Yuza Distillery was established in 2018 and to date has released just two single malts (The First Edition has already picked up Gold at the San Francisco International Spirits Challenge) and is well on the way to becoming one of the country’s newest cult distilleries. Sitting at the base of Mount Chōkai in the heart of Japan’s snow country, Yuza is the first Whisky distillery in the country’s Yamagata prefecture. Operational since November 2018, from day one, Masaharu Sasaki and his young team have drawn on the example laid down by Chichibu’s Ichiro Akuto, to perfect an authentic Japanese Whisky that could compete with the world’s best, while remaining true to their sense of monozukuri and producing Whiskies that are uniquely Yuza. It’s early in the piece and yet all the signs — not least the meticulous attention to detail and limited production — point to Yuza becoming one of the brightest stars in Japan’s Whisky firmament. Yuza sits on the flats near the Sea of Japan and enjoys an abundance of soft water from snowmelt and underground springs fed by the sponge-like crevices of lava of the nearby volcano. Chosen for this purity of water and access to the port for their specialised equipment, the area also experiences a massive 40°C average temperature difference over the year. This is projected to super-charge the maturation of the Whiskies in barrel; Masaharu Sasaki estimates eight years maturing in Scotland will equate to just five years in Yamagata. To hone their craft, the Yuza Distillery team partnered from the start with Forsyths, world leaders in distillation equipment. Yuza’s entire distillery team is fresh to Whisky but nurtured and overseen by the Scottish still-makers, providing an essential blank slate to be moulded to a completely new formula, key to Yuza’s dedication to an unfettered style. Facility equipment is centred around five Canadian Douglas Fir washbacks and two stills, including a Glendronach-inspired spirits still with an extended line arm, designed for more surface contact to give cleaner flavours with fewer sulphites. Dedicated only to Single Malt production, this small operation (the distillery covers just 620 square meters) has passed up the opportunity to release any ‘newborn’ expressions. The wash is currently 100% barley from Crisp Maltings with plans to eventually include a local option. Early bottlings point to a non-peated house style, but several heavily-peated batches have also been laid down. While Yuza’s barrel program remains secretive - even when touring the facility, you’ll find all the barrelheads are painted over - the early signs pointed to a preference for ex-Bourbon barrels. Now there is a portion of Sherry cask in the mix and Masaharu Sasaki has spoken of his desire to increase his inventory, picking up stock whenever he can. This cask strength Whisky was carefully selected from barrels from the first season at Yuza Distillery from February to July 2019. It’s estimated, that this selection could contain up to 80% ex-Sherry barrels. As distinct from the First Edition - a very bright expression raised in ex-Bourbon cask - the Second Edition was blended for more complexity, depth and luxurious flavour. This has a very old-world flavour profile (slightly reminiscent of top-shelf Speyside) and the alcohol sits in excellent balance with the complexity of the spirit. There’s a whisper of peat on the nose, with fragrant cereal notes before a progression towards deeper stone fruits and fig. It’s luscious and oily in the mouth, round and slightly earthy with spice and oat notes. It finishes dry with traces of liquorice and a mineral tang.

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.

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.

Canadian whiskey derived oak and vanilla notes, balanced with light herbal ginger notes. Balance on the dry side and encourages high drinkability 6% ABV well hidden, with subtle warming whiskey and ginger aftertaste.

This bottle of Talisker is apart of Diageo's 2022 Distillers Edition. The idea behind The Distillers Edition is to provide an alternative expression of each whisky; to add richness, complexity and interest in the form of a different ‘take’ on that whisky’s attributes. There are seven distinctive Distillers Edition expressions (including Lagavulin, Oban, Talisker, Caol Ila, Dalwhinnie, and more), the remarkable and complex Distillers Edition process, and the people who make it. An incentive to explore The Distillers Edition itself. On the shores of the Isle of Skye, where rugged coastlines meet the raging sea, you find adventure in a bottle. Talisker single malt scotch whisky captures the elemental wildness and unadulterated beauty of its birthplace to give you a taste of Skye in every sip. Looking out over the breathtaking scenery of the Cuillin Hills, Talisker Distillery stands proudly by the sea on the shores of Loch Carport. As the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye by almost 200 years, we have been an integral part of island life and history since 1830. In 1825, the MacAskill brothers arrived on Skye from the nearby smaller Scottish island of Eigg. After several false starts, in 1830 they opened Talisker distillery at Carbost, where it remained the only distillery on the island for nearly two centuries. Through upheaval, changes of ownership, and even a fire, Talisker has always kept Skye at the heart of the brand—and the whisky. As a whisky made by the sea, Talisker shares a deep love for the beauty and fragility of the oceans and is proudly committed to protecting the ocean ecosystem for the next generation of wild spirits. Produced beside the shore of Lock Harport in the jagged shadow of the peaks of The Cuillin, Talisker is the only single malt scotch whisky made on the Isle of Skye. This Talisker has real depth of taste, adding weight and layers of sweet rich flavour to the signature peaty, peppery powder. Magnificent in every way. Talisker’s famous 10-year-old has to be one of the most beloved single malts around. The subtle ageing regime accentuates the Isle of Skye distillery’s distinctive character. Here it’s joined by a dose of sherry from a second maturation in amoroso-seasoned American oak casks with, yes you guessed it, heavily re-charred American oak ends. Just in case you didn’t know, amoroso is a medium sweet style rather like a cream sherry. The nose is salty sea spray, bonfires, and raisin-like sweetness. On the palate there is plenty of peat, backed by sticky dates, peppery spice, and a touch of salt. The finish has drying oak and lingering smoke.

