The Chronicle
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J.J. Corry 23 Years (for Whiskybase)
J.J. Corry is a brand of Irish whiskey founded in 2015 by Louise McGuane. They are reviving the historical practice of whiskey bonding in Ireland, sourcing spirit from multiple distilleries. Maturation and blending takes place at their Atlantic rackhouse at Cooraclare Farm.They have a couple of ongoing expressions like The Gael (malt+grain) and The Hanson (grain), but today we're looking at a 23 year old single cask whiskey . It is bottled exclusively for Whiskybase.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Armagnac Hontambère 2012 / Pouchégu 1998
The latest armagnacs from Hontambère / Rac Spirits arrived. The first one is their own production, a Hontambère 2012 . This is 100% Folle Blanche, matured in a dry cellar for 14 years. We already tried 2013 before.Next up is one of the Pouchégu casks, this time a 1998. Check some of their previous releases . Armagnac Hontambère 14 yo 2012 (50,6%, OB 2026, cask H16, 400 btl.) Nose: a nice combination of citrus notes, eau-de-vie from mirabelles, a touch of greens and then also nougat and walnuts. Then also marmalade, hints of heather and a bit of white pepper. Mouth: apples aplenty (fresh and cider apples), with grapes, berries and some tannic / peppery power. A bit of an eau-de-vie style. There's some rustic character, but also brightness and a nice juicy edge. Mid-palate I'm getting a toffee note and light vanilla, which evolves towards herbs and liquorice, with a pleasant bitter citrus edge. Finish: medium length, oak spice comes forward, a little verbena and liquorice.I believe
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Old School Single Malt 50 Years (Signatory Vintage)
While officially undisclosed, this Old School Single Malt is probably from Bunnahabhain. Signatory Vintage released three or four already in a few months time, all sister casks. Indeed Bunnahabhain is probably one of the only coastal distilleries of which there are enough casks left of this age (especially 1973-1975), and we'll see whether it fits the profile. Old School Single Malt 'Coastal Edition' 50 yo (43,1%, Signatory Vintage 2025, Batch #3, Oloroso sherry butt, 672 btl.) Nose: pretty great. There's a fresh breeze of eucalyptus and pine forest, on top of the polished furniture notes, leather and mild pecans. Underneath there is some roundness of marzipan and vanilla, along with salted caramel. Then a nice layer of dried apricots and candied oranges. Also raisins, subtle hints of red berries and indeed a coastal note. Complex. Mouth: the wood left its mark, sure, but it comes with mint, candied ginger, subtle resins and plenty of dried herbs. Not too drying actually, it bala
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Torabhaig 2018 Scottish oak (The Whisky Exchange)
Scottish oak is very porous and notoriously hard to work with, which is one of the reasons why distillers often rely on American or European oak. We're not seeing these Scottish oak finishes often - the GlenAllachie 8 yo is the only one I can remember. Early 2026 The Whisky Exchange selected a cask of Torabhaig that was finished in Scottish Oak . Torabhaig 7 yo 2018 (58,7%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2025, Scottish oak cask #2829, 251 btl.) Nose: a very deep smokiness that reminds me of Thy's beechwood . Warm, dark sooty notes combined with aniseed and mintiness. Then bacon over a wood fire, damp leaves, hints of green apples, cinnamon pastry and beautiful resinous notes. Some pine needles, a subtle floral touch and old leather as well. Really nice. Mouth: now the oak becomes a little sharper and a little plankish, even though it has much of the same qualities. Dark, brooding smoke with an underpinning of fresh tar, along with peppermint, wholegrain bread and sweetened black tea.
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Port Askaig 8 Years / 15 Years / 17 Years / 25 Years
Port Askaig is the well-known brand of Islay whiskies from Elixir Distillers . Launched in 2009 , we've had a lot of expressions over the years from 8 year-olds up to 45 year-olds. Today we're revisiting a few of them, and we include a 15 Year Old and 25 Year Old that we hadn't seen before.Remember all of these are single malt whiskies . Caol Ila is often part of the line-up, but also others. Port Askaig 8 yo (45,8%, Elixir Distillers +/- 2025) Nose: a slightly funky, vegetal nose. A lot of cabbage and sauerkraut, along with apple cider and hints of new rubber wellies. Then some seaweed butter, lemon rinds and a slightly mezcal-like smokiness. Hints of yeasty dough in the distance. Mouth: rather thick, with a nice balance of apple sweetness, some sourness, peppery heat and lifting coastal notes. Plenty of vegetal oils and cold ashes. Heather and brine, a touch of ginger, along with lemon juice and hints of oysters. Finish: good length, with some toffee sweetness shining through,
fromWhiskyNotes - news
Kanpaikai & Antelope: Bunnahabhain, Mortlach, Springbank…
The Antelope (Macao) and Kanpaikai (Japan) are good friends. A lot of their bottlings are shared. They have good taste, both in selecting whisky and designing labels - I love the Japanese influence.I already tried some of their joint bottlings while I visited WhiskyShine in Macau . Today we're looking at four recent releases from Bunnahabhain, Mortlach, an undisclosed Skye distillery and Springbank. Impressive. Bunnahabhain 45 yo 1979 (46,8%, Kanpaikai & The Antelope 2025, refill sherry butt #8056, 222 btl.) Nose: a lovely old style, the sherry is not intrusive at all. Full of tobacco, old polished wood and worn leather, cardemom and subtle whiffs of broth. The savoury note is balanced by flashes of fruits like dried berries and apricots. Then cigar boxes, elegant herbs and a wee hint of smoke. Mouth: just as nice. Dried herbs, more cigar boxes and leather, along with oranges and raisins. Walnuts, drops of Chartreuse, some mossy hints and Darjeeling. A light smokiness again, but
fromWhiskyNotes