The original 'extra-old' cognac, initially bottled in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy for exclusive distribution among family and close friends. Distinguished by its darker hue and significantly greater complexity in comparison to the VSOP, it offers alluring notes of leather and tobacco, complemented by a hint of spice—making it a splendid choice for pairing with cigars.
Tasting Note by Hennessy:Nose: The aromatic profile unfolds with a lavish and fruit-forward palate, showcasing the presence of luscious prunes, Corinth raisins, and delectable sticky toffee pudding.Palate: On the palate, the experience deepens with the indulgence of dark chocolate and the luxurious essence of over-ripe plums. A subtle character of sultanas, accompanied by the smoothness of cocoa butter and a hint of spice, adds layers of complexity and richness.Finish: The finish is characterized by a spirited, vanilla-led finale, accompanied by an array of tantalizing dark fruits. The combination of spices and the lingering presence of these fruits creates a memorable and satisfying conclusion to the tasting experience.
A bold and innovative expression that combines two contrasting flavours: smoky campfire and rich toffee sweetness. Breaking boundaries begins with blending peated whisky and Glenfiddich's signature sweet, fruity malts originally aged in bourbon casks. The final touch ends with six months of finishing in Latin rum casks.
Tasting Note by Glenfiddich:Nose: Billowing soft peat notes, like distant smoke on the wind. Rich sweet toffee with zesty fresh fruit notes and spiciness.Palate: Like a Highland peat campfire, with oak notes and toffee. Sharp green fruit, sweet baked apple and soft smoke.Finish: Lingering smokiness and sweetness.
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old is a masterpiece that undergoes a meticulous maturation process. Initially aged in oak barrels for 21 years, this whisky is then treated to a finishing period in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks, lasting up to four months. This precise method yields an exquisite Speyside whisky, bursting with intricate, warming, and vibrant flavours.Each bottle of this exceptional single malt comes with a complimentary Aspinal of London Luggage Leather Luggage Tag worth £48!
Tasting Note by Glenfiddich:Nose: Intense and vanilla sweet. Floral, hints of banana, figs, rich toffee, new leather and oak.Palate: Initially soft, then brisk, vibrant and drying, peppery, a touch of smoke, oak, lime, ginger and spices.Finish: Very long, warming, dry and spicy.
A trailblazing expression as part of the fifth release in the Experimental Series. Inspired by the orchards of Somerset, Brian Kinsman crafted the first-ever single malt Scotch whisky finished in Somerset Pomona Spirit Casks, a blend of apple cider brandy and apple juice. Unlike other experiments, it's crisp, fresh, and aromatic.Tasting Note:Nose: Fresh floral blossom and crisp red and green apples.Taste: An initial burst of ripe orchard fruits on the palate softens and develops into honeyed sweetness and oak.Finish: Long lasting sweetness.
The Glencadam Reserva PX Single Malt Scotch Whisky is crafted in limited batches by the Master Distiller, using meticulously chosen malt aged in premium American oak ex-bourbon casks from their age-old dunnage warehouses. This malt is then expertly blended and refined in hand-picked Pedro Ximénez Sherry butts from Andalucía, Spain. It's bottled at natural colour, 46% ABV and without undergoing chill filtration. Glencadam Reserva PX Cask Finish was awarded the Best Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2024)!The Judging Panel described the whisky as showing; ‘Perfumed aroma with raspberry and blackcurrant jams and nutmeg. The complex palate features toffee, caramel, stewed apples, dates, nutmeg, and cinnamon.’
Tasting Note by Glencadam:Nose: Tangy and fresh with aromas of tropical fruits and citrus bound by a soft vanilla sweetness and baking spices.Palate: Bright and grassy with layers of pineapple, lemon curd and brioche with citrus zest highlights.Finish: Clean and crisp with notes of yellow fruits, vanilla pod and nutmeg spices.
Ledaig 10 is a meticulously crafted 10 year old single malt whisky known for its unique smoky profile, originating from Tobermory Distillery. Much like all their single malts, this peated Ledaig undergoes no chill filtration and retains its natural colour. It's bottled at 46.3% ABV and is made using peated barley (30-40ppm) of the concerto variety.
