World Whiskies
7,592 products
- Kentucky, UNITED STATES$85.99$85.99Bottle$1,031.88DozenABV: 46.85%
The lower proof version of Jim Murray's World Whisky of the Year 2020. 2020 marks the 17th edition of Jim Murray's controversial Whisky Bible. This year Kentucky claims a triple crown: The “World Whisky of the Year” goes to the 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon from the Barton 1792 distillery, a whiskey Jim Murray describes as “melodious, mysterious and slightly exotic” with a nose of “near-perfect proportions” and with an “unfaltering” finish.
While stocks of the full proof version are currently unavailable, you can taste the second prize in this more affordable lower ABV bottling. Also very highly rated by Murray et al, it's as close as you're likely to get to the World's finest whisk(e)y of 2020. The mash bill is reported to be high rye (15-25%).
The 1792 brand is named in honor of the year Kentucky joined the United States.
Tasting note: Honey gold colour. The initially dry, leathery, nutty/oaky bouquet gives way to sweeter, softer scents of vanilla wafer, popcorn, oak shavings and peppermint chocolate. A cut above your mainstream Bourbon profile: Sleek and effortless with the sugars reigned in. Nice concentration too. At mid palate there’s a noticeable injection of oily rye and cinnamon, being medium dry, crisp, lip smacking rather than caramel or vanilla-heavy. The finish is low-key but deliciously textural, oily, with minty rye, pepper and cocoa. Extra oomph through the final stages would make for an instant classic. As it is, this whiskey displays a degree of elegance and integration that, in its own right, sets it apart in the sub $100 category. A worthwhile addition to every Bourbon lovers collection. 46.85% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews… Now here is a whiskey which appears to have come to terms with its own strengths, and, as with all Bourbons and Malts, limitations. Rarely did whiskey from Barton reach this level of maturity, so harnessing its charms always involves a bit of a learning curve. Each time I taste this it appears a little better than the last… and this is no exception to the rule. Excellent.
1792 Small Batch is Barton’s flagship bourbon. Having undergone naming changes over the years from 1792 Ridgewood Reserve, to 1792 Ridgemont Reserve, and finally to 1792 Small Batch... While still branded as 1792 Ridgemont Reserve, the 8 year age statement found on the back of the bottle was removed in late 2013. 1792 Small Batch isn’t a great bourbon, but it still offers character within its price range where many other bourbons seem to be blending together into an indistinguishable mob. It lacks the depth of its 8 year age stated predecessor, but the comparison is a moot point. Compared to what’s on the shelves right now in the price range, it offers enough of a unique experience to make it worthy of your attention. And its character is both a gift and curse - some will like it enough to make it a staple in their bar while others may downright hate it... If you haven’t given 1792 Small Batch a go yet what are you waiting for? - breakingbourbon.com
94.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2017...Initially it’s a nut-filled experience with toasted walnuts, pecans, and Brazil nuts, but an atypical spice appears that’s just lovely. Smoked hatch chiles mingle with rounded notes of cinnamon, créme brûlée, Bananas Foster, orange, canned peaches, caramel chew, and toffee. The pepper spices reappear for a grand finish.
90 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Fred Minnick (Summer 2018) - Highlands, SCOTLAND$250.00$250.00Bottle$3,000.00DozenABV: 46%
After decades of wine-influenced single malts hitting the market with variable results, some producers are starting to understand that a lot can be won with balance. When done right, wine casks can offer something a little off the beaten track. By most reports, Aberfeldy are leading the way with their "Wine Cask Series". This one comes matured in casks that previously held Italian Sangiovese red wine. 46% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Aberfeldy has fully embraced wine cask maturation. Many of their limited releases now feature such a cask type. The Wine Cask Series was created late last year. First a 15-year-old was released, but today we’ll be looking at the Aberfeldy 18 Years Sangiovese Red Wine Cask Finish. Today’s 18-year-old was finished in ex-Sangiovese red wine casks sourced from Tuscany’s Valdarno di Sopra region. I don’t mind wine, like at all, but I won’t pretend to be familiar with this particular region either. Instead we’ll just dive right in... Delicate, yet nicely balanced, especially for a wine matured single malt. That may sound snobbish, but it can be a challenge to not turn whisky into winesky. In general, these types of releases seem to have improved over the years. - wordsofwhisky.com
- Highlands, SCOTLAND$199.99$199.99Bottle$2,399.88DozenABV: 40%
An Aberfeldy released for the Travel Retail market, finished in flavourful ex-fortified wine casks imparting classic Madeira notes and elevating the malt with further complexity. Expect soft notes of honey freshened with citrus and delicate tones of baked apple, spiced with cinnamon and creamy vanilla. 40% Alc./Vol.
- Highlands, SCOTLAND$129.99$129.99Bottle$1,559.88DozenABV: 46%
Matured for 15 years in re-fill and hogshead casks, this limited edition Aberfeldy is then finished in Bolgheri red wine casks from Tuscany, Italy, adding an extra layer of rich, cherry and dark chocolate flavours. 46% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Red wine casks can overpower, but here the balance is perfect. Finished for 2 years in Italian red wine casks from Tuscany, the nose brims with blackberry, black cherry, ripe Victoria plum, dark chocolate, peppercorn, licorice, and black tea. Aberfeldy’s honeyed core shines through layers of chocolate, black cherry, clove, nutmeg, plum pudding, and gentle oak. A beautifully poised malt with a long, indulgent finish of chocolate-dipped dark fruits. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Now then, Bolgheri is the very place where those super-Tuscan Bordeaux-style blends hail from, which, truth be told, we rather struggle to finish (Sassicaia, Ornellaia and suchlike) The worst of Italy, really, despite their having so many other absolute marvels elsewhere. Imagine gleefully planting Sangiovese or Nebbiolo in France! Madness. Colour: gold. No rosé hue, thankfully. Nose: naturally it’s all right, it doesn’t reek of raw stave or new planks, but there’s a duo of pepper and green capsicum, along with blackcurrant bud, which always tends to set the nerves slightly on edge. It’s a layered nose, one might say, with a delayed and restrained arrival of raspberries and cherries. Mouth: decent, though not terribly charming, with a rather awkward and somewhat Janus-like split personality. Raspberry liqueur-filled chocolates, green pepper and cardamom, with cherry and black pepper stepping in a little later to help steady the ship. Finish: fairly long, though rather leafy. Comments: definitely an improvement over other, previous red-wined ones. 77 points - whiskyfun.com
- Highlands, SCOTLAND$149.99$149.99Bottle$1,799.88DozenABV: 43%
"...a delightful whisky and one of Aberfeldy’s best ever." - drinkhacker.com
Finishing this 15-year-old Aberfeldy in Semillon sweet white wine casks from Cadillac brings a balance of opulence and freshness to the whisky. Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod sourced the casks from a 40-hectare estate in the heart of Entre-deux-Mers, Gironde, just south of Bordeaux. Exuding notes of yellow fruits, florals,and a burst of citrus, seamlessly melding with Aberfeldy's signature soft, honeyed character, the wine influence makes the whisky brighter than the 12 year old, also giving it more body and a longer finish. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... A 15 year old single malt finished in French semillon “Cadillac” white wine casks. I presume Cadillac refers to the region of France near Bordeaux, known for its sweet wine production, but details are scarce. This is a delightful whisky and one of Aberfeldy’s best ever. The nose is beautiful and sweet, though there’s a slightly savory quality that evokes notes of dried flowers, toasted oak, and a gentle maritime edge. Lemon curd and tangerine are the most prominent fruit elements, but these are kept in check, at least for now. The palate is where this whisky really shines, as all of the above come together in beautiful fashion, really showcasing the citrus notes of lemon and orange, filtered through golden syrup, gentle sandalwood, and a layer of baking spices. Cohesive but complex, it’s bright and immersive, with a noteworthy layer of honey on the finish. Sauternes is made (in part) from semillon grapes, and I have to assume this whisky was finished in a similar type wine barrel. No complaints from me. This review was delayed because I broke my first sample bottle; very glad I stuck it out waiting for a replacement. - drinkhacker.com
- Highlands, SCOTLAND$250.00$250.00Bottle$3,000.00DozenABV: 43%
Dewar’s Master Blender and Malt Master for Aberfeldy, Stephanie Macleod, is also passionate about wine. Marrying her two interests, she set out to see how different red wine casks effect whisky flavour. The first release in the series was a dram finished in Pomerol wine casks from Bordeaux. Subsequent bottlings have followed. This 2022 edition sees Aberfeldy finished in Bolgheri Tuscan red wine casks imparting robust, dark fruit flavours and an intense oak finish to the already fruity malt. Macleod takes a very active role in these maturations, repeatedly monitoring their progress ensuring that the malt doesn't get overwhelmed by red wine character. In this experiment, cherry frangipane and vanilla spice are said to be keynotes. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The casks used in this release came from Bolgheri, a small region of Tuscany. The Tuscan region is typically known for their Chianti wines, though Bolgheri has the distinction of introducing the world’s first “Super Tuscan Wine’. The terrain in Bolgheri is similar to the Bordeaux region in France (rocky limestone near the Tyrrhenian Sea), allowing non-native grapes from France, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, to be grown and used in the regions wines. Knowing that the same grapes grow in both France and Italy, its easy to see why Stephanie landed on using casks from the Bolgheri region....The idea to finish malts in red wine casks is an interesting idea, though hard to tell exactly how much it contributed to the final product. While the nose is a dense mess that’s hard to sort through, the palate is warm and inviting, with much complexity. Some water does help to open up the nose and palate, letting the Tuscan cask become more prevalent, yet it still seems like it could pull some more weight. - whiskeyreviewer.com
- Highlands, SCOTLAND$94.99$94.99Bottle$1,139.88DozenABV: 40%
For over a century, Aberfeldy has maintained a hidden profile as the backbone of the famous Dewar’s blends (the best-selling Scotch in America as well as the distillery’s corporate owner). Aberfeldy's own line of re-vamped single malts started to roll out in 2014, with a five-strong range. Sales have since increased significantly. Situated between the Highlands and the Lowlands, the distillery is sometimes referred to as a 'Mid-Lowlander' and is considered one of the sweetest of all Scottish single malts, the result of extended fermentations coupled with slow distillation. Its approachable style has a honeycomb - breakfast cereal character and can be deliciously fruity. Sherried variants like the very successful 16 year old reveal a gutsier side of the distillate.
When it comes to the entry-level 12 year old, initial impressions are of fruit salad with scents of unripe canteloupe most salient along side dustings of dried coconut. Five minutes sees the fruity edge only slightly diminished. It's light and silky on entry but builds into a soft, light to medium bodied, elegant malt, the fruity / vanilla combination repeating at mid palate, followed by hints of oatmeal with moderate length. In short, an amiable 'Highlander' that's clearly intended for casual drinking. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... bright and lively, the sweetly honeyed cereal and buttery biscuits of a predominantly bourbon-barreled single malt (plus some refill and a touch of sherry) are immediate on both nose and palate. It’s approachable and comes across as just a little green but otherwise fully uncomplicated, with the focus squarely on well-sweetened grain notes as the palate builds. The finish offers just a touch of spice and at least nods toward the oak barrel, but it never attempts to complicate what comes across as an affordable sipper to get the night started. - drinkhacker.com
Golden and bright in the glass, the aroma suggests caramel apples. The palate shows plenty of oak and spice, opening with sandalwood and vanilla, plus a hint of baked apple. Adding water brings a mellow, malty effect, bringing in honey, ginger and a final flurry of cinnamon. 91 points - wineenthusiast.com
Fresh and floral, with lively tropical fruit, honey, and vanilla. Gentle on the palate, with a slight syrupy texture to its malty foundation. Youthful, orange marmalade finish with a hint of spice. A pleasant, easy-going whisky. 82 points
- maltadvocate.com, 4th Quarter 2006 Issue-Vol. 15#4... Nose: Beautifully intense malt with a cidery-apple fruitiness. Gentle oak and honey round off superbly. Palate: Fresh, almost crisp mouthfeel with outstanding sweet maltiness and an almost Irish pot-still firm fruitiness. Mouthwatering. Finish: Softly spiced with a long, rich malt follow-through. Comment: Really outstanding example of massively complex, classy but undiscovered malt. 85 points - Jim Murray, whiskymag.com
Gold Medal - Distillers' Single Malts 12 years and under - 2020 International Spirits Challenge
- Grand Gold Medal – Monde Selection, Belgium
- Gold Medal – Concours Mondial, Belgium
- Silver Medal – International Wine and Spirits Competition - 92
Aberfeldy 18 Year Old Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$250.00$250.00Bottle$3,000.00DozenABV: 43%Aberfeldy first launched the Red Wine Collection in 2019, and since then it’s featured French and Italian wine cask finishes from several prestigious estates. Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod, now turns her sights to America, finishing an 18 year old in ex-Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks from California's Napa Valley. The whisky demonstrates how Aberfeldy's sweet, honeyed character interacts with the varietal's bold winey notes. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... This Napa Valley addition to the series has a nose of cherry, plum jam, black currant coulis, heather honey, muscovado sugar, and well-integrated spices. The cabernet sauvignon grape flavors are pronounced and layered over honey, malt, plum, tart blackberry, clove, dried fruits, and chocolate. It’s a soothing, decadent drop with a velvety texture, the wine cask’s influence steering a confident course through Aberfeldy’s honeyed signature notes. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com
- Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$149.99$149.99Bottle$1,799.88DozenABV: 40%
Other reviews... The recipe combines whiskies matured in American oak and oloroso sherry casks, and serves up hot chocolate powder, red apple, white pepper, oak char, and Asian spices on the nose. The flavor trajectory starts with red apple, sultana, and butterscotch, rolling in baking spices, especially nutmeg and cinnamon, and ending with creamy vanilla as the spices subside. The finish is slightly drying with flavors of baking chocolate and dusty spices. (Travel Retail exclusive) 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com
- Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$299.00$299.00Bottle$3,588.00DozenABV: 63.8%
These cask strength, single-casks from Aberlour offer a bit of an insight into what A’bunadh would become if allowed to mature to 16 years. Its rarity and full sherry character combined with a direct import price makes it worthy of consideration for anyone seeking a premium alternative to high-end Macallans. No doubt, a whisky to be savoured, enjoyed slowly and with a little water. The outturn was 438 bottles at 65.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
- Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$119.99$119.99Bottle$1,439.88DozenABV: 48%
Sheer approachability has helped Aberlour become the most popular whisky in France, where more single malt is consumed than any other country. At around 40%, it's a polite, relaxed and sometimes, slightly wanting tasting experience. As an alternative for those who prefer sherry with a kick, owners Pernod-Ricard introduced the natural strength A'bunadh around 2000. Eighteen years later, Casg Annamh was launched as a French Exclusive in a similar vein (the name translates from the Gaelic as “rare cask”). Also influenced by Oloroso, it's matured in three types of casks: European oak Sherry casks and two different types of American oak . Like A'bunadh, Casg Annamh is batch specific, with about ten iterations to date, some better than others. Whichever you come across, they're all handsomely packaged with a wax seal stopper, while the extra ABV and zero chill filtration make a world of difference. 48% Alc./Vol.
