Benriach Malting Season Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a celebration of traditional whisky-making methods that harken back to the earliest days of the Benriach Distillery. This expression is particularly unique because it's the first in a century to be produced entirely using barley malted at the distillery's historic floor maltings in Speyside.
The whisky is crafted with great care, reflecting the distillery's heritage and dedication to traditional processes. The first edition of Benriach Malting Season undergoes a two-cask maturation process, aging in bourbon and virgin oak barrels. This maturation process is chosen to highlight and enhance the wholesome, creamy flavors characteristic of Benriach's floor-malted spirit. The result is a beautiful barley gold-colored liquid with a rich aroma of barley sugar, almond fudge, and poached orchard apple.
On the palate, this expression offers smooth, rounded flavors of vanilla and honeyed pear, accompanied by a lasting nuttiness from the slowly kilned malt. The small batch release comprises 23 barrels, all distilled on 2nd November 2012, and it yields a total of 6,672 bottles. Benriach Malting Season is a tribute to the craftsmanship and heritage of Speyside whisky-making.
Tasting Note by Benriach:Nose: Richly aromatic with barley sugar, almond fudge and poached orchard apple.Palate: Smooth and rounded with vanilla and honeyed pear, with the lasting nuttiness of slowly kilned malt.
Aged for a quarter of a century, The Balvenie 25 Year Old Rare Marriages is a testament to skillful blending. Carefully composed from a selection of traditional and sherry casks, it reveals a refined balance of rich oak, dried fruit, and delicate spice—showcasing the depth and harmony that define Balvenie’s signature character.
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
Benriach The Twenty Five Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a rich and sumptuous expression that offers a masterful curation of flavors. It is crafted from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit and undergoes a quadruple maturation process, spending at least twenty-five years in various cask types. These casks include sherry casks, bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, and Madeira Island wine casks.
During its extended maturation, the sweet Speyside smoke character in Benriach's spirit mellows and seamlessly integrates with the fruit, malt, and oak flavors. After twenty-five years, the rich layering of flavors evolves into a profile of caramelised smoke, which is further enhanced through the multi-layered cask maturation process.
With a natural cask-imparted color and an ABV of 46%, Benriach The Twenty Five is a truly sophisticated and complex whisky that reflects the culmination of over two decades of maturation.
Tasting Note by Benriach:Nose: Smoked apricot, dark cherry chocolate, hazelnut toffee.Palate: Baked fruit, toasted oak spice, orange and cinnamon spice, finishing with rich caramelised smoke.
Introducing the Glenrothes 21 Year Old 1998 (XOP) - a whisky of unparalleled luxury and exclusivity. Crafted with meticulous care by Douglas Laing's, this exceptional expression is a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Limited to just 214 bottles worldwide, this whisky is a true collector's item, destined to be cherished by enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Each sip offers a journey through time and flavor, as it was distilled in June 1998 and bottled in October 2019. With no colorings or chill-filtration, every drop is a pure and unadulterated experience. Prepare to be captivated by the nose of gentle spiciness that evolves into tantalizing notes of fresh vanilla, caramelized nuts, and grist. The palate delights with a harmonious dance of vanilla, hard candy, orange zest, and creamy fudge. And the long, lingering finish reveals a symphony of citrus fruits, warming cinnamon, and spiced oak. But the Glenrothes 21 Year Old 1998 (XOP) is not just about the liquid inside the bottle. It is a true masterpiece, presented in a premium wooden hinged gift box that exudes elegance. The screen-printed bottle, exclusive glass stopper, handcrafted presentation plinth, and individually numbered certificate further elevate its allure. With only 214 bottles available worldwide, this highly exclusive single malt whisky is a rare gem that will undoubtedly become the centerpiece of any collection. Indulge in the epitome of luxury and taste the extraordinary with the Glenrothes 21 Year Old 1998 (XOP).
Tasting Notes by Douglas Laing & Co:Nose: The nose has a gentle spiciness that develops to fresh vanilla, caramelised nuts and grist.Palate: The palate brings more vanilla, running alongside hard candy, orange zest and creamy fudge.Finish: The long finish reveals citrus fruits, warming cinnamon and spiced oak. (CSL)
Ardbeg Corryvreckan, inspired by the intense whirlpool off Islay's coast, is a bold and complex single malt that mirrors the whirlpool's audacious nature. It offers a tumult of deep, peaty, and peppery flavors, demanding respect and appreciation. Recognised as the World's Best Single Malt in 2010, this non-chill filtered whisky is matured in ex-bourbon casks, with no age statement, and has a high ABV of 57.1%. It's distinguished by its rich amber color, embodying both the wildness of nature and the finesse of expert whisky crafting.
Tasting Note by Ardbeg:Nose: Heady, intense and powerful. Swirl the glass and dip your nose into the torrents of tarry ropes, creosote and linseed oil rising from deep within the vortex. A collision of waxy dark chocolate, warm blackcurrants and muscovado sugar pulls you under its spell with a burst of plump cherries and earthy pine needles leaping from its depths. From salty seasoning comes a briny character with tangy crisp seaweed and smoky bacon swirling on the surface with hints of sweet vanilla, spicy cloves and blueberries. Surrender to its dangerous depths with the heady force of menthol, treacle and chilli sauce.Palate: Plunge into the whirlpool and torrents of taste well up on the palate; deep, peppery and chewy, bombarding the tongue. The first plunge brings forth chewy peppered steak soaked in pepper sauce with the tang of crispy seaweed. As you descend deeper, encounter a mouthful of black tarry espresso coffee that coats the palate with rich melted dark fruits (blackcurrants, blueberries and cherries) and bitter almonds. As the taste soaks in deeper, star anise and hickory dry out the palate before a surprise of chalky effervescent violets fizz to the surface.Finish: Long, deep and remaining powerful into the finish with black tarry coffee, chocolate coated cherries and hot pepper sauce, the lingering memories of your mysterious and daring journey into Corryvreckan.
