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- Archie Rose Harvest Series Mountain Yuzu Gin (700ml)Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 40%
Part of the distillery's 'Harvest series', this time shining a light on the vivid aromatics of mountain-grown yuzu. The fruit is cultivated by growers, Jane and Brian Casey, on rich volcanic soils near Mt Buffalo, in the Ovens River region. This rare, cool-climate citrus brings vibrant notes of mandarin, lime and bergamot to a gin that is crystalline, elegant and deeply expressive of its high-country terroir. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Opens with the unmistakable, complex and rich scent of fresh yuzu peel, expressed here with the complex interplay of ripe mandarin, Meyer lemon zest, makrut lime and fresh grapefruit. The citrus is supported by a peppery juniper, which provides pine, fresh basil and thyme stalks. Palate: The palate has an abundance of fresh citrus (ripe orange, lemon and mandarin peel) which is given a bold intensity by juniper's fresh pine and black pepper. Finish: The finish is long with the myriad of citrus flavours wrestling with the juniper all the way to the persistent fade.
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- Nick's Import
Signatory Vintage Hogshead Fine Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)SCOTLAND$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 43%For reasons unknown, the term 'Hogshead' has come to refer to a cask size in the whisky industry. These are usually rebuilt ex-bourbon barrels, but they tend to be larger than regular bourbon casks, usually around 52 and a half imperial gallons (or 225-250 litres). Therefore, the title of this whisky is purely incidental and not related to the contents. Independent bottlers, Signatory Vintage have created Hogshead as a daily-drinker or 'House Scotch' using a high proportion of whiskies from Islay, so the flavour comes with a distinctive though not overpowering injection of peat. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... a nice composition, not particularly complex, but a very good malt. The Islay whiskey must have been very smoky or you used a portion of your own ballechin again. In addition, some sherry barrels show the aromas and color, at least the whiskey is not colored according to the information. For the price you get a great malt whiskey. (2021) - whiskybase.com
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- Nick's Import
Aberlour Crafted Small Batch No. 1.2 17 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 58.8%A welcome addition to Aberlour's portfolio, which, besides the NAS Abunadh, generally lacks cask strength options. The decent age statement and zero chill filtration add to the allure. These limited releases are batched, so ABVs and maturations will vary. For No.1.2, the cask regime was 42.6% American oak and 57.4% European oak. The result is a tantalising mix of spiced apple strudel, milk chocolate, date and raisin notes. 58.8% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... On the nose, it's very soft, brioche, cake dough, then honeyed, acacia honey, pine needles, dry earth, dried prunes, dates, figs, bananas and grapefruit, a hint of vanilla, a lemon zest. On the palate, the fruits are a little more present, creamy, but also this rough side of wood bark, resin, maple syrup, blood oranges, medlars, apricots a little floury. Intense spices, cumin, cloves. Long and quite explosive finish, licorice, very spicy, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pineapple juice. A very solid Aberlour, living up to its reputation, with plenty of fruit and velvet. - whiskybase.com
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- Nick's Import
Aberlour Casg Annamh Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Batch 9Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 48%Sheer approachability has helped Aberlour become the most popular whisky in France, where more single malt is consumed than any other country. At around 40%, it's a polite, relaxed and sometimes, slightly wanting tasting experience. As an alternative for those who prefer sherry with a kick, owners Pernod-Ricard introduced the natural strength A'bunadh around 2000. Eighteen years later, Casg Annamh was launched as a French Exclusive in a similar vein (the name translates from the Gaelic as “rare cask”). Also influenced by Oloroso, it's matured in three types of casks: European oak Sherry casks and two different types of American oak . Like A'bunadh, Casg Annamh is batch specific, with about ten iterations to date, some better than others. Whichever you come across, they're all handsomely packaged with a wax seal stopper, while the extra ABV and zero chill filtration make a world of difference. 48% Alc./Vol.
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2021 Nicks Secret SE ERB Barossa ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 15.5%Closure: StelvinProduced by an under the radar estate with limited local distribution, this bold expression of Barossa Shiraz has a winery listed price of around $120 per bottle which is perhaps a little over the top. Made by winemaker Jo Irvine from the great 2021 vintage, utilising some of the estate's best fruit, this punches well above it’s weight at the Nicks Secret price of just $19.99.
A deep, powerful Barossa Shiraz that oozes opulence.
Matured in French oak hogsheads for 24 months. Dense inky black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Heady dark plum, liquorice, ripe blackberry and dark chocolate aromas waft through the nostrils complimented by notes of earth, vanillin cedar and spicy mocha. Rich and voluptuous, the dense weighty palate is completely immersed in dark to black plum, liquorice, ripe black cherry and blackberry fruits. Spicy vanillin cedar, earthy dark chocolate and subtle fennel characters extend across the back half. Ripe and polished it has slightly chewy tannins and a deep, powerful finish that oozes opulence.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15.5%Other Reviews….
A rich and opulent wine from this outstanding Barossa vintage. Layers of dark richly concentrated plummy fruit topped with syrupy dark chocolate. Apart from its opulence and richness, the feature is the balance, with a seamlessly interwoven tannin and oak combination cuddling it through to a long finish. It’s a bold wine but the balance keeps it under control. Drink 2024-2042
95 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comSweetly ripe and richly expressed, the bouquet shows dark fruit intensity, toasty oak, cake spice and rich floral aromas, followed by a flavoursome palate that's filled with succulent fruit flavours, backed by silky texture and beautifully melded tannins, offering terrific drinking. At its best: now to 2035.
