Single Malt Scotch Whisky

• • 88

  • Reduced

  Ardmore Traditional Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $119.99

  $109. 99

  Bottle

  $1319.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 40%

  A throwback to when Highland distilleries dried their barley with the sweet smoke of local peat. It's also finished in smaller Quarter Casks, so it's fuller and richer than most, as well as having distinct smokey notes. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... [46% ABV tasted] My guess, due to an extra fraction of sweetness and spice, is that it is the former [caramel has been added]. All that said, the overall experience remains quite beautiful. And this remains one of my top ten distilleries in the world. 88.5 points 46% Alc./Vol.- Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2019

  ... This is non-chill filtered and finished in a “Quarter Cask,” similar to Laphroaig Quarter Cask (same owners). Ardmore remains one of the few Speyside whiskies made with peat-smoked malt. Chewy, almost oily-textured, with sweet notes of toffee and caramel up front, followed by emerging damp, earthy peat and bourbon-like notes. The oaky, resinous bourbon lingers through the finish. The bourbon oak intensity dominates to a degree, disrupting the harmony of the remaining flavors. A whisky of great potential, but still waiting to achieve some of it.
  80 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: John Hansell (Fall 2008)

  Delivery Information
• • 94

  Ardnamurchan AD/ Sherry Cask Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $150. 00

  Bottle

  $1800.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 50%

  Aligned in style to several sherried Islay expressions, though, perhaps with extra richness, Ardnamurchan's foray into the heavily sherried market comes out of a combination of PX and Oloroso casks. It's a whisky in two parts; Peat and coastal notes first, then the sherry arrives late in a sweet rush of dried fruits and vanilla, mixed up with oily lanolin, tangy peel and menthol tobacco. A satisfying, precociously balanced malt and yet another notch in the belt for Ardnamurchan, twenty five casks make up the release: 15 hogsheads of unpeated spirit plus 10 butts of peated new make - most of which has already sold out via major UK retailers. 50% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... Big and complex, yet not at all burny. Bold red lick but very quickly the coastal rocky Ardna I love bursts into view. Wrapped in a red blanket. Raisins. Dry fruits. Hint of mint. No firework. No matchbox. Oh…wait! Here comes the salty ocean spray. Now the peaty earthiness. Wow, what balance. How can 5yo whisky taste this…old? More mature than it has any right to be. - dramface.com

  ...Maybe not exactly heavily peated, but neither is the peat very subtle. On the palate that is. It's clearly on the younger side, but never immature, which is the key takeaway. While it's already good and balances the sherry and peat relatively well, there's still a way up for Ardnamurchan, which makes me very excited for their future. - wordsofwhisky.com

  Delivery Information
• • 93

  Ardnamurchan Single Cask AD/12:15 CK.778 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Australian Exclusive

  Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $229. 99

  Bottle

  $2759.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 57.3%

  One of the last single cask Ardnamuchans filled in 2015 that will be released. According to the distillery, the 2015s are ageing so well they're reluctant to sell more, instead, they’re holding on to the remainder to see what happens with further maturity. 256 units of peated distillate from a first-fill Bourbon barrel were reserved for Australia. Tasted from a 50ml sample, the nose presents a relatively thin veil of smoke that wavers over a base of creamy vanillas and honey-drizzled malt. There is a light citric freshness too that hints at salted limes. If you missed the peat at first sniff, you’ll get it on the palate: Oily peat reek on entry gives way to the intensity of the malt, while a touch of coastal brine adds lift. The balance is precise. The lingering buttery sweetness shows off the quality of the wood selection. We already knew Ardnamurchan was good. This bottling confirms it’s only going to get better. 57.3% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Delivery Information
• • 94

  Ardnamurchan AD/09.22 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $140. 00

  Bottle

  $1680.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 58.4%

  Racked out of fifty barrels in September 2022 and created from 94% peated malt, the new Ardnamurchan cask strength lands on the smokier side. Just like last years, it delivers a precocious combination of wood smoke, coastal complexity and poached fruits that also boasts serious length, right through to the ashy, pepper-laced finish. If you are looking for analogous styles, think Talisker or even cask strength Kilchoman. The maturation regime has been tweaked: 88% is from Bourbon wood with the remainder sherry casks - and despite the outturn being slightly higher than 02.22, it's now sold out at major UK retailers. The Australian allocation has just arrived. Judging by the reception given to previous editions, about half of that will be stashed away. This label is emerging as a West Highlander with charisma that's also collectible. 58.4% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 13,460 bottles.

  Notes from the producers... Nose: Orchard fruit, smoked cheese, chippies at the seaside, oyster shells, eucalyptus. Palate: Cigar box, bonfire embers, butterscotch, galangal, brine, hay bales.

  Delivery Information
• • 94

  • Not gift boxed

  Ardnamurchan AD/ Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $109. 99

  Bottle

  $1319.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46.8%

  The latest release from Ardnamurchan is also their first core range bottling. Simply named "AD/", the batch numbers have been removed, with a redesigned front label featuring the Ardnamurchan lighthouse. 25,200 bottles are on offer worldwide - which sounds like a lot - but it's allocated in Australia. We've grabbed as much as we could. The whisky remains an equal split between peated and unpeated spirit, with 65% bourbon cask and 35% sherry maturation.

  Building on the profile of previous editions, AD/ is something akin to Ardmore-meets-young Talisker with a splash of Ledaig thrown in for added depth. The first sniff finds grapefruit, citrus, pepper and saline to the fore with a fabulous coastal / low-key peaty drift that develops as rock-pools then earthier, farmyard notes of lucerne mulch and lanolin. You realise there’s something a bit special about AD/ at first taste; mostly, it's the remarkably sprightly nature of the delivery. It's also relatively dry by Highland standards, so you have to roll it around your mouth to extract more of the fruity malt sweetness (strange as it sounds, winter strawberries come to mind). Vivacious, briney and minerally, with sugar sprinkled grapefruit to finish, some bitter dark chocolate too, AD/ is easily one of the more complex young malts money can buy and a whisky that truly conveys a sense of place - the fact that they’ve already nailed a very distinctive style in itself seems like a near impossible achievement. 46.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Notes from the producers... Nose - Toasted marshmallows on a pebbled Fascadale beach, minerals, orange oil and popcorn. Palate - Salted popcorn, smores, pebble beach, mineralic, sea salt, briney, lime cordial, charred marshmallows, bitter orange, dark chocolate, smoky old fashioned cocktail.

  Delivery Information
• Ardnamurchan Spirit 2019 AD (700ml)

  Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $150. 00

  Bottle

  $1800.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 57.4%

  This is the fourth release of spirit from Ardnamurchan. Already on collector's radars, as with previous editions, some of the composition is under three years old which means this can't be called 'whisky' as yet. This release contains liquid from 2 butts, 6 hogsheads and 21 octaves, all from American and Spanish oak ex-sherry (Oloroso and PX). Just over 5000 bottles are on offer globally.

  Notes from the bottlers... Deep copper gold with amber lights with good beading. Crème caramel with candied orange. Manuka honey and mango; rock salt, liquorice, maple-cured smoked bacon and extinguished peat kilns. 57.4% Alc./Vol.

  Delivery Information
• • 93

  • Reduced

  Arran 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Isle of Arran, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $899.00

  $699. 00

  Bottle

  $8388.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  The oldest Arran to date. Now sold out at the distillery.

  Arran are one of the first of the 'new wave' of Scottish distilleries to reach maturity. To mark that watershed, they've released 3000 bottles of their oldest expression to date. Now sold out at the distillery, it has been eagerly anticipated by those already enamoured with the superb 18 & 21. And if you're surprised by the price, consider the massive hikes for similar age statements from Macallan, Highland Park, Ardbeg or Balblair et al. and it actually compares very favourably. The 25 year old is set to become an annual offering, although outturns will remain minimal (no doubt they're reserving a portion for even older releases in the future). Impressively housed in a timber presentation case, it comes matured in 35% ex-sherry and 65% ex-bourbon casks, but was also allocated twelve months in first-fill and refill sherry hogsheads. Like most other Arrans, it's bottled at 46% without chill filtration or the addition of any colouring.

