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2025 Water Wheel ViognierBendigo, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13.9%Closure: StelvinA rich, full and texturally luscious Viognier.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Ripe peach and apricot aromas leap out of the glass followed by some honeysuckle, vanillin spice and delicate ginger notes. Rich, full and texturally luscious the palate is filled with ripe peach, apricot and honeysuckle flavours which are complimented by some butterscotch and ginger spice characters. Round and soft it has mild acidity and a long viscous finish that shows plenty of spice.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.9% -
- 96
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2025 Best's Great Western RieslingGreat Western, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinRiesling vines were first planted as part of Henry Best’s ‘Nursery Block’ vineyard in the 1860s. Subsequent plantings followed in 1944 (since removed), 1978 and 1998. Always very flavoursome and very age worthy, the Best’s Great Western Rieslings are renown for their beautiful balance, texture and aromatics.
An Outstanding Great Western Riesling that boasts terrific drive, zest and concentration.
Brilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Intensely aromatic, the nose features lime, red apple and citrus scents which mix with whiffs of orange blossom, faint honeysuckle and slatey mineral notes. Boasting terrific drive, zest and concentration, mouth watering lime, citrus and green to red apple fruits are underscored by racy, slatey mineral infused acidity. Delicate mandarin and honeysuckle flavours also make an appearance. The finish is long, dry and zippy.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews….
Grampians riesling at its very best. It defines varietal intensity but so too a fine and utterly delicious delicacy of touch. Aromatic, spicy, apple and lime scented with a lemon-lime essence quality, almost crystalline, that impresses and resonates deep. The palate brings an airy, powdery expression that runs deep and long and intense in lemon-lime citrus, grapefruit pith, apple and gingery spice married to a pure and lively acidity. Runs long, stays bright and will age and keep on going.
Drink by 2040.
97 points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion2025 Canberra International Riesling Challenge Elite/Gold award and the Trophy for:
• Best Australian Riesling
• Best Dry Riesling
• Best Wine of the Challenge
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2025 Garagiste Le Stagiaire ChardonnayMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinThe 2025 Le Stagiaire Chardonnay draws on fruit from Merricks (35%), Balnarring (25%), Merricks North (30%) and Tuerong (10%). Sorted in the vineyard and winery before being pressed as whole bunches to 500-litre puncheons, this wine is wild fermented with no temperature control, followed by seven months on lees to slowly enrich the texture. A couple of barrels went through malolactic, and the nicely integrated new oak component stands at 10%.
A rich, generously flavoured Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay with a beautifully rounded feel.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Elevated aromas of white peach, nectarine and dried honey are complimented by some cashew, biscuity nougat and spice notes. Mid weighted, the palate features ample richness and a mildly creamy textural feel with fleshy white peach and nectarine fruits to the fore. Cashew, subtle dried honey, biscuity nougat and spice elements sit underneath. Fresh and balanced it finishes long and generous with a beautifully rounded feel.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
I always chase Barney Flanders for his wines, which I think he quite likes. This is Merricks (35%), Balnarring (25%), Merricks North (30%) and Tuerong (10%). 500L puncheons, 10% new.
This is juicy and flavoursome. Nectarine, pink grapefruit, a lightly salty and spicy preserved lemon thing. It has a pulpy citrus flavour mixed with stone fruit, a little creamy and nutty, some flinty bits, with a seaside saline and citrus finish of excellent length. It’s such a tasty Chardonnay. Everything is in the right place. Drink 2025-2032.
94 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front -
- 94
2024 Ninth Island Sauvignon BlancTasmania, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinZippy acidity with a dry, herbaceous finish.
Brilliant water like colour with a delicate greenish tint to the edges. Leaping from the glass are herbaceous gooseberry scents accompanied by some passionfruit and distinct grassy asparagus notes. Mouth watering herbaceous gooseberry, passionfruit, lime and grassy asparagus flavours line the palate underscored by zippy acidity. Long, dry, herbaceous finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 88
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Artis Single Vineyard Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.4%Closure: StelvinLight and elegant with modest length to the finish.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Pretty violet, red cherry and red liquorice aromas drift out of the glass followed by some fresh herb and delicate spicy earth notes. Light and elegant the palate features juicy red cherry and cranberry fruits which meld into subtle spicy cedar and forest floor elements. Fine grained tannins and fresh acidity with modest length to the finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.4% -
- 95
2023 Handpicked Collection Tasmania ChardonnayTasmania, AUSTRALIA$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenCellar: 1 - 6 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinRich yet refined with a gently creamed textural feel and an underlying freshness.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Drifting through the nostrils are elevated aromas of white peach, nectarine and citrus which are intertwined with subtle dried honey, biscuity nougat and spice notes. Rich, fleshy white peach, pear and dried honey flavour carry a refined flow across the palate which has a gently creamed textural feel. Showing an underlying freshness citrusy nougat, biscuity oak and spice elements linger through the long finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5% - Le Pere Jules Cidre de Normandie Brut (Dry Apple Cider 750ml)Normandy, FRANCE$25. 99Bottle$311.88 DozenABV: 5%Closure: Cork
Jules Desfrièches (aka "Le Pere Jules" or "Father Jules") began producing Calvados in Saint Desir, just outside Lisieux in the early 20th century. Before then, he had learned the art of cider-making from his grandparents. When he returned from the war in 1919, he pressed and sold his first bottle of cider, a sideline which has since grown to over 100,000 bottles per year. Nowadays, Jules' great-grandson, Guillaume runs the cidrerie, working exclusively with estate-grown fruit. Out of 250 acres, 100 are planted with apple trees and 25 with pears. The farm follows organic principles, and cows roam freely on the property, providing natural fertiliser.
