Bowmore 1989, 22 YO, Liquid Sun, 50.7%, B: 2011, 256 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold.
Nose: Smooth, round, maritime, young, with some dried leaves and very faint farmy notes.
Taste: Light to very light, dry, smoky, slightly bitter and floral, austere, becoming saltier and bitterer over time. The finish is long, dry to very dry, smoky, slightly tarry and austere, with a very long dry and peaty reto-oflaction.
Impression: A light, dry and very austere Bowmore, not the easiest Bowmore but worth a try.
Rating: 11/20 FP: A7

Bowmore 1982 The Octave, Duncan Taylor, 50.6%, B: 2009, cask 378770. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Peaty, smooth, floral, slightly grassy, with light farmy notes. Round.
Taste: Soapy to very soapy, spicy, salty, with a good dose of violet and marshmallows. Very round, on green notes and a light fruitiness. Diluted, it becomes more floral, bitter and on tobacco leaves. The finish is medium, slightly woody, oaky, slightly peaty and maritime, on juicy oak and floral notes.
Impression: A very special Bowmore with a green and floral notes,and mild peaty flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP: C3

Bowmore 1990 For Divo, 19 YO, Clan Denny, 53.8%. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Clean, peaty to very peaty, tarry, ashy, on seaweeds, some seashells and vanilla.
Taste:  Dry, peaty, smoky, clean, salty, with some citrus and vanilla. The finish is medium, clean, simple, dry, peaty, smoky, on liquorice roots, some gentian and vanilla.
Impression: A good, clean, peaty and dry Bowmore, simple but well made.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A6

Bowmore 1997 Doctors surgeries and flower shops 3.202, 15 YO, SMWS, 57.4%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose:Very smoky, peaty, tarry, ashy, strongly maritime, rather sweet and a certain sweetness from the sherry, on orange, tangerine, some leather, sultanas and Christmas cake.
Taste: Sweet, oaky, spicy, smoky, on peat smoke, tar, ashes, maritime flavors, some tangerine, orange, leather and liquorice roots. The finish is long, very smoky, slightly oaky and spicy, with some seaweeds, camphor, bandages, disinfectant and maritime flavours.
Impression: a very good and smoky Bowmore with a pleasant sweet nose, becoming more medicinal in the finish. Well balanced.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D6

Bowmore 1996 For Germany, 17 YO, A.D. Rattray, 57.1%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Vegetal, slightly rubbery, vegetal, smoky and maritime.
Taste: Smooth, slightly floral, vegetal, with lots of toffee, some salt and maritime influence, with peat smoke, citrus and sea breeze. The finish is medium, smoky, maritime, slightly oaky, with some toffee, sea breeze, toffee and some light rubbery notes
Impression: A good Bowmore, tasting slightly younger that its age suggest with a sherry influence contributing to toffee flavours and vegetal influence.
Rating: 12/20 FP:D4

Bowmore First Fill Sherry Cask Feis Ile 2015, 12 YO, OB, 59.6%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very round and vegetal, maritime, on vegetal condiment, some yeast extracts, lots of spices, Christmas cake, orange, peat smoke and seaweeds.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, salty, rich, rather complex, maritime, smoky, on seaweeds, sea shells, sea spray, Christmas cake, rich and diverse spices, orange, some tangerine, cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is medium to long, very smooth and round, vegetal, with lots of smooth spices, on Christmas cake, seaweeds, maritime influence, some peat smoke and tar, seashells and fudge. There is a nice peaty and tarry retro-olfaction.
Impression:  A very good, smooth and round Bowmore, with lots of smooth and soft spices.  Well balanced and enjoyable to drink.
Rating: 15/20 FP:H5

Bowmore Feis Ile 2015 Virgin Oak, OB, 55.7%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold –old gold
Nose: Maritime, peaty, smoky, rather creamy and smooth, on seaweeds, some vanilla and light notes of fudge.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, clean, smoky to very smoky, peaty, maritime, smooth, slightly salty, on seaweeds, with some fudge, cream, vanilla, coconut and some light juicy notes. The finish is medium to long, smooth, creamy, maritime, smoky, moderately peaty, on seaweeds, some sea brine, seashells, vanilla, coconut, cream and some fudge.
Impression: A clean maritime Bowmore, with a nice smooth and creamy influence from the Virgin oak, moderately peaty and a pleasant mouth feel. Very good.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A6

Bruichladdich High Noon Feis Ile 2015, OB, 48.7%, B:2015, 1881 bottles. Price: (for 70 cl equivalent)
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smoky, oaky, peaty to very peaty, very maritime, salty, juicy, on seaweeds, wood smoke, seashells, peat smoke, tar, some diesel smoke, honey and light floral-fruity flavours.
Taste: Oaky, rich, intense, rather complex, maritime, rather juicy, on citrus, some light winey notes, strawberries, wood smoke, peat smoke, old seaweeds, sea shells, tobacco leaves, humidor, slight earthy notes. The finish is long, smoky, slightly peaty, complex, and maritime, with lots of tobacco, earthy, on humus and seaweeds.
Impression: A rather unusual Bruichladdich, with a rather peaty nose, becoming smokier on the palate with a mixture of earthy, maritime and tobacco flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D3

Bunnahabhain  Rubha A’Mhail Feis Ile 2015, 11 YO, OB, 57.4%, B:2015, 1200 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth and round, vegetal, thick, rich, intense, on sultanas, dried fruits, treacle, strawberries, Christmas cake, orange, lots of spices, slight maritime and rubbery flavours.
Taste: Rich, very thick and chewy, maritime, salty, on salted toffee, peach, orange, seaweeds,  Christmas cake, lots of spices, some sea shells and tobacco leaves. The finish is long and on the same flavours.
Impression: A very thick, intense, round and chewy Bunnahabhain from an active sherry cask and lots of spices. A very nice pick from the distillery manager. Complex.
Rating: 16/20 FP:H2

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015, OB, 51.5%, B: 2015. Price :
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smoky, peaty, on peat smoke, seaweeds, Turkish delights, grapefruits, citrus, and a touch of liquorice. Not as peaty or tarry as the other standard Lahproaig.
Taste: Smooth, malty, dusty, peaty, very smoky, on grapefruit, citrus and maritime flavours, as well as light medicinal flavours. Slight soft and with a touch of ground coffee. The finis is medium to long, smoky, peaty, dry, tarry to very tarry, with some soot,  on lemon sorbet, vanilla, liquorice, tar, ashes, charcoal, and some toasted or charred wood.
Impression: Made exclusively from malt prepared on the floor maltings at the distillery, the resulting spirit is very smoky, with quite some citrus and suprisingly tarry on the finish. Less peaty, tarry and maritime than the « standard » Laphroaig. The comparison with other Laphroaig is interesting and the result is very good !
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

Octomore X4 Discovery Feis Ile 2014, OB, 69%, B:2014, 1695 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Young, very smooth, malty, sprity, on vanilla,  with some liquorice, elderberry syrup, tar and peat smoke. The peat smoke is discreet.
Taste: Very smooth, young, hot, spirity, slightly tarry, peaty, and dry, with some bacon, pears and toasted bread.  The finish is medium, very smooth, hot, spirity, dry, slightly malty and tarry, on apples, pears, liquorice and peat smoke. With a dry, tarry and peaty retrol-olfaction.
Impression: The combination of quadruple distillation with heavily peated malt is rather unexpected, since each distillation removes the peaty flavours. Therefore, it is not surprising that the peaty flavours are rather discreet. The whisky is rather young and smooth, with some rather dry flavours on the finish. A whisky for fun ?
Rating: 08/20 FP:A5

Kilchoman 2008 for Feis Ile 2015, OB, 58.2%, B: 2015, 742 bottles. Price :
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, tarry and maritime, ashy, complex, with some peach, sea salt, green apples and vanilla.
Taste: Peaty to very peaty, smooth, round, complex, salty, maritime, medicinal, slightly phenolic, tarry, ashy, with some peach, melon, vanilla, honey and grassy notes. The finish is long, peaty, tarry, ashy, maritime, medicinal, slightly bitter and aromatic, with some seaweeds, phenols, as well as a hint of gentian.
Impression: A very good Kilchoman, well matured, rather complex, and with nice peaty and medicinal flavours. My best Kilchoman so far.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A7

Lagavulin 1991 Feis Ile 2015, 24 YO, OB, 59.9%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Mellow, smooth, peaty, smoky to very smoky, on complex maritime flavours, some bacon, iodine, camphor, sultanas and dried fruits. Rather subtle.
Taste: Mellow, smooth, peaty, salty, smoky, on pears, lots of wood smoke, with some bacon, apples, lime, sea salt, seaweed and iodine. The finish is long, smoky to very smoky, slightly winey and woody, on bacon, vanilla, soot, tar, charred wood, on saw dust, wood spices, and some lemon.
Impression: A rather smoky Lagavulin, with lots of wood smoke as well as some woody notes and a slight harshness. Complex and good, but the influence of wood is well present. Although it was a triple matured whisky, the moscatel influence is slightly more pronouced than in the Caol Ila version.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C5

Caol Ila 1998 Feis Ile 2015, OB, 57.3%, B:2015, 1500 bottles. Price :
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty and tarry, maritime, green, rather clean and sharp, on hemp rope, seaweeds, tar, some BBQ and bacon.
Taste: Very peaty and tarry, ashy, very smoky, maritime, slightly salty, on hemp rope, ashes, liquorice root and soot, as well as slight syrupy and winey notes. The finish is long, very peaty, maritime, rather clean, spicy and smooth, on peat smoke, seaweeds, hemp rope and some slighty winey flavours.
Impression: A very good, intense and very peaty Caol Ila. With a typical Caol Ila flavour, as well as slight syrupy and winey not from the partial maturation in ex- Moscatel cask. I enjoyed this one very much.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C8

Longrow 1974, 21 YO, OB, 46%, B: 1995. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, subtle, complex, tarry, medicinal, on bandages, sea spray, sea brine and some citrus.
Taste: Salty to very salty, very maritime, citric, peaty, smoky, on tar, lots of ashes, diesel smoke, linseed oil, old fish, pencil shaving and medicinal flavours. The finish is medium to long, very citric, salty, maritime, grassy, on grapefruit, peat, soot, tar and lots of ashes.
Impression: A very maritime and salty expression of Longrow, with strong notes of citrus. Very good !
Rating: 17/20 FP:C6

Longrow 1996 Manzanilla for Germany, 16 YO, OB, 56.1%, B: 2013, 546 bottles. Price :
Colour: Amber
Nose: Meaty, mineral, intense, on struck matches, rubber, dried meat and some tar. The struck matches and rubbery flavours progressively disappear with time.
Taste: Rubbery, vegetal, maritime, with some struck matches, pineapples, orange, tangerine, seaweeds and some toffee. The finish is medium to long, maritime, rubbery, on fudge, salt, strawberries and toffee.
Impression: A very difficult Longrow, with strong rubbery and sulphury notes. Not a whisky for me. Sorry.
Rating: 09/20 FP:F6

Longrow Red Fresh Port Casks, 11 YO, OB, 51.8%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, sweet, winey, on grapes, sultanas, soot, tar, charcoal, strawberries and maritime flavours.
Taste: Sweet, maritime, slightly salty, winey, on sea brine, chocolate, strawberries and sultanas, with some rubbery flavours. The finish is medium, salty, maritime, slightly rubbery, on strawberries and tar.
Impression: A peaty Longrow, rather salty and maritime, with rather strong winey aromas from the Port Casks. The combinations of flavours are rather special and not very much to my liking. Sorry.
Rating: 10/20 FP:F6

Kilkerran Work In Progress 6 Bourbon, OB, 46%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose:  Oaky, spicy to very spicy, on harbour flavours, some salt, smoke and a touch of almonds.
Taste: Rich, robust, slightly maritime and salty, on harbour flavours, some smoke and diverse spices, with light floral-aromatic flavours as well. The finish is medium, waxy, oaky, spicy, robust, slightly maritime and salty, with some citrus, vanilla and creamy flavours.
Impression: A good whisky, robust and spicy, with nice harbour-like flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A2

Kilkerran Work In Progress 6 Sherry OB, 46%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Oaky, spicy to very spicy, on harbour flavours, some salt, smoke, a touch of almonds and some vegetal sherry influence,
Taste: Rich, intense, oaky, salty, slightly maritime, on harbour flavours, some coconuts, tangerine, and light vegetal sherry influence.  The finish is medium, slightly bitter, oaky, rich, robust, spicy, slightly salty and maritime, with some diesel smoke and tangerine. Rounder and smoother than the Bourbon version.
Impression: A good robust Kilkerran, with a pleasant smooth, almost silky mouth feel.
Rating: 14/20 FP:D2

Yoichi 1994 116.19 Japan Only, 20 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 61.3%, B: 2014, 526 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, velevety, very fruity, with some lacquer, spices, plums, exotic wood, some sea brine, peat smoke and seaweeds.
Taste:  Very smooth, mellow, fruity, on cinnamon sticks, tobacco leaves, humidor, wax, laquer, exotic wood, cherries, gelly and crystallised fruits, incense, beeswax and some alomond.  The finish is long, complex, smooth, mellow and on the same flavours as on the palate.
Impression: An excellent, smooth, and complex Yoichi, with a superb balance and flavour integration.
Rating: 18/20 FP:G2

