Archives for October 2017

Glengoyne / 30 Year Old Single Highland Malt

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Glengoyne.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLING SERIE: Limited Release.
BOTTLED: 2017
STATED AGE: 30 years old.
CASK TYPE: Sherry Oak Casks.
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 6000
STRENGTH: 46.8% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
COLOUR: Deep Amber.
NOSE: Black Cherry, Sherry Trifle, Marmalade, Tea Rose, Rum & Raisin Chocolate.
PALATE: Burst of sweetness changing quickly to Plum compote, Cinnamon, Cloves and Tangy Marmalade.
FINISH: Soft Oak dryness and Cinnamon.

Octomore / Islay Barley 83

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Islay.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Bruichladdich.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
STRENGTH: 59.5% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
INITIATION AND PROVOCATION IS FOLLOWED BY CHALLENGE. GROWING BARLEY ON ISLAY IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT AND YIELDS ARE LOW.
The autumn of 2010 was wet and windy. A late harvest saw Octomore farmer James Brown facing heavy losses from greylag geese and herds of wild red deer, resulting in a precious little yield. Malting the this Octomore grain produced results that were unprecedented, the readings came back at 309.1ppm. The nature and variety of Octomore depends on far more than simply number, but these were staggering.
Following a carefully controlled trickle distillation, this uber-provenance spirit was matured in 56% first fill Bourbon casks, the remaining in ex-Paulliac, Ventoux, Rhone and Burgundy casks.
CHARACTER: This is the ultimate Islay Octomore. A thunderstorm of a dram. Close your eyes as you take the first sip and allow your senses to shut down as you focus on processing this fascinating dram.
COLOUR: Golden syrup.
NOSE: Toasted oak and muddy/peaty smoke, bandages. Maple syrup, fresh linen, sea shells. Evokes a memory of lying in the heather on the peat moss, the warm sun coaxing the scent from the wild fowers. The fruit is cherry, peach and mango, with creíÛme brulee and to the from the oak and barley.
PALATE: Initially a surprise as the stellar level of peat is bitter and over-whelming. Another sip opens with up with cherry and peach and toasted sweet oak, dark chocolate, boot polish and seaweed. At this level the peat is like a thunder cloud, darkening the atmosphere. You can feel it in your bones.
FINISH: Complex, creíÛme brulee with caramelised brown sugar slightly overdone. Dark plum, orange and kiwi sit well with the malted barley sweetness. The peat smoke is a tremendous presence o ering roasted coffee, burnt heather and a place in your memory forever.

Craigellachie / 21 Year Old Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask

Summary: Since its inception in 1998 connoisseurs around the world have grown to trust the Old Malt Cask range of independent single cask bottlings as offering both exceptional, dependable quality and a wide array of flavour profiles from many of Scotland’s distilleries. Naturally the spirit never undergoes chill-filtration which would remove many of the oils and with them much of its mouthfeel and intensity of flavour and is never adulterated with the addition of caramel. At this stage the whisky is carefully and slowly reduced with the addition of the purest Scottish water to the traditional OMC bottling strength of 50% alcohol by volume – the perfect strength to show single malts in their full glory.
Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside.
ABV: 50%
Unit: 1 x 70cl
Bottler: Hunter Laing
Bottling serie: Old Malt Cask
Distilled: September 1995
Bottled: February 2017.
Age: 21 years old
Casktype: Sherry Butt
Casknumber: HL13304
Strength: 50.0 % Vol.
Number of bottles: 331
Nose: Vanilla, rich fruits and butter shortbread.
Palate: Smooth with toffee fudge, dates and butterscotch.
Finish: Long and dry with a hint of oak.

Colonel EH Taylor / Single Barrel Bourbon

Summary: Country/Region: USA/Kentucky. ABV: 50%. Unit: 75cl. Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. is widely considered one of the founding fathers of the bourbon industry, fighting for the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, nearly three decades after he purchased what is now called Buffalo Trace Distillery. During his time, Taylor implemented several innovative methods still used today, including climate controlled aging warehouses. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel is aged exclusively in Warehouse C, which was built by Taylor in 1881 and proven to be an excellent aging warehouse. Each barrel is hand-picked and Bottled in Bond at 100 proof to honour its namesake. Tasting Notes: The aroma carries lightly toasted oak, with dried figs and butterscotch. One sip brings flavours of sweetness balanced with tobacco and dark spices. The finish is just long enough to prepare the palette for another sip. The bottle itself is a likeness to Colonel Taylor's original design used over a century ago. Ratings: Double Gold Medal / 2015 Sanfrancisco World Spirits Competition.

