In terms of cask types, it begins its maturation journey in a blend of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks. Then, 50% of the blend undergoes further refinement in first-fill Sherry casks, while the remainder is aged in first-fill Bourbon casks.
Notably, all Craigellachie expressions uphold a steadfast commitment to quality: they are non-chill filtered, free from caramel coloring, and bottled at a respectable 46% ABV. For those seeking a whisky of character and authenticity, Craigellachie is a notable choice.
Tasting Note by Craigellachie: The scents of oozing toasted marshmallows, fire-roasted pineapples, and baked apples sprinkled with cloves, along with the tang of cordite lingering in the background, make Craigellachie 13 Year Old remind one of Bonfire Night.
Distilled in small batches, Glencadam 13 Years Old is subjected to maturation in meticulously hand-picked first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks.
Bottled at 46% abv, with its natural color preserved and free from chill filtration, Glencadam 13 Years Old presents a flavor profile characterized by richness, nuttiness, and creaminess, all enhanced by the tropical fruitiness that distinguishes Glencadam Single Malts Scotch Whiskies. This combination results in a complex and impeccably balanced whisky.
Tasting Note by GlencadamNose: Creamy and inviting with aromas of bread and butter pudding, sugared almond and tangy marmalade.Palate: Rich and oily with layers of creamy panna cotta, lotus biscuits and lemon peel and nutmeg spices.Finish: Warming and nutty with notes of almond fingers, cocoa powder and hints of ground coffee.
The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea takes influence from JING’s complex tea, noted for its lush dessert wine aromas and exotic fruit notes. The whisky is predominantly matured in sherry seasoned American oak casks, bringing ripe fruit and floral flavours, balanced by European oak which adds roasted richness and a touch of astringency. A small proportion of casks previously seasoned with bourbon contributes extra sweetness, emulating the dessert wine aromas found in the tea that inspires this release.
Tasting Notes by The Macallan:Nose: Summery peach and apricot with the heady sweetness of floral honey, intertwined with tropical fruits, toffee and sweet oak.Palate: Fresh peaches in rich syrup, warm citrus and toffee, with light floral notes leading to a delicate leafy astringency.Finish: Fruity, sweet and complex.
Reposados and Añejos are meticulously tasted until the finest casks that distinguish this Cristalino as unique are identified. This chosen assortment of Añejos and Reposados will be removed from the casks where they gained their character and maturity, to undergo a third distillation. This process finely tunes their flavors and aromas in a most imaginative manner, ensuring their identity is preserved with attention to every detail.
Tasting Note by Tierra Noble:Palate: Strong character with sweet and frutal notes of green apple, a discreet presence of cooked agave and a light chocolate sparkle.Finish: Well balanced with citric notes, spices like colve, frutal with a vanilla-butter finish. Silky, smooth and lof long permanence in the palate whit fresh notes in the aftertaste combined with the tertiary notes of wood.
Part of the GlenAllachie Wine Series, this 9 year old Speyside malt initially aged in American oak and then refined in Douro Valley wine barriques, handpicked by Master Distiller Billy Walker. Hailing from Portugal's esteemed and ancient Douro Valley wine region, these barriques introduce rich hues and flavors of dried stone fruits and subtle spices. This 48% malt, limited to 2,000 cases, is non-chill filtered and boasts natural colors, ensuring a pure and nuanced tasting experience.
Tasting Note by GlenAllachie:Nose: Waves of plum jam, clementines and dried red berries, with notes of heather honey and vanilla spice. Palate: Bursting with dried apricots, heather honey and crystalised fruits, followed by hints of ripe black fruits, butterscotch and cinnamon spice.
The English 17 Year Old Portuguese Cabernet Sauvignon Cask (Founders Private Cellar Release 4) is a rare single malt, distilled in 2007 and matured for 17 years. Bottled at cask strength, this exceptional release showcases the depth and character achieved after years of patient maturation. Each bottling reflects the tradition started by founder James Nelstrop, highlighting the expertise of the distillers and the influence of the cask in a truly special expression.
Tasting Note by The English:Nose: Aromas of dates, toffee and dark chocolate.Palate: Red fruits, apples & brown sugar.Finish: Full bodied with a medium to long, dry finish.
