Nikka The Nikka Tailored Premium Japanese Whisky
Nikka was the lifes work of Masataka Taketsuru, the Father of Japanese Whisky. Its products are rightly celebrated worldwide for their quality, and it is not an exaggeration to say that you can feel the ingenuity of Masataka in Nikka whisky.This exciting Nikka Tailored whisky is a brand new release from Nikka set to replace the discontinued Nikka 12-Year-Old. Made up from whisky from the Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries, this one brings vanilla cookies, caramel, coffey grain, cocoa and dried fruit in what already appears to be a delicious and worthy replacement for the much-loved 12 Year Old.
Shinobu Lightly Peated Pure Malt 10 Year Old
Shinobu Lightly Peated 10 Yo Pure Malt WhiskyShinobu Lightly Peated Pure Malt whisky NAS and 10Y are the first peated whisky to be released by Shinobu distillery. Peated whisky was sourced from selected distilleries from mainly highland and speyside regions and carefully blended by the master blender Mr. Usami Ken and finished in Mizunara wood for more than 6 months.The Shinobu Distillery in collaboration with Niigata Beer Distillery is located in the Japanese seaside region of Niigata on the countrys western coast. The area is famous for its Three White Treasures: snow, rice and sake which have been cultivated there for centuries. Shinobu Pure Malt whiskies are crafted by master blender, Mr. Usami Ken who blends malts aged in sherry, bourbon and Hogshead casks before finishing them in Japans prized Mizunara Oak. Famous for imparting rich, honeyed flavors of apples, pears, cloves and nutmeg, Mizunara Oak has been used in Japan since the 1930s and is now sought-after by whisky makers around the world. All Shinobu whiskies are created without chill-filtration or added color to protect and enhance their deeply complex, robust flavor.Nose: Delicious aroma with loads of malt and hints of sour wort, dry grass, and wet wood from light peatPalate: Lots of malt and light peat bring on an intense taste of smoke, salt, and hint of cokeFinish: Ends on smoke with dashes of salt and mineral700ml, ABV 43%.
G&M Connoisseurs Choice Balmenach
Mars Komagatake Single Malt Edition
Mortlach 13 Year Old Special & Rare Single Malt Scotch Whisky Non-Vintage
Part of Diageo's stable, Mortlach enjoys a cult status amongst whisky drinkers thanks to its thick, meaty texture. That unique spirit comes from a complex and unique distillation program, which sees the new make pass through a number of stills of varying shapes and sizes. In the end, it is said that Mortlach distill their spirit 2.81 times. The complex regime results in a thick, meaty spirit - one of Scotland's thickest - and has been prized by independent bottlers and drinkers since the vaunted 16-year-old Flora & Fauna release put it into the public psyche.
Lark Distillery Limited Release Christmas Finish Single Malt Whisky
LARK DISTILLERY Limited Release Christmas Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky 44% ABV, Tasmania
Benromach 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A mix of first fill ex-Bourbon and first fill ex-Sherry casks were used to create this rich, lightly smokey malt.
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Ardbeg's latest annual offering comes with a curious title that's due to a production modification. Head of Whisky Creation, Bill Lumsden removed the purifier, which typically catches the heaviest vapours from the distillation process. The purifier is also responsible for Ardbeg’s balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness. The resulting whisky is "all peat". In fact, Ardbeg says that it's their most full-blown expression ever with an intensity of flavour that's unmatched. A spokesperson for the brand describes the flavour profile as, "Defined by a distinctive pungent earthiness, aromatic clouds of dark chocolate, a billow of aniseed and cinnamon, and a lingering tang of sharp peppermint." Dramface.com add "According to an interview Lumsden participated in for WhiskyCast, the experiment which gave birth to this year’s release was conducted 12 years ago. Even allowing for time of year and the time taken to dump casks, blend, package and distribute, it’s safe to assume this bottling is at least 11 years old, given that Lumsden claims the experiment was only ever conducted in one batch." We've just received our allocation. The whisky's unusual conception is brought to life with accompanying graphics created by celebrated comic artist and illustrator, Dilraj Mann. The nose is slightly reticent while the flavour profile leans towards smokey dark chocolate, oily malt, chimney soot and white pepper followed by a dried herbal quality. The aftertaste is ashy, drying, medium long and vaguely fruity in a mezcal kind of way. Like last year's Ardbeg Day release (Ardcore), Heavy Vapours is not quite as intense or complex as anticipated, although it does taste slightly more mature and feels like the texture is amplified, particularly at the finish where cured meats and a salt'n'pepper tang recall middle-weight Caol Ilas. In a word, more elegant than "extreme". 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Old Kempton Distillery The Coachhouse Strength
Aroma: A beautifully complex nose that develops as the whisky sits in the glass and warms. Rich malt and fruit pastilles give way to delicate florals and musk sticks. Flavour: A sweet and elegant palate that maintains the body and alcohol warmth expected of a cask strength. Stewed apple and spices develop as the whisky moves across the palate. Finish: A long sweet finish with jelly babies and gummy bears giving way to oak, mixed spices, and orange peel. The Coachhouse Cask Strength pays tribute to the temporary location of our distillery when we first moved to Dysart House. The historic coach house was home to our distillery until the new distillery building was completed in 2021. During this time, the coach house played an integral role in the story of Old Kempton Distillery, producing whiskies that will be enjoyed far into the future. This cask strength release is a collection of carefully selected casks that beautifully capture the flavour profile at the heart of Old Kempton whisky. To achieve this, we select cask types from across our range, including Tasmanian Pinot Noir and Australian Fortified Wine casks, and match them together to create a perfect balance between the bright fruit and rich malt style of Old Kempton spirit and the layers of complexity which comes with age and maturation. This whisky drinks well either as it is, or with a touch of water.
Old Kempton Distillery 10th Anniversary Release Single Malt Whisky
Ten years marks a significant period in the development of Old Kempton Distillery. Along with Lyn Lark, James Reid and Amelia Hope, we started what was going to be a small craft distillery. Over time, the distillery attracted a few passionate friends who shared our vision. They were welcomed into our family bringing expertise and enthusiasm guiding OKD to what it is today. We are also fortunate to have a wonderful support team to facilitate OKD’s commitment to becoming a true artisan distillery. On behalf of OKD, I thank you for your support and making the future look bright. We look forward to welcoming you to the distillery and being able to share more of our amazing Tasmanian spirits. Cheers for now, Bill Lark – Co Founder OKD Tasting Notes by Rob Tyson, Head Distiller. Aroma: A rich and ever developing aroma with dried fruits (raisins and sultanas), tinned pears, coffee with dark chocolate, orange peel, rich malt, and toasted almonds. Palate: Rich oil, and creamy across the palate with a good balance of both sweet and dry elements (ANZAC biscuits, Seville orange, and oak). Finish: Great mouthfeel with good spread and balance (Gingernut biscuit with spice and toffee). This release marries together spirit distilled at both our original site at Redlands Estate and at our new home at Dysart House, Kempton. Whist our location has changed, the delicate fruit and malt driven spirit that we produce has been consistent across our sites and is central to the style of whisky we produce.