Aberfeldy 28 Year Old is a superb example of long-aged Highland whisky. Fruity with notes of peach, orange, lemon, vanilla and butterscotch.
A well aged 22 year old edition of whisky from Knockdhu (aka anCnoc), bottled at 46% with no colouring or chill filtration. It's a mix of American ex-bourbon casks and some Spanish ex-oloroso butts, adding a bit of leathery smokiness to anCnoc's traditionally silky style.
A rare independent bottling of Ardmore, the peated whisky produced close to the Speyside border. This was distilled in May 2000 and bottling in June 2016 as part of Gordon & Company's Pearls of Scotland series.
The third release of Balblair's popular 1989 vintage whisky, sitting in the middle of their range of dated drams. The strength has been upped to 46% from 43% for the previous release, giving this edition a little more oomph and flavour intensity. A very drinkable dram indeed.
Batch 7 of Balvenie's Tun 1401 series. Named after David Stewart's favourite marrying vat, this was a vatting of nine American oak Bourbon casks and two European oak ex-sherry casks. This was a duty free only release which came to market in March 2013.
An additional period of maturation in 30 year-old port pipes has given this aged Balvenie an extra level of depth and concentration of flavour, adding potent fruit and smoke notes to the silky-smooth full-bodied palate. Rich, indulgent, after-dinner Speyside at its best.
A single malt matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry butts sourced from Jerez for a minimum of 12 years. It is a creamy, rich and sweet release expect spice, fruit and chocolate notes, an IWSC Trophy winner back in 2011.
Bowmore 9 Year Old Sherry Cask is the latest addition to the Islay favourite's core range. This entry-level whisky has spent all of its life maturing in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, resulting in Bowmore's distinctive smokiness.
Finished in Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes casks, this has all the expected Bruichladdich characteristics - seaspray, brine, floral notes - with a deliciously smooth extra veneer of sweetness. A deservedly popular 'Laddie.
A very handsome distillery-bottled Glen Elgin 12 year old from the 1970s.
A very rare 1965 vintage whisky from Glenfiddich distillery. This has been matured for a full 12 years and bottled by Cadenhead's in one of their iconic, old, dumpy bottles.
Part of a pair of 2016 releases from Glenglassaugh aged in small, octave casks. The unpeated bottling has sweet and citrus-fruit notes and a toasty finish.
Released in 2016 as part of a pair of whiskies fully matured in small, octave casks. This is the peated expression and is smoky and subtly sweet with notes of plums and black pepper.
This is the 1999 vintage from the Distillers Edition series from Diageo. Finished in casks which previously held amontillado sherry, the medium-dry nuttiness complements the lighter style of this Lowland whisky.
Relaunched in 2011, Glenmorangie's Sauternes-finished Nectar d'Or is now proudly boasting a prominent age statement that wasn't there before, proclaiming it to be 12 years old. Give it a couple of years and it'll be staying out after supper and growing a weedy moustache on its top lip.
The 2013 release in Glenmorangie's annual Private Edition series of small batch wood experiments, Ealanta differs from its predecessors as it has been full-term matured (rather than finished) in its designer casks, which in this instance are made from heavily toasted new white oak.
Higher in strength than the standard 10 Year Old, this heavily peated edition is part of the Legends of Scotia series and honours Campbeltown's The Picture House.
A single malt from Campbeltown distillery Glen Scotia, this is from the 1992 vintage and has been bottled by G&M as part of the MacPhail's Collection after more than two decades of ageing. The distillery is known for its fresh, fruity and grassy whiskies.
First released in 2014, this is the first bottling of Hazelburn at 10 years of age. Hazelburn is Springbank's triple-distilled, unpeated single malt.
Hazelburn 12 year Old is triple distilled malt from Springbank, first released in August 2009, with a limited release of just 3,900 bottles.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Pungent and aromatic with notes of dried fruits, plenty of sherry integration with notes of citrus, toffee and nuts.
- Palate: Spicy on the palate, nutty and cocoa rich, oak, coffee, gentle peat.
- Finish: Coffee, spices, citrus, chocolate, long finish.
A late 2012 release of Highland Park's excellent 25 year old whisky. A mix of ex-sherry and bourbon cask matured whisky to balance honey with rich fruit, as well as a lick of the distilleries trademark Orcadian peatiness.
