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 is of good quality, I would say the sherry cask was a little too loud for this Glenkinchie spirit. We had a similar experience with the recent TWA sister. Overall quite attractive. Only available from DeinWhisky.
Caol Ila 18 yo 2007 (54,6%, Sansibar for DeinWhisky.de 2025, sherry butt, 598 btl.)
Nose: a nicely raw, slightly vegetal style of peat with a lot of deep smoke. Iodine, linseed oil, lacquered bacon notes and charcoal. Not a lot of sherry. Then some vibrant herbal notes (rosemary, burnt thyme), a little leather and some sweet honey underneath. Really good.
Mouth: a nice powerhouse. Dense smoke and ash all around, roasted nuts and hints of charred meat. Just a little molasses sweetness, with lots of crushed black peppercorns. Hints of citrus zest and char.
Finish: long, drying, still very smoky, with a leafy edge and some remaining savoury notes.
Here the sherry is only playing a supporting role. Most of what you’re getting is just Caol Ila’s dense smokiness and power. A great release, available from DeinWhisky. Score: 89/100