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Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Welcome to the largest range of Single Malt Scotch Whisky in Australia. Nicks Wine Merchants go further than any other whisky retailer dealing with hundreds of suppliers, both locally and overseas in order to offer you the most eclectic selection as well as some of the very best prices in Single Malt Scotch in Australia today. We cover official distillery bottlings, independents, antiques and collectables as well as many lines otherwise only available via duty free, all shipped to most areas of Australia. We also taste and rate many of the whiskies and/or include third party reviews to guide you further in your purchase. Click here to learn more about Scotch Whisky. Subscribe to our Spirits and Liqueurs Email Newsletter to keep up to date with new arrivals, whisky tastings, special offers and more.
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1997 The Macallan Sherry Matured 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$3499. 00Bottle$41988.00 DozenABV: 43%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Produced from whiskies distilled in 1997 and earlier, this displays the impeccable pedigree of 18 Year Old Macallan of which critics have long been consistent and loud in their praise. The distillery's benchmark excellence is showcased in the 18 Year Old which is exclusively matured in selected Sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain.Tasting note: The flashy polished copper colour is a pleasure to behold. Superb purity to the nose with raisin cake and orange zest openings. Air contact finds baking spices, but drops the intensity. Rebounds in the final pass with an impressive burst of hazelnut / dried apricot / rancio / fruit cake / cocoa - in short, a classic sherry infusion. The spices have settled compared to the 12YO - as you'd expect. This is all class and polish, with a beautiful integration of malt, dried fruits and sweet nuttiness on the palate followed by a gentle flourish of spicy raisin cake at the finish. Great poise, being neither too sweet or too dry. Softly spoken yet confident, fine tuned, never overdone. An arm chair dram for quiet contemplation. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews… Nose: Deeply attractive, honeyed with prickling wood spice and brandy butter. Palate: Rich and lingering, yielding warm raisiny, sherried and oaky notes. Finish: Long, oaky-peppery, distinguished. Smoky at the last. Comment: An aristocratic and balanced Macallan, though drier than some recent 18 year releases.
9.5 / 10 whiskymag.com. - 2018 The Macallan Concept Number 1 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$999. 00Bottle$11988.00 DozenABV: 40%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
According to Macallan, Concept 1 ”celebrates the world’s visionaries by daring to disrupt the whisky making process.” With packaging inspired by surreal art, the whisky employs “innovative production techniques”: it's first matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks and then for an equal time in ex-bourbon casks, so essentially, the traditional order of maturation has been reversed. It's another first in a series otherwise exclusive to Travel Retail that's received generally warm reviews on the blogosphere. Expect "sweet orange and lemon citrus with soft oak spices, fresh fruit and ginger aromas and flavours with a finish that's medium sweet with lingering oak, citrus fruit and ginger." 40% Alc./Vol.
- The Macallan 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Annual 2017 ReleaseSpeyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$1499. 00Bottle$17988.00 DozenABV: 43%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Another variation from the history of Macallans ever-changing labeling conventions - this 18 Year old carrying a release year rather than a "vintage distilled" statement.Exclusively matured in specially selected sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain. 43% Alc./Vol.
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The Macallan Sherry Oak Cask 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$154. 99Bottle$1859.88 DozenABV: 40%"This is virtually faultless. Virtually a time machine back to another era." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022
The Macallan 12 year old gets a stylish new makeover while continuing a tradition of being matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry seasoned casks from Jerez. While the exact breakdown remains undisclosed, we do know that the majority were first-fill casks which means even more colour and flavours are picked up - and it shows on the nose; Twelve years is relatively young for a slow-ager like Macallan, but already there's nice aromatic intensity and definition with a medley of dried fruits (dates, prunes, fig) alongside drier, leafy, nutty characteristics as well as fresh oak shavings and pepper prickle. Likewise on the palate which repeats the aromas adding nuances of sulphur, orange spice cake, bitter chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla. The finish drops in vibrancy and momentum leaving mostly residual vanillas, the spice and sherry notes in retreat. Tastes like some American oak is at play, nevertheless, this retains many essential qualities of traditional Macallan. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... I have to say that some Macallan I have tasted on the road has let me down in the last year or so. This is virtually faultless. Virtually a time machine back to another era. 93 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022
...Nose: sure there’s more happening than in the modest Cardhu. Some nice metallic touches, a little polish, walnuts, chocolate cake, Mars bar, roasted peanuts, Ovaltine yet again… There’s also some wet earth in the background, humus, a wee mushroom hiding beneath some autumn leaves… Mouth: closer to the Cardhu, less coherent than on the nose, a tad gritty, with some tobacco and tea, then some cloves and caraway, some burnt cake… Sadly, all that does not last forever, and this baby tends to become a little too dry, bitter and narrow, although I do enjoy these notes of dried herbs, parsley, some would even say umami… Finish: short and very dry, mainly on bitter chocolate. A little burnt wood and bitter oranges in the aftertaste. Comments: really good, but the low strength makes it cheap and, well, parsimonious. A little frustrating – and at that price…
81 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com - The Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - circa 1990s bottlingSpeyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$1999. 00Bottle$23988.00 DozenABV: 43%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
A rare 100% Sherry matured Macallan, imported by Remy Australia Ltd so it should be a late 80s or early 90s bottling. The deep colour is quite spectacular.N.B. One only to sell. 43% Alc./Vol.
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The Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $149.99$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 40%Following a slew of NAS bottlings, Macallan flips 180 degrees with a new 12 Year Old. It completes a triptych of Sherried whiskies, each with a slightly different emphasis. Stylistically, Double Cask sits in between the 12 Year Old Sherry Oak and 12 Year Old Fine Oak. The former is matured in a mixture of American Oak Sherry casks and European Oak sherry, with more influence from European oak. The Fine Oak bottling sees a higher proportion of American oak ex-Sherry casks plus the inclusion of x-Bourbon casks. Double wood, on the other hand, is matured in a combination of American and European Sherry oak but with a higher proportion of American oak ex-Sherry casks (though reportedly the mix is very close to 50:50). The Macallan calls it a marriage of two worlds, old and new. In terms of flavour variation between the three, generally speaking, European oak will impart more of a tannic, spicy flavour, whereas American oak will impart more vanilla, sweet spice, orchard fruit and citrus. Finally, the Sherry input will contribute the fruitcake character familiar to lovers of these styles. Tasting note: Reminniscent of the 100% Sherry oak in its distinctive combination of dried fruits, orange spice cake, peel heavy marmalade and light nuttiness... it doesn't have the weight and presence of its twelve year old sibling at 43%, but it's not too far off. There's a trace of sulphur and a splash of vanilla through the finish. In short, it's a decent lighter-styled sherried malt with a reasonable price tag. 40% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... Bright deep amber color. Nutty aromas of butter sautéed almonds and pecans, conditioned leather armchair, honey pastry, and rancio with a satiny, lively, fruity medium-to-full body and a seamless, complex, long chocolate cream, vanilla latte, and spiced cherries finish. A superb sherried highland malt that is a sheer pleasure to drink.