Highland Park Capella was released in 2002 as a commemorative bottling to mark the 60th Anniversary of Orkney's famous Italian Chapel. The Chapel was built during 1942 and 1945 at Camp 60, a WW2 prisoner of war camp. It features a vatting of exquisite, old and very rare whiskies. Only 5,400 bottles were ever produced in 2002, and exclusively sold at the distillery itself.
Complete with original presentation box, this rarely seen bottle is much sought after by collectors.
A very special bottle of Arran. This was bottled exclusively for those who invested in the Arran distillery in 2001.
A milestone bottling – the first commercially available 10 year old whisky from Kilchoman. Exclusive, this was distilled on 4 May 2006 and bottled on 28 July 2016 after maturing in a bourbon cask. A warm and typically smoky Islay whisky.
70cl / 57.6% - Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Distillery Bottling
An elegant, sophisticated Knockando, Master Reserve 21 year old is made with casks lying in the coolest part of the warehouse. These casks take longer to mature and the resulting malt is extremely smooth.
Loch Lomond Original is the entry-level bottling from this Highlander. Elegant yet full bodied with a hint of peat.
70cl / 40% - Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Distillery Bottling
This organic expression of 12 year old whisky from Loch Lomond was a limited release in 2013. Certified by the Soil Association, this was one of the last bottlings to be released under Sandy Bulloch's ownership before the distillery was sold to the Loch Lomond Group in March 2014.
70cl / 48% - Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Distillery Bottlin
A no-age-statement release from Longrow. One of the three whiskies distilled at Springbank distillery, Longrow is generally peaty in comparison to its siblings. A well-balanced whisky with some slightly medicinal notes.
Longrow 18 Year Old is a double distilled, heavily peated single malt from Springbank Distillery.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Apple peels, and smoke. Earthy peat, damp leaves, notes of truffle, woodshed, porridge oats and soot.
- Palate: Peaty with notes of spicy. Very oily, with hints of orange zest, pepper. Very "big". Kippers, smoked meats and honey.
- Finish: Spicy and oily, with notes of dark, earthy peaty.
A marriage of 100% aged Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, a modern interpretation of the legendary Dalaruan Distillery. Dalaruan was an integral part of the rise of Campbeltown into a ‘Whisky Capital.’ Dalaruan produced a triple-distilled Campbeltown Malt whisky but was eventually sold for closure at auction in 1925 during the whisky industry collapse.
Tasting note: A nose of spice, fruits and maritime. The palate delivers sweet ripe fruits and smoke. On the finish you get smoke leading to sea salt.
UK Customers Only
A marriage of 100% aged Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, a modern interpretation of the legendary Gerston One Distillery. The story of Gerston whisky is a tale of two distilleries, known as Gerston One and Gerston Two. Gerston One was a family-owned farm- house scale distillery, with a typically small output, making high quality spirit that was in demand both at home and further afield. Gerston Two had four tall stills that were centrally fired by a steam boiler placed at one end of the still house. It had external worms for cooling vapour and the new spirit passed to the receivers again by gravitation.
Notes: Ripe Fruit, Toffee, Smoke & Spice
UK Customers Only
A marriage of 100% extra mature Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, a modern interpretation of the legendary Jericho Distillery. Jericho was renamed Benachie after the nearby mountain, although the whisky was still sold as Jericho for a number of years.
UK Customers Only
A marriage of 100% extra mature Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, a modern interpretation of the legendary Gerston One Distillery. Presented in a deluxe gift canister
- Silver Medal WSWA, Las Vegas.
- Silver Medal ISW Germany
- 93 Rating Whisky Cask
UK Customers Only
A Blend of 100% Very Rare Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, a modern interpretation of the legendary Auchnagie Distillery.
Auchnagie was one of several small farm distilleries in the Ballinluig area of Perthshire. All have been destroyed except Edradour and Glenturret which continue to flourish to this day. Presented in a wooden display case with a booklet telling the stories of the legendary Auchnagie Distillery.
UK Customers Only
A Blend of 100% Very Rare Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, a modern interpretation of the legendary Gerston Distillery. The story of Gerston whisky is a tale of two distilleries. Presented in a wooden display case with a booklet telling the stories of the legendary Gerston Distillery. Strictly limited availability.
