To create its well rounded flavour, Glenmorangie 18-Year-Old Extremely Rare Malt spends fifteen years maturing in American white oak casks, then approximately 30% is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks for a further three years. Then both elements are blended back together to create a whisky with a rich bouquet and full, rounded flavour.

A fabulous Rye Mash spirit from the Widow Jane folks over in Brooklyn! The spirit is placed in casks which were previously used to age Widow Jane 10 Year Old bourbon, though new oak and apple wood staves have been added as well. A fabulously balanced blend of spice and fruity sweetness. Citrus peel and tangy tropical fruit leads into cinnamon, cut grass and apple blossom, with peppery oak, baked apples, brown sugar and homemade jam.

Kavalan have launched a new expression matured in three different Sherry casks, namely oloroso, Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Moscatel casks. Senior Blender, Zerose Yang adds, “Its main character, the dried fruits of the oloroso cask, are embellished with the sweetness of PX and Moscatel casks... The resulting liquid offers notes of cinnamon, candied smoked plum, and citrus, layered with a nose of berry, tropical fruits, and longan, alongside a dash of honey, chocolate, and toffee on the palate." For those who are used to the distillery's extravagant cask strength expressions, this takes a step back. The nose presents an attractive array of dried fruits and plummy malt, mingling with sweet spices. It's an accessible, middle weight style, with a convincing sherry lick and an appropriate dash of spice. You can't really fault the balance, but in the context of what this distillery is best known for, it's Kavalan light. 40% Alc./Vol.

Single malt. Single cask. Small batch. Hillwood is a contemporary Australian whisky. Made in the tradition of Scottish single malt, but given a distinctive edge from the wild Tasmanian landscape and their artisanal family approach. A Single Cask, Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky, Non-chill filtered, directly from the Cask. Port Cask aged in French oak wood. Approximately 30-34 bottles produced per batch and bottle at cask strength. Aromas of toasty butterscotch toffee and malt with notes of roasted almonds, Rich fruit cake and plum pudding. A thick, oily, oaky palate with dried fruits and dark chocolate. The dram builds across the palate to a big, full and zesty peak. The finish is long, warm, and comforting with clean dry and lingering spiciness. Takes a little water very well with more viscosity and marzipan notes developing as it rests in the glass.

A superb 15 year old from the Highland Park distillery. The nose is a profusion of ripe floral notes and fresh blossom with a delectable fruit salad. Notes of honeyed exotic fruits with a little botrytis. The palate is creamy and full with fruit conserves and espresso. A creaminess with cinnamon and allspice. Notes of toffee with thick black forest honey with a touch more citrus. The finish is long and well sugared with a herbal edge.

Kurayoshi are one of a few Japanese small-scale craft (or Ji) whiskies to be released in Australia. Created in the shadow of Mt Daisen, at the Matsui Distillery, the whiskies benefit from the mountain’s crystal clear waters and over a century of expertise. The blenders here often combine malt whisky from Scotland with locally produced whisky. This is not an uncommon practice in Japan, and the exact breakdown typically remains undisclosed. Tasting note: Polished copper. Not vastly different to the 8 year old, showing the same subtle Summer yellow fruits, only softer again and with delicious succulence, a bigger finish and better length. It's delicately oily with cocoa-dusted stewed fruits and buzzing spices through the finish. The balance is perfect here, and it feels older than it actually is. Pick of the bunch. 43% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Tasting note: [15ml sample] The second whisky in the Concertmaster series is aged in the distillery’s own special reserve of refill casks, then finished in the Spanish ex Sherry casks. Moderate aromas of dried fruits, in particular, dried mango followed by a touch of banana. Medium-dry rather than sweet, accessible, well rounded and with solid depth at this ABV, instead of traditional sherried notes, blueberries come to mind, especially at the finish where the impression is enhanced by fresh acidity. 40% Alc./Vol.

Iron House Distilleries Tasman Whisky Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky was aged 4 years in ex Markers Mark American Oak barrels. Aromas of raisin and rum come through with subtle hints of vanilla and a spiced herb oak undertone. A palate of buttery warm caramels heat, hazelnut and oak finishing with sweet dried fruits. A long finish with spiced oils and bourbon heat. Iron House Distillery is located at the edge of the Tasman Sea, where the old droving Hut Iron House once stood watchful.

Iron House Distilleries Tasman Whisky Port Cask Single Malt Whisky was matured in port barrels sources from Portugal and re-conditioned in Tasmania. Aged for 4 years, this whisky has a reddish orange ember hue in the glass. The nose has aromas of bold red wine, stone fruit, and buttery, but with a sweetened spiced aroma. This continues to the palate with flavours of dried dark fruit, red berried wine, orange zest, hazelnut oak warmth with hints of ruby tobacco sweet dark chocolate. Iron House Distillery is located at the edge of the Tasman Sea, where the old droving Hut Iron House once stood watchful.

Fuji Gotemba has won numerous awards including Japanese Whisky of the Year, World's Best Grain Whisky and numerous Gold Medals. As it celebrates its 50th anniversary it's finally expanding into export markets and launching new products. For this release, Fuji have employed ex-Bourbon, French oak red wine barriques and beer casks. The combination adds Master Blender, Jota Tanaka's signature stamp of layered complexity. 46% Alc./Vol. Gold Medal at the International Spirits Challenge 2023.