Paul John Christmas Edition 2020 (46%, OB, 2020) (3/7/2021) - Sweet and softly peated, I already suspected a mixture of peated & unpeated casks used in the mixture here similar to some of Paul John's standard range, strikes a really lovely balance between sweet & peat. 88/100
Nantou 4 Years Old Batch 1 (49%, TBWC, 342 Bottles, 2020) (3/7/2021) - Lovely fruity aroma and also on the palate but much too spiced for my liking, quite sharp/prickly. 78/100
Langatun 5 Years Old Batch 3 (51.2%, TBWC, 635 Bottles, 2019) (3/7/2021) - A touch woody but with some lovely sweet and floral notes, also a little bit vegetal on the palate. 79/100
Whisky Blog Rankings March 2021 (3/4/2021) - Whisky Blog Rankings March 2021
- Starward Left-Field (40%, OB, 2021) (3/3/2021) - Very drinkable and more influenced by the red wine than the French oak cask maturation. 85/100
Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No.001 (49.7%, OB, 2021) (3/3/2021) - A mixture of tropical fruit and spiced coffee from this melange of casks. Complex and refreshingly light on the palate true to Fettercairn's spirit. 85/100
STARCHEFS PRESENTS ROBIN GILL’S ST PATRICK’S DAY DINING EXPERIENCE, SUPPORTED BY REDBREAST IRISH WHISKEY (3/3/2021) - St Patrick’s Day on March 17th will see brand new food platform, StarChefs release their second home dining experience. The four-course St Patrick’s Day meal has been created by celebrated Irish chef, […]
Jim Beam Single Barrel (47.5%, OB, 2020) (3/1/2021) - Intriguing on the nose but rather too spiced on the palate for my liking, thankfully not overtly sweet. 82/100
Aultmore 2010 The Firkin Rare (48.9%, The Firkin Whisky Co. Tawny Port Cask #800670, 273 Bottles, 2020) (2/28/2021) - Another great combination of distillate and cask again here from The Firkin Whisky Company. Loving the soft red fruits in this expression, soft, gentle and subtle so as not to hide the core distillate flavours. 85/100
Benrinnes 2008 The Firkin Ten (48.9%, The Firkin Whisky Co. Madeira Cask #SC11, 305 Bottles, 2020) (2/28/2021) - The result of combining Benrinnes distillate with ex-Madeira cask is a quite light and almost effervescent whisky. Sweet and peachy from the Madeira wine influence and deliciously spiced towards the end of the palate. 83/100
Waterproof Blended Malt Batch 001 (45.8%, OB, 2020) (2/28/2021) - A great sherry-influenced blended malt, quite rich and toffee'd but very easy drinking as it comes. 84/100
Dalmunach 4 Years Old 2015 The Distillery Reserve Collection (59%, OB, 1st Fill Barrel #242140, 324 bottles, 2020) (2/21/2021) - Still young but eminently drinkable this has a lovely peach yoghurt fruity and creamy nature, surprisingly little 'new make' evidence and not overly oaked, though perhaps shows it a little in fresh oak/pencil shavings, gentle biscuity cereals too shows great promise. 83/100
John Crabbie 28 Years Old 1992 Speyside (45.5%, John Crabbie & Co., 260 Bottles, 2021) (2/21/2021) - A powerful, fragrant dram full of fruit and flowers, distinct spirit character throughout that was really rather inviting. Wood varnish and tropical fruits abound. 91/100
Caperdonich 18 Years Old 2002 The Distillery Reserve Collection (48.1%, OB, 2nd Fill Barrel #25215, 276 Bottles, 2020) (2/10/2021) - A superb expression that balances both spirit and wood influences, full of tropical fruit. 88/100
Hudson Baby Bourbon (46%, OB, 2020) (2/10/2021) - Great! Powewrful, polished wood and spices with a lovely sweet backdrop. 87/100
American Eagle 4 Years Old (40%, OB, 2020) (2/10/2021) - Full bodied and full flavoured, very enjoyable for a 4 year old Bourbon and not overly sweet or corny. 80/100
Filey Bay STR Finish (46%, OB, 2021) (2/8/2021) - Definitely my favourite of the tasting, I recoiled slightly at the STR - or shaved, toasted, recharred barrel currently in use far too much with new distilleries for my liking, however this is a red herring here as it is the barrels former (red wine) occupants that really has an impact on the final product. 83/100
