Some time ago I reported on the collaboration between distributor The Nectar and Malternative Belgium. In a first session I tried most of the core range cognacs from François Voyer.Today we're moving upwards with a couple of specialty releases from the Paradis. We start with Ancestral N°8, a combination of 1948 and 1971 spirit.  Cognac François Voyer 'Ancestral n°8' - Grande Champagne (44,3%, OB 2023) Nose: furniture polish, sour berries and nice hints of flowers. Minty notes and orange blossom, preserved peaches, as well as darker hints of liquorice and cedar wood. Hi ..read more

Each year Stokerij De Molenberg releases an Anniversary release of their Gouden Carolus whisky. A tradition that may come to an end soon, or so I've heard. Other than that, there is also an occasional experiment that makes it to a wider core range expression. Even though the experiments are often done by other distilleries before, it does allow them to keep their fans interested.In 2023 they released a Madeira Oak version, a continuation of Esmeralda, let's say. It sits beside the Gouden Carolus Sherry Oak and it is fully matured in American oak casks seasoned with an undis ..read more

The GlenAllachie recently rolled out its first new Wood Collection expressions in their refreshed packaging. We've had some virgin oak finishes for instance, but this time the subject is close to my heart: sherry casks. The series will consist of the same whisky finished in six different types of sherry casks, three of which have been released now. The other three are expected later this year.For the first trio the distillery used Fino sherry hogsheads, Amontillado sherry hogsheads and Oloroso sherry butts. Until now The GlenAllachie focused on Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez for thei ..read more

The Macallan 12 Years Sherry Oak is a cornerstone expression in the series of single malts matured in sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez. As you know the distillery has a classic range which is divided into Sherry Oak and Double Cask collections.I last tried this version in 2016 - time for an update!  The Macallan 12 yo - Sherry Oak Cask (40%, OB +/- 2023) Nose: slightly leathery sherry, with some oily notes, cinnamon and grapes. Underlying malty notes, along with oranges, drops of herbal tea and autumn leaves. Toffee and whiffs of apple blossom too. Just a light rubbery ..read more

Wu Dram Clan has a good nose when it comes to whisky, and some of their highlights include their selections from Diageo's Casks of Distinction series. After the Lagavulin 30 Years and Caol Ila 32 Years comes a 38 year old Cragganmore.The distillery's specific copper stills and the use of traditional worm tubs to cool the distillate give the whiskey a pleasant texture. Let's dive right in.  Cragganmore 38 yo 1985 (45,3%, OB 'Cask of Distinction' for Hong Kong Whisky Fellows + Wu Dram Clan 2023, refill hogshead #601269, 174 btl.) Nose: a round and seductive profile, with a pr ..read more

Spheric Spirits is a young indie bottler from Germany, started by Benedict and Claudio. They have a slightly edgy / flashy branding (check the website) - I like the vibrant colours on the labels but apparently not everything agrees. Besides whisky, they're also looking at armagnac and destilado de agave. They're not just bottlers, by the way, they like to get involved at the beginning of production.First up is a Blended Malt 1978, which is probably old Long John blending stock. It ended up forgotten due to a change of brand ownership in 1981. If this is true, then the peated com ..read more

Here are some of the latest releases in the Whisky Sponge series. A series that is nearing the end, by the way. If we can believe this piece, the series will stop after 100 releases. That's only 10 bottlings away.  Gone Grant 31 yo 1993 (43,9%, Decadent Drinks 2024, second fill barrel, 230 btl.) Nose: usually I'm disappointed by 1990s distilation because it only reaches to the ankles of a 1972. This time I'm not. Ripe, jammy fruits, nicely waxy and honeyed, with a hint of apricot, tangerine, sweet pineapple and vanilla. While the 1970s were even more beehive-y, this is more ..read more

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The name Jack Tar mostly appears with rum releases, but they've also bottled cognac, armagnac and other spirits. Whisky too, although that is certainly not their biggest focus.Today we'll try their Laphroaig 1996, selected with Project 1091 in a series that also includes Glen Moray and Strathisla malts.  Laphroaig 26 yo 1996 'Yggdrasil' (45%, Jack Tar / Project 1091, 2023, refill hogshead #5391, 101 btl.) Nose: a nicely evolved style of peat. Rather farmy, with whiffs of sheep stables that always remind me of Brora. Olive oil, hessian, touches of gorse flower and leath ..read more

A ..read more