9845 products

Spirits & Liqueurs What's New

    • 93
    Lagavulin The Ink of Legends 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Islay, SCOTLAND
    $189. 99
    Bottle
    $2279.88 Dozen
    ABV: 56.4%

    Out of the ordinary is this Lagavulin finished in casks that previously held Don Julio Añejo tequila. The secondary maturation brings layers of bright, herbal smoke and dark plum fruit to the already notoriously smoky island dram. This year's artwork is inspired by the spirit of intensity that Lagavulin exemplifies while exploring the symbols of the ancient Mesoamerican art of tattoo. 56.4% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Very pale and peaty, with lime zest, smoked lemon, green gooseberry, brine, and cooked agave aromas, the smoke and tequila cask notes are well-balanced, sharp, and invigorating. Lime, agave, caramel, and vanilla sweetness, with smoke on the back of the palate, cooked plum fruitiness, and a growing sense of minerality, green herbal notes, and zesty lime. Be generous with the water; this Lagavulin can take it. 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    Notes from the producers... Nose: The immediate aromas are slightly more medicinal than smoky, showing hints of carbolic soap and soothing rub that soon mingle with aromatic wood smoke from a driftwood bonfire on the beach. As the intense, herbal smoke takes over, a savoury note drifts through it, suggesting barbecued pork. Taste:  At natural strength, the robust texture is creamy-smooth and mouth-filling, while with its ever-richer swirling​ flavours the taste is sweet at first and citrus-like, adds a good sprinkling of salt, then reveals notes of juicy plum in an increasingly smoky and lip-tingling finale. Finish: Long, with a salty tang and finishing very smoky, with just a hint of that light meatiness in a smoky aftertaste that is both lingering and mouth-cooling. It is drying, with a lovely warm-heartedness.

    Benriach Malting Season Third Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $140. 00
    Bottle
    $1680.00 Dozen
    ABV: 48.3%

    The third annual Malting Season release celebrates the distillery floor maltings which lie at the heart of Benriach distillery. This is a few years older than the first and second editions, with an average age of ten years (combining 9.5 and 10.5 year old stocks malted and distilled in the Autumn of 2012 and 2013). Concerto barley and maturation in a combination of virgin oak casks and first fill ex-bourbon casks continue the established theme. Bottled 2023. 48.3% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... As a reminder, Malting Season is meant to highlight Benriach’s use of floor maltings (for this release only), a bygone and laborious malting process in use by only one other Speyside distillery. At the time of the line’s launch back in 2021, it was suggested that different barley varietals could be used in future releases, but this third edition, like the two that preceded it, has been made with Concerto barley. Likewise, the maturation has continued the trend of dual cask aging in ex-bourbon and American virgin oak casks. The abv, however, is the lowest of the line to date. We’ve enjoyed the pair of past releases. Let’s see if Benriach can nail three in a row. The nose is once again sweet and malty, chock full of cooked cereal notes. The virgin oak cask comes across a little clearer than past releases with plenty of fresh sawn lumber and concentrated vanilla notes that only serve to enhance the freshness of the aroma. Underneath it all, a bit of straw and faint lemon peel continues an ongoing theme. The palate is once again remarkably crisp and clean with a lightly oily body that shows a bit less of the chewy texture from the second edition. Elegant notes of vanilla cream, clover honey, and almond cookies offer an impressive depth of flavor to savor across the sip. A bit of barley spice accentuates a gentle, even warmth and propels things into a sweet, silky finish accented by notes of minted syrup, stone fruit, and lemon candies. As Chris said of the second edition, another banger. - drinkhacker.com

    "A fruitcake-like mix of fruity and spicy aromas (dried and fresh orchard fruits, nutmeg, cardamom) fill the nose with a hint of milk chocolate. The palate is rich and malty, with toasted spice flavors, ginger, and cocoa with additional flavor reminiscent of pear cider and mixed dried fruits. There's a well balanced finish that's simultaneously fruity, toasty, and warming with subtle florality." 91 points - distiller.com

    Notes from the producers... Nose: Freshly harvested barley and orchard fruit meld with wild bergamot, pear and meadowsweet honey layered on gently kilned malt. Taste: Smooth creamy malt carries a burst of clementine, floral honey and gentle barley spice. Finish: Medium long, with apricot, malted almond and traces of wild cherry.

    Darkness Benrinnes PX Cask Finish 14 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $130. 00
    Bottle
    $1560.00 Dozen
    ABV: 55.3%

    Well-sherried Benrinnes invariably works a treat and is always tempting. The slightly meaty, nutty character of the spirit derived from partial triple distillation and use of worm tub condensers gives body to many of Diageo’s blends. This isn't the first time Darkness have bottled Benrinnes after a finishing in Pedro Ximénez octaves, so obviously they think it's a worthy match. In this example it imparts a generous helping of vibrant red fruit notes. The price is right for a cask strength 14 year old! 55.3% Alc./Vol.

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Strawberry jam and pecan pie, with a whisper of old oak furniture. Palate: Vanilla pod, Nice biscuits, chocolate peanuts, dried cherry, and mince pie filling. Finish: Fiery ginger and chocolate ice-cream.

    Darkness Blair Athol Oloroso Cask Finish 15 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml)
    Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $170. 00
    Bottle
    $2040.00 Dozen
    ABV: 51.4%

    Located in Perthshire, on the road to the flock of distilleries that are located further north, Blair Athol was first brought to the attention of malt lovers via Diageo's Flora & Fauna series. Founded in 1798 and typically a gingery and nutty dram, a finishing in Oloroso casks will inject this with added richness. Some tasters have described it as "Christmassy". 51.4% Alc./Vol.

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Oak char, banoffee pie, and raisins with spicy hints of cardamom and cinnamon. Palate: Oily walnuts, flamed orange peel, tangy red fruit, and marzipan. Finish: Coffee, Turkish delight and just a hint of flaky sea salt.

    Darkness Springbank Oloroso Cask Finish 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml)
    Campbeltown, SCOTLAND
    $1250. 00
    Bottle
    $15000.00 Dozen
    ABV: 46.5%

    An oloroso finished Springbank drawn from custom-made octave casks. Combined with the distillery's hugely flavoursome coastal spirit, this is going to be one super tasty, complex malt. Because of its age, you'll need patience to let it open up and reveal its best, but reports have it to be one of the most decadent examples of this well-loved Campbeltowner in some time. 46.5% Alc./Vol.

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Candied oranges and chewy caramel, waves of briny meat, and earthy malt. Palate: A superbly satisfying balance of sweet dried fruits, toffee, meaty malt, and woody spice, with beach bonfires smouldering in the distance. Finish: Syrupy peaches and a touch of zesty marmalade, yeasty sourdough, and dense, sherried oak.

    Darkness Glenallachie PX Cask Finish 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $150. 00
    Bottle
    $1800.00 Dozen
    ABV: 57.2%

    We've tasted enough Glenallachies to know that sweet sherry works well with the intense, malty character of the spirit to create a rich and decadent dram. Finishing in Pedro Ximenez will add a layer of sweet dried fruits. The price is quite reasonable when compared with the official release 10 year old at $200. 57.2% Alc./Vol.

    Notes from the bottlers... Sawn timber, brown sugar, sweet potato and toasted almonds envelop the nose. Sweet flavours of berries, honey, melon rind, and vanilla rice pudding come through on the palate. The finish is a sweet, woody mouthful. Honeydew, oak and dried cranberry.

    Darkness Ardbeg Oloroso Cask Finish 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml)
    Islay, SCOTLAND
    $350. 00
    Bottle
    $4200.00 Dozen
    ABV: 48.5%

    Sales figures for Ardbeg have increased considerably over the last decade, so much so that the distillery decommissioned its old still house in 2021 and added two extra stills. The brand's popularity ranks up with the top three Islays, which may explain why so few barrels are offered to independents. At cask strength and middle age, the whisky is usually excellent. Add sherry casks and Darkness has proved time and again that it can be nothing short of brilliant. Oloroso octave finished. 48.5% Alc.Vol.