Yoichi 20 YO Distillery Only, OB, 60%, cask 400655. Price:
Colour : Gold-old gold
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, very complex, peaty, salty, fruity, with some laquer, orange, spices, plums, dried fruits, incense and some exotic wood. Excellent.
Taste: Round, smooth to very smooth, peaty, salty, fruity, intense, with some tar, ashes, candied oranges and tangerines, diverses spices, some cardamon, laquer and exotic wood. The finish is medium to long, smooth, mellow, maritime, slightly woody, peaty, smoky and salty, on candied fruits (orange, tangerine), some spices and slight austere notes.
Impression: An excellent smooth, salty and sherried single cask Yoichi sold exclusively at the distillery, rather spicy.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G2

Yoichi 1989, OB, 60%, cask 206497. Price:
Colour : Gold-old gold
Nose : Peaty, smooth, mellow, with some seaweeds, creamy notes and milk chocolate. Elegant and subtle.
Taste : Very peaty, smooth, floral, elegant, complex, rather maritime, with some seaweeds, tar, ashes and a touch of lacquer. The finish is long, very smooth, peaty, elegant, sublte, complex, slightly creamy, with some fresh and polished wood, a touche of seaweeds, sea brine, laquer and tar.
Impression : An excellent Yoichi, complex, elegant, subtle and very smooth. I really enjoyed this type of whisky.
Rating : 17/20 FP:C4

Yoichi 1987 for La Maison Du Whisky, 19 YO, OB, 63.0%, B:2006, cask 113200. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, floral, smooth, tarry, meaty to very meaty, slightly velvety, on dried meat, some sea brine, spices and slight sweet fruity notes. Complex, with a delicious complex and slightly mineral peat smoke.
Taste: Tarry, ashy, moderately peaty and saly, with some seabrine, seaweeds, cooked and candied fruits. Diluted, the fruity flavours becomes smoother, sweeter and rounder. The finish is medium to long, peaty, smoky, maritime, on cooked and candied fruits, including tangerine, orange and some mango. There are a long and subtle peaty retro-olfaction.
Impression: A very pleasant, sweet, fruity and peaty Yoichi, very smooth and rather salty.
Rating: 16/20 FP:E4

Taketsuru 21 YO 80th Anniversary, OB, 48%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour : Old gold
Nose : Smooth, mellow to very mellow, slightly peaty, on ripe fruits, apples and some exotic and polished wood. Very elegant.
Taste : Very smooth, sublte, elegant, slightly peaty, with some varnish, cooked fruits (apples), lacquer and polished wood.  The finish is medium, very smooth, subtle, on soybean sauce, polished wood, cooked apples, a thread of peat and lacquer duck.
Impression : A very smooth japanese whisky on cooked apples. Not the most balanced whisky I have tasted from Nikka.
Rating : 12/20 FP:F2

Yamazaki 1984 sample, OB, B:2015. Price:
Colour : Amber
Nose : Fresh, complex, fruity, on apricots, peach, tangerine, with some straberries, raspberries, cocoa, beeswax and light fruits of the orchards. Subtle, smooth and elegant.
Taste : Very sweet, juicy, fruity, smooth, mellow, complex, with some peat smoke, on orange and tangerine juice, mango, exotic fruits as well as some berries. Simply delicious. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, sweet, juicy and fruity, on tropical fruits, tangerine and orange. Very fresh and simply delicious.
Impression : A superb example of a delicously and fruity Yamazaki. Simply flawless and probably my finest Japanese whisky so far. Thank you Yutaka.
Rating :  n.a. (sample) FP:F2

Taketsuru 35 YO, OB, 43%, B :2008, 1000 bottles. Price:
Colour : Old gold-amber
Nose : Smooth, complex, on cooked fruits (mainly apples), polished and exotic woods, some plums, orange, tangerine and light elegant smoky and peaty flavours. Elegant and very good.
Taste : Very smooth, mellow, elegant, with light tannins, cooked fruits, exotic wood, wood polish, some laquer and plums. Complex and well balanced. The finish is long, slightly tannic, smoky, on laquer, plums, orange, tangerine, some cinnamon, light peat smoke and cooked fruits.
Impression : A smooth, mellow, complex, silky and well balanced Takesturu, with some tannins and a slight astringency in the finish. Elgant and very good. Almost impossible to find nowadays.
Rating : 17/20 FP:D2

Yamazaki 119.14 « Raspberry Imperial stout » 2003, 11 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 53.9%, B : 2014. Price:
Colour : Amber
Nose : Very smooth, fresh, fruity, on orchards fruits, beeswax, pollen, apricots, peach and some berries.
Taste : Very smooth, fruity, floral, velvety, slightly spicy, on rich fruits notes, leather, tannins, tangerine, orange zest, polished wood, some sandalwoods and ripe strawberries. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, velvety, astringent, bitter, with some rubber, berries, leather, tanins and nice floral notes.
Impression : A very elegant, intense and smooth Yamazaki, well balanced, but with a rather astringent and bitter finish.
Rating : 15/20 FP:I1

Yamazaki 3rd Anniversary of the Whisky Shop 2000, OB, 59%, E0770419. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, thick, smoky, fruity, on chocolate, tannins, plums, strawberries, dried fruits, tangerine, orange, some incense, soybean sauce, leather and sandalwood. Complex and excellent.
Taste: Sweet, fruity, smooth, sweet, on berries, some herbal liquor, ripe and sweet fruity notes, tangerine, orange and berries. The finish is medium to long, smooth, mellow, complex, floral, on strawberries, cocoa, with some tannins, leather and woody-astringent flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on burnt sugar and dried plums.
Impression: An excellent smooth, complex and well balanced sherried Yamazaki, without too much bitterness and astringency in the finish. Well done.
Rating: 17/20 FP:H1

Yamazaki 1986, OB, 51%, cask 6B0168. Price: n.a.
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, velvety, floral, complex, on precious wood, leather, plums, ripe fruits, orange, tangerine and some berries. Delicious.
Taste: Oaky, fruity, on pineapples, strawberries, apricots, peach, pine wax, some eucalyptus, melon and some orange zest. The finish is medium to long, slightly oaky, on juniper, cloves, ginger, some eucalyptus, apricots, peach, sour berries, pine wax and light notes of pineapples.
Impression: A very good, intense, complex Yamazaki with a pleasant influence from the oak cask.
Rating: 17/20 FP:D1

The Cask of Yamazaki 1990, OB, 61%, B:2008, c.ON7064. Price:
Colour : Amber
Nose : Very smooth, floral, on plums, lacquer, exotic wood, some varnish, nutmeg, cinnamon, red berries and soft spices. Excellent.
Taste : Very smooth, round, spicy, bitter, on toffee, some coffee, rubber, leather and polished wood. The finish is medium to long, slighly astringent, on orange and tiramisu.
Impression : A very smooth and round Yamzaki, with a gorgeous nose, but slightly astringent on the palate.
Rating : 16/20 FP:I1

Yamazaki 1995, OB, 62%, cask 5P70008. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Very smooth, floral, on pollen, sweet ripe fruits, some apricots and peach. Very good.
Taste : Smooth, oaky, rather spicy, with some berries, ripe fruits, fruits from the orchards, some melon, pollen and honey. The finish is medium, intense, spicy, oaky to very oaky, slightly grassy, on ginger, apricots, vanilla, wood spices, some melon, berries and fruits from the orchards. Diluted, it becomes slightly smoother and more creamy.
Impression : A intense, almost fierce Yamazaki, with pronouced oaky flavours. It is good, but the edges are slightly rough. Not an easy drinking malt.
Rating : 13/20 FP:D1

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2012, OB, 43%. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, fruity, slightly smoky and floral, with some peach, apricots, tangerine, some leather, cocoa and light tannins.
Taste: Very smooth, rich and fruity, with some apricots, peach, tangerine, leather, spices, cinnamon, a touch of rubber, some cocoa, sandalwoods and beeswax. The finish is medium, fruity, floral, astringent, rather bitter and fruity, on leather, orange peel, some cocoa, coffee beans, and tangerine.
Impression: The nose is very pleasant, sweet, rich, juicy and fruity, with a good and rich sherry influence on the palate, but becoming dry, bitter and astringent on the finish, too much to my liking.
Rating: 14/20 FP:I1

Yamazaki  1986 Bar Barns, OB, B:2007, Cask Butt/Mizunara 6G5020, 244 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Oaky, fresh, slightly creamy, on juicy oaky, ripe fruits, some exotic woods, a hint of berries and tropical fruits. More juicy and fruitier than the 1995.
Taste: Sweet, smooth, mellow, on pineapples, tropical fruits, apricots, peach, cream, cranberries, physalis and some banana puree and coconut chips. The finish is long, creamy, smooth to very smooth, mellow, slightly oaky, on pineapple, coconut, berries, apricots, peach and some ripe fruits from the orchards.
Impression: An excellent, smooth and complex Yamazaki with a very fruity influence from the mizunara cask. A very nice treat !
Rating: 17/20 FP:D1

The Yamazaki Distillery Selection, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold,
Nose : Very smooth, floral, fresh, with some green apples and pears, a touch of ginger, vanilla and some pollen.
Taste : Fresh, zesty, floral, rather fragrant, on lemon peel, some starch, melon, orchards fruits and pollen. The finish is medium, smooth, spicy, floral, slightly fragrant, with some hops, tobaccao leaves, sandalwood,  melon and orchards fruits.
Impression : A good whisky, rather round and oaky, and slightly less complex than the 12 YO.
Rating : 12/20 FP:A1

The Yamazaki 25 YO, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Dark amber
Nose : Thick, resinuous, slightly floral and fragrant, on leather, tannins, plums, dried fruits, some berries, cocoa, exotic fruits, sandalwood and beeswax. Excellent.
Taste : Woody, rather tannic and astringent, on a mixture of red, black and slightly sour berries, charred wood, apricots, tangerine, orange, peach and melon, with some beeswax, wood polish and exotic wood. The finish is medium to long, floral,fragrant, rather woody, tannic and astringent, on sour berries, leather, cocoa, dark chocolate, some ripe fruits, plums, sultanas, strawberries and some honey.
Impression : A very good whisky, with a strong influence of european sherry casks of high quality, with more depth and complexity than the 18 YO. However, it is rather tannic and astringent. I prefer the balance of the 18 YO. A 21 YO sherry Yamazaki would certainly be interesting to taste.
Rating :16/20 FP:I1

The Yamazaki 18 YO, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Amber
Nose : Fresh, smooth, intense, rich, fragrant, floral, fruity, on physalis, sandalwood, juicy oak, orange peel, tangerine, orchards fruits and soft spices. Complex and well balanced. The nose is excellent, with a noticeable mizunara influence.
Taste : Smooth, spicy, rich, rather fragrant and resinous, on exotic and sandalwood, some tannins, leather, orange peel, berries, sultanas, dark chocolate, green apples, humus. The finish is medium to long, smooth, slighly spicy, on apricots, raspberry and strawberry jam, as well as some cinnamon, cocoa, beeswax and some fragrant floral notes. Diluted the resinous aromas are getting very strong and with some eucalyptus.
Impression :  A very complex, well balanced and rich whisky, with a very pleasant smoothness. My favourite Yamazaki of the range. In terms of scoring, I was very surprised by my difference in score between the Yamazaki 18 YO I tasted almost 8 years and today. Went something wrong when I tasted earlier or was the quality lower then ? I do not know, but it is always to taste back some whiskies after some time. Our palate and preferences change over time.
Rating : 17/20 FP:E1

The Yamazaki 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Very floral, intense,  smooth, on berries, strawberries, some sandalwood, tangerine and orange zest. Sweeter and fruitier than the Distiller’s Reserve.
Taste : Smooth, floral, sligthly fragrant, juicy and zesty, with some soft spices, berries and fruits from the orchards, as well as a hint of smoke and fenchel. The finish is medium, rather spicy, oaky, on ginger, some slightly sour berries, diverse spices, some starch, tangerine and lemon peel, physalis, peach and honey.
Impression : A good, smooth, rather spicy and complex whisky, with a certain freshness.
Rating : 13/20 FP:A1

The Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose :  Smooth, floral, on honey, dried berries and fruits, with some soft spices and vanilla and some oaky notes. Some influence of Mizunara cask can be perceived. Rather complex.
Taste : Sweet, slightly malty and oaky, rather juicy and fragrant, with some coconut, berries, orchards fruits, soft spices and starch. The finish is medium, sweet, floral, slightly malty and grassy, on honey, some starch, orchards fruits and some slightly sour berries, as well as some sandalwood.
Impression : A good, smooth, fresh and well done Yamazaki, with a good body.
Rating : 12/20 FP:B1

Glen Garioch 1989, 24 YO, The Perfect Dram, 51.4%, B:2014, 220 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, slightly smoky, austere and mineral, with some fudge, paraffin,  and slight notes of vanilla, eucalyptus and humus.
Taste: Oaky, spicy, slightly smoky and waxy, on ginger, some fruits from the orchards, toffee, vanilla, humus and damp wood, as well as some austere notes and honey. The finish is medium, slightly smoky, austere and bitter, on honey, menthol, eucalyptus, slight mineral and woody notes, a few drops of green apples and some mushrooms.
Impression: A good Glen Garioch, with a mixture of mineral, austere and humic flavours, but with the wood starting to show off.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Glen Garioch 1998 Batch 24 Wine Matured, OB, 48%, B:2014, 6000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-red
Nose:  Very winey, smooth, vegetal, round, on sultanas, vegetal condiment (Maggi), sweet spices, berries and honey.
Taste: Winey, sugary, sweet, mineral, on vegetal flavours, some yeast extract, berries, heather, honey, dried plums, sultanas, brambles, strawberries, chocolate, coconuts and fudge.
Impression: A very sugary and winey Glen Garioch, on sweet round berries and cocoa. The wine influence is well present and provides an unusual flavours profile for this round version of Glen Garioch. Different, but enjoyable.
Rating: 14/20 FP:E1

