483 products

What's Hot

The best of the best at every price point from Australia's most highly curated online wine and spirits list.

    • 95
    • Hot Item
    • Australian Exclusive
    2015 Warenghem Distillery Armorik Single Cask Australian Exclusive Cask Strength Single Malt French Whisky (700ml)
    Brittany, FRANCE
    $199. 99
    Bottle
    $2399.88 Dozen
    ABV: 58.7%

    French whiskies are so rarely encountered here that when they do arrive they come with a sense of mystery. Yet, if there are regional challengers to the malts that emerge from Scotland's Western Highlands, then Northern France would have to be one. Whiskies from Brittany can be hugely flavoursome, capturing a sense of place with the freshness of the seashore and a touch of rusticity that's occasionally augmented by varying degrees of peat. Kornog and Warenghem are standouts, the latter offering whiskies under their Armorik label. When the Australian importers visited Brittany earlier in the year, their barrel selection came with a further French twist: Full-term maturation in a cask that previously held Pineau des Charentes - a speciality aperitif of Cognac, generally categorised as a fortified wine (aka 'mistelle' or 'vin de liqueur' in France, however, being a blend of grape must and eau-de-vie it could be argued that the genre is more akin to a liqueur). There is one cask only, all for Australia and the whisky it yielded continues a theme of beautifully rounded, utterly mouthfilling and wonderfully textural malts from Warenghem, this time with a light honey, fruit compote and sponge cake character in the mix. On the palate, poached fruits work to heighten the succulence of the barley before trailing off with lively spices, vanilla and honey. Hints of brine and pepper add vitality to the finish as does a slightly tart quince or citric note. It's wound up in a beautifully integrated delivery that's dangerously easy to drink uncut. With water the profile loses some of its finer points, but fluffs into a deliciously creamy dram. Distilled in October 2015 and bottled in February 2023, the visual presentation might lack sophistication, however the final result has exceeded the importer's expectations. 150 bottles are on offer. 58.7% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

    • 96
    • Hot Item
    Warrabilla Grand Tawny (500ml)
    Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $34. 99
    Bottle
    $419.88 Dozen
    ABV: 18.5%
    Closure: Stelvin

    Andrew Sutherland-Smith has fashioned this tawny from a base of 2002 Cabernet with some 1991 Fairfield sweet red and a bit of young shiraz from the Parola’s vineyard to add freshness. The average age of the blend is 15 years.

    Dark onion brown colour with an onion brown and green olive hue. Top notes of marzipan and Christmas cake laced with some honeyed raisin characters are followed by walnuts and fine old brandy spirit. Rich luscious textural feel with flavours of marzipan and honeyed raisins intermixed with almond. Warm mellow spirit background. Long dry nutty rancio finish and aftertaste.
    Alc 18.5%

    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    2012 Watt Whisky Dalrymple 11 Year Old Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Lowlands, SCOTLAND
    $139. 99
    Bottle
    $1679.88 Dozen
    ABV: 57.1%

    As Serge Valentin comments in his review below, the principal component here comes from the Grant's-owned Aisla Bay distillery on the Clyde Coast. Five different styles are produced here, but the most common is a light and rather sweet spirit. "Dalrymple" means it's teaspooned, however you could still consider it a single malt as it's likely there's only a trace amount from another distillery. 294 bottles were decanted from a Hogshead at 57.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

    Other reviews... Dalrymple is a trade name for Ailsa Bay, and while our experience with this distillate is limited, a superb Dalrymple from Tri Carragh once left a strong impression. The official Ailsa Bay releases, however, have often been as cold as a North Sea flounder – if I may. Colour: pale gold. Nose: delightful, with an intriguing mix of tequila and gentian—no jest here. Ripe pear and apple follow, creating a harmonious bouquet. A touch of medicinal quality emerges, accompanied by green walnuts and a hint of mustard. With water: develops towards a fine fino sherry. Mouth (neat): very good indeed! Green apple, fir smoke, plasticine, Sichuan pepper, mustard, mezcal, and radish—spicy with a slight bite. With water: the fruitiness becomes more pronounced, but a peppery edge also takes hold. An unusual mix of sultanas and white pepper surprises the palate. Finish: long, with smoke overlaying those peppered sultanas, making for a slightly more challenging conclusion. Comments: the peat runs subtly throughout, never dominating but always present. A complex and captivating dram, perfect for a blind guessing game among friends. 87 points - whiskyfun.com

    ...At the risk of sounding obtuse, it seems like William Grant & Sons know what they’re doing. (There’s a reason they are the biggest family-owned whisky company in Scotland.) They’ve hit a bulls-eye with Ailsa Bay it seems... Taste: An initial hit of nuts and spices, not my preferred style per se. I find it improves hugely with some water. Thick mouthfeel with a nice chunk of vanilla foam blocks, but also fresh orchard fruits, crème brûlée and even tinned pineapple. Finish: Medium length. Gentle notes of white pepper linger, but are balanced out by notes of peach, peanuts and honey. - wordsofwhisky.com

    Notes from the bottlers... Toffee apples, marzipan, honeycomb, peanuts, peaches and crème brûlée.

    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    2018 Watt Whisky Nc'Nean 6 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $159. 99
    Bottle
    $1919.88 Dozen
    ABV: 57.1%

    A baby malt from a very new distillery founded in 2017. Nc’nean is located within the Drimnin Estate on a remote west Highland peninsula with spectacular views over Mull and Tobermory. The name is an abbreviation of 'Neachneohain', which translates as 'Queen of Spirits' from Gaelic. This deeply coloured expression from Watt Whisky was STR matured (that refers to casks that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred). The outturn was 282 bottles at 57.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

    Other reviews... Mouth: quite strong, with caramel notes and generous amounts of oak spice. Pepper, cinnamon, oranges, more plums. A bit of a rough edge, with salty notes and a brief moment of alcohol heat. Candied ginger syrup, drops of clove oil and toasted oak, with a slightly tannic edge. Finish: medium and sweet, balancing citrus and oak spice. Very modern and spicy whisky, with a wood influence that I find too obvious, too contrived. STR casks are always a bit tricky and I think other distilleries are mastering them better. - whiskynotes.be

    ...Nose: The STR cask is in the driver’s seat.... Taste: Big whisky. Or intense more like. Lots of pepper, cloves and oak spices in general. There’s a touch of fudge, but also a slight vinous edge. Then oranges, apricots and more charred oak, followed by chillies and a soft aniseed-y note... It relies a lot on the STR cask, and I'm not sure that is a good thing. - wordsofwhisky.com

    Notes from the bottlers... Lots of toffee, peanut brittle, plums, cinnamon balls and charred oak.

    • 94
    • Hot Item
    2024 West Cape Howe Old School Chardonnay
    Mount Barker, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $17. 99
    Bottle
    $215.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)
    ABV: 14%
    Closure: Stelvin

    A rich, full flavoured style Chardonnay with a creamy textural feel.

    The Old School Chardonnay is sourced from specific vineyard blocks in Mount Barker with barrel fermentation and maturation taking place in French oak of which 20% is new for a period of 10 months. Extended lees contact with fortnightly stirring and full malolactic fermentation enhance the wines texture to produce a full flavoured style Chardonnay.
    Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Elevated aromas of peach, apricot and honeycomb fill the nostrils followed by hints of crème brulee, butterscotch and spice. Rich and mouth filling, the weighty palate is swamped with luscious ripe peach and apricot fruits. Notions of crème brulee, honeycomb and spicy nougat form the underbelly. A full, creamy textural feel counterpointed by a lick of fresh acidity through the long intensely flavoured finish.
    Drink over the next 3-4 years.
    Alc. 14%

    • 96
    • Hot Item
    • 96
    2020 Whistling Eagle Vineyard Eagles Blood Shiraz
    Heathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $54. 99
    Bottle
    $659.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)
    ABV: 14.5%
    Closure: Stelvin

    A seductive Heathcote Shiraz that boasts ample power and a plush textural feel.

    Renown as one of Heathcote’s leading growers and viticulturalists, Ian Rathjen also produces small parcels of wine under his own label, Whistling Eagle. Matured in French oak (30% new) for a period of 18 months, the Eagles Blood Shiraz is his ultimate expression of the Cambrian terroir displaying spectacular colour, depth and power.
    Pitch black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Heady aromatics of ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum waft out of the glass complimented by some vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth notes. A rich, silky flow of opulent blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits decorate the full bodied palate. Vanillin oak, subtle earthy mocha and peppered fennel characters also chime in. Boasting ample power and a plush textural feel, it has velvet smooth tannins and a long seductive finish.
    Drink over the next 5-6 years.
    Alc. 14.5%

    Other Reviews…..
    One sniff and you are standing on the mineral-rich soils of Heathcote, surrounded by the warm, inviting scents of the local bush. This is an evocative wine, of the place, of the dirt, capturing both the natural generosity of Heathcote shiraz and its environment beautifully, artfully. Earth, bush mint, undergrowth, acacia, briar, cassis, black cherry, anise and red licorice join forces with well-mannered oak to seduce. Seduction complete. Drink by 2038.
    96 Points
    Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

    • Hot Item
    Wild Turkey Master's Keep Beacon Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
    Kentucky, UNITED STATES
    $360. 00
    Bottle
    $4320.00 Dozen
    ABV: 59%

