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- Nicks Import
Douglas Laing's Remarkable Regional Malts Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Gift Pack (6 x 50ml)SCOTLAND$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenDouglas Laing have been well known as a bottler of blends, and since the mid 1990s, for two well-established independent brands under the very successful Provenance and Old Particular labels. About a decade ago, they expanded into a range of seriously good Blended Malts. It started with the instantly recognisable 100% Islay edition named Big Peat. That paved the way for what was to become their 'Remarkable Regional Malts’ series – vatting different single malt whiskies from each official whisky region and the islands. The collection doesn't cut corners, sourcing from some of Scotland's most respected names, including Macallan, Ardbeg and Caol Ila. The family's passion for these creations is partly explained by Cara Laing's personal affection for blended malts. “In a way, single casks are easy,” she says. “They’re either ready to be bottled or they’re not. Blended malts take more effort.” She adds, "...unfortunately, many people turn up their nose at blended malts, simply because some have a negative connotation with the word blend."
Since the launch of Big Peat in 2009 a slew of bottlings have followed. You can now take your tastebuds on a tour around Scotland with a series of playfully presented drams that include Scallywag from Speyside, Rock Oyster (now Rock Island) from the islands, The Epicurean from the Lowlands, The Gauldrons from Campbeltown and Timorous Beastie from the Highlands. For the first time, they're all represented in miniature format in one wonderful gift pack! Six 50ml bottles at an average of around 46% ABV are featured, with no coloring or chill-filtration, each embodying the overarching characteristics of the region they're sourced from. A more detailed breakdown of what the pack includes is as follows:
The Epicurean (Lowlands) Crunched sugar, mixed spices, thyme, peaches and hard candy.
Timorous Beastie (Highlands) Sweet, light barley and spicy honeyed tones with crunchy meringue on the finish.
Scallywag (Speyside) Layer on layer of Sherry heritage - sweet stewed fruit, chocolate and cinnamon.
Rock Island (The Islands) Brimful of maritime character, with sea-salt, pepper, gentle smoke and sweet honey.
Big Peat (Islay) Big, leathery, ashy, coal-dusty marriage of Single Malts from Islay, with a sweet side, too.
The Gauldrons (Campbeltown) Salty & maritime with a spicy finish. -
- Nicks Import
Douglas Laing's Timorous Beastie Meet The Beast 13 Year Old Cask Strength Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 52.5%Matured exclusively in x-bourbon barrels, this extra Beastie edition is offered at a natural cask strength of 52.5%. The source of the single malts in the blend is not disclosed. Tasting notes include “burnt orange zest, waxy honeycomb and spicy vanilla” in a dram the Douglas Laing team describe as a “massive amplification” of the original Timorous Beastie. 3000 bottles produced. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... "For a 13 year old malt blend this is remarkably drinkable neat. ... It's a splendid, relatively simple, fresh whisky..." - whiskybase.com
...The 13 year old cask strength bottling easily has the most character, depth and personality of the three, and while it’s fuller and more matured, resulting in a nice flavour profile, it always remains very drinkable. Pleasant, but never complex, nor very exciting. There are many things you might label this, but ‘monstrous’ isn’t one of them. Far from it, in fact. Even when you’re playing your cards right with the branding, it turns out you can still overplay that hand. - dramface.com
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- Nicks Import
Douglas Laing's Rock Island 16 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46.8%Following the success of the 14 year old Sherry Edition in 2023, the Laings decided to take it a step further. This is the first time a whisky under the Rock Island label has been released as a 16 year old. Uniting single malts from the famous Whisky islands of Orkney, Arran, Jura and Islay, before experiencing a maturation predominately in hand-selected Spanish Sherry Casks, it's a subtle, smoky and sweet celebration of maritime character. Expect notes of dried fruits, walnuts, and nutmeg, while malt and vanilla add depth, culminating in a finish of honeycomb and toasted almonds. 46.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... I really enjoyed this, and I’m sad to say that Douglas Laing’s selection of blended malts always fly under my radar, and I’m honestly not sure why. I don’t taste a lot of sherry in this at all, but it certainly is driving some of those sweeter notes on the nose through in a very loving way. A great style of softly peated whisky that has bundles of dessert sweetness to welcome you in. What a wonderful bottle. - thewhiskywash.com
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- Nicks Import
Douglas Laing's The Gauldrons Eclipse Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Campbeltown, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 52.9%Douglas Laing’s The Gauldrons represents the Campbeltown region through a range of blended malts. The exact make-up is known only to the Laings, but an educated guess says they're heavy on Glen Scotia, simply because of how scarce Springbank and Kilkerran are. This limited edition is unusual for being finished in Orange Wine Casks, sourced from the cellars of Jerez de la Frontera in Southern Spain. Besides walnuts, honey, ginger and toasted almonds, the secondary maturation is reported to leave traces of tangy orange with an almost otherworldy edge. 3000 bottles were produced at 52.9% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Nose: Immediate hints of orange marmalade, touches of cough syrup, jammy apricots and some light notes of marzipan. There’s a thin layer of cereals lingering, as well as green olives and some ozone, but then we veer into the likes of cherry-flavoured candy canes also. Taste: A mixture of roasted peanuts, char and liquorice with a hint of sourdough. Also honeyed influences, orange pith, nectarines and a very gentle smokiness with soft mineral notes. Water highlights the distillates oiliness and enhances the stone fruits. Finish: Medium length. Sweet spices with barley husks and citrus zest. Quite cereal-forward there in the end. A whisky with character, The Gauldrons does a good job representing the Campbeltown region. There’s a funkiness combined with coastal elements, but also a pleasant sweetness to bring balance. It seems to have improved compared to how I remember it. The Gauldrons Eclipse loses some of its Campbeltown-esque qualities, outshined by the orange wine finish, presumably. However, it gains a distinct fruitiness – peels and stone – that adds a new layer. - wordsofwhisky.com
"Wow, what an interesting whisky ! Love the orange taste (even if orange wine has no orange in it). A special whiksy, really enjoyed it!" - whiskybase.com
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Sullivans Cove Double Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenNote: This product is not sold as batch specific. Each unit will be a recent or current release. If you would like to know which batches are available, please email [email protected].