Glen Garioch 1966, Samaroli, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smoky, peaty, mineral, austere, aromatic, slightly tarry, with some bitter fruits. The nose is surprisingly mineral.
Taste: Tarry, ashy, woody, austere, slightly aromatic and waxy, on rucotta, wet tobacco leaves, some flint stones, bitter citrus and farmy notes. The finish is medium to long, mineral, slightly bitter, waxy and aromatic, on bitter lemon, orange zest, some mint, tar and soot, as well as some oaky and slightly tannic notes.
Impression: A very good old Glen Garioch, rather austere, aromatic, smoky and mineral and on bitter citrus influence. Not a very easy whisky, but I enjoyed it very much.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A5

Glen Garioch 1966, Samaroli, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:

Different label, but same whisky as above (and from the same casks)

Glen Garioch 1957-87 30th Anniversary for Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone, Duthie for Samaroli, 50%, D:1975, B :1987. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Aromatic, intense, peaty to very peaty, slightly mineral, on complex peat smoke, some tar, soot and vanilla. Delicious.
Taste: Very peaty and aromatic, dry, ashy, tarry, on BBQ, spices, thyme, some soot and oaky notes. The finish is long, peaty, smoky, aromatic, dry, on BBQ, vanilla and a touch of fudge.
Impression: An old style of heavily peaty Glen Garioch that I like so much. Very intense and complex.It speaks loud the style of Glen Garioch distilled in 1975
Rating: 19/20 FP:A7

Glen Garioch 1975 White Label, Duthie for Samaroli, 57%, B: 1988, 240 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, clean, intense and slightly aromatic, with a few honey drops. Lighter, cleaner and less aromatic than the 30th Anniversary bottling.
Taste: Dry, intense, aromatic, slightly mineral, floral, fragrant, with some honey, a light sweetness and a slight bitterness. The finish is medium to long, peaty, dry, fragrant, bitter, very aromatic, with some gentian and vanilla.
Impression: A clean, peaty, rather light and very aromatic Glen Garioch. Note: There are two versions with the same label, but one was bottled at 50% and another at 57%.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A5

Laphroaig 1966, 21 YO, Intertrade, 48.5%, 168 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty, maritime, on dry sherry and leather, with some treacle, exotic fruits, grapefruit, ashes, disinfectant and bandages.
Taste: Very fruity, rather sweet, peaty, smoky, well balanced and smooth, slightly salty and maritime, on tropical fruits, mango, papaya, passion fruits, pink grapefruit, tangerine and some pipe tobacco. The finish is long, maritime, salty, peaty, tarry, very smoky, with light medicinal notes, some walnuts and lots of tropical fruits. Diluted, it becomes more salty, peppery, drier, slightly astringent and tannic, but with some extra sweet fruity flavours as well.
Impression: A rather dry and maritime Laphroaig with the sherry influence providing probably the sweet fruity influence with passion fruits. Very good, but the woody, dry and astringent notes are slightly too present to my liking in the finish.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G5

Laphroaig 10 YO (1.14 L), OB, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty and maritime, ashy, tarry, on peat smoke, soot, humus, seaweeds and light fruity notes. Rather sharp and austere, with a pleasant and complex peat smoke.
Taste: Peaty, maritime, salty, with some seaweeds, austere peat smoke, ashes, tar and citrus. Seems slightly thin. The finish is medium, maritime and slightly salty, on peat smoke, tar, cold ashes, some liquorice roots, citrus and a touch of tropical fruits.
Impression: The tarry, ashy and maritime peat smoke flavours are very good. The whisky is well balanced, but slightly thin in spite of its 43%.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C6

Laphroaig 1990 Angel’s choice, 25 YO, Malts of Scotland, 48.9%, B:2015, cask 15025, 139 bottles. Price: (70 cl equivalent)
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very peaty, smoky, tarry and ashy, maritime, on soot, tar, seaweeds, disinfectant, and round slighty dry and chewy sherry influence.
Taste: Very peaty, intense, smoky, tarry, citric, on round sherry, tangerine, orange, spices, leather, tannins, cinnamon sticks, some soot, tar, bloody oranges and other spices.  The finish is long, chewy, round, mellow, fruity, on orange, soot, tar, peat smoke, some disinfectant, salt and seaweeds.
Impression: An excellent, intense and very peaty Laphroaig in a leather glove.  The peat intensity is impressive and the whole well balanced. Never tasted a Laphroaig with some much peat after 25 years in a cask. Excellent.
Rating: 18/20 FP:H7

Laphroaig 1989 Old Malt Cask, 20 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, Ref 5142, 259 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Peaty to very peaty, smoky, maritime, round, on seaweeds, tar and a round and sweet sherry influence.
Taste: Maritime to very maritime, on disinfectant, peat smoke, some tar, ashes, grapefruits, and some iodine.  The finish is long, very tarry, ashy, maritime, on iodine, camphor, salt, seaweeds and soot.
Impression: A very maritime, slightly dry, but very tarry and ashy Laphroaig, with strong medicinal flavours.
Rating: 17/20 FP:I6

Laphroaig 1979, Blackadder, 54.5%, B: 1997, cask 5965. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Maritime, smoky, peaty, fruity, on seaweeds, grapefruits, other citrus and exotic fruits (mango and papaya). An old style of Laphroaig.
Taste: Very fruity, peaty, smoky, slightly medicinal and maritime, on exotic fruits and pink grapefruit. The finish is medium to long, very medicinal, smoky, maritime, with some iodine, disinfectant, camphor, iodine and citrus.
Impression: A very good old school Laphroaig combining peat smoke, disinfectant and citrus. Lovely.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A6

Glen Garioch 1993 For Germany, 21 YO, Berry Bros & Rudd, 57%, B:2015, cask 781. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, rather mineral, on milk chocolate, cocoa, some cream, light smoky notes and leather, as well as some slightly bitter fruity notes. Well balanced.
Taste: Mineral, slightly aromatic, waxy and fragrant, on ococa, some peat smoke, rubber, tannins and game, as well as some fruity notes, menthol, eucalyptus and pink grapefruit. Diluted, there are some toffee and light fruity notes, eucalyptus pine wax.
Impression: A nice sherried Glen Garioch, rather mineral and with the eucalyptus flavours reminding me of the old Glen Garioch. Very good.
Rating: 15/20 FP:E2

Glen Garioch 1990, 24 YO, Signatory, 48.8%, B : 2014, cask 2761. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Slightly smoky, rather aromatic, smooth, slightly spicy (including a touch of juniper), with some floral and honey notes.
Taste : Oaky, floral, waxy, slightly fragrant, on some dry and wet wood, humus, wet tobbaco leaves and some herbal tea. The finish is medium, rather woody, oaky and on humus, with quite some peat smoke and tobacco quid.
Impression : A good, rather smoky and peaty Glen Garioch, with strong notes of humus.
Rating : 14/20 FP: A2

Glen Garioch 1992 for Charles Hofer Switzerland, Berry Bros & Rudd, 56%, B :2015 cask 3061. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Oaky to very oaky, slightly floral, on toffee and some dry grassy notes
Taste : Smooth, slightly oaky and dry, floral, slightly fragrant, on toffee and some geranium flavours. The finish is medium, oaky, spicy, on ginger, some vanilla and fudge. Diluted, it becomes very bitter, on hops and beer.
Impression : A slightly rough Glen Garioch, rather spicy and bitter in the finish. I enjoyed the previous bottling for Switzerland much better.
Rating : 12/20 FP: A1

Glen Garioch 1989, 24 YO, Friends of Oak (Kingsbury), 46%, B : 2013. 120 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Light, fresh, slightly grassy, mineral, on peat smoke, light aromatic notes and nice honey notes.
Taste: Smooth, elegant, slightly waxy, mineral and peaty, with some sweet grassy and honey notes, some vanilla and light aromatic flavours. Complex. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly peaty, waxy and mineral, with some honey, fudge and vanilla.
Impression: A very nice, mineral, smooth, complex and elegant whisky. Rather peaty.
Rating: 17/20 FP:A3

Glen Garioch Early Flying 1989, 25 YO, The Whisky Agency, 50.3%, B : 2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Rather austere and mineral, slightly peaty and smoky, some light floral notes and a twist of citrus and melon.
Taste : Dry, oaky to very oaky, floral, fragrant, peaty, smoky, austere and with some vanilla. The finish is medium, floral, dry, fragrant, oaky to very oaky, rather bitter, mineral and smoky, with some austere and citric aromas.
Impression : A rather peaty, austere, dry and fragrant version of Glen Garioch, rather intense with the wood rather present. Less peaty than the Friends of the Oak.
Rating :  14/20 FP: A2

Highland Park 1957 For Samaroli, 22 YO, Cadenheads, 80 proof, B:1977. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Aromatic, slightly peaty, smoky, mineral, salty and maritime, on heather,with some eucalyptus and honey.Very complex.
Taste: Aromatic, slightly mineral, peaty, resinous and smoky, with some heather, light sweet and sugary flavours, as well as some orange and tangerine peel, with a touch of ashes and maritime flavours. The finish is medium to long, slightly thin, rather mineral, juicy, smoky, aromatic, with elegant maritime flavours, some tangerine, a hint of orange, ashes and burnt heather.
Impression: A version slightly rounder than the St Magnus 70 proof and slightly less intense as well.
Rating: 16/20 FP:D3

Highland Park 1990, 23 YO, A.D. Rattray, 56.2%, B: 2014, 536 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, smoky, slightly peaty and mineral, on heather honey and a light sweetness.
Taste: Sweet, smooth, slightly austere, with some peat smoke, a touch of eucalyptus, some honey, grassy and herbal flavours. The finish is medium, aromatic, austere to very austere, on heather, with some eucalyptus, parsley, almonds and spices.
Impression: A rather austere, dry and aromatic version of Highland Park, with a faint sherry influence. A rather difficult Highland Park.
Rating: 14/20 FP: C3

Highland Park 1980 Angel’s choice, 35 YO, Malts of Scotland, 52.3%, B:2015, cask 14044, 92 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, round, on heather, honey, soft spices, light juicy fruity notes (orange, tangerine, pineapples and very light citrus flavours) and delicate peat smoke. Well balanced.
Taste: Rich, smooth, mellow, spicy, slightly mineral and maritime, with a nice sweetness, slighl sugary flavours, on candied tangerine, heather, honey, some peat and bonfire smoke, as well as some light zesty flavours. The finish is medium to long, rather maritime and salty, with a smooth and sweet influence, on heather, peat and bonfire smoke, slight mineral, smoky and peaty flavours, with a light touch of tangerine and honey.
Impression: A very nice, smooth, mellow, rich, complex and rather maritime-salty Highland Park. The sherry influence is pleasant in balance with the distillate. A well-made aged Highland Park.
Rating: 16/20 FP:F3

Highland Park 1989, 25 YO, Carn Mor, 49.4%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Amber-black
Nose: Very smooth, round and sweet, on dried fruits, sultanas, leather, heather, honey, orange, tangerine and some wallnuts.
Taste: Rich, thick, very chewy, heavy, tannic, woody, rather astringent, on chocolate, roasted coffee beans, some sap, orange and bitter orange skin, and some treacle. The finish is long, woody, very tannic, astringent, bitter, on cinnamon, tannins, cloves, orange, tangerine, roasted coffee beans and intense wallnuts flavours.
Impression: A very intense, tannic, woody Highland Park with fruity and spicy notes.
Rating: 15/20 FP:J2

Highland Park St Magnus Label, OB, 70 Proof, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Rich, sweet, fruity, juicy, rather maritime and mineral, on honey, some citrus, tangerine, orange, heater, and light aromatic flavours and some old wood fire and diesel smoke.
Taste: Very smooth, juicy, fresh and fruity, with some starch, bacon, heather, old bonfire ashes, a touch of spearmint and smoke ham. The finish is medium to long, sweet, sugary, juicy, fruity, slightly mineral, maritime and aromatic, on heather, some spearmint, a touch of eucalyptus, fruits from the orchards, some tangerine and a hint of leather.
Impression: A very good old fashioned Highland Park, rather mineral, with a light and fresh mineral influence and nice aromatic flavours. Rather different from the current style, light, but sweet, juicy and sugary. I really enjoy it.
Rating: 17/20 FP:D3

Highland Park St-Magnus Label, OB, 100 Proof , B: 1950s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Mineral, peaty, smoky, austere, rather dry, on flint stones, aromatic herbs, cold tea and some heather. Subtle. An old fashioned type of whisky.
Taste: Salty, maritime, smoky, oily, on linseed oil, some cold tea, almonds, wax, some austere flavours, heather honey, beeswax, some sap and a light notes of grapefruits, with a certain spiciness (white pepper). The finish is medium, rather mineral, austere, herbal, slightly waxy, peppery and oily, with some cold tea, almonds, old pipe tobacco and some candied fruits
Impression: An unsual Highland Park, rather mineral, waxy, herbal and austere, with just a touch of peat smoke.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C3

Hakushu 1992 Owner’s cask, OB, B:2011, cask 2B40276, 253 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold,
Nose : Smooth, round to very round, complex, slightly floral and grassy, on pear drops, melon and other sweet rather exotic fruity flavours.
Taste : Very smooth, fruity, rich, complex, with some herbal tea, mango, peppermint, tangerine, lemon, green apples and some pear drops. The finish is medium, smooth, round to very round, mellow, fruity, rich, complex, on mango, melon, fruits from the orchards, pollen, slight malty and starchy notes.
Impression : A very elegant, round and complex Hakushu, with nice fruity notes and a silky mouth feel.
Rating : 16/20 FP:B1

