The GlenDronach Peated Whisky
An ode to the traditional use of peat in Glendronachs younger distilling days. This expression boasts a wonderful balance of peat characters, that complement the spirit itself, while still maintaining the classic sherried Glendronach we know and love. Matured in bourbon, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks.
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.
Fleurieu Distillery Albatross Single Malt Whisky
The wandering storm bird. Said to be the souls of lost sailors, these roaming aeronauts glide endlessly over the vast and sometimes inhospitable Southern Ocean. Seen as an omen of both good luck and bad, these occasional visitors to our shores perfectly embody grace endurance and fragility.
Kavalan Distillery Select No 1 Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky
A new Kavalan that showcases the distillery's signature fruity sweetness. If you're used to the cask strength bottlings, think of this as Kavalan 'Light'. Tasting note: Deep copper colour. The aroma pretty much matches the flavours, evoking tropical fruits, bush honey, toasted sponge cake and a gingery warmth. Medium bodied and made for casual drinking, the finish buzzes with cinnamon and all-spice, followed by a touch of orange zest and cocoa. The result comes across like Sherry-meets-European oak-meets-Bourbon combined with Kavalan's own unique fruity spirit - an arrangement that should find broad appeal. 40% Alc./Vol.
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.
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.
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A gentler, more feminine and food friendly expression that Islay lovers should get to know. Despite being the largest distillery on Islay (in terms of production anyway), nearly all of Caol Ila's output ends up in blends, so much so that until 2002 when the 12-year-old was released, independent bottlings were the only recourse for malt hunters. The distillery's gently fruity-smoky style sets it apart and comes down to the production process: "...although it receives the same spec of malt as sister distillery Lagavulin, Caol Ila’s distillation regime – longer fermentation, higher cut point, taller stills, helps to reduce the heavy phenols." Tasting note: Pale straw colour with a subtle green blush. Aromas of soft, sweet peat - smoked trout, a hint of lanolin and some baked citrus. Rounded, pure and impeccably clean from start to finish, the palate offers semi-sweet smoky-fruity-oily flavours counterpointed by super fine tannins. Perfect balance. Finishes long with salt, smoked fish and light lanolin through the fade. A gentler, more feminine and food friendly expression that Islay lovers should get to know. 43%Alc./Vol.
The Macallan Triple Matured 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
One of the most respected and admired whisky distillers in the world, Macallan remains one of the kings in the single malt world. The Macallan Fine Oak 12 Year Old builds on this storied reputation. Triple cask matured in an unique, complex combination of exceptional oak casks; European oak casks seasoned with sherry, American oak casks seasoned with sherry and American oak casks seasoned with bourbon. This triple cask combination delivers an extraordinarily smooth, delicate yet complex single malt, matured at the Macallan distillery for a minimum of twelve years. A gorgeous rich straw colour with a complex nose, with hints of fruit and vanilla, the Macallan Fine Oak 12 Year Old is sure to please any whisky lover. On the palate, one can taste fruit, oak and spice with a medium mouth feel. The finish lingers, with dried fruit, oak and spice to round out the experience. The Macallan Six Pillars
Lindores MCDXCIV Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Lindores Abbey is the officially recognised site of the first recorded distillation of Scotch whisky. It was back in 1494 that King James IV commissioned Brother John Cor at Lindores Abbey to make aqua vitae with eight bolls of malt. For more than 100 years, the preservation of the ruined abbey has fallen to Drew McKenzie-Smith and his family. Several years ago he learned of the abbey’s significance to the industry after visiting a website called Connoisseur Scotland . Further inspiration came when he was shown a copy of the late Michael Jackson’s book, ' Scotland and Its Whiskies .' In it, Jackson wrote of Lindores, “For the whisky lover it is a pilgrimage”. Following fifteen years of careful planning, construction work began on a new distillery that would not only capitalise on this whisky connection but also provide the means with which to preserve the abbey for future generations. In 2017, after five centuries of silence, the stills at Lindores Abbey began flowing again. There are actually two releases now in Australia: Lindores MCDXCIV and the MCDXCIV Commemorative First Release. They're essentially the same liquid, distinguished by a subtle notation on the label. Both come aged in a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry and STR red wine barriques from Burgundy. Both are three and a half year old Lowlanders. You might expect Lindores to be on the lighter side, however it's more like a young Speysider, nicely balanced and not shy on flavour. There's even a nod to Linkwood on the nose where the aromas show surprising weight; Cream tea biscuits, pear drops, light beeswax, cocoa and citrus are echoed with impressive purity, depth and texture of the palate. A fine astringency checks the length, but it's auspicious as far as inaugural releases go - all that's needed is more time to add further layers of complexity. 46% Alc./Vol. Tasted from a 15ml sample.
Talisker Port Ruighe Scotch Whisky
Double matured in port casks, this malt is a toast to the Scottish traders who braved the high seas and were instrumental in founding the port wine trade, shipping it to the world. 'Port Ruighe' (pronounced 'Portree') is the Gaelic spelling of the once bustling trading port on Skye. The Port finish combines Talisker's powerful maritime character with succulent sweet notes of rich berry fruits for a superb contrasting taste experience.