95 Points
Sam Kim – Wine OrbitWe are told that **** means heritage and the team see this wine as reflecting the heritage of their vineyards. Jo Irvine is the winemaker. Under cork, just 14,800 bottles made. A vibrant maroon colour, the nose exhibits well-handled oak, as well as some spicy notes of cassis, chocolate, soy, blackberries, florals and liquorice. It is seamless and seductive, neatly balanced with good acidity, silky tannins and impressive length. This will offer pleasure for the next 12 to 15 years. Drink now–2039
94 Points
The Vintage Journal - Glendronach 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$1999. 00Bottle$23988.00 DozenABV: 47%
Summed up by one taster as "Whisky Heaven", persistence, balance, and depth are all features of this definitive expression of Glendronach's extra-aged house style. Alongside its signature Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks, this introduces the influence of Amontillado sherry, bringing a subtle tension and added dimension to the whisky’s structure. The result is rich and aromatic, with an enveloping palate that moves through dried fruits, spiced toffee, and layered patisserie notes. 47% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The finest, silky-smooth plum sauce. A little sweet, a little sour. Great balance. Delicious from start to finish. Some dusty, leathery cellar notes extend the finish. I'm pleasantly surprised. Less so by the price. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the producers... NOSE: Rich and aromatic - Morello cherry, raisin, spiced Brazil nut toffee, marzipan, and medjool date caramel. PALATE: Layered and expressive, glazed cherry, sultana cake, cinnamon-raisin toffee, and chocolate hazelnut café crème. FINISH: Long and smooth. Seductive, lingering finish with polished oak and integrated spice.
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2024 Pooley Pinot GrigioTasmania, AUSTRALIA$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinSavoury, spicy and quite textural.
Pale copper tinged colour with a watery hue. Aromas of pear and Jonathan apple skin stream through the nostrils with whiffs of quince, rosewater and spice also evident. Savoury pear, Jonathan apple skin and quince flavours overlay a dry spicy back drop. Nicely concentrated and quite textural, it finishes long, fresh and spicy.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5% - Peychaud's Aromatic Cocktail Bitters (296ml)UNITED STATES$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenABV: 35%
Originally created around 1830 by Antoine Amédée Peychaud, an apothecary from France who settled in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1795. Peychaud’s is a gentian-based bitters, comparable to Angostura bitters, but with a lighter body, sweeter taste and more floral aroma, called for specifically in many cocktails. Try this classic in a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Whisky Sour or in the signature Sazerac Cocktail. This twist is aged in used Sazerac Rye Whiskey Barrels for 140 days, adding spice & vanilla to the profile. Supercharge your Sazerac by substituting this version of the classic bitters in the recipe below.
Classic Cocktail: The Official Sazerac Cocktail.
1 cube sugar
35ml Sazerac Rye Whiskey or Buffalo Trace Bourbon
7ml Absinthe (or other quality Anise Flavoured Liqueur)
3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
Lemon peelMethod:
-Pack an Old-Fashioned glass with ice
-In a second Old-Fashioned glass place the sugar cube and add the Peychaud's Bitters to it, then crush the sugar cube
-Add the Sazerac Rye Whiskey or Buffalo Trace Bourbon to the second glass containing the Peychaud's Bitters and sugar
-Empty the ice from the first glass and coat the glass with the Anise liqueur, then discard the remaining Anise Liqueur
-Empty the whiskey/bitters/sugar mixture from the second glass into the first glass and garnish with lemon peel. -
- Nick's Import
2005 Signatory Vintage Speyside 18 (M) Cask No: DRU 17/A106 #41 18 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 57.3%Signatory released a bunch of these high-ABV sherry casks of 'M' from the 2005 vintage, each with "rather labyrinthine cask numbers", all positively identified as Macallans at whiskyfun.com. These bottlings have received strong reviews and drawn comparisons with the style and quality of Gordon & Macphail's prolific Speymalts series of Macallans. Being single casks, they come with varying ABVs and degrees of sherry oak input. Tasting his way through a selection that included sister casks from Signatory Vintage, Serge Valentin commented, "Although the distillery – or the brand – has become something of a symbol of poshness and glitz, every tasting reminds us that it still maintains a high level of quality and deserves to be taken seriously, despite the endless stream of NAS bottlings with sometimes far-fetched stories and themes." You get none of the latter here, just a plain indie label and an impressive looking decanter holding some deep, dark liquid. Though, perhaps the most eye-catching thing about this particular Macallan is its direct import price. Will we ever see official 18 year olds at these 'modest' values again? Unlikely. Be thankful that independents like Signatory continue to exist. 677 bottles from a first fill-oloroso sherry butt make up the current outturn. 57.3% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut Champagne Magnum (1500ml)Champagne, FRANCEReduced from $199.99$180. 00Bottle$2160.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkWhen it comes to Pinot Noir in Champagne, the grand cru villages of Bouzy and Ambonnay rank amongst the greatest in the region. And one of the most talented exponents from here is the Clouet family based in Bouzy. Champagne Andre Clouet have been producing Champagne for over two centuries, and under the guidance of Jean Francois Clouet the wines have never looked better. While his wines are exuberant and concentrated, Jean Francois manages to counter this with immaculate finesse and detail on the palate.
Made from a Pinot Noir base this blend is aged on lees for a period of 36 months and includes 30% reserve wines. It pours with a fluffy white mousse which gradually evaporates to reveal a pale straw coloured base with pale gold tinged edges that's threaded by a fine, persistent bead. Delightful aromas of baked bread and yeast lees combine with pear, baked apple and brioche notes. Rich, mouth filling favours of baked bread, pear and brioche linger over a subtle roasted hazelnut and yeast lees back drop. Full, creamy like feel with chalk tinged acidity. Finishes dry, long and expansive.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews....
The effusive nose of candied citrus, ripe pear and brioche pulls you into this fresh and creamy champagne that hits all the pleasure buttons for a non-vintage Brut. Then the chalky freshness at the finish pulls you back for another sip. Excellent balance! 100% pinot noir. Drink now.
93 points
JamesSuckling.comIncredible value for a blanc de noirs (100% Pinot Noir) grower Champagne from the grand cru vineyards of Bouzy. It shows gorgeous aromas of stone fruit, citrus and strawberry, with complex brioche nuances, remarkable balance, ongoing elegance and a rich, refined, persistent finish.
