The Wine & Whisky Thread

[Barry]

2012 Château Mauvesin Barton, Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux

Moulis is the smallest of the six Médoc communes but boasts a wide variety of soils and terroirs. One of the two communal appellations located on the Atlantic side of the Médoc, its hilly country is studded with a diversity of gravels, limestone and clay. These are sturdy wines, but the best are capable of considerable longevity and are often seductively perfumed, with more power than Margaux wines – albeit less finesse and elegance.

This limited parcel of Médoc comes courtesy of Bordeaux’s renowned Barton family – of Cru Classé Château Léoville Barton fame. At 14 years old, it’s beautifully mature with silky dark fruit (blackcurrant and black cherry) and hints of tobacco, cedar, violets and spice.

Merlot (48%), Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Cabernet Franc (14%), and Petit Verdot (3%)


13% ABV. Drink by end of 2032. About £25 a bottle.

[CageyH]

Holiday purchases this year -

1st whisky bought to drink with someone who does not like whisky: https://www.aikanwhisky.com/en-intense-single-barrel/

Aikan intense single barrel- very good for the money. Heavy rum influence is easily notic3d.

2nd whisky- Celtic whisky distillery Kornog - https://www.celtic-whisky-distilleri...e-malt-whisky/ Not bad for a slightly peated whisky.

3rd whisky - Armorik Diez single cask 2026 (15 yo) - https://distillerie-warenghem.bzh/bo...rik-deiz-2026/ purchased after a distillery tour.

Only the Aikan has been opened for now.

I also bought 3 bottles of gin.
Blossom Costa Blanca - very nice with a fever tree premium Indian tonic and a slice of lime.
H2B - A breton gin, which I like much less, having heavy influences of it's maritime location, and use of seaweed.
Saint Maudez London dry gin by the Celtic whisky distillery. Also very good.

[rmcin626]

Holiday purchases this year -

1st whisky bought to drink with someone who does not like whisky: https://www.aikanwhisky.com/en-intense-single-barrel/

Aikan intense single barrel- very good for the money. Heavy rum influence is easily notic3d.

2nd whisky- Celtic whisky distillery Kornog - https://www.celtic-whisky-distilleri...e-malt-whisky/ Not bad for a slightly peated whisky.

3rd whisky - Armorik Diez single cask 2026 (15 yo) - https://distillerie-warenghem.bzh/bo...rik-deiz-2026/ purchased after a distillery tour.

Only the Aikan has been opened for now.

I also bought 3 bottles of gin.
Blossom Costa Blanca - very nice with a fever tree premium Indian tonic and a slice of lime.
H2B - A breton gin, which I like much less, having heavy influences of it's maritime location, and use of seaweed.
Saint Maudez London dry gin by the Celtic whisky distillery. Also very good.

Some interesting whiskies there Kevin, personally not keen on any whisky that I have tasted so far that has been matured in rum casks.

Maybe you will update us further once you have opened the others.

[CageyH]

I have tasted the others, both in the distilleries.
I went for the basic Kornog as I could not find the Roc'h Hir that was highly rated in the whisky bible.
From memory, it is a little on the young side, but flavour profile is like an Islay - peated around 40ppm. It was the best of the whiskies I tried in the shop, for my taste.
I also tried the Sauternes Bourbon cask reserve, the Oloroso single cask (which I really wanted to like) and the Saint Erwan 2026.
The winner for me on the day was the cheaper bottle, which after a "Gemini search" just performed is the bottle previously sold as Roc'h Hir.

The Armorik single cask 15 yo Diez was matured in ex-bourbon (4 years) and Armagnac casks (11 years). It is non peated. From a taste point of view, it was deeper and more complex than the other expressions I tasted that day (Double Maturation, classic, sherry cask and 10 yo). It is a nicely balanced whisky, which I quite enjoyed.
I already have a bottle of their Yeun Elez peated whisky and the small batch Yeun Elez, matured in sherry casks at home, so this single cask will be a nice addition.
Apart from the complex taste, I do remember it having a slightly smoky finish, with a touch of vanilla, which was nice. It was the 5th whisky I tried that day, so my memory was not great, but I do remember it being on another level compared to the non peated offerings I tried on the day.

Interestingly, they import the peated barley from Scotland, as they don't have the infrastructure to do it in France, and I am not sure they are allowed to touch the peat fromnthe local national park, which gives the whisky it's name.

I'll update my findings when I eventually open them at home.

Edited to add that Yeun Elez is similar to Coal Ila in taste profile and Kornog is more Port Charlotte.

[rmcin626]

I have tasted the others, both in the distilleries.
I went for the basic Kornog as I could not find the Roc'h Hir that was highly rated in the whisky bible.
From memory, it is a little on the young side, but flavour profile is like an Islay - peated around 40ppm. It was the best of the whiskies I tried in the shop, for my taste.
I also tried the Sauternes Bourbon cask reserve, the Oloroso single cask (which I really wanted to like) and the Saint Erwan 2026.
The winner for me on the day was the cheaper bottle, which after a "Gemini search" just performed is the bottle previously sold as Roc'h Hir.

The Armorik single cask 15 yo Diez was matured in ex-bourbon (4 years) and Armagnac casks (11 years). It is non peated. From a taste point of view, it was deeper and more complex than the other expressions I tasted that day (Double Maturation, classic, sherry cask and 10 yo). It is a nicely balanced whisky, which I quite enjoyed.
I already have a bottle of their Yeun Elez peated whisky and the small batch Yeun Elez, matured in sherry casks at home, so this single cask will be a nice addition.
Apart from the complex taste, I do remember it having a slightly smoky finish, with a touch of vanilla, which was nice. It was the 5th whisky I tried that day, so my memory was not great, but I do remember it being on another level compared to the non peated offerings I tried on the day.

Interestingly, they import the peated barley from Scotland, as they don't have the infrastructure to do it in France, and I am not sure they are allowed to touch the peat fromnthe local national park, which gives the whisky it's name.

I'll update my findings when I eventually open them at home.

Edited to add that Yeun Elez is similar to Coal Ila in taste profile and Kornog is more Port Charlotte.

Great tasting notes Kevin, much appreciated

[rmcin626]

A wee birthday gift from the wife, Lochlea Fire without Smoke



Smoke Without Fire is a delicately smoky single malt and a proud addition to Lochlea’s core range. Evolving from their Ploughing Edition, this expression is matured in a combination of ex-peated refill Bourbon barrels and red wine casks, offering a beautifully balanced profile of soft red fruits, floral sweetness, and gentle bonfire smoke. This whisky captures the subtle complexity of peat influence without overpowering the spirit’s natural elegance.

[CageyH]

I cracked open the Kornog tonight.
It is better than I remember, and although the tasting notes on various sites spout all sorts of flavours, it is very close to Caol Ila.
There is wood smoke and peat in abundance, and a hint of sea air innthe finish.

I am happy with this purchase.

[rmcin626]

I cracked open the Kornog tonight.
It is better than I remember, and although the tasting notes on various sites spout all sorts of flavours, it is very close to Caol Ila.
There is wood smoke and peat in abundance, and a hint of sea air innthe finish.

I am happy with this purchase.

Sounds very nice Kevin , enjoy

[CageyH]

It appears that I have run out of storage space for whisky.
I need a new cabinet that can store a minimum of 60 bottles. Any suggestions?

I know I could drink more, and buy less, but I am where I am right now.

[Barry]

60 bottles! That amount would last me years!

I do of course understand your problem - I have difficulty storing 100 or so bottles of wine.