For the 'Cidre de Normandie', twenty different types of apple are employed, achieving a balance between sweet, bitter and acidic varieties. An extended fermentation results in a “brut” style, finished by a light filtration. After bottling the cider naturally develops the fine bubbles that it's become famous for, while retaining aromas of Granny Smith apple and hints of nutmeg, and slightly riper flavours - think crisp Johnathan apple, spice and a touch of apple crumble. The acidity makes for an extremely refreshing drink, but don't over chill it or you'll lose some of its character.
Norman gastronomes have long known cider works brilliantly with a surprising variety of dishes. Consider the classic match of roast pork with crackling and apple sauce, braised pork or rabbit deglazed with cider or roast duck served with red cabbage and apples. Goats cheeses, especially chevre styles work particularly well. Slightly sweeter styles of cider, such as those produced from pears will accompany desserts like apple pie, tarte tartin, or quince flavoured ice cream.
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2024 Milton Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.8%Closure: StelvinRich and silky with close to medium body weight and a long moreish finish.
Dark red in colour with black toned edges and a red to dark red hue. Intense dark to black cherry, anise and strawberry scents engulf the nostrils trailed by some dark plum, fresh herb and spicy cedar notes. Brimming with ripe dark cherry, strawberry and anise flavours the moreish palate has a rich, silky flow and carries near medium body weight. Excellent concentration and power with subtle notions of dried herbs, spicy cedar and forest floor detailed across the back half. Concludes long, supple and juicy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.8% -
- 95
2025 Garagiste Merricks Pinot GrisMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA rich, textural Pinot Gris that’s terrifically concentrated and boasts a long voluminous finish.
The fruit for this excellent fuller styled Pinot Gris is sourced from 28-year-old, northeast-facing vines rooted in the signature grey loam and red ferrosols soils of Merricks. The majority of the fruit is pressed as bunches to old puncheons with full solids and kept on lees, while a small portion of the blend (10%) ferments carbonically for three weeks.
Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Pronounced aromas of ripe pear, baked apple and honeycomb are trailed by some quince and cinnamon notes. Rich and textural, the palate is engulfed with mouth filling ripe pear, baked apple, quince, honeycomb, musk and cinnamon spice flavours. Boasting terrific concentration, it has a line of fresh underlying acidity and a long voluminous finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
- Organic
2024 Terre del Buontalenti ChiantiTuscany, ITALY$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinLight, elegant and red fruited with a savoury finish.
Red to dark red core with black toned edges and a red hue. Scents of red currant, red liquorice and red cherry drift out of the glass followed by some dried herb, tobacco and spicy earth notes. Light and elegant, the palate features red currant and red liquorice fruits over dried herb, earth and spice elements. Fine grained tannins with a savoury finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 91
Glenmorangie The Original 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Gift Pack with 2 GlassesHighlands, SCOTLAND$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 40%Comes with two branded Glenmorangie whisky tumblers. A gift made for sharing!
In the last decade, no-age-statement (NAS) whisky has been championed, and age statements have tumbled. In an unusual move for the Scotch Whisky Industry, Glenmorangie are putting age statements up instead of down, starting with their newly presented core releases.
Other reviews... The new Original, changed from 10 to 12 years old, stands tall with fresh ripe orange and peach fruitiness on the nose, then honey, vanilla cream, wood spice, and exotic flora notes. The palate revolves around lemon, vanilla, apricot, peach, and orange, plus cinnamon and banana bread. The ripeness of the fruit and the creaminess stand out above the floral and vanilla elements of the old 10 year old. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com
There used to be the modest but likeable 10 year old ‘The Original’, which we last tried in 2023 (WF 81) but it’s since been replaced by this 12 year old, the house having added two extra years of maturation. A refreshing change from the recent global trend of reducing ages by heading toward NAS territory, you know whisky's way of doing shrinkflation. Colour: gold. Nose: the 40% do make themselves felt, or rather not felt, if you see what I mean, but the American oak casks do lend their usual creamy and vanilla-forward touch, alongside ripe apples, banana, soft oak (with a whisper of fresh sawdust), and a fairly prominent note of Earl Grey tea. Also some fresh barley, which makes the whole thing rather pleasant. Mouth: we find the nose again on the palate, though it leans a little more towards oranges this time, and thus a little less towards the rest. A hint of bitterness follows, then green tea, a touch of ginseng and a suggestion of peach skin. It’s light but not weak. Finish: a little short, yet once again, fair enough. Green tea with a drop of honey and a discreet grassy side. Comments: I quite like this charming little dram, nicely put together. 82 points - whiskyfun.com
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- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 22 Degrees Halo Kaleidoscope of MayhemSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, generously weighted red with firmish tannins and bright acidity.
Fruit was sourced from Riverland and Coonawarra. Black as night in colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Nosing offers up aromas of blackcurrant, liquorice and leather followed by some subtle earthy tobacco and spice notes. Rich, generously weighted ripe blackcurrant and dark plum fruits dominate the medium to full bodied palate. Some liquorice, earthy leather and infusions of spicy garden herbs lie in the background. Firmish tannins with a ripe chewy finish underpinned by bright acidity.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Taltarni Estate Cabernet SauvignonPyrenees, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinAn elegant, mid weighted Pyrenees Cabernet with a savoury conclusion.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Aromas of red currant and red liquorice are complimented by some spicy vanillin cedar, earth and subtle black olive notes. Much softer than the tannic Taltarni beasts of yesteryear, the elegant mid weighted palate features red currant and red liquorice fruits over a dried herb, cedary tobacco, earth and spice back drop. Fine grained tannins with a savoury conclusion of medium length.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Graceful, elegant and refined, displaying impressive purity and brightness. Admirable redcurrant juiciness on the mid-palate, with good lightness and energy. The wine is gently supple, with fine, integrated tannins providing just the right amount of structural support. A well-made cabernet with broad appeal, reflective of its cool-climate origins. Approachable now, yet destined to age beautifully. Drink by 2032.