92 points
Stacy Slinkard - Decanter (March 2021) -
- 94
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2024 Marc Bredif Classic VouvrayVouvray, Loire Valley, FRANCEReduced from $34.99$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkDelicious ripe apple, pear and quince fruits with refreshing acidity and a nicely shaped finish.
The domaine of Marc Bredif is one of the most famous names in the Loire, renowned for the longevity and quality of their Vouvray. Established in 1893 under the name of Chateau les Roches it wasn't until 1919 when Marc Bredif took over from his uncle, that the name was changed to reflect the change in ownership.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Baked pear, Jonathan apple skin and quince scents are complimented by whiffs of musk and wet stone. Delicious ripe apple, pear and quince fruits meld into an elegant back drop of honeysuckle and spice. Refreshing acidity with a nicely shaped finish that’s detailed with pear, red apple and quince fruits along with a dash of spice.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 96
2024 Wilson Polish Hill River RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinWonderfully concentrated and tense with zingy mineral laced acidity.
Wilson’s Polish Hill River Riesling is sourced from their oldest vineyards planted over 40 years ago. Its miniscule yields typically produce a wine rich in citrus fruits within a steely structure, tight with lots of minerality. Beneath the iron stained clay lies a bed of decomposing slate and scattered quartz. It’s also not unusual to find remnant pottery and agricultural implements from the Polish Settlers who once lived and farmed the area now planted to this small vineyard.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. Lime and citrus aromas leap out of the glass trailed by some green apple, hints of orange rind, wet steel and chalky mineral notes. Delivered with fabulous intensity and tension are racy lemon, lime and green apple flavours. Zingy mineral laced acidity with delicate orange rind and wet steel elements also shining through. Dry and chalky it finishes very long and zesty.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12% -
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2025 Muto VermentinoMurray Darling, Vic, AUSTRALIAReduced from $21.99$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now (2025)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA zesty, mineral laced Vermentino brimming with lime, green apple and mango fruits.
Vermentino is native to southern Italy, most famously grown along the coastal regions of Sardinia and Liguria, where its freshness and saline edge are prized. The fruit for this wine was sourced from Chalmers Family’s Merbein vineyard in the Murray Darling region of Victoria.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with flashes of green around the edges and a watery hue. Aromas of lime juice, Granny Smith apple and mango infused with fresh herbs are trailed by some saline mineral like notes. Zesty lime, green apple and mango fruits meld into a Mediterranean herb and stony mineral back drop. Crisp acidity with a long refreshing finish that’s brimming with minerality.
Drink now.
Alc. 12% -
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2022 Nicks Secret HEW Barossa Rhone Blend Carignan Syrah CinsaultBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $27.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinAn utterly delicious Rhone styled blend that combines rich, generous fruit with a gently chewy texture.
Inky black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Scents of black cherry, black raspberry and liquorice combine with scorched earth, dried herb and peppered dried meat notes. Rich, juicy black cherry and liquorice fruits drive the medium bodied palate which possesses a slightly chewy mouth feel and good underlying freshness. Some black raspberry, subtle blueberry, scorched earth and peppered dried herb elements extend across the back half. Sturdy tannins with a long, mildly robust, generously fruited finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
Gorgeously fruited and complex, the wine shows dark fruit intensity, toasted spice, rich floral and cedar characters on the nose. The palate is equally satisfying with excellent weight and plump mouthfeel, wonderfully supported by velvety texture and grainy tannins. Firmly structured, yet velvety and soothing. At its best: now to 2037.
94 Points
Sam Kim – Wine OrbitA blend of 45% carignan, 34% syrah and 21% cinsault with 60% whole bunches in the mix, matured in old French barriques for 12 months. Bright and perfumed and packed with ripe fruit and gingery spice. Blueberry, satsuma plum and boysenberry with hints of jasmine, salted licorice, gingerbread, sarsaparilla, earth and mountain and amaro herbs. Exuberant and slinky, it comes across as quite fragrant in the mouth as well, with something akin to Turkish delight whipping around on the fringes of the palate. Fine and powdery in tannin with bright, sapid acidity, and it sports a supple tide of plush fruit and spice on the finish.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionDelicious and cracking value were the two things that sprang immediately to mind with this delightful red. A blend of 45% Carignan, 34% Syrah and 21% Cinsault, with 60% whole bunches utilised plus 11 months maturation in old French barriques. …… A deep vibrant purple, it offers aromas of plums, blackfruits, cloves and chocolate. This is a big, ripe, flavoursome, exuberant, fruit bomb style. Granted that is a style which can divide the crowd, but for all of us who love them, this is a cracker. Beautifully supple, with silky tannins, the texture has some density and there is decent length here. Utterly delicious, enjoy it over the next five to six years. Drink 2023-2029.
93 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
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2021 Nicks Secret HEW Barossa MourvedreBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $27.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinSourced from a prominent Barossa Valley producer who specialise in Mourvedre and other Rhone varietals, this is their entry level offering made from younger vines that have an average age of 18 years. Some whole bunch fruit is included in vinification with maturation taking place in seasoned French oak barrels for a period of 16 months.
A rich, juicy, mid weighted Mourvedre with lashings of blue and dark fruits.
Deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Pronounced ripe black cherry, liquorice and dark plum aromas flow from the glass with some scorched earth, blueberry, subtle dried herb and spice notes also chiming in. Rich and juicy, the mid weighted palate is flooded with lashings of dark cherry, liquorice and ripe blueberry fruits. Subtle dried herb, earth and spice elements sit in the background. Polished yet underlyingly sturdy tannins with a long fresh blue to dark fruited finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
So, this beaut little Mourvèdre is based on fruit created by taking cuttings from the Old Garden Vineyard, planted in 1853. It is such a brilliant and vibrant example of this terrific variety. I have seen this wine evolve over many years, and I have to say it just seems to get better each year. The balance of the fruit and oak is harmonious, allowing the fragrances and seductive aromas to reveal their true beauty. A great entry wine to understand some of the appeal of Mourvèdre. Drink 2023-2030.