    At the time of writing, Beacon is the final chapter in the iconic Master’s Keep series, confirmed on the distillery's website. Crafted from hand-selected barrels aged in the prime locations of the oldest rickhouses, 10 and 16-year-old whiskeys make up the blend. The latter were distilled by Eddie Russell between 2007 and 2008 while the old Wild Turkey distillery was still active. The 10-year-old components were made by Bruce Russell in 2015, which means they come from the updated production facilities. Besides the age of the liquid, Beacon stands out for its proof: 59% ABV isn't the highest Turkey ever, but it’s close to the top, and (we believe) the highest in the Master's Keep series to date. Beautifully presented, whether you're a longtime collector or just an enthusiast for the finest Bourbons money can buy, this is your last chance to own a piece of the distillery's most storied collection. Grab it while the opening price holds. 59% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... I know there’s nothing in here that should remind me of an old “Dusty Turkey” note, but why is it that I’m finding some flashes of that exact note here and there? All I can tell you is that it’s focusing on the rye element of the mash bill – making each sip taste like there’s easily double the amount of rye – and I absolutely love it. The spice level feels like it’s more than most Wild Turkey bourbons – almost bordering on a rye whiskey. There’s something for everyone in this bottle.... I figured that 2025 was finally the year that Wild Turkey toned it down a bit since Batch 6 of Russell’s 13 didn’t move the needle much from previous batches. But now that I’ve had Beacon, I am saying to myself “are you kidding me?” Wild Turkey has done it again, dammit. And if Bruce’s barrels are responsible for even half the flavor of this release, then the future is looking brighter than ever. I hope to be writing the same thing for *ahem* next year’s release. - thebourbonculture.com

    • Hot Item
    • 94
    Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 101 Proof 8 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
    Kentucky, UNITED STATES
    $139. 99
    Bottle
    $1679.88 Dozen
    ABV: 50.5%

    "Outstanding... Perfection at 8 years... If there were a single bourbon to best represent Wild Turkey’s signature flavor it would be this bottle." - rarebird101.com

    Wild Turkey's latest collector-worthy bourbon celebrates Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell's 70th anniversary at the distillery. The whiskey is an 8 year old with an additional blend of 8 to 9 year old bourbons, hand-selected from a few of Jimmy’s favourite Rickhouses. The bolder, higher-proof expression is one he's always preferred. When many began favouring lighter spirits, Jimmy refused to dilute his bourbon or change the distilling process, embracing a style that he learned from his predecessor, Bill Hughes. That staunch approach helped propel the popularity of many of the distillery’s classics, including Jimmy’s favourite, Wild Turkey 101, proving that a bold Kentucky bourbon would always have a place behind the bar.

    Wild Turkey was known as Anderson County Distilling Co. when Jimmy started work. It would soon change its name to J.T.S. Brown & Sons. From his earliest days spent sweeping the floors as an 18 year old rookie, Jimmy moved from job to job as seen fit by his mentor, the pre-prohibition distiller Bill Hughes. Through changes in ownership and shifts in the market, Jimmy rose through the ranks to finally become Master Distiller in 1967. Four years later a company from New York named Austin, Nichols & Co. (a subsidiary of Liggett Myers Tobacco. Co.) purchased the J.T.S. Brown & Sons Distillery to produce their flagship Wild Turkey Bourbon exclusively. The new management kept Jimmy in charge and the rest, as they say, is history. Seventy years working at the same business is an extraordinary accomplishment in anyone's book. It would take a dedicated biography to cover it. "In my eyes, I've never worked a day in my life. The day I do, I'll retire," jokes Jimmy. "Until then, I'm going to continue making the bourbon I love."

    Other reviews... This year, master distiller Jimmy Russell celebrated his 70th year at Wild Turkey, a remarkable milestone by any stretch of the imagination (and even more so considering that he still shows up to work most days of the week). In honor of this watershed year, Jimmy’s son Eddie and grandson Bruce created a celebratory bourbon. The nose is chock-full of fresh cherries, cappuccino, vanilla cream, butterscotch, and leather. Baking spice bubbles over on the palate, backed up by toasted coconut and salted caramel, and a lick of bright citrus. Vanilla buttercream, Mounds bar, and black currant end this celebration on a high note. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    Outstanding. Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary Release is perfection at eight years. It’s everything it should be and nothing it shouldn’t. If there were a single bourbon to best represent Wild Turkey’s signature flavor it would be this bottle.  - rarebird101.com

    Notes from the producers... Best served neat or over ice, the bourbon offers rich aromas of oak, honey, cinnamon, and tobacco and a palate marked by sweet cream, butterscotch and black tea notes that transition to bitter chocolate, dark cherry and burnt sugar.

    • 96
    • 95
    2024 William Downie Gippsland Pinot Noir
    Gippsland, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)
    ABV: 13.5%
    Closure: Diam Cork

    Light yet rich and supple with an expansive flavour profile and long savoury finish.

    William Downie is a pioneer of minimal-intervention, site-driven Pinot Noir in Australia. Based at Guendulain Farm in Yarragon, where he and wife Rachel Needoba planted a high-density 2-hectare vineyard in 2007, he also leases top sites like Bull Swamp and Camp Hill. Downie is known for his meticulous vineyard work and dedication to expressing place through Pinot Noir.
    The Gippsland Pinot Noir is blend of fruit from the Matthews Vineyard in Berrys Creek and Guendulain Farm in Yarragon. Matthews, planted in 1998 to MV6 on red volcanic soils, is a cool, damp, dry-grown site producing dense canopies. Guendulain, established in 2008 with high-density plantings (10,000 vines/ha) of MV6 and Pommard clones, contributes structure and depth.

    Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red to dark red hue. Perfumed aromas of violet, red cherry, strawberry and clove entrance the olfactory senses with some earth, wild herb and spicy cedar notes also evident. Light in body but simultaneously rich and supple, the palate features expansive red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits over a subtle rhubarb, forest floor, spicy cedar and dried herb back drop. Outstanding power wave with polished tannins and a beautifully balanced freshness. The long, graceful conclusion, highly savoury.
    Drink over the next 6-8 years.
    Alc. 13.5%

    Other Reviews….
    Gee, I do love Gippsland pinot noir. This is beautifully modulated with a deeper, richer fruit profile, although it's far from fruity. In youth it simply shows more primary elements. A whorl of dark cherries, pips and black plums with pomegranate molasses, sweet spices and lots of autumnal fragrance – the earth and damp leaves. Lovely tannins, fresh acidity and, while it will last some distance, lovely now. Drink by 2036.
    95 Points
    Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

    • 95
    • 95
    2024 William Downie Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir
    Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)
    ABV: 13.5%
    Closure: Diam Cork

    Light and energetic with delicious red fruits and a long, elegant finish.

    William Downie is a pioneer of minimal-intervention, site-driven Pinot Noir in Australia. Based at Guendulain Farm in Yarragon, where he and wife Rachel Needoba planted a high-density 2-hectare vineyard in 2007, he also leases top sites like Bull Swamp and Camp Hill. Downie is known for his meticulous vineyard work and dedication to expressing place through Pinot Noir.
    Fruit for the Mornington Pinot Noir is sourced from two sites planted in 1998: Mrs Nicks Vineyard in Balnarring, with MV6 on south-facing sandy loam, and Rivendel in Merricks North, home to D5V12 and Pommard clones on grey loam.

    Slightly cloudy red to dark red colour with a vibrant red hue. Fragrant violet, sour to red cherry and strawberry scents delicately infused with clove flourish through the nostrils trailed by some fresh herb, earth and spice notes. Delicious red cherry, bright red raspberry and winter strawberry fruits are underscored by lively acidity. Infusions of fresh herbs, light earth and spicy clove are also apparent. Light on its feet and energetic in its feel, it possesses excellent power and polished tannins. Finishes long, fresh and elegant.
    Drink over the next 6-8 years.
    Alc. 13.5%

    Other Reviews....
    One thing appealing with the pinots from Bill Downie is that they are immediately drinkable and deliciously so. Another difficult vintage on the Peninsula but this has a balance of aromas, flavours and texture. Dark red cherries, blood orange and zest with sumac and brown spices plus fresh herbs and a pinch of Italian bitter herbs, too. It’s a savoury wine. Tannins and acidity work in tandem to add definition across the mid-weighted palate. Drink by 2035.
    95 Points
    Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

    • 93
    • Hot Item
    • Reduced
    2023 William Fevre Petit Chablis
    Chablis, FRANCE
    Reduced from $47.99
    $44. 99
    Bottle
    $539.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)
    ABV: 12%
    Closure: Diam Cork

    Classically refreshing Chablis with a gently rounded feel and a lengthy stony mineral laced finish.