  Other reviews... The oldest in Arran’s core range has a warm, inviting nose of sweet vanilla, poached pear, and crème caramel, with a flurry of wood spices, ground pepper, and nutmeg grated over rice pudding. Rich and syrupy-textured, with honey, fudge, black pepper, and gentle oak building up to a peak of crystallized ginger followed by Seville orange peel, vanilla, ripe apricot, and apple. A mouth-coating finish of ginger and honeycomb toffee. 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com

  ...The bottle is superb, the price maybe a little less so. This is a combination of bourbon and oloroso, further married for one year in sherry hogsheads. What's sure is that this is the oldest Arran I've ever tasted. Colour: copper/amber. Nose: starts with a bowl of sour cherries and a clear vinosity, on old barriques and a little balsamico. I'm also finding many red berries, which come totally unexpected, raspberries, mulberries, also rosehip, dried pears, whiffs of dunnage, blood oranges, drops of fino… This is not what I was expecting, on the other hand I think it worked, it's just, well, very singular, with obvious wine impact. Mouth: cherry clafoutis, once again, cherries in kirsch, then mead and triple-sec, elderberry syrup, and a feeling of arrak. Then more blood oranges, more eglantine tea, and just preserved morellos. Are we sure this has never met with a single dollop of pinot noir? Finish: medium, with a little more malt and raisins, café latte, butterscotch… I  short, it fell in line. A salty touch in the aftertaste. Comments: let's keep an open mind, this is not what we were expecting from a new 25 yo, but it's not lacking courage and opinion. The idea was strange but it was well executed. 86 points - whiskyfun.com

  Notes from the bottlers... Nose – Rich oak with a gentle nutmeg note. Sweeter aromas of baked ripe figs, sultanas and black cherries. Palate – Fruit cake with toasted almonds and cinnamon. The juicy zestiness of oranges and mandarins mellows perfectly with manuka honey, muscovado sugar, baked apricots and an interesting white pepper note that provides even more complexity. Finish – Creamy and spicy with dark chocolate, walnuts and dark fruits compote.

  Delivery Information
• • 90

  Arran 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Isle of Arran, SCOTLAND

  $99. 99

  Bottle

  $1199.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  Tasting note: Nominated as one of the twenty defining whiskies of the past twenty years by Malt Advocate back in 2013, this new incarnation of Arran 10 opens slightly woody and acidic on the nose developing attractive honeyed, chocolatey notes. On the palate, American oak underscores the malt; juicy orchard fruits and vanilla shine through in a fresh, spicy delivery. The finish offers stewed pears and hints of cinnamon. Uncomplicated but very tasty. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... [Previous packaging] Launched in 2006 as the first mainstream Arran bottling with an age statement, it is sweet and malty on the nose, with fresh-planed wood and toffee apples. The palate is fruity, with ripe banana, honey, vanilla, coconut, and wood spices. Spicy orchard fruits and malt in the relatively long finish. Well-balanced and eminently drinkable at this age. The quality has improved since earlier bottlings.
  87 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Fall 2018)

  Gold Medal 2019 World Whiskies Awards

  Gold Medal - 95 points IWSC 2019

  Delivery Information
• • 93

  Arran Sherry Cask The Bodega Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Isle of Arran, SCOTLAND

  $150. 00

  Bottle

  $1800.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 55.8%

  Tasting note: One of the highlights in the new-look range, this harkens back to some of the earliest Arrans which were mostly matured in Sherry casks. Ginger snaps, cinnamon and fruit'n'nut dark chocolate aromas follow with a lovely dried fruit aspect (figs, dates, apricots). Bold but balanced; drier in the mouth than the nose suggests with fresh dried fruit flavours, leaning towards apricots. Pepper, cinnamon and ginger bread spice up the medium long finish. A flavoursome 'contemporary' sherried style that's different to traditionalists like Glendronach or Macallan. 55.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Delivery Information
• • 93
  • 92

  • Reduced

  Arran Quarter Cask The Bothy Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Isle of Arran, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $130.00

  $109. 99

  Bottle

  $1319.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 56.2%

  Matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels for seven years before being transferred to smaller 125 litre Quarter casks for a further two years. The process amplifies the impact of the wood. Fumey alcohol gives way to hints of dried coconut, raisin chocolate, pine needles and a vaguely cider-like fruitiness. It's a big, chewy malt with a fabulous fanning flavour rush and impressive control. Summer pudding and vanilla come through on the finish before the aftertaste ends crisp and pleasingly astringent. Delicious. 56.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... Initially matured in bourbon casks for 7 years, this spends another 2 years in quarter casks, taking on aromas of vanilla, shortbread, canned pineapple chunks, wax, and cinnamon, all buffeted by the bright saltiness of fresh sea air. A hefty deep palate is unencumbered by the cask and instead trumpets its clean sweet flavors: lemon, orange, pineapple, fresh ginger, blueberry, cinnamon, shortbread, and saline. Full-flavored to the last, this whisky is muscular, but never aggressive. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com

  Delivery Information
• • 91
  • 91

  • Reduced

  Arran Barrel Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Isle of Arran, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $89.99

  $79. 99

  Bottle

  $959.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 43%

  As of late 2019, all the Arrans sport new packaging, designed by London agency Stranger & Stranger. The label now features iconography in the shape of Arran Island, with a pair of native eagles enclosed by 'ripples' reflecting the island’s mountain waterfalls. This entry level expression shows off Arran's house style; Soft aromas of vanilla and pineapple pudding follow with delectable pear strudel and vanilla malt flavours before finishing creamy, with a touch of coastal tang. There's decent weight and mouthfeel at 43%, while the overall balance remains spot on. A profile reminiscent of older Glenfiddichs, and very easy to like. 43% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... White peach, juicy green pear, vanilla, and green tea meet the fresh aromas of clean sheets flapping on the clothesline in a crisp spring breeze. The palate is silky and light-bodied, sweet with biscuity malt, toasted almonds, cantaloupe, and milk chocolate; a few drops of water evoke oily sprays of lemon, grapefruit, and orange. Creamy and nutty on the finish, sprinkled with toasted almonds, bittersweet oak, and a whiff of tobacco. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com

  Delivery Information
• • 93

  • Reduced

  Arran Machrie Moor Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Isle of Arran, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $140.00

  $119. 99

  Bottle

  $1439.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 56.2%

  We were enamored with Arran's early efforts which were defined by pristinely clean, sweet, unpeated malt. Like many others, Arran has diversified its portfolio since its inception, now offering a range of wood finishes, cask strength bottlings and even a peated whisky under the Machrie Moor label (it seems every distillery has to have at least one nowadays!) Their collection places Arran along side the likes of Springbank and Bruichladdich for sheer innovation and breadth. The cask strength version peated at 20ppm was released in 2014 and was a slightly disjointed but notable debut. The latest version [2023] takes the spirit to new heights, particularly in terms of texture; It's intense and malty with a kind of juicy grilled pineapple quality that dominates, the finish reclaiming some of the smokiness, lingering with tingling peppers, chillie heat, ash and trace lanolin. Rather than trying to mimic Islay, this revels in the quality of the distillate, leaning towards traditional Highland peated malts, especially on the palate. 56.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... a heavily peated cask strength monster of a whisky, but being an Arran it manages to retain a sweet fruity core for that peat to balance against. It walks that delicate line between peat explosion and fruit bomb and is truly a tasty whisky. The addition of water brings up more honey, malt and even more fruit notes, but doesn’t do much to increase the depth. It all seems to come across fairly topical and it doesn’t take too much water to neuter it completely. So if you pick up a bottle of Arran Machrie Moor Cask Strength go easy with the water. I only needs a bit to open it up, but even without it’s a lovely crisp, sweet and peaty malt. - thewhiskyjug.com

  [First batch tasted]. Wood smoke, warm tar, and emerging new leather on the bold nose. Sweet peat and spices on the palate, barbecue sauce, and black pepper. Long in the finish: vanilla, with sweet smoke and chili. 84 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Spring 2015)

  Delivery Information
• • Nick's Import

  1988 Auchentoshan Limited Edition PX Sherry Cask Finish 29 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Lowlands, SCOTLAND

  $999. 00

  Bottle

  $11988.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 49.7%

  A whisky that's not easy to track down. At the time of writing, this is the oldest Auchentoshan to land on our shelves. Initially matured in Bourbon casks for twenty one years before being given an eight year finish in sweet sherry, this is really beyond a 'finishing' - more like a second maturation. Whisky bloggers have been extremely satisfied with the result, variously describing a "Beautifully layered nose that offers the best of two worlds: bourbon and sherry." And "Chocolate, dried fruits, orange and thick jam flavours... a little heat comes forward with hints of vanilla, toffee and Bakewell tart." Not confirmed as cask strength but after three decades in barrel at 49.7%, it's reasonable to assume it is. Triple distilled. Very limited stocks.

