Macallan The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Scotch Whisky
A new release from The Macallan and one we were thrilled to learn of. Matured in a combination of American and European Sherry oak almost 50:50, though slightly weighted towards American oak ex-Sherry casks. New oak is shipped from America across to Spain, where expert Coopers craft casks. These casks are then sherry seasoned before traveling to the Speyside distillery to mature for twelve years. These whiskies are then united with counterparts aged in sherry seasoned European oak casks. The result is, as you might expect nothing short of seamless. On the palate youll find some spice along with some green fruits though the meat of the palate remains true to style, featuring fat caramelised sultanas, vanilla and wood spice. Double Gold | 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Free Standard Delivery when you spend $150 on Wine & Spirits Online.
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.
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky
After 12 years, this signature single malt by Glenfiddich - the pioneer of the prestigious single malt category - offers a distinctive fresh and fruity nose with a hint of pear followed by a palate of butterscotch, cream, malt and a subtle oak thanks to its long maturation in Oloroso sherry and bourbon oak casks.
Loch Lomond Original Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Since 1814, Loch Lomond has been producing world class whiskies. They are a gold medal winning distillery winner of the '2017 Best Single Malt Distillery in the World' at the Berlin International Spirits Competition 2017. An elegant and full bodied whisky with a smoothness making this exceptionally easy to drink, with a distinctive background character enabling a hint of smoke and peat. Best World Single Malt Distillery, Berlin Spirit Awards. Silver Medal 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Silver Medal 2015 Hong Kong Spirits Awards.
Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
It's been over a decade since we've revisited the Balvenie range. From the 12 Year Old, right up to the venerable 30 year old expression, the house style emerges as one of the lightest and most delicate to be found from Speyside with almost no peat evident. 'Doublewood' gains its character from maturation in two woods, transferred from traditional x-Bourbon American oak to a Sherry oak casks for its final maturation. It's sometimes described as the classic, "essential" expression in Balvenie’s core range. From a 30ml sample, the nose is lifted with vanilla, dilute honey and dried fruits. The entry is featherweight, unfolding into a medium-weight dram with moderate flavours of dried fruit and a warm mouthfeel. An aftertaste of dried grass and drying oak sustains a little prickle. All up, this is uncomplicated and typical of the distillery style, but even at 12 years old, Doublewood still tastes surprisingly young. 40% Alc./Vol.
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 An Oa Scotch Whisky
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.
Glen Grant Arboralis Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Balvenie Caribbean 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A new Balvenie, matured for 14 years in traditional oak casks before being transferred to Caribbean rum casks. A match made in heaven for some! Tasting note: Deep amber gold. Soft, plush aromas of toasted marshmallow followed by vanilla custard tart, toasted cereals and clove, echoe in a light to medium bodied, vanilla-malt profile with hints of dried fig, rum-like sugars and delicate toasted cereals towards the finish. Perfectly balanced with featherweight spices adding vibrancy. The lightness of the Balvenie spirit lends itself to wood finishes. This one works. 43% Alc./Vol.
Talisker Skye Scotch Whisky
An easy-drinking style, taking the distillery's classically rugged character and softening it out, while maintaining the smoky and sweet notes the distillery is known for. More approachable, but still definitely Talisker. Talisker Skye was introduced in early 2015, named after the beautiful island on which the distillery resides. This expression brings with it a more well-rounded and sweet flavour profile packed with fresh citrus, sweet smoke, peppery spice and traditional Talisker maritime notes. It's matured in a combination of refill and toasted American oak casks, with a slightly higher proportion of toasted casks. Perfect for those who perhaps find the classic Talisker flavour profile a bit too much, not to say that Talisker fans won't enjoy it too. Double Gold | 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.