95 points Gold Medal, Exceptional - www.tastings.com ...Ha, double casks! That’s nothing when you already have ‘four oaks’ elsewhere (Laphroaig). But is all that only silicone for whisky? Let’s see… Oh and this has been aged in ‘a combination of American oak and ex-sherry casks’. Very vague, I’d say, but as they say in Washington, it’s only the result that counts. Let’s see… Colour: gold. Nose: to be honest, I liked the freshness of the ‘Gold’ a little better. This one’s nice as well, but it’s a little more, yeah, vague, with wee leafy smells, some kinds of dusty nuts, and this feeling of old books that can be brilliant… Or not. Some burnt sugar too, toasts… Mouth: once again, it’s the low strength that makes it a little too flabby and frustrating. There’s some cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as walnuts, but it feels bizarrely empty, there isn’t enough fruity kick to support those dry spicy notes. Finish: very short and quite dry. As if we’ve just had black tea that we had sweetened with aspartame. Comments: I’m disappointed. I was so glad they had added a proper age statement! But between us and frankly, 40% have now totally gotten passé. Like red wine at 11.5%, you know…
74 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com -
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The Macallan Terra Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $450.00$375. 00Bottle$4500.00 DozenABV: 43.8%Number three in a series of four new Macallans for the Duty free market, 'Terra' employs first-fill Sherry-seasoned casks sourced from the Tevasa and Vasyma families of wood suppliers in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Reports have it this is closer to the 100% sherry matured expressions Macallan became famous for. Expect aromas and flavours of dried fruits, lemon zest, light ginger and ripening apple. 43.8% Alc./Vol. -
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The Singleton of Glendullan The Silken Gown 14 Year Old (Special Release 2023) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $159.99$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 55%Diageo launched the Singleton label in 2006 to rival the likes of Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. It went on to become the world’s number one selling single malt brand, now with a triune of labels (the others being Glen Ord and Dufftown). A typically a soft and creamy whiskey – hence this year’s title - here you also get to experience Glendullan at full cask strength, with part of the maturation in French oak casks that previously contained White Burgundy (Chardonnay). Tasting from a 20ml sample yielded notes of digestif biscuits, delicate orchard fruit juiciness and drying oak - a simple yet effective combination that equates to a broad appeal sipper. 55% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Green apple flesh and light honey on the nose, but it’s mild and delicate and takes time to open up, adding gentle floral notes, Bartlett pear, and white pepper. Caramel apple slices, pepper, white chocolate, grapefruit, white grape, and hints of dried banana and caramel chocolate round out a smooth tasting experience, but this one is at its best with a little water. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com
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The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old (Special Release 2022) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $199.00$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 54.2%Other reviews... Red apple, cranberry, damson, and ground pepper on first sniff, this showcases a beautifully layered bouquet of wood spices, caramel, cream, and more overt vinous aromas. The palate begins with warm baked fruits, watermelon, crystalized sugar, clove, pepper, Red Vines, red apple, taffy, and fruity red wine before a spicy finish. The cautious addition of a little water opens it up fully. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Lovely bottle with some kind of mermaid, would go well for suntan lotion too. No, really. I hope the wood treatment remained kind of moderate, because I think I have noticed that they've been cranking them up with last year's SRs. For example, this is ex-bourbon (good) and wine (bad) casks. Wine casks, wazzat? What is 'a wine cask'? Could we remain focused on the whiskies? Colour: gold. Nose: cask-driven. Vanilla, cakes, Nutella, macchiato. Starbucks whisky. With water: more Nutella. I just hope no orang-outangs have been harmed along the process. Mouth (neat): good for sure but indeed, there is a lot of Nescafé and Nutella. With water: roasted hazelnut and more Nescafé. Finish: medium, very dry, pretty oaky. Comments: I can't quite see how and why this would be 'Rare and Exceptional', but indeed it is rather 'Fair and Okay'. Now I've heard they'll soon launch new expressions of Ord that will be much closer to the Distillery's brilliant own character, in the vein of the magical official 28 and 30 of old. Unless I've been dreaming once more… … … 82 points - whiskyfun.com
- The Singleton of Dufftown Malt Master's Selection Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 40%
The Malt Master's Selection was created by Singleton's Master of Malts, Craig Wilson who hand-selected and blended the whisky before it was matured in European and American oak with three variants; refill, ex-sherry (PX and oloroso) and ex-bourbon. Priced for quaffing, don't have high expectations when it comes to complexity but it'll do the job when guests unexpectedly drop in! The flask-shaped bottle and blue flint colour glass draws its inspiration from the 19th century, when flask-shaped bottles were customary for easier transportation and fewer breakages, particularly when travelling on horseback. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Sweet fruity notes of pear, honey and sweet spice with a tingling, pleasurable warmth.
- 2007 The Whisky Trail Teaninich 13 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 58.1%
A new independent label from Elixir Distillers, 'The Whisky Trail' focuses on lesser known distilleries and unique expressions from some favourites, occasionally straying into unfamiliar but exciting territory. This example from Teaninich was distilled in 2007 and is reportedly expressive of the soft fruity style that the distillery is known for, augmented by maturation in a refill sherry butt - think orchard fruits and citrus in a creamy vanilla setting. The outturn was 655 bottles at 58.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
- Tobermory 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Isle of Mull, SCOTLAND$114. 99Bottle$1379.88 DozenABV: 46.3%
Replacing the legendary 10 Year Old, this new Tober' was launched in early 2019 to celebrate recommencing production (the distillery closed for two years for refurbishments). Matured in first fill American oak and x Bourbon casks, expect orange and citrus notes on the nose with rich oak followed by sweet orange and creamy caramel flavours over hints of spice. Reports have it that this retains Tobermory's traditional briney / salty edge. Welcome back Tobermory! Non-chill filtered. 46.3% Alc./vol.
