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Nestled in a hidden cove near Port Askaig, Islay, the Caol Ila (pronounced Cull Eela) distillery sent its whisky to market by sea for over a hundred years. Caol Ila is the Gaelic name for the Sound of Islay, which separates the island from Jura in one of the most remote and beautiful parts of Scotland's West Coast. The distillery was founded in 1846 and is situated on the shores of the Sound, a spot originally chosen partly because of the clean water from Loch Nam Ban which still provides its main supply. The nose is creamy and lemony, before a silky-smooth medium-bodied palate packs a peaty punch. The finish is dry, sooty and very more-ish. Caol Ilas trademark smoky-antiseptic character is here. Gaelic for dawn, Caol Ila Moch is the first single malt from the distillery to be selected entirely on the basis of its taste, rather than age, cask wood, strength or finish. This single malt is an excellent introduction to peaty Islay whiskies.

Glenfiddich Project XX in the second release in the experimental series and was created when 20 of the industrys most exceptional minds came together to create this truly unique, pioneering expression. Warm summer fruit aromas with sweet candyfloss and liquorice notes. Experiment with a flake of sea salt on the side to heighten the taste.

Aged 4yrs in Portuguese sourced Port barrels and re-conditioned in Tasmania, Iron House pure Tasmanian Single Malt Port Cask is an enticing drop. The initial pour sits in the glass with a reddish orange embered hue and greets the nose with a stone fruit, red wine, buttery, sweetened spiced aroma. A palate of red berried wines, dried dark fruit, orange zest, hazelnut oak warmth with a touch of dark chocolate, tobacco and heat.

Co-created by one of Scotland’s most awarded Master Distillers, Jim McEwan, together with Cape Byron Distillery Co-founder and distiller Eddie Brook are two new Australian takes on a classic Scottish single malt. Many readers will already know of Jim McEwan who has more than fifty years of experience in the whisky business, having worked at Bowmore for 38 years, before overseeing the rebirth of Bruichladdich and most recently helping to get new Islay distillery, Ardnahoe, off the ground. Two editions are on offer: A Chardonnay barrelled limited edition, and this, the Cape Byron 'Original', aged in Scotland's traditional vessel of choice: American oak x-Bourbon casks. Says Brook, “They go together like a match made in heaven. [The whisky is] not overly dominated by the oak, it’s letting the spirit sing, and we’re seeing this marriage.” What partly accounts for the distinctive style is that the pair have resisted the temptation to use smaller barrels to ‘accelerate’ the ageing process. It's the opposite approach of most Australian distillers. “...We’ve got this climate that gives us faster maturation. Now that’s great, but it can also get too much, you can get too much tannin and then over-oaking in your whisky, ” Brook explains. "To avoid this, we only mature in full format barrels, between 200 to 300 litres in size". Specially designed warehousing facilities further offset Byron’s temperature extremes. According to McEwan, another factor is the distillery's proximity to the coast. “Walk down the barrel room... you’re getting that marine character and influence coming through" he says. "That moisture is falling on the oak staves, and slowly but surely, there’ll be a residue of salt and eventually as the whisky moves in and out, as the temperature increases, the alcohol will expand and it will touch the salt, and pull it back, and that brings a unique marine freshness to the spirit – quite different from anything else...” No surprise that McEwan reckons fans of Bruichladdich might taste some similarities in the Cape Byron spirit. “They’re not dissimilar. There’s no peat, [Eddie’s] using American oak, I used a lot of American oak Bourbon casks as well. I’ve used wine casks – and you’ve got all the wine casks there. There’s a similarity there between what I was doing in Islay and what Eddie’s doing here." As for the taste? Can't say there are many like this - either here or abroad - but you can appreciate why McEwen draws comparisons with Bruichladdich. Cape Byron's Original is a creamy, near voluptuous malt that defies its age. Peaches and cream come through with sweet barley and shortbread on the nose. The co-mingling of dried mango and juicy malt with the Bourbon vanilla aspects is nicely done, and there's a spicy edge adding vibrancy. At the finish, more peaches and cream, dried mango and a little grilled pineapple, pepper and coastal freshness develop. It's a whisky less about overt complexity, all about generous mouthfeel and precocious flavour. No doubt that equation will change over time. Right now, the creative forces behind the project have guaranteed one of the more compelling Aussie releases in recent years. Matured for three years in 200 litre ex-Buffalo Trace Bourbon casks. 47% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Batch 001 tasted. Notes from the producers... The colour of a Byron Bay sunset. The palate offers soft vanilla, creme brulee and biscotti characters, layered over distinct notes of pear, coconut and buttery macadamia.

When first released in early 2016 this expression became an instant classic and sold out in record time. This Limeburners American Oak Single Malt Whisky was matured in refill American oak bourbon barrels. It has no added colouring and is non-chill filtered and is a lighter, very smooth style of single malt whisky, which really allows the malted barley flavours and ex-bourbon cask influence to shine through. Exhibiting gentle citrus and honey aromas, American Oak has a bright, golden colour with a bold and full flavour. Upfront spice with vanilla notes and a medium to long finish.

Our Ex-pinot cask Single Malt Whisky is matured using 20L and 100L Barrels in our 1840s stable. A stunning caramel colour with brown sugar on the nose, a long finish and smooth palate. Enjoy neat or over ice.

A traditional, non-chill filtered Whisky aged in Sherry and Bourbon casks. The extra long maturation lends elegance, depth and warmth, and a soft, rich palate that is tantalising and entrancing.

The nose is full of dessert wines, a little fruitiness with a good barley sweetness. The palate is quite full with more dessert wine notes, but with cereal notes and barley, a touch of malty spice and berry fruits with good oaky tannins and little herbal notes. The finish is long with a good oaked note and more noble rot.

The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask is the perfect balance of 100% sherry seasoned American and European oak, a marriage of 2 wood types. Smooth, sweet and balanced. The defining style is American oak - citrus and light oak balanced by the expected Macallan character of rich fruit and wood spice.

The Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Ancient Reserve is a truly superb single malt aged in Oloroso (Sherry) and Bourbon casks. This has created an amazingly smooth, mellow, and full flavoured whisky.