The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Year Old (110 Proof) is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 55% ABV, offering a higher-strength interpretation of the distillery's established Sherry Oak 12 Year Old expression. Part of The Macallan's Sherry Oak Collection, this release retains the traditional sherry cask maturation while presenting the whisky at a strength of 110 US proof.
Matured for 12 years exclusively in sherry seasoned oak casks at The Macallan Estate in Easter Elchies, Scotland, the whisky develops its character through prolonged interaction with oak. The sherry seasoned casks contribute rich dried fruit, warm spice and oak characteristics, which form the foundation of The Macallan's traditional Sherry Oak style.
Unlike the standard 12 Year Old expression, which is bottled at 40% ABV in the UK, the 110 Proof edition is presented at 55% ABV. This higher bottling strength provides a more concentrated expression of the whisky's established character, emphasising its rich fruit, oak and warming spice influences.
The Macallan 110 Proof maintains the same 12-year maturation period and exclusive use of sherry seasoned oak casks as the original expression. The distinction lies in its higher bottling strength, offering a different perspective on the distillery's traditional sherry cask matured single malt.
Tasting Notes by The Macallan:Warm and evocative, this naturally amber-hued single malt scotch whisky opens with the indulgent aroma of sticky dates and gentle cinnamon spice, unfolding into layers of rich oak and a subtle warmth of stem ginger on the palate.
The Macallan TIME Sherry Cask 20 Year Old is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky that marks a new chapter in the distillery's longstanding relationship with sherry seasoned oak. It is the first Macallan whisky to be influenced by casks seasoned with Valdespino sherry following the historic Jerez sherry house coming under The Macallan's ownership.
Matured for a minimum of 20 years, the whisky draws its character predominantly from European oak sherry seasoned casks, complemented by a smaller proportion of American oak. Following maturation, the whisky undergoes an additional marrying process in bespoke casks seasoned with Valdespino sherry. This distinctive dual interaction with sherry seasoned oak introduces an additional layer of richness and complexity while maintaining the established character of The Macallan's sherry cask matured single malts.
The collaboration with Valdespino represents a significant development in The Macallan's connection to Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, where its sherry seasoned oak casks originate. By incorporating casks seasoned with sherry from a house now under its ownership, The Macallan further connects its whisky production with the traditional methods of Spanish sherry making.
TIME Sherry Cask is the third chapter in The Macallan's TIME Collection, following TIME and TIME Mastery, which were introduced during the distillery's 200th anniversary celebrations. Presented in the collection's distinctive circular decanter, this 20 Year Old expression is bottled at 44.8% ABV.
Tasting Notes by The Macallan:Colour: Rich MahoganyAroma: Beautifully rich with intense sherry-soaked fruits. Dark chocolate truffles sit alongside cinnamon and ginger to provide depth and richness.Palate: Dried fruits including sultanas, dates and apricots combine with rich ginger cake and treacle toffee. Jam-like richness is balanced by warming cloves and cinnamon, leading into cocoa and polished oak.Finish: Long and warming with gentle wood spices, hints of espresso and soft waves of oak.
Bowmore 20 Year Old Oak Voyage (Snarkitecture Captivo Collection 2026) is a limited-edition Islay single malt Scotch whisky created in collaboration with Snarkitecture, the New York-based design practice founded by Daniel Arsham and Alex Mustonen. Released as Edition 01 of the Captivo Collection, the whisky brings together Bowmore's traditional whisky-making methods and Snarkitecture's approach to art, architecture and design.
Matured for 20 years, the whisky has been finished in a selection of Oloroso sherry seasoned American oak butts. The use of 100% American oak allows the whisky to develop a balance of sweetness, dried fruit and oak characteristics, while the Oloroso sherry seasoning contributes additional richness. This finishing process complements Bowmore's established combination of gentle peat smoke, fruit and maritime influences.
The collaboration takes inspiration from Bowmore's No.1 Vaults, the historic maturation warehouse on Islay. During a visit to the distillery, Snarkitecture co-founder Alex Mustonen explored the island's rugged landscape and the architectural features of the warehouses. These observations informed the packaging design, which features a flowing contour motif known as the Vivid Portal. The layered illustration represents the relationship between surface and depth, reflecting the gradual discovery of flavours developed through extended whisky maturation.
Presented in a specially designed black gift box with orange and red contour artwork, Bowmore 20 Year Old Oak Voyage is bottled at 50.8% ABV. The 2026 release marks the first edition of the Captivo Collection, combining a 20-year-old Islay single malt with a distinctive design collaboration.
Tasting Notes by Bowmore:
Nose: With warm, rich chestnut hues, notes of salted toffee, dried fruits, orange peel merge with tobacco and honeyPalate: Hints of dark cherry, candied orange and Maunka honey, meet with a surprising flair of cool eucalyptus and toasted oakFinish: Smooth sweetness reminiscent of vanilla, and just a whisper of campfire smoke
Rémy Martin Coupe 300th Anniversary is a special release created to mark 300 years of the House of Rémy Martin. Crafted by Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau, it draws on the House’s Réserve Perpétuelle, continuing a lineage of anniversary Cognacs stretching back through previous Coupe releases.
Created from Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie, Coupe 300 combines mature character with freshness and complexity, reflecting three centuries of Rémy Martin’s Cognac-making heritage.