Filey Bay Moscatel Finish (46%, OB, 2021) (2/8/2021) - Another tasty expression, moved more into stone fruits thanks to the Moscatel finish, plus plenty of honey and syrup sweetness too, whilst retaining core distillate flavours too. 82/100
Filey Bay Flagship (46%, OB, 2021) (2/8/2021) - A nice introduction to the Filey Bay house style, plenty of fruity spirit and a hint of youth in the woody notes present, thankfully not too over-cask-engineered which seems all the rage with most new distilleries. A promising start! 82/100
The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 9 (59.4%, OB, 2021) (2/8/2021) - Another classic cask strength rendition from Glendronach, a hint of apples and spirit here and there but mostly wonderful sherry cask maturation at its best. 85/100
Port Askaig 12 Years Old Autumn Edition (45.8%, Elixir Distillers, 9000 Bottles, 2020) (2/8/2021) - Totally different to the Spring edition, matured in ex-sherry butts and solera casks much more funky and nutty than fruity there was more than a little funky old cask in this on, even with all the peat influence I found myself preferring the sweetness of the bourbon/Spring edition. 82/100
Port Askaig 12 Years Old Spring Edition (45.8%, Elixir Distillers, 5000 Bottles, 2020) (2/8/2021) - Another distinctly Caol Ila-esque undisclosed single malt, more backbone here with toffee and malt present and some lovely salinity and citrus zest, some bourbon cask influence even shows through, what could go wrong? 83/100
Elements of Islay Peat Full Proof (59.3%, Elixir Distillers, 2020) (2/8/2021) - Quite a surprise to find this is the same Peat offering but at Cask Strength, I think I much preferred the reduced version for drinking. Surprisingly different considering this is just the same whisky at higher ABV! 82/100
Elements of Islay Peat (45%, Elixir Distillers, 2020) (2/2/2021) - A distinctly coastal and peated expression that reminded me of Caol Ila and a touch of Lagavulin, not surprising this is probably what this blended malt mostly consists of perhaps...? 83/100
Aultmore 9 Years Old 2011 Reserve Casks Parcel No. 4 (48%, Elixir Distillers, 2020) (2/2/2021) - This small batch has slightly more depth, whether due to quality of the initial distillate or casks used is hard to determine but I certainly preferred this over the Linkwood in the same range. 82/100
Linkwood 10 Years Old 2009 Reserve Casks Parcel No. 4 (48%, Elixir Distillers, 2020) (2/2/2021) - This came across as a little young, spirity and vanillic, tasted blind I guessed either Speyside or Lowland so wasn't far off the mark for a small batch Linkwood in ex-Bourbon casks. 81/100
Undisclosed Islay 7 Years Old 2008 (56.3%, Single Cask Nation, 1st Fill Bourbon Cask #2112, 2015) (2/1/2021) - A superb fruity and sweet young Islay with plenty of smoke character and obvious first fill bourbon influence too. A packet of frazzles and a cigar. 84/100
Bulleit Rye (45%, OB, 2020) (1/23/2021) - A spiced and sweet Rye whiskey with plenty of nice fruity flavours going on, I kept finding cola, cherry cola and cherry lips sweeties in this one. 83/100
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon (45%, OB, 2020) (1/22/2021) - Perhaps a little too woody for me with a hint of dry pencil shavings, otherwise a good balance of sweet and spice. 82/100
1792 Small Batch Bourbon (46.9%, OB, 2020) (1/21/2021) - Some depth and well-balanced, reveals a little more complexity and not as sweet as some Bourbons. 84/100
Jack Daniels Single Barrel (45%, OB, 2020) (1/20/2021) - Another select barrel of great quality from Jack Daniels, great balance of sweet and spice, definitely one to savour on its own. 84/100
Eagle Rare 10 Years Old (45%, OB, 2020) (1/19/2021) - 'Manhattan' like orange and bitter oak and plenty of woody brown sugar sweetness, oak and honey. 83/100
Michter’s US*1 Bourbon (45.7%, OB, 2020) (1/16/2021) - Some interesting peach flavour but not a lot going on here that excites me. 80/100
Gentleman Jack (40%, OB, 2020) (1/15/2021) - A rather polished expression and quite sweet and estery with plenty of banana, a nice touch of liqourice and aniseed adds some depth to the flavour. 81/100
