Tag Archives: 2025 Whisky Show

2025 Whisky Show – Sweden’s High Coast

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From Finland to Norway and now Sweden, the Nordic section of 2025 London Whisky Show was well worth exploring.

My tasting companion knows the original folks behind High Coast, back when it was known as Box. Whilst I’ve had a chance to try a couple of expressions over the year, my companion had fewer opportunities. Hence, we found ourselves sampling not one, not two, but eight expressions!

High Coast Älv “Delicate Vanilla” 46% 

  • Nose – Subtle, sweet, fresh cut fruits, fruit cake with whipped cream, vanilla
  • Palate – Very soft, approachable, and enjoyable – think apple sauce,
  • Finish – Gentle sweet spices

This wasn’t my first time trying this expression; however, it was a lovely way to begin our journey.

High Coast Berg PX 50% 

  • Nose – The PX element was sharp, bright, and crystal clear! It then mellowed into sweet spices of cinnamon and nutmeg, with the wood coming through
  • Palate – More substantial than expected – rich fruits and nuts, and yet still had a soft, easy-going quality too
  • Finish – Black or green peppercorns

Berg means mountains – worthy of both admiring and climbing! It was amusing to flash back to our tasting from four years ago. Our quick sniff and swish was consistent with our slower, more measured experience!

High Coast 12 year PX 59.5%

  • Nose – Christmas cake! Delicious, rich, and robust
  • Palate – Delicious! Heavy Christmas pudding, chilli chocolate, mocha ice cream
  • Finish – Sweet

A rather lovely expression.

High Coast 12 year MMXXV (July 2025) “In Flames” 56.6%

  • Nose – Quite a bit happening with this one! Dark fruits, raisins, wood, and vanilla
  • Palate – Coffee, dark fruits and nuts, chocolate, like a coconut Mars bar
  • Finish – Long, pepper, and leaves

We didn’t have time to add water or spend more time with this dram, however, I have a feeling it would be even more interesting with both!

A limited edition expression launched in 2025, this 12-year unpeated whisky was matured initially in ex-Bourbon casks before being finished in Rum casks. The whisky and label design was a collaboration with a Swedish Heavy Metal band – Flames.

High Coast Aurora 46%

  • Nose – Bright, juicy, with marzipan, even a hint of black forest cake with cherries, joining chocolate cake, and vanilla icing
  • Palate – Balanced and approachable – fruity and fun with a puff of tobacco smoke
  • Finish – Light wood

Newly launched, we thought it was a terrific everyday dram. The peat was very subtle, more like a gentle nudge than a significant presence. Really rather nice!

High Coast Hav “Spiced Oak” 48% 

  • Nose – Gentle peat, sugary
  • Palate – Balanced, silky smooth! Fruit, spice, and a dash of peat
  • Finish – Wood, pepper, then sweet

Hav celebrates the Sea, with a dash of peat to join the spice and oak. Our guide shared that they use 20% peated whisky and 80% unpeated whisky.

High Coast Timmer “Peat Smoke” 48%

  • Nose – Light peat, fruit, sweet
  • Palate – Wow! Here is where the peat was hiding – proper bonfire with a great mouthfeel
  • Finish – Medium length with gentle smoke

Moving firmly into the peat territory, Timmer uses 40 ppm, matured in ex Bourbon barrels.

High Coast Solera “Swedish Oak” 52.5%

  • Nose – Spice, marmalade, orange peel
  • Palate – Spicy, prickly, envelopes with stewed apples, oak, and licorice
  • Finish – Dry, black peppercorn

Our last dram with High Coast was from their Solera approach with Swedish Oak. A rather good way to close! 

As shared, over the years, we’ve tried more than one High Coast (formerly Box Whisky), notably:

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2025 Whisky Show – Norway’s Bivrost

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I come from a cold part of the world. It is quite common to reach -35 to -40 °C in the winter. As glorious as the summers with ~18 hours of sunshine, the winters are long and dark. And yet we have a reward – the most spectacular skies that occasionally have the most remarkable light show with the Aurora Borealis.

