Michiel Wigman Secret Islay 14 Years Old Monbazillac Cask 51.7% 2007

Professional reviews

BOW (87)

serie 2.1 Design and artwork by Hans Dillisse

Tasting note by sege Valentin:Monbazillac is one of those sweet wines they make in the south-west of France, here around the city of Bergerac. The best ones will remind you of Sauternes as they share more or less the same grape varietals and the same methods of production. The prices are extremely reasonable, in my humble opinion. Miles Davis on the label is very cool, I just hope this wee whisky is not full of mistakes (If you do a mistake, repeat it and everyone will believe you did it on purpose – Miles.) Colour: full gold. Nose: it totally reminds me of Jean Donnay's Islays that he sometimes used to finish in sweet wines such as Sauternes, Cadillac, Monbazillac, Cérons et al. That was under his Celtique Connexion label, and that was a long time ago. Just imagine you would deep-smoke a combination of ripe apricots, muscat, mirabelles and perhaps elderberries and guavas. Fun stuff. With water: it's funny that just like in some old vintages of these wines, quite some menthol and lime blossom would come out. Mouth (neat): one of those extremely unlikely combos that do actually work, in my opinion. The wine is loud but it's more its citrusy side that bursts out, so we're pretty fine. With water: and there, menthol and lime tee, a wee mushroomy side, apricot kernel oil (that's uncommon and watch the prussic acid!)… Finish: rather long, still very expressive and pretty well balanced. Comments: a very cool combo. Wondering about what Miles would have said, maybe 'repeat these mistakes, son!' ;-).

Serge Valentin (88)

You'd have to enjoy your whisky sweet and smoky. If so, there's no reason to hesitate.
Nose
Very sweet with plenty of candied fruits, strawberry glaze and dates, as well as Maraschino cherries and a few drops of iodine, followed by soot and creosote. The cask has been very active here.
Taste
Sticky mouthfeel with plenty of sweet red cherries, but also charred meat with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Some burnt caramel and brown sugar too. And before I forget, of course there's plenty of peat smoke to enjoy.
Finish
Smoked paprika powder, burlap and a touch of smoked peanut skins. Long.

OTHER (91)

Words Of Whisky:

This Ardmore 1988 from Michiel Wigman is a delight and a very refreshing change of pace.
Nose
It's gentle and fresh with just a hint of soot and bandages, but mostly sweet fruits like nectarines, tinned pineapple and lemon. It has a lovely creamy quality with notes of banana custard and honey. Finally a touch of walnuts as well as some faint minerals.
Taste
Great to see it's still very much an Ardmore on the palate, but more soothing than the ones I've tried so far, which have been 20-years-old at the most. Gentle earthy peat smoke with a hint of thyme and touches of pineapple juice as well as cinnamon sprinkled apple parts. Just a pinch of black pepper and menthol as well. Rather fantastic.
Finish
Somewhat herbal and surely more menthol and mint, with just a touch of wood smoke. Impressive.