The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
54 results across all types
- news
Bruichladdich Black Art Sapero
Black Art Sapero is the first expression in a new spin-off of the Bruichladdich Black Art series exclusive to global travel retail. It made its first appearance at Changi Airport in Singapore at the end of 2025 and was then listed in other airports. Future releases include Black Art Propheta and Black Art Empresse, scheduled for November 2026 and 2027 respectively.Black Art is about embracing the unknown, so the cask types used for this composition are undisclosed.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Bowmore 2005 (The Whisky Jury)
I sometimes get the question 'which distillery should I look into?' and then Bowmore is always one of my answers. They've taken an impressive leap forward from the horrible violet-infused production and the mediocre wine finishes. A few years ago we started to see a new style of spirit, full of fruits, even tropical fruits. Today these can be found in several official bottlings. At the same time independent bottlers seem to have access to more Bowmore again, and seem to embrace the new style.At the Limburg Whisky Fair a lot of people talked about two Bowmore 2005 expressions, the one from TWA and this one from The Whisky Jury .
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Toro Albalá Amontillado 1951 (Decadent Drinks)
Decadent Drinks recently introduced a new series named Decadent Grapes . The first release is an Amontillado 1951 from Bodegas Toro Albalá. With this wine the bottler is venturing into the fortified wines of Andalusia for the first time. Toro Albalá is located in the Montilla region near Córdoba. They are best known for their high-age sweet PX wines, but they have dry styles as well. While most will link the name Amontillado to sherry wines, this is technically not a sherry. It is a separate denomination about 200 km further inland from Jerez. The wine Amontillado was named after this region, it literally means in the style of Montilla. Since their bodegas were so far from the shipping ports, Fino from Montilla inevitably underwent some oxidation along the way, becoming a style on its own. Locals think of this as the ultimate dry style because it combines the characteristic ageing under flor (usually around 8 years) with a (much longer) oxidative influence.It says 1951 but in fact at T
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Auchentoshan / Glen Keith (TWA & East Village Whisky)
The Whisky Agency ( founded 2008 ) teamed up with East Village Whisky Company ( founded 2018 ) to celebrate their anniversary. I reckon we're talking about Carsten and Peter's personal anniversaries then. I'm terrible at guessing ages but I think they could be the same age indeed. They selected two bottlings, both similar to previous TWA releases. Auchentoshan 25 yo 1999 (50,6%, The Whisky Agency 'Birthdays United' for East Village Whisky Co 2025, barrel, 120 btl.) Nose: forthcoming, with lots of yellow fruits. Peaches, some lime, later also mango and a bit of honey roundness. Drops of tropical fruit syrup. Then subtle hints of beehive notes and sunflower oil, along with dandelions and powdered sugar. Light vanilla. Much better than your typical Auchentoshan, ha! Mouth: more oranges, or rather tangerines, with mangoes. It gets more zesty after that, with candied grapefruit, some gingery notes and a greener, light bitter edge. Subtle gin botanicals. Then green malty notes, a light
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Longrow 23 Year Old Cadenhead / 100° Proof (2026)
