While India may not be the first country to mind when great world whisky is mentioned, the Fusion Single Malt is about to change all that. Considered by Jim Murray to be the 3rd best whisky in the world as part of his 2010 Whisky Bible, the Fusion is a phenomenal amalgam of flavours, aromas and texture the envy of most, even in Scotland. On the nose this spectacular whisky offers up notes of heavy oak, barley sugar and some subtle smoke characters that play ever so well with amazingly complex flavours like custard cream, toffee and dried fruits. While the whisky threatens to be completely overpowering, the balance on the finish is nothing short of ground breaking. There is simply no better way to extend your whisky horizons than with a bottle of Amrut Fusion.

With a wholemeal and honey quality to the nose and the odd smoky tangent. A sweet, fruity core and a long round finish. Dalwhinnie has a little bit of everything, peat, honey and backbone. A classic malt for everyone.

Aged in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in sherry casks. Double Wood is an excellent example of what the Balvenie distillery can craft, even at 12 years.

The 12 year old expression is a fine example of how the distinctively crisp, citrus character of Aberlours raw spirit is deftly softened by double cask maturation. Traditional oak and seasoned Sherry butts are both used to great effect as the mellowed spirits within are combined to deliver a subtly balanced flavour.

Located in the far north of Scotland, Glenmorangie distillery uses the tallest stills in Scotland, where only the lightest and purist spirit vapours reach the top, giving Glenmorangie its hallmark floral and fruity character.

Co-created by one of Scotland’s most awarded Master Distillers, Jim McEwan, together with Cape Byron Distillery Co-founder and distiller Eddie Brook are two new Australian takes on a classic Scottish single malt. Many readers will already know of Jim McEwan who has more than fifty years of experience in the whisky business, having worked at Bowmore for 38 years, before overseeing the rebirth of Bruichladdich and most recently helping to get new Islay distillery, Ardnahoe, off the ground. Two editions are on offer: A Chardonnay barrelled limited edition, and this, the Cape Byron 'Original', aged in Scotland's traditional vessel of choice: American oak x-Bourbon casks. Says Brook, “They go together like a match made in heaven. [The whisky is] not overly dominated by the oak, it’s letting the spirit sing, and we’re seeing this marriage.” What partly accounts for the distinctive style is that the pair have resisted the temptation to use smaller barrels to ‘accelerate’ the ageing process. It's the opposite approach of most Australian distillers. “...We’ve got this climate that gives us faster maturation. Now that’s great, but it can also get too much, you can get too much tannin and then over-oaking in your whisky, ” Brook explains. "To avoid this, we only mature in full format barrels, between 200 to 300 litres in size". Specially designed warehousing facilities further offset Byron’s temperature extremes. According to McEwan, another factor is the distillery's proximity to the coast. “Walk down the barrel room... you’re getting that marine character and influence coming through" he says. "That moisture is falling on the oak staves, and slowly but surely, there’ll be a residue of salt and eventually as the whisky moves in and out, as the temperature increases, the alcohol will expand and it will touch the salt, and pull it back, and that brings a unique marine freshness to the spirit – quite different from anything else...” No surprise that McEwan reckons fans of Bruichladdich might taste some similarities in the Cape Byron spirit. “They’re not dissimilar. There’s no peat, [Eddie’s] using American oak, I used a lot of American oak Bourbon casks as well. I’ve used wine casks – and you’ve got all the wine casks there. There’s a similarity there between what I was doing in Islay and what Eddie’s doing here." As for the taste? Can't say there are many like this - either here or abroad - but you can appreciate why McEwen draws comparisons with Bruichladdich. Cape Byron's Original is a creamy, near voluptuous malt that defies its age. Peaches and cream come through with sweet barley and shortbread on the nose. The co-mingling of dried mango and juicy malt with the Bourbon vanilla aspects is nicely done, and there's a spicy edge adding vibrancy. At the finish, more peaches and cream, dried mango and a little grilled pineapple, pepper and coastal freshness develop. It's a whisky less about overt complexity, all about generous mouthfeel and precocious flavour. No doubt that equation will change over time. Right now, the creative forces behind the project have guaranteed one of the more compelling Aussie releases in recent years. Matured for three years in 200 litre ex-Buffalo Trace Bourbon casks. 47% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Batch 001 tasted. Notes from the producers... The colour of a Byron Bay sunset. The palate offers soft vanilla, creme brulee and biscotti characters, layered over distinct notes of pear, coconut and buttery macadamia.

The Nikka Coffey Malt is the result of a unique distillation process in Coffey type column stills, which are normally used for grain whisky production.As such, this unique 100% Coffey malt is categorized as a grain whisky, and offers a surprisingly rich texture with deep oaky notes.

Established in 1887, Glenfiddich, Gaelic for Valley of the Deer, is one of the few single malt distilleries to remain entirely family owned. The 12 Year Old is their signature expression and is the perfect example of Glenfiddichs unique Speyside style, widely proclaimed as the 'best dram in the valley'. After 12 years of maturation in oloroso sherry and bourbon oak casks, this signature single malt, is the true pioneer of the prestigious single malt category. It offers a distinctive fresh and fruity nose and smooth, elegant flavours of pear and subtle oak on the finish. Gold Medal | International Spirits Challenge 2014.

A new release from The Macallan and one we were thrilled to learn of. Matured in a combination of American and European Sherry oak almost 50:50, though slightly weighted towards American oak ex-Sherry casks. New oak is shipped from America across to Spain, where expert Coopers craft casks. These casks are then sherry seasoned before traveling to the Speyside distillery to mature for twelve years. These whiskies are then united with counterparts aged in sherry seasoned European oak casks. The result is, as you might expect nothing short of seamless. On the palate youll find some spice along with some green fruits though the meat of the palate remains true to style, featuring fat caramelised sultanas, vanilla and wood spice. Double Gold | 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Free Standard Delivery when you spend $150 on Wine & Spirits Online.

Tasting note: [20ml sample] Deep polished copper colour. Aromatically, a curious mix of roasted nuts, aniseed infused honey, ginger biscuit and a pantry full of sweet spices, in particular, vanilla, clove and cinnamon. Soft entry builds into a beautifully harmonised, light to middle-weight whisky offering delicate mince fruit pie flavours and gentle heat. Subtle vanilla and manuka honey aftertaste...Good wine vs whisky balance. More interesting with every sip. 40% Alc./Vol.