Here’s a slightly belated review. Every couple of weeks we dig our nose into the latest releases from Decadent Drinks, but sometimes the timing doesn’t fit our schedule and then the review can be forgotten.
This time we’re mostly having bottlings from the more affordable Decadent Drams range.
The Teuchter – Highland Single Malt 18 yo (47,2%, Decadent Drinks 2026, Batch #3, second-fill European oak sherry butt, 436 btl.)
Nose: very ripe plums, blackberry jam and lots of stewed figs, along with a big dose of caramel. Treacle and Mokatine candy. Raisins and cinnamon bread, along with warm baking spice. Darker than the first edition and showing a richness that I find a little bloated. A muddy earthiness underneath.
Mouth: still caramel and coffee candy, with clove and nutmeg, hints of dark armagnac and maple syrup. Milky way. Then back to stewed prunes and blood orange. Subtle meaty notes and hazelnut paste. Later there’s a certain freshness of camphor and pine wood.
Finish: medium long, a bit sticky, on dark cocoa, bramble and baking spice.
This is the same spirit as batch one, this time in a darker register with less fruity brightness. For those who are really fond of caramel. Available from Decadent Drinks or Royal Mile Whiskies for instance.
Old Islay – Bruichladdich 20 yo 2002 + 2005 (53%, Decadent Drinks 2026, bourbon barrel + Sauternes barrique, 200 btl.)
Nose: some vanilla, melons and apricots, mixed with the typical funky note of Bruichladdich. Nice farmy / gamey touches as well (goat stable). Buttery popcorn. Wet soil. Then orange peels, sultanas and mild tobacco leaves. Hints of caramelized almond and leather. Heaps of character.
Mouth: sweet onset, but it quickly gains some winey notes, including light tannins, black pepper and this leathery note again. Then old engine oil, some medicinal notes, herbs and cedar wood. Slightly burnt pastry and salted liquorice. A really quirky mix with a lot of flavours fighting for attention.
Finish: long, on nutmeg and clove, salted dark chocolate, meaty notes and a drop of Stout.
The two casks were married in the sherry butt that held Whiskyland Chapter One. Together this gives us a fairly unique profile, very old-school Islay in a way, but also slightly Springbank-y at times. Not perfect, certainly not polished, but such a great experience. Available from Decadent Drinks. Score: 89/100
Glenlivet 19 yo 2006 (57,1%, Decadent Drinks 2026, first-fill sherry hogshead, 323 btl.)
Nose: modern sherry galore. There’s active wood, no doubt, with a peppery note, some coffee and walnut. Also a hint of tobacco, gingerbread and cigar boxes. On the other hand also nice fruits, like raspberry jam, sultanas and stewed figs. Reminds me of some 100 Proof bottlings, although perhaps a bit more mature.
Mouth: same style. A little hot – chilli and ginger – but water helps. Blackberries and plums, along with orangettes. Then firm peppery notes and walnuts, as well as liquorice and dark chocolate. More cedar wood and aromatic herbs towards the end.
Finish: quite long, a little sharp and gingery, with dark fruits, walnuts, leather and a drop of espresso.
A modern, high octane sherry bomb with a Signatory signature. There’s a charred oaky note, lots of intensity, but also fruity notes. Available from Decadent Drinks. Score: 88/100
Inchmurrin 12 yo 2012 + 2013 (53%, Decadent Drinks 2026, bourbon barrel + sherry hogshead, 234 btl.)
Nose: big fruits at first, think pineapple, peach and a hint of mango. A light spicy prickle, along with heather honey and some gorse. Subtle custardy notes. Then a nice waxiness and a whiff of metal polish.
Mouth: same fruity core, with a nice creamy texture. A salad of orchard fruits and tropical fruits, with more of these waxy vibes. Sweet lemons, buttered toast, subtle leathery notes and a sprinkle of white pepper. Light chalky hints in the distance.
Finish: not too long, but still warmly fruity, with some hay and mineral oils.
Good fun: the generous fruits are a great start, and it adds plenty of small elements on top of that. Quite excellent. Available from Decadent Drinks. Score: 89/100
Caol Ila 19 yo 2007 (50,1%, Decadent Drinks 2026, refill hogshead, 218 btl.)
Nose: very precise and elegant, with a deep coastal character. Seawater, wet stones, damp hay and lemon juice. There’s a subtle fattiness of olive oil, rounding off the sharp edges. Then also a fresh hint of hotel laundry, subtle pickle brine and bread dough.
Mouth: the chiselled sharpness prevails. Saline notes, a little liquorice, plenty of cold ashes and a touch of chlorophyll. Mid-palate a hint of mocha appears. Coastal notes are at the core of this whisky: brine, seaweed
Finish: long, with more seaside notes, brine and a moderate tarry edge.
Naked and vertical Caol Ila, with the spotlight on coastal notes. Angus must have bought a whole range of these casks. Available from Decadent Drinks. Score: 87/100