Highland Park 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A superb 15 year old from the Highland Park distillery. The nose is a profusion of ripe floral notes and fresh blossom with a delectable fruit salad. Notes of honeyed exotic fruits with a little botrytis. The palate is creamy and full with fruit conserves and espresso. A creaminess with cinnamon and allspice. Notes of toffee with thick black forest honey with a touch more citrus. The finish is long and well sugared with a herbal edge.
Kilchoman Machir Bay
Named after the most spectacular beach on Islay, Machir Bay is the flagship of the Kilchoman range. It has a vatting of approximately 90% ex-Bourbon barrels and 10% ex-Oloroso sherry casks. As part of Kilchoman's core range, Machir Bay is permanently available and on-going. NOSE Lemon zest, vanilla and distinct coastal influence give way to floral intensity, juicy peaches, pears, and wafts of rich spice PALATE Bursts of tropical fruit and dried sultanas, warming smoke and waves of honey, malt, butterscotch and rich sweetness FINISH Sherry-soaked fruit, cracked black pepper and sea salt. Long-lasting with layers of citrus sweetness and maritime peat smoke
Kilchoman Sanaig
Sanaig, named after an inlet on Islays rugged Atlantic coast, is a vatting of Kilchoman whisky matured in both ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon barrels. The high proportion of Oloroso sherry casks creating a unique balance of dried fruits, dark chocolate and rich peat smoke. This exceptional spirit was awarded a Gold Medal in the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits for being an exceptional spirit that is near the pinnacle of achievement and sets the standard for its category. As part of Kilchoman's core range, Sanaig is permanently available and on-going. NOSE Fragrant heather, raisins, pear and orange peel with waves of stoned fruits, mixed spices and rich peat smoke PALATE Over ripe plums, red cherries and hints of citrus give way to rich barbecue peat smoke, toffee, oak and dark chocolate FINISH Mouth-coating mixed fruit, caramel, cinnamon and clove with layers of brown sugar, spices, peat smoke and lasting sweetness
Hunter Laing Scarabus Islay Single Malt
The Glenturret Triple Wood
Isle of Raasay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Isle of Raasay Single Malt is a taste of the ruggedly elegant, exceptionally diverse island, made in small batches from the mineral water drawn from its well on site. A lightly peated single malt balanced with rich dark fruit flavours. The Isle of Raasay Distillerys carefully crafted and unique recipe combines peated and unpeated Raasay spirit that has been matured in three different types of oak cask: high rye whiskey, chinkapin oak and Bordeaux red wine. Every drop of spirit is distilled, matured and bottled on the island, supporting the local economy while maximising the influence of the Hebridean climate on the single malt whisky.The Isle of Raasays decanter-like glass bottle captures the rugged, natural beauty of the Isle of Raasay. With Raasays fossils and rocks moulded into the glass, holding it is like holding a piece of Raasay in your hands no matter where you are in the world.Bottled at 46.4% abv, non-chill filtered and natural colour.Tasting NotesNose: Sweet, aromatic smoke. Wood smoke on sea air. Candied fruit, glace cherries.Palate: Sweet spice, cinnamon, black pepper, blackcurrant, wood smoke. Heather, honey, sweet spice and sandalwood. Cherry, apricot and blackcurrant. Vanilla, butterscotch with a hint of saltiness.Finish: Dry, long, hint of saltiness. Faint wood smoke and dried fruit.
Ardbeg Uigeadail Single Malt Scotch Whisky
“The elemental opposite of the sophisticated Lord of the Isles.” Perched on a wave washed, rocky headland, the Ardbeg distillery was founded in 1815 by the MacDougalls of Ardbeg. The distilleries scattered white washed buildings are reminiscent of a Dutch settlement and add to the dramatic coastal landscape. Ardbeg has had a chequered history and in recent times had been closed down for many years. Glenmorangie acquired Ardbeg in 1997 and has set about restoring the distillery to its former glory. First launched in 2003, “Uigeadail” (the loch from which all Ardbeg water flows) this cask strength, heavily peated Ardbeg is produced from a mix of bourbon casks and older sherry casks. The combination gives this whisky a velvety texture, with a sweet and smokey finish. Tasting notes: Bright gold appearance. Big, sweet sherry influenced nose offers dried apricot and marmalade scents over menthol and sweet cedar smoke. Some ripe green apple notes emerge with time in the glass. The palate is off dry with a rich, dark chocolate entry becoming heavier and fudge-like with orange chocolate, sweet cereal and the peat continually reinventing itself - at once dry and sooty, then tarry and finally kippery on the finish. Excellent balance at cask strength. Boiled lolly and spice aftertaste with a subtle spearmint fade. Latest batch tasted October 2010.
Glenmorangie Signet Single Malt Scotch Whisky
"Glenmorangie at its very best." - whiskyadvocate.com The raw materials used to create this whisky are quite unusual and include estate grown Cadboll malt along with chocolate malt (chocolate malt is usually used in the production of beers like porter and stout). The whisky has been matured in new, low toast, Ozark American oak casks and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It is the brainchild of Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie's head distiller who first had the idea over 20 years ago. Retasted June 2017... Brilliant topaz / beams from the glass. Almost floral notes of cocoa and manuka honey drizzled over hints of orange spice cake and shortbread. Starts understated and fresh but finishes unlike almost any other whisky: A peacock's tail of fantastic length and force with miniature detonations of orange zest, dark chocolate, hazelnut and sweet spice dappling the tongue. The persistence is quite exceptional. Maintains its place as a high point in the Glenmorangie stable. Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol. First tasted 2008... Deep orange brown colour with golden hue. Sweet and inviting nose of Mixed Peel, Chocolate, Coffee beans and Almond biscuit. The palate is thick, luscious and mouthfilling, almost creamy. Pronounced flavours of chocolate, coconut, orange, vanilla and hazelnut. The palate shows no sign of spirit heat, even without the addition of water. Outstanding balance. Exceptionally long, supple aftertaste of chocolate, vanilla, almond and hazelnut. Hints of orange emerge then fade. Drink with chocolate or dried fruit desserts, coffee or a cigar. A phenomenal, if unusual whisky. 97 points
Arran Quarter The Bothy Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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.
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.