Basil Haydens Bourbon (40%, OB, 2020) (1/14/2021) - A relaxed and easy drinking bourbon, soft and sugary and full of vanillic oak wood. 80/100
Tennessee Rye Whisky 4 Year Old Batch 3 (45%, That Boutique-y Rye Company, 331 Bottles, 2020) (1/13/2021) - Quite light on the nose with a little more punch and plenty of spices on the palate, overall quite pleasant. 80/100
Whistlepig 10 Years Old Straight Rye (50%, OB, 2020) (1/5/2021) - A heady spiced and sweet rye with some lovely butterscotch undertones. 84/100
The Glendronach 27 Years Old 1992 Port Pipe #5897 (48%, OB, Batch 18, 853 Bottles, 2020) (1/5/2021) - Full of dark chocolate, rose and some well-integrated fruit flavours such as plum and fig, surprisingly well-balanced and not too sweet for a port maturation, with woody and spirit influences presented to perfection. 91/100
The Glendronach 10 Years Old 2009 PX Puncheon #2091 (61.9%, OB, Batch 18, 692 Bottles, 2020) (1/5/2021) - The Glendronach 10 Years Old 2009 PX Puncheon #2091 Whisky Review ABV: 61.9% Age: 10 Years Old Bottling: OB, Single Cask Releases Batch 18 Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Cost: £100 […]
Bushmills 2001 Feuillette Cask (49%, OB, 2020) (1/4/2021) - Bushmills 2001 Feuillette Cask Whisky Review ABV: 49% Age: 19 Years Old Bottling: OB, The Causeway Collection Category: Single Malt Irish Whiskey Cost: £200 exclusive to The Whisky Shop Origin: Bushmills distillery […]
Bushmills 10 Years Old (40%, OB, 2020) (1/4/2021) - Bushmills 10 Years Old Whisky Review ABV: 40% Age: 10 Years Old Bottling: OB Category: Single Malt Irish Whiskey Cost: £29.95 Origin: Bushmills distillery Vintage: Undeclared What they say Bushmills 10 year […]
Whisky Blog Rankings December 2020 (12/15/2020) - Whisky Blog Rankings December 2020 Ordered by Alexa Global Rank See our complete (alphabetical) listings here Contact us via the form on that page if we don’t have your blog details listed. http://malt-review.com/ […]
Imperial 22 Years Old 1998 Monologue (52.1%, Chapter 7, Bourbon Barrel #104355, 218 Bottles, 2020) (12/4/2020) - A mature, gentle and reserved Imperial expression, packed full of well aged fruit and wood with a focus on deep citrus zest. 91/100
Auchentoshan 22 Years Old 1998 Monologue (51.8%, Chapter 7, Bourbon Barrel #100155, 199 Bottles, 2020) (12/4/2020) - A rather fruity and touch waxy expression, lovely tropicality on the palate give away the age here. 88/100
Caol Ila 9 Years Old 2011 Monologue (52.2%, Chapter 7, Bourbon Barrel #160, 284 Bottles, 2020) (12/4/2020) - Sweet and medicinal but I can't get that germolene in my mouth feeling away, nice but a little sickly. 84/100
Mannochmore 11 Years Old 2008 Monologue (52.5%, Chapter 7, Bourbon HH #16612, 338 Bottles, 2020) (12/4/2020) - A traditional Speysider, fruity with obvious influence of oak wood, well developed, zesty, cooked and preserved apples in this one. 85/100
Williamson 9 Years Old 2010 Monologue (53.9%, Chapter 7, Bourbon Barrel #907, 235 Bottles, 2020) (12/4/2020) - A delicious combination of sweet milk, vanilla buttercream icing and earthy and turfy peat smoke. 87/100
Octomore 10.1 / 107ppm / 5 Years Old (59.8%, OB, 2019) (12/3/2020) - Octomore 10.1 Whisky Review ABV: 59.8% Age: 5 Years Old Bottling: OB Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky Cost: £125 Origin: Bruichladdich distillery Vintage: 2013 What they say Distilled from Scottish barley […]
Williamson 10 Years 2010 Old Strictly Limited (47.5%, Carn Mor, Oloroso HH’s, 1139 Bottles, 2020) (11/26/2020) - Rich, complex and nutty a fantastic example of how peat and sherry really work well together. 89/100
Rampur Asava (45%, OB, 2020) (11/26/2020) - Another highly drinkable and delicately finished/balanced expression matching Rampur's spirit to red wine cask influences. 85/100
Rampur Double Cask (45%, OB, 2018) (11/26/2020) - More depth and a touch more complexity, the soft tropical fruit and floral spirit nature are reserved for the finish here. 85/100
Rampur PX (45%, OB, 2016) (11/26/2020) - Core flavours still present, sweet, fruity and floral with plenty of red & dried fruits added here and a touch of chocolate from the PX finish. 84/100