Hakushu Distillery Selection (Distillery Only), OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour : Pale gold
Nose : Smooth, malty to very malty, slightly floral, on vanilla, some toffee, fudge, pear drops and dry flowers.
Taste : Oaky, smooth to very smooth, floral, slightly malty, with some toffe and fudge, as well as some green apples. Diluted, it becomes smoother, on muesli, cereals, with some starch and round notes of apples and pear. The finish is medium, malty, smooth, on cereals, fruits from the orchards and some starch.
Impression : Tasted neat, it was heavier, rounder and more starchy than the 12 yo, with less fresh fruity notes, but diluted, it becomes smoother and with a different mouth feel, that I enjoyed well.
Rating : 13/20 FP: A1

Hakushu 18 YO, OB, 43%, B : 2015. Price:
Colour :  Gold-old gold
Nose : Smooth, mellow, slightly floral and smoky, on limeblossom, vanilla and some orange zest. Well balanced.
Taste : Very smooth, juicy, sweet , with ripe fruity notes, some peat smoke, tangerine, melon, orange, slightly grassy and honey notes. Complex. The finish is medium to long, slightly smoky, on ripe fruits, some melon, fruits from the orchards, tangerine, orange and honey, as well as some ginger.
Impression : A very good, elegant, smooth, slightly peaty and smoky Hakushu. Mellower than the younger versions with a smooth structure and with pleasant sweet fruity influence.
Rating : 15/20 FP:E2

Hakushu 25 YO, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Amber
Nose : Slightly smoky, complex, smooth, mellow, on ripe and dried fruits (pear, orange, tangerine), some spices (cinnamon) and rancio. Well balanced and excellent.
Taste : Complex, rich, slightly peaty, smoky and floral, on cinnamon, some tannins, leather, ripe sweet fruity notes, a touch of dried fruits, sultanas, figs and plums. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, mellow, rich, slightly fruity and peaty, with some tannins, leather and elegant notes of ripe fruits.
Impression : A version of Hakushu with a nice sherry influence, very smooth, subtle and elegant. A different expression of Hakushu that I enjoyed very much, in a rather different flavour profile than the rest of the core range, due to the use of sherry casks. Better than I recalled and definitely worth tasting.
Rating : 17/20 FP:G2

Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour : Pale gold
Nose : Extremely fresh, smooth,  clean, on pear drops, slight malty notes and a touch of vanilla.
Taste : Fresh, oaky, slightly malty, with some hops, pear drops, vanilla and light floral notes. The finish is medium, spicy, oaky, fresh, with some green apple and pears.
Impression : The nose is very fresh, with lots of pears, with oaky notes on the palate. I enjoy it better when drinking as highball.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Hakushu 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour :  Pale gold
Nose : Fresh, clean, smooth, on pear drops, some light juicy oaky notes and thin notes of toffee. Rounder and mellower than the Distiller’s Reserve.
Taste : Very smooth and fresh, with a light smokiness, on green apples and pears, a hing of toffee and starch. The finish is medium, smooth, fresh, slightly smoky and floral, on fruits from the orchards and grassy notes.
Impression : A good and fresh whisky, with the nose slightly rounder than the Distiller’s  Reserve and less oaky as well.
Rating : 12/20 FP:A1

Ardbeg Perpetuum Distillery Release, OB, 49.2%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Oaky, maritime, modern, on vanilla, camphor, iodine and seaweeds.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, maritime, modern, slightly medicinal, and with lots of iodine and some seaweeds. The finish is medium, medicinal,  maritime, with some iodine, spearmint and peat smoke.
Impression: A rather medicinal and modern Ardbeg, with some smoothness, moderate peaty flavours and spearmint. Seems slightly young
Rating: 15/20 FP:A5

Ardbeg 1993, The First Editions, 59.3%, B: 2015, 120 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Peaty, intense, smoky, complex, maritime to very maritime, on damp seaweeds, some camphor and medicinal flavours. Very good.
Taste: Intense, complex, peaty, slightly floral, with a certain sweetness, some tangerine, citrus, a touch of tangerine, some salt and seabrine, camphor and iodine. The finish is long, complex, peaty, smoky, and maritime, with some spearmint, iodine, camphor, seaweeds, candied lemon and orange.
Impression: An excellent complex, maritime, rather medicinal Ardbeg. I only wish the price was more friendly (close to 800 CHF)
Rating: 17/20 FP:D6

Old Fitzgerald's 1849, OB, 45% (90 Proof), B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, round, rich, slightly spicy (rye), on treacle, maple syrups, cereals, on cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, peach and orange.
Taste: Very Spicy, slightly soapy, rich, intense, on cooked cerals, apricots, peach, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.  The finish is long, very intense, smooth, rich, spicy, on cooked cereals, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, orange, tangerine, sultanas and some treacle.
Impression: A very different whiskey from the  Very Very Old Fitzgerlad, very intense and fresh, with lots of cooked cerals, peach and apricot. A modern but very good Bourbon.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Very Very Old Fitzgerald,12 YO, OB, 100 Proof, B : 1960s. Price:
Colour : Old gold
Nose : Mellow, smooth to very smooth, floral, spicy, some hay, straw, dry flowers, pine, and some light peppery notes.
Taste : Very smooth, creamy, sweet, slightly zesty, on cinnamon, lemon zest, a touch of orange, some spices, spearmint and cinnamon sticks. The finish is medium to long, creamy, very smooth, rather sweet, with a slight astringency, with some zest, orange, tangerine, spearmint, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Impression : A very smooth, creamy and zesty Bourbon distilled at the legendary Stitzel-Weller operated by the Van Winkle family. Very good and rather light for a bourbon.
Rating : 15/20 FP:A1

Blanton Single Barrel, OB, 50%, B:2014, cask 293. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, slightly creamy, on spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, orange and cooked vanilla. A rather subtle and slightly smoky Bourbon.
Taste: Very smooth, fruity, sweet, on tangerine, orange, some spices, nutmeg, oak, treacle, honey, maple syrup and cashews. The finish is medium, very smooth and mellow, oaky, slightly tannic, sweet, on orange, some tangerine, peach and cooked cereals, as well as some honey. Subtle.
Impression: An elegant, smooth and subtle, rather sweet and easy to drink, with a fair dose of oranges. Thank you Jérôme.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Jefferson’s Presidential Select 1991 Batch 27, 18 YO, OB, 47%. B: 2010. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very to extremely smooth, velvety, round, slightly creamy, subtle, on spices, cooked cereals, apricots, some floral and slightly smoky notes.
Taste: Floral (jasmine and rose), elegant, subtle, slightly fragrant, on apricots, some peach, cooked cereals, on slightly dry spices, some bitter herbal liquor, candied orange, over infused cinnamon tea and some toffee. The finish is medium to long, dry, floral, bitter, slightly woody and astringent, on cinnamon stick, orange, tangerine, jasmine and some black tea.
Impression: A well made Bourbon, with nice cinnamon flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch 2, OB, 68.5%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-brown
Nose: Fresh, intense, malty, with some corn, corn syrup, charred wood and lots of vanilla. Diluted, it becomes smoother and more elegant.
Taste: Fresh, intense, malty, fruity, rather dry, spicy and oaky, with some apricots and bitter oranges. Let’s quickly add some water. Diluted, it becomes very smooth, light, refreshing, with a hint of menthol, some apricots, peach, cinnamon, some nutmeg, other spices and on treacle. The finish is medium, very smooth, spicy, on cinnamon, some menthol, apricots and some other juicy and rather sweet flavours, with rye flavours.
Impression: A good and very smooth Bourbon that needs some water.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Willett "Pot Still" decanter, OB, 43%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Rich, spicy, intense, with rather strong notes of rye, on peach, apricots, cooked cereals, treacle, orange, cinnamon and vanilla.
Taste: Smooth, slightly spirity, rather young, on corn, some rye spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, tangerine, peach and some slightly green apricots, as well as some cream. The finish is medium, rather young and oaky, slightly harsh, on rye, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, some tangerine and slightly green apricots.
Impression: The nose was very pleasant, but it taste rather young, slightly immature and rather spicy, with certain harshness. It seems like it has been bottled too young. The nose was very promising.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel, OB, 50%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, mellow, round, smooth, slightly spicy, on vanilla, treacle, burnt sugar and corn syrup.
Taste: Smooth, mellow, slightly fruity, on apricots, some peach, cooked cereals, brown sugar, some oranges, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, smooth, subtle, complex, fruity and spicy.
Impression:  A very good produce from Buffalo trace, rather elegant and subtle, with a nice intensity of flavours and a good balance.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof, OB, 64.5%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, round, smooth, mellow to very mellow, on treacle, nutmeg , cinnamon, brown sugar and some corn. Smells more mellow and complex than the Single Barrel.
Taste: Clean, intense, on peach, cinnamon and maple syrup, with some nutmeg, peach, vanilla and brown sugar. The finish is short to medium, slightly spirity, clean, oaky, on maple syrup, orange and tangerine. Diluted, the finish becomes longer, more on maple syrup, with some red berries juice and a few drops of pineapple and peach.
Impression: A very good version, but rather spirity at full strength. Some water is really needed. Tasted slightly less complex than the single barrel.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Kirin Fuji-Gtoemba Small Batch 17 YO Malt, OB, 46%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth, floral to very floral, with some bitter herbal flavours and light fruity notes.
Taste : Smooth, floral, very round, slightly malty and creamy, with a touch of menthol and eucalyptus, some vanilla, light notes of bananas and a few pear drops. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly floral and fragrant, with some light bitter tobacco smoke flavours, starch, vanilla, pear and banana.
Impression : A very good, smooth and elegant single malt from Fuji-Gotemba distillery. The most complex one I have tasted from this distillery, with a nice freshness. Given the low filling strength, the cask had to be carefully selected in order to reach this high abv.
Rating : 15/20 FP:A1

Kirin Fuji-Gotemba Single Malt Blender’s Choice, OB, 45%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Intense, smooth, round, slightly floral, malty, on vanilla, with a touch of apricots, cinnamon and maple syrup.
Taste : Smooth to very smooth, slightly malty, floral, with some starch, spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg and coriander. The finish is medium, very round, smooth, creamy, with some maple syrup, spices, light floral notes and on pollen.
Impression : A smooth and round malt whisky, with a mouth feel and flavour profile suprisingly close to a bourbon.
Rating : 13/20 FP:A1

Kirin Fuji-Gotemba Small Batch 25 YO Grain, OB, 45%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth, mellow, round, with a touch of maple syrup, sweet fruity notes, some cinnamon and light grainy notes. Elegant and close to some high quality bourbon.
Taste : Very smooth, mellow, grainy,  slightly floral, on maple and corn syrup, peach, apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices.  The finish is medium to long, very smooth, mellow, sweet, with some maple syrup, cooked cereals and fruits, as well as some cinnamon and nutmeg.
Impression : A very different grain whisky from the Blender’s Choice, heavier and sweeter, with more maple syrup. It taste like a mellow Bourbon whisky, without the influence of the freshly charred oak cask.  Very good ! As a general remark for the Fuji-Gotemba grains, they are very done, but suprisingly low on grainy notes, very smooth and easy drinking, with a flavour profile close to a malt, that makes them rather difficul to rate, especially compared to other grain whiskies.
Rating : 14/20 FP:A1

Fuji-Gotemba Single Grain  Blender’s Choice, OB, 45%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Very smooth, heavy, slightly fruity, with some pineapples, vanilla and light notes of apricots.
Taste : Very smooth, light, grainy,  slightly floral, rather fresh, with some pineapple, banana, vanilla, starch, maple syrup and light soft spicy notes.  Diluted, it becomes  more floral. The finish is medium, very smooth, rather sweet and fruity, with some starch, pineapples, banana, vanilla, melon and light notes of peach, cinnamon, nutmeg and apricots.
Impression : The whisky is not very intense, but the whisky is plesant, smooth, sublte with light but rich sweet fruity and slightly floral notes. Enjoyable.
Rating :  13/20 FP:A1

Robert Brown, OB, 40%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Slightly smoky, very smooth, fruity, with some fresh pear and apple drops and light spicy notes.
Taste : Slightly floral, smooth, fresh, slightly smoky, on fruits from the orchards, some corn syrup and dry flowers. The finish is medium, floral, slightly spicy, smoky, grassy and rather sweet, with some vanilla and fruity notes. Diluted, it becomes spicier, more floral and smokier.
Impression : A rather different blend from the Kirin, lighter, more floral and spicier, with also some smoky notes. Smooth and with Scoth blend flavour-type.
Rating : 12/20 FP:A2

Kirin 50°, OB, 50%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Very smooth, grainy, slightly floral, on peach, apricot, some corn syrup. Pleasant.
Taste : Very smooth, with some corn syrup, apple and pear juice, some banana, vanilla, peach and apricots. The finish is medium, very smooth, slightly floral, on peach, banana, apricots, corn syrup and some spices.
Impression : A very smooth whisky, rather sweet and fruity, easy to drink, less « grainy » than Scotch single grains. Sold in Japan for about 1000 yens (8 euros) for the 600 ml bottle, it is a very good value whisky.
Rating : 11/20 FP: A1

Chita Single Grain, OB, 43%, B : 2015. Price:
Colour : Pale gold
Nose : Very clean, floral, smooth, rather fragrant (roses and heather), on muesli, some light notes of apricots, peaches and coriander.
Taste : Very smooth, light, clean, on starch, coriander, and a touch of apricots. The finish is medium, slightly grainy and starchy, simple, and with some fresh and rather intense floral notes as well as some muesli.
Impression : A very smooth, clean and starchy grain whisky, but rather unidimensional.
Rating : 09/20 FP:A1

