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“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.

Lindores Abbey is the officially recognised site of the first recorded distillation of Scotch whisky. It was back in 1494 that King James IV commissioned Brother John Cor at Lindores Abbey to make aqua vitae with eight bolls of malt. For more than 100 years, the preservation of the ruined abbey has fallen to Drew McKenzie-Smith and his family. Several years ago he learned of the abbey’s significance to the industry after visiting a website called Connoisseur Scotland . Further inspiration came when he was shown a copy of the late Michael Jackson’s book, ' Scotland and Its Whiskies .' In it, Jackson wrote of Lindores, “For the whisky lover it is a pilgrimage”. Following fifteen years of careful planning, construction work began on a new distillery that would not only capitalise on this whisky connection but also provide the means with which to preserve the abbey for future generations. In 2017, after five centuries of silence, the stills at Lindores Abbey began flowing again. There are actually two releases now in Australia: Lindores MCDXCIV and the MCDXCIV Commemorative First Release. They're essentially the same liquid, distinguished by a subtle notation on the label. Both come aged in a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry and STR red wine barriques from Burgundy. Both are three and a half year old Lowlanders. You might expect Lindores to be on the lighter side, however it's more like a young Speysider, nicely balanced and not shy on flavour. There's even a nod to Linkwood on the nose where the aromas show surprising weight; Cream tea biscuits, pear drops, light beeswax, cocoa and citrus are echoed with impressive purity, depth and texture of the palate. A fine astringency checks the length, but it's auspicious as far as inaugural releases go - all that's needed is more time to add further layers of complexity. 46% Alc./Vol. Tasted from a 15ml sample.

A limited edition from Bundaberg's Master Distillers series of the richest rum reserves; the 2015 blend has been crafted with care. It's complex aromas consists of smoky spices, raisins, tobacco and finishes with exceptionally smooth and pleasant aftertaste.

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.

A rich, warming Guatemalan rum from the Ron Botran selection. Sitting at the top of their range, this features rum aged up to 18 years in a Solera system with American oak, Sherry and Port casks.This rum has aromas of dried fruit and crushed nuts covered in honey. This rum has developing coffee bean notes with consistent raisin and caramel notes.The Botran family is commonly known for sugarcane production in Guatemala, but in 1939 they decided to begin a journey by establishing Industria Licorera Quetzalteca. The five brothers agreed that the ultimate place to age rum in Guatemala was Quetzaltenango. Since that day they have been involved in all the details regarding their rum production. Although the nurturing process has evolved, it all began with the nurturing process called Sistema Solera. This process implies the integration of young and old rums, as they mellow for years in white oak barrels. They are the first family that produced Guatemalan rum, nowadays they continue producing one of the worlds finest quality rums. Solera 1893 and Reserva high quality rums have won many worldwide awards for their intricacy, profundity and signature sweet flavour.

The El Dorado 15 Year Old is one of the most decorated rums in the distillerys history, including winning the International Wine and Spirit Awards Best Rum in the World an unprecedented 4 times consecutively. This award is just one amongst an exhaustive list of respected, international honours that place this rum as, surely, one of the finest ever made. It has a full nose packed with dark coffee, candied orange, almonds, dark chocolate, pepper and rich vanilla.

Think you know peaty whisky? Think again. Glenfiddich, the worlds most awarded single malt Scotch Whisky, has launched Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, an unexpected combination of their rarely-seen peated whisky with unpeated bourbon-aged single malt, all of which is finished in Latin rum casks. The result is a surprisingly sweet and smoky dram that blends rich caramel and spice notes with fresh green fruit and soft pillowy smoke. A worthy continuation of the series that's very interesting to pair with different types of food try it with spicy sausage or ice cream, for example!

Santisima Trinidad 15 Year Old Rum is the result of three stages of ageing. Firstly, liquors are aged for at least 4 years before being blended into the base rums. Base rums are distilled from cane sugar and ages for 3, 7 or 25 years. This new 15-year-old rum is further barrel aged, rounding out the profile.Dark amber in appearance with aged, Santisima 15 Year Old has woody notes, toasty nuances and dried fruit aromas. The flavour is long, combining sweetness and a slight bitterness well integrated with almond and walnut flavours.

Our Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is the first whisky ever distilled in the Cotswolds. We use 100% locally grown, floor-malted barley and mature the whisky in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and reconditioned red wine casks. Rich, fruity and sippable with notes of honey, Seville orange marmalade and dark red fruits. Tasting Notes Nose: Notes of honey and butterscotch layered with light fruits (peaches & apricots), a hint of marzipan. Palate: Strong notes of tannin-rich malt, oils and dark sugar with lots of spice, caramelised Seville orange marmalade. Finish: Long and resinous, with dark red fruits and a hint of treacle.