Rampur Select (43%, OB, 2015) (11/26/2020) - Initially quiet this expression is full of soft and sweet tropical fruits, honey and vanilla representing Rampur's core flavour profile. 84/100
The Glenturret 12 Years Old (46%, OB, 2020) (11/26/2020) - I found this a little challenging on the nose with dry leather and woody tannins initially but once it has breathed a fairly classic Dundee cake/Fruit cake nature arises from the ex-European oak cask maturation. 84/100
The Glenturret 10 Years Old Peat Smoked (50%, OB, 2020) (11/26/2020) - A Highland peaty expression that combines thick peat smoke influences with Glenturret's fruity spirit profile. 84/100
The Glenturret Triple Wood (43%, OB, 2020) (11/26/2020) - A beautiful expression, quite complex but very drinkable. Lots going on in here but all very complementary the result is Baklava, buttery pastry, honey/syrup, nuts and gentle spices combined to perfection. 85/100
The Glenturret New Make Spirit (63.5%, OB, 2020) (11/26/2020) - Reminiscent of the process and aromas of the washbacks and mash tun, grassy cereals, doughy yeast and stone fruits.
Glen Moray 14 Years Old 2006 Sauternes Cask Matured (59.6%, OB, 1248 Bottles, 2020) (11/26/2020) - A fascinating full ex-Sauternes maturation has delivered plenty of sweet fruit but equally tannic French oak influence to Glen Moray's supple spirit. 86/100
Defilement 8 Years Old Chestnut Cask Finish (46.7%, Defilement, 2020) (11/16/2020) - Hah a curve ball in the form of this Chestnut wood cask, whilst distinctly not oak, but then again this is not Scotch, it is a blended English whisky so I'm unsure if English whisky regulations exist or preclude the use of other wood (much like Irish chestnut casked whiskey sampled previously). Something a little different and very tasty! 84/100
GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Spanish Oak Finish (48%, OB, 2020) (11/16/2020) - Another quiet woody expression and not too dissimilar to the previous French oak edition with a touch more wood spices added here. 82/100
GlenAllachie 12 Year Old French Oak Finish (48%, OB, 2020) (11/16/2020) - Very pleasant, much more woody and oaky presence here though oddly slightly vinegary on the nose I did wonder if this was a pale/Amontillado sherry cask finish at one point. 82/100
GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Chinquapin Oak Finish (48%, OB, 2020) (11/16/2020) - Despite another light spirit nature this had a little more wood to chew over and complimentary fruit and floral notes too. 83/100
Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake (46%, OB, 2020) (11/16/2020) - Well I guess malt-light highlights Glenmorangie's delicate spirit and I did pick up on a bit of fruit and sugar here but this was much more fresh wood than a piece of cake for me. 80/100
Old Ezra 7 Years Old (58.5%, OB, 2020) (11/16/2020) - A flavour journey rather than destination, plenty of spice and heat but also packed full of vanilla and nutty oak. Superb as it comes but takes a drop of water well if you like it a little calmer. 85/100
Ezra Brooks Straight Rye Whiskey (45%, OB, 2020) (11/16/2020) - Approachable rye whisky, touches of spice and earth from the Rye grains but plenty of sweet vanilla and oak wood influence too, quite enjoyable. 84/100
Rebel Yell Cognac Cask Finish (45%, OB, 2020) (11/16/2020) - Slightly spiced and dessert-like Bourbon, the cognac cask finish has subdued some of the sweetness and given a richer, woodier and slightly festive spice feel to this one. 85/100
A Fine Christmas Malt 2020 (44.5%, TWE, 1918 Bottles, 2020) (11/16/2020) - Easy drinking blended malt, mostly liquid toffee apples but also some spice, dried fruit and nut mix which resembles festive fruit cakes. 83/100
Glen Scotia 14 Year Old Tawny Port Finish Campbeltown Malts Festival 2020 (52.8%, OB, 2020) (11/12/2020) - Full of jammy red fruits, peat smoke and oily coastal influences, mixed to perfection. 88/100
Ledaig 10 Years Old (46.3%, OB, 2020) (11/12/2020) - A lovely expression full of salted caramel and soft peat smoke. 85/100
