“The elemental opposite of the sophisticated Lord of the Isles.” Perched on a wave washed, rocky headland, the Ardbeg distillery was founded in 1815 by the MacDougalls of Ardbeg. The distilleries 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. First launched in 2003, “Uigeadail” (the loch from which all Ardbeg water flows) this cask strength, heavily peated Ardbeg is produced from a mix of bourbon casks and older sherry casks. The combination gives this whisky a velvety texture, with a sweet and smokey finish. Tasting notes: Bright gold appearance. Big, sweet sherry influenced nose offers dried apricot and marmalade scents over menthol and sweet cedar smoke. Some ripe green apple notes emerge with time in the glass. The palate is off dry with a rich, dark chocolate entry becoming heavier and fudge-like with orange chocolate, sweet cereal and the peat continually reinventing itself - at once dry and sooty, then tarry and finally kippery on the finish. Excellent balance at cask strength. Boiled lolly and spice aftertaste with a subtle spearmint fade. Latest batch tasted October 2010.

ROYAL LOCHNAGER 36 Y.O 57.6% ABV Single Malt Whisky

Peat dried and matured inland for over ten years for a rich and smoky tasting whisky with a lasting finish. Some of our casks are matured in warehouses that are located further inland. The conditions here affect our maturation climate and help create a rich and smoky tasting style of whisky that we call Land Cask.

Goodradigbee's Ironbark Red is a world's first innovation being the only single malt spirit matured in Australian Red Ironbark sourced from the New England Ranges, and in Goodradigbee's whisky maturation cubes, not barrels. The spirit is a rich, red and surprisingly complex spirit. It has a sweet honey and charred citrus flavour upfront, then moves to dark chocolate and golden syrup swiftly followed by subtle notes of seasoned wood and a nutty maltiness. The finish is powerful and succinct.

Goodradigbee's Jarrah single malt is completely unique. It is made from Scottish Highland single malt and matured in Goodradigbee's whisky maturation cubes made from Western Australia's imposing Jarrah, an ancient local hardwood. The spirit is young on the nose but genuinely surprises when tasted. Complex flavours compete at first - sweetness and citrus, followed by cinnamon and sometimes, a touch of spice. Jarrah is different, in a good way. Be prepared to be surprised.

Glen Moray Sherry Cask Finish uses only the finest Oloroso casks to mature this extraordinary single malt. The Elgin Classic's unmistakable vanilla and light oak is still evident but, with vibrant dried fruit and earthy, nutty notes of the sherry, the finish is multi-faceted.

The newest, oldest whisky to join Ardbeg's core range is an impressively packaged 25 year old, an age statement not seen since the 'Lord of the Isles' bottlings over a decade ago. It's also the oldest permanent addition to the brand, distilled in the 1990s, and available in limited quantities due to its age and rarity. Readers should note that very little whisky was produced at the distillery in the middle '90s. Ardbeg’s production halted in 1981, then resumed in 1989 under Hiram Walker but remained at a low level until late 1996. Most Ardbeg enthusiasts will have tasted little from this distillery's 'quiet period'. Hence, this first edition represents a genuine slice of Islay history. Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s chief whisky creator, comments: “After a quarter of a century in the cask, you’d be forgiven for imagining that Ardbeg 25 Years Old would have lost some of the hallmark smoky punch. I can assure you it hasn’t.... And yet there’s also a remarkable complexity and elegance to this whisky that I find utterly captivating. It’s unmistakably Ardbeg, but unlike any Ardbeg you’ve tasted before.” Strikingly presented in a gun metal coloured bottle, Ardbeg 25 comes housed in a case featuring a modern metallic take on the classic Ardbeg knotwork, symbolic of the untamed complexity of this extraordinary whisky. Notes from Ardbeg... smoked cream, peppermint, toffee, fennel and pine resin on the nose, leading to a ‘vibrant, hot peppery mouthfeel’ with flavours of sherbet lemon, carbolic soap and tar, creamy toffee, aniseed and chilli pepper. The finish is said to be long, mellow and lingering, with cream, fudge and antiseptic notes. Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.

The Isle of Skye is renowned for its rich, varied landscape from its soft, serene shores to the dark, jagged peaks of the Cuillin mountains. Talisker Skye is the distillerys ode to these appealing contrasts, with a smoky sweetness, maritime notes, and a spicy edge.Best served in a Rocks Glass, neat or with a little water.

The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old, a perfectly balanced single malt whisky matured for 18 years in both American and European sherry seasoned oak casks. Sherry seasoned American oak adds delicate vanilla to the subtle spice of European oak, delivering a whisky with a sweeter, warmer taste and character.