  Delivery Information
• • 89

  Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Lowlands, SCOTLAND

  $115. 00

  Bottle

  $1380.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 43%

  Auchentoshan distillery is located in Clydebank, in the heart of the Lowlands whisky region. Auchentoshan employ a triple distillation method, an unusual process which sees the spirit enter the cask at a staggering 82% Alcohol by volume. After maturation and bottling, the whiskies are typically light, fruity and pristinely balanced. In simple terms, they're dangerously drinkable and offer the devoted whisky drinker a 'go to' malt for warmer weather and the gift buyer an ideal choice when unsure about someone's whisky preferences.

  Auchentoshan Three Wood is matured initially in bourbon casks before being finished in Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez casks for an extra layer of rich, sweet fruitiness.

  Tasting note: Bright burnished copper appearance. Initial nosing reveals aromas of spicy malt and mild vanilla. There are hints of dried fruits too. Basically a nice integration of Bourbon and Sherry influences that gives both a showing. The palate offers good concentration with medium dry, peppery, biscuity malt flavours leading into a juicy raisined finish. Concludes dry with a pleasant spiciness lingering. At the drier end of the whisky spectrum. 43% Alc./Vol.

  Delivery Information
• • 89
  • 91

  Auchentoshan Triple Distilled 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Lowlands, SCOTLAND

  $89. 99

  Bottle

  $1079.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 40%

  Auchentoshan distillery is located in Clydebank, in the heart of the Lowlands whisky region. Auchentoshan employ a triple distillation method, an unusual process which sees the spirit enter the cask at a staggering 82% Alcohol by volume. After maturation and bottling, the whiskies are typically light, fruity and pristinely balanced. In simple terms, they're dangerously drinkable and offer the devoted whisky drinker a 'go to' malt for warmer weather and the gift buyer an ideal choice when unsure about someone's whisky preferences.

  Tasting note: Bright gold. Attractive and pure oatmeal / muesli bar accent to the malt; gets more dried grass-like with exposure with hints of fruit. A clean, fresh delivery offers dilute honey, cereal and warming gingery moments to round off a soft-centered, light to mid weighted whisky that's a simple pleasure. 40% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... A delicious malt very much happier with itself than it has been for a while. 91.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021

  Delivery Information
• • 90

  • Nick's Import

  Aultmore of the Foggie Moss 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $116. 99

  Bottle

  $1403.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  Aultmore is located in Keith, Banffshire. Its name is a derived from the phrase 'An t-Allt Mòr'', Gaelic for big burn, referring to its water source, the Auchinderran burn. It was founded in 1895 by Alexander Edward, then owner of the Benrinnes distillery. In 1998, after a patchy history, the distillery was sold to Bacardi subsidiary, Dewars, which had previously owned Aultmore between 1923 and 1925. Aultmore produced their first official bottling, a 12 year old, in 2004. The house style is typically light and fruity with most of the wood employed being American oak.

  Tasting note: Pale gold. Minor sediment. Ripe pear and apple tart followed by hints of hay; the aroma is partly obscured by the tingly spirit lift. Almost the concentration of a cask strength with big beefy malt and a peppery attack. A little thin and acidic towards the finish, but nice underlying drier styled malt peeks through. Some light water biscuit and dried grass notes in the aftertaste. 46% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews...The youngest bottling in Dewar’s new line up of malts from its Aultmore distillery, near Keith, this expression offers a nose of peaches and lemonade, freshly-mown grass, linseed and milky coffee. Very fruity on the palate, mildly herbal, with toffee and light spices. The finish is medium in length, with lingering spices, fudge, and finally more milky coffee. 3 Stars
  - www.whisky-pages.com

  86 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2015

  4 Stars - www diffordsguide.com

  Delivery Information
• • 91

  Balblair 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $999. 00

  Bottle

  $11988.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  As of 2019, Balblair have abandoned their vintage dated bottlings, instead offering a range of age statements, all at a 46% minimum with zero chill filtering or colouring.  The house style aims to maximise the esters at the start of the cut giving core characteristics of apricots, oranges, spices, floral notes and green apples. The heavier oils and lipids at the end of the cut are also captured, giving leathery, nutty and full-bodied characteristics. Initially matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks, then refined over the years in Spanish oak for extra richness and complexity, the handsome new-look 25 year old promises a full-bodied malt with oily citrus, chocolate praline and a faint note of fresh tobacco leaf.

  Other reviews... There has been hard work here to harmonise fruit and oak, and allow the barley a say too. But when the sherry is this ripe, not an easy stunt to pull off. Gets pretty close though! 91 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022

  Delivery Information
• • 94

  1969 Balblair 43 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $3499. 00

  Bottle

  $41988.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 41.4%

  Bottled in 2012 as a limited production of 999 bottles, this is one of the oldest Balblairs ever released.

  Other reviews... A charmer. Don't even think about touching this until it has stood in the glass for ten minutes. 94.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020

  ...This veteran Balblair was distilled on February 7, 1969 using barley malted on site and coal-fired stills. Opens with slight saltiness on the nose, almost ozone, then lemons and pine, and finally, vanilla fudge. Overt citrus notes on the palate, with aniseed, some oak, brittle toffee, and a smokiness not found in younger Balblairs. The finish is long and discreetly spicy, notably cinnamon and black pepper. 41.4% Alc./Vol. 89 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2013)

  Delivery Information
• • 92

  Balvenie 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Wooden Box

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $3999. 00

  Bottle

  $47988.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 47.3%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.

  Other reviews... Rarely have I come across a bottling of a whisky of these advanced years which is so true to previous ones. Amazing. 92 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2017

  I always loved the Thirty. The strength hasn’t changed, it’s always a cask-strengthish 47.3%, in true William Grant fashion. I think I also had it at the World Whisky Awards 2013. Colour: full gold. Nose: oh, this is so much more to my liking on the nose. Pure honey, really. In my experience almost all official Balvenies are honeyed (especially the old ones) but this is actually even more honeyed than honey. You may add a few very ripe apricots and yellow plums (mirabelles). Enough said. Mouth: superb, punchy yet silky, extremely honeyed and jammy, with some brown sugar and fudge coating the whole. I love this richness that never becomes ‘too much’. Vanilla-infused acacia honey like a good friend uses to make. Finish: long, smooooth, rounded, honeyed, with a little orange and mint in the aftertaste that keep your palate as fresh as a baby’s. Comments: perfect, one of my favourite honeyed Speysiders (as opposed to the sherried ones). 91 points - whiskyfun.com

  Delivery Information
• • Nick's Import

  Balvenie Rare Marriages 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $1999. 00