- Tomatin Bourbon & Sherry Casks 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 43%
In 2003, Tomatin's 10 year old malt was replaced by the 12 year old. In 2009, a 15 Year was added to the line-up, which also includes an 18 year old and a 25 year old. More recently, this sherry-finished 12 Year Old was relaunched and by several reports, it's a noticeable improvement on the previous bottling. In fact, if you're looking for value for money, this fruity maltfest with a splash of sherry and tang of spice should tick all the boxes. As the name suggests, it comes matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels and x Spanish Sherry casks (reportedly Oloroso) for the last 6-9 months of ageing. Awarded a DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The aroma of the dram is full of heather and forest moss. You will also discover stone fruits like apricots along with an assortment of hard candies. The palate is not as exciting as the nose with the whisky feeling a bit hollow and lackluster in comparison. The finish is full of wood spices more heather, but leaves you with a bitter taste in your mouth. 83 points - distiller.com
Notes from the producers... A rich, fruity aroma is the prelude to sweet flavours of ripe apples, pears and a subtle hint of nut before the long, pleasantly oily finish.
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Tomatin Rare Casks 40 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$3699. 00Bottle$44388.00 DozenABV: 43%Decades of maturation in Oloroso sherry casks promises a profound Tomatin. Despite the sherry input, the fruity distillate remains pronounced. Expect something dark, brooding and unexpectedly tropical. Great review from whiskyfun.com below. 43% Alc./Vol. Very limited stocks.
Other reviews... Part of a new set of travel retail exclusives that also includes a proud (and somewhat Lagavulinesque) age-stated 8 years old, sadly broken during transport (but I’ll find it again!) What’s cooler is that this little 40 did not break, but would I have been given the choice, I’m not sure I wouldn’t have preferred to sacrifice the… 15 yo rather than the 8 ;-). Imagine, age statements in travel retail! Colour: gold. Nose: no sherry bomb, and one that’s so totally Tomatin! Not sure this baby contains a lot of, or maybe even exclusively some 1976, but what’s sure is that 1976 was a great vintage! Perfect tarte tatin, light menthol, cigar box, honeydew, cedar wood, beeswax, and more apple pie(s), then rather dried tropical fruits, not unlike these mixes they make as snacks for our aperitifs. Bananas, papayas… I find it totally perfect, fresh, complex, and true to the distillery. Mouth: a touch of oak, then a perfect, very fresh avalanche of more dried and fresh tropical fruits (oranges first) as well as raisins, the expected honey and mint combination, and then more oak spices, as often in these oldies. Around cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Also strong mint-floured black tea. Yet, the sherry remained rather discreet, those should have been refill butts. Finish: medium, more mentholated, with a wee turpentine-y aftertaste. Comments: it’s not impossible that this very lovely old Tomatin was (even) better at 30, but I find it very perfect and worthy of a big fat 90 (perhaps would that have been 91 or 92 when it was 30?) 90 points - whiskyfun.com
- Tomatin Cu Bocan Creation #1 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Black Isle Brewery Imperial Stout CasksHighlands, SCOTLAND$134. 99Bottle$1619.88 DozenABV: 46%While most of Tomatin's output goes into blends, the distillery is building a bigger reputation for its single malt. One week every year they've started to produce a lightly peated malt marketed under the 'Cu Bocan' label, aka - the "ghost dog", a beast that's said to stalk the peat moorland close to the distillery. Part of the 'Creation' series, this novel expression is matured in x Black Isle Brewery Imperial Stout casks and Bacalhôa Moscatel de Setúbal wine casks - so expect something quite different. It's described as "a malt that's sweet and buttery with hints of orange marmalade and espresso". 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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Tomatin Bourbon & Sherry Cask 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 40%"Some rather contrasting, complex flavours that strangely hang together rather well." - whiskymag.com
Casual quaffing wines have their equivalent in the whisky world. In America, they call them 'table whiskeys'. In Scotland, they turn out drams like this and bottle them up in litre formats, usually for Duty Free markets. Released in September 2016, Tomatin's 8 is the youngest in a collection of Travel Retail exclusives that includes the flagship 12 year, a 15 year and a rare 40. The combination of Bourbon & Sherry maturation promises a slightly sweet and fruity whisky suggesting apples, pears, ginger and cinnamon. At a very accessible 40%, think of it as a value everyday drinker to share with unexpected guests, or a base for blending your own 'house style'.
Other reviews... A malt very proud of its youth. 89 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2023
Nose: Quite an earthy nose for this dram. Think damp earth after the rain with some woody notes thrown in for good measure too. Palate: Quite a chewy mouth-feel, black pepper and liquorice mingle with some dark blackcurrant cassis, with some burnt toast flavours. Finish: Long, sweet, but also a little smoky on the finish. Comment: What to make of this oddball? Some rather contrasting, complex flavours that strangely hang together rather well. One to ponder and enjoy. 40% Alc./Vol. 88 points - Joe Bates, whiskymag.com
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Tomatin Cask Strength Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 57.5%A cask strength buying opportunity you won't want to miss.
Launched in early 2015, this bottling marked Tomatin's foray into core-range cask strength malt. Combining Sherry and Bourbon casks, its feisty alter-ego defied the distillery's reputation as the "Softer Side of the Highlands" and its affordability gained traction with value hunters. Sulphur sensitive Jim Murray has tasted several batches since 2017 forming a love/hate relationship: "I could weep: these sherry butts are dripping with juice. But then, sulphur taint leads to the whisky's downfall." Five years later he followed up with "Stunning malt climax on delivery, but always undone by a dull, persistent off note from the cask." Our recent tasting didn't detect much in the way of sulphur, however, at first, the bristling spices do make for an intimidating whisky. It is also one of those surprise drams that require air contact to settle the alcohol - hours, even days - after opening. The flavours start out on the gristy, green, grassy side, only to develop buttery, malty depths with vanilla and crisp oak leaving little less than a trace of sulphur in the aftertaste. It's not geared towards complexity, but it is classic Winter drinking. If you can't handle the heat, you can always add water (it's also great for beefing up lower strength malts in your liquor cabinet). Less than a handful of natural strength bottlings around $100 deliver as much punch and mouthfeel, so grab a few while you can - it may never be this cheap again! 57.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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Tomintoul Tarn Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 40%High in the Cairngorms, small mountain lochs called tarns have developed due to glacial movement. The name comes from the old Norse word “tjorn” meaning pond, and some of these spring water lochs have existed for over 10,000 years, since the last ice age. Many tarns are surrounded by ancient peat. It is this peat influence that shapes the smoky, sweet and earthy character of Tomintoul Tarn. The whisky is reportedly a step up in intensity from most of the other distillery expressions. The one-litre bottle means there's more to enjoy. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Peat forward with whiffs of campfire smoke and burnt heather that open up into aromas of honey and orchard fruits. Palate: Smoky and sweet with layers of peat smoke, boiled sweets, vanilla pod and hints of soft liquorice. Finish: A nice balance of fireplace soot and vanilla cake that leaves a long sweet and smoky linger.