Limited to 6,724 individually numbered carafes worldwide, each bottle is presented in a bespoke wooden case with a numbered certificate, making Coupe 300 one of the defining releases of Rémy Martin’s 300th anniversary.
Tasting Note by Rémy Martin:Nose: Radiance and directness with aromas of candied orange, passion fruit, sandalwood, leather, mixed spices, undergrowth and a hint of floral notes. Rancio notes have retained freshness.Palate: Candied fruit, passion fruit, fig, exotic fruits, nuts, discreet oaky notes, elegance and tension, with a very long finish.Finish: An impressive structure, explosiveness and a refined fresh fruit expression with a persistence that prolongs the tasting experience for a long time.
Gordon & MacPhail MacPhail's 50 Year Old is a single malt Scotch whisky matured for five decades in carefully selected oak casks. Part of the MacPhail's Range, this expression reflects the independent bottler's longstanding expertise in cask selection and extended whisky maturation.
For more than 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has worked with Scottish distilleries to mature and bottle single malt Scotch whisky. The MacPhail's Range continues this tradition, focusing on the relationship between spirit, oak and time. For this 50 Year Old expression, the identity of the originating distillery remains undisclosed, adding an element of mystery to the whisky's provenance.
The casks were produced to Gordon & MacPhail's exact specifications, allowing the whisky to develop its character over 50 years of maturation. The resulting expression combines mature sherry influences with rich dried fruit, chocolate and spice characteristics. Its extended ageing demonstrates the influence of carefully managed oak maturation on the complexity and structure of a long-aged single malt.
Tasting Notes by Gordon & MacPhail:Nose: Stewed dark fruits, warm cinnamon, milk chocolate and demerara sugar with subtle cigar box undertones. Beeswax polish and aged leather.Taste: Vibrant orange, black pepper and sweet dried tobacco flavours with hints of apple, milk chocolate and spices.Finish: Lingering, full and well balanced with spice and oak.
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva Rum Cask Finish (Festive Limited Edition 2026) is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky presented in specially designed seasonal packaging as part of Glenfiddich's 2026 festive collection.The 2026 edition follows Glenfiddich's "Home is a Feeling" theme, celebrating the traditions of returning home and sharing meaningful moments during the festive season. The presentation features a deep green background with intricate gold illustrations inspired by Victorian wrapping paper. The artwork incorporates references to Glenfiddich's Scottish heritage, the surrounding landscape and festive traditions, creating a distinctive presentation for this year's collection.The whisky itself is matured for 21 years in oak casks before undergoing a finishing period in Caribbean rum casks. This additional maturation introduces a different cask influence, complementing the established Speyside character with notes associated with rum cask ageing, including tropical fruit, sweetness and warming spice.The Caribbean rum cask finish is central to the identity of Glenfiddich Gran Reserva, bringing together traditional Scotch whisky maturation and the influence of rum-seasoned oak. The Festive Limited Edition 2026 retains the established 21 Year Old whisky while introducing a seasonal presentation designed specifically for this year's festive release.
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.
Laphroaig 30 Year Old (2024 Release) is an Islay single malt Scotch whisky that demonstrates the influence of three decades of oak maturation on the distillery's distinctive peated spirit. First introduced in 2024, this expression combines Laphroaig's characteristic smoky profile with the fruit and oak complexity developed through extended ageing.The whisky has been matured for 30 years in a combination of American oak barrels and European oak ex-sherry hogsheads and butts. The American oak contributes sweetness and vanilla characteristics, while the European oak sherry casks provide additional depth and complexity. Over three decades, these cask influences develop alongside the distillery's traditional peat smoke, creating a balance between mature fruit, oak and maritime character.The extended maturation introduces floral and tropical fruit influences that complement Laphroaig's signature smoky character. Bottled at a fixed strength of 45.8% ABV, the 2024 release reflects the distillery's established production methods while exploring the effects of prolonged cask ageing.Tasting Note by Laphroaig:Nose: Fruity and sweet initially with very distinctive top notes of zesty orange and lemon peel, vanilla custard and treacle toffee.Palate: More delicate background notes are revealed such as bergamot, sweet pastries and fresh thyme along with white pepper on the palette. .Finish: This is finally followed by a smouldering peat smoke and sooty campfire notes.
Maker's Mark Cellar Aged (2026 Release) is an annual limited-edition Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey that explores the effects of extended maturation while retaining the distillery's characteristic wheated bourbon style.
Unlike traditional Maker's Mark expressions, which are generally matured for shorter periods, Cellar Aged undergoes a two-stage maturation process. The bourbon initially ages in traditional warehouses before selected barrels are transferred to the distillery's limestone cellar. The cellar provides a cooler and more consistent environment, slowing the maturation process and allowing the whiskey to develop additional complexity while managing the influence of oak.
The expression is made using Maker's Mark's traditional mash bill, which replaces rye with soft red winter wheat alongside corn and malted barley. This approach contributes to the distillery's characteristically rounded profile, while the extended ageing introduces greater depth from the charred American oak barrels.
The 2026 release continues the Cellar Aged series, focusing on the relationship between barrel selection, maturation conditions and the development of older Kentucky bourbon.
For the 2026 edition, the blend consists of 49% 11 Year Old, 33% 12 Year Old and 18% 14 Year Old bourbon. Each component spends approximately seven years in traditional warehouses, followed by a further four to six years in the limestone cellar. This is the fourth annual Cellar Aged release since the series began in 2023, bottled at cask strength of 56.05% ABV.