94 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comThe 'baby' mourvèdre vines were established in 1998 from cuttings off the epic 1853-planted Old Garden vineyard. Lots of colour and lots of fruit depth for babies! Rich dark plum, blueberry and black cherry fruits with hints of turned earth, light bramble tones, graphite, dark spice, roasting meats and charcuterie. There is a wee whiff of choc-mint way off in the distance, too, with an impressive fruit density, tight granite dust tannins and bright acid drive finishing pure and savoury. Drink by 2030.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionVibrant ruby red colour. Mulberry, raw beef and ironstone aromas. Lashings of blue and purple fruits fill the core whilst it builds layers of anise, black graphite, and dried blood savouries. Tannins have a fine gravel persistence as it rolls long to the dry finish. Remarkable sense of tension and purity at this price point.
93 Points
Stuart Knox – Real Review -
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2024 Salo ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinConcentrated, gorgeously shaped and expansive Yarra Valley Chardonnay.
Made by former Giant Steps winemaker Steve Flamsteed, fruit is sourced from the Full Moon Vineyard which is located high in the southern hills of the Yarra Valley on the eastern side of the Gladysdale subregion. It’s one of the only vineyards in the vicinity, and the grapes ripen remarkably evenly despite its west-facing aspect. “It’s a ripper site for Chardonnay,” according to Flamsteed.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Delightful nose with aromas of white peach, nectarine, dried honey and biscuity nougat sailing from the glass with impressive intensity. Spicy cashew and faint struck match stick notes also chime in. The terrifically concentrated and gorgeously shaped palate features fleshy white peach and nectarine fruits over a back drop of dried honey, cashew, biscuity nougat and spice. Superb drive with pin point fresh acidity lending energy to the long texturally expansive finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% -
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2023 Dreissigacker Riesling DryRheinhessen, GERMANY$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinZesty lime, red apple and pear fruits with a dry, zingy finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green highlighted edges and a watery hue. Aromas of lime, pear and red apple flow through the nostrils followed by whiffs of orange blossom and subtle stony mineral notes. Zesty lime, red apple and pear fruits race across the palate underpinned by delicate notions of honeysuckle, mandarin and flinty mineral elements. Bristling with crunchy acidity it finishes dry, long and zingy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 92
2024 De Bortoli Riva RoseVictoria, AUSTRALIA$13. 99Bottle$167.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA flavoursome, supplely textured Rose.
Very pale salmon pink tinged colour. Raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate scents are trailed by some delicate musk notes. A supplely textured flow of raspberry, cherry and strawberry fruits greets the palate with undertones of Turkish delight and musk also evident. Brisk acidity with a nicely rounded, flavoursome conclusion.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% - Corowa Distilling Co. Barrel House Peated Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46%
Like some Scottish distilleries, Corowa reserve one month per year to create peated whisky. This very accessible example was aged in x-American Oak Bourbon casks, softening the peat and adding delicious cream, vanilla & fruits to the palate. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Soft peat, vanilla & green fruit. Palate: Whisps of smoke, clotted cream, grass & vanilla. Finish: Medium to long smoke with a creamy coating.
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Ardbeg 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Gift Pack with 2 GlassesIslay, SCOTLAND$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 46%Get two Ardbeg-branded whisky tumblers in this limited gift pack presentation.
Perched on a rocky headland, the Ardbeg distillery was founded in 1815 by the MacDougalls of Ardbeg. The distillery's scattered white-washed buildings are reminiscent of a Dutch settlement and add to the dramatic coastal landscape. Ardbeg has had a chequered history and in recent times had been closed down for many years. Glenmorangie acquired Ardbeg in 1997 and has set about restoring the distillery to its former glory. Despite the turbulence of its past, none of Ardbeg’s qualities have been diminished. All of the time-worn traditions have been carefully preserved and passed on to today’s whisky makers. The Ardbeg 10 Year Old is clear testimony to this. In his 'Complete Book of Whisky' Jim Murray said of it: 'If perfection on the palate exists, this is it.'
Other reviews...n24 more complex, citrus-led and sophisticated than recent bottlings, though the peat is no less but now simply displayed in an even greater elegance; a beautiful sea salt strain to this; t24 gentle oils carry on them a lemon-lime edge, sweetened by barley and a weak solution of golden syrup; the peat is omnipotent, turning up in every crevice and wave, yet never once over-stepping its boundary; f24 stuuningly clean, the oak offers not a bitter trace but rather a vanilla and butterscotch edge to the barley. Again the smoke wafts around in a manner unique in the world of whisky when it comes to sheer elan and adroitness; b25 like when you usually come accross something that goes down so beautifully and with such a nimble touch and disallarming allure, just close your eyes and enjoy... 97 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2013 / 2023
...Last time we tried our beloved Ten it was a circa 2015 bottling, and it was great (WF 89). Colour: white wine. Nose: I have the feeling that Ardbeg Ten got more crystalline, perhaps a tad simpler as well, and probably more distillate-driven than ever before. I’m so glad no obvious vanilla is dumbing it down, and of course no ‘wine’, so this is as bright as possible and full of lime, seawater, smoked salmon, and of these wee tarry/cardboardy touch that are so typically Ardbeg. Shall we call this nose ‘razory’? Mouth: lapsang souchong with lime, smoked almonds, kippers, plasticine, almond oil, whelks, brine, hessian… This is just perfectly perfect. Finish: rather long, smoky, almondy, lime-y, salty. Comments: the month is not over but Ardbeg 10 will possibly be March’s bang-for-your-buck bottling. Because in my little tasting book, Ardbeg 10 is simply back to… 90 points - whiskyfun.com
...the classic Ardbeg bottling, and one of the most heavily peated entry-level whiskies from all of Scotland. Ten years are just about right for taming Ardbeg’s fire, though the nose is still moderately heavy with straight, smoky peat notes, though also lightly briny but distinctly maritime in its tone. The body follows in lockstep, adding to the burning embers of driftwood notes of iodine, orange peel, coriander, and ginger. Beautifully balanced despite the heavy peat influence, it remains one of the most essential Islay whiskies — and an essential whisky that is required drinking for anyone who wants to form a base understanding of single malts. - drinkhacker.com
...Nose: Astoundingly smoky, yet delicate with subtle tarry notes behind. With water the smoke dies a little and raisin and caramelised apple notes emerge. Palate: An immediate waft of peat smoke. Full, robustly flavoured with turf and lapsang souchong tea. Finish: Salty, long and filled with fragrant peat reek. Comment: A punch in the chops from a stroppy Islay middleweight. Flavour-packed yet delicate. Rated: 9/10 - whiskymag.com
Cocktail: The Smoky Martini
This is an unusual combination that works surprisingly well. Some people use less peaty whiskies, however the true Smoky Martini requires the likes of Ardbeg or Laphroaig – Single Malts which lend their peaty, textured flavour to the creamy character of a good vodka.Method: Rinse a chilled martini glass with Ardbeg Malt Whisky and pour out any extra. Shake 60ml of Premium Vodka in a shaker filled with large ice cubes and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with a lemon and orange twist.
