Distilled on the wind-swept Orkney Islands at the world's most northerly mainland distillery, Highland Park has produced whisky on its Kirkwall site since 1798. The distillery's house style is shaped by its own floor maltings, lightly peated with aromatic Orcadian heather, and by Gordon Motion's exacting approach to cask selection and maturation.
The 21 Year Old 2023 Release draws on 36 individually hand-selected casks laid down between 1998 and 2001, comprising ex-bourbon hogsheads, first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, and ex-Rioja casks. The extended maturation and diversity of cask types produce a whisky of notable complexity and balance, representing both a considered collector's acquisition and an exceptional gift for those who appreciate the rewards of unhurried ageing.
Tasting Note by Highland Park:Tropical fruits, toasted almonds, freshly grated nutmeg and floral peat smoke, with lemon zest, aromatic fenugreek, apples caramelised in honey and cinnamon, a dusting of cedar-smoked sweet paprika, woody spices and a hint of citrus oil in the heather-rich peat smoke.
Maker's Mark has been distilling on its Star Hill Farm estate in Loretto, Kentucky since 1954, where the distillery's commitment to estate-grown grain production sets it apart from the majority of American whisky producers. The Star Hill Farm annual release series explores how farming decisions, soil, and grain selection directly shape the character of the whisky in the glass, with each year's edition focused on a distinct agricultural question.
The 2026 Release turns its attention to wheat, examining how different wheat varieties influence depth and character. Built from a blend of soft red winter, hard white, and heirloom hard red wheat alongside 62% malted wheat and a touch of malted barley, this expression is underpinned by a regenerative agriculture philosophy and fully estate-grown production. Bottled at cask strength, it is a release of genuine provenance and ambition, as compelling for collectors as it is for those drawn to whisky with a story rooted in the land.
Tasting Note by Maker's Mark:Nose: Dark and dense with notes of molasses, fig and delicate spice.Palate: Vibrant and complex with notes of zesty citrus, ripe pear and shortbread.Finish: Lingering and harmonious with notes of rich sweetness and soft cinnamon.
Distilled on the southern shore of Islay, Laphroaig has been producing one of Scotland's most distinctive single malts since 1815. The distillery's character is shaped by its own floor maltings, peat cut from the Islay bog, and the brackish coastal air of the Kildalton coast, producing a spirit of deep, unmistakable smokiness that has defined the house style for over two centuries.
This 14 Year Old limited edition was personally selected by actor and Friend of Laphroaig Willem Dafoe alongside Senior Whisky Blender Sarah Dowling, chosen entirely on instinct and without formal tasting notes. Finished in Oloroso sherry casks, the expression brings a layer of soft sweetness and depth to Laphroaig's signature peat-driven character. With no formal notes from the distillery, the bottle is designed to provoke personal interpretation rather than guided expectation, making it a singular collector's piece and a gift unlike any other in the current Laphroaig range.
Tasting Note by JPHA:Nose: Deep, unmistakable peat smoke with a coastal edge and the quiet richness of Oloroso sherry.Palate: Sea salt, warming spice and soft sweetness, with layers that shift and evolve in the glass.Finish: Long, smoky and mouthwatering, with a lingering complexity that resists easy definition.
Produced at James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, Booker's is an uncut, unfiltered small batch bourbon created by the late Booker Noe, grandson of Jim Beam and one of the most influential figures in American whiskey. Each batch is drawn from a select number of barrels chosen for their exceptional quality, bottled straight from the cask at natural proof with no chill filtration and no water added.
The Big Easy Batch, the first release of the 2026 Collection, is composed of five separate production dates drawn from five different warehouse locations across the Jim Beam campus, each floor and warehouse position contributing its own influence on the maturing spirit. Aged for 7 years, 2 months and 15 days in new charred white oak barrels and bottled at 61.9% ABV, this is a bourbon of considerable power and character, named in tribute to Booker Noe's lifelong affection for New Orleans.
