We’re looking at a few samples from Asian independent bottlers again. We’re seeing Shinanoya, Lucky Choice, Kanpaikai and Mateo Art in different collabs. Two of the whiskies are from Ardbeg distillery, disclosed and undisclosed.
Glenburgie 30 yo 1995 (54,7%, Shinanoya & Kanpaikai 2025, hogshead #6694, 207 btl.)
Nose: quite elegant and rich. Melons and apricots, pears, bananas, along with marzipan and vanilla. Wildflower honey. Waxy hints, even a light buttery note. Always some sweet grainy notes underneath. Also floral touches and a very light chalky side.
Mouth: still this sweet and fruity core. Apricots, oranges, stewed pears, along with guava. Later also a mentholated note, some grapefruit zest and increasing spice. Ginger and white pepper. Then biscuity notes and more marzipan.
Finish: medium to long. Hints of cake, candied ginger, fresh oak and a hint of green tea.
Vibrant fruits, with sweet bourbonny wood. Easy to like and easy to drink, with a nod to Ireland.
Kildalton 22 yo 2003 (53,4%, Lucky Choice & Shinanoya 2025, bourbon barrel #133, 262 btl.)
Nose: fatty, slightly farmy, with mild antiseptics, chalky notes, tar, lime, sandy notes and smoked oysters. Lovely graphite and charcoal smoke. Then paraffin and a subtle hint of vanilla. Later it moves back to grassy notes and smoked lemon.
Mouth: sweet, oily and tarry, along with bicycle inner tubes and salty peat-smoked kippers. Really tarry. Salted citrus. Then black peppercorns, seaweed and a hint of tobacco leaves. Great echoes of boat rope, bitter orange and roasted herbs.
Finish: long and tarry. More herbs, seaweed and sooty smoke.
Old-school smoke, plenty of tar, spice and coastal elements. Perfectly Ardbeg with a lovely intensity and balance. Score: 90/100
Ardbeg 15 yo 2009 (54,5%, Lucky Choice & Mateo Art 2025, Rivesaltes barrique #90341, 90 btl.)
Nose: coastal and fairly tight, with mentholated smoke, kelp, a wee hint of mustard and pickled notes. Not a lot of fortified wine sweetness so far. Back on oysters and iodine, along with firm peppery notes. Then also tobacco and raisins.
Mouth: strong, with more peat smoke and warm ashes. Dark earthy touches but also a certain lemony and aniseedy sharpness. Later more syrupy notes come out, more raisins, even dark cherry jam. It mixes well with saltwater, scorched herbs and a hint of marmalade.
Finish: long, on black pepper and ashes, with a toffee undertone.
After the previous Kildalton this felt a little thinner and sharper at the same time. Very good, but I’m not sure the Rivesaltes had the intended effect and balance. Score: 88/100