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.

One of the worlds most recognised Scotch Whisky's, Glenlivet is a supremely elegant whisky of rewarding and subtle complexity. Smoke, clover honey and heather will have you coming back for more time and again.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label is one of the world's most iconic whiskies. Showing flavours of maple syrup, spices and malt on the nose which is then followed by a dry smokiness and a sweet creamy vanilla mouthfeel. The inherent richness evolves on the finish with a raisiny, sweet sherry flavour.

There are probably hundreds of thousands of casks of Caol Ila in Scotland similar to this. That's not a bad thing - in fact, it's a testament to how sought after the single malt is, even if most of it goes into blends. A steady stream of independent bottlings arrive every year, but few are from sherry butts, and fewer still are drawn from octave-sized oloroso casks. We love these effusive expressions that see sherry and peat do battle. If you like the sound of iodine and smoked bacon competing with fruit’n’nut dark chocolate and brandy soaked peels, this will be for you. 56.2% Alc./Vol. Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Meringue, prawn cocktail, citrus, Serrano ham... oh mamma, umami. Palate: Chocolate, cinnamon, damp leaves, balsamico and boozy cherries. Finish: Rich, bright, sweet, and aromatic, wonderfully wide array of flavour.

"Oh the peat etc... the peat! Etc. We've been here before." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021 Distilled from Scottish barley in 2013, Bruichladdich consider 10.1 the benchmark of the 10 series. Deliberately stripped back to an ex- American oak maturation and aged five years - which is more typical for Octomore, the intention here is to showcase the structure and presence of the spirit. It's a whisky that's first and foremost about a considered, patient distillation. Second comes the heavy peating at 107 PPM. Bottled non chill filtered at 59.8% Alc./Vol, 42,000 bottles have been released worldwide. Very limited stocks.

Everyone's favourite blended Scotch mixed with one of the world's most popular soft drinks.

At the time of writing, this is the oldest whisky ever released from Talisker. It's also the final instalment in the Xpedition Oak series. Once again, the distillery has partnered with Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organisation, Twelve heavily charred American oak casks were shipped from the Isle of Skye to Canada's Arctic ice fields. A cooper removed the cask ends and they were then left in sub-zero temperatures for four days, causing the wood to fracture and therefore increasing the surface area with which the whisky could interact during its finishing period in the casks back in Scotland. Talisker's notes say to look out for "maritime and spice notes on the nose, followed by an oily mouthfeel with chili, salted caramel, and toffee on the palate, and a long finish laced with briny salt and black pepper." 2455 bottles are available globally. 49.8% Alc./Vol.

The Isle of Skye is the birthplace of the heralded Scotch Whisky house of Talisker. And it is this island that gives this remarkable and unique whisky its distinctive character. The power of the sea and the inherent rugged location give birth to a dram of complexity, nuance and strength. With a sweet warmth on the nose and front palate that gives way to a briny and peppery finish courtesy of the skilful balancing of differing aged Talisker casks. Available only for a limited time, Talisker Storm is a truly tempestuous single malt.

Besides Glenmorangie and a handful of others, very few Scottish distillers have flaunted with Cognac casks. This example is all the more daring given it isn't a finish, instead, it's entirely matured in 300 litre cognac casks from Tonnellerie Bossuet. Filled with 50ppm heavily-peated new-make, the liquid was aged for a minimum of six years allowing the distillery's fruit-driven, citrusy style to balance with the Cognac oak. Anthony Wills notes, "There is a delicate balance to be found when working with Cognac casks; keeping the age of this release at a minimum of six years old ensures the flavours from the spirit and the cask are easily detected, neither dominates." 50% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.

For many, the inaugural cask strength release was one of the year's best whiskies and a glimpse into just how good Highland Park is when left uncut. Release No.2 promises the same extraordinary depth, complexity and balance of flavours. This time around, Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, has selected mainly sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, along with just a few ex-bourbon casks. The whiskies included are of differing ages. Taste-wise, in a word (or three), he sums up Release 2 as "smoky peppered praline", adding “... its full flavour allows you the control to discover the taste and strength that appeals to your palate by adding ice or water according to your preference.” Guaranteed to pack a punch at a (slightly) higher ABV than last years. 63.9% Alc./Vol.