Here were have two recent Longrow expressions. The first is a 23 year old sherry cask from Cadenhead's Original Collection . A semi-official release so to speak.After that we have a true official bottling: the second release in the new Longrow 100° Proof series. We had the first batch (Pinot Noir) last year. I still don't understand why the name Longrow Red had to change if it's still about red wine casks after all. Longrow 23 yo (43,7%, Cadenhead's Original Collection 2026, Oloroso sherry hogshead) Nose: smoked fruit. Big hints of strawberry jam, blackberries and cherries. This comes with mild sooty notes and a nice dustiness, old leather and hints of cigar boxes. Then caramelized almonds, tobacco leaves, dark cocoa and prunes. After a while it comes closer to Springbank, with more brightness and a nice citrusy side. Mouth: a rather waxy fruitiness, not unlike those 1991 Laphroaigs of late. Some medicinal notes, becoming a little bittersweet and tangy. A winey touch, but nothing
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Milroy’s of Soho: Ben Nevis, Clynelish, Tun 89…
Milroy's of Soho just released a new batch with four single malts and one single grain whisky. There are a couple of interesting things, starting with a 0 year old Clynelish (new make spirit indeed). There's also a very old teaspooned Speyside malt and a 43 year old North British.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Arran 10 Years ‘Arran Barley’ #001 (Optic)
Local Barley is a thing these days, taking inspiration from Springbank and from the wider interest in heritage grains and terroir-driven whisky. Today's dram is a 10 year old Arran, the first edition of the Arran Barley series .The Optic barley was grown at Bellevue Farm by the Currie family. It matured in first-fill bourbon barrels and second-fill sherry hogsheads, in proportions similar to their classic 10 year old expression. From now on they will release an annual bottling showcasing different barley varieties and cask types.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Cognac Prunier 1989 / Delamain TV RES (Malternative)
I met Pieter and Ysatis of Malternative Belgium in Limburg again, where they showed off two of their latest releases. Unbelievable how so many whisky enthusiasts are still actively avoiding cognac for different reasons, one more stupid than the other. Anyhow, we won't go into that today.The first release is the Prunier 1989 bottled for the second Gastronomic Waves dinner. The other is a new Très Vieux Réserve release from Delamain . We've seen several of these before - this one is bottled as a festival edition. Not just for Limburg, it was presented at different festivals where they had a stand. Both are now also available in their webshop. Prunier 1989 - Petite Champagne (60,9%, Malternative Belgium ‘Gastronomic Waves #2’ 2026, 50 btl.) Nose: highly polished, with a little cellulose varnish and furniture polish. Some roasted nuts and tobacco, as well as stewed figs underneath. After a while the base aroma moves to aromatic fruits, especially lychee. This is underlined by some yl
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Pittyvaich, Glenturret, Tamnavulin… (Decadent Drinks)
We're having new releases from Decadent Drinks today. The first is the second bottling in the hipflask series The Teuchter , after the Highland Malt 17 Years.Then we have three Whiskyland releases from second-tier distilleries, let's say. Glenturret, Tamnavulin and Pittyvaich aren't exactly names that trigger my attention right away. All of them are well-aged though, distilled in 1990 or 1991.A peated Knockdhu 2006 is the surpring encore.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Caol Ila / Bowmore (Douglas Laing Old Particular)
There appears to be a subset of the Old Particular range from Douglas Laing, called The Islay Collection . It celebrates the smoky reputation of the island. Especially in The Netherlands they've made quite a bit of noise about it.Douglas Laing started this series with three finished whiskies (2x port and 1x tequila). If it's really a celebration of the classic Islay character, then why not showcase it in a natural state?
