Olivier Leflaive
Bruichladdich 30 Aged Years Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Product Information: This 30 year old single malt not only celebrates the resurrection of our Victorian distillery but pays homage to the men who laid down this spirit three decades ago. The future of Bruichladdich was uncertain in the early 1990s. From the brink of permanent closure to now the largest private employer on Islay, Bruichladdich Distillery and the local community has slowly rebuilt and flourished over the past three decades – all while this spirit has quietly matured. The Bruichladdich Thirty has spent the entirety of its maturation life in handpicked, exceptionally rare ex-Bourbon casks. A limited and refined single malt Scotch whisky, The Bruichladdich Thirty is bottled at 43% bringing the sweetness of toasted oak, honey and soft vanilla to the fore. Delicate yet complex, a hint of dark chocolate complements the spirit’s elegant floral profile while the gentle influence of sea air lingers – a subtle nod to the whisky’s all Islay maturation. Maker: Unlike its neighbouring distilleries from the island of Islay, the Bruichladdich range is made without peat. Without the influence of smoke, the intention is to expose the brilliance of their raw ingredient – barley. Stepping further outside of whisky tradition, Bruichladdich traces ingredients from origin to bottling, embracing every growing season, the subtlety of changing barley varietals and the methods applied in growing them. Patient and purposeful in the distilling process; there's a slow fermentation in wooden washbacks stage, trickle distillation through tall, narrow necked stills before filling this 100% Scottish barley distilled spirit into an ever-evolving suite of top quality casks. All drams are bottled unchill-filtered and without colouring and using only Islay spring water. For over two decades now, their warehouses have stowed these high provenance single malts, safe guarding the quality of the ageing Bruichladdich stocks made by a previous generation of distillers. What started as a pursuit of flavour, bringing terroir to whisky, has evolved into a deep understanding of how whisky and agriculture are intrinsically linked. The journey has taught them how whisky can be a force for positive change, as they continue to reconnect land, community and dram. Philosophy: Since Bruichladdich’s resurrection in 2001, their ambitions have gone beyond the simple idea of making and selling single malt scotch whisky. The goal was to be an antidote to the industry norm. They set a course to become pioneers, provocateurs and change makers. Reconnecting the land and the dram, re-evaluating the prescribed ‘rules’ of the industry, questioning where flavour comes from and understanding why agricultural ecosystems are important. This was a journey that would go on to inspire an army of distillers and drinkers across the world. As Bruichladdich continued on this path, they discovered that the more they learn, the more they needed to do. Today, their commitments to people and the planet grow stronger, ensuring the business is a force for good. With their empowered team, they pursue this bigger purpose and maintain our mission to create the most thought-provoking spirits possible. As Progressive Hebridean Distillers, they hope their actions will stimulate other entrepreneurial start-ups to emerge on our island home and further afield, each one adding richness and diversity, paving the way for an increasingly dynamic and self-sufficient future. Nose - Coconut, Brazil Nuts, Geranium The gentle influence of oak opens on the nose, bringing notes of coconut, wild gorse flowers, Brazil nuts and a hint of vanilla. Subtle floral notes of geranium and rose are paired with pear drops and candied lemons, with soft spices and a whisper of cinnamon complementing Bruichladdich’s signature maritime character Palate - Toasted Oak, Honey, Leather The delicate sweetness of toasted oak comes to the fore, followed by light fruits, honey, fudge and a hint of leather. The gentle floral profile opens with time, revealing an immense depth of flavour. The American oak shapes the softness of the flavour, with the delicate salty tang of fresh Islay sea air unmistakable on the palate. Finish - Sea Salt, Vanilla, Warm Oak The spirit’s all-Islay maturation has a significant influence on the finish, with a vibrant tang of sea salt balanced with warm oak, while soft vanilla and sweet coconut lingers.