    Founded by William Fevre in 1957 the domaine has grown to now become one of the biggest land owners in Chablis with 78 hectares of prestigious vineyards, of which 15.9 hectares are classified as Premiers Crus and 15.2 as Grand Crus. The Petit Chablis was matured in stainless steel vats for a period of 8-10 months to preserve freshness.
    Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Aromas of lime, pear and green apple infused with sea spray are trailed by some fresh herb and stony mineral notes. The palate is layered with refreshing pear and lime fruits which meld into a back drop of green apple, oyster shell and slatey mineral characters. Gently rounded in it’s feel it has brisk acidity and a lengthy stony mineral laced finish.
    Drink over the next 3-4 years.
    Alc. 12%

    • 96
    • Hot Item
    2023 Wilson DJW Polish Hill River Riesling
    Clare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $23. 99
    Bottle
    $287.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)
    ABV: 12%
    Closure: Stelvin

    The DJW vineyard was planted by John and son Daniel Wilson in 1997. At the time, the aim was to produce additional fruit for the successful Wilson Polish Hill River Riesling but the vineyard had other ideas. From the first vintage it was immediately obvious that the DJW vineyard was quite different from the Polish Hill River vineyard. The grapes and bunches were larger and the vineyard produced a spectrum of flavours that had their own unique qualities. As a consequence a new Riesling was born and was named after the single vineyard from where it originates, the DJW.
    Brilliant water like core with highlights of green around the outskirts. Intense lime juice, lemon and orange rind aromas bound out of the glass with terrific intensity complimented by some talc, green apple and slatey mineral notes. Engulfing the mouth watering palate are concentrated lime juice and citrus flavours which are wrapped up in a chalky texture that carries plenty of volume. Engaging chalky talc, orange rind, wet steel and flinty mineral elements lie underneath. Zingy acidity with a long forceful and highly energised finish.
    Drink over the next 6-8 years.
    Alc. 12%

    • 94
    • Hot Item
    • 93
    • 92
    2022 Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot
    McLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $19. 99
    Bottle
    $239.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)
    ABV: 14.5%
    Closure: Stelvin

    Rich red to black fruits seamlessly integrated within a refined medium bodied structure.

    The 2022 vintage marks 50 years of Wirra Wirra Church Block, the first vintage being produced back in 1972. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Shiraz and 7% Merlot matured for 12 months in a combination of new and seasoned French and American oak barrels.
    Midnight black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Blossoming from the glass are attractive scents of red to black currant, mulberry and red liquorice which are trailed by some vanillin cedar, earth and spice notes. Rich red to black currant, red liquorice and mulberry fruits meld into a vanillin cedar, earth, dried herb and spice back drop. Boasting excellent intensity and a seamlessly integrated fine grained tannin structure it finishes long and refined. One of the best Church Block’s for quite some time.
    Drink over the next 5-6 years.
    Alc. 14.5%

    Other Reviews…..
    A vintage that marks an incoming winemaker and a culling of lesser quality fruit. Cabernet and shiraz, the Aussie archetype. Consummate, medium-bodied and savory, with better tannin management than what I recall of past vintages. Bay leaves, currants and iodine, with licorice tannins serving as gentle directives to good, supple length. An everyday claret for the sophisticate, with a strong maritime feel. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
    93 points
    JamesSuckling.com

    Cabernet Sauvignon (51%) Shiraz (42%) Merlot (7%).
    This release of Wirra Wirra Church Block is on song and in form. It has plenty of flesh and fruit but it’s also firm and dry. It tastes of boysenberry, redcurrant, saltbush and dried herbs, with a gently ferrous-like element running throughout. It’s lovely to drink; solid but supple. Drink 2024-2029+
    92 points
    Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front

    • 91
    • Hot Item
    • Australian Exclusive
    Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (1000ml) - Whiskey Hunt Australia Selection
    Kentucky, UNITED STATES
    $149. 99
    Bottle
    $1799.88 Dozen
    ABV: 45.2%

    Whiskey Hunt Australia's debut with Woodford Reserve comes courtesy of the distillery's owners, Brown Forman. Guided by Woodford's Brand Ambassador, Andy Tsai, in December 2023 the group were invited to choose from three Woodford select profiles. Unlike most WHA releases which have been single cask picks, the Woodford Personal Selection Program asks customers to preference a bourbon that matches their palate, typically based on three distinct distillery 'profiles'. Jack Daniels (also owned by Brown Forman) have a similar approach. No.2 was judged the winner, showcasing aromas of oak shavings, cherry-dark-chocolate and dried peach, complemented by medium bodied flavours of burnt caramel, subtle smoke, orange spice cake and drying oak. True to the Woodford house style, the whiskey was distilled from a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley with 180 one-litre bottles imported to Australia. 45.2% Alc./Vol.

    • 93
    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    Woods 100 Old Navy Rum (1000ml)
    GUYANA
    $129. 99
    Bottle
    $1559.88 Dozen
    ABV: 57%

    Authentic, high-proof Caribbean rum in a super value one litre bottle.

    Guyana is justly famous for its rich, heavy Demerara rums, named for a local river and produced from both pot and column stills. These can be aged for long periods (25-year-old varieties are on the market), but are more frequently used for blending with lighter rums. First served to English sailors in Jamaica in 1655, Woods was created for use by His Majesty's armed forces, remaining a mainstay of British naval life for over 300 years. Now produced at Guyana's Daimond Distillery using black strap molasses and the last wooden stills in the world, the blend contains both pot and (mostly) column distilled rums aged between 1.5 and 3 years. Probably the darkest rum on the market today, this brown sherry to treacle coloured spirit needs time to build on the nose and palate, and despite the mega alcohol is deceptively light on entry, but fans out with fantastic depth, suggesting molasses cake, treacle and liquorice strap before finishing with notes of coffee cake, chico lollies and dark chocolate. Arguably more dry than sweet, without the pronounced 'bitter sweetness' you might expect at this potent strength, it winds up dripping with treacle, molasses cake and chewy oak. The nose is a little shy, and don't go looking for complexity, but it will add a prototypical Demerara quality to Tiki cocktails. Old school sailors will keep it neat or add sweet mixers to taste. 57% alc./vol.

    Other reviews... 4.5 Stars - diffordsguide.com

    Gold Medal - Dark Rum up to 7yo - 2015 The Rum Masters

    • Hot Item
    2011 Worthy Park 11 Year Old Special Cask Series Cognac Cask Jamaica Rum (700ml)
    JAMAICA
    $199. 99
    Bottle
    $2399.88 Dozen
    ABV: 55%

    Cognac would seem to be a complementary match for a rum's secondary maturation, hence this addition to the Special Cask Series. Distilled in the iconic Forsyths Double Retort Pot Still at the Estate in Jamaica in 2011, then tropically aged, the initial 8-year spell in ex-Bourbon wood was followed by a further 3 years in barrels that had previously contained Cognac. Eight casks make up this limited edition release, equating to 1056 bottles world-wide. 55% alc./vol.

    • Hot Item
    2012 Worthy Park 10 Year Old Special Cask Series Calvados Cask Jamaica Rum (700ml)
    JAMAICA
    $189. 99
    Bottle
    $2279.88 Dozen
    ABV: 45%

    The Special Casks Series is a collection of molasses rums distilled, aged and blended at Worthy Park aimed at exploring different secondary maturations. Distilled in 2012 in the Forsyths double retort copper still, in this example, the initial 8-years in ex-bourbon barrels followed time in barrels that had previously contained Calvados (apple brandy) for a further 2 years. Eight barrels were finally blended before bottling without chill filtration in 2022. Expect subtle apple, woody aromas and flavours in an approachable, nuanced sipping rum. 45% Alc./Vol.

    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum (1000ml)
    Kingston, JAMAICA
    $119. 99
    Bottle
    $1439.88 Dozen
    ABV: 63%
    Closure: Screw Cap

    "made by one company that remembers its roots and continues to distil a real rum." - thelonecaner.com

    Ask a native where you could sample J.Wray & Nephew over-proof rum, and they will tell you knock on the door of any household. Such is the legendary status of this spirit that it accounts for 90% of rum sales in Jamaica. Other brands produced under the J.Wray & Nephew name are Captain Morgan, Coruba and the renowned Appleton Estate range. Use this product in classic rum punches with tropical juices. Alternate with flavoured rums and liqueurs for something new. Also great in the traditional Mai Tai and Daiquiri.

    Other reviews... This is the flagship rum from Wray and the rum ... familiar instantly on the nose, with a mixture of citrus and petrol notes, very aromatic with florals and the raw alcoholic notes one expects from an overproof rum. The body is a bit tougher and astringent, slightly charcoal-dusted but otherwise intense with fruit, both citrus and tropical, with overtones of overripe banana, bubble gum, and a touch of eucalyptus on the finish. Surprisingly approachable despite the heavy alcohol level. - drinkhacker.com

    ...I’m not a huge white rum lover but this is as good as I have had.  It will give a massive kick to tiki style cocktails, where it is very often used.  W&N Overproof is very popular and highly regarded amongst bartenders and mixologists. Rightly so as well. The danger in this drink maybe that at 63% its very drinkable.  At the price it is also very good value.  W&N Overproof needs to be evaluated on what it is.  It is a very good white overproof mixer.  It’s availability and price makes it a no-brainer to have on hand. 4/5 stars - thefatrumpirate.com

    ...I have gained a sort of sneaking appreciation for overproofs, including this one, because while it lacks the subtlety of a more refined 40% variation (subtlety? don’t make me laugh…the thing is like a charging brontosaurus on steroids at rutting time), it makes an intense, strong, powerfully tasting mix with whatever you decide to chase it. Try adding cola to a 40% low-ender and then to the White Overproof and try and tell me this one doesn’t have more character, more taste, more…well, cojones. It absolutely is not afraid to charge the gates and get the hell off the reservation.  When you drink J. Wray’s clear hooch, reader, there’s no ifs, ands or buts — you know Elvis has left the building; and didn’t just exit, he took off with rocket-powered, turbo-charged steel-toed boots. And a jet pack.... made by one company that remembers its roots and continues to distil a real rum. - thelonecaner.com

    • 97
    • Hot Item
    • 97
    • 98
    • 98
    • 98
    2021 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon
    Coonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $150. 00
    Bottle
    $1800.00 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 15 Years (2025-2040)
    ABV: 13.5%
    Closure: Stelvin

    One of Coonawarra’s benchmark Cabernets from an outstanding vintage.

