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2014 Yalumba The Signature Museum Collection Cabernet Sauvignon ShirazBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkExceptionally rich, concentrated and opulent in its texture this is a weighter version of Signature.
Sales manager Chris Greening has the honour of being the 2014 Signatory. A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Shiraz matured for 21 months in 32% new French barriques and Hungarian hogsheads, the balance in older French, Hungarian and American barriques and hogsheads.
Dense pitch black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Intense blackcurrant, liquorice and blackberry scents engulf the nose followed by some spicy vanillin oak, earthy tobacco, subtle dark chocolate, dried herb and leather notes. Rich, concentrated and opulent, the mouth filling palate is flooded with ripe blackcurrant, liquorice and blackberry fruits which meld into a spicy vanillin cedar, earthy dark chocolate and leather background. Beautifully polished yet sturdy tannin structure. Outstanding depth and power finishing long and plush. Quite the exuberant Signature.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
Cabernet Sauvignon and shiraz, matured for 21 months in French, Hungarian and American oak, 32% new (though none of the American oak was new). You’d imagine, given Yalumba’s history and facilities, that all the oak was Australian coopered.
Pitch perfect on the nose, palate and finish. This is in superb form. Berried, chocolatey, laced with licorice, scattered with dry, fragrant herbs and topped with pure coffee-like flavour. It feels both alive and dense, it’s scaffolded by an assertive range of tannin, it’s lifted by mint-like tips, and it reaches far through the finish/aftertaste. Perfect red for the cellar.
96 points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine FrontMatured for 20 months in French, Hungarian and American oak. This ticks all the boxes, a rock of ages in the storm of Yalumba reds coming onto the market, led by The Cayley, but numerous others seeking your company. The blackcurrant and blackberry fruit are in total harmony, and the overall texture is of a high order thanks to the oak management, as well as that of the tannins. A standout from a vintage that had its challenges. Drink by 2040.
96 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion
This generously proportioned 2014 The Signature (Cabernet/Shiraz) retains its youthful vitality with tarry, chocolate and blackberry aromas with some aged earthy, tobacco tones starting to emerge. Bold and brooding, with a chewy, tannic frame and lashings of chocolate/blackberry flavors building to a strong, gravel infused finish. Great character and aging potential. Drink 2026-2030.
95 points
Angus Hughson - Vinous -
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Jack Daniels Sinatra Select Tennessee Whiskey (1000ml)Tennessee, UNITED STATES$280. 00Bottle$3360.00 DozenABV: 45%According to Alastair Smart, writing for the Telegraph, Jack Daniel's whisky was Sinatra's signature drink.
"He would rarely be seen for long without a tumbler in his hand. The Washington Post even went so far as to nickname him 'The Bourbon Baritone' (apart from 'Ol' Blue Eyes' another popular nickname was 'The Innkeeper'). The signal for party-time at Twin Palms came when Sinatra hoisted a flag bearing the Jack Daniel's logo above the mansion. It was perhaps fitting, then, that Sinatra was buried in 1998 with a bottle of JD slipped into his coat pocket."To commemorate the half century association between Frank and Jack, the Jack Daniels Distillery have released this special edition. Packaged in presentation carton with booklet.
Tasting note: Deep brassy gold. Offers a classic JD sniff with aromas of burnt orange, fresh sawn oak, dilute maple syrup, vanilla fudge and a peppery kick. The extra ABV makes for full bodied Jack. Lovely smokey oak/hickory key notes hover over latent vanilla, cinnamon and caramel. A tad grippy to finish but rounds off with an attractive sweet Bourbon flourish. A definite step up from the 40% ABV bottling. Try this on its own before drenching it with Coke. 45% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... This new Jack Daniel’s offering is marketed as being “bold and smooth.” It certainly is bolder when compared to the standard Jack Daniel’s offering, with a mélange of corn, creamy vanilla, toasted caramel, bright citrus, and dry resinous oak spiked with cinnamon. The smoothness ends, however, when the oak grip intensifies on the finish. Adding ice does tame the oak, if that’s your thing. Still, I’d prefer the oak be more restrained.
86 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: John Hansell (Spring 2014) -
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Grants Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml)Banffshire, SCOTLAND$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenABV: 40%Formerly known as the 'Family Reserve', Grant's have now re-branded this as 'Triple Wood'.
William Grant began distilling in 1887, with the intention of supplying the then flourishing trade. When his sole distributer collapsed, Grant was left with no outlet for continueing sales. Grant urgently needed to invent and market his own brand. In desperation, he passed the challenge onto his son-in-law who, so the story goes, made over five hundred calls to various firms around the country. He managed to sell one dozen bottles! Business gradually improved however, and the original Grants we know today was suitably marketed under the "Steadfast" label. The product has since enhanced its image to cater for numerous international markets, including the adoption of its striking triangular bottle.
Tasting Notes: Aromas include oatmeal biscuit, hints of dried fruits and peat as well as notes of honey. A fresh, clean and light entry has sustained interest, dovetailing into a balanced, delicately spicy, medium dry mid palate with a flourish of raisin and smoke to the cereal and honey flavours. Add this to your shortlist of daily drams. Much improved since our last tasting. 40% Alc./Vol.
Previous review: [October 2000] A lighter style blend, similar in weight and character to Teacher’s. The nose is plump, oily and semi-sweet with notes of honey, oatmeal, and biscuit. The influences of Balvenie and Glenfiddich (which are also produced by William Grant and Sons) are evident. Subtle flavours of almond, toffee, chocolate and vanilla make for everyday drinking 40% alc./vol.
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Douglas Laing's Rock Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Glasgow, SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46.8%Established in 1948, independent Scotch whisky specialist, Douglas Laing & Co have released a selection Island inspired blended malts under the Rock Island label (formerly known as 'Rock Oyster'). Bottled at 46.8% and without colouring or chill-filtration, top notch whiskies from Scotland’s islands are employed including those distilled on Islay, Arran, Orkney and Jura. It’s no wonder Master Blender Fred Laing says “If I could select just one dram to transport the Whisky enthusiast to the Islands of Scotland, it would be this!"
Tasting note: Pale straw / gold. Sea breeze then faint iodine followed by lanolin and kipper on the nose. Lipsmacking with a tangy lanolin-peat, salt'n'pepper profile. Finish adds vanilla and suggests citrus zest. Concludes salty, vibrant and medium long. A delicious blend with a distinctive 'island' edge. 46.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... The final cornerstone of Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts range, this blended malt celebrates the best from the Islands. The peat smoke finds harmony with the nose of pine, lemon curd, dewy lawns, and vanilla fudge. This is gloriously full-flavored; the peatiness certainly delivers, but there is a pleasant nip of saltiness too. The black pepper finish leads to a long lasting salty smack on the lips. Make this your hipflask essential for bracing excursions along the shoreline. 87 points - maltadvocate.com (Fall 2015) Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick
- Boronia Marsala (750ml)AUSTRALIA$12. 99Bottle$155.88 DozenABV: 18%A fortified wine, Boronia Marsala has become a popular cooking ingredient, as well as enjoyed for its rich raisin flavours. Infused with herbs and spices. 18% Alc./Vol.
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Highland Park Viking Scars 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Orkney Islands, SCOTLAND$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 40%Bang for your buck, one of the surprise whiskies of the year! Highland Park's revamped core range comes complete with a new 'embossed' bottle look and colourful names paying homage to the island's Viking history. According to the distillery, "Magnus Eunson, who founded Highland Park in 1798, was a direct descendant of the early Viking pioneers who settled in Orkney. The Vikings left their mark on the landscape, the culture and the people. In fact, one in three islanders bears the Viking DNA." 'Viking Scars' is a tribute to one of the nine noble virtues of the Vikings. Tasting note: Expectations aren’t high when it comes to NAS and younger HPs. Viking Scars changes that. Sultry aromas of honey, tea biscuits, poached fruits and soft smoke defy the whisky's age. In the mouth, it's full-flavoured with light citrus and pear fruitiness overlaid by oily, maritime peat and honey glaze. Don’t look for big complexity, but texture-wise this is superb. Better than the current 12 year old and one of the surprise whiskies of the year. 40% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... No need to say that we like the fact that they did not drop the age statement, while wondering if they did not reach the limits of Vikingdom. Scars? What’s next, Viking Dishwasher? Nah, love them, really, it’s all a bit second-degree anyway, is it not. Is it? Colour: gold. Nose: no or very little sherry seasoning here, so it’s rather bright, showcasing the trademark heather honey and this mineral side that we always enjoyed. Salty beach rocks, shells, ripe apples and quinces, beach bonfire afar, honey drops, wallflowers (sublime!)… But I like this very much! Mouth: very good, very very good! Even the lower strength does not pose problems here. Perfect honey, lemons, salt, smoked shells, clay, oysters, grapefruits… Finish: medium, superbly fresh, complex, and fruity. Even more honey in the aftertaste, that is perfect. Comments: hey Orkney, we need a CS version of the very same juice! Fantastic interplay between the minerality, the honey and the citrus. Probably my favourite BFYB this month, although the month isn’t over yet.