UK Customers Only
The 1999 vintage entry for Oban in Diageo's Distillers Edition range, finished in Montilla fortified wine casks for more depth and a kick of spice.
A delicious Highland dram from Old Pulteney, this 17yo is comprised of 90% refill bourbon casks with the remainder being from oloroso casks. Lovely sweet aromas of butterscotch, honey and chocolate, with some faint salt and oak spice on the palate.ice and honey.
Old Pulteney is the most northerly mainland distillery in Scotland and known for their love of the sea - some of which rolls over into their whisky. The 21 year old is a mix of fino sherry and refill bourbon cask matured whisky and sits at the top of their regular range.
A Rare Malts expression of 1974 vintage Royal Lochnagar. Released in the Autumn of 2004 at cask strength, it's a big whisky that's definitely one for Lochnagar fans.
This cask strength Tobermory single malt whisky from 1972 with oloroso sherry finish, was bottled 2005. Number Bottled 897 with original packaging.
Tomatin's 14 Year Old has been finished in tawny-port pipes, which adds notes of extra fruitiness, especially red fruits to the classic Highland notes of toffee and honey.
Relaunched in 2016, Tomatin 18 Year Old is finished in first-fill oloroso-sherry butts. This add notes of dark chocolate and citrus to honey and soft spice.
A half bottle of Old Pulteney's reliable coastal 12 year old single malt whisky.
Whyte & Mackay's big-selling entry-level blended whisky. High quality and a great way to start working your way up through the rest of their range.
Hankey Bannister Original is a light, sweet and subtle blend with notes of honey and spice.
NV Whisky is a blend of fine Speyside Malt and Grain whiskies, aged in oak casks, using traditional distilling methods.
An Islay-led blended whisky, tempering the smokiness of the island malts with whisky from the mainland. Islay Mist's story starts with the 21st birthday of the first Lord Margadale, Laird of Islay. A special blend was produced for the occasion and that served as inspiration for Islay Mist.
Despite the fact that the label is quite clearly a pale yellow colour, Dewar's White Label this remains a hugely popular blend, especially Stateside. Dewar's whiskies have won more than 400 awards and medals in over 20 countries.
New!
The second release from the brand part-owned by David Beckham, Haig Club Clubman is the entry-level bottling. Aged entirely in bourbon casks which give sweetness as well as enticing vanilla and coconut notes, this is a superb alternative to Jack Daniel's with cola.
A half bottle of Glenfiddich's flagship 12 year old whisky - as of 2011 the largest selling single malt whisky in the world.
A half bottle of Glenmorangie's ever popular 10 year old - a perfect introduction to the world of Single Malt Whisky.
Ardmore Legacy was introduced in 2014 as a replacement for Traditional. A mix of 80% peated and 20% unpeated malt, this is full-bodied, dry and spicy.
A bottling of Tomatin released to celebrate the effect that the distillery has had on the local community of the eponymous town, hence the name - Legacy. In 1897 it was an isolated and quiet place and the village grew to become a town due to the influx of workers and building done to support the distillery. A tasty dram that shows off the distillery's character.
A very highly-regarded aged blend from Whyte & Mackay, believed by many to be the best value of the range.
A half-bottle of Bowmore's 12-year-old whisky, a great place to start year oldur journey through the smoky mystery of Islay's single malt whiskies. The current 12 year old bottling is a welcome return to the classic Bowmores of the 1960s and '70s, with the emphasis on tropical fruit and smoke. A deserved runner-up in our Whisky of the Year 2014-15 blind tasting.
Auchentoshan American Oak was introduced in 2014 to replace the Classic. Matured exclusively in first-fill bourbon casks, this is a vanilla-rich and fruity whisky.
The no-age-statement Peated Reserve release of Islay Mist, an Islay-led blended whisky, tempering the smokiness of the island malts with whisky from the mainland. The brand takes inspiration from the special blend served at the first Lord Margadale's 21st birthday in the 1920s.
Highland-based Loch Lomond distillery produce this single grain using coffey stills. Despite the name it is produced using malted barley, however its production falls foul of convention, so grain it is! A smooth ride, with a few interesting twists owing to its unconventional production of this Single 'Grain'.
A deluxe version from Famous Grouse, the malt component of Naked Grouse is based around Macallan & Highland Park matured in sherry casks.