Mannochmore 13 Years Old 2007 Strictly Limited (47.5%, Carn Mor, PX HH’s, 1551 Bottles, 2020) (11/11/2020) - A delicious sweetie shop dram thanks to the PX maturation, absolutely delightful. 85/100
Longmorn 11 Years Old 2009 Strictly Limited (47.5%, Carn Mor, 1st Fill Bourbon, 830 Bottles, 2020) (11/11/2020) - A very drinkable expression full of vanilla and fruits and reasonably wood light, more tropical on the nose than the palate. 84/100
Tomatin to auction rare whiskies for Maggie’s Highlands charity (11/9/2020) - TOMATIN DISTILLERY ROLLS BACK THE YEARS WITH NEW FILL CASK AUCTION Tomatin Distillery has today announced an exclusive online auction of rare whiskies, including a new fill Tomatin cask, hosted and supported by The Grand […]
Morrison and Mackay relaunch as Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers with new Carn Mor whisky range (11/9/2020) - ONE OF SCOTLAND’S OLDEST WHISKY FAMILIES RELAUNCH COMPANY. Morrison & Mackay undergoes transformation to become Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers ahead of launching a new range of whiskies. Formally known as Morrison and […]
Chivas Brothers unveils 2020 Distillery Reserve Collection (11/9/2020) - CHIVAS BROTHERS UNVEILS 2020 DISTILLERY RESERVE COLLECTION FEATURING 48 NEW SINGLE CASKS Series of eight The Glenlivet Single Casks at the heart of the collection Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky business of […]
Samuel Gelston’s Launches Irish Whiskey Finished in Sam Neill’s Pinot Noir Casks (11/9/2020) - Samuel Gelston’s has announced the launch of its latest expression – a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, matured in actor Sam Neill’s Pinot Noir casks. The new release is the result of […]
High Coast 6.94 Years Old 2012 Timmer (48%, OB, 12764 Bottles, 2019) (11/8/2020) - A lovely and subtle, almost floral, woody and smokey expression, just what I imagine a campfire in a Swedish pine forest smells like. 86/100
Paul John 6 Years Old 2011 Small Batch (56.6%, Cadenheads, 564 Bottles, 2018) (11/8/2020) - Blind tasting - Definitely peated but plenty of other powerful maturation notes going on in this one too, didn't pick up on the ABV but it tasted right even at this strength - typical of Indian whiskies. 84/100
Armorik Maitre de Chai 2010 (46%, OB, Sherry Casks #3320 & #3321, 2000 bottles, 2017) (11/8/2020) - Blind tasting - Dark coloured but quite smooth and soft in flavours, I was misled by the Oloroso cask maturation effect on the colour here I think. Again having recently sampled through Armorik's core range and latest peated expression I had no idea how close this one was to them! 83/100
Hatozaki Pure Malt (40%, OB, 2020) (11/8/2020) - Blind tasting - Oddly herbal and sweet, this has plenty of Japanese influence and reminded me of some of the Hakushu expressions. 86/100
Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky (43%, OB, 2020) (11/8/2020) - Blind-tasted - Reasonably simple definite corn-led grain whisky with bourbon-oak maturation, possibly from somewhere with a slightly warmer climate, I guessed a grain or pot-still Irish whiskey due to the sweet and spiced nature. 83/100
Pere Magloire VSOP South Islay Cask Finish (40%. OB, 2020) (11/4/2020) - An interesting mix of peat-smoke and Calvados, quite light from the peaty whisky side which adds some darker notes of liqourice, clove and tar. 84/100
Pere Magloire VSOP North Islay Cask Finish (40%, OB, 2020) (11/4/2020) - A lovely nutty, buttery and slightly coastal nature imbued here which really compliment the sweet apple and nutty French oak nature of the core Calvados. 85/100
Pere Magloire VSOP Speyside Cask Finish (40%. OB, 2020) (11/4/2020) - A much sweeter and more vanillic expression following finishing in aSpeyside whisky cask, more body generate from a hint of malty cereal barley also. 84/100
Pere Magloire VSOP Pays d’Auge Calvados (40%, OB, 2020) (11/4/2020) - A lovely introductory apple/fruit-led flavour, quite light on the palate and a hint of French oak maturation. 83/100
Whisky Blog Rankings November 2020 (11/4/2020) - Whisky Blog Rankings November 2020 Ordered by Alexa Global Rank See our complete (alphabetical) listings here Contact us via the form on that page if we don’t have your blog details listed. http://thewhiskeywash.com/ […]