However, real, serious cold belongs to the Arctic. Not exactly optimal whisky-making conditions… or are they? We were curious to learn more at Norway’s Aurora Spirit Distillery with their Bivrost whiskies in the Nordic section of the 2025 London Whisky Show.

Bivrost is named for the Aurora Borealis, and is reputed to be the world’s northernmost distillery. Made with Nordic malted barley, glacial meltwater, and aged in a wooden Viking longhouse at freezing temperatures, the result is something rather interesting in the bottle.

  • Bivrost Yggdrasil (2025) 46%
  • Bivrost Heim Dallr (Coming Soon) 50%
  • Bivrost Vanaheim (2023) Teak Cask Finish 46%
  • Bivrost Peated Oloroso 50%

First up, we were directed to try Yggdrasil – part of their core range.

 Bivrost Yggdrasil (2025) 46%

  • Nose – Fresh, subtle peat greeted us, with some dried fruits
  • Palate – Very approachable, gentle, apple cider, toast, toffee, and a touch of smoke
  • Finish – Medium

This expression is aged in a combination of Oloroso and in-house charred casks, matured between 4 to 6 years. The name Yggdrasil is from Norse mythology – a mighty ash tree, holding the nine worlds, held together by its branches.

Aurora Heimdallr (Coming Soon) 50%

  • Nose – It was quite herbal, almost floral – think farangipani! Then revealed fresh fruits (peach or apricot?), a drizzle of honey, nuts, and something else – surprisingly I began to think of honey nut corn flakes!
  • Palate – Sage, wood, almond, and some cinnamon buns too! It had fresh element too, some black pepper joining the sweetness
  • Finish – Dry with a touch of salt

The inaugural bottle from their new Aesir series, we had a chance to try before its official launch. It was matured in Rye and Amontillado seasoned casks. Though a potentially powerful 50%, it was surprisingly balanced and approachable.

Bivrost Vanaheim (2023) 46% 3506 Bottles

  • Nose – Very distinctive – fruits, nuts, honey
  • Palate – Softer than expected… it was like hot fresh cinnamon buns, then shifted into turkish delight, followed by apple cider
  • Finish – Herbal with a hint of spice

Matured in Bourbon, Sherry, and Brazilian Teak casks, Vanaheim is the 7th in their “Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology” series. It was the home of the Vanir – with Njord ruling the winds, sea, and fire, father of Freyer, the god of peace and pleasure, and Freya, goddess of love, beatuy, and fertiity. The bottles ….

Aurora Cask Sample – Peated Oloroso 50%

  • Nose – Peat and sweet – a perfect combination!
  • Palate – Balanced yet also a complete bonfire! We were whisked away to a campsite by a lake
  • Finish – Medium

Our final bottle ventured into a more robust peat than the Yggdrasil. It was a cask sample, not yet released, so you won’t find any tasting notes on their website – yet!

And there you have it – an introduction to a Bivrost quartet.

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2025 Whisky Show – Finland’s Teerenpeli

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We are no strangers to whiskies from Finland and were delighted to explore more in the Nordic section of the 2025 London Whisky Show!

I remember being introduced to the Teerenpeli 10 year more than a decade ago, courtesy of the team at The Whisky Exchange. I was looking for something different, possibly European, and this dram more than fit the bill!

Fast forward, and the good folks at Teerenpeli continue to put out a more than respectable range of expressions. Here is what we covered in our brief sniff and swish of Teerenpeli:

  • Teerenpeli Soidin 40% ~GBP 50 for 500 ml
  • Teerenpeli Kulo 7 year 50.7%
  • Teerenpeli 15 year 54.9% ~GBP 100 for 500 ml
  • Teerenpeli Savu 43% ~GBP 50 for 500 ml

Teerenpeli Soidin 40%

  • Nose – A lovely lady, lush, sherry, sweet
  • Palate – Sweet, balanced, soft, well-rounded, yet clear sherry influence
  • Finish – Lovely, light, and lingering

This sherry-matured opening act was inspired by the “dramatic mating rituals of the Nordic nature” – the dance of the birds was mentioned. Launched at the 2025 London Whisky Show,

Teerenpeli Kulo 7 year Sherry 50.7%

  • Nose – Delicious dark berries, robust Sherry, whisky-soaked raisins, caramel, a touch of mocha
  • Palate – Flavour balanced between sweet and spice, red velvet cake, dates, blackcurrant
  • Finish – A warm embrace of spice

This is like the big brother of the Soidin. With even more pronounced Sherry influence – likely both PX and Oloroso.