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Tempus Fugit Creme de Cacao a La Vanille Liqueur (700ml)SWITZERLAND$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 24%Tasting note: Made with Venezuelan cacao and Mexican vanilla and based on a 19th Century recipe. Pours a thick, glycerous translucent sienna brown with fat legs. Jam-packed with aromas redolent of fresh cocoa, vanilla bean and hazelnut chocolate; follows through with a luxurious cocoa / dark chocolate and subtle marzipan profile in an extraordinary thickened-cream delivery that raises the bar for the genre. Ends balanced, drier than the mid palate stage and medium long. Does Creme de Cacao get better than this? 24% Alc./Vol. Other reviews... this complex take on a staple liqueur is ruddy in the glass and flavorful with cocoa powder, almond, vanilla and a touch of hazelnut richness on the long finish. Viscous and slightly too thick for straight-up sipping, this is a tasty upgrade for cocktails. 95 points
- www.wineenthusiast.com -
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Brookies Byron Gin (700ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$82. 99Bottle$995.88 DozenABV: 46%Co-founder, Eddie Brook struck up a friendship with legendary Scotch Whisky distiller, Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich fame during one of Jim's tours around Australia. At the time, Eddie was Australian distributor for Bruichladdich's whiskies and Gin (The Botanist). McEwan was coaxed out of retirement and joined Eddie and his family to launch Brookie’s gin in Northern New South Wales. Named "Cape Byron Distillery", the operation runs a 2000 liter Tassie-made copper pot still. Brookies employs 26 botanicals, 18 of which are native to Australia: Sunrise finger limes from Byron Bay, kumquat, blood lime, aniseed myrtle, cinnamon myrtle, White Aspen, riberry, the young leaves of the lilly pilly leaf, macadamia nut, native raspberries from Brook Farm, Dorrigo pepper leaf, river mint and native ginger. Traditional botanicals include juniper, coriander, cassia, angelica and orris root.
Tasting note: Crystal clear. Pure, rounded aromas of citrus peel and lemon thyme followed by woody juniper, pepper, coriander and minty freshness. Five minutes adds hints of raspberry. Creamy textured with a concentrated yet keenly balanced profile; lively with piney juniper upfront, followed by dried herbs and pepper. Hints of macadamia late in the aftertaste? The lingering spiciness and the overall length is quite something. Nicely done. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... An incredibly ambitious gin in its wide use of Australian botanicals -17 to be exact! While one might think such an endeavour might create a ferocious mix of flavours, all clamouring for attention, Brookie's Byron Dry is unified with an overall calm note. Botanicals are well integrated, used intentionally, and work together to create a polished product. There's a subtlety to this gin that presents a little coy and soft; in the glass, it takes a little while to express itself. Once it does, this gin presents with some beautiful ripe fruits, raspberry & riberry. The drier, woody herbaceous botanicals kick in after that, and the mix of flavours helps to create balance and structure for the Australian botanicals to shine through. Juniper is not lost in the mix; the resinous pine follows into the finish and rounds out the overall experience. 93 points - Jess Clayfield, James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2025
Gold Medal. San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017
- Bundaberg Master Distillers Blenders Edition 2015 Rum (700ml)Bundaberg, Queensland, AUSTRALIA$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 40%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
The Bundaberg Distilling Company Blending Team are continually exploring new ways to create great tasting premium rum by experimenting with some of the distillery's richest and rarest rum reserves. Each year the team of expert blenders select their favourite blend that they believe is the "best one yet" and proudly release as this year's Blenders' Edition. The 2015 has been crafted with care using rums finished in port and sherry barrels. It is a complex rum layered with delicate hints of raisins, spice and tobacco coupled with a long and exceptionally smooth finish; best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. 40% Alc./vol.Voted World's Best Rum at the World Rum Awards for 2016. - No tasting notes available.
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Ambra Limoncello Liqueur (500ml)South Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 25%Produced in South Australia using locally sourced Lemons from the Riverlands using thick skinned lemons. The skins of the lemons are macerated in alcohol to give colour and flavour to the Limoncello. No preservatives or artificial colours are used.
Retasted 2018... As below, but with better length and overall freshness, the finish sustained by a judicious balance of tart peel and citrus oils. 92 points
First tasted 2015... Pale, slightly cloudy emerald green. The nose shows promise with lifted lemon sorbet notes refreshed by hints of peel. Viscous and sweet lemon cordial like flavours; finish is balanced by very delicate acidity. Everything's in its place but upping the zest and freshness would make for a classic. 88 points
Other reviews... Ambra Limoncello is the flagship product from this South Australian producer. Made with locally sourced lemons, the nose offers plenty of fresh and zesty lemon-drop notes that come across as entirely natural in origin. At room temperature, there is a slight note of spirit as well, suggesting this product could use a touch more integration. Still, they suggest this limoncello is best served cold, and out of the fridge those spirit notes are less obvious. On the palate, the sweetness is well balanced with the zestiness of real lemon. The finish is absent of any cloying notes from aggressive sweetness and, overall, this is a pleasant, natural-tasting limoncello that would mix well in most scenarios. 91 points - Fred Siggins, winecompanion.com
- Johnnie Walker Gold Label The Centenary Blend 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml) - Old PackagingSCOTLAND$350. 00Bottle$4200.00 DozenABV: 40%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some light creasing/scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Johnnie Walker Gold has had several incarnations, however, it's the original 18 year old age statement that's most prized by collectors and said to taste the best. A blend of 15 different whiskies (with a good dose of Clynelish), this edition was on the market from 1992 through to 2009. Around 2013 The Centenary was phased out in favour of the current Gold Label Reserve which carries no age statement. Good condition on most, with the boxes showing minor ware and markings. 40% Alc./Vol. -
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Aviation Batch Distilled Gin (700ml)Portland, Oregon, UNITED STATES$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 42%A unique partnership between Lee Medoff and Christian Krogstad of House Spirits Distilling in Portland, Oregon, and mixologist Ryan Magarian of Liquid Kitchen in Seattle. Believed to be the first collaboration of its kind, the gin employs a traditional Dutch copper pot still all-Rye grain base, which brings it's own zest, spiciness and weight compared to corn or wheat base counterparts, combined with a more even handed blending approach (i.e.- less juniper than a London Dry Gin). Other botanicals include cardamom, coriander, lavender, aniseed, saraparilla and dried orange peel.
Chris Carllson of Spiritsreview.com commented: "While taking an old style genever or American style base they have added a deft sense of blending, maceration and distillation to create a truly outstanding Gin. This is the gin to use to resurrect those classic pre-Prohibition American cocktail recipes such as the Alamagoozlum and a host of others, that simply cannot be done with a London Dry...a must have for the discerning gin connoisseur."
