White Oak Akashi 4 Year Old White Wine Single Malt Japanese Whisky
To produce this release of Akashi Single Malt Whisky, the White Oak distillery aged this whisky in Cognac barrels for 3 and a half years before refining it for 10 months in barrels of white wine from the Akashi vineyard in Yamanashi County. The result is a Single Malt without cold staining or filtration, which has a nice balance and focused on woody and fruity notes. Located in the city of Akashi in the Hyogo Prefecture, by the seaside of the Seto Island Sea is the White Oak Distillery. This distillery was founded in 1888 by Eigashima Shuzo and has been producing Sake and Shochu every since. In 1919, Eigashima Shuzo obtained a license to manufacture whisky and when the company moved to their current facilities in 1984, the White Oak Distillery was born.
Cardhu 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Special Release )
The 2022 Diageo Special & Rare collection is known as "Elusive Expressions", drawn from some of Scotland’s most interesting, legendary distilleries and curated by Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson, portrays the otherworldly beings which have fiercely protected the heartlands of remote Scottish distilleries for an eternity, according to our ancient fables and the mythical creatures come to life revealing their true characters. This year each bottle has its own unique QR code which, when scanned, takes you on a multi-sensory experience that tells you the story of the whisky, the mythical creature behind the artwork, and gives you some tasting notes to prompt your nose and palate along the way. The label artwork follows almost as a sequel to the 2021 range, revolving once again around the theme of mythical beasts and stories. Illustrator, Ken Taylor, returns again and is joined this year by digital visualisation artist, Kevin Tong. Cardhu 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml (Special Release 2022) was matured in re-fill and re-charred American oak, then finished in Jamaican pot still rum-seasoned casks. A richer, fuller nose that has the hallmark traits of rum-finished whisky, there are soft fruits and pastry notes on the nose. The palate is spicier, certainly drier, and has hints of ginger, stone fruits, and perhaps some mint or eucalyptus.
Nikka 12 Year Old Blended Japanese Whisky
The Nikka 12 Year Old Blended Japanese Whisky is the product of two distilleries (Yoichi and Miyagikyo). This is a well-balanced blend and the result of 'the art of blending and craftsmanship'. It's also awarded 'Best Blended 12 Year Old ' at the 2016 World Whiskies Awards.
Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
This wonderful peated Japanese single malt whisky hails from Hakushu distillery, owned by Suntory. The distillery resides in the forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake, with the original Hakushu distillery built in 1973. Rather fittingly, it boasts a fresh and foresty flavour profile. On the nose you’ll find toasted barley, chopped almonds and a little bit of barrel char. Hints of milk chocolate and dried grass bring sweetness. Much more fruit on the palate, but it's by no means a sweet whisky. Still rich, herbaceous and grassy, with a waft of smoke along the way. Nice expression here.
The Shinobu 15 Year Old Mizunara Oak Finish Pure Malt Japanese Whisky
The Shinobu 15 year old Mizunara Cask Whisky is hand crafted by master distiller, Mr Usami. First matured in ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks, it is then finished in Japanese Mizunara oak. Mizunara is an expensive oak which is hard to craft into barrels, but it imparts incredible flavours on the spirit of Shinobu. This pure malt has been maturing for no less than 15 years which has allowed the spirit to take on some very inspiring characteristics. The result is a unique fusion of flavours and dynamic explosion on the palate yet so smooth and easy to drink. Deep rich in colour and complex in flavour, mellow oak wood aromas lead to flavours of honey and molasses, hints of blueberry and deep tones of the Mizunara oak. The palate has subtle ripe fruit, lemon zest, leather and cinnamon with a hint of sweet malt and aromas of fruity oak barrels.
Chivas Royal Salute 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky
The ceremonial firing of guns in salute is a legendary custom which can be traced back to early seafaring days. Friendly ships passing each other rendered this salute as a gesture of good will. Later it became customary to extend a 21 gun salute to a reigning sovereign upon their arrival. Today this salute marks the welcome of a foreign Head of State to a friendly host nation. The inspiration for Royal Salute, like the ceremony commemorates, seeks to reflect tradition. Aged and bottled in Scotland by Chivas Brothers for 21 years, Royal Salute is unmatched by any other blend for its sheer mellowness. A highly exclusive spirit created for the connoisseur. This is a complex and rich Scotch Whisky with hints of chocolate, lemon, coconut, and tea. The whisky is aged in oak casks for 21 years before bottling. It is then bottled in porcelain flagons, produced by Wade porcelain. The bottle design incorporates the image of Robert the Bruce and includes a Gaelic motto which translates as fidelity, stability since 1801. Note - The style of box may vary between the two pictured.
