Gamme Artist 4 by La Maison du Whisky - 2014

The Artist behind edition #4 
Albane Simon

THE SURREAL COLLAGIST

For this ARTIST #4 edition, the artist Albane Simon has captured our tasting experiences of these bottlings and brought them to life in her collages. Using her own surrealist language, she manages to transcribe our sensations and emotions into her work. Half way between vintage and fantasy, she takes on apocalyptic themes and turns them into chimerical scenes: a mixture of antique tragedy and futurist delirium, teeming with evocative detail.
Artist’s website : www.albanesimon.com

  • mosstowie artist

    Mosstowie 1979
    Over 35 years

    Speyside Single Malt – 51.1%, 70 cl / Single Cask #1354
    Bourbon Barrel / Limited edition of 162 bottles
    LMDW world exclusive

    The remarkable 1973 Mosstowie, bottled for the ARTIST range of our 2012 Collection, left what can only be called a lasting impression. This new opus, distilled in the Lomond stills established in Miltonduff between 1964 and 1981 need not be envious. It expresses its aromas and flavours with the same simplicity, purity of tone and sensitivity, adding an unexpected medicinal accent to its discourse.

    Tasting note

    Short Profile

    Lively and grassy. Medicinal (balm, camphor), fruity (candied citrus fruit, pineapple, banana), spicy (black pepper, star anise). Grassy notes (green mint, cut hay) and malted barley aromas.

    Colour :

    Vibrant gold.

    Nose :

    Refined, precise. The initial nose’s notes of chalk and coconut milk are quickly followed by candied citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit). Medicinal (ointment, camphor), it is also floral before spices (black pepper, star anise) completely flood the aromatic palette. Particularly mineral and saline, one after the other it conjures up juicy fruit: pineapple, banana, apple and pear.

    Palate :

    Firm, taut. The attack is both lively and fresh. Green mint mingles with candied lemon. The mid-palate unveils notes of very pure malted barley. Liquoricey tannins start to coat the taste buds and enhance its already lovely fruity and herbaceous character (cut hay).

    Finish :

    Long, elegant. Beeswax and lavender honey give it plenty of smoothness. Then milky and vanilla-inspired notes provide an indulgent transition before becoming increasingly candied (apricot, peach). The retro-nasal olfaction is characterised by fresh tobacco and walnut. The empty glass has delicate notes of chocolate (white) and truffle.

  • caol ila whisky artist 4 gamme

    Caol Ila 1983
    Over 30 years

    Islay Single Malt – 53.9%, 70 cl / Single Cask n° 5287
    Hogshead / Limited edition of 214 bottles
    LMDW world exclusive

    Though this venerable Caol Ila has a particularly maritime personality, it has preserved intact the peaty and smoky zeal of its youth. The iodine notes are heavy not only with sea spray and sea salt but also in emotion as they evoke the magnificent treasures that are yet to be discovered.

    Tasting note

    Short Profile

    Iodine, fresh, mineral. Saline and smoky notes mixed with seaweed and sea spray. Fresh and candied fruit aromas. Soft spices (vanilla), which gradually gain in strength (liquorice, pepper).

    Colour :

    deep golden yellow.

    Nose :

    fine, distinguished. The initial nose takes us straight to the seaside to breathe in the sea spray. Saturated with saline and iodised notes, it is also peated and smoky (ash). Notes of smoked fish and anchovies interlace with mineral notes (slate, chalk). Its naturally fruity character then starts to build up: apple, lemon, pineapple and grapefruit.

    Palate :

    delicate, assertive. Its freshness is absolutely remarkable. Swept by a sea breeze, its attack is a single-handed definition of Caol Ila. The mid-palate offers up a refined and slightly liquoricey peat, while candied fruit gives it plenty of smoothness. Little by little, vanilla pods begin to tint the chromatic palette with black and brown notes. It lingers onto notes of blue agave and soot.