Tasting Note by Tobymory: Nose: Sweet briny smokiness with distinct island character and playful notes that hint at mild antiseptic, creosote, wax polish, mint chocolate and floral seaside aromas. Soft peat, gentle smoke.Palate: Tantalisingly sweet, medicinal flavours infused with enticing sparks of spicy pepper and dried fruit with rich peaty smoke and a velvety vanilla and malty creaminess.Finish: A wondrous union of sublimely spicy white pepper, the vibrant sweetness of liquorice and a kick of cloves with a exquisite lingering saltiness.
Intended for savouring, this extra-aged tequila is rich, warm, and silky, boasting intense flavours and sweetness from its maturation in American oak barrels.
The X.A bottle's striking design pays homage to the Tequila volcano, which erupted over 200,000 years ago in Mexico's Jalisco region, creating optimal conditions for blue agave growth.Tasting Note by Tomas Perez (Master Tequilier):Nose: Hints of spice, cooked agave and sweet notes of vanilla, honey and dried fruits combine on the nosePalate: Ultra smooth with a long finish – a reposado (aged) base brings the right level of sweetness and smoothness, while añejo (extra-aged) and extra-añejo (ultra-aged) tequilas add aromatic balance and complexity.
A signature now reimagined at 12 years old. Aged in bourbon casks, The Original is now smoother and even more delicious, delivering a rush of citrus and layers of honeyed fruit.
Tasting Note by Glenmorangie:Nose: Citrus and ripening peaches are balanced by vanilla softness.Palate: Vanilla emerges, then gives way to a burst of flowery fruitiness. Finish: The surprisingly lingering aftertaste, is bursting with almond, coconut, and a touch of maple syrup.
Drawing inspiration from generations of Douglas Laing family Fox Terriers, Scallywag Malt Scotch Whisky embodies the fusion of meticulously aged Speyside Single Malts, predominantly matured in Spanish Sherry casks. This award-winning elixir is meticulously bottled and released in truly limited, cherished batches.
Tasting Note by Douglas Laing & Co:Nose: Anticipate the rewarding scent of sweet vanilla and warming chocolate.Palate: Detect layers of rich red fruits and baking spices, much of which can be attributed to years slumbering in Spanish Sherry butts.Finish: Long lasting with waves of zesty orange, fresh ginger and dark cocoa.
Maturing exclusively in 100% Oloroso sherry casks, this whisky serves as a fantastic entry point for individuals who appreciate the rich, sherried profile. It embodies the distillery's distinctive style and provides an excellent starting point for those who enjoy sherried whiskies.
Tasting Note by Glenfarclas:Nose: Fresh and beautifully light, sherried fruit combined with a tempting spicy sweetness and a hint of sappy oak.Palate: Full-bodied with delightful sherried fruit, oak and delicious sweet sensations.Finish: Long and flavoursome, with a lingering spiciness.
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.
Using a combination of Straight Neck and traditional Swan Neck Stills, the Inchomoan 12 emphasises soft smoke and warming spice, the two key elements of Loch Lomond's character. Master blender Michael Henry skilfully uses three types of American Oak casks to capture captivating notes of wood, peat smoke, roasted coffee, green apple, clove, and aniseed spice.
Tasting Note by Loch Lomond:Nose: Dry peat smoke with vanilla syrup and cracked black pepper.Palate: Sweet, medicinal peat and smoked bacon lead into roasted coffee bean with spice notes of clove and star anise. Warming spiciness combines with green apple and pear.Finish: Long, waxy peat with citrus hop note and gooseberry.
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.
A distinctive rum that brings a unique perspective to the world of spirits. Sourced from the Quang Nam distillery and made from pure cane juice rum, this expression adds a unique flair to the adventurous 'Great Whites' range. Perfect for those seeking to explore new frontiers in rum, it promises a refreshing and vibrant journey through the nuances of Vietnamese craftsmanship.
Tasting Notes:Nose: Green sugar cane, herbal jasmine tea leaves, incense and sandalwood.Palate: Sweet white fleshed fruits, praline, butterscotch and oak.Finish: Long with a hint of citrus.
Bottled directly from the cask without the addition of water to reduce its alcohol content, Highland Park's Cask Strength series is renowned for delivering exceptional depth, complexity, and a harmonious flavor balance. Release No. 3 continues this tradition of excellence.
