The initial rush of rich vanilla sweetness gives way to the fruits of slow distillation – kiwi, banana, cantaloupe melon – with just a dusting of cocoa powder.
James MacTaggart, has carefully monitored this period of secondary maturation to ensure the perfect balance is struck between the Amarone casks and the intrinsic sweet-fruity character of The Arran Malt. The end result is a Single Malt with a rich brooding character, full of complexity and quality.
The ideal after-dinner whisky. This Port Cask Finish expression from Arran is a delicious and complex single malt from the Lochranza-based distillery. Initially aged in oak casks for a period of eight years, before enjoying a second maturation in artisan port casks, this bottling sees the richness of the fortified wine marry perfectly with Arran’s signature citrus and cereal style. The decision to bottle at 50% has added more depth, body and flavour.
Richly honeyed and backed with a lifting zestiness which slides into spice and zingy salt. Once the dram opens out, vanilla and sultana stand out followed by notes of toasted oak.
The nose bears caramel notes with a delicate stone-fruit backdrop. A robust and sturdy palate with some fine leather notes mingling with dry tobacco, a touch of oak and a hint of dried cherries.
Juicy raspberries and brambles, sherry, creamy malt and a note of light peat. World Whisky Awards Best Speyside 12yo and under. A fantastic indie distillery.
The Benromach 15 Year Old is matured in a selection of bourbon and Sherry casks, resulting in an intense but balanced flavour profile. There's big spices (think ginger, mint and a little sprinkle of cinnamon), there's juicy fruit (plum and clementine), there's a touch of smoky charred oak - all well placed and in harmony with each other.
Aromas: Sweet Sherry aromas with underlying
citrus, ginger and oak notes, accompanied
by a touch of smoke.
Palate: Sweet initially with cracked black pepper,
Seville orange and raspberry flavours lead
to baked apple and subtle spice.
Finish: Charred oak and soft smoke.
A complex aroma of vanilla, mint and molasses. Pleasantly sweet to the taste, with notes of brown sugar and spice that give way to oak, toffee, dark fruit and anise. The finish is long and smooth.
In Kentucky, buffalo carved a pathway followed by America’s first explorers. Those brave pioneers distilled whiskey using traditional methods and drank it right off the still. They called it White Dog.
Sweet aroma, with a slight burn. The corn coats the tongue with oil and vanilla.
Light initially, with fruit notes, nutty flavours and a sweetness from slight hints of vanilla and caramel. Becomes more full-bodied in its finish, as rich dried fruit attempts to dominate the palate. Made on Islay.
Pronounced Toch-ach ah-ghaa With touches of smoke from peated malted barley, this whisky’s prickling strength emanates from the dram. Immediate warming peatiness drift to a sweet Oloroso sherry influence with rich oak, balanced with delicate pepper.
A minimum of 19 years in former Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon-seasoned casks, then transferred into Madeira casks for a further 2 years. The result is a whiskey awarded ‘Best Irish Single Malt 2013’. It has huge depth that interweaves dried fruit flavors with spicy, aromatic maltiness and subtle nutty raisin notes.
The Circle is based around a parcel of fruity and creamy single malt from the Tamdhu Distillery in Speyside. This is supported by malt whisky from the Clynelish Distillery. A touch of peated malt whisky from an Orkney distillery and a small proportion of a French oak-finished blended malt whisky complete the recipe.
Rosey Mitchell is the 2018 winner of The Circle, a programme designed to inspire bartenders around the world. Rosey’s prize? To create a blend with Compass Box founder John Glaser and whiskymaker Jill Boyd. Rosey wanted to make an approachable whisky to be shared with friends, something for the daytime, a whisky with brightness. She called it 'sunshine in a glass.'
With a smooth and creamy sweetness, hints of fruit, malty honeyed spiciness and soft vanilla, the crisp Deanston 12 year whisky finishes with a satisfying tingle of cloves.
