Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 50.9%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Spirits Beast
Average price: € 130.00
Official website: www.spiritsbeast.it
Recently, a new producer has joined the growing landscape of independent bottlers in Italy, choosing a strong characterization for its brand.
Matteo Festa is from Lucca, Tuscany, same as the illustrator of his (beautiful) labels, Giacomo Galligani, with the clear intention of giving a local connotation to bottles (so far) of Scottish whisky. Fantastic animals (not those from Rowling’s books) that are born from the fusion of man and beast, with a unique entity for each bottling.
Four releases have hit the shelves as I write this, with more arriving around the end of 2026, and on this occasion, it is the Werejaguar, a sixteen-year-old Teaninich wholly matured in an ex-bourbon hogshead cask, distributed in 288 bottles not at cask strength.
Tasting Notes
A journey from the greengrocer, bringing the nose close to the glass, among pineapple, papaya, peach, apple, pear, apricot, and dehydrated coconut, briefly traversed by a striking spicy note of turmeric, cumin, and saffron, which frames the entire dram. There is an underlying freshness, between vegetal and balsamic notes, that outlines the pastry part (vanilla, marzipan, trifle, acacia honey), with a breath of green tea and lime zest. Hazelnut, tobacco leaves, aloe, and a mineral vein complete a rich and elegant picture, with a full-bodied fullness.
The freshness of the nose returns, which along with the mineral notes envelops the distilled spirit and palate, with a soft oiliness. There is no dominant element; the flavors intertwine with balance, gaining the spotlight with each sip, amid the white and tropical fruits that dance with pastries and spices (where black pepper and ginger stand out), featuring marzipan, green tea, apple, a hint of lime, and a toasted vein in length. It plays on the tip of the foil between sweet, bitter, and balsamic notes, without excess or smudges. Indulgent.
Finale long that takes up the theme of drinking, featuring fruit, pastries, nuts, spices, balsamic and mineral notes, and a slight puff of smoke.
Review: An elegant whisky, rich, balanced, enveloping yet refreshing at the same time, a satisfying and complex experience that truly impressed me, an excellent calling card for those who have chosen to debut in a such challenging times. Hats off.
Vote: 90/100