Archives for March 2020

Mackmyra / Moment Lava.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Sweden.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Mackmyra.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

BOTTLING SERIE: Moment.

BOTTLED: 2019

CASK TYPE: Ex-Bourbon, 1st Fill Oloroso Casks.

NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 1500

ABV: 44.4% Vol.

Moment Lava is a smoky Swedish single malt whisky that offers warm tones of roasted oak, red grapes and creamy vanilla. The whisky was distilled at Mackmyra Bruk and matured in Bodås Gruva for 9 to 11 years in 200-litre 1st fill ex-Bourbon casks and 128-litre 1st fill Oloroso casks. The whisky is fruity with the fine spice of tobacco leaves, raisins, buttercream and vanilla in combination with distinct smoky tones. The texture is creamy and medium-rich. Moment Lava is perfect for serving as an avec / accompaniment with a medium-strong cheese.

NOSE: Fruity, spicy and smoky with light tar, chocolate and pear drops, marzipan and ginger. Lighter notes of Roquefort and minerals.

TASTE: Fruity, slightly smoky and toasted oak in combination with salt and tobacco leaf. Sweet tones of raisins, butterscotch and vanilla.

AFTERTASTE: Spicy vanilla, soft oak and tobacco leaves. A long and dry finish.

Mackmyra / Moment Skogshallon.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Sweden.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Mackmyra.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

BOTTLING SERIE: Moment range.

BOTTLED: 2019

CASK TYPE: .

NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 1511

ABV: 44.4% Vol.

Moment Skogshallon (Forest Raspberry) is a wonderful summery whisky with soft taste of red berries which brings thoughts to Swedish summer. The whisky is a Swedish single malt whisky partly finished in ex-bourbon casks saturated with wine made of Swedish wild raspberries.

Skogshallon has also been seasoned with whisky from new American Oak cask and the result is a natural berry and fruity whisky with notes of red berries, vanilla, sourish caramels, tobacco leaves and toasted oak casks. Our Master Blender Angela D’Orazio has with our finest casks created an exclusive whisky with the taste of Swedish summer berries.

NOSE: Natural and soft berries and fruity with strawberries, citrus and pear caramel, vanilla, ginger, white pepper and toasted oak cask.

TASTE: Fruit and berry with sourish red caramels, pear caramel and elements of mild tobacco leaves and oak casks.

AFTERTASTE: Soft aromas of sour caramels, vanilla and tobacco leaves.

Ben Nevis / 4 Year Old Carn Mor Strictly Limited.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Highland.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Ben Nevis.

BOTTLER: Morrison and MacKay.

BOTTLING SERIE: Càrn Mòr – Strictly Limited Edition.

DISTILLED: 2015

BOTTLED: 2020

AGE: 4 Years Old.

CASK TYPE: Sherry Hogsheads.

NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 900

ABV: 47.5% Vol.

Paul John / Pedro Ximenez Indian Single Malt Whisky.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGIO: India/Goa.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: John Distilleries.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

ABV: 48% Vol.

Hailing from the tropical shores of Goa, this exotic Indian single malt, in rich shades of dark copper, has complex aromas of fig and apricot with a rare hint of banana. On the palate are tremendous flavours of sweet barley with creamy butterscotch, dry fruits and a profuse Christmas cake.

The finish is long and exquisite, with delectable chocolate fudge, delicate orange peel and hints of exotic wine drenched nuts. Much of the intrinsic characteristics of the Paul John PX owes allegiance to the famed intensely sweet and dark Spanish dessert sherry, having been gloriously finished in handpicked Pedro Ximenez casks.Nose :Fig and apricot with a rare hint of banana.

COLOUR: Dark Copper.

TASTE: Sweet barley with creamy butterscotch, dry fruits and Christmas cake,

FINISH: Long and exquisite, with chocolate fudge, orange peel and exotic wine drenched nuts.

BALANCE: Intensely sweet like a dark Spanish dessert sherry, having been gloriously finished in handpicked Pedro Ximenez casks.

Evan Williams / 2004 Single Barrel Vintage.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: USA/Kentucky.

DISTILLERY: Heaven Hill Distilleries.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

BOTTLING SERIE: Single Barrel Vintage.

DISTILLED: 2004

BOTTLED: 2014

CASK #: 837

ABV: 43.3% Vol.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon is handcrafted and specially selected by their Master Distillers. A five-time winner of “Whiskey of the Year,” it’s their most premium and decorated Bourbon that measures up to exacting standards.

COLOUR: Delicate amber gold.

NOSE: Dark caramel, sweet oak, and charred wood.

TASTE: Lush and spicy. Oak with honey, apple, and orange notes.

FINISH: Long, graceful, and relaxed.

Macallan / 28 Year Old MOM Single Cask.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Macallan.

BOTTLER: Master of Malt.

BOTTLING SERIE: Single Cask.

DISTILLED: 28/09/1989

BOTTLED: 05/07/2018

STATED AGE: 28 years old.

MATURATION: Sherry.

NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 

STRENGTH: 40.2% Vol.