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Dried fruit and rich smoke blend with coffee and juicy red apple sweetness. Palate: Red fruit, bonfire embers, honey-roasted nuts, marmalade, and meaty malt. Finish: Smoke, sea, and sherry mingle together for a while.

    Darkness Glenrothes Oloroso Cask Finish 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $140. 00
    Bottle
    $1680.00 Dozen
    ABV: 60.6%

    It seems that independent bottlings of Glenrothes arrive almost as infrequently as Macallan. Both are owned by corporate giant, Edrington who are instigating some significant changes at the distillery. An upgrade is scheduled in the coming years, and the marketing emphasis has already taken a dramatic shift towards 'ultra premium' bottlings. The ten and twelve-year-olds as well as the Whisky Maker's Cut are all discontinued with the range now starting at 18 years. Cask strength age statements like this are going to become a rarity indeed. Opportunity knocks! Octave oloroso cask finished. 60.6% Alc./Vol.

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Caramelised nuts, chocolate chip cookie, dates, raisins, and a hint of mature oak. Taste: Molasses with yet more chocolatey notes and chewy dried fruit, with cinnamon and ginger developing. Finish: Red wine richness, and a hint of earthy malt.

    Jameson Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (700ml)
    IRELAND
    $109. 99
    Bottle
    $1319.88 Dozen
    ABV: 46%

    This is the first time since the 1960s that a Jameson Single Pot Still has been made available as a core expression. True to the pot still category, it's triple distilled from malted and unmalted barley and bottled at 46% ABV, without chill filtration making it a Jameson to rival Scottish single malts for depth of flavour. Matured in a combination of five oak casks: Virgin Irish oak, Virgin European oak, Virgin American oak, ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry, it promises a rich, textural, Irish whiskey experience.

    Notes from the producers... AROMA: Opens with wood-driven spices of cinnamon and nutmeg intertwined with rich toasted oak, sweet honeycomb and salted caramel. Zesty fruit notes linger in the background along with dairy fudge, butterscotch and vanilla while the pot still spices continue to build over time complementing the earthy woodland notes and ripe fruits. TASTE: Rich dark chocolate, spicy toffee and ground cinnamon with hints of freshly grated ginger and touches of orange peel. The combination of fresh and seasoned oak adds intricate and layered sweet and smoked-wood tones with delicate tannins, working in balance with the pot still’s silky texture.

    Darkness Benriach Moscatel Cask Finish 7 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $150. 00
    Bottle
    $1800.00 Dozen
    ABV: 56.8%

    A Benriach distilled towards the tail end of Billy Walker’s time at the helm. Brown Forman have since taken over and Rachel Barrie has crafted a more moderate but well-curated selection. The style is fruity, medium to full-bodied and in this case, initially matured in ex-bourbon wood then given a stopover inside a small Moscatel cask. Similar examples we've tasted tend to acquire an exotic fruit quality from these casks, so expect something a little unusual. 56.8% Alc./Vol.

    Notes from the bottlers... On the nose there are aromas of vanilla wafers, raspberry, red licorice and peppermint. The flavours are fresh on the palate, with eucalyptus and menthol. This becomes syrupy, with melted chocolate and brazil nuts. The finish has a lasting freshness, with cocoa, peppermint and spice.

    Darkness Dufftown Oloroso Cask Finish 11 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $160. 00
    Bottle
    $1920.00 Dozen
    ABV: 58.5%

    Dufftown is another big earner for Diageo, selling in the millions via the 'Recruitment Malts' series. Created to attract newcomers to malt whisky and marketed under the Singleton label, three variants make up the range including Glendullan, Glen Ord and Dufftown. Each is released in different regions. Dufftown was mostly aimed at the European market, hence it's not well-known in Australia. Typically big and bold on the palate, the house style is upfront yet approachable and well-suited to a bit of sherry input. In this case, a finishing in oloroso sherry octaves means you can expect plenty of sweet spice accompanying the malt. 58.5% Alc./Vol.

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Warming clove and cinnamon, with delicious sherry sweetness. Palate: A whole host of woody spices, with a touch of leather, and some syrupy figs. Finish: Some candied citrus, with gentle tannins, and allspice warmth.

    Darkness Caol Ila Oloroso Cask Finish 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml)
    Islay, SCOTLAND
    $160. 00
    Bottle
    $1920.00 Dozen
    ABV: 56.2%

    There are probably hundreds of thousands of casks of Caol Ila in Scotland similar to this. That's not a bad thing - in fact, it's a testament to how sought after the single malt is, even if most of it goes into blends. A steady stream of independent bottlings arrive every year, but few are from sherry butts, and fewer still are drawn from octave-sized oloroso casks. We love these effusive expressions that see sherry and peat do battle. If you like the sound of iodine and smoked bacon competing with fruit’n’nut dark chocolate and brandy soaked peels, this will be for you. 56.2% Alc./Vol.

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Meringue, prawn cocktail, citrus, Serrano ham... oh mamma, umami. Palate: Chocolate, cinnamon, damp leaves, balsamico and boozy cherries. Finish: Rich, bright, sweet, and aromatic, wonderfully wide array of flavour.

    Aerolite Lyndsay 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Islay, SCOTLAND
    $120. 00
    Bottle
    $1440.00 Dozen
    ABV: 46%

    A peated single malt from the Character of Islay Whisky Company, distilled at an undisclosed distillery on Islay, and aged in a blend of bourbon and sherry quarter casks. The yester-year presentation and lack of a back story puts the focus on the liquid inside. 46% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... successfully embodies several common aspects of Islay’s peated whisky output – it ably straddles maritime smoke, coastal minerality and natural sweetness. The end result is not deep, nor complex, but it’s well-composed, well-balanced and above all super tasty. Whilst it might be as (deliberately) as vague as they come, this is fairly-priced, evocative and dangerously drinkable. - thedramble.com

    A funny bottling from Atom that is an anagram of ’ten year old Islay’ and apparently hails from one Islay distillery after maturation in 70% bourbon barrels, 25% Spanish oak ex-sherry quarter casks and 5% ‘mystery casks’. The label also mentions ‘peat smoke-breathing dragons’. Let’s hope no one tells the SWA as I’m pretty sure that would not be permitted under their current production regulations. It’s possible the good folks at Atom were also smoking something. Colour: white wine. Nose: clean, coastal and fresh. Smoky grist, barley, heather, soot, wet rocks and sheep wool. Modern, clean, peaty Islay whisky in other words. It’s just a little unremarkable perhaps. Some nice lemony notes emerge in time. Mouth: rather autolytic and slightly yeasty. Smoked biscuits or something like that. Again this sheep wool oiliness, some carbolic acidity, heather ale and more smoky/sooty notes. Touches of lemon juice and a light tarriness. Finish: decent length, coal embers, heather smoke, peat and some peppery and briny notes. Comments: Yes, it all sounds a tad silly. But the whisky is perfectly quaffable and pretty typical modern Islay single malt. For the price tag I think it’s a fair drop. Let’s all buy some so we can keep those good folks from Tunbridge Wells in suitably jazzy narcotics!  84 points - whiskyfun.com

    Notes from the bottlers... A meaty nose with aromas of salted caramel and maple sweetness, hints of leather and big chipotle spices. Smoky and sweet palate with refreshing menthol character, sweet BBQ smoke and intense dark chocolate. A smooth finish with anise and liquorice, lingering ash and charcoal, and lifted caramel sweetness and citrus.