Redbreast / 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Whiskey

Summary: Country: Ireland. ABV: 40%. Unit: 70cl. One of the most decorated Irish whiskeys, Redbreast is the largest selling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the world. Regarded as the definitive expression of traditional Single Pot Still whiskey, the genesis of Redbreast dates back to 1903 when John Jameson & Son entered into an agreement with the Gilbeys Wines & Spirits Import Company to supply them with new make spirit from their Bow St. Distillery. The custom of that era was that distillers sold bulk whiskey to ‘bonders’ who, being in the business of importing fortified wines such as sherry and port, had ample supplies of empty casks in which to mature new make whiskeys under bond. Single Pot Still whiskey is unique to Ireland in general and to the Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, in particular, and is regarded as the quintessential style of Irish whiskey. Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills, Pot Still whiskeys are characterised by full, complex flavours and a wonderful creamy mouthfeel. Nose: A complex spicy and fruity aroma with toasted wood; Taste: Full flavoured and complex; a harmonious balance of spicy, creamy, fruity, sherry and toasted notes; Finish: Satisfyingly long, the complex flavours linger on the palate; Press: "Redbreast is the secret restaurant tucked away in the back of the strip mall that only a handful of people know about. The atmosphere is great and the food divine, but no one is sure that they should tell other people about it because either it'll become too crowded (and thus will be impossible to get a table) or the increased production by the staff in the back will affect the overall quality of the place". – Kate Hopkins, 99 Drams Of Whiskey. Ratings: Double Gold Medal / 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  

Redbreast / 21 Year Old Single Pot Still Whiskey

Summary: Country: Ireland. ABV: 46%. Unit: 70cl Redbreast 21 year old is the finest representation of the signature Redbreast sherry style. It is the oldest and richest expression of the Redbreast style ever produced; and the 21 year ageing process introduces new levels of depth, flavour and taste to create an inherently complex and ultimately, rewarding whiskey. Nose: remarkable aroma spanning fresh tropical fruits, nuts and rich dried fruit; Taste: soft vanilla, toasted oak, sherry nuttiness with a dusting of Pot Still spices. Luscious fleshy fruit notes complete the creamy mouthfeel; Finish: lingers, seemingly forever, to oak and Pot Still spices and then, the final bow from barley – where it all began; Press: "If the ship was going down within sight of a desert island my flailing left hand would make a grab for a bottle of Redbreast". – Dave Broom, August 2011, Edinburgh. Ratings: Double Gold Medal / 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Cambus / Hunter Laing Sovereign 18 Year Old

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Lowland.
CATEGORY: Single Grain.
DISTILLERY: Cambus.
BOTTLER: Hunter Laing (HL).
BOTTLING SERIE: The Sovereign.
VINTAGE: 09.1991
BOTTLED: 11.2016
STATED AGE: 25 years old.
CASK TYPE: Refill Hogshead.
CASK NUMBER: HL13051
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 271
STRENGTH: 55.5% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
RATINGS: 95 Points / Jim Murray's 2018 Whisky Bible.

Cu Bocan / 2006 Vintage Single Malt

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highland's.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Tomatin.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLING SERIE: Limited Edition.
VINTAGE: 2006
BOTTLED: 2017
CALCULATED AGE: 11 years old.
CASK TYPE: Refill Hogsheads.
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 9000
STRENGTH: 50.0% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
AROMA: Malty chocolate meets burnt butterscotch with a hint of citrus zest, lingering over the remnants of a Highland campfire.
PALATE: Festive flavours of cloves, cinnamon and orange peel are accompanied by sweet vanilla custard with underlying notes of light and earthy smoke.
FINISH: Long lasting, sweet and full. Chocolate and winter spices continue to dwell on the palate.

