Elsewhere pay up to $700.00 Released in 2018 as a Taiwanese exclusive and intended as a "night club dram" (which might explain the extravagant packaging). Macallan describe Aera as a whisky to "...celebrate life's most unforgettable moments" . Like several other NAS Macallans, this follows a tradition of being predominantly matured in a combination of x sherry European and American oak casks. Reports have it to be a full bodied, sherry-led style with aromas and flavours of dried fruits, honey and chocolate. More from the Macallan marketing team here: Elegant and dark, the bottling expresses the mysterious prosperity of night life and represents making milestones in life and never taking anything for granted. A visually stunning expression matured in the highest quality Sherry oak barrels. 40% Alc./Vol.

"one of the best whiskies of the year..." - drinkhacker.com "dazzling Glenmorangie, I'll buy a bottle or three." - whiskyfun.com There's been a slow but steady outturn of whiskies matured in the quasi mythical mizunara oak, and not only from Japan. Now Glenmorangie add another to the list. 'A Tale of Tokyo' could just as well be called ‘A Tale of Mizunara’, given the long winded journey that transpired when 'Morangie's Head of Whisky Creation, Bill Lumsden decided to pursue it. He sums up mizunara as, “Quite weird, difficult to obtain and a challenge to work with" while conceding, “it has this kind of cult status, which is quite intriguing because if you look at in the cold light of day you would never use it for making oak barrels.” It would seem that the project was lucky to get off the ground. Mizunara oak trees grow particularly slowly. It takes 200 years for them to be suitable for crafting into casks (American oak takes around half that time). The wood itself imparts strange flavours and is notoriously porous (not ideal for holding whisky!) and, on top of that, the oak is generally difficult to procure. After many years searching, Lumsden finally found a cooperage that would cooperate. “The owner knew Glenmorangie and he knew about the experimental things we’d done and so he agreed to craft some barrels for me,” says Lumsden. Together with Master Blender & Head of Whisky Creation, Gillian Macdonald, they decided to heavily toast the mizunara. Filled with Glenmorangie spirit, the two barrels yielded "weird flavours" including furniture polish notes. The experiment was a failure. However, Lumsden adds “We played around in the lab for a year or so and eventually ended up with the recipe we are most happy with. The biggest flavor contributor is the mizunara, but the flavor profile is classic Glenmorangie, with first-fill American oak bourbon barrels to lend creaminess and softness and take the edge off the mizunara and a bit of sweetness from Glenmorangie finished in oloroso sherry casks. The result is a dram as full of delicious sensory contrasts as a trip to Tokyo”. Officially launched in the UK in late 2023, the packaging for the new limited edition was brought to life by Japanese artist, Yamaguchi Akira, known for his bird’s-eye view designs. Dr. Bill is reportedly hidden multiple times in the artwork. 46% Alc./Vol.

The journey begins in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, where the new make spirit develops a foundation of vanilla and honeyed sweetness. It is then transferred to a trilogy of rare Oloroso sherry casks, Amoroso, Apostoles and Matusalem, sourced through a century-long partnership with González Byass. These hand-selected casks layer notes of Seville orange, dark chocolate and dried fruit, drawing out the distillery’s signature chocolate and citrus profile with greater depth and composure. Extended maturation in 30 year old Matusalem Oloroso casks, exclusive to the distillery, lends further richness and a finely tuned spice. The result is a composed and decadent Highland single malt, with sweet oak influence and delicate spice woven through its structure. Bottled at 42% ABV, it offers both clarity and generosity, well suited to contemplative sipping or alongside dark chocolate desserts and aged hard cheeses. Tasting Notes NOSE: Citrus and Orchard Fruit Seville orange, rich orchard fruit and gentle wood spice rise with clarity and depth. PALATE: Poised Sweetness Poached pears, forest berries, sweet toffee and orange marmalade unfold in a layered, rounded palate. FINISH: Dark and Lingering Dark chocolate orange and rich dried fruit persist with lingering hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Reviews & Accolades “We created 17 Year Old to showcase more sweet oak influence and more delicate spice, culminating in a whisky with an inherent richness and decadence.” Dr Kirstie McCallum, Master Whisky Maker Finer Details Style – Single Malt Scotch Whisky Varietal – Malted Barley Country – Scotland Region – Highlands Vintage – Non-Vintage Bottle Size – 700ml ABV – 42% Closure – Cork

