Springbank. Taste: Elegant, complex, rich, smoky, lightly peated, on dried fruits, soot, tar, some mineral peat smoke, tannins, orange, some sea salt and seabrine, as well as a touch of liquorice. The finish is medium to long, salty, mineral, with some chalk and marmalade, thick sooty mineral smoke, some orange, tannins, cinnamon and tar. Impression: A very good old fashioned Springbank, with a nice seabrine, leather, mineral smoke and dried fruits. Rating: 17/20 FP:E3 |
 |
Springbank 10 YO Palo Cortado, OB, 55%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber Nose: Intense, thick, heavy, on dried fruits, precious wood, old furniture, worn leather, dried figs, some soot and old smoke. Very good. Taste: Rich, complex, salty, chewy, dried fruits, figs, sultanas, tannins, plums, cocoa, dates, precious wood and grapes. Very good. The finish is long, thick, heavy, chewy, with light austere flavours, cocoa, tannins, leather, figs, dried grapes, and dates. Impression: A delicious, thick, heavy and rich Springbank, with the Palo Cortado giving lots of dried fruits mixed with some dry and slightly acetic wine. Well balanced. Simply excellent. Rating: 17/20 FP:F2 |
 |
Secret Highland Malt 1996, 22 YO, C. Dully, 54.7%, B:2023, cask 996. Price:
Colour: Gold Nose: Mellow, rather complex, moderately waxy, with some mustard, vanilla, flinstone, a touch of honey, candied grapefruits, and light round floral flavours. Well balanced. With time, it becomes slightly farmy. Taste: Round, warm, slightly oaky, elegant, slightly waxy, on vanilla, beeswax, round aromatic flavours, some lemon and grapefruits peels, a touch of farmy flavours, candied lemon, and light sweet mustard. The finish is rather long, round, warm, on round waxy flavours, some liquorice, sweet mustard, candied citrus, vanilla, light spicy and oaky flavours, as well as beeswax and other citrus. Impression: A warm, round, elegant and rather elegant single malt distilled at the Clynelish distillery, with some light austere flavours. Rating: 15/20 FP:A1 |
 |
Clynelish 10th Anniversary 2003, 10 YO, Hidden Spirits, 53.7%, B:2023, Price:
Colour: Gold Nose: Clean, austere, rather mineral, slightly malty, with some chalk, vanilla, and beeswax. With time, it becomes more waxy and rounder. Taste: Round, elegant, waxy, rather fruity, moderately citric, on chalk, vanilla, some light austere vegetal and farmy flavours, some green pears and grapefruits. With time it becomes more vegetal and citric, but remains elegant and rather round. The finish is medium, long, vegetal, citric, round, waxy, on beeswax, citrus, some green pears, vanilla custard and a hint of smoke. Impression: A nice, elegant, rich, waxy and rather round expression of Clynelish, rather different from the Special Release. Rating: 14/20 FP:A1 |
 |
Clynelish 10 YO Special Release 2023, OB, 57.5%, B:2023. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Round, waxy, rather intense and clean, slightly citric, on vanilla, beeswax, some mustard seeds, lemon peel, a touch of pear drops and honey, with a hint of mineral and oaky flavours. Very nice. Taste: Very waxy, round, slightly green and peppery, on citrus, light mustardy and farmy flavours, vanilla custard, some green herbal flavours, a touch of honey, walnuts and rhubarb. The finish is long, austere, waxy, on green herbal flavours, grapefruits, rhubarb, some lemon peel, honey and pink pepper. Impression: A very nice, intense and rather citric version of Clynelish. Rating: 14/20 FP:C1 |
 |
Ardbeg 1991 Artist over 30 years, La Maison du Whisky, 47.7%, B :2023, cask 1900657. Price:
Colour: Pale gold Nose: Very smoky, peaty, very complex, maritime, medicinal, with some disinfectant, seaweeds, a lovely rich and complex maritime peat smoke, seaweeds and TCP. Excellent! Taste: Mellow, very maritime and medicinal, maritime, rather salty, on camphor, TCP, seaweeds, soot, disinfectant, some hemp rope and old mineral oil. The finish is long to very long, very smoky and medicinal, peaty, mineral, maritime, on seaweeds, a sooty and maritime peat smoke, iodine, citrus, TCP and disinfectant. Impression: Woaw, I don’t remember when it was the last time I tasted such an old Ardbeg of that quality. Better anyway than any official Ardbeg bottled the last 10 years that I have tasted. Great stuff and nicely complex. Rating: 18/20 FP:A5 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
|
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
 |
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 |
Copyright © 2006-19 Patrick Brossard. All Rights Reserved.