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.

The first-ever master blend of whiskies from six famous coastal single malt distilleries: Caol Ila, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Oban, Inchgower and Talisker. A gloriously pleasing and affirming whisky that captures the character of coastal malts perfectly

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the pinnacle of the Johnnie Walker Whisky stable. Created to reflect the the style of whiskies of the early 19th century, it is created using the rarest casks in House of Walker, the largest in the world. The casks are hand selected and set aside for their exceptional quality, character and flavour while retaining the signature smokiness of Johnnie Walker whiskies.

LARK DISTILLERY Limited Release Christmas Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky 44% ABV, Tasmania

This four-cask matured, extra-aged Benriach was first offered in 2018 and now debuts in Australia. Matured in a combination of Bourbon, Virgin oak, Pedro Ximénez sherry and red wine casks, Head Distiller, Rachel Barrie describes it as full of candied peel, honeyed malt and barley sugar flavours. 46% Alc./Vol.

Highland Park had a 15 year old on the market over a decade ago, bottled at 43%. The age statement is being revived in this re-packaged version composed of a ‘high percentage’ of first-fill European oak sherry-seasoned casks. Complimenting this are first-fill American oak sherry casks, adding flavours of vanilla and crème brûlée. Meanwhile, a small proportion of refill casks give ‘gentle’ heather peat and ‘lightly fruity’ character. Perhaps what's most striking is the vessel itself. The whisky has been filled into heavily embossed 'ceramic' style bottles, made in partnership with UK-based Wade Ceramics. The design was inspired by ancient earthenware vessels, which would have been used to store whisky a century or two ago at the distillery. The new 15 year old is set to become a permanent edition to the core range. 44% Alc./Vol.

(This whisky has recently been repackaged as a standard 21 Year Old as opposed to its previous incarnation as 'Gran Reserva'). Glenfiddich resurrects the lost tradition of maturing whisky in rum casks with this Glenfiddich 21 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky. Rum distillers from Sancti Spiritus, near the Sierra del Escambray in the heart of Cuba, worked to develop this unique Cuban rum finish. Casks of Cuban rum are decanted at the distillery in Scotland and then filled with 21 Year Old Glenfiddich to absorb the unique character lingering in the wood. The result is the unmistakable Glenfiddich flavour revealed through a new and vibrant overtone.

Ardbeg's latest annual offering comes with a curious title that's due to a production modification. Head of Whisky Creation, Bill Lumsden removed the purifier, which typically catches the heaviest vapours from the distillation process. The purifier is also responsible for Ardbeg’s balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness. The resulting whisky is "all peat". In fact, Ardbeg says that it's their most full-blown expression ever with an intensity of flavour that's unmatched. A spokesperson for the brand describes the flavour profile as, "Defined by a distinctive pungent earthiness, aromatic clouds of dark chocolate, a billow of aniseed and cinnamon, and a lingering tang of sharp peppermint." Dramface.com add "According to an interview Lumsden participated in for WhiskyCast, the experiment which gave birth to this year’s release was conducted 12 years ago. Even allowing for time of year and the time taken to dump casks, blend, package and distribute, it’s safe to assume this bottling is at least 11 years old, given that Lumsden claims the experiment was only ever conducted in one batch." We've just received our allocation. The whisky's unusual conception is brought to life with accompanying graphics created by celebrated comic artist and illustrator, Dilraj Mann. The nose is slightly reticent while the flavour profile leans towards smokey dark chocolate, oily malt, chimney soot and white pepper followed by a dried herbal quality. The aftertaste is ashy, drying, medium long and vaguely fruity in a mezcal kind of way. Like last year's Ardbeg Day release (Ardcore), Heavy Vapours is not quite as intense or complex as anticipated, although it does taste slightly more mature and feels like the texture is amplified, particularly at the finish where cured meats and a salt'n'pepper tang recall middle-weight Caol Ilas. In a word, more elegant than "extreme". 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

The Macallan Lumina is an exquisite marriage of three select sherry-seasoned cask types. The Macallan Lumina directs the journey from the forests of the United States to Spain. European and American oak sherry-seasoned casks are combined with hogsheads to create a whisky that is grounded in the old world, but inspired by the new. Characterised by its bold flavours with notes of creamy vanilla, ginger and wood spice, this is a single malt whisky that guides Macallan's quest for excellence. The Macallan Quest Collection celebrates Macallans enduring desire to journey further and seek out the exceptional oak casks for which The Macallan is world-renowned. The Collection tells the story the unrivalled, tireless commitment to the mastery of wood and spirit. Each whisky is a new chapter in exploring the casks, flavours and aromas that begins in the forests and cooperages of distant lands and culminates in a singular Macallan experience. A rich sensory experience that reveals how hand picked, sherry-seasoned oak casks make the greatest contribution to the quality, natural colour and full flavours at the heart of this single malt whisky and The Macallan Quest Collection.