The Glenallachie adds a 21 Year Old to its range. (11/4/2020) - CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR WHISKY FANS AS THE GLENALLACHIE ADDS A 21-YEAR-OLD TO ITS RANGE The multi-award-winning Speyside distillery unveils limited release cask strength single malt in the run-up to Christmas After […]
Glenallachie 11 Years old 2009 Single Cask (59%, OB, Sauternes Barrel #3278, 299 Bottles, 2020) (11/3/2020) - Full of honey and fruit from the Sauternes cask maturation, good malty body present here too which persists through to the finish. Delicious. 86/100
Cambus 28 Years Old 1991 Single Cask (55.8%, Cadenheads, 2019) (11/3/2020) - Great on the palate despite inherent thinness of grain whisky, touch funky on the nose and slightly over-woody. Water made this spicier and woodier so I'd drink it as it comes. 82/100
Benromach 10 Years Old (43%, OB, 2020) (11/3/2020) - Benromach's entry level malt is still a complex and fascinating dram full of malty barley, fruity spirit and sweet & spiced cask derived flavours. Superb, possibly one of the best 10 year old standard expressions available. 84/100
Hatozaki Pure Malt (40%, OB, 2020) (11/2/2020) - Packed full of malt and aromatic wood with gentle wisps of smoke, this is seriously delicious. 88/100
- Hatozaki Blended (40%, OB, 2020) (11/2/2020) - I really rather enjoyed this one. At first it seems quite simple, light and delicate but therein lies its beauty. Immensely drinkable and reminds me of some great and now hard to find or afford Japanese single malts. 84/100
Marussia Beverages adds HATOZAKI blended & HATOZAKI pure malt artisan whiskies to its Japanese spirits portfolio (11/2/2020) - Marussia Beverages, producer and international distributor of wines, sakes and spirits, is launching two new artisan Japanese whiskies, HATOZAKI blended and HATOZAKI pure malt which will become part of their expanding portfolio of Japanese spirits brands. […]
Egan’s Legacy Reserve 17 Years Old (46%, OB, 1000 Bottles, 2020) (11/2/2020) - Superbly smooth and very sweet and fleshy/juicy stone fruits abound, like biting into ripe peach, apricot and Nashi pears. Wonderful. 87/100
Egan’s Centenary (46%, OB, 2019) (11/2/2020) - A delicious blend full of cereal, stone fruits and leather a marriage of a good base and plenty of French oak cask influence here, nice and chewy. 85/100
Egan’s Fortitude (46%, OB, 2020) (11/2/2020) - Sherry heavy with plenty of PX influences; rich fruit and spice. I was unable to detect much underlying spirit character here however as I feel the sherry-maturation obscures that perhaps, still super-drinkable. 84/100
Egan’s Vintage Grain Irish Whiskey (46%, OB, 2020) (11/2/2020) - Very pleasant, soft and light just as you'd expect from a Grain whiskey, a little hint of that spirity nature also give away the nature of the base spirit here. This has been well matured in ex-Bourbon and strikes a good balance making the end result very drinkable. 83/100
Armorik Yuen Elez (46%, OB, 2020) (10/27/2020) - Deliciously sweet and peaty, this has a rich malty sweetness accentuated by vanilla and all pervaded by a thick peat and dry heather brush smoke. Wonderful. 84/100
Armorik Double Maturation (46%, OB, 2020) (10/27/2020) - Great aromas and mouthfeel, the double-maturation gives good depth and texture and carries some of those darker and woodier sugary flavours topped by classic sherry finish elements. 80/100
Armorik Sherry Cask (46%, OB, 2020) (10/27/2020) - Full of dried fruits and chocolate flavours and aromas from the Oloroso sherry cask maturation, still a little sharp and too spiced when unreduced for my palate in places. 79/100
Armorik Classic (46%, OB, 2020) (10/27/2020) - Very well put together and promising, the ex-Bourbon oak is not too heavy an influence here and mostly describes their spirit character and coastal maturation. It becomes a touch abrasive later on the palate which hints at slightly younger maturation - I'm guessing some components may be under 8 years old perhaps. 77/100