For this third release, a meticulous blend of three cask types was expertly employed. It includes first-fill sherry seasoned American and European oak casks, complemented by a smaller quantity of refill casks. This combination ensures a whisky with both depth and balance, showcasing the signature qualities of Highland Park's Cask Strength series.
Tasting Note by Highland Park:Palate: Lightly charred oak, honey-glazed lemons, crushed aniseed, ripe mango, cloudy heather honey, whipped vanilla cream, aromatic violet, pink grapefruit zest, rich sponge cake, smouldering peat smoke.
This exceptional spirit is aged exclusively in the finest sherry oak casks, resulting in a deep and rich flavour profile that anyone who tastes it can appreciate. The whisky's packaging is designed to reveal the natural amber hue of the spirit, enticing connoisseurs to indulge in its intense richness on the palate and savor the long-lasting, lingering finish it delivers.
Tasting Note by Tamdhu:Nose: Rich and enticing, iced cinnamon rolls, orange boiled sweets, fresh sweet oak with raisins and the faint hint of mint.Palate: Silky texture that coats the mouth with banana, berry jam, malt biscuit and classic sherry oak depth.Finish: Pleasantly long and balanced with ground spice, dried fruit and soft Scottish tablet – finally unveiling the merest wisp of peat smoke.
Hennessy VSOP stands as an impeccably balanced cognac, epitomizing Hennessy's two centuries of expertise. This VSOP cognac represents a meticulous blend of diverse eaux-de-vie (distilled wines) sourced from a range of vineyards within the Cognac region. These eaux-de-vie are aged for a minimum of four years, though the maturation process frequently exceeds these baseline requirements. Guided by the expertise of the master blender at Hennessy, these eaux-de-vie are artfully harmonized to craft a cognac that embodies equilibrium and a well-rounded flavor profile.
Tasting Note by Hennessy:Color: Flamboyant mahogany with light tones.Nose: Releases very mature notes, evoking the aroma of fresh fruit coupled with a sensation of suppleness that settles in to underscore the harmony of this cognac.Palate: The sensation of full body deepens with the flavours of juicy fruits, vanilla, spices and mild tobacco also provided by the vigor of the younger eaux-de-vie.
The GlenDronach Port Wood, a non-age statement expression, draws inspiration from the historical import of casked port into Scotland during the 19th century. In those days, port was highly prized, and the finest port pipes made their way from Portugal to Scotland. Selecting some of the finest port pipes from Portugal's Douro Valley, The GlenDronach embarks on a three-year maturation process. The Master Blender adeptly blends whisky from these port pipes, resulting in a ten year old expression characterised by abundant fruitiness, featuring ripe berries and a hallmark long, lingering finish.
Tasting Note by GlenDronach:Nose: Breathe in delightful waves of Victoria plum, bramble and strawberry jam with top notes of cherry blossom and honeysuckle, on a base of sandalwood and ginger.Palate: Layers upon layers of rich fruit. Sip blackberry and roasted apple crumble with freshly baked gingerbread, developing into a baked orange and black cherry back-note.Finish: Savour orange peel, sultana and cherry cake lingering into the richly fruity finish.
The Whiskymaker's Reserve No.7, the final and award-winning whisky in the signature series, is revealed with delight. Matured in the finest Spanish and American oak casks, including Oloroso, PX, and red wine, it offers a bold yet evolved flavor profile with an elegant sweetness. This edition is a culmination of an artistic exploration in maturation and blending, embodying the journey of The Lakes Single Malt towards defining its signature style with a growing sherry cask influence. No.7 is celebrated for its fragrance and refinement, featuring layers of honeyed fruits, cocoa nibs, and dark chocolate, while retaining the creamy texture and character of its predecessors, refined through the art of élevage.Each bottle of this exceptional whisky comes with a complimentary The Lakes Rocking Glass worth £7!
Tasting Note by The Lakes Distillery:Nose: Fragrant sandalwood, almond friands and orchard fruits with a touch of baking spice.Palate: Rich and creamy with honeyed fruits, currants, and a hint of dark chocolate.Finish: Creamy and fragrant with warming spice and hints of cocoa nibs.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish stands out as a remarkable expression. It combines the unforgettable flavours of the classic 10 Year Old Laphroaig with the sweet and complex influence of Oloroso sherry casks. This unique whisky begins with the same traditional process, aging in ex-Bourbon barrels, before it rests in Oloroso sherry casks to gain extra depth and character. Each sherry oak cask is hand-selected to create a truly exceptional single malt.