Teerenpeli 15 year 54.9%

  • Nose – Baked apple pie, cinnamon, and cloves, caramel, vanilla
  • Palate – Juicy apples, well-rounded, mature
  • Finish – Surprisingly light

This single malt was matured for 15+ years in 65% bourbon and 35% sherry casks. In our humble opinion? It was worth the wait.

Teerenpeli Savu 43%

  • Nose – Soft peat, sherry sweet, caramel apples
  • Palate – Smooth, gentle peat, lovely balance between sweet and peat
  • Finish – Dry

Using peated malted barley, Savu was matured in 80% bourbon and 20% Pedro Ximénez casks.

And there you have it! A rather good quartet from the folks at Teerenpeli.

Our other brushes with Teerenpeli centred on two expressions:

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2025 Whisky Show – Lowland’s Annandale Man O’Words

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At London’s Whisky Show, some stands we did a quick pit stop… others we found ourselves lingering… exploring as much as we could. That’s what we did at Annandale with their unpeated “Man O’Words” range, intending to come back for the “Man O’Swords” peated range later. 

For those not familiar, this Lowland distillery has a checkered history. Tracing its origins to 1836, it changed hands in 1893 and then struggled post-World War I, closing in 1924. It was then revived by David Thomson and Teresa Church from 2007 to 2014, when it laid its first cask.

As for what we sampled?

  • Annandale Ex Bourbon Cask 812 (2018/2023) 59.5%
  • Annandale 10 year Cask 125 58.8%
  • Annandale Double Oaked Ex Bourbon Cask 504 (2018/2025) 59.8%
  • Annandale STR Ex-Red Wine Cask 335 (2017/2025) 59.6%
  • Annandale Olorosso Cask 1022 (2017/2023) 61.1%
  • Annandale Ex-Fino Cask 396 (2018/2025) 61.1%

Next up, was a special bottle aged for 10 years. It had the same fun fruit as the 5 year, however, everything was amped up. On the palate, it was robust and yet also more balanced and smooth than its younger expression, with a nice sweet spice tail.

Annandale Double Oaked Ex Bourbon Cask 504 (2018/2025) 59.8%

Pronounced old fruits and sweet spices on the nose. Deeper palate, with toast, almost like having “meat on the bones’, some tannins closing on a woody note.

Annandale STR Ex-Red Wine Cask 335 (2017/2025) 59.6%

What a difference the STR made! It was bursting with juicy red berries and baked bread, then shifted into a forest. On the palate, there was so much going on with a huge finish.

Annandale Olorosso Cask 1022 (2017/2023) 61.1% Bottle 487

Lots of fruits, all the lovely sherry elements of dried fruits, sweet spices, and more. On the palate, it was heavy with Christmas plum cake and spices. The finish was equally powerful. We added a few drops, and it transformed the whisky! From being almost overwhelming to joyful, juicy fruits – delicious!

Annandale Ex-Fino Cask 396 (2018/2025) 61.1%

Very approachable, dried raisins, plum sauce, and sweet spices.

What fun! Though these were just teasers, I’d love to explore more….

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2025 Whisky Show – Canada’s Macaloney’s

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I don’t normally think of trying something Canadian at London’s Whisky Show. And yet there I found myself checking out some offerings from Macalooney’s from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada! 

What more do we know? It was founded in 2016 by a Scottish-born expatriate Dr. Graeme Macaloney. Graeme brought on the legendary late Dr. Jim Swan to advise the set-up, alongside veteran Master Distiller Mike Nicolson, whose resume spans over 18 iconic Scottish distilleries, including Lagavulin and Glenkinchie. The distillery was built to produce triple-distilled pot-still single malts using a mix of Scottish and Irish methods, augmented by their Canadian environment.

