Laphroaig Distillery has stood on the southern shore of Islay since 1815, producing what remains one of the most distinctive and recognisable single malts in the world. The Ian Hunter series pays homage to the last member of the Johnston family to own and manage the distillery, a man whose vision shaped Laphroaig's identity in ways that endure to this day. It was Ian Hunter who introduced American oak ex-bourbon barrels to the maturation process following his travels to the United States, and who established the malting floors that remain in use at the distillery. Book 5: Enduring Spirit is the fifth and final instalment in this celebrated series.
This 34 year old expression is matured exclusively in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, a direct nod to Ian Hunter's own legacy within the distillery's production history. As the culmination of a rare and collectable series of aged single malts, the Enduring Spirit represents both a tribute to one remarkable individual and a testament to Laphroaig's enduring character across decades of patient maturation.
Tasting Note by Laphroaig: Nose: Lightly peaty with notes of iodine and burnt wood. Floral green malt, sweet candyfloss and vanilla fudge, and subtle blueberry and raspberry accents. .Palate: Sweet and spicy, with hints of classic Laphroaig peat and cold barbecue ash. Salted caramel and butterscotch, roast chestnut, a hint of peach, dried flowers and white pepper.Finish: Peaty and malty, with a lingering sweetness.
Established in 1887 by William Grant in Dufftown, Speyside, Glenfiddich has built its reputation across more than a century of independent family ownership on a foundation of craft, curiosity and a willingness to pursue the exceptional. The Grand Series represents the upper tier of the distillery's permanent range, where extended maturation and the considered use of rare finishing casks produce expressions of genuine rarity and complexity. Grande Couronne, meaning crown in French, is the pinnacle of that ambition.
Twenty-six years of maturation in American and European oak lays the foundation before selected parcels are transferred to rare French cognac casks for an extended finish, a combination that adds lavish layers of toasted oak sweetness and the distinctly Continental character of café crème, brown sugar and soft spice. The result is a whisky of undeniable opulence, positioned by the distillery as an expression to uncork at life's most grand and meaningful celebrations. For the collector seeking something beyond the familiar, or for a gift that demands to be remembered, Grande Couronne occupies a category of its own within the Glenfiddich range.
Tasting Note by Glenfiddich:Nose: Vibrant and lively with an abundance of toasty oak sweetness. Reminiscent of a French patisserie, freshly-baked Tarte Tatin and buttery choux pastry. Palate: Deep, velvety smooth and indulgently sweet. Cafe creme with soft brown sugar and a hint of spice.Finish: Very long-lasting sweet oak.
The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release marks a return to one of whisky's most celebrated cultural partnerships, reuniting The Macallan with James Bond to commemorate 55 years since the premiere of Diamonds Are Forever. The whisky was crafted by Whisky Maker Russell Greig, an avid Bond devotee who has translated the film's narrative arc directly into the cask selection, drawing on the film's locations, characters and pivotal scenes as the creative framework for this limited edition release.
The cask composition reflects the film's storyline with deliberate precision. American white oak casks represent the Las Vegas and coastal California settings that dominate the picture, while sherry seasoned oak casks pay homage to Bond's connoisseurship of Solera sherry, a moment that surfaces early in the film. A selection of red wine seasoned casks acknowledges a later scene in which Bond's forensic knowledge of wine proves critical to the plot. The cask selection is completed with bespoke hybrid sherry seasoned oak casks, custom crafted from both European and American oak staves within a single cask, an expression of the innovative spirit shared by both Bond and The Macallan. Natural colour and non-chill filtration preserve the whisky's full integrity, and the presentation packaging draws on the film's original creative archive, offering a behind the scenes glimpse into its visual development. This is an unequivocally collection-worthy release.
Tasting Note by The Macallan: Nose: Sophisticated notes of sweet polished oak, vanilla bean and rich dried fruits. Palate: Creamy vanilla and caramel, with hints of cocoa powder coated champagne truffles, coffee, dried fruits including figs, berries and apricots, and subtle trailing spices. Finish: Long and refined with a lingering warmth.
Founded in 1892 by William Grant in Dufftown at the heart of Speyside, The Balvenie is one of Scotland's most craft-committed distilleries, operating its own floor maltings, cooperage and coppersmith team on site. The distillery's approach to whisky making places the marriage of individual casks at the very centre of its philosophy, a discipline that demands patience, skill and an exceptional depth of sensory knowledge. Honorary Ambassador and former Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE, whose career at The Balvenie spans more than half a century, has elevated the art of the tun marriage to a level few in the industry can match.
