Kitajima Sake Brewery was established in 1805 and is one of Japan's oldest and most respected sake breweries, situated in the beautiful Shiga Prefecture near lake Biwa. Their highly crafted range is unique and distinctive with a palate that is much richer and fruitier than the average sake. Named after the great Biwa Lake in the Shiga prefecture, the largest lake in Japan, The Whale of Biwa Lake Sake is made from Koji Rice and is polished at 70%, pasteurised and non-filtered. This Junmai sake is rich, fruity and delicious. The distinctive richness of raw koji-rice lingers on the palate and gives way to notes of plum, banana and pear.

Kilchoman Distillery was established in 2005 and is true to Islay's rich farm distilling heritage. The distillery uses local peat cut in the traditional way, slowly distilling all spirits by hand, allowing maturation to occur in traditional dunnage warehouses, and bottling on site without any colouring or chill-filtration. A limited-edition single malt from Kilchoman, Casado takes its name from the Portuguese word for marriage. Initially matured in 38 first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, it was then married in a pair of Portuguese red wine vats for two years before it was bottled. On the nose bonfire smoke with dried apricot, Dr. Pepper, and some coastal salinity as well notes of marzipan and toffee apples underneath. On the palate black pepper is cracked over smoked fish as well as lemon peel, tannic wood and stone fruits. There's a sweet jammy element present throughout. The finish is aromatic spices and red berry tartness that linger.

Hobart Whisky is a proud culmination of Tasmanian climate, endeavour and skill. This whisky in particular is a limited edition bottle of exceptional quality and character. The Pedro Ximenez Solera Single Malt Whisky is matured in American oak barrels providing a spicy, vanilla taste and finished in PX Sherry butts, imparting notes of dark fruit, toffee and dried fruit that complements the sweetness perfectly. Dominating strikes of dates, raisins, rich, red fruit and toffee apple are accompanied by light melon and subtle tobacco. The rich palate includes notes of jam, pastry, light leather and pantry spice, indulged throughout the syrupy sweetness of the full-bodied whiskey. There is a lingering of wine gums and light honeycomb paired with a dark chocolate, orange and marmalade. Replicating traditional Solera methods gives this whisky a depth that is unmatched in its class as only a selection of the range has been bottled and released. Whether you are looking for a special gift for a whisky lover or simply want to treat yourself to a truly special dram, Hobart Whisky Pedro Ximenez Solera Single Malt Whisky is a must-try for those who appreciate quality, consistency and craftsmanship.

The fall of communism in Hungary saw many new beginnings, and one of note for wine lovers was the formation of The Royal Tokaji Company by wine-writer Hugh Johnson, and a consortium of foreign investors with the sole vision of revitalising the magnificent sweet wines of Hungary. The Royal Tokaji Company today is a benchmark for the noble wines of the region, from their 3 Puttonyos wines at around 60-90 grams per litre of residual sugar through to the intense Essencia at 450-850 grams, they are wines that offer the drinker a unique insight to one of the great wine styles of the world. Fine quality Aszú berries with good structure and perfect botrytis were macerated in fermenting must for two days. After pressing and finishing fermentation the wines were filled into 300 and 500 litre Hungarian oak casks in our extensive, deep, underground cellars to mature for over two years. The final blends were carefully crafted in the spring of 2020. Bottled at 189 grams of residual sugar per litre. Rich intense nose with hints of orange peel and spice. Very fine and elegant wine, full-flavoured with vibrant acidity, citrus and peach on the palate with a long, balanced finish. Summer was hot, so we began the Aszú berry harvest in early September and continued to pick steadily in the ideal autumn weather. In particular October provided three textbook weeks for the development of fine quality Aszú, with day after day of early morning mists, afternoon sunshine and drying winds. The Aszú wines show great structure, plenty of botrytis, depth and freshness with excellent complexity, all attributes of long ageing potential.

Distilled in London at Thames Distillers, Fords Gin is a collaboration between 10th generation master distiller Charles Maxwell and gin expert Simon Ford. A modern take on a classic London Dry Gin, Fords Gin starts with a traditional base of juniper & coriander seed balanced by citrus, florals and spices that are steeped for 15 hours before being distilled. Each botanical blends together to create the perfect base for any gin-inspired cocktail. A mix of 9 botanicals including Juniper, Coriander, Lemon Peel, Bitter Orange Peel, Grapefruit Peel, Angelica, Cassia, Jasmine and Orris. is a very bright and aromatic gin with a light sweetness on tip of the tongue. A gentle introduction of the botanicals follows with notes of angelica root and citrus oils balancing on the palate beautifully. The finish lingers with fresh zesty grapefruit and juniper.

The 2022 Diageo Special & Rare collection is known as "Elusive Expressions", drawn from some of Scotland’s most interesting, legendary distilleries and curated by Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson, portrays the otherworldly beings which have fiercely protected the heartlands of remote Scottish distilleries for an eternity, according to our ancient fables and the mythical creatures come to life revealing their true characters. This year each bottle has its own unique QR code which, when scanned, takes you on a multi-sensory experience that tells you the story of the whisky, the mythical creature behind the artwork, and gives you some tasting notes to prompt your nose and palate along the way. The label artwork follows almost as a sequel to the 2021 range, revolving once again around the theme of mythical beasts and stories. Illustrator, Ken Taylor, returns again and is joined this year by digital visualisation artist, Kevin Tong. Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml (Special Release 2022) was matured in refill American oak, then finished in virgin Tawny port and red muscat-seasoned casks. For the whisky that arguably has the most exotic cask make-up in this line-up, not to mention its famed meaty spirit, the nose on this is relatively quiet. It takes a bit of digging to find hints of red forest fruits (currants and raspberries) and perhaps some jelly confectionery notes.

