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| Hi, you're in the Archives, June 2025 - Part 1 |
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June 5, 2025 |
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WF’s Little Duos, today Tamdhu OB vs IB |
Not the first time we’ve done this, but it’s always a pleasure. We also appreciate that Tamdhu seems to avoid maturing all its younger or mid-aged malts in unlikely wine casks, as has become the norm elsewhere—much to our dismay at times. |
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Tamdhu ‘Quercus Alba Distinction Batch 1’ (48%, OB, 2021) 
Here we are once again a little behind the times; I now realise we’ve already tasted more recent batches of this variant matured in ‘American Oak Oloroso Sherry Cask’. I’ll take the opportunity to remind that the vast majority of sherry casks used in actual sherry production (not whisky seasoning) have been made of American oak since the 18th century, and that Spanish or European oak remains the exception to this day (I believe it’s still under 10%). Colour: gold. Nose: very much on cider and apple juice to start, then drifting towards walnuts, buttered popcorn, nougat, and once again very ripe apples, almost apple compote. One might toss in a blueberry muffin for good measure. Mouth: rather more sherried than on the nose, fairly soft for an oloroso, but green spices, bay leaf, cherry leaves and a touch of rosehip infusion all provide definition before it veers into classic green walnut liqueur (nocino) territory, and hence some unmistakably ‘oloroso’ notes. Finish: rather long, pleasantly sour, still focused on fresh walnuts with little sparks of sorrel and English mustard. Comments: I get the impression each batch of this expression shows a distinctly different personality. Cracking level for a modest NAS.
SGP:551 - 84 points. |
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Tamdhu 16 yo (51.4%, A Dream of Scotland, Space Girls, 1st fill ruby Port finish, 268 bottles, 2025)
People sometimes think that oxidative sherry is a red wine (it’s dark indeed but in fact it’s made from white grapes), and therefore assume there’s little real difference between sherry and port, when in truth, there’s rather a lot, especially when it comes to ruby port. Ruby is a young style, often matured in stainless steel to preserve its fresh fruitiness, quite unlike the more oxidised tawnies. Oh, and we do enjoy the pin-up artwork, it brings back the good old days, doesn’t it (ha). Colour: salmon or onion skin. Nose: strong impressions of red fruit jams and liqueurs, but nothing vulgar, mind you. It leans notably towards well-mannered cherries, shall we say. There’s also plenty of strawberry jam, blackberry jelly, and a touch of cranberry sauce that would pair nicely with a bit of venison. With water: little change, though a combo of cinnamon, mild bell pepper and cherry stalks gently emerges. Mouth (neat): spicy red fruit jam galore—green pepper, cinnamon, clove, caraway… With water: citrus bursts from the woodwork, bitter orange, pink grapefruit, a dab of green oak honey… Finish: fairly long, always led by the young port, but the meeting seems to have been carefully arranged. Comments: in the end, the clash we half-expected never quite arrived. But ruby, my dear! (well, that was clever, S…)
SGP:561 - 84 points. |
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June 4, 2025 |
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WF’s Little Duos,
today glen Ord once more |
We love Ord, we have great memories of Ord, especially visiting the maltings (the current ones, the drums, not the Saladin boxes that were dismantled in 1968 – WF is not that old). Well, we’ll only have two today, we need to let the machine cool down a bit…
(2006, WF Archive)
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Glen Ord 14 yo 2009/2023 (49.2%, James Eadie, for the Ensign Ewart, refill hogshead, cask #310777, 152 bottles) 
The Ensign Ewart is a well-known little pub in Edinburgh, located at 521-523 Lawnmarket on the Royal Mile. One would expect them to have chosen this little Ord with care… Colour: white wine. Nose: as naked a malt whisky as one could hope for, beautifully composed of celery stalk, fennel, green apples, damp chalk, dill, pink grapefruit, and freshly harvested barley. Mouth: powerful, almost cutting, more herbaceous and spicy on the palate (green pepper), with a rich texture and plenty of small, semi-wild apples. Then come limoncello, sticks of rock, and honey pastilles, which gently round things off. Finish: long, a little waxier, with some lovely bitter tones. Comments: a fine little Highland beast. In any case, we love these Highland malts that are ‘not quite fully rounded yet’.