Hankey Bannister Heritage Blend was inspired by the find of a 1920s' bottle in perfect condition. Master Blender Stuart Harvey has recreated the style for the modern day – it's sweeter and peatier than their usual blend.
Johnnie Walker Black Label's iconic square bottle makes it one of the world's most recognisable Scotch whiskies - and it's also one of whisky critic Jim Murray's favourite blends: 'If there is a silkier delivery on the market today, I have not seen it: this is sublime stuff...one of the world's most masterful whiskies back in all its complex glory'
Hankey Bannister's 12 Year Old is aged exclusive in bourbon casks. The result is a medium-bodied whisky with notes of sweet vanilla and a hint of smoke.
Pure Islay is the lower-strength release of Elements of Islay's Peat. Bottled at 45%, this has the same classic Islay character as Full Proof – notes of fruit, spice and smoke – but with less power that makes it a great introduction to Islay whisky.
Glen Moray's Classic range of bottlings always represent great value. This gift set contains two glasses and a bottle of the expression which is finished in port casks, adding sweetness and extra richness.
Highland Park 12 Year Old remains one of the gold-standard malts for other distillery bottlings to aspire to. With a delicious sweetness (heather-honey is their preferred description), a trace of smoke and a warming, silky mouthfeel, this is a whisky that never lets you down.
Loch Lomond 12 Year Old has been aged in three types of cask: bourbon, refill and recharged. Fruity with notes of pear, lemon, vanilla and biscuits.
A half bottle of Bowmore's sherry finished 15 year old. It's finished for three years in oloroso sherry casks for rich, chocolatey and spicy flavour along with Bowmore's trademark maritime peatiness.
The 12 year old expression of Islay led blended whisky, tempering the smokiness of the island malts with whisky from the mainland. The brand takes inspiration from the special blend served at the first Lord Margadale's 21st birthday.
This lip-smacking 12 year old AnCnoc (formerly Knockdhu) is a top-quality proponent of the non-sherried Speyside style, showing polished malt and a delicious spiciness throughout a warm, complex palate and lasting finish.
This Auchentoshan 12 yrs expression replaced the old 10 year-old a few years ago in 2008, when the range was totally revamped, and has been hailed as a big improvement on the occasionally lacklustre 10yo.
Aberlour 10 year old is a great entry-level malt, ideal for beginners, with a fine sherried spiciness. Pound for pound, this is one of the best that Speyside has to offer.
A very popular Highland dram, with a big sherry presence alongside sweet citrus fruit notes and a faint whiff of brine. A winner at the World Whisky Awards 2010.
One of the world's best-selling malts, Glenfiddich 12 year old's famous triangular bottle is a fixture in practically every bar on the globe. Light and easy-drinking stuff loved by millions.
Laphroaig Select is aged in a combination of Oloroso sherry butts, American white oak (we suspect some of this is virgin oak), hogsheads seasoned with Pedro Ximenez, quarter casks and first fill bourbon casks. This results in a restrained and toned down version of this Islay classic.
A bottling of single malt whisky from the Isle of Arran distillery bottled to honour Scotland's favourite son, the bard himself, Robert Burns. Bottled at 43% and created to be malty and sweet with a 'spicy twist on the finish'.
Glengoyne is one of the only Scottish whiskies to be distilled from unpeated malt - the malt is allowed to dry naturally before fermentation and distillation begin, resulting in an elegant, medium-bodied style.
A fruity, clean and polished malt with a touch of honey and spice, Aberfeldy 12 Year Old is an excellent introduction to this Highland distillery. Aberfeldy's main claim to fame is as the heart of the excellent Dewar's blend but whiskies like this are putting it firmly in the spotlight.
Stronachie was the name of a Highland distillery active between the 1890s and 1928. The Scottish agents for the whisky, A.D. Rattray, have launched a range using whisky from Benrinnes distillery. This is the 10 year old - sweet and spicy.
Cask Islay is a small batch release from A.D. Rattray from an undisclosed distillery on the island. A whisky that will entice both Islay fans and be a great place for neophytes to start.
A vibrant young Laphroaig whose maturation has been speeded up by ageing in quarter casks. This shows soft sweetness and a velvety feel when first tasted, then the intense peatiness so unique to Laphroaig comes bursting through. A terrific whisky and great value.