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Aberlour Crafted Small Batch No. 1.2 17 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$499.00$499.00Bottle$5,988.00DozenABV: 58.8%A welcome addition to Aberlour's portfolio, which, besides the NAS Abunadh, generally lacks cask strength options. The decent age statement and zero chill filtration add to the allure. These limited releases are batched, so ABVs and maturations will vary. For No.1.2, the cask regime was 42.6% American oak and 57.4% European oak. The result is a tantalising mix of spiced apple strudel, milk chocolate, date and raisin notes. 58.8% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... On the nose, it's very soft, brioche, cake dough, then honeyed, acacia honey, pine needles, dry earth, dried prunes, dates, figs, bananas and grapefruit, a hint of vanilla, a lemon zest. On the palate, the fruits are a little more present, creamy, but also this rough side of wood bark, resin, maple syrup, blood oranges, medlars, apricots a little floury. Intense spices, cumin, cloves. Long and quite explosive finish, licorice, very spicy, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pineapple juice. A very solid Aberlour, living up to its reputation, with plenty of fruit and velvet. - whiskybase.com
- Packaging may vary
- ABV may vary
- Batch may vary
Aberlour A'bunadh Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$154.99$154.99Bottle$1,859.88DozenAberlour’s cask strength A’bunadh has long been a darling of single malt aficionados, released in batches, each varies in proof and flavour as proportions of older or younger material make the cut, but the brief remains the same: Make a 100% ex-oloroso sherry aged malt using the inventory at hand (anywhere from 5 to 25 years old). Keep it natural, which means zero chill filtration, keep it balanced and keep it affordable. No information about the number of bottles from each batch of A’bunadh is offered, but they're large outturns for a global community, which makes for a significant blending challenge. That hasn't stopped collectors and fans of sherried malts from stocking up on those that are deemed better than others. With or without water, whichever way you like it, A'bunadh is worth checking out as you encounter it, at least so long as value remains Pernod-Ricard's priority.
- 88
- Batch may vary
- Nicks Import
- Reduced
Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 43% bottlingSpeyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from$189.99$149.99$149.99Bottle$1,799.88DozenABV: 43%Aberlour 10 year old is a huge seller in France, with owners Pernod-Ricard promoting it heavily. Based on its popularity, there've been a number of distillery releases exclusive to the French market. This 43% abv bottling is one (note that the more widely distributed equivalent is a 40% bottling). The 16 year old echoes the flavours of Aberlour's 12 year old, with both Sherry and Bourbon casks at play. The slightly higher ABV promises a little extra depth.
Other reviews... Voluptuous and mouthwatering in some areas, firmer and less expansive in others. Pretty tasty in all of them. 88.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021
...It starts gently with sweet red fruits: plums, peach, raisins, and blood orange, garnished with honey. Dark chocolate joins the mix. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves add a touch of zest. A hint of mint and nuts is noticeable. The influence of wood gradually develops, providing pleasant bitter notes. Despite its relatively low alcohol content of 43%, it feels very oily on the palate. - whiskybase.com
- Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$119.99$119.99Bottle$1,439.88DozenABV: 40%
A bottling otherwise exclusive to the French market. Matured in bourbon barrels, bourbon hogsheads and Oloroso sherry casks. Expect an easy drinker.
Other reviews... A new NAS at low strength, hum-hum… Colour: deep gold. Nose: easy and malty, typically malt for the upper blend drinkers, so some kind of access-category malt whisky, in the league of Cardhu and Knockando. Guinness, Mars bars, a touch of pinewood, some gentle earth, and of course, many roasted nuts and toasted cakes. Shall we call it ‘rather Chivassy’? Mouth: good! It’s often on the palate that things go a little off the track with these cheaper malts, and indeed I’m finding it a little thin and a little too caramelised/caramelly, but other than that, there’s some fine chocolate and quite a lot of toasted bread and brioche, plus notes of maple syrup. Roasted peanuts. Finish: medium, rather coating, malty and chocolaty. Nice raisins and nuts. Comments: a no brainer, perfectly well made. No one will find this wee baby unpleasant.
80 points - whiskyfun.com - Nicks Import
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Aberlour 14 Year Old Double Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from$129.99$119.99$119.99Bottle$1,439.88DozenABV: 40%Aberlour has been a part of the Pernod Ricard group since the 1970s and today sits comfortably along side the top ten single malts in terms of worldwide sales. It's become particularly popular in France and the USA. This one's maturated in a combination of Oloroso sherry casks and first-fill American oak casks. It promises a degree of richness and sweetness without being heavy. In short, the kind of whisky that's given Aberlour such popular appeal. 40% Alc./Vol.
- Nicks Import
- Reduced
Aberlour Forest Reserve 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from$99.99$89.99$89.99Bottle$1,079.88DozenABV: 40%Recently re-packaged and subtitled 'Forest Reserve', Aberlour's 10 year old is one of the world's top selling single malts. Along with the new look, there's been a slight change to the maturation regime - this expression has had an additional finishing in French Limousin oak barrels after spending most of its time in Bourbon and Sherry casks.Other reviews... [Original 10YO bottling] Orange-amber hue. Inviting aromas of orange marmalade and Sherry. Moderately full-bodied with mouth-coating viscosity. Well-balanced flavors of honeycomb, heather, oloroso Sherry, and citrus peel with a hint of herbaceous peat. Finishes with a warm, satisfying glow of alcohol. A sure bet as a digestif.
91 points (Exceptional) - tastings.comFounded on its current site by James Fleming in 1879, the village ‘Aberlour’ (Gaelic for Mouth of the Chattering Burn) became nationally famous in the 19th century for its orphanage. The town has preserved much of its historical character. Original houses, built of stones taken from the bed of the Spey, mingle with more recent buildings and landscaped public gardens. Aberlour's spectacular setting on the banks of the Spey makes it easy to see what made it such an attractive place to found a community and a distillery. Built alongside the Lour burn, Aberlour uses pure spring water that rises through peat and granite from Ben Rinnes. The St Drostan Well stone was erected to mark the location of the spring, which was used by St Drostan to baptise the local population in the 7th century, and is also featured on Aberlour’s label.
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- Not gift boxed
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Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from$119.99$99.99$99.99Bottle$1,199.88DozenABV: 40%Whilst many Australian whisky enthusiasts are familiar with the traditional sherried bottlings from Aberlour distillery, many parts of Europe are privy to its more curious variants which combine whiskies derived from both sherry and bourbon casks, varying in proportion. We have sourced a small quantity of these relatively unknown expressions just to showcase what this distillery capable of.
Other Reviews... Fruitier, sweeter, and more straightforward than the new 16 year old. Ripe tangerine, orchard fruit, and caramel apples, all on a bed of nutty toffee. Underlying notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, with a dusting of dark chocolate. After the sweetness fades away, there’s lingering spice and oak resin on the finish. A good alternative to Macallan 12 year old or Glenfarclas 12 year old.
84 points. John Hansell - whiskyadvocate.com- 93
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- Not gift boxed
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Aberlour 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from$129.99$119.99$119.99Bottle$1,439.88DozenABV: 48%A big step up from Aberlour's regular 12YO, bottled at 48% with zero chill filtration. "...probably the best entry-level Aberlour that one can find..." - whiskyfun.com
Tasted in a session that included A'bunadh and Casg Annamh, this stood up well. In fact, it could be argued that it showed the best poise and persistence. It's not only the non-chill filtration and higher ABV that differentiate it from the standard 12 year old, it's the proportions of whiskies that are used. The nose develops with a superbly pure combination of American oak, creamy vanilla and malted barley - spice and sherry fruitiness in second place. The aromas are reflected on the palate where a softer, more approachable side of Aberlour is encountered, though, not without the higher ABV injecting a gratifying degree of intensity. By the finish, it's deliciously textural and surprisingly long. Quite simply lovely malt, with excellent integration and a big step up on the regular 12YO - which is a bit of a weakling compared. For some tasters this was the favourite in the line up. At the time of writing, Aberlour's website no longer lists it as part of their portfolio, so there's no guarantees of future re-stocks. 48% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews: Appearance: Clear, deep golden amber. Aroma: Rich fruitcake, dark dried fruit, toasty biscuit, walnuts with creamy mocha coffee. Taste: Dark and toasty with burnt fruitcake, mocha coffee, chocolate mouse, plum fruit and spice (nutmeg, cinnamon and light clove). Aftertaste: Toasty mocha coffee, chocolate cake and spice. Takes a splash of water well. A malt for a winter’s evening by the fire. 5 stars - diffordsguide.com
[circa 2012 bottling tasted] It’s the bigger version of the popular 12 but I’m not sure this one was double-matured. Well it probably is. Colour: full gold. Nose: starts quite winey (old Madeira) and with traces of gunpowder, so there’s probably quite some sherry involved. The good news is that all that tends to vanish while more earthy and even mushroomy touches arise. I also get some spearmint, honeydew, then ripe apricots, warm apple pie, liquorice, blackberry jam and just touches of Williams pears… It just wouldn’t stop improving and becoming more lively, given you give it a little time. Also bergamots, earl grey… A very elegant nose! Mouth: maybe not as bold as expected but it’s very nicely chocolaty and coffee-ish. I also enjoy all these orangey notes a lot, there’s some marmalade, kumquats, then even touches of absinth and fennel. Medium oak, a little leather, cloves… All good. Finish: medium, all on chocolate this time, with the oranges more in the aftertaste. Comments: this baby isn’t expensive so it’s probably the best entry-level Aberlour that one can find, especially since it’s easier to quaff than A’bunadh. 85 points - whiskyfun.com
- 89
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2017 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Cawdor Springs (Royal Brackla) 8 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$119.99$119.99Bottle$1,439.88DozenABV: 58.7%Named for the natural springs supplying Royal Brackla, this whisky spent over five years in ex-bourbon wood followed by nearly three years in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. The result is a moderately sherried, contemporary style with a spritely character, initially green and grassy before the sherry introduces some lovely orange spice cake and zesty peel notes. More expressive with each taste, developing impressive depth and drive at the finish, this vibrant Brackla still has a few rough edges, smoothed out by minimal water. 283 bottles produced. 58.7% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Delicate dried fig, toasted oak and soft orange marmalade. Palate: Spiced marzipan, gentle plum and warm leather. Finish: Classic sherry notes linger with toasted nut and subtle orchard fruit.
- 92
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2006 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Macduff 18 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$179.99$179.99Bottle$2,159.88DozenABV: 54.3%Macduff, a seaside distillery on the Moray Firth, produces a nutty, subtly sulphury spirit shaped by its distinctive stills. Three years finishing in a Bajan rum cask from the West Indies Rum Distillery results in a single cask that's approachable and lively, with a touch of maritime charm. Supple, rounded and well balanced at natural strength, though some heat and spice assert at the finish alongside a tart berry character. It is relatively simple for a whisky of this age, however the overall effect is pleasing. The emphasis remains on cereals and malt, becoming fruitier and a little tropical with water. 189 bottles produced. 54.3% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Sweet syrup, ripe mango and caramelised coconut. Palate: Juicy red berries, raspberry marzipan and gentle spice. Finish: Lingering sweet fruitiness with a bright, candied lift.