This distinctive malt, matured solely in hand-selected sherry casks for a remarkable 25 years, represents a significant addition to the Glengoyne lineup. It is showcased in a newly designed, substantial bottle and outer packaging. The bottle is adorned with a finely crafted metal stopper, an intricate cartouche, and a subtly branded neck tag, all elegantly presented within an oak box interior featuring an engraved plinth. The outer packaging boasts an exquisite feather pattern with subtle varnish accents.
Tasting Note by Glengoyne:Nose: Red Fruits, old leather and brown sugar.Palate: Soft oak, cinnamon, stewed fruits and a Seville marmalade tang.Finish: Very long, with spicy liquorice, slowly drying.
This 18 Year Old Single Malt has garnered numerous prestigious awards, a testament evident once you savor its exquisite flavors. The whisky's rich mahogany hue reveals its exclusive sherry cask aging, while the subtle hint of salt on the palate serves as a poignant reminder of their coastal setting.
Situated adjacent to the shoreline and benefiting from a bay nourished by the Sound of Islay, the pervasive influence of the salty sea breeze is inescapable, particularly during the 18 year maturation process.
Tasting Note by Bunnahabhain:Nose: Fragrant with notes of dried fruit, rich honeyed nuts, toffee and slight hints of spice.Palate: Notes of mellow sherried nuts, dried fruit and rich oak, with toffee and a slight tang of salt from its maturation of 18yrs at the coast.Finish: A dry fruit finish with a hint of spice and salt.
Driven by a desire to explore new dimensions within The Balvenie's flavor profile, distillery manager Ian Millar drew inspiration from a recent visit to Islay. He ordered a batch of Speyside peat for the kiln, marking a significant departure from the distillery's traditional methods. During one week each year, The Balvenie distills a batch of peated malt, resulting in a whisky enriched with honeyed, vanilla, and citrus notes, adorned with an intriguing layer of delicate smokiness.
The Balvenie Distillery finds its essence in the stories shared from one generation of craftsmen to the next. The Balvenie Stories collection, comprising three unique whiskies, pays homage to these tales of character, determination, and craftsmanship.
Each whisky brought to life by The Balvenie encapsulates a human narrative, evolving in tandem with its protagonists and revealing unforeseen twists as it matures over the years. It's a celebration of the enduring craft and heritage embodied by The Balvenie.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Gentle sweet peat smoke, lighter floral notes and delicate butterscotch honey.Palate: Velvety and round to taste with the peat smoke balancing citrus flavours, oaky vanilla and blossom honey.Finish: Gentle smoke with a lingering and creamy vanilla sweetness.
Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year Old, with an ABV of 40%, presents an exclusive and extraordinary expression from the Glenfiddich Distillery. This remarkable whisky is meticulously aged for 23 years in American and European oak casks before embarking on a finishing journey in rare French Cuvee casks. The result is an elegant single malt Scotch whisky that harmoniously melds the finest elements from Scotland and France, creating an unparalleled drinking experience.
Tasting Note by Glenfiddich:Nose: Apple blossom, freshly baked bread and candied lemon.Palate: Layers of rich vanilla oak, sweet brioche, sandalwood, pear sorbet and white grape.Finish: Long, opulent and sweet.
Hakushu is the second Single Malt distillery brought to life by Japan's pioneering and highly acclaimed whisky producer, Suntory. Drawing inspiration from the pristine forests of Japan, Suntory dedicated 200 acres of natural sanctuary to craft the exquisite Hakushu Single Malt. Nestled in the mountainous region to the northwest of Tokyo, Hakushu Single Malt is characterized by its lively and grassy flavor profile, with a subtle hint of smoky peat. Every facet of Suntory's whisky production adheres to the principles of Japanese authenticity, influenced by the traditions of Scottish malts and executed with unwavering Japanese precision and craftsmanship.
Tasting Note by Suntory:Nose: Basil, pine needle, green apple.Palate: Sweet pear, mint, kiwi.Finish: Green tea, subtle smoke.
Introduced in 1993, the DoubleWood 12 was birthed from a method pioneered by The Balvenie's Malt Master, David Stewart, in 1982—a technique now widely recognized as 'wood finishing'.
To craft The Balvenie DoubleWood, David Stewart MBE begins with whisky aged for at least 12 years in traditional whisky containers, consisting of American Oak ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads. This is subsequently transitioned to Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks, where it remains for an added nine months.
Following this, the whisky is shifted to large oak receptacles, known as "tuns", for a period spanning 3-4 months. This crucial step allows the distinct whiskies from separate casks to seamlessly "marry" together.
Owing its unique profile to maturation in dual wood types, The Balvenie DoubleWood single malt whisky imbibes varied attributes at each phase. The conventional casks infuse it with a subtle, delicate character; the sherry wood imparts depth and a rich flavour palette; and the concluding stint in the tuns ensures a harmonious blend of the whiskies.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry notes, layered with honey and vanilla.Palate: Smooth and mellow with beautifully combined flavours ~ nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a delicately proportioned layer of sherry.Finish: Long and Warming.
The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is a notable expression within the Double Cask range, skillfully combining the iconic Macallan style with the delightful sweetness of American oak. This single malt is a harmonious and well-rounded whisky, striking a perfect balance of flavours that encompass fudge, citrus, and gentle spice notes.
Tasting Note by Macallan:Nose: Creamy butterscotch with a hint of toffee apple, candied orange, vanilla custard and newly felled oak.Palate: Deliciously honeyed, wood spices and citrus, balanced with raisins and caramel.Finish: Oak lingers, warm, sweet and drying.