93 Points
Toni Paterson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Chalk Hill Luna ChardonnayPadthaway, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA juicy, fruit driven Chardonnay that’s concentrated and beautifully fleshed.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green highlighted edges and a watery hue. Ripe peach, tropical fruit and melon scents fill the nostrils followed by some delicate vanillin spice notes. Juicy ripe peach, tropical fruit and melon flavours are delivered with excellent concentration, carrying with them a beautifully fleshed textural feel. Fresh acidity with some subtle citrus and spice characters rounding out the long fruit driven finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
- 94
2025 Coriole PiquepoulMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinDelicious pear, red apple, mandarin and peach fruits carry ample shape with stony mineral elements lingering through the finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green toned edges and a watery hue. Pear, green to red apple skin and lime aromas mix with peach, fragrant wild herb and subtle quince notes. Delicious pear, red apple, mandarin and peach fruits carry ample shape with delicate quince and spice elements sitting in the background. Brisk acidity with some stony mineral elements lingering through the lengthy finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
The synergy between McLaren Vale and this grape variety is clear. Even in a more torrid vintage it keeps its form.
Lemon pulp, white nectarine, white flowers, green banana and a little mint. It has a sappy sort of crunch to it, perhaps a little more waxy this vintage, but still fresh and lively, a lightly pulpy lemon pith bitterness, but also perfumed with it, and the length is good, closing stony and tight. Saline and delicious. Drink 2025-2029.
94 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front -
- 94
2022 Bremerton Selkirk ShirazLanghorne Creek, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRichly fruited with a mint overlay and fleshy texture.
Dense inky black colour with a dark purple black tinged hue. Pronounced liquorice, blackberry and dark plum aromas are trailed by some dark chocolate, vanillin cedar, earth and faint mint notes. Rich dark plum, liquorice and blackberry fruits carry a mint overlay with spicy vanillin cedar and traces of earth in the background. Fleshy textured it has polished yet sturdy tannins and a long, opulently fruited finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Fat Bastard Pinot NoirPays d'Oc, FRANCE$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinJuicy and supple entry level Pinot with a dryish finish.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with a bright red hue. Ripe raspberry and strawberry aromas fill the nostrils with whiffs of anise, dried herbs and spice also evident. Juicy cherry, red raspberry and strawberry fruits cast a light supple flow across the palate with some earthy anise and spicy dried herb elements sitting in the background. Dryish finish with mildly chalky tannins and a savoury aftertaste.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Taltarni Victoria Cabernet SauvignonVictoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinSpicy and generously endowed with a refined conclusion.
Deep black dark red colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Blackcurrant, black olive and cigar box aromas rise out of the glass followed by some dried herb and spice notes. Rich, fleshy blackcurrant fruits are interwoven with cedary tobacco, black olive, dried herb and spice characters. Nicely integrated, fine grained tannins. Spicy and generously endowed, it nonetheless has a refined conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 92
2024 Bellvale Pinot NoirGippsland, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinSupplely textured, savoury and spicy.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with a rustic red hue. Nosing offers up spicy aromas of red to dark cherry, rhubarb, bramble and dried herbs. Supplely textured, savoury and spicy, the palate features red cherry and rhubarb fruits over a dried herb, clove and bramble back drop. Polished tannins with lively acidity well concealed by the wines pillowy feel. Spicy bramble and dried herb infused finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2025 Vasse Felix Filius Sauvignon BlancMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA mouth watering Sauvignon Blanc that shows terrific intensity and has a long snappy finish.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a subtle greenish tinge to the edges and a watery hue. Citrus, green apple and lime aromas are joined by some herbaceous grassy notes and minerals. Bursting across the palate with terrific intensity are mouth watering passionfruit, gooseberry, green apple, herbaceous grassy characters and flinty mineral elements. Crisp acidity with a long snappy finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 95
2025 Tim McNeil Wines Watervale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA Riesling of superb intensity and textural volume with a long finish that shows plenty of zing.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint tinge of green around the outskirts. Lemon and lime scents leap from the glass followed by some Granny Smith apple, orange rind, talc and chalky mineral notes. Possessing superb intensity and plenty of textural volume, the mouth watering palate is decorated with lime, lemon and green apple fruits. Chalky talc and steely mineral elements the undercard. Fresh crunchy acidity with a long scrumptious finish that shows plenty of zing.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Donna Lucilla Roma RossoITALY$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA medium bodied blend with morello cherry and plum fruit and dry, chewy tannins.
A blend of Montepulciano, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Deep midnight black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Nosing offers up a mix of dark and morello cherry as well as liquorice aromas with some scorched earth and spicy dried herb aromas also evident. Medium bodied the palate features morello cherry and plum fruit over an earth, dried herb and spice back drop. Dry chewy tannins with a savoury conclusion.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
2023 Chalk Hill Luna Cabernet SauvignonMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRich red to black fruits combine with cedary tobacco, black olive characters to complete a savoury finish.