Wire Works presents a lightly-peated English single malt whisky that has undergone maturation in a carefully chosen assortment of American and French oak casks, imparting a nuanced and unique character to the spirit.
Tasting Note by White Peak: Aromas of caramel popcorn, butterscotch, cloves, ripe banana, apples, vanilla sponge, candied ginger, cherry pie, bergamot, and nutmeg fill the nose, and are complemented throughout the palate by notes of chocolate orange.
The Balvenie French Oak stands as a vibrant single malt whisky that has undergone a finishing period in casks previously cradling wine sourced from the renowned French Charentes vineyards.
Pineau des Charentes, a fortified wine, is crafted by blending unfermented grape juice with Cognac eau-de-vie, followed by a maturation process. This distinctive wine is also crafted as a homemade product in the neighboring Deau-Sevres and Vendee regions.
The inspiration for this exploration into French Oak casks came from a suggestion by The Balvenie USA brand ambassador, Lorne Cousin. He urged Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE to consider these casks after a visit to the region with his family, where he fondly remembered savoring an aperitif.
This release marks The Balvenie's initial foray into the realm of French Oak. Pineau, resembling Cognac both in production and flavor, allows them to leverage the growing popularity of this flavor profile, complemented by its premium standing.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Beautifully balanced light floral notes from lotus and geranium flowers dance between hints of fresh meadow grass and pealed apple skin.Palate: An energising zing from tangy lemon rind and grapefruit meet the delicate subtle sweetness of glazed fruits and spice from root ginger.Finish: Refreshingly concise.
Age: 5 Years Old
Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 15% Rye, 15% Malted Barley
Sourcing: 100% Local - Mashed, Fermented, Distilled, Aged, and Bottled by Leiper's Fork Distillery
Grains: Made with Local Non-GMO Grains, with Corn Grown on the Chief Distiller's Farm
Complexity: Use of Toasted Barley Malt for Deeper Complexity
Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered for a Robust Profile and Mouthfeel
Distillation: Pot Distilled for a Pre-Prohibition Style that is Full-Bodied
Proof: Low Distillation Proof of 137* for Depth of Flavor
Filtration: Charcoal Filtered Through Sugar Maple
Barrel Entry Proof: Low Barrel Entry Proof at 110* for a Well-Rounded Palette
Tasting Note by Leiper's Fork:Milk chocolate, roasted coffee, ripe plum, dark cherry and honey nose. A complex palate of caramel, red berries and baking spices. Complexity increases as it rests in the glass. A whiskey that is every bit as satisfying to the nose as to sip.
Glenglassaugh's Peated Virgin Oak Wood combines sweet earthiness with its coastal peated spirit. Matured in American Virgin Oak casks, Glenglassaugh develops rich candy and fresh spice notes, evoking a seaside confectionery. Bottled at 46%, it retains its natural colour and is non-chill filtered.
Tasting Note:Nose: Initially sweet, combining sweet peat, oak spices, vanilla, and dried coconut. Evolves to clean smoke, with hints of sea breeze on a warm wooden deck and honeyed peaches and apricots.Palate: Sweet and dry peat smoke, slightly ashy. Sweet spicy oak and honey are prominent, with a hint of coconut. A brief fruity burst is followed by vanilla and honey.Finish: Medium-length finish featuring peat smoke, honey, fruit, and a lasting spicy oak.
Their 100% Rye Mashbill starts with 91% Raw Elbon Rye from Northwest Texas, along with cara, chocolate, and roasted rye, fully processed on-site in Waco, Texas. They use some of the tallest Forsyth copper pot stills in the world, creating a rich, viscous spirit. Each recipe undergoes a tailored 7-day fermentation, enhancing the development of fruity aromas. Texas's extreme temperature fluctuations deeply influence the whisky's flavour, as the spirit interacts with the oak casks through intense summers and cooler winters.
Tasting Note by Balcones: Nose: Texas Rye Bottled in Bond balances warm sun tea, candied fennel, and spruce tips before cooling notes of melted mint chip ice cream and raspberry glaze.Palate: It begins with graham cracker crust, dark chocolate espresso bean, and cardamom before well-articulated notes of carrot frond, cedar chest, and apricot preserves. Nutella and blackberry jam on rye toast linger for the finale.