  Bottle

  $23988.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 48%

  Other reviews... This is the proper new Balvenie 25, not one of those doublewoods or single barrels, you understand? Colour: gold. Nose: fully Balvenie. Touch of nail polish at first, then mirabelles and quinces, then croissant and brioche, then custard and acacia honey. That's all folks, and that was very much already. Mouth: absolutely splendid, perhaps a tad rougher than earlier vintages (the glorious 1970s) but indeed full of plums, yellow ones, green ones… Quinces are there too, sugarcane as well, tiny notes of Victoria pineapple, then just vanilla and the best part of oak. It is not a very complicated malt whisky, it's even a tad simple, but I find it epitomically Balvenie, which is enough for me. I must be on my lucky day. Finish: lovely finish, creamy, ueber-Balvenie-ish, on preserved mirabelles with just a dash of sawdust. Vanilla and barley syrup in the aftertaste. Comments: close to the core. My main problem is that I cannot not remember the early 1970s Balvenies – and the ones before. Balvenie 'As we get it' anyone? Maybe I need some kind of reset. 88 points - whiskyfun.com

  Delivery Information
• • 87
  • 82
  • 88
  • 94

  Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $119. 99

  Bottle

  $1439.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 40%

  It's been over a decade since we've revisited the Balvenie range. From the 12 Year Old, right up to the venerable 30 year old expression, the house style emerges as one of the lightest and most delicate to be found from Speyside with almost no peat evident. 'Doublewood' gains its character from maturation in two woods, transferred from traditional x-Bourbon American oak to a Sherry oak casks for its final maturation. It's sometimes described as the classic, "essential" expression in Balvenie’s core range. From a 30ml sample, the nose is lifted with vanilla, dilute honey and dried fruits. The entry is featherweight, unfolding into a medium-weight dram with moderate flavours of dried fruit and a warm mouthfeel. An aftertaste of dried grass and drying oak sustains a little prickle. All up, this is uncomplicated and typical of the distillery style, but even at 12 years old, Doublewood still tastes surprisingly young. 40% Alc./Vol.

  Delivery Information
• • 90

  Balvenie Port Wood Finish 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $399. 00

  Bottle

  $4788.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 40%

  Spurred by the success of his original distillery venture, Glenfiddich, William Grant set about expanding his business empire with the purchase of Balvenie New House in 1892. The Balvenie distillery has now been owned and managed by William Grant and Sons as a staunchly independent and family owned operation for over five generations. Nowhere else will you find a distillery that still grows its own barley, still malts in its own traditional floor maltings and still employs coopers to tend the casks and a coppersmith to maintain the stills (although some would argue this is all solely show for the tourist value it offers). Regardless, successive generations of skill on the malting floor, in the tun room and the still house, in the cooperage and the warehouses do seem to have preserved a consistency and remarkably high quality of The Balvenie down the years.

  It's been over a decade since we've revisited the Balvenie range. From the 12 Year Old, right up to the venerable 30 year old expression, the house style emerges as one of the lightest and most delicate to be found from Speyside with almost no peat evident. Following the success of the limited edition Port Wood 1989, David Stewart, Balvenie's Malt Master has continued to select a number of traditional whisky casks of Balvenie considered perfect for further maturation in Port Pipes. It is for many critics and drinkers the quintessential Balvenie expression, winning numerous Gold Medals and the trophy for Best Whisky in Class at the 2009 International Wine and Spirits Competition.

  Tasting note: Bright gold appearance. A gorgeous, lifted bouquet features a cherry-chocolate top note over deeper scents of vanilla and oak. Cherry-chocolate remains the signature note even after extended exposure. Like the 15 Year Old, this is a light to medium bodied, seamlessly integrated Speyside dram, with a graceful mouthfeel. The Port Wood adds suggestions of dark chocolate and hints of marzipan. Spices pulse delicately at the finish before the drying cocoa aftertaste. A wood finish executed with a soft touch. 40% Alc./Vol.

  'Some of these finishes can be overdone and the whisky spoiled by an unsubtle use of the second wood, but this was created by the hand of a master. Delicate port wine flavours dance around the inherent spirit quality in a mesmerising and quite beguiling fashion...this is a stellar achievement.' - Ian Buxton, 101 Whiskies to Try Before you Die.
  

  
  Other reviews…. The Balvenie Aged 21 Years Port Wood (88.5) t22 Salivating and on the money malt wise with the juicy chewiness a lot fresher than the nose would have you believe; f22.5 busy, multi layered with some lovely praline amid the soft grape; b22 beautiful subtle malt… Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2011
  
  

  Delivery Information
• • 90

  Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $149. 99

  Bottle

  $1799.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 43%

  A new Balvenie, matured for 14 years in traditional oak casks before being transferred to Caribbean rum casks. A match made in heaven for some!

  Tasting note: Deep amber gold. Soft, plush aromas of toasted marshmallow followed by vanilla custard tart, toasted cereals and clove, echoe in a light to medium bodied, vanilla-malt profile with hints of dried fig, rum-like sugars and delicate toasted cereals towards the finish. Perfectly balanced with featherweight spices adding vibrancy. The lightness of the Balvenie spirit lends itself to wood finishes. This one works. 43% Alc./Vol.

  Delivery Information
• • Reduced

  Balvenie Rare Marriages 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - DAMAGED GIFT BOX

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $1,999.00

  $1499. 00

  Bottle

  $17988.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 48%

  Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. This one, in particular, has some medium bruising to the top edge (see photo). Actual product pictured.
  
  Other reviews... This is the proper new Balvenie 25, not one of those doublewoods or single barrels, you understand? Colour: gold. Nose: fully Balvenie. Touch of nail polish at first, then mirabelles and quinces, then croissant and brioche, then custard and acacia honey. That's all folks, and that was very much already. Mouth: absolutely splendid, perhaps a tad rougher than earlier vintages (the glorious 1970s) but indeed full of plums, yellow ones, green ones… Quinces are there too, sugarcane as well, tiny notes of Victoria pineapple, then just vanilla and the best part of oak. It is not a very complicated malt whisky, it's even a tad simple, but I find it epitomically Balvenie, which is enough for me. I must be on my lucky day. Finish: lovely finish, creamy, ueber-Balvenie-ish, on preserved mirabelles with just a dash of sawdust. Vanilla and barley syrup in the aftertaste. Comments: close to the core. My main problem is that I cannot not remember the early 1970s Balvenies – and the ones before. Balvenie 'As we get it' anyone? Maybe I need some kind of reset. 88 points - whiskyfun.com

  Delivery Information
• • 90

  • Reduced

  Ben Nevis Coire Leis Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Highlands, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $120.00

  $99. 99

  Bottle

  $1199.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  Launched in late 2021 and named after a loch where the distillery's water source starts, Coire Leis is a no-age statement expression matured in first-fill bourbon casks for between 8 and 10 years. While it resonates with Ben Nevis' signature qualities (oily, full bodied), it's lighter in colour and not as heavy or textural as the standard ten year old. Orchard fruits come wrapped up in soft spices and some of the distillery's well-rounded, beefy malt character is captured. The finish isn't particularly long, and it tastes younger and less integrated than the tenner, but this is intended as an introduction to the distillery style, and it achieves that well. 46% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... Nice story about some rocks around the distillery, not to mention waters and springs, but it's still only NAS. Shall we call it an access-Ben-Nevis bottling? Colour: pale white wine. Nose: big on porridge, mash and pears, plus dough, leek, eggplant, fennel, soot and mead. Some vanilla too. Feels really young and probably cleaner than your 'average' BN. Mouth: very good maltiness, with burnt herbs, burnt honey, then Ovaltine, then dried fruits and burnt fruit tartes. Some sweet peppers and some mustard too, this is well Ben Nevis, probably boosted with some rather active wood. Finish: long, rather rich, full of toffee and Ovaltine. Malty beer, spicy liquid caramel, cardamom… Comments: not much to add, this modern, extractive, boosted version of Ben Nevis works very well, it's even got a Japanese side (how surprising). By the way, did you ever read Compton Mckenzie's novel "Ben Nevis goes East"? Nah it's got nothing to do with whisky... 82 points - whiskyfun.com

  Delivery Information
• Benriach Malting Season Third Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $140. 00