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Batard Montrachet Grand Cru
Product Information: Produced from 0.07 ha of 85+ year old vines. There's remarkable intensity here, eclipsing underlying structure to begin with. Astonishing wine, it's focused and energetic with more notable acidity this vintage. From the vines of Pierre-Yves’ father-in-law Jean-Marc Morey. Just one new barrel of 280 litres. Don't let this one slip away. Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey's white wines are whole bunch pressed, fermented with natural yeasts, aged on lees for up to 18 months in mostly in 350 litre barrels with no lees stirring and no filtration. Burghound describes 2021 as "the kind of vintage that they absolutely love. Otherwise, expressed, it’s a burg geek’s vintage par excellence. The best wines are superbly fresh and transparent as the underlying terroir is wonderfully clear; indeed it’s at the core of each wine.... Outstanding transparency though is not all there is as the wines are strikingly refreshing and tension filled." Maker: Established as one of the young rising stars of Burgundy, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey in 2005 left his family Domaine, Marc Colin, where he gained a solid reputation for his outstanding white wines. Pierre-Yves took control of a share of the family vineyards (Domaine Marc Colin) from 2006 vintage. His first vintages have been made from vineyards and growers that he works closely with buying the wine as must and aging the wines in barrels which he has supplied. If the resulting wines meet his standards the barrels of wine purchased are then matured in his own cold cellar below his house in Chassagne Montrachet. The Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey estate was born in 2001 from the association of Pierre-Yves Colin (son of Marc) and Caroline Morey (daughter of Jean-Marc). Today they operate 13 hectares in the villages of Saint-Aubin, Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay, Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. Their production consists of 92% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Noir and 3% of Aligoté grape variety. Working about 2 hectares from the family heritage, the other plots have come from different acquisitions over the last fifteen years, as well as a few plots in Fermages. Philosophy: The Chassagne vineyard dates back to the years 280 AD. Historically, the vineyards of Chassagne were mainly planted with Pinot Noir; the Grands Crus and some other plots were white (Chardonnay grape). In 1935, the INAO was created and set itself the task of defining appellations in order to ensure their quality and enhance them. It was also at this time that the Grands Crus of the Montrachet hill were delimited. The vineyard is located between 220 and 340 meters altitude on clay-limestone soils. Most of the hillside vines are based on Jurassic lands (-201 million to -145 million years old). Descending towards the plain, the soils are more recent, dating from the Quaternary (2 million years ago) and come from the erosion of the upper layers. Since the 1990s, the village has seen its proportion of vines planted with Pinot noir decrease in favour of vines planted with Chardonnay. Today, the village is world famous and renowned for its white wines, particularly thanks to the Grands Crus of Montrachet. Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey white wines are whole bunch pressed and fermented with native yeast. Ageing up to 16 months for Bourgognes, St Aubins and more than 18 months for top end white wines with no lees stirring in a very cool cellar. The red wines get partial whole-bunch ferments (about 30%) with very gentle pumping over and gentle vinification designed to maximise freshness and finesse. Long untreated corks for most wines and bottles sealed with wax. The resulting wines are built to age classically up to 10 years or more. Nose - Vibrant Green Apple, Wet Limestone, Elegant An exuberantly fresh and floral-suffused nose also displays notes of green apple and citrus confit. Palate - Richness and Power, Vivid Acidity, Citrus Confit It tastes of lemony custard surrounded by a sweet-and-salty shortbread. Finish - Rippling, Persistent, Stem Ginger Hints of grapefruit, spicy with stem ginger on the finish. Wonderful
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is the perfect combination between proof and age. This full-bodied, sweet whisky has been described by some as “nectar.” The medium proof and 12 years of aging seem to be just right in creating a very pleasant drink of whisky. This whisky is a beautiful amber-orange colour. The nose has aromas of luscious, complex toffee. The palate begins round and supple, leading to a dry, expansive, medium body. There are flavours of brown spices, caramel, and nuts. It’s an outrageously smooth and decadent bourbon.
Laurent Ponsot Grand Cru Cuvée du Chêne
This Chambertin is captivating from the get-go, showcasing the full range of fruit: blackberry, and pomegranate, accented by notes of smoke and spice. The palate is tautly muscular and refined with big-bodied flavours, mineral depth and quite a firm finish.
Laurent Ponsot Grand Cru, Cuvée de l'Amandier
Bonnes Mares Cuvée de l'Amandier is expressive with lush notes of ripe red and black berry fruit, earthy red and black cherry and spice. The medium-weight flavours possess an elegant and balanced mouthfeel, displaying excellent intensity on the persistent finish.
Thibault Liger-Belair, Richebourg Grand Cru
For many Burgundophiles, Richebourg is the single greatest vineyard in Burgundy. More statuesque than la Tache and when on form, more exotic and forceful, than Romanée-Conti. Expect aromas of the Moroccan souk, coupled with firm, sinuous tannins that demand reconciliation in the cellar. Thibault Liger-Belair’s vines are very old in a regional context, dating to 1931-1934, imparting depth and vinous torque.