    • Hot Item
    • Reduced
    That Boutique-y Whisky Company World Whisky Blend (700ml)
    UNITED KINGDOM
    Reduced from $99.99
    $49. 99
    Bottle
    $599.88 Dozen
    ABV: 41.6%

    Wholesaler clearance on one parcel only. "...a big old mouthful of flavour...proof that interesting bargains still exist in the world of whisky. - whiskyreviews.net

    The comic-strip label alone tells you this must be from the independent bottler, That Boutique-y Whisky Company. Best known for their eclectic selection of single malts, on this occasion they've opted for a 'World Blend' composed of whiskies from Scotland, Canada, Ireland, Sweden, the United States, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Taiwan, India, Italy, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand and Tasmania... and possibly more! Offering a truly global tasting experience, each component brings its own distinct character, from the smoky peat of Islay to the rich sherry influence of Speyside. The result is a harmonious fusion of sweet honey, roasted nuts, chocolate and gently smokey aromas and flavours. The label says it's made for mixing. And given that the majority of whisky consumed globally is mixed, the slogan makes good marketing sense: In Scotland, a splash of water is common. In China they drink it with green tea. In Japan the whisky & soda highball is king. In warm countries like Venezuela and Brazil, it’s topped up with coconut water, or if you're in the USA or Australia, it's usually cola or ginger ale. Whatever your taste, this is a whisky inspired by the diversity of drinking preferences around the world. Boutique-y fans note the 700ml bottle as opposed to the standard 500ml Boutique-y format. 41.6% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... It’s certainly a big old mouthful of flavour. There’s caramel and toffee mingling with apple and pear, raisin and biscuit. Vanilla. Honey. Salt and pepper. Touch of dark chocolate and oak too... It’s a rather unique and tasty dram at a really affordable price. There’s a decent amount of flavour going on, which gives the impression it could stand up to the mixers suggested on the back label. Crucially however, it works just as well when sipped neat. That’s how I have thus far chosen to drink it but I can definitely see some experimentation in the not too distant future. I’m thoroughly enjoying it, particularly that gentle warmth. More proof that interesting bargains still exist in the world of whisky. - whiskyreviews.net

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Notes of freshly baked bread, lots of honey and a smidge of orange marmalade, supported by slightly tart stewed apple with a sprinkle of brown sugar. Palate: Warming and spicy, with more of that floral honey and baked crumble topping, alongside crunchy, underripe apple and pear. Finish: A prickle of spice, toffee and vanilla pod linger alongside a slightly mineral note.

    • 89
    Roseisle The Origami Kite 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $149. 99
    Bottle
    $1799.88 Dozen
    ABV: 56.5%

    Completed in 2010, Roseisle is a new addition to the Diageo stable, built to produce large quantities of malt for blends. Its design is also geared towards flexibility. According to Scotchwhisky.com. "Six of its seven pairs of stills can switch between stainless steel or standard (copper) shell and tube condensers. If a light grassy spirit is required, long fermentation (in excess of 90 hours) is used, along with slow distillation with air rests, and condensing in the copper condensers. Conversely, if a heavy style is needed then the stainless steel condensers will be used. The lack of extended copper ‘conversation’ will add the requisite weight to the spirit. A nutty (malty) style could also be produced by shortening mashing and fermentation regimes. The grassy style which is currently produced is different noticeably to that from other Diageo sites such as Glen Ord or Royal Lochnagar." This special release was matured in first-fill and refill bourbon barrels. 56.5% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... This first single malt release from Roseisle has a nose of orchard and citrus fruit, with kumquat, lime, banana leaf, nectarine, red apple, and jasmine, with a touch of white pepper and vanilla oak. Buttery and fruity on the palate, with green apple, orange, lime, and plenty of spice, settling to apple, marshmallow, cotton candy, and background spices. Residual fruit, spice, and a touch of creaminess on the finish. 89 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    Here, I believe, is the first commercially released version of Roseisle, beyond the various samples that have been circulating since its launch in 2010. Roseisle's total capacity is 10 million LPA, which isn't huge (Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are much larger). I had the joy of visiting Roseisle with the Malt Maniacs on our 15th anniversary in 2012. Roseisle can produce very different styles, especially by using stainless steel instead of copper in the condensers, which generates thicker, less pure textures, even quite sulphurous ones, but it seems that the priority has remained with light and herbal malts, no doubt much easier to 'correct' when filled / used. Colour: golden. Nose: indeed, I find it quite herbal at the start, then more on apples and plums, then melon, nectarines, almond paste, coconut, and fresh wood. It's nice but there isn't a huge personality, we remain in the realm of the largest Speyside distilleries. With water: the same feeling. Ripe apple, beer, freshly mown lawn... Mouth (neat): very creamy, peppery and fruity at the same time, then increasingly herbal, with a bit of syrup and hops in the background. It's especially the quite thick texture that is remarkable, had they used stainless steel condensers? With water: much fruitier, a bit in the style of the strongest Californian IPAs, then more and more herbal and spicy, with a lot of green pepper and pink berries. Finish: quite long, always very spicy, a bit dominated by new wood at this stage. Pear. Comments: nothing more to say, it does the job very well, with a lot of texture. 85 points - whiskyfun.com

    • 91
    Talisker The Wild Explorador (Special Release 2023) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Isle of Skye, SCOTLAND
    $149. 99
    Bottle
    $1799.88 Dozen
    ABV: 59.7%

    According to Serge at whiskyfun.com, Talisker has become much peatier and spicier in recent years (which is what many like). Diageo's latest Special release is a case in point. It's also the only NAS whisky in the series. 59.7% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Finished in a combination of white, tawny, and ruby port casks. The white port is noticeable first, soaking up the saltiness of seashell-decorated sandcastles and spices to leave a dry crisp nose, with later floral and fruity notes joining a peaty tang of green herbal and oily fish aromas. Red apple, cherry, cranberry, raspberry, and morello cherry flavors become dry and mouth-drawing before breaking into salted caramel creaminess with banoffee pie and a forceful spicy finish. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    Well, they've certainly put Talisker through its paces in recent years, with a huge variety of cask finishes. But Talisker is a big boy, it can always hold its own... Colour: pale gold. Nose: inevitably, after a Talisker of the same age but completely natural, the sojourn in these Port casks, inevitably sweet, is even more apparent by contrast. Rest assured, there's no tenfold raspberry and blackcurrant jams, but still sultanas and figs initially, before the coastal power takes the lead again, without completely eradicating the sweet wine. There are very pretty notes of black nougat. Or rather of turrón, since we are in the Iberian Peninsula (sort of). With water: salty and peppery walnut liqueur. Mouth (neat): it's amusing, the Port has added notes of dry sherry, with walnuts upfront, but also a bit of moscatel. Is it the white Port speaking? With water: we return to Skye, to pepper liqueur, ashes, dry smoke, but also green pepper and simply salt. All this works very well. Finish: long, quite herbaceous, less sugary than I feared. Horseradish and chilli make for a warm and spicy continuation, you could splash some of this Talisker on spaghetti with tomato sauce. Or on some Portuguese dish, I suppose... Comments: so, a Talisker for chefs? The ones who always cook with whisky – and sometimes even add some to the food? It's very, very good, I don't think the Port has softened it too much. 88 points - whiskyfun.com

    • 90
    Clynelish The Jazz Crescendo 10 Year Old (Special Release 2023) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $199. 00
    Bottle
    $2388.00 Dozen
    ABV: 57.5%

