Ablaye Cissoko & Cyrille Brotto — Instant (2022) @@@

This collaboration between Senegalese kora master Ablaye Cissoko and French accordionist Cyrille Brotto offers a truly unique pairing of instruments. At times, their dialog feels unconventional, as if the sounds don’t quite align. This chamber type music demands patience to fully appreciate, its sparse texture takes time to resonate. The constantly shifting moods and atmospheres add complexity for the listener, despite the minimalist setup of just two instruments. Ablaye's vocals are impressive, adding a meditative depth to the experience. While the album is undeniably intriguing, it presents a challenge for those unaccustomed to its nuances.

Mikaela Davis and Southern Star — Play Dead: The Relix Sessions (2024) @@@@

Mikaela Davis and her band visited the New York's Relix Studio a couple times in 2021, first recording a collection of their own music, which included a bonus cover of the Grateful Dead's Bird Song. Later, during the Days Between, they produced what turned out to be a full album of GD songs. It was released on a psychedelic double vinyl featuring ten tracks that sound both lively and engaging. The album's vibrant energy is driven by Mikaela's harp and vocals, with the rest of the band also adding their voices to the mix. The third side of the album truly shines, having standout tracks like Wharf Rat, Dark Star, and the beloved St. Stephen. That said, every song on the album is a treat. The energetic Cold Rain and Snow closing side four is especially mesmerizing, an absolute highlight! This is a highly appealing release. Only a thousand copies were pressed, and they sold out quickly. Happy to have one!

Eden Mill tasting notes

Eden Mill Sherry Cask NAS OB 70cl 46% ABV
Finished in first fill European Oak Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks

Color: amber.
Nose: chocolate babka, pickled cucumbers, nuts, dates, oranges, cinnamon, pepper, sunflower seeds, dried herbs, apples. Quite faint and distant.
Taste: tea leaves, chocolate, oranges, sweet apples, licorice, pepper, cinnamon, apricot jam. Watery and sweet. Surprisingly quite a smooth whisky.
Finish: chocolate, dates, medicinal herbs, apples, pepper, apricot jam, alcohol notes.
Score: 8. Between okay and good. +1+1=0.

Conclusion: a young and not particularly remarkable Lowlander. Eden Mill opened in 2014 and released their first single malt in 2018, as noted in the Malt Whisky Yearbook by Ingvar Ronde. The following year, they ceased whisky production and began planning the construction of a new distillery with ten times the production capacity which is still in the works. There's no time code on the bottle, this release was announced at the end of 2023. Not sure I would identify whisky as a Lowlander in a blind tasting. 'Things develop well when born in St Andrews,' boasts the back label of the stylish ribbed glass bottle — let’s be a bit more modest, shall we? 80/100. This is the 114th Scottish distillery whose single malts I've sampled.