Our review of some of the latest whisky launches showcases three incredible peated drams. Some might dismiss all peated whisky as being overly smoky and unpleasant, but these drams showcase the diversity of peated whiskies. One flies the flag for super heavily peated spirit, another shows off peat’s softer side, and finally we have an incredible well aged whisky from one of the great practitioners of peated whisky.
Sticking with the smoky theme (albeit vaguely), a Speyside distillery has put out a whisky designed to be the perfect accompaniment to a cigar.
But if you’re sick of smoke after all of this, there’s still plenty else on offer: a forthcoming 30 year old Speysider; a unique French and Irish collaboration; and a well-known brand look towards the New Year with their latest release.
BRUICHLADDICH
Bruichladdich’s legendary super-heavily peated Octomore range recently reached its 15th series. Now the distillery have rounded out series 15 a 10 year old expression.
Distilled in 2013, the Octomore 15 Ten Year Old was transferred to Pineau des Charentes casks in 2018. The fortified wine influence adds sweet, dried fruit notes to Octomore’s classic peat smoke. Second fill Pedro Ximenez and refill red wine casks also contributed to the final whisky, emphasising those fruity aromas.
At a punchy 107 PPM, the peat is certainly intense, but the combination of the wine and sherry casks and the relatively long maturation make this one of the more mellow Octomore to be released.
The Octomore 15 Ten year Old is a distillery exclusive release and is only available on Islay or through the Bruichladdich website. Now available for £175.
COMPASS BOX
Maverick Whiskymakers Compass Box have revealed a mysterious blended malt called Secrets of Smoke.
Believing that most peated whiskies on the market revel in their intensity, Compass Box caught to explore with the softer side of peat with their latest concoction. Using their own Peat Monster blend as the base, they added sherry-seasoned Caol Ila and Marsala matured Laphroaig, among other elements to the mix.
The result is a whisky that showcases rich coastal smoke, though this aspect plays second fiddle to sweeter aromas of buttery pears and toasted marshmallow, before citrus notes cut through, leading to a chocolatey finish.
9,792 bottles of Secrets of Smoke are available with an RRP of £130.
GLENROTHES
Morayshire’s Glenrothes have added a new aged whisky to their portfolio.
The Glenrothes 15 year old becomes the youngest release in their core range, with the previous 12 year old being discontinued after a recent rebrand.
Bottled at 43% ABV after spending its entire maturation period in sherry seasoned European oak casks. Glenrothes’ soft and delicate spirit takes to sherry maturation well, and this 15 year old is said to showcase notes of candied orange, soft leather, caramelised pears and dark chocolate.
Available now at selected retailers with an RRP of £100.
LAPHROAIG
Laphroaig has one of the largest communities of fans in the whisky world and their latest release celebrates a special milestone for the group.
The Laphroaig 30 year old Anniversary Edition celebrates the Friends of Laphroaig, the Laphroaig fan group formed in 1994. Over 30 years the Friends of Laphroaig has amassed thousands of members. Unfortunately, not every member will be able to get their hands on this special bottle as only 216 have been released.
This celebratory spirit spent almost all of its time maturing in a single bourbon-seasoned American oak hogshead, resulting in a burst of herbal grassiness on palate alongside lemon, vanilla and coconut, before Laphroaig’s trademark menthol smoke comes to the fore on the finish.
Bottled at 45.9% ABV, the Laphroaig 30 year old Anniversary Edition is available now exclusively through Laphroaig’s online store with a price of £1,500.
LONGMORN
Speyside distillery Longmorn revealed their “ultimate expression” earlier this month - a stunning 30 year old single malt.
Longmorn underwent a massive rebrand earlier this year, pitching the brand as a top tier, premium whisky. As the oldest whisky to be released by the distillery (similarly aged expressions have been released by independent bottlers), this latest whisky only goes to further this luxury drive as it joins their core range of 18 and 22 year old malts.
The 30 year old has been bottled at cask strength after maturing in a combination of hogsheads and American oak barrels. Longmorn’s trademark sweet toffee profile is completed by notes of stone fruits, walnuts and cinnamon.
This whisky is expected to be the first in an annual series of releases. The inaugural Longmorn 30 year old will be available later this month with an expected RRP of US$1,880.
MACALLAN
Continuing their Night on Earth series, Macallan return with the third instalment in the celebrated range.
Macallan Night on Earth in Jerez de la Frontera might be up there in terms of lengthiest whisky titles, but it’s also an exceptional whisky celebrating a universal night of celebration - New Year’s Eve.
This year’s release draws inspiration from the titular sherry making region and showcases Macallan’s spirit aged in their traditional ex-sherry casks. Expect notes of almonds, sweet pastry, and balanced spiciness before a warm and sweet finish.
Artist Maria Melero has captured the sights and sensations of a Spanish New Year’s Eve celebration in her artwork for this release.
The latest Night on Earth is available now with an RRP of around £105.
MIDLETON
Following the successful collaboration with the renowned Taransaud cooperage, Midleton have released another limited edition whiskey in partnership with the French group.
The Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais Edition 2 (another mouthful of a name) combines both Irish and French craftsmanship. A selection of grain and single pot still whiskies - all distilled between the 1980s and the 2000s and matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels - are married together in air dried oak casks from the Tronçais forest.
The four years in those casks brings a unique character to the resulting whisky. Zesty aromas of orange and nutmeg are balanced by honey and chocolate on the nose. Spicier oak notes coming through on the palate, alongside floral nuances and sweet fruits.
Each bottle is housed in handcrafted cabinets built from the same wood the whisky is matured in.
Available now for £4,388.
TAMDHU
Brands marketing a heavily sherried expression as a ‘cigar malt’ has become relatively common among whisky makers. While they even’t the first, Tamdhu are among the most reputed with their Cigar Malt range.
Tamdhu recently revealed the fourth release in their series, Cigar Malt IV. As with previous expressions, this is a full blown sherry-influenced explosion bottled at cask strength (53.8% ABV). Expect notes of sticky ginger pudding, almonds and sherry soaked fruits - the accompanying cigar and smoking jacket are entirely optional.
The Cigar Malt IV is available now from selected retailers with an RRP of around £230. Each bottle also comes with a Tamdhu branded stainless steel cigar cutter, if that’s your thing.