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2009 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Glen Spey 15 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$159.99$159.99Bottle$1,919.88DozenABV: 55.4%Described by Rattray's as “flawless” prior to re-rack, rather than mask any harsh or unwanted character, this hogshead was finished for more than 11 months in a French Limousin oak barrique that previously held Cognac for five years. The result has built layers of fruit flavour and texture upon the light, grassy Glen Spey spirit. 296 bottles produced. 55.4% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Nectarine gold. Nose: Dried plum. Curacao organge and Battenberg cake. Palate: Poached apricot, clover honey and almond butter. Finish: Sweet cinnamon and stone fruit, cut with a light gooseberry tartness.
- 92
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2010 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Glendullan 14 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$159.99$159.99Bottle$1,919.88DozenABV: 56.7%Initially matured for over a decade in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead, this whisky was then transferred for a further 3½ years to a premium first-fill European oak ex-Oloroso sherry hogshead, seasoned for 36 months. The nose is defined by a light orange-fruit cake character that hovers above the deeper bourbon vanillas, repeating on the palate with good depth and balance; Slightly raw, though thoroughly enjoyable, easily softened with just a few drops of water. Rattray's say this is the final, and arguably the finest bottling from their 2021 sherry cask intake from Jerez. The yield was 283 bottles at 56.7% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Vibrant copper. Nose: Sticky gingerbread, glace cherry and royal icing. Palate: Sultana, orange and fig roll with cinnamon and caramel. Finish: Luscious, dried fruit and spice, from total integration of cask and spirit.
- 93
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1998 A.D. Rattray Vintage Cask Collection Auchentoshan 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Lowlands, SCOTLAND$499.00$499.00Bottle$5,988.00DozenABV: 56.9%A serious age statement from what is one of the few remaining Lowland distilleries and the only one practising triple distillation for its entire range. Auchentoshan has seen a huge growth in sales and popularity in the last decade, so no wonder it made it into this bottler's premium collection. Rattray's chairman, Tim Morrison, played a key role in the history of Auchentoshan through its purchase in 1984 by Stanley P. Morrison (latterly Morrison Bowmore Distillers). Subsequently acquired by Suntory, the Japanese influence on distillation is evident here in a deep, integrated bouquet that's also fresh, grassy and citric. Even after a quarter century in barrel, the aromatics remain surprisingly young and vibrant. The palate tells another story - nicely rounded, with a superbly creamy feel uncut, whispers of dried mango lingering, hints of dried grass and delicate malt... that bright citrus and cut grass note returns at the end, lifting the finish in a warming yet elegant fashion. Leaves you to wonder if it would ever have reached peak maturity! 164 bottles were filled from a single Bourbon hogshead. 56.9% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Brilliant ochre. Nose: Tahitian vanilla, flaked almond and tangerine slice. Palate: Sweet orange marmalade, juicy mango and crystallised ginger. Finish: Green tea and cashew nut when the waves of tropical fruit subside.
- SCOTLAND$59.99$59.99Bottle$719.88DozenABV: 43%
Bank Note is the only blend A.D.Rattray bother with. There are two reasons why: Firstly, they believe it’s exceptional, so another would be superfluous. Secondly, it’s part of Scotland’s whisky heritage, stemming from a time when George, Edward then Victoria reigned. Great passenger liners set sail from Glasgow, cargo ships were loaded with whisky barrels on the Clyde where James Sword & Co was one of the largest companies to bottle and blend. Bank Note was in their portfolio of spirits. The company was admired for its dedication to quality – and so Rattray continue the brand with some pride and attention to detail. A mix of 40% malt whiskies from the Speyside and Highland regions is expertly blended with 60% grain whisky from the Lowlands. Maturation for a minimum of five years ensures a mellow taste at 43% ABV, with good mouthfeel and decent depth of flavour.
Other reviews... "Mild honey, delicate tangy citrus, hints of stone fruit, and cereal chewy grains greet you as you bring this blended whisky to your nose. The palate is more of the same; under promise and over deliver. Upon your first sip you will taste creamy vanilla nougat, milk chocolate, more grainy malts and a bitter and slightly astringent lemon zest. The finish is short and sweet of toasted bread, caramel, citrus and the most delicate wisps of peat smoke." - distiller.com
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Golden with brilliant clarity. Nose: Clean, crisp aroma, hints of vanilla. Palate: Mellow on the taste with sweet richness and depth of flavour. Finish: Clean on the palate with lingering sweetness.
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2007 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Teaninich 16 Years Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$189.99$189.99Bottle$2,279.88DozenABV: 57.8%Rattray had a sister cask to this one (#461) released at 14 years old in 2021. By comparison, Bourbon hogshead #462 was afforded two further years of maturation through perhaps the most significant mid-teen ageing period, allowing fresh orchard fruits to develop into more tart citrus notes over the ever-present, hearty cereal base. 290 bottles were filled at 57.8% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Polished gold. Nose: Chalky lemon, honey pomelo and soda bread. Palate: Rustic loaf, Parma violet and fresh lime. Finish: Subtle saffron, liquorice and ginger decorate the palate.
- Orkney Islands, SCOTLAND$119.99$119.99Bottle$1,439.88DozenABV: 46%
A mystery Orkney. Could it be Scapa? The notes from the bottlers describe a peppery-smokey character, so it's the other. Not a mainstream Highland Park that most will be accustomed to, which is what you want from an independent. At first, mezcal-like, and subtle smoke indeed, instead, a rather fresh, grassy, crisp expression with trace peat. Fascinating and strangely compelling compared to the official bottlings, once attuned to the right amount of water it makes for a good aperitif. Otherwise, add an ice cube or two, release the oils and richen up the experience. Mimimal water is required. One reviewer sums it up as "...a great summer whisky. Lovely honied malty waxy notes; a good ex-bourbon maturation". It's out of the ordinary for the age statement, but at this price and ABV, grabbing a bottle is't much of a gamble. 46% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Nose: A freshness opens the dram, before vanilla, coconut, lemon peel, and some red berries — think raspberries. Palate: That freshness continues alongside cream soda, orange and lemon peel, some apple skin, blossom honey, brioche, and just a hint of sweet spice like ginger powder. Finish: Decent length on the finish here without too much tannin. Comment: Sweet and mellow with lots of sweet bourbon-cask character. - whiskymag.com
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Butterscotch gold. Nose: Clover honey, Parma violet, ripe peach and wild heather embers. Palate: Grilled plum, old-fashioned barley sugar, noble hop and caraway. Finish: A prolonged peppery smoke lifted by tart citrus and foraged pine.
- Islay, SCOTLAND$1,299.00$1,299.00Bottle$15,588.00DozenABV: 42.8%
Stepping up one tier from the "Cask Collection", Rattray's Vintage Cask Collection represents the oldest and rarest Scotch whiskies in their portfolio. Single casks are selected from what they consider Scotland's most prestigious distilleries. Each comes suitably presented to match the contents. Thanks to the Morrison family, the stories of A. D. Rattray and Bowmore will be forever entwined. This selection promises an enchanting Islay from the mid 1990s, whisking you away to the shores of Loch Indaal for a blissfully long summer evening. We've sourced a handful of the 235 bottles produced. 42.8% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Burnt orange. Nose: Warm lavender, blackcurrant, fennel seed and birch wood smoke. Palate: Roast chestnut, pork crackling, tangerine and pine. Finish: Tangy peat oil coats the tongue, bringing waves of sea salt and lime.
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2012 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Craigellachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$149.99$149.99Bottle$1,799.88DozenABV: 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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2012 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Balmenach 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$149.99$149.99Bottle$1,799.88DozenABV: 56.7%Although situated within the Speyside region, traditional methods of production at Balmenach yield a spirit more classically Highland in nature. Rattray's consider it demonstrative of the kind of reliable, cereal-rich and full-bodied malt, unblemished in a refill bourbon hogshead, upon which the global reputation of Single Malt Scotch Whisky is built. 229 bottles were filled at 56.7% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Sparkling gold. Nose: Rustic rye sourdough, nut brown ale and banana chip. Palate: Fine-milled oatcake, greengage plum and ground allspice. Finish: Gooseberry, elderflower and aniseed decorate a robust malt biscuit base.
- Nicks Import
2009 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Fettercairn 15 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$184.99$184.99Bottle$2,219.88DozenABV: 57.3%You 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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2012 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Glenburgie 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$139.99$139.99Bottle$1,679.88DozenABV: 53%Particularly revered in Japan, in recent years, more effort has gone into marketing Glenburgie as a single malt and sales have increased significantly. Ex-bourbon wood is the perfect platform for this characterful Speyside spirit. The traits which make Glenburgie so highly-prized for blenders - aromatic and grassy, with orchard fruits, a cereal sweetness and oily mouthfeel – are all in abundance in this edition. No wonder it’s such a vital component of Ballantine’s, the world’s second biggest selling Scotch! Rattray's outturn was 308 bottles at 53% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Shortbread gold. Nose: White peach, San Francisco sourdough and forced rhubarb. Palate: Golden linseed muesli, candied grapefruit and cantaloupe à la mode. Finish: Lemongrass and lime with a crisp white pepper pizzazz.- Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$99.99$99.99Bottle$1,199.88DozenABV: 46%
The ten year old predecessor to this edition received praise from the likes of Jim Murray (89 points). This latest Cask Speyside ups the age statement and includes a spell in sherry casks. The rich, spiced berry flavours make an indulgent contrast to the refreshing citrus flavours of the ten. Un-coloured and non-chill-filtered, it's good to see Rattray maintaining the higher abv in this super value series. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Despite the finish, it got a lot of sherry, modern profile, of course. More in the direction of PX, very sweet, toffee, orange peel, apple and almonds. On the palate there is a clear hint of oak, a bit bitter, slightly tingling, very spicy, again orange or orange jam and a hint of red fruit. Quite long finish, spicy, slightly bitter, warming. The 46% drinking strength is just right. Imho did the finish right here for the malt. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Almond icing, dusted cinnamon, red apple and blackcurrant. Palate: Cherry plum, spiced honey and zesty orange marmalade. Finish: Rolling gently through subtle spice to a lightly tart, bramble conclusion. Spiced berry, citrus and orchard fruit.
- 91
- Nicks Import
2011 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Balblair 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$154.99$154.99Bottle$1,859.88DozenABV: 57.4%Balblair is a characterful make that’s rarely in the spotlight. Here's a bit of a twist on one from an indie: Finished in a two year-seasoned, first-fill Oloroso sherry European oak butt for one year, following maturation in a refill sherry butt for over eleven years, this Balblair is defined by dried fruit notes. European oak typically imparts a greater spice and depth of character than soft, sweet American oak. The result is a deep, full-bodied Balblair that's rounded and relatively soft given the strength. Malt-forward flavours feature with a bitter chocolate edge and moderate heat and tannin at the last. Expect a big'un. 604 bottles produced. 57.4% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered. Tasted from a 20ml sample.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Warm copper. Nose: Sticky raisin, may rose and morello cherry. Palate: Dried cranberry, bergamot and sugared almond. Finish: Exotic Turkish delight with pistachio and date.
- 90
- Nicks Import
2015 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Dalmunach 8 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$139.99$139.99Bottle$1,679.88DozenABV: 65.9%Built in 2014 on the site of the old Imperial distillery, Dalmunach is a new Pernod-Ricard backed project at the forefront of the latest wave of new Scottish distilleries. Filled less than a year after the first spirit flowed from the stills, Rattray's refill hogshead provides the perfect stage to showcase the newcomer’s flavours. Not surprising for its age and alcohol, it boasts a super-concentrated, cereal-forward delivery that's oily and completely mouth filling. There are suggestions of vegetable stock, earthy peat and choc ripple biscuits, too, the latter accentuated with a dash water. For all of its brute force, the balance is remarkable at this atomic strength. Drawn from a single bourbon hogshead at 65.9%, cask 4191 filled 300 bottles. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Sun-blushed gold. Nose: Grapefruit oil, toasted multigrain bread and spiced chive butter. Palate: Grilled peach, rolled oat granola and damson jam. Finish: Mouthwatering orchard fruit and citrus liven the charred oak base.
- Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$1,499.00$1,499.00Bottle$17,988.00DozenABV: 49.9%
This Longmorn from a refill bourbon hogshead is the oldest bottling in the latest Adelphi range. An appropriate choice, perhaps, as the distillery celebrates its 130th anniversary in 2024. It's also making a comeback, with a new core of age statements including an 18 and a 22 year old. Long ageing has tipped this cask strength gem just under the 100 proof mark landing it at 49.9% Alc./Vol. 222 bottles are on offer. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... a sublime, alluring and complex character, with notes of lavender and violets, apricot, custard cream, tart grapefruit, key lime pie and macadamia nut... floral and fruity, but with a pleasant liqueur-like bitterness and appropriate heft.
