The newest, oldest whisky to join Ardbeg's core range is an impressively packaged 25 year old, an age statement not seen since the 'Lord of the Isles' bottlings over a decade ago. It's also the oldest permanent addition to the brand, distilled in the 1990s, and available in limited quantities due to its age and rarity. Readers should note that very little whisky was produced at the distillery in the middle '90s. Ardbeg’s production halted in 1981, then resumed in 1989 under Hiram Walker but remained at a low level until late 1996. Most Ardbeg enthusiasts will have tasted little from this distillery's 'quiet period'. Hence, this first edition represents a genuine slice of Islay history. Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s chief whisky creator, comments: “After a quarter of a century in the cask, you’d be forgiven for imagining that Ardbeg 25 Years Old would have lost some of the hallmark smoky punch. I can assure you it hasn’t.... And yet there’s also a remarkable complexity and elegance to this whisky that I find utterly captivating. It’s unmistakably Ardbeg, but unlike any Ardbeg you’ve tasted before.” Strikingly presented in a gun metal coloured bottle, Ardbeg 25 comes housed in a case featuring a modern metallic take on the classic Ardbeg knotwork, symbolic of the untamed complexity of this extraordinary whisky. Notes from Ardbeg... smoked cream, peppermint, toffee, fennel and pine resin on the nose, leading to a ‘vibrant, hot peppery mouthfeel’ with flavours of sherbet lemon, carbolic soap and tar, creamy toffee, aniseed and chilli pepper. The finish is said to be long, mellow and lingering, with cream, fudge and antiseptic notes. Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.

A gentler, more feminine and food friendly expression that Islay lovers should get to know. Despite being the largest distillery on Islay (in terms of production anyway), nearly all of Caol Ila's output ends up in blends, so much so that until 2002 when the 12-year-old was released, independent bottlings were the only recourse for malt hunters. The distillery's gently fruity-smoky style sets it apart and comes down to the production process: "...although it receives the same spec of malt as sister distillery Lagavulin, Caol Ila’s distillation regime – longer fermentation, higher cut point, taller stills, helps to reduce the heavy phenols." Tasting note: Pale straw colour with a subtle green blush. Aromas of soft, sweet peat - smoked trout, a hint of lanolin and some baked citrus. Rounded, pure and impeccably clean from start to finish, the palate offers semi-sweet smoky-fruity-oily flavours counterpointed by super fine tannins. Perfect balance. Finishes long with salt, smoked fish and light lanolin through the fade. A gentler, more feminine and food friendly expression that Islay lovers should get to know. 43%Alc./Vol.

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. Benriach is one of only seven distilleries in Scotland that continues to produce a whisky from 100 per cent malted barley, carrying on a centuries-old tradition. In the case of Malting Season 2, it carries the legacy started by Benriach Malting Season 1 that first launched in 2021, and is crafted from concerto barley, chosen by Master Blender Rachel Barrie for its wholesome cereal flavour. Celebrating traditional methods dating back to the earliest days of Benriach Distillery, Benriach Malting Season is the first expression in a century to be produced entirely using barley malted from our Speyside distillery's historic floor maltings. The second edition of Benriach Malting Season is two-cask matured in bourbon and new charred oak barrels to bring out the wholesome, creamy flavour we find in the distillery’s floor malted spirit, giving a beautiful barley gold colour to the liquid. The expression boasts a rich aroma of barley sugar, almond fudge and poached orchard apple with smooth, rounded flavours of vanilla and honeyed pear, with a lasting nuttiness of slowly kilned malt.

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. Ardbeg Ten Years Old is globally renowned as the ultimate expression of peat, smoke, and complexity in a single malt whisky. However, it doesn't overpower with peat; instead, it harmoniously combines with the inherent sweetness of the malt, resulting in a perfectly balanced whisky. This exceptional offering was honoured with the title of World Whisky of the Year in 2008.

This story is a celebration of David C. Stewart M.B.E.’s creativity and inventiveness, when he created The Balvenie Classic – and in doing so, pioneered wood finishing. It is also the story of the team who helped him, through patience and perseverance, to try something new, and create something exceptional. The original cask finish. Probably the finest highland malt whisky. Those were the words on the first ever bottle of The Balvenie Classic. This story is a celebration of David C. Stewart M.B.E.’s creativity and inventiveness, when he created The Balvenie Classic – and in doing so, pioneered wood finishing. Aromatic and lively, aromas of vanilla and spice evocative of dried clove and chai are layered on a base of earthly, malty undertones reminiscent of Balvenie’s own barley loft. On the palate there is a perfect complement of light oatmeal syrupiness and brittle toffee are followed by delicate hints of spice and a rich drying sensation from European oak.