Tasting Note by Booker's:Nose: Aromas of vanilla, spices.Palate: Big and bold, and unmistakably Booker's Bourbon.Finish: Long and delightful.
Distilled on the Orkney Islands at Highland Park's Kirkwall distillery, founded in 1798, Between You and I marks a first in the distillery's history: a whisky led by virgin Swedish oak casks. The expression was created in collaboration with Björn Frantzén, the only chef in the world to hold three Michelin stars across three restaurants simultaneously, whose personal flavour associations shaped the packaging design and concept.
The 16 Year Old is crafted from a combination of virgin Swedish oak casks, which impart a distinctly nutty spiciness, ex-bourbon casks for sweetness and warmth, and sherry seasoned American and European oak casks contributing vanilla and dried fruit. In place of formal tasting notes, each bottle is designed to prompt the drinker's own personal associations, making it a singular and thought-provoking addition to any collection.
Tasting Note by JPHA:Subtly smoky with nutty spiciness, sweetness and warmth, notes of vanilla and dried fruit, with complex and personal layers of flavour inviting individual interpretation.
Produced at Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull, one of Scotland's oldest distilleries established in 1798, Ledaig is the distillery's peated single malt expression, shaped by the rugged maritime climate and wild Hebridean character of Mull's coastline. As the island's only whisky distillery, Tobermory crafts its spirits under the direction of Master Blender Julieann Fernandez, whose award-winning portfolio spans both the unpeated Tobermory range and the bold, smoky Ledaig expressions.
Castaway is a limited edition of just 6,428 bottles worldwide, matured in a rare marriage of Caribbean rum casks and Mexican tequila casks, a first of its kind for the brand. Non-chill filtered and bottled at natural colour and cask strength, the dual-cask influence layers exotic fruit and agave depth onto Ledaig's signature island peat smoke, producing a whisky of vivid contrast and considerable complexity. A portion of proceeds supports the Mull and Iona Community Trust, adding further purpose to an already compelling release.
Tasting Note by Ledaig:Nose: Coastal peat smoke with caramelised banana, lime zest and vanilla. Green apple, white pepper and a hint of sea spray.Palate: Bold smoky spice leads, balanced by grilled pineapple, brine and herbal agave. Black pepper, charred citrus and rich toffee develop through the mid-palate.Finish: Long and warming with smouldering peat embers, demerara sweetness, chilli heat and a final twist of lime.
Founded in 1892 by William Grant in Dufftown, at the heart of Speyside, The Balvenie is one of Scotland's most craft-focused distilleries, maintaining its own floor maltings, cooperage and coppersmith team on site. It is a place where traditional methods have been preserved not as a point of heritage but as a genuine commitment to quality, and that philosophy runs through every expression in the range. The distillery's Malt Master lineage is among the most celebrated in the industry, with David C. Stewart MBE spending over five decades shaping its character before passing the role to Kelsey McKechnie.
DoubleWood 12 was launched in 1993, built on a wood finishing technique pioneered by David C. Stewart in 1982 that has since become widely adopted across the industry. The whisky first matures in traditional whisky oak casks before being transferred to European oak sherry casks for a further period of maturation, adding fruity, honeyed depth and greater complexity. The whiskies are then married for three to four months in large oak tuns before bottling. This limited edition presents the expression in exclusive narrative-led packaging by award-winning illustrator Victo Ngai, making it a particularly distinctive gift.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry notes, layered with honey and vanilla.Palate: Smooth and mellow with beautifully combined flavours ~ nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a delicately proportioned layer of sherry.Finish: Long and Warming.