New!
A smart packaging job for this distillery-bottled expression of Benromach 10 year old, which has been a big hit since its introduction in late 2009. Well done to G&M for making the standard release strength 43%.
A milestone release from Benriach, this is the first core expression comprising spirit produced predominantly since the 2004 takeover by Billy Walker and his consortium. A classic Speyside whisky.
Ben Nevis 10 Year Old is a superb introduction to the distillery's style. Full-bodied with a whiff of peat, lots of tropical fruit, and hints of coffee and dark chocolate, this is a great example of western Highland whisky.
The Speyside representative of the Classic Malts series is rich and spicy, with a very satisfying complexity and well-sherried backbone.
An 8-year-old bottling of Tamdhu released by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail as part of The MacPhail's Collection series. This would have been produced using the distillery's own maltings, which sadly closed down at the end of the noughties.
Bowmore 12 year old has a place in many hearts as Islay's 'medium-peated' malt. A pronounced iodine character with plenty of pepper, the current 12 year old bottling is a welcome return to the classic Bowmores of the 1960s and '70s, with the emphasis on tropical fruit and smoke. A deserved runner-up in our Whisky of the Year 2014-15 blind tasting.
A much-loved single malt, Cardhu is an easy-going, charming Speysider. With clean, crisp oak and sweet malt evoking flavours of honeyed flapjacks and home-made caramel squares, this is one for the sweet-toothed among you.
A top-quality packaging update (farewell, stags!) for this Founder's Reserve Glen Garioch which has been bottled at 48% and priced very sensibly. A very welcome return to form for a distillery with enormous potential.
Glen Scotia Double Cask starts its life in first-fill bourbon barrels, before being finished in Pedro-Ximenez-sherry casks. Notes of spicy fruit and vanilla.
Isle of Jura 10yo is an accessible, easy-drinking malt. Medium-bodied with a delicate sweet palate, with a hint of brine developing on the finish. A great introductory malt.
A 2010 vintage Ledaig from indie bottler Signatory as part of The Un-Chillfiltered Collection. Distilled on 21 June, it was aged in a pair of first-fill bourbon barrels for six years, before being bottled on 2 February 2017. Ledaig is the name for the smoky, peaty whisky from Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull.
An eight-year-old Ardmore from Douglas Laing's Provenance range. One of the few distilleries in the Highlands that produces peated whisky, this was distilled in July 2008 and bottled in November 2016. Sweet and mouthcoating with notes of smoke, smoked meat and sugar syrup.
A no-age-statement whisky from Deanston bottled at 46.3%. This one is made up of year oldung whisky which is decanted into new American oak casks for its final stages of maturation.
Arran 10 year old is a medium-bodied, citrussy dram that shows an elegance and deftness of touch that belies the distillery's year olduth. Tasting the complexity and assurance of this year oldungster it is difficult to believe that the distillery only opened in 1995. A great achievement.
The peated release of Loch Lomond was launched in 2008 by popular demand. Home to a cooperage, malt distillery and a grain distillery (which produces the best selling Glen's Vodka), Loch Lomond is a multi functioning site. This has notes of soft fruit and is hugely peated.
A reinvigorated release from Tullibardine, upping the quality of presentation as well as their whisky. This bourbon barrel matured dram is packed with vanilla and spice.
A 2015 addition to Glendronach's core range, this 8-year-old is named The Hielan. Aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, this is rich with notes of nuts, butterscotch and spice.
Dalwhinnie 15 year old is a good introduction to the delights of single malt whisky – elegant, smooth and medium-bodied, with a light, fruity palate and a whiff of heather on the finish. Part of Diageo's Classic Malt range.
Glen Elgin 12 year old is a top-quality malt, highly sought-after for blends. This is a little-seen single malt expression that represents great value for money.
A favourite of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, being conveniently situated close by Balmoral Castle. Royal Lochnagar was originally a key ingredient in VAT 69, but most production is now for single malts.
Released in 2013 to coincide with its sponsoring of a yacht in the Clipper Round the World Race, Old Pulteney Navigator was created to reflect the distillery's rich maritime heritage. It is matured in ex-American bourbon and ex-Spanish sherry casks and bottled at 46%.