Since 1882, the Piccini family has been pursuing a dream, which, over time has become a solid business project: Tell the story of Italian wine through the oenological exellencies of its territory. Piccini1882 includes five niche farms of Italy, all organically run, and its brand is classified as one of the most distinguished Tuscan brand in the world. Today Mario Piccini leads the company, supported by his sisters Martina and Elisa, together with his children Ginevra, Benedetta and Michelangelo who are personally involved in the business activities.

Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils is located in the village of Châteauneuf du Pape, has built a solid reputation over the years as producing rich, ripe red wines, so it's interesting to see that Thierry Usseglio and his son, Gregory, are experimenting with the use of whole bunches and an entirely new wine style that combines a large proportion of white grapes and use of amphorae. A wine you don’t see often (there’s only one barrel made), the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Not For You is 100% Grenache from the 100+ year old vines in the Les Serres lieu-dit, only made in the best vintages, 100% Grenache, mostly destemmed, with 3-5 week concrete vat vinification, before being aged in new 600-litre oak casks 24 months. An array of red and black fruits, pepper, lavender and spicy oak. Incredibly unique, full-bodied and concentrated.

Michter's, a renowned American whiskey company, has a rich history dating back to 1753 when Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded the distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. Shenk's whiskey was made from rye grain, which was a favourite local crop in the Pennsylvania Blue Mountain Valley where the distillery was located. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington purchased whiskey from Shenk's to fortify his men as they hunkered down in their camp through the long, brutal winter at Valley Forge. The Michter's Pennsylvania management would later say that Michter's was "the whiskey that warmed the American Revolution." In the mid-1800s, Pennsylvania Dutchman Abraham Bomberger purchased the distillery and it became known as Bomberger's. However, the passage of Prohibition in 1919 forced the distillery, along with other American spirits producers, to shut its doors to the public. Although the distillery did reopen after the repeal of Prohibition, it changed hands many times over the next few decades and frequently occupied a precarious financial position. In 1989, with the entire American whiskey industry suffering a prolonged downturn, Michter's then-owners declared bankruptcy and abandoned the premises, leaving its Pennsylvania operations in disrepair and the Michter's name seemingly lost to history. However, in the 1990s, Joseph J. Magliocco and his consultant and mentor Richard "Dick" Newman teamed up to resurrect Michter's. Magliocco and Newman made their first major strategic decision to resurrect Michter's in Kentucky, in the heart of the modern American whiskey industry, to ensure access to the best whiskey talent and resources available. Today, Michter's has three locations in Kentucky, including a 78,000 square foot distillery in the Shively section of Louisville, the architecturally significant Fort Nelson Building on Louisville's Museum Row and 205 acres of farm land in Springfield. Michter's is renowned for producing the best whiskey possible and they continue to honour the Michter's legacy by offering the greatest American whiskey. Michter's has come a long way since its early years in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania and its resurgence in Kentucky is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. The 10-Year Rye, 10-Year Bourbon, and 20-Year Bourbon expressions from Michter's are a testament to the brand's exceptional craftsmanship and Kentucky's unrivalled climate for aging outstanding whiskey. These highly limited releases are often significantly older than the age statement on the label, as only a select few barrels age with the elegance required for inclusion. The result is a truly exceptional whiskey that showcases the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye is one of the brand's most limited production items, continuing the legacy of America's first whiskey variety (rye) from America's first whiskey company (Michter's, originally known as Shenk's). After a nearly three-year absence from the market, Michter's then Master Distiller Willie Pratt finally gave the green light for the re-release of Michter's 10 Year Straight Rye in April 2014. This single barrel rye is produced in limited quantities in Kentucky, a state renowned for its exceptional whiskey production. Bottled at a strength of 92.8 proof (46.4% Alcohol by Volume), this rye is aged in fire-charred, new American white oak barrels, imparting a rich and complex flavour profile. On the palate, this rye offers deep notes of vanilla and toffee, toasted almonds and cinnamon, with an ample dose of crushed pepper and a hint of orange citrus. The result is a truly exceptional whiskey that showcases the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye is a testament to the brand's legacy and expertise in producing outstanding whiskey. Its limited production and exceptional flavour profile make it a must-have for any whiskey connoisseur looking for a unique and complex tasting experience.

The Balvenie Cask Finishes is a unique range of single malts created by David C. Stewart MBE, The Balvenie Malt Master. Cask Finishes gains its distinctive character from maturation in two distinct cask types in succession, a proprietary process pioneered by David in 1983 with The Balvenie Classic. For The Balvenie Thirty, he marries Traditional and European oak casks that have been matured for decades in order to craft a whisky of incredible sweetness and complexity. The Balvenie Thirty’s silky sweetness gives way to rich honey, mellow oaky tones and hints of candied orange peel. Smooth and honeyed on the nose with mellow oaky tones and hints of candied orange peel, great depth with rich dark chocolate, hints of plum, marzipan and caramelised pear and an exceptionally smooth and warming finish with gentle spice and lingering sweetness.