    Clynelish chasers will be pleased to get their hands on the latest Special release, which reportedly delivers on those sought-after waxy notes - but water is needed to draw them out. 57.5% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Finely ground spice, honey, shortbread, vanilla sponge, and lightly toasted oak, with a muted hint of salted caramel on the nose. The palate offers juicy mandarin oranges, lime zest, and pepper. It develops a plump texture with flavors of sweet vanilla sponge cake, ground hazelnut, cinnamon, and caramel syrup over toasted waffles. This takes water beautifully, boosting the vanilla and adding sanded oak without turning down the spices. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    ...Two of my favourite things in life, Clynelish and jazz, connected in a bottle of whisky! The label seems to show a young Sonny Rollins playing the trumpet in a rather 'Miles' stance (trumpet heavily pointing downwards), an unusual sight indeed but why not? One day I'll tell you about the time I almost had an argument with Dizzy Gillespie and Clark Terry at a Miles Davis concert at the Nice festival, but that's a story for another time… Yes, I know, I've already promised I'd tell it. Colour: pale gold. Nose: quite an unusual nose, initially on adhesives and varnishes, then on dough, cut grass, and apple peel. Water should awaken all this (in lieu of using a trumpet). With water: the proverbial wax, absent at cask strength, suddenly comes out of the woodwork, so to speak. It becomes both simple and beautiful at once. Old apples, beeswax, tangerine peel. Palate (neat): it's very tense, very lemony and on green apple, with a bit of cane sugar and quite a bit of green tea. Citrus liqueur but no wax so far. With water: water works miracles, here is a pure Clynelish, taut, without frills. Finish: long, fresh, and, you guessed it, on wax, citrus, and apple. Comments: water is mandatory here, without any this baby Clynelish remains hidden in its shell. 88 points - whiskyfun.com

    • 90
    Oban The Soul of Calypso 11 Year Old (Special Release 2023) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $169. 99
    Bottle
    $2039.88 Dozen
    ABV: 58%

    This year's Oban comes finished in casks that previously held Caribbean Pot Still rum. The combination evokes tropical fruits, sugar cane and mango, building on Oban's fusion of Highland and Island styles. 58% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Himalayan salt bricks, ground pepper, grapefruit peel, and herbal notes, with a hint of dairy toffee on the nose. Sweet tropical fruit flavors—mango, papaya, and lychee—then salted caramel, lemon bonbons, rich toffee, and long-lasting spice on the finish. Water adds lime marmalade and a more oily texture. There are sufficient Oban signature notes here, but the rum cask finish twists it into exciting new directions. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    ...Well, it seems we shouldn't expect too much of malt whiskies in their natural state anymore; finishes are really becoming common everywhere, even in more or less prestigious ranges, which seems a bit contradictory. In our simple minds, finishes are the cheap versions of malt whiskies, done exclusively for clumsy newcomers (exaggerating a wee bit, once more). Colour: white wine. Nose: a form of sweetness is felt, orange syrup, guava, but not really high-ester rum, at least not notes that could be clearly attributed to any Jamaican pot still, for example, rather than the saline and slightly mustardy character of Oban. Let's see what water will do: not much further development, other than a curiously 'Talisker' side, smoky, with damp earth and polish. Much less exotic fruit than I expected, in the end. Mouth (neat): very powerful, very salty, always with mustard, black olive... With water: more sweetness, around a cough syrup to which honey, Italian bitter, and oranges have been added. I don't find it particularly tropical. Finish: long, earthy and rooty, this time with indeed exotic touches. Mustard returns in the aftertaste, with pepper, nutmeg and a bit of paraffin. Comments: I'm not too sure, actually, in the long term (let's say twenty minutes) the rum notes do come and go. But it remains Oban and I really like Oban. 85 points - whiskyfun.com

    1792 Bottled In Bond Vol.II Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) - Whiskey Hunt Australia Exclusive - Retail Partner Release
    Kentucky, UNITED STATES
    $150. 00
    Bottle
    $1800.00 Dozen
    ABV: 50%

    For this barrel selection, WHA called in some of the most experienced whiskey folks they know - their six retail partners around Australia. Samples were distributed with simple instructions: Give each example a rating along with your tasting notes. WHA tallied up the scores and the result was this 1792 Bottled in Bond Bourbon single barrel pick. American whiskey boffins will already know that in 1897, the Bottled-in-Bond Act revolutionized the quality of American whiskey, requiring that it be a product of the grain of a single season, made by one distiller at a single distillery and aged in a federal government-bonded warehouse. The act came as a response to the widespread adulteration in American whiskey around the late 19th century. It was an attempt by the federal government to act as a guarantor of the spirit's authenticity. Carrying on that tradition, barrel # 8175 was filled on the 10/10/14 and bottled on the 1/6/23 making it eight years and eight months old with a yield of 192 bottles for Australia only. The group tasting notes include aromas and flavours of white chocolate, cherry strudel, light brown sugar, coconut husk, baking spice, banana bread, nutmeg, vanilla, light oak & cherry with a finish of light oak and brown lingering sugars. 50% Alc./Vol.

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    Glenkinchie The Floral Treasure 27 Year Old (Special Release 2023) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Lowlands, SCOTLAND
    $520. 00
    Bottle
    $6240.00 Dozen
    ABV: 58.3%

    The oldest age statement in Diageo's Special Releases 2023 is from the little known Lowland distillery, Glenkinchie. Nick named 'The Floral Treasure', it was aged in a mix of refill American and European oak barrels and butts, then bottled at natural strength. The result sees Glenkinchie's classic grassy notes complemented with layers of spice. 58.3% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Vanilla, whole almond, and noticeably grassy, with attractive floral notes, chamomile, and lemon, but it feels the nose would open up more with water. Sweet and honeyed to taste, with nippy clove and bitter lemon sweetening to fudge, lemon meringue pie, and light oak, with more lemon zest, cinnamon, maltiness, and Lotus Biscoff to finish. Water really helps to soften those spices. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com

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    The Singleton of Glendullan The Silken Gown 14 Year Old (Special Release 2023) Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $149. 99
    Bottle
    $1799.88 Dozen
    ABV: 55%

    Diageo launched the Singleton label in 2006 to rival the likes of Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. It went on to become the world’s number one selling single malt brand, now with a triune of labels (the others being Glendullan and Dufftown). A typically a soft and creamy whiskey – hence this year’s title - here you also get to experience Glen Ord at full cask strength, with part of the maturation in French oak casks that previously contained White Burgundy (Chardonnay). 55% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Green apple flesh and light honey on the nose, but it’s mild and delicate and takes time to open up, adding gentle floral notes, Bartlett pear, and white pepper. Caramel apple slices, pepper, white chocolate, grapefruit, white grape, and hints of dried banana and caramel chocolate round out a smooth tasting experience, but this one is at its best with a little water. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    Antioqueno Aguardiente Real (750ml)
    COLOMBIA
    $64. 99
    Bottle
    $779.88 Dozen
    ABV: 29%

    Colombia's national drink, Aguardiente is made from just four ingredients: alcohol, anise and water, and sometimes sugar, but most of the Aguardiente sold nowadays is sugar free. In fact, some would say the only significant differentiator between the various brands is the amount of sugar employed. Antioqueno 'Real' is the new edition of Aguardiente Real 1493 and comes with no added sugar. Its delicate aniseed aroma is enhanced by vanilla from the American oak barrels in which it's matured. Soft in the mouth, it's a light bodied and gently warming spirit that's endlessly mixable. 29% Alc./Vol.