Tasting note: Clear. A sweet star anise top note descends the liquorice octave to fennel and sarsaparilla over hints of dill, caraway and rye bread. Soft, glycerous entry leads into a broad, semi sweet rye, caraway, anise flavour profile with citrus zest adding freshness. Excellent balance. White pepper to finish refreshed by sarsaparilla and caraway through the aftertaste. A solid alternative to traditional Genevers. 42% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The bouquet emits earthy/mineral-like and fruity scents of slate/stone, wax and orange zest. The palate entry is very citrusy and tart; at midpalate the flavor profile turns astringent and bitter with major grain and citrus fruit influence. Concludes zesty, acidic, fresh and clean. A floral/citrusy style that’s completely different from London Dry's. 85-89 points. - www.wineenthusiast.com
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Bols Oude Genever Gin (1000ml)Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 35%We are pleased to import this sought after gin after a long absence from the Australian market. The Very old (Oude) distinction derives its name from the fact that this was the first genever known in Holland, the home of gin. Its robust flavour stands out, being decidedly different in taste than that of the more familiar London Dry Gins – fuller and riper, although similar botanicals are used in its manufacture only in different proportions. The chief point of difference is the spirit base used in Dutch Gin which, unlike its New World counterparts, is not a completely tasteless neutral grain spirit. Rather, 'Zeer Oude Bols' is distilled in a pot still from a mash containing rye, barley and corn which on distillation produces some congeners normally associated with whisky. Dutch Gins are also generally distilled at a lower alcoholic strength than New World types. Bols Genever Gin, consistent with its old world tradition, is bottled in a distinctive stone crock and has an alcohol content of 35 % /vol. Best drunk neat and chilled.
An interesting fact when contemplating the use of Genever: In 1862 a celebrity bartender by the name of Jerry Thomas produced the world's first cocktail and bartending book titled "The Bar-tenders Guide or How To Mix Drinks". In there appeared recipes based around four basic cocktail spirits being brandy, rum, whisky and not surprisingly, Genever the predecessor of London Dry Gin.
Below is a cocktail recipe replicating an original version of the 'Orange Collins', a classic in the era of Jerry Thomas.
Enjoy!Recipe: Orange Collins
Ingredients
-Oude Genever
-Dry orange liqueur
-Freshly squeezed lemon juice
-Sugar Syrup (2:1)
-Bitters
-Sparkling water
-Orange WedgeMethod
1. Fill a shaker with ice and add 2 dashes of bitters, 15ml Sugar Syrup,15ml Dry orange liqueur, 30ml freshly squeezed lemon juice and 75ml of Oude Genever.
2. Close the shaker and shake for 10 seconds
3. Double strain: pour the contents of the shaker through a Hawthorn strainer and a fine strain, into the pre-chilled glass.
4. Squeeze an orange wedge over the glass and drop it into the drink.
5. Top up with sparkling water .Serve in a tall glass with an orange wedge and long straw
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2015 Yeringberg ShirazYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinTotally opaque black dark red colour with a deep bright dark red hue. Aromas of liquorice and dark plum meld into some smoky cedar scents with traces of dried meats and blackpepper ensuing. Medium bodied, there’s good richness to the dark plum and liquorice fruits which sit over back drop of smoky cedar, fennel, traces of meatiness and blackpepper. Finely grained tannins support the refined mouthfeel. Finishes with good freshness, solid length and an aftertaste of spicy dark plums, liquorice, smoky vanillin cedar, dried meats and blackpepper.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews....
Excellent dark purple hue, thanks to a splash of viognier. It's a glorious, perfectly pitched cool climate shiraz with a lot packed into it, yet retains an elegance on its medium-bodied palate. Heady aromas of dark and red fruits, black pepper, some pine needles/garrigue notes and a fleck of charry-wood spices from the otherwise integrated oak. There's a suppleness, juiciness on the palate, and a savoury note that tempers the fruit, the tannins fine and detailed with the acidity, like a refreshing squirt of raspberry juice. Drink by 2030.
96 Points
Jane Faulkner - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion97% shiraz, 3% viognier. 11% whole bunches. 25% new oak. 390 dozen produced.
Impeccable wine. Needs a few years to integrate fully but its cherry-plum flavour, swoosh of smoked cedarwood, lifted spice notes and meaty/clovey aftertaste are all presented in immaculate shape and form. It’s fresh, frisky almost, with finely inscribed tannin and excellent length. Elegance in a glass. Drink: 2020-2028+.
93+ Points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front -
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Benedictine D.O.M Liqueur (700ml)Fecamp, FRANCE$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 40%Everyone knows this squatty bottle with the D.O.M. label and the big seal of (what used to be) scarlet wax. The D.O.M. title, "Deo Optimo Maximo" is latin and translates as "To God most good, most great."The original recipe of this famous elixir, created by a monk, Don Bernardo Vincelli in 1510, was said to have revived fatigued brothers and even warned off epidemics.
Still made by French Benedictine monks at Fecamp, Dom Benedictine has as its basis the blending of 27 different plants and spices from five continents. These include a blend of herbs, spices and an infusion of saffron, honey, thyme, tea and caramel. The quality of ingredients and the maturation of Benedictine in oak casks for three months combine to produce a truly unique spirit. The original therapeutic function of DOM continues to this day, and in the Far East, it is taken by miners for rheumatism and as a tonic for pregnant women.Dom is not ideal as a mixer, as it lacks character and loses its delicate, heathery flavour. Try over ice. 40% alc/vol.
Other reviews... The delicately herbal bouquet is an unusual combination of earth and flowers; one of the more seductive, unique and piquant liqueur perfumes in existence. In the mouth, the full texture coats the tongue as sweet flavors of honey, citrus peel, rosemary, sage and basil harmonize perfectly. Aftertaste is silky-smooth and extended. Magnificent. Best Buy. 96-100 points - www.wineenthusiast.com
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Nikka Miyagikyo 10 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml)Sendai, JAPAN$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenABV: 45%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Whisky is big business in Japan with Scotch whisky being especially popular, yet with their own history of brewing and sake production, it's only logical that the Japanese are now making whisky too. What began as a conscious imitation of Scotch, now has a style all of its own, and since commercial production began in the early 20th century, the quality has been steadily improving.Today, most of the malt whisky produced in Japan is for blending but Japanese distillers generally don't trade casks in the manner that Scottish distillers do. Consequently, it's up to each distillery to produce a diversity of styles that will form the base components of 'house blends' that offer unique and complex flavour profiles. Some Japanese blends will even include a percentage of Scotch whisky, rather than whisky from rival local distillers. This jealous reluctance to exchange is considered one of the major obstacles holding the industry back from the prominence it deserves: In a number of blind tastings recently organised by Whisky Magazine, which have included Japanese single malts in the lineup along with malts from distilleries considered to be among the best in Scotland, on more than one occasion, the results have had Japanese single malts scoring higher than their Scotch counterparts.
After a long absence from the Australian market, we've finally managed to secure some world class Japanese whiskies from the Nikka distillery, Japan’s second largest whisky producer after Suntory. Now owned by the brewer Asahi, the company was originally set up by Masataka Taketsuru, who built Yoichi distillery in 1934, having previously spent two years studying the art of distilling in Scotland. (He also developed the now famous 'Yamazaki' distillery in Kyoto for Suntory which he managed for ten years).
The Miyagikyo Distillery is Nikka's second distillery and was built in 1969 after Taketsuru came upon the site, completely enclosed by mountains and sandwiched between the Shin and Hirose rivers. The areas fresh water and crisp air produce soft and mild malt, while the humidity is considered perfect for spirit maturation. At present eight stills are in operation.
'World Class!' - David Broom.
Tasting note: Bright gold colour with a pale straw hue. Pristine, fresh notes of mouthwatering barley combine with juicy, estery aromas, in particular banana confectionary. There's also a discreet, sweet smokey base to the aroma. A sexy sniff. The nose repeats on the palate, only spice and smoke make a more substantial presence. Soft, warming spirit. Excellent balance. Long aftertaste of cereals, spice and lanolin. Finishes dry and peppermint like. Eminently drinkable whisky. 45% Alc./Vol.Other reviews... The nose offers little to encourage, but the sweetened softness of delivery is delicious; there is even a swirl of smoke on the finish to add weight. Rating: 85 points - Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2009
- Bulloch Lade Extra Special Gold Label Blended Scotch Whisky (1 Pt. 6 Fl. Ozs.)SCOTLAND$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 Dozen
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
A bottling of Bulloch Lade's Extra Special Gold Label blend, probably from the 1960s. The company were traders in whisky stocks, and at one point owned the famous Caol Ila Distillery on Islay. One bottle only from a private collection. Very good to excellent condition given the age of this curio. -
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Johnnie Walker Premier Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml)Kilmarnock, SCOTLAND$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 43%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
This was one of JWs most exclusive blends, created from some of Scotland's rarest malt and grain whiskies. Stunning presentation made this discontinued Johnnie a shortlisted collectable.