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2023 Bellini Pontevecchio ChiantiTuscany, ITALY$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinElegant and savoury with slightly dusty tannins and an earthy red fruited finish.
Deep dark red black tinged core with a dark red hue. Spicy red currant aromas mix with dried herb, earthy tobacco and subtle leather notes. Elegant and savoury, red currant and red cherry fruits are featured over an earth, dried herb and spice back drop. Fine grained, slightly dusty tannins with an underlying freshness and an earthy red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12.5% - Corowa Distilling Co. Barrel House XB Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 46%
In the heartland of New South Wales by the banks of the Murray River, you’ll find a heritage-listed 1920s Flour Mill, home to Australia’s first whisky distillery using locally-grown ingredients. If you want to get to know the house style, this is probably the best place to start - a fresh and zesty single malt drawn from x bourbon barrels, bottled at 46% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Bright citrus, vanilla, grassy hay. Palate: Zesty lemon, mint, creamy marzipan and almond. Finish: Fresh and zesty with a medium finish.
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- 93
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2024 Ring Bolt ChardonnayMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRich, creamy textured flavours counter balanced by lively acidity.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a distinctive green tint around the edges and a watery hue. Pear and ripe nectarine aromas mix with dried honey, biscuity oak, citrusy nougat and spice notes. Rich, creamy textured white peach, nectarine and dried honey flavours are counter balanced by lively acidity. Biscuity nougat, citrus and spice elements lie underneath. Fresh, cream tinged finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
It’s the dead of winter, my house is a construction site, running more than one appliance short circuits the power, and I cohabitate with a small family of possums. Honestly, I’m fine. Disclaimer: I’m not fine. So, when wines like this land on my desk, they are welcomed moments of reprieve. Clean, bright, and soul warming, its fruits are ripe with white nectarine, pears in juice and a gentle lean into tropical territory. The mid-palate balances a comforting fruit sweetness, coated with a clotted cream silkiness. Some savoury barrel ferment, a dusting of spice and cashew nougat on the finish makes for a slick, well positioned wine. A classic modern Australian expression, and a welcomed silver (golden) lining.
92 Points
Tijana Laganin – WinePilot.com -
- 95
2024 Moorooduc Estate ChardonnayMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinGenerously fleshed with excellent underlying freshness and a long refined finish.
100% wild yeast fermented in French oak barrels, 10% being new with 80% natural malolactic fermentation and 9 months maturation in barrel. Brilliant pale straw colour with a distinctive tint of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Elevated white peach, nectarine and dried honey aromas combine with cashew, citrusy nougat and gun flint. Medium bodied and carrying a gently creamed feel, generously fleshed white peach and nectarine fruits are complimented by dried honey, biscuity nougat, subtle cashew and delicate infusions of gun flint. Excellent underlying freshness with a long beautifully shaped and refined finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 96
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2024 Hoddles Creek Estate 1er Yarra Valley Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13.2%Closure: StelvinPerfumed, light, fresh and supple with a long moreish finish.
Slightly cloudy red to dark red colour with a vibrant crimson red hue. Perfumed nose with violet like aromas complimented by some red cherry, strawberry, fresh herb, delicate forest floor and spicy cedar notes. Light, fresh and supple in it’s flow, delicious red cherry, strawberry and red liquorice fruits are layered across the palate. Notions of fresh herbs, delicate spicy cedar and forest floor lend further nuance. Lively and energetic it has a long moreish finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.2%Other Reviews….
There’s presence to the palate here and yet in flavour profile terms it feels and tastes very Upper Yarra. It’s alive with twig, spice and herb notes but then it’s also riven with pure, satiny, red and black cherry flavours, and it also has that undergrowth-forest-wood aspect that is both beguiling and so characteristic of good pinot. Cedarwood oak plays noticeable role too, as a positive, and the tannin is a masterclass; not too much, not too little, threaded intricately, gently smoky. As a young wine this release is already putting on a show but, even so, it feels built to last, and to improve. However you take it, this is a truly beautiful wine. Drink 2026-2034+
95+ Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine FrontPerfumed and delicate with reductive-edged aromas of red cherries, pomegranate, blood oranges, lead pencils, Negronis, dried strawberries and wet earth. The palate is mid-weighted with firmly framed, refined tannins and bright acidity, showing a mineral edge and vibrant red fruits that lead into a grippy, seamless finish. This has all the hallmarks of a pinot that will age well. Includes 15% whole cluster, adding a lovely floral and spice edge. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
96 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 93
2025 Warrabilla Small Batch FianoRutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinIntensely flavoured and fabulously textured with a long crisp, slatey finish.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green highlighted edges and a watery hue. Lime and green apple scents jump out of the glass followed by some citrus, fresh herb and stony mineral notes. Intensely flavoured, the palate is bristling with crunchy lime and green apple fruits. Fabulous textural volume with infusions of fresh herbs and stony mineral elements lingering through the back half. Crisp acidity with a slatey feel to the long scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 92
- Organic
2024 B. IO Bpuntoio Catarratto ChardonnaySicily, ITALY$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkA nicely shaped fruit driven style with fresh underlying acidity.
