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.
The opening release in a new series honouring the people behind Laphroaig’s history. Chapter 1 pays tribute to Donald Johnston, the elder of two brothers who founded the distillery in 1815. His influence on the style and legacy of Laphroaig is reflected in this inaugural bottling, presented alongside striking illustrations by British artist Bill Bragg.
This whisky spent 33 years maturing in a mix of American oak ex-bourbon casks and European oak sherry-seasoned hogsheads. Bottled at fixed strength, it captures the depth of its long rest in the warehouse, offering a profile shaped by time and tradition.
Tasting Note by Laphroaig:Nose: Starting with stewed fruit and smooth vanilla créme brûlée.Palate: Our iconic smoky finish sets the scene for savoury aromas of cured meat.Finish: Sherry casks bring warm festive spice.
Distilled on 12th July 2000 and matured for two decades in a refill puncheon, this double cask expression was finished in a Tokaji (white wine) cask from 12th August 2021, chosen and overseen personally by Royal Brackla's Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod.
Royal Brackla holds a unique place in whisky history as the first single malt ever granted a Royal Warrant, earning it the name "The King's Own Whisky." Founded in 1812 by Captain William Fraser, the distillery's Highland character has always leaned toward the elegant and the fruit-driven, qualities this cask brings fully into focus.
The Tokaji finish draws on Hungary's celebrated dessert wine tradition, known for its botrytis-affected grapes and concentrated, honeyed sweetness. That influence shows clearly here: ripe peaches and apricots up front, mellowed by frangipane and a soft, lingering note of coconut.
This is a double cask bottling from a single distillation date. 258 bottles exist worldwide, and there's no second batch behind this specific cask pairing.Tasting Note by Royal Brackla:Deliciously supple with ripe peaches and apricots, mellowed with fragipane and soft coconut.
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.
Aberfeldy 45 Year Old is the oldest whisky ever released from the distillery. To bottle a whisky of this extraordinary standard, one which has slumbered in oak for over four and a half decades, is remarkable in its own right. Casks of this age and exceptional quality are rare. Seven of the rarest casks were chosen, each distilled in 1975. Each cask brings its own nuances and character, and together they create a wonderful harmony that has been embraced and nurtured by the oak. Deep aromatic notes and elegant tones are abundant in this beautifully aged and exceptional single malt.
Tasting Note by Aberfeldy:Nose: Beautifully aromatic with deep notes of red cherries, exotic pineapple and hints of heather honey.Palate: Elegantly refreshed with a zing of orange zest and lemon Turkish delight.Finish: Delicious and mouth coating with masses of vanilla and coconut, and a touch of spice on the finish.
Bowmore Distillery has stood on the shores of Loch Indaal on Islay since 1779, and the Timeless series represents some of the most exceptional whisky the distillery has produced. This 29 Year Old Limited Edition was filled in 1991 and 1992, making it a genuine artefact of a specific moment in Bowmore's history, and a rare opportunity for collectors and serious enthusiasts alike.
Matured in a combination of sherry-seasoned European oak casks and ex-bourbon American oak barrels, the whisky has spent nearly three decades developing the interwoven layers of complexity that define this expression. Bottled at cask strength of 53.7% ABV, the Timeless 29 Year Old is an immersive and indelible whisky that rewards patience in equal measure to the time invested in its creation.
Tasting Notes by Bowmore:Nose: Expressive dark fruits, the sweet aromas of cocoa and bitter orange, infused with cherry blossom and liquorice. Palate: Rich and layered, reflecting a depth of sweetness while evoking peat and sea salt flavours. Finish: Mouth warming, then peat drying and salt on the lips with a long lasting finish, bursting with intention.
The pinnacle of GlenDronach’s artistry, this inaugural 2025 edition is crafted from a selection of casks distilled in 1978, 1983, and 1984. Initially aged in PX and Oloroso sherry casks, the whiskies were vatted and further married in a first-fill PX puncheon and a second-fill Oloroso puncheon before bottling. The result is a whisky polished by over four decades of maturation, exuding unparalleled richness, velvet texture, and multi-layered dark fruit character.
Tasting Notes by GlenDronach:Nose: Opulent dark fruits with hints of walnut, leather and treacle.Palate: Deeply layered with raisin, date, chocolate and velvet tannins, lifted by warm spice.Finish: Exceptionally long, with lingering fruit richness and sherry cask complexity.
As part of the Mizunara Series, this expression represents a core extension of the Yamazaki brand, highlighting the artistry and rarity of Japanese Mizunara oak. Known for its distinctive aroma and flavour, Mizunara has been integral to Yamazaki since the 1940s, when scarcity of American oak after the war led to its adoption. The wood is notoriously difficult to work with, requiring trees over 200 years old and more than 70 cm in diameter to yield usable casks, making each release a rare achievement.
Matured exclusively in Mizunara oak for 18 years, this whisky captures the complexity and depth associated with Japan’s most elusive cask type. The Mizunara oak imparts notes of sandalwood, agarwood, and oriental spice, complementing Yamazaki’s refined character.
Tasting Note by Suntory Whisky:Nose: Dark cherry, ripe peach, cinnamon, nutmegPalate: Spiced orange, apricot, Japanese incenseFinish: Long and lingering with clove, sandalwood and dried coconut
This is a meticulously crafted blended malt, made using Dewar’s unique four-stage ageing process. Developed by Master Blender Stephanie MacLeod, the method involves ageing individual malts separately, then marrying Speyside malts together, and Highland and Islay malts together, before blending all the components and finishing the whisky in Madeira casks. The result is a layered and refined expression of Scottish malt whisky. It’s presented in a striking black glass bottle with a four-point design that reflects the precision and structure of the ageing process.
The third and final release in Rosebank's inaugural global series of legacy whiskies celebrates the revival of the distillery, known as the 'King of the Lowlands'. This edition commemorates the distillery's re-emergence after over 30 years of dormancy, marking a key milestone since its restoration began in 2019. Distilled in the final three years before its closure, this release captures Rosebank's rich, fruity, and floral character. The packaging features a commemorative letter and an NFC tag for authentication, highlighting its significance as Rosebank prepares to welcome the public in 2024.
Tasting Note by Rosebank:Nose: Elegant and balanced, boiled sweeties, pineapple cubes, dried apricot, gentle oak, candied ginger, lemon drizzle, marzipan, hints of white pepper and café latte.Palate: Velvet mouthfeel with good body, hints of malt, thyme, butterscotch, tropical fruits, drying oak and softly warming spice.Finish: Soft and long with lemon, honeyed porridge and toasted walnut.
The exceptional Royal Brackla 25 Year Old Pedro Ximénez limited edition is now available, with only 64 bottles in the UK. Aged for 25 years in first-fill Bourbon barrels and finished in PX Sherry casks, this whisky represents the pinnacle of Royal Brackla’s core offering, showcasing Stephanie's expertise in cask selection and finishing.
Presented in a clear flint bottle with gold and red screen-printed text, it features a gold standard tin capsule and a zamac gold cork. Each bottle is encased in an FSC-sourced wooden box with blue paint, Kurz Luxor gold foil, and screen-printed details.
Tasting Note by Royal Brackla:A mighty dram cloaked in robes of velvet: luscious summer fruits, overlayed with rich, spice-laden raisins and dried figs, adding weight and complexity to our summer dram. The aroma melts into pools of milk chocolate, balanced with ground coffee and toasted almonds. An endless and serene dram that will linger deliciously on the palate.
The Craigellachie 37 Year Old Whisky, part of the limited edition Exceptional Cask Series with only 3012 bottles available, exemplifies outstanding quality and craftsmanship. Initially aged in refill casks, it undergoes a final maturation in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks. This finishing process enhances the distinctive Craigellachie distillery style, allowing its unique character to be fully expressed. This remarkable whisky was also honored with the title of Best Single Malt Scotch Over 25 Years Old at the IWC 2024.
Tasting Note by Craigellachie:The aroma opens with notes of pineapple tarte tatin and crème anglaise, balanced with soft cereals and notes of toasted banana bread. Faint whispers of fire embers emerge with the addition of water then fade to spicy vanilla and delicate oak-derived coconut. The palate is boldly complex with sweet acidity at first, mellowing to soft fruits and almonds with a long, indulgent finish.
"The Essence of Time" 30 Years Old whisky is a result of a meticulous search within their aged casks, leading to the discovery of flavors in five unique barrels. The European oak introduces classic rich fruit tastes, enhanced with brandy and ginger undertones. A port pipe adds a deep ruby shade and hints of red fruits. Meanwhile, two American oak hogsheads contribute sweeter tropical fruit and banana flavors, reminiscent of their fresh new make spirit. This whisky stands as a testament to The Glenturret's dedication to preserving traditional crafting methods. It boasts a natural hue and is non-chill-filtered, with a limited release of 500 bottles worldwide.
Tasting Note by Glenturret:A summer’s day picnic – tropical fruit salad and ripening bananas with a garnish of prunes and figs. Sweet brandy snaps dusted with ginger and cinnamon. A compete of red fruits topped by meringue and vanilla ice cream delivers a fruity finish shaded by subtle oak.
This limited edition release is a rare gem, with only 630 crystal decanters available, each adorned with a unique number, making it a truly exclusive experience. Mahesh Patel's passion for collecting casks led him to handpick two Macallan barrels over 15 years ago, long before it became a trend. Now, he invites whisky enthusiasts to join him on a journey of exceptional flavors and unparalleled craftsmanship. The Macallan 26 Year Old (Sirius) whisky is a harmonious blend of fine-grained Highland peat and the traditional Macallan sherry profile.
Tasting Note by Sirius:Nose: Warm and inviting scents of butterscotch meet aromatic heather, encapsulated by orange zesty charcoal Smoke.Palate: Satisfyingly, creamy and peppery with aromas of roasted nuts, nutmeg and clove, with hints of Madagascan vanilla, dark chocolate, honey, candied fruits and floral smoke.Finish: Long-lingering sweet, oaky spice.
This superb single malt hails from the Glenfarclas distillery, having spent a remarkable 30 years maturing to perfection. This extended aging process has yielded a whisky with a fantastically full-bodied and immensely satisfying Sherry-influenced flavor profile, making it an all-around awesome and exceptional expression.
Tasting Note by Glenfarclas:Nose: Full of complex aromas with fruit and sherried malty tones.Palate: With Sherry, cognac, brandy, fruit, nuts, marzipan (and even icing), this is a wonderfully indulgent Christmas cake, in a glass!Finish: A whisky you never want to end and it very nearly doesn’t. The finish is exquisite with a real taste of brunt chocolate at the back of your mouth.
Founded in 1892 by William Grant adjacent to the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Speyside, The Balvenie remains one of the few distilleries in Scotland to maintain all five of the traditional crafts in-house: it grows a proportion of its own barley, operates its own floor maltings, employs a team of coopers, maintains a team of coppersmiths, and keeps a dedicated team of skilled distillers. That commitment to craft is not a marketing position but an operational reality, and it informs the character of every expression the distillery produces.
The Balvenie Thirty is a rare marriage of Traditional oak and European oak casks, each matured for decades before being united by Honorary Ambassador and former Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE, whose career at the distillery spans more than half a century. This expression is presented here with a complimentary LINLEY Bespoke Home Experience Gift Set, making it one of the most complete and considered gift propositions in the premium whisky category. LINLEY is the British luxury design house founded by Lord Linley, and the pairing brings together two names synonymous with exceptional craft and refinement. For a milestone birthday, anniversary or significant occasion, few gifts at any price point carry the same weight or lasting impression.
Tasting Note by Balvenie:Nose: Smooth and honeyed on the nose with mellow oaky tones and hints of candied orange peel.Palate: Great depth with rich dark chocolate, hints of plum, marzipan and caramelised pear.Finish: Exceptionally smooth and warming with gentle spice and lingering sweetness.