fromWhiskyNotes - news
2x Islay Malt 1991 (The Whisky Jury)
Among the latest bottlings from The Whisky Jury there were two 1991 Islay Malts . One is a general release and the other is for friends: Passion for Whisky in The Netherlands and Lucky Choice in Australasia.I tried both at the Limburg Whisky Fair last weekend and they were really good.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
The Macallan Cherrywood Lapsang Tea
In the summer of 2025 The Macallan released two whiskies in collaboration with JING Tea . Both are part of the Harmony Collection - this time inspired by tea. There's Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea (oolong from Guandong) and this Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea , a reinvention of Lapsang Souchong.The whisky comes primarily from European oak sherry seasoned casks, complemented by American oak casks.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Bowmore 2005 / 2x Ben Nevis 1996 (The Whisky Agency)
The first stand that I visited at the recent Limburg Whisky Fair was The Whisky Agency . To say hello to organisers Meike and Carsten, but also to have a look at their latest selections of course. It was an impressive line-up, nicely presented in wooden display holders.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Lagavulin 15 Years (Feis Ile 2025)
Moscatel is one of the key wines of Andalusia. Just like in the sherry region, Málaga also uses Pedro Ximénez and Muscat grapes to create sweet wines. While PX is more common to Jerez, Málaga is well known for its Moscatel.These Moscatel casks were used by Lagavulin to finish its Feis Ile 2025 bottling, a 15 year old whisky. I believe the last Feis Ile release we tried from them was the 2021 Port cask finish.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Glenkinchie 2008 / Caol Ila 2007 (DeinWhisky)
We received a package with two new releases from Sansibar . These are white label bottlings exclusively available from DeinWhisky , from Glenkinchie and Caol Ila distilleries. Both whiskies are 18 years old and come from a sherry cask but with a clearly different cask influence. Glenkinchie 18 yo 2008 (54,1%, Sansibar for DeinWhisky.de 2026, Oloroso sherry hogshead, 273 btl.) Nose: a juicy style of sherry, with sweet and sour berries at the fore. Damsons, sour cherries, hints of strawberry jam. This is lifted by some cinnamon and peppermint, leading up to subtle floral top notes. Then light cocoa and herbal honey. The fruitiness and elegance are quite excellent. Mouth: now clearly more spicy and even a little tannic. There are dried herbs and drops of strong coffee along with plain winey notes. Also toffee sweetness, red fruits again (plums and cranberry) with some mint chocolate. Finish: medium to long, with a peppery and floral note as well as some citrus and toffee.Although it
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Lucky Choice: Imperial, Talisker, Springbank
At the recent Limburg Whisky Fair I met some Asian friends. At the same time some of them didn't manage to reach Germany because of the silly war and transport problems. Lucky Choice's Rafael was one of them, but some of his samples travelled with others and managed to reach me nonetheless.Recent bottlings include Imperial, Talisker and Springbank. Check their website for more information.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Macbeth Act Two: Ben Nevis, Clynelish, Highland Park…
I'm sure you remember the prestigious Macbeth project, a Shakespeare play translated into whisky by Livingstone Rare and Elixir Distillers. For more background information, check our article on Macbeth: Act One.There are 42 whiskies in six acts, and some time ago Act Two was released, containing eight new bottles. Six of them will be reviewed today.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Kilchoman Maury Cask Matured (2026)
Maury is one of the AOCs for fortified wines (Vin Doux Naturel) in the Rousillon area, near Perpignan in France. It is a fairly small zone (just four communes), even if you add the bigger neighbours Rivesaltes and Banyuls it is a limited production.Most Maury is sweet but it can also be dry, and it can be made of white or red grapes, mostly grenache, macabeu and muscat. The wines are aged in barriques, large foudres or - more typically - in glass demi-johns exposed to direct sunlight. This gives the wine a flavour profile with the sweetness of Port but also the oxidative rancio character of Madeira for instance.Some of the best known producers like Mas Amiel, which I visited a couple of years ago, have vineyards in several AOCs so they can offer several denominations.I don't think I've ever had a whisky matured in Maury casks, so here's a first. Kilchoman Maury Cask Matured was a full term maturation, not merely a finish. A set of 19 Maury butts from 2021 were vatted for this release,