Very deep midnight black core with a dark red black tinged hue. A mix of red to black currant and mulberry aromas intertwined with cedary tobacco, tomato leaf and spicy black olives greet the nostrils. Rich red to black currant and mulberry fruits drive the mid weighted palate with notions of cedary tobacco characters, black olive and slightly bitter tomato leaf extending across the back half. Fine grained tannins with a savoury mid length finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
- Organic
2024 Icardi Barbera d’Asti TabarenPiedmont, ITALY$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkBright and juicy with lively acidity and slightly chalky tannins.
Deep midnight black colour with a vibrant purple dark red hue. Freshly crushed blackberry and liquorice aromas combine with plum, ink, scorched earth and dried herb notes. The bright mid weighted palate features juicy dark cherry, blackberry and liquorice fruits over inky earth, dried herbs and spice. Lively acidity with slightly chalky tannins and an energetic dark fruited finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 94
2023 Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne Pinot NoirBurgundy, FRANCE$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkAn excellent rendition of village level Burgundy that has a long savoury finish.
Domaine Faiveley is one of the biggest domaines in Burgundy with the fruit for this Bourgogne being sourced mainly from plots situated in Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise.
Deep dark red core with black toned edges and a red to dark red hue. Fragrant red cherry and winter strawberry scents infused with fresh herbs and violets sail through the nostrils complimented by some earth and spicy cedar notes. Delicious red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits are layered across the palate with ample power. Notions of red liquorice, dried herbs, earth and spicy cedar also chime in to lend further interest. Good freshness with finely integrated tannins and a long savoury finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
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- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Stella Bella Cabernet MerlotMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: 5 - 6 Years (2030-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinAn energetic, mid weighted Cabernet Merlot with red fruits framed by bright acidity and slightly chalky tannins.
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Dense midnight black heart with a vibrant purple red hue. Sailing through the nostrils with ample intensity are youthful ripe red currant and mulberry scents followed by some vanillin cedar, tobacco, earth and bay leaf notes. The energetic mid weighted palate features juicy red currant and mulberry fruits framed by bright acidity and slightly chalky, fine grained tannins. Cedary tobacco, spicy dried herb and dusty earth elements lie underneath. Dryish yet well fruited conclusion.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
A streamlined, linear Cabernet Merlot that hails from the southern end of Margaret River and offers some pretty sharp value for money. That’s one penetrating aroma, all spearmint, dried herbs, rosemary, jalapeño and baking spices married to the ripest blackberries. What starts off well-structured and a little closed doesn’t take too long to open up. After a few swishes of air, it’s more upfront with a middle palate of sweet ripe fruits in blackberry and dark plum, black cherry bright with graphite, pencil lead oak. This is one Cabernet Merlot fully dedicated to black fruits, dried herbs and an earthiness that speaks of the region’s Aussie bush environment. Tannins are well-built, ensuring more time in bottle should you wish. Drink 2025-2029.
92 Points
Jeni Port – WinePilot.comIf you’re looking for a wine of both structural integrity and flavour, at a better-than-fair price, then look no further. This is excellent buying. It tastes of blackcurrant, chocolate, gum leaf and licorice, and once it’s had a chance to breathe it feels both buoyant with fruit and decidedly sturdy. This is a very good release of Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot. Drink 2025-2031+
92 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front -
- 93
2024 JC’s Own Straturn ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkA bright, juicy mid weighted Shiraz.
Aged in cement tanks for 10 months. Deep black dark purple colour with a bright dark purple hue. Elevated aromas of fresh dark plum, liquorice and blueberry escape the glass followed by some gentle earth and peppered fresh herb notes. Juicy ripe plum, liquorice and blueberry fruits meld into a scorched earth, vanillin spice and peppered herb back drop. Fresh underlying acidity with polished tannins and a finish that’s both energetic and succulent.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 93
2023 Momento Barossa ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich black plum and liquorice fruits with a plump feel.
Totally opaque black dark red core with a dark red hue. Elevated black plum and aniseed aromas are trailed by some smoky vanillin oak, earthy fennel and pepper notes. Rich black plum and liquorice fruits carry a plump textural feel across the medium to full bodied palate with notions of fennel, scorched earth and pepper the undercard. Silky smooth tannins concluding medium to long and velvety.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Soul Growers Hoffmann Single Vineyard ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$140. 00Bottle$1680.00 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRipe and fleshy textured with a sweet plum and toasty vanillin oak dominate conclusion.
Dense inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Dark plum, liquorice and vanillin oak aromas waft through the nostrils followed by some earthy mocha and spice notes. Ripe and fleshy textured, the full bodied palate is awash with plush dark plum, liquorice, vanillin oak, earthy mocha and spice flavours. Velvet smooth tannins with a sweet plum and toasty vanillin oak dominate conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 95
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2022 Angove Family Crest ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and amply weighted with surprising power for its price point.
Dense pitch black colour with a deep dark red black hue. Pronounced ripe blackberry and liquorice aromas sail from the glass mixing with hints of dark chocolate, vanillin cedar and peppered fennel notes along the way. Rich, concentrated and amply weighted, the sumptuous palate is drenched in lush blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Opulent textural feel with spicy vanillin cedar, earthy dark chocolate and peppered fennel elements unravelling across the back half. Surprisingly powerful for its price point, it has velvet smooth tannins and a long seductive finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews……
Upfront and richly expressed, the wine shows black/blueberry, rich floral, vanillin oak, and mixed spice aromas on the nose. The palate is equally satisfying, with succulent fruit intensity splendidly framed by a fleshy texture and layers of fine tannins, making it delectable and highly enjoyable.