Tasting Note by Maker's Mark:Nose: Complex with dark cherry, clove, vanilla bean, and soft orchard fruitPalate: Enveloping with notes of honey, brown sugar, and plumsFinish: A warming, silky finish with hints of almond, nutmeg, and crisp green apple
Hibiki Japanese Harmony (Chiso Collaboration Limited Edition 2026) is a special presentation of Suntory's Japanese blended whisky, created in partnership with Chiso, the historic Kyoto kimono house established in 1555. Released on 1 October 2026, this edition celebrates traditional Japanese craftsmanship through a newly designed bottle and presentation carton.The collaboration brings together Hibiki's whisky-making heritage with Chiso's centuries-old expertise in kimono artistry. Known for its traditional Kyo-Yuzen techniques, Chiso has created an interpretation of Japanese floral motifs that reflects the relationship between nature, the seasons and traditional craftsmanship.The artwork wraps around Hibiki's distinctive 24-faceted bottle, which represents the 24 seasons of the traditional Japanese calendar. The design incorporates sakura (cherry blossom), ume (plum blossom), tsubaki (camellia), tachibana (evergreen Japanese citrus) and kiri (paulownia). Each carries a traditional meaning associated with renewal, longevity, resilience, prosperity or good fortune.The 2026 collaboration retains the established Hibiki Japanese Harmony whisky, with the limited-edition distinction coming from its illustrated bottle and matching gift carton rather than a change to the blend. The release forms part of Suntory's wider celebration of Japanese artistry and the connection between traditional craft and contemporary design.
Tasting Note by Suntory:Nose: Rose, lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness, sandalwood.Palate: Honey like sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate.Finish: Subtle, tender long finish, with hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak).
Laphroaig 15 Year Old marks the return of an established age statement to the Islay distillery's permanent range, becoming its first 15 Year Old expression in over a decade. Unlike a limited anniversary release, this expression is intended to remain part of Laphroaig's core collection.Matured for 15 years in American oak bourbon barrels, the whisky combines Laphroaig's characteristic peat smoke and maritime influence with the sweetness developed through extended oak maturation. The additional ageing brings greater integration between the distillery's smoky character and the vanilla, citrus and spice associated with American oak.Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, Laphroaig 15 Year Old offers a different expression of the distillery's established style, balancing its familiar coastal smokiness with a more developed fruit and oak character.Tasting Note by Laphroaig:Nose: The aroma bursts with fresh, zesty citrus notes, reminiscent of sun-ripened orange and grapefruit, intermingled with the subtle earthiness of dried hay. A hint of BBQ smoke adds a savoury depth, while delicate undertones of vanilla and a whisper of clove contribute a warm, inviting complexity.Taste: On the palate, a bold wave of sea salt and smoke emerges, evoking the rich flavours of oily smoked mackerel. This is complemented by a medley of cracked black pepper and spices, with cinnamon, cloves, and ground coriander dancing harmoniously. As the initial flavours unfold, a delightful fruitiness emerges at the finish—juicy peach and ripe grapefruit create a refreshing contrast that lingers on the tongue.Finish: The finish is long and smoky, leaving a mouthwatering sensation that invites another sip, perfectly balancing the savoury and sweet elements for a truly captivating experience.
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2026 Edition is the latest annual cask strength release from the Islay distillery, bottled at 55.8% ABV. This year's expression returns to a more pronounced cask-driven style, combining equal proportions of first-fill Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks to create a balance between sherry richness, bourbon sweetness and Bunnahabhain's characteristic coastal influence.The 2026 edition shares similarities with the 2023 release but introduces a sweeter, more rounded profile. The 50% first-fill Oloroso component contributes dried fruits, chocolate and gentle spice, while the 50% bourbon cask component introduces vanilla, honey and toasted coconut. Compared with the 2023 edition, the bourbon influence reduces dryness and produces a creamier texture, allowing the two cask types to integrate more evenly.Unlike many Islay single malts, Bunnahabhain's signature style is unpeated, allowing the influence of oak maturation and coastal surroundings to remain prominent. The 2026 edition retains this character while offering a fuller-strength interpretation of the distillery's established 12 Year Old expression.Produced in small batches, the whisky is bottled without dilution, chill filtration or added colouring, preserving its natural character.Tasting Note by Bunnahabhain:Nose: Raisins, figs and dates intertwine with honeyed vanilla which fades to reveal cinnamon and clove. Underlying coastal freshness.Palate: Burst of stewed fruits and comforting spice balanced by creamy vanilla and toasted coconut with a gentle maritime note.Finish: Long, evolving finish with dried fruit and spice gradually giving way to a touch of dark sugar and polished mahogany.
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Original receives a new presentation for the 2026 festive season as part of Glenfiddich's limited-edition “Home is a Feeling” collection.Created specifically for the festive gifting period, the deep green pack is covered with detailed gold illustrations inspired by Victorian wrapping paper. The artwork draws on Glenfiddich's history and surroundings alongside imagery associated with different celebrations, turning the familiar 12 Year Old into a distinct seasonal edition without changing the whisky inside.Glenfiddich 12 Year Old is matured in American bourbon and Spanish sherry oak casks before the whiskies are brought together for marrying. The combination of these two cask types has long formed the foundation of the distillery's flagship single malt.The Festive Limited Edition 2026 therefore combines the established 12 Year Old with packaging available specifically for Glenfiddich's 2026 festive programme.