Other reviews...Nose: leathery and waxy with distant hints of honey and peat. Taste: big age on the malt, chewy, nutty-toffee and quiet spices; Finish: more peppery now with excellent oak amid the grain with toffee returning with some sweet coffee; Balance: a luxurious blend with firm grain and big weight. A dram to take your time over.
89 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2006 -
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Espolon Reposado 100% Agave Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 40%Closure: CorkVery pale straw / gold colour. The nose delights with its keenly herbaceous / potpourri intensity that includes notes of dried grass, baked citrus, freshly cracked peppercorns and a hint of crushed eucalyptus leaf. A light silky entry builds to a moderately concentrated profile that’s subtly smokey with suggestions of baked citrus and green peppercorns. Slightly oily. Finishes short and rather nondescript with a faint beeswax aftertaste. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Espolon Reposado Tequila is aged six months, quite a bit of time amongst modern reposados which spend half that time in barrels if they’re lucky. Definitely a kissing cousin of the blanco, this expression is smoothed out, and has the agave knocked down a few pegs, letting vanilla and some caramel notes come to the surface. Nice, easy finish. An incredible bargain — it’s actually the same price as the blanco. A winner. - drinkhacker.com
...Golden yellow color. Mellow aromas of honeycomb, citrus meringue, and delicate pickling and baking spices. Super smooth and satiny with a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body. Elegant and floral on the finish with anise, bee pollen, and pepper accents. Superbly crafted.
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal, 93 points (Exceptional) - tastings.com.au - Mozart Black Dark Chocolate Liqueur (500ml)Salzburg, AUSTRIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenABV: 17%
Contributing to their already well renowned range of chocolate liqueurs, the Mozart distillery have produced a creamless version comprising of cocoa and vanilla which has been macerated in a sugarcane distillate for 30 days. A certain part of the cocoa macerate is kept in oak barrels for two years to round out its natural bitterness. 17% Alc./Vol.
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2016 Chateau GuiraudSauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$120. 00Bottle$1440.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkExtravagantly rich and viscous with remarkable freshness shining through the long, power packed finish.
Ranked one step down the Sauternes appellation pyramid from the legendary Chateau d'Yquem is Chateau Guiraud. The wine is produced from certified organic vines with an average age of about 20-30 years old. The cepage is 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. Ageing takes place in French oak for approximately 18 months.
Bright golden straw colour with deep gold tinged edges. Intoxicating aromas of honeyed peaches and apricot carry a strong botrytis character with marmalade, toffee apple, sweet pineapple and spice notes ensuing. Rich, concentrated and voluminous, the incredibly luscious palate is drenched with a thick coating of honeyed apricot, peach and pineapple fruits. Marmalade, subtle toffee apple and spice elements are layered across the expansive back half. Despite it’s textural viscosity it shows remarkable freshness through the long power packed finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews....
The 2016 Guiraud has a pale lemon color and opens with musk perfume, paraffin, cedar and spice box notes with a core of lemon tart, honey-drizzled white peaches and kumquat plus a waft of quince paste. The palate has beautiful vibrancy and loads of lively tropical and spicy layers, finishing very long. Drink 2021-2044.
95 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (Mar 30, 2019)The 2016 Guiraud has a very attractive, complex bouquet of lemon curd, orange blossom and light lanolin aromas that gently unfold in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with a spicy opening. This feels concentrated and harmonious, delivering good grip and a tangy marmalade-driven finish that begs you back for another sip. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Drink 2023-2050.
95 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Jan 2020)One of the top Sauternes in this report is the 2016 Château Guiraud, a brilliant wine from a more challenging vintage for the Sauternes region. Beautiful, powerful notes of sugared peach, blood orange, caramelized pineapple, and honey all give way to a full-bodied Sauternes that has loads of sweetness and richness, yet good acidity as well. It does everything right and will offer up incredible pleasure over the coming 25-30 years. Drink 2021-2051.
96 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019)Guiraud walks the line of minerality, florality and richness effectively for me. Lime juice oozes through, you can't hold it back, and your mouth responds. Succulent, with a well judged salinity. Very good. Drink 2022-2050.
95 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (April 2017) -
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- Nicks Import
2014 Chateau MontroseSainte Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenClosure: CorkThis historic large estate, situated atop the Gironde in Saint-Estèphe, is renowned for producing some of Bordeaux's most exceptional and enduring wines. Over the past 15 years it has enjoyed significant investment, resulting in the establishment of a state-of-the-art winery and cellars. Substantial efforts have also being made in the vineyards. When Olivier and Martin Bouygues acquired Château Montrose from the Charmolüe family in 2006, the property boasted 17 hectares of pre-clonal vines dating back to the early 20th century. Through a meticulous massale selection program 80 promising clones, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, have been identified for replanting purposes. Similar endeavors are now focused on Merlot, utilizing a plot behind the château acquired from Phélan-Ségur. Additionally, experimental cover crops are being introduced, and cultivation techniques are being adjusted to minimize disturbance to the soil microbiome. The winemaking approach remains traditional, with macerations lasting approximately three weeks and maturation taking place in around 60% new oak barrels.
Direct ex-chateau releases 2024.
Other Reviews...
The brilliant 2014 Montrose is the fruit of a harvest that stretched out for almost a month, ending on October 17. One of the wines of the vintage, it opens in the glass with aromas of cassis and plums mingled with burning embers, licorice, sweet loamy soil and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's concentrated and tightly wound, with sweet tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Drink: 2026-2054.
96+ points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)The 2014 Montrose has an engaging and complex bouquet with black fruit, a pencil box, pressed violet and warm earth scents, gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with excellent tannins that frame the mineral-rich black fruit (in fact, this is one of the most mineral-laden 2014 Left Banks I tasted.) The oak is seamlessly integrated, and the finish has real panache. Beautifully, and it's just entering its drinking window. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting. Drink: 2025-2055.
96 points
Neal Martin - VinousIncredible aromas of currants, blackberries, slate and flowers. Full-bodied yet so tight and beautiful with superb polish and brightness. The length is fantastic. Truly superb. Drink in 2021.
97 points
James SucklingAnother contender for wine of the vintage. Here things get a little deep and fleshy, with crushed damson fruit that holds its integrity. Tannins are big and bold, oak influence clear but not offputting, just giving boots to slip your feet into. Your mouth responds to these tannins, reminds you that wine tasting us a physical activity. Great quality, what a brilliant wine. Drink: 2022-2045.
97 points
Jane Anson - DecanterThis is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2035.
95 points
James Molesworth - Wine SpectatorI loved the 2014 Montrose and it has an incredible purity and elegance that sets it apart from its peers. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it offers a deeper, richer profile with gorgeous cassis and currant fruits intermixed with licorice, chocolate, graphite and beautiful minerality. A spitting image of class on the palate, with fine tannin, integrated acidity, and medium to full-bodied richness, this terrific 2014 is up with the crème de la crème of the Médoc and keep for two to three decades. Drink: 2020-2050.
95 points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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2015 Chateau GraciaSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Blended of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 15 to 20 months, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Gracia rocks up with an audacious nose of crème de cassis, chocolate box, blueberry compote and plum preserves with touches of charcuterie, scorched earth and yeast extract. Full-bodied, rich and firm in the mouth, its power wears a compellingly plush frame with a lively backbone and an epically long, savory and spice-laced finish. Drink 2019-2032.
95 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateDark, plush and exotic, the 2015 Gracia shows off the most extravagant side of Saint-Émilion. Dark cherry, chocolate, leather, spice and menthol effortlessly fill out the wine's dense frame. The 2015 has turned out beautifully and is a great example of modern Saint-Émilion at its best. The blend is 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2022-2035.
94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThere’s a very fresh and expressive feel to the nose here. It has a wealth of spiced blueberries and fresh violets. The palate delivers immense concentration of ripe dark plums and black cherries, while the oak sits nicely. Very regal finish. Try from 2022.
97 points
James SucklingIn the same ballpark as the 2016, the 2015 Château Gracia is a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon raised all in new oak. It’s another Rockstar effort from this estate that pairs sensational richness and depth with phenomenal elegance, purity and a weightlessness that’s hard to believe. Cassis, toasty oak, damp earth, violets, and smoked herb nuances all flow to a full-bodied, layered, multi-dimensional Saint-Emilion that has incredible sex appeal, yet is just as complex, layered and nuanced. It’s an incredible wine! Drink 2023 - 2053.