SGP:661 - 87 points. |
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Glen Ord 10 yo 2012/2023 (60%, Animal Spirits, ‘When Days Are Cold 1’, 3rd Anniversary, barrel, cask 200260, 232 bottles) 
Animal Spirits? I simply cannot help but think of Animal, the drummer from The Muppet Show, particularly his legendary performance in ‘Fever’ with Rita Moreno, which makes me laugh out loud every single time. Yes, like the rest of the planet. But let’s get back to our sheep as we say in French—I mean, to this young Ord… Colour: chardonnay. Nose: chardonnay. I am not joking, this is a good young Chablis on the nose. Just the right amount of vanilla, soft oak, limestone, and buttercream, then a touch of yellow melon and barley sugar. With water: we’re veering towards an IPA with a hint of washing powder. Mouth (neat): a little paraffin, slightly soapy at first, but we know that part will settle. Otherwise, lemon zest and green apples. With water: oh yes, even if the slight soapiness remains (I was wrong once again), the rest is nicely fruity, youthful, rather oily, lemony, and peppery. Finish: long, with a faint tonic water note. Some roots and a bit of modelling clay. Comments: a very good Ord, just a little unusual on the palate.
SGP:561 - 82 points. |
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June 3, 2025 |
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A mini verticale of Glen Grant from the 1930s up to 1998, in no particular order
We'll start by tasting a well-aged Glen Grant, entirely natural, from a top indie bottler (official bottlings, whichever they may be, always tend to ‘enhance’ their malts more). Then we’ll move on to a few old vintages, that’s the main aim today, after all, and finally the new G&M, which is the real reason for this little session. |
Mr George Urquhart (G&M) |
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Glen Grant 26 yo 1998/2024 (53.5%, The Whisky Agency, hogshead, 150 bottles) 
Rumour has it that the people on the label are Mr & Mrs Carsten Ehrlich on holiday in Monte Carlo. But you know we don’t put much stock in rumours, don’t you… Colour: white wine (bingo) Nose: splendid tension, bursting with lime and green apple, then hints of damp chalk, followed by that classic rhubarb and gooseberry duet. Luminous and utterly decisive. With water: fresh barley, then grist and wort in full swing. One could scarcely be closer to the raw material, and that's after 26 years. Mouth (neat): totally coherent, grapefruit, limestone, wee berries, rowan… It's nearly a young Chablis. With water: cracking ale, flawless maltiness, fresh bread, and apple cake drizzled with lemon juice. Finish: long and piercingly vertical. A touch of aniseed in the aftertaste. Comments: indeed, a radiant malt with not a jot of cosmetic fluff. We’re on the same page.
SGP:551 - 90 points. |
Here we are, ready for the old legends... |
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Glen Grant 8 yo (70° Proof, Gordon Graham & Co. Aberdeen, 1930s)
Gordon Graham & Co. is a merchant firm best known for their Black Bottle blend. The bottle itself clearly points to a pre-WWII edition. Colour: white wine Nose: this is where it gets rather unsettling, and why I picked this wee chap—we’re strikingly close to the 1998, same profile, same tension, same minerality at first, before it goes all fractal and veers off in several directions, notably towards stewed fruits (quince, medlar), unguents (camphor, eucalyptus, mint essence), and absolutely bonkers levels of aromatic herbs. Tarragon, chervil, watercress, oyster leaf, coriander, basil, lemongrass, and heaps of others. An utterly mind-blowing nose—so complex yet so pure. Mouth: terrifyingly powerful, mineral, and textured—practically barley oil. There's a very medicinal streak again, all things chalky and broadly earthy, lemon zest, and those herbal essences and reductions all the top chefs are so fond of nowadays. Including goutweed, which I stumbled upon at the Burehiesel in Strasbourg just last Saturday. Warmly recommended, by the way! Finish: long, with a perfect balance of medicinal notes, citrus, and chalkiness. Only the aftertaste is ever so slightly soapy, as sometimes happens with very old bottles. Comments: bonkers, this little 8-year-old—nearly hypnotic.