    Finish :

    with a tremendous amount of softness, its ashy and spicy bitterness (black pepper) invades and refreshes the palate. Aromatic plants (rosemary, lime blossom) and red fruits (raspberry, redcurrant) then appear to intertwine with the peat and seaweed. A clear blue sky floods the end of the palate. The retro-nasal olfaction is malty, almost chocolatey, and the empty glass is lemony and milky (coconut).

  • blair athol gamme artist 4

    Blair Athol 1988
    Over 25 years

    Highland Single Malt – 59.9 %, 70 cl / Single Cask #7494
    First Fill Sherry / Limited edition of 567 bottles
    LMDW world exclusive

    Established near Pitlochry, in the heart of Scotland, the Blair Athol Distillery is the signature malt of the Bell’s blend. Michael Jackson wrote: “It is a sturdy, well-proportioned whisky rather than a big bruiser, but it can take a lot of sherry without becoming showy or belligerent”. He was right. By assimilating the sherry, it draws attention to the elegance and complexity of its distillate. A charming classic !

    Tasting note

    Short Profile

    Powerful, expressive. An abundance of spices (cumin, clove, cinnamon), flowers (honeysuckle, lily) and citrus fruits (orange, lemon). Chocolaty and liquorice notes.

    Colour :

    orangey copper with glints of amber

    Nose :

    fine, expressive. The initial nose is marked by notes of marmalade, cumin, sweet almond and a tannery (leather). The sherry influence gives it a beautiful saline aspect. It opens up on to citrus fruit zest (orange, lemon) and chocolate. Next, the spices become more pronounced (cloves, cinnamon) and a fine layer of liquorice appears. The atmosphere is arid (cactus, hot sand).

    Palate :

    powerful, concentrated. Flowers (honeysuckle, lily) then flood the palate with their heady flavours. The mid-palate is characterised by fresh walnut and quince jelly. The register then becomes ever fruitier (Mirabelle plums, guava). Streamlined, it lingers on to aniseed and roasted (green coffee) notes.

    Finish :

    long, very vigorous. Every last drop of sugary juice is squeezed from the citrus fruits. Then, the precious wood and Havana flavours encircle the aromatic plants (bay leaf, sage, thyme, oregano) with their smoke. Following the example of the nose, the end of the palate’s atmosphere is welcoming. Almost resinous, the retro-nasal olfaction is praline and delicately woody. The empty glass is herbaceous (malted barley, cut hay).

  • macallan gamme artist 4 whisky

    Macallan 1989
    Over 20 years

    Speyside Single Malt –70 cl– Hogshead
    LMDW world exclusive

    This Macallan exudes a sense of power. It gets straight to the point and unfolds the full range of its aromas and flavours in a disconcertingly natural and unaffected fashion. Over an hour after the end of the tasting, the empty glass reminds of the delicious floral (peony, lily), chocolaty and liquorice aromas of a Havana cigar.

    Tasting note

    Short Profile

    tonic, elegant. Green barley, exotic fruits (pineapple, banana), candied fruits (lemon) and spices (curry, nutmeg). Saline, vanilla, creamy, medicinal and floral (mimosa) notes.

    Colour :

    A vibrant golden yellow.

    Nose :

    Fresh, elegant. The initial nose reveals a springlike note of green barley that mingles with exotic fruit (pineapple, banana). Creamy and vanilla-inspired, it gradually becomes medicinal (camphor), saline and spicy (curry, nutmeg). This complex nose then develops into heady florals (mimosa) and candied citrus fruit (lemon). Its yellow colour lights up the aromatic palette.

    Palate :

    Firm, invigorating. Its elegant contours reveal a slender, resolutely vertical architecture. The acidity of its generous helpings of fresh fruit (pear, nectarine, pineapple) gives the mid-palate great presence and minerality. Bluish notes of slate enrich the chromatic palette. It gradually gains in creaminess and sweet generosity (brioche, almonds).