NOSE: Orange oil, dark honey and barley sugar, then hints of orange marmalade, lanolin and dried apricot. Gingery heat, citrus and baked apples emerge underneath and are supported by wood driven spice and a touch of cheese.

PALATE: Crisp orchard fruits, lemon drizzle cake and blackberry jam are followed by sweet acacia honey, toffee and a touch of light oak. Orange boiled sweets, a touch of toasted coconut and hints of ginger and cinnamon add depth.

FINISH: Good length with notes of Calvados, dried fruit and a kick of black pepper.

Tullamore D.E.W. / St Patrick's Day Twin Pack Offer.

Summary: 

St Patrick's Day Tullamore Twin Pack Offer

COUNTRY/REGION: Ireland.

CATEGORY: Blend.

DISTILLERY: Tullamore Dew.

The St Patrick's Day Tullamore Twin Pack contains:

1 x Tullamore D.E.W. / Irish Whiskey.

1 x Tullamore D.E.W. / XO Caribbean Rum Finish.

1 x Tullamore Trilby

1 x Tullamore Ceramic Shot Glass.

The cost of this twin pack is £45.00, which is a 14% saving on buying the 2 whiskies separately.

This offer is available until 12pm on St Patrick's Day or while stock last.

Maker's Mark / Maker's 46.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: USA/Kentucky.

CATEGORY: Bourbon.

DISTILLERY: Maker's Mark.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

ABV: 47% Vol.

Expertly finished for bolder character, Maker's Mark 46™ is aged longer with special seared French oak staves added later in the process for a uniquely bold and smooth taste. Maker's Mark 46 was the brainchild of Bill Samuels, Jr., son of the Maker's Mark® founders, Bill and Margie. Released in 2010, Maker's Mark 46 was the first new major expression to be created at the Maker's Mark® Distillery since their original bourbon went into production in 1953.

THE FIRST IN A SERIES: Maker's Mark 46 is the first new bourbon Maker’s Mark have produced since opening their doors and the first offering from their wood-finishing series. They experimented tirelessly with the effects of wood-finishing to craft entirely new expressions of Maker's Mark that are true to the original. This required much trial and error – but expertise, passion and persistence paid off in the end. They enjoyed the Maker's Mark 46 wood-finishing experience so much, they decided to expand the concept with Maker's Mark Private Select®.

INTRODUCING FRENCH OAK: They tried dozens of different wood staves that were cut, toasted and charred a number of ways. They added these to Maker's Mark at cask strength and eventually discovered the wonderful effects that seared French oak had on their bourbon. These virgin staves are the essential component to the amped-up notes of vanilla and caramel of Maker's Mark 46, without the bitterness that often comes with additional aging.

SO, WHY "MAKER'S MARK 46"?: The wood-finishing experiments were largely enacted by Bill Samuels, Jr., and Master Distiller Kevin Smith, with a big assist from the Independent Stave Company, the distillery's longtime cooperage. After finally finding the flavour they were after, Bill, Jr., learned that the perfectly toasted French oak stave was on file as "Stave Profile No. 46."

BILL SAMUELS, JR: Members of the Samuels family speak often about "taste vision." Vision is what set the Maker's Mark founders – Bill, Sr., and Margie Samuels – on their course to create a product that tasted and looked like no other. This taste vision was passed on to their son, who developed his own thirst for a new kind of Maker's® after years of promoting his parents' bourbon.

AROMA: Hints of wood staves, caramel and sweetness.

TASTE: Very intense flavours; a big crescendo of wood blending perfectly with deep, complex and rich notes of vanilla and caramel

FINISH: Smooth and subtle.

Tullamore D.E.W. / 14 Year Old.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Ireland.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Tullamore Dew.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

BOTTLING SERIE: Four Cask Finish.

BOTTLED: 17.12.2018

AGE: 14 Year Old.

CASK TYPE: Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry, Port and Madeira Finish.

ABV: 41.3% Vol.

This triple-distilled single malt that has been patiently aged for up to 14 years in ex-Bourbon barrels and then finished in 4 different cask types being old ex- Oloroso Sherry Butts, ex-Port Pipes and ex-Madeira Drums for a minimum of 6 months for a perfect balance and then bottled at 41.3%.

NOSE: Vibrant and lively with incredible fruitiness. Ripe apples, sweet citrus and hints of tropical fruit all enveloped in Vanilla Oak.

TASTE: Beautifully rich and sweet with layers of fruit, oak and subtle spice.

FINISH: Long lasting sweetness.

Compass Box / The Double Single Third Edition.

Summary: 

Country/Region: Scotland/Various.

CATEGORY: Blend.

WHISKY COMPOSITION: 72% Glen Elgin and 28% Girvan.

BOTTLER: Compass Box.

BOTTLED: 2017

CASK TYPE: Bourbon Casks.

NUMBER OF BOTTLES: 5838

ABV: 46% Vol.