The Hakushu Distillery was founded half a century after Yamazaki. Keizo Saji, the second Master Blender, inherited his father’s quest to push the boundaries of what a Japanese whisky could be. He had searched all over Japan for high quality water that would produce the most delicately aromatic whisky. After searching with tenacity to the headstreams of rivers and deep into rugged mountains, he found Hakushu. The Hakushu Distillery is one of the highest distilleries in the world, built amidst the deepest forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake in the Japanese Southern Alps. The majestic forest that surrounds the Hakushu Distillery shelters an abundance of plant varieties reflecting the many expressions of Japanese nature. The malt whiskies born here are simultaneously blessed with a very particular microclimate, verdant forests, and water offering a rare softness only made possible by filtration of rain and snow through thousand-year-old granite rocks. Straight from the untouched forests, soft and crisp waters and mountains of the Southern Japanese Alps, it is no wonder that Hakushu is a "green and crisp" whisky. Created by the dream for a new type of whisky of Keizo Saji, the second master blender, the unique taste made in distinct four seasons in high altitude is praised by the most curious whisky connoisseurs and lovers of gastronomy. The Hakushu range of whiskies, with their crisp and vibrant feel, each one unique in a single malt whisky, will enliven your palate and liberate your senses. The 100th Anniversary Limited Edition of the Hakushu 18 Single Malt is made up of carefully selected malt whiskies all aged for a minimum of 18 years in various casks, created in honour of Suntory Whisky’s centenary. The Hakushu Distillery blenders work with peat, while naturally softening the palate using the exceptionally pure mountain water of the area, filtered through ancient granite rocks.

Michter's, a renowned American whiskey company, has a rich history dating back to 1753 when Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded the distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. Shenk's whiskey was made from rye grain, which was a favourite local crop in the Pennsylvania Blue Mountain Valley where the distillery was located. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington purchased whiskey from Shenk's to fortify his men as they hunkered down in their camp through the long, brutal winter at Valley Forge. The Michter's Pennsylvania management would later say that Michter's was "the whiskey that warmed the American Revolution." In the mid-1800s, Pennsylvania Dutchman Abraham Bomberger purchased the distillery and it became known as Bomberger's. However, the passage of Prohibition in 1919 forced the distillery, along with other American spirits producers, to shut its doors to the public. Although the distillery did reopen after the repeal of Prohibition, it changed hands many times over the next few decades and frequently occupied a precarious financial position. In 1989, with the entire American whiskey industry suffering a prolonged downturn, Michter's then-owners declared bankruptcy and abandoned the premises, leaving its Pennsylvania operations in disrepair and the Michter's name seemingly lost to history. However, in the 1990s, Joseph J. Magliocco and his consultant and mentor Richard "Dick" Newman teamed up to resurrect Michter's. Magliocco and Newman made their first major strategic decision to resurrect Michter's in Kentucky, in the heart of the modern American whiskey industry, to ensure access to the best whiskey talent and resources available. Today, Michter's has three locations in Kentucky, including a 78,000 square foot distillery in the Shively section of Louisville, the architecturally significant Fort Nelson Building on Louisville's Museum Row and 205 acres of farm land in Springfield. Michter's is renowned for producing the best whiskey possible and they continue to honour the Michter's legacy by offering the greatest American whiskey. Michter's has come a long way since its early years in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania and its resurgence in Kentucky is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. The 10-Year Rye, 10-Year Bourbon, and 20-Year Bourbon expressions from Michter's are a testament to the brand's exceptional craftsmanship and Kentucky's unrivalled climate for aging outstanding whiskey. These highly limited releases are often significantly older than the age statement on the label, as only a select few barrels age with the elegance required for inclusion. The result is a truly exceptional whiskey that showcases the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye is one of the brand's most limited production items, continuing the legacy of America's first whiskey variety (rye) from America's first whiskey company (Michter's, originally known as Shenk's). After a nearly three-year absence from the market, Michter's then Master Distiller Willie Pratt finally gave the green light for the re-release of Michter's 10 Year Straight Rye in April 2014. This single barrel rye is produced in limited quantities in Kentucky, a state renowned for its exceptional whiskey production. Bottled at a strength of 92.8 proof (46.4% Alcohol by Volume), this rye is aged in fire-charred, new American white oak barrels, imparting a rich and complex flavour profile. On the palate, this rye offers deep notes of vanilla and toffee, toasted almonds and cinnamon, with an ample dose of crushed pepper and a hint of orange citrus. The result is a truly exceptional whiskey that showcases the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye is a testament to the brand's legacy and expertise in producing outstanding whiskey. Its limited production and exceptional flavour profile make it a must-have for any whiskey connoisseur looking for a unique and complex tasting experience.

Maker's Mark is a unique and full-flavoured, hand-made Bourbon, made using the old-style sour-mash method and sealed with the iconic red wax.

The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve, skilful selection of casks enhances the signature fruity flavours of The Glenlivet with traditional oak casks being complemented by selective use of American first-fill casks to give a hint of creamy sweetness creating an exceptionally well-balanced and smooth malt.

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.