Rye is a whiskey perhaps best known as the backbone of cocktails like the Manhattan, Sazerac and Old-Fashioned, however the last few decades has seen it re-gain traditional ground over bourbon and Tennessee whiskey as a standalone spirit. Among the more fanatical of the recent protagonists are the team behind Whistle Pig. First released in the summer of 2010 to great critical acclaim, their rye received 96 points from Wine Enthusiast, the highest rating ever for a rye whiskey, as well as a “highest recommendation” from Spirits Journal, plus accolades from The Wall Street Journal, GQ, Forbes, Maxim, Imbibe Magazine, and many others. For Australian rye whiskey enthusiasts, it became one the most awaited releases of the year. The key figure behind production is David Pickerell. Fourteen years Master Distiller for Maker’s Mark in Loretto, Kentucky, a luminary of whiskey knowledge and one of the nation’s pre-eminent distillers, he arrived at Whistle Pig with a simple objective: To create the world's finest rye. "You cannot get more flavour in whiskey than you can with rye" , enthuses Pickerell. "The bad news? From a business standpoint, it takes longer to age rye whiskey. Rye is stubborn and robust. It has spicy character, and a dark, rich flavour. To attain its signature smoothness, rye must be aged (a minimum of 9 years is ideal). Rye isn’t sweet. In fact, it contains less sugar than any other grain. The challenges involved in producing rye whiskey are many. But when handled properly, there is no comparison." Pickerell illustrates the difference between rye and bourbon in food terms. "Think of the sweet flavour of a fluorescent yellow cornbread that you nosh with BBQ" , he explains. "Now imagine the earthy, spicy, powerfully brooding flavour of rye bread or pumpernickel used at a gourmet sandwich shop". These differences that express themselves in bread also come across through the distillation process. We tend to agree. Pure, aged rye tends to be more flavourful and complex than almost any corn-based whiskey. Rye is also conducive to sustainable agriculture. It grows densely enough to exclude weeds, keeping the need for herbicides to a minimum, and it's an excellent scavenger of soil-bound nitrogen, rendering heavy fertilisation unnecessary. Up until recently, Whistle Pig's rye was been distilled and matured in Western Canada (reputedly sourced from the Alberta Premium distillery), then bottled in Vermont, making them a ‘non-distiller producer’ or NDP like Willett, Jefferson's or Angel's Envy. In the summer of 2014, after a three year legal process, the company finally obtained a permit to construct a farm-style distillery, with all the rye grown on site. They continue to use new American Oak or early use bourbon barrels for all their maturation. Retasted September 2020... Opens with orange zest developing aromas of oily rye, cumin, peppermint and anise ending with grainstore, new leather, vanilla and chocolate box. A full and oily attack; muddled mint and herbal tones combine with chewy grains; white pepper builds through the finish. Leaves you with peaches and cream. Oily, delicious, vibrant and long. Delivers the mouthfeel of a single malt while maintaining the distinctive qualities of rye. 50% Alc./Vol. First tasted February 2015 [20ml sample] Bright gold. Somewhat muted with vanilla accents... more definitive aromas of rye bread and cigar box follow. Relatively sweet and sedate; juicy rye is beautifully harmonised with the oak. Love the texture. Fabulous balance. Cedar and cigar box, then hints of peppermint through the aftertaste. 93 points

Patrón Añejo is delicate blend of uniquely aged tequilas. All the tequilas are aged in small white oak barrels for a minimum 12 months. As in many premium red wines, the blends must be adjusted for each vintage. The same care and attention is paid when blending Patrón Añejo making it smooth, distinctive and extraordinary.

A premium Vodka from Poland which is additive free and quadruple distilled for greater purity that shines through from your first sip. Nose Faint hint of vanilla with some soft cream characteristics. Palate smooth and round with a medium-bodied weight and light, velvety texture. Some vanilla on the palate, which sways between sweet and savory, with a hint of white pepper and spice. Good length with notes of almond, vanilla cream, and some faint almond and Brazil nut characteristics. Finish warm with notes of rye bread, some vanilla and toasted Brazil nuts.

Now available in a 1L bottle, Grey Goose Vodka is distilled using French wheat from the La Beauce region and made with water from the Gensac that is filtered through champagne limestone; Grey Goose lay claim to make the

Beyond smooth. The crisp taste of Herradura Ultra starts with one of our finest anejos filtered to remove color and enhance smoothness. Prior to filtering, a subtle hint of pure agave nectar is added giving Ultra subtle notes of cooked agave, caramel, and honey with toasted almonds and a finish that is beyond smooth.

Full flavoured, with a background of peat smoke. The body is firm with a slight oiliness and the finish is long with noticeable oak. Simply click on the Click & Collect Icon and type in your postcode for your nearest store with availability.

Michters is Americas first distilling company, dating back to 1753 when they started out making rye whiskey. They take a 'Cost Be Damned' approach to the production of every barrel, using various methods including air drying their barrels for 36 months, toasting the barrels before charring them, using a low barrel-entry strength, heat cycling to encourage ageing during the frigid winters and using specific filtration types for each whiskey they make.

The distillery is located in the glen of the Kinchie Burn where it derives its name. Glenkinchie is a sweeter style of scotch that is supported by a delightful creamy texture on the palate.

The first ever release of Sullivans Cove XO Double Cask Brandy is a marriage of ten different casks, each selected for their individual flavour profiles to create a uniquely Tasmanian spirit much more than the sum of its parts. Each brandy in this batch was aged for between nine and ten years in various French Oak ex-tawny and American oak ex-Bourbon casks, distilled from a wide variety of Tasmanian wines including chardonnay, pinot noir, gewurztraminer, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot to achieve incredible complexity. Lighter and more citrusy than Sullivans Cove XO Single Cask, Double Cask remains a beautifully full-bodied brandy with an intriguing balance of topical and savoury

The richly layered Glenfiddich 15 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky is innovatively matured in three types of oak cask: sherry, bourbon and new oak, before being married in a handcrafted Solera vat that is never emptied, but is always kept at least half full creating a deliciously harmonious and intense whisky.