Kilchoman Machir Bay
Named after the most spectacular beach on Islay, Machir Bay is the flagship of the Kilchoman range. It has a vatting of approximately 90% ex-Bourbon barrels and 10% ex-Oloroso sherry casks. As part of Kilchoman's core range, Machir Bay is permanently available and on-going. NOSE Lemon zest, vanilla and distinct coastal influence give way to floral intensity, juicy peaches, pears, and wafts of rich spice PALATE Bursts of tropical fruit and dried sultanas, warming smoke and waves of honey, malt, butterscotch and rich sweetness FINISH Sherry-soaked fruit, cracked black pepper and sea salt. Long-lasting with layers of citrus sweetness and maritime peat smoke
Kilchoman Sanaig
Sanaig, named after an inlet on Islays rugged Atlantic coast, is a vatting of Kilchoman whisky matured in both ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon barrels. The high proportion of Oloroso sherry casks creating a unique balance of dried fruits, dark chocolate and rich peat smoke. This exceptional spirit was awarded a Gold Medal in the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits for being an exceptional spirit that is near the pinnacle of achievement and sets the standard for its category. As part of Kilchoman's core range, Sanaig is permanently available and on-going. NOSE Fragrant heather, raisins, pear and orange peel with waves of stoned fruits, mixed spices and rich peat smoke PALATE Over ripe plums, red cherries and hints of citrus give way to rich barbecue peat smoke, toffee, oak and dark chocolate FINISH Mouth-coating mixed fruit, caramel, cinnamon and clove with layers of brown sugar, spices, peat smoke and lasting sweetness
Hunter Laing Scarabus Islay Single Malt
The Glenturret Triple Wood
Arran Quarter The Bothy Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Tasting note: Matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels for seven years before being transferred to smaller 125 litre Quarter casks for a further two years. The process amplifies the impact of the wood. Fumey alcohol gives way to hints of dried coconut, raisin chocolate, pine needles and a vaguely cider-like fruitiness. It's a big, chewy malt with a fabulous fanning flavour rush and impressive control. Summer pudding and vanilla come through on the finish before the aftertaste ends crisp and pleasingly astringent. Delicious. 56.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
It's been over a decade since we've revisited the Balvenie range. From the 12 Year Old, right up to the venerable 30 year old expression, the house style emerges as one of the lightest and most delicate to be found from Speyside with almost no peat evident. 'Doublewood' gains its character from maturation in two woods, transferred from traditional x-Bourbon American oak to a Sherry oak casks for its final maturation. It's sometimes described as the classic, "essential" expression in Balvenie’s core range. From a 30ml sample, the nose is lifted with vanilla, dilute honey and dried fruits. The entry is featherweight, unfolding into a medium-weight dram with moderate flavours of dried fruit and a warm mouthfeel. An aftertaste of dried grass and drying oak sustains a little prickle. All up, this is uncomplicated and typical of the distillery style, but even at 12 years old, Doublewood still tastes surprisingly young. 40% Alc./Vol.
Caol Ila 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A gentler, more feminine and food friendly expression that Islay lovers should get to know. Despite being the largest distillery on Islay (in terms of production anyway), nearly all of Caol Ila's output ends up in blends, so much so that until 2002 when the 12-year-old was released, independent bottlings were the only recourse for malt hunters. The distillery's gently fruity-smoky style sets it apart and comes down to the production process: "...although it receives the same spec of malt as sister distillery Lagavulin, Caol Ila’s distillation regime – longer fermentation, higher cut point, taller stills, helps to reduce the heavy phenols." Tasting note: Pale straw colour with a subtle green blush. Aromas of soft, sweet peat - smoked trout, a hint of lanolin and some baked citrus. Rounded, pure and impeccably clean from start to finish, the palate offers semi-sweet smoky-fruity-oily flavours counterpointed by super fine tannins. Perfect balance. Finishes long with salt, smoked fish and light lanolin through the fade. A gentler, more feminine and food friendly expression that Islay lovers should get to know. 43%Alc./Vol.
The Macallan Triple Matured 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
One of the most respected and admired whisky distillers in the world, Macallan remains one of the kings in the single malt world. The Macallan Fine Oak 12 Year Old builds on this storied reputation. Triple cask matured in an unique, complex combination of exceptional oak casks; European oak casks seasoned with sherry, American oak casks seasoned with sherry and American oak casks seasoned with bourbon. This triple cask combination delivers an extraordinarily smooth, delicate yet complex single malt, matured at the Macallan distillery for a minimum of twelve years. A gorgeous rich straw colour with a complex nose, with hints of fruit and vanilla, the Macallan Fine Oak 12 Year Old is sure to please any whisky lover. On the palate, one can taste fruit, oak and spice with a medium mouth feel. The finish lingers, with dried fruit, oak and spice to round out the experience. The Macallan Six Pillars
Glenfiddich 18 Years Old Ancient Reserve
Lindores MCDXCIV Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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.