Black Mystery

Expression: Black Mystery ("Old" TEN)

Bottled: February, 2008

Age: 10

ABV: 46%

Bottle Size: 70cl

# of Bottles: 3000 (1500 for La Maison du Whisky)

Box: Piano Black (Made in France)

Insert/Booklet: None

Distribution: France

Confirmed Markets: France

Importers: Moet-Hennessy

Front Label Varieties: Only one...

Back Label Varieties: Only one...

Initial Price: ~50 Euros

The "Black Mystery" was a special release for France in late 2008. The offering consisted of a standard "Old" TEN bottle with a special Piano Black wooden display box. 3,000 of these were made, and half of them were alotted to La Maison du Whisky. Of special note, there were 300 of the Black Mystery released with a special wax seal, but I do not know how these were released or if there was a price premium. I thought this may have been offered to celebrate the WOTY for the TEN, but I can't be sure.

There have been two recorded bottle codes for the "Black Mystery", which are "L8 037" (February 6th) and "L8 057" (February 26th).

UPDATE: Whisky Auction 10-10 offered a Black Mystery with bottle code L7 323 (November 19th). The label type matches the labels for the confirmed bottle codes of Black Mystery, and it is entirely possible the TENs used for the Black Mystery included multiple bottle codes. Essentially, the main attraction for this release is the box and wax kit, and the bottle can be changed at any time without the ability to verify one way or the other.

Front w/box.

Back Label.

Bottle Codes for the Black Mystery, Black Mystery II and Ultimate.

Bottle Code	Expression	Size	Market	Day	Month	Year
L8 037 00:53 4ML	Black Mystery (TEN - OLD)	700	France	6	February	2008
L8 057 22:50 4ML	Black Mystery (TEN - OLD)	700	France	26	February	2008
L9 203 14:53 6ML	Black Mystery II (TEN - NEW)	700	France	22	July	2009
L9 322 13:19 6ML	Ultime (TEN - NEW)	700	France	18	November	2009