A blend of 80% Catarratto and 20% Chardonnay. Brilliant pale straw colour with a faint greenish tinge to the edges and a watery hue. Nectarine and peach aromas flow from the glass followed by some red apple and wet stone notes. Nicely fleshed pear, peach and red apple fruits overlay a wet stone back drop. Fresh acidity with a shapely fruit driven finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
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2024 Monte Tondo Soave ClassicoVeneto, ITALY$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinTexturally voluminous and concentrated Soave with crisp acidity and a long expressive finish.
The Monte Tondo vineyard can be found nestling in the gentle hills of Soave just a few kilometres from Verona on a slope overlooking the valley. Today it is 4th generation brother and sister team, Luca and Marta Magnabosco, who tend to the 25 hectares of vineyards situated on the best plots that the Soave zone can offer.
Brilliant water like core with a subtle greenish tinged surrounds. Elevated pear and red apple skin aromas are complimented by some lime, fresh herb and wet slate notes. Concentrated pear and red apple fruits are delivered with terrific textural volume over a spicy quince and wet stone back drop. Crisp acidity with a long expressive finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5%
Other Reviews…..
Pleasant citrusy, peachy and floral-mineral aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate with a silky texture and good intensity of fruit, driven by nicely balanced acidity through the long, flavorful finish. Bright peaches and a hint of almond at the end. All in good order and delicious. Sustainable. Vegan. Drink now.
92 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 91
2024 Maison Saint Aix RoseProvence, FRANCE$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinFresh, silky textured Provence Rose.
Made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. Pale salmon pink colour with fragrant aromas of peach, raspberry and pomegranate mixing with musk and wet slate notes. The fresh, silky textured palate is layered with peach and raspberry fruits which meld into a pomegranate, musk and stony mineral background. Refreshing acidity with a river stone like feel to the elegant finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 92
Blacks Black Smoke Heavily Peated Blended Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 43%Produced by the Blacks Brewery & Distillery in Kinsale, County Cork, this whiskey is unusual for the typically light, unpeated Irish category. Easy sipping and sweetly smoked, the flavours evoke honey-glazed ham drizzled with Caol Ila, sweet pipe tobacco and baked citrus; the balance is spot on, the drinkability effortless, all without compromising length or interest. Coming from Ireland (or any country), it's a surprisingly delicious option for peat lovers that also swims well with water. 43% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Smokey peatiness balanced by floral heather notes and hints of honey and oak. Palate: Silky smooth with toffee crisp like sweetness, followed by more complex aromas of malt and stoned fruit giving way to the intensifying full-bodied peat. Finish: A long-lasting finish with golden honey notes and deep peat coating across the mouth and palate.
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2024 Roseblood D’Estoublon RoseProvence, FRANCE$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkBeautifully rounded and silky with a delicious array of fruits.
Made from a blend of 56% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 14% Cinsault, 5% Rolle and 4% Sémillon. Pale salmon pink tinged colour. Intense peach, raspberry and strawberry aromas flood the nostrils followed by hints of musk and wet stone. Beautifully rounded and silky in it’s flow across the palate, delicious peach, raspberry and strawberry fruits are featured over a pomegranate, subtle musk and wet stone back drop. Brisk underlying acidity with a long supple finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 93
2025 Warrabilla Reserve Grenache RoseRutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA highly slurpable Rose with a long slippery textured finish.
Pale damask pink colour. Delightful raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate and musk scents sail out of the glass with some spice notes also evident. Intensely flavoured and beautifully shaped, raspberry, peach, strawberry and pomegranate fruits are featured over a gently spiced musk back drop. Brisk acidity with a long slippery textured finish that makes for addictive drinking.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 95
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2024 Hoddles Creek Estate 1er Yarra Valley ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.2%Closure: StelvinRich and amply weighted finishing round and full.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle green tone to the edges and a watery hue. Expressive peach, dried honey and crème brulee aromas fill the nostrils followed by some nougat, subtle bacon fat and spice notes. Rich ripe peach, honeycomb and citrusy nougat flavours carry ample weight and a fullish textural feel. Crème brulee, spicy bacon fat and subtle cashew elements line the back half. Fresh underlying acidity finishing round and full.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.2%Other Reviews….
Pure and refined, with aromas of preserved lemons, white orchard fruits, salted nuts, crushed stones and flint. The palate is textural and rounded, cut through by bright acidity and a pithy texture, leading into a tense, nervy yet fruit-driven and generous finish. Delicious, with nicely integrated use of oak and oxidative elements. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
95 Points
JamesSuckling.comRich in colour and rich in flavour. This release of Hoddles Creek Estate 1er delivers the goods. Grilled peach, vanilla-cream, pine, cedar, Pez, nectarine and an array of ozone-infused, fragrant-but-integrated herbs. This release is both textural and energetic but it’s characterised by its rich, plush flavour. The finish itself is the final confirmation; this wine sings both full and long. Drink 2027-2034.