Hibiki 12 YO, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Very smooth, juicy, slightly floral, with light and fresh notes of pear drops, some gooseberries, other fruity flavours and honey.
Taste : Very smooth, rather floral, slightly fragrant, subtle, with some rose, melon, pear drops, sweet fruity notes and some honey. The finish is medium, very smooth, floral, fragrant, with some exotic wood and flowers, a hint of tobbaco leaves and smoke, as well as roses, some pears and honey.
Impression : A very smooth, elegant, floral and subtle Hibiki, with a rather sweet touch. A very enjoyable and pleasant whisky to drink. Probably the best value in the Hibiki range.
Rating : 14/20 FP:C1

Hibiki 17 YO, OB, 43%, 2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth, round, mellow, complex, on honey, roses,  and some dried apricots and peaches.
Taste : Smooth,  floral, rather mellow, with fresh and cooked fruits from the orchards, some goosberries, a touch of almond, jasmine, roses and a slight smokiness. The finish is medium, smooth, rather mellow, floral, subtle, elegant, with some sweet fruity notes and a hint of smoke.
Impression : A complex and mellow version of Hibiki, rounder and slightly heavier than I recall, but the quality remains. A heavier and mellower version than the 12 YO as well.
Rating :  14/20 FP: C2

Hibiki Harmony, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth to very smooth, slightly oaky and grassy, rather juicy, on vanilla, honey and soft floral and exotic notes.
Taste : Slightly smoky, very smooth, with a touch of tobacco, on vanilla, some starch, light spicy-oaky notes and banana. The finish is medium, smooth,  creamy, on vanilla, banana puree, rose water, with some peach, a touch of pear, melon and starch.
Impression : A new expression of Hibiki, without any age statement. The influence of white (American) oak is well present and contributes to spicy-oaky notes and vanilla.
Rating : 12/20 FP:A1

Macallan 10 YO 100 Proof Sherry wood, OB, 57%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense to very intense, rich, thick, juicy, spicy, on peat smoke, cocoa, sultanas, oranges and dried fruits. Very good !
Taste: Intense, spicy, on peat smoke, very fruity, rich, chewy, thick, on orange and orage peel, with some tannins, cocoa, chocolate, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. The finish is long, rich, intense, thick, slightly chewy, fruity, on cocoa, chocolate, spices, cinnamon, cloves, orange, tangerine, tannins and some peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes fruitier and more juicy.
Impression: A most enjoyable, intense, complex and rather fruity Macallan, with some nice peat smoke. Tasted more complex and peatier than the Rare Cask. An old style of Macallan.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G3

Macallan Rare Cask, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Sweet, rich, fruity, slightly juicy, on spices, orange, tangerine, Christmas cake, figs, sultanas, leather, some cocoa,  honey and grassy notes, and a slight oakiness.
Taste: Juicy to very juicy, sweet, on sultanas, dried fruits, tangerine, orange, leather, cocoa, chocolate and some berries. The finish is medium, juicy to very juicy, sweet, rich, moderately spicy, on cocoa, chocolate, orange, tangerine, some smoke, leather, berries and on tannins. Diluted, it becomes very thin.
Impression: According the advertisement, it is made from the 1% top cask of the distillery and assembled only from first fill sherry casks. The whisky is good, pleasant and very easy to drink, very smooth and without any rubbery off notes. However, it is rather soft, slightly thin, especially once water has been added and not overly complex. US only bottling.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G2

Old Fettercairn 2001, 12 YO, Douglas of Drumlanrig, 57.5%, B: 2013, cask 10175. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Fresh, floral, slightly oaky, with loads of toffee and some vanilla.
Taste: Very oaky and floral, intense, with some hay and fragrance. Seems rather young. The finish is medium, floral, slightly spicy, bitter and nutty, with a touch of caramel. Diluted, it becomes more fragrant and bitter.
Impression: A clean, floral and slightly bitter Old Fettercairn, tasting rather young.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A1

Old Fettercairn 8 YO, OB, 43%, B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, very round, sweet and very malty, with fresh floral notes early in the summer.
Taste: Very smooth, malty to very malty, round, sweet, with light juicy and oaky notes, some spices, hay and delicate floral notes. Very good. The finish is medium, slightly nutty, floral, rather sweet and slightly juicy.
Impression: I enjoyed the simplicity of this well made, round, smooth and floral Fettercairn.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Fettercairn 1990 For The Whisky Schiff 2014, Acla Selection, 50.3%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Floral, slightly yeasty, round, with some starch, vanilla and heather.
Taste: Floral, very smooth, slightly fragrant, with some starch and yeast extract, some grassy flavours and honey. The finish is medium, spicy, floral, slightly bitter, rather grassy, on honey, starch and a light fragrance.
Impression: A nice, rather fresh, smooth, floral and fragrant whisky, rather round and with a nice mouth feels.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Longmorn 1992, 21 YO, Acla Selection, 52.1%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral, oaky, slightly fruity and fragrant, with some sour berries and marshmallows. Rather smooth.
Taste: Fruity, rich, oaky, intense, on berries, yellow fruits, some melon and a few sour berries. The finish is medium to long, floral, fruity, with some honey, Diluted, it becomes spicier and with some tobacco leaves.
Impression: A very good, floral and fruity Longmorn, rather complex and balanced.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Clynelish 1996 for the Whiskyschiff 2014, Acla Selection, 51.9%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, smooth, spicy, with some mustard seeds and vanilla. Rather close at full strength.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, slightly fruity, with some candied lemon, floral notes and some honey. The finish is medium, slightly oaky, floral, round, waxy, with some candied lemon, honey, and slight fruity notes.
Impression: A smooth Clynelish, rather lemony and some mineral influence. Good, balanced, but rather simple.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Glen Garioch 1990, 23 YO, Exclusive Malts, 55.6%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, floral, aromatic, rather spicy, slightly mineral, with a touch of toffee and vanilla.
Taste: Intense, rather clean, floral, slightly mineral, austere and waxy, aromatic, intense, with some peat smoke and some bitter aromatic liquor. The finish is medium to long, waxy, mineral, aromatic, with some flint stones and delicate peat smoke. Diluted, the mineral, austere and peat smoke flavours becomes more complex and pronounced.
Impression: A very good style of mineral, aromatic and austere smoky Glen Garioch.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A2

Glen Garioch 1994, Exclusive Malts, 54.6%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very round, slightly aromatic, on strong toffee and fudge notes, and some fruits from the orchards.
Taste: Smooth, floral, slightly aromatic and fragrant, on toffee, fudge and some peat smoke. The finish is medium, rather smooth and floral, on toffee and fudge.
Impression: A good version of Glen Garioch, less smoky and mineral than the 1990, but also sweeter, more on toffee.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Glenfiddich Excellence 26 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, slightly fruity and grassy, on cooked pears and some honey.
Taste: Very smooth and soft, mellow, slightly floral, rather creamy, on heather, pollen, fudge, and pears. Diluted, it becomes slightly more spicy, but also thinner. The finish is medium, slightly floral, very smooth and soft, with light spices, on toffee, pollen, some honey and pears.
Impression: A very soft and smooth version of Glenfiddich. Good, but I feel that some additional abv might have benefited to this whisky.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B1

Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1, 23 YO, OB, 49.2%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, sweet, fruity, slightly floral, smooth, rather mellow, on exotic fruits and tangerine, some leather and a mixture of dry and ripe fruits.
Taste: Sweet, fruity, maritime, salty to very salty, on grapes, exotic fruits, sea brine, dried fruits, sultanas, some leather and a touch of cocoa. The finish is medium to long, fruity, salty, maritime, on leather, chocolate, tannins, tropical fruits and sultanas.
Impression: A good, sweet , maritime Bruichladdich, with nice salty and chocolate notes.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G2

Bruichladdich 27 YO Stillman’s dram, OB, 45%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Juicy, smooth, oaky, rather light, fruity, on gooseberries, peat smoke, some heather, sea spray, vanilla and tangerine.
Taste: Light,  fresh, rich, slightly salty, fruity, on gooseberries, eucalyptus, peat smoke, juicy oak, some soft floral notes and light maritime flavours. Well balanced. The finish is medium, light, subtle, delicate, slightly salty and maritime, with some peat smoke, pear juice and eucalyptus.
Impression: A nice light, fresh, old style Bruichladdich, slightly more peated than the current expression from probably 3rd or 4th refill casks.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D4

Aberlour A’bunadh batch 43, OB, 60.1%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, thick, floral, heavily sherried, on tannins, mushrooms, cocoa, blood orange, leather and humus. Very good.
Taste: Floral, round, rich to very rich, spicy, on orange, tangerine, cinnamon, leather and chocolate. The finish is medium to long, rich, intense, very sherried, on cinnamon, nutmeg, leather, cocoa, orange, tangerine, some wallnuts and dried fruits, including figs.
Impression: The A’ bunadh is a very good value whisky, of constantly high quality, with intense sherry flavours, without any rubber flavours. A whisky to have on your shelve.
Rating: 16/20 FP:I1

Glenlivet 19 YO Dumpy, Cadenhead’s, 80 Proof, B; 1960s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Mineral, rather aromatic, floral, on flint stone, eucalyptus, austere peat smoke, old furniture, rancio, leather and some game. A delicious sherried old style of Glenlivet.
Taste: Mineral to very mineral, on old fashioned peat smoke, rancio, old leather, tangerine, orange, old wood, humus and some mushrooms, with a touch of eucalyptus. The finish is medium to long, woody, slightly astringent, mineral, on rancio, pistachio, wallnuts, tangerine, leather and flint stone.
Impression: An old fashioned style of Glenlivet, rather austere and mineral, on rancio and some woody influence. Some might find it too astringent, but definitely an old style of whisky that is becoming increasingly difficult to taste.
Rating: 17/20 FP:I2

Glenlivet 1977, 30 YO, C+S Dram, 55.3%, B: 2007, cask 13142. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, round, with a nice smokiness, juicy, oaky and quite strong. It becomes rounder with some water.
Taste: Malty, floral, fragrant, on tangerine, orange, vanilla, with a lot of pollen and some peat smoke. The finish is medium, smooth, with a nice oakiness, on orange, tangerine, mango, with some peat smoke. Quite sweet.
Impression: A nice Glenlivet, with a finish rather short, but otherwise nicely juicy and floral.
Rating:15/20 FP:E3

Glenlivet Guardian Chapter, OB, 48.7%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour:  Amber
Nose: Smooth, round, sweet, slightly sugary, on strawberries, raspberries, a touch of coca, sultanas, some other dried fruits and spices. Smells like candied fruits.
Taste: Smooth, sweet, sugary, floral, on caramel, toffee, on candied fruits, orange, red berries, spices, cinnamon, and some clove. The finish is medium to long, very round, sweet, smooth, on strawberries, raspberries, leather, tannins and spices. Diluted, some notes of tropical fruits are released.
Impression: A very sweet, sugary and fruity Glenlivet, very pleasant and easy drinking.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F2

Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso, OB, 60.7%, B: 2015, batch OL0614. Price:
Colour:  Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral, slightly smoky, on a sweet sherry influence, less fruity than the guardian, and more on leather, tannins and spices.
Taste: Very round and smooth, fruity, floral, slightly spicy and smoky, with a hint of tobacco, on orange, tangerine, spices, leather, some tannins and cocoa.
Impression: Of the same quality as the Guardian, more floral, complex and spicy, but also slightly less fruity, smooth and sweet. Two variations of sherry matured Glenlivets.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G2

Port Charlotte, 10 YO, Islay Scotch and more, 63.0%, B: 2013, sherry hogshead 630. Price:
Colour:  Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty, maritime, intense, rather creamy, on milk chocolate, seaweeds, sultanas, and dried fruits. Very good!
Taste: Very intense, peaty, floral, slightly fragrant, on dark chocolate, some dried fruits, high quality rubber and seaweeds. The finish is long, very peaty, smoky, maritime, on high quality rubber, cinnamon, cloves, and other spices and dark chocolate.
Impression: A very maritime Port Charlotte, with strong notes of dark chocolate. It has also some rubbery notes, but it works rather well with this whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP:I7

Port Charlotte 2003 127.35, 9 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 63.9%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, smoky, farmy, slightly meaty and floral, on bacon, vanilla, camphor, phenols, some sea brine and seaweeds.
Taste: Very peaty, dry, intense, smoky, tarry, ashy, with some rubber, leather, camphor and iodine. The finish is medium to long, ashy, tarry, smoky, peaty, slightly rubbery, with some herbal flavours and soot.
Impression: A very dry tarry, ashy and peaty Port Charlotte. Impressive in intensity. Not for the faint hearted. Thank you Bernhard.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A9

Port Charlotte 2002 127.40, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 63%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, oaky, peaty, dry, tarry, on vanilla, some hemp rope, liquorice roots et slightly farmy notes.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, intense, on “eau-de-vie”, hops, seaweeds, tar, ashes and other maritime influence. The finish is long, peaty, medicinal, on iodine, seaweed and some tar.
Impression: An intense, oaky, maritime and rather medicinal version of Port Charlotte.
Score: 14/20 FP:A7

Port Charlotte 2002 Intensly Tasty 127.39, 11 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 66.7%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty and maritime, intense, smoky, rather oaky, on disinfectant, vanilla and some seaweeds.
Taste: Oaky, very intense, peaty to very peaty, tarry, maritime, on iodine, disinfectant and some spearmint. The finish is medium, oaky, very intense, maritime, peaty, on disinfectant and some spearmint.
Impression: A good Port Charlotte, slightly smoother than the First Edition (2015) and more oaky.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A7