Founded in 1892 by William Grant in Dufftown, at the heart of Speyside, The Balvenie is one of Scotland's most craft-focused distilleries, maintaining its own floor maltings, cooperage and coppersmith team on site. Traditional methods are preserved here not as a point of heritage but as a genuine commitment to quality, a philosophy that runs through every expression in the range.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old begins its maturation in traditional oak casks before being transferred to casks previously prepared by Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE with a blend of West Indian rums. Once the rum is removed, the aged whisky is introduced to the wood, allowing the cask to impart its final characteristics of tropical fruit sweetness and gentle warmth. This limited edition presents the expression in exclusive narrative-led packaging by award-winning illustrator Victo Ngai, making it a particularly distinctive gift for those drawn to sweeter, fruit-led expressions.
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.
Established in 1923 in Shimamoto, Osaka Prefecture, Yamazaki is Japan's first and oldest malt whisky distillery and the foundation of Suntory's whisky heritage. The distillery's mastery of Mizunara oak, a rare and characterful Japanese timber notoriously difficult to season and cooperage, is among the most distinctive aspects of its craft, and one that sets Yamazaki apart from any other whisky producer in the world.
The 18 Year Old Mizunara 2024 Edition is the product of years of experimentation by Yamazaki's blending team, who discovered that the true potential of Mizunara casks is unlocked only through extended maturation. Eighteen years in this exceptional Japanese oak imparts an unmistakeable spiciness alongside notes of sandalwood and aloe, producing a whisky of rare complexity where fruit, spice and wood notes engage in a rich and elegant harmony. It is an expression for the serious collector and a gift of genuine distinction.
Tasting Note by Yamazaki:Nose: Rich and elegant with dark cherry, ripe peach and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.Palate: Subtly spiced organette with undernotes of Japanese incense.Finish: Long and lingering, accentuated with clove, sandalwood and hints of dried coconut.
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.
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.
Crafted in Glasgow since 1823, Auchentoshan is one of Scotland's few remaining Lowland distilleries and the only one to triple distil every drop of its spirit. This process, carried out through three copper pot stills, produces a characteristically smooth and delicate new make that serves as the foundation for every expression in the range.
The 24 Year Old was released to mark the distillery's 200th anniversary and represents the highest-aged expression in the current Auchentoshan range. Distilled on 22 June 1998, it has been matured through a marriage of American bourbon casks and European oak sherry casks, with carefully curated refill casks completing the vatting. Twenty-four years of maturation have produced a whisky of considerable depth and refinement, presented in a premium gift box that makes it an exceptional choice for collectors and celebratory occasions alike.
Tasting Note by Auchentoshan:Nose: Mint leaves, menthol, beeswax, juicy green grapes, warm autumnal fruits and citrus.Palate: Candied citrus peel, creamy vanilla, moist raisins and chocolate coated almonds.Finish: Long and fruity, with citrus and soft spices.
Established in 1824 on the Easter Elchies Estate in Speyside, The Macallan has built its reputation on an exceptional commitment to cask selection and wood management. The Double Cask Collection, first launched in 2016, sits at the heart of the distillery's range, celebrating the complementary relationship between sherry seasoned American and European oak casks, each crafted and seasoned in The Macallan's own cooperages and bodegas in Jerez de la Frontera.
The Double Cask 18 Year Old 2026 Release is matured exclusively in sherry seasoned oak for a minimum of eighteen years, with every selected cask having spent its entire maturation period in sherry seasoned wood. The American oak contributes unmistakable sweetness and vanilla, while the European oak delivers soft spices and dried fruit, producing a naturally coloured single malt of smooth, creamy balance. Released annually, each vintage represents a considered addition to any collection and a gift of genuine distinction.
Tasting Note by The Macallan:Nose: Dried fruit and toffee with rich candied citrus peel, ginger and nutmeg.Palate: Raisin, sultana and dried apricot with notes of treacle toffee, vanilla and ginger. Toasted wood spice and baked apple.Finish: Long with warm oak and citrus.
Situated on the Highland Line just north of Glasgow, Glengoyne has distilled without peat since 1833, allowing the quality of its slow-distilled spirit and the influence of oak to define every expression. The distillery is known for the longest distillation time in Scotland, a process that strips away harsher notes and produces a characteristically smooth and fruity new make spirit.
