A limited-edition 30-year-old single malt from Mortlach, Midnight malt was initially matured in a combination of refill American oak and European oak casks, before being finished in Bordeaux wine, Calvados and Guatemalan rum casks, then married and further matured in custom quarter casks. A release of just 350 limited bottles. NOSE A mellow nose with some initial prickle. This settles in time to reveal a savoury and faintly herbal top note, suggesting pork crackling sprinkled with dry sage. PALATE A richly winey, apple fruity and mouth-watering start delights the palate, backed by a long spicy intensity with a delicious black pepper note that really persists. FINISH Long, sweet and deep-flavoured, with a light peppery spiciness. With water, still sweet and softer, with the spicy heat joined by a suggestion of mint chocolate in the lingering aftertaste.

LARK DISTILLERY Para 50 Rare Cask Release Single Malt Whisky 52.5% ABV, Tasmania 700ml with 100ml Sample Bottle The Para 50 is second in a limited series and is a luxuriously smoky single malt handcrafted at Larks Coal Valley Distillery. Finished in Seppeltsfield Para Vintage Tawny casks holding half a century of history its incomparable in terms of the decadence and complexity it provides.

Part of Diageo's stable, Mortlach enjoys a cult status amongst whisky drinkers thanks to its thick, meaty texture. That unique spirit comes from a complex and unique distillation program, which sees the new make pass through a number of stills of varying shapes and sizes. In the end, it is said that Mortlach distill their spirit 2.81 times. The complex regime results in a thick, meaty spirit - one of Scotland's thickest - and has been prized by independent bottlers and drinkers since the vaunted 16-year-old Flora & Fauna release put it into the public psyche.