GlenAllachie 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Batch 3)
Product Information: Announcing GlenAllachie's next iteration of its oldest and most exclusive core range expression: The GlenAllachie 30-year-old Cask Strength Batch 3. Said to “embody Sherry-matured indulgence”, the Batch 3 Speyside is spearheaded by long-standing whisky maker Billy Walker, who recently celebrated reaching a half-century in the industry, the leading single malt producer was met with substantial global demand upon the release of previous batches of the vintage release. The GlenAllachie 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml (Batch 3) is encased in a luxurious royal blue presentation box with suedette cushioning and gold foil detailing. Only 2,400 bottles worldwide of Batch 3 available worldwide. Expertly blended by Master Distiller Billy Walker, the distinctly elegant single malt was bottled at its natural cask strength of 48.9% ABV, without the addition of artificial colouring and unchill filtered. This rare Scotch whisky’s flavour profile boasts sophisticated waves of rich espresso, chocolate-covered hazelnuts, grated ginger and stewed plums. The third instalment marries outstanding casks that held antique Speyside single malt dating back to the early 1990s: an assemblage of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry hogsheads, as well as several American virgin oak casks. The exceptional quality whisky was extensively monitored before being hand-selected by expert blender Walker from the distillery’s impressive stocks exceeding 50,000 casks across 16 on-site warehouses. Maker: In 1967 The GlenAllachie was the fourth distillery designed by William Delmé-Evans and built by Mackinlay McPherson (the distilling arm of Scottish and Newcastle Ltd). It was designed to be almost entirely gravity-fed to run on reduced energy. In 1968, the distillery began its first production run. Fast forward to 2017, Scotch whisky industry legend Billy Walker came together with his business partners Trisha Savage and Graham Stevenson to acquire the distillery from Chivas Brothers, bringing with them extensive industry expertise. Just nine months after taking ownership of The GlenAllachie, they launched their first core range single malts. Having previously been used to create premium blends, this marked the first-ever range of single malts to be released by the Speyside distillery. In 2021 their Master Distiller, Billy Walker, was inducted into Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Hall of Fame: a permanent tribute to individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the world of whisky. In the same year, their 10-year-old Cask Strength won the fiercely contested World’s Best Single Malt title at the World Whiskies Awards. On sustainability, GlenAllachie was awarded an SIETF grant, backed by the Scottish Government, for a significant decarbonisation project that will involve the installation of Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) technology that will half energy demand. To power the MVR, we have installed 134 solar panels in a neighbouring field. As for the new look. Having grown exponentially since its launch, The GlenAllachie brand was ready for a new visual identity that represents its evolution since 2018. Despite the rejuvenated exterior – said to be “a better reflection of the quality of the whisky” – the award-winning liquid inside the bottle remains unchanged. Distillery: The result of seamlessly coordinated collaboration is a range of carefully crafted and cask-perfected Scotch whiskies, each personally approved by Billy. With a quietly confident team of passionate whisky enthusiasts behind GlenAllachie, you can be sure the whisky is in good hands. A quality of quantity approach, GlenAllachie have the capacity to produce four million litres of alcohol per annum (LOA), but have made the decision to reduce their output to one million LOA in order to place the emphasis solely on spirit quality. By slowing down production, they now have the luxury of time, allowing for a lengthy fermentation period of 160 hours, which is around triple the industry average. This move has enabled them to create a more complex, flavourful distillate. In terms of wood management, GlenAllachie have a deep appreciation for the flavour contribution superior casks can offer. By allowing the spirit to interact with multiple wood types across its maturation journey is essential. Every cask quietly aging in the on-site warehouses and meticulously monitored by Billy Walker and his expert team throughout this process, ensuring the whisky is bottled at its optimum. In addition to this, being independent offers GlenAllachie limitless scope for intricate and creative wood experimentation. Their hard-earned network of connections with niche producers has opened doors for them to acquire an unrivalled inventory of not only the rarest casks but also those of the highest quality from around the world. No corners can be cut in the pursuit of excellence. Billy Walker Master Distiller proclaims “We don't pursue absolute consistency; we pursue aboslute perfection. If it's a little better than the previous batch, that's what we're aiming for. If the colour is marginally different, that's because it's natural." In the experienced hands of legendary whisky maker Billy Walker, a culture of precision, patience and perseverance has been instilled in his small yet accomplished team of whisky experts.
Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara Oak Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Product Description: Eighteen years of patience unlock the quiet depths of Japanese oak. This limited single malt from Yamazaki matures exclusively in Mizunara casks, a bold choice that reveals the wood’s rare and complex signature. Mizunara is notoriously difficult to work with, leaky, porous, and unpredictable, but in the hands of Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery, it becomes a vessel of transformation. Crafted at the Yamazaki distillery near Kyoto, this whisky marks a continuation of Suntory’s decades-long pursuit of Mizunara mastery. The oak, sourced from old-growth forests in Hokkaido and shaped by artisans at the Oumi Cooperage, lends structure and character that emerges only with extended aging. Over 18 years, the whisky draws out incense, sandalwood, and spiced fruit, revealing a profile that speaks of temples, craftsmanship, and time itself. Tasting Notes NOSE – Elegant and spiced Dark cherry, ripe peach and warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. PALATE – Incense and oak Silky layers of subtle spice, sandalwood, and delicate Japanese incense. FINISH – Lingering complexity Long and resonant, with clove, toasted coconut and aromatic wood.