Batch 11 is matured in a combination of sherry, bourbon and refill casks, bottled at natural colour and without chill filtration at 60.5% ABV. The absence of peat places the full weight of character on the spirit itself and the European oak, producing a release of considerable intensity and aromatic clarity. As a limited-edition cask strength bottling, it represents Glengoyne at its most unguarded and is a compelling addition to any serious collection.Tasting Note by Glengoyne:Nose: Ripe orchard fruits, red berries and marzipan with lemon sherbet and digestive biscuit.Palate: Rich and full-bodied with dark chocolate, stewed fruits, warming winter spice and a prickle of pepper.Finish: Long and warming with lingering spice and the smooth, slow-distilled character for which Glengoyne is renowned.
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.
Founded in 1881 on the north-eastern shore of Islay at the mouth of the Sound of Islay, Bunnahabhain is the island's most northerly distillery and one of its most distinctive. Unlike its Islay neighbours, Bunnahabhain produces an unpeated single malt, allowing the quality of the spirit itself and the influence of cask maturation to define every expression. The distillery's tall, pear-shaped stills with unusually long swan necks promote a lighter, more delicate character, while non-chill filtration and natural colouring preserve the full integrity of the spirit.
The 15 Year Old White Port Cask Finish is the first release under the An Cuan Garbh chapter of the Westering Home Collection, a series inspired by Islay's anthem of return and belonging. Master Blender Julieann Fernandez selected white port casks from Portugal's Douro Valley to finish the spirit, imparting layers of orchard fruit, honeyed depth and soft citrus that complement the distillery's naturally smooth and oily character. The expression was awarded Gold at the International Spirits Challenge 2026, and as a limited Fèis Ìle release it represents a significant addition to any Bunnahabhain or Islay collection.
Tasting Note by Bunnahabhain:Nose: Honeysuckle, elderflower, orchard fruit, candied citrus and honey warmth.Palate: Peach, apricot, candied lemon zest, honeyed almonds, toasted malt and ginger spice.Finish: Lingering nutty warmth with sweet candied fruit.
Dun Bheagan is a collection of small-batch and single cask whiskies bottled by Ian Macleod Distillers, named after one of Scotland's most iconic castles. Each expression is hand-selected by Ian Macleod's malt team with a focus on regional character and traditional methods, drawing from distilleries across Scotland to showcase the distinct personality of each whisky-producing region.
This Speyside expression is sourced from an undisclosed distillery within the region and matured in oak casks before being bottled without chill filtration and at natural colour, preserving its full texture and flavour. The result is an approachable, elegantly structured single malt that is true to the classic Speyside style and well suited both to those exploring the region for the first time and to those adding a well-priced small-batch bottling to their collection.
Tasting Note by Dun Bheagan:Nose: Classic Speyside aromas of honey, vanilla and ripe green fruits.Palate: Balanced and smooth, with sweet honey notes and floral flavours.Finish: Light, clean and gently warming.
Made from 100% hand-picked estate-grown grapes, this blend brims with finesse, featuring aromas of citrus and garrigue. Light and delicate on the palate, its minerality provides a distinctive freshness, enhanced by the terroir's characteristic salinity.
Tasting Note by Christophe Mongeot:Nose: Aromas of citrus and wild herbs abound.Palate: On the palate, expect an impression of lightness with a minerality that leads to a distinctive freshness, enhanced by salinity.
Patrón El Alto is produced in the Atotonilco El Alto region of Jalisco, Mexico, where 100% Blue Weber Agave is cultivated at high altitude, a growing environment that concentrates natural sugars in the piña and lends the spirit its distinctively sweet agave character. The name itself is a direct reference to this elevated terroir, which Patrón regards as the foundation of the expression's quality.
