Delia’s Whiskyshop is one of the shops that quickly became popular. I’m sure this is partly due to the fact that they ship abroad – a rare thing for German shops. At least that’s why I got to know the shop. Also, they regularly offer sample sets, which is a very useful service to bloggers.
They’ve recently launched Delia’s Christmas Series 2024, a set of five bottlings from The Whisky Agency, exclusive to the shop. One of them is an old Cuban rum, but today we’re looking at the four whisky releases: Longmorn 2007, Bruichladdich 2010, Ben Nevis 1997 and a Secret Islay 2013.
You can buy the entire set at once, and they also offer a sample set.
Longmorn 17 yo 2007 (46,6%, The Whisky Agency for Delia’s Whiskyshop 2024, bourbon barrel)
Nose: immediately showing a bright and summery fruitiness. Plenty of green apples, chamallows, white floral notes and juicy pears. Subtle hints of vanilla and green tea, along with tangerines, grapefruits and lemon peels.
Mouth: the same style of sweet and sour fruits. Green apples, lemons, limes and unripe pineapple. Then some biscuity notes, with hints of porridge and a light tingle of white pepper. More floral notes, as well as the lightest resinous touch. Fresh oak shavings in the distance. In the end there’s a whiff of Muscat from Málaga.
Finish: medium to long, with riper fruits rounded by gentle oak.
A very forthcoming, aromatic Longmorn. Plenty of acidic fruits with floral notes. I like that – good start of this session. Available from Delia’s Whiskyshop.
Ben Nevis 27 yo 1997 (53,3%, The Whisky Agency for Delia’s Whiskyshop 2024, butt)
Nose: quite rounded for a 1997. Soft waxes, lime peels, along with sourdough and wildflowers. Then chalky and slightly yeasty notes, broken branches, along with wool. Grapefruit with drops of herbal honey. Fruity but no exuberant tropical fruits so far.
Mouth: a lot of fruits now. More lime and grapefruit, as well as papaya, green banana, gooseberries and passion fruit. This fruit bowl is paired with chalk and graphite, mild grassy touches, mineral oils and hints of resinous oak. In the end also a hint of aniseed and very subtle mustardy hints.
Finish: long, starting on sweet fruits but drying over time, with minerals, citrus zest and honeyed oak.
Better than a lot of other 1997s, which tend to have a greener profile than the luscious 1995s or 1996s. Don’t expect any sherry here, unless perhaps Fino sherry – it reminds me of the one for Whisky-Maniac some time ago. Overall a really enjoyable Ben Nevis. Available from Delia’s Whiskyshop. Score: 90/100
Bruichladdich 14 yo 2010 (50,9%, The Whisky Agency for Delia’s Whiskyshop 2024, Rivesaltes barrique)
Nose: rich and raisiny, with hints of Mon Chéri and Cola candy, as well as some red berries, plum sauce and brown sugar. Then hints of cinnamon and poached pears, alongside toffe and roasted coffee beans. Very vinous, but nonetheless attractive, in between Moscatel and PX, if that makes sense.
Mouth: more wine sweetness. Bags of raisins really. Then hints of chocolate and nougat, plums, strawberries and redcurrants. Herbal notes appear, along with drier hints of roasted nuts and cinnamon. Leafy notes as well. In the end it returns to these (sweet) coffee notes.
Finish: long, rather earthy and spicy, with raisins, hints of leather and coffee.
Rivesaltes is a little closer to normal wine than some other fortified wines like Port or sherry (I won’t go into detail now, but the amount of brandy used is usually lower, as is the ABV). Available from Delia’s Whiskyshop. Score: 87/100
Secret Islay 10 yo 2013 (51,2%, The Whisky Agency for Delia’s Whiskyshop 2024, Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead)
Nose: rather sooty smoke, mixed with car tyres and smoked bacon. A certain Lagavulin-like tarriness too, as well as light rubbery touches. Then some chocolate, blackberries and candied cherry. Raisins and hints of candied orange peels as well.
Mouth: oily and sweet. More of these rubber boots, with plenty of tobacco leaves and more tarry notes. Light Maggi. Then charred notes and dark fruits underneath. Prunes – clearly PX. A lot of wintery peat smoke, with a mild herbal dryness towards the end.
Finish: long, tarry and smoky, with raisins and herbs, as well as a maritime hint.
A nice wintery profile, full of tarry smoke. Quite bold. Also, the sherry and peat match well, which isn’t always the case. There are different profiles in this series, but the bar is always high. Available from Delia’s Whiskyshop. Score: 88/100