The Whisky Exchange completes its Zodiac Series

Independent bottlings themed around the cosmos can easily risk leaning into gimmickry, yet the ambition behind The Whisky Exchange Zodiac Series has always been rooted in cask curation rather than mere novelty. Rolled out across three four bottle instalments, the twelve bottle project sets out to match the traditional archetypes of astrological signs with distinct flavour profiles from across Scotland.

The conceptual framework behind the range was steered by buying director Dawn Davies and own label product manager Chris Bolton, who oversaw the liquid selection, paired with bespoke label illustrations by in-house designer Jenna Morse. Rather than releasing the whiskies purely chronologically by calendar date, Davies and Bolton structured each chapter to include one sign from each classical element: air, fire, water, and earth.

This concluding instalment brings the series to its resolution with Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius. The selection spans an array of maturation styles, regional identities, and ages. Scorpio is interpreted via a brooding, heavily sherried fifteen year old single malt from an undisclosed Speyside distillery. Sagittarius takes an unpeated, exuberant route with a four year old Bunnahabhain drawn from a first fill Oloroso sherry butt. Capricorn introduces the understated, textured orchard fruit of an eleven year old Macduff, whilst Aquarius turns to Scotland’s smallest whisky region with a funky, coastal ten year old Campbeltown blended malt.

Bottled naturally at cask strength without chill filtration or artificial colouring, the final quartet rounds off an imaginative exercise in flavour matching that offers plenty of substance in the glass, regardless of one’s faith in the stars

Scorpio: A Speyside Distillery 2009, 15 Year Old

The distillery behind this bottling is unnamed, although the release places it just outside Craigellachie. Selected to represent Scorpio’s intensity, it is a full bodied, sherried whisky with raisins, figs, manuka honey and dark chocolate.

The palate is sweet with the expected fruitcake, black treacle and dark fruit, with baking spice and earthy notes adding a savoury dimension. Bottled at 53.9% ABV, it costs £89.95.

Sagittarius: Bunnahabhain 2020, 4 Year Old

The youngest whisky in the final quartet comes from Bunnahabhain on Islay. Matured in a first fill sherry butt and bottled at 60.4% ABV, it has been chosen to reflect the adventurous character associated with Sagittarius.

It is quite nutty with almonds and hazelnuts, complemented by raisins, hints of liquorice and a good dose of spice. There is a sweetness to it that plays with drier notes. it is remarkably good for such a young whisky.  At £54.95, it is also the least expensive of these four releases.

Capricorn: Macduff 2014, 11 Year Old

An eleven year old Macduff matured in a recharred barrel represents Capricorn. This is not a distillery you see too often, so always lovely to try. This is lighter on the nose, but full of green apple, toffee, vanilla and even some strawberries and cream. 

On the palate it starts quite spicy and savoury but opens out into apple crumble. It is bottled at 50.1% ABV and priced at £62.95.

Aquarius: Campbeltown Blended Malt 2015, 10 Year Old

Aquarius is represented by a ten year old Campbeltown blended malt matured in a refill hogshead. I have a real soft spot for Campbeltown so I was really looking forward to tasting this. 

The nose has a salinity with orchard fruits, butterscotch angel delight, cereal and a light fudge. In the mouth it is powerful with spice notes coming first, then apple, boiled pear sweets, vanilla and even mango. Bottled at 57.4% ABV, it costs £72.95.

All twelve bottles in the series are available individually, in four sets grouped by element, or as a complete collection from The Whisky Exchange.