Mystery Malt, Cotswolds & Campbeltown

Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt – Series 5 Reveal

Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt is a brilliant concept for whisky lovers who want to explore great drams at a fair price without preconceptions getting in the way. You buy blind: the bottle arrives in sleek black glass, with the distillery, age, and details hidden beneath a tamper-evident capsule (and on the cork for good measure). Only when you peel it back do you discover what you've got. To help set expectations, there's a full breakdown of possibilities for each series—including the number of bottles per expression, their percentage of the total release, cask type, region, and age—available on the site: https://www.mystery-malt.co.uk/#mmsa1.

It's all curated by the Thompson brothers (of Dornoch fame), working with distilleries big and small to bring special casks that might otherwise stay hidden. The result? A bit of thrill, zero risk of disappointment, and always quality at around £65 a bottle.

In this 5th release, my bottle turned out to be a 21-year-old Highland lightly peated single malt, matured in a refill hogshead—1 of just 720 bottles (about 6.7% of the total release). At 21 years old and from a Highland profile with gentle peat, this is a genuine treat—far from everyday stuff and a lovely surprise.

Nose: Marzipan and almonds lead, followed by delicate floral hints, honey, and a touch of buttery richness. For something billed as lightly peated, the smoke is completely absent here—it's all sweet, nutty elegance.

Palate: The light peat finally emerges, weaving through honeyed sweetness, classic shortbread biscuits, and custard creams. Creamy and approachable, with that subtle smokiness adding gentle depth without overpowering.

Finish: The peat lingers longest, easing into a buttery, softly smoky close that's warm and satisfying.

A real winner—proof that the mystery format can deliver something special.

The more I have tried of this the better it tastes. its just unfortunate you can't guarantee what bottle you will get - but thats all part of the fun. 91/100

Cotswolds 1st Fill Banyuls Wine Cask

This is a first for me: a single malt fully matured in first-fill casks seasoned with Banyuls, the renowned French fortified dessert wine (Vin Doux Naturel) from the Roussillon region near the Spanish border. Banyuls—often called France's answer to Port—is made mainly from Grenache grapes and delivers rich layers of stewed fruits, chocolate, caramel, and oxidative nutty complexity from barrel or demijohn ageing. It pairs beautifully with cheese, chocolate, or roasted meats, so using it to season whisky casks is an inspired (and rare) move.

This limited bottling was released by Cotswolds Distillery last year for Valentine's Day, and when I visited the distillery a couple of months ago, I snagged what turned out to be the very last bottle from the 314 bottle run.

Nose: Intensely sweet and inviting—mixed spice, plump raisins, fresh plums, cinnamon, and vanilla all mingle together in a dessert-like bouquet.

Palate: Distinctly waxy texture that clings and dries to the roof of the mouth, with black liquorice, tannic oak, and a grip of spice.

Finish: The waxiness carries through for a long, evolving finish that shifts from sweet fruit to warming spice.

A very solid, characterful release from Cotswolds—innovative cask work that pays off in complexity and drinkability. 90/100

Campbeltown Connection 10 Year Old

Campbeltown is tiny but mighty, with only a handful of distilleries—all exceptional. This blended malt from North Star Spirits draws primarily from Springbank and Glen Scotia (with "a few others" likely nodding to Kilkerran/Glengyle), making it an exciting, wallet-friendly way to capture the region's signature style: salty, briny, with maritime funk and depth. At 10 years old and a great price point, it's hard to beat for value.

Nose: Bright citrus—grapefruit and lemon zest—alongside vanilla pods, gentle smoke, and a kick of black pepper.

Palate: Classic Campbeltown sea air, salty brine, peppery spice, subtle peat, rich oak, and biscuity shortbread for balance.

Finish: Citrus oils, waxy texture, seasalt, and lingering pepper—medium in length but nicely focused.

If you're after that distinctive Campbeltown character without committing to a full bottle of Springbank or Glen Scotia, this is a smart, enjoyable entry point - even if it doesn't quite beat the taste of a Springbank 10. 85/100

Overall, three very different but impressive drams—proof that whether it's a mystery Highland gem, an experimental English finish, or a regional blend, there's always something worth savouring. Slàinte!

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Which was your favourite?

• Mystery Malt 21 year old highland
• Cotswolds Banyuls Cask
• Campbeltown 10year old