    Renown as one of Coonawarra’s benchmark Cabernets, Wynns John Riddoch is made from parcels of the estates best fruit and is only produced in exceptional vintages.
    Outstanding colour featuring an impenetrable inky black heart along with a very deep dark red black hue. Soaring out of the glass are captivating aromas of blackcurrant, liquorice and mulberry which are complimented by vanillin cedar, tobacco, subtle earth, violet and traces of bay leaf. Rich and concentrated yet refined and structured, the medium to full bodied palate is redolent in fleshy red to black currant, liquorice and mulberry fruits. Lending further complexity are spicy vanillin cedar, earth, delicate tobacco and bay leaf accents. Fine grained, sturdily built tannin framework yet quite polished in it’s feel. Marrying finesse with power it finishes very long and eloquent with a deep core of fruit.
    Drink over the next 10-15 years.
    Alc. 13.5%

    Other Reviews….
    16 months French oak hogsheads and barriques (31% new, the balance one to six years old) and 22 months in bottle prior to release. A cacophony of blackberries, Bing cherries and elderberries. Blackcurrant leaf, acaí and prune skin. Black coffee, vanilla pod, ash and charcoal. Acidity wisps about the palate like magic, a mesh of thread-like tannins pull and draw the focus. A hint of dark chocolate bitters; the wine finishes perky with echoing tunes of granite. It's just so centered and chic. Pure cabernet poise. Drink by 2038.
    98 Points
    Shanteh Wale – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

    The 2021 John Riddoch Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon is a brilliant wine. It is achingly intense yet is defined by its levity, which is not a common attribute in Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine expounds the virtues of the red gravel in which the fruit was grown, via its iodine and crushed shells, cassis and blood, sweet marrow and tobacco. It tastes so clearly of the place, which is a wonderful thing. The back palate swells with flavor, framed by the earth and the attuned oak. This is a tribute to the earth, an ode to it. Plentiful tannins bob along on the current of fruit. This will cellar interminably. It's up there in both quality and feel with the 2010, or so I think. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2024-2051.
    98 Points
    Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

    One of the best vintages in Coonawarra for many years. Little wonder this release of the John Riddoch is one of the best since the initial release from the 1982 vintage. Aromas of violets and red berry with a slightly cherry glaze character adding further intrigue. The palate is medium weight and refined but with tremendous power and persistence. A combination of hogsheads and barriques has been used to deliver the perfect level of oak. One of the best of these I can recall. Drink 2024-2054.
    98 Points
    Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com

    This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Wynns John Riddoch is stylish and built for the long haul. It takes a couple of days to show its true colors. It radiates with blackcurrant, gravel and dried mint aromas, with a dusting of earth all wrapped up in a gentle blanket of French oak. Composed and super refined, the wine is underpinned by a line of seductive yet firm tannins with killer length and balance to finish. It is already very approachable but with serious staying power. Drink 2030-2045.
    97 Points
    Angus Hughson - Vinous

    • 97
    • Hot Item
    2022 Yalumba Paradox Shiraz
    Barossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $46. 99
    Bottle
    $563.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)
    ABV: 14%
    Closure: Stelvin

    One of Yalumba’s distinguished site wines, the Paradox is sourced from the Northern Barossa and is made with an emphasis on velvet like texture and the use of less new oak than many of its counterparts. Maturation taking place in French oak puncheons, with only 8% new oak employed, for a period of 17 months.

    Rich, expansive and enveloping, this marries Barossa opulence with a gorgeously refined finish.

    Magnificent colour featuring a super saturated inky black core and a deep black dark red hue. Seducing the olfactory senses are captivating blackberry, liquorice and dark plum aromas which interact with delicately smoked vanillin cedar, fennel, dark chocolate and peppered earth notes. Rich, silky and concentrated across the full bodied yet perfectly proportioned palate is a sumptuous flow of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Undertones of spicy vanillin cedar, subtle scorched earth, dark chocolate and peppered fennel lend further interest. Boasting fantastic power and depth yet not heavy handed in it’s feel, it has velvet smooth tannins and a long, opulent yet gorgeously refined finish.
    Drink over the next 6-8 years.
    Alc. 14%

    • 97
    • Hot Item
    • 96
    • 97
    2022 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
    Barossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 15 Years (2025-2040)
    ABV: 14.5%
    Closure: Cork

    A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz first produced in 1962, Yalumba’s Signature pays homage each vintage to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba. The 2022 vintage’s signatory is Yalumba’s Executive Director of Sales for Australia & New Zealand, Paul Midolo. This year’s release marks the 51st vintage of Yalumba The Signature.
    From vines with an average age of 49 years the 2021 Signature is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Shiraz with maturation taking place in a combination of French barriques and Hungarian hogsheads (21% of which was new oak) for a period of 18 months.

    Deep and powerful yet finessed, this is Yalumba Signature at it’s finest.

    Inky black heart with a deep dark purple black tinged hue. Unfurling from the glass in what is a wonderful show of both refinement and intensity is a mix of red to black currant, liquorice and mulberry scents trailed by some vanillin cedar, tobacco, earth and faint bay leaf notes. Rich red plum, red to black currant, liquorice and mulberry fruits flow eloquently across the medium to full bodied palate. Piquing further interest and complexity are spicy vanillin cedar, subtle tobacco, earthy dark chocolate and bay leaf accents. Deep and powerful yet finessed it has a sturdy fine grained tannin structure that bodes well for longer term cellaring. Finishes very long, sophisticated and elegant.
    Drink over the next 10-15 years.
    Alc. 14.5%

    Other Reviews....
    Yalumba's famous Signature cabernet sauvignon and shiraz blend has a strong pedigree when it comes to cellaring and the 2022 release will certainly carry on long into the future. The fruit density and purity here are impressive. Blackberry, doris plum and black cherry tones, their flow elegant and graceful across the palate with hints of spice, cedar, tobacco, pencil shavings, roasting meats, dried herbs and olive tapenade. Fine-grained tannins are in abundance and there is an extended finish that rolls on and on. It's a super release. Drink by 2054.
    96 Points
    Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

    The 2022 The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is so pretty—floral, red fruited and fine. This is a beautiful iteration of this wine. Ironically, there's a coastal freshness about it—kelp, brine, crushed shells—given it is nowhere near the coast. It's capacious and mineral and so fresh. The tannins are fine and neat, and the wine has incredible focus and line through the long finish. It's very impressive, potentially one of my favorite releases of this wine to date. It has wholly Barossa fruit this vintage. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. Drink 2025-2052.
    97 points
    Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

    • 95
    • Hot Item
    • 95
    2023 Yalumba Vine Vale Grenache - Last Stocks
    Barossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $34. 99
    Bottle
    $419.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)
    ABV: 14%
    Closure: Stelvin

    This old vine Grenache was crafted from two blocks on Yalumba’s Tri-Centenary Vineyard, planted in 1949 and 1929 located in the tiny Barossa Valley sub region of Vine Vale. The two blocks were wild fermented separately - the first 40% whole bunch, the second 33% whole bunch fruit. Maturation took place in older French oak puncheons for a period of 6 months.
    Dark red core with black shaded edges and a bright red hue. Alluring red to dark raspberry, cherry and red liquorice aromas infused with hints of dried clove and graphite sail through the nostrils followed by some peppered earth end notes. Juicy red to dark raspberry, cherry and liquorice fruits overlay a dried herb and peppered earth back drop. Polished tannins finishing long, fresh and succulent.
    Drink over the next 6-8 years.
    Alc. 14%

    Other Reviews…..
    Of all the wines in the Yalumba Grenache collection, for me, this is the value pick. A cracking wine which is seriously good buying. The fruit comes from old bush vines which were planted in 1929 and 1949 in the Tri-Centenary Vineyard in Vine Vale. The two blocks were harvested for the wine, with the first seeing 40% whole bunch fermentation and the second 33%. A garnet/crimson colour, the nose is utterly gorgeous. This is Grenache on steroids. Strawberries and cream, florals, bergamot, spices and cherries. Take everything that is good about Grenache and it is jam-packed into this wine. It also offers that typical Grenache tannin mix of silky and sandy. Showing good balance and length, this is a superb example of a top-notch Barossa Grenache. Drink now and for the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032.
    95 points
    Ken Gargett - WinePilot.com

    • 94
    • Hot Item
    • Biodynamic
    • Organic
    2024 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Circle Blewitt Springs Field Blend
    McLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $23. 99
    Bottle
    $287.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)
    ABV: 13.5%
    Closure: Stelvin

    A juicy, youthfully vibrant Rhone blend that finishes fresh and succulent.