Aberlour is always a good choice - one of the best value Speyside malts around. This double matured version is a mix of traditional oak and sherry casks and is rich and fruity with delicious Christmas cake notes.
Bowmore's Small Batch is matured in first and second fill ex bourbon casks, resulting in a sweet, spicy and smoky whisky. This is a lighter example of Bowmore and an excellent starting point for Islay whiskies.
A 12 year old Highlander from Glengoyne, famed for their unpeated single malt. Glengoyne is always very pure in style, allowing their high-quality, easy-drinking whisky to shine in its natural state.
Benromach Peat Smoke distilled in 2007 is part of the small number of batches of peated whisky produced at the Speyside distillery. With a level of 62ppm, this is seriously smoky with notes of liquorice, orange (without water) or grapefruit (with water).
Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold is an innovative bottling from Diageo. Made using whisky distilled in the cold Scottish winter, it is intended to be served from the freezer, delivering richness and sweetness as the glass warms up. Honeyed with a hint of peat.
Relaunched in 2016, Green Label is arguably the richest horse in the Johnnie Walker stable. This blended malt whisky travels the regions of Scottish whisky production and conveys the whirlwind of flavours to your mouth. Hearty.
Wemyss name all their whiskies by their flavour profile, with the help of Charles Maclean, the whisky writer. The Hive selection of blended malts are intended to (as the name suggests) have a honeyed taste profile.
A revitalised Tamdhu launched at the Spirit of Speyside festival in 2013. Sherry cask matured and full of all the sweet, rich and creamy flavours you'd expect.
Released in Spring 2010, this Glenfiddich Rich Oak has spent 14 years in ex-bourbon casks in the traditional way, before two separate finishes of 12 weeks in new European oak and six weeks in new American oak before bottling. We like the sound of this.
Cardhu Amber Rock is finished in American oak ex-bourbon casks, adding notes of vanilla and spice while retaining the brand's trademark soft and easy-drinking style.
A relaunch in fancy packaging for Burn Stewart's Deanston single malt, previously famous as the whisky used in the much-missed Wallace whisky liqueur. Trivia snitched from the Malt Whisky Yearbook: Deanston is the only distillery in Scotland that is self-sustaining for electricity, being equipped with a dam and a turbine.
A young Macduff from Hunter Laing's Hepburn's Choice series. Aged in a refill hogshead for weight years, this is fruity and spicy.
Peaty whisky from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, named after a previous incarnation of the distillery. Maritime and smoky, this rivals some of the Islay drams for power, and the 10 year old balances the intensity of youth with rounded, well-aged spirit.
Torfa is a new 2014 release from Glenglassaugh. Fully matured in ex-bourbon barrels and peated to 20ppm, this is the first peated whisky from this revived distillery.
A Gordon & Macphail bottling of 10 year old Balblair, one of the Highland's finest distilleries.
The new presentation of an old Bowmore favourite, the no-age-statement Legend.
Replacing the 10 year-old as the main expression of the Lowland style in the Classic Malts range, this Glenkinchie 12 year old is a bit fuller and more complex.
Laphroaig 10 year old is a full-bodied, smoky gem, with a residual sweetness and a hint of salt amid the seaweedy, peaty characters before a long warming finish. A classic dram.
A sherry finished whisky from Tullibardine, part of their range of finishes. It was matured first in bourbon casks before spending some time in 500 litre sherry butts, most of which previously held Pedro Ximenez.
A giant leap forward for Bunnahabhain 12 year old, this edition was launched in summer 2010 with a jump in strength to 46.3% and a declaration of no chill-filtration and no added colouring. Enormous credit goes to Burn Stewart for giving punters what they want without jacking up the price too much and we earnestly hope that this will be a massive success. Bravo!
This is a rare example of peated Glendronach. Subtly smoky, this has been aged using sherry casks, resulting in a floral, spicy and lightly smoky Highlander.
The 17-year-old release of Islay Mist, an Islay-led blended whisky, tempering the smokiness of the island malts with whisky from the mainland. The brand takes inspiration from the special blend served at the first Lord Margadale's 21st birthday in the 1920s.
Scapa Skiren is a 2015 release from the Orkney distillery. Aged in first-fill American oak casks, this is creamy and sweet with notes of tropical fruit and heather.
A 2016 replacement for the previous sherry-finished expression, this Tomatin 12 Year Old has been aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. The result is a sweet whisky with notes of apples, citrus and sweet spice.