Tasting Note by Glenfiddich:Nose: Distinctively fresh and fruity with a hint of pear. Beautifully crafted and delicately balanced.Palate: Characteristic sweet, fruity notes. Develops into butterscotch, cream, malt and subtle oak flavours.Finish: A long smooth and mellow finish.
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera is presented in a limited-edition pack for the 2026 festive season, bringing one of Glenfiddich's distinctive maturation methods into this year's “Home is a Feeling” collection.The 2026 packaging uses a deep green palette with intricate gold illustrations inspired by Victorian wrapping paper. The illustrated world incorporates references to Glenfiddich's history, the landscape surrounding the distillery and festive traditions, reflecting the collection's broader theme of homecoming and sharing during the festive period.At the centre is the established Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera. The whisky brings together spirit matured across different cask types, including sherry and bourbon casks and new oak, before marrying in Glenfiddich's Solera Vat. The Solera process is central to the identity of the 15 Year Old and provides continuity between successive batches.For 2026, the whisky remains the established 15 Year Old Solera, while the presentation is transformed into a limited seasonal edition designed specifically for festive gifting.
Tasting Note by Glenfiddich:Nose: An intriguingly complex aroma. Sweet heather honey and vanilla fudge combined with rich dark fruits.Palate: Silky smooth, revealing layers of sherry oak, marzipan, cinnamon and ginger. Full-bodied and bursting with flavour.Finish: Satisfyingly rich with lingering sweetness.
Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Small Batch is presented for the 2026 festive season in a limited-edition gift set featuring this year's specially commissioned Glenfiddich artwork, accompanied by two Glenfiddich glasses.The 2026 design forms part of Glenfiddich's “Home is a Feeling” festive collection, created around the idea of returning home and sharing whisky during the festive season. The deep green presentation is decorated with intricate gold illustrations inspired by Victorian wrapping paper, bringing together imagery connected to Glenfiddich, Scotland and seasonal celebrations.Inside is Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Small Batch, a Speyside single malt matured in Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks. Selected casks are brought together in carefully controlled small batches, giving the 18 Year Old its established balance of mature oak, fruit and sherry cask influence.For this limited release, the addition of two glasses makes the 18 Year Old the most complete gifting presentation within the 2026 festive range.
Tasting Note by Glenfiddich:Nose: A remarkably rich aroma with ripe orchard fruit, baked apple and robust oak.Palate: Richly delivers luxurious dried fruit, candy peel and dates. Overlaid with elegant oak notes.Finish: Warming, rewarding and distinguished.
On 19 September 1995, new spirit was filled into a single Oloroso sherry cask at Craigellachie in Speyside. That was almost two decades before the distillery launched its single malt range in 2014. For thirty years the cask sat undisturbed in oak, monitored over time by Malt Master Stephanie Macleod, until she judged it ready. Built as the rock in the heart of Speyside in 1891, Craigellachie has always done things the old-fashioned way: worm tub condensers, oil-fired kilning, no chill filtration and no added colour. That uncompromising approach is the foundation of every bottle in the Exceptional Cask Series.
Cask #4573 was bottled straight from the cask at 56.9% ABV with no water added. It filled 426 bottles. There will never be more. Every one of them is at JPHA. For collectors and those who appreciate whisky of genuine provenance, this is as singular as it gets.
Tasting Note by Craigellachie:Rich orchard fruits, toasted cereal and creamy vanilla, with hints of aniseed, soft leather and a zesty orange peel finish.
Every grain of malt in this whisky was turned by hand on The Balvenie's own malting floor.
The distillery has worked that floor since 1931, but it normally supplies only part of the barley Balvenie uses. For this limited edition Twelve Year Old, it supplied all of it. Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie built the whisky around that malt, so the character of the barley sits at the centre of the flavour.
The spirit matured for many years in American oak, which brings vanilla and gentle spice. It was then finished in ex-sherry bodega European oak butts from Jerez for added depth. It is bottled at 47.5%, a stronger bottling that holds on to more of the spirit's character. Try it neat first, then add a drop of water.
It comes in packaging designed by contemporary artist Daniel Arsham, in textured copper and verdigris tones inspired by The Balvenie's aged stills.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Warm biscuit, honeyed creamy toffee, delicate ginger and aromatic oak.Palate: Mellow barley sugar sweetness, warming into crystallised ginger, delicate raisin and spice.Finish: Rich, velvety and smooth, with a lingering spiced warmth.
A rich rosé crafted for Sancerre enthusiasts. Partially fermented in French oak barrels, Rock Angel achieves a refined structure and creamy texture without imparting an oaky flavour. With notes of sweetness and nuttiness balanced by crisp acidity, it pairs brilliantly with food.
Tasting Note by Château d’Esclans:Nose: Delicate red berry aromas with mineral notes, along with floral hints and a subtle spice.Palate: Rock Angel is rich and racy on the palate. The use of partial oak aging adds a creamy feel and texture to this wine, and the flinty minerality embues it with another layer of complexity.Finish: Powerful and elegant. Firm acidity with a long and silky finish.
