The Dalmore story began in 1839 with Alexander Matheson who lived in the Highlands of Northern Scotland. Matheson found the rich peat and pure water sources of the Highlands to be the makings of a perfect whisky. He built a distillery in the area and produced small batches until 1886, when the Mackenzie family acquired his operation. When a member of the Mackenzie family risked his own life to save Scotland’s ruler, King Alexander III, from a charging stag, the grateful king offered a token of his appreciation by bequeathing the stag to the Mackenzie family as a symbol of valor and courage. And more than 130 years later, the stag head still appears on every bottle of The Dalmore. Today, Dalmore distillery has ten stone warehouses and eight pot-stills, several which date back to the late 1800s. Much of the distillery burned down during World War I while occupied by the U.S. Navy, but production resumed in 1922. The production process is meticulous and includes double distillations in copper pot-stills and aging in white oak and sherry wood casks.

Tasting note: Matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels for seven years before being transferred to smaller 125 litre Quarter casks for a further two years. The process amplifies the impact of the wood. Fumey alcohol gives way to hints of dried coconut, raisin chocolate, pine needles and a vaguely cider-like fruitiness. It's a big, chewy malt with a fabulous fanning flavour rush and impressive control. Summer pudding and vanilla come through on the finish before the aftertaste ends crisp and pleasingly astringent. Delicious. 56.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Tasting note: Nominated as one of the twenty defining whiskies of the past twenty years by Malt Advocate back in 2013, this new incarnation of Arran 10 opens slightly woody and acidic on the nose developing attractive honeyed, chocolatey notes. On the palate, American oak underscores the malt; juicy orchard fruits and vanilla shine through in a fresh, spicy delivery. The finish offers stewed pears and hints of cinnamon. Uncomplicated but very tasty. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

It's been over a decade since we've revisited the Balvenie range. From the 12 Year Old, right up to the venerable 30 year old expression, the house style emerges as one of the lightest and most delicate to be found from Speyside with almost no peat evident. 'Doublewood' gains its character from maturation in two woods, transferred from traditional x-Bourbon American oak to a Sherry oak casks for its final maturation. It's sometimes described as the classic, "essential" expression in Balvenie’s core range. From a 30ml sample, the nose is lifted with vanilla, dilute honey and dried fruits. The entry is featherweight, unfolding into a medium-weight dram with moderate flavours of dried fruit and a warm mouthfeel. An aftertaste of dried grass and drying oak sustains a little prickle. All up, this is uncomplicated and typical of the distillery style, but even at 12 years old, Doublewood still tastes surprisingly young. 40% Alc./Vol.

The beautiful juniper and coriander backbone is lengthened by lush, green wonderfully deep sweet floral charactaristics.

Showcasing the more rugged side of Glenglassaugh, this smoky expression offers a satisfying combination of sweet peat and umami. Sherry and port wine casks bring notes of treacle, dark chocolate and spice, while savoury undertones bring to mind beach barbecues and coastal breeze.

Inspired by the crescent beach of Sandend Bay, Glenglassaugh Sandend is matured in bourbon, sherry, and manzanilla casks for luscious waves of flavor.

Cotswolds Dry Gin has a delectable blend of nine carefully considered botanicals. Upfront and clean on the palate, followed by fresh grapefruit and a hint of coriander seed. Black pepper spice builds with a touch of dryness. Clean and balanced finish with a hint of lime and lavender.

Compass Box Whisky's The Peat Monster combines smoky and peaty single malts from the island of Islay and the Isle of Mull with rich, medium-peated Speyside whisky. The result is, as you would except, a peaty and smoky delight with rich citrus notes of liquorice and spicy, sweet complexity. Balanced and highly drinkable this is a very approachable blended malt monster, but a monster nonetheless. Lovers of big, rich, smoky-peaty whiskies, this is for you.

The taste equivalent of warping into a liquid black hole but without every atom in your body being crushed to an infinitely small point. It is Scotland's first and only Rum, made in a purpose built distillery in Banchory. The result is a remarkable spiced rum made with only the finest, fresh ingredients and an attention to detail.