SGP:562 - 92 points. |
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Glen Grant-Glenlivet 23 yo 1964/1988 (46%, Cadenhead, Aberdeen)
The final years of those famous ‘black dumpies’ (no, that’s not the name of some forgotten yet dazzling RnB outfit). Full-on sherry here, it would seem. Colour: mahogany Nose: oh indeed, total sherry, with an old Malaga vibe supercharged by vintage crème de menthe, prune juice, and morels stewed in vin jaune. Implausible? Hardly—it’s marvellous, especially with those classic metal polish touches so typical of this legendary series. Mouth: ooh, this is magnificent, far more so than other GG 1964s that may have been more erratic according to my notes, though some were wonderful. Sublime combo of broths, chocolate, coffee, and minty liquorice, before we drift into old citrus liqueurs from Sicily or Sardinia (or perhaps Corsica). These 46%/80°proof bottlings really hit the sweet spot. Finish: long, almost thick, with a slightly tardy but very welcome arrival of sun-dried muscat grapes, origin irrelevant. Comments: the perfect foil to the old 8-year-old. For the record, this baby was distilled in November 1964 and bottled in February 1988.
SGP:661 - 93 points. |
Let’s head over to Berry Bros…. |
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Glen Grant 1948/1960 (70°proof, Berry Bros. & Rudd, 3, St. James’s St.)
Remember, Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant, and this bottle (filled the year someone (guess who) was born) certainly looks properly antique. For this vintage, it’s said that coal and coke were scarcer in the immediate post-war years, so peat was sometimes reused for malting. That’s why, generally speaking, post-war malts were often ‘smokier’, as at Macallan for instance, at least in my humble experience. Anyway, always a pleasure to revisit these antique marvels… Colour: gold Nose: believe it or not, this feels like a blend of the previous two, capturing the tension of the old 8-year-old and the majestic heft of the 1964, which, after all, was only distilled 16 years later. Sublime damp earth, mushrooms and mosses, citrus liqueurs, very old sweet wines, then honeys of every persuasion, furniture waxes, ancient beeswax (proper old hive stuff), and even the scent of old books. Books about whisky, of course—or better yet, old philosophical tomes. Mouth: bone marrow and honey broth, vintage Cointreau, sultanas, aged fermented teas, earthy pipe tobacco… It’s beginning to lose a bit of steam, but that’s totally expected. Well, I’ve made a blunder, I should have tasted this baby before the Cadenhead (what a muppet, S.!). Finish: slightly short, but of unfathomable complexity. A touch of Iberian ham, assorted honeys, ancient meads, and venerable pear ciders… Comments: astounding for this strength and after 65 years in a bottle.
SGP:551 - 91 points. |
Let’s finish with the new (and final) Mr George Legacy from G&M, if you don’t mind… |
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Glen Grant 70 yo 1954/2025 'Mr George Legacy Final Edition' (50.5%, Gordon & MacPhail, first fill sherry puncheon, cask #1823, 130 bottles)
This likely little marvel certainly pays homage once more to George Urquhart, but it also marks the 130th anniversary of the famous house. I believe that, following the already historic vintages we’ve just tasted, we are now fully ready to appreciate this 70-year-old at its true worth. May I remind you that we consider context and, above all, comparison to be very important in tasting. Colour: dark amber. Nose: as almost always with these old G&Ms, what’s most striking is the combination of an almost unnatural freshness with all the complexity that only such ages can truly deliver. I’m not sure if that’s entirely clear (smile). What really stands out here is also just how close we are to a very old Cognac or a very old rum, or indeed a very old sherry of course, which once again lends weight to the theory of convergence among old spirits. We find all the dried grapes imaginable (chenin, muscats, PX and all the others), then an incredible trio of blood orange and peaches + honeys + mints and old cumin liqueur. With water: we delve into the depths of a spice cellar, discovering peppers, cinnamons, vanillas, and also tobaccos. A touch of varnish too. Mouth (neat): what power! Fir honey blended with cinnamon, mint, myrtle and caraway, then tobacco and, brace yourselves, tiny touches of old Moutai, of Nuits-St.-Georges (George <–> Georges, naturally) and of very dark chocolate. With water: the oak becomes just slightly more evident (ginseng, black teas, nutmeg, cinnamon, cocoa) but everything remains perfectly in order, we’re still in heaven. Finish: the little herbs emerge, rather like in the old 8-year-olds from the 1930s. Sorrel, wild garlic, woodruff… It’s always magical when extra dimensions appear in the finish, which is firmer, yet also more beautiful without water, incidentally. Very dark chocolate, mint and fir buds in the aftertaste. Comments: Gordon & MacPhail are truly the kings of long maturations that succeed brilliantly. I wonder whether we oughtn’t call them the Clint Eastwoods of whisky (I do hope I’m not ruffling any feathers by saying so, at least not in Scotland).