[Batch 122 tasted] Matured in a combination of French oak x-tawny casks and x Bourbon barrels, the port input brings a sultriness to the bouquet, closer to the Double Cask profile we've enjoyed in earlier batches. Lightish in body, with a sweet toasted bread character and hints of baked pear in tow; ovaltine mingles with crystallised pineapple and dried peach through the finish. Affable, soft and 'fruity' - a good introduction to the distillery's most accessible whisky. Roughly 1400 bottles per batch at around 47% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Tasted from a 20ml sample.
Other reviews... [Batch 118 tasted] Double Cask is ostensibly Sullivans Cove's most widely available bottling. Still, more expensive single-cask releases are far more common, and because Double Cask is their most affordable product, the handful of batches released every year get snapped up within hours. Double Cask has improved remarkably over the last decade, evolving from a base of average to poor quality casks to a true symphony played by an orchestra of cask types and conducted by production manager Heather Tillott. Batch number 118 is no exception, with Cadbury, apricot muesli bars and rolled oats leaping from the glass, with just a whiff of juicy tawny playing the bass notes. It doesn't translate with such intensity on the palate, and given its price, you might expect more cohesion. It sports a slight burn on the finish—nonetheless, it is a highly complex and enjoyable whisky. 90 points - winecompanion.com
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- Nicks Import
2010 Douglas Laing's Big Peat Feis Ile 2025 Small Batch Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 50%"I must say I’m rather impressed." - whiskyfun.com
A 2010 distillation aged exclusively in refill hogsheads and bottled at a respectable 50%. Mature, spirit-driven, non-chill filtered and probably (mostly) from Caol Ila. Other contributions come from Bowmore, Ardbeg and even reserves of Port Ellen. It's everything that Islay can be in a single bottle, and at a great price toboot. You can't lose!
Other reviews... We do enjoy tasting all these releases signed by Captain Haddock. But is there still any Port Ellen inside? Colour: white wine. Nose: sunflower oil, seawater, lemon juice and ashes. Everything works like a charm. With water: no change whatsoever, other than the addition of a few old magazines soaked by the rain. Mouth (neat): flawless lemon, oysters, seawater, seaweed, gentian, ink and ashes. The precision of Caol Ila. With water: same again, it’s just so good. Finish: long, precise, salty but almost refreshing. Comments: very ‘clear line’, which is rather amusing for a blend. Well, they know exactly what they’re doing, and I must say I’m rather impressed… 88 points - whiskyfun.com
"...Maybe my favourite of Big Peat's Fèis Ìle releases, this 2025 Edition shines because of its restraint wood influence. The refill hogsheads have left room for the Islay flavours to be fully appreciated." - wordsofwhisky.com
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- Nicks Import
Douglas Laing's Sweet Wee Scallywag 10 Year Old Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 46%With a label inspired by the Laing family’s Fox Terriers, Scallywag 10 Year Old joins the classic, core edition as an ongoing offering. The marriage of Speyside Single Malts (reported to be Macallan, Mortlach & Glenrothes) comes matured exclusively in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry casks for a rich, fruity and dark chocolatey profile. Batches are limited to around 4500 bottles. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... "The nose gives plenty of sweetness—lots of cotton candy and brown sugar. A good amount of honey too. The palate has a very sweet arrival, which is a further testament to the sherry maturation. Milk chocolate, but also plenty of spices which linger for a long while. A very proper, rich blended malt whisky." - distiller.com
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- 93
2025 Pasqua RosatoPuglia, ITALY$15. 99Bottle$191.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2026-2027)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA delicious, slippery textured Rose with a long fruity finish.
Pale salmon pink colour. Fragrant peach, raspberry and strawberry scents are followed by flashes of musk and wet stone. Delicious peach, cherry and strawberry fruits dominate the palate carrying with them a slippery textural feel. Pomegranate and musk elements then move in. Brisk acidity with a long fruity finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12% -
- 94
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- 93
- Organic
2023 Schloss Johannisberg Rotlack Riesling KabinettRheingau, GERMANY$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 11%Closure: CorkA deliciously fruity, off dry Riesling with zingy mineral infused acidity.
From the Heart of the Rheingau in Germany, founded in 1720 and honed by over 300 years of winemaking tradition, Schloss Johannisberg is one of the worlds foremost Riesling producers. Overlooking the Rhine river, the vineyard sits on a quartzite hill and faces due south on a slope inclination of 45 degrees, offering perfect sunshine to ripen Riesling.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Lifted red apple, lime and orange blossom aromas drift out of the glass trailed by hints of honeysuckle and wet steel. Juicy red apple, lime, pear and mandarin fruits are underscored by zingy mineral infused acidity. Some honeysuckle elements linger across the long fruity, off dry finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11%Other Reviews…..
A cool and distinguished riesling Kabinett with aromas of red apples, vineyard peaches and red forest berries. Sleek and very focused on the barely medium-bodied palate. I love the way the stony acidity really shines at the long and crystalline finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.comThe 2023 Schloss Johannisberg Rotlack Riesling Kabinett is clear and fruity on the upfront nose that indicates ripe, intense and elegant fruit intertwined with deep and flinty/spicy terroir notes. Medium to full-bodied, intense and savory on the palate, this is a lush and quite intense, complex, if not powerful, and seriously structured Kabinett with the generosity and tension of the vintage and also its savory acidity (8.6 grams per liter). 11% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in early July and again at the domaine at the end of August 2024. Drink 2029-2055.
93 Points
Stephan Reinhardt – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate -
- 94
2024 Domaine Schoffit Chasselas Vieilles VignesAlsace, FRANCE$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2026-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkA luscious, slippery textured Chasselas with a long, dry finish.
In the 1960’s, Robert Schoffit was part of the group of people who fought to retain Chasselas in the Alsace grape register. Old Chasselas vines were planted in 1939 and between 1942 and 1954 were a specialty of the estate. This is from a small, 0.9 ha parcel of Chasselas planted in 1940 on alluvial soils of gravel in Colmar. Entirely hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed and fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. The old age of the vines gives density and complexity to this dry Chasselas.
