Classic Speyside Distillery, Balvenie have blended some of their rarest reserve whiskies and aged them for 21 long years. In the final few months of the ageing process, the whisky is transferred to port casks, or pipes, to impart a luscious, creamy and silken character. The whisky is tasted regularly by the Balvenie Malt Master to impart just the perfect amount of flavour to further enhance those honey and spice notes that give way to a long, gentle and nutty finish.

Dewars signature 25 year old - aged for a quarter-century a tribute to the art of blending. The accumulation of knowledge and skill passed down through generations of Dewars Master Blenders, since 1846, is evident in every precious drop. A blend of fine and rare scotch whiskies from the Dewars inventory are double aged and rested in Royal Brackla casks, Scotlands first and oldest Royal distillery, to create this intriguing blend. Rich fruit, Floral notes and delicate honey with a hint of smoke to finish.

Matured in a combination of the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for a minimum of 21 years, the Parliament continues the great GlenDronach tradition of offering fruit-laden intensity in its single malts. This rich expression has been named Parliament after the colony, or parliament, of rooks that have been nesting in the trees that overlook the GlenDronach distillery for almost 200 years. Bottled at 48%, the Parliament is non chill filtered and of natural colour.

LARK DISTILLERY Para 1992 Rare Cask Release Single Malt Whisky 46.5% ABV Tasmania 500ml with 100ml bottle of Seppeltsfield Vintage 1992 Tawny Para Liqueur 22% ABV Larks Para 1992 Rare Cask Release Single Malt Whisky commemorates Larks 30th anniversary, and came about after their head distiller discovered 16 special tawny port casks in the Seppeltsfield archives. This stunning gift pack also includes a 100ml bottle of Seppeltsfield Vintage 1992 Tawny Para Liqueur.

JOHNNIE WALKER Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas Scotch Whisky 43.8% ABV, Scotland

Tasting note: The deep mahogany / gold ochre hue stains the sides of the glass and shows good viscosity. Mildly prickly aroma offers suggestions of pancake, dilute maple syrup and mocha. Little variation in the second phase which, if anything sees the intensity drop a notch. Light entry opens to a plush, clean, richly sherried profile; semi sweet Christmas cake flavours, hollowing out at the finish, concluding with vanilla and caramel at the fade. 45% Alc./Vol.

Jim Murray's Japanese Whisky of the Year for 2022. The small-scale craft (or Ji) whiskies from Kurayoshi have been impressive. Blenders here often combine malt whisky from Scotland with locally produced whisky. This is not an uncommon practice in Japan, and the exact breakdown typically remains undisclosed. There have been several strong reviews for the 18 YO (see below). One can't help noticing the similarity in packaging to Suntory's Yamazaki 18...

Brown with orange reflections. Rancio nose with hints of roasted hazelnuts. Unctuous and fluid mouth where mix rancio and candied orange.

For over 150 years, the Dalmore has set the standard in multi cask maturation. Hand selected casks, from the world's finest bodegas and wineries are expertly curated to create a sumptuous and layered whisky of legendary finesse. The Dalmore 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been matures in American white oak ex-bourbon casks and aged in Matusalem oloroso sherry casks.