One of the esteemed "super-premium" selections within Bunnahabhain's core range, this whisky also stands as a formidable champion in the realm of awards. True to the tradition of all their single malts, it remains unaltered by chill filtration and retains its natural color.
Under the profound influence of sherry, their 25 Year Old expression aptly showcases the remarkable maturation capabilities of Bunnahabhain. It exemplifies the intricate spectrum of sweet oaken nuances and nutty notes that can be attained through those additional years of aging in the cask.
Tasting Note by Bunnahabhain:Nose: Scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather.Palate: An initial taste of sweet berries and cream that evolves into a feast of roasted nuts and malt.Finish: Soft and dry with a delicate hint of sweet sugar and spiced oak that linger long on the tongue.
The Tomintoul 14 Years Old Cognac Cask Finish, distilled in 2009, began its maturation journey in ex-bourbon American oak casks before receiving a special finish in carefully selected Cognac casks personally sourced by Master Distiller Robert Fleming from France. These Cognac casks have seamlessly enhanced the Tomintoul Single Malt with rich fruit flavours, elevating the whisky's character and complexity. Bottled at a robust 46% abv, it retains its natural colour and avoids chill filtration. This release is limited, with only 8,082 bottles, each uniquely numbered.
Tasting Note by Tomintoul:Nose: Sweet aromas of almond flan, baked apricots, vanilla and cedarwood mingled with dark chocolate and pink peppercorn.Palate: Complex layers of ginger biscuits, sandalwood, muscovado sugar and white chocolate with hints of dark berry fruits, greengage and baking spices.Finish: Warming spices and toasted oak tailing off into a vanilla custard, milk chocolate and roast chestnut linger.
Indulge in the extraordinary with the Dailuaine 12 Year Old 2008 (Old Particular) whisky. This limited edition gem is a testament to the art of whisky making, carefully selected and bottled by Douglas Laing, renowned for their impeccable taste and dedication to quality. With only 350 bottles in existence, this sherry butt bottling is a true rarity. Each bottle is presented in premium gift tubes, adding a touch of elegance to this exceptional whisky. The highly informative labels provide insights into the craftsmanship and flavor profile, making it a must-have for whisky enthusiasts and collectors alike. Prepare your senses for an unforgettable experience. The nose reveals intriguing notes of burnt wood, peanuts, almonds, spring flowers, and shortbread, creating a captivating aroma that entices you to take your first sip. On the palate, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the fruity and perfectly drying flavors of glazed ginger and raisins, adding a delightful twist to the whisky's character. As the journey comes to an end, the finish leaves a lasting impression. More wood, toasted barley, blackcurrants, and pepper-covered strawberries dance on your taste buds, providing a harmonious blend of flavors that lingers on the palate. Whether you're a seasoned whisky connoisseur or an adventurous newcomer, the Dailuaine 12 Year Old 2008 (Old Particular) is a must-try. Its limited availability, exceptional quality, and exquisite flavors make it a true treasure that deserves a place in your whisky collection. Unlock the extraordinary and savor the moments with this remarkable whisky.
Tasting Notes by Douglas Laing & Co:Nose: Burnt wood, peanuts, almonds, spring flowers, and shortbread.Palate: Surprisingly fruity and perfectly drying with glazed ginger and raisins.Finish: More wood, toasted barley, blackcurrants and pepper-covered strawberries. (CGL)
Ilegal Mezcal is produced in Oaxaca, Mexico, where founder John Rexer began smuggling bottles across the border before establishing the brand as a legal export in 2009. Made from 100% Espadín agave using traditional artisanal production methods, Ilegal has grown into one of the most recognised names in contemporary mezcal, earning Best of the Best at the Tequila.net Awards for Best Aged Mezcal year over year.
Each batch of the Añejo is aged to taste for 13 months using a combination of new and used American oak barrels with a medium char, sourced from Kelvin Cooperage, a family-run cooperage established in 1963. Rather than bottling to a fixed schedule, each lot is assessed throughout maturation, ensuring the balance of oak structure and agave character meets the standard the expression is known for.
Tasting Note by Ilegal Mezcal: Maple, clove, and bitter orange on the nose. Dark chocolate and sweet agave on the palate.
Established in 1824 on the Easter Elchies Estate in Speyside, The Macallan has long defined its house style through an unwavering commitment to exceptional oak cask selection. The distillery's Master of Wood sources, crafts, toasts and seasons each cask to precise specifications before filling, ensuring the wood imparts the full measure of its character to the maturing spirit.