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$290.00$250.00$250.00Bottle$3,000.00DozenABV: 52.9%Continuing what started with last year’s ‘Glover’ release (an uber expensive Japanese and Scotch 'fusion'), Kincardine is another ambitious cross-country blending exercise, this time the result of marrying whisky from Scotland and India. The regime included refill ex-Bourbon casks from India's already famous Amrut Distillery and Glen Elgin Distillery, Speyside, Scotland, plus refill Spanish oak ex -Sherry from Macallan. 796 bottles are on offer. Extremely limited Australian allocation and obviously quite collectable. 52.9% Alc./Vol. Notes from Adelphi... Aroma: initially spicy, fruity and floral with notes of ripe bananas, freshly opened jar of Dundee marmalade, green apple skin and lemon curd. White chocolate and coconut ice cream in the development with lychees, melon balls and citrus brullée. Taste: almost chilli-hot spices from the High Ranges of Kerala, tempered by fresh coconut, sweetening to Tunnock’s Snowballs with black cherry cola. Finish: Black Forest Gâteau, ground pepper and a hint of mustard seed. - 91
- Nicks Import
A.D. Rattray Stronachie Small Batch Release (Benrinnes) 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$89.99$89.99Bottle$1,079.88DozenABV: 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
- Highlands, SCOTLAND$69.99$69.99Bottle$839.88DozenABV: 40%
Other reviews... This was launched as a ‘budget’ single malt for Tesco. It’s good that it would come with an age statement, but the ABV screams ‘cheapo’. It is, in fact, one of the several styles made at Ailsa Bay at Girvan. Let’s see… Colour: light gold. Nose: some farmy peat, a little mud, some grist and a touch of vanillin. Well, this baby does not tear you apart, that’s good. In a way. Mouth: extremely light, with some smoke, a touch of apple and lemon, notes of smoked ham, and perhaps a touch of iodine. There is something of the lightest Laphroaig 10s – not the current production mind you. Frustratingly light body. Finish: short, leaving a feeling of smoked water. Comments: peat is good but when there’s only peat (plus a little barley), that’s not quite enough. A little disappointing, typical 75-pointer in my book, hope they’ll also do a kind of high-proof version, without dropping the age statement. 75 points - whiskyfun.com
- SCOTLAND$71.99$71.99Bottle$863.88DozenABV: 40%
Other reviews... This should be Ailsa Bay as well, but not at the price of Ailsa Bay. What’s a sea cask by the way? Did they use floated wood? Stored this on an island? On some shore? Now let’s not forget one of the industry’s talking points, ‘Scotland is integrally coastal’. Aye aye. Colour: light gold. Nose: I like this better. It’s a fine, balanced, easy malt whisky, on barley, vanilla, bread and caraway/nutmeg. I always like it when it’s this close to bread and barley, even when it’s not complex. Mouth: yes, it’s pretty pleasant, what a shame that it hasn’t got much watts, and that it is dragging itself along with little enthusiasm. Wee touches of brine, that’s nice – is that the ‘sea’ part? Finish: short, but really okay as far as flavours are concerned. Comments: good potential here. 43% would really be welcome. 79 points - whiskyfun.com
- 93
- Australian Exclusive
2017 Amrut Single Cask #8835 Australian Exclusive Ex-Madeira Cask 5 Year Old Single Malt Indian Whisky (700ml)Bangalore, INDIA$199.99$199.99Bottle$2,399.88DozenABV: 60%Single Cask No. 8835 is an Australian exclusive, hand picked by the importers. What intrigued them was not only the fantastic flavour profile, but the technique used to produce this totally unfiltered whisky. It involved decanting and allowing the liquid to settle for three days before calculating exactly how much water was required to cut the alcohol down to 60% ABV. Drip-fed over 36 hours into the whisky vat, not disturbing any sediment or oils, when complete, a slow syphon was used to fill the bottles. The resulting dram has all of its natural oils and lipids retained. At first taste, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was sherry-casked. The nose is weighty and dense with sponge cake and vanilla merging into ripe rum-like tropical fruits. On the palate, a quick nip and prickle gives way to a burst of sweet malt - the Jamaican rum feel repeating as papaya and semi-ripe banana, then cocoa, warming spices and drying oak. Not much left of the Madeira influence, besides perhaps a faint residual sweetness. Instead, this plump, sumptuous cask selection reflects the climate it was matured in. 60% Alc./Vol. Tasted from a 30ml sample.
- INDIA$159.99$159.99Bottle$1,919.88DozenABV: 46%
'Marudham' is Amrut's third release in its Single Malts of India series, aiming to showcase malts produced across India by other distillers, so this is more-or-less an independent bottling. It's sourced from Marudham which translates as 'agricultural land'. The cask regime is not stated, however, the taste is said to be fruity in a tropical way, with a tease of chocolate and vanilla, so we'd expect x-Bourbon barrels. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Sure it’s young, and not overly complex, but the flavour is rich and gorgeous. The finish is a bit short, but the rich mouthfeel and succulent nose more than make up for it. Given how much I like waxy, honeyed, barley-forward whiskies, this is better than most similarly-priced scotch to me. It’s like Arran 10, but even more honeyed. A perfectly sunny malt for kicking off spring. - reddit reviewer
- Bangalore, INDIA$79.99$79.99Bottle$959.88DozenABV: 46%
This 99% unpeated, NAS Amrut represents a new value in Indian single malt. At first taste, you could mistake it for Speyside Scotch. Light sherry features on the cocoa-dusted nose, followed by well-composed, medium-bodied flavours conjuring cinnamon and budding fruitiness (apricots and peaches); The finish dwindles, winding up leathery, delicate and slightly short. 'Bagheera' is Indian for black panther, and the animal is featured gliding across the label. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... With the magnificent Mysore Palace on its label, and a nose of garam masala, overripe banana, coffee bean, hazelnut, and prune juice, this is definitely an Amrut to experience. Flavors ebb and flow through cereal notes, Agen prunes, raisins, vanilla essence, dried fruits, stewed apple, and dark autumnal fruits, all underpinned by glittering spicy base notes. It finishes with cola-flavored candy, dwindling sweetness, and encroaching leathery notes. (Editors' Choice) 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...I find it funny that they would have felt the need to tell you that this was made out of 99% unpeated and 1% peated malted barley. We do know that peat tends to dominate, even when in small proportions, but 1%? Or is this an homeopathic peater? Ha-ha, yet a new concept! Colour: gold. Nose: a few sulphury touches at first (from some sherry wood, not form those 1% I'm sure… or wait, am I wrong, Amrut?) then some mentholated raisins and salted fudge, bicycle inner tube, the old unused coal pit in the basement, ye auld fireplace... Mouth: I like it ten times better on the palate. And guess what, the peat does feel. Truffle and smoke, salted lemon marmalade, sweet Thai soup (coconut, coriander, pepper, bouillons…) Finish: long, still a little 'unusual', I would suppose we'll need a little time to get accustomed to this new homeopathic style, but there sure is a thing here. Bottom line, 1% feels a lot! Comments: I'm glad I tried this one. It reminds of Miles, remember, if you do a wee mistake, repeat it many times and everybody will applaud and believe you did it on purpose (loosely reported, of course he said it better). 84 points - whiskyfun.com
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- Reduced
Amrut Rye Single Malt Indian Whisky (700ml)Bangalore, INDIAReduced from$230.00$179.99$179.99Bottle$2,159.88DozenABV: 50%Originally released in 2016, this is the first-ever Indian single malt rye. A subsequent batch followed in 2023, also limited to around 1200 bottles. It is malted, making this - although not technically in all countries - a single malt whisky. European rye was used with maturation taking place in American oak casks. Our tasting revealed a beautifully balanced whisky that departs from the intense spice and muddled mint character of many high proof American standards. This is more like chewing rye bread studded with dried peach or mango and is close to a sherried Scottish single malt in terms of mouthfeel. The finish brings forward a slightly oily aspect before turning drier and vaguely herbal with cocoa and the spiciness of the grain adding a closing zing. While it doesn't stand out in any particular way, it is an original and noteworthy addition to the category. 50% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... This is initially creamy to nose, but enticingly spicy on repeat visits, with aromas of cereal grains, rye bread, macadamia nuts, burnt bread crust, and hints of coffee bean. The flavors are delicious, and include caramel popcorn, apple, a snap of rye spices, toasted rye bread, dark chocolate, black tea, and a toffee sweetness that accompanies the spices into the finish. A compelling rye whisky that is definitely worth tracking down. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Didn't expect to see this, I have to admit. Though glad I did. No mistaking the grain, which is intense and deep. But Amrut have certainly carved their own personality onto this which is similar to some better North American ryes, Alberta being the closest. But there is a barely perceptible slant away from that into wholly new territory. 91.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
Notes from the producers... Aromas and flavours of freshly baked bread and something tropical seque into floral and spicy notes.
- 95
- Australian Exclusive
2015 Amrut Single Cask #3897 Australian Exclusive Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butt 7 Year Old Single Malt Indian Whisky (700ml)Bangalore, INDIA$230.00$230.00Bottle$2,760.00DozenABV: 60%In countries of warmer climes you don't have to wait too long for good whisky to mature. That doesn't mean great whisky is easily come by. Every barrel is different. Only a handful attain a singular classification - and that's if you can find and bottle them at just the right time. When Amrut's Head of Distilling, Ashok Chokalingam visited with a sample of 'Sherry butt #38977', it was clear it had become something of a pet project. Mollycoddled until the end, he didn't want to filter the whisky but didn't want all of the sediment either, so he 'dripped in' the required amount of water to cut it to 60%, one drop at a time over three days. The water pulled the sediment to the bottom and the liquid was syphoned into bottles. Utmost care was taken to retain all of the fats and oils that would have been lost via filtration, which is what gives this such a terrific mouthfeel. The rest is down to an extraordinary barrel. One taste and it dawns on you why Ashok and the importers fell in love with this particular cask: Sherry almost hits perfection. The aroma opens with classic Oloroso notes of fig and raisin before roasted nuts and cocoa become palpable as the fruit sweetness fades. The flavour explosion happens in slow motion, with Oloroso carried on a wave of creamy malt, capped off by mixed peels, orange chocolate, leather, walnut cake and a fanfare of allspice. A biscuity-saline edge adds interest (possibly from the lightly peated barley) before the sherry gets a second wind, significantly extending the aftertaste. Not only encapsulating the general excellence of this distillery, Butt #3897 demonstrates how some single casks - regardless of age - justify a premium when they outperform bottlings with much bigger age statements. Filled in July 2015 and decanted in December 2022, 216 bottles are on offer exclusively to Australia. 60% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
- Bangalore, INDIAReduced from
$199.99$169.99$169.99Bottle$2,039.88DozenABV: 50%This is India’s first-ever foray into triple distilled single malt equating to just 5400 bottles worldwide. Of the global allocation, just a few hundred bottles have arrived to meet the demands of connoisseurs and collectors in Australia. Ashok Chokalingam, Head Distiller at Amrut comments, “Amrut has pretty much produced a range of uncompromisingly innovative single malt whiskies such as the Amrut Spectrum (multiple oak wood barrel single malt), Naarangi (a single malt with orange influence), Rye Single Malt to name a few. This latest addition of Triparva, triple distilled single malt, kind of completes the course. I think, for any distillery to come and do what Amrut has done in India will take a long time and the depth and variety of what Amrut has is unmatched. We are proud of what we have done so far and cemented our position as the ‘pioneers’ of single malt making in India.” Triparva is Hindi for "in three parts". Very limited stocks. 50% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Nose: really fruity, as expected. Pineapple on syrup, banana, nectarine and guava. Close to Irish whiskey of course. There’s more than a hint of vanilla from the wood as well, with some ginger, mint and creamy coconut too. A luscious fruitiness and a classic ‘exotic’ whisky style further highlighted by the triple distillation. Mouth: same comments. Melons, bananas, mirabelles, then more tropical fruits like mango, guava and passion fruit. Pink grapefruit. Behind the fruits I find vanilla biscuits and cake, with hints of butterscotch and honey. A lightly earthy note in the background, as well as something that holds the middle between oaky and herbal. Finish: long, with this earthy and now slightly bitter wood influence becoming more noticeable now, alongside citrus and unripe banana. A tropical fruit bomb that could have been made in Ireland. If you like the old Teeling (Bushmills) casks, be sure to check this out. 90 points - whiskynotes.be
- Bangalore, INDIA$149.99$149.99Bottle$1,799.88DozenABV: 46%
Amrut's new umbrella brand, ‘Single Malts of India’, sails into the unchartered waters of local independent bottlings to showcase some of the country's hidden gems. 'Neidhal' is the first in the series, and is a limited release of 12,000 bottles with 1200 bottles being allocated to India. The name references ancient Tamil texts, dating back to the Sangam period (300 BC – 300 AD), in which earth is classified into five regions called 'Tinais', each being associated with its own distinct literary style, grammar, mood, romance, culture and even cuisine. Neidhal comprises all oceans and neighbouring regions and the way of living associated with them.