Product Description: Playful creativity meets Highland whisky craftsmanship in Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml. This imaginative release from the renowned Glenmorangie distillery was inspired by the indulgent joy of ice cream and the nostalgic pleasure of sweet treats. Created by Director of Whisky Creation Dr. Bill Lumsden, the whisky explores a more whimsical side of single malt while maintaining the elegance and complexity for which Glenmorangie is known. The spirit is matured in carefully selected casks, including high-vanillin and bourbon casks, chosen specifically to enhance creamy, dessert-like aromas and flavours. The whisky pours a bright golden hue and immediately reveals an aromatic profile that evokes vanilla cream, honeycomb and citrus confection. While the inspiration leans toward sweetness, the structure remains balanced and refined. Subtle oak influence, citrus zest and gentle spice provide lift and contrast to the whisky’s creamy core. On the palate, the texture is soft and indulgent, delivering a layered profile that moves between confectionary richness and vibrant freshness. This limited edition forms part of Glenmorangie’s imaginative “A Tale Of…” series, which explores creative flavour concepts through innovative maturation techniques. The packaging reflects the playful theme, with colourful artwork that mirrors the whimsical inspiration behind the whisky. Despite its dessert-inspired character, the whisky retains the distillery’s signature elegance and precision. It offers both collectors and enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience Glenmorangie in a more experimental expression. Enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water, it reveals a surprisingly sophisticated balance between indulgence and structure. Tasting Notes NOSE – Sweet and aromatic Vanilla ice cream, honeycomb and lemon curd rise from the glass alongside peach, coconut and freshly baked pastry notes. PALATE – Creamy and indulgent Layers of vanilla custard, white chocolate and caramelised sugar unfold with citrus zest, gentle spice and soft oak influence. FINISH – Smooth and lingering A long finish marked by toasted almond, creamy vanilla and delicate citrus brightness. Reviews & Accolades “Decadent and playful, offering waves of vanilla cream, honeycomb and sweet citrus. The palate is silky and indulgent yet lifted by bright spice and oak structure.” — Whisky Advocate, 92 points Finer Details: Style – Single Malt Scotch Whisky Varietal – Single Malt Country – Scotland Region – Highlands Bottle Size – 700ml ABV – 46.0%

Product Description: Talisker Port Ruighe Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a distinctive expression from the Isle of Skye, finished in port casks to bring a rich layer of sweetness and depth to Talisker’s famously maritime character. Named after the Gaelic spelling for Portree, the island’s largest town, this whisky reflects both the rugged coastal environment and the distillery’s long-standing tradition of bold, smoky malts. After initial maturation in American oak casks, the whisky is finished in port-seasoned barrels, which impart notes of dark fruit and subtle sweetness while complementing Talisker’s signature peppery spice. The result is a whisky that balances smoke, salt and sweetness with remarkable harmony. On the nose it reveals layers of maritime air, dried fruits and gentle smoke. The palate carries the distillery’s unmistakable peppery warmth alongside rich berry notes drawn from the port cask influence. Despite the added richness, the whisky retains the vibrant coastal character that defines Talisker. It is a beautifully balanced single malt that offers both complexity and approachability, making it equally suited to contemplative sipping or pairing with rich desserts. Tasting Notes NOSE – Maritime and fruity Aromas of sea salt, wood smoke and cracked black pepper mingle with notes of plum, raisin and dark berries from the port cask finish. PALATE – Rich and smoky Layers of sweet red fruits, roasted malt and dark chocolate unfold alongside Talisker’s signature peppery spice and gentle peat smoke. FINISH – Long and warming A lingering finish of smoke, spice and dried fruits with a subtle maritime salinity. Reviews & Accolades “Rich and satisfying with notes of sweet red fruits, pepper and maritime smoke. The port finish adds an appealing depth while maintaining Talisker’s coastal character.” — Wine Enthusiast, 93 points Finer Details: Style – Single Malt Scotch Whisky Varietal – Malted Barley Country – Scotland Region – Isle of Skye Bottle Size – 700ml ABV – 45.8%

The Macallan Classic Cut is a series of annual expressions celebrating The Macallan’s ongoing commitment to seek out the extraordinary and in doing so create whiskies of unique character. The 2022 Edition celebrates our commitment to seek out the extraordinary, revealing a unique character and flavour. Matured in a unique combination of casks with two distinctive wood types, this special single malt exudes flavours of both European and American oak, married together to create a unique tasting experience. With a distinct grapefruit flavour, this whisky emphasises a wide range and complexity of flavours. The two wood types complement and balance together beautifully and offer an experiential journey through flavour, aroma, colour and texture.

Crafted under the guidance of Master Distiller Richard Paterson, the whisky balances heritage and innovation. Red berry fruit and citrus lift the nose, followed by a layered palate of vanilla, crème caramel and finely crushed almond. A warming finish of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger completes the experience. Designed for discerning collectors and meaningful celebration, it’s an elevated pour for Lunar New Year feasts or refined moments of reflection. Tasting Notes NOSE Fruit and spice – Aromas of red berries, citrus peel and warm vanilla pod. PALATE Layered and smooth – Citrus zest, crème caramel and crushed almonds interweave with subtle oak warmth. FINISH Spiced and lingering – Touches of cinnamon, nutmeg and gentle oak persist. Finer Details Style – Single Malt Scotch Whisky Varietal – Malted Barley Country – Scotland Region – Highlands Vintage – Non-Vintage Bottle Size – 700ml ABV – 40% Closure – Cork

This elegant non-filtered single malt is initially matured in Bourbon casks, then extra matured or 'finished' in Port casks, to create the chocolate, minty notes of The Quinta Ruban. A dense and complex Scotch. This whisky offers a nose of rose scented Turkish delight, honeysuckle, tangerines and dark chocolate A soft, velvety texture leads to tastes of berries and nutmeg entwined with mint chocolate and Seville orange, then a bold and deep finish.

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.