Brilliant pale straw colour with straw tinged edges and a watery hue. Exotic rosewater, lychee and ripe pear scents show impressive intensity followed by some honeysuckle, quince and ginger spice notes. Luscious lychee, red apple and pear fruits are counterpointed by an underlying brisk acidity which brings a gentle zing to the otherwise slippery textural feel. Delicate honeysuckle and ginger spice characters sit in the background. Long and dry with a lick of ginger spice lingering across the finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 94
2025 Catlow & Company FianoKing Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2026-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkA tense, racy Fiano that shows impressive concentration and textural volume.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a glimmer of green to the edges and a watery hue. Green apple, pear and lime aromas are trailed by fresh herb and slatey mineral notes. Tense and racy yet showing impressive textural volume, intense lime, Granny Smith apple and green pear fruits are underpinned by zesty acidity. Infusions of fresh herbs, wet slate and a saline like minerality line the back half. Long crisp finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2025 Basileus RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinTangy lime juice, orange rind and lemon fruits underscored by zippy acidity.
Brilliant very pale straw almost water like core with a greenish tinged outskirts. Lemon, lime juice and Granny Smith apple aromas intermingle with chalky talc and orange rind notes. Tangy lime juice, orange rind and lemon fruits are underscored by zippy acidity. Some flinty mineral elements linger across the crunchy finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 11.5% -
- 94
2025 Miraval Cotes de Provence RoseProvence, FRANCE$47. 99Bottle$575.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkIntensely flavoured, silky textured and highly moreish Provence Rose.
Miraval is a joint venture between Famille Perrin and Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Syrah, sourced from vines planted on clay-limestone soils.
Pale damask pink tinged colour. Gorgeous aromas of peach, raspberry, strawberry and musk stream out of the glass complimented by some wet stone notes. Intensely flavoured, silky textured and highly moreish the palate is decorated with peach, raspberry, musk and strawberry fruits. Stony mineral laden back drop with juicy acidity refreshing the long, supple finish.
Irresistible drinking over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 95
2023 Maxwell Ellen Street ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinExceptionally rich, weighty and power packed with a long, opulent finish.
Impenetrable inky black colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Pronounced blackberry, liquorice and more subtle dark chocolate scents intermix with spicy vanillin cedar, earthy leather and pepper notes. Exceptionally rich, intense and sumptuous, the weighty palate is laden with lavish blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Lurking across the back half are earth, dark chocolate, spicy vanillin oak and subtle mocha accents. Power packed it has velvety yet slightly chewy tannins and a long, opulent finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews……
Richly fruited and enticing, the wine shows black and blueberry, vanillin oak, toasted spice, and floral characters on the nose, followed by a wonderfully weighted palate offering plump mouthfeel and fleshy texture. Superbly structured and expressed with waves of delicious flavours. At its best: now to 2038.
95 Points
Sam Kim – Wine Orbit -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Parker Estate Rocky Block ShirazCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA commercial mid weighted style of Coonawarra Shiraz with juicy dark fruits.
Matured in French oak barriques (25% new) for a period of 12 months. Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. The nose offers up aromas of dark plum, liquorice and blackberry followed by some vanillin cedar and subtle mint notes. Juicy dark plum and liquorice fruits carry medium body weight with notions of dried herbs, spicy vanillin cedar and peppered earth sitting in the background. Fine grained tannins with a mid length finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 93
- 92
2023 Esilio Wild Goose Chase GrenacheMount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2026-2030)ABV: 14.4%Closure: StelvinA rich, succulent Grenache with a plump textural feel.
Deep dark red black toned colour with a dark red hue. Spicy dark raspberry and liquorice scents intermix with some scorched earth, fennel and blackpepper notes. Rich and juicy the palate is awash with ripe dark raspberry, dark cherry and liquorice fruits. Scorched earth, vanillin spice and pepper elements also chime in. Plump textural feel with velvety yet sturdy tannins and a long succulent conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.4%Other Reviews……
So pretty in its flow. Floral and lifted with violet, blueberry, raspberry and a touch of cinnamon spice. Confected notes are reined in, and the wine expresses a pleasing savouriness. This is an ideal pairing for lamb shawarma dotted with pomegranate jewels. Drink by 2029.
92 Points
Katrina Butler - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
- 95
2021 Paringa Estate ‘Estate’ Pinot NoirMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinRich, powerful and supple in it’s flow yet light on its feet.
Red to dark red core with black toned edges and a light red to red hue. Showing a perfumed like intensity, the nose offers up aromas of violet, dark cherry, strawberry and anise with some rhubarb, bramble, subtle forest floor and spicy cedar notes also evident. Rich, powerful and supple in it’s flow yet light on its feet, the palate is decorated with dark cherry, strawberry and rhubarb fruits. Subtle anise, spicy cedar, bramble and forest floor elements sit underneath. Polished yet sturdily built tannin structure with a long-refined finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews……..
Not a shy and retiring wine, but by golly this is good. Full of forest floor and menthol aromas, flavours of dark cherries, rhubarb, chinotto and blood orange with lots of refreshing acidity but also plenty of tannins. Fuller bodied, firm and forceful yet the fruit is sweetly flavoured across the palate. There’s a lot going on in this wine. Drink by 2033.
95 Points
Jane Faulkner - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2024 Ata Rangi Pinot GrisMartinborough, NEW ZEALAND$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2026-2030)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich and luscious with impressive textural volume and shape.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Aromas of pear, baked apple and honeysuckle fill the nostrils with some green apple, subtle musk and delicate ginger spice notes also evident. Rich and luscious, pear, ripe apple, lychee and gentle musk flavours carry impressive textural volume and shape across the palate. Honeysuckle and ginger spice elements linger underneath. Refreshing acidity enlivening the long, well-proportioned finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…..
A pinot gris with weight and soft texture, this has attractive bitter lemons, peaches, stone, flint and spice character. Full-bodied, it shows lots of flavor and richness at the end. White-pepper and nutmeg undertones in the aftertaste with some almond puree. Drink now. Screw cap.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 93
- 93
2025 Wirra Wirra Farmer’s Heart GrenacheMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinVibrant, bouncy and juicy Grenache bursting with red fruit.
