The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old is a balanced single malt whisky created by bringing the perfect harmony of two oaks into one exceptional single malt whisky. Sherry seasoned American oak adds delicate vanilla to the subtle spice of European oak, delivering a whisky with a sweeter, warmer taste and character.

Raisins, marzipan, heather and honey, with rich notes of dark cherries, spices and subtle hints of dark chocolate. Fresh vanilla, toffee, butterscotch and spices.

Another Ardbeg Day release arrives, bottled once and never to be repeated. This time around, it's created with roasted black malt - a first for Ardbeg. Incinerated to within an inch of its life, the malt defines the profile contributing charcoal and sweet smoke, aniseed and dark chocolate for a memorable Islay experience. Trumping past releases, Ardbeg's marketing department has gone to considerable lengths for the new edition, this time focusing on the brand’s alleged punk past, with Islay’s main port, Port Ellen, going by the nickname ‘Punk Ellen’ in the 1970s. (There was even a punk posse led by the local hotelier's daughter, which reached as many as three at the height of its notoriety). Meanwhile, Ardbeg’s head of distilling and whisky creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, describes the flavour as being “like biting on a spiky ball.” Collectors will love it, with the story and presentation being a hook for followers of the brand. The limited edition main release has landed (as opposed to the even more limited Committee Release) and as is always the case, it comes bottled at 46% and non chill filtered. The first sniffs bring young distillate to the fore, so from a fresh bottle give this a good ten minutes and you'll get a moderate lift of menthol-infused peat that also hints at anise, fennel and rye bread receding into sweeter smoke and vanilla malt with further air contact. It's medium bodied and sweetly peaty (think Caol Ila); hints of Elastoplast mingle with chocolate sponge cake and sprinklings of pepper; the finish is ashy and warming with citrus tang lacing late malt sweetness. Overall, in spite of the presentation and marketing, this is much more civilised and approachable than you might expect. Notes from the producers... Spicy and savoury, Ardcore grips the senses with waves of marmite, burnt toast, chicory charcoal and infused coffee grounds making for a mosh pit in the glass. Like a safety pin through the septum, a classic Ardbeg herbal top note is present, while swirling, smoky bonfire and molasses loiter backstage. TASTE: A jaw dropping spicy and fiery mouthfeel leads to an explosion of rich, smoky flavours – cocoa powder, dark chocolate, peanut brittle toffee, smoked lime and a suggestion of soot and bonfire embers all pogo in unison on the palate. Amped up aniseed and malty biscuit elbow their way to the fore, punkturing taste buds. FINISH: In an altogether sweeter finish, long, lingering notes of treacle toffee, soot and smoke make for an anarchic, but delicious, aftertaste.

(This whisky has recently been repackaged as a standard 21 Year Old as opposed to its previous incarnation as 'Gran Reserva'). Glenfiddich resurrects the lost tradition of maturing whisky in rum casks with this Glenfiddich 21 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky. Rum distillers from Sancti Spiritus, near the Sierra del Escambray in the heart of Cuba, worked to develop this unique Cuban rum finish. Casks of Cuban rum are decanted at the distillery in Scotland and then filled with 21 Year Old Glenfiddich to absorb the unique character lingering in the wood. The result is the unmistakable Glenfiddich flavour revealed through a new and vibrant overtone.

Balanced, rich and elegant, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old single malt scotch whisky that’s made for special occasions. Over the course of 18 years, our Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, takes this expression through a combination of cask types, including both first and second-fill American oak (for tropical fruitiness) and ex-sherry oak (for spicy complexity). The result of this deft navigation of the distilling arts is a gorgeous single malt scotch whisky that is complex, yet elegant and balanced. The Glenlivet 18 Year Old has won more awards than any other expression; every bottle is a true example of the quality and taste of The Glenlivet and deserves pride of place in your cabinet… perhaps to be held back for a fitting occasion? It is, after all, crafted to impress. Flavour: Ripe citrus, winter spice. Nose: Rich fruit, toffee

This peaty Single Malt dates back to 1816, when John Johnston and Archibald Campbell each constructed a distillery on what today is the Lagavulin site. After Johnston died, Campbell consolidated the two, before selling it to malt merchant Alexander Graham. Today it continues to uphold the traditions of its past, using meticulous preparation to create powerful whisky. Their signature 16 year old malt has a strong peat, smoke and seaweed nose that is followed by a nutty complexity and light fruitiness. In the mouth characters of Charcoal, dry woodiness and iodine followed by chilli chocolate and a hint of toffee.

Uniquely located on the border that separates the Lowlands from the Highlands, Glengoyne are also unique in that this historic distillery air dry their barley rather than the accepted Scottish practice of peat smoke drying. This imparts a subtlety and grace that other whiskies do not have. The 18 Year Old Single Malt has spent 18 long years maturing ex Sherry casks, the majority of which are first-fill. This patience has borne a whisky that shows spicy vanilla fruit, ripe apples and a rich, luxurious mouthfeel. Enjoy neat or with a dash of pure distilled water to get the most out of this individual malt.

A rich and complex Scotch, finished in Caribbean Rum casks with toffee sweetness, notes of vanilla and hints of new leather. The Rum casks give the Scotch just the perfect kiss of exotic spice. Best enjoyed neat, with a splash of filtered water or over ice.

An independent bottling from Gordon &; MacPhail of Glenturret single malt scotch whisky. This independent take on the Glenturret spirit offers sweet peat, ripe banana and cocoa powder with a smooth, creamy body. Truly an easy drinking Highland malt.

NOSE : Intense berry fruits merge with creamy vanilla and rich caramel with hints of freshly-baked gingerbread. TASTE : Beautifully balanced and full of character. Blackcurrant and liquorice dominate in the first instance, then chewy caramel toffee and chilli-infused chocolate come to the fore. FINISH : Rich and satisfying. Dark chocolate and caramelized raisins linger on the tongue long after the last sip is taken.