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Tomintoul Tundra Bourbon Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $119.99$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 40%The all-Bourbon cask matured 'Tundra' seeks to highlight the creamy, soft mouthfeel that Tomintoul is famous for. It's named for the fact that the distillery is based in the Cairngorms National Park - one of the few places outside the Arctic that have tundra areas. That means sub-zero temperatures, as well as cold and windy winters, giving way to unique wild flowers and wildlife during the summer. The sweetness of the American oak matches the gentle fruity sweetness of the malt. Together they make for a light to medium bodied dram: Uncomplicated, affable, and one that works well as an aperitif over ice. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Never tried this little beast before, bottled—judging by the name—prior to the tragic events in Ukraine. You’ll say there’s tundra up north across all continents, be it America, Europe or Asia. Fair enough, let’s see if we can sniff out any moss or lichen... Colour: pale gold. Nose: no moss to report, rather pear, pineapple, vanilla and grist, plus a basket of this morning’s croissants. Mouth: this one fully lives up to Tomintoul’s slogan, ‘The Gentle Dram’. Scones and muffins, Earl Grey, barley, a little green tea, then a reprise of nicely ripe pear and apple. It whispers more than it shouts, but it’s charming. Finish: short but soft and fresh, without any misstep, save for a faint dusty note in the aftertaste. Comments: very honest and loyal, no needless fuss. Yep ‘tundra’ is truly a Russian name, apparently. 80 points - whiskyfun.com
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Tomintoul Seiridh Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 40%Pronounced “sheh-ree” (Gaelic for sherry) and new for 2020, this NAS Tomintoul spent time in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts after initially ageing in x Bourbon wood. It's a feather-weight by contemporary standards for sherried malts, which will be welcomed by some. Softly spoken on the nose with discreet oloroso input, the palate delivers more of the same in an eminently approachable mix of dried fruits, malt extract, gingery warmth and subtle peel freshness. It's a polite, genteel alternative to exuberant sherry bombs that you could happily keep on rotation. 40% Alc./Vol. 6000 bottles are available.
Other reviews... A right old softy of a malt, the sherry ironing out the creases with the gentlest of fruity caresses. A little sulphur niggle at the end, alas. 87 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021
- Tomintoul 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 43%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not shown.
Introduced to the distillery's range in the first half of 2015. Expect a smooth, gentle and toffee-sweet whisky with hints of butterscotch. Beautifully packaged in a fold out style padded casket. 43% Alc./Vol.Tomintoul (pronounced "Tom-in-to'owl") has been owned and operated by Angus Dundee Distillers since 2000. Originally built in the 1940s, by comparison to some of its counterparts in Speyside, this is a very quiet operation with modest exports and low key marketing. These facts combined with some gushing reviews from Jim Murray would suggest that local demand for the product is reasonably strong. In spite of this, up until a few years ago less than 2-3% of Tomintoul's output was bottled as single malt, the rest making its way into blends like Whyte & McKay. Clearly the distillery is capable of some serious whiskies - the 33 year old was chosen as best Speyside whisky of 2010 in the Whiskymag World Whiskies Awards. On another note, the year before, Tomintoul entered the Guinness Book of Records by producing the largest bottle of whisky in the world at 105.3 litres! They remain one of the few Speyside producers to delve into heavily peated styles.
No tasting notes available.
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1966 Tullibardine Cask No.1112 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$3999. 00Bottle$47988.00 DozenABV: 49.8%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
"One of the best Tullibardines I ever had" - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com
Other reviews... "A delightful, mildly rummy experience... In its own right this is wonderful stuff." 90 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2008
...Colour: deep amber with red hues. Nose: this one starts almost like very dry oloroso, with lots of old walnut notes and Smyrna raisins as well as Chinese plum sauce (sweet and sour) and whiffs of old empty wine barrel (a clean one). Not wham-bam, rather refined, with hints of leather and Havana cigars. It gets then more and more chocolaty and maybe slightly cardboardy. Goes on with prunes, old Armagnac, bitter oranges, Dantziger Goldwasser. Hints - just hints - of burning pinewood and lacquer. Like a travel through time… Too bad it gets slightly dirty after a moment (wet floorcloth) but the whole is still very enjoyable. Mouth: hugely sherried, raisiny, toffeeish and almost vinous but quite curiously, all that is nicely balanced. Lots of wood and tannins but the whisky isn't really drying. Gets quite vinous but in a nice way (very old Banyuls or Maury). Again, goes on with lots of cocoa and quite some mint, coffee, brownies… One of the best Tullibardines I ever had, even if I wouldn't say this one tastes exactly like Tullibardine usually does. Finish: medium long, on chocolate, coffee and with a faint cardboardiness. Very good but you have to like old sherry. 87 points - whiskyfun.com
- Tullibardine 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 43%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not shown.
Matured for a minimum of 25 years in x-sherry hogsheads.Other reviews... The oldest expression in the Tullibardine lineup provides malt, cedar, stewed apples, and wood shavings on the nose. Mouth-coating, with orange and cocoa powder. Dries quite steadily, with oak lurking behind ripe bananas in the lengthy finish. Another very accomplished old Tullibardine, but the notably pleasing palate of the 20 year old just gives that bottling the edge. 85 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2013)
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2018 Watt Whisky Nc'Nean 6 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 57.1%A baby malt from a very new distillery founded in 2017. Nc’nean is located within the Drimnin Estate on a remote west Highland peninsula with spectacular views over Mull and Tobermory. The name is an abbreviation of 'Neachneohain', which translates as 'Queen of Spirits' from Gaelic. This deeply coloured expression from Watt Whisky was STR matured (that refers to casks that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred). The outturn was 282 bottles at 57.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Mouth: quite strong, with caramel notes and generous amounts of oak spice. Pepper, cinnamon, oranges, more plums. A bit of a rough edge, with salty notes and a brief moment of alcohol heat. Candied ginger syrup, drops of clove oil and toasted oak, with a slightly tannic edge. Finish: medium and sweet, balancing citrus and oak spice. Very modern and spicy whisky, with a wood influence that I find too obvious, too contrived. STR casks are always a bit tricky and I think other distilleries are mastering them better. - whiskynotes.be
...Nose: The STR cask is in the driver’s seat.... Taste: Big whisky. Or intense more like. Lots of pepper, cloves and oak spices in general. There’s a touch of fudge, but also a slight vinous edge. Then oranges, apricots and more charred oak, followed by chillies and a soft aniseed-y note... It relies a lot on the STR cask, and I'm not sure that is a good thing. - wordsofwhisky.com
Notes from the bottlers... Lots of toffee, peanut brittle, plums, cinnamon balls and charred oak.