95+ Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front - 1994 Springbank Single Cask 24 Year Old UK Exclusive Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Campbeltown, SCOTLAND$4999. 00Bottle$59988.00 DozenABV: 46.2%
A quirky and collectable Springa' from a private collection. Distilled in December 1994, matured in a fresh sherry hogshead and bottled in April 2019, 294 bottles made it to market as a UK exclusive. Some very minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Other reviews... This one caused quite a stir when it came out I believe, although I think that was more to do about the predictable scramble for bottles and resulting tsunami of disappointment that ensued. Anyway… Colour: amber. Nose: expressively earthy and full of toasted nuts at first. Peanut brittle, waxed canvass, sultana, mushroom broth, camphor, linseed oil and soy sauce. I have to say, this is impressively fresh, clean and full of old school, sherried richness that you don’t find too often with Springbank’s sherry casks. Lots of lean mineral qualities and motor oil emerge in time, while also getting more towards leaf mulch and tobaccos. Very impressive! Mouth: ah ok, here’s where it falls down a bit I think. Feels a little too faded and ‘light’, rather a lot of balsamic, stewed fruits, some light acidity, a few fruity medicines and strawberry scented pipe tobacco. Very nice but you feel it has been captured on the way down rather than on the way up. Still nicely nutty and a bit chocolatey and overall very clean and still showing some lovely earthy qualities. Finish: medium, earthy, nutty, mulchy, oily and with more wee notes of old vinegars and herbal wines. Comments: The nose was gorgeous, but I feel the palate crumbled slightly. Now, it’s still a very quaffable old Springbank. But I would say one for the tumbler rather than the copita. Serge takes the lead…. 87 points - whiskyfun.com
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Blacks Triple Threat Blended Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 40%Blacks Brewery & Distillery from Kingsale is a young player on the world whiskey map (first distillation took place only in 2015). As the name suggests, this three-casked whiskey was aged in bourbon, sherry and virgin American oak casks. The profile offers keynotes of vanilla wafers and cream-filled tea-biscuits, followed by hints of short bread and lemon meringue. It's a simple, classically supple, light-bodied and relaxed Irish blend that shows purity and poise. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Complex summer fruits cross paths with fresh cinnamon buns to greet the nose. Palate: Initially spicy but quickly mellowed by notes of caramel, butterscotch and vanilla. Finish: Medium length as lingering hints of dry fruit and caramelized sugar continue with an oak spice finish.
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2024 Pegasus Bay RieslingWaipara Valley, NEW ZEALAND$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinWonderfully concentrated and mouth filling yet zippy with a long scrumptious off dry finish.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with vivid green tinged edges and a watery hue. Exotically scented nose with rosewater, pear and lychee aromas jumping from the glass. Lime, orange blossom and mineral notes are also evident. Wonderfully concentrated and mouth filling yet zippy, the palate is awash with pear, lychee and rosewater flavours that are quite similar to Gewurztraminer. Bristling with crisp acidity, infusions of orange blossom, red apple and an energised minerality lie underneath. Long scrumptious off dry finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
The 2024 Riesling is juicy and rounded, with a caress that reminds me of a Spätlese. It’s medium-sweet yet delicate with an almost powdery texture. Residual sugar has rounded its edges and padded out its light body. The finish, however, is succulent and textured, with a combination of firm acidity and phenolics providing the brush to sweep this up and hold it firmly in place. Aromas of apricots, lilac, freshly cooked orange, celery and the merest hint of spice linger on the fragrant finish. Drink 2025-2036.
93 Points
Rebecca Gibb – Vinous -
- 92
Carpano Dry Vermouth (750ml)ITALY$35. 99Bottle$431.88 DozenABV: 18%From a centuries-old vermouth company (the producers of Antica Formula). Carpano Dry employs both wormwood and a native herb of Crete for balanced bitterness, while a dose of citrus helps lighten the finish. Fresh, lifted aromas of ripe grapefruit, dried herbs, orris root and delicate bitterness. Breezy flavours reflecting the bouquet are dry, clean, grapey. Finishes invigorating, delicately floral / bitter with hints of home-made lemonade in the aftertaste. A fruity-yet-crisp style for all applications. 18% Alc./Vol.
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- 96
- 96
2024 Jane Eyre Shoreham Park Pinot NoirMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinExpressive red to dark fruits with a supple feel and long, fresh finish.
Includes 20% whole bunch fruit with maturation taking place in French oak (10% new). Semi translucent dark red core with black toned edges and a vibrant red hue. Fragrant violet, red to dark cherry, strawberry and subtle anise scents sail through the olfactory senses with impressive intensity. Also evident are forest floor, dried herb and delicate spicy cedar notes. The eloquent palate makes a supple entrance powered by delicious red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits. Subtle notions of anise, spicy cedar, forest floor and dried herbs unfold across the back half. Seamlessly integrated, velvet smooth tannins finishing very long and fresh with expressive red to dark fruits.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
Off 1990s vines; the winemaking was the same as last year: indigenous ferment, 20% whole bunches, 10% new oak. Jane Eyre has had an extraordinary career so far, establishing herself in Burgundy, winning a swathe of accolades and drawing top reviews from the best in the business. The style of those wines is mirrored here, with elegance and transparency of expression key. Strawberry, red cherry, white pepper, kirsch, a waft of florals. It’s refined, stylish and all class. Drink by 2034.
96 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - J.J. Corry The Gael Blended Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$189. 99Bottle$2279.88 DozenABV: 46%
The namesake on the label, J.J.Corry was born in Cooraclare, where the Chapel Gate Independent bottling Co. operates today. There, until his death in 1932, he had bonded & sold whiskey via his shop on Henry Street. Since 2015, Louise McGuane at Chapel Gate has continued that tradition, sourcing spirits from multiple Irish distilleries then maturing, blending and bottling on-site. 'The Gael' is a 50/50 blend of fruity Irish malt and floral grain whiskeys. While the exact composition isn't stated, earlier bottlings have included up to 4% 28-year-old single malt, the remainder being 13-19 year old liquid aged in selected casks from Jerez and Kentucky. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... [2019 batch tasted...] Found this in London, not sure it ever reached our shores. Colour: straw. Nose: vanilla and scones running the show, plus touches of pears and pineapples. This reminds of ancient Tullamore Dew, in a way. Not earthshattering but pleasant, I'm just not sure I'll remember it… Mouth: sweet and easy blend, of good quality, sweet, with some brioche, icing sugar, sweet beers, sugar cubes, candyfloss… The 46% vol. work really well, as always. Finish: shortish but sweet and pleasant. Sugar in the aftertaste. Comments: sweet indeed, and perfectly all right for a NAS blend. 78 points - whiskyfun.com
- Legendario Domingo Guerrero Papalote Mezcal (700ml)Oaxaca, MEXICO$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 47%
Crafted by the Obregón family using the semi-wild Cupreata variety of Maguey (also known as Papalote), harvested at to 8-10 years of age. Other production specs are similar to the rest of Domingo's bottlings - underground roasting, natural fermentation, mechanical milling and double distillation in copper pot stills. Tasters have picked up green, herbaceous flavours, even cucumber, and a pleasant smoky note. 47% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Aromas include mint, green pepper, and sometimes lactic funk. Flavors feature mint, green pepper, and a sweet or sugary note. Some reviewers noted a harsh alcohol presence or heat. Overall impression is somewhat positive, although some found the alcohol overpowering, while others appreciated certain unique qualities. - mezcalreviews.com
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Derwent Estate Lime Kiln Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA nicely fleshed Pinot that shows ample richness.