The 2012 relaunch of Auchentoshan's no-nonsense, cask strength, bourbon cask matured dram. Built with a similar mix of casks to the Classic, this is bottled at full strength for a more concentrated flavour.
Bruichladdich's Scottish Barley is made entirely from Scottish-grown barley, trickle distilled and then matured in American oak. The distillery class it as their signature bottling.
Blended from a mixture of bourbon and sherry casks, the light colour of this malt belies the richness of its character.
The nose has a wide range of aromas, from citrus fruits to pears and a hint of peat, while the palate shows touches of smoke, vanilla essence, nutmeg, cinnamon and the salty tang characteristic of the distillery.
The 10 year old from the Springbank distillery in Campbeltown, a mixture of both bourbon and sherry matured whisky.
For peat lovers, Ardbeg 10 Year Old is probably the highest-quality 'entry-level' single malt on the market, and the distillery many Islay connoisseurs would choose as their favourite. A whirlwind of peat and complex malty flavours.
A 12 year old Blended Malt from award winning independent bottler Wemyss. A vatting of 16 different whiskies with a hefty slug of 12 year old Islay malt to give it a rich and malty feel with a smack of peat smoke.
This is the first release of 2005-vintage whisky from Balblair bottled in 2016. The distillery is one of few to bottle by vintage rather than age, and this is sweet and spicy with notes of toffee and vanilla.
A dense, heavily-sherried dram from a distillery now producing again after a six-year layoff. A malt best suited to after-dinner sipping.
A set of 20cl bottles showcasing the range of whiskies produced by Benromach. It features the Peat Smoke, 10 year old and their Special Edition Organic whisky.
Glenturret has long been known as the spiritual home of The Famous Grouse. 2015 saw a new range introduced, including this Triple Wood. This higher-strength UK release has been aged in a combination of three cask types: American oak sherry, European oak sherry and American oak bourbon; this is aromatic with notes of marzipan and coconut.
A 2006 vintage Mortlach from independent bottler Douglas Laing as part of the Provenance series. Aged in a refill hogshead, this was bottled in February 2017 at 10 years of age. This has notes of malt and juicy tangerine.
This lightly smoky whisky from Scapa was aged initially in American oak before being finished in ex-peated-whisky casks. The result is fruity and creamy whisky with notes of peach, vanilla, caramel and soft smoke.
A full-flavoured 18 Year Old Canadian whisky from Wiser's, one of the best selling brands in its home country, balancing bold flavours against softer toasted grains.
Caol Ila 12 Year Old is of medium weight, but still packing plenty of potent phenols, this is a refined, powerful dram with a compensating oiliness. A balanced, peaty beauty..
Clynelish is the successor to the now-silent Brora, built opposite the original distillery and producing a top-quality rich, smoky dram. One of the best entry-level proprietary bottlings available from any distillery.
Immensely popular Glenfiddich variant. Using a Solera system common in the maturation of quality sherry, 15 year old malt from three different types of casks is married together in a wooden vat, which is constantly topped up to ensure the quality is maintained.
The Western Highland representative in Diageo's 'Classic Malt' series, Oban 14 year old is a superb, full-blooded fruity malt with a whiff of heather and more than a hint of smoke.
Wolfburn Aurora is matured in three different types of cask: refill quarter casks, first-fill bourbon barrels and first-fill oloroso sherry hogsheads. The three components are married to produce a sweet whisky with hints of spice.
Wolfburn has finally come of age. This is the first, and ongoing, release from the Scottish mainland's northernmost distillery. This is a light, sweet and fragrant whisky, with notes of fruit, nuts and a hint of peat.
This is the Rich Peat Edition of Angel's Nectar blended malt. Produced using Highland malts, this has a pleasing smokiness with notes of toffee apples and dark chocolate.
Dalmore 12 is aged for the first nine years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, before half is transferred to ex-oloroso sherry casks for the final three years. The result is a whisky with a combination of sweetness and rich, sherried flavours.
The second edition of Evolution, the follow up to Revival. A limited release showcasing their spirit's interaction with ex-Tennessee whiskey casks, this was matured in barrels that used to contain George Dickel.