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Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLANDReduced from $119.99$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 40%Other reviews... An undisclosed single malt from Islay, 25% of which was finished 1st fill oloroso sherry octaves. The name is very 'Atom', while, conversely, I believe 1992 is on the phone asking for its bottling strength back. Colour: gold. Nose: but what's this? An OB Laphroaig 10yo from circa 2002? This very particular aroma of iodine, hessian, seawater and cough medicines. Extremely easy and rather nicely attuned to a very specific aroma of 'peat smoke' in the most classical sense. I find it disconcertingly charming. Mouth: it is probably the bottling strength, but this really does feel like drinking a decent batch of OB Laphroaig 10. There's a few citrus fruits, soft peat smoke and rather a lot of wet rocks and medical embrocations. I have to say, it's quite a lot of fun. Finish: medium, perhaps a tad short, but still nicely medicinal, on iodine, light TCP notes and good old peat smoke. Comments: There's a lot about this that, on paper, I probably shouldn't enjoy because it goes against the modern geek code - whatever that is. But this is actually a rather clever and very good, easy quaffing wee Islay dram. Someone at Beam should go check the Laph 10yo vatting tank for syphons though… either that or Atom have developed cloning technology. If that's the case, do they take requests? Shotgun Bowmore Bouquet! 85 points - whiskyfun.com
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Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks & Cask Strength 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLANDReduced from $179.99$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 54.9%Peat and sherry are a great combo, and if you've tasted similar expressions from the Elements of Islay range, you'll already know that the team behind Atom Brands tend to do it very well. This is understood to be the cask strength version of the Seaweed & Aeons 10 year old Sherry Cask edition, featuring the same smoky Islay single malt, though instead of just 25% of it being finished in sherry casks, the entirety of the whisky was. Around 1200 units are offered per batch, this one landing at 54.9% Alc./Vol. and bottled without chill filtration.
Other reviews... [Batch 2 tasted] This one is full sherry finished. Colour: orangey amber. Nose: a notable gear shift, this is much creamier and displays a more velvety smokiness. Resinous hardwoods, smoked teas, verbena, eucalyptus, tea tree oil and smoked meats. The sherry sits behind the peat and doesn't feel too jarring, it's rather more about wood spice and peat smoke together I would say. With water: softer spice tones, coal dust, bonfire embers and this impression of medicinal herbs. Mouth: a similarly easy arrival, all on soft wood spices, smoked teas, sweet peat smoke, natural tars, wood resins, putty and aniseed. More impressions of herbal cough syrups and things like hessian and wormwood. I like it a lot but it strays very close to being a little too wood-dominant for me. With water: not too sure with water, I think it loses a little definition and the alignment between peat and wood goes slightly awry. There's still plenty of sooty and peaty 'oomph' about it though. Finish: rather long, all menthol tobaccos, bitter herbal extracts, spices, liquorice and tar. Comments: this one veers about quite a lot. Lots of emphatic, peaty pleasures to be had, but for me the wood is a tad too much here. However if you enjoy this rather creamy, spicy modern wood-forward style then you'll probably have a blast. Quite clever wee concoctions these Seaweed things, I would say. 86 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Oatcakes, vegetal peat, hot Ribena, assorted BBQ meats, molasses, clove-studded orange, and just a hint of chocolate mousse. Palate: Cinder toffee, cinnamon, peat still shining through, a slow build of red grape and jammy raisin, with some citrus lift. A subtle touch of singed hay later on. Finish Meaty malt returns, with warm oak in support. The red grape tannins continue and last on the finish. Overall: A top expression that shows what can happen when peat and sherry meet without clashing against each other.
- Butterscotch & Vanilla & Toast & Generations 30 Year Old Blended Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 40%
If you're a grain whisky fan, this may be new to you: Not a single grain, rather a blend of single grains, so the grain equivalent of a Blended Malt. As for the taste, we're told that the title speaks for itself. 40% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Honeycomb, red grapes, immensely buttery, Golden Grahams, a smidge of waxy orange peel, polished oak, and a touch of floral spring breeze. Palate: Thick with rich butterscotch, freshly baked cookies dotted with chocolate chunks, slightly peppery at points with a dry hint of toasted cedar. Finish: Waxy peels from the nose return, with layers of vanilla, cinnamon, gingerbread, and treacle for company.
- 1976 Ardbeg Sherry Cask #2392 Committee Bottling Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$3500. 00Bottle$42000.00 DozenABV: 55%
The Ardbeg committee commenced on the 1st of January, 2000 as a free to join membership for fans to keep up to date with all the latest news and activities from the distillery. Exclusive annual bottlings were also one of the perks of membership, yielding highly revered bottlings such as the original 'Kildalton', 'Rollercoaster' and 'Supernova'. Over the years these bottlings have become highly sought after in the collectors market.
Distilled in 1976 and bottled in July, 2000, cask #2392, along with sister cask, #2394 were the first released to committee members, both sourced from an oloroso sherry butt yielding 528 and 466 bottles respectively. These are among the all time great bottlings from Ardbeg, essential to any collector or devotee. One bottle only to sell.
- 2011 Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Cask Glencadam 10 Year Old Parcel No.6 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$130. 00Bottle$1560.00 DozenABV: 48%
A combination of five casks bottled at 48%, Glencadam's fruity distillate typically has a little more texture than others, which will work well at a higher ABV. Expect a floral nose including notes of tinned pears and cream. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Simply a really good distillate. This is all about the spirit, not about casks and maturation. I sometimes crave for this kind of simple pleasures. I’d keep this aside until the summer returns. - whiskynotes.be/
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2008 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Glenallachie 15 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 64.5%A full fifteen years in a first fill Spanish oak sherry butt have afforded one of the darkest whiskies to ever pass through Rattray's sample room. In their own words: "A flawless example of a very particular style that will be perfect in the eyes of many." Judging by the spectacular, deep mahogany colour and expected notes of dried fruits, spice and wood, this will be a winner for sherry-heads! 627 bottles are available at 64.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Dark vermillion. Nose: Sticky raisin, tangy orange and crystallised ginger. Palate: Muscovado sugar, black liquorice and maraschino cherry. Finish: Prolonged with refined notes of charcuterie, leather and tobacco.