  Bottle

  $1680.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 48.3%

  The third annual Malting Season release celebrates the distillery floor maltings which lie at the heart of Benriach distillery. This is a few years older than the first and second editions, with an average age of ten years (combining 9.5 and 10.5 year old stocks malted and distilled in the Autumn of 2012 and 2013). Concerto barley and maturation in a combination of virgin oak casks and first fill ex-bourbon casks continue the established theme. Bottled 2023. 48.3% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... As a reminder, Malting Season is meant to highlight Benriach’s use of floor maltings (for this release only), a bygone and laborious malting process in use by only one other Speyside distillery. At the time of the line’s launch back in 2021, it was suggested that different barley varietals could be used in future releases, but this third edition, like the two that preceded it, has been made with Concerto barley. Likewise, the maturation has continued the trend of dual cask aging in ex-bourbon and American virgin oak casks. The abv, however, is the lowest of the line to date. We’ve enjoyed the pair of past releases. Let’s see if Benriach can nail three in a row. The nose is once again sweet and malty, chock full of cooked cereal notes. The virgin oak cask comes across a little clearer than past releases with plenty of fresh sawn lumber and concentrated vanilla notes that only serve to enhance the freshness of the aroma. Underneath it all, a bit of straw and faint lemon peel continues an ongoing theme. The palate is once again remarkably crisp and clean with a lightly oily body that shows a bit less of the chewy texture from the second edition. Elegant notes of vanilla cream, clover honey, and almond cookies offer an impressive depth of flavor to savor across the sip. A bit of barley spice accentuates a gentle, even warmth and propels things into a sweet, silky finish accented by notes of minted syrup, stone fruit, and lemon candies. As Chris said of the second edition, another banger. - drinkhacker.com

  "A fruitcake-like mix of fruity and spicy aromas (dried and fresh orchard fruits, nutmeg, cardamom) fill the nose with a hint of milk chocolate. The palate is rich and malty, with toasted spice flavors, ginger, and cocoa with additional flavor reminiscent of pear cider and mixed dried fruits. There's a well balanced finish that's simultaneously fruity, toasty, and warming with subtle florality." 91 points - distiller.com

  Notes from the producers... Nose: Freshly harvested barley and orchard fruit meld with wild bergamot, pear and meadowsweet honey layered on gently kilned malt. Taste: Smooth creamy malt carries a burst of clementine, floral honey and gentle barley spice. Finish: Medium long, with apricot, malted almond and traces of wild cherry.

  Delivery Information
• Benriach The Sixteen 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $160. 00

  Bottle

  $1920.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 43%

  Benriach's signature style blossoms at ten years old, finding depth and richer layers of orchard fruit character as it turns sixteen. Three cask types are employed in this edition: Bourbon, Sherry and Virgin oak. 43% Alc./Vol.

  Notes from the producers... NOSE: Baked apple and creamy hazelnut malt with overtones of ginger-spiced apricot and honey. TASTE: Spiced stewed apple, stone fruit and mellow nutty oak, with honeyed malt and candied peel. SMOKE LEVEL: Trace.

  DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL - 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

  Delivery Information
• • Reduced

  Benriach The Forty 40 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $5,999.00

  $4999. 00

  Bottle

  $59988.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 43.5%

  Brown Forman, the parent company of Jack Daniel’s, acquired Benriach in 2016 and has been slowly lifting the distillery's profile with a slew of premium releases to match better-known neighbours like Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan and Aberlour. While Speyside is not famous for its peated whisky, Benriach committed to using peated malt in the 1970s (albeit in small batch runs). Peat has continued to play a role for over fifty years, an identity that Benriach retains with its recent Smoke Season releases. Their new 40-year-old is a liquid reference to that decision, although the whisky itself won't be particularly peaty. With so much time in barrel, peat is on the retreat, though you might find some antique notes of well-aged soot and char amongst the fruitiness. Master Blender, Rachel Barrie explains “Maturation in fine bourbon casks has gradually developed exquisite notes of honeyed pomelo and lush orchard fruits to create Benriach The Forty. Over the decades, the smoky character of peated Benriach spirit refines and mellows, transforming into ripe fruit sweetness. This intricate character is interwoven with dark notes of chocolate, rich plum and smooth walnut from port casks sourced from the Douro Valley." In conclusion, she adds "...it has been an exceptional opportunity to craft such rare whisky of this age, to express the exquisite nature of Benriach at its peak. At forty years old, Benriach has developed a seamlessly silken fruit and oak complexity, finessed by the fresh Speyside air and enriched by the alluring aromatics of cask maturation age, which I can only describe as the ultimate Speyside delicacy.” 43.5% Alc./Vol. Collectable.

  Delivery Information
• • Nick's Import

  1997 Benriach Single Cask No.15059 Oloroso Puncheon 24 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $899. 00

  Bottle

  $10788.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 55.7%

  This should certainly appeal to sherry heads looking for increasingly elusive age statements at natural strength. Originally exclusively available via French retailer, Le Comptoir Irlandais, it was drawn from first-fill cask number 15059 that previously contained Oloroso sherry. 665 numbered bottles are on offer globally. A tiny fraction of that has landed in Australia. 55.7% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Notes from the bottlers... Colour: stained teakwood. Nose: crème brulée and chocolate-coates hazelnut, with cherrywood, driad apple and fig. Palate: cherry and banana parfait with dark chocolate, toasted vanilla, dried apricot and fresh cream.

  Delivery Information
• • 93

  Benriach Malting Season Second Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $140. 00

  Bottle

  $1680.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 48.9%

  The inaugural release of this small batch offering yielded around 6600 bottles and was the first expression in a century produced entirely using barley malted from the Speyside distillery's historic floor maltings. For the second edition, Master Blender, Rachel Barrie selected Concerto barley malted in the Autumn of 2013. Stewart Buchanan, global Brand Ambassador at Benriach, commented “Passed from maltster to maltster throughout the generations, the highly skilled process of floor malting keeps a traditional part of the whisky making process alive, paying homage to Benriach’s creative whisky making heritage... Each new edition of Malting Season will use carefully selected types of barley and bottling strength, making each annual edition one of a kind in their own right.”

  Aged in first-fill bourbon barrels and bottled at a marginally higher proof than the previous edition, Malting Season 2 is available in select markets for a limited time as of late 2022. We have received a small allocation. While not vastly different to the first release, it does express a fruitier cut with familiar Speyside notes of poached apples and pears plus the texture is slightly amplified with a vanilla cream sponge cake feel building towards the finish, reigned in by a deft touch of oak. Delicious, uncomplicated and broad appeal, Season 2 retains enough character to please seasoned drinkers. It's also a clinic for anyone wanting to appreciate the fundamental flavours of single malt. Tasted from a 30ml sample. 48.9% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... The nose has inviting aromas of orange blossom, quince jam, and buttery tea biscuits with a rich layer of vanilla icing. The palate is rich and slightly viscous, reminiscent of butterscotch caramels at first, then takes on more toasty scone notes with a bit of black tea tannic grip, cloves, and a faint bramble florality. The toasty/spicy/orange blossom flavors mixed with vanilla lead into a long, satisfying finish. 92 points - distiller.com

  Delivery Information
• • 87

  Benriach The Smokey Ten 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $89. 99

  Bottle

  $1079.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  Other reviews... A replacement for the 10 year old Curiositas, this was aged in a combination of bourbon, Jamaican rum, and toasted virgin oak casks. The early nose yields light peat smoke, with hand-rolled tobacco, then tropical fruit and cigarette ash. On the palate there’s stone fruit, spices, vanilla, new leather, smoldering peat, and dark chocolate. The finish offers oak, black pepper, salt, and earthy peat. 87 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith 2020

  Delivery Information
• • 95

  • Reduced

  Benriach The Thirty 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $1,199.00

  $999. 00

  Bottle

  $11988.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  "A complete whisky." - whiskyadvocate.com

  Along with its younger expressions, The Twenty One and The Twenty Five, The Thirty represents Benriach's “refreshed” core range. The acclaim for the new age statements has been undivided and consistently high, including some of the highest ratings in recent memory from whiskyadvocate.com. Though not always operational since its inception in 1898, the distillery has amassed a huge cask inventory meaning hundreds of distinct barrels can be blended into thousands of new whiskies. Currently, owners Brown-Forman have allocated this responsibility to Master Blender, Rachel Barrie. She's focused on maintaining an “orchard fruit-laden” profile, while also pushing to create more varied products, often with varying degrees of peat input. 'The Thirty' is her latest, and arguably greatest achievement to date. Like the rest of the new range, it comes matured in four cask types: x-Sherry, Bourbon, Virgin Oak and Port. The combination of Fortified wine and complexing smoke left one taster comparing it to "...mature port wine that's sat in a glass next to someone who was recently smoking a pipe." Extremely limited stocks.

