It’s time to dive into new releases that are exclusive to DeinWhisky. There’s an official (peated) Arran cask and a Secret Islay 1991 from the white label series by Sansibar, but we’ll start with Family Silver 2001.
This undisclosed blended malt (actually a teaspooned whisky) is matured in a first fill sherry cask and comes from the most famous distillery in Speyside. It is bottled in the Cooper’s Choice series from The Vintage Malt Whisky Company.
Family Silver 23 yo 2001 (43%, Cooper’s Choice for DeinWhisky 2025, blended malt, first fill Oloroso sherry cask #44, 324 btl.)
Nose: really nice, with a red fruitiness that you rarely get these days. Plenty of raisins, dried apricots and herbal honey. Then also stewed apples and toffee, as well as a lightly fragrant top note, like aromatic rose pepper. Hints of dark chocolate as well, with old coins in the background.
Mouth: still this rather fruity sherry profile, with lots of apples, plums, red berries and blackberries. Nectarines too. Semi-sweet, with well-dosed hints of caramel and toffee. Later it moves to floral honey and mild spicy notes (like cinnamon and sweet ginger), with a light cognac-y edge.
Finish: not too long, but clean, with hints of spiced marmalade and raisins.
While the modest ABV makes it rather mild on the palate, it’s definitely not a blocking point. It is simply a mature and very sippable Speyside whisky with an impeccable sherry influence. Recommended, especially given the fair price: € 120 from DeinWhisky.de.
Secret Islay 33 yo 1991 (48,2%, Sansibar ‘White Label’ for DeinWhisky 2025, bourbon hogshead, 253 btl.)
Nose: half of it is the tight Islay character, with iodine and sour brine, minerals, menthol and grassy smoke, as well as damp chalk. The other half is rounder vanilla, some lemon and grape, along with sourdough bread. Then sweet eucalyptus and mild phenols. Really good.
Mouth: still some creamy vanilla underneath, with peach and sweet citrus, hints of mocha and black peppercorns. The juicy fruitiness is excellent. Then light herbal smoke and drops of antiseptics. A bit of sea salt and acidity.
Finish: very long, with velvety smoke, toasted bread and sweet fruits in the background.
We knew what to expect, of course. It combines well-aged Laphroaig elements but it also boasts a vibrant, apparently younger side. We’ve had more complex examples, but again this is such a drinkable, well chosen cask. Available from DeinWhisky. Score: 90/100
Arran peated 10 yo 2013 (58,6%, OB for DeinWhisky 2024, first fill bourbon barrel #2817, 251 btl.)
Nose: a rather thick layer of burnt sugar on crème brûlée alongisde a subtle mentholated hint. Then some coconut shavings and vanilla, with plenty of bananas and shortbread. Barbecue ashes and some vegetal notes as well.
Mouth: sweet and fruity up front. More bananas, peaches and hints of grapes. A bit too hot perhaps. Custard and roasted malt. On a second sip I get smoked lemon notes and acidic pineapple, along with oak shavings and a pinch of salt. More vegetal peat towards the end.
Finish: good length, clean, with increasing levels of peat smoke, as well as lemons, burnt toast and black pepper.
Good to see the innate fruitiness and fresh lemony notes of Arran are still present here. The vegetal peat isn’t entirely necessary in my opinion, but overall a nice expression. Available from DeinWhisky. Score: 86/100