The liquid is a blend of three maturation tiers: Extra Añejo aged for four years, alongside Añejo and Reposado tequilas, each contributing a different layer of oak development and agave complexity. The agave is ground using ancient volcanic stone and baked in clay ovens before distillation, preserving traditional Jalisco production techniques within what is an impressively refined and collectible expression.
Tasting Note by Patrón: Soft, sweet aromas of agave, dried fruit and toasted wood. Bright flavours of apricot, vanilla, almonds and cooked agave on the palate, with a smooth, subtly sweet finish.
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.
Ilegal Mezcal is produced in Oaxaca, Mexico, where traditional Espadín agave cultivation and artisanal production methods have shaped the region's distilling identity for centuries. Founded by John Rexer, Ilegal began as a passion project before establishing itself as one of the most decorated mezcal brands in the world, earning recognition from Esquire and gold medals at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Tequila.net Awards.
Each batch of the Reposado is aged to taste for six months rather than to a fixed bottling date, using a combination of new and used American oak barrels with a medium char, sourced from Kelvin Cooperage, a family-run business since 1963. The result is a velvety, approachable mezcal that retains the wild agave character of the spirit whilst gaining a gentle layer of oak refinement.
Tasting Note by Ilegal Mezcal: Caramelised pear and bitter orange on the nose. Clove, butterscotch, and hints of vanilla on the palate.
Glencadam Distillery sits in Brechin, on the eastern edge of the Scottish Highlands, and has been producing single malt since 1825. The Reserva Andalucía pays direct homage to the distillery's relationship with the famous sherry-producing region of southern Spain, drawing on carefully selected Oloroso sherry butts sourced from Andalucía itself to define the character of this multi-award winning expression.
The whisky is first matured in a combination of sherry butts and bourbon casks from Glencadam's traditional dunnage warehouses before being finished in Oloroso sherry butts from Andalucía. Bottled at 46% ABV without chill-filtration and at natural colour, the finish amplifies the distillery's characteristic fruitiness with layers of dried fruit, sweet spice and sherry-driven richness.
Tasting Note by Glencadam: Nose: Initial aromas of ripe soft fruits, soft nougat and oaky vanilla with a background of freshly made fudge. Palate: Smooth and creamy with sultanas, orchard fruits and toffee apple sweetness. Finish: Long lasting and silky smooth with honey, muscovado sugar and green tea lingering on the tongue.
SirDavis is an award-winning American whisky founded by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and crafted in partnership with Moët Hennessy and Dr. Bill Lumsden, five-time International Whisky Competition Master Distiller of the Year. The project draws on a deeply personal piece of family history: Knowles-Carter's paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, was a successful moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition, concealing bottles in the hollow knots of cedar trees on his farm for friends and family. Four generations on, SirDavis honours that legacy and gives it an expression worthy of the craft.
The liquid itself is a considered marriage of rye and malted barley, combining the bold, spicy character of rye with the softer, more rounded qualities of malt, before being finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks that add a layer of dried fruit sweetness and depth. Dr. Lumsden, whose instinct for flavour balance is among the most decorated in the industry, spent years in research and blind tastings alongside Knowles-Carter to arrive at a profile designed to appeal equally to seasoned whisky drinkers and those newer to the category. The result has been recognised with Platinum, Gold and high-scoring medals across multiple international competitions in 2023, including Best in Class at the SIP Awards. A distinctive and conversation-worthy gift, and a genuinely original addition to any collection.
Tasting Note by SirDavis: Nose: Tangy Seville oranges mingle with soft sun-kissed raisins, while sizzling spices of clove, cinnamon and ginger play with luxurious notes of Demerara sugar and toffee. Palate: Rich and buttery toffee followed by an array of spices with cinnamon, clove and classic rye spice up front, followed by soft, malty and biscuity notes intertwined with a vibrant citrus top note. Finish: Hints of honey with a soft, lingering finish reminiscent of plump sultanas and ripe cherries.
