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

We've tried two bottlings from Halcyon Spirits in the past few months: Macallan 1993 and Auchentoshan 1991. Their third release is this Clynelish 1993, a 30 year old marriage of two casks.The name Clynelish is getting hard to come by, as most of them are now sold as undisclosed Highland whisky. So the ones that can bear the distillery name are also getting really expensive.  Clynelish 30 yo 1993 (42,1%, Halcyon Spirits 2023, cask #11082 + 11104, 154 btl.) Nose: immediate confirmation. Very waxy and mineral. Sunflower oil, beeswax, old metal coins and hints of lime ..read more

Bruichladdich recently renewed its bottle design (reducing environmental impact along the way) and this Bere Barley 2013 is the first to come in this new bottle. Even the average temperature, rain and sunshine during the harvest season are mentioned on the new label!Remember Bere is the oldest strain of cultivated cereal in Britain. Harder to work with, but more interesting results. This whisky comes from first-fill bourbon barrels (80%) and second-fill Pauillac wine casks (20%).  Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2013 (50%, OB 2023) Nose: apple and lemon candy, as well as peach sh ..read more

This session of seven cognacs contains a few well-known names like Mauxion, JL Pasquet or Vallein Tercinier, but also a few new discoveries. Have you tried André Bertandeau, Estève or Domaine des Sorges before? Last but not least, there's also a wonderful old Louis de Salignac bottled late 1950s and 75 years of age so probably late 19th century distillate.  Cognac Mauxion 'Lot 45' - Bons Bois (45,2%, OB +/- 2023) Nose: very refined and vibrant. Nice freshness of lime, sour plums and passion fruits. Some white blossoms, jasmine tea and ginger. Then darker notes like moss and ..read more