Matured & bottled at Amrut, the source of the whisky is not disclosed. Whoever distilled it could well have taken inspiration from Ardmore, as this presents in a Highland smoke-guise while retaining a sparkle of coastal freshness. The aromas are mirrored on the palate where sweet smoke melts into even sweeter malt; super pure, the finish balances out with hints of mint chocolate, medicine chest, pepper and sooty peat. 46% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the bottlers... tropical fruit and vanilla punctuated by soft phenols and sea salt on the nose. On the palate, a fruit cocktail with a touch of iodine. The middle ground is an essay in chewability and a finish that is phenolic with a touch of sweet vanilla.
- Bangalore, INDIA$240.00$240.00Bottle$2,880.00DozenABV: 50%
In the Tamil dialect, Kadhambam means 'mixture' or 'combination'; Aptly named given this is matured in rum, sherry and brandy barrels resulting in a singular whisky. Polished copper. A densely packed aroma, as you come to expect from this distillery; a fusion of sweet spices, charry oak and nuttiness on the nose. Quite bound up. 3-4 minutes draws out a peaty aspect as smouldering cedar and burning pine cone (?) develop. Big but not overbearing with the weighty malt supported by lively peppers and dried fruit characteristcs in the mouth. Ends lightly acidic, tannic and chewy with woody cigar box notes and flashes of dried fruits in the fade. With everything seemingly happening at once, perhaps the definition is obscured. One barrel too many in the mix? 50% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Proof, if it were still needed, that Amrut intends to cement its position as the leading innovator in world whisky. Kadhambam is the sweetest of Amruts, as a result of a complex maturation process that has seen peated Amrut matured in local brandy and rum casks. There's a liqueur-like edge to it as a result, but it's a complex malt, with cherry blossom, peppercorn, and apple peel in the mix. Not the distillery's best, but very, very drinkable. 89 points - whiskyadvocate.com (Spring 2014) Reviewed by: Dominic Roskrow
- Bangalore, INDIA$220.00$220.00Bottle$2,640.00DozenABV: 62.1%
As the name suggests, this is a port version of Amrut’s Intermediate Sherry. The spirit is matured in both unused casks and bourbon casks, then spends a few months in port pipes, and then returns to bourbon casks. Described by Malt Advocate as a "port pipe sandwich...resulting in a Pink Floyd show of a whisky." A penetrating, gently prickly bouquet offers up aromas reminiscent of prune, pipe tobacco then sweeter scents of dates and dried red berries. Gently bittersweet entry. Peppery with a delicious sweet flourish of fruit cake and dark chocolate rounded off by cigar box through the fade. Huge. Easily one of the most compelling Port-finished whiskies we've tasted to date. 62.1% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... ...vibrant, colorful, complex, and nearly too much. A blackcurrant and wispy, smoky nose gives way to an intense and bittersweet mix of chili, blackcurrant, oak, damson, dark chocolate, and peat. Astounding. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com, (Fall 2011) Reviewed by: Dominic Roskrow
....I have never come across such a flavour profile as this anywhere in the world. But my word, what a statement this makes... Unique. 62.1% Alc.Vol.
93 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2015 - Bangalore, INDIA$220.00$220.00Bottle$2,640.00DozenABV: 57.1%
Note: Slight bruising to the top of the gift box.
Prejudice usually breeds ignorance, and admittedly, there was a time when even we found the idea of a distillery in India entering the domain of luxury spirits implausible. Now seven years on, perhaps more than any other world whisky, Amrut has changed the way people think about this category - mostly because the quality is simply impossible to ignore. The best examples from this distillery surpass your expectations at every level.
We'd been following the development of Amrut through the tasting notes of Jim Murray for some time, as the 2007 bottling earned 89 points with the closing statement "as 40% abv malts go - from any country - this is pretty spot on." In 2008 Amrut increased the ABV to 46% and much to Murray's delight ceased the use of caramel colouring, subsequently the whisky earned 91.5 points to cap off a salivating review. Amrut had our attention.
A selection of cask strength expressions have recently become available for Australian whisky enthusiasts, and the quality is first rate, to the extent that these stand out as bargains on the world whisky stage. They are a revelation to almost anyone who tastes them.
The present situation we're witnessing in India is in some ways akin to the early Japanese whisky industry. It remains a work in progress, and there are good reasons why it's taken decades to get this far.
"You have seen and understand India," a local observed to one visitor who recently toured Amrut. "We need grain to feed people. Whisky is not important and rightly it's not a priority. We use what we have."
He was indirectly referring to the vague and permissive laws which historically, saw almost 90% of Indian spirit produced from molasses. Blended malt styles often contained as little as 4% actual malt whisky. When Amrut was originally established in 1948 under the name of "Amrut Laboratories", it produced "rum" & "brandy" during the 50's and 60's. India was a huge market, but primarily at the lower end. Post-independence and with the liberalisation of licensing laws, Amrut's founder, Radhakrishna N. Jagdale, sensed an opportunity. “This is when he diversified into Amrut Distilleries, while also continuing with a division in the pharma industry,”recollects son, Jagdale who initiated the production of malt whisky during the 1980s.Amrut turned the traditional Indian approach on its head. "We understood the importance and complex chemistry of [barrel] maturation, thanks to our chemists’ background,” adds Jagdale. They near perfected the production process, ironically, with guidance from the Scots.
But the company faced difficulties convincing consumers to try the product. Most believed that a good single malt could not be produced in India. To deal with the understandable prejudice, the company's early strategy targeted international markets, that would then, in theory, go on to ignite local demand given positive feedback. "We were confident of our single malt. From a marketing perspective, we thought if our product had to pass the test, why not do so in the toughest location. Scotland is the home of Scotch. If they acknowledge our single malt, then that’s good enough for me"said Jagdale. The group debuted its piece de resistance, Amrut Indian Single Malt, in Glasgow in 2004.
"It was all worth it", recalls executive director of the company, Jagdale Junior, "... We had our jaw-dropping moment when the host at Glasgow's famous Pot Still whisky pub served Amrut to a group of connoisseurs, without telling them where it was from. Each person named a different region of Scotland as the likely place of origin, but they were unanimous in their appreciation."
By the time Amrut launched in India in 2010, they were already selling fifteen variants of single malt to leading world retailers (Harrods, Selfridges across the UK,and Park Avenue Liquor Shop in New York, to name a few). It was risk that paid dividends on the brand's home ground.
Amrut is situated in Bangalore, India, 3000 ft above sea level with the water and barley being sourced from Punjab and Pajasthan. Though the maturation takes place high up above the city, hot weather makes whisky mature faster in India than it does in Europe or the United States. The fraction lost to evaporation during ageing, known as the angels' share, is also higher in India, at 11–12%, as opposed to Scotland, where the annual evaporative loss is about 2%. Most Amrut whiskies are reportedly less than 6 years old, yet a steady stream of awards have been left in their wake. The company is now in the envious position of keeping up with demand, without compromising their down to earth philosophy of always exceeding customer expectations. (Is their any other formula to successfully break into new markets?)
Fusion and Portonova remain the most popular whiskies in the portfolio. But at around 10,000 cases of malt whisky per year, Amrut is a relatively minor player. Demand from over 22 countries means allocations remain small. That may change. Let's hope the staggering quality currently on offer does not.
"Intermediate" is created by initially maturing Amrut spirit in a combination of ex-bourbon and new American oak casks, followed by a brief maturation in sherry casks before returning to ex-bourbon casks for its final stint - hence the name 'Intermediate Sherry'. No shortage of rave reviews, including a whopping 96.5 point score from Jim Murray. We have to agree on this one.
A full throttle, sherry-bourbon extravaganza!
Tasting note: Deep copper. Is this Sherry or Whisky?! Stunning purity in the complex, wound up layers of orange rind and fruit cake - even nutty, rancio like qualities - as close as you can get to an old-style Sherry bomb sans sulphur. Sensory magic as this continues to unravel a dense sweet core and the subtle spices add further complexity (cardomom / wasabi?) Creamy satiny entry introduces a barely bittersweet mid palate with a superbly balanced amalgam of dried fruit; Juicy raisin cake enters late followed by a drying, spicy finale that goes on and on...Fig cake and walnut laced vanilla carry the fade. A triumph. If you buy top shelf Sherried malt at two or three times the price but ignore this we don't know what to say. Undeniably a bargain on the world whisky stage.57.1% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews...96.5 Points - (n24.5); (t24); (f23.5); (b24.5) how do you get three freshly emptied oloroso butts from Jerez to Bangalore without the casks spoiling, and not use sulphur? Answer: empty two cases of Amrut cask strength whisky into each of the butts before shipping them. Not a single off note. No bitterness whatsoever. And the fruit is left to impart its extraordinary riches on a malt matured also in American Oak. Amrut is spoiling us again. - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2013
- Bangalore, INDIA$109.99$109.99Bottle$1,319.88DozenABV: 50%
Amrut Fusion is produced from 25% Scottish peated barley and 75% locally grown Indian barley. This method of combining barley from different sources has been employed with outstanding results by Australian distilleries, Bakery Hill and Hellyer's Road.
A superb whisky.
Tasting Notes: Brilliant pale gold with a subtle green blush. Powerful, near perfumed aromas offers an abundance of barley and honey, judiciously harmonised against delicate, lanolin like peat (reminds one of certain bottlings from Highland Park). The palate is rich, warm and plush; sweet barley flavours invade every crevice of the mouth, followed by waves of spice front to back, though the balance is nothing short of perfection given the high ABV. Dark chocolate, drying, earthy peat kicks into the after taste while the spices persist. Seriously good whisky! 50% Alc/Vol.
- Bangalore, INDIA$189.99$189.99Bottle$2,279.88DozenABV: 62.8%
Established in 1948 by Radhakrishna N Jagdale under the initial name of Amrut Laboratories (a company which produced various alcoholic beverages for the Indian armed forces as well as the general market during the 50's and 60's, namely rum and brandy.)
The company was later passed on in 1976 to Radhakrishnas son, Neelakant Jagdale who initiated the production of malt whisky during the 1980's. At that time, whisky production in India was constituted by vague and permissive laws which saw almost 90% of the product consisting of molasses. Blended malt styles often contained as little as 4% actual malt whisky.
Over the years, Amrut turned this approach on its head, intent on creating a world class whisky that would compete with the likes of whisky from Scotland, and ironically with guidance from the Scots, they came to perfect the process. Award winning malts, such as the highly acclaimed ‘Amrut Fusion’ are the result.
The distillery itself is situated in Bangalore, India, 3000 ft above sea level with the water and barley being sourced from the Himalayan Mountains. Though the maturation takes place high up above the city, the warmer, tropical climate matures Amrut spirits far more quickly than in Scotland. Most Amrut whiskies are reportedly less than 6 years old. Along with award winning whiskies, the distillery also produces brandy, rum, vodka and gin.
Amrut peated malt is made with barley peated and malted in Scotland, but distilled in Bangalore and aged in a combination of new and old American oak barrels. This version packs a punch at full strength. A little water will go a long way in taming this beast. Not for the faint hearted!
Tasting Notes... Pale gold colour. The high spirit prickles the nostrils. Powerful aromatics include damp earth, terracotta, biscuit, manuka honey and lanolin. In the mouth, achingly intense spices compete with off dry, earthy peat; some burnt toffee apple sweetness enters, but the intense spices are relentless to the point of being mouth numbing. As the spice gradually subsides, kippery, Fishermen’s Friend flavours complete what is a stupendous whisky experience by any measure; ultimately invigorating, though the spice might be too much for those with an aversion to factor 5 curries. The careful addition of water would improve the overall balance, unfortunately our sample was too small to permit experimentation. 62.8%
Other Reviews...
92 Points - Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2011 - Bangalore, INDIA$159.99$159.99Bottle$1,919.88DozenABV: 61.8%
Other reviews... Similar to the standard Amrut, except that it's drier and spicier, with suggestions of bourbon. Not as creamy as the standard expression, but a bit more sophisticated. 82 points - John Hansell, www.whiskyadvocate.com
- Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$129.99$129.99Bottle$1,559.88DozenABV: 40%
A Highland peater defined by delicate campfire smoke, spiced up by a spell in sherry casks. Toffee apples coated in warming cinnamon, deep vanilla, and a sweet wood smoke are some of the notes to look for. Recommended as an entry-level whisky for those who want to venture into the smoked category. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Why you would do a finish on such a whisky, I don't quite know. Not happy with the make? Something that went wrong with the peated malt? Too immature? Bah anyway, it's just an NAS at 40% vol., so stakes should be low anyway. Colour: gold. Nose: nice, in fact, with tobacco and autumn leaves, walnuts, some hay, touches of mustard, cassis leaves, cigarettes, and something akin to… Laphroaig Lore (with apologies both to AnCnoc and Laphroaig). Mouth: light and rather thin, sooty, peppery and pretty ashy. Green walnuts and a little salt, plus rather a lot of oversteeped black tea. Little depth and not much oomph., but as they say, it does go down effortlessly. Finish: short, ashy. More black tea and more walnuts. Almost no aftertaste. Comments: pleasant, I'm just not sure the whisky world really needed some NAS peated AnCnoc at 40% vol. that was finished in sherry. Not any boxes ticked. 75 points - whiskyfun.com
- Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$139.99$139.99Bottle$1,679.88DozenABV: 46%
Not just on the islands, but throughout the Scottish uplands, most extensively in the north and west, you'll find the heart of the peatlands. Knockdhu Distillery (aka AnCnoc) sits on the doorstep of this region, rich in barley and in peat. A natural resource, peat was historically embraced as fuel to fire stills and dry the barley in order to make whisky. Peatiness can be controlled by the amount of peat burnt and the humidity of the barley. Peat smoke produces chemicals called phenols, and it is by its phenol content that a whisky's 'peatiness' can be measured. In this case, AnCnoc have gone to a relatively high 34ppm - much higher than previous editions like 'Flaughter' and 'Rutter' which peaked around 15 ppm. Batch no.3 lands at 46% Alc./Vol. with zero chill filtration. The integration of the ex-bourbon casks with the peated highland barley produces a refined, crisp character that both peat newcomers and experienced drinkers will appreciate.
- Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$99.99$99.99Bottle$1,199.88DozenABV: 40%
"...so complex it is frightening…a more complete and confident Speyside malt you are unlikely to find." - Jim Murray
The AnCnoc label entered the scene in 1993 and is now flourishing with a range of expressions and age statements. The ‘flagship' 12-year-old is a sweet, floral, Summery whisky that's all about easy drinking. Made at the Knockdhu distillery (a major contributor to the Haig blends), five years after DCL closed the operation, it was acquired by Inver House Distillers Ltd who reopened it and created the AnCnoc brand to avoid confusion with fellow Speysider, 'Knockando'.
Knockdhu was founded in 1894 following the discovery of several springs of particularly pure water on the southern slopes of Knock Hill. When production first started, the distillery was a showpiece. Two pot stills could turn out 2500 gallons of spirit per week, motive power being supplied by a 16 horsepower steam engine. Cottages were built for the workers and their families, creating a new community around the distillery. Much has been done to modernise the buildings and machinery since, but very little has changed in the production process. Two originally designed pot stills remain, giving Knockdhu the same "fruity, citric and honeyed flavour" as was first described almost a century ago. Maturation includes both x Bourbon and sherry casks, and a substantial part of production continues to make its way into the Hankey Bannister blend which sells millions of bottles annually.
The twelve year old is a pale gold-coloured malt with aromas that caress the nose with the softest of whisky scents, almost floral, but there's also honey, toasty grains, plus some fruitiness (baked apple?) and possibly a whisper of peat, too. The palate concentration is good, with spices adding presence to the vanillas followed by a late juicy burst, fading dry and light with cocoa, gentle spices and understated orchard fruitiness. It's all very pretty, falling towards the elegant end of the Speyside spectrum. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews… so complex it is frightening…a more complete and confident Speyside malt you are unlikely to find. Shimmers with everything that is great about Scotch Whisky… always a reliable dram, but this is stupendous. 94.5 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible
...The entry level anCnoc is aged principally in bourbon barrels, with a small element of sherry wood-matured spirit included in the mix. Floral and quite delicate on the nose, with barley, apples, and honey. Medium-bodied, smooth, and well-balanced, with more honey, apple, malt, vanilla, and cinnamon. The finish is relatively short, drying, and mildly oaky. 87 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Colour: straw. Nose: I like this kind of fruitiness quite a lot. Imagine a good dose of stewed apples, topped with a honey and caramel sauce and touches of liquorice. Then it becomes more floral (dandelions) as well as obviously malty. A rather perfect all-rounder, as they say. Mouth: pretty much in line with the nose, with the same notes of apple pie, malt, barley sugar, light honey and liquorice (that gives it a faintly smoky/bitter profile). Caramel. Finish: medium, with more liquorice. Comments: it makes me think of some high-range blend. Easy and very good in my opinion. 84 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com
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- Limit Three per customer
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Angel's Envy Rye Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATESReduced from$299.00$174.99$174.99Bottle$2,099.88DozenABV: 50%"If whiskey could be a dessert, this would be it." - breakingbourbon.com
Small volumes of this sought after American Rye continue to trickle into the country. The super-high rye content combined with up to 18 months finishing in x-Plantation Barbados rum casks makes it all the more exotic. The mashbill will sound familiar to rye completionists - 95% rye and 5% malted barley - the signature blend you’ll find in ryes from Bulleit, Dickel, and just about everyone else in the business who’s sourcing whiskey from Indiana. It's also well known that Angel's Envy have a reputation for trail blazing and innovation. This edition is no exception. Master Distiller, Lincoln Henderson's artful barrelling turns what might have been just another six year old into something quite special. Bottled at 100 proof for extra punch, you'll find it different to almost every other rye on the market.
Other reviews... The folks at Angel’s Envy once again push the envelope... Vibrant, spicy rye notes (cinnamon and mint) are tamed by rich maple syrup, graham cracker crust, nutty toffee, candy floss, subtle tropical fruit, and creamy vanilla. Warm, spicy, rummy finish. This is a mood whiskey—not one I would drink every day—but the flavors marry nicely and the sweetness tames this high-testosterone rye whiskey. Bonus points for uniqueness. Editor's Choice. 90 points - John Hansell (Summer 2013) - whiskyadvocate.com
...This honey-hued rye has a remarkable aroma, melding cookie dough, hazelnut and marzipan. The same luscious flavors show up on the palate, rich and sweet, leading into a confected finish of Nutella sprinkled with nutmeg and cinnamon. The sugar-and-spice effect is due to 18 months finishing time in casks that first held Cognac, then Caribbean rum. 94 points - wineenthusiast.com
...That spin in rum casks really does a number on what would likely otherwise be a perfectly drinkable yet undistinguished rye. It starts with a nose of intense baking spices — gingerbread, cinnamon, and coconut notes. The body has more where that came from. Sip and you’ll get chewy vanilla caramels, banana, marshmallow, and just the barest hints of spicy rye grains on the back end. It’s very sweet, but not overpowering, a good balance of the more dessert-like flavors you’ll find in both rum and whiskey. It’s a bit hot for drinking straight, but seasoned whiskey enthusiasts won’t mind. A splash of water cools things down but doesn’t dull the flavor... I’m really enjoying it neat as an after dinner sipper, but wouldn’t dream of trying to put it in a Manhattan. - drinkhacker.com
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- Packaging may vary
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Angel's Envy Bourbon (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATESReduced from$119.99$99.99$99.99Bottle$1,199.88DozenABV: 43.3%Lincoln Henderson is an iconic Brown-Forman master distiller who helped develop several well-known brands, including Woodford Reserve, Gentleman Jack and Jack Daniel's Single Barrel. His son, Wes, went onto found Angel's Envy. Before his father's passing in 2013, Lincoln worked on selecting and perfecting the blend for the brand. This is his pride and joy, and unusually for Bourbon, it's finished in French oak Ruby Port Barrels for up to six months. If you’re after a premium Bourbon that’s affordable while delivering a little something extra, this should work. Charry oak, candied citrus peels and cherry ripe chocolate come together on the nose with hints of sticky date in tow. Come back after further air contact and you get more nuanced wine input. It’s a one of a kind Bourbon bouquet that follows through on the palate with spiced plums, blueberry bubble gum and semi-ripe raspberries alongside more familiar Bourbon notes. The finish extends that cherry ripe dark chocolate overlay with soft rye spices, moderate astringency and more vanilla and chocolate. A trailblazer when it was first released in 2011, at around six years old, it's a Kentuckian with a delicious twist. Holding it back is a somewhat tame ABV. Look out for the high-strength bottlings, but expect to pay much, much more. 43.3% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... A beautiful, mouthwatering newcomer to the whiskey scene. Named for the “angel's share,” the portion that evaporates from the barrel during the aging process, this golden amber spirit is finished in Port barrels, which explains those juicy red-fruit notes that slide into the long finish. Look for orange peel, vanilla and roasted nut flavors, too. 98 points - wineenthusiast.com
...Cherry cough syrup, cinnamon French toast, spearmint gum, boiled peanuts, dried flowers, hay, and a hint of sandalwood on a sweet and earthy nose. Creamy texture on a bitter palate, with dried cherries and strawberries, cinnamon sugar, and chocolate. With water there is tart cherry cobbler. Good length on a woody finish, with some vanilla cream and spice.
88 points - Ted Simmons 2021, whiskyadvocate.com...Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished in a port pipe. This is veteran master distiller Lincoln Henderson’s newest creation, and it’s a beauty. Richly textured, silky, and well-rounded, with ripe berried fruits, candied tangerine, light toffee, maple syrup, and creamy vanilla, sprinkled with spice (cinnamon, hint of mint). Smooth, silky finish, and dangerously drinkable! The port pipe notes dovetail perfectly. Lovely just the way it is, but it’s begging for a cigar. My only gripe: why not 45 or 50% ABV? But I’m splitting hairs. I really enjoy this stuff!
93 points - Reviewed by: John Hansell (Spring 2011), whiskyadvocate.com“Five Stars, Highest Recommendation” - spiritsjournal.com
...Muted vanilla, light oak, and leather swirl together and are joined are dashes of green peppercorn and syrup-soaked raisins. For being finished for 3-6 months, you’d expect more of an impact from the port barrels. However, this isn’t the case. While the flavors present are nice, the mouthfeel is on the thinner side, which detracts from their impact... If you haven't explored barrel finished bourbons yet, Angel’s Envy Port Finished Bourbon is a good start. It’s not so influenced that you’ll be turned off if you discover you're more of a traditionalist, and if you find that you like it, you’ll have a suitable introduction to a range of barrel finished products to further explore. On top of that, it provides a really nice subtle twist for lower proof cocktails. Credit needs to be given to this trailblazer of a product, however it also needs to be realized that this bourbon leaves you wanting just a bit more. - breakingbourbon.com
- Islay, SCOTLAND$250.00$250.00Bottle$3,000.00DozenABV: 46%
The final release in the Ardbeg Anthology Collection involves the use of custom-made casks (a first for Ardbeg), air-dried in the USA rather than kiln-dried, and then subjected to heavy toasting and light charring before being seasoned for at least four years with bourbon. Master Blender, Gillian Macdonald states the intention was to create a smoother, creamier profile. Whiffs of earthy peat, iodine and kelp bring a fresh, sea-spray vibe to the nose leaving hints of smoked meats. Semi-sweet and savoury, the oils and phenols take charge on the palate, creaming-up with air contact; baked citrus flavours are followed by a grassy finish, trailing off with liquorice root, menthol tobacco ash and white pepper heat. The lingering salt'n'pepper aftertaste is a strong point. This invigorating style of Ardbeg reminds us of bourbon-casked Kilchoman. 46% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... The final chapter in the Ardbeg Anthology Collection has reared its smoky head. Introducing The Beithir’s Tale, a rare and elusive dram inspired by one of the most fearsome creatures ever said to stalk the Distillery’s shores. Aged for 15 years in special designer charred bourbon casks, these barrels have been air-seasoned, heavily toasted, and then lightly charred. This whisky is inspired by the tale of the Beithir* – a fearsome serpent that slithered into the Distillery (or so the story goes). Spotted among the barrels, it had three prized casks lodged in its belly. Charmed away by an enchanting melody piped from a chanter, the hypnotised beast fled into the Atlantic, leaving the barrels bobbing on the waves. This bold dram crackles with notes of peat smoke, treacle, coffee grits, citrus and spice. Long, meandering flavours of vanilla and smoked butter burst forth in a finish that slithers across the palate and sings to the senses.
Gold at both the International Spirits Challenge and the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
- Islay, SCOTLAND$299.00$299.00Bottle$3,588.00DozenABV: 48.2%
The point of difference in Ardbeg's latest Committee release sees the cask heads scored to expose more of the wood's surface area. The cask ends were heavily toasted using the distillery's 'high mocha' toasting process and the inside of the barrels were charred. The process is said to temper the briny overtones, ramp up hidden chocolaty sweetness and magnify sensations of mocha. Bottled non chill filtered at 48.2%. Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The story with Anamorphic revolves around barrel charring. After removing the heads of classic Ardbeg bourbon casks, they were scored deeply to expose more wood and then intensely charred before being filled. Jack Daniel’s did a similar trick with its Sinatra Select bottlings. Does Ardbeg need more wood on it? The nose of the non-age-stated whisky is every bit as dark and smoky as the classic Ardbegs you know and love, offering a bruising aroma of burnt end barbecue and dying beach bonfire embers. It’s a bit daunting at first, starting off as rather one-note until you let it settle down in glass, revealing more layers beyond pushy smoke. Let Anamorphic rest in glass for a while, lest you down sip after sip of charry, tarry peat, free of nuance. After 15 minutes or so, fruit becomes much more evident, with elements of banana and baked apples, then a significant chocolate quality, ringed with walnuts. There’s plenty of aggressive tar that lingers on the back end, but for many an Ardbeg fan, that’s just what the good doctor ordered. All told, Anamorphic doesn’t exactly shift expectations for the brand, but rather it doubles down on them. - drinkhacker.com
...This Ardbeg comes from ex-Bourbon casks with toasted heads, and the nose has touches of chili-infused chocolate, a hint of anise, and a slightly herbal character. The taste has notes of grilled citrus, chili powder, dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, and a gentle peatiness. The finish is long with a gentle smokiness and touches of dark chocolate and soft spices. Excellent! (October, 2023) 95 points - whiskycast.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Earthy, dusty, and slightly biscuity on the nose, this is a most curious Ardbeg, almost from an alternative universe. The sooty/tarry notes are clear but restrained, and are balanced out by some silky vanilla. Water opens up a myriad of herbal and floral notes- smoked etiver root, aniseed, fennel, chrysanthemum and jasmine, to name but a few. Palate: The mouthfeel is peppery and warming, and precedes an explosion of fiery, spicy flavours – chili – flavoured chocolate, bitter sweet mocha, briar wood, birch tar, ground black pepper and smoked artichokes. The sooty/tarry notes build up to a crescendo of rich, smoky flavours, with an incredible, lingering aftertaste of charcoal bitter almonds and molasses.