    A blend of 70% Grenache, 17% Carignan, 10% Counoise, 2% Cinsault and 1% Mourvedre. Vibrant dark red core with black toned edges and a bright purple red tinged hue. Alluring red to dark raspberry, red liquorice and plum scents intermingle with whiffs of fresh herbs, vanillin confectionary and delicate peppered earth notes. Light to medium weight, juicy and possessing a youthful vibrancy, red raspberry, red liquorice and red plum fruits overlay dried herb, subtle scorched earth and pepper elements. Smooth, seamlessly integrated tannins finishing fresh and succulent.
    Drink over the next 3-4 years.
    Alc. 13.5%

    • 95
    • Hot Item
    • 95
    • Organic
    • Biodynamic
    2024 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Circle Blewitt Springs Grenache
    McLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $23. 99
    Bottle
    $287.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)
    ABV: 14%
    Closure: Stelvin

    Yangarra Estate’s Circle Collection is a new range of entry-level wines that focus on Southern Rhone varietals. Made from younger vines they are uber delicious fruit driven wines that deliver fantastic value.

    An explosive, super juicy Grenache that makes for highly addictive drinking.

    Deep dark purple red core with black shaded edges and a bright purple hue. The wonderfully fragrant nose is singing with red to dark raspberry, violet, red liquorice and blueberry scents. Subtle fresh herb and peppered earth notes are also evident. Super juicy and intensely flavoured, rich red to dark raspberry, red liquorice and cherry fruits explode across the exuberant palate with delicate infusions of dried herbs, scorched earth and pepper the undercard. Magnificent power and silky tannins with fresh acidity lending an energetic feel to the long super succulent finish. Highly addictive drinking over the next 5-6 years.
    Alc. 14%

    Other Reviews....
    This is the younger vine bottling, coming mainly off vines planted in '08. Up to three weeks on skins; maturation in steel and old puncheons and foudre. This is a nice foil to the Old Vine bottling, showing what relatively youthful vines can do on this great site. There’s an open red-berried and cherry fruitfulness, with red florals supported by savoury spice and a foundation of purposeful natural tannin. This doesn’t have the mineral depth of the Old Vine, but the fruit vibrancy and exuberance yield their own rewards. Drink by 2030.
    95 Points
    Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

    • 95
    • Hot Item
    • 95
    2023 Yering Station Chardonnay
    Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $36. 99
    Bottle
    $443.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)
    ABV: 13.2%
    Closure: Stelvin

    The site of Victoria’s first vineyard, the Rathbone Family have built Yering Station into one of Yarra Valley’s leading estates. This brilliantly composed Chardonnay sees maturation in a mix of new (22%) to 6 year old French oak puncheons for a period of 8 months.

    A beautifully refined and sophisticated Yarra Valley Chardonnay.

    Brilliant pale straw colour with subtle green highlights around the outskirts and a watery hue. Ascending through the olfactory senses are delightful aromas of white peach, nectarine and dried honey which are complimented by hints of biscuity oak, citrusy nougat and spice. Mid weighted and nicely fleshed, the palate features white peach and nectarine fruits over a dried honey, biscuity nougat, cashew and spice back drop. Showing ample freshness and a gently creamed feel it finishes long and refined.
    Drink over the next 4-5 years.
    Alc. 13.2%

    Other Reviews…..
    Barrel fermented and matured in puncheons (22% new). No mlf. Bright green gold. A touch richer and more complex than the very good Village Chardonnay. An attractive nose of stone fruits, orange blossoms and grilled nuts leads onto the palate, which has good depth and persistence. There's a little orange pith on the long, refreshing finish. Drink by 2029.
    95 points
    Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

    Matured in 500L puncheons for 8 months of which 22% was new oak. Golden peach and nectarine flesh, sunflower and kernel. Lemon aspen and pineapple nectar. Summer frangipani blooms. Like a giving tree this wine bestows without being buxom and relying on oak for its breadth. It’s pure fruit heaven. Picked with free flowing acidity and supported by vanilla cake and grated nutmeg oak nuances. It’s still light on its feet but will satisfy the chardonnay drinker who chooses wine based on taste and substance. Serve alongside a homemade salmon quiche.
    95 points
    Shanteh Wale – WinePilot.com

    • Hot Item
    The Macallan Classic Cut 2023 Edition & Kilchoman Sanaig 2024 Edition Cask Strength Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky Bundle Buy (2x700ml)
    SCOTLAND
    $330. 00
    Bottle
    $3960.00 Dozen

    Save $100 plus get free delivery to most of Australia when you purchase Macallan Classic Cut 2023 and Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength together!

    Notes on Macallan Classic Cut: Macallan's cask strength 2023 edition was matured in ex-Bourbon American oak and sherry seasoned European oak casks. The Master Distiller comments, at full strength the prominent character of the spirit is pear. When ‘one cut’ of water is added, the strength is reduced to around 40%, and almond biscotti steps forward as the keynote. 50.3% Alc./Vol.

    Notes on Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength... Sanaig and Machir Bay are Kilchoman’s two core products, but only the latter has had the honour of an occasional cask strength release. Prospective samples of Sanaig were floated during a 2021 Feis Isle virtual tasting. No release date was ever suggested and the label had to wait until November 2024 to finally get its own natural-strength iteration. Looking at the colour, you might think they've mistakenly filled the bottle with Loch Gorm. That's down to a high proportion of x-Oloroso sherry casks (the remaining 30% are x-Bourbon). Essentially, this release uses the same recipe as the regular Sanaig, however, we can assume casks have been cherry-picked, then bottled uncut as opposed to the regular release strength of 46% ABV. Impressive from the get go, through that’s fairly standard praise for Kilchoman, the bouquet kicks off with menthol rub, iodine, damp earth and wood smoke with bitter peel and dark chocolate in tow. Creamy on entry, then catapults into a full-throttle mid palate attack, keynotes being cocoa, Oloroso sherry and sweet peat. Bracing spices and alcohol give this a drying, bittersweet finale, trailing off with pepper, elastoplast and nutty chocolate. Feels like there's more sherry influence than your standard Sanaig. Either way, it's an absolute blast for Islay fans. No outturn is stated, but the Australian allocations are likely in the hundreds rather than the thousands. 57.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 95 points

    Other reviews...  From this Islay-based distillery comes an annual expression matured in both sherry and bourbon casks. Smoke on the nose, Grape-Nuts, tasty peat smoke, and barbecue. The palate has heat but is flavorful and not at all spiky, showing pleasant flavors of raspberry compote and an earthy note of pipe tobacco. The finish is long, with red berries, smoke, and peat embers. Smoky, with lively fruit notes that rise above the peat. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    • Hot Item
    • Reduced
    Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Islay, SCOTLAND
    Reduced from $119.99
    $99. 99
    Bottle
    $1199.88 Dozen
    ABV: 40%

    Other reviews... An undisclosed single malt from Islay, 25% of which was finished 1st fill oloroso sherry octaves. The name is very 'Atom', while, conversely, I believe 1992 is on the phone asking for its bottling strength back. Colour: gold. Nose: but what's this? An OB Laphroaig 10yo from circa 2002? This very particular aroma of iodine, hessian, seawater and cough medicines. Extremely easy and rather nicely attuned to a very specific aroma of 'peat smoke' in the most classical sense. I find it disconcertingly charming. Mouth: it is probably the bottling strength, but this really does feel like drinking a decent batch of OB Laphroaig 10. There's a few citrus fruits, soft peat smoke and rather a lot of wet rocks and medical embrocations. I have to say, it's quite a lot of fun. Finish: medium, perhaps a tad short, but still nicely medicinal, on iodine, light TCP notes and good old peat smoke. Comments: There's a lot about this that, on paper, I probably shouldn't enjoy because it goes against the modern geek code - whatever that is. But this is actually a rather clever and very good, easy quaffing wee Islay dram. Someone at Beam should go check the Laph 10yo vatting tank for syphons though… either that or Atom have developed cloning technology. If that's the case, do they take requests? Shotgun Bowmore Bouquet! 85 points - whiskyfun.com

    • Hot Item
    • Reduced
    Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks & Cask Strength 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Islay, SCOTLAND
    Reduced from $179.99
    $159. 99
    Bottle
    $1919.88 Dozen
    ABV: 54.9%

    Peat and sherry are a great combo, and if you've tasted similar expressions from the Elements of Islay range, you'll already know that the team behind Atom Brands tend to do it very well. This is understood to be the cask strength version of the Seaweed & Aeons 10 year old Sherry Cask edition, featuring the same smoky Islay single malt, though instead of just 25% of it being finished in sherry casks, the entirety of the whisky was. Around 1200 units are offered per batch, this one landing at 54.9% Alc./Vol. and bottled without chill filtration.

    Other reviews... [Batch 2 tasted] This one is full sherry finished. Colour: orangey amber. Nose: a notable gear shift, this is much creamier and displays a more velvety smokiness. Resinous hardwoods, smoked teas, verbena, eucalyptus, tea tree oil and smoked meats. The sherry sits behind the peat and doesn't feel too jarring, it's rather more about wood spice and peat smoke together I would say. With water: softer spice tones, coal dust, bonfire embers and this impression of medicinal herbs. Mouth: a similarly easy arrival, all on soft wood spices, smoked teas, sweet peat smoke, natural tars, wood resins, putty and aniseed. More impressions of herbal cough syrups and things like hessian and wormwood. I like it a lot but it strays very close to being a little too wood-dominant for me. With water: not too sure with water, I think it loses a little definition and the alignment between peat and wood goes slightly awry. There's still plenty of sooty and peaty 'oomph' about it though. Finish: rather long, all menthol tobaccos, bitter herbal extracts, spices, liquorice and tar. Comments: this one veers about quite a lot. Lots of emphatic, peaty pleasures to be had, but for me the wood is a tad too much here. However if you enjoy this rather creamy, spicy modern wood-forward style then you'll probably have a blast. Quite clever wee concoctions these Seaweed things, I would say. 86 points - whiskyfun.com

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Oatcakes, vegetal peat, hot Ribena, assorted BBQ meats, molasses, clove-studded orange, and just a hint of chocolate mousse. Palate: Cinder toffee, cinnamon, peat still shining through, a slow build of red grape and jammy raisin, with some citrus lift. A subtle touch of singed hay later on. Finish Meaty malt returns, with warm oak in support. The red grape tannins continue and last on the finish. Overall: A top expression that shows what can happen when peat and sherry meet without clashing against each other.

