Glenglassaugh Torfa Single Malt Scotch Whisky
2014 marks another benchmark with "Torfa" - the first peated whisky from this revived distillery, fully matured in ex-bourbon barrels and peated to 20ppm. It takes its name from the Old Norse language with which the Scots dialect spoken in North East Scotland has an affinity and translates to “turf” or “peat”. Non-chill filtered. Natural colour. Retasted April 2018... Bright gold. White pepper and sweet earthy phenols combine with beeswax and biscuity malt; more cocoa / dark chocolate-like after extended time in the glass. A full bodied, succulent delivery with toasted barley, hints of fruit and a superb slathering of sweet peat. Melts in your mouth with near zero heat, the buzzing spices ricocheting through the finish. Uncomplicated but very pure. Beautiful malt. 50% Alc./Vol. First tasted April 2014... Pale straw gold. Opening sniff detects hints of vanilla wafer biscuit, dried grass and white pepper; more cocoa like after exposure as mild peat infuses dark chocolate, accentuating with time in the glass. Quite sweet but remains in check with the mid palate featuring juicy vanilla malt and the finish highlighting the peat as wet-wool / lanolin. Controlled spices add length and continue into an attractive choc-peat fade. Smokey, but in an accessible Caol Ila kind of way. Nicely done. 93 points
Bowmore 15 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Matured first in bourbon barrels then Oloroso casks, there's no finer example of a sherry cask finish than our 15 Year Old. It's the final three years spent in Oloroso sherry casks that gives Bowmore 15 Year Old the rich, deep colour and robust warming finish.
Talisker Storm Scotch Whisky
The Isle of Skye is the birthplace of the heralded Scotch Whisky house of Talisker. And it is this island that gives this remarkable and unique whisky its distinctive character. The power of the sea and the inherent rugged location give birth to a dram of complexity, nuance and strength. With a sweet warmth on the nose and front palate that gives way to a briny and peppery finish courtesy of the skilful balancing of differing aged Talisker casks. Available only for a limited time, Talisker Storm is a truly tempestuous single malt.
Aberlour A'bunadh Scotch Whisky
Aberlour a'bunadh is a single batch single malt that is sourced exclusively from the Speyside region - abunadh meaning 'The Origin' in Gaelic. Straight from the cask without chill-filtration and alcohol reduction, this whisky is heavy bodied and jam packed full of flavour. Abunadh is not for the faint hearted as with each batch of Abunadh they mature the Aberlour spirit exclusively in Spanish Oloroso Sherry Butts. The nose, is simply Christmas in a glass. Dried dates combined with heavy spices, cloves star anise and cinnamon sticks with burnt orange in the back. The feeling of black cherries with luxury dark chocolate coat the mouth with sherry and oak laced into it. An extremely robust Scotch leaves a finish full of exotic spices and wonderful oaky notes.
Ardbeg 10 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Ardbeg 10 Year Old Single Malt is typical Islay (eye-la). Light gold colour with exceptional balance and depth on the nose. The aroma is a beguiling mix of toffee and chocolate sweetness, cinnamon spice, Fresh citrus and floral notes of white wine are evident, as are melon, pear drops and a gentle creaminess. There is also fresh phenolics of seaspray and smoked fish. Hickory and coffee emerge on the finish.
Laphroaig Select Scotch Whisky
This special Laphroaig is crafted from carefully selected casks from each of the distillery's key styles - with one notable addition. The heart of this single malt is drawn from a final maturation in new American Oak casks, a rarity used for Scotch whisky maturation. With spirit selected by the master distiller from Quarter Cask, PX Cask and Triple Wood (European Oak casks) and a final addition of 10 Year Old, the whisky represents a subtle blending of peat, oak and sweetness. This is a full-bodied expression, featuring Laphroaig's trademark 'peat reek' matched by an additional layer of complexity and depth brought about by the fusion of the maturation styles and different oaks.
Lagavulin 8 Year Old 200th Anniversary Scotch Whisky
Released to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Lagavulin distillery by John Johnston in 1816, this eight-year-old is big and smoky, with sweet spice that becomes apparent with a drop of water. Inspired by the visit of Alfred Barnard to the distillery in the 1880's when he tried an 'exceptionally fine' eight-year-old from the distillery, this is a fitting tribute for the milestone.
Kilchoman Machir Bay Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Established in 2005, Kilchoman (pronounced Kilhoman) is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland. Based on a farm on the rugged west coast of Islay, Kilchoman is the first distillery to be built on the Island for 125 years. Matured in a combination of both Bourbon and Sherry casks, Kilchoman Machir Bay is a well-balanced combination of rich tropical fruit, peat smoke, light vanilla and intense sweetness.
Kilchoman Sanaig Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky
The Kilchoman Sanaig Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky presents soft cooked fruits with caramel and vanilla on the nose along with toffee, peat smoke and a lingering sweetness on the palate. The finish is a lovely balance of peat smoke, fruit and sweetness.
Ardbeg An Oa Scotch Whisky
Rounded and smoky - like burning Applewood - with creamy toffee, aniseed, treacle and dates. A curious suggestion of juicy fruits, such as peach and banana. With a drop of water, reminders of Ardbeg's classic fragrance lime, pine resin, fennel, saddle soap and tar. A gentle waxiness, like fragrant candle wax, and hints of smoked herbs. An Oa gives a final subtle reminder of the sea with briny notes and seaweed but always accompanied with creaminess. A smooth, creamy texture leads into a huge syrupy sweetness, flavours of milk chocolate, treacle toffee, aniseed, orange and smoky tea leaves. Gentle, sweet spices (nutmeg & cinnamon), some cigar smoke, and a very unusual flavour of grilled artichokes. Wood is always present in the spirit, gently nutty and reminiscent of a carpenter's workshop. A long, sweet finish, with floral overtones, mint toffee and some gentle malty biscuit notes.