- Islay, SCOTLANDReduced from
$299.00$260.00$260.00Bottle$3,120.00DozenABV: 40%The legend returns as a Committee exclusive.
First released in 1997, Ardbeg 17 became one of the first whiskies to hit the market when the distillery re-opened. Patchy production periods in the 1980s and 1990s meant that the requisite stocks were never going to last long, which included unpeated whiskies from the 1980s. Consequently, Ardbeg 17 was discontinued in 2004. Directors of Whisky Production, Bill Lumsden and Gillian MacDonald decided to re-launch the age statement in 2024, closely following the elements that made the original. With a lower ABV and chill filtration, this is considerably softer than Ardbeg's 5 or 10-year old expressions, heading towards the elegance of decades-old Jura. Like the last hours of a dying fire, it exhibits a dry, ashy character that slowly smoulders its way across the tongue, the classic distillery traits suggested in low key, from grilled pineapple, mezcal smoke, bitter dark chocolate and Perique tobacco, run through with a delicate oily quality that adds body and weight. Bottling at just 40% makes for a relatively sedate whisky, typical of well-aged Islay with little to no dilution required. Ardbeg completionists should find it a fascinating and rewarding experience.
- Islay, SCOTLAND$1,699.00$1,699.00Bottle$20,388.00DozenABV: 46%
"A glitch in the Ardware" reads the inside of the futuristic presentation box. Welcome to the first in a new limited edition series, created during a milestone year at Ardbeg. Each one will represent a different side of the distillery with no two whiskies alike. ‘Y2K’ is pronounced ‘Year-Two-K’. While the year 2000 will be remembered by many for bootcut jeans, flip phones and the elusive millennium bug, it went down in Ardbeg history for very different reasons. Following decades of neglect, the Distillery had been saved from extinction by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 and meticulously restored. As the clock ticked over from 1999 to 2000, Ardbeg was returning to full production. And while the rest of the world partied, with many distilleries shut down in fear of computerised chaos, its dedicated stillmen stayed up all night to keep the spirit flowing.
Crafted with some of the very first spirit of the millennium, the inaugural edition in the Ardbeg Vintage Y2K series is unlike anything before. It was distilled in the historic still which served Ardbeg for 51 years, before being retired in 2001. And with an increased rigour applied to cask selection under the new ownership, the whisky was laid down in some of the finest bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks around. The result is a single malt jampacked with bright zesty notes and intensely sweet, sooty flavours – a smoky anomaly never to be repeated. Aromas of lemon balsam reminisce with linseed oil and heather honey, while soot and peppermint stir up memories of ground coffee and aniseed on the palate.
Says Dr Bill Lumsden, Master Distiller, "Ardbeg Vintage Y2K is a phenomenal souvenir of a pivotal year at Ardbeg. Crafted at the dawn of a new era in our historic still, this ultra-rare whisky has been stowed carefully at the Distillery ever since. Herbal, citrusy and sweet on the nose, before soot, peppermint and coffee explode on the palate, this retro collectors’ classic is pure Ardbeg nostalgia.”
Other reviews... Distilled in Ardbeg’s historic still that was retired in 2001 after 51 years of service, this vintage has a sweet and zesty nose with coal soot, honey-lemon lozenges, Peppermint Pattie, and traces of black licorice. Silky smooth on the tongue, with sweet vanilla, lemon, peppermint creams, doughnut custard, ashy peat smoke, and orange pith, with creamy coffee, aniseed, and vanilla on the finish. No water needed. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com
Notes from the producers... Colour: Pale amber. On the nose: Herbal, sweet and fragrant, with a distant, subtly fragrant smokiness. A closer look reveals tangy notes of lemon balm, linseed oil and candied walnuts. Theflavourintensifies with a splash ofwater, followed by notes of heather honey, creosote and some tarpaulin. On the palate: A tingling, sorbet-like structure, vibrating on the tongue. The initialflavouris intensely sweet, with a burst of aniseed, toffee, digestive biscuits, peppermint, menthol, tar and coffee grounds. Sooty and tarry flavours then develop. Finish: The long, lingering aftertaste reveals notes of antiseptic lozenges, bitter orange peel andoaktannins.
- 90
- Not gift boxed
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$250.00$250.00Bottle$3,000.00DozenABV: 46%Ardbeg's latest annual offering comes with a curious title that's due to a production modification. Head of Whisky Creation, Bill Lumsden removed the purifier, which typically catches the heaviest vapours from the distillation process. The purifier is also responsible for Ardbeg’s balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness. The resulting whisky is "all peat". In fact, Ardbeg says that it's their most full-blown expression ever with an intensity of flavour that's unmatched. A spokesperson for the brand describes the flavour profile as, "Defined by a distinctive pungent earthiness, aromatic clouds of dark chocolate, a billow of aniseed and cinnamon, and a lingering tang of sharp peppermint." Dramface.com add "According to an interview Lumsden participated in for WhiskyCast, the experiment which gave birth to this year’s release was conducted 12 years ago. Even allowing for time of year and the time taken to dump casks, blend, package and distribute, it’s safe to assume this bottling is at least 11 years old, given that Lumsden claims the experiment was only ever conducted in one batch." We've just received our allocation. The whisky's unusual conception is brought to life with accompanying graphics created by celebrated comic artist and illustrator, Dilraj Mann.
The nose is slightly reticent while the flavour profile leans towards smokey dark chocolate, oily malt, chimney soot and white pepper followed by a dried herbal quality. The aftertaste is ashy, drying, medium long and vaguely fruity in a mezcal kind of way. Like last year's Ardbeg Day release (Ardcore), Heavy Vapours is not quite as intense or complex as anticipated, although it does taste slightly more mature and feels like the texture is amplified, particularly at the finish where cured meats and a salt'n'pepper tang recall middle-weight Caol Ilas. In a word, more elegant than "extreme". 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... I don’t know enough about the role of the purifier in distillation to predict for myself how the lack of one might impact a finished whisky, but damn if I’m not willing to give it a try. So let’s sally forth. Reviewed here is the standard release at 92 proof. The Committee Release is bottled at 100.4 proof. Extremely light in color, even for Ardbeg, the whisky looks innocuous enough in the glass. The classic aroma of beach bonfire smoke of Ardbeg wafts immediately from the glass, tempered by light touches of milk chocolate, overripe fruit, and some salted caramel — though these are all difficult to parse in the wake of a moderately intense blast of peat. The palate does see a more complex complement of flavors coming into focus, including mint, a clearer tropical note — pineapples and some coconut — with plenty of ashy dustiness waiting in the wings. Strangely, all of this works together in a bizarrely compelling fashion, the peat becoming earthy and smoldering, any overt smokiness taking a back seat as fruity sweetness makes a stronger impact. A briny quality offers a surprising level of refreshment on the finish, pairing well with both fruit and lingering smokiness. For my money, this is considerably more classically balanced than the standard Ardbeg bottlings — though what exactly is meant by “balance” in the world of peated Scotch is open for interpretation. All told, this is a decidedly delicious representation of Ardbeg. I say take that purifier and throw it out, Bill! - drinkhacker.com
...More NAS and more stories. I mean, really, stories, about that purifier we keep mentioning here too, and a certain 'agent 46'.. There's a QR code on the presentation box and bottle that should have allowed us to follow that 'agent 46' but from France it seems that we're just led to the generic Ardbeg website. Anyway, this is young Ardbeg that's been distilled 'without' the purifier on, as many batches have in the past already, but this very one is supposed to be 'the most full-blown Ardbeg ever'. Let's check that now… Colour: very pale white wine. Nose: very pure and feeling ultra-young, totally on mash, smoked beer, green pears, stewed turnip, creosote, petrichor and our new favourite since we've tried some in the Schwarzwald only two days ago, topinambour (Jerusalem artichoke) eau-de-vie or Schnaps, which is very rooty and earthy indeed. Mouth: excellent, if a tad rough and probably immature. More Jerusalem artichoke and turnip, smoky mashes and washes, a feinty side indeed and then certainly more fruitiness (so much for the purifier been shunted). Apples, lemon liqueur, light honey (acacia), liquorice allsorts and a drop of pastis. A moderate saltiness and notes of sweet beetroot too. Finish: pretty longer, fruity and salty. Comments: did they not just invent peated pastis? As a matter of fact, it would take a lot of water with resolve and even desire (what?) but it's not really heavy, I'd have called it 'Mizuwari Reserve' or 'Islay Pastis' instead. Do the advertising agencies taste the products? 88 points - whiskyfun.com
- Islay, SCOTLAND$499.00$499.00Bottle$5,988.00DozenABV: 46.2%
Released in early 2022 but only recently landed in Australia, the highly allocated Traigh Bhan Batch TB/04-07.03.2003/22.CG continues a running theme, with a lengthy maturation in a combination of American oak and oloroso sherry casks - although the proportion of the latter is slightly increased in this edition. Bottled in much smaller quantities than the rest of the core range "under a full moon", as noted on the front label, it arrives non chill filtered at 46.2% Alc./Vol.
Traigh Bhan is now firmly in collector-land. Consequently, few tasting notes are available. If you're looking to add to your collection or just want to find out what well-aged Ardbeg tastes like, don't hesitate on this offer. For those new to the label, the name is a reference to the local Traigh Bhan beach on Islay, which is known as the 'Singing Sands'. Each batch is intended to be slightly different from the last due to minor changes in cask selection. Expect rich wood smoke and menthol alongside bolder flavours of cayenne pepper and aniseed.
Notes from the producers... NOSE: On the nose, rising aromas of herbal pine and fennel flow into sharp notes of citrusy lime sorbet and medicinal lozenge, while eucalyptus and saddle soap follow on the breeze. A splash of water releases a cascade of hazelnut, sweet vanilla, and currants, before rich minted chocolate brings the nose to a close. TASTE: An intense wave of wood smoke crashes over the palate, leaving ripples of decadent dark chocolate and ground coffee in its wake. Sweeter notes of lemon curd and peanut brittle cut through the swell to reveal delicate hints of creamy raisin fudge and hazelnut. The allure of this rare dram continues with suggestions of more medicinal, spicy notes. Menthol, fresh lemongrass, aniseed, clove and white pepper emerge from rich, smoky depths. FINISH: Sweet and peat collide with creamy vanilla fudge, dark cocoa powder, and a warm, woody clove tingle. A sharp, intense, and satisfyingly long finish.
- Islay, SCOTLAND$499.00$499.00Bottle$5,988.00DozenABV: 51.8%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some light creasing/scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Other reviews... Fully matured in rye barrels. Butterscotch, almond paste, shortbread, lemon cake, and vanilla frosting on the nose—bakery aromas integrating with notes of crushed seashells and briny peat. The palate is soft, honeyed, and sweet, offering flavors of candied orange slices, iced tea, chocolate, and sugared espresso as a more pronounced peat influence emerges. A lengthy finish, as the peat drifts into the background, leaving a delicious pot of honey, candied fruit, and dark chocolate. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: David Fleming 2021
- Islay, SCOTLAND$499.00$499.00Bottle$5,988.00DozenABV: 51%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
A logical progression to the Supernova series that ran from 2009-2019, Hypernova is Ardbeg's peatiest expression to date. Sporting phenol levels in excess of 170 ppm, expect nothing less than a peat bomb. It's also another exclusive to the Ardbeg Committee (the distillery’s fan club) as well as Ardbeg Embassies around the globe - of which Nicks Wine Merchants are one.“This is without a doubt the smokiest Ardbeg ever,” said Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg director of distilling and whisky creation. “We wanted to really push the boundaries this time and boldly go where Ardbeg has never ventured before. A hypernova is a collapsing star explosion so powerful it threatens the fabric of the galaxy – while I don’t think this whisky will tear a hole in space and time, it’s certainly bursting with fantastically peaty flavour.” Bottled at 51% ABV, official tasting notes are below.
