“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.

"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.

Double matured in port casks, this malt is a toast to the Scottish traders who braved the high seas and were instrumental in founding the port wine trade, shipping it to the world. 'Port Ruighe' (pronounced 'Portree') is the Gaelic spelling of the once bustling trading port on Skye. The Port finish combines Talisker's powerful maritime character with succulent sweet notes of rich berry fruits for a superb contrasting taste experience.

Nestled away in the far north of Scotland's Highland region is the distillery of Clynelish. Situated at Brora on the stormy North East coast, this 14 Year Old single malt has been matured in specially selected oak casks and then bottled at the full 46%. Displaying a waxy nose with a hint of sugar and florals, the whisky arrives on the palate with power and flavours of signature spice and maritime saltiness.

Dalwhinnie is the highest of all the distillers in Scotland and place so to take advantage of the cleanest springwater possible. Dalwhinnie has a smokey, floral aroma and a delicate palate of heather and honed malt. A serious Whisky, yet approachable to the beginners.

Dewars 18 Year Old Scotch Whisky is carefully prepared by putting the whisky back into the cask to mature a second time after blending (double-aging). This method allows all of the older and characterful whiskies to mingle before bottling with resulting flavours of nut and marzipan, to name a few.

One by one, The Last Great Malts of Scotland will leave their distillery gates. From Scotland's 'Bermuda Triangle' comes a mysterious and rare Single Malt, for over a century only sold in limited quantities to collectors. Bottled to celebrate the brightness of the barley and crystal clarity of the wood sugar, balanced with grassy, herbal notes. Delicately aged for 12 years. The smoothest example on Speyside, this classic, fruity style with no peat smoke has been distilled since 1897, yet only tasted by a few.

Established in 2005, Kilchoman (pronounced Kilhoman) is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland. Based on a farm on the rugged west coast of Islay, Kilchoman is the first distillery to be built on the Island for 125 years. Matured in a combination of both Bourbon and Sherry casks, Kilchoman Machir Bay is a well-balanced combination of rich tropical fruit, peat smoke, light vanilla and intense sweetness.

After its usual aging process in American oak casks, this Talisker whisky undergoes a second maturation which makes The Distillers Edition unique with the flavour profile being older, sweeter and richer than the regular bottling's. On the palate, crisp peat then softens to great richness in the mouth. Sweet, roasty malt with heathery dryness and a luscious, slightly oily sweetness with juicy fruit and vanilla.

Whisky: Spring Bay Sherry CaskABV: 46% Tasting notes courtesy of Mark NicholsonColour: Dark copperNose: Caramel & raisinsPalate: Lifted floral notes, caramel and dried fruit sweetness with some whitepepper savory hintsFinish: Delicious long and slightly dry finish which is indicative of some veryfine old wood. A slightly smokey note that suggests peat but comesfrom the heavy cask charring