94 Points
Sam Kim – Wine OrbitBlewitt Springs, Seaview, Willunga and Sellicks Hill; open concrete ferments with wild yeasts; basket pressed; French oak for 12–14 months. There’s admirable restraint to this, with that range of sites and vine ages gifting this nuance and complexity without heft. An accord of dark fruits, savoury in representation: iron, leather, anise, dried blueberry, roasted nori, pressed violet. This is a label you can reach for with confidence year in, year out, delivering exceptional value for the quality, and this vintage underscores that. Drink by 2032.
93 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionA fighting Shiraz if ever there was one, hitting well above its price point and bringing some trad Vale generosity of flavour to the glass. Smooth, textural and well-integrated in oak, there is a natural harmony in the ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum fruits accompanied by gentle anise, chocolate and woody spices. Highlights the region’s plushness and overall easy-going assuredness with Shiraz, with an introduced layer of red fruits and spice and a nice spread of tannin lifting towards the finish. Tasted this wine over three days and it remained remarkably fresh throughout. A big thumbs up. Drink 2025-2030.
93 Points
Jeni Port – WinePilot.com -
- 92
2024 Masso Antico PrimitivoSalento, ITALY$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA lusciously fruited medium bodied Primitivo.
Matured in French oak barrels for approximately 6 months, this Primitivo is crafted from bush vines and made in ancient tradition of Apulian winemaking, known as Alberello Pugliese which concentrates the flavours in the grapes.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. A mix of dark plum, liquorice and morello cherry aromas greet the nostrils trailed by some vanillin spice and gentle earthy dried herb notes. Juicy morello cherry, liquorice and dark to black plum fruits overlay a vanillin spice and dried herb back drop. Ripe, faintly chewy tannins with a lusciously fruited conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 94
2025 Pooley Pinot GrigioTasmania, AUSTRALIA$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinSlippery textured with delicious fleshy pear and red apple fruits.
Brilliant pale straw core with straw tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of pear and red apple drift from the glass followed by some rosewater, faint honeysuckle and musk notes. Slippery textured, the palate is decorated with delicious fleshy pear and red apple fruits which meld into a musk, subtle quince and wet stone back drop. Brisk acidity with a fresh yet shapely finish of ample length.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 95
- Reduced
2021 Nicks Secret PLL Barossa ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $32.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinThis latest Nicks Secret Shiraz comes from a relatively new Barossa producer that has hit hard times and needs some fast cash. Made from the spectacular 2021 vintage, fruit was sourced from a number of different growers with maturation taking place in a mixture of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels for a period of 9 months.
Rich, plush Barossa Shiraz selling for a song.
Pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Engulfing the nostrils is a heady wave of liquorice, ripe black cherry and dark plum aromatics which are followed up by some gently smoked vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth notes. Rich, plush and concentrated, the weighty palate is seductively layered with a coating of liquorice, ripe black cherry and dark plum fruits. Smoky vanillin cedar, earth and peppered fennel elements the undercard. Velvety textured it has a silky smooth tannins and a long opulent finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- Nick's Import
Old Pulteney Harbour Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 40%"...super good, certainly a worthy candidate for the Bang-For-Your-Buck title..." - whiskyfun.com
Other reviews... A small NAS probably rather kind-hearted, matured in first and second fill bourbon casks. If it doesn’t lean too heavily on vanilla cream, this could be quite good indeed… Colour: white wine. Nose: no, this is fine, quite the opposite in fact, it’s fresh, the sea is clearly perceptible too, with touches of salted candied lemon, grapefruit, and streusel. Nice coastal tension, just what one expects from Pulteney. Mouth: slightly softer on the palate but the balance has been especially well crafted, there’s none of that vanilla-and-sawdust overload one might have found in similar bottlings ten years ago. Grapefruit returns, along with passion fruit, seaweed, our friends the oysters, and a white pepper that does its job without being over the top. Finish: fairly long given the strength, a bit ‘old-Ardbeg-ten-long’, we’re talking early 80s to early 90s batches. Comments: I find this super good, certainly a worthy candidate for the Bang-For-Your-Buck title this August. 86 points - whiskyfun.com
...Overall I think this is a great entry to Old Pulteney. It carries the distillery DNA plus it was in my opinion matured in good quality casks because there are lots of added flavours to the whisky. Yes it's 40% but it doesn't feel thin due to Old Pulteney's style of whisky and probably, most probably due to the wormtubs... you can't go wrong with this. It's a great beginners malt and a great daily sipper to anyone who likes salty whisky. I'll award this whisky with 85 / 100. Great stuff. - whiskybase.com
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- Nick's Import
Aberlour A'bunadh Alba Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Batch 08Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 60.1%We think Aberlour is at its best when cask-strength, and not necessarily out of sherry casks. This one's part of the special "Alba" series that differs from the classic A'bunadh by maturing exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels, giving it lighter, fruitier notes (apples, honey, vanilla) instead of the typical dried fruit and dark chocolate character. Batch #008 comes bottled non-chill filtered at 60.1% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... [Batch 007 tasted] I've only ever tried Alba once, I think it was the first batch, and thought it was excellent (WF 86). Now I've already informally tried this new batch - with great food- and thought 'wow!' This is fully ex-bourbon oak, hence the name 'Alba'. Colour: white wine. Nose: it's also a good option to keep your distillate as clean and naked as possible when it's first-class. Terrific apples, gooseberries, green pears, kiwis, greengages, white cherries, green bananas… However, it would never move towards easy Haribo-like notes. They know how to stand. With water: viognier. I'm sorry I'm mentioning wine pretty often, but either I write 'viognier', or I'll need to list dozens of aromas, starting with white pineapple, guava… No, enough! Mouth (neat): superb, incredibly fruity, dead on target, with pears and grapefruits. Perfect with fruity desert, yes I speak from experience. With water: sure it's simple, even very simple, even very, very simple, but this immense fruitiness is irresistible. Finish: medium, ueber-fruity, with even a little varnish. Comments: a fruit bomb. And who cares if it was made in a lab (which it was not, of course). In truth this is very Aberlour, many ueber-fruity malts would be geared toward tropical/exotic fruits (do you really need names?) but in my book, only two of them are fully 'western-orchardy'. Both belong to Pernod, they are Longmorn and… Aberlour. 87 points - whiskyfun.com