    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    1998 A.D. Rattray Vintage Cask Collection Auchentoshan 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Lowlands, SCOTLAND
    $499. 00
    Bottle
    $5988.00 Dozen
    ABV: 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. This brand 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, with elegant notes of green tea and white nut, underpinned by bold, ripe fruit flavours.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.  

    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    2009 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Knockdhu 15 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $139. 99
    Bottle
    $1679.88 Dozen
    ABV: 52.4%

    Knockdhu is better known as AnCnoc. Its dainty, fruity spirit spent 13 months of secondary maturation in a Moscatel wine barrique. Expect subtle orchard fruit notes from the original Bourbon wood maturation, and something a little sweet and tropical from the latter. 322 bottles were produced. 52.4% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.

    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    2011 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Balblair 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $149. 99
    Bottle
    $1799.88 Dozen
    ABV: 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 Balbalir is defined by dried fruit notes. European oak typically imparts a greater spice and depth of character than soft, sweet American oak. Combined with a high strength expression, you can expect a big'un! 604 bottles produced. 57.4% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.

    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. 

    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    Aberlour Casg Annamh Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Batch 8
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $119. 99
    Bottle
    $1439.88 Dozen
    ABV: 48%

    Proof positive that high ABV and zero chill filtration makes a world of difference.

    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 makes a world of difference. 48% Alc./Vol.

    • 96
    • Hot Item
    • 95
    • Reduced
    2023 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay
    Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    Reduced from $32.99
    $29. 99
    Bottle
    $359.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)
    ABV: 13%
    Closure: Stelvin

    Rich and gently creamy in its feel with a long, refined finish.

    Fermented and matured on lees for a period of 7 months in a mix of seasoned and new French oak barriques, puncheons and vats. Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Delightful nose with aromas of white peach, nectarine, dried honey and cashew streaming out of the glass. Notions of biscuity nougat and spice also chime in for additional nuance. Rich and gently creamed in its flow across the palate, flavours of white peach, nectarine and dried honey are featured over a cashew, biscuity nougat and spice back drop. Beautifully balanced acidity finishing long, refined and shapely.
    Drink over the next 4-5 years.
    Alc. 13%

    Other Reviews....
    Barrel fermented and matured in a combination of seasoned and new French oak barriques, puncheons and vats. A light, bright green gold. Gee, Andrew Fleming and the team have a lovely touch when it comes to making chardonnay. Gentle aromas of nashi, just-ripened nectarines and a hint of vanillin spice. The palate has good mid-palate intensity, juicy acidity and a long, even finish. A steal at this price, really. Drink by 2028.
    95 Points
    Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

    • 95
    • Hot Item
    • 95
    • Reduced
    2023 Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir
    Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    Reduced from $32.99
    $29. 99
    Bottle
    $359.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)
    ABV: 13%
    Closure: Stelvin

    Supple and moreish, this is seductive Yarra Valley Pinot at it’s best.

    Situated in the picturesque Yarra Valley, Coldstream Hills was established in 1985 by James and Suzanne Halliday. The fruit for this wine was sourced from low yielding vineyards in the Lower and Upper Yarra Valley with a variety of handling and fermentation techniques, including the use of whole bunches employed. Maturation took place in a combination of seasoned and new French oak for a period of 8 months.
    Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red to dark red hue. Perfumed like nose with aromas of violet, dark cherry, strawberry and anise followed by hints of spicy cedar, dried herbs and forest floor. Moreish red to dark cherry, strawberry and subtle anise flavours are supplely draped across the palate. Spicy vanillin cedar, delicate dried herb infusions and forest floor elements extend across the back half. Expansive and possessing more than ample power, it has velvet smooth tannins and a long seductive finish.
    Drink over the next 5-6 years.
    Alc. 13%

    Other Reviews…..
    Some whole bunches and matured in a combination of seasoned and new oak (25%). A very bright crimson. Gorgeous aromatics redolent of picked red cherries, wild strawberry and potpourri. Equally vibrant and energetic on the palate, it's so well balanced that, while delicious now, it will continue improving for quite a few years to come. That it's so well priced is the icing on the cake. Drink by 2031.
    95 Points
    Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

    • Hot Item
    • 86
    • 93
    • Reduced
    Evan Williams Bottled in Bond 100 Proof Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)
    Kentucky, UNITED STATES
    Reduced from $89.99
    $56. 99
    Bottle
    $683.88 Dozen
    ABV: 50%

    "a serious step up from the last time I tasted this... Excellent." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024

    According to more than one taster, don't let the age and cheap price of this Bourbon fool you. Instead, get ready to be pleasantly surprised. Like other BIBs, this 100 proof version of the world's second largest selling Bourbon is aged under U.S. Government supervision to meet the standards first enacted by Congress in 1897. Bottled-in-Bond guarantees quality and assures consumers the product is at exactly 100 proof, the result of one distilling season at one distillery, aged at least four years, and clearly labelled with name of the distillery who made it.

    Other reviews... a fresh, simple aroma relying heavily on heather honey topped with liquorice. A super salivating delivery with the spices upfront and early... and determined to linger. A satisfying corn lick which does nothing to diminish the good work of those spices or deter the late, light, toasty molasses; a serious step up from the last time I tasted this. A few honey barrels found there way into this dumping. The complexity of the spices is on a different level altogether. Excellent. 93.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024

    Beautiful nose of peanut brittle, caramel crème candy, mint syrup, and dusty leather. A very approachable whiskey with a generous palate teeming with notes of creamed corn, cinnamon rock candy, and a slight whiff of campfire smoke. 91 points - Excellent, Highly Recommended - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2021

    ...Some bourbons are balanced or complex; this is an all-around versatile pour with initial notes of lightly toasted oak, brown sugar, and butterscotch. A fun maltiness, concentrated caramel, and slight hints of cinnamon and watermelon Juicy Fruit hammer home its sipping potential, but its short to medium finish suggests that it’s more suited for cocktails. But hey, why not both? 86 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Fred Minnick 2017

    • 96
    • Hot Item
    • 93
    • 95
    Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)
    Kentucky, UNITED STATES
    $109. 99
    Bottle
    $1319.88 Dozen
    ABV: 50%

    "...you can buy me a dozen of these roses any day of the week." - breakingbourbon.com

    If you're a Bourbon drinker whose still not familiar with Four Roses, then your time has come. The brand dates back to the 1860s and was one of the few to survive Prohibition, becoming the best-selling bourbon in the U.S. through the 1930s and '50s. Decades later it was an export-only product and became difficult to procure until 2002, when Japanese brewing giant, Kirin purchased the Four Roses brand and re-introduced it to the United States.

    The distillery is unique in that it uses five different yeast strains and two mash bills to create ten distinct whiskies based on ten different 'recipes'. The strain used for the Single Barrel bottlings is Four Roses' version “V” which is described as "delicately fruity, spicy, and creamy." The recipe here is referred to as 'OBSV' (60% corn, 35% rye and 5% malted barley) which emphasises delicate fruit and rye flavours. Ages vary, but will always fall somewhere between 7-9 years. Regardless, the aim is to bottle when the whiskeys are deemed to have reached their peak. Each release is individually marked with a warehouse and barrel number which is not predictable and subject to change. It's also part of the fun: No two barrels create identical bourbons, thus the single barrel concept provides the opportunity to appreciate and compare whiskies from different barrels and warehouse locations.

    Our tasting of barrel RN 8-4R (and several subsequent bottlings) has found the quality to be consistently high and true to style. Four Roses Single Barrel kicks off with a robust Bourbon sniff; a dense core of vanilla custard and caramel fudge overlaid with peppermint, balsa wood, cocoa and hints of cherry. At 50% ABV, the whiskey is concentrated yet controlled with razor sharp sweet/dry balance; a burst of vanillan oak, honey and spiced peach are offset by a tangy, vibrant finish. Glace cherry is followed by late mint freshness. The poise and length are close enough to perfect, delivering as complete a Bourbon as you could expect to find in its category. That high standard was recently confirmed at the 2024 World Whisky Awards where it was judged World's Best Single Barrel Bourbon, Best Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon. Brent Elliott, Master Distiller commented "Hand-selecting each barrel is a meticulous process, so to be highly awarded in both the Single Barrel and Small Batch Bourbon categories is an extraordinary honor." More reviews below.