97 points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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1992 Jean Fillioux Millesime Grande Champagne Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenABV: 43%Jean Fillioux is not exactly a household name when it comes to Cognac. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. As with other small 'grower producers, like Jean Luc Pasquet or Paul Giraud, Fillioux's cognacs are the efforts of a hands-on artisan usually dealing in small production runs, which often translates into a more interesting product. In short, such small houses can offer less uniform but more idiosyncratic spirits that stand out from the corporate pack.
The Filliouxs have often used their distillery to make Cognacs for the big four brands. However, the fruit that grows in the vineyard planted on a hilltop in Grande Champagne, 'La Pouyade', has always been reserved for the creation of their own brandies. The site is located in Grande Champagne's "golden triangle": Verrières, Angeac-Champagne and Juillac-le-Coq, an area known to yield the most delicate distillate requiring long barrel ageing to achieve maturity. Most of the Fillioux cognacs are blended, however, there are some exceptional single estate offerings too. Founded in 1880 by Honoré Fillioux, the company is presently run by his great-grand-son Pascal J. Fillioux, admiringly referred to by his neighbors as the “Magician of Aromas."
Tasting note: [from a 20ml sample] Harvested and distilled in 1992 and matured in brand new loose grain oak casks. Deep amber, some sediment evident. Initial inspections detect marshmallow and vanilla; several minutes exposure lifts the bouquet a notch as pepper, cinnamon and stewed apple-like scents develop, contributing depth and freshness. Seamless and well rounded with a semi sweet harmony of dried fruits, honey, spicy oak and balancing acidity throughout. Finish is accented by slightly astringent oak, thinning out and exiting early. Dilute honey aftertaste. A smooth and relaxed style. 43% Alc./Vol.
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Dolin Dry Vermouth (750ml) - Green LabelChambery, FRANCE$31. 99Bottle$383.88 DozenABV: 17.5%Closure: Screw CapDolin is among the few remaining independent producers of Vermouth and the last producing Vermouth de Chambéry, still made according to the principles which earned Chambéry France's only A.O. for Vermouth back in 1932. Production involves maceration of real plants rather than pre-prepared infusions, and the unique addition of sugar as opposed to other sweeteners. The finished Vermouth contains 75-80% base wine, much more than that employed by many international brands, with the majority of grapes sourced from the Armagnac vineyards of the Gers in addition to local/regional producers. Enjoy as an aperitif on ice, with a twist of citrus, or in a broad array of traditional cocktails.
Tasting notes... Clear with a very pale green tinge. Moderate, Fino Sherry-like aromatics include yeasty, nutty notes with a hint of quince. The palate is again reminiscent of dry flor sherry, though heavier and with a slightly oily texture. Flavours of almond, dried apricot and flor yeast-like characteristics are evident. Finishes bone dry with a persistent salted hazelnut and dried apricot aftertaste. Very refreshing. 17.5% Alc./Vol.
- The Macallan Edition No. 2 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$999. 00Bottle$11988.00 DozenABV: 48.2%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not shown. If you would like information on specific signs of wear, please contact us on freecall 1800 069 295.
Edition No. 2 follows on from the first edition, originally offered in 2015. This time the whisky employs a marketing concept that's currently in vogue: The "collaborative effort" (think Glenfiddich's Project XX). Master blender Bob Dalgarno has teamed up with Spanish chefs Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca and each contributor has handpicked a cask:
Joan Roca, head chef, picked 1st and 2nd fill Diego Martin casks for its rich green wood and toffee flavours.
Jordi Roca, pastry chef went with 1st and 2nd fill Vasyma American Oak casks to include light vanilla and citrus notes.
Joseph Roca, the sommelier, selected 1st fill Jose Miguel Martin casks with spicy ginger notes.
Bob Dalgarno picked 1st fill Tevasa cask, which conveys dried fruit and sherry notes.This combination of sherry puncheons, butts and refill hogsheads has resulted in a "deliciously floral and fruity whisky with notes of tropical fruit, black pepper, liquorice and brandy snaps."
Other reviews... This limited release was aged in seven cask types—both American and European oak in a variety of sizes—from four Spanish bodegas: Vasyma, Diego Martin, Jose Miguel Martin, and Tevasa. Citrus fruits, ginger, black pepper, light smoke, and rubbery leather on the nose. Ultimately, carnations. The palate is rich, nutty, and sweet, with malt, toffee, sticky sherry, maraschino cherries, milk chocolate, and gentle spice. Long in the finish, with spices and creamy cocoa.
90 points- whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Spring 2017)... When you have no age, you ought to come up with a name, and a number’s just easy to find, isn’t it. It’s strange though that they wouldn’t have called it ‘The Spanish Edition’ or something, as this NAS vatting was done in collaboration with some Spanish chefs. And why not? Now I’ve been to some of those restaurants (such as the Rocas’s), and I can assure you that they’re totally great. Colour: gold. Nose: malt and sherry, obviously. Ovaltine, raisins, oak, vanilla, barley, toffee, chocolate, and a little mocha, then rather tangerine jam and fruity cornflakes. Fruity Loops, that’s their name if I remember well. Well done so far. Mouth: okay, this is very good. Big malty arrival, totally in sync with the nose, then many full-flavoured pastries, cakes, and certainly some ginger cake. A spoonful of thick ale, or perhaps Guinness (I know that’s a little un-diplomatic). Finish: long, firm, rather thick. Ginger cake and raisin rolls and some welcome lemon in the aftertaste. Comments: I like it that Macallan would collaborate with chefs and starred restaurants. That’s good, worthy content (as long as the chefs have something to say and enjoy their whisky). 87 points- Serge Valentin, whisky-fun.com
...Stunningly pretty burnt sienna/bronze color; flawlessly pure. Oh man, there’s oloroso sherry and honey written all over the very first aromatics, along with crème caramel, English toffee, and baked ham studded with cloves; secondary whiffs after more air contact discover delicate scents of dried tropical fruits (pineapple, banana), chestnut puree, cigar box, and pipe tobacco. Entry is surprisingly forward with astringent and trimmed flavors of oaky resins, cinnamon, and green tobacco; midpalate echoes the entry impressions as the flavor profile remains leaner than the aroma had implied it would be yet succulent all the same. Aftertaste sums up the experience nicely by promoting the deftness of the dried tropical fruits laced with dense spicy oak and black pepper. Not the robust Macallan of the Sherry series or even to some extent the Fine Oak series, but a nimble, intensely spiced Mac whose elegance wins the day and the Four Stars.
Highly Recommended - www.spiritjournal.com - Lucano Amaro Digestif Liqueur (700ml)ITALY$58. 99Bottle$707.88 DozenABV: 28%“Amaro is the cherry on top of the perfect Italian meal,” says Alessio Liberatore, who runs the popular, family-run Taverna dei Fori Imperiali restaurant near the Colosseum in Rome. It represents a much-loved excuse to prolong the eating experience among friends and family. This version is from the Basilicata region in southern Italy (the word “Lucano” is derived from Lucania, the ancient Latin name for Basilicata). According to www.wineenthusiast.com, this Amaro "opens with a slightly lighter color enhanced by deep aromatic intensity. There’s a pungent herbal note here followed by chocolate, root beer and mouth-cleansing bit-terness." 28% Alc./Vol.
- 2016 George T. Stagg Barrel Proof Release 144.1 Proof (72.05%) Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$4499. 00Bottle$53988.00 DozenABV: 72.5%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Other reviews... Distilled in 2001, this year’s release is a departure from recent releases, which were complex and nicely balanced. It’s more aggressive, with tannins and oak dominating, and lacking the body and sweetness to balance it. It’s my least favorite of this year’s offerings. Dark chocolate, toffee, tobacco, and dried fruit round out the palate and offer some comfort. Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2016.
86 points - John Hansell, www.whiskyadvocate.com -
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Stanton & Killeen Classic Rutherglen 12 Year Old Topaque (500ml)Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenClosure: CorkThe average age of this superb Rutherglen fortified is 12 years. Formerly known as Tokay, this fortified is produced from Muscadelle grapes. Translucent deep onion brown amber colour. Toffee top notes are followed by some honey, raisin and molasses aromas. Concentrated and very luscious the palate delivers flavours of honey, toffee and raisins followed by a touch of spice. There’s a touch of heat from the spirit on the finish which is not quite as well integrated as the Muscat. Long aftertaste of honey, toffee and raisin.