The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old 2026 Release is an annual release from the Sherry Oak Collection, matured for a minimum of 18 years on The Macallan Estate in Speyside. The expression is led by predominantly sherry seasoned European oak casks from Jerez, Spain, bringing a combination of dried fruit, ginger, dark chocolate and oak character.
The Macallan’s sherry seasoned casks form a central part of the maturation process. European and American oak casks are taken to Spanish bodegas and filled with sherry wine for seasoning. Once emptied, the casks are transported to Speyside and filled with The Macallan’s new make spirit. During maturation, the whisky draws flavour, aroma and its entirely natural colour from the oak.
The 18 Year Old sits alongside the 12, 25 and 30 Year Old expressions in the Sherry Oak Collection. For the 2026 release, the presentation forms part of The Macallan’s collaboration with designer David Carson, whose artwork interprets the journey of the Maison’s sherry seasoned oak casks. The design incorporates repeated references to the number 18, representing sleeping casks, alongside sherry-red tones and a touch of white referencing American oak.
Tasting Notes by The Macallan:Nose: Treacle tart with stem ginger, soaked raisins and sultanas with orange and ground cinnamon.Palate: Dark chocolate coated ginger with dates and dried apricots, balanced with a hint of oak and vanilla sweetness.Finish: Long with dried fruits, ginger and oak.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017 is a vintage Champagne shaped by an unusually contrasting growing season. The year moved from a mild beginning into severe spring frost, followed by hot and dry conditions and then rainfall at the end of August. Careful selection at harvest was particularly important, with the Chardonnay reaching its highest level of ripeness since 2000, while selected Pinot Noir retained a balance between maturity and freshness.
The character of Vintage 2017 reflects these contrasts. Dom Pérignon describes the wine through the tension between opulence and edge, roundness and straightness, combining generous maturity with the mineral tension associated with the Maison. Its development culminates in notes of candied yellow citrus skin, while maintaining a fluid and energetic character.
Tasting Notes by Dom Pérignon:An acute smell of petrichor, together warm and fresh. The scent of a heady flower, of jasmine. The complex touch of candied zest, altogether vegetal and fruity, soft and grainy. Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017 feels like a substance in zero gravity, with the fluidity of a moving mass. The movement pulses, boiling, then whirling. The wine leaves an impression of soft gushing. Of these evening perfumes, intense and mysterious, which trail carries us away. Of these fluid and rhythmic dances which movement we are drawn into. Seduction.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2018 marks Vincent Chaperon’s first vintage creation as Cellar Master. Produced from 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir, the vintage reflects an unusually warm and generous growing season that brought both varieties to exceptional levels of ripeness.
The 2018 season was defined by abundant sunshine and summer temperatures that exceeded the records set in 2003. Harvest began on 17 August, making it only the fifth August harvest in Dom Pérignon’s history. Chardonnay was allowed to reach greater maturity, while greater restraint was applied to Pinot Noir to maintain balance. This approach produced a Champagne combining the richness of the vintage with the tension and precision associated with Dom Pérignon.
Vintage 2018 is described as radiant and glowing, with a particularly unusual apricot character alongside orchard and tropical fruits. Its broader, denser texture is balanced by freshness and tension, with bitterness and sweetness providing contrast through the palate.
The vintage has received 98 points from Antonio Galloni, 99 points from James Suckling and 18+ from Jancis Robinson.
Tasting Notes by Dom Pérignon:Vintage 2018 is radiant and glowing. It opens with an extremely rare apricot imprint, followed by orchard fruits and tropical notes of yellow kiwi and mango, layered with ivy and balsamic nuances. On the palate, it is ample and dense, with an unctuous, sapid texture and a lively tension where bitters and sweetness interact beautifully.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2018 marks Vincent Chaperon’s first vintage creation as Cellar Master. Produced from 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir, the vintage reflects an unusually warm and generous growing season that brought both varieties to exceptional levels of ripeness.
The 2018 season was defined by abundant sunshine and summer temperatures that exceeded the records set in 2003. Harvest began on 17 August, making it only the fifth August harvest in Dom Pérignon’s history. Chardonnay was allowed to reach greater maturity, while greater restraint was applied to Pinot Noir to maintain balance. This approach produced a Champagne combining the richness of the vintage with the tension and precision associated with Dom Pérignon.
Vintage 2018 is described as radiant and glowing, with a particularly unusual apricot character alongside orchard and tropical fruits. Its broader, denser texture is balanced by freshness and tension, with bitterness and sweetness providing contrast through the palate.
The vintage has received 98 points from Antonio Galloni, 99 points from James Suckling and 18+ from Jancis Robinson.
Tasting Notes by Dom Pérignon:Vintage 2018 is radiant and glowing. It opens with an extremely rare apricot imprint, followed by orchard fruits and tropical notes of yellow kiwi and mango, layered with ivy and balsamic nuances. On the palate, it is ample and dense, with an unctuous, sapid texture and a lively tension where bitters and sweetness interact beautifully.
Bold and refreshing, this vintage showcases the skilful harvest of Provence terroir grapes. With its crystal-clear appearance and delicate nose, the Prestige maintains Minuty's signature rosé legacy with its pronounced minerality and lasting finish.
Tasting Note by Christophe Mongeot:Nose: Expect aromatic finesse with notes of yellow grapefruit, whitecurrant, blood orange and fresh berries such as raspberry.Palate: Crisp, strong, clean and lingering on the palate, there are dominant flavours of tangy red berries followed by notes of apricot.