    The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $350. 00
    Bottle
    $4200.00 Dozen
    ABV: 44.2%

    Late 2023 saw the launch of the third release in Macallan's Harmony Collection. Created in collaboration with Paul McCartney's daughters, Stella and Mary McCartney, it's a celebration of the lush, fertile lands of Scotland that connect all those who have stood upon them for generations. The presentation box features photography by Mary McCartney of The Macallan Estate and the team at Macallan has reciprocated, taking inspiration from the Scottish grasslands to create an expression redolent of warm meadows and mature barley fields, with a rich, citrus-scented finish derived from a combination of both sherry seasoned oak and bourbon casks. Also notable in this release is the re-use of natural materials in the packaging, creating beauty from resources at the end of their natural lives. In this case, discarded meadow cuttings have been given new life in the presentation box and bottle labels. 44.2% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Ex-bourbon and sherry-seasoned oak. By rule, when there's no age statement, and yet a hefty price (220€), there is a story, in this case a collaboration with sisters Stella and Mary McCartney. Colour: gold. Nose: yet again this slightly rubbery leafiness, we're actually extremely close to the Triple Cask, just with a little more oomph. Fruit peel, orange zests, some flowers again (honeysuckle), then ripe bananas and a little light rum. Mouth: indeed you would almost believe they used the same juice as that of the Triple Oak. Some oak spices, green teas, bitter almonds, a few raisins, allspice, indeed a little rubber, cinnamon rolls… Finish: medium long, on teas and little demerara sugar, while the aftertaste remains rather leafy. More green tea and a little clove, typical active oak seasoned with young sherry. Comments: long live all the McCartneys – isn't Sir Paul NAS too? 85 points - whiskyfun.com

    Sortilege The Wild North 5 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky (700ml)
    CANADA
    $89. 99
    Bottle
    $1079.88 Dozen
    ABV: 43%

    Sortilege is a brand best known for its honey and maple-influenced whisky liqueurs, derived from a recipe developed by Quebec’s first settlers. At the time, the settlers would flavour their eau-de-vie with maple syrup. They soon began using it directly during the distillation process, and thus, maple whisky was born. Sortilege have now branched out into whisky, starting with this judicious blend of 5 and 7-year-old batches. In line with other sourced Canadian ryes, it should be soft and just a little sweet. 43% Alc./Vol.

    Tromba Cafeto Tequila Coffee Liqueur (700ml)
    Jalisco, MEXICO
    $99. 99
    Bottle
    $1199.88 Dozen
    ABV: 35%

    This alluring combination of Tromba's 100% agave tequila, artisanal Mexican grown coffee, agave nectar and natural botanicals was developed with a proprietary cold brew process that uses tequila instead of water to extract the coffee's natural flavour - no concentrates or artificial flavours added. 35% Alc./Vol.

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    El Jimador Reposado Tequila (700ml)
    Jalisco, MEXICO
    $57. 99
    Bottle
    $695.88 Dozen
    ABV: 38%

    Launched in 1994 and named after the men who hand harvest agaves with a razor sharp coa, the Jimador brand is a sister offering to Herradura. The hugely popular Reposado represents 70% of production and is aged for two months in white oak barrels. While it started life as a 100% agave tequila, it was reduced to a mixto during the 1999/2000 agave crisis but in 2009, El Jimador reclaimed its all-agave status. Famously smooth with notes of cooked agave, vanilla and light caramel sweetness, the producers recommend it with grapefruit soda, lime juice and a hint of salt in a highball glass. 38% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Complex aromas of wet earth, vanilla, jalapeño and campfire ash entice the nose. The palate opens with vanilla, transitioning to a peppery midpalate and finishing long, with delicate violet, coconut, black pepper and cinnamon notes. 93 points - wineenthusiast.com

    "Notes of cooked agave, light oak and vanilla are joined by a slight hint of baked cherry pie on the nose. On the palate, this medium-bodied tequila coats the tongue with pleasant vanilla and caramel flavors complemented by more fruit notes, especially cherry and strawberry. Light oak and cinnamon notes and a touch of earthiness add to the complex flavor profile. It presents a medium length finish, with alcohol, white pepper and agave appearing initially before a quick hint of agave nectar and cherry finish things off." 92 points - distiller.com

    ...Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of roasted nuts and peppers in wax paper, chocolate citrus peels, epazote-pepper relish, and geranium with a supple, bright, dryish light-to-medium body and a warming, breezy finish evoking accents of herb-bark tincture, pickled chiles, and vanilla almond milk. A savory, herbal Reposado for cocktails. Bronze Medal - tastings.com

    4.5 stars - diffordsguide.com

    Gold Medal - Premium Reposado - 2020 The Tequila & Mezcal Masters (The Spirits Business)

    2011 Ardbeg Single Cask No.3063 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Islay, SCOTLAND
    $1999. 00
    Bottle
    $23988.00 Dozen
    ABV: 63.3%

    Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.

    Filled on 19th October 2011, this rare single cask was released exclusively for Ardbeggians in Australia. Described as "a ripper of a dram", Cask no. 3063 was created during a period of experimentation at the distillery. In order to mastermind a malt with a new flavour profile, Dr. Bill Lumsden filled new x-Bourbon casks at higher alcohol levels than normal. Suffice to say it worked… and the result is an outturn for the outback with a unique herbal complexity, all the way from Ardbeg to Adelaide and beyond… Labeled as an Australian Exclusive, we have one unit only from the total yield of 202 bottles. 63.3% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

    Sierra Blanco Tequila (700ml)
    Jalisco, MEXICO
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 38%

    An entry-level mixing Blanco with a fruity aroma and a subtle chilli note. Hints of green apple and young pineapple are accompanied by nuances of pepper on the palate, giving Sierra Blanco a slightly feisty edge. The fact that it comes with its own sombrero is a bonus for the bar shelf! 38% Alc./Vol.

    Silver Medal - Mixto Tequila - Blanco - 2020 The Tequila & Mezcal Masters (The Spirits Business)

    Sullivans Cove Special Single Cask TD0270 Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)
    Hobart, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA
    $799. 00
    Bottle
    $9588.00 Dozen
    ABV: 45.5%

    Production Manager, Kirsten Laurie comments, "This unique Apera cask yielded a luxurious, velvety delight with layers of nostalgic confectionary and aromatic spice. Highly nuanced and beautifully balanced, this is a truly memorable whisky."

    Notes from the producers... NOSE: Apricot jam and ripe nectarines in a big old barn full of freshly harvested hay. There's also baked apples with raisins and delicate spices, heaps of buttery caramel and toasted malt, and a hint of freshly pressed linen. PALATE: Rich, creamy and viscous with a burst of Maltesers followed up by apricots and plums dusted with cocoa powder. Plenty of chewy caramel, dried fig and clove balanced out with a touch of refreshing sea salt. FINISH: Refined tannins balance perfectly as it swells towards a decadent finish of dulce de leche and bread-and-butter pudding along with cocoa, pepper and toasted marshmallow. Wonderfully delicate and complex. 

    A well-aged Sullivan's Cove, filled into a cask in Apr 2008 and bottled in Mar 2021. 499 bottles produced.
    One only from a private collection. 45.5% Alc./Vol

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    • Hot Item
    • Limit One per customer
    • Reduced
    Darkness 8 Year Old Sherry Cask Finished Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Highlands, SCOTLAND
    Reduced from $130.00
    $69. 99
    Bottle
    $839.88 Dozen
    ABV: 47.8%

    Will this be the single malt buy of the year? Probably, but don’t wait to find out. Get it now at this never to be repeated, freak clearance price.

    Named for their emphasis on deeply coloured, sherry matured malts, the 'Darkness' series is the creation of Atom Brands, a sister company of a popular UK retailer. The core expression is this eight year old initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred into custom-made first-fill Oloroso sherry octaves for three to six months. Finishing in small casks (80 litres or less) makes for a vastly increased surface area to volume ratio compared to the much larger sherry butts, leading to extra cask influence and more of those intense sherried notes we've all come to know and love. The liquid inside hails from an unnamed Speyside distillery that utilises worm tubs and two and a bit distillation – so whisky boffins should be able to narrow it down quite easily. This is set to be a continuous release in a range that was previously built around very limited editions, though the name of the game hasn't changed - big ol' helpings of sherried deliciousness await. The aromas develop with dates, fresh dried apricots and walnut slice moving towards moist fruit cake after extended air contact. Full bodied flavours of dark chocolate, tangy orange zest and fruit cake follow, rounded off with lovely oloroso character through the nutty, spiced-up finish. One quibble might be that the aftertaste pulls up slightly short, but in terms of overall intensity and flavour definition, Darkness delivers the goods. Bottling at a robust 47.8% ABV (instead of 40% like Glengoyne 10 or Macallan 12) means you get terrific bang for your buck. A winner of five gold medals at global competitions, it's also non-chill filtered without any additional colouring, and unlike its limited edition cousins, comes in a 700ml format.