Tasting Note by Laphroaig:Nose: Sweet and peaty with medicinal notes of Manuka honey, hospital bandages, antiseptic lotion, Germolene, strong cloves aroma but also grilled smoky bacon, a distinctive character of sweet leather, iodine and pine tar.Palate: Sweet and aromatic, with rich wax and furniture polish notes followed by treacle toffee, maple syrup, bitter dark chocolate combined with pencil shavings, pine needle and cedar scented wood.Finish: Finished in European oak Oloroso sherry barrels.
Benriach The Original Ten Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a fine representation of the distillery's character and craftsmanship. This expression encapsulates the signature smooth and multi-layered profile of Benriach.
The Original Ten is aged for at least ten years and undergoes a unique maturation process, which involves three different types of casks: bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and virgin oak casks. This maturation imparts a complex array of flavors and aromas to the whisky.
The result is a whisky with layers of luscious orchard fruit, sumptuous honeyed malt, and toasted oak. These flavors are interwoven with a subtle trace of smoke, adding depth and complexity to the overall profile. Benriach The Original Ten is an excellent introduction to the distillery's signature style and the richly layered character of Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky. With a natural cask-imparted color and an ABV of 43%, it promises a delightful tasting experience.
Tasting Note by Benriach:Nose: Rich orchard fruit, honey and toasted oak.Palate: Ripe pear, nectarine and malt sweetness, with a finishing note of almond and spiced vanilla.
The fourth release in the Hebridean Series, matured for 26 years, offers a balanced profile of spice and sweetness, with vanilla, toffee, cinnamon pastries, and toasted malt notes. Bottled at 49.2% ABV, it stands apart from earlier releases in the series. Master Blender Julieann Fernandez notes that, unlike the fruity, floral character of younger expressions, this release features a darker, heavier sweetness with woodsmoke, caramelised sugar, and treacle toffee—an unexpected result from uncharred González Byass Oloroso Sherry casks.Tasting Notes by Tobermory:Nose: A burst of dark brown sugar fades to reveal fresh strawberries, vanilla fudge, candied ginger and dried sultanas.Palate: A perfect balance of spicy and sweet; vanilla, toffee, walnuts and freshly baked cinnamon pastries intertwined with gentle oak and toasted malt.Finish: Lingering woody finish with notes of chocolate covered hazelnuts.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old single malt whisky begins its journey aging in traditional oak casks for 14 years. It is then finished in casks that previously held Caribbean rum. Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE prepares these casks with a blend of West Indian rums, which are later replaced by the aged whisky, allowing the wood to impart its final characteristics.Each bottle of this whisky comes with a complimentary Balvenie Tumbler.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Rich, sweet and creamy toffee on the nose combines with fresh fruit notes.Palate: Rounded with vanilla and sweet oak notes, with a fruity character that develops with time.Finish: Soft and lingering.
Inspired by Ian Millar's interest in peat following his visit to Islay, The Balvenie's "Week of Peat" epitomises 17 years of meticulous monitoring to harmonise peat perfectly with the distillery's signature flavours of honey, vanilla, and citrus, enriched with a subtle smokiness. This expression is part of "The Balvenie Stories," a trio of limited-edition whiskies that encapsulate tales of craftsmanship and tradition, emphasising the distillery's commitment to age-old, hands-on methods and storytelling through each unique batch of single malt, made from home-grown barley.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Subtle peat smoke, heather, orange peel and light tropical fruit, with light butterscotch and sweet vanilla.Palate: Velvety and round to taste with the peat smoke balancing citrus flavours, oaky vanilla and blossom honey.Finish: Gently smoke with a lingering and creamy vanilla sweetness.
The Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old single malt whisky is a result of a unique process where a blend of rare Balvenie whiskies is transferred to port casks, often referred to as pipes, that have previously cradled fine port wines.
In this stage, The Balvenie Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE regularly samples the whisky to ensure just the right amount of character is infused by the port casks. This process enhances and matures the single malt while preserving its original characteristics.
Regarded by many as David's magnum opus, this whisky stands as one of his most cherished achievements, having garnered numerous prestigious industry awards since its debut in 1996.
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.