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Hudson Whiskey Do The Rye Thing Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)Gardiner, New York State, UNITED STATES$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 46%New from Tuthilltown Spirits comes this quaintly named three year old. Distilled from 95% New York rye and 5% malted barley, it's bold and spicy, with notes of citrus and honey and a bright mint finish. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Made from a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, and aged at least 3 years. The nose is freshly sweet, with notes of orange tea, orange peel, nectarine, licorice, dark chocolate, leather, and dried flowers. A creamy palate offers marmalade, fruitcake, baking spice, and barrel char. The finish is light but lengthy, with bursts of dark fruit tart, black currant, and vanilla bean. Excellent complexity for a whiskey this young. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...After going with a full rebrand in September 2020 and skewing their label design towards New York City design aesthetics, Hudson Whiskey hopes you finally take notice. Likely surprising many, Hudson Whiskey has been operating since 2003 and was the first New York distillery since Prohibition. Yet, the company has seemingly struggled to stand out to the unknowing or at the very least, stay in the mindshare of those who do know it. Story aside, Do the Rye Thing, which is in fact a rebranding of their Manhattan Rye, is quite the satisfying sipping rye. Why the company maintains a low age statement despite its many years distilling is anyone's guess, as it is the main drawback to an otherwise great tasting whiskey. This is a rye that forgoes much of the typical heat and spice of rye whiskeys, and instead puts forth a surprisingly delicate and fruit-leaning flavor profile. With a little more age and a little less grain, Hudson has a real winner here. - breakingbourbon.com
Gold Medal - International Spirits Challenge 2021
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- Nick's Import
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Sherry Cask Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 50%Conceived before the distillery was mothballed in 1996, the Classic Laddie launched as a vatting of younger whisky combined with older stock (18-20 years old). Today’s Classic Laddie continues to be a non-age-stated batch release that relies primarily on ex-bourbon-aged malts, although likely a bit older than the youngest components in the original Laddie (around 10 years old). Here we have the unpeated house style matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, contributing salted caramel, date syrup and roasted nut flavours - perfect for anyone who wants to taste what happens when the famed West Coast Islay goes full-on Spanish influence! Made from 100% Scottish barley, slow-distilled via “trickle distillation” and aged entirely on Islay, it comes with the bonus of a high strength and zero chill filtration. 50% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... It’s Bruichladdich alright, bringing a lot of those summer vibes to the party, a bit of Bruichladdich cheese too, but far more palatable than something like Bladnoch. The sherry is elevating The Classic Laddie massively, bringing a lot of the stuff I love about whisky into the already solid character - cedar wood, red berries, bit of match striker and some lovely strawberry fruitiness on top of that oily, tropical fruity base. It also has some interesting vegetal things happening that I don’t think I picked up on in The Classic Laddie. - dramface.com
- Luxardo Bitter Bianco Liqueur (700ml)ITALY$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 30%
"A brilliant cocktail ingredient." - diffordsguide.com
Luxardo Bitter Bianco shares the same herbs, aromatic plants and citrus fruits as its orange-coloured sibling, Luxardo Bitter. Before the blending process, however, most of the infusions are distilled, a process which turns its appearance transparent and slightly changes the flavour profile. Roman Absinth (Wormwood), added to the end product enhances its bitter taste. Pitched to twist classic cocktails such as Negronis (making a Negroni Bianco), a Paloma into a Paloma Bianco, etc., it can also be enjoyed neat or over ice as a classic aperitif. 30% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Bittersweet. Ripe pear, zesty orange, lemon and rooty bitterness, rosemary-led herbal complexity and white pepper-led spice. Overall: Bittersweet with herbal complexity. A brilliant cocktail ingredient. 5+ Stars - diffordsguide.com
Gold Medal / 95 points - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024
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- Nick's Import
High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey (375ml)Park City, Utah, UNITED STATES$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 46%High West Distillery and Saloon started with one man’s passion to make a great Rocky Mountain whiskey. Proprietor and distiller, David Perkins married his background as a biochemist, his love of bourbon and cooking, and his passion for the American West to bring the craft of small-batch distilling back to Utah. Rendezvous Rye is a blend of two exotic straight rye whiskies, with early batches marrying the rich aromatic qualities of a 16-year-old, 95% rye mash bill whiskey with the bold, spicy properties of 6-year-old rye to create a full-flavoured, complex whiskey, bottled non chill filtered for maximum mouthfeel. However, like most of High West’s production, that changes over time. More recent reports suggest it's a 4 to 9 year old, some of it sourced from MGP (95% rye), the remainder being High West’s own 80% rye, 20% malted rye whiskey. Ratios are not disclosed. The label design has also changed (several times) since the presentation pictured, so we can assume this bottling represents stocks from yesteryear.
