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.

Dewars 18 Year Old Scotch Whisky is carefully prepared by putting the whisky back into the cask to mature a second time after blending (double-aging). This method allows all of the older and characterful whiskies to mingle before bottling with resulting flavours of nut and marzipan, to name a few.

The richly layered Glenfiddich 15 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky is innovatively matured in three types of oak cask: sherry, bourbon and new oak, before being married in a handcrafted Solera vat that is never emptied, but is always kept at least half full creating a deliciously harmonious and intense whisky.

Matured first in bourbon barrels then Oloroso casks, there's no finer example of a sherry cask finish than our 15 Year Old. It's the final three years spent in Oloroso sherry casks that gives Bowmore 15 Year Old the rich, deep colour and robust warming finish.

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.

Bottled at 43% vol, the BenRiach 10 Years Old is Classic Speyside in character. This fresh, lively, fruit-laden single malt captures Warm Oak Spices, Green Apple, Dried Apricots, Peach and Banana with subtle touches of Aniseed, Lemon Zest and Barley. Warm toasted oak spices flood through green apple skins and dried apricots, ripening to hints of peach and soft banana. Subtle touches of aniseed and lemon zest create a contrasting edge to the fruit and add an intriguing character to the long, crisp barley finish.

Inspired by the city of Edinburgh and made with both demanding bartenders and malt whisky enthusiasts in mind, Artist Blend from Compass Box Whisky is the perfect Scotch whisky for creative drinking. Bottled with a very high proportion of single malt whiskies, this whisky brims with flavour notes of apple, salted caramel and baking spices with a noticeably creamy mouthfeel and finish.

Glasgow Blend from Compass Box Whisky was inspired by historical references that Glaswegians have long preferred bigger, smokier whiskies. Full, rich and smoky on the palate, this whisky unites the spice and fruitcake-like notes of Sherry cask ageing with the maritime punch of Islay malt whisky. An old-school peaty blended Scotch whisky that is perfect both alone and in hand-crafted cocktails.

The core character remains true to the heart of Glenfiddich signature 12 year old with a sweet, fruitiness rich in fresh pear and crisp apple. the flavour is deeper, sweeter and more oaky with light spice, delicate hints of dried fruits and a touch of baked apple.

Gwalarn: The First Celtic Blend After creating two prestigious single malts (Kornog and Glann Ar Mor), Celtic Whisky Distillerie has developed its first blend, born from the blending of whiskies of Celtic origin. Like its single malt predecessors, this blend bears a Breton name that evokes its character, Gwalarn or “North-West Wind”. The French distillery in Côtes-d’Armor intends to bring fresh air to the world of blended whiskies. The innovative blend designed by the cellar master, Aël Guégan, and by Jean-Sébastien Robicquet, founder of Maison Villevert, unites for the best, the complexity of a Scotch whisky, the character of a German whiskey and the peat of Kornog, titled single malt from Celtic Whiskey Distillery. The result is striking in its balance and complexity. Gwalarn presents itself on the nose with elegance. The notes of cereals, ripe fruit and vanilla are clear, with a peaty background reminiscent of Kornog. The palate is energetic and fruity, with lingering vanilla notes. The peaty, salty finish is particularly full and even. Such complexity and balance distinguish Gwalarn from the best premium blended whiskies. Thus, Gwalarn takes place in the collection of exceptional whiskies created by Celtic Whisky Distillerie.