SGP:561 - 93 points. |
At the risk of sounding a bit crude (as usual, S.), I’ve put together a quick overview of my thoughts on the previous Glen Grant ‘Mr George’ editions, and the final ranking would be as follows: |
The 1958/2023 4th Ed., 95 points
The 1953/2021 1st Ed., 94 points
The 1954/2025 Final Ed., 93 points
The 1959/2023 3rd Ed., 93 points
The 1956/2019 Cent. Ed., 93 points
The 1957/2021 2nd Ed., 92 points |
As you can see, it’s all rather rock and roll. Thanks, and well done to Gordon & MacPhail. |
(Merci Angus, merci Patrick) |
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June 2, 2025 |
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WF’s Little Duos, today Strathisla |
The distillery itself is perhaps the most famous of all whisky distilleries in the world, thanks to its traditional charm – undeniable and frequently photographed. However, it's equally undeniable that its single malt production is becoming increasingly rare, or at least that’s the impression one gets. |
Strathisla Distillery (Chivas Brothers) |
It’s rather a pity, if you ask me. Fortunately, G&M are keeping a close eye on things, so to speak... |
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Strathisla 2009/2024 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, Distillery Label)
I believe the foundation of this label, with its inimitable Victorian lettering, is better known than any official version, although it’s true it has always remained, shall we say, ‘semi-official’. In the past, we used to call them ‘licensed bottlings’. Colour: gold. Nose: bruised apples with a touch of wax polish, which seems fairly typical to me. Very pretty notes of fresh barley, some very, very lightly smoked tea, and rhubarb compote sweetened with honey. A rather charming antique side, one must admit. Mouth: lovely power, still on apples with a dash of lemon juice, then fig appears, both fresh and dried, along with very malt-rich beer, followed by heaps of multi-floral honey, with a clear dose of fir. In essence, mountain honey. Then some spiced touches, though nothing excessive, cinnamon rolls, clove-studded oranges, a trace of ginger... Finish: fairly long, remaining fresh, on oranges and honeyed apples then vanilla cream. Comments: very classic, with a ‘super-Chivas’ side that probably won’t surprise anyone.
SGP:551 - 85 points. |
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Strathisla 22 yo 2001/2023 (50.4%, The Whisky Blues, STR barrel, cask #28944, 191 bottles)
It is ex-STR but fear not! Lovely neo-naive label by Shingo Iwasa. Colour: light gold. Nose: well, it’s the same whisky as the G&M, just with a few extra watts! The STR may have brought in some very light touches of redcurrant, but that’s truly the only thing that might set it apart in terms of profile. Of course, there’s absolutely no reason to complain. With water: brioche dough, honeyed muesli, delicate notes of stewed peaches preserved in vanilla syrup... Mouth (neat): still that gentle malt, those apple, banana and orange compotes with cinnamon and honey... Hard to imagine anything more classical than this. With water: soft, fruity and malty, even more classical if that’s possible. Nougat, apple compote, cinnamon, figs, sandalwood and a very light blond tobacco, mullein syrup and woodruff... Finish: fairly long, fruity and malty, rather on stewed fruits and always those mullein nectars. Slight paraffin in the aftertaste. Comments: I insist, one probably couldn’t get more traditional than this. The STR? What STR?