Drink now.
Alc 18.0%First tasted July 2007:
Deep onion brown colour, with delicate olive green edges. Superb sniffing, with aromas of caramel, honey, raisins and fine brandy spirit. Rich, luscious palate with flavours of orange marmalade and honeyed raisins, followed by a clean finish and very long aftertaste of toffee, honey, raisins and caramel.
93 PointsOther Reviews...
Light-to medium golden-brown; great clarity and freshness, with honey and tea leaf aromas; lively and vibrant with similar finesse and harmony to the Campbell wines. Finishes with excellent acidity and a clean, crisp aftertaste. Drink Now
92 points
James Halliday - 2007 Australian Wine Companion - Doorly's X.O Rum (700ml)Saint Philip, BARBADOS$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 43%
Doorly's X.O rum is a unique rum from the parish Saint Philip in Barbados. A blend of rums aged six to twelve years, married in seasoned Oloroso sherry casks, the same casks that give several notable Scotch whiskies their deep colour, and dried fruit & nut flavours.
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Laphroaig 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2017 ReleaseIslay, SCOTLAND$1199. 00Bottle$14388.00 DozenABV: 48.9%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not shown.
Bottled at a higher than normal strength, the 2017 edition is a marriage of bourbon casks with whiskies aged in second-fill oloroso sherry casks, promising a complex mix of sweet, creamy bourbon notes and rich sherry intertwined with Laphroaig's signature maritime peat. Following the stellar quality of the 2016 (96.5 points Jim Murray), this continues the series with another unmissable Laphroaig.Tasting note: Brilliant gold. Slow, brooding, drier-styled aromatics, like the calm before the storm... oloroso pokes through the oily peat as smoked almonds, walnut fudge and a little orange zest emerge...The medicinal notes of younger Laphroaig have dissipated; instead, dried herbs, cough lozenge, pipe tobacco, vanilla and earthy peat enter. The malt arrives thick and chewy before a tsunami of salt and pepper, while the finish turns tingling, oily and sweet. Liquorice, cocoa, spent pipe tobacco and maritime freshness overtake the fading oloroso. Delicate but long. Minimal water lengthens the flavour wave, lending a sooty, ashy quality. Fabulously complex and even better after 10-20 minutes breathing. If you're a fan of this distillery, get some. 48.9% Alc./Vol.
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2007 Clarendon Hills Piggott Range SyrahClarendon, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 DozenCellar: 8 - 10 Years (2017-2019)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkSaturated black purple colour with black purple hue displaying excellent viscosity and glass cling. Lifted notes of dark plum, blackberry, confectionary and liquorice followed by a toasted oak end note. The tannin structure is again very firm and dry with flavours of blackberry, dark plum, spice and blackpepper. Aftertaste of blackpepper, spice and blackberry. Another very tightly constructed 2007 Clarendon Hills Syrah.
Cellar 8-10 years.
14.5% AlcOther Reviews….
The 2007 Syrah Piggott Range offers a kinky, sexy bouquet of earth, bacon, game, incense, and assorted black and blue fruits. Rich and layered, this is a dense, packed, and impeccably balanced powerhouse that will require 8-10 years to reveal its full potential. This lengthy effort will easily provide pleasure through 2027.
95 points
Jay Miller – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate -
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2014 Best's Great Western Thomson Family ShirazGreat Western, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 DozenCellar: 10 - 15 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinThe Thomson Family Shiraz is produced from Henry Best’s original 1867 Shiraz plantings, and is only produced in exceptional years with yields typically at less than two tonnes per acre.
A sublime marriage of elegance and power
Totally opaque black dark purple colour with a bright dark purple hue. Delicately perfumed the nose exhibits a refined aromatic profile of violets, freshly crushed blackberries and liquorice followed by vanillin cedar, faint earth and pepper. Supple and rich with an understated concentration the palate is a seamless mesh of blackberries, liquorice, vanillin cedar, subtle dried meats, light earth, spice and pepper. Perfectly integrated velvet smooth tannins. A wine of great finesse with an understated richness and power that builds incrementally across the palate. Exceptionally long blackberry, liquorice, vanillin cedar, subtle dried meats and spicy pepper aftertaste.
Cellar 10-15 years.
Alc 13.5%
Other Reviews....
Bottle no. 39 of 2200 tells part of the story, but the front label also has in demure typeface 'original 1867 plantings'. This is a ravishing wine with a velvet and satin mouthfeel, and a rainbow of black, purple and blue fruits. Supple tannins are somewhere in the mix, likewise French oak, but don't bother dissecting what is an exquisite wine. As a point of principle, I'm not going to give 100 points for a table wine, but if I were, this would get the nod. Drink by 2054.
99 points
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion -
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- Nicks Import
2019 Chateau Leoville BartonSaint Julien, Bordeaux, FRANCE$290. 00Bottle$3480.00 DozenClosure: CorkOnce part of a much larger vineyard that included Chateau Leoville Las Cases and Chateau Leoville Poyferre, Second Growth producer Chateau Leoville Barton now spans 47 hectares and is owned by the same family as Chateau Langoa Barton. In fact, there is no Chateau on the property, and the image on the label is actually that of Langoa Barton where the wines are made. Wines from this property are traditional and sturdy in style, and the best vintages can require decades to reach their peak. Vineyards are planted to 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.
Other Reviews....
Like its stablemate Langoa Barton, the 2019 Léoville Barton is a timeless classic, made for patient connoisseurs. Offering up aromas of blackcurrants, plums, pencil shavings and licorice, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, its deep core of fruit framed by a chassis of rich, powdery tannin that makes itself felt on the youthfully firm finish. While it's clearly built for the long haul, its structural seamlessness and mid-palate plenitude mark it out as one of the finest wines from this château in recent times. Could it be a more concentrated modern-day version of Anthony Barton's brilliant 1985? Drink 2029-2069.
97 points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Apr 2022)The 2019 Léoville Barton has a powerful and comparatively rich bouquet with layers of black fruit suffused with minerals - wonderful delineation. This has an effortlessness about it. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, gorgeous satin-like texture, mineral-driven with hints of truffle and white pepper towards the exceedingly harmonious finish. I thought this was outstanding before - now I think it might be a benchmark. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink 2026-2058.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Jan 2023)Currants, sweet fruit and fresh flowers on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins that are chewy and powerful. Long and muscular, yet in a toned and polished way. Try after 2026.
96 points
James Suckling (Feb 2022)The flagship 2019 Château Léoville Barton is brilliant, showing both the style of the estate as well as the vintage beautifully. It's never the biggest or richest wine, yet it has a classic, vibrant, structured style that ages beautifully. Pure cassis, black currants, scorched earth, new leather, and graphite are just some of its nuances, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a lively spine of acidity, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. This textbook Léoville Barton demands a decade of bottle age and will keep for 30-40 years. Drink 2032-2062.
97 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2022)A dark nose here, savoury with animal tones, bramble fruits and leather nuances. The palate is excellent, grippy with tannins that just take hold and coat the mouth but underneath you feel there is such well defined fruit - a core of ripe blackcurrants and liquorice tinges. There is an elegance to this despite the mouthful of creamy tannins that are doing all the talking at the moment. This will be excellent in time. Sumptuous and utterly enchanting. Drink 2029-2045.
96 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter (Jan 2022) -
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Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin (700ml)Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$95. 99Bottle$1151.88 DozenABV: 43.8%Four Pillars wanted to create a gin specifically for the Negroni - something to cut through the Campari and vermouth. And as the Negroni has always been a favourite at Four Pillars, distiller, Cameron MacKenzie jumped at the chance to make the first collaboration in their "Bartender Series" - a tribute to the very definition of a perfectly balanced cocktail.
First, they took their base botanicals and upped the amount of Tasmanian pepperberry leaf and cinnamon. Then they added an exotic West African spice called Grains of Paradise. This is one of the most unusual spices in the world, with clove and sichuan characters. But although very powerful, the spice tends to glow rather than become hot.
They also decided to use organic blood oranges in the botanical basket, as well as some ginger.