Ardbeg Scorch Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Ardbeg is a renowned and revered name in the world of Scotch whisky. Situated on the remote Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, Ardbeg Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whiskies since 1815. Known for its distinctive peaty and smoky flavour profile, Ardbeg whiskies have gained a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts worldwide. The distillery's location plays a significant role in shaping the character of Ardbeg whiskies. The island's unique terroir, with its peat-rich soil and briny coastal influence, imparts a distinct maritime essence to the whiskies. This, combined with the traditional peat-smoking process, results in an unmistakable smoky aroma and flavour that is synonymous with Ardbeg. Ardbeg offers a diverse range of expressions, each showcasing its own unique characteristics. From the flagship Ardbeg 10 Year Old, with its bold and robust flavors of peat smoke, iodine and citrus, to limited editions and special releases, Ardbeg continuously pushes the boundaries of whisky craftsmanship. The distillery's commitment to traditional production methods and attention to detail is evident in every bottle of Ardbeg. The use of traditional copper pot stills, the carefully selected malted barley and the maturation process in oak casks all contribute to the complexity and depth of flavour found in Ardbeg whiskies. Ardbeg has garnered numerous awards and accolades over the years, solidifying its position as one of the world's leading whisky brands. To celebrate Ardbeg Day 2021, the distillery bottled this limited edition Ardbeg Scorch Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The packaging and flavour profile is a nod to Islay’s definitely-real-and-totally-not-made-up flavour breathing dragon! Matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks, fiercely charred, and jam packed with smoke, this limited release is not one to be missed. This whisky is a bright, brushed gold colour in the class. Aromas of smoke and soot lie in wait with hints of aniseed and patchouli. Add a drop of water to reveal herbal notes of sage, briarwood, and pine wisp. A charred oak palate with black liquorice weaving between notes of medicinal lozenge. A long finish dragging on into its happily ever after.
White Oak Akashi 5 Year Old White Wine Single Malt Japanese Whisky
This Single Malt from Akashi was aged 4 and a half years in cognac barrels followed by a further 10 month maturation white wine barrels from the Akashi vineyard located in Yamanashi county in Japan. The resulting whisky has floral and white fruit notes. No colouring or cold filtration. Located in the city of Akashi in the Hyogo Prefecture, by the seaside of the Seto Island Sea is the White Oak Distillery. This distillery was founded in 1888 by Eigashima Shuzo and has been producing Sake and Shochu every since. In 1919, Eigashima Shuzo obtained a license to manufacture whisky and when the company moved to their current facilities in 1984, the White Oak Distillery was born.
Mars Distillery Komagatake Voyager Estate Wine Finish Single Malt Japanese Whisky ( Release)
This is Mars Komagatake Single Malt ‘Wine Cask Finish’ was produced in collaboration with Voyager Estate from the famous Margaret River region located in Western Australia. Only 924 bottles have been produced. This is the 2nd collaboration and this special whisky is sold only in Australia and Japan. This Single Malt was distilled at Mars Shinshu Distillery in 2016 in Nagano Prefecture and matured in a bourbon barrel for more than 3 years. It was then aged for another 15 months in French Troncais oak. This oak cask was previously used to age Voyager Estate’s flagship red wine, their ‘MJW’ Cabernet Sauvignon, and was sent to Japan in early 2020 once the wine came out of the cask. This special whisky shows the harmony between the world of whisky and wine. The attractive pale red rose colour is evidenced from red wine cask, fruity notes on the aroma with grapes, berry, pomegranate. Elegant smooth mouthfeel with grape fruit character. The finish is long, viscous umami, and well balanced with sweetness.
Benriach 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (New Release)
In 1898, John Duff built the Speyside Distillery, BenRiach. It is one of the few distilleries with its own on-site floor malting and draws its water from the Burnside Springs. This exquisite single malt has been crafted from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit and four cask matured for at least twenty one years in bourbon barrels, sherry casks, virgin oak casks and Bordeaux red wine casks. During long maturation, Benriach’s sweet Speyside smoke mellows and integrates with the fruit, malt and oak. After twenty one years, rich layering develops into an elegant honey smoke, enriched through multi-layered cask maturation. The whisky from each cask type, imbued with particular flavour characteristics, is then expertly married together to create a rich and elegant single malt, layered with lush orchard fruit and toasted pine wood with a honey smoke finish. All in perfect balance. This whisky has a honey gold colour. Aromas of berry fruit, orchard apple, wild honey and mountain oak spice. Candied grape, rich cocoa, smoked pine nut, across the palate finishing with caramelised pear and honey smoke.