From vines with an average age of 60 years old. Maturation took place in a combination of old French oak puncheons and stainless steel for 9 months. Deep dark red black tinged core with a bright red purple tinged hue. Freshly crushed aromas of red raspberry, ripe cherry and red liquorice flow through the nostrils trailed by some vanillin spice, earth and peppered herb notes. Vibrant, bouncy and juicy, delicious red to dark raspberry, liquorice and cherry fruits are scattered across the mid weighted palate. Bright acidity with some vanillin spice, fresh herb and pepper accents detailed across the back half. Slightly chalky, graphite like tannins. Finishes energetic and some what tense yet bursting with red fruits.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
From a few sites, with vines ranging from mature to ancient. This naturally carries the depth of a vintage that was warm and dry, with generally reduced yields. Dark red and black cherries, raspberry compote, summer pudding, some white pepper and dried herbs. It’s fuller in weight, if abidingly fresh in feel, the tannins carefully extracted to meet the concentration, with a savoury skein of natural grip, shaped for food. Drink by 2031.
93 Points
Marcus Ellis - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 92
Whipper Snapper Upshot Single Malt Australian Whiskey (700ml)Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 48%Other reviews... Whipper Snapper’s single malt whisky is far less oak-forward than its other expressions, because it’s been matured for a minimum of four years in refill barrels rather than virgin oak. The cool part here is that, while the lion’s share of single malt whisky produced globally is matured in ex-bourbon casks from the US, this one is matured in Whipper Snapper’s own ex-whisky casks. After all, it makes its own bourbon-style whiskies, so why bother getting its casks from anywhere else? The result is a whisky with lovely floral and citrus notes on the nose, light and pretty but still with plenty of nutty grain and oak to give it power. As with much of Whipper Snapper’s spirits, the careful distillation and cask selection is evident in the cleanliness and integration on display. A nicely textured palate and light finish make this an easy-drinking and approachable Australian single malt whisky. 92 points - Fred Siggins, winecompanion.com.au
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- 88
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 30 Mile ShirazSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$10. 99Bottle$131.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2026-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA simple commercial quaffer that has a little too much toasty oak.
Dense inky black colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Dark to black cherry and liquorice aromas combine with charry oak, subtle vanillin spice and peppered earth notes. Rich juicy dark cherry and liquorice fruits are overwhelmed by toasty oak across the back half. Some earth and pepper elements are also apparent. Slightly dryish, fine grained tannins with a fleshy mid length finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Beresford Wines Adelaide Hills Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA light, fresh and juicy Pinot.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Fragrant violet, raspberry, strawberry and anise aromas flood the nostrils with some fresh herb and spice notes also evident. Light, fresh and juicy the palate features red cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruits over a subtle anise and fresh herb back drop. Vibrant acidity and polished tannins with a fruity mid length conclusion.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 95
Henriot Blanc de Blancs ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$135. 00Bottle$1620.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkA highly finessed Blanc de Blancs Champagne.
Made from 100% Chardonnay with 30% to 50% reserve wines included in the blend and aged for a minimum of 3 years. Pours with a fluffy white mousse which sits atop a pale straw coloured base that has pale gold tinged edges. Fine nibble stream of persistent bubbles. Baked bread, pear and yeast lees aromas rise through the nostrils with good authority followed by some oily brioche and citrus like scents. Highly finessed, the palate carries a mildly creamed, airy like feel with baked bread, yeast lees and citrus flavours detailed over a subtle pear, cashew and oily toast back drop. Finely meshed it has mouth watering acidity and a long, refined finish.
Alc. 12% -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2025 Whipbird Chenin BlancMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA fruity and tangy Chenin Blanc with a crisp edge to the finish.
Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with a watery hue. Aromas of pineapple and pear mix with some quince and subtle kiwi fruit notes. Lush pineapple, pear and kiwi fruit flavours are underscored by juicy acidity. Some quince and flinty mineral elements linger underneath. Finishes dry and tangy with a crisp edge.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- Nicks Import
2002 Douglas Laing & Co. Old Particular Single Cask Girvan 20 Year Old Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml) – 51.5%Lowlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 51.5%Built to secure a reliable supply of grain whisky for William Grant & Sons blends, when it opened in 1963, Girvan was the largest grain distillery in the world. It remains one of the most important sites in the William Grant portfolio. Like other grain producers, compared to single malt distilleries, Girvan flys under the radar. It's usually bottled by independents, and even then rarely. However in 2013, Grants took the unusual step of marketing Girvan under its own label. The price for the official 25 year old is now around $500 (and it's only 42% ABV). Enter Douglas Laing. As part of the Old Particular single cask range, we're able to offer two double-decaders at direct import prices. This edition from cask DL16964 consists of 282 bottles charged from single refill hogshead. Besides the impressive price/age ratio, the fact that these are high strength and non-chill filtered means you get even more bang for your buck! 51.5% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Round, rich and initially full of syrup, ahead of a truly sweet cereal based character. Palate: Catch candy floss, white and Demerara sugars, with a later strong vanilla toffee flavour. Finish: Barley sugar flavours apparent, beyond which gristy cereals and spices appear.
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- 93
- Organic
Mery Melrose The Old Alliance Tourbe (Peated) Single Malt French Whisky (700ml)FRANCE$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46%Led by François Méry, a fourth-generation viticulturist, Maison Méry-Melrose is an independent organic vineyard, distillery and winery in the heart of the Grande Champagne region of Cognac. 'Tourbe' (meaning 'peat' in French) is the smokey counterpart to the distillery's Old Alliance Classic single malt. After distillation the whisky spends five years in casks that previously contained Islay's legendary Laphroaig. That follows with a secondary maturation in 10-year-old Pineau des Charentes casks. The result is a very gently peated expression with deliciously chewy, chocolatey malt depths and a mere hint of the coast, the rich fruity roundness of the Pineau carrying the finish. 46% Alc./Vol. 1000 bottles produced.
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- Nicks Import
2002 Douglas Laing & Co. Old Particular Single Cask Girvan 20 Year Old Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml) – 62.2%Lowlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 62.2%This is the second of two super-value 20 year old Girvans that form part of a direct import shipment. Both were distilled in 2002 and drawn from hogsheads. The ABV on this bottling (cask DL15984) is considerably higher than most grains of this age. However, the outturn was almost 100 bottles less (190 compared to 282). With their gifts differing, the two bottlings promise an interesting side-by-side tasting. 62.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Opens cleanly with a suggestion of pineapple - certainly fruity with crushed sugars. Palate: Vanilla is immediately obvious plus caramel, melted chocolate and tingling spices. Finish: Those spices are now distinct and warming, with later buttercream and toffee.