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Cognac Delamain 1985 (Malternative Belgium)
From our friends in Hasselt comes this new Delamain cognac called 'Les Tarins Verts'. They're developing a very interesting series of expressions from this house, exquisitely initiated at their Delamain dinner. Today Malternative Belgium presents a new release, a 1985 Vintage no less.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Benriach 1996 / Glen Keith 1993 (Whisky Dreamers)
The Whisky Dreamers keep a steady pace. In September we heard of them for the first time and now they already have a third batch of whiskies. Always from the most exclusive corners of the Malts of Scotland warehouse. Currently on offer: Glen Keith 1993 and Benriach 1996. Glen Keith 32 yo 1993 (44,6%, Malts of Scotland 'Rare Casks' for Whisky Dreamers 2026, bourbon barrel, 158 btl.) Nose: a very fine fruitbomb, full of peaches, nectarines, gooseberries and green mango. A lot of honey and warm waxy notes, along with some honeysuckle and vanilla cake. Almond oil. Over time it also shows a grassier note and mild white blossoms, adding a sense of vinho verde to it. Mouth: even better than expected. Totally exuberant fruits, Bushmills style. We have pineapple, mango, papaya and hints of lime juice. Very juicy, who dropped the vitamin tablet? Later also creamy vanilla and a drop of calvados, as well as greener notes like mint leaves and eucalyptus. Finish: quite long, now getting citrus
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Ben Nevis, Benriach, Tullibardine, Balmenach (Maltbarn)
The Limburg festival is coming up. Since some people are asking me about it: yes, I will be there on Saturday. Don't hestitate to come over and say hello. Maltbarn will present a series of new releases in Limburg, six if I'm not mistaken. We've had a sneak peak so here are our first thoughts on the Ben Nevis 1996, Benriach 1995, Balmenach 2002 and Tullibardine 1993. Most of these are names and vintages that we've seen before, perhaps split casks. Ben Nevis 29 yo 1996 (47,6%, Maltbarn 2026, bourbon cask, 152 btl.) Nose: bingo. A very waxy profile, quite sophisticated. Ripe pears, some quinces and hay. But really it is mostly about vegetal oils, some rubbed lemon skins and green leaves, along with subtle drops of menthol and whiffs of wool and grist. High complexity, but no fruit overload yet. Mouth: still not bursting with fruits - mostly about the sweetish oiliness again. Beeswax, paraffin and pollen, mixed with chalk. Mid-palate some mango and peach comes out, with candied lemon
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Savanna + RumX 17 Years – Grand Arôme
RumX recently released a bottling of Savanna rum . It is a Grand Arôme from the Savalle column still, with 665 g/hlpa of esters. It underwent 17 years of tropical ageing on La Réunion, in an ex-cognac and ex-armagnac cask. After all these years it comes at a fierce 68.7% ABV.They announced this already as the rum of 2026 which is quite a bold claim. Of course it's a very old Savanna and it comes from a highly appreciated batch of casks, but we'll see how it performs in the glass.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Old Orkney, Old Islay, Benrinnes, Mortlach (Decadent Drinks)
Here's our timely review of some of Decadent Drinks ' releases. We start with an Old Orkney and Old Islay, from the new Island series . Then there are two Decadent Drams: a deeply sherried Benrinnes 1997 and a bourbon-influenced Mortlach 2005. Old Orkney 8 yo 2016 (47%, Decadent Drinks 2026, bourbon + sherry casks) Nose: quite a vegetal start, with musty leaves. Bay leaves and subtle mint. Later it opens up towards dried apricot and raisins, along with some vanilla and yellow apple. Some sea spray, heathery notes and lemon peels. Just a mild sooty note and black pepper in the background. Mouth: richer fruity sweetness, with more dried fruits, hints of charred pineapple and stewed apples. Now more coal smoke as well, as well as burnt herbs and a salty hint. Then honey and earthy touches. Still a lot of leafy notes too. Finish: quite long and quite savoury again, with black peppercorns, salty peat and heather.An easy-going Orkney that offers more complexity than the price would sug
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Tamdhu 21 Year Old (2025)
In August 2025 Tamdhu released its oldest whisky, the Tamdhu 21 Year Old . A coming of age release, they said. It is fully matured in Oloroso sherry casks , from both American oak and European oak. This is reflected in the Moorish design of the display box. In press releases they referred to Williams & Humbert (among other undisclosed producers) for the provenance of their casks.I'm trying the 2025 release - the next batch is expected to drop later this year. In the meantime also check my reviews of its younger brothers.
fromWhiskyNotes