The GlenDronach is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, creating their finest richly sherried single malts for nearly 200 years. Located near Forgue, by Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in the Highland whisky district, has a rich and storied history that begins back in 1771 when the Glen House, originally called Boynsmill, was built. It was later renamed by James Allardice when the distillery was founded in 1826, making it one of the first licensed distilleries in Scotland. Throughout the years, the distillery changed ownership several times, with notable moments including being bought over by Walter Scott in the 1830s, becoming the largest duty paying distillery in the Scottish Highlands in the 1860s and being acquired by Captain Charles Grant in 1920. In 1960, the distillery was purchased by William Teacher & Sons, who expanded the number of stills from two to four. However, in 1996, the distillery was mothballed for a period of time before being re-opened in 2002. The ownership changed hands again in 2005 when Chivas Brothers took over and the distillery converted to steam heating, marking a significant shift in its production process. In 2008, the distillery was taken over by the BenRiach Distillery Company Ltd., marking a significant milestone in its history. This acquisition sparked the beginning of the Glendronach renaissance, bringing new opportunities and developments to the distillery. The year 2015 brought great honour to the BenRiach Distillery Company, with the recognition of being named Global Whisky Distiller of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards. This achievement was particularly remarkable for a small privately-owned independent company. In 2016, Brown-Forman Corporation took over, bringing three outstanding Single Malt Scotch Whisky brands – The GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh – into its growing whiskey portfolio. This acquisition marked a significant milestone for the distillery's legacy. At the heart of The Glendronach's craft are time-honoured traditions and handcrafted techniques that have been perfected over nearly two centuries. The distillery's methods, including the use of soft Highland water and Scottish malted barley, reflect a dedication to quality and authenticity. The hallmark of The Glendronach's craft lies in the marriage of robust Highland spirit with the finest Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucia in Spain. This exquisite duality brings exceptional depth, complexity and character to the whiskies. The slow and carefully attended process, from milling to distillation to maturation, is a testament to the meticulous craft and dedication of the distillery team. The slow maturation process, overseen by the dedicated distillery team and expertly selected and married by Master Blender Rachel Barrie, results in expressions known worldwide for their exceptional depth, complexity and character. The distillery's focus on the selection and nurture of Spanish oak sherry casks reflects a commitment to creating whiskies of unparalleled quality and flavour. This exclusive edition of Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky underwent maturation in exceptional Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry casks, sourced directly from Andalucía in Spain. Handpicked by Dr. Rachel Barrie, Scotland's first female Master Blender, these casks were meticulously combined to achieve the ideal blend at a natural cask strength of 58.6% ABV, with no chill filtration and displaying natural colour. This unadulterated cask strength bottling accentuates the complete character and depth of GlenDronach's intricate, full-bodied essence, enhanced by the rich, profound infusion of flavour and natural hue from the Spanish oak Sherry casks: the Pedro Ximénez casks contribute luscious fruit flavors, while the Oloroso casks impart dry, nutty notes. Prepare to be captivated by The Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 10 Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml. An alluring chestnut bronze hue introduces a nose teeming with tantalizing notes of mocha, apricot and baked orange chocolate cake, intertwined with roasted almond, walnut and raisin atop a foundation of aromatic toasted oak. The palate indulges in a decadent fusion of richly spiced fruitcake, accompanied by the succulence of nectarine, juicy dark cherry and honeyed sultana. The finish lingers luxuriously, offering ripe apricot layered with ginger jam and the indulgent essence of caramelized date, leaving a lasting impression of opulence and refinement.

Dimple is famous for not only its unique bottle shape, but by its long standing reputation for producing one of the finest blended malts available. Using malts predominantly from Glenkinchie and Linkwood, Dimple 12 Year Old is a beautifully well-rounded Scotch with surprising depth.

This timeless distillery has produced yet another astonishing Scotch. The sheer depth and complexity is truly a wonder to behold. For the true Whisky connoisseur.