Valdespino Vermouth Origen is a Jerez vermouth built around the longstanding connection between Valdespino’s sherry wines and The Macallan’s oak cask programme. Its base uses sherry wines specifically selected for seasoning virgin oak casks destined to mature The Macallan Single Malt, meaning the vermouth represents the first liquid to interact with these casks before their journey to Scotland.
Inspired by a Valdespino recipe dating to the 1920s, Origen combines the character of Oloroso sherry with Moscatel and a selection of botanicals and spices. The result brings together citrus and spice with the oxidative richness of sherry, balanced by a measured bitterness and gentle sweetness.
The maturation provides an unusual link between Jerez and Scotch whisky production. Rather than simply using an ex-whisky cask, Origen is connected to the beginning of The Macallan's cask journey, through the sherry seasoning process that prepares oak casks before they are subsequently used for whisky maturation.
Tasting Note by Valdespino:Nose: Rich and intense spices intertwine with notes of caramelised citrus fruits, layered over a delicate backdrop of sherry aged in oak casks.Palate: Well-balanced and harmonious, full-bodied, with fresh citrus notes woven together with gentle spices and a refined bitterness — a subtle legacy of the oak casks of The Macallan. Deliciously rich, it reveals a long, smooth finish.
Produced at Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay, Octomore is the world's most heavily peated single malt whisky, with each edition rooting its character in barley provenance, peat level and cask influence. Edition 17.3 is the estate expression of the 17 Series, distilled from 100% Islay Concerto barley grown at Irene's Field on the Octomore Farm, grounding the spirit firmly in place and provenance.
Malted to an extraordinary 132.1 PPM and aged for 5 years in a cuvée of first-fill bourbon barrels and second-fill Ribera del Duero, Sauternes, Eiswein and Syrah casks, Edition 17.3 balances muscular peat with elegance and nuance. With time, the spirit, cask and grain knit tightly together into a powerful yet composed dram that is weather-beaten, coastal and deeply satisfying. Bottled at 60.9% ABV at natural cask strength.
Tasting Notes by Bruichladdich:Nose: Immediate coastal peat smoke — salty, tarry and medicinal — evocative of sea spray, coal smoke and weathered rope. As the phenols settle, the barley speaks clearly: warm malted grain, brown sugar and fresh barley flour. Lemon peel and crisp orchard fruit bring lift; green apple, pear and pear drops, alongside soft vanilla and marzipan sweetness. Herbal notes of marram grass and wildflowers add freshness, grounding the dram firmly in its Islay home.Palate: Full and commanding in texture — viscous, weighty and peppery. Sweet first-fill oak shows as salted caramel, smoked apple and toasted coconut, quickly joined by praline and vanilla cream. Then the peat rises: earthy and deeply charred, wrapping the palate in dry, ashy smoke. Citrus oils and mineral salinity rise sharply through the smoke, creating tension and precision. With time, the spirit, cask and grain knit tightly together — smoked malt, sweet barley and peat woven as one.Finish: Long, dry and resonant. Malty sweetness, soft florals and vanilla fade gradually into earthy smoke and maritime salt. The peat lingers for an age — savoury, warming and unmistakably Octomore.
Produced at Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay, Octomore is the world's most heavily peated single malt whisky, defined by an uncompromising approach to barley provenance, peat level and cask selection. The 17 Series, presented as Chromatic Signatures, explores how distinct cask combinations shape and transform Octomore's signature super-heavily peated spirit.
Edition 17.2 is the second step in the 17 Series journey and the most complex in its maturation, spending 4 years in second-fill French oak that previously aged Californian red wine then bourbon, before being finished in first-fill port barriques. Distilled from 100% Scottish mainland Concerto barley malted to 81.0 PPM and aged for 5 years in total, the port influence amplifies fruit and spice while allowing the barley and peat to remain present throughout. Rich, vibrant and beautifully composed, it is less overt in smoke on the nose yet profoundly smoky in structure.
Tasting Notes by Bruichladdich:Nose: Opens with ripe red fruits and soft, jammy sweetness suggestive of late-harvest berries and stone fruit jam. Raspberry and blackcurrant preserve and florals redolent of Turkish Delight mingle with toasted oak, clove and aniseed spice. The smoke is dry - wood-fired rather than phenolic, like smouldering embers. Hints of barley flour, fresh linen, leather and coastal iodine bring freshness and structure, with coconut and ginger warmth developing in the glass.Palate: Supple and viscous, immediately coating the mouth in wine-poached berries and spiced fruits. Strawberry, blackberry and cassis are followed by barley sugars and dark syrup sweetness. Peat smoke builds steadily, pepper y and earthy, alongside lemon zest and lime oils that brighten the palate. Oak tannins and gentle warmth lend depth and balance.Finish: Long and luxurious. Raisins, toasted oak and sweet malt fade gradually into dry, maritime salt and char. As the fruit recedes, a distinct Octomore signature remains — persistent peat smoke and soft spice linger on irresistibly.
Produced at Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay, Octomore is the world's most heavily peated single malt whisky, defined not by age but by the extraordinary peat levels achieved through Bruichladdich's commitment to provenance, transparency and craft. Each edition in the series is built around a distinct combination of barley origin, peat level and cask type, with the 17 Series presenting the Chromatic Signatures collection.