SGP:551 - 87 points. |
We're wondering whether G&M's decision, made around two years ago, to eventually exit the independent bottling market will also affect the 'Distillery Labels'. We certainly hope not! |
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June 1, 2025 |
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A word of caution
Let me please remind you that my humble assessments of any spirits are done from the point of view of a malt whisky enthusiast who, what's more, is aboslutely not an expert in rum, brandy, tequila, vodka, gin or any other spirits. Thank you – and peace! |
Eight rums for this lovely first Sunday in June
Just a few rums, chosen a little at random, with a free spirit and the wind in your face. After all, summer is nearly here…
(Poster: most sadly only AI slop)
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J.Bally 7 yo (45%, OB, Martinique, agricole, +/-2024) 
The famous triangular bottle, or rather pyramidal, which we had tasted—and adored (WF 88)—last time from a 2018 batch. Since 1996, Bally has been produced at Saint James. Colour: gold. Nose: this is a rum with tension, an earthy mentholated edge, somewhat austere but to us that's a virtue. A little leather, undergrowth, black tea, tobacco, fresh sugarcane, and a generous bundle of salted liquorice straight from Schiphol. Mouth: the palate is very coherent, always marked by that salted liquorice, with a fairly thick texture, then evolving into kirsch and bitter orange, walnut, and a mere droplet of pastis. The 45% works flawlessly. A faint touch of cane honey. Finish: long, slightly more oaky, with dark honey, liquorice, and mint. Aftertaste once more rather austere, more on dry wood. Comments: still magnificent. We always greatly enjoy what comes out of Saint James.
SGP:462 - 88 points. |
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Dominican Republic 11 yo (55%, Jean Boyer, Rum Bullion, 2025)
The Dominican rum on its natural side, without a massive dose of added sugar or other slightly dubious concoctions. We tasted a rather good one from Bristol the other day. Colour: gold. Nose: this is very close to sugarcane, even straw and hay, with a slightly alcoholic edge but also a lovely elegance, just a little diaphanous. A tiny note of Nutella (sorry). With water: little change. Mouth (neat): it’s gentler now but all of this feels natural, with orange liqueur, banana, aniseed, tea and even some praline, though it keeps a slightly alcoholic, high-column side. With water: a hint of coconut liqueur joins in. Finish: fairly long, a touch of fruit brandy and wood. Comments: for something from the Dominican Republic, I find this great despite the lightness of structure that’s inherent in this very rectified style of rum.
SGP:631 - 82 points. |
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El Salvador 17 yo 2006/2024 (54.9%, Valinch & Mallet, The Spirit of Art)
Probably from Cihuatán. We’ve had very mixed results with these juices, so let’s see… Colour: deep gold. Nose: we’re in a world extremely close to that of the Dominican, with a light texture even on the nose, though featuring some lovely honeyed touches, cane, banana and coconut, though never overdone. A slight note of maple syrup aged in oak casks. With water: the expected vanilla turns up, otherwise not much change. Mouth (neat): very fruity, reminiscent of candyfloss, again maple syrup, coconut liqueur, and roasted peanuts coated in caramel. With water: it’s almost the same rum as the Dominican, just a tad sweeter. Finish: a touch more complex, with a lovely note of pink pepper. Comments: a rather amusing arrival of pepper on the finish, with something of an Indonesian side, whatever that means. In short, very good considering the profile, though not quite a darling at WF HQ.
SGP:740 - 83 points. |
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Isautier 16 yo 2005/2022 (65%, Velier, La Réunion, rhum traditionnel, 546 bottles)
Traditional, so molasses-based. We tried its agricole counterpart last year and rather loved it (WF 87). Colour: reddish amber. Nose: this is incredibly agricole for something traditional, loaded with liquorice, fresh sawdust, varnish… and ethanol. So, with water: it doesn’t budge an inch, virtually immovable, though some praline and roasted hazelnuts do manage to show up. Mouth (neat): very thick, sweet, full of varnish and fruit-flavoured liquorice, plus a note of incense liqueur—if such a thing existed. With water: it retains all that, but a little pineapple eau-de-vie, black soap and clove appear as well. The oak is pronounced. Old-style genever. Finish: long, still thick, slightly medicinal but one gets the impression that all of this comes from the wood. Comments: not so easy, this little monster. I believe we preferred the agricole version, which will probably surprise no one.