Semi translucent dark red core with black toned edges and a light red to red hue. Aromas of red cherry and winter strawberry mix with fresh herb, forest floor and spice notes. Nicely fleshed and showing ample richness the palate features delicious ripe cherry and strawberry fruits over traces of anise, scorched earth and spicy cedar. Polished tannins with a juicy mid length conclusion.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Paracombe Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinJuicy cherry and strawberry fruits with plenty of energy and vibrancy.
Semi translucent dark red core with black toned edges and a light red hue. Fragrant violet, red cherry and strawberry aromas blossom from the glass followed by some fresh herb and delicate mint notes. Juicy cherry and strawberry fruits bounce across the palate with plenty of energy and vibrancy. Infusions of fresh herbs, forest floor and spice extend across the back half. Fine grained tannins with a delicious, fresh red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 95
- 94
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Pegasus Bay ChardonnayWaipara Valley, NEW ZEALAND$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRich and textured yet racy with a long, gently creamed finish.
Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with a distinctive green tint to the edges and a watery hue. Pronounced nectarine aromas tinged with hints of grapefruit and gun flint sail from the glass. Also chiming in are notions of bees wax, oily toast like notes and roasted almonds. Rich and textured, flavours of nectarine, pear and bees wax are underscored by lively acidity which imparts a racy feel. Oily toast like elements, almond and infusions of gun flint the undercard. Finishes long and gently creamed yet bristling with freshness.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Rich and reduced notes of lemon confit, gunsmoke, river stones and grapefruit. The medium-bodied palate has a fine acidity and a slight phenolic edge from a small amount of skin contact, giving notes of orange blossoms, honeysuckle and lanolin. Powerful with an underlying freshness. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.com - Baileys Cinnamon Scroll Irish Cream Liqueur (700ml)IRELAND$47. 99Bottle$575.88 DozenABV: 17%
Embrace the heart-warming essence of a traditional Christmas flavour with Baileys Cinnamon Scroll, where the warmth of cinnamon meets the smooth richness of Baileys Irish Cream. Enjoy drizzled over ice cream, or as a perfect added touch to your hot chocolate. 17% Alc./Vol.
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J.J. Corry The Hanson Blended Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 46%Something novel in the Irish category - 'The Hanson' is a Blended Grain, named after J.J. Corry’s son-in-law, who was a revenue man in the early 1900s known locally as “The Gauger Hanson”. Reportedly, just three casks from different distilleries make up each batch (West Cork, Cooley and GND). Four and ten year old material (20% and 80% respectively) were drawn from x-bourbon barrels, each selected to build complexity upon the sweet and fruity qualities of the grain whiskey. Oily at first on the nose, then closer to nashi pear in later passes, the palate serves up some juicy-fruity-malt and vanilla action with a buttery middle, rounded off by a zesty, drying finish. It drinks like a full-bodied version of a Japanese blend (think Suntory Kakubin) possessing a depth that stands out for the category. Enjoy straight or in a refreshing highball with soda. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... This is a light, vibrant, but classy affair. It has all that’s characteristic of your “traditional Irish whiskey” – the apple and vanilla flavours with the silky mouthfeel – but it comes with a bit of bite and a fantastic warming of the chest. And it does that all purely from a selection of young-ish grain-only whiskies. Job well done. I’d love to know if the original Gauger Hanson would have liked it. I’m sure he would. It’s interesting to see that this has been angled with cocktails in mind but I think it’s classy enough on it’s own. You really wouldn’t want too many dominant flavours or mixers in there otherwise I think you’d lose those intricacies that make this an enjoyable whiskey. - whiskyunplugged.com
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- Biodynamic
2023 Mader Riesling DryAlsace, FRANCE$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinNicely fleshed with pear, red apple and lime fruits, brisk acidity and a generous yet dry finish.
This wine includes almost 10% de-classified Grand Cru fruit from the Rosacker vineyard. It’s a blend of several sites of mostly limestone based soil from vines of 20-50 years old. All parcels are harvested and vinified separately with the final blend being made just before bottling after being aged on fine lees for 6 months.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green toned edges and a watery hue. Lime and red apple scents drift from the glass followed by some pear, orange blossom and delicate honeysuckle notes. Delicious pear, red apple and lime fruits are nicely fleshed in their flow across the palate. Subtle honeysuckle and stony mineral elements linger underneath. Brisk acidity with a generously fruited yet dry finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2022 Parker Estate Cool Climate ShirazCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA rich and quite plump Coonawarra Shiraz.
Aged in older French oak barriques and hogsheads for a period of 14 months. Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Lifted dark plum and liquorice aromas mix with black cherry, vanillin earth and pepper notes. Rich and quite plump the palate is awash with ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Vanillin earth and pepper elements lie underneath. Velvety yet sturdy tannin structure with a long opulent conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Pasqua Montepulicano d’AbruzzoMontepulciano D'Abruzzo, ITALY$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinMid weighted with juicy morello cherry fruits and a savoury finish.
Deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Morello and dark cherry aromas mix with liquorice, dried herb and earth notes. Juicy morello cherry fruits line the mid weighted palate with subtle notions of liquorice, earthy dried herbs and spice the undercard. Faintly chalky tannins with good freshness and a savoury morello cherry driven finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5%













