Edition 17.1 opens the 17 Series with a marriage of smoke and char drawn from full-term maturation in first-fill bourbon barrels. Distilled from 100% Scottish mainland Concerto barley malted to 81.0 PPM and aged for 5 years, it is an exercise in refinement and control, where profound and balanced smoke demonstrates Octomore's signature interplay of intensity and finesse. Bottled at cask strength without chill filtration.
Tasting Notes by Bruichladdich:Nose: Clean and precise at first, opening on sweet malt and creamy vanilla custard. Charred American oak brings toasted coconut and butterscotch, while delicate citrus peel and green melon lend freshness. Smoke rises gently rather than dominates — glowing peat embers and the distant memory of a beach bonfire carried on a salty Atlantic breeze. With time, floral barley notes, soft ginger spice and a distinct minerality emerge, anchoring the dram in its coastal origin.Palate: Texture leads the experience — viscous, mouth-coating and richly sweet. The high strength brings peppery heat without force. Vanilla milkshake, Scottish tablet and warm custard tart meet pear drops and malt syrup. The peat builds in waves: dry, earthy smoke then smouldering oak and ash, with Octomore’s signature balance. Salinity cuts through the sweetness, creating clarity with hints of coconut and gentle oak spice adding depth.Finish: Long and evolving. Sweetness fades to dry minerality, then lingering peat smoke and warm embers. Maritime salt and soft char persist, leaving a powerful, resonant smokiness that belies the spirit’s elegance.
The second release in Laphroaig's Strong Characters series celebrates Dugald Johnston, one of the figures who helped shape the distillery's history.
Following the death of his father Donald Johnston in 1847, Dugald took responsibility for Laphroaig at an extraordinarily young age. Before he was 21, he had learned the complexities of Laphroaig whisky production and farm management, later helping to grow the distillery in both size and reputation.
Chapter 2 tells his story through a 35 Year Old Laphroaig, matured in the distillery's signature American oak casks, barrels and hogsheads. After three and a half decades of maturation, the whisky retains Laphroaig's unmistakable character, with peat smoke and spice developing into a creamy mouthfeel alongside fruit and oak.
The presentation is an important part of the release. Laphroaig commissioned award winning British illustrator Bill Bragg, who spent time sketching on Islay and immersing himself in island life before creating the artwork that brings Dugald Johnston's story to life.
Combining 35 year old Laphroaig, distillery heritage and commissioned artwork, Strong Characters Chapter 2 continues the collectible series that began with Donald Johnston in Chapter 1.
JPHA is an Exclusive Launch Partner for Laphroaig Strong Characters Chapter 2.Tasting Note by Laphroaig:Nose: Enticing sweetness, followed by notes of freshly baked pastry and then fruity scents of apple and cherry, comparable to Bakewell or crumble.Palate: Inviting smokiness to start and spice on the palate. A creamy mouthfeel opens up to light raisin and a warm note in the background.Finish: Lingering aniseed and a light tingling, peppery mouthfeel, which fades slowly back to the original peat smoke notes.
Fielden Rye Whisky is made from diverse grains grown across the fields of England, combining rye, floor malted rye, floor malted barley and wheat. Fielden places the character of its grain at the centre of production, using different grain recipes alongside fermentation in stainless steel tanks and wooden vats before distillation through both pot and column stills.
The new make spirit is matured in a combination of new and used American oak. Approximately 20% to 25% of the blend also matures and finishes in light dessert and fortified wine barrels, including Sauternes, Ramandolo, Moscatel do Douro and Moscatel de Setúbal, while Madeira wine barrels are also used. This combination of casks is intended to retain the fruity and herbal qualities of the grain alongside Fielden’s rye character of nuttiness, caramel and spice.
The whisky has a minimum maturation of 42 months and undergoes a 93-day marrying period before bottling at 48% ABV.
Tasting Notes by Fielden:Nose: Flowers and fruit, like thewild berries that grow in our hedgerows.Palate: Flaky pastry with caramel,hazelnut and freshly baked bread.Finish: The freshnessofthe grainand minty, peppercorn spice.
Fielden Fieldnotes Hazybower Rye Whisky is the second release in the Fieldnotes collection, a series exploring different elements of the fields in which Fielden’s grains are grown. Hazybower focuses on the herbs, wildflowers and other plants that grow naturally alongside the grain, including clover, poppies, thistles and mayweed. The release is limited to 1,000 individually numbered bottles.
Produced at Oxford Distillery, Hazybower uses heritage varieties of rye, wheat and barley grown across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and Norfolk. The grain composition is 70% rye, 20% wheat and 10% malted barley, with some rye and wheat grown together as traditional maslin. The spirit was fermented with the grain before undergoing pot distillation followed by pot and column distillation.
After a minimum maturation of 36 months, the whisky comprises 85% liquid matured in second-fill American oak and 15% matured in an old Hungarian oak Tokaji wine cask. The used American oak was chosen to allow more of the grain and fermentation character to remain prominent, while the Tokaji cask contributes to the whisky’s citrus, floral honey and ginger character. The components were married for 62 days before bottling at 46.3% ABV.
Tasting Notes by Fielden:Nose: Fresh citrus and blossom with custard and freshly baked scones. Herbaceous notes with hints of green banana and pineapple.Palate: Lemon tart, cream and nuts with hints of honey and sorrel.Finish: Fresh peppercornand ginger with a refreshing spiced finish.