NOSE: one of those noses so delicate you daren't breath in too hard for fear of shattering it into a million pieces. The citrus, a kind of orange blossom honey thinned with juices of Jaffa, is of the cleanest style imaginable; likewise the barley is fresh and gristy. One of the most ethereal and elegant noses of all time;

TASTE: perfection. This is faultless. This is exactly how whisky should be. A delivery you hope to encounter or create – but suspect you probably never will. And here it is: in all its understated, genteel, feminine, seductive majesty. It is the nose all over again, but this time in liquid form, a physicality which curls against our taste buds and caresses them with the most erotic, arousing finger tip choice;

FINISH: nothing can quite follow the delivery and follow through, but it tries. Though the oaks can now be heard, a little bitterly by comparison, while the spices up the tingling factor;

BALANCE: by no means the first time I have encountered a single malt and grain in the same bottle. But I am hard pressed to remember one that was even close to being this wonderful…This is Compass Box's finest moment.

TASTING NOTES: Jim Murray's 2018 Whisky Bible.

Compass Box / Rogues Banquet.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Various.

CATEGORY: Blend.

DISTILLERIES: Clynelish, Miltonduff and North British.

BOTTLER: Compass Box (CB).

BOTTLED: 2020

AGE: 25 Year Old.

CASK TYPE: Recharred + Refill Hogshead, 1st Fill Bourbon.

ABV: 46% Vol.

Fruity, Creamy & Luxurious

Above All, Share and Enjoy. Those are the words the guys at Compass Box have lived by since 2000. This Limited Edition is made for the gourmands and the hedonists who have accompanied them for the last 20 years.

It embodies the joyful possibilities – the delight and the indulgence – of dining together in celebration.

FLAVOUR PROFILE: Rogues’ Banquet boasts flavours of softened tropical fruits, stem ginger and pastry cream. Fragrant yet full-bodied, it has a long and satisfying finish.

SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS: A lavish and fantastical celebration of food and drink – serve as you would a fine vintage of dessert wine.

Pull the bottle from the fridge and pour with a liberal hand.

Highland Park / Old Man of Hoy 10 Year Old.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Orkneys.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Highland Park.

BOTTLER: Blackadder.

BOTTLING SERIE: Orcadian Scotch Malt Whisky.

BOTTLED: 2000

CASK NUMBER: 2000/HO2

ABV: 58.7% Vol.

Named after the famous cliff on the Isle of Orkney, Blackadder's The Old Man of Hoy is a single malt from one of its two distilleries, Highland Park or Scapa.

Blackadder International were founded in 1995 by whisky writers, Robin Tucek and John Lamond, authors of the 1987 publication, The Malt Whisky File: The Essential Guide for the Malt Whisky Connoisseur. The company has gained great affection from whisky enthusiasts for its Raw Cask series, which is deliberately drawn un-filtered from the cask so as to retain all cask sediment along with any natural oils and fats. The company is credited with a key role in the popularisation of cask strength whiskies since its inception.

Balvenie  / 40 Year Old.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside.

CATEGORY: Single Malt.

DISTILLERY: Balvenie.

BOTTLER: Distillery Bottling.

BOTTLED: 2019

STATED AGE: 40 years old.

STRENGTH: 48.5% Vol.

To create The Balvenie 40 Year Old, Malt Master David Stewart MBE skilfully marries together small amounts of our most mature single malts. The aged whisky consists of The Balvenie matured in traditional oak casks and European oak sherry butts that have lain in our warehouses for at least 40 years.

The Balvenie Aged 40 Years is bottled at 48.5% ABV to capture all the signature characteristics of The Balvenie.

NOSE: Honey and orange marmalade notes mingle with a creamy fruitiness, followed by a luscious wave of vanilla and a hint of oak.

TASTE: Orange blossom, candied ginger and a honeyed sweetness, followed by oak, mouth-coating vanilla notes and a delicate, sherried fruitiness.

FINISH: Warm and elegant with a honeyed, citrus richness

Compass Box / Peat Monster 4th Edition.

Summary: 

COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Various.

CATEGORY: Blended Malt.

DISTILLERIES: Caol Ila and Laphroaig.

BOTTLER: Compass Box.

BOTTLING SERIE: Limited Edition.

BOTTLED: 2019

CASK TYPE: American Refill Hogsheads.

ABV: 46% Vol.

For 2019, The Peat Monster has a new label. Featuring this quite marvellous specially-commissioned painting, all batches released going forward will showcase the new artwork. It isn’t just the packaging that is different, however: the recipe has evolved, too.

Still very much the whisky for those who love big, rich, smoky-peaty malts, the latest version of THE PEAT MONSTER is older and more elegant than before.

Inspired by feedback from smoky whisky lovers, the new Painting Label of THE PEAT MONSTER incorporates single malts with a more aromatic and graceful style of smokiness. Compass Box have sought to retain the peaty intensity for which THE PEAT MONSTER has long been celebrated, whilst creating a depth and elegance not seen before.

New batches of THE PEAT MONSTER boast a spectrum of powerful coastal flavours, combining the smokiness of a driftwood fire with more medicinal peat notes. Orchard fruits and rich cask-derived creaminess balance the multi-layered smoke. It is a new peaty landscape, as the Painting Label shows.

The evolution is a subtle one. We hope you will hunt down both labels and enjoy teasing out the contrasts.