Their mascot is a cheeky marmot named Pete! And Vancouver Island plays a key role in bringing a maritime climate, local British Columbia barley, with experiments using local peat – including kelp-infused peat.

Feathers were ruffled with the Scotch Whisky Association over naming the distillery Caledonian and using his Scottish family name: Macaloney. The final verdict? They could retain the family name as a brand – just as Macaloney’s! 

More recently, the distillery had a change in leadership with Margaret Rygiel taking over as CEO, whilst Macaloney continues to focus on the whisky production.

We started off with an unpeated expression before diving into a peated one.

So what did we think?

Macaloney’s Kildara Batch 6 (Dec 2023) 46% Bottle 493 or 604

  • Nose – Some dried fruits, cream with a touch of vanilla, sweet spices, and a hint of tobacco
  • Palate – Fruity, fun, and dessert in a glass
  • Finish – From dried fruits to nuts

I found it fun, a lovely dessert dram, easy to enjoy.

What more do we know? It is triple distilled, then matured in a mix of Kentucky Bourbon, Spanish Oloroso, Virgin American Oak, and Spanish Pedro Ximénez casks.

Here is what they have to say about this expression:

Abundant tropical fruits include candied orange, dried apricot, figs, ripe blackberries, blackcurrant jam, dried raisins and roasted nuts. The complexity continues with barley, malt and dried hay, butterscotch, milk chocolate, light tobacco and ocean breeze.

The palate is velvety-soft, resplendent with full bodied Sherry and tropical fruit. Oatmeal develops to oak spices, coffee, dark chocolate orange, nectarines, stewed plums, blackcurrant, red currant and sultanas, coming together as sweet dark fruitcake and honey. The finish presents dried fruit with a hint of salt and dulse, lingering oak and more Sherry, ending with hazelnut and almond raspberry pie with a drizzle of dark chocolate.

As usual, we had only a light sniff, swish, and spit, so I can’t really say if we completely agree with the official tasting notes. However, it was an interesting glimpse into a Canadian single malt.

Macaloney’s Peat Project Cask 456 (June 2024) Sugar Kelp infused Peat, Portuguese Red Wine STR Barrique 46% Bottle 158 of 355

  • Nose – Nuanced smoke and sweet, seaside breeze
  • Palate – Balanced peat, woods, creamy sweet, fruits, delicious
  • Finish – Medium

There was something distinctly different about this one. The Peat Project was my tasting companion’s favourite, whilst I leaned slightly towards the frivolous fun of Kildara. However, both were worth sampling.

Here’s what they have to say about this special edition:

Distilled using local British Columbia barley peat-smoked at our distillery to 54 ppm with local Washington State peat infused with sugar-kelp seaweed harvest by First Nations. It was then fully matured in a carefully selected ex-Bourbon cask, blanketed with fresh maritime island air.

The nose has fresh sea breeze and beach-wood bonfire followed by ice cream soda, barley wine, sherbet, ripe peat, banana and red currants.

It opens to vanilla fudge, white chocolate, Brazil nuts, green cardamom and sandal wood.

The palate is sweet, creamy and viscous (with great legs) with sugar kelp, sweet bonfire smoke and beach tangle.

To be honest, I wish we had also tried the other expressions on offer. Something to look forward to, hopefully, another chance to stumble upon some more Macaloney’s whiskies!

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2025 Whisky Show – Glen Grant “Birth Year” Dream Drams

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Dream drams are a highlight of London’s Whisky Show! And in 2025, we splurged by augmenting the token included in our ticket to go up to the really pricey and rare stuff. 

Our theme? His and Hers…. Or more precisely, his birth year (approximately!) and her birth year (precisely!)

HERS – 1969

Wind back the clock… Apollo 11 lands the first humans on the Moon; Woodstock draws over 400,000 people and becomes a counterculture landmark; the Stonewall riots ignite the modern LGBT rights movement… and in a small Canadian city, a girl was born.