The Balvenie Twenty-Five brings together individual casks of American oak and European oak matured for a quarter of a century before being married by David C. Stewart into a single expression of extraordinary depth and balance. The combination of two distinct oak characters, each shaped over decades by the Speyside climate and the character of the distillery's own spirit, produces a whisky of intricate complexity that rewards careful attention. Bottled at 48% ABV to preserve the full weight and richness of the marriage, this is a serious collector's expression and a genuinely rare gift for an occasion that demands something truly memorable.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Soft autumn fruits, runny honey, crystallised ginger and raw sugar cane. An underlying rich oakiness creates complexity and structure.Palate: The initial bold vanilla oak flavours slowly dissipate to reveal layers of toasted marshmallows, fresh fruit and cinnamon infused apple tart.Finish: Exceptionally long-lasting sweetness
Bowmore Distillery has stood on the shores of Loch Indaal on Islay since 1779, and the Timeless series represents some of the most exceptional whisky the distillery has produced. This 29 Year Old Limited Edition was filled in 1991 and 1992, making it a genuine artefact of a specific moment in Bowmore's history, and a rare opportunity for collectors and serious enthusiasts alike.
Matured in a combination of sherry-seasoned European oak casks and ex-bourbon American oak barrels, the whisky has spent nearly three decades developing the interwoven layers of complexity that define this expression. Bottled at cask strength of 53.7% ABV, the Timeless 29 Year Old is an immersive and indelible whisky that rewards patience in equal measure to the time invested in its creation.
Tasting Notes by Bowmore:Nose: Expressive dark fruits, the sweet aromas of cocoa and bitter orange, infused with cherry blossom and liquorice. Palate: Rich and layered, reflecting a depth of sweetness while evoking peat and sea salt flavours. Finish: Mouth warming, then peat drying and salt on the lips with a long lasting finish, bursting with intention.
The year 2000 was pivotal for Ardbeg, marking the renovation of the distillery and the creation of rare stock by Dr. Bill Lumsden and his team. As a limited series blending modern techniques with old stills, the Vintage Y2K stands out as a smoky anomaly with an unparalleled story.
Tasting Note by Ardbeg:Nose: Herbal, sweet and fragrant, with a subtle, distant perfumed smokiness. Next a quirky, zesty note like lemon balsam emerges, along with a suggestion of linseed oil and candied walnuts. A splash of water and the fragrance intensifies, emitting heather honey, a touch of creosote and the tiniest trace of tent canvas.Palate: The texture is fizzy and effervescing (sherbety), with a real, vibrant effervescence on the tongue. At first the flavour is intensely sweet, then shifts as aniseed, toffee, digestive biscuits, peppermint, menthol, tar and coffee grits burst through.Finish: The sooty/tarry flavours keep building, until they finally dissolve into a long, lingering aftertaste of antiseptic lozenges, bitter oranges and oak tannins.
This superb single malt hails from the Glenfarclas distillery, having spent a remarkable 30 years maturing to perfection. This extended aging process has yielded a whisky with a fantastically full-bodied and immensely satisfying Sherry-influenced flavor profile, making it an all-around awesome and exceptional expression.
Tasting Note by Glenfarclas:Nose: Full of complex aromas with fruit and sherried malty tones.Palate: With Sherry, cognac, brandy, fruit, nuts, marzipan (and even icing), this is a wonderfully indulgent Christmas cake, in a glass!Finish: A whisky you never want to end and it very nearly doesn’t. The finish is exquisite with a real taste of brunt chocolate at the back of your mouth.
The exceptional Royal Brackla 25 Year Old Pedro Ximénez limited edition is now available, with only 64 bottles in the UK. Aged for 25 years in first-fill Bourbon barrels and finished in PX Sherry casks, this whisky represents the pinnacle of Royal Brackla’s core offering, showcasing Stephanie's expertise in cask selection and finishing.
Presented in a clear flint bottle with gold and red screen-printed text, it features a gold standard tin capsule and a zamac gold cork. Each bottle is encased in an FSC-sourced wooden box with blue paint, Kurz Luxor gold foil, and screen-printed details.