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- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Killibinbin Sneaky ShirazSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2026-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich and plush with aniseed and black cherry fruits melding into a smoky vanillin cedar and peppered fennel back drop.
Dense inky black colour with a dark red hue. Aniseed, black cherry and fennel scents drift out of the glass followed by some smoky vanillin cedar and peppered meat notes. Rich aniseed and black cherry fruits meld into a smoky vanillin cedar and peppered fennel back drop. Plush mouth feel with polished tannins and a juicy finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 95
Whipper Snapper Upshot Rye Australian Whiskey (700ml)Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 48%Other reviews... I’m a massive rye whisky fan, and a big supporter of this style in the Australian context. This single-barrel expression is produced from a mash of 85% rye and 15% malted barley, the rye grains sourced from the the Fuchsbichler family farm in Bruce Rock, WA, who have been growing an heirloom German rye strain there for over a century. The result is a whisky bursting with the fresh aroma of freshly cut apples dusted with cinnamon, pumpernickel spice and new oak all working in harmony, while missing the dill pickle notes that turn some people off American ryes. At 48%, the alcohol is very well controlled and the cask choice is spot on, with a sweet mid-palate and lingering carrot-cake spices through the finish. A fun and fresh rye that’s a great expression of the grain’s natural quality. 95 points - Fred Siggins, winecompanion.com
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- 93
2023 Brini B.Three Blewitt Springs Single Vineyard Old Bush Vine GrenacheMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich, juicy and concentrated yet light on its feet with a long, super succulent finish.
Vibrant red to dark red in colour with black toned edges and a crimson red hue. Red to dark raspberry, liquorice and dark cherry scents sail through the olfactory senses followed by some red plum, vanillin spice and gentle earth notes. Rich, juicy and concentrated yet light on its feet, the expansive mid weighted palate is decorated with raspberry, liquorice and ripe dark cherry fruits. Vanillin spice and subtle peppered earth elements lurk underneath. Velvet smooth tannins finishing long, super succulent and fresh.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 89
Whipper Snapper Upshot Cask Strength Australian Whiskey (700ml)Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 63%Other reviews... The cask-strength edition of Whipper Snapper’s Upshot bourbon-style whisky sits at a hefty 63% abv – a solid deal for the price considering how much we pay in tax on alcohol percentage in Australia. Big, musty oak notes dominate the nose with less of the fresh, nutty wood of the other Upshots. This whisky is still matured in virgin American oak casks, but is entered into the cask at a much higher alcohol strength than its less potent siblings, resulting in more extraction and less balance between oak and grain with the wood somewhat domineering. The palate provides some balancing sweetness in the form of cherry cola, and the finish has plenty of warmth without being at all over the top for this strength. A few drops of water bring out some plum pudding and burnt sugar on the nose while also improving the texture on the palate. Definitely one for the oak lovers. 89 points - Fred Siggins, winecompanion.com.au
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- 91
- Organic
Mery Melrose Grande Champagne Reserve Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 40%A certified-organic cognac, aged between 7 to 10 years, sourced from the region's premier cru. The aroma opens deep and pure, weighted with candied orange, dried fig and wisps of fruity dark chocolate becoming more airy after exposure. Well-rounded fig and fruit cake flavours, followed by hints of orange curacao, cedar cigar box and cinnamon extending the finish. A light-to-medium-bodied Cognac that's smooth, broad appeal and eminently drinkable. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... An excellent buy for me! I gave it some 30 minutes before the first sip. Very good impression on the nose, spices, fruit and (for me) just a hint of candied fruit with some caramel. The spices and flowery notes are neatly blended into the flavour together with the alcohol. It had a balanced tasted and leaves a good after taste with its finish. Goes down smoothly, even in bigger sips. Overall, a great buy and value for money. - cognac-expert.com
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- 96
- 95
- Reduced
2018 Nicks Secret Pyrenees ShirazPyrenees, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $69.99$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinFrom arguably the Pyrenees most iconic producer, this beautifully aged Shiraz is a serious value at less than half it’s normal price. Established in 1973, it sits at highest elevation and is the most remote of the Pyrenees district vineyards. Maturation took place in French oak barriques for a period of 20 months.
An iconic back vintage Pyrenees Shiraz at less than half price!
Magnificent depth of colour featuring a dense inky black core and a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Wafting through the nostrils are intense aromatics of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum which are trailed by some vanillin cedar, scorched earth, dried herb and peppered fennel notes. Plush and concentrated, rich blackberry, dark plum and liquorice fruits are still remarkably fresh and pure in spite of it’s bottle age. Lurking beneath are notions of spicy vanillin cedar, dried herbs, scorched earth, subtle fennel and blackpepper. Polished yet underlyingly muscular tannins and vibrant acidity provide great structure for further cellaring. Finishes long and moreish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
An assemblage of the best blocks from the ****** original vineyard. Hand picked, vinified separately with some batches having 25% whole bunches included in ferment. Matured 20 months in French oak (30% new), followed by barrel selection and blending. Strikes a generous pose and colour. There's some pretty smart and attractive oak that is a big part of this wine's appeal. It contributes added gravitas, with wide-ranging influences from prominent spice to a toasty, smoky, mocha overlay. The ripe blackberry, plum, aniseed fruit loves it. Mouth-coating and long. Drink by 2030.
95 Points
Jeni Port - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
- 97
- Reduced
2025 Rob Hall Harriet’s Vineyard Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $42.99$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRich yet light and supple in its flow with a long, elegant red fruited finish.
Harriet’s vineyard, planted in 1996 and named after Rob Hall’s mother, is managed in sections with each one picked individually to create separate batches which undergo a variety of fermentation techniques in order to promote greater complexity. Includes 15% whole bunches with maturation taking place in a 50/50 mix of 1-year-old puncheons and seasoned hogsheads.
