Kurayoshi are one of a few Japanese small-scale craft (or Ji) whiskies to be released in Australia. Created in the shadow of Mt Daisen, at the Matsui Distillery, the whiskies benefit from the mountain’s crystal clear waters and over a century of expertise. The blenders here often combine malt whisky from Scotland with locally produced whisky. This is not an uncommon practice in Japan, and the exact breakdown typically remains undisclosed. Tasting note: Polished copper. Not vastly different to the 8 year old, showing the same subtle Summer yellow fruits, only softer again and with delicious succulence, a bigger finish and better length. It's delicately oily with cocoa-dusted stewed fruits and buzzing spices through the finish. The balance is perfect here, and it feels older than it actually is. Pick of the bunch. 43% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

In 1950, Chivas Brothers began the search for a secure supply of exceptional malt whisky. Strathisla Distillery in Keith, the oldest and most beautiful distillery in the Highlands, was the obvious choice. From that day to this, the world-famous Strathisla Single Malt Scotch whisky became the foundation of the Chivas blend. The international reputation of Chivas Regal has been built upon this distillery and the skill of successive generations of Master Blenders. Legally, a blended Scotch whisky must contain both single malt Scotch whiskies and single grain Scotch whiskies. Chivas Regal 12 and 18 year old whiskies are blended using a special process called triple blending. First of all, the selected single malts are blended together. The second stage sees the selected single grains blended together, and then thirdly, the vatted malts and the vatted grains are brought together. These spirits are each married in selected oak casks for an extended period of maturation in order to produce an exceptionally smooth, rich whisky. 'The smooth taste of Chivas Regal 18 Year Old reflects the traditional style of blended Scotch whiskies with a powerful array of rich, fruity aromas, and a defined smokiness that develops into a long and memorable finish.' So says Colin Scott , Master Blender of Chivas. Colin hand-picks each whisky designated for Chivas Regal 18 Year Old from the distilleries most precious stock - including certain whiskies that are now exceedingly rare. Winner of three major awards, each bottle of Chivas Regal 18 Year Old bears its own unique serial number, sourcing it back to the one particular triple blending. And because only selected casks are matured to such a great age, the quantity of Chivas 18 Year Old produced every year is always strictly limited. Tasting notes: Brassy gold appearance. Bubblegum / marshmallow opening is a little bourbonesque. Second pass reveals vanilla and biscuity malt with a judicious slather of peat. The palate combines a silky mouthfeel with solid concentration - nothing like the comparatively beige 12 Year Old - delicate spices, biscuity, honeyed grains with hints of dried fruits. The finish is crisp with a lingering confectionary note. 40% Alc./Vol.

The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Year Old is matured exclusively in hand-picked sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez, adding richness and complexity. A matured character, the 12 Years Old delivers rich wood spice and dried fruits and a natural rich gold colour.

On the Eye: Deep brass / gold On the Nose: Notes of choc-chip cookie, orange marmalade and clove. On the Palate: Spicy dried fruits (raisin and date) The Finish: Hints of plum, sultana and cocoa

Crafted in small batches with the utmost attention to detail. Masterson's is 100% Rye whiskey that far exceeds industry standards. Very limited-release rye whiskey Each bottle is painstakingly hand numbered & cases are individually packed with six 750ml bottles.

Tasting note: Matured in a Bourbon cask. Amber gold. Opens a little shy, but develops with a spicy fruity interplay (dried fruits, plums, apricots?) perhaps a touch of grapefruit, then more nutty and sweet-spicy. All very subtle. Silky and mellow beyond its age statement. A deft burst of spice seals the finish. Possibly less fruity than the 3 year old but with a plusher texture. Quite lovely malt. 43% Alc./Vol.

Kavalan have launched a new expression matured in three different Sherry casks, namely oloroso, Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Moscatel casks. Senior Blender, Zerose Yang adds, “Its main character, the dried fruits of the oloroso cask, are embellished with the sweetness of PX and Moscatel casks... The resulting liquid offers notes of cinnamon, candied smoked plum, and citrus, layered with a nose of berry, tropical fruits, and longan, alongside a dash of honey, chocolate, and toffee on the palate." For those who are used to the distillery's extravagant cask strength expressions, this takes a step back. The nose presents an attractive array of dried fruits and plummy malt, mingling with sweet spices. It's an accessible, middle weight style, with a convincing sherry lick and an appropriate dash of spice. You can't really fault the balance, but in the context of what this distillery is best known for, it's Kavalan light. 40% Alc./Vol.

While most other Japanese distilleries have followed the methods of Scotland, Mt. Fuji Distillery is influenced by major whisk(e)y producers all around the world, which explains this tri-part blend distilled using three different methods, each giving their own unique flavour profile. Although the exact mash-bill isn't stated, the backbone of the spirit is reported to be a 'Canadian style' grain, made with a batch distillation in something similar to a kettle still. That's supported by a Bourbon-style distillate using a Doubler, and a third Scotch-style light grain put through a continuous multi-column still. The triptych of profiles comes through in the flavours. Fuji smells a little more malt-like than typical single grain with creamy soda and vanilla malt enhanced by delicate fruity notes like stewed pears and caramelised apples. It's also fuller, richer and with more mouthfeel than you'd anticipate. There are the standard lashings of vanilla wafer but they sit over a backdrop of poached orchard fruits and warming wood spices, followed by more creamy soda, hints of dried banana and a lovely flourish of American oak which gives a Bourbonesque or light rye character to the finish. This release was initially for bars only, but from early 2021 it became available for regular tipplers in Japan and then abroad. A good thing. It's a single grain with terrific mouthfeel, and one that deserves a wide audience. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Notes from the producers... NOSE Aromas of poached pear, rustic fruit tart, Cognac and marron glacé. PALATE Seamless mouthfeel with multi layered flavours of poached pear, orange marmalade, raspberry jam, baking spices, and bitter chocolate. FINISH Mellow with gentle sweetness and pleasant spiciness, smooth with medium length finish and a hint of exotic incense.

HMS Formidable contains rum aged between 9 to 12 years. All rums are from the bottom plates of our 45 plate Coffey still as these distillates have the balance of flavors which enable long maturation and result in a rum with balance, intensity and complexity. All rums in the range are from Coffey Still distillates and have been aged in American white oak Bourbon casks.