Port Charlotte 2001, 11 YO, Scotch Single Malt Circle, 62.9%, B: 2013, cask 855. Price:
Colour: Gold-dark gold
Nose: Oaky to very oaky, peaty, maritime, salty, on old and wet wood, some camphor and iodine.
Taste: Rather round, oaky to very oaky, intense, on wood chips, tar, some cold ashes, seaweeds and phenols. The finish is medium, peaty to very peaty, oaky to very oaky, maritime, mineral, on ashes, some menthol, cough syrup, camphor and seaweeds.
Impression: A good, rather modern, intense, maritime Port Charlotte.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A7

Port Charlotte PC 12, 12 YO, OB, 58.7%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, intense, peaty, sweet, round, maritime, on treacle, orange, cocoa, chocolate, some tangerine, Dundee cake, tar and a touch of high grade rubber. With a nice strong and sweet sherry influence.
Taste: Peaty, smoky, maritime, tarry, on dried plums, tannins, chocolate, dried fruits,  some high grade rubber and rich spicy notes. The finish is long, rich, smooth, fruity, complex, sweet, on tannins, leather, seaweeds, light medicinal and maritime flavours.
Impression: A prime example of Port Charlotte, heavily peated associated with a thick, rather chewy sherry influence. Lovely.
Rating: 16/20 FP:G7

Port Charlotte PC 11, OB, 59.5%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, oaky, peaty, slightly farmy and meaty, maritime, on tangerine, some iodine, BBQ and charcoal. Getting peatier with time.
Taste: Salty to very salty, maritime to very maritime, oaky to very oaky, farmy, very intense, with some toffee, tangerine, vanilla and a touch of rubber. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, maritime, rather farmy and salty, on iodine, some disinfectant and vanilla.
Impression: A very maritime and salty version of Port Charlotte, balanced and with a rather oaky “modern” influence. Very pleasant and well matured.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D7

Port Charlotte 2004 For the Whiskyschiff, 10 YO, The First Editions, 59.2%, B:2015, 150 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, intense, smoky, rather maritime, with a slight sweetness, some fishy and disinfectant notes.
Taste: Sweet, peaty, maritime, oaky, with some medicinal flavours. The finish is medium, oaky, rather sweet, and maritime, with some tar and ashes, and slight bitter and coriander notes.
Impression: An intense peaty Port Charlotte with some light new make-like flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A6

Port Charlotte 2004, 10 YO, First Editions, 57.9%, B: 2014, 259 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Clean, peaty to very peaty, farmy, tarry, slightly maritime, on iodine, some disinfectant and spearmint.
Taste: Clean, sharp, very peaty, maritime, and intense to very intense, with some iodine and disinfectant. The finish is medium to long, very intense and peaty, clean, oaky, slightly floral and fragrant, with a touch of spearmint and on iodine.
Impression: A clean, sharp and very intense Port Charlotte. Even with water, it reminds very intense.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A8

Octomore 7.2 208 PPM Travel Retail, 5 YO, OB, 58.5%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Initially smooth to very smooth, on caramel, tar, ashes, peat smoke and then becoming dryer and peatier over time.
Taste: Dry, peaty, young, maritime and on vanilla and tar. The finish is medium, tarry, ashy, and maritime, on new make and camphor.
Impression:  A rather young and peaty Octomore, rather one dimensional. The influence for the Syrah red wine cask is discreet.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A8

Black Bowmore 1964 2nd Edition, OB, 50%. Price:
Colour: Black
Nose: Fruity, peaty, smoky, maritime, on seabrine, a basket of tropical fruits (including mango, passion fruit and pink grapefruit), cocoa, and some dried fruits. Excellent.
Taste: Rich, maritime, slightly salty, peaty and smoky, rather tannic and astringent, on passion fruits, mango, grapefruits, some cocoa, dried fruits, tannins, coffee and roasted macadamia nuts. The finish is long, rather tannic, woody, slightly astringent, with some disinfectant, peat smoke, leather, some tropical fruits, strawbeery jams, coffee, rancie, mango, passion fruits and bitter orange skin.
Impression: The nose was excellent, with a delicious combination of peat smoke, intense sherry and rich passion fruits. However, the wood (tannins) is rather loud.
Rating: 17/20 FP:I3

Black Bowmore 1964 Final Edition, OB, 49%. Price:
Colour: Black
Nose: Starts on strong notes of eucalyptus, slightly maritime, smoky and peaty, on cocoa and some passion fruits. Becomes smokier over time. More austere and less fruity and intense than the 2nd edition.
Taste: Intense, maritime, slightly salty, on citrus, eucalyptus, rancio, nuts, orange and tangerine, becoming fragant, bitter and rather astringent over time. The finish is long, woody, tannic, on rancio, astringent, bitter, on roasted nuts, wallnuts, cinnamon and coffee. Diluted, it becomes more tannic, woody and astringent.
Impression: Tasted head to head with the second edition, the nose has strong flavours of eucalyptus and the exotic fruits markedly less intense. On the palate, the initial delivery of exotic, smoky, salty and maritime flavours is very pleasant, but the strong woody and tannic flavours kick in quickly thereafter. Too dry and tannic to my liking. The score remains unchanged compared to last time.
Rating: 15/20 FP:J3

Bowmore 10 YO Tempest 5, OB, 55.9%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty and oaky, intense, maritime, on vanilla, tar and some light notes of disinfectant and sea shells.
Taste: Intense, salty, maritime, peaty, smoky, oaky to very oaky, on sawdust and vanilla. Very modern. The finish is medium, peaty, smoky, salty, maritime, slightly floral and fragrant, with strong oaky notes, vanilla and some liquorice roots. With a nice retro-olfaction on peat smoke.
Impression: A good peaty, intense and “modern” oaky Bowmore.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A6

Bowmore 1999, 15 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 55.2%, B: 2014, 266 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rather light and juicy, slightly mineral, on peat smoke, some grapefruits, vanilla and a hint of melon. Very good, subtle and complex.
Taste: Oaky, fresh, intense, slightly floral, rather salty and maritime, with some citrus. The finish is medium to long, intense, oaky, on peat smoke, salt, maritime flavours, some citrus and bitter tobacco smoke, as well as sea shells, with light mineral notes.
Impression: A nice smoky, fresh, rather citric and mineral Bowmore.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A5

Spey 18 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Malty, rich, slightly floral, spicy, with some orange, leather, beeswax and some farmy flavours.
Taste: Rich, floral to very floral, smooth to very smooth, malty, nutty, slightly musty, and oaky, with some spices and light notes from the orchards and some tangerine. The finish is medium to long, smooth to very smooth, floral, slightly spicy, rich, with some sweet and juicy flavours and some tangerine.
Impression: A pleasant, smooth, rich, juicy and rather elegant whisky from the Speyside distillery.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F1

Spey Royal Choice, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Malty, slightly floral, on hops, spices, aromas from the farm and stables and some leather.
Taste: Malty, oaky, nutty to very nutty, on hops, some spices, farmy note and some orange zest. The finish is medium, rich, rather juicy, on orange, tangerine, some smoke and farmy notes.
Impression: A musty, rich and rather farmy whisky from The Speyside distillery, with rather strong nutty notes. Pretty good.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

Arran Sleeping Warrior 2000, OB, 54.9%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round to very round, very oaky, spicy, malty, slightly floral, on strong aromas of toffee and fudge.
Taste: Floral to very floral, fresh, fruity, slightly fragrant, on vanilla and spices. The finish is medium to long, floral, slightly fragrant and bitter, with some nuts and tangerine.
Impression: A rather good and rich Arran, but with a rather fragrant and bitter caramel finish. Thank you Gilles.
Rating: 11/20 FP:B1

Arran Bere Barley Cask Strength, OB, 56.2%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, round to very round, waxy, slightly humic and floral, on peas and some wood spices.
Taste: Very smooth, malty, floral, spicy, slightly waxy, on vanilla and some nuts. The finish is medium to long, big, waxy, floral, on coarse barley, spices, nuts, muesli, with  some tobacco leaves.
Impression: A big, waxy and spicy Arran, with pleasant notes of coarsely milled barley. Pleasant, but it seems that it cannot fully express its intensity and than some additional maturation might be beneficial.
Rating: 12/20 FP:B1

Black Bottle, OB, 40%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Rich, sweet, fruity, floral, on peat smoke, tangerine, orange, some heather, seaweeds and maritime flavours. Very good!
Taste: Very smooth, maritime, slightly grassy and floral, on banane flambée, heather, tar, honey, tangerine, milk chocolate and sea brine. The finish is medium, maritime, slightly peaty, sweet, rich, fruity, slightly tarry, on seaweeds, honey, coffee and chocolate.
Impression: This new version of Black Bottle was redesigned in order to go back to the original flavours of the Black Bottle.  Compared to the previous bottling, this is a completely different whisky: the strong ex-bourbon influence is gone and replaced by rich sweet sherry notes, more intense salty notes and finally, less peaty. 
Rating: 13/20 FP:E3

Akashi White Oak, 15 YO, OB, 58%, B:2014, 795 bottles. Price: (70cl equivalent)
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, floral, on high grade leather, some red berries, jasmine and exotic wood. Almost silky and very pleasant.
Taste: Oaky, spicy, rather dry, on vanilla, a hint of smoke, dried fruits, some jasmine and exotic wood. The finish is medium, rather dry and floral, on dried fruits, some leather, jasmine, exotic wood and a hint of smoke. Diluted, it becomes more on dried plums and very smooth.
Impression: A nice Japanese whisky, dry when drunk neat and becoming smoother with some added water. A well made whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP: F1

Hanyu 1985-2000 The Joker, OB, 57.7%, B: 2014, 3690 bottles. Price:
Colour : Old gold
Nose : Oaky, smooth, floral, slightly sugary and winey, on red berries and slight notes of  other berries. Slightly unbalanced.
Taste : Spicy, winey, slightly oaky, floral to very floral, with a mixture of diverse spirits and fortified wines, strawberries and other berries. The finish is medium, floral, very winey, oaky, with some varnish, strawberries and diverse berries. Diluted, it becomes smoother.
Impression : A rather special Hanyu, with the influence of diverse fortified wines and spirits (e.g., cognac and madeira) creating some unbalance. If you like winey whiskies, you might enjoy this one, but this was not really my cup of tea. I prefer the Hanyu “naked” (i.e. matured only in 1 single type of cask). The last of the “Card” serie.
Rating : 13/20 FP:E1

Ledaig 10 YO, OB, 46.3%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, maritime and tarry, ashy, on charcoal, BBQ, lots of seaweeds, some hemp rope and iodine. Very intense.
Taste: Smooth, slightly sweet, oaky, very peaty and maritime, some salt, seaweeds, iodine, vanilla and tar, with a hint of gentian. The finish is medium to long, maritime, very peaty, with some gentian, on tar, seaweeds, iodine and charcoal.
Impression: A very good, intense, well-made and very peaty Ledaig that could be easily taken for an Islay whisky from the Kildalton shore.
Rating: 15/20 FP: A7

Ledaig 1972, 42 YO, OB, advanced sample, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, silky, on old fashioned dry and mineral sherry influence, leather of the highest quality, some delicate and complex peat smoke and a touch of seaweeds and seaspray. Excellent. Becomes smokier over time.
Taste: Extremely smooth, silky, slightly smoky and peaty, gliding over the throat, with light rubbery notes, high grade leather, some seaweeds, a touch of salt and sea pray, tannins, game and bloody oranges. The finish is medium to long, slightly rubbery, on tannins, leather and some game, oranges, tangerine, some dry and mineral sherry notes, as well as some dried seaweeds and old diesel smoke.
Impression: A very smooth, silky and subtle Ledaig, with a delicious old fashioned dry sherry influence combined with some old fashioned mineral peat smoke that is rather intense considering over 40 years of maturation in the cask. The tannins in the finish are rather well contained, but present. Excellent. Sample of the final whisky before bottling.
Rating: (advanced sample) FP: H2

Yamazaki 1994 Owner’s Cask for Bar K6, OB, 59.0%, B: 2009, cask 4R70414. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very floral and smooth, rich, slightly fruity, on leather, with some lacquer and varnish. The floral notes are complex and very intense.
Taste: Very floral, sweet and smooth, with light spices, light and elegant, with some honey and light fruity notes. The finish is medium, very floral, rather fragrant, and slightly bitter, with some tannins, Mirabelle and varnish.
Impression: A very floral, smooth and elegant Yamazaki, elegant and subtle.
Rating: 16/20FP: E1

Nikka Coffey Grain 1992, 13 YO, OB, 63%, B: 2006, cask 139296. Price:
Colour : Gold-old gold.
Nose :  Extremely smooth, grainy, clean, on cooked cereals, apricots and peach.
Taste : Clean, extremely smooth, slightly grainy, simple, and with some exotic fruity notes. The finish is short to medium, extremely smooth, fruity, with a mixture of banana, peach, apricots and some mango.
Impression :  An extremely smooth, clean grain whisky and on tropical fruits. Thank you Patrick!
Rating : 11/20 FP:A1

Karuizawa 1991, OB, 62.5%, B: 2007, cask 3318. Price:
Colour : Old gold-amber
Nose : Very smooth, smoky, fragrant, intense, slightly earthy and on almonds. Rather floral.
Taste : Intense, hot, spicy to very spicy, spirit, clean to very clean, slightly creamy and earthy, on vanilla and floral notes. The finish is medium, round to very round, creamy, rather hot and spirit, floral, slightly earthy and with some butter.
Impression : A young, rather hot and spirity Karuiazawa. The youngest Karuizawa I have tasted so far. Good, but not as complex as older bottlings.  Thank you Nicolas
Rating : 11/20 FP:E1