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2013 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Tamdhu 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 65%One for Tamdhu completionists. Everything the distillery fills goes into sherry casks, so this bourbon hogshead is a rare chance to experience the raw power of Tamdhu 'unmasked'. Bright, buoyant, and bottled at a huge 65.0% Alc./Vol., hold on to your hats! Cask 354 had an outturn of 293 bottles. Non-chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Soft gold. Nose: Toasted caraway, slivered almond and rye bread. Palate: Heather honey, seared grapefruit and amchoor. Finish: Nuttiness livened by Cayenne pepper and tangy citrus. -
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2013 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Ardmore 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 58.8%Reliably of high quality and only moderately peated, without the more medicinal elements of its counterparts on Islay, Ardmore is increasingly being given the spotlight by indies. Rattray afforded this one two more years in refill bourbon wood than its sister cask (#800650) for a riper fruit character and a more rounded mouthfeel. The resulting whisky exhibits primary notes of sweet nutty malt, hints of tropical fruit, smoke and mineral. The outturn was 252 bottles at 58.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Butterscotch gold. Nose: Velvet mesquite honey, roast almond and maple wood smoke. Palate: Sweet, nutty peat, grilled apricot and caraway seed. Finish: Charred pineapple with a pinch of cinnamon and brown sugar.
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2009 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Fettercairn 15 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenYou wouldn't believe it, but worldwide demand for ex-bourbon barrels far outstrips current supply, meaning a cherished style of single malt is under threat. Thankfully, Rattray have a few more of these Fetters' in the pipeline, as the honeyed sweetness from first-fill bourbon is just the perfect match for its distinctive tropical fruit flavours. Cask 1098 yielded 283 bottles at 57.3% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Rich gold. Nose: Ripe mango, red apple peel and ginger oil. Palate: Clotted cream fudge, crystallised papaya and soft liquorice. Finish: Decadent dark chocolate mousse with a dusting of ground hazelnut.
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2009 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Blair Athol 15 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 54.9%Always an important contributor to the Bells blend, as a single we like Blair Athol with a bit of sherry, and in this case, the bottlers seem to feel likewise. In the interests of openness and transparency, Rattray aim to be as precise as possible on their labels, noting here a second maturation in 1st fill Oloroso for 34 months. What they couldn’t fit in is that the premium quality European oak finishing cask was seasoned for three years prior to filling. Dried fruits and a sweet nutty character are prevalent in this dram with 260 bottles making it to market. 54.9% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Autumn leaf. Nose: Cherry and marzipan cake, sultana and raspberry coulis. Palate: Spiced bramble, dark chocolate and fresh Javan coffee. Finish: Rich, sticky date and raisin pudding, with a demerara caramel glaze.
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2012 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Craigellachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 65%Craigellachie is notable as a full bodied and slightly sulphurous malt (in a good way) used primarily to add punch to blends. Part of it's charm is that the distillery still uses old-fashioned worm tubs with low copper content, said to add weight and a beef-stock kind of flavour while also resulting in whiskies that “taste older than they are”. This may well be one of the boldest drams for the year. Starting with an already heavyweight make, it then gets finished for around 30 months in one of Rattray's exceptional Glenallachie x-Sherry butts. These casks lend notes of red berry and baking spice to the classic Craigellachie toasted oat, cereal base. A selection to suit the adventurous before beginners, it's another bomb of a malt capped off by a whopping 65% Alc./Vol. The yield was 552 bottles. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Autumn leaf. Nose: Seville orange, roast plum and crystallized ginger. Palate: Raspberry jam, juicy nectarine and lemon zest. Finish: Sweet, sticky marmalade with hints of walnut and clove.
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A.D. Rattray Cask Speyside 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $99.99$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 46%Sourced from one of Scotland’s most prestigious Highland distilleries, this soft, sweet and gentle malt aims to capture the hallmarks of a classic Speysider. Slightly lean and 'acidic', the aromas suggest green apples with a grassy / white pepper edge developing malt richness over time. There's a subtle peat input too, in the form of distant wood smoke that carries through to the palate; Crisp and green, reflecting the nose, the malt takes on a biscuity character, like black pepper water crackers. The finish is lively and warming, but adding water improves the balance. A drier aperitif style that drinks like a full-bodied blend. Re-fill bourbon casks, un-coloured and non-chill-filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... An elegant and lightly smoked malt which would double either as a pre-prandial dram or one for the wooden hill. 89 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Golden shimmer. Nose: Zesty lemon, creamy vanilla fudge, subtle mint and jasmine blossom. Palate: A silky texture exuding barley sugar and hazelnut, livened with cinnamon. Finish: Concluding with malt biscuit and black pepper.
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2007 A.D.Rattray Cask Collection Glenrothes 8 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$125. 00Bottle$1500.00 DozenABV: 64.3%This has certainly got our attention. Ever since tasting several magnificent young cask strength Glenrothes we’ve been on the look out for more hoping to repeat the experience. Credential-wise, this is as close as we’ve got: from a Sherry butt. 607 bottles produced. We have a very limited number on offer at direct import pricing. Tasting note: Piercing alcohol and cheesy / peppery opening whiffs; aeration picks up the sweetness as boiled lollies, caramel fudge, dark chocolate, vanilla. The sort of delivery that will sort the men from the boys: Achingly intense bittersweetness amid flashes of caramel fudge and butterscotch. Bitter cocoa aftertaste. Dilution will be essential for most. Water draws out attractive aromas and flavours of red apple and hay bail. 64.3% Alc./Vol. Rattray's "Cask Collection" series, whether from a barrel, a hogshead or a butt, represent single cask whiskies made available in extremely limited quantities, often no more than a couple of hundred bottles for each cask. The whiskies are bottled without chill filtration. -
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A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Glen Grant 22 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $250.00$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 53.2%Rattray's "Cask Collection" series, whether from a barrel, a hogshead or a butt, represent single cask whiskies made available in extremely limited quantities, often no more than a couple of hundred bottles for each cask. Glen Grants are known for their ability to age well beyond 50 years. After two decades in barrel, this will be starting to bloom. Distilled in 1995 and matured in a Bourbon hogshead, it's non-chill filtered and straight from the cask with a total outturn of just 217 bottles. The price is hard to resist... Notes from the bottlers... Nose: raspberry jelly, sour cherries, red berries and rose blossom. Palate: soft and mild with honey dipped pears. Finish: dry with oak, cashew nuts and a light grassy finish. 53.2 % Alc./Vol. -
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A.D. Rattray's Cask Islay Cask Strength Bourbon Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLANDReduced from $140.00$120. 00Bottle$1440.00 DozenABV: 58.6%A Cask Islay fully matured in first-fill x-Bourbon barrels and bottled at cask strength to preserve the rich, full-bodied mouthfeel and intense, rounded flavours.