    Other reviews... brilliantly flinty nose with the Demerara sugars positively crunching under the sniff. Light golden syrup fits the bill perfectly. An immediate small grain explosion of the very highest calibre. Adorable spices wade into the sugary mix. Though there, the liquorice-hickory combination is happy to take a back seat to the heather honey; Can't get enough of that developing chocolate. The best Four Roses I have tasted in a very long time. Complexity levels are off the charts and the sugar-spice balance just can't be bettered. As breath taking as it is majestic. 95.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024

    This gently honeyed bottling is a very good example of the distillery looking tough...but being a real sweetie. 92 points - Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2023

    ...Full of flavor, regularly available on shelves, and a reasonable price… you can buy me a dozen of these roses any day of the week. I found this bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel OBSV to be spicier than the Four Roses Small Batch, which I normally find to be a subtle balance of sweet and I often describe as a good beginner bourbon. I’d say a good description for the standard Single Barrel offering, is that it’s the grown-up version of their small batch product. The flavor is fuller, the finish is longer... - breakingbourbon.com

    ...'This big, sweet, warming bourbon strikes all the right chords. Sizzling sweet corn meets generous oak, like dusty old books, but the bright peach nectar, wet walnuts, and vibrant spice beam through in abundance. Unctuous and concentrated on the palate, it evokes cinnamon-dusted peach pie, with hints of clove and pepper on the finish. A solid and seamless whiskey, with fruit, floral, oak, and spice in perfect harmony. 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    Double Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023

    • 91
    • Hot Item
    • 95
    • Reduced
    Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)
    Kentucky, UNITED STATES
    Reduced from $94.99
    $79. 99
    Bottle
    $959.88 Dozen
    ABV: 45%

    The Four Roses distillery is located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky on the banks of the Salt River in Anderson County. The distillery has a unique Spanish Mission-style architecture rarely seen in Kentucky and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The company attributes their products quality to several factors: A unique Limestone water source, the spring-fed Salt River; a high quality grain source (Four Roses are the only distillery using the same grain source for 45 years, paying a premium for quality); Two Mash Bills in daily production - one mash bill contains significantly more rye than any other Bourbon, resulting in a spicy, full-bodied taste; and five proprietary yeast strains, each producing uniquely different flavours.

    Tasting note: Polished brass gold. Aromas of lamington cake and cherry ripe interchange with peppermint and drying oak as damp cedar wood enters. Lots of American oak input in the mouth: anise infused honey, cocoa and cherry ripe. A splash of minty-rye to finish. Rounds off finely tannic/peppery with hints of Turkish Delight and caramel fudge in the aftertaste. Youthful, but surprises with its complexity. Solid value if you're looking for a rye-heavy Bourbon. 45% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... A hugely satisfying, high quality bourbon. Undisputed class. 95 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022

    • 94
    • Hot Item
    • Limit One per customer
    Hampden Estate HLCF Classic 4 Year Old Jamaican Rum (700ml)
    JAMAICA
    $169. 99
    Bottle
    $2039.88 Dozen
    ABV: 60%

    "...young Ardbeg in Jamaica." - whiskyfun.com

    HLCF stands for "Hampden Light Continental Flavored", and is one of the marks that are produced at Hampden Estate for those rums with a high concentration of esters, i.e. from 400 to 700 gr / hlpa - depending on your source. Despite its potency, the profile here is relatively relaxed. Fruit-forward in the initial inhalations, moving from ripe papaya to overripe bananas, countered by a bitter dark chocolate note, the theme continues in a supple delivery with an unmistakably Jamaican stamp; dried pineapple, mango chews, pepper heat and a mild spike of alcohol are followed by residual notes of candle wax and struck match as well as more creamy mango and 'funk' that serves to heighten the experience. Fully tropically aged for four years with nothing added before bottling at 60%, it's another wonderfully expressive Hampden that resonates a sense of place. Very limited stocks.

    Other reviews... There used to be an excellent 7 yo 'Overproof' at 60% vol. but it looks like this new one's lost any age statements. (UPDATE it's a 4 yo 2017). HLCF means 500-700 grams esters per HLPA. Colour: white wine. Nose: once again, this has far more brine and acetone, more earth as well, olive oil, tarragon, a really salty and acidic style on the nose but at 60% it's hard to get a proper full picture. With water: a lovely earthiness and some big rubber. New wellies, all sizes, plus touches of strawberry gums, a thing that's related to some yeasts and that would go away over the years, I've been told. Nutshell, pears and strawberries mean really young spirit. Mouth (neat): very pungent, very salty, with echoes of the most extreme finos de Jerez. With water: pure brine, liquorice, lemon and tar, perhaps a little minimalistic but we do enjoy Bauhaus sprits. Finish: long and even saltier. Rubbery signature, with tinned anchovies. Comments: young Ardbeg in Jamaica. 87 points - whiskyfun.com

    • 93
    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    2014 Lady of the Glen Ardmore Single Cask #944 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $149. 99
    Bottle
    $1799.88 Dozen
    ABV: 57.1%

    The famously peated Highlander gets a first-fill oloroso finish. Shy, fruity and floral-soft to start, faint phenols mingle with the sherry to give the impression of roasted nuts and sweet hay. Flips on the palate delivering a wonderfully textural, mouth-filling malt, laced with chimney soot, the oily residue leaves way for a fruity-malt-forward experience, and as the peat accentuates over time, the complexity keeps you coming back. Out of the ordinary. 313 bottles at 57.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

    Notes from the bottlers... Chocolate raisin, coffee grounds, honey on toast.

    • 97
    • Hot Item
    • 95
    2023 Ministry of Clouds Riesling
    Clare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $29. 99
    Bottle
    $359.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)
    ABV: 12.5%
    Closure: Stelvin

    After almost three decades of shared experience in the wine industry, Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood decided to have a crack at their own venture sourcing fruit mainly from high quality vineyards in McLaren Vale to produce wines under their Ministry of Clouds label. Further broadening their portfolio they also added other varieties including Riesling from the Clare Valley.

    2023 was the third year in a row to experience a cool growing season in the Clare Valley resulting in intensely flavoured Rieslings with healthy natural acidity and exceptional length. 93% of the grapes were sourced from the terrarossa/ red loam laid over limestone of the renowned Watervale subregion often referred to as "The Golden Mile", with picking times staggered to retain natural acidity. The balance was sourced from the lean, hungry and rocky soils characteristic of the cooler and later ripening hills of Penwortham.

    A glorious explosion of scrumptious lime and citrus fruit.

    Surrounding the brilliant water like core are distinct highlights of green. Intense aromas of lime, citrus and orange rind soar out the glass combining with talc, green apple and chalky mineral notes along the way. The explosive, super scrumptious palate sees lime and citrus fruits burst across it with terrific force, concentration and textural volume. Green apple, orange rind, chalky talc and flinty mineral characters ensue. Juicy, mouth watering acidity finishing exceptionally long, pure and crunchy.
    Drink over the next 5-6 years.
    Alc. 12.5%

    Other Reviews….
    Watervale and Penwortham. I sat down to taste these wines with co-winemaker Julian Forwood, and I said, this smells of lavender, and he was quite happy about that.
    Pretty, perfumed, lavender, and pink grapefruit, lime. Juicy, firm powdery texture, pure and long, with a cinch of refreshing tonic bitterness. The mouth-feel of it is excellent, but not at the expense of purity and classic expression of Clare Riesling. Top shelf. Drink 2023-2033+
    95 points
    Gary Walsh – The Wine Front

    • 90
    • Hot Item
    • 92
    • Reduced
    Mortlach The Katana's Edge (Special Release 2023) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    Reduced from $349.99
    $250. 00
    Bottle
    $3000.00 Dozen
    ABV: 58%

    Artists were commissioned to create artwork for each of the Diageo Special Releases in 2023, the labels aspiring to be “visual tasting notes, placing the expression at the centre of the experience and exploring the flavours that emerge from the local spirit casks.” In the example of Mortlach, it was finished in ex-Kanosuke casks (and x-Pinot Noir casks) with artwork by Japanese illustrator, Kouzou Sakia. A typically chewy, brawny Mortlach sporting flavours of digestif biscuits, Monte Carlos and hints of lamingtons, like several others in this series, the alcohol is a little piercing without water. Keeping in mind that our sample was just 20ml, the overall impression was that the wine maturation doesn't really complement the distillate, which usually works best from sherry casks. 58% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... This is a proper Mortlach, with plenty of muscle behind the beautiful sweet fruity complexity. Fragrant spices, cherry syrup, Red Vines, jellied fruit, ripe melon, hard candies, and dried pear aromas. Flavors of sweet vanilla, savory baked ham, baked apple, citrus peel, layers of spice, dried fruits, creamy fondant, milk chocolate, and peppermint oil. The finish gives you a warm glow down to your toes. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    • 97
    • Hot Item
    2021 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
    Margaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $139. 99
    Bottle
    $1679.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 15 Years (2024-2039)
    ABV: 14%
    Closure: Stelvin

    A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot with maturation taking place in French oak of which 16% was new.
    Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Delightful red to black currant, mulberry and subtle violet scents flow from the glass with plenty of intensity trailed by vanillin cedar, delicate earthy tobacco and bay leaf notes. Rich red to black currant, red liquorice and mulberry fruits decorate the mid weighted palate and carry with them a silky feel. Exceptionally polished tannins are seamlessly integrated within the wines structure. Showing ample freshness, notions of red cherry, vanillin cedar, light tobacco and bay leaf lie underneath. A refined and understated Moss Wood, finishing long and powerful yet eloquent.
    Drink over the next 10-15 years.
    Alc. 14%

