Mortlach Rare By Nature 21 Year OldSingle Malt Scotch Whisky 56.9% Abv, Speyside Called The Beast of Dufftown for its robust, muscular and rich character, little known Mortlach may be the best kept secret in Scotch. Bold flavours are the mark of this special breed, distinguishing it as the monarch of its glen. 'Rich in smooth intensity, from a small batch finished in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso-seasoned casks.' Tasting Notes APPEARANCE Deep gold with amber lights. Good beading. NOSE A mellow, rounded, nose with some prickle. The first impression is of rich, dried fruits, and beneath this fresh-baked buttered scones, perhaps spread with lime marmalade. Soon this becomes lightly savoury and meaty but retains a slight citric note. A drop of water modifies the latter and reduces the aroma. BODY Medium to full. PALATE At natural strength, mild for its strength and super-smooth in texture, while the wonderfully rich mouth-filling taste is immediately sweet overall with dried fruits, then intense and savoury with a surprising kick of chilli pepper as it goes down. Magnificently feral and delicious. Drying overall, with rich tannins. Similar with a dash of water, which raises a little more sweet, spiced fruit. FINISH Seemingly endless and deeply impressive, with the fruit and savoury notes in perfect agreement and a warming glow spreading across the palate. Finally leaving the palate dry, yet still wreathed in a glorious rich afterglow.

Rounded and smoky - like burning Applewood - with creamy toffee, aniseed, treacle and dates. A curious suggestion of juicy fruits, such as peach and banana. With a drop of water, reminders of Ardbeg's classic fragrance lime, pine resin, fennel, saddle soap and tar. A gentle waxiness, like fragrant candle wax, and hints of smoked herbs. An Oa gives a final subtle reminder of the sea with briny notes and seaweed but always accompanied with creaminess. A smooth, creamy texture leads into a huge syrupy sweetness, flavours of milk chocolate, treacle toffee, aniseed, orange and smoky tea leaves. Gentle, sweet spices (nutmeg & cinnamon), some cigar smoke, and a very unusual flavour of grilled artichokes. Wood is always present in the spirit, gently nutty and reminiscent of a carpenter's workshop. A long, sweet finish, with floral overtones, mint toffee and some gentle malty biscuit notes.

With a wholemeal and honey quality to the nose and the odd smoky tangent. A sweet, fruity core and a long round finish. Dalwhinnie has a little bit of everything, peat, honey and backbone. A classic malt for everyone.

SUNTORY Hakushu 18 Year Old 43% ABV Single Malt Whisky, Japan

Appearance: Oloroso, brilliant clarity, 8/10 viscosity.Nose: Big baked stone fruits and dark vanilla, old oaked sherry, and warm caramel with crisp toffee. Very old oak and sweet tobacco.Taste: Very big, round and smooth, concentrated dark malts with sherry, a hint of dark chocolate, brittle toffee and licorice.Finish: Long, warm sherried and old oak

BERRY BROS & RUDD Glenturret Distillery 34 Y.O. , The Highlands

Built on the site of an older illicit distillery Mortlach was the first legal distillery in Dufftown which is the epicentre on Speyside. Mortlach is again making its mark as a single malt with last years Diageo Special Release bottling selling out in record time. Distilled in 1999 and matured in ex Pedro Ximenez Sherry & Oloroso Sherry seasoned casks for no less than 21 years. Bottled at 56.9% abv and non-chill filtered. NOSE Rounded with dried dark fruits and rich sherry like notes, citrus peels, pancakes and salted butter, meaty with light savoury notes. PALATE Smooth and silky texture, dried fruits, savoury with chilli spice and dark fruits. FINISH Fruity and savoury notes, drying and rich.

LARK DISTILLERY Limited Release Christmas Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky 44% ABV, Tasmania