Glen Albyn / 26 Year Old Rare Malts Selection

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highland. ABV: 54.8%. Unit: 70cl. Bottler: Distillery Bottling. Series: Rare Malts Selection. Age: 26 Year Old. Distilled: 1975. Description: Amber in colour. Light but firm bodied. Scented, sweet start, rich mouth-feel, drying to bitterness. Unusual and attractive. Tastes its age, but is by no means over the hill. Nose: Very aromatic, if somewhat closed at first. Soap, linen, traces of wax polish – a pot pourri of faded scents. With water the impression is more 'colourful'. Acid drops, new cards, a trace of black coffee behind. Palate: Lightly buttery and briefly even syrupy, then malty, smooth and dry. Sweet to start, then drying with a slight bitterness – like drinking cold, sweet espresso coffee. Quite a big whisky, with a pleasant, rich mouth-feel. Finish: Medium to long and quite explosive. There's a surprising, woody bitterness too, with notes of cheese straws and oiled leather. This whisky is being sold for a private client, the price shown is the price to be paid, no tax can be reclaimed.

Glenturret 26 Year old / 1986 Hunter Laing

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands. Unit: 70cl ABV: 46.8% Age: 26 Year Old. GLENTURRET DISTILLERY was licensed in 1775 but had been distilling illicitly since 1717 and can therefore claim to be THE OLDEST DISTILLERY IN SCOTLAND. In keeping with this long history the distillery retains some unique traditions, mashing grist by hand and slowly fermenting the wort in wooden washbacks, for twice as long as other distilleries, to produce an extraordinarily smooth and fruity spirit. The middle cut of the spirit is selected by hand not by computer as it is in other distilleries. Having worked closely with the Edrington Group, Hunter Laing & Co. Ltd is pleased to offer this exclusive limited-release of Glenturret 26 years old single Highland Malt whisky. Bottled at natural cask-strength and without chill-filtration or artificial colouring, this small-batch release is a wonderful example of this small, artisanal distillery’s production. Matured in refill-bourbon casks specially selected from the distillery’s own stocks by its Master Blender, the whisky has a velvety palate with toffee notes and a vanilla sweetness combined with the unmistakeable fruitiness of ripe pineapples. Limited to 2400 bottles worldwide and presented in a wooden gift box with accompanying certificate, this officially-licenced bottling of Glenturret 26 years old is available exclusively to partners of Hunter Laing & Co Ltd. Colour: Golden to dark straw in colour, its tint speaks clearly of its long maturation in North American oak; Nose: The whisky is wonderfully complex on the nose with sweet, fruity notes such as toffee apples combining with strong confectionery elements including milk chocolate & caramel along with toffee popcorn & fragrant woody notes including sandalwood & furniture polish. With the addition of some water it then becomes a little briny & musty; Taste: On the palate, this Glenturret remains sweet with sherbet, some gentle spice and toffee notes. The caramel and golden syrup notes carry across from the nose to the palate and combine with an appealing vanilla sweetness; Finish: The finish is medium to long, with caramel and ginger spice lingering on the palate.

Speyburn / Bradan Orach

Summary: Country/Region: Scotcland/Highlands. Unit: 70cl Alc: 40% Gaelic for ‘Golden Salmon’, Bradan Orach is a classic, easy drinking Speyside malt whisky, matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks. The bourbon wood gives the whisky a wonderful complexity and depth, without making it overly challenging. Like the 10 Year Old itthis malt is very easy to drink and a great way to get to know Speyburn. Colour: Bright, golden-amber colour. Nose: Green apples, honey, lemon and floral vanilla spices. Taste: Subtle and delicate with vanilla and honey, full bodied, creamy and smooth with a long lasting spicy finish. Ratings: Double Gold Medal / 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Tomatin / 14 Year Old Port Cask Finish

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highland's. ABV: 46% Unit: 70cl Cask Type: Matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels and Port casks. Added to the core range in 2014, this whisky is soft and smooth with significant sweet influence from the Port casks. After spending time maturing in traditional oak casks, this particular Tomatin spends the last year of its maturation exclusively in Port pipes. Aroma: Honeydew melon, red berries, baked apples. Rich toffee, butterscotch. Sweet honey and bitter dark chocolate. Taste: Fruit and nut. Peaches, apricots, mango and plum. Mixed Walnut and Pecan. Finish: Smooth fruit salad which lingers on the palate. Ratings: Gold Medal / 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Tomatin / 1988 Port Finish / Batch 2