Tasting Note by Royal Brackla:A mighty dram cloaked in robes of velvet: luscious summer fruits, overlayed with rich, spice-laden raisins and dried figs, adding weight and complexity to our summer dram. The aroma melts into pools of milk chocolate, balanced with ground coffee and toasted almonds. An endless and serene dram that will linger deliciously on the palate.
Established in 1923 in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, Yamazaki is Japan's first and oldest malt whisky distillery and the foundation of Suntory's whisky heritage. The distillery's mastery of Mizunara oak, a rare and characterful Japanese timber notoriously difficult to season and cooperage, is among the most distinctive aspects of its craft, and one that sets Yamazaki apart from any other whisky producer in the world.
The 18 Year Old Mizunara 2024 Edition is the product of years of experimentation by Yamazaki's blending team, who discovered that the true potential of Mizunara casks is unlocked only through extended maturation. Eighteen years in this exceptional Japanese oak imparts an unmistakeable spiciness alongside notes of sandalwood and aloe, producing a whisky of rare complexity where fruit, spice and wood notes engage in a rich and elegant harmony. It is an expression for the serious collector and a gift of genuine distinction.
Tasting Note by Yamazaki:Nose: Rich and elegant with dark cherry, ripe peach and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.Palate: Subtly spiced organette with undernotes of Japanese incense.Finish: Long and lingering, accentuated with clove, sandalwood and hints of dried coconut.
The opening release in a new series honouring the people behind Laphroaig’s history. Chapter 1 pays tribute to Donald Johnston, the elder of two brothers who founded the distillery in 1815. His influence on the style and legacy of Laphroaig is reflected in this inaugural bottling, presented alongside striking illustrations by British artist Bill Bragg.
This whisky spent 33 years maturing in a mix of American oak ex-bourbon casks and European oak sherry-seasoned hogsheads. Bottled at fixed strength, it captures the depth of its long rest in the warehouse, offering a profile shaped by time and tradition.
Tasting Note by Laphroaig:Nose: Starting with stewed fruit and smooth vanilla créme brûlée.Palate: Our iconic smoky finish sets the scene for savoury aromas of cured meat.Finish: Sherry casks bring warm festive spice.
This limited edition release is a rare gem, with only 630 crystal decanters available, each adorned with a unique number, making it a truly exclusive experience. Mahesh Patel's passion for collecting casks led him to handpick two Macallan barrels over 15 years ago, long before it became a trend. Now, he invites whisky enthusiasts to join him on a journey of exceptional flavors and unparalleled craftsmanship. The Macallan 26 Year Old (Sirius) whisky is a harmonious blend of fine-grained Highland peat and the traditional Macallan sherry profile.
Tasting Note by Sirius:Nose: Warm and inviting scents of butterscotch meet aromatic heather, encapsulated by orange zesty charcoal Smoke.Palate: Satisfyingly, creamy and peppery with aromas of roasted nuts, nutmeg and clove, with hints of Madagascan vanilla, dark chocolate, honey, candied fruits and floral smoke.Finish: Long-lingering sweet, oaky spice.
This limited edition Royal Brackla, part of the Exceptional Cask Series, showcases the artistry of cask finishing. Distilled in 2000, it first matured in a refill puncheon before an additional ageing phase in a Tokaji white wine cask, carefully overseen by Malt Master Stephanie Macleod. Bottled at 53.3% ABV, with only 258 bottles available, this release balances complexity and refinement, highlighting Royal Brackla’s signature elegance.Tasting Note by Royal Brackla:Deliciously supple with ripe peaches and apricots, mellowed with fragipane and soft coconut.
Ardbeg Vintage Y2K marks a pivotal moment in the distillery’s history, celebrating the year 2000 as the beginning of its modern revival. Following The Glenmorangie Company’s acquisition in 1997, Ardbeg underwent extensive renovation, and by the millennium, production was reignited, ushering in a new era for Islay’s legendary distillery.
This 24 Year Old expression brings together spirit distilled on Ardbeg’s old stills with innovative modern techniques. Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and hand-selected Amontillado sherry casks, it showcases Dr Bill Lumsden’s favourite style of sherry, adding depth and elegance to Ardbeg’s trademark smoky intensity. Released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee, Vintage Y2K is a unique fusion of old and new, representing a true smoky anomaly in the distillery’s story.