Karuizawa 1984 for Shinanoya and The Whisky Exchange, 29 YO, OB, 61.0%. Price:
Colour : Amber
Nose : Intense, smooth, very round, slightly earthy, with some humus, exotic wood, on leather, beeswax, dark fruits, orange, brambles and very nice fruity flavours.
Taste : Very intense, floral, slightly dry and astringent, on spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, dark chocolate, leather and berries. Diluted, it becomes more tannic. The finish is medium to long, rather smooth, slightly tannic, fragrant and bitter, on leather, berries, tangerine and other sweet fruity notes.
Impression : A heavily and rich sherried Karuizawa, with the wood rather more present than desired.
Rating : 16/20 FP:G2

Karuizawa 1981 for Shinanoya, 31 YO, OB, 60.0%, cask 4961, 228 bottles. Price:
Colour : Old gold-amber
Nose : Smooth, elegant, slightly mineral and smoky, fruity, on quince, melon, peach, beeswax, leather and orange.
Taste : Very fruity, rather spicy, floral, slightly smoky, on quince, Mirabelle, peach, tangerine and some exotic fruits.  The finish is medium to long, smooth, mellow, sweet, deliciously fruity, on honey, with some earthy-smoky notes, someMirabelle and passion fruits jam, some beeswax and some light tannins.
Impression : A deliciously sweet and fruity Karuizawa, with some tannins and a slight dryness in the finish. Excellent.
Rating : 17/20 FP:F2

Nikka Coffey Malt, OB, 45%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, round, malty, with some cooked cereals, light notes of peach and some floral notes. Drier than the Grain version,
Taste: Floral to very floral, malty, on cinnamon and a touch of lemon. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, on cinnamon and a lemon twist.
Impression: A simpler and dryier version of the Grain version.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt 25 YO, OB, 43%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, sweet and floral, with some exotic wood, cooked apples, rice cake, a touch on incense, peach drops, a slight smokiness and sweet fruity flavours. Subtle.
Taste: Salty, spicy to very spicy, very smooth, mellow, elegant, slightly maritime, on exotic woods, fruits from the orchards, tangerine, some orange and rice cake. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, mellow, sweet, fruity, floral, on tangerine, with some exotic wood, red berries, humus, smoke and tropical fruits, as well as some sea brine.
Impression: A very good, subtle and elegant pure malt whisky, with a hint of smoke and nice smooth sherry influence. Very well made. Available in very limited quantities in Europe. Thank you Jerome.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F2

Nikka Coffey Grain, OB, 45% B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Grainy, very smooth, round, on cooked cereals, peach, apricots and cinnamon. Close to some American bourbon.
Taste: Very smooth, on cooked cereals, peach, apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg, other spices and fudge. The finish is medium, very smooth, round, on cooked apricots and peach, with some cinnamon, nutmeg and fudge.
Impression: A very smooth, round, grainy and slighty floral whisky than run down the mouth very pleasantly, with some fudge flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B1

Nikka 40 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour:  Amber
Nose:  Very intense, smooth, mellow, on cooked fruits, some peat smoke, slight notes of cooked cereals, on cedar wood, spices, tropical fruits, including mango and some bananas. Tasted head to head with the Takesturu 25 YO, the 25 YO seems rather thin compared to the 40 YO. A tour de force.
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, on exotic woods, tropical fruits, incense, some sea brine, apricots, peaches, cooked cereals, chocolate, a hint of treacle, with the flavours of banana, tangerine and orange becoming stronger over time, and some eucalyptus as well. Very complex. The finish is long to very long, very smooth, mellow, rich, intense, elegant, complex, with some fruits from the orchards and spices, on peat smoke, peach, apricots, banana and other tropical fruits, as well as some eucalyptus and exotic wood. Diluted, the influence of the grain becomes stronger.
Impression:  An impressive blended whisky, made with a cask of Miyagikyo 1969 and Yoichi 1945. The whisky is very complex, very smooth and mellow, with surprising flavour intensity, on tropical fruits and some peat smoke. That is probably the most expensive sample I purchased so far, but I do not regret since the result is excellent.
Rating: 19/20 FP:G3

Talisker 14.1 1976, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 64.5%, B: 1994. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very intense, peaty, salty to very salty, peppery, maritime, with some diesel smoke, green olives and a slightly sweetness.
Taste: Satly, peppery to very peppery, intense, spicy, peaty, rather oily, with a slight sweetness, some olives, diesel smoke,  kippers, wood smoke, as well as some disinfectant. The finish is medium to long, slightly sweet, oily, with some olives, salt, seaweeds, pepper and diesel smoke, and slight notes of disinfectant.
Impression: A very intense, rather oily Talisker, slightly young, but very enjoyable. The first bottling of Talisker by the SMWS.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A4

Talisker 1975, 25 YO, OB, 59.9%, B: 2001, 6000 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, slightly mellow, maritime, with some light notes of disinfectant, on peat and wood smoke, some tangerine, orange, tar, cocoa, Swiss chocolate and with a slightly dry influence.
Taste: Rather mellow, slightly peppery, on rather sweet and fruity notes, some peat smoke, cocoa, orange, tangerine, seaweeds, some figs and other dried fruits. Very good, complex and balanced. The finish is medium to long, slightly spicy, peppery, salty and maritime, with some cocoa, leather, seaweeds, tangerine, oranges, and peat smoke.
Impression: An excellent complex, balanced Talisker with nice flavours of chocolate and sweet sherry notes.
Rating: 18/20 FP:E4

Talisker 1957, 21 YO, Cadenhead’s, 80 Proof, B:1978. Price:
Colour: Dark Amber
Nose: Very close to the 20 YO, with maybe a touch of rubber and some faint notes of varnish.
Taste: Fresh to very fresh, slightly fragrant and floral, with a hint of varnish, diverse spices (cumin, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves), on polished wood, some peat smoke, high quality rubber and some seaweeds. Very smooth. The finish is long, fragrant, bitter, rather astringent, on rubber, varnish, cough syrup, orange, leather, tannins, clove and some seaweeds.
Impression: The nose is very close to the 20 YO version, but then the rubber, varnish and fragrance become very loud, with strong notes of cough syrup on the palate. Very good, but this is not really a whisky for me. I enjoyed its slightly younger sibling much better.
Rating: 16/20 FP:J2

Talisker 1957, 20 YO, Cadenhead’s, 80 Proof, B:1977. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Thick, intense, heavily sherried, slightly mineral, with lots of Swiss chocolate,  on cocoa, leather, sea brine, some figs, cherries, tangerine, tar, peat and wood smoke, exotic woods and beeswax. Excellent.
Taste: Intense, thick, rather chewy, on dry mineral wood smoke, old fashioned peat smoke, humus, some seaweeds and fish, a touch of salt and pepper, as well as nice notes of cocoa, Swiss chocolate, high grade leather and a pleasant fruitiness. The finish is long, moderately peaty, smoky, smooth, with lots of cocoa, Swiss chocolate and high grade leather, on dark berries, tangerine, orange, some red berries, humus, seaweeds and salt.
Impression: Some might find the notes of humus (old wood) slightly unpleasant, but I really like this type of old sherry combines with a beautiful peat and wood smoke. A delicious old style of sherried Talisker.
Rating: 19/20 FP:H4

Yoichi 12 YO Peaty and Salty Distillery only, OB, 55%. B:2015. Price: (for 50 cl)
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very peaty, dry, tarry, ashy, oaky, and spicy, with some sea breeze and light farmy notes. We are close to peaty Islay malts.
Taste: Peaty, spicy, slightly salty, with some seaweeds, sea brine, tar, ashes and old bold peat smoke, with a nice smoothness. The finish is long, peaty, dry, tarry, ashy, slightly farmy, on peat smoke, and some seaweeds.
Impression: A very nice dry, tarry and rather heavily peated Yoichi. This variation of Yoichi 12 YO is very interesting and shows the diversity of flavours produced at the Yoichi distillery.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A5

Yoichi 12 YO  Woody and Vanillic Distillery only, OB, 55%. B:2015. Price: (for 50 cl)
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, floral, fragrant, on apricots, some peach, exotic wood and vanilla. Surprisingly close to a grain whisky.
Taste: Smooth, slightly spirity, very floral and fragrant, malty, clean, intense, slightly spicy, on vanilla and some apricots. The finish is medium, very smooth, floral and fragrant, as well as some vanilla. Diluted, it becomes even more fragrant and floral, and slightly bitter.
Impression: A very smooth, clean and fragrant Yoichi, rather different from all Yoichi that I have tasted so far. I appreciated this smoothness very well, but it found it slightly too fragrant to my liking.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Yoichi 12 YO Sherry and Sweet Distillery only, OB, 55%. B:2015, batch 22D54A. Price: (for 50 cl)
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Woody, rich, intense, on humus, sultanas, raisins soaked in alcohol, dried and candied fruits, including tangerine, as well as toffee and plums.
Taste: Oaky, intense to very intense, spicy, floral, slightly vegetal, on toffee, some dry plums, sweet fruity notes, cocoa and exotic wood. The finish is medium to long, floral, slightly fragrant, with some tannins and leather, plums, exotic wood, cinnamon, nutmeg, on toffee and slightly bitter orange.
Impression: A sweet and very smooth Yoichi, with a nice sherry influence and on toffee.
Rating: 14/20 FP:H1

Yoichi 1991, OB, 63%. B: 2011, cask 129651. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty, tarry, smoky, on bold peat smoke, humus, leather, slightly mineral and a nice sweet sherry influence. Over time, there are strong notes of honeycomb developing. Very good.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, slightly maritime and salty, on honey, exotic wood, sweet fruity notes, some Christmas cake, tangerine, orange and dried fruits, as well some peat smoke. Complex. The finish is medium to long, round to very round, waxy, complex, on honeycomb, some toffee, humus, peat smoke, leather and tannins, as well as some sweet fruity notes.
Impression: A very well made Yoichi, elegant, intense, spicy and rather maritime, with a pleasant sweet sherry influence.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E2

Yoichi 20 YO Single Cask Distillery Only, OB, 60%, c.100126. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, smooth, round, floral, on sweet sherry and some spices as well.
Taste: Very smooth, slightly salty, spicy, with some sweet fruity notes and treacle, as well as some peach, pineapples and a light smokiness. The finish is medium to long, slightly dry, tannic and syrupy, with some treacle, honey comb, peach and light notes of pineapple, leather and peat smoke.
Impression: A very good smoky and intense Yoichi, but with some light woodiness on the finish.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F2

Yoichi 1980s Distillery Only, OB, 53%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very complex and rich, intense, waxy, on humus, old bold peat smoke, some seaweeds, seabrine, tangerine, orange and honey comb, as well as a touch of soybean. Excellent.
Taste: Salty, spicy, intense, complex, on humus, sultanas, some mushrooms, sea brine and seaweeds, light tarry and ashy notes, as well as some cinnamon, orange and tangerine. Smooth and mellow, with some bold peat smoke. The finish is long, with some tannins, leather, spices (incense, cinnamon and some nutmeg) and peat smoke, on ripe and sweet fruits (orange, tangerine) and a light and delicate peat smoke, as well as with some humus.
Impression: An excellent very old, rich, intense and complex Yoichi, combining some peat smoke together with some sherry sweetness.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E2

Yoichi 1990s Distillery Only, OB, 55%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, with some exotic wood, sweet fruity notes of tangerine, some red berries, leather, dried fruits, a hint of peat smoke and banana. Complex.
Taste: Rather smooth, spicy, sweet, fruity, on tangerine, orange, some leather, cinnamon, a hint of nutmeg, some dried and candied fruits, as well as a hint of smoke and rubber. Rather complex. The finish is medium to long, floral, on soft spices, cinnamon, some exotic wood, leather and beeswax, as well as sweet fruity notes of orange and tangerine. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter
Impression: A very nice, smooth, sweet and sherried Yoichi, with just a hint of smoke. Although it is above 50%, it is easy to drink, since it is particularly sweet and smooth single malt.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F1

Yoichi 2000s Distillery Only, OB, 57%, B:2015. Price: (for 50 cl)
Colour: Gold
Nose: Waxy, fresh, fruity, on freshly pressed fruits from the orchards, some maritime and tarry peat smoke, vanilla and melon.
Taste: Round, waxy, rather chewy, fresh, zesty, oaky, with some drops of apples and pear, on vanilla, some melon, a hint of smoke and tobacco leaves. The finish is medium to long, round, waxy, creamy, on vanilla, a hint of smoke, some yellow fruits and apple drops.
Impression: This might not be the most complex Yoichi, but I really enjoyed the mouth feel, rather waxy and with honey comb and the whisky rolling down smoothly over your palate. Fresh and well made.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A2

Brora 1972 Platinum, 29 YO, Douglas Laing, 59.5%, B :2002,  240 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Extremely peaty, dry to very dry, tarry, sooty, farmy, slightly fragrant aromatic and very strong notes of roots. Very intense. Diluted it becomes rather medicinal and on disinfectant.
Taste : Extremely dry and peaty, very tarry and ashy, on soot, roots, some fragrance and gentian. The finish is extremely long and peaty, very dry and ashy, farmy, on soot and a complex peat smoke.
Impression : An impressive Brora with an explosion of dry peat smoke and rooty notes. We have the impression of inhaling and drinking peat smoke. It might be rough for some, but I loved this one. Never tasted a whisky of that age with some much peat.
Rating : 20/20 FP:A9

Brora 1972 Platinum, 29 YO, Douglas Laing, 51%, B :2002,  228 bottles. Price:
Colour : Old gold
Nose : Peaty, rather juicy, grassy and austere, slightly farmy, on old tobacco ashes, humus, some tangerine and a hint of bitter orange. Very different from the 59.5%.
Taste : Rather smooth and mellow, peaty, rather aromatic, maritime and fruity, on melon, peach, sea brine, some tangerine and farmy notes of stables, with some tar and ashes on the background. The finish is long, dry, peaty, slightly woody and maritime, with some tar, on old tobacco ashes, soot and peat smoke.
Impression : A much milder version than the 59.5%, less peaty and with some woodiness. It is an excellent whisky, but the 59.5% was more to my liking.
Rating : 18/20 FP:C6