    Other reviews... This is a good sherried dram, which I think delivers against its name - I get those heavily sherried influences in the form of dark fruits, dark chocolate, and spice. While having a relatively younger age statement for scotch, those small octaves do have the effect of presenting a whisky where the flavours belie the age. This retails for around £50, which feels like a fair price for this good quality sherried whisky. - topwhiskies.com

    Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Candied orange peels, chocolate peanuts, cooking spice warmth and some dried cherry. Palate: Amaretti biscuits, subtly toasty hints, powerful raisin and prune, just a touch of earthy oak lingers. Finish: Slightly oily with a hint of smoke, though chocolatey hints persist.

    Double Gold - Independent Merchant Single Malt - 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

    Gold - Independents’ Single Malts 12 years old and under - 2020 International Spirits Challenge

    Gold - Scotch Single Malt - Speyside - 2022 International Wine & Spirit Competition

    Gold - Distillers' Single Malts 12 years and under - 2022 International Spirits Challenge

    Gold - Speyside Single Malt 12 Years and Under - 2021 World Whiskies Awards

    Glendronach Batch 10 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $124. 99
    Bottle
    $1499.88 Dozen
    ABV: 58.6%

    "A bit more for the oloroso lovers. Another exceptional Cask Strength release from GlenDronach." - drinkhacker.com

    Other reviews... Batch 12 of GlenDronach’s Cask Strength is about to hit the shelves, but before we get to that review, let’s back up a bit. Since Chris was so impressed with Batch 11, I decided to shell out some of my hard-earned Drinkhacker cash on a bottle of Batch 10 (yes, we actually pay for bottles sometimes). Batch 10 clocked in at a slightly lower barrel strength, but otherwise it is the same marriage of single malts aged in oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and carrying no age statement. Let’s see how it compares, shall we? There’s definitely a theme to these whiskies, and it’s sherry. Beautiful, deep sherry. Still, this tenth batch of GlenDronach Cask Strength is a bit more austere on the nose than its successor, suggesting a heavier hand from the drier oloroso. The aroma doesn’t jump from the glass like its future self, but with a little extra time to arrive, elegant and airy notes of currants, dark raisin, and cocoa powder grace the stage. The palate, however, is just as impressive and decadently rich, if not more so. Chris reveled in the “almost pruny glory” of Batch 11, and while Batch 10 presents a similarly lush, deep sweetness, there’s a brighter, more complex fruit dimension here also that flexes with orange peel, dark cherry, and poached pears alongside a secondary layer of sherry-inspired dark berries. It’s similarly exotic with spice from both the cabinet and more far-flung locales, but it’s also a bit gentler with an even, hugging warmth. The finish is wonderfully long and simmering with oak, date chutney, candied almonds, and Christmas cake. Batch 11 may have been tailored more to the PX fans, but Batch 10 is a bit more for the oloroso lovers. Another exceptional Cask Strength release from GlenDronach. - drinkhacker.com

    Notes from the producers... NOSE: Mocha, apricot and baked orange chocolate cake, with roasted almond, walnut and raisin on a base of aromatic toasted oak. PALATE: Richly spiced fruitcake with nectarine, dark cherry and honeyed sultana. CONCLUSION: Lingering ripe apricot layered with ginger jam and indulgent caramelised date.

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    Strange Nature Premium Grape Gin (700ml)
    Marlborough, NEW ZEALAND
    $84. 99
    Bottle
    $1019.88 Dozen
    ABV: 44%

    A gin not made, but grown - from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and arguably the most exciting new gin to come out of New Zealand in some time. It all started when the Giesen brothers of Marlborough’s Giesen Wines were trying to strip the alcohol from sauvignon blanc to produce an alcohol-free product. The resulting liquid “was essentially a sauvignon blanc spirit”, says Rhys Julian, the general manager of Strange Nature. He adds, “At that point the wine-makers were discarding it, but we thought there was a really good opportunity to take that by-product and do something with it, because it retains heaps of those really tasty flavours from Marlborough sauvignon blanc." The team added juniper but then cycled through more than a dozen different botanicals trying to find the best combination. They ended up going back to basics, deciding that juniper and sauvignon blanc stand on their own merit. “Sauvignon blanc is really aromatic, it’s got those layers of grapefruit and tropical herbaceous qualities,” says Julian, “and so we settled on just one botanical, juniper, which is quite unusual and quite strange, hence our name, Strange Nature.”

    Just as you'd expect, Strange Nature retains many of the quintessential notes of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc - as the producers describe it: Partly tropical and zesty with hints of fresh pineapple, candied grapefruit and a touch of kaffir lime and blood orange; and part savoury and herbaceous with piney juniper, blackcurrant leaf and fresh green pepper. Our tasting from a 30ml sample found powerful aromas of ripe feijoa, also hinting at passionfruit and nectarine with a light pepper overlay. There's a citrus/tropical fruit interplay on the palate too, evoking grapefruit, lime zest, feijoa, crushed pine buds and hints of papaya seed through the fresh, warming finish. It's a full bodied, vibrant and distinctive gin that when tasted neat, maintains a good balance of juniper against the fruitiness of the grape distillate. Mixing with soda is simple yet effective, although too much dilution tends to over-emphasise the varietal character of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Try loading up a highball glass with ice and a spritz of carbonated water garnished with a lime wedge. For a refreshing alternative, use East Imperial Grapefruit soda. Lovers of G&Ts should enjoy a generous pour over ice, topped off with a premium tonic, a lime wedge and a sprig of rosemary or thyme. 44% Alc./Vol.

    Westward Rum Cask Single Malt American Whiskey (700ml)
    Oregon, UNITED STATES
    $179. 99
    Bottle
    $2159.88 Dozen
    ABV: 50%

    Other reviews... Building off a 100% malt base, sweet complementary rum flavors add depth to this American single malt. Westward Whiskey is located in Portland, Oregon and specializes in a category of whiskey that’s particularly notable right now, American single malt. Westward offers a variety of finished single malts, including Pinot Noir Casks, Stout Casks, and more. Rum Cask starts with Westward’s Single Malt Whiskey as a base, and then it’s finished in ex-Guatemalan rum casks. Guatemalan rum is distilled from fermented virgin cane syrup, as opposed to molasses, and has a rich history that dates back as far as 1591. The cane sugar sweetness shows through against the malt base, permeating through the entire whiskey. However, Westward’s base malt maintains the backbone of the flavor profile, and isn’t shy about its malt notes. The rum sweetness works in complement with the malt base - even though they’re two very different flavor realms but somehow it just works. Overall, Westward Rum Cask is a fun, unique combination of flavors that doesn’t taste like any of the growing number of rum finished whiskeys you may find on the shelf. - breakingbourbon.com

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    Dasher + Fisher Meadow Gin (500ml)
    Tasmania, AUSTRALIA
    $69. 99
    Bottle
    $839.88 Dozen
    ABV: 45%

    The Dasher + Fisher label is named for the two rivers that run from the mountains to the pristine coast of Tasmania’s north-west. Together they form the water supply for three very different gins created by George Burgess at the Southern Wild Distillery. “Meadow” is the most popular in the range and includes fifteen botanicals such as oranges, wild Tasmanian herbs and flowers as well as sage, cardamon, wild fennel, lavender, bay leaf, rosemary and juniper.

    Tasting note: Clear. Intense aromas of white pepper, lime juice, woody juniper and potpourri. Follows through with flavours of pepper/dried herbs and orange peel. Finishes spicy, peppery, warm and with excellent persistence. Lovely texture. Great new gin. Recommended in a G&T garnished with a slice of ruby grapefruit or in a negroni. 45% Alc./Vol.

