Yesterday Decadent Drinks dropped a new batch of whiskies. Here is half of them already (the oldest ones), others will follow in the next session.
Ben Nevis 27 yo 1998 (46,4%, Decadent Drinks 2026, refill barrel, 172 btl.)
Nose: starts somewhere between green apple and rubbed lemon skins, with a big chalky side. Sour malty notes, a little clay. Then it turns towards a more feminine combination of peach, mint and floral notes. Leathery notes after some time.
Mouth: a bit more tropical now, with papaya and mango along with grape must and lemons. Later more citrusy, with a pleasant dustiness underneath. Malty pastry, just a little chlorophyll and mild pepper. Lots of mineral notes too, of course, as well as a hint of wet wool.
Finish: reasonably long, with a hint of tangerine and waxy notes.
This is a bit tighter, maltier and brighter than some of the earlier vintages. Certainly very good, just less complex and less exuberantly fruity. Overall a bit soft-voiced as well. Available from Decadent Drinks or Master of Malt for instance.
Highland Single Malt 30 yo 1995 (50,4%, Decadent Drinks ‘Love Letters’ 2026, first-fill barrels, 117 btl.)
Nose: maybe a slightly younger style than what you’d expect from a decadent dram of this age. Sandalwood. It comes with a lot of lemon notes, peaches and yellow plums, buttercups, light vanilla custard and dough in the background. Soft waxes as well.
Mouth: a nice texture, slightly waxy. Some honey, mild white pepper, more peach and citrusy notes. Then there’s a light grainy side, almost a gin-like element as well. Aniseed, fennel, along with a resinous hint. Tangy green tea towards the end.
Finish: a greener finale. Maybe a touch of camphor along with some woody notes.
Another one that is simply good, without knocking your socks off. Good depth but coming across a little younger and wood-driven than I expected. Available from Decadent Drinks or retailers like The Whisky Exchange. Score: 88/100
Laphroaig 26 yo 1997+2000 (49,7%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2026, two refill hogsheads, 120 btl.)
Nose: complex and fairly mild. It has a fine fatty texture, along with lemony notes and refined peat smoke. Then light tropical fruits, a bit like these great 1991s we had a couple of years ago (but more subtle). It’s fairly high-pitched with some mint and iodine, as well as coastal minerals and some green pepper.
Mouth: more medicinal now, with bandages and antiseptics, as well as some peppermint. Firm briney notes. Still these nice fruity notes, such as mango, guava, peach and lime. Then a few drops of bitter liqueurs and oily notes. Just a hint of dark tapenade as well.
Finish: long and briney. Salty notes, some sour fruit, camphor and slightly fragrant wax.
I’ve previously compared this profile to Port Ellen, which is surely one way to look at the palate. There’s also a great fruity note and the typical medicinal character. Very good. Already sold out in some stores, but still available from Decadent Drinks. Score: 91/100