Red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a vibrant red tinged hue. Captivating scents of violet, red cherry, strawberry and red plum are interwoven with fresh herb, dried meat, forest floor and spicy cedar notes. Rich yet light and supple in its flow, the palate is decorated with ripe cherry, red plum and red liquorice fruits. Strawberry, infusions of dried herbs, forest floor and spicy cedar elements unfold across the back half. Amply powered, it has fresh acidity, polished tannins and a long, elegant red fruited finish that carries a silky feel.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Fruit from Harriet's vineyard in Healesville was augmented with 20% fruit from The Full Moon vineyard in Gladysdale; 15% whole bunches. A very bright crimson. A quiet and seductive bouquet of wild strawberry, dried rose and just a hint of Earl Grey tea. Medium bodied; the fruit spreads evenly across the palate. The tannins are subtle, understated and persistent, as is the finish. Rob Hall hasn't missed a beat in '25. Drink now and over the next six to eight years. Drink by 2034.
97 Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 95
- Reduced
2024 Nicks Secret HBBS TL Barossa ShirazBarossa Ranges, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $49.99$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 14.8%Closure: StelvinFrom a producer renown for their blockbuster Barossa reds, this richly flavoured Shiraz has been made in an Amarone style whereby the grapes are rack dried to concentrate the fruit. The resulting wine was then matured in French oak for a period of 18 months. At over 50% off it delivers great value for those who like their Shiraz on the bigger side of town.
Rich, dense and concentrated with an opulent yet chewy mouth feel and power packed finish.
Magnificent colour density featuring a super saturated inky black heart along with an equally deep dark purple black hue. Peppery black cherry, black plum and liquorice scents infiltrate the olfactory senses followed by some fennel, scorched earth and spicy vanillin cedar notes. Rich, dense and concentrated, the full bodied palate is engulfed with lavish black cherry, liquorice and dark to black plum fruits. Opulent mouth feel with chewy, robust tannins providing structure. Spicy vanillin cedar, subtle scorched earth and peppered fennel characters extend across the back half. Power packed it finishes with great density, length and succulence.
Drink over the next 6 years.
Alc. 14.8%Other Reviews....
A strikingly modern Barossa Shiraz that bursts from the glass with freshness, clarity and energy. Blueberry and dark berry fruits lead the way, vibrant and pure, before subtle notes of espresso bean, spice and crushed mineral detail add depth and sophistication.
The palate is bright, juicy and mouth-wateringly delicious, with beautifully handled fruit intensity balanced by a lively lift and fine savoury edge. There is a polished contemporary feel here, but still plenty of Barossa generosity, carried by excellent freshness and a long, moreish finish. A superb Shiraz with real style and precision.
96 Points
Vino Masters -
- 94
- Reduced
2023 Mont-Redon Reserve Cotes du RhoneCotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FRANCEReduced from $26.99$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinMont-Redon is one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s largest estate’s with almost 100 hectares under vine and has one of the longest histories in the entire Rhône Valley. The estate has passed through many families over the centuries, but it’s modern history really started in 1923 with the then manager, Henri Plantin. Henri was a colleague and contemporary of Baron Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarié, the man credited with spearheading the creation of France’s entire AOC system in 1936. It was Henri’s drive and vision that established the estate as one of the ‘Grand Crus’ in Chateauneuf du Pape. Since 2017 Mont-Redon has been managed by Pierre Fabre, Henri’s great-great-grandson who has brought with him a renewed enthusiasm for producing the very finest wines.
Mont-Redon also produce a great value Cotes du Rhone. The 2023 vintage is a blend 50% Syrah and 41% Grenache with the remaining 9% comprised of Marselan, Mourvèdre & Carignan. Destemmed and fermented in stainless steel with about two weeks on skins and gentle pump-overs to promote a fine tannin structure, it then sees a further 8 months maturation in tank.Awash with juicy black fruits this is a dense, concentrated and chewy Cotes du Rhone that delivers fabulous value.
Pitch black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced black cherry and liquorice scents intermingle with some black raspberry, scorched earth, herbs du Provence and peppered dried meat notes. Rich, concentrated and chewy, the weighty palate is flush with juicy black raspberry, black cherry and liquorice fruits. Infusions of herbs du Provence, scorched earth and blackpepper also chime in. Dense sinewy tannins with the amply powered finish laden with succulent black fruit and peppered earth characters.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 95
- 94
- 95
2024 Yering Station Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA moreish Yarra Valley Pinot that’s light, fresh and supple in its flow.
Matured in French oak puncheons for a period of 10 months. Semi translucent ruby red in colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Wonderfully fragrant nose with a bouquet of violet, red to dark cherry and wild strawberry trailed by hints of anise, rhubarb, forest floor and spicy cedar. Light, fresh and supple in its flow, the moreish palate is decorated with red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits. Subtle anise, dried herb, forest floor and spicy cedar elements lie underneath. Polished fine grained tannins with a long savoury, red fruited finish laced with spice.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13%
Other Reviews…….
Matured in 500L French puncheons (13% new). Fruit from Yering, Coldstream and Gruyere. A light, bright crimson. A pretty wine with its bouquet of strawberry, raspberry, floral notes and cinnamon spice. There's good persistence, too, on the gently mouth-filling palate with supple, fine-grained tannins rounding out a wine to drink now and over the next four to six years. Drink by 2031.
94 points
Philip Rich - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
Sumac and strawberries, paprika and lingonberries. Red fruit is taut and crunches with bursting acidity. A small portion of new oak adds some floral spice, potpourri and rose spray. Some Jarrah wood, cedar and red clay earth tones add further dimension. I find it so hard to fault the Yering Station line for its fruit purity, presence and price point. All is considered and makes for a harmonious drink, now and in the near future. This will show well in another 3-6 years further. Drink with simmered slices of thin pork in a cabbage and mushroom stew. Drink 2026-2032.
95 points
Shanteh Wale – WinePilot.com -
- 95
2022 Jeanneret Rank & File ShirazClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 16%Closure: StelvinBen Jeanneret calls this curiously named wine 'Rank & File'. It's what Shiraz represents to him - the heart and soul of the Australian wine industry. Sourced from some of the best low yielding, old vine vineyards in Clare, the fruit for this wine was matured in a mixture of French and American oak for a period of 17-23 months. Year in year out this is one of our best selling Shiraz, the powerful rich black fruits and opulent feel make it irresistible drinking.
Not for the faint of heart, this is a high octane, super dense Clare Shiraz.
