“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.

Balvenie Caribbean Cask was created by The Balvenie Malt Master, David Stewart, who celebrated an incredible 50th anniversary at the distillery in 2012. This single malt has had a 14-year maturation period in traditional oak whisky casks, before being transferred to casks that previously held Caribbean rum to finish aging.

The Glen Grant 18 Year Old Scotch Whisky matures in the highest quality, handpicked oak casks, which creates a radiant golden colour and seductive floral and oaky aroma. Deeply layered and complex, this rich and vibrant whisky delivers beautifully intricate flavours of malted caramel, vanilla and raisins and lingers with a long, sweet and pleasantly spicy finish.

Family owned and run for over 170 years, the Glenfarclas distillery has produced a slightly smoky, spicy Scotch with a rich long lasting finish. The 15 Year Old is golden amber in colour, the nose shows rich oak and a hint of peat smoke, with soft fruity characters. It is firm-bodied with a luscious glorious oaky finish, with a touch of smoke and sherry sweetness.

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.

The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Year Old is matured exclusively in hand-picked sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez, adding richness and complexity. A matured character, the 12 Years Old delivers rich wood spice and dried fruits and a natural rich gold colour.

The process of Scotland's slowest distillation can be tasted in every dram of this Cask Strength Single Malt by Glengoyne. Hand-crafted from inception to glass, this single malt also shows the dramatic effect of warm air drying of the barley rather that using peat smoke. Bottled at the higher ABV of 58.7%, the balance between the subtle flavours imparted from the slow distillation and the power of the un-chillfiltered single malt imparts flavours of digestive biscuits, ripe bananas and a hint of pepper. Robust and full-bodied, this is a whisky of the utmost strength that should be enjoyed with some pure distilled water to your taste.

Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years has rich sweet fruit aromas along with toffee caramel, vanilla and a hint of smoke. Its warming and sweet on the palate with dark fruits, malty cereal, smooth creamy vanilla, fragrant almonds and tangerines, and a gentle smoke developing. A lingering finish brings notes of dark chocolate, caramelised citrus peel and very light smoke.

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.

The Quarter Cask is a strong, double cask matured, non-chill filtered malt from the iconic Islay distillery, Laphroaig. With a nose of burning peat embers and hints of coconut and bananas that is then followed by a palate that is deep and complex with smoky flavours. Still quite gentle with a hint of sweetness, this 48% Single Malt has a long, spicy and smoky finish that seems to last an eternity.