ralfy review 1119 – Bunnahabhain 12yo @54.6%vol: (2025 Edition)

Jameson’s Distiller’s Batch Single Pot Still, 46%

THE VIDEO

I’ve been waiting for a 46% Jameson for a while. Then they decided to release it as a Single Pot Still release with five separate cask maturations! Sold, take my money.

Matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry, there are then three different virgin oak influences: European, American and Irish. Irish virgin oak has been some of my favourite of Irish releases in the last few years, it’s normally an instant buy from me – plus, as a bourbon fan, this is just me on paper.

It’s a complex, chewy, spicy, subtly sweet style of Midleton Pot Still style, and I must say that I’m finding it incredibly moreish. This was something I had to order through Midleton’s website, as it’s a distillery exclusive, currently. However, if you’re looking for a fun, alternate style of Jameson, this is certainly something to keep your eye on and buy – it won’t disappoint. —

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Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 597: Ardara Irish Whiskey: 2025 Edition vs Cask Strength

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day with two Irish malts. Ardara (pronounced ‘ardrah’) is a small distillery in the town of the same name in County Donegal, in the north of Ireland. They have been producing heavily peated, triple-distilled whiskey since 2021 and launched their first release in 2025, both at drinking strength (46%) and cask strength. Mark puts them head-to-head!

https://youtu.be/FEtezNXoOJk

ralfy review 1119 Extras – Contrasting two Bunna’s (both fab)

ralfy review 1118 Extras – Some single malt forensics, ‘Cask Policies’

https://youtu.be/R15FBRsM_JA

Keeper’s Heart American Pot Still, 46%

Produced by the legendary Brain Nation through the O’Shaughnessy Distillery CO, this is his first 100% American made whiskey. Created in the classic Irish way, triple distilled and following the Single Pot Still style, a combination of malted and unmalted barley, fully matured in fresh American oak. This the first of a three part series, a triple pot distilled rye coming in 2027, and triple pot distilled American bourbon coming in 2028.

We tried two releases from Keeper’s Heart last year, and both were stunningly fresh, clean examples of whiskey. This one is a heavier, woodier, more intense form of whiskey from this distillery in Minneapolis. Certainly a place worth keeping an eye on.

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Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 596: Ben Nevis 13 Year Old 2012 Hogs & Buds Spirits Festival 2026

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, takes on a heavily sherried Ben Nevis. On Sunday 15 March 2026, the second edition of the Hogs & Buds Spirits Festival will take place in Landen, Belgium. This fun festival is organized by the Whisky Hogs, a Belgian whisky club and the Belgian whisky shop Buds & Barrels. And as is customary, they have a festival bottling ready. It turned out to be a Ben Nevis that spent its entire life in an oloroso sherry cask. ‘Torc Fiadh’ is emblazoned on the label. That’s Celtic for wild boar, nicely depicted on the label. Let’s have a taste!

https://youtu.be/9p8wFRSFS10

ralfy review 1118 – Glen Scotia 12yo @46%vol: (blue label)

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a special Johnnie Walker Black Label. We all know Johnnie Walker, and the Black Label remains one of the world’s best-selling blends. In recent years, quite a few variants of this popular whisky have appeared on the market. One of these is the Triple Cask Edition, which—true to its name—is a vatting of their whisky matured in three different types of casks: bourbon, sherry, and… rum!

https://youtu.be/bD3CXnm7vyI

Redbreast Moscatel Finish, 46%

THE VIDEO

The Iberian Series from Redbreast has been one that has seemingly showed off the beauty and complexity of NAS whiskies. So many time when I worked in whisky retail, people would come in with screenshots of different releases, wanting to source a few bottles of them.

This is the Moscatel cask finish. Moscatel wine seasoned casks from Bodegas Quintapenas that were used in the final six months of the liquids maturation. Prior to that, there is a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks maturing this classic Midleton spirit.

The thing that baffled me the most was how lime-driven this whiskey is. Lime is such an unusual thing for me to come across in whiskey, but there’s been such a run of Irish releases recently that ladened with that aroma. Above this powerful citrus note is toffee, hazelnuts, macadamia, fresh butter and dark chocolate – classic notes and aromas from the wonderful world of Redbreast. A really nice expression that takes the classic brand into a slightly different light. Personally, this would be an incredible regular addition to the range.

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