Glen Grant 39 year (1969 / 2008) Lonach 49.6% (Duncan Taylor – Lonach Collection)

  • Nose – Heavy, generous old dried fruits, sweet, old wood, a touch of tobacco
  • Palate – Balanced, creamy
  • Finish – Light spice, a hint of bitterness

To be fair, this wasn’t the most exceptional Glen Grant I’ve ever tried. And yet, it was undeniably a piece of history – one I was delighted to have sampled.

HIS – early 1960s

Whilst we don’t know the exact year this Glen Grant was bottled for the American market, we’re confident it was early 1960s… a time of incredible change, decolonisation and independence in Africa and Asia, Kennedy established the Peace Corp, the Berlin Wall was constructed, the Vietnam war and the anti-war movement grew, feminism gained ground… and a boy was born.

Glen Grant 25 year (~1960s) 86 proof 43% (Stuart MacNair & Co for USA)

  • Nose – Beautiful, nuanced, honeyed with a gentle citrus
  • Palate – Balance with loads of berries
  • Finish – Long with a hint of coffee

It was exceptionally soft and sweet, a gentle treat.

Between the two, the 25 year old in particular won our hearts. And yes – I know my tasting notes are limited – that’s because we were simply too distracted by enjoying our “birth year” dream drams!

If you are curious about other dream dram experiences, check out:

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2025 Whisky Show – Deanston

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In our original Mumbai Whisky tasting group, we had a die-hard Deanston fan! It was one of the initial distilleries he visited – impressed with the devotion to quality, craft, and the people. Above all, he just absolutely loves their whiskies – the waxy, sometimes almost industrial edge, combining sweet with substance.

My experience has been mixed. I’ve had a few I really enjoyed, and others that simply weren’t “my cup of tea”. So whilst I dont tend to acquire for my own collection, I remain happy to continue to taste when opportunities present themselves.

What better than checking in at 2025 London Whisky Show! Especially when our whisky guide was none other than Andrew Waite, head of distilleries Deanston, CVH.

Here is what we did a brief sniff and swish with:

  • Deanston 12 year old 46.3% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 40.75
  • Deanston 18 year old 46.3% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 90.75
  • Deanston 20 year old 2002 Organic American Oak 49.3%– 2025 Whisky Show GBP 181

Overall, I would say this certainly helped tip the scales to the positive side! Here is what we discovered…

Deanston 12 year 46.3%

  • Nose – Orange sherbert, cream popsicle, waxy, vanilla, green apple, cereals, butterscotch
  • Palate – Balance between sweet and spice, fruity, full-bodied
  • Finish – Lingers with a sweet close

The overall impression was orange marmalade – nice! Andrew shared they use a mix of 1st fill and 2nd fill ex-bourbon casks for their 12 year.

Deanston 18 year 46.3%

  • Nose – Even more of that sweet orange marmalade, amped up with fresh orange zest
  • Palate – Full and fruity with more orange rind, heavier than the 12-year, joined by cinnamon, ginger, and a dash of pepper
  • Finish – Long-lasting with more of that ginger

This was delicious! And yes, it had that Deanston signature waxy quality too.

Deanston 20 year 2002 American Organic Oak 49.7%

Andrew shared that for this special edition, they used organic barley, small batches, and matured the spirit in re-charred American Oak barrels for 20 years.

  • Nose – Cereals, light citrus, fruity, toffee
  • Palate – Bright and youthful despite the age! Delicate, yet also rich and creamy, jam on toast
  • Finish – Spicier, hint of mocha

What an unexpected treat! This quick zip through was with a rather nice trio – most enjoyable.

Curious about other Deanston experiences? Check out:

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2025 Whisky Show – Ichiro’s Malt

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I will never forget an evening featuring a Chichibu 3-year-old that completely outclassed a 20 year old – Glen Deveron. Subsequent brushes with both Ichiro’s Malt expressions and Chichibu simply reinforced this bias. And yet, my opportunities to really sit down and savour these expressions have been limited over the last few years. Which is exactly why we didn’t want to miss the Ichiro’s Malt and Chichibu stand at the 2025 London Whisky Show.