  Other reviews... Benriach digs into the vaults for this rare gem, and it’s a tour de force. The maturity shows at once, with an antique note of well-aged peat char and dark sherried aromas of dried figs and raisins. The palate offers flavors of cooked berries and baked apple, along with candle wax, dark chocolate, and roasted espresso beans. It all finishes with rich chocolate, old spice rack, and a parting note of ashy peat. A complete whisky. 95 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: David Fleming 2021

  ...This orange-gold 30 year old single malt explodes with an array of dried fruits, toasted nuts, and warm spices, while a present, but unobstructing, savory smoke maintains order and structure in this spirit that is still very much alive. 92 points - Excellent, Highly recommended - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2021

  Delivery Information
• • 91

  Benriach The Twenty One 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $250. 00

  Bottle

  $3000.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  New as of 2021, The Twenty One is another 'updated' core malt in Benriach's portfolio, differentiated by its use of peated barley and maturation in four different types of casks: Bourbon, sherry, virgin oak and Bordeaux red wine. Unlike its previous incarnation, the peat is reported to be quite salient in this expression, with more smoke coming through after every sip. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... Sweet and beguiling smokiness, with wild mint, vanilla bean, and chocolate-coated raspberries on a complex, vibrant nose. The mouthfeel is thick and flavorful, with warm notes of sweetened peat, red berries, and dark chocolate, followed by a long, velvety finish offering notes of orange tart, more chocolate, licorice, dark espresso, and a touch of wood-fired brisket. Lively, agreeable, and inviting—like the warm hearth of a mountain cabin at nightfall. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: David Fleming 2021

  ...An elegant dram, the nose opens with an array of dried red berries, cocoa powder, lilac, sea spray, and toasted oak. Wonderfully complex palate of dried mango, sweetgrass, and paprika with a touch of peat smoke. Nutty, honeyed, and everlasting finish. 94 points, Excellent, Highly Recommended - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2021

  "The nose is dry and citrusy with a breeze of gingery spiciness. On the palate, candied ginger, grapefruit peel, cinnamon and pine needle add a freshness, with cocoa and more woodsiness on the palate. It's quite drying on its own. A drop of water imparts a more ginger bread/ginger snap taste. This would be a good whisky to sip alongside charcuterie or a bacon tart! " 91 points - distiller.com

  Delivery Information
• • 94

  Benriach The Twenty Five 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $550. 00

  Bottle

  $6600.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  There have been at least two 25s offered by Benriach in the last decade. This latest expression sees maturation in ex-bourbon, sherry, virgin oak and Madeira casks. Compared to The Twenty One, the profile is noticeably heavier, more textural and the smokiness more reserved. Four years of extra ageing combined with the richness of Madeira makes an impact. The reviews are great from all quarters. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... Subtlety sets the tone on this well-matured whisky, starting with the gentle smokiness of the nose, presenting as smoked almonds and crème brûlée, along with snickerdoodles, honey, marmalade, dried apricots, milk chocolate, and brown sugar. Water brings out black licorice, dried ginger, and hazelnut cream. Oily citrus, dried apricot and fig, milk chocolate, and candied ginger on the palate, with drying smoke and char. It finishes with cocoa powder, char, and well-woven spice and dried fruit. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton 2021

  ...You could spend a long time digging through the layers of sherry, bourbon, and madeira casks in this 25 year old malt, but it’s on the palate that the mellowed spirit truly shines. The smoke has fully integrated with the fruit, spice, and wine flavors to create a fully developed, satisfying dram. 94 points - Excellent, Highly Recommended - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2021

  "Jaffa cake in a glass! Think Stewed apricots, dates and figs spread on a buttery biscuit and covered with milk chocolate. A bit of sweet almond/marzipan adds to the richness, though the tartness of the fruit plays off the toasted oakiness in the back palate. The overall effect is rich and soothing to sip." 94 points - distiller.com

  Delivery Information
• • 88

  Benriach The Original Ten 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $84. 99

  Bottle

  $1019.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 43%

  A Bourbon, sherry and virgin oak matured expression in Benriach's new presentation. 43% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... It presents tropical fruits, vanilla, honey, and ginger on the nose. Soft fruits, malt, and milk chocolate inhabit the creamy, well-balanced palate. Hazelnuts, drinking chocolate, and light spices surface in the medium-length finish, with just a wisp of smoke. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith 2020.

  ....A pleasant nose layered with pears and honey proves smooth on the palate where ripe quince mingles with vanilla and barley malt on a delightfully smooth palate. Behind the scenes, a bare whisper of smoke infiltrates to bring structure but not dominate. 92 points, Excellent, Highly Recommended - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2021

  ...Nose: Juicy peaches right away mellow into cereal grains, but also the fresh loveliness of baked goods. The finish has the brightness of strawberry and the tartness of raspberry. Palate: The body is light all the way through. Just a touch of that fruit up front, bright, juicy peach and red grapefruit. This warms and sweetens to the back palate with note of red wine and cocoa. These great scotch distilleries are capable of a great range of flavors, even under the 15 year age mark, and these still stand out. The Original Ten has more flavor upfront and clearly, while The Twelve has similar flavors but deeper and richer. BenRiach is known for a touch of smoke across even their unpeated expressions. I didn’t get any of that from the Original 10, but it came through in The Twelve. Score: 4/5 - thewhiskywash.com

  Delivery Information
• • 92

  Benriach Smoke Season Double Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $109. 99

  Bottle

  $1319.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 52.8%

  Benriach have been pushing peated Speysiders for years. At 45 ppm with no unpeated barley in the mix, this one takes it to another level. On paper, it's the distillery's peatiest effort to date. There’s no age statement but it boasts a high ABV and comes double matured in a mix of first fill bourbon and virgin American oak. You get lots of spices and oaky sweetness battling it out with ashy Highland smoke, however ultimately, Benriach's rich oily spirit wins the day: Sweet malt features at the finish. 52.8% Alc./Vol. Tasted from a 20ml sample.

  Delivery Information
• Benriach The Smokey Twelve 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $99. 99

  Bottle

  $1199.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  Ranked number 3 in Whisky Advocate's 2020 Top 20.

  Other reviews... Benriach is a sleeper of a single malt, but that’s about to change. Part of a 2020 relaunch of its core line, this grabbed our attention with its sophistication, breadth of flavors, and lovely refinement. Much of the credit surely goes to master blender Rachel Barrie for creating a smoky whisky that both peat lovers and the peat-wary can enjoy. Rather than medicinal intensity, the peat is redolent of gentle, sweetly smoky fruits that integrate seamlessly with notes of vanilla, toasted almond, chocolate, blueberry, and bacon. It beckons like the wafting smoke of a warming autumn bonfire, then welcomes with its lush and velvety embrace. Number 3 in the 2020 Top 20.
  94 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Winter 2020)

  Delivery Information
• • 93
  • 90

  • Discontinued
  • Reduced

  Benriach Birnie Moss Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $109.99

  $99. 99

  Bottle

  $1199.88 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 48%

  "...juicy, fabulously smoked... Young & stunning."
  - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible
  
  Another progression in Benriach's smokey foray, this one peated at 35ppm, up there with some of Islay's biggest and best. Comes non chill filtered.