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highland. ABV: 46%. Unit: 70cl. Added to the core range in 2014, this 1988 vintage limited release whisky is sweet and fresh. The contents have been vatted from a combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Port casks to create a delicious whisky which, on the nose, smells like breakfast in a glass! Batch 1 was released in April 2014. Aroma: Strawberry jam, honey glazed ham, Cantaloupe melon,freshly squeezed orange juice. Palate: Sweet with buttery notes; candy floss, Victoria sponge. Red fruits, eucalyptus, mint, coconut. Fading smoke. Finish: Fresh with lots of depth. Bottles Produced: 2500. Ratings: Single Malt Scotch 28-34 Years (Multiple Casks) Tomatin 1988 25yo Batch 2 / Jim Murray's 2016 Whisky Bible & Double Gold Medal / 2015 San Francisco Spirit Challenge.  

Ardbeg / Perpetuum Committee Distillery Edition

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Islay. ABV: 49.2% Unit: 70cl Ardbeg’s past, present, future – in a bottle. Contains CLASSIC notes of Ardbeg’s yesteryear on the nose as mellow, RICH, enticing ARDBEGGIAN FLAVOURS mingle with the dark chocolate, TREACLE and NUTTY oak. Then, like standing on Ardbeg’s pier this morning, water brings forth briny SEA-SPRAY with a PINE RESIN lime top note for a remarkably FRESH BOUQUET. On the palate, ROBUST PEAT smoke and SMOKY BACON meet creamy VANILLA with the hint of SHERRY CASKS, culminating in a taste of the future… an aftertaste that is NEVER-ENDING… PERPETUUM. A whisky that is forever Ardbeg. This whisky is being sold for a private client, the price shown is the price to be paid, no tax can be reclaimed.  

Laphroaig / Hunter Laing Old Malt Cask 12 Year Old

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Islay.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Laphroaig.
BOTTLER: Hunter Laing (HL).
BOTTLING SERIE: Old Malt Cask.
VINTAGE: 09.2004
BOTTLED: 02.2017
STATED AGE: 12 years old.
CASK TYPE: Refill Hogshead.
CASK NUMBER: HL 13433
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 324
STRENGTH: 50.0% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
RATINGS: 92 Points / Jim Murray's 2018 Whisky Bible.

Glen Grant / 1953 Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside. ABV: 45%. Unit: 70cl. Age: 48 Year Old. Year of Distillation: 1953. Year of Release: 2001. This whisky is being sold for a private client, the price shown is the price to be paid, no tax can be reclaimed.

Glen Moray / 21 Year Old First Editions

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Glen Moray.
BOTTLER: Edition Spirits (ED).
BOTTLING SERIE: The First Editions.
VINTAGE: 1995
BOTTLED: 2016
STATED AGE: 21 years old.
CASK TYPE: Refill Hogshead.
CASK NUMBER: HL12306.
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 245
STRENGTH: 48.2 % Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
From this Single Malt Whisky expect: A floral, citrus fruit nose with late vanilla. Sweet and creamy with a hint of pears on the palate. An oaky, drying finish with fresh fruit at the end.

Glenfiddich / Foundation Reserve Single Malt

Summary: This unique Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky is drawn from a single cask to celebrate 125 years of The Benevolent Charity. Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside. Unit: 70cl ABV: 50.8%. Distilled/Bottled: 1993/2011. Miscellaneous: Only 500 bottles from cask. Cask Number: 29670. Colour: Rich amber. Nose: A rich oaky aroma with beautiful spice notes intertwined with fruit cake with underlying subtle hints of dark chocolate and Seville orange. Taste: Exceptionally smooth and mellow with a deep oaky flavour and rich luxurious mouth feel. The addition of a little water releases an abundance of sweet fruit notes and spices, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Finish: Wonderfully long, sweet and memorable.

Glenfiddich / 21 Year Old Wedgwood Decanter

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Islay. ABV: 43%. Unit: 70cl. Age: 21 Year old. A 21 year old from Glenfiddich, released to celebrate a century of distillations at the distillery, presented in a Wedgwood decanter. This whisky is being sold for a private client, the price shown is the price to be paid, no tax can be reclaimed.

Linkwood / 23 Year Old Rare Malts Selection

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside. Unit: 75cl DISTILLERY: Linkwood. BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling. BOTTLING SERIE: Rare Malts Selection. VINTAGE: 1974. BOTTLED: 09.1997. STATED AGE: 23 years old. STRENGTH: 61.2 % Vol. This whisky is being sold for a private client, the price shown is the price to be paid, no tax can be reclaimed.

