The Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Argentinian Malbec Cask Finish is the result of a remarkable collaboration between Malt Master Stephanie Macleod and award-winning winemaker Daniel Pi of Finca Ambrosia, one of Argentina's most prestigious estates. Having travelled to the Uco Valley in Argentina, Stephanie personally selected Malbec casks from Finca Ambrosia to bring an entirely new dimension to the Aberfeldy character — a partnership between two masters of their craft that has produced something genuinely distinctive within the distillery's wine cask series.
Aberfeldy Distillery was established in 1898 in Perthshire, drawing process water from the gold-laced Pitilie Burn and producing a fruity, richly honeyed Highland single malt in alembic copper pot stills crafted by Forsyths. Here, 21 years of patient maturation have been completed by a finishing period in Malbec wine casks, which lend vivid red fruit character, gentle floral notes and a subtle tartness that sits in elegant balance with the distillery's signature honeyed sweetness. Bottled at 46% ABV, this limited edition release is as well suited to the collector as it is to the enthusiast seeking something beyond the expected.
Tasting Note by Aberfeldy: Evolving aromas of juicy strawberries glazed with sweet Highland honey, gently brightened by hints of fresh blackcurrant. This bouquet gives way to delicate floral notes of rose and violet, underscored by a subtle touch of warming cinnamon spice. On the palate, vibrant fruit flavours come alive, gracefully melting into creamy vanilla and concluding with a wonderfully smooth, lingering finish.
Founded in 1892 by William Grant in Dufftown, Speyside, The Balvenie has long been defined by its commitment to traditional craftsmanship and the mastery of wood. The distillery maintains its own floor maltings, cooperage and coppersmith team, and its succession of Malt Masters has built a body of work that places cask management at the very centre of the whisky making process. It was Honorary Ambassador and former Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE who first developed the technique of wood finishing in 1982, a practice now widely used across the industry but originating here on the Balvenie Estate.
First released in 1996 and considered by many to be David C. Stewart's finest creation, the PortWood 21 Year Old brings together a marriage of rare Balvenie whiskies that have been matured for over two decades in traditional American oak whisky casks before being transferred to port pipes, the large casks used to age fine port wines. The port cask finishing stage is sampled regularly by the Malt Master to ensure the right degree of character is imparted, enhancing and developing the spirit whilst preserving the depth and complexity built over twenty-one years. The result is a single malt of genuine refinement, recognised by an array of industry awards since its launch. An outstanding collector's expression and a gift of real distinction for a milestone occasion.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: A perfume of fruity and ripe raisin notes, backed by a nutty dryness.Palate: Refined with remarkable character, it is creamy and silky with fruit, honey and spice notes.Finish: Long, gentle, nutty.
Royal Brackla 21 Year Old Whisky is a whisky of bold nobility, reflecting the distillery's opulent and fruity style that has long been cherished by a select few. This 21 year old single malt, hailing from the Royal Brackla distillery, is finished in a combination of the finest Oloroso, Palo Cortado, and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, culminating in a rich and opulent finish.
Tasting Note by Royal Brackla:Syrupy toffee notes, with richly fragrant summer berries warmed by the sun and dusted in cinnamon and muscovado sugar.
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.
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.