  Retasted 2020... Compared to the Peated cask strength version, the peat feels more densely layered - no doubt as was the intention. But it's the length and exquisite freshness at the tangy finish that really grabs you. Makes you wonder how they pulled it off. A gem for the price.48% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... Youthful, fresh barley and lively, clean smoke; juicy, fabulously smoked, wet behind the ears gristy sugars; some vanillas try to enter a degree of complexity... before Birnie Moss started shaving... or even possibly toddling. Young and stunning.
  90 points- Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020

  First tasted 2014... [15ml sample] Pale gold. Wax or damp earth in the opening sniffs? Transforms as vanilla and sooty peat develop over biscuity malt. Vaguely grassy flavours with lanolin followed by vanilla laced peat. More woolshed and aniseed honey-like at the finish. Lively spirit but everything in balance. Lovely freshness in the aftertaste. 90 points 48% Alc./Vol.

  Delivery Information
• • 94

  • Reduced

  1995 Benriach Batch 16 Single Cask #7385 Peated Oloroso Cask 23 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $399.00

  $350. 00

  Bottle

  $4200.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 51.1%

  Note: This is a back release and as such the boxes may have varying degrees of very minor bruising and/or scuffing.

  [20ml sample] Peated, though it's not immediately obvious, likewise the Oloroso needs time to show its wares. Ample air contact sees the phenols at the forefront. Finally, the smoke recedes, becoming meaty, sweet and leathery with a touch of burnt orange. An enormous malt with the peat and sherry in controlled tension, and yet you can enjoy it uncut. Smoked meats and hints of seville orange lead into an intense, peppery finish. Ends tangy, vibrant and long. Rewards patience. 563 bottles. 51.1% Alc.Vol. Very limited stocks.

  Delivery Information
• • 92

  • Reduced

  Benrinnes Flora & Fauna 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  Reduced from $170.00

  $140. 00

  Bottle

  $1680.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 43%

  "Admirable - that they would have kept this very unusual fat malt within the range." - whiskyfun.com

  Benrinnes mavens will know that the distillery started a two-and-a-half distillation from 1974 (similar to Springbank), producing what's been described as "a rather-Mortlach-like meaty spirit" that's also been compared with Clynelish. In 2007 they changed back to a double distillation, however the set up maintains a few production quirks like Mortlach. In addition, Benrinnes is one of the last to use traditional worm tubs for condensation. The Flora & Fauna bottling represents some of last remaining distillate from the 'two-&-a-half-times' era, and epitomises the house style as a heavier malt, matured primarily in European oak. It's one of those sherried styles where the richness of the malt and the sherry find symmetry. This bottling also captures some of that beefy character often associated with the distillery. Rich dried fruitcake flavours feature in a full-bodied delivery, complexed by hints of port-soaked tobacco, malt extract, fruit'n'nut dark chocolate, coffee cake and peppery warmth. The distinctive - almost chewy - mouthfeel is perhaps the defining element here, and retasting over several days found the whisky continued to improve. Kudos to Diageo for bottling Benrinnes at what feels like an appropriate age. 43% Alc./Vol.

  Other reviews... Right, not totally randomly. Last time I tried this expression that was around the year 2000 (WF 83). A worthy aperitif yet again, I hope. Colour: gold. Nose: there, no truce this time, the whistle blows and we’re in action. Tallow and marrow, parsley, bouillons, ham, onion soup, dry sherry, plus most certainly some umami as well as the 6th aroma, the aroma/taste of fat, which is called oleogustus, apparently (sounds a bit like dog Latin, no?) There’s also a thing called kokumi, but we still need to check that. Mouth: so, kokumi and oleogustus (joking only a bit) and a huge fatness indeed, rarely to be experienced with any whiskies. In short, more tallow and marrow, ground coffee, salt, miso, and Maggi. Spectacular, but perhaps a little unlikely at times. Finish: long, very meaty and salty. Chorizo and beef juice. Really. Comments: totally odd – and admirable - that they would have kept this very unusual fat malt within the range. Perhaps more a sauce than malt whisky, after all. 86 points - whiskyfun.com

  Delivery Information
• 2014 Benromach Contrasts Peat Smoke Bourbon Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $130. 00

  Bottle

  $1560.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  Two exceptions to the Highland standard are mainland distilleries that use peat for their entire output: They are Benromach and the newly re-opened Brora. Ardmore is the third smokey Highlander, but they also offer an unpeated malt for the blended market. At Benromach, most of the barley is peated to around 10-12ppm, but for a few weeks of the year they dial that up dramatically. This latest instalment sees the phenol levels peak at 57ppm (that's higher than Ardbeg!) Bottled in 2023 and matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, the whisky boasts fragrant vanilla notes, which lead to lemon sherbet and apricot, finishing with smoky bonfire embers. It's what some tasters describe as "the dirty side of Speyside". 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered

  Delivery Information
• 2012 Benromach Contrasts Air Dried Oak Virgin Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $150. 00

  Bottle

  $1800.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  The second in Benromach's limited edition series investigating drying methods is this ten-year-old bottling matured in air dried Virgin Oak barrels. A cooperage will usually air-dry lumber for a period lasting a few months to a few years, depending on the oak species, its moisture content and its future use. This process not only allows the moisture to evaporate from the wood gradually, preventing any cracking or splitting, but also lets any tannins and other unwanted compounds in the wood break down. In this example, focusing exclusively on air-dried oak brings sweet vanilla fudge aromas and smooth yet peppery flavours of vanilla, fresh peppermint, oak and subtle smoke. 46% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.

  Other reviews... The idea is to showcase different methods of drying the oak before making barrels, and their organoleptic effects. In this specific case, the planks were air-dried for 36 months, which seems to be the most traditional method in coopering for whisky. Naturally, this is first-fill 'virgin' oak. Colour: gold. Nose: well, you do feel the oak, its spices, especially curry powders, cinnamon, paprika, nutmeg, as well as a lot of pencil shavings. All this is certainly pretty different, but very pleasant too, while it seems to me that they've used some gentler distillate. Then we find the usual softer custard and caramel cream, crème brûlée and so on. Mouth: great fun, this is totally oak-driven, but the sweet spiciness is working extremely well. Bananas stewed in cinnamon sauce, with more nutmeg and curry. In other words, bananas flambéed in India (ha!) Finish: medium, all on sweet spices and some cedarwood that gives it a mentholy and piney profile in the end. Comments: not sure whether this was full maturing or matured in virgin oak for three years or a little more, but I'm rather fond of the results, even if they remain a tad 'too modern' for this traditionalist (*). 83 points - whiskyfun.com

  Delivery Information
• 2012 Benromach Contrasts Kiln Dried Oak Virgin Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $150. 00

  Bottle

  $1800.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  A new concept in the Contrasts series aims at creating a range of styles that are deliberately different to the core Benromach line up. In this example, first-fill kiln-dried virgin oak has been used for the maturation. It would seem that the idea is to emphasise the importance of oak in whisky making, and the different sensory experiences different woods and/or drying methods can bring.