Tasting Notes by Ardbeg:Nose: Deep, pungent and spicy with creamy toffee, flowering blackcurrant, creosote, coal tar soap, antique leather and almond nuts. With water, notes of charcoal, graphite and damp moss emerge, finishing with a distinct sooty character.Palate: Powerful and smoky with coal tar, woodsmoke and antiseptic lozenges intertwined with bonfire embers. Subtle notes of toffee, leather, cinnamon and clove emerge from the Amontillado influence.Finish: Long and lingering with menthol, eucalyptus, linseed oil and charcoal.
A cachaça that represents Brazil at its finest. Matured for 21 years in a a blend of premium woods, it offers a rich flavour profile of vanilla, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee.
Tasting Note by Weber Haus: Nose: A bouquet of toffee and a hint of smokiness.Palate: Rich vanilla, coffee beans, and caramel.Finish: Warm, spicy, and long.
As part of the Mizunara Series, this expression represents a core extension of the Yamazaki brand, highlighting the artistry and rarity of Japanese Mizunara oak. Known for its distinctive aroma and flavour, Mizunara has been integral to Yamazaki since the 1940s, when scarcity of American oak after the war led to its adoption. The wood is notoriously difficult to work with, requiring trees over 200 years old and more than 70 cm in diameter to yield usable casks, making each release a rare achievement.
Matured exclusively in Mizunara oak for 18 years, this whisky captures the complexity and depth associated with Japan’s most elusive cask type. The Mizunara oak imparts notes of sandalwood, agarwood, and oriental spice, complementing Yamazaki’s refined character.
Tasting Note by Suntory Whisky:Nose: Dark cherry, ripe peach, cinnamon, nutmegPalate: Spiced orange, apricot, Japanese incenseFinish: Long and lingering with clove, sandalwood and dried coconut
Encased in a diamond-shaped decanter, the Centaure expression features eaux-de-vie from both Grande and Petite Champagne, aged for a remarkable 20 to 50 years. Elegant, exceptional and perfect for gifts.A gift box is included, although it may show minor imperfections and is not guaranteed to be in pristine condition.
Tasting Note:Nose: Jasmine, hazel, and a subtle hint of Christmas spices.Palate: Citrussy orange, honeyberries and raisin.
The Craigellachie 37 Year Old Whisky, part of the limited edition Exceptional Cask Series with only 3012 bottles available, exemplifies outstanding quality and craftsmanship. Initially aged in refill casks, it undergoes a final maturation in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks. This finishing process enhances the distinctive Craigellachie distillery style, allowing its unique character to be fully expressed. This remarkable whisky was also honored with the title of Best Single Malt Scotch Over 25 Years Old at the IWC 2024.
Tasting Note by Craigellachie:The aroma opens with notes of pineapple tarte tatin and crème anglaise, balanced with soft cereals and notes of toasted banana bread. Faint whispers of fire embers emerge with the addition of water then fade to spicy vanilla and delicate oak-derived coconut. The palate is boldly complex with sweet acidity at first, mellowing to soft fruits and almonds with a long, indulgent finish.
Distilled in 1997 at the legendary Laphroaig Distillery, this exceptional whisky has been carefully aged for 21 years to create a truly remarkable drinking experience. The nose reveals a captivating blend of roasted chestnuts and caramelized oranges, accompanied by an intense smokiness that is characteristic of Islay whiskies. With its exclusive bottling for Milroy's and individually numbered authenticity, this is a rare gem that deserves a place of honor in any whisky collection.
Tasting Note by The Character Of Islay:Nose: The aroma is reminiscent of roasted chestnuts and caramelized oranges, accompanied by intense smokiness and a hint of medicinal undertones. There is also a subtle touch of black tea.Palate: The taste offers a rich combination of smoky peat and chewy toffee sweetness. The presence of solid oak notes and a touch of briny seaweed adds complexity to the flavor.Finish: The finish is characterized by a delicate ash flavor and a lingering smokiness. It is accompanied by the presence of dates and oily walnuts, providing a satisfying conclusion.
Aberfeldy 45 Year Old is the oldest whisky ever released from the distillery. To bottle a whisky of this extraordinary standard, one which has slumbered in oak for over four and a half decades, is remarkable in its own right. Casks of this age and exceptional quality are rare. Seven of the rarest casks were chosen, each distilled in 1975. Each cask brings its own nuances and character, and together they create a wonderful harmony that has been embraced and nurtured by the oak. Deep aromatic notes and elegant tones are abundant in this beautifully aged and exceptional single malt.