Fielden Harvest 2019 Rye Whisky is the first edition in the distillery’s annual Harvest series, created to explore how individual growing seasons influence its heritage grains and ultimately the character of the whisky. The 2019 vintage refers to the year in which the grains were grown and harvested. A dry, warm spring followed by a mild, wet summer produced grain described by Fielden as bright and delicate in character.
The whisky was produced from 73% rye, 18% wheat and 9% malted barley grown across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and Norfolk. Two grain recipes were used, including Fielden’s classical 70% rye, 20% wheat and 10% malted barley recipe alongside a 100% rye recipe comprising 75% raw rye and 25% malted rye. Following fermentation, the spirit was double distilled using pot and column stills.
The resulting spirits were matured across nine casks for a minimum of 38 months. The maturation comprised 37.5% used American oak, 37.5% American STR casks, 12.5% Sauternes and 12.5% Ramandolo. After maturation, the whisky underwent an 82-day marrying period and was gradually reduced to 50% ABV. A total of 2,680 bottles were produced.
Tasting Notes by Fielden:Nose: Roses and herbs with fresh ginger, apricot and a little butter.Palate: Refreshing herbs and delicate summer fruits, soft pastries: brioche bun, cream and warming apple crumble.Finish: A pinch of white pepper and fresh thyme.
Fielden Harvest 2020 Rye Whisky is the second release in Fielden’s annual Harvest series. Each vintage captures grain from a particular growing season, exploring how variations in weather, soil and growing conditions influence the resulting whisky. In 2020, a wet early spring was followed by a hot, dry summer, producing fully developed and ripe grain that became the foundation of this release.
The whisky was made with 73% rye, 18% wheat and 9% malted barley sourced from Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and Norfolk. Some of the rye and wheat were grown together as maslin. Two grain recipes were used, comprising Fielden’s classic 70% rye, 20% wheat and 10% malted barley recipe and a second 100% rye recipe containing 75% raw rye and 25% malted rye. The spirit was fermented for four to five days and double distilled through pot and column stills.
Maturation took place for a minimum of 47 months across seven casks, comprising 42% new American oak, 42% old American oak and 16% ex-wine STR cask. Following maturation, the whisky was married for 77 days and slowly reduced to 50% ABV. The release consists of 2,004 bottles.
Tasting Notes by Fielden:Nose: Soft layers of apple strudel, banoffee and roasted lemon. Hints of raspberry and thyme.Palate: Creamy and flaky pastry, biscoff and malted cereals. Caramelised nuts and toasted grain.Finish: Warming ginger and cinnamon with a gentle trace of cardamom and cumin.
Ellis & Angel 10 Year Old Maiden Voyage Release is a limited edition Irish Single Malt Whiskey produced in Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Released as a single cask expression, the Maiden Voyage combines a 10 year age statement with a limited outturn of just 360 individually numbered bottles.
The whiskey was initially matured in American oak before being finished in a French oak Bordeaux wine cask. This two-stage maturation brings together the influence of American oak with a final period in wine-seasoned French oak. The release is triple distilled, non-chill filtered and bottled at natural colour.
Bottled at 46% ABV, the Maiden Voyage Release marks Ellis & Angel's first limited release, with its single cask production and individually numbered bottles forming a central part of the expression.
Batch 13 draws on a 2015 vintage and is elevated through maturation in Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, red wine and virgin oak casks, a combination that produces the distillery's signature sherry-forward profile with additional layers of depth and complexity. Bottled at 59.8% ABV at natural cask strength without added colour or chill filtration, it is a multi-award-winning expression that rewards both those discovering The GlenAllachie for the first time and collectors building across the batch series.
Tasting Note by The GlenAllachie:Nose: Mocha, crystallised ginger and cinnamon, followed by manuka honey and muscovado sugar, with treacle and maraschino cherries.Palate: Cocoa, salted caramel and warmed honey, followed by baking spices, blood orange and molasses tart, with glazed blackberries and fig syrup.
Some master what others can't see. Glenfiddich's Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, returns for a second release in the Aston Martin Formula One™ Team partnership — a whisky built the way a race-winning car is built: through relentless refinement, layer by layer.
This 16 Year Old expression is a marriage of whiskies matured in first-fill bourbon barrels and fine wine and fortified wine casks, then finished in sequence across four further cask types — Port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, wine casks, and a final, delicate rest in Fino Sherry butts. Where last year's Release No. 1 was shaped by American oak wine casks and second-fill bourbon, this new edition adds a fourth layer of cask influence — deeper, richer, and more complex still.
On the nose, rich stewed fruits unfold alongside marzipan and polished leather. On the palate, mellow toffee sweetness meets caramelised cane sugar, balanced by dry oak tannin. The finish is long, oaky, and quietly assured.
Bottled at 43% ABV, this is Glenfiddich at its most awarded — with more accolades since 2000 than any other single malt Scotch whisky across the IWSC and ISC, two of the industry's most prestigious competitions.
Tasting Note by Glenfiddich:Nose: Rich stewed fruits with a beautiful array of floral top notes. Hints of marzipan and polished leather. A drop of water accentuates the fresh, ripe fruits.Palate: Mellow and silky smooth with a creamy buttery toffee sweetness. Caramelized cane sugar with a lovely counterbalance of dry oak tannin.Finish: Long lasting oaky sweetness