Ultra dense inky black heart with an equally deep black dark red hue. Potent dark plum, liquorice and black cherry liqueur scents soar out of the glass followed by toasty vanillin oak, subtle earthy mocha and peppered fennel notes. Monumentally sized, extravagantly rich and densely concentrated the palate is overwhelmed by a tsunami of black cherry liqueur, liquorice and black plum fruits. Smoky vanillin oak, scorched earth and blackpepper extend across the back half. Undeniably powerful and thick it has a sturdy tannin structure and long flamboyant, high octane finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 16% -
- 92
- Nicks Import
Whisky Craft Aultmore 13 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 57.6%A quality bourbon cask contributes delicious vanilla creaminess while Aultmore brings its oily, spicy spirit to the show. Toasted cereals and a chewy mouthfeel add interest. The controlled heat and sweet-dry balance achieved at such high strength is notable. 252 bottles from a first-fill bourbon cask. 57.6% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Sweet and layered, led by glacé cherry and maraschino notes, followed by toasted almonds, apple tart, bubblegum, and maple syrup. Palate: Structured and characterful, with smoky oak, brown sugar, sharp orange zest, ground white pepper, and toasted wood. Finish: Medium to long, with warming pepper and lingering oak spice.
- Metaxa Grande Fine Collector's Edition Brandy (700ml)GREECE$144. 99Bottle$1739.88 DozenABV: 40%
A spirit that many consider to fall somewhere between a brandy and a liqueur: Sweet Muscat wines from the island of Samos and a secret selection of Mediterranean botanicals are blended with aged wine distillates. This Metaxa is a little different, with an eye-catching porcelain decanter designed by renowned Greek street artist Cacao Rocks, whose artwork draws inspiration from Cycladic architecture, mythology and the colours of the Aegean Sea. The bottle itself is intended as both a collectible artwork and a celebration of contemporary Greek creativity. Best enjoyed neat or over ice. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose - Gentle oak, dry plume, white raisins and liqorice. Palate - Dry fruit, nutmeg, oak and honey. Aftertaste that is a mellow and sustained with honeyed fruit and a touch of spice.
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- 92
- Nicks Import
Whisky Craft Loch Lomond 13 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 58.9%Summed up by the bottlers as "a dry, cereal-driven style with bright citrus lift", this middle aged Loch Lomond opens with a soft nose feel of poached fruits and follows in a full bodied, juicy delivery; the orchard fruits flush with dried fig, ripe apple, prunes and boisterous spices. Very tasty and unexpectedly intense for this make. 195 bottles from a re-racked cognac cask. 58.9% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Bright and vibrant, with citrus and tropical fruit, notes of bubblegum and orange oil, underpinned by soft cereal sweetness. Palate: Smooth and delicate, combining a gentle malty core and juicy citrus notes. Finish: Light but dry, with a touch of peppery spice.
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- Limit Three per customer
Glengyle Distillery Kilkerran 8 Year Old Bourbon Cask Matured Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2026 ReleaseCampbeltown, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 57.7%"Kilkerran always delivers a superb bang for buck and one of the most solid distillates out there." - whiskybase.com
Now seen as the value for money alternative to Springbank, Kilkerran 8YO has quickly gained a reputation as a punchy, elemental Campbeltown bomb. Previous batches included full maturations in Bourbon, Port and Sherry. Batch No.12 comes 100% matured in Bourbon barrels, resulting in a creamier mouthfeel with hints of tropical fruit and low to medium peat. A few drops of water are recommended, while some tasters note that the rough edges common to young Kilkerrans blow off after the bottle has been opened for a few weeks. No details on the numbers released, but as usual, stocks are allocated in Australia. 57.7% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... A top-class whisky that will certainly be among the highlights of this year's ex-bourbon cask maturation. In my opinion, a few drops of water are very good for the whisky right from the start....This Kilkerran is also a very successful single malt in the mouth, even if the taste cannot keep up with the brutally strong nose. The dominant flavors for me are pear and banana. With a little more water, the papaya flavor also reappears. Additionally, there's a hard-to-describe aroma that I associate with Kilkerran. Furthermore, the alcohol becomes somewhat more noticeable again, even with just a few drops of water. A few more drops, however, make it disappear, creating space for the sweet flavors. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Notes of butterscotch and custard creams lead, with apple butter and white miso. Cream sponge and poached pear sweetness follows. Palate: There is a creaminess on the palate in notes of shortbread crust and smooth caramel chocolate, with notes of gooseberries, white grapes, cigar box smoke and sandalwood developing. Finish: Hints of green peppercorn and honeydew melon emerge in the finish, alongside an ashy note.