Keynotes here are peat smoke, citrus and vanilla fudge. 58.6% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Dusky lemon. Nose: Salted peanut, crab skewer, torched meringue and a bracing Islay breeze. Palate: Smoked almond brittle, pink grapefruit and sweet maple. Finish: Seared prawn and subtle balsamic cut effortlessly through the smoke.
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A.D. Rattray Cask Orkney 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Orkney Islands, SCOTLAND$165. 00Bottle$1980.00 DozenABV: 46%"A beautiful and satisfying malt on a great many levels." 94 points. - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021
Yet again the quality of Highland Park's distillate is demonstrated, with no sherry needed in support. The succulence of recent cask strength equivalents is almost matched in this 46% bottling, only delivered in a more silky, elegant fashion. As usual, honey-drizzled malt is the aromatic keynote, balanced by citrus blossom, spiced pears and a twang of peel freshness. It comes together beautifully on the palate, with just the right degree of spice to firm up the honeyed middle, while the way in which beeswax teases and weaves through the crisp, salt and pepper finish is almost magical - and possibly unique to this distillery. Puffs of chimney soot complete the picture, extending the length and leaving you with an indelible sense of 'Orkneyness'. An obvious bargain in its category, Rattray may or may not be able to maintain this exceptional age / price ratio in future bottlings - possibly why it's the only one in the 'Cask Series' labelled as a limited edition. Grab it while you can. Drawn from ex-bourbon barrels and bottled at 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews… Acacia honey and marmalade topping on a very malty field. Holds its age sublimely... Exceptionally clean on both delivery and follow through... Incredibly long spice fade with sharp barley hanging on to its coat tails. The most gentle smoke makes a late yet courteous entry. Beautiful and satisfying malt on a great many levels. 94 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021
...A single malt. Indeed, in theory, this could as well be the much lighter Scapa. What’s reassuring is that this was ‘Created to celebrate the Neolithic folklore of Orkney’. Are they this old-fashioned up there? Colour: white wine. Nose: a fresher style again, closer to the wash and to the earth, with these medicinal touches again, clay and chalk, beach sand, seaweed, grass smoke, roots (gentian!) and lemon peel. I don’t know any whisky enthusiast who wouldn’t like this. Not this humble taster, for sure. Mouth: this is very smart. Perfect coastal/grassy smokiness, some bitter herbs, lemon peel, fresh walnuts, and once again hints of artichoke. A lot of bitter citrus too, and even a wee touch of sea salt. Very good. Finish: quite long, salty and grassy, with more fresh walnuts. Comments: I’m sorry but it’s the Viking Pride, only with rather less cask influence. And I don’t think it’s very expensive (no it’s not) But could it be Scapa? Nah, it ought to be the other one… 88 points. - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com
"This is rather impeccable and very good value for money. A perfect every drinker..." - whiskynotes.com
Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition
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1995 A.D.Rattray Cask Collection Macallan 19 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 49.1%Rattray's "Cask Collection" series, whether from a barrel, a hogshead or a butt, represent single cask whiskies made available in extremely limited quantities, often no more than a couple of hundred bottles for each cask. Distilled in 1995 and matured in a Bourbon hogshead, this highly unusual Macallan was bottled in 2015 at natural strength. Indie Macallan bottlings aren't common, especially single barrel, non-chill filtered, straight from the cask expressions. Total outturn for this A.D. Rattray release was 310 bottles. Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Soft and rounded with honey, oranges, homemade marmalade, fruit gums. Palate: Exceptionally smooth and balanced. Sweet fruit and milk chocolate with a creamy finish. Conclusion: The smoothest and finest spirit there is… -
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A.D.Rattray Stronachie 18 Year Old Small Batch Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$120. 00Bottle$1440.00 DozenABV: 46%Gold Medal Winner in the 2015 San Fransisco World Spirits Competition.
‘The obliteration is total. Only the name remains.’ So ends the story of Stronachie, a distillery which rose out of the wilderness in the 1890s. Set in a desolate glen on the Perth-Kinross border it stood between bleak hills on an isolated road that toiled its way through the Ochill mountains. Stronachie Distillery produced a traditional Highland-style whisky until 1928 and during its four decades of production A.D. Rattray Ltd represented the brand in Scotland.
Independent bottler, A.D. Rattray is proud to revive the Stronachie name and reproduce this spirit of another time. To replicate the whisky, a bottle of original Stronachie 1904 was purchased at auction - one of only four bottles left in existence. A small sample of whisky was drawn from this bottle and tasted. Then samples of many Highland malt whiskies were compared to the original Stronachie. Finally, the remote and high altitude Benrinnes was chosen. This malt emulates the flavours and profile of the original Stronachie whisky.
Tasting note: [Tasted from a near empty bottle]. Not much to differentiate 10 from 18 years showing bright gold and some minor particles floating in the glass, opening super soft, with pure, attractive scents of dried fruits, vanilla oak and hints of marshmallow. Likewise the palate, which echoes the bouquet; really well rounded in the mouth with purring spices and better length than the 10 year old edition. Lipsmacking finish. A delicious, relaxed style. 46% Alc./Vol.
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2008 A.D.Rattray Cask Collection Craigellachie 6 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$145. 00Bottle$1740.00 DozenABV: 58%Note: This has some lifting to the front label on the tin.
Yet another independent bottler hits Australian shores. Founded by Andrew Dewar Rattray in 1868, A D Rattray began trading as an importer of French wines, Italian spirits and olive oil. More importantly, however, the company also established itself as a specialist in the field of blending and storage of malt and grain whiskies.
After several changes in ownership, the company returned to the family and is presently owned by Mr Tim Morrison, previously of Morrison Bowmore Distillers and fourth generation descendant of Andrew Dewar Rattray. The company’s resurgence came about in 2002 with the bottling of a ‘new’ Stronachie 12yo. In April 2004, using his extensive knowledge and expertise in the whisky industry, Mr Morrison then bottled a selection of his own handpicked stock of whiskies for market release and the A D Rattray Cask Collection was born.
The "Cask Collection" series, whether from a barrel, a hogshead or a butt, represent single cask whiskies made available in extremely limited quantities, often no more than a couple of hundred bottles for each cask.
In this example, the whisky is a very youthful Craigellachie, but don't let the age put you off. Young whisky, particularly at natural strength can offer a dazzling expression of distillery character. Several 6-7 year old Glenrothes we've tasted have been nothing short of extraordinary. Drawn from a Sherry butt, just 704 bottles are on offer. At this direct import pricing the pedigree and value for money are equally hard to resist. According to A.D. Rattray, expect " Creamy toffee, chocolate caramel and walnuts with an exceptionally long finish for a young cask."58% Alc./Vol.
