Another Ardbeg Day release arrives, bottled once and never to be repeated. This time around, it's created with roasted black malt - a first for Ardbeg. Incinerated to within an inch of its life, the malt defines the profile contributing charcoal and sweet smoke, aniseed and dark chocolate for a memorable Islay experience. Trumping past releases, Ardbeg's marketing department has gone to considerable lengths for the new edition, this time focusing on the brand’s alleged punk past, with Islay’s main port, Port Ellen, going by the nickname ‘Punk Ellen’ in the 1970s. (There was even a punk posse led by the local hotelier's daughter, which reached as many as three at the height of its notoriety). Meanwhile, Ardbeg’s head of distilling and whisky creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, describes the flavour as being “like biting on a spiky ball.” Collectors will love it, with the story and presentation being a hook for followers of the brand. The limited edition main release has landed (as opposed to the even more limited Committee Release) and as is always the case, it comes bottled at 46% and non chill filtered. The first sniffs bring young distillate to the fore, so from a fresh bottle give this a good ten minutes and you'll get a moderate lift of menthol-infused peat that also hints at anise, fennel and rye bread receding into sweeter smoke and vanilla malt with further air contact. It's medium bodied and sweetly peaty (think Caol Ila); hints of Elastoplast mingle with chocolate sponge cake and sprinklings of pepper; the finish is ashy and warming with citrus tang lacing late malt sweetness. Overall, in spite of the presentation and marketing, this is much more civilised and approachable than you might expect. Notes from the producers... Spicy and savoury, Ardcore grips the senses with waves of marmite, burnt toast, chicory charcoal and infused coffee grounds making for a mosh pit in the glass. Like a safety pin through the septum, a classic Ardbeg herbal top note is present, while swirling, smoky bonfire and molasses loiter backstage. TASTE: A jaw dropping spicy and fiery mouthfeel leads to an explosion of rich, smoky flavours – cocoa powder, dark chocolate, peanut brittle toffee, smoked lime and a suggestion of soot and bonfire embers all pogo in unison on the palate. Amped up aniseed and malty biscuit elbow their way to the fore, punkturing taste buds. FINISH: In an altogether sweeter finish, long, lingering notes of treacle toffee, soot and smoke make for an anarchic, but delicious, aftertaste.

An independent bottling from Gordon &; MacPhail of Glenturret single malt scotch whisky. This independent take on the Glenturret spirit offers sweet peat, ripe banana and cocoa powder with a smooth, creamy body. Truly an easy drinking Highland malt.

Note: The Octomore range often arrive in to our store suffering from minor damage in transit. This is out of our control. When we dispatch to you we will re-pack to avoid further damage in transit but you should allow for possible dents and scratches to the metal tins. This is the missing link in the Octomore 13 triptych, arriving later than the other two. Matured full-term in first-fill Fernando dè Castilla Oloroso Sherry butts and peated at a generous 137.3 PPM, the sherry influence is said to work a treat, complementing the smoke and vibrancy of the young malt. Says Head Distiller, Adam Hannett, “There’s a beautiful influence from the full-term maturation in these first fill Oloroso sherry butts. They’ve matured in the dunnage warehouses in the village of Port Charlotte, and the combination of cask and a slow and cold maturation has really accentuated the salty tang of the spirit. ” 58.3% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Notes from the producers... There is a wonderful viscosity and presence on the palate. Notes of smoked nuts and leather, warm orange marmalade on fresh scones. Dried apricot and hints of peppery spice toward the finish. Earthy peat smoke comes to the fore with a little time, along with the fruit and nutty aromatics of the oloroso casks. A salty tang of sea breeze creates a lively combination of flavours to finish.

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.

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

Aged 4yrs in Sherry Barrels sourced from Frances wine region, our 100% Tasmanian Single Malt Sherry Cask is a delicate and subtle whisky, with a slight aroma of sweetened candied nectar and a dried fruit spice on the nose, with an undertone of butter. This is followed by an extremely smooth palate with sweeten white wines, raisins, pink candy and citrus warmth with just a touch of oak. This water of life tells a story, hence our Tasman Whisky is housed within in a gift box worthy of the high quality tomes of old. Its sits ready to be shelved as a volume of flavour, truly highlighting our subtle differences the salt air wafting through the distillery brings.Ready to be housed among your collection proudly. Our Story ;At the edge of the Tasman Sea, where the old drovers hut Iron House once stood watchful, weve been carefully crafting our Single Malt Whiskys over the last 4 years. Unleashed and disgorged from the darkened corners of the our bonding room and hand selected by Iron House Master Distiller, Michael Briggs, you will be treated to a full flavoured experience. In an age old tradition we have created our premium range of Whisky, our Spiritus Frumenti, for all to indulge in. TASMAN WHISKY is absolutely uncompromising and complex and 100% Tasmanian. Mindfully distilled within the confines of our copper still, it is the synergy between the purest malts sourced from the North of the state, the pristine waters of and the cleanest ocean air of Tasmanias untainted East Coast that balance and mature our spirit perfectly.Good whisky is naught but a lens. It is the drink for celebrating your best days and reflecting thoughtfully on your hardest. Its a spirit that demands a careful and discerning approach.It is our story, but it is your Whisky.Tasman Whisky.The Spirit of the East.

Exceptionally hand crafted Okinawa Single Malt Whisky reserved in selected North American white oak casks for 12 years. Kura is made from best quality Indica with black Koji unique to Okinawa using traditional production methods of over 600 years of craftsmanship. Complex aroma and mellow taste bring whisky lovers to a different and new concept of true local Japanese whisky.

A rich and complex Scotch, finished in Caribbean Rum casks with toffee sweetness, notes of vanilla and hints of new leather. The Rum casks give the Scotch just the perfect kiss of exotic spice. Best enjoyed neat, with a splash of filtered water or over ice.

While some prefer Port Charlotte, you have to admit Octomore is rarely ever boring. We're now into the lucky thirteens of what is arguably the most heavily peated whisky in regular production. There are three variants on offer in this batch. 13.1 is a 5 year old (as usual), bourbon-barreled, and peated to 137.8ppm of phenols. Distilled in 2016 from a 2015 harvest, like all the other .1 editions, it's made using Scottish mainland barley. 59.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.