The Sherry Oak 18 Year Old 2024 Release is matured exclusively in hand-picked sherry seasoned oak casks sourced from Jerez, Spain. Eighteen years of undisturbed maturation in this single cask type produces the deep, natural mahogany colour and layered complexity for which this expression is celebrated annually. Each year's release marks a distinct moment in The Macallan's Sherry Oak Collection, making the 2024 edition a worthy addition to any serious collection and an exceptional gift for those with a discerning palate.
Tasting Note by The Macallan:Nose: Treacle tart with stem ginger, soaked raisins and sultanas with a hint of orange and ground cinnamon.Palate: Soft and rich, with flavours of dark chocolate coated ginger with dates and dried apricots, balanced with oak and the sweetness of vanilla.Finish: Lingering with dried fruits, ginger and oak.
An unaged tequila made from 100% Blue Weber Agave, sourced from both the Highlands and Lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico. The blend of agave from both regions creates a smooth, complex taste with a refined finish. Whether enjoyed neat, over ice, or in a cocktail, it offers a perfectly balanced experience.
Tasting Note by Cincoro:Nose: Delicately aromatic with notes of fresh agave, citrus, and a hint of vanilla.Palate: Fresh agave, citrus, grapefruit, fresh jalapeño.Finish: Citrus undertones balanced by cooked agave and a faint spiciness
The Aberfeldy 21 Year Old stands as a testament to time and craftsmanship. This single malt scotch whisky unveils a bouquet of floral heather honey, enveloped in a creamy intensity punctuated by notes of dried fruits and toasted coconut. Representing the pinnacle of Aberfeldy's portfolio, it is curated from an exclusive set of casks that have been patiently aged for 21 years or more. The meticulous blend of re-fill and re-char casks harmoniously intertwines with the opulence of Sherry casks and the enticing vanilla nuances of Bourbon casks, offering a symphony of flavors to the discerning whisky enthusiast.
Tasting Note by Aberfeldy: Creamy macadamia nuts and chewy beeswax swarm the palate. Plush with orange, dried fruits, toasted coconut, silky oak and a trace of smoke.
Established in 1923 in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, Yamazaki is Japan's oldest malt whisky distillery and the foundation of Suntory's whisky heritage. Nestled at the confluence of three rivers, the distillery benefits from a humid, mist-laden microclimate that contributes to a distinctively soft and elegant house style, drawing on a diverse range of cask types and a breadth of distillation techniques unmatched in Japanese whisky production.
The Golden Promise is composed entirely from Golden Promise barley, a Scottish varietal first cultivated in the 1960s and prized for its exceptional malting characteristics and depth of flavour. Matured in American oak casks, the expression accentuates the natural richness of the Golden Promise grain, producing a whisky of malty, fruity character with a notably refined sweetness. It is a release that speaks to Yamazaki's enduring curiosity about the relationship between raw ingredient and finished spirit.
Tasting Note by Yamazaki:Nose: Sweet malt, vanilla and honey with a fragrant, delicate character.Palate: Rich and full with hints of orange marmalade and custard.Finish: Sweet and fruity with citrus, long and lasting.
Distilled on the Orkney Islands at one of Scotland's most storied distilleries, Highland Park has crafted whisky on its Kirkwall site since 1798. Under Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion, each release is built around the precise marriage of hand-selected casks, with the distillery's signature lightly peated Orcadian heather malt underpinning every expression.
The 25 Year Old 2023 Release is drawn from just 22 casks: ten first-fill sherry seasoned European oak hogsheads, two first-fill sherry seasoned American oak hogsheads, four first-fill sherry seasoned American oak butts, five refill hogsheads and one refill butt. Each cask was selected by Gordon Motion for its marrying potential, depth of flavour and complex character, producing a whisky of natural deep copper colour and considerable aged richness. At this level of maturation and rarity, it is as much a collector's piece as it is a drinking whisky, and presents exceptionally well as a landmark gift.
Tasting Note by Highland Park:Honeyed peaches, sweet satsumas, pistachio biscotti, crushed coriander seed, aromatic oregano, crème brûlée, citrus zest and heathered peat smoke.