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A.D. Rattray Stronachie Small Batch Release (Benrinnes) 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $89.99$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 43%"The obliteration is total. Only the name remains." So ends the story of Stronachie, a distillery which rose out of the wilderness in the 1890s. Set in a desolate glen on the Perth-Kinross border it stood between bleak hills on an isolated road that toiled its way through the Ochill mountains. Stronachie Distillery produced a traditional Highland-style whisky until 1928 and during its four decades of production A.D. Rattray Ltd represented the brand in Scotland. Rattray is proud to revive the Stronachie name and reproduce this spirit of another time. To replicate the whisky, a bottle of original Stronachie 1904 was purchased at auction - one of only four bottles left in existence. A small sample was drawn, then samples of many Highland malt whiskies were compared to the original Stronachie. Finally, the remote and high altitude Benrinnes was chosen.
There are many, many very positive user reviews on the web for this pale gold, Bourbon cask matured dram. The nose is pristinely clean with malt and vanilla opening sniffs followed by oatmeal biscuit, cocoa and dried fruits. Light and easy on entry, building concentration and balance through the mid palate with lovely vanilla malt and honeyed notes framed by spicy oak. The finish is dry, mildly fruity and soft. So eminently drinkable, you can understand why Stronachie has developed such a loyal following. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... A quite outstanding 10 y.o. Speyside. I don't remember how I 'found ' Stronachie but boy am I glad I did. For it is simply the best 10 y.o. I have ever tasted, and is in my top five whiskies of all time. I am a tour guide for the American market and visit a lot of distilleries all over Scotland, so although not 'an expert' I have learnt a lot in the last six years. I have repeat ordered this whisky more times than any other and all friends and others who have tasted it agree with my praise of it. I am just going to order another couple of bottles (one as a thank you present). Finally thank you to A D Rattray for your unstinting quest for perfection (someone has to do it after all!) and thank you to Benrinnes Distillery for producing (and of course all the other distilleries in Scotland) such a wonderful nectar. My observation on Stronachie: Light , sweet, malty, amazingly smooth with a finish that lingers gently and helps to set you up for the next one. - A.D. Rattray customer review
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Aberdeen Distillers Dailuaine 9 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $150.00$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 46%Aberdeen Distillers is an ancillary label from Blackadder under which all the malts are released at a calming 46%. This young Dailuaine offers moderate nashi-pear fruitiness to the nose and an intense, spicy, grassy character overlaying the malty mid-palate, reminiscent of fresh-pressed olive oil. The finish is gently fruity (red apples), medium sweet, with the spices accentuating rather than tapering off. 333 bottles. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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Aberfeldy 18 Year Old Cote Rotie Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 43%Aging whisky in a secondary cask is sometimes risky, but tinkering with a whisky that's 18 years old is even riskier. Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod has done just that with this Aberfeldy finished in red wine casks from the Northern Rhone valley in France - specifically, Cote Rotie - probably for around 4-6 months, though the exact period isn't stated. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Red wine finishing can be tricky with whisky, and this bottling is no exception to the rule. The impact of red wine is immediately evident on the nose, tannic and meaty, with cereal and spice notes serving to slightly temper the winey notes that otherwise wholly dominate. The palate feels similar, quite sharp with notes of pepper jerky, some currant notes giving the back end some much needed fruit. Toasty oak is big on the finish, but only for a moment, before the whisky retreats to notes of beef tallow and bacon fat. The 2020 bottling of this limited release saw a much more different experience, considerably fruitier and sweeter throughout. Unfortunately, this release is just much too savory for easy enjoyment, that tannic backbone having its way with the delicate underlying spirit. - drinkhacker.com
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- Nick's Import
Aberfeldy Tasting Collection Single Malt Scotch Whisky Gift Pack (3 x 200ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenAberfeldy's tasting collection features a 200ml bottle of three different age-statements, including Aberfeldy 12 Year Old, Aberfeldy 16 Year Old, and Aberfeldy 21 Year Old. Explore the range of fruity and richly honeyed expressions, or grab this for a 'ready-made' and beautifully presented gift.
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- Reduced
Aberfeldy Exceptional Cask Series 20 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $499.00$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 54%A cursory review of Aberfeldy's ratings in whisky circles draws one obvious conclusion - Aberfeldy takes off at cask strength. This Double Cask limited edition was matured for 20 years, including a four year finishing period in a cask that previously held Sherry. Very limited stocks from an outturn of 594 bottles. 54% Alc./Vol.
Whisky and Scotland inseparably intertwined.
Made from the most elemental of ingredients, water and 100% malted barley, Single Malt Whisky has become inextricably woven into the fabric of Scotland's history, culture and customs. Indeed, there are few drinks which are so closely related to the land of their birth than Scotch (even though most distilleries nowadays are not actually owned by the Scots.)
Malt Whiskies, which differ considerably in flavour according to the distillery and region from which they come, tend to have a more pronounced bouquet and flavour than grain-heavy blended whiskies. By definition, malt whiskies are also single distillery, made by the one distiller in the one location. They offer something blends generally don't: a sense of time and place that translates into a one-of-a-kind flavour sensation influenced by the water source, the shape and size of the stills, the type of cask, age and the degree of peating. If you're new to whisky, it's worth reading our Scotch Whisky primer here.
How Single Malt Scotch suddenly became so popular...
90% of the single malt Scotch produced continues to be used to make blended whisky, and the proportion was once much higher than that. Glenfiddich's famous 'Special Reserve Pure Malt' was the whisky that introduced and popularised the bottling of Single Malts to the world. Glen Grant, Macallan and others followed suit and in the 1980s malts started to gain a reputation as a 'more authentic' product than blends. At the same time, the popularity of vodka and other spirits began threatening the market share. In response, blenders dropped their prices. Unfortunately, consumer's perceptions of blended whisky were also lowered. A sense of snobbery developed against the 'cheap' and 'inferior' blends. Unjustified as this was (and remains), it was a sequence of events that helped prepare the way for the current Single Malt boom. So successful has the rise of Single malt been that the industry has found itself in a position of deficit. Older malts are becoming increasingly rare and pricey, partly accounting for the present trend of N.A.S. ('No Age Statement') bottlings and limited edition collector releases.
Shop Australia's biggest range of Single Malt Scotch, with many of the best prices too...
Nicks Wine Merchants boast the largest range of Single Malt Scotch Whisky in the Southern Hemisphere - shipped almost any where in Australia. Everything from luxury big name brands, to unusual independent bottlings, cask strength and single barrel releases and limited editions. Subscribe to our Spirits and Liqueurs Email Newsletter to keep up to date with new arrivals, whisky tastings, special offers and more.