SGP:461 - 84 points. |
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Very Fine Old Caribbean Rum distilled in Cuba 56 yo 1968/2024 (49.7%, The Whisky Agency, Cuba, barrel, 145 bottles)
This little beauty was of course distilled, but also aged in Cuba, most likely in one of the distilleries nationalised by Fidel, perhaps at Bacardi’s, who had begun producing… Havana Club after 1960. Oh, it’s complicated. The 1967 we tasted not long ago was rather superb (WF 90). Colour: red amber. Nose: sublime mocha, roasted hazelnuts, orange zest, pistachio praline and, above all, maple syrup reigning supreme. Nothing to add. Mouth: oh, how beautiful this is! More praline, but now bathed in honey and maple syrup, rose liqueur and 19th century Grand Marnier. Okay, early 20th. If anything, it’s a little simple, but in the most perfect way. Finish: long, slightly sweet but, as so often, led by liquorice. Soft liquorice and gentle pepper. Comments: it’s hard to tell whether there haven’t been a few ‘additions’ over time—something like honey, perhaps—but it hardly matters, this is magnificent, a true ode to the… revolution.
SGP:751 - 92 points. |
Let’s stay in Cuba, since we were just talking about Havana Club… |
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Cuban Rum 76 yo 1948/2025 (48.9%, Chapter 7 Ltd, Spirit Library for Figee Fine Goods Switzerland, 108 bottles)
The original Havana Club distillery, aka Vizcaya, was located in Cárdenas, close to Varadero on the north coast. Following the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro's government nationalised it, closed the distillery in 1960, and moved the production to ex-Bacardi facilities that had just been nationalised too, before transferring it to a new plant in Santa Cruz del Norte in 1977. Worth noting, the Vizcaya brand is now produced in the Dominican Republic, where it is marketed as a ‘Cuban Formula’, but what we’ve tasted hasn’t convinced us. Bear in mind, what I’m telling you here is purely anecdotal, it absolutely does not mean that what we are about to taste now is necessarily from the original Vizcaya or Havana Club, of course not. Even if, oddly enough, the dates line up… Colour: dark amber. Nose: what a surprise to find olive oil and even black olives, very old balsamic from Modena (inevitably), the most precious old varnishes and the most exquisite oil paintings, then an incredible array of glacé cherries, pipe tobacco and chocolate truffles. Totally mind-blowing, with a varnish-and-olive tandem that’s truly superlative and absolutely no fatigue on the nose whatsoever, despite the 76 years. Mouth: are we absolutely sure this isn’t a very old amontillado instead? That striking character really highlights the Spanish influence on old Cuban rums, which were often in the hands of families of Spanish origin, such as, in this particular case, the Arechabala family. Or so we assume. So then, we’ve got ancient walnuts from an old hessian bag, liquorice, dark tobacco, coffee, olives, a touch of seawater, sherry vinegar, and even a faintly mustardy note. Quite extraordinary, let’s say it plainly, and once again, not a jot of tiredness in any of it. Bonkers. Finish: unbelievably fresh, as interminable as one of Fidel’s speeches, salty, still on amontillado, walnut wine, morels, rare vinegars, then a very faint trace of wood glue. Comments: this splendour leaves you speechless, and that’s probably not the least of its virtues. And let’s be honest, what a coup from Chapter 7! I tip my hat to them.