Notes from the producers... Color: Pale Straw. Aroma: Powerful, pungent, almost brutal in its intensity, with waves of tar, smoke, sea salt and an almost ‘barnyard’ aroma in the background. There is some restrained fruitiness, reminiscent of flowering blackcurrants, and very pungent burst of peppermint. Water releases some more rounded top notes, with a touch of lavender and a chocolaty sensation, before finally returning to the curious, savoury barnyard smell. Taste: An explosive, peppery mouthfeel leads into a most curious juxtaposition of flavours sweet chocolate, cooling peppermint, pungent peat smoke, bitter almonds, and then a hugely long, lingering burst of spices like aniseed and clove. Finish: The enormous, heavy smoke is always present and even as the aftertaste starts to build, the aromatic, heathery smoke never fades, it remains right to the very end.
- Islay, SCOTLANDReduced from
$399.00$299.00$299.00Bottle$3,588.00DozenABV: 50.1%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Another Ardbeg Day release arrives, bottled once and never to be repeated. This time around, it's created with roasted black malt - a first for Ardbeg. Incinerated to within an inch of its life, the malt defines the profile contributing charcoal and sweet smoke, aniseed and dark chocolate for an in-your-face Islay experience. Trumping past releases, Ardbeg's marketing department has gone to considerable lengths for the new release, this time focusing on brand’s alleged punk past, with Islay’s main port, Port Ellen, going by the nickname ‘Punk Ellen’ in the 1970s. Meanwhile, Ardbeg’s head of distilling and whisky creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, describes the flavour being “like biting on a spiky ball.” More detailed tasting notes below. As usual, allocations are meagre, so in the interests of satisfying as many as possible, this is strictly limited to one bottle per customer. 50.1% Alc./Vol. Collectable.Notes from the producers... Spicy and savoury, Ardcore grips the senses with waves of marmite, burnt toast, chicory charcoal and infused coffee grounds making for a mosh pit in the glass. Like a safety pin through the septum, a classic Ardbeg herbal top note is present, while swirling, smoky bonfire and molasses loiter backstage. TASTE: A jaw dropping spicy and fiery mouthfeel leads to an explosion of rich, smoky flavours – cocoa powder, dark chocolate, peanut brittle toffee, smoked lime and a suggestion of soot and bonfire embers all pogo in unison on the palate. Amped up aniseed and malty biscuit elbow their way to the fore, punkturing taste buds. FINISH: In an altogether sweeter finish, long, lingering notes of treacle toffee, soot and smoke make for an anarchic, but delicious, aftertaste.
- Islay, SCOTLAND$450.00$450.00Bottle$5,400.00DozenABV: 49.4%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Age statements and transparency seem to be returning to official Ardbeg releases. This new Committee-only offering highlights the impact of the longest fermentation in the distillery's history. Many loyal Ardbeggians have been particularly excited about 'Fermutation', the result of a happy accident in 2007 when a boiler broke down. It led to an unplanned experiment, as six washbacks with tens of thousands of litres of fermented wort sat waiting to be distilled. In the end it took three weeks before the boiler was repaired and distilling could commence (for context, most Ardbeg is only fermented for 72 hours, making three weeks unchartered territory). Director of Whisky Creation, Bill Lumsden had always intended to trial longer ferments, describing the resulting dram as "...tasting like pure science fiction. Peat and smoke meld beautifully with fresh, floral flavours, while sharp, more malty notes give Ardbeg Fermutation a uniquely zingy profile.”“Blind luck is sometimes just part of the way we do things here at Ardbeg,” added Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager. “But the creation of Fermutation wasn’t simply good fortune. Quick thinking, ingenuity and a little assistance from tiny beings in the atmosphere helped us get here. At 13 years old, this is of course an aged Ardbeg – something I’m sure our fans will be delighted to get their hands on.”
Once again, the distillery marketing team have gone for a quirky sci-fi pulp-novel look and feel, which compliments several other releases to date - and sort of makes sense, given just how different this whisky is reported to be. Bottled non chill filtered at 49.4% Alc./Vol. Extremely limited stocks.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Fresh, floral, herbal and tart. Hints of mixed herbs and cedar wood. Very zesty, vibrant, hints of smoked orange and grapefruit, lots of menthol and peppermint. With water, powerful bursts of diesel oil, tar, fresh paint and aniseed. As this dies down, a memory of freshly cut hay, and the tiniest hint of something savoury, like yeast extract or bread dough. Taste: A lively, vibrant, sharp, ‘zingy’ texture, leading into very firm, distinctive flavours – malty/biscuit tones, powerful aniseed, cardamom, antiseptic lozenge, sweet mint toffee and cigar ash. Finish: Finally, a lingering, salty, firm aftertaste of mint, tar, oak tannin & leather.
- Limit One per customer
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Batch 3Islay, SCOTLAND$499.00$499.00Bottle$5,988.00DozenABV: 46.2%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Last year's release was summed up by Head Whisky Creator Dr. Bill Lumsden as "The epitome of Ardbeg". Batch 3 continues that theme, with a lengthy maturation in a combination of American oak and oloroso sherry casks. Bottled in much smaller quantities than the rest of the core range, Batch 3 is also the first in the series to be signed by new Distillery Manager, Colin Gordon since Mickey Head's recent retirement, and the first release in Ardbeg's history to be bottled "in a lockdown", as noted on the front label.
Traigh Bhan is now firmly in collector-land. Consequently, few tasting notes are available (with the exception of Angus from whiskyfun.com who confirms a high standard has been maintained. See below). If you're looking to add to your collection or just want to find out what well-aged Ardbeg tastes like, don't hesitate on this offer. For those new to the label, the name is a reference to the local Traigh Bhan beach on Islay, which is known as the 'Singing Sands'. Each batch is intended to be slightly different from the last due to minor changes in cask selection. Lumsden comments, “The main difference with Batch 3 is that it has been imbued with an altogether more fragrant, spicy character.” Expect zesty lime and walnuts alongside bolder flavours of cayenne pepper and aniseed. 46.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill-filtered.
Other reviews... The latest batch I believe. Is it just me, or are these batch numbers are longer than Bill Lumsden's joke book? Colour: pale gold. Nose: a highly aromatic and scented type of peat smoke that feels quite wispy, soft and permeating with impressions of sandalwood, furniture polish and crushed sea shells. Also things like smoked tea, menthol tobacco, myrtle and heather beer. Even though I suppose this is early 2000s Glenmorangie produced batches now, it feels more reminiscent of the 1990s Allied style. Which is quite reassuring in many ways. Mouth: pepper, smoked olive oil, very tarry, a lot of hessian, smoked cereals and some struck flints and other rather punchy mineral touches. In time it evolves these big camphor aspects but also quite a lot of dried herbs, aniseed, dried lime peel and hardwood resins. Finish: medium and with this warming peppery and peaty side (which seems to be an increasing hallmark of these modern Ardbeg), leather, pine cones, wood smoke and a little more aniseed. Comments: excellent whisky, no doubt about it. But perhaps the 8 was a tad more impressive simply by virtue of its youthful zest. Anyway, we're splitting hairs - this is lovely. 90 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from Ardbeg.... Nose: In this whisky, faint waves of scented woodsmoke mingle with sea spray and pine resin. Wisps of aniseed toffee and sweet lilies follow on the breeze while fresh citrus zest laps over notes of cayenne pepper. With a splash of water, waxy notes and charcoal flow into droplets of classic Sherry and linseed oil. Palate: A rush of rich, sappy textures is followed moments later by classic sweet smokiness. Tarry rope and treacle toffee plunge the palate into a second wave of soot and aniseed twists. Smoke bobs on the horizon, while smoked brown sugar, walnuts and spices gently dissolve away. Finish: A long, unhurried finish carries bitter almonds and clove in its wake, before slowly drifting away.
- Limit One per customer
2011 Ardbeg Single Cask No.2323 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$2,499.00$2,499.00Bottle$29,988.00DozenABV: 58.2%Exclusively allocated to Ardbeg embassies with just 304 bottles available globally. This is one for the lucky few.
Considering the cult following Ardbeg has developed over the last few decades, it's almost unbelievable to think that the distillery was closed on and off for fifteen years until 1996, when it was purchased by Glenmorangie. Part of the huge upsurge in popularity has been driven by a steady stream of new releases, targeting both drinkers and collectors. The latest super-premium addition is this all-natural expression matured in a first-fill x-Cote Rotie wine cask, sourced from the Northern Rhone Valley in France (the exact estate is not disclosed). Filled on the 22nd August 2011 and bottled on the 28th of July 2020 exclusively for Ardbeg embassies around the world, cask #2323 is also reported to be one of the last to be signed by Distillery Manager, Mickey Heads before retiring. The new Manager, Colin Gordon is set to take over the helm and drive the company forward to even greater success. Instantly snapped up in global markets, this is certain to show considerable future upside for ardent investors and promises a full-throttle Islay tasting experience. Official notes by Dr Bill Lumsden below.
Notes from the producers... Nose – Deep, pungent and salty, with medicinal notes, dark chocolate, brambly fruit and the tiniest hint of vanilla. A splash of water brings out a flinty minerality, along with pungent floral notes like narcissus or lilies. As the bouquet continues to open up, the classic, smoky Ardbeg character starts to build. Palate – The mouthfeel is full and rounded. The primary flavour is bold and svaoury, with deep peat smoke, a curious rubbery note, and the suggestion of smoked cocoa powder. There is a soft oiliness throughout, with crunchy oak tannins and a touch of clove and nutmeg. The aftertaste lingers with salted peanuts, dark chocolate cream and a touch of coal tar. Non chill filtered. 58.2% Alc./Vol. Strictly limited to one bottle per customer.
- Islay, SCOTLAND$99.99$99.99Bottle$1,199.88Dozen
Ardbeg's new collectable packs are an affordable way to sample the core range in an ‘at home’ tasting experience. They're also a great gifting opportunity. The presentation is inspired by old B-grade horror movie posters and each bottle has a peelable label that reveals unique artwork lurking beneath.
The pack comprises 3 x 200ml bottles: The flagship Ardbeg Ten Years Old, the feisty and youthful Ardbeg Five Years Old Wee Beastie and Ardbeg An Oa, which is finished in three different cask types. This is a once-off release so Ardbeg enthusiasts take note! - Islay, SCOTLAND$124.99$124.99Bottle$1,499.88DozenABV: 50.8%
Way back in 2004, Ardbeg launched the first of the “For Discussion” series. Labelled as 'Very Young', it gave Ardbeg enthusiasts the chance to sample a ‘work in progress’. This latest 'Committee-exclusive' bottling revisits that theme. It's the result of an experiment by Master Distiller, Dr Bill Lumsden and an attempt to answer his question "what if, in an alternative universe, Ardbeg Ten was not the distillery’s “flagship” aged expression?"
Lumsden adds, "An aged ex-Sherry whisky is new territory for us, so naturally, we want some thoughts. We’re sharing this with the Committee’s experienced palates to help us find that smoky sweet spot. It’s more than guaranteed to provoke discussion among those privileged enough to taste it.”
Historically, Committee release bottlings have not been offered to retail. We've managed to secure a small quantity for Australian Ardbeg fans.
Other reviews... When smoke melts in the mouth, when the sugars are directly in equal proportion to the measured spices, when the mouth feel is enriched by oil but light enough to allow the more delicate structures to stand unbowed after the tsunami of phenol... then you know this is Ardbeg being true to itself. 94.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible
...It's great that these bottles have more 'common sense' L codes these days. Colour: bright straw. Nose: delicately salty, this sense of things like smoked and pink sea salts. Bath bombs, sandalwood, briny pickling juices, kippers - feels notably more mature after the 5yo, perhaps deceptively so. But still, it's another very good one. With water: getting more aromatic and medicinal now with things like witchhazel, wintergreen and aniseed. Some touches of germoline and camphor as well. Mouth: hoho, lovely oily and textural peat, slathered on phenolics, engine grease, tar extracts, some punchy hospital vibes, gauze, iodine, black pepper and thick sooty notes. Totally superb and the texture is really what impresses most! With water: wonderful peat flavour, cough medicines, pepper and anchovy paste. A terrific tarriness that feels totally Ardbeggy. Finish: good length, peppery, tarry, slightly fishy and still with this wonderfully oily and phenolic vibe. Comments: I find this wee baby just absolutely superb, what I love most is that it feels not only technically good, but with this wonderfully texture it also feels like it has a soul to match. Benchmark young modern Ardbeg at its best. I will be buying a couple of bottles and you may take that as a firm seal of approval. 90 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the producer... Pale Straw. NOSE: Intense with a burst of charcoal, creosote, tar and treacle toffee, with curious hints of something vegetal, like fennel, celery and green peppers Once these subside, there are hints of milk chocolate, aniseed and wood smoke. With a little drop of water, some more herbal notes appear, like fennel, coriander and lavender, along with some characteristic Ardbeg aromatic wood smoke and a hint of fresh, salty sea spray. TASTE: A distinctively peppery mouthfeel eases into a complex symphony of flavours treacle toffee, aniseed, salted caramel chocolate, eucalyptus, menthol and briar wood, to name but a few. The ‘ peppery sensation on the palate continues, with the sweeter flavours giving way to more savoury notes like charcoal, smoked bacon, burnt toast and tar. FINISH: The aftertaste is long and lingering, with a suggestion of peppermint and clove. 50.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
