New for 2023 from Glenmorangie distillery, here we have a 16-year-old age statement release named 'The Nectar'. Created with casks sourced from Sauternes and Montbazillac regions of France, which infused this single malt with luxurious flavours reminiscent of delicate pastries, including brioche, meringue, and the warm richness of baked apples. In turn, Moscatel casks from Spain impart layers of decadent cake-like nuances alongside a delightful, sweet syrup essence. To complete the spectrum, barrels from Tokaji in Hungary bestow a cascade of white chocolate, almond, and honeycomb tastes into the final result.
A blended malt comprising of coastal single malts, first aged in American oak casks, before finishing in casks specially coopered with heavily charred European oak heads. This finish adds richness and enhances the smoke in this dram.
Intense fruit aromas characterize the younger malts of the Miyagikyo distillery. Smooth and delicious, light yet intense, this no age statement Single Malt bottling is a fine whisky to enjoy before a meal, and a fine introduction for those new to Japanese whisky.
Matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels, Oloroso Sherry casks and STR barriques, Lochlea 'Our Barley' sits at 46% ABV and is non chill-filtered with no added colouring.
A top-quality single barrel bourbon from Buffalo Trace, the Eagle Rare 10yo is deliciously fragrant and woody, and has to be one of the best bargains available in this price range.
The Glenturret 10 Years Old Peat Smoked brings together the two-spirit styles of the distillery, matured in both first fill and second fill European and American oak casks. The resulting complex whisky commands a higher strength of 48.4% ABV. Smoking embers on an open beach fire. A pinch of sea salt. Darker smokiness shows in glimpses. Soft warm spices and vibrant citrus fruits flicker in the flames.
Octomore 13.3 demonstrates the phenomenal force of flavour when combining super-heavy peat with the variable harvests gathered from the island of Islay, on one singular farm. Raised by friend and farmer James Brown, just two miles south of the distillery, this crop of Concerto barley was distilled in 2016 from the 2015 growing season, has been
patiently coaxed through our Victorian distillery before being filled into first fill ex-American oak casks and second fill European oak casks.
Working with Islay barley is always a privilege. The ability to present it in a single estate, single vintage, single malt is perhaps even more poetic. From year to year, Head Distiller Adam Hannett works with the base spirit bestowed upon him by the grower, together with natural factors; the changing climate and weather system, agronomic yield decided by marauding deer and hungry geese, and the terroir of the field itself.
This particular Octomore Islay barley has been matured in a foundational parcel of first fill ex-American whiskey barrels and a supplementary selection of second fill European oak casks, hailing from the Rivesaltes region of France and the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. This European oak gives more subtle structure to the spirit, while the
American oak allows the spirit to take centre stage. Expect vanilla and brown sugar, counterbalanced
with fresh and round green fruit notes. The smoke is, as ever, gentle and dry, building to a long
finish with hints of creosote and sea spray.
Vibrant oak spices and floral heather honey develop to rosehips and barley sugars, all warmed by a touch of white pepper. Subtle peat notes complement the palate by giving a delicate depth and dryness of glowing campfire embers.
An approachable lightly peated malt, finished in ex bourbon, first fill sherry and some virgin oak casks. Brilliant complexity for such an affordable malt.
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.
Rich dark and seductive. Remarkable flavours of stewed fruits and all-spice marry together with classical aged Oloroso and toasted walnut bread and chocolate orange.
Filey Bay Moscatel Finish is our first ever sherry-finished release. Distilled in 2016, this Single Malt was first matured in 200L bourbon casks (for around three years) before being 'finished' in 250L Hogshead barrels that had held Moscatel for ten years. By using bourbon casks first and a distillate that combines both pot and column styles, we've created a light whisky in our house-style, which has then slightly softened and taken on more wood spice and layers of fruit from the Moscatel barrels.
The release echoes the flavours of springtime by using our excellent first-fill Makers Mark ex-bourbon casks, specially selected by our production director, John Campbell. The spirit has been maturing longer for this crop of Sowing Edition, and we have selected casks from the top of the warehouse to maximise flavour. Our Sowing Edition First Crop was tremendously well received, and we are confident customers will enjoy the progress we’ve made for this year’s release.
Aroma : A pungent burst of smoked cream, peppermint and toffee, with Ardbeg’s classic fennel and pine resin. Distant earthy bonfires mix with herbal and fruity (banana & tropical) notes, along with fragrant candle wax.
Taste : An extremely vibrant, hot peppery mouthfeel, leads in to a burst of sherbet lemon sweetness (candied apples, pears & oranges), hints of carbolic soap and tar, more creamytoffee, aniseedand chilli pepper.
Finish : A long, mellow, lingering aftertaste, with lots of cream, fudge and delicate antiseptic notes. An elegant, soothing style of Ardbeg.
Totally different to anything we’re released before, this ‘field to bottle’ single malt is light and floral, with layers of summer berries and vanilla ice cream. There’s a sweet and oaky spiciness that hints at a fantastic glass of Spanish red wine. Distilled in 2016, Filey Bay STR Finish first spent years maturing in bourbon casks before transferring to be ‘finished’ in STR red wine barriques from sunny Rioja in Spain. STR refers to Shaving, Toasting and Re-charring the casks, resulting in a cask that delivers a really beautiful and balanced maturation.
One up from their standard 10-year-old bottling, the 12 Year Old has two more years in the cask and is a step closer to the sherry-heavy older expressions.
A 12yo Highlander from Glengoyne, famed for their unpeated single malt. Glengoyne is always very pure in style, allowing their high-quality, easy-drinking whisky to shine in its natural state.
The baby Tomatin in the family, light and approachable. Unusually for an entry level malt they use a suprising amount of virgin oak in the maturation process.
Nikka from the Barrel is big-boned and bursting with character. Not averse to a drop of water, either. A real star, winning top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards in 2007 and 2010.
The youngest age-statement release in the Port Askaig range of single malts from undisclosed Islay distilleries, this eight-year-old whisky is warming and smoky with notes of limestone, liquorice and dark peat.
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.
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.