SGP:462 - 95 points. |
Right then, just as a nightcap, let’s find the exact opposite of that incredible aged Cuban… |
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Worthy Park 8 yo 2015/2023 (64%, OB for the Whisky Exchange, Jamaica, calvados finish)
To be honest, one isn’t quite sure what a Calvados cask is doing in Jamaica, but then again, Willie Nelson did release a reggae album too (Countryman, 2005). Right, fair enough, all comparisons have their limits… Colour: gold. Nose: well bravo, here comes that vinegary tang of old Cuban rum, with seawater, and yes, cider vinegar too. And quite a lot of ethanol to boot. With water: this rather goes off-piste now, with notes of scallops flambéed in calvados, some possible king scallops as well, and even a most unlikely hint of Noilly Prat. But we do adore Noilly. Mouth (neat): I find it rather worrying that I like this, especially the sharpness of the apple slicing right through the young rum. Surprising stuff. With water: it’s doing windscreen-wiper things between petrol and sharp apple, a curious feeling, not unpleasant but enough to send your taste buds into a bit of a flap. Finish: similar and lasting rather a good while. Comments: I’m not quite sure what to make of this. But of course, we love Worthy Park, The Whisky Exchange, and Calvados in general. Just perhaps not all together…
SGP:663 - 84 points. |
So, let’s quickly find something else to wrap things up — we’re never going to top that old Cuban anyway… |
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Jamaican Rum 18 yo 2007/2025 ‘WP’ (56%, Liquid Treasures, Love & Peace Series)
Let’s see if this wee Worthy Park leans more, shall we say, orthodox. They do state, after all, that ‘The new bottling series is dedicated to more peace, love, awareness, more together and against dictators, haters, populists, splitters and warmongers.’ One can hardly disagree, especially if that includes anyone harming children, regardless of their 'excuses',. Colour: gold. Nose: this is a rounder WP, more civilised, more peaceable in a word, with some very pretty maritime notes, smoked anchovies, oysters, a hint of diesel and a lovely vanilla that gently smooths it all out. With water: here come the olives in full force, with seawater and a touch of carbon. Mouth (neat): ah, very good, with that typical WP clarity, grilled sesame, citron and lemons, smoked fish, a touch of camphor… With water: marvellous maritime and tarry purity. Finish: similar, with some rather bitter lemon peel that neatly ties everything together. Comments: a true blade, utterly beautiful. We’re wholeheartedly behind this most peaceful series; if you agree with them as much as we do, you simply must support them and buy up all their stock im-me-di-ate-ly.
SGP:363 - 90 points. |
They are bl**dy right, let’s make Peace & Love! |
 Check the index of all rums we've tasted so far
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May 2025 |
Serge's favourite recent bottling this month:
Port Ellen 39 yo 1982/2022 (53.9%, Douglas Laing for DH Global Wine, China, Xtra Old Particular, The Black Series, refill butt, cask #DL16283, 120 bottles) - WF 93
Serge's favourite older bottling this month:
Clynelish 27 yo 1965 (51%, Scotch Malt Sales, Japan, 500ml, +/-1992) - WF 95
Serge's favourite bang for your buck this month:
Jean-Luc Pasquet 8 yo 2015/2024 (57.8%, C. Dully Selection, Grande Champagne, folle blanche, cask #338, 214 bottles) - WF 89
Serge's favourite malternative this month:
Skeldon 27 yo 1978/2005 ‘SWR’ (60.4%, Velier, Guyana, 3 barrels, 688 bottles) - WF 93
Serge's thumbs up this month:
Glentauchers 33 yo 1993/2024 (51.9%, OB for The Whisky Exchange, Lost in Time, refill American oak barrels, cask #5218, 108 bottles) - WF 91
Serge's Lemon Prize this month:
None in May |
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Best spirits Serge tried those weeks, 90+ points only
Glen Grant 8 yo (70° Proof, Gordon Graham & Co. Aberdeen, 1930s)
Glen Grant 1948/1960 (70°proof, Berry Bros. & Rudd, 3, St. James’s St.)
Glen Grant 70 yo 1954/2025 'Mr George Legacy Final Edition' (50.5%, Gordon & MacPhail, first fill sherry puncheon, cask #1823, 130 bottles)
Glen Grant-Glenlivet 23 yo 1964/1988 (46%, Cadenhead, Aberdeen)
Glen Grant 26 yo 1998/2024 (53.5%, The Whisky Agency, hogshead, 150 bottles)
Cuban Rum 76 yo 1948/2025 (48.9%, Chapter 7 Ltd, Spirit Library for Figee Fine Goods Switzerland, 108 bottles)
Very Fine Old Caribbean Rum distilled in Cuba 56 yo 1968/2024 (49.7%, The Whisky Agency, Cuba, barrel, 145 bottles)
Jamaican Rum 18 yo 2007/2025 ‘WP’ (56%, Liquid Treasures, Love & Peace Series)
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