Tasting note: Crystal clear. Intense orange sorbet opening develops pith and peel freshness followed by hints of jaffa, white pepper and cut ginger. Creamy, soft textured delivery features early orange peel and later subtle hints of juniper. Excellent balance and freshness. Cough lozenge-like warmth and light jaffa in the fade. 43.8% Alc./Vol.
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1978 Castarede Bas Armagnac (700ml)Armagnac, FRANCE$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 40%Castarede is the oldest trading house in the region, established in 1832 by ancestors of the current owners. The armagnac is produced at Chateau de Maniban, situated in the heart of the Bas-Armagnac region just to the south of Mauleon - d’Armagnac. This edition was distilled in 1978 from Ugni blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard and Baco 22 A grapes. Tasting note: Deep brassy gold. Gorgeous purity to the bouquet including notes of stewed orchard fruits, dried fig, vanilla bean, cedar, cigar box and cocoa. Drier style Armagnac with pepper, prune and fig in a finely tannic delivery. Cedary-oak and cigar box run through the aftertaste. Excellent persistence. 40% Alc./Vol. Other reviews… 4.5 Stars – www.diffordsguide.com - Le Pere Jules 5 Year Old Pommeau de Normandie (700ml)Pommeau de Normandie, FRANCE$58. 99Bottle$707.88 DozenABV: 17%Closure: Cork
Pommeau de Normandie is a produced by blending young Calvados (Apple brandy) with the must of fresh apples to a strength of 17% Alc./Vol. This blend is then wood aged for a minimum of three years, though this Le Pere Jules bottling has seen more than five years in oak. This process is not dissimilar to that of Pineau des Charentes. Served slightly chilled as an aperitif, or with cheeses.
No tasting notes available.
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Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 107 Proof 15 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$3999. 00Bottle$47988.00 DozenABV: 53.5%Increased demand worldwide for premium Bourbon has made the whiskeys of Van Winkle increasingly difficult to source. From time to time we receive very small allocations of this esteemed 107 proof 15 year old expression. It's the only one of the three in the PVW collection bottled at high proof. You get some of the sweetness associated with older Pappy, combined with a punchy, oily body and a good dose of spice. Aside from Jim Murray, the last time any major reviewer was able to sample this was back in 2012. Now it's either too expensive to open or unprocurable - or both.
Other reviews.... A dream-like Bourbon coating the mouth so perfectly... usually I spit everything I taste. I accidently found myself swallowing a drop of this without thinking. A bourbon lover's bourbon. 96 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020.
Sometime recently, the source of this whiskey changed from the now defunct Stitzel-Weller distillery to Buffalo Trace. No matter. This whiskey is still the best of the Van Winkle line. It’s crisp, clean, vibrant, impeccably balanced, and nicely matured. Complex fruit (bramble, candied citrus), caramel, coconut custard, maple syrup, fresh spice (vanilla, warming cinnamon, nutmeg, a dusting of cocoa powder) on a bed of nougat. Outstanding! (Editor's Choice) 96 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: John Hansell (Summer 2012)
...Hazy copper color. A rich, supple entry leads to a decandent, huge, full-bodied palate with intense caramel, toffee and peppery brown spice flavors. Finishes with an extreme long, complex, evolving fade of spice and wood notes. A seductive, exotic, and virtually flawless bourbon. 98 points (Superlative) International Review of Spirits Award: Platinum Medal - tastings.com
Nose: Mature. Inside of an old wardrobe. Leather. Date, chocolate, coffee, black cherry, cigar. Good caramelisation and a tingle of sweet spices. Palate: As nose suggests, in the bigger camp. Rich and precise. Bitter chocolate into raisin. Great balance. Finish: Long powerful. Comment: An elegant old gentleman. Great balance. Highly recommended. - Dave Broom, -whiskymag.com
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Eden Mill Love Gin (700ml)SCOTLAND$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 40%Key botanicals include juniper berries, angelica, coriander, rose petal, hibiscus, elderberry, goji berry, raspberry leaf and rhubarb root.
Clear with a faint pink-yellow blush. Frail bouquet is mildly herbal, medium-fresh, offering low definition juniper and coriander. A soft, light bodied gin; hinting at vanilla and coriander, building with gentle pepper warmth. Concludes mildly spicy, lean, drying. Suggestions of rose-water and juniper through the aftertaste. 40% Alc./Vol.
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Glenmorangie The Lasanta 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 43%Awarded Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky in the 12 YO category at the 2019 International Whisky Competition. The newly packaged Lasanta has retained the same ABV of 43% and comes finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks after an initial spell in Bourbon barrels.
Other reviews... Following a decade in bourbon barrels, Lasanta is finished for 2 years in oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Caramel, milk chocolate, and hazelnuts merge on the nose with the spicy dried fruit and orange notes associated with sherry wood maturation. Spicy sultanas, and damsons on the full, sweet palate, with more caramel, milk chocolate, nutmeg, and oak. The finish is long and smooth, with dark chocolate and wood spices.
89 points - whiskyadvocate.com, Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Spring 2019) [2010 bottling] Gold ochre/polished brass appearance. The opening scents of muted rubber band and pickled onion are a little off key so we'll let this sit. Three minutes after the first pour, the aroma hasn't really budged dramatically except for the addition of spiced raisin cake. Final pass finds the sultana / dried berry characteristics accented. A light and silky entry develops into a semi-sweet ginger, vanilla and raisin cake profile. Some flashes of sulphur. Finishes a little hot with the spicy red fruits persisting and traces of pickled onion in the fade. 89 points 43% Alc./Vol. -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
Chateau Musar L'Arack de Musar Arak (500ml)Ghazir, LEBANON$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 53%Arack (Arak) is the national drink of Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. It’s made from grapes, and so not surprisingly, most of the wine producers in Lebanon also produce an Arack. The initial pressing is fermented then distilled, and then aged before a second distillation. It’s at this point that the anise is added, then, depending on the maker, it’s distilled a second or third time before it’s aged again. Typically Arack is drier, more intense and precise than most mainstream Ouzo’s or Pastis’. It will also 'louche' (turn milky white) when water is added.
In 1930, at just 20 years old, Gaston Hochar founded Chateau Musar, inspired by Lebanon's 6,000 year winemaking tradition and his travels in Bordeaux. The five year old grape spirit that forms the base of Chateau Musar Arack is made from ancient grape varieties Obaideh and Merwah, indigenous to the mountains of Lebanon and said to be related to Chardonnay and Semillon. Planted between 1920 and 1947 the Obaideh vineyards are in the foothills of the Anti-Lebanon mountains near Ain Arab on stony, chalky soils, while the Merwah vines are on the seaward side of Mount Lebanon in Baqaâta, on calcareous gravels. Yields are very low for these untrained bushvines: 25 hl per hectare. At high altitude (around 1400m) they are still on their own roots, among very few vineyards in the world of this calibre.
Made from five to ten year old grape spirit and distilled four times with anise seeds added at the final distillation, Chateau Musar Arack is 'finished' for between 12 and 24 months in terracotta jars (Roman style ‘amphorae’).
It is usually enjoyed neat as a ‘digestif’. It can also be taken with iced water like a classic pastis: long, cool and refreshing. Arack is a classic match for classic Lebanese ‘mezze’ (small buffet dishes): grilled meats and vegetables, flatbreads, pickles, olives, nuts, carrot sticks, baba ghannouj (aubergine dip), moutabal (aubergine purée), hummus (chickpea dip), shankleesh (spicy goat cheese dip), tabbouleh (parsley and tomato salad), fattoush (salad with crispy bread) or kibbeh (puréed raw meat or minced meat fried in a cracked wheat shell). Arack has also been used to flavour dessert jellies and sorbets and has been know to crop up in a cocktail or two!Tasting note: Crystal clear with a slightly glycerous appearance. Initial impression is of dipping your nose into a bag of star anise. With aeration a delightful note of fresh liquorice strap emerges. There is also an interesting hint of crushed eucalyptus leaf. Entry is soft and disarming to the point of being neutral. By midpalate the profile asserts itself as a juicy, semi sweet liquorice strap burst that's intensified by a tingly, spicy flourish. Excellent balance at high ABV. Finishes clean and dry with the spiciness persisting. Exceptionally long liquorice strap aftertaste. Delicious. 53%Alc./Vol.