  The 'KD' stamp will be familiar to carpenters and is the standard procedure for removing moisture from timber for construction and furniture manufacture. A new felled white oak tree contains around 60% water, so when the quarter-sawn lumber arrives at the cooperage, before it can be shaped and put to use it has to be dried out. Whether to kiln dry or air dry oak (or a bit of both) is for some a small detail in barrel production but it's also argued that it can have a major impact on flavour. Benromach's kiln dried matured edition promises a creamy and tropical whisky with subtle smoke and menthol notes. To taste this against the distillery's air-dried matured expression would be an interesting exercise. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... This time the oak was only air dried for 24 months, then kilned for a short period of time. Colour: gold, very faintly darker. Nose: close, but a tad fruitier and a little less on pencil shavings. I also find it a little more floral, with some jasmine, also blood oranges. I believe the differences should be even more obvious on the palate, let's see… Mouth: this kiln-dried Benromach anytime. More lemon and grapefruit, lemon marmalade, orange blossom honey, Thai coriander, lemongrass, cough drops, cracked pepper… Anytime, really, a no-brainer. Finish: you still feel a few wood shavings and a wee plankish side, but the 'Thai-style citrus' is always having the upper hand. Comments: of course, we remain in very similar styles, but in the end, this 'Kiln Dried' wins hands down in my opinion. 86 points - whiskyfun.com

  Delivery Information
• 2014 Benromach Contrasts Peat Smoke Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $140. 00

  Bottle

  $1680.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  A slightly richer expression in the Contrasts series is this eight year old, first-fill sherry cask finished edition, peated to 57ppm and only produced in small batches. The combination results in sweet vanilla and stewed fruit aromas, citrus and summer berry flavours, ending with peat smoke and ginger. It's a profile that's been described as "...very close in style to some Springbank 12YO". Whiskyfun's review below is for the 2022 release, however the specs remain almost identical, so expect similar thrills with the current bottling. 46% Alc./vol. Non chill filtered.

  Other reviews... This sherried variant is brand new while the malt was peated to 55ppm this time, a rather Tufnelian move. Colour: gold. Nose: we've come much closer to the regular 10 this time, with these lovely acetic, meaty and very fermentary notes, with some Tabasco, onion soup, Worcester sauce, then dried fermented fish and touches of hoisin sauce. Would you please pass the Peking duck? Mouth: ah, hurray, good dirt! And cracked pepper, leather, tobacco, Grisons meat, cold-smoked German (or Alsatian) sausage, marmalade, coffee and cocoa dregs, cinnamon and paprika… A lot of action in this one again. Right up my alley. Finish: long, with a little more toffee, raisins and bean curd. Comments: not a peat bomb at all but this time it is clearly ' smoky malt'. Excellent wild composition, on par with the fantastic regular 10 in my book. 88 points - whiskyfun.com

  ...Nose: A smoky and heady sherry greeting. Black treacle and orange peel draw you towards the aromatic end of things; a tobacco pouch, beeswax, sandalwood, damp leather and woodshed. There’s a savoury side too and, helped by the smoke, it comes off a little like bacon crisps. Time and a drop of water brings a little plum and dried fruit along with the citrus theme. Palate: The smoke, spice and sherry all arrive in decent and balanced proportions, but none are particularly compelling. A jagged sharpness existed on the first glass or two from the bottle, but that’s been tempered in the open bottle. It’s softer than I remember from the uncorking. Black pepper has moved to softer spices such as cinnamon and a little background char. There’s a heavy and dark honey laced with sweet oranges amongst a pot pourri of sweet and ripe citrus. It has a medium finish that dries to a slight bitterness. - dramface.com

  Delivery Information
• Benromach 40 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2022 Release

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $3499. 00

  Bottle

  $41988.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 57.6%

  Benromach's second annual release of what is one of the oldest official bottlings on record is limited to just 1,132 bottles worldwide, slightly up on last years. Bottled at a cask strength of 57.6% and laid down in finest first-fill Oloroso sherry casks, it was drawn from stocks laid down well-before current owners Gordon & Macphail took over in 1992. According to several reports it's a sherry extravaganza and comes with another big review from whiskyfun.com. Suitably presented in a striking black stained solid oak wooden box with copper-coloured detailing and printed metal plaques, a bespoke Benromach bottle features an embossed gold foiled label and completes the quality feel. Collectable.

  Other reviews... Benromach's latest 40 yo, last year, was utterly stunning (WF 93) while an earlier version at 43% vol., named 'Heritage' had been almost as much to my liking (WF 91). The Distillery's mildly peaty style makes wonders, but it is to be remembered that these batches had still been distilled and filled by ex-owners United Distillers, later to be merged into Diageo. Also remember that the Distillery got closed in 1983, only to be restarted by current owners Gordon & MacPhail in 1998. So, in theory, next year's possible 40 yo would make for the last proper 40 before… 2038. Let's first find a proper sparring partner…Colour: full gold. Nose: a little unusual given that this should be ex-first fill sherry, with rather more butterscotch than expected as well as some cassata and that very insane thing you'll sometimes find in Italy, proper caramel ice-cream, this time covered with blackberry cream or liqueur. Works with guignolet/Heering too. Behind that, pipe tobacco and drier raisins, plus something that really makes me think of certain old armagnacs I've enjoyed so much lately. With water: drier, rather on old teas, including our beloved old pu-ehrs that we keep mentioning. Mouth (neat): grand. Walnuts in all their guises, as cakes, tartes, liqueurs, wines and cordials. With water: some sweetness now, fruitcake, marmalade, baklavas, kumquats (dag!) and, this time again, a tiny Campbeltownian side. Spent engine grease, you know. Finish: long, splendid. Tobacco, marmalade, sweet mustard and walnuts. Oh and 'engine grease' indeed. A classic cocoa – coffee – cigars combo in the aftertaste. Comments: I agree this whisky deserved a longer tasting note, but there, my glass is empty. Another very good sign. 92 points - whiskyfun.com

  Delivery Information
• Benromach Contrasts Cara Gold Malt Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $120. 00

  Bottle

  $1440.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  Presented in early 2022, this limited release in the 'Contrasts' series is made using Cara Gold barley- a crystalised malt from Crisp Malt, one of the UK’s largest malting companies. More commonly used in brewing, it's not a variety, as Laureate or Optic are. Instead its name refers to the kilning specification - i.e.- it's heated longer than regular malted barley (which reminds us of Glenmorangie Signet). In the mix is 12ppm peated malt. All the liquid is matured in first-fill bourbon barrels. It brings something genuinely new to Benromach's portfolio and has garnered lots of positive reviews online. Expect tropical fruit and malted biscuit aromas complemented by notes of pineapple, juicy apricot, black pepper, toasted malt, butterscotch and smoky honey throughout the palate. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

  Delivery Information
• • 91

  Benromach 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $275. 00

  Bottle

  $3300.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 43%

  A mix of first fill ex-Bourbon and first fill ex-Sherry casks were used to create this rich, lightly smokey malt.

  Other reviews... An entirely different, indeed, lost style of malt from the old, now gone big stills. The result is an airier whisky that has embraced such good age with a degree of panache and grace. 91.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021

  Notes from Benromach... Aromas: Sweet Sherry aromas with underlying citrus, ginger and oak notes, accompanied by a touch of smoke. Palate: Sweet initially with cracked black pepper, Seville orange and raspberry flavours lead to baked apple and subtle spice. Finish: Charred oak and soft smoke. 43% Alc./Vol.

  Delivery Information
• • 90

  Benromach Contrasts Triple Distilled Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

  Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND

  $120. 00

  Bottle

  $1440.00 Dozen

  Add

  ABV: 46%

  A triple distilled Benromach, matured in first-fill bourbon barrels. It’s the second time the distillery has offered a triple distilled malt. The latest iteration is now bottled at 46% as opposed to 50%. No doubt it takes its inspiration from what Hazelburn is for Springbank. The first distillation takes place in the wash still, after which it passes through the spirit still twice. The result is a smoother, lighter contrast to Benromach's typically butch, oily distillate. Non-chill filtered.

  Other reviews... I can't help but compare this to the Benromach 10 Years, which I think is a classic, and it can't entirely keep up. The Benromach 2011 Contrasts: Triple Distilled is more narrow and, most importantly, lacks the oily deliciousness that I just love about Benromach. As a standalone whisky it's very good, and it's encouraging that there's still and old school feel to it, just try to forget about the core range Benromach 10 Years. - wordsofwhisky.com

  [50% Alc./Vol. bottling tasted] Pale gold. Floral openings present a grassy edge, developing bitter cocoa and sponge cake after air contact. A few drops of water ups a fruity aspect (poached apple / pear) and accentuates the sweet spices. Tasted neat, it's slightly tongue nipping, but broadens and softens towards the fruity, tingling finish. Best with water. 90 points

  Delivery Information