    Other Reviews....
    One of Australia’s great cabernets. This from a cooler season highlights and accentuates the typical bright red fruits and blue fruit mix, especially on the nose. It’s aromatic and perfumed with an African violet scent. The palate as always is so exquisitely balanced and refined. Since 1989 the cabernet has been augmented with the floral bright fruit of cabernet franc and the darker robust black fruits of petit verdot. The palate delivers with a gentle restraint yet there is power deep within. The chalky tannins define a long and focussed finish. A deceptive medium bodied wine that will cellar for many years.
    98 points
    Ray Jordan

    Deep garnet red in the glass, very youthful, inky and opaque. Lovely lifted aromas of cassis, bramble, dried herbs, pencil shavings and nutty oak, wonderfully complex and incredibly evocative. Powerful on the palate, lashings of blackcurrant, mulberry, blackberry and cedar. This is quintessential Margaret River cabernet, not too heavy or angular, just the right amount of sinewy, shapely tannin working superbly with a very pure drive of fruit and delivering fabulous length. Destined for a long and glorious life.
    97 Points
    Aaron Brasher – The Real Review

    A wine of stunning presence, the engaging bouquet shows dark berry, thyme, star anise, rich floral and cedar characters. The palate is both concentrated and seamless with outstanding weight and depth, wonderfully framed by finely infused chalky tannins. This is symphonic with grace and style, promising to evolve magnificently. At its best: 2029 to 2046.
    97 points
    Sam Kim – Wine Orbit

    The Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon is always one of Margaret River’s best and this latest release is no exception. From the sub-region of Wilyabrup, the blend is 95% Cabernet, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Not the easiest vintage in the region, the team overcame any and all obstacles. Maturation was in 228 litre French oak barrels, 16% of which were new. Deep garnet, this is an immaculate and classic Margaret River Cabernet. Aromas weave through florals, cassis, soy, aniseed, blackfruits, beefstock and graphite. An elegant style, there is good energy here, with serious focus and an immaculate balance, as well as a lovely lingering finish. The palate sees more chocolate and cherry notes emerging. Silky tannins and very good length. Drink over the next ten to twenty years.
    97 points
    Ken Gargett - WinePilot.com

    • 95
    • Hot Item
    • Reduced
    2022 Mr Riggs Outpost Coonawarra Cabernet - Last Stocks
    Coonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    Reduced from $21.99
    $19. 99
    Bottle
    $239.88 Dozen
    Cellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)
    ABV: 14.5%
    Closure: Stelvin

    Ben Riggs sourced the fruit for this excellent Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Coonawarra’s top growers - Michael Wetherall’s, Wetherall Estate. From two premium vineyards on the estate that are a combination of terra rossa and sandy loam soils, the sites are located at the northern end of the region and are traditionally some of the earlier ripening blocks that deliver lower yields but excellent concentration. Picked on different days and from different blocks to allow for optimum ripening and multiple blending options, parcels of fruit for this Cabernet were separately fermented in 5 tonne open fermenters. On skin fermentation was completed before pressings were sent to barrel to complete fermentation in a 30% new French and 5% American oak combination.
    Dense midnight black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Elevated blackcurrant, black olive, mulberry and tobacco scents fill the nostrils with some spicy vanillin cedar and bay leaf notes also chiming in. Layered across the medium to full bodied palate with plenty of intensity are rich blackcurrant and mulberry fruits. Lingering underneath are notions of liquorice, vanillin cedar, tobacco and spicy bay infusions. Amply fleshed it has a sturdy, fine grained tannin structure which lends some firmness to the long, deeply fruited conclusion.
    Drink over the next 6-8 years.
    Alc. 14.5%

    • Hot Item
    Papalin Haiti 6 Year Old Vatted Rum (700ml)
    HAITI
    $189. 99
    Bottle
    $2279.88 Dozen
    ABV: 54.1%

    Readers who purchased the previous edition will be familiar with Luca Gargano's Papalin project, marking a return to the ancient tradition of rum blending, and with a transparency that's welcomed by rum purists. The inaugural release was a four year old, while the latest is a six year old with a twist - ex Sherry casks have been employed. The blend of seven barrels from three Clairin distilleries includes Sajous, Vaval and Casimir. Each was pot distilled and tropically aged for six years at the Port-au-Prince distillery in casks that previously held Oloroso sherry from the House of Lustau. As you'd expect from the provenance, this is a rum big on aromatics and complexity, ranging from rooty (ginger), medicinal (cough drop) and slightly camphoraceous notes through to more typical Clairin characteristics of vegetal sugar cane, toffee, curry, turmeric and cocoa. It should be blast for lovers of agricole or anyone intrigued by Caribbean styles of yesteryear. 54.1% Alc./Vol.

    • Hot Item
    Rum of the World (Worthy Park) Single Cask 8 Year Old Cask Strength Jamaica Rum (700ml)
    JAMAICA
    $169. 99
    Bottle
    $2039.88 Dozen
    ABV: 55%

    300 bottles only of this natural strength, single cask beauty were bottled exclusively for an Australian Rum Club. Distilled from molasses in 2016 using a traditional double retort pot still at the award winning Worthy Park Estate in Lluidas Vale, Jamaica, this funky and flavourful expression spent 8 years in a single American Oak cask, first at origin in tropical Jamaica and then sent to Europe to undergo continental aging. Bottled in 2024 at 55% Alc./Vol. lends to its full bodied and complex profile that includes notes of banana, pineapple, menthol, nutmeg, leather, oak & creme brulee. Perfect to sip neat, or add to a big bold cocktail.

    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    1999 Signatory Vintage Auchentoshan 24 Year Old Symington's Choice Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Lowlands, SCOTLAND
    $450. 00
    Bottle
    $5400.00 Dozen
    ABV: 55.6%

    Mr. Symington clearly likes his malts matured in First Fill Oloroso butts. Given Auchentoshan's slightly lighter triple distilled spirit, we reckon this will be a 'cask driven' malt (read sherry bomb). Cask No.4 had an outturn of 689 bottles at 55.6% Alc./.Vol. Non chill filtered.

    Other reviews.... All about the sherry and none about the distillate. That’s ok, it’s well done. More umami on this one. Tomato vine, empty soup can, plums for sure. Red berries, but not tart or sour. It’s very good! A little pepper on the back end and a little drying. - whiskybase.com

    • Hot Item
    • Nick's Import
    2000 Signatory Vintage Braeval 23 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $330. 00
    Bottle
    $3960.00 Dozen
    ABV: 60.4%

    We've only managed to secure a small number of Braevals in the past, so we jumped on this well-aged expression as soon as we saw it. Located in the far south of the Speyside region, Braeval shares the honour of being the joint highest distillery in Scotland, along with Dalwhinnie. The house style is unpeated, light and floral. This is one of 603 bottles released under Signatory's Cask Strength label, charged from a refill Oloroso Sherry butt, distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2023 without chill filtration. 60.4% Alc./Vol.

    • Hot Item
    • 88
    • Nick's Import
    Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $109. 99
    Bottle
    $1319.88 Dozen
    ABV: 46%

    "It’s impossible not to like it." - whiskyadvocate.com

    "...no arguing with the extreme — and perhaps unmatched — value it offers in single malt Scotch." - drinkhacker.com

    While not well-known in Australia, overseas Speyburn has long been considered one of the better values in single malt Scotch. The tenner comes matured in both x-Bourbon and x-Sherry casks and offers a light to medium-bodied dram with a friendly fruity-cereal character. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

    Other reviews... A sweet, creamy dram matured mainly in bourbon casks and some sherry casks. The nose has honey, vanilla, flaked coconut, lemon biscuits, and apple Danish pastries. Vanilla fudge, lemon bonbons, white chocolate, toffee, sweet oak, and cracked peppercorns continue the sweet flavor profile as it melts into butterscotch sauce and crème brûlée at the swallow, with vanilla seeds on the finish. It’s impossible not to like it. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    ...Tasting it fresh in 2023, we find a whisky with an outsized nose of fresh granary notes, showing as a bit leathery at times, with the lightest touch of smoke evoking aromas of smoldering underbrush. No fruit, no real sweetness, just the essence of cereal. The palate kicks in with more to offer, though the grain-heavy backbone is never out of focus. Well-roasted cereal, almost overcooked at times, find room for some brighter notes of applesauce, a squeeze of lemon peel, and some sugary shortbread character. Uncomplicated as it develops, the finish melds sweetness with cereal notes, eventually developing into something resembling sweetcorn, served on vanilla wafers. That vaguely smoky quality lingers, however, keeping things in a savory check. All told I am distinctly less enamored with Speyburn 10 today than I was a decade ago, though there is still no arguing with the extreme — and perhaps unmatched — value it offers in single malt Scotch. - drinkhacker.com

Show 3 More

Australia's most curated online wine & spirits list, regularly updated...

It's not uncommon for long-time customers to comment, "I've never had a bad wine from Nicks" . Part of the reason is that we taste and rate all the wines before you do. In fact, we offer an independent review for most of the wines on this website. Think of the "What's Hot" page as a shortlist - not only of the most highly rated wines from every category and price point - but also many of the best value spirits and liqueurs in Australia. Our selections include the most exciting wine growing regions around Australia as well as imports from around the world. Not sure what to buy? Give us a call on 1800 069 295. Let us know what you've enjoyed in the past and one of our knowledgeable staff will guide you in your choice. Unlike many retailers, we let you mix it up. Order online in straight dozens or make every bottle different to enjoy a new flavour each day. When you order more than $200 worth, get it delivered free to most areas of Australia.