"One for no age statement naysayers... Eloquent & beautiful." - whiskyadvocate.com Back in 2015, Nikka announced they were discontinuing their age statement and No Age Statement (NAS) releases for the Yoichi and Miyagikyo labels and consolidating them into two new bottlings. These whiskies have now arrived in Australia. Two NAS versions that differ slightly to the previous versions now represent the entire portfolio. It was yet another move that triggered a buying rush. Reports have it that Tokyo is now pretty much out of age statement Japanese whiskies, unless you visit bars or auction houses. Nikka's reasons for the radical new strategy are now familiar. They simply have no old stocks to sell. Decades ago, both local and world demand for Japanese malts was low, so few barrels were being laid down for extended periods. Stefan Van Eycken, writing for www.nonjatta.com explains "...there were years, at both Yoichi and Miyagikyo distillery, when the barrels laid down for maturation could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The ‘stock shortage’ is not an excuse or a PR stunt – it’s very real. Sources within Nikka have said that it is ‘likely’ that age-statement single malts will be brought back in 5 or 6 years’ time. No official statement to that effect has been made for the simple reason that doing so – in Japan – would be interpreted as a promise (which could come back to haunt them in 6 years’ time)." The dropping of age statements doesn't always translate into a drop in quality. Early reviews for both releases have been very positive. Evidently, Chief blender Tadashi Sakuma has risen to the challenge of creating a great assemblage from a restricted inventory.

A beautiful Scotch showing a magnificent balance between malt and peat. Aged for 14 years, slightly longer than most at the same price point, Oban is a whisky for those who love their Scotch's rich, smooth and intense.

Oban Little Bay is crafted by selecting small batches of their finest single malt whiskies, and marrying the whiskies in their smallest casks to allow more contact with the wood. This unique process, combined with the expert nose and palate of Malt Master, Dr. Matthew Crow, delivers a richer, smoother OBAN® expression with the signature distillery character of citrus and sea salt.

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.

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.

To create its well rounded flavour, Glenmorangie 18-Year-Old Extremely Rare Malt spends fifteen years maturing in American white oak casks, then approximately 30% is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks for a further three years. Then both elements are blended back together to create a whisky with a rich bouquet and full, rounded flavour.

Aberlour a'bunadh is a single batch single malt that is sourced exclusively from the Speyside region - abunadh meaning 'The Origin' in Gaelic. Straight from the cask without chill-filtration and alcohol reduction, this whisky is heavy bodied and jam packed full of flavour. Abunadh is not for the faint hearted as with each batch of Abunadh they mature the Aberlour spirit exclusively in Spanish Oloroso Sherry Butts. The nose, is simply Christmas in a glass. Dried dates combined with heavy spices, cloves star anise and cinnamon sticks with burnt orange in the back. The feeling of black cherries with luxury dark chocolate coat the mouth with sherry and oak laced into it. An extremely robust Scotch leaves a finish full of exotic spices and wonderful oaky notes.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the pinnacle of the Johnnie Walker Whisky stable. Created to reflect the the style of whiskies of the early 19th century, it is created using the rarest casks in House of Walker, the largest in the world. The casks are hand selected and set aside for their exceptional quality, character and flavour while retaining the signature smokiness of Johnnie Walker whiskies.

By using new French oak casks to finish this scotch, a fantastic vanilla and spice character is leeched into the whisky. This compliments the sweet malt and floral characters perfectly.

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. A distinctive background character with a hint of smoke and peat offering great flavour notes for the malt lover. Perfect anytime, straight over ice or with a little water. Sweet woody characters with a perfect smooth well balanced finish. Worlds Best Single Malt Distillery 2017 Berlin Spirit Awards. Gold Medal 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Distillery heritage amongst the oldest in Scotland dating back to 1772.