The Macallan Oscuro and Lalique Gift Pack

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside. ABV: 46.5% Unit: 70cl. Bottler: Distillery Bottling. The Macallan and the historic French crystal brand Lalique have designed and launched a most unusual presentation for The Macallan Oscuro, which is exclusive to a select number of duty free and travel retail outlets in Asia. The Macallan Oscuro and Lalique gift pack contains a bottle of exceptional single malt whisky, which is part of The Macallan 1824 Collection, and a Lalique crystal “Cheval Kazak Running Horse” which, with its streaming mane and tail, symbolizes speed and freedom. With just 300 having been made, this limited edition of The Macallan Oscuro and Lalique gift pack was unveiled at the end of January at Hong Kong International Airport. “This is our first local partnership with Lalique and we are very happy to have developed this exclusive gift pack together,” says Edrington’s Regional Marketing Manager Claren Wong. “The pack provides consumers with a unique and attractive choice for their gifting during festival season.” “The Macallan Oscuro and Lalique gift pack is a perfect match; both names stand for excellence, artistry and a pursuit of perfection,” adds Lalique General Manager Montiza Tornow-Siu. The Macallan is one of the most awarded and applauded single malts in the world and its peerless reputation is testament to the skill of the Masters of Spirit and Wood at The Macallan’s home in Scotland who have been responsible for its creation and maturation over the last two centuries. About The Macallan Oscuro and Lalique The Macallan Oscuro, whose name derives from the Spanish word for “dark,” has a rich deep color and intense flavor. Exclusively matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks, many of which were first fill, and bottled at 46.5% ABV, The Macallan Oscuro is a whisky of outstanding quality. Lalique, the renowned crystal brand, is not only a part of the heritage of France but has been embraced by international markets. This whisky is being sold for a private client, the price shown is the price to be paid, no tax can be reclaimed.

Macallan / 21 Year Old Cask Strength

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside. UNIT: 1 x 70cl DISTILLERY: Macallan. BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling. BOTTLING SERIE: Fine Oak. BOTTLED: 2011 STATED AGE: 21 years old. STRENGTH: 43% Vol. LABEL: 3 Barrel Label with Ribbon. This whisky is being sold for a private client, the price shown is the price to be paid, no tax can be reclaimed.

Mannochmore / 22 Year Old Rare Malts Selection

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside. Unit: 70cl. Series: Rare Malts Selection. Age: 22 Year of Distillation: 1974 ABV: 60.1% Year of Release: 1997 Description: Pale gold in colour with a greenish tinge. Light bodied, a pre-dinner dram in the summer garden. Nose: Fragrant and aromatic as freshly cut mint. A slight shade of peat. Roses. Palate: Light, tropical fruity flavours, lime pineapple and cocoa. Buttery and creamy. Heather honey sweetness. Some pepper fruit acting as counterweight. Finish: Malty notes. Faint oak, vanilla and hazelnut hints. Trace of peat. This whisky is being sold for a private client, the price shown is the price to be paid, no tax can be reclaimed.

Douglas Laing / 22 Year Old Yula III

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Various.
CATEGORY: Blended Malt.
BOTTLER: Douglas Laing (DL).
BOTTLING SERIE: Chapter Three – Limited Edition.
BOTTLED: 2017
STATED AGE: 22 years old.
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 900
STRENGTH: 51.2% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
Inspired by the ancient Islay legend of a beautiful but tragic Norse goddess, Douglas Laing presents Yula III, the third and final part of their trilogy of limited edition Island Malt Scotch Whiskies.
 
 

Old Pulteney / 25 Year Old Single Malt

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Old Pulteney.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLED: 2017
STATED AGE: 25 years old.
CASK TYPE: 22 yrs American Oak + 3yrs Oloroso Sherry.
STRENGTH: 46.0 % Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
For a quarter of a century, casks of this rare expression of Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky breathed the invigorating sea air of the Caithness coast. Sheltered from a fast-changing world by the darkened calm of a distillery warehouse, the spirit mellowed at its own steady pace, echoing the reassuring rhythm of its hometown port. Aged firstly in American oak, its spicy sweetness was later granted depth and colour by casks of Spanish oak. Elegant and charismatic, this wonderful whisky embodies both Wick’s spirit of endurance and Pulteney Distillery’s devotion to its craft.
APPEARANCE: Glimmering Bronze.
AROMA: Mature and fragrant with heavy spices and dark chocolate notes.
TASTE: Bitter chocolate and creamy vanilla with hints of toffee, followed by a long and spicy finish.