    Animus Octet Fig Leaf Gin (700ml)
    Central Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $74. 99
    Bottle
    $899.88 Dozen
    ABV: 40%

    The newest Gin from this progressive Kyneton distillery is Animus’s riff on a London Dry Gin. Compared to their overproof core range of Gins, Octet lands at a more traditional 40% abv and is heavily pitched with juniper as opposed to the more citrusy profile of the Macedon Dry and friends. Here, the distillers have worked with eight botanicals, hence the name Octet. Alongside lemon, coriander seed and angelica, the inclusion of local, hand-harvested fig leaf and locally sourced first-press extra virgin olive oil speaks of Animus’s deep connection to their place. The result tastes as good as it looks. As always, the high standard of Animus’s ingredients and labour-intensive attention to detail are on full display. Expect big juniper flavours juxtaposed with sweet and spicy fig leaf, while the extra virgin olive oil provides a herbaceous, grassy edge and unctuous, silky weight. As always, the Animus team have threaded the needle well; it’s a beautifully balanced and flavourful Gin crafted with the trade in mind and sits comfortably in ‘first-pour’ position.

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    Amrut Rye Single Malt Indian Whisky (700ml)
    Bangalore, INDIA
    $230. 00
    Bottle
    $2760.00 Dozen
    ABV: 50%

    Originally released in 2016, this is the first-ever Indian single malt rye. A subsequent batch followed in 2023, also limited to around 1200 bottles. It is malted, making this - although not technically in all countries - a single malt whisky. European rye was used with maturation taking place in American oak casks. Our tasting revealed a beautifully balanced whisky that departs from the intense spice and muddled mint character of many high proof American standards. This is more like chewing rye bread studded with dried peach or mango and is close to a sherried Scottish single malt in terms of mouthfeel. The finish brings forward a slightly oily aspect before turning drier and vaguely herbal with cocoa and the spiciness of the grain adding a closing zing. While it doesn't stand out in any particular way, it is an original and noteworthy addition to the category. 50% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... This is initially creamy to nose, but enticingly spicy on repeat visits, with aromas of cereal grains, rye bread, macadamia nuts, burnt bread crust, and hints of coffee bean. The flavors are delicious, and include caramel popcorn, apple, a snap of rye spices, toasted rye bread, dark chocolate, black tea, and a toffee sweetness that accompanies the spices into the finish. A compelling rye whisky that is definitely worth tracking down. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com

    ...Didn't expect to see this, I have to admit. Though glad I did. No mistaking the grain, which is intense and deep. But Amrut have certainly carved their own personality onto this which is similar to some better North American ryes, Alberta being the closest. But there is a barely perceptible slant away from that into wholly new territory. 91.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024

    Notes from the producers... Aromas and flavours of freshly baked bread and something tropical seque into floral and spicy notes.

    Licor 43 Chocolate Liqueur (700ml)
    SPAIN
    $59. 99
    Bottle
    $719.88 Dozen
    ABV: 16%

    Licor 43 is Spain's best-selling liqueur and has started to gain traction as a cocktail companion behind bars around the world. It gets its name from the fact that 43 ingredients are used in its creation. They include herbs, spices, citrus, and most notably, vanilla. The iconic brand has now added a luxurious variant with this chocolate edition. The essence of Licor 43 is perfectly complemented by the addition of rich, high-quality, sustainably sourced cocoa resulting in a velvety smooth liqueur with a depth of flavour that is both intense and harmonious. 16% Alc./Vol.

    1994 Glenfarclas The Family Casks Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Summer 2022 Release
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $1099. 00
    Bottle
    $13188.00 Dozen
    ABV: 45.4%

    Approaching 30 years of age, this lower ABV addition to the series looks to have been drawn from a fairly active sherry butt, despite the fact that it was a fourth-fill! 297 bottles make up cask 4323 which was decanted in the Summer of 2022 at 45.4% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

    Stolen Smoked Rum (700ml)
    TRINIDAD
    $58. 99
    Bottle
    $707.88 Dozen
    ABV: 37.5%

    Made in Trinidad from locally sourced sugar cane, this column-distilled rum is aged for at least two years in ex-bourbon barrels with additional ingredients including Arabica coffee beans from Colombia, fenugreek seeds from Morocco and vanilla beans from Madagascar. It's not disclosed how, but the liquid is smoked using American hardwood. Try it in any rum, rye or bourbon cocktail. 37.5% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... "Muted aromas of cola and smoke emerge slowly with some work - not heavily smoked but plainly so. Tastes like a strong after-dinner cocktail of coffee, honey, rum and cream. A curious confection." 78 points - distiller.com

    2007 Glenfarclas The Family Casks Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Summer 2023 Release
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $399. 00
    Bottle
    $4788.00 Dozen
    ABV: 60.1%

    Distilled in 2007 and drawn from refill sherry butt #2669 before being bottled in 2023, this Summer edition had an outturn of 634 bottles. The colour looks good for a middle-ager in the series. 60.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

    Ron Matusalem Insolito Rum (700ml)
    SPAIN
    $89. 99
    Bottle
    $1079.88 Dozen
    ABV: 40%

    Inspired by the pale pink wines from Provence in southern France, this limited edition of around 3300 bottles is charcoal filtered and then matured in a solera of x-Tempranillo casks for approximately three years. The result is then blended with Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva 15. The presentation is out of the ordinary for Rum, as is its pretty salmon pink colour. 40% Alc./Vol.

    Other reviews... Light to medium bodied with sweet grilled pineapple fruit dried by young oak and vinous tannins. Light but enlivening cinnamon spice. 4.5 stars - diffordsguide.com

    Porfidio Quercus 100% Agave Reposado Tequila (750ml)
    Jalisco, MEXICO
    $160. 00
    Bottle
    $1920.00 Dozen
    ABV: 38%

    Distilled from a mash of ten year old agave pinas, Porfidio 'Quercus' is a contemporary and delicately oaked expression of Porfidio Plata that strikes a balance between the pure agave juice that gives Plata its characteristic freshness, and the suavity that only high-quality oak can impart. 38% Alc./Vol.

    2003 Glenfarclas The Family Casks Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Summer 2022 Release
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $499. 00
    Bottle
    $5988.00 Dozen
    ABV: 55.9%

    Bottled non chill filtered in the Summer of 2022 , single cask #1970 was a fourth fill sherry butt yielding 593 bottles at a natural strength of 55.9% Alc./Vol.

    Pintail Glenlossie 14 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $240. 00
    Bottle
    $2880.00 Dozen
    ABV: 53.4%

    Here's something off the beaten track for malt whisky fans: Glenlossie finished in a much-prized Picolit wine cask from Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the North-East of Italy. A potential first in whisky finishing! Expect a grassy malt nose, a silky & buttery texture and flavours of cedar wood, crisp apples, tropical fruits with a raisiny end note. 288 bottles produced. 53.4% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

    2008 Pintail XO 14 Year Old Single Origin Panama Rum (700ml)
    PANAMA
    $250. 00
    Bottle
    $3000.00 Dozen
    ABV: 54%

    The Pintail brand was originally established by Matthew Gloag and Sons in the 1930s and focussed on bottling dry sherries. After the trademark lapsed it was picked up by Keith Bonnington (Keeper of the Quaich and owner of The Whisky Cellars Independent Bottlers). He's now using it to market a range of hand picked spirits and wines. Whiskies are finished in rare (and often sweet) wine casks, but he has access to other categories too, such as this rum, composed of two barrels from a Single Origin Panamanian estate, matured for a full fourteen years in x-Bourbon casks. Bottled at 'overproof' strength for a full aroma, mouthfeel and flavour, vanilla, ginger biscuits, chocolate orange and charred oak are keynotes to look out for. 54% Alc./Vol.

    Pintail Mannochmore 14 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND
    $240. 00
    Bottle
    $2880.00 Dozen
    ABV: 55.1%

    This release from the independent label Pintail features Manochmore finished in a Tokaji Aszu cask for six months. Expect Mannochmore's 'digestive biscuit' character laced with golden sultanas, ripe apricots, burnt orange, ginger spice, dark honey and a touch of savoury umami. 55.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 289 bottles produced.