Several interesting drams were on offer! We focused on:

  • Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries (~2021) 46.5% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 304
  • Chichibu 10 year (~2025) 50.5% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 245
  • Chichibu Distillery II 55% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 150
  • Chichibu 2025 London Edition 10 Casks 50.5% – GBP 399

It was an incredibly popular stand, so our experience was brief yet memorable!

Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries (~2021) 46.5% Bottle 2994 of 4956

There is history in the Double Distilleries expression – it brings together old (Hanyu) and new (Chichibu) distilleries. Ichiro Akuto began Ichiro’s Malt when Hanyu distillery, founded by Ichiro’s grandfather, was sold and decommissioned in 2000.

Ichiro managed to save 400 casks of Hanyu whisky and also later founded Chichibu distillery in 2008. Double Distilleries’ “Green Leaf” is a marriage of Hanyu (aged in sherry casks) and young Chichibu (aged in Mizunara oak), and was instrumental in putting Ichiro’s Malt on the global whisky map, garnering awards from its launch in 2010.

We last sampled it in the 2024 Whisky Show expressions – knowing only that the balance is now tilting heavily towards “new” Chichibu vs “old” Hanyu in its composition. We had just a wee sniff and swish in 2025 – just enough to enjoy its honey sweetness, noting the palate was “delicious!”

Chichibu 10 year (~2025) 50.5% Bottle 2994 of 4956

After being so impressed years ago by a young Chichibu, we simply couldn’t resist the 10-year-old!

  • Nose – We found it bright, fresh, and subtle on the nose, joined by some honey nut cereals, apples and pears
  • Palate – The palate had even more pronounced honey, ripe fruits – more peaches and appricots now, smooth as silk, nuanced and beautiful
  • Finish – A dash of cinnamon and cloves, and a touch of wood

It was sophisticated and yet also very approachable.

Chichibu II Distillery (~2025) 55%

With success comes the opportunity to expand. And that is exactly what the folks at Ichiro’s Malt have done by radically increasing their capacity — five times Chichibu I! For us, the proof is always in the “pudding” aka Whisky! What did we think in our brief brush?

  • Nose – A distinctive orange – or more precisely – a kumquat with its sweet skin and tart juice! Then perhaps shifted into pineapple? Orchard fruits? All we knew was it was lovely and fruity
  • Palate – Spicier than the other Chichibu experiences, clearly youthful and light
  • Finish – Short with a touch of sweet spices like cinnamon

What a contrast! It was such a treat to get a glimpse into an expression from their new distillery!

Chichibu 2025 London Edition 10 Casks 50.5% Bottle 1917 of 1920

For years now, Chichibu has launched a special London Edition for the Whisky Show. Like the previous year, this 2025 expression was a mix of 10 casks – from my scribbled notes, this meant 6 American casks (presumably ex-bourbon), 2 heavily peated, 2 ex Oloroso Sherry, and all were matured for 6-7 years. What did we think?

  • Nose – Subtle yet grew bolder, the more time it spent in the glass…
  • Palate – Soft initially, then gained substance, clearly revealing the peat influence, a mix of mocha, dried figs or dates, and sweet spices, beautifully balanced and well-rounded
  • Finish – Lingers, dry

It was lovely to refresh our impressions of Ichiro’s Malt and Chichibu I and be introduced to Chichibu II. Well worth pushing through the throngs vying for drams!

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2025 Whisky Show – Aberargie

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We are at an interesting inflection point in the whisky industry. Across Scotland, a wave of new distilleries that began construction during the last decade’s boom are finally reaching maturity—bringing their first proper whiskies to market just as global consumption is softening. Perhaps this will be a moment that will separate the merely competent from the genuinely compelling?

That backdrop made our second day at the 2025 London Whisky Show particularly intriguing, when a new Lowland name caught our attention –  Aberargie Distillery.

Founded in November 2017, Aberargie has taken a notably patient approach—waiting until March 2026 to release its first official bottling – Aberargie Inaugural Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

In an era when some producers rush young whisky to market, that restraint already says something about them. The team poured us a preview of different experiments, offering a glimpse of both their philosophy and their future style.

