Officiels VS Negoces

Of all the Islay distilleries, we have by far selected more versions from Caol Ila than any other. The Caol in Caol Ila comes from the word coal. What makes Caol Ila so unique is its charcoal smokiness, accompanied by tangy notes found on the initial nose. This particularly well-integrated sweet and sour balance is undoubtedly what makes it a more accessible Islay, despite its high peat content. It is this intensity that we look for when selecting a Caol Ila. The nose is always key and needs to fully express either its unique smoke, tangy notes, or exoticism. The new spirit is more subtle than that of Laphroaig or Bowmore is and is heavily influenced by the cask. That’s why bourbon casks often produce lovely coconut notes.

Don’t hold back on the superlatives! For us, Glendronach is one of the best whiskies in the world. From a young age, its single malt expresses exceptional qualities that continually improve with time and represents the very essence of sherry cask ageing. Its single malts often express an unctuous softness, through notes of leather, cigar, dried fruit and cocoa, such as this 25 year old, whose fruity and spicy notes are livened up with a light hint of smoke.

La Maison du Whisky is a huge fan of Aberlour. Like many Speysides, this type of whisky gains finesse with age, with the sherry giving it a patina of rare elegance. Extremely well-balanced, Aberlour never gives in to excess. Never too animal, never too tannic, never too exuberant, its sherry casks create a civilized whisky not dissimilar to a very old cognac or an aged fruit brandy, excellent after-dinner drinks. This 19 year old single cask, with its perfect balance of fruity, floral, spicy, honeyed, chocolatey and exotic notes, is a true model of its kind.

The small distillery of Benromach is one of Speyside’s best kept secrets. Owned by Gordon & MacPhail, the largest active independent bottler today, its warehouses are home to a huge variety of casks, of all different origins and sizes… This year, Benromach has taken things up a notch once again with this single cask, also from 2009. It is pure magic! Benromach’s peaty aspect is expressed more intensely than usual, enveloping notes of red fruits and spices… it is one of the best surprises in our catalogue.

La Maison du Whisky has worked with Arran since it first opened. Arran recently also surprised us with some young bottlings, including a number of incredible heavily peated versions distilled in 2010! This year, in a wide range of casks of all ages, we have set our sights on a 9 year old single cask. A real « sherry bomb », this unusual Arran, which has a rare power for a whisky of this age, will delight even the most demanding of sherry cask aficionados.