- Aultmore of the Foggie Moss 15 Year Old Ruby Marsala Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$164. 99Bottle$1979.88 DozenABV: 46%
A celebration of the meeting of Speyside elegance with the rich vibrancy of Sicilian Marsala Rubino Dolce wine. Matured for 15 years in American oak refill hogsheads and finished for six months in Marsala casks, this expression bursts with ripe summer fruits. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... you can't go wrong with a 15-year-old Speyside with a Marsala finish... Marsala wine! Definitely noticeable right away. Now the oak comes through with its spiciness. At first, the "mere" 46% alcohol seems a bit watery, but this improves with the second and third sips. Fruit notes remain subdued. Cherries? Perhaps with a lot of imagination. Very drinkable! - whiskybase.com
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- Limit One per customer
- Nicks Import
1990 The GlenAllachie 35 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$2199. 00Bottle$26388.00 DozenABV: 50.2%Billy Walker selected just four exceptional cask types from an enviable inventory to be bottled as a 35-year-old Cask Strength: Mizunara virgin oak, American virgin oak, Oloroso Sherry, and Pedro Ximénez Sherry. The former has become well known as a prized Japanese wood sourced from 200-year-old trees. Bottled at 50.2% ABV, the packaging draws inspiration from Kumiko, the traditional Japanese carpentry art of creating intricate patterns from wood without the use of nails. The sides of the box depict the top of the distillery and four different patterns, each representing the type of cask that shaped the whisky inside. Harmonising Mizunara with three iconic and time-honoured cask types creates a symphony of flavours, balancing warm spice, luscious dried fruit, creamy vanilla, and rich molasses into a refined and full-bodied expression. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Natural cask strength here, naturally (S.!) Careful, this baby will have seen four types of casks, virgin mizunara oak, American virgin oak, oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximénez sherry. Which does not necessarily make it a woodsky, let us not leap to hasty conclusions, please, even if there must inevitably have been some finishings and plenty of woodspiel… The truth resides in the glass, I remind you. Colour: mahogany. Nose: walnut husk, toffee, fir bud liqueur and very old Jerez brandy. All of that works like a Rolex just back from a service at an authorised watchmaker. With water: fresher, almost fruity, more on very ripe figs and dates stuffed with marzipan. Murderously good. Mouth (neat): but of course it is excellent. Old Ténarèze married to that very old Jerez brandy we had just mentioned, prunes, pipe tobacco, tamarind jam, and a woodiness that is present but elegant, in the style of very black ex-samovar tea. With water: in come the old fortified wines, Banyuls, Madeiras, Ports, Marsalas, Malagas and many more besides. The very black teas and the cocoa in the background remind us of the rather massive presence of the wood, but all in full elegance. Finish: it carries on with very dark chocolate filled with liqueur. Even Jägermeister. Comments: very fine balancing act, insofar as I may modestly judge such things. 90 points - whiskyfun.com
...The aroma is very deep – dried fruit, especially dried orange peel, yeast cake with orange, spices, exotic woods, chocolate with dried cherry, light tobacco, leather, and walnuts. On the palate, sweetness and tartness, anise, licorice, astringent leather, tobacco, and notes of strong tannins reminiscent of an old Armagnac. The finish is tannic and salty, with notes of umami, lovage, and sweet dried fruit, especially dried apricot and quince. A rather sharp tobacco note, leather, and plenty of licorice. This is a very complex whisky. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Mocha, crystalised cinnamon and treacle tart, followed by cocoa, toasted hazelnuts and pineapple, with soft notes of ginger and heather honey. Taste: Cocoa, baking spices and chocolate-coated raisins, followed by coconut, brandied orchard fruits and sandalwood, with vanilla, dried red fruits and honeycomb.
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- 95
- Reduced
2022 Nicks Secret JH FUT McLaren Vale ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $69.99$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 14.5%Closure: Diam CorkFrom a small but highly regarded McLaren Vale estate, this is the 31st release of this wine which was first made in 1984. Sourced from a single vineyard planted in 1910, these 100 plus year old vines have delivered a rich, full bodied style of Shiraz that has a robust yet opulent feel. Maturation took place in a combination of French and American oak barrels for a period of 24 months.
Rich, bold and lavishly proportioned, this is a rare opportunity to get your hands on a superb Mclaren Vale Shiraz produced from 100+ year old vines for just $20.
Dense inky black heart with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate aromas engulf the nostrils followed by complimenting notes of spicy vanillin oak, earthy fennel and pepper. Rich, bold and lavishly proportioned, the full bodied palate is swamped with blackberry, liquorice, vanillin oak and fennel flavours. Earthy dark chocolate and spice elements linger underneath. Robust yet opulent in its feel with a firmly built tannin structure and fresh acidity supporting the sumptuous fruit. Concentrated, deep and powerful it finishes long and luxurious yet sturdy.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Richly fruited with stylish complexity, the wine shows dark fruit intensity, smoked game, star anise, and vanillin oak characters on the nose. The palate displays excellent weight and a plump mouthfeel, wonderfully supported by layers of polished tannins, finishing with structure and persistence. At its best: now to 2037.
95 Points
Sam Kim -
- 93
Archie Rose Triple Smoked Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46%This will be one of the more interesting Australian Whisky releases for 2026. After lengthy experimentation, Archie Rose have created a 'peated' style. Rather than following the well worn path of traditional Scotch where smoke only touches the grain, this whisky has native Stringybark wood-smoke infused into the barley, the cask and the water. The production process makes for a strong point of difference to previous Aussie distillers who've experimented with native woods for aging. Instead of exploring oak alternatives, a little ingenuity has resulted in an evocative Australian smoked character unlike anything else in the world.
With some wonderfully sweet grain and rich oak notes at its core, Stringybark smoke ramps up the complexity, not only contributing a dry, cured meat and chimney soot character, but also bringing an added layer of freshness that hints at baked citrus, faint menthol and herbal teas. The palate repeats those notes in a slightly sweeter, more definitively smoked way, with a lingering dry, ashy quality, followed by smoked dark chocolate, more cured meats, warming peppers and a mezcal-like aftertaste. Comparisons with Highland peaters such as Ardmore and Inchmoan are hard to resist, but this beats its own drum - and may well be a world first. 46% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Opens with notes of artisan smoked bacon, campfire, golden syrup-drizzled damper, roasted macadamia and barbeque charred lemon. Another pass reveals royal icing, tinned pineapple and hibiscus. There is a distinctive nuttiness present which is balanced by smoke and the suggestion of salinity. Palate: The palate is well structured with a honeyed sweetness and baked citrus flavours that make wait for a smokiness that builds in intensity towards the expansive finish. The dry, wood scented smoke is laced with jasmine and geranium, as well as salt and cured meats. Finish: The lingering flavour of charred wood is present. A uniquely Australian whisky for lovers of smoke and flavour explorers.
- Baileys White Chocolate with Raspberry Irish Cream Liqueur (500ml)IRELAND$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 17%
A limited-edition cream liqueur combining classic Irish cream with sweet white chocolate and tart raspberry. Best poured slowly over ice cubes, mixed into hot chocolate, or drizzled directly over desserts like ice cream or cheesecake. 17% Alc./vol.
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2019 Brini Sebastian Single Vineyard ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, seamless and plush with a long seductive yet refined finish.
From vines planted in 1947 this beautifully aged McLaren Vale Shiraz was matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. Magnificent colour featuring a dense pitch black heart along with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Aromas of blackberry, dark plum, liquorice and dark chocolate flood the nostrils followed by vanillin cedar, earthy mocha and spice notes. Rich, plush blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits flow seamlessly across the palate. Earthy mocha, spicy vanillin cedar, fennel and subtle leather elements lend further interest. Excellent depth and power with velvet smooth tannins and a long finish that’s seductive yet refined.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%















