    2012 Pintail First-fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
    SCOTLAND
    $160. 00
    Bottle
    $1920.00 Dozen
    ABV: 57.1%

    Keith Bonnington has over two decades of experience in the whisky industry, including eleven years at Edrington (owners of Macallan et al). He was made Keeper of the Quaich in 2013 and founded The Whisky Cellar in 2016, the eponymous label for his primary collection of independent whiskies. 'Pintail' is an extension of that, but its focus is slightly broader, with vintage dated releases of diverse liquids including whisky, sherry and port. Another addition to that list is this blended malt. Although the components aren't stated, we do know that it was drawn from an oloroso sherry puncheon at natural strength. According to Bonnington, expect aromas and flavours of dark orchard fruits, cinnamon, star anise, dark chocolate, mocha, raisins, malt loaf plus a touch of eucalyptus. 305 bottles at 57.1% Alc./Vol. are on offer. Non chill filtered.

    • Reduced
    Ardbeg Ardbog Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - NO GIFT BOX
    Islay, SCOTLAND
    Reduced from $699.00
    $599. 00
    Bottle
    $7188.00 Dozen
    ABV: 52.1%

    Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.

    If you love peaty whiskies but don't quite understand why they taste like they do, it's because of peat, or more precisely, peat smoke, which when burnt releases chemicals called phenols. These phenols are absorbed by the malted barley during the drying process in a kiln. The level of phenols is measured in ''PPM' (parts per million) and controlled by the length of time that the barley is exposed to the smoke, the amount of smoke produced and the type of peat used.

    Even if 'bogs' are not your thing, peat is actually far more fascinating than first impressions might suggest. It is a relic of the Carboniferous period some 300 million years ago when much of what is now Britain was swampland. As trees, roots, ferns, grasses, animals and even people died or fell into the swamps they were subsumed into the stagnant water and partially decomposed, but did not rot away entirely. Instead an organic fuel formed by their decomposition. Peat is black because of its rich carbon content (the CO2 is not released into the atmosphere as normally takes place in decomposition around oxygen). Yet compared to wood, peat is relatively inefficient to burn. Without a proper furnace, it tends to smoke rather than create much heat.

    For a long time a lack of alternative fuel forced 'Highlanders' to burn peat. Coal was simply too expensive for most and there were few trees. The situation began to change around the turn of the 1960's, with the help of technological progress in large industrial scale maltings. It then became possible to produce vast quantities of malted barley without peat. Speyside and Lowland distilleries were amongst the first to change to coke (a high carbon form of coal) as a combustible, as new railway networks to transport the fuel encouraged the transition. Remoter regions like Islay persisted with peat.

    Today, there's no question that peat-smoke derived flavours in whiskies are increasingly desirable. Consequently, peat is now used not only on Islay by the likes of Ardbeg, but also on Orkney, in the Highlands, Campbeltown, as well as in Speyside. Peat is usually extracted close to the distillers or maltsters. Distilleries prefer the top part of the bog, because the upper crust of peat found there tends to be 'richer', more rooty and generate more smoke and impart more flavour.

    At some stage of his or her drinking career, every hairy chested peat freak has probably wondered "Why don't peaty whiskies all have the same kind of 'peatiness'." Instead, we find that peat comes in a remarkable array of sensory guises, and also contributes an almost oily mouth feel, as well as added depth, richness and sweetness. Its flavours are expressed differently in whiskies from different distilleries and range from notes reminiscent of lanolin, wet wool, iodine, seaweed, bacon, tobacco smoke, engine oil, tar, manure and wet earth.

    As much of Scotland is (in parts) covered by a meter-thick layer of peat, it's been supposed that different types of organic matter in the different regions, have created different types of peat which impart, in turn, different flavours to the finished whisky. For example, historically there have been few trees on the Orkney islands so there are no tree roots in the peat, making it lighter and quicker to burn. Whiskies from this area, like Highland Park, tend to have a more lightly smoked flavour than Islay malts. Is this an argument for 'peat' and 'terroir'?

    Patrick Brossard of http://www.whisky-news.com recently reported on a study that approaches this question. In 2009, B.M. Harrison and F.G. Priest published an article on the composition of peat in the production of Scotch Whisky and the influence of its geographical source, extraction depth and burning temperature: "Peat samples from four locations (Islay, Orkney, St. Fergus (Aberdenshire), and Tomintoul (Speyside) were analyzed using Curie point pyrolysis in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry".
    [As in the simpler process of distillation where small molecules fly out first, followed by the big ones (so alcohol is separated from water), with gas chromatography a sample is heated to evaporation in order to release volatile compounds. Since all the molecules of a given structure will behave more or less identically, they exit the machine collectively and at the same time. As each 'puff' of molecules is released, a computer generated graph peaks corresponding to the most abundant chemical compounds. The higher the peak, the greater the number of molecules of acertain type are present].

    "In total, out of the 106 products identified, 92 compounds were having a significant effect on the separation of the four geographical locations. The compounds were broadly split into the following classes: phenolic compounds, carbohydrate derivatives (“sugars”), aromatic compounds, and nitrogen-containing compounds".

    "The ratio of phenol derivatives (carbohydrate derivatives to guaiacols, syringols, and phenols) was the major discriminator between the samples of the different geographical regions, explaining more than 60% of the variance. St. Fergus and Islay samples were characterized by high percentages of guaiacols (aromas described as aromatic, phenolic, burnt, woody, bacon, savoury, smoky, and medicinal), syringols (aromas described as aromatic, phenolic, spicy, smoky, baconlike, sweet, medicinal, creamy, meaty, and vanilla), and phenols (aromas described as aromatic, phenolic, burnt, woody, bacon, savoury, smoky, and medicinal) in the pyrolysate [i.e. burnt peat]. Relatively high proportions of carbohydrate derivatives in the [burnt peat] characterized Tomintoul and Orkney samples."

    "In the distillate (new make), the origin of the peat could be clearly identified by analytical methods. By sensory analysis (by “human nose”), the spirits using Tomintoul (Speyside) peat were more medicinal than the spirit using Hobbister (Orkney) peat. The level of peat aroma was low in the St-Fergus spirit (Aberdeenshire) despite a high abundance of aromatic peaty aromas, but the spirit was sweet, spicy and medicinal."

    The upshot of the study indicates that the source of peat will have an impact on the flavour of the whisky. It's a conclusion which may reignite the debate over Scotch whisky 'terroir' beyond the simplistic Highlands / Islands / Lowlands trichotomy. If for you, that's just all too involved, simply pour yourself a glass of Ardbog and revel in the remarkable synergy that whisky and ancient earth can offer.

    This limited edition Ardbeg was matured for ten years in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and Spanish oak manzanilla sherry seasoned butts and bottled without chill filtration. Flawless bright gold appearance. Opening aroma offers up choc fudge and brandy cream, yet with a lovely freshness that accentuates on the second inspection, which, minutes later sees the bouquet lighten slightly and turn more salty, with citrus peel and hints of balsamic. A light entry develops into a concentrated mid palate, superbly balanced for the strength, dry to medium dry, creamy, vanilla laced peat flavours building towards the salty, tangy, gently warming finish. Concludes with dried herb / lavender-like notes and the vanilla / choc fudge returning into the lengthy aftertaste. 52.1% Alc

    Other reviews... The follow-up to last year's Ardbeg Day, here's the cult distillery in its funkiest guise with a nose that's reminiscent (I'd imagine) of a frontier trading post: all pitch, furs, and gun oil. Some mint hangs around in the background alongside eucalyptus. This is an earthy, in-your-face Ardbeg with a hint of box-fresh sneakers indicating some youthfulness. The mouth is thick and chewy: wild mint, oily depths, and the slightly manic energy typical of Ardbeg's young. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com

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