Yamazakura Fine Blended Japanese Whisky was created by Sasanokawa Shuzo Co, a Japanese spirits company originating in 1765 who makes sake and schochu. This fine blended whisky release is a blend comprising of the companies best distillations to date. Small, local, with huge flavours and ideas.

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.

Founded on the shores of Lake Biwa in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture in 2016, Nagahama Distillery is the smallest distillery in Japan. They produce single malt whiskys and also blends carefully selected whisky purchased from overseas and ages it in Nagahama’s climate. This Amahagan World Malt Edition No.3 is a fantastic world blend produced at the Nagata distillery. It’s a smooth and mellow creation that brings gentle fruits, fragrant wood imparted by mizunara oak maturation, subtle peppery spice and sweet caramel. It’s a well-accomplished and carefully balanced creation that is further highlights the possibilities in the world blend category.

Single malt. Single cask. Small batch. Hillwood is a contemporary Australian whisky. Made in the tradition of Scottish single malt, but given a distinctive edge from the wild Tasmanian landscape and their artisanal family approach. A Single Cask, Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky, Non-chill filtered, directly from the Cask. Bourbon Cask aged in American oak wood. Approximately 30-34 bottles produced per batch and bottled at cask strength. Spiced oak, honey and toffee apple on the nose lead to a palate of vanilla and warm buttered honey with subtle notes of bourbon. A lasting finish of roasted almonds and crème caramel.

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. Lagavulin 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml (Special Release 2022) was matured in and blended from a mix of refill and virgin oak casks; both American oak. The nose is delightfully clean and unadulterated…a classic Islay nose that exudes peat and smoke. It’s very earthy, yet complemented with hints of citrus, orange rind and vanilla. The palate cranks things up a gear, with the heavily peated malt bringing a smoky dryness to proceedings, yet maintaining superb balance and sweetness.

Akkeshi began distilling in 2016, based in the Akkeshi District of Hokkaido, the concept of distilling and maturing single malt in Japan’s northern wilderness traces back to the very first plans of Masataka Taketsuru, a pioneer of the country’s early whisky production. Taisho is the 12th of the 24 Japanese solar terms. The hottest period of the year, this is a celebratory time with many festivals and fireworks. The indigo label is inspired by yukata, the light summer kimono worn during the warmer months. As always, the exact production details are difficult to pin down, but the key malt is 100% from Hokkaido aged in a variety of casks including Mizunara and Bourbon, alongside imported grain purchased as new make and aged completely in-house (nine separate components contributed to the blend) This is signature Akkeshi, with fresh yet savoury/saline peatiness positioned at the forefront. A hot-blooded blend, this changes constantly in the glass and is best without water. Secondary notes of spun sugar and tropical fruit are joined by deep citrus, burnt sage and green almond notes in the mouth. It finishes spicy, salty and long.

The GlenAllachie Distillery was designed in 1967 by William-Delme Evans and built by Mackinlay McPherson. This was the fourth distillery designed by Evans and was created to be almost full gravity fed to run on reduced energy. The first production run for the distillery was in February 1968 and began with just two stills, further increasing to four after just six months. Bottled at 48%, this golden malt was first matured in the finest American Barrels with an additional maturation period in Organic Rye Quarter Casks from Chicago’s Koval Distillery. The wood to liquid ratio in these second-fill casks is greater, meaning the signature Rye spiciness has a greater impact on the spirit. Rich Gold in colour with rich cinnamon and nutmeg spices and waves of honey and butterscotch on the nose lead to flavours of sweet roasted spices enriched with honey, butterscotch, cooking apples and cloves.

Kanosuke Single Malt Japanese Whisky embodies Kanosuke Distillery’s concept of "mellow land, mellow whisky. It was produced using all 3 of their pot stills, aged in several varieties of oak barrels, and blended together after 3 years of maturation. It was as produced at Kanosuke Distillery between 2017-18 and is their first single malt Japanese whisky. Made with unpeated malt, it is bottled at cask strength from a blend of barrels, with re-charred American white oak ex-“Mellowed Kozuru” aged shochu casks as key.

Hobart Whisky is a proud culmination of Tasmanian climate, endeavour and skill. This whisky in particular is a limited edition bottle of exceptional quality and character. The Pedro Ximenez Solera Single Malt Whisky is matured in American oak barrels providing a spicy, vanilla taste and finished in PX Sherry butts, imparting notes of dark fruit, toffee and dried fruit that complements the sweetness perfectly. Dominating strikes of dates, raisins, rich, red fruit and toffee apple are accompanied by light melon and subtle tobacco. The rich palate includes notes of jam, pastry, light leather and pantry spice, indulged throughout the syrupy sweetness of the full-bodied whiskey. There is a lingering of wine gums and light honeycomb paired with a dark chocolate, orange and marmalade. Replicating traditional Solera methods gives this whisky a depth that is unmatched in its class as only a selection of the range has been bottled and released. Whether you are looking for a special gift for a whisky lover or simply want to treat yourself to a truly special dram, Hobart Whisky Pedro Ximenez Solera Single Malt Whisky is a must-try for those who appreciate quality, consistency and craftsmanship.

Mackmyra was Sweden’s first whisky distillery and 20 years after being established continues to innovate and evolve. Mackmyra Destination is a non-peated whisky that to a large extent has been aged in casks that previously held port wine. These casks give the whisky deep notes of red grapes, raisins and a beautiful chestnut colour. Together with American oak casks that contribute with notes of vanilla fudge. The finished result is balanced, yet complex and round. Make sure to let the whisky breathe for a while before enjoying it. This will open up the palette to sparkle with beautiful notes. This whisky is an invitation to whisky lovers all around the world to come and visit us at one of our many destinations. Pear and raisins on the nose is a lovely combination, followed by sweet notes of fudge and almond. The palate has more prominent notes of vanilla fudge and almond coming from the American oak casks along with sweet raisins and berry-like nuances of white heart cherry and blackberry. On the finish is hazelnut with lively notes of oak.