Bowmore / Vintners Trilogy 18 Year Old Manzanilla Cask

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Islay.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Bowmore.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLING SERIE: Vintner's Trilogy.
BOTTLED: 2017.
STATED AGE: 18 years old.
CASKTYPE: Manzanilla Cask.
STRENGTH: 52.5 % Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
As the world’s oldest scotch maturation house, Bowmore’s legendary No.1 Vaults is the birthplace of coveted and collectable whiskies including the new Vintner’s Trilogy. The first of the Vintner’s Trilogy, Bowmore 18 Year Old is matured in both ex-bourbon barrels and ex-manzanilla sherry barrels, taking on a rich antique gold colour.
ON THE EYE: Antique gold.
BREATH IN: Notes of treacle, salted caramel, ripe blackcurrants, soft stone fruits, vanilla fudge and spiced Seville oranges.
SIP: Subtle hints of menthol and chamomile.
SAVOUR: Bitter oranges and a burst of peat smoke.

Douglas Laing / The Gauldrons

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Islay.
UNIT: 1 x 70cl
CATEGORY: Blended Malt.
DISTILLERY: .
BOTTLER: Douglas Laing.
CASKTYPE: .
BOTTLED: 2017
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 
STRENGTH: 46.2% Vol.
The Gauldrons, which represents the sixth region in the Regional Malt range, takes its name from the “dark sandy coves” in Campbeltown.
According to legend, it was in this spot that Robert the Bruce, who was King of Scotland from 1306-1329, saw a spider attempt to build a web over and over again and was inspired to continue fighting. The story is represented on the packaging, which features an intricate spider’s web.
In keeping with Douglas Laing tradition, the ‘vatted’ malt is produced in small batches and without colouring or chill filtration.
According to the company, each batch will be numbered so future bottlings can be compared to earlier ones to see how they develop in the casks over time.
“The Gauldrons has seen us carefully marry together some of our best, and indeed rarest, casks of Campbeltown single malt,” said Fred Laing, managing director of Douglas Laing.
“The resulting spirit is a unique combination of salt and sweet – the archetypal maritime tang balanced perfectly by a sugary, cereal character.”
TASTING NOTES: On the nose detect a dry saltiness with sweet cereal and a late hint of gentle peat smoke. The palate is initially dry (beachy and maritime) warming to crunched sugar, barley and oak. The warmingly spiced finish brings puffs of smoke and rock pools with a dark sugar sweetness.

Brora / 34 Year Old / 2017 Diageos Special Releases

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highlands.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Brora.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLING SERIE: Diageo Special Releases 2017.
VINTAGE: 1992
BOTTLED: 2017
STATED AGE: 34 years old.
CASK TYPE: Refill American Oak Hogsheads.
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 3000
STRENGTH: 51.9 % Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
A natural cask strength single malt from a closed distillery at Brora on the Sutherland coast. Sixteenth of a limited series of annual releases. This irreplaceable malt is from American Oak hogshead filled in 1982. It's everything you’d want and hope to find in this legendary malt, finely integrated and smoothed out.
APPEARANCE: Deep gold, with good beading and slow legs.
NOSE: At first maritime and mineral, with dried seaweed. Then waxed apples, damp straw, hints of honeysuckle and underlying touches of oily rags suggest a cider farm’s workshop in springtime. Spicier and slightly dusty tones of earth and browning leaves develop in the weightier, savoury centre, which shows fresh-peeled bark, turmeric and mace. There’s barley sugar and a hint of orange juice or tinned pineapple too, with travel sweets and green leaves, all on a faintly waxy base. The latter emerges more with water, as does the floral, herbal fragrance.
BODY: Medium.
PALATE: The taste starts sweet, with only a little of the waxy texture for which Brora is renowned, so at first it’s sharper than you expect, with fruit, chili and fresh-ground black pepper. As the heat subsides, fruity dark chocolate and soft barrel-char smoke appear, with damp oak, apples and aniseed. The heat slowly builds, as does the fruit. Water brings up the waxy texture, with spicy and mouth-cooling Szechuan pepper masked by chocolate, sweet grass and fruit sweets.
FINISH: Some spice in the finish, as earthy chocolate, barley sugar and aniseed slowly fade to leave sweet-spicy oak, tart apple and chocolate-covered delight, with a final quick burst of black pepper and sweet fruit.