Tasting Note by Aberfeldy:Nose: Beautifully aromatic with deep notes of red cherries, exotic pineapple and hints of heather honey.Palate: Elegantly refreshed with a zing of orange zest and lemon Turkish delight.Finish: Delicious and mouth coating with masses of vanilla and coconut, and a touch of spice on the finish.
The pinnacle of GlenDronach’s artistry, this inaugural 2025 edition is crafted from a selection of casks distilled in 1978, 1983, and 1984. Initially aged in PX and Oloroso sherry casks, the whiskies were vatted and further married in a first-fill PX puncheon and a second-fill Oloroso puncheon before bottling. The result is a whisky polished by over four decades of maturation, exuding unparalleled richness, velvet texture, and multi-layered dark fruit character.
Tasting Notes by GlenDronach:Nose: Opulent dark fruits with hints of walnut, leather and treacle.Palate: Deeply layered with raisin, date, chocolate and velvet tannins, lifted by warm spice.Finish: Exceptionally long, with lingering fruit richness and sherry cask complexity.
This is a meticulously crafted blended malt, made using Dewar’s unique four-stage ageing process. Developed by Master Blender Stephanie MacLeod, the method involves ageing individual malts separately, then marrying Speyside malts together, and Highland and Islay malts together, before blending all the components and finishing the whisky in Madeira casks. The result is a layered and refined expression of Scottish malt whisky. It’s presented in a striking black glass bottle with a four-point design that reflects the precision and structure of the ageing process.
Founded in 1892 by William Grant adjacent to the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Speyside, The Balvenie remains one of the few distilleries in Scotland to maintain all five of the traditional crafts in-house: it grows a proportion of its own barley, operates its own floor maltings, employs a team of coopers, maintains a team of coppersmiths, and keeps a dedicated team of skilled distillers. That commitment to craft is not a marketing position but an operational reality, and it informs the character of every expression the distillery produces.
The Balvenie Thirty is a rare marriage of Traditional oak and European oak casks, each matured for decades before being united by Honorary Ambassador and former Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE, whose career at the distillery spans more than half a century. This expression is presented here with a complimentary LINLEY Bespoke Home Experience Gift Set, making it one of the most complete and considered gift propositions in the premium whisky category. LINLEY is the British luxury design house founded by Lord Linley, and the pairing brings together two names synonymous with exceptional craft and refinement. For a milestone birthday, anniversary or significant occasion, few gifts at any price point carry the same weight or lasting impression.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Smooth and honeyed on the nose with mellow oaky tones and hints of candied orange peel.Palate: Great depth with rich dark chocolate, hints of plum, marzipan and caramelised pear.Finish: Exceptionally smooth and warming with gentle spice and lingering sweetness.
The third and final release in Rosebank's inaugural global series of legacy whiskies celebrates the revival of the distillery, known as the 'King of the Lowlands'. This edition commemorates the distillery's re-emergence after over 30 years of dormancy, marking a key milestone since its restoration began in 2019. Distilled in the final three years before its closure, this release captures Rosebank's rich, fruity, and floral character. The packaging features a commemorative letter and an NFC tag for authentication, highlighting its significance as Rosebank prepares to welcome the public in 2024.
Tasting Note by Rosebank:Nose: Elegant and balanced, boiled sweeties, pineapple cubes, dried apricot, gentle oak, candied ginger, lemon drizzle, marzipan, hints of white pepper and café latte.Palate: Velvet mouthfeel with good body, hints of malt, thyme, butterscotch, tropical fruits, drying oak and softly warming spice.Finish: Soft and long with lemon, honeyed porridge and toasted walnut.
"The Essence of Time" 30 Years Old whisky is a result of a meticulous search within their aged casks, leading to the discovery of flavors in five unique barrels. The European oak introduces classic rich fruit tastes, enhanced with brandy and ginger undertones. A port pipe adds a deep ruby shade and hints of red fruits. Meanwhile, two American oak hogsheads contribute sweeter tropical fruit and banana flavors, reminiscent of their fresh new make spirit. This whisky stands as a testament to The Glenturret's dedication to preserving traditional crafting methods. It boasts a natural hue and is non-chill-filtered, with a limited release of 500 bottles worldwide.
Tasting Note by Glenturret:A summer’s day picnic – tropical fruit salad and ripening bananas with a garnish of prunes and figs. Sweet brandy snaps dusted with ginger and cinnamon. A compete of red fruits topped by meringue and vanilla ice cream delivers a fruity finish shaded by subtle oak.