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- Nicks Import
Willett Distillery Old Bardstown 90 Proof Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 45%This reportedly replaces the old "Black Label" bottling and weighs in at a slightly higher proof. Located just on the outskirts of Bardstown is 'Kentucky Bourbon Distillers' (aka Willett) , the company behind famous brands like 'Old Bardstown' and 'Johnny Drum'. The distillery was originally built by the Willett family who brought their distilling knowledge with them from England to the American Colonies in the early 1600's. The company continued to operate until the early 1980s when the Willett’s realised they'd made their mark on the Bourbon industry and it was now time for them to retire. On July 1, 1984, Even G. Kulsveen (pronounced Evan), a native of Hamar, Norway, and son-in-law to Thompson Willett, purchased the property from the Willett’s and formed 'Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd'. - Tempus Fugit Creme de Menthe Liqueur (700ml)SWITZERLAND$93. 99Bottle$1127.88 DozenABV: 28%Historically, crème de menthe wasn't made with mint alone. And while many French producers settle for using mint extracts rather than fresh mint, Tempus Fugit remain true to the roots of this liqueur classic employing spearmint and peppermint as well as a host of botanicals to give extra depth and complexity. Distilled from winter wheat, then macerated with herbs and sweetened with cane sugar, the result is yet another fabulous cocktail ingredient, packed with pure, bright mint flavours with a silky mouthfeel. Whether you're recreating pre-Prohibition cocktails like the Fallen Angel or the Stinger, or simply enjoying this straight over ice, Tempus Fugit Creme de Menthe marks a new benchmark in its category. 28% Alc./Vol.
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Bellarine Distillery Teddy & The Fox Bellarine Gin (700ml)Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$92. 99Bottle$1115.88 DozenABV: 42%From a craft distillery based on the Bellarine Peninsula named after the founder's dog, Teddy, who enjoys chasing foxes off the property. Key botanicals are juniper, orange, lemon myrtle, coriander, star anise and orris root. Bright citrus aromas over light juniper and complexing dried herbs. Medium-bodied, with lots of ripe lemon (lemonade icy poles / fruit tingle), low-key juniper, coriander and moderate pepper warmth. An easy going citrus-led stye for Summer cocktails. 42% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... On the nose the orange aromas abound with sherberty lemon myrtle in the background. To taste the orange and juniper are at the fore before more citrus zest notes from the coriander and lemon myrtle evolve. There is a good dose of warmth and spice on the lengthy finish. It’s well-balanced, with a great mouthfeel....Lorelle’s uses fractional distillation (all the botanicals are distilled separately before being blended together) and grape based spirit ( Melbourne Gin company also uses this base) which gives a great mouth feel and a super neutral canvas that allows the botanicals to shine.... It works well in a gin and tonic garnished with rosemary – fennel would also work. Try it with soda as this would open out the flavours even more.
- theginqueen.com -
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2017 Il Marroneto Ignaccio Rosso di MontalcinoTuscany, ITALY$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews...
Il Marroneto is best known for its complex and delicious traditionally-styled Brunellos, and this Rosso follows suit. A pure aroma of ripe, fresh cherry and strawberry with a touch of vanilla is followed in the mouth by a wave of bright, sweet red fruits. The structure is there but it's delicate, letting the quality of the fruit shine. It lacks the complexity of its bigger brothers but is a delicious alternative for earlier drinking. Drinking Window 2020 - 2023.
90 points
James Button - Decanter - Hpnotiq Liqueur (750ml)Cognac, FRANCE$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 17%
Hpnotiq combines the most exceptional characteristics of Pure Cognac, Premium Vodka, and natural Tropical fruit juices to create a level of quality and taste that is refined and elegant. Mixing Cognac fruits is a well-known tradition, to consumers of Cognac in Cognac France. Decades ago the French people, aware of the versatility of their favorite spirit, used to mix it with fruit juices and the tradition goes on in the Cognac region: if you happen to travel there and stop at the elegant properties to visit the vineyard owners, you may be invited to join them for a drink made with good quality Cognac and orange or exotic fruit juices.
The recipe for HPNOTIQ has been a family secret handed down from generation to generation. Over the years one idea has remained intact; only the finest ingredients may be used when making HPNOTIQ. After a lengthy maceration, the fruits reach the climax of their aromatic flavor potential. The tropical nectars are then carefully proportioned and blended with each other. The result is an exquisite tropical fruit juice blend. Once the brilliant blue hue of Hpnotiq is achieved, the exquisite fruit juice is then placed carefully in stainless steel, temperature controlled tanks to await their marriage to Cognac.
A classic cognac can only be perfectly balanced by a true expert. The French cellar masters decided that only the highest quality cognac would be used to insure that the superb taste and fragrance of this rich and noble eau-de-vie retain their enticing characteristics when fused with other flavors. The five prestigious areas of Cognac are Petite Champagne, Grand Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois and Fins Ordinaire. Since an array of fruit juices were to be used, it was imperative to select the perfect balance of cognac from each region to complement the HPNOTIQ experience. Beginning with Petite champagne for its elegance. A measure of Fins bois was added for delicacy. Finally, a portion of Borferies was combined for exceptional floral bouquet. In order to obtain the most appealing aromas, our distinctive blend is distilled very slowly in small pot stills. Finally, the Cognac is reduced from cask strength down to 34 proof (17% alcohol by volume), the optimal strength for enjoying HPNOTIQ. This process is gradual and precise so as to retain the cognac’s velvety smoothness qualities.
Now for the vodka. Ultimately, the quality of vodka is based upon its ingredients and distillation method. We begin by selecting the finest grains and the purest spring water from France. Under the watchful eye of the cellar-master, the spirit is hand crafted in small batches. To eliminate impurities, our vodka is carefully triple distilled in a traditional copper pot still. Finally the process ends with slow charcoal filtration for maximum smoothness. The result is pure, cool, pristine vodka. The component parts of HPNOTIQ make it an innovative and inspirational blend unparalleled in today’s liqueur market. Let HPNOTIQ awaken all of your sleeping passions!
Other reviews... Tropical fruit, citrusy and mango-like aromas. Light, acidic and very tart at palate entry; the midpalate is refreshing, intensely juicy and almost sour. Aftertaste leans heavily on the tartness. Rating: 85-89 - wineenthusiast.com
- Benriach 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenABV: 46.8%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not shown.
Bottled at 46.8% this member of the Benriach stable is non chill filtered and with no colour added.Other reviews... Great balance between vibrant oak spice and lush, sherried fruit. Interwoven notes of honeyed malt, vanilla, citrus fruit, milk chocolate, and lingering peat add complexity. Quite large for a BenRiach and very fresh for its age. This whisky takes BenRiach to a higher level. 90 points
- www.maltadvocate.com (Spring 2007) Reviewed by: John Hansell -
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Irish Mist Liqueur (700ml)Tullamore, IRELAND$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 35%AN OLD FAVOURITE RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA. After innumerable requests (with some customers begging us to bring this obscure liqueur back), we decided to import it ourselves. Irish Mist is a variety of Whisky liqueur, and claims to be both older and superior to any Scottish version! The unique recipe is reportedly over 1200 years old and based on a classic blend of clover and heather honey, exotic herbs and mellow Irish Spirits. According to lore, the liqueur was all but lost until Desmond Williams of the Tullamore Distillery came across a manuscript containing the recipe that magically appeared in the 1940s. Mr. Williams took this and adapted it, using Irish whiskey as the base.
Tasting note: Deep tawny in colour with a copper rim. Sweet herbs & citrus peels on the nose. Wonderfully deep palate replete with rich honeyed, raisined flavours and a thick, luscious mouthfeel. Christmas pudding in a bottle! The sweet spirit rises in the finale and warms the heart. Good balance - not cloyingly sweet. A worthy counterpart to its Scottish 'cousins'. 35% alc/vol
Other reviews... Of all the honey-flavored liqueurs I’ve tried, Irish Mist is probably the mildest around. It’s Irish whiskey imbued with honey and “natural aromatic spices,” but the flavor is quite muted. A touch of honey, maybe some cinnamon and cloves, all on a very mild whiskey base. It’s kind of surprising that it’s a full 70 proof — but served on the rocks it certainly helps out with ailments of the throat (guilty!). - drinkhacker.com
4.5 Stars - diffordsguide.com
















