Brora 35 YO Special Releases 2014, OB, 48.6%, B:2014, 2964 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very sweet, smooth, and extremely fruity, with loads of watermelon, on melon, some tangerine and peach, with a slight smokiness at the end. Over time, the fruitiness slightly dissipates and it becomes more mineral.
Taste: Citric, salty, slightly farmy and maritime, rather spicy, on tobacco leaves and some watermelon and peat smoke. The finish is medium, rather salty, on watermelon, melon, with some grapefruits, smoke and spices.
Impression: A suprisingly fruity and smooth whisky. This Brora is rather maritime and surprises by its sweetness. It is markedly less farmy and peaty than the previous versions, but also more elegant. Some might find this one easier than the previous bottlings, while some might be slightly disappointed if they were looking for a rather epxressive (peaty and farmy) Brora. Thank you Jérôme.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B3

Clynelish 12 YO Short Cap, OB, 56.9%, B: 1960s. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Waxy, mineral, clean, sharp, rather mineral, with some mineral oil, on mirabelle, some quince and melon. Rather smoky and slightly peaty. Very good.
Taste: Very intense, smoky, slightly peaty, sharp, peppery, with mustard seeds and sea brine. Becomes more mineral, austere and smoky over time, with some mirabelle flavours. The finish is long to very long, intense, deliciously mineral and waxy, with some slightly peaty and austere smoke, some melon, fresh fruits, flint stone and sea brine, as well as some pepper.
Impression: A delicious old style of Brora, mineral, intense and peppery, with a most pleasant smokiness.
Rating: 19/20 FPA2

Clynelish 1965, 28 YO, Whyte and Whyte, 50.7%, B:2004. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Round, waxy, fruity, on fruits from the orchards, melon, some mirabelle and watermelon, with a slight smokiness. Slightly smooth.
Taste: Intense, peppery, rather waxy, slightly oaky, with a touch of citrus and old mineral peat smoke, on watermelon, some melon, light fresh fruity notes and some mineral oil. Rather smooth and complex. Over times, it becomes on strong honey and honey comb notes.  The finish is medium to long, slightly oaky and mineral, with a touch of sea brine, light mineral and smoky notes,  on honey and with some water melon and melon. Diluted, it becomes fresher and slighty winey.
Impression: A rather smooth version of Clynelish that keeps chaning over time, moving from a slightly dry oaky profile to a sugary-honey one. Very good and rather different from the offical 12 YO versions.
Rating: 18/20 FP:B2

Tomatin 10 YO, OB, 40%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old Gold
Nose: Malty, bold, oily, slightly smoky and grassy.
Taste: Sweet, light to very light, with some watermelon and mango, with some waxy-oiliness. The finish is medium, slightly bitter and on caramel, sweet, malty, slightly dusty and with fruits from the orchards.
Impression: A light, sweet, well-structured malt, easy drinking and pleasant.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B2

Tomatin Cuatro Pedro Ximenez, 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, sweet, on dark fruits, sultanas, some treacle and tangerine. Slightly sweeter and more on sultanas than the Oloroso.
Taste: Intense, spicy, sweet, on orange, sultanas, tangerine, some cinnamon and Christmas cake. The finish is medium, sweet, slightly vegetal and grassy, with some cinnamon, a touch of cloves and rubber, as well as some oranges
Impression: A version slightly different from the Oloroso, but slightly thicker and sweeter.
Rating: 13/20 FP:G1

Tomatin Cuatro Manzanilla, 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Dry, oaky, slightly acetic and with some vegetal condiment. Slightly less mineral and dryier than the fino.
Taste: Oaky, rich, intense, slightly mineral, with a hint of grapefruit. Elegant and very enjoyable. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours.
Impression: Quite different from the others, but I enjoyed its mineral side and its intensity.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

Tomatin Cuatro Fino, 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Oaky, rather clean, floral, slightly acetic, vegetal, including some vegetal condiment. It becomes drier, more on fino over time. It needs some time to breathe.
Taste: Grassy, initially sweet, becomes slightly drier and more mineral over time, with nice spices, some vegetal condiments and vegetamine, with light rubbery notes and white wine. The finish is medium to long, grassy, slightly dry, on white wine and some acetic flavours.
Impression: A nice grassy Tomatin, on acetic, white wine and a vegetal influence.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Tomatin Cuatro Oloroso, 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, oaky, rather sweet, floral, on sultanas, some tangerine and a hint of orange.
Taste: Grassy, rather sweet, on dates, sultanas, orange, tangerine, some spices and light oaky notes. The finish is medium, slightly rubbery, floral and fragrant, on leather, some salty notes, a hint of citrus, orange, tangerine and vegetal condiment.
Impression: A rather peculiar Tomatin, with a mixture of rubbery and vegetal condiment influence. Not the most balanced Tomatin.
Rating: 11/20 FP:F1

Tomatin 1981, OB, 42.3%, B:2014, cask 1. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose:  Grassy, smooth, mellow, with some honey, high grade leather, tropical fruits, orange, tangerine, some bananas, animal fur, dates, sultanas and some bold smoke. A flawless sherry nose.
Taste: Grassy, fruity, slightly floral, on tangerine, orange, and on tropical fruits. Well balance, smooth and mellow. The finish is medium, mellow to very mellow, sweet fruity, slightly bitter, with a hint of rubber, orange and on tropical fruits (mainly mango).
Impression: An intense, fresh, complex Tomatin, with excellent fruity notes and a nice mellowness. A most enjoyable whisky.
Rating: 17/20 FP: H1

Tomatin 1988, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Dry, clean, oaky, with some dry raisins and a slight sweetness.
Taste: Smooth, rather sweet, slightly sugary and winey, with some raisins, vanilla and some slightly fruity notes. The finish is medium, floral, slightly dry and creamy, with some hops and light winey notes. Complex.
Impression: A Port matured Tomatin initially slightly dry and with a nice complexity. The Port influence is well integrated with this whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP: A1

Rare Ayrshire  (ladyburn) 1974, 37 YO, The Ultimate, 52.1%, B:2011, cask 2604. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Malty, mellow, slightly grassy and oaky, rather floral, on honey, some aromatic flavours and a hint of smoke.
Taste: Floral to very floral, very grassy, mellow, rather woody, on honey, spices, some aromatic herbs and herb liquor (genepi). The finish is medium, malty, rich, mellow, floral, and grassy, on honey, some wood and on vanilla.
Impression: A mellow, floral Ladbyburn, rather easy to drink and with only moderated woody flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Arran Machrie Moor Cask Strength First Edition, OB, 58.4%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Dry, aromatic, peaty, young, smoky, very clean.
Taste: Extremely smooth, malty, young, smoky, round, rather sweet, slightly floral and on honey. The finish is medium, extremely smooth, sweet, malty, slightly aromatic, peaty and floral, with some vanilla.
Impression: A surprisingly smooth and sweet peated Arran, with nice malty flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A4

Macnamara Rum finish, OB, 40%. B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Floral, smooth, sweet, slightly sugary, on raisins, treacle and some leather, tannins and toffee.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, spicy to very spicy, floral, slight sugary notes, apple and pear drops. The finish is medium, spicy, oaky, fresh, fruity, with fruits from the orchards, light sugary and smoky notes and a touch of vanilla.
Impression: A balanced, fresh and pleasant well-made blend, with a touch of rum influence. A good value whisky. Thank you Gilles.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A2

Glendullan, The Singleton, 1976 Special Releases 2014, 38 YO, OB, 59.8%, 3756 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Spicy, rich, floral, with a slight smoothness, light malty notes.
Taste: Mellow, smooth, complex, with diverse floral notes, some heather and honey, delicate spices, cardamom, and a touch of Mirabelle. The finish is medium, mellow, complex, rich, on diverse floral notes, with light and subtle notes of melon, pears and apples. Diluted, it becomes more mellow.
Impression: A very mellow, smooth, charming and complex Glendullan. An old whisky to savour.
Rating: 15/20 FP:B1

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 3, OB, 54.9%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, thick, rather floral, on berries, tangerine, orange, leather, cinnamon and on spices.
Taste: Sweet, floral, spicy to very spicy, oaky, intense to very intense, on Christmas cake, sultanas, candied oranges and light fruity notes. The finish is medium, sweet, fruity, oaky to very oaky, spicy to very spicy, slightly young and rough, on Christmas cake and spices.
Impression: A good GlenDronach, tasting rather young and with a lighter sherry influence than I recalled from the previous batches.
Rating: 13/20 FP:G1

Glenmorangie 1963, OB, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very rich and fruity, sweet, intense, with some humus, a light smokiness, on tangerine, orange and some spices, as well as light mineral and coastal notes.
Taste: Very sweet and rich, fruity, mineral, juicy, with some peat smoke, tangerine, spices, some leather and humus. Very complex.  The finish is medium, very rich and complex, sweet, juicy, mineral, with some peat smoke, tangerine, orange and other fruity notes.
Impression: A deliciously sweet, fruity, mineral and rather peaty Glenmorangie, Complex. I wished the finish was longer, since this whisky was so good. By favourite Glenmorangie so far. Tasted at Le bar du nord in Carouge CH).
Rating: 17/20 FP:F3

Glenmorangie Taghta, OB, 46%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Strongly vegetal, yeasty, slightly floral, on vegetamine, some rubber, toffee and fudge.
Taste: Vegetal, rubbery, grassy, herbal, floral, on rubber, liquorice roots, smoke, some cocoa and coffee beans, as well as some orange. The finish is medium, round, buttery, grassy, floral, slightly rubbery, yeasty, on cocoa, some yeast extract and a light fragrance. Diluted, it becomes sweeter and slightly mineral.
Impression: A rather peculiar yeasty, vegetal and rubbery Glenmorangie. Not really my type of whisky.
Rating: 11/20 FP:H1

Old Pulteney 1990, OB, 46%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Juicy, oaky, slightly smoky, salty, maritime and peaty.
Taste: Salty, maritime, oaky, juicy, on peat smoke, some ashes, charcoal, coconut and sea spray. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly bitter, salty, on wet tobacco leaves, seaweeds, vanilla, some peat smoke, charcoal as well as some floral and fragrant notes.
Impression:  This is a special Old Pulteney matured in ex-Islay whisky casks giving a certain peat smoke influence over a rather oaky and juicy body. The results is correct, but I prefer the “naked” ones.
Rating: 12/20 FP:B2

Singleton of Dufftown 15 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour:  Gold-old gold
Nose: Fresh, smooth, very floral, with some fragrance, vanilla and straw.
Taste: Fresh, smooth, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, on vanilla and honey. The finish is medium, smooth, very floral, with some straw and honey.
Impression: A smooth Singleton, on honey and more subtle and elegant than the 12 YO.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B1

Singleton Dufftown Speycascade, OB, 40%, B:2014. Price:
Colour:  Gold-old gold
Nose: Oaky to very oaky, modern, with lots of vanilla, some floral notes and a touch of heather.
Taste: Smooth, floral to very floral, oaky, on vanilla, some nuts and light spicy notes. The finish is medium, smooth, oaky to very oaky, with lots of vanilla.
Impression: A floral Dufftown with a strong vanilla flavours. The sherry influence is very light.
Rating: 11/20 FP:B1

Singleton Dufftown Sunray, OB, 40%, B:2014. Price:
Colour:  Old gold
Nose: Rich, oaky, smooth, nutty, on honey, some leather and cinnamon.
Taste: Floral to very floral, smooth, slightly soapy, rich, slightly juicy, on honey, cinnamon and some nutmeg. The finish is  medium, rich, spicy, smooth, with some fresh cinnamon.
Impression: A good rich and spicy Dufftown, smooth and easy to drink. Matured exclusively in American oak.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Singleton Dufftown Tailfire, OB, 40%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour:  Old gold-amber
Nose: Oaky, very spicy, slightly nutty, syrupy, rather winey and on sultanas.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, slightly nutty, with some orange and tangerine, light notes of cinnamon and on honey. The finish is medium, nutty, floral, spicy, on honey and some cinnamon.
Impression:  A good Dufftown, less nutty than the sunray but also slightly fruitier. Matured in a combination of American and European oak.
Rating: 13/20 FP:E1

Tomintoul 1967, 38 YO, Adelphi, 49.2%, B: 2005, Cask 4485, 100 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold.
Nose: Very grassy, heavy, slightly humic, on dried meat and nice deep fruits notes, with papaya, peach and some coconut.
Taste: Sweet, fresh, grassy, on delicate peat smoke, some light sweet fruity notes, including fruits from an orchard. The finish is medium, fresh, light, sweet, on fruits from the orchards as well as a light subtle smokiness.
Impression: A very pleasant, light, refreshing, subtle and old fashioned whisky that I enjoyed very much. Thank you Jean-Michel.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B3

Glen Grant 1985, 23 YO, Adelphi, 55.9%, B:2009, cask 10197, 191 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very smooth, on honey, some grassy notes and butterscotch.
Taste:  Smooth to very smooth, rather intense and floral, slightly grassy, with some honey, vanilla custard and some juicy oaky notes. The finish is medium, spicy, floral, and slightly fragrant, on vanilla and some honey. Diluted, it becomes grassy, more floral, fresh and slightly nutty (including some coconuts). Very pleasant.
Impression: A very pleasant Glen Grant, with some excellent oaky-juicy notes and a smooth balance.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2