Lagavulin / 12 Year Old / 2017 Diageos Special Releases

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Islay.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Lagavulin.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLING SERIE: Diageo Special Releases 2017.
BOTTLED: 2017
STATED AGE: 12 years old.
CASK TYPE: Refill American Oak Hogsheads.
STRENGTH: 56.5% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
This is a natural cask strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky with great depth of taste from the essential Islay distillery, Lagavulin, on the island's rocky south coast. Beautifully diverse in nature yet direct in appeal, it’s both complex and rewarding and simply a delight to drink. With minerality bursting into fruit and layers of smoke, it perfectly expresses the distillery character.
APPEARANCE: Very pale silvery gold, with moderate beading.
NOSE: Simple, natural and mild; clean and fresh, with intense sweetness at the front, prickly smoke at the back and savoury, green and earthy notes at its core. Sweet sponge or liquorice, old-fashioned cleansing soap and wet wool are to the fore, then rock pools and sandy beaches, burning pine needles and ferns. The smoke builds, adding richer notes of smoked bacon and more austere mineral notes of cooled beach bonfires. In time the sweetness is lighter, with fruitier tones of apple, sweet pear and barbecued banana. A drop of water introduces a peppery note to the nose-feel and a thread of smoke to the aroma.
BODY: Light and smoothly oily.
PALATE: Easily approached at natural strength; rich and sweet, with a first burst of liquorice quickly supplanted by greener notes. The sweetness grows in the mid-palate, as golden syrup suffused with the savoury smoke of burning leaves, and smoked meat. That smoke becomes sweeter and spicier with black pepper and cinnamon, nutmeg and golden sugar. Finally, the greenness returns as gently drying grass. Water (it can take a good splash) emphasizes lightness, sweetness and smoke; the smoke now more mineral, the syrup and fruit simpler, fresher.
FINISH: Sweet and of medium length, with a lingering smoky aftertaste.

Glen Elgin / 18 Year Old / 2017 Diageos Special Releases

Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside.
CATEGORY: Single Malt.
DISTILLERY: Glen Elgin.
BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.
BOTTLING SERIE: Diageo Special Releases 2017.
VINTAGE: 1998
BOTTLED: 2017
STATED AGE: 18 years old.
CASK TYPE: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts.
NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 5352
STRENGTH: 54.8% Vol.
SIZE: 700 ml.
A natural cask strength Single Malt Whisky from a highly-regarded Speyside distillery that deserves to be better known. With a highly sophisticated, classic Speyside taste, this intriguing fusion of two experimental batches, made with different yeasts and matured in different woods, makes a fine dram. A fresh, yet voluptuous aroma and layers of fruit make this an enticing dram.
APPEARANCE: Pale bronze autumn sunlight. Good beading.
NOSE: Mild, rich and sweet initially, with vanilla toffee giving way to leafy, green and herbal notes. The sweetness remains and with time, it becomes a fresh-fruity aroma with hints of a fresh fruit salad.
BODY: Medium.
PALATE: Smooth and very sweet, a burst of sweetness washes over the palate, with traces of honey, followed by sour apples and brown sugar. The spice builds, with light cinnamon joined by dark clove and dried orange peel.
FINISH: Of medium-length, quite dry, with oak and woody spice fading to leave brown sugar and hints of anise.

Tomintoul / 12-year-old Oloroso Cask Finish

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands.
Unit: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Pure ingredients and the natural environment add to smooth and mellow character of our award-winning Tomintoul Speyside Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky, “the gentle dram”.
Tomintoul Speyside Glenlivet Oloroso Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years has been lovingly crafted, from a selection of the finest Oloroso sherry casks, and aged for at least 12 years.
Colour: blush pink;
Nose: a touch more than a gentle port influence combines thrillingly with malt and a whisper of peppery spice;
Palate: soft and elegant with porty-sweet subtlety;
Finish: a whisky which demands a retaste.