This trio of single malt whiskies form the third installment of The Whisky Exchange Seasons collection for 2024/25. They follow similar releases in the Summer and Autumn of 2024 on the premise that each whisky stylistically mirrors the characteristics of the season. For example, each of the three whiskies in the Winter release are big, bold and warming with each matured in ex-sherry casks. The Spring bottlings will follow in April 2025.
The three whiskies in The Whisky Exchange Seasons: Winter were released on 2nd January 2025. Each has been selected by The Whisky Exchange’s blending team and is taken from a single cask, bottled at the natural cask strength, is of natural colour and priced individually. They are exclusive to The Whisky Exchange, both online and through their London retail stores.
When we began searching for the perfect winter whiskies, we knew we needed robust single malts that could cut through the cold. The three casks we chose for the penultimate instalment in the Seasons collection each capture the feel and flavours of a cosy winter’s evening. These are big whiskies, meant for sharing in the winter months or at any time you need a rich, bold dram.
The Whisky Exchange Blending Team.
Our Tasting Notes
Laphroaig 2015 8 Years Old
The colour is deep mahogany and the nose exhibits big smoky notes, full of bacon and bonfires. Then comes caramel covered seaweed and some florals that are reminiscent of what a good perfumier would use as a base note. Hints of red over ripe plums, toasted walnuts, cloves and salted caramel biscuits round things off nicely.
The palate is dominated by notes of fresh tar and bitumen – imagine this hot from the sun or bubbling in a vat ready to be laid. This gives a dry and ashy quality, as if you have stuck your face in freshly ground white pepper. It makes you want to cough in a good way. The sweetness of rich salted caramel and a distinct maltiness emerges from the fierce blast of ashy heat.
The finish is long, lingering and ashy with brine and seaweed bitterness – this offers some refreshment. This is accentuated by a further note of sticky toffee pudding.
With water, which in our view is needed, the smoke become more acrid. The nose opens up with some spicy red pepper and your eyes start to water – this makes you feel like you are next to a rather sizable bonfire. The palate gains a juiciness akin to red grape juice that has been spiked with cloves and hints of heather start to appear on the finish. The ashy smoke intensifies and cancels out the toffee sweetness.
At 66% ABV this is an intense whisky and one not for the faint hearted. Big, bold and fiery with plenty of peat smoke. This battles against the rich caramel-like sweetness. This was taken from a single ex-sherry hogshead (cask #203), which has yielded just 305 bottles. Each bottle will cost £79.95.
Blair Athol 2007 16 Years Old
The colour is deep coppery amber and the nose is full of dark fudge and milk chocolate sweetness with some bitter nut (walnuts and brazil nuts) aromas. It has an umami vibe, but with dried fruits such as apricots and sultanas. A notable oakiness (reminding us of antique furniture) and hint of well dried bacon-like meatiness add further depth.
The palate is big and bold. The whisky has an impactful sweet yet savoury set of characteristics. There are distinct woody notes and lots of mushroom-like umami initially, then a lovely sweetness of crumbly brown sugar and caramelised peach. The depth of flavour is incredible. The finish has a bittersweet, drying character with lots of woodiness and that brown sugar note. This sits alongside a warming cinnamon spice.
Bottled at 55.7% ABV this whisky gives the impression of whisky much older than its 16 years. It feels like a seriously grown up whisky. This will be perfect for chilly Winter evenings. If you are a fan of a meaty style of whisky with notable woody influence this will be right up your street. Taken from a single ex-Oloroso sherry butt (cask #4529), which has given just 485 bottles. Each bottle will cost £110.
Orkney 2013 10 Years Old
The colour is dark caramel and the nose is impactful, woody and sweet. A lovely fruity and savoury battle takes place in the glass. Aromas of orange cordial and seville orange marmalade mix with cedar and sandalwood, plus hints of menthol and celery salt. A delicate smoke sits underneath which adds to the savoury quality – this is more wood smoke than peat, and has a gentle, ashy feel.
The palate balances sweet and savoury well. A prominent woody smoke marrries with peppery spice (think of red chillies especially), plus notes of chamois leather, dry toasted nuts (especially hazelnuts), sweet caramel and cocoa powder. Sweet woody smoke underpins the entire experience with a late herbal note of freshly picked green herbs coming through.
The finish is intensely long with a lingering kick of alcohol heat that makes the mouth tingle and water. The menthol hint from earlier combines with a deep woody spiciness and the gentle ashy smoke superbly.
This is a deep leather armchair kind of whisky – one to take your time with as depth and complexity takes hold and the finish lingers with you. A big and expressive creature which is completely suited to an evening in slippers and next to a roaring fire. Taken from a single ex-sherry hogshead (cask #7), which has yielded just 312 bottles. It is bottled at 57% ABV and each will cost £69.95.