[BATCH 12H14 tasted] Deep burnished copper / gold ochre colour. First inhalations reveal a mild shellac note alongside charry American oak. Several minutes in the glass yields hints of mint and old liquorice strap alongside spicy, apply rye that's enriched with further exposure becoming more apple crumble / toffee apple like. The palate delivers a classic, punchy rye. A full, round delivery is augmented by lively, perfectly balancing spices. Crisp, dry mouthfeel. Excellent concentration. Terrific balance. Long spicy rye aftertaste with a faint trace of liquorice emerging late. Loads of personality and complexity. Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... One of those ryes where you find yourself slapping the back of your head to overcome the eyewatering sharpness of the grain. 93.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
...Thanks to the high rye content, this whisky is very spicy, with cinnamon, crisp mint and fennel. Underlying sweet notes of caramel, molasses, vanilla, macaroon, cocoa, and candied fruit … enhance the whiskey’s complexity. But, in the end, the rye is the victor, emerging with a vengeance and giving the whiskey a bold, warming spice finish.” 95 points John Hansell, whiskyadvocate.com
Strong but intriguing. Medium color and body, with rich aromas of burnt orange and caramel. The flavor also reflected burnt orange and caramel, plus a spicy tinge reminiscent of cassia bark or Red-Hot candies. The finish lingers, pleasant, inviting and warm. Might be good for Manhattans—a touch of fruit or sweetness would go well with this rye. Excellent value. 96 points - wineenthusiast.com
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- 88
- Nick's Import
Gentleman's Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$225. 00Bottle$2700.00 DozenABV: 45%Sometimes referred to as "celebribooze offerings", this is another Bourbon created in collaboration with stardom - in this case, four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP, Stephen Curry together with Boone County Distilling Co. (aka Game Changer Distillery, which makes its own eponymous whiskey). Distilled from a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley, it's matured for between five and seven years (though no age statement is declared on the label). It's reported that while older Boone County whiskeys were sourced from MGP, this expression is entirely distilled in-house. 45% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Earthy and lightly green on the nose, which offers notes of cereal, honey, bubble gum, and a hint of fruit, mellowing into spice and light brown sugar. Somewhat aggressive on the palate, and barrel-forward, with molasses cookie and bread dough. The finish offers nougat and more brown sugar. Overall there’s some pleasant sweetness in there, but it could use more flavor integration. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Boldly toasty, this whiskey straddles the line between old school distilling and craft whiskeydom, with a ton of char up top that gives the nose a boldly peppery character. Well-toasted grains, burnt popcorn, and a bit of barbecue smoke evoke the frontier fairly clearly. The palate is fortunately a bit softer, with some graham cracker, honey, and light coconut notes all swirled into the equation. A slightly doughy body pairs fairly well with the more overt charry, peppery notes, tempering the underlying heat — but only to an extent. I suspected the whiskey might benefit from water and sure enough it only takes a couple of drops for things to coalesce. (I’d have released this at 86 proof instead of 90, but what do I know?) That tiny splash of water softens the harder, frontier-driven edges of the whiskey and makes room for a lighter slick of sandalwood, a bolder coconut character, and a lingering hazelnut quality on the finish. After trying it again straight from the bottle, I wouldn’t drink it any other way. - drinkhacker.com
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- Nick's Import
Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Cask Strength Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky (1000ml)TAIWAN$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 DozenABV: 51.6%A benchmark for Taiwanese whisky, Kavalan's Solist Oloroso edition is the nation's answer to the sherry bombs of Scotland. Summed up as "Macallan on steroids", the distillery benefits from several excellent cask suppliers that allow them to recreate a trademark style on a regular basis: Super-concentrated with flavours of dark fruit, chocolate and spice, and usually needing water to open up its complex layers, reviewers highlight the whisky's richness, sweetness and distinctively tropical/fermented fruit character alongside traditional sherry notes. Some batches are close to being over-oaked, others strike a fine oak-fruit balance. Whichever you get, you're in for an intense drinking experience. ABVs will vary, with stock at the time of writing landing at 51.6% Alc./Vol. We recommend letting it sit in the glass for 15-20 minutes to fully open up.
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- Nick's Import
Glenfarclas Private Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 48%Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 48%A 48% bottling for the French market, released in 2024. There have been a series of these labels, some bottled at 45% and 46% ABV. Sort of a private selection bottling, the outturn of these editions is usually around 10,000 bottles, however this one's limited to 6000 only. Compared with the relatively genteel character of the 17YO, 18YO, or even 21YO, this contemporary expression promises a bolder, more spicy character that conversely, lends itself to being consumed with a dash of water.