Everything we sampled was a teaser of things to come… Our journey began not with mature whisky, but with the spirit itself. A key part of Aberargie’s approach lies in producing two distinct styles of new make, driven by barley variety:

  • Golden Promise — heavier and richer in character, reminding me of sour fruits like cherry, almost evocative of kirschwasser.
  • Laureate — cleaner and brighter, with hints of orchard fruits—apples and pears—with a more delicate lift.

That dual-barley approach feels particularly suited to the Lowlands, a region currently enjoying something of a quiet revival after decades of contraction. Historically known for lighter, approachable spirits, the modern Lowlands are increasingly experimenting with fermentation, barley selection, and wood to build layered yet elegant profiles.

From there, we moved into early cask samples—young, yes, but already showing personality.

Aberargie 7 year (2018 – 2025) Golden Promise and Laureate Barley, First Fill Bourbon 48.2%

Surprisingly soft and sweet. Easy on the palate, unmistakably youthful yet lively with gentle spice, closing on a pleasingly sweet finish.

Aberargie Golden Promise and Laureate Barley Sherry 48.2%

Light, juicy, and fruit-forward—red currants and berries on the nose, with layers of whisky-soaked raisins joining on the palate. Delightfully approachable, nicely balanced, and finishing with a subtle herbal lift.

What made the experience particularly enjoyable was the sense of discovery—tasting a new whisky still on its journey rather than at its destination.

It’s always fun to get a glimpse of coming attractions, and after this early look, I’m especially curious to see how Aberargie Distillery expresses itself in its official inaugural release.

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2025 Whisky Show – Compass Box

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At the 2024 London Whisky Show, we had such fun at the Compass Box stand. They were back in 2025 – so we had to stop by!

Now the secret of thriving at Whisky Shows is to pass over more than you pick! So, when we looked at the line-up at Compass Box, we knew we had to make a tough call – skip more than sip!

It was a popular stand – for good reason!  Always having an eye for a creative design aesthetic, this was on a royal scale!

What did we focus on this year?

  • Hedonism 2025 46% – GBP 85
  • Flaming Heart 25th Anniversary Edition (2024) 48% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 130
  • Brûlée Royal 2025 49% – 2025 Whisky Show GBP 106
  • Metropolis (Sep 2023) 49% (Compass Box – Extinct Blends Quartet) – GBP 270

Let’s get on with the tasting, shall we? Spoiler alert! The Brûlée Royal was my top pick!

Hedonism 2025 46%

Hedonism is one of those whiskies that gets a polarised reaction. People either love it or don’t. What you have to understand upfront is that this is a blended grain, with no malt whisky. This requires some recalibration of expectations.

My first experience with Hedonism more than a decade ago was mixed – I simply couldn’t get past a pronounced coconut oil! A few years later, I most associated piña colada with an edition, likely from around 2016 / 2017! Then came a chance to try their 15th anniversary edition – I found it more interesting, yet I was still not entirely convinced.

Fast forward to the  2025 / 25th anniversary edition. What did we think?

Well hello! It was incredibly approachable on the nose – bananas, caramel, cream, and a bit of coconut there too! The best was the palate – it was an easy-drinking whisky, balanced and fun. Nothing off, just fresh, sweet, smooth, and enjoyable.

The story behind this edition goes:

Created as our first whisky in 2000, Hedonism has always defied convetion. It pays homage to the tradition of grain whisky distillation in Scotland, while pushing the boundaries of Scotch.

The Hedonism label has always proudly featured the image of a woman – something Scotch whisky had never done before, so for each annual release we commission a different female artist to bring to life the strength that our original label illustration represented. This year, for our second release, Argentinian artist Sofia Bonati, who creates striking female portraits that invite you into a dreamlike world, has reimagined the Hedonism woman once again.

The Compass Box folks describe this special 25th anniversary edition as:

Initial waves of caramel and powdered sugar, leading into a heart of pure peach puree, cocoa and pear. Chocolate mousse arrives on the palate, joined by nutmeg-inflected custard and cinnamon. The finish freshens to white grape, Fuji apple and vanilla.

