If you’re noticing that my reviews are coming out further apart, it’s not a coincidence. The amount of ‘new’ things to review have slowed down and I swear, this is becoming more and more of a chore. I’m basically coming to the point where I’m just almost willing to write ‘this is a good/bad whiskey’ and not elaborate further.
First, a couple of armagnacs!
What — Notes — Score
Pellehaut 18, 2005-2025, 50% — This is a single Cask but I don’t know from where. Punchier than the proof suggests. Somewhat subtle nose suggests safety, it lies. Toasty, woody vanilla and sichuan spice from the palate onwards. Extremely consistent beginning to end on notes. Highly enjoyable for its liveliness — Score: Yay
Domaine de Jean Bon 32, 1992, SiB, 48.5% — Spice creme brulee nose. Heavily toasted, but not burnt, wood dominates. Strong vanilla extract vibes. Well balanced, woody, toasty, sweet palate. Lots of complex spices in a lingering aftertaste. OOoh I like this one. — Score: Yay+
Gold Spot 9, 51.4%
A limited release by the “Spot” producer Mitchell & Son, this whiskey was bottled in 2022 to celebrate their 135th anniversary. It is a pot still Irish whiskey, so as typical, it features a blend of grain and malt. The nose is somewhat woody, complex, vanilla-forward, and sweet. The palate is a bit thin in texture with the expected grain notes, yet it delivers a surprisingly complex range of flavors. There’s a lot happening here: baking spices, toasted sugars, soda pop rocks, and dried orchard fruits, with red apples and strawberry notes leading the way. The finish lingers, reminiscent of a heavily spiced custard tart. Overall, it’s very enjoyable and reminds me of Blue Spot’s mature, well-behaved cousin that aims to please—if you don’t mind a touch of grain in the glass. Value-wise, at $109 it’s about $10 higher than it should be, but still a fair price for what you get.
Score: B+
Port Dundas 15 Single Grain, K&L SP, SigVin, 62.3%
A K&L store pick, this Port Dundas comes from a refill oloroso sherry butt by Signatory Vintage, set in late 2024 and originally distilled in 2008, cask number 585849. The color is straw. The nose is unapologetically pungent with grain, vanilla, and a touch of oloroso sherry funk. The palate is clearly grain-driven and somewhat thin, yet it surprises with Sichuan peppers and baking spices layered over an absolute vanilla bomb. The medium-length finish leans toasted, woody, and heavy on vanilla. Overall, the nose is arguably the weak point, but the palate delivers enough flavor to make it reasonably enjoyable—though hot with both proof and spice. While I stand by my earlier resolution that sub-20-year-old single grains are best avoided, this one isn’t bad. It wouldn’t be my first choice to pour, but it’s far from a drain pour. Value: at $50, I’m fine with the price.
Score: C
Compass Box, Myths & Legends II (Glen Elgin), 46%
Version two of the Myths and Legends series from Compass Box is 100% Glen Elgin in origin, while version one (previously reviewed) was 100% Balblair. As before, this is a demonstration of the art of blending a single malt, though I’m somewhat incredulous about the premise since it generally just makes it… well… a single malt. According to the internet, this is intentional mislabeling due to quirks of UK labeling laws and to contradict the perception that blends are bad. The nose is orchard fruits, honeyed pears, some tropical fruits as well, but those that resemble their temperate counterparts. The palate is very bourbon oak–dominated without being overwhelming, with a velvet texture and mouthfeel, potpourri, vanilla, baking spices, and some numbing pepperiness. The finish lingers more or less like the palate, gently fading. Overall: Enjoyable Speyside-driven ex-bourbon “blend” that fits perfectly into my shelf spot reserved for this exact profile—an excellent performer that doesn’t break new ground but doesn’t fall behind. Value: MSRP was reportedly $150, which is quite premium, though I got mine at a bargain; notable since Glen Elgin original bottlings aren’t available in the U.S.
Score: B+
Ben Nevis 10, Signatory Vintage, 56.9%
Ben Nevis 10, Signatory Vintage, aged in an Oloroso sherry butt, is a curious little number that punches above its modest age. This is specifically the K&L Exclusive. The sherry influence is upfront but not suffocating—dark dried fruits, raisins, and cocoa mingle with some leather notes and malt while keeping everything in a semblance of balance. On the palate it’s oily and textured, with leather, baking spices, and a gentle nuttiness rounding out the sherry sweetness; there’s a tiny bite of pepper that keeps it from getting too cozy. The finish lingers pleasantly, warming the chest without overstaying its welcome. Overall: a solid, flavorful 10-year sherry-forward Ben Nevis—well-balanced and satisfying. It’s somewhat difficult to truly find a malt character here, or at least separate the cask from the liquor, yet I’m not complaining: the result is vibrant, agile, somewhat sweet, and reminiscent of boozy walnut and cranberry rye bread from Costco. Value: I spent $60 on this… yeah, it’s well worth it. In a pleasant surprise, it punches well above its label weight.
This: https://shop.klwines … ucts/details/1753469
Score: B+
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Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown