Wine Cask Influenced Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a captivating fusion of Scotland's whisky traditions and the rich flavors imparted by wine casks. These whiskies are known for their complexity, with layers of fruity, vinous, and sometimes spicy notes. The marriage of Scotch whisky and wine casks, whether from sherry, port, or other fine wines, creates a unique and harmonious taste profile. With each sip, you embark on a journey through the world of wine, guided by the mastery of Scottish distillers. Wine Cask Influenced Single Malt Scotch Whiskies offer a sensorial experience that resonates with connoisseurs of both whisky and wine.
The award-winning whisky underwent an initial 16-year maturation in ex-bourbon casks, followed by an additional 2 years of finishing in premium sherry casks, imparting delightful sweet and fruity characteristics to the spirit. Staying true to the Tobermory Distillery tradition, this whisky is non-chillfiltered and retains its natural color. It's bottled at 46.3% ABV and occupies a place in the Ledaig (peated whisky) core range, alongside Ledaig 10-Year-Old and Ledaig Sinclair Series: Rioja Cask Finish. Ledaig 18 is an island whisky characterized by its smoky profile. It skillfully combines the enticing notes of sweetness and florals with the depth and warmth of sea salt and smoke, creating a harmonious and complex flavor profile.
Tasting Note by Tobermory:Nose: Rich, fruity sherried smokiness, lovely balance of phenols, seaweed and light creosote, dried chilli flakes, spicy black pepper with hints of sweet oakiness.Palate: Powerful rich, sherried, herbal smoky flavours, orange peel, coffee, a touch of sea salt, tobacco and white pepper.Finish: Long and quite pungent with more smoke, a hint of liquorice and sea spray.
The Islay barley for Octomore 14.3 is sourced just two miles away from the distillery at Octomore farm, resulting in a single malt that prominently showcases its cereal characteristics. This spirit stands as a testament to the pivotal role of the raw ingredient and the revitalization of the farming community responsible for its cultivation.
Under the skilled guidance of Head Distiller, Adam Hannett, this high-provenance single malt extracts the essence of the Islay barley. Aged in a blend of first-fill ex-American whiskey casks and second-fill wine casks, the wooden notes complement rather than overpower the grain, preserving the distinct taste and essence of the Islay barley's origin.
Tasting Note by Bruichladdich:Nose: Transporting you to the Bruichladdich Distillery courtyard, the aromas of hot, sweet mash are unmistakable on the nose. This soft, biscuity malt is followed by peat smoke and an assortment of sweet, stoned fruits, with ripe apricots, peach and honey-drizzled pears. Candied lemon peels add a hint of citrus, balanced with butterscotch, honeycomb, chocolate and vanilla ice cream.Palate: Delicate oak notes immediately come through, followed by the presence of smouldering peat. Floral hints of gorse and honeysuckle rise above the malty Islay-grown barley, which is rich and sweet with creamy porridge and cereal notes. The structure of the French oak, together with the sweet vanilla and toffee of the American oak, combine beautifully, bringing a harmonious balance to the palate.Finish: Malted barley and earthy smoke dominate, followed by lingering notes of sweet barley sugar. Caramel and vanilla add a final touch of rounded sweetness.
Batch 3 is the third and final release in the series of inaugural whiskies from the young Lagg Distillery located on the Isle of Arran. Like its predecessors, Batch 3 is crafted using double distilled 50ppm peated Concerto malted barley. It spends two and a half years maturing in first-fill bourbon casks before a six-month finishing period in custom-made rioja red wine Firkin casks. Bottled at 50% ABV, without added color or chill filtration, this single malt combines layers of red fruit with the earthy essence of peat at its core.
Tasting Note by Lagg:Nose: Light intensity. Earthy peat with some light minerality and a hint of oak. Palate: Thick, mouth coating. More of the peat comes through on the mouthfeel. There is a sweetness. Lots of berries maybe some dark fruit. Some more herbaceous notes in the background.Finish: Medium. More peat, nice balance with a little pinch of saltiness.
In the most recent Limited Edition release from Ledaig, the whisky brims with flavor, having been fully matured in red wine casks and bottled at cask strength (56.8% ABV). This particular expression of peated Ledaig has enjoyed 9 years of maturation in the finest Bordeaux red wine casks. The result is a whisky with distinct notes of heather, pine cones, woody sea salt, and floral undertones that linger on the finish. As with all Ledaig whiskies, this release is presented in its natural color and is non-chillfiltered, allowing its character to shine through in the form of intense and rich flavors.
Tasting Note by Tobermory:Nose: Smoked fudge, eucalyptus oil and carbolic soap.Palate: Burning heather and pine cones. Grape skins and melons, wood smoked meats.Finish: As the smoke drifts, some floral notes develop and finally lime pastilles.
According to the legend, a particular night witnessed a blood-red transformation of the moon in the Mortlach sky, marking the beginning of a mysterious alchemical process. Deep within the Mortlach distillery's stills, the blood moon's alluring ruby richness and intricate darkness worked their enchanting magic, endowing Mortlach itself with an uncommon and captivating essence. Radiant with the glow of ruby light, this renowned whisky underwent a final maturation in a blend of Virgin Oak, Tawny Port, and Red Muscat wine casks, intensifying its deep amber hue.
Vigorous scents of opulent wine and sweet grape intertwine with Mortlach's signature meaty character. In the quiet hours of the night, amid flickering illumination, the finish ascends to unparalleled heights. It's a whisky to hold dear, where sweetness, darkness, and depth converge in a mystical union that leaves a lasting impression.
Tasting Note by Mortlach:Nose: Robust savoury, rich notes evoke a hearty cassoulet with haricots, tomatoes, spicy sausage, and crisp pork belly. Intriguing aromas of grape and red wine entwine with this meatiness then, as the nose develops, become more mineral. A little water changes the picture again, lowering the spiciness and bringing up more rounded, wine-accented sweet red fruit.Palate: Rich and smoothly mouth-filling in texture, while the deep and intense taste is sweetly fruity rather than meaty, and spicy-dry, as the virgin oak makes its presence felt. Magnificently lively, with a richly layered taste, in which hints of ginger lead a spicy dance. A dash of water fashions a delicious, harmonious and strong marriage between fruitiness and black pepper spiciness.Finish: Long and deeply impressive, with power, fruit and black pepper in perfect harmony, a spicy kick as it goes down and a warming glow spreading across the palate. Finally, the palate is left dry, bathed in a glorious afterglow. A drop of water adds a dash of acidity.
As one follows the meandering path along the river's edge beside The Singleton of Glen Ord, the tale of its unique enchantment carries significant meaning. Situated on the Black Isle, it stands as the sole remaining Single Malt distillery, and the allure of this whisky resides in its luxuriously intricate flavors. The mastery of slow craftsmanship has always been the secret, allowing each phase of production, from malting to maturation, to progress at its own unhurried pace, resulting in a liquid that is harmonious, velvety, and captivating.
This exceptional expression captivates the senses with its opulent character, honed over eight years of aging in wine casks.
Tasting Note by Singleton:Nose: Dry overall, the gentle nose gives a vinous first impression, backed by spicy, woody notes of oak shavings and beech. Alluring aromas of tart red berry fruit and creamy vanilla spread among them, and a hint of wax appears in the development. A little water softens the nose and relaxes the aroma, without great alteration.Palate: An ultra-smooth, mouth-filling texture prefaces a lively, intense taste; barley-sugar sweet, with a pinch of salt. That sweetness becomes pleasantly tart, with suggestions of gooseberry and crisp grape. At reduced strength, it is not as tart, but still spicy; the sweetness is highlighted yet the appetising spicy heat remains.Finish: Lengthy and palate-drying, as pepper-heat lingers in a last kiss of silken spice. With water sweeter, now with a trace of fondant in the aftertaste.
Benriach The Twenty Five Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a rich and sumptuous expression that offers a masterful curation of flavors. It is crafted from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit and undergoes a quadruple maturation process, spending at least twenty-five years in various cask types. These casks include sherry casks, bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, and Madeira Island wine casks.
During its extended maturation, the sweet Speyside smoke character in Benriach's spirit mellows and seamlessly integrates with the fruit, malt, and oak flavors. After twenty-five years, the rich layering of flavors evolves into a profile of caramelised smoke, which is further enhanced through the multi-layered cask maturation process.
With a natural cask-imparted color and an ABV of 46%, Benriach The Twenty Five is a truly sophisticated and complex whisky that reflects the culmination of over two decades of maturation.
Tasting Note by Benriach:Nose: Smoked apricot, dark cherry chocolate, hazelnut toffee.Palate: Baked fruit, toasted oak spice, orange and cinnamon spice, finishing with rich caramelised smoke.
Benriach The Smoky Twelve Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a masterful blend of fruity, malty, oaky, and smoky flavors. Crafted with a combination of unpeated and peated spirit, this whisky undergoes a triple maturation process, spending at least twelve years in a variety of cask types, including bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and Marsala wine casks.
With a natural cask-imparted color and an ABV of 46%, Benriach The Smoky Twelve promises a delightful and harmonious tasting experience that combines the best elements of fruitiness and smokiness in a well-rounded whisky.
Tasting Note by BenRiach:Nose: Smoked vanilla, charred orange and toasted almond.Palate: Dark chocolate, fruit peel, brown sugar and smoked oak, lingering into a cocoa and orange smoked finish.