What went into this blend? Though all grains, it is also a blend of older Hedonism too! Cameronbridge (46.7% 1st fill bourbon, another 1st fill bourbon 11.6%, 1st fill Marsala Barrique 2.8%), Hedonism vatted in 2022 (11.9%), Hedonism vatted in 2023 (16.9), Girvan (10.1%). Curious to know more? Check out their Factsheet with all the details!

Flaming Heart 25th Anniversary Edition (2024) 48%

Over the years, we’ve had a chance to sample their Flaming Heart 7th Edition and 15th Anniversary expressions. So what about the latest 25th Anniversary dram – their 8th edition?

Wow! This is indeed a departure! This is full-on peat with a big meaty nose, loads of peat and spice on the palate, finishing with even more peat and sweetness. This is no shy, retiring, nuanced dram. It is fun and fabulous, confident in its rocking character!

Their description of its flavour profile is:

Rich, oily smoke appears on the nose, supported by zingy spice. Hints of raspberry and apricot encircled by impressions of tarry rope. The palate is immediately dense as spices like clove, pink and black pepper and nutmeg arrive. Medicinal peat notes duke it out with bright and winey fruit. Finally, concentrated smoke that is at once woody and ashy with menthol and citrus oils.

This blend has a primary focus on peat with (48.1%), (35.5%), Williamson Islay Malt Blend (13.4%%), and a bit of (3%). Do check out their Factsheet full of more info!

Brûlée Royal 2025 49%

This was the new avatar – inspired by the Palace of Versailles chef François Massialot, who wrote in his 1691 cookbook Cuisinier royal et bourgeois a recipe for what became known as crème brûlée. The whole theme of the Compass Box booth this year was a nod to royal opulence!

Whilst we had a mere sniff and swish, we remarked that this was one deliberately delicious dessert-styled dram! We thoroughly enjoyed the burnt caramel aromas, with the palate fun and creamy, and the finish nicely closing the experience.

Compass Box’s official tasting notes share:

Immediate Crème Brulée, which opens to custard Danish and scorched sugar brittles. The palate is thick with clotted cream, honeyed malt and broiled peaches followed by custard & Tarte Tatin. Pannacotta & gentle nutmeg spice followed by silken jersey milk, toasted sugar and banana split.

This is a vatted malt with (53.3%), (39%), (7.2%), and a touch of (0.5%). Whisky geeks should check out their Fact Sheet for more details!

Metropolis (Sep 2023) 49% (Compass Box – Extinct Blends Quartet)

We closed with the 3rd expression from their Extinct Blends Quartet. The idea here is to bring to our palate a time capsule. As I’ve also experienced, blends of earlier decades differ greatly from what is produced today.

We found it big, bold, yet balanced. Bursting with both pitted and tropical fruits, it was both lush and fresh, rich and rewarding. The finish was long and strong.

Their tasting notes:

Vanilla arrives first on the nose, followed by a medley of different honeys. Fudge, apricot and pineapple lead to fresh fig. A rich and very complex palate with sultana, apricot again and hints of smoky woodiness. A long and sweet finish, with a pleasing weight.

With Metropolis, the focus is on the urban of yesteryear. What more do we know?

Metropolis uses some of our rarest and most mature stocks. It centres around nutty and biscuity single malt from the Aberlour Distillery, aged in re-charred American oak barrels. This is supported by citrusy and vanilla-accented single malt from the Miltonduff Distillery. A blended grain parcel and a hint of herbal smoke courtesy of malt whisky from the Bowmore Distillery complete the complex recipe.

Our whisky guide shared that the Bowmore stock was more than 20 years old! For more details, check out their Fact Sheet.

And there you have it! Quite a range this year. Whilst my favourite was the Brûlée Royal, I really enjoyed the opportunity to try the Metropolis. The Flaming Heart shift in character to full peat was a departure, but it worked. The biggest surprise? How much we enjoyed the Hedonism!

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