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- Nick's Import
Cutty Sark 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml)SCOTLAND$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 40%"...this is one very elegant classic." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
Other reviews... Returning this stalwart, the first new Cutty Sark since La Martiniquaise took charge of the ship, seemed a safe bet, but they've done it so well. Apricot, golden sultana, caramel, honeydew melon, honey, and vanilla meet cumin, cardamom, Parma violets, and orange jelly bean aromas. Richly flavored but lightly textured, there's lemon bonbon, sugar-dusted churro, vanilla custard, cinder toffee, hazelnut, and sharp apple acidity. It's like sunshine rippling on the ocean.Best Values - 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...It seems that this baby’s recently been repackaged. I have to say I like the new packaging, but it’s what’s inside that counts. Colour: gold. Nose: it’s having a little trouble after the previous ones, with more sour notes (sour apples) and more raw oak, with a dusty side. On the other hand, there’s a rather complex fruitiness behind that, with even touches of mangos. Mangos always work in whisky! Also violets that I had already found in earlier expressions. Mouth: the oak feels, the attack is a bit tannic and drying (strong black tea) but once again, a complex fruitiness emerges after two seconds in your month, with marmalade, raisins and quince jelly. Love quince jelly. Quite some vanilla too. Finish: medium length. Honeyed and jammy. Comments: I think Cutty 12 improved a lot since four or five years. It’s got much more oomph than before, maybe thanks to more newish American oak. Feels like it. 78 points - whiskyfun.com
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- Nick's Import
Aberfeldy 15 Year Old Bolgheri Tuscan Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46%Matured for 15 years in re-fill and hogshead casks, this limited edition Aberfeldy is then finished in Bolgheri red wine casks from Tuscany, Italy, adding an extra layer of rich, cherry and dark chocolate flavours. 46% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Red wine casks can overpower, but here the balance is perfect. Finished for 2 years in Italian red wine casks from Tuscany, the nose brims with blackberry, black cherry, ripe Victoria plum, dark chocolate, peppercorn, licorice, and black tea. Aberfeldy’s honeyed core shines through layers of chocolate, black cherry, clove, nutmeg, plum pudding, and gentle oak. A beautifully poised malt with a long, indulgent finish of chocolate-dipped dark fruits. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Now then, Bolgheri is the very place where those super-Tuscan Bordeaux-style blends hail from, which, truth be told, we rather struggle to finish (Sassicaia, Ornellaia and suchlike) The worst of Italy, really, despite their having so many other absolute marvels elsewhere. Imagine gleefully planting Sangiovese or Nebbiolo in France! Madness. Colour: gold. No rosé hue, thankfully. Nose: naturally it’s all right, it doesn’t reek of raw stave or new planks, but there’s a duo of pepper and green capsicum, along with blackcurrant bud, which always tends to set the nerves slightly on edge. It’s a layered nose, one might say, with a delayed and restrained arrival of raspberries and cherries. Mouth: decent, though not terribly charming, with a rather awkward and somewhat Janus-like split personality. Raspberry liqueur-filled chocolates, green pepper and cardamom, with cherry and black pepper stepping in a little later to help steady the ship. Finish: fairly long, though rather leafy. Comments: definitely an improvement over other, previous red-wined ones. 77 points - whiskyfun.com
- Sheridan's Coffee Layered Liqueur (700ml)Dublin, IRELAND$52. 99Bottle$635.88 DozenABV: 15.5%
Sheridan’s is an exciting blend of dark, rich coffee liqueur, layered with a cool, smooth vanilla cream liqueur. Experience it at its best served on ice of with coffee. Consume within six months of opening. 15.5% Alc./Vol.
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- Nick's Import
Crown Royal Blackberry Flavoured Canadian Whisky (750ml)CANADA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 35%A new limited-edition flavour infused with juicy fresh blackberries! Boasting all the smoothness you expect from Crown Royal with a sweetness that turns to a blackberries at the finish, it's enjoyable neat or in cocktails. Not complex, but do they all have to be? 35% Alc./Vol.
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- Nick's Import
Bruichladdich Organic Barley 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 50%Bruichladdich have introduced a new travel retail exclusive in collaboration with Lotte Duty Free Singapore. Distilled using organic barley grown and harvested at Mid Coul Farm, Inverness, Scotland, the raw ingredient is farmed without the use of artificial fertilisers or pesticides. Not only does this promote healthy soils but it also creates a cereal-forward single malt, with notes of tropical fruits and smooth vanilla cream, showcasing the purest form of its 'terroir.' 50% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... A really lovely bottling, wonderfully fruity and with a distinct Laddie DNA. I like it! - whiskybase.com
...Overall, it is a cereal-forward dram with a creamy texture, lifted by tropical fruit notes. The precision and clarity of these flavors make it a remarkable pour. As it is a bourbon cask, it has refreshing elements which beckon me to have another dram. Indeed, this is dangerously addictive. - 88bamboo.co
...This is a whisky that trades wackiness for warmth, sweetness, and maturity. Not the most complex Bruichladdich ever bottled—but an undeniably tasty one. And for fans of organic whisky, or anyone curious about grain-led distillation, it’s absolutely worth seeking out. And while you do, don’t mind me pouring myself another dram, because it is that good! - dram1.com
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- Reduced
Bulleit 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATESReduced from $109.99$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 45.6%Bulleit Bourbon, "Frontier Whiskey" was originally distilled in 1830. Over the years the brand has moved from one company to another and one distillery to another. In 1997 Bulleit became a Seagrams product, made at their Lawrenceburg distillery in Kentucky. Now a Diageo brand, the age and provenance remain undisclosed. We do know that it's produced with a higher proportion of rye than most other Bourbons, creating a drier more complex spirit (the mash bill is 68% Corn, 28% Rye and 4% Malted Barley). It's said to be distilled in small batches, aged for no less than ten years with some 11 and 12 year old blended in as well. Barrels are stored in a single-story warehouse (reducing inconsistencies in the maturation process). It was awarded a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition - beating more expensive and better known premium bourbons such as Knob Creek, Maker's Mark and Jim Beam Black.
Other reviews... The new, elder sibling to the standard Bulleit. It shows the Bulleit personality, but it’s deeper and drier on the nose and palate (as would be expected), with more oak, dried orchard fruit, and dark berried fruit, along with a hint of barrel char, leather, vanilla powder, and a dusting of cinnamon. I’d save this as a postprandial bourbon, and opt for the standard Bulleit as an aperitif. 86 points- - whiskyadvocate.com (Vol. 22, #2) Reviewed by: John Hansell
... Bulleit 10 Year continues with the spicy kick the the brand is known for, but its additional depth and slight refinement still doesn’t quite hit the mark other bourbons in this price range do. The extra age seems to have done little to drastically improve the 10 Year over the NAS version. There is some refinement and additional layers of depth that makes it a better sipper, but that’s to be expected. - breakingbourbon.com















