    Finish :

    Long, endless. The barley makes a comeback burgeoning with freshness. A fine layer of candied liquorice coats the fruit (pineapple) that resurfaces at the forefront of the gustatory palette. The retro-nasal olfaction brings saffron and chocolate. The empty glass invites us into a garden filled with the fragrances of jasmine, daffodils and hyacinths.

  • laphroaig whisky gamme artist 4

    Laphroaig 1997
    Over 15 years

    Islay Single Malt – 54.3 %, 70 cl / Single Cask n° 3350
    Refill Sherry Hogshead / Limited edition of 291 bottles
    LMDW world exclusive

    In order to understand the meaning of the word beauty, it would suffice to taste this Laphroaig. All the ingredients that have built the reputation of this single malt (considered as one of the greatest by amateurs across the world) are present in its aromas and flavours. The tasting experience of this naturally stylish 1997 vintage reaches a climax with a sublime strawberry perfume.

    Tasting note

    Short Profile

    silky and rich. Smoky (Havana) and sea-breeze notes (seaweed, sea spray, iodine). Exotic fruits, fresh herbs (coriander, chive) and strawberry aromas.

    Colour :

    Vibrant gold.

    Nose :

    full-bodied, silky. First sequence: an oily peat, fresh walnuts, fish and smoky bacon. Second sequence: fresh coriander, chives, strawberry and generous amounts of passion fruit and mango. Third sequence: seaweed and salicornia. We could not hope for a better definition for this Laphroaig. Great depth and presence !

    Palate :

    smooth, rich. The initial palate is magical, offering up dark chocolate, and oily peat with notes of tapenade. This then makes way for medicinal notes: tiger balm, camphor. The mid-palate is particularly maritime (salt, sea spray, iodine). Then red and exotic fruit from the aromatic palette make a remarkable entrance accompanied by figs and dates.

    Finish :

    long, silky. Its tannins caress the palate with incredible softness. Peat is obviously omnipresent here, although less so on the end of the palate. New exotic fruit (pineapple, persimmon) now make their entrance. Highly mature, it becomes increasingly chocolatey. The retro-nasal olfaction is smoky (Havana), fruity (almond, walnut) and saline. The empty glass takes root in the Islay peat.

  • bunnahabhain whisky artist 4

    Bunnahabhain 2003
    Over 10 years

    Islay Single Malt – 58.8%, 70 cl / Single Cask n° 1149
    Sherry Butt / Limited edition of 579 bottles
    LMDW world exclusive

    Despite being only 10 years of age, this Bunnahabhain displays the maturity and complexity of a wise old seadog. Initially quite reserved, it suggests much more than it asserts. However, over time, it begins to confidently reveal the numerous facets of its profound and nuanced personality. Like the signature of a letter, the smoke and peat are climactically inscribed at the very end.

    Tasting note

    Short Profile

    rich and saline. Exotic citrus notes (orange, lime), sherry and peat. Dried fruit aromas (cashew nuts, pistachio) and grassy notes.

    Colour :

    burnished gold with glints of copper

    Nose :

    rich, deep. Vanilla pods, dark chocolate and beeswax make up the initial, particularly smooth and full-bodied nose. It opens on to notes of bitter orange, heady florals and nuts (cashew nut, pistachio). It becomes increasingly and deliciously saline and exotic (mango, passion fruit), while a smoke ring floats over the aromatic palette.

    Palate :

    full-bodied, concentrated. It firmly highlights the exotic register of the nose whilst also revealing herbaceous and mentholated notes. The mid-palate brings out very mature notes of sherry (toffee, white chocolate) flavoured with a subtle sprinkling of peat. Then ripe fruit gives it plenty of liveliness: Mirabelle plums, fig, pear.

    Finish :

    extremely long, it wavers between acidic (lime) and milky (coconut, vanilla) notes. Spices make an appearance for the first time (cinnamon, ginger). It lingers on to fresh walnut and praline. The retro-nasal olfaction is fruity (mango) and floral (peony, rose), and the empty glass is full of oily peat.