Glenmorangie Lasanta now boasts an age statement of 12 years old. Lasanta is a finished in both oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and is said to mean 'warmth and passion' in Gaelic.
A cask-strength Islay single malt with notes of sweet fruit, peat smoke and minerality, this is a benchmark Islay whisky and a great everyday peaty dram at this price.
70cl / 57.1% - Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A 2015 addition to the core range, Benromach 15 Year Old is aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. Luscious and rich with notes of fruit cake, plums and cocoa.
Glenmorangie's Quinta Ruban was upgraded in late 2010, and is now sporting a 12 year old age statement where previously there was none.
Ardmore 12 Year Old Port Wood Finish was a 2015 addition to the distillery's core range. Aged initially in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, it was finished in port pipes, resulting in a whisky with notes of apple, honey and smoke.
This gift pack contains a bottle Benromach's highly regarded entry-level 10-year-old whisky, a note book and a pencil, so you can 'enjoy a dram and share your thoughts'. A creamy and toasty whisky with light smoky notes.
Part of Dewar's The Last Great Malts range launched in 2014, this 12 year old Aultmore is the first release from the distillery for a few years and is elegant, light and fruity.
A rare example of peated whisky from Glenturret, this is one of three 2015 releases comprising a new core range. Rich, sweet and smoky.
Glenturret introduced a new range of whiskies in 2015, including this Sherry Edition. Aged in both European and American oak sherry casks, this is elegant and sweet with spice, too.
A 2002 vintage Strathmill released by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail as part of the Connoisseurs Choice range of bottlings in 2016.
Mannochmore's delicate and fragrant entry into the Flora and Fauna range. One of the only bottlings you'll find with their name on the front.
The sixth batch of Arran's 12-year-old cask strength is a combination of first-fill sherry butts, refill sherry hogsheads and first-fill bourbon barrels. Spicy and vanilla-led with the kick that cask-strength whisky gives.
Old Pulteney Clipper commemorates the completion of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013-14, of which the distillery were the sponsors. Aged in both bourbon and sherry casks, this is a classic maritime whisky.
A great, but sadly neglected, Highlander, Blair Athol is one of the gems of the Flora & Fauna range. This expression has always tended towards the chunky, sherried style, with spices and oak adding complexity to rich maltiness.
The ever-popular Auchentoshan 3 Wood is matured initially in bourbon casks before being finished in Oloroso then Pedro Ximénez casks for an extra layer of rich, sweet fruitiness.
Batch four of Glengoyne's Cask Strength bottling has been aged in a combination of first-fill sherry casks and refill casks, and has been bottled at a hefty 58.8%.
Batch 3 of Glengoyne's Cask Strength bottling has been aged in a combination of first-fill sherry casks and refill casks, and has been bottled at a hefty 58.2%.
Originally released in France, Sanaig was given a wider release in 2016. Aged in a combination of oloroso-sherry and bourbon casks, this shows excellent balance between peat smoke and sweet citrus flavours.
A limited edition distilled at Knockdhu and created in collaboration with fashion designer Patrick Grant, judge on The Great British Sewing Bee. He's worked with AnCnoc to create a special fabric print, shown on the label, to complement the whisky, which is matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks.
A gift pack containg a bottle of Bruichladdich's The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley and a pair of glasses. It is made entirely from Scottish-grown barley, trickle distilled and then matured in American oak. The distillery class it as the signature bottling. This has an enticing mix of creaminess and salinity.
Taking its name from the Gaelic for ‘dawn’, Moch is a wonderful newcomer from Caol Ila and is a must-try for fans of this outstanding distillery. Lighter in style than the standard 12 year old expression, Moch is a fantastic easy-drinking dram.
A much-loved single malt, Cardhu is an easy-going, charming Speysider. This is has been aged for longer than the regular 12 year old expression, and the extra three years combine the distillery's characteristic orchard fruit, barley sugar malt and cake spices with richer tropical fruit and vanilla notes.
Jura's 'profoundly peated' Prophecy bottlings are released in small batches and are drier, stronger and smokier than the standard Superstition peated IOJ.
New packaging for Tobermory 10 in 2011 and a modern look for this Mull distillery that also produces the peaty Ledaig.
Peat's Beast is a lightly coloured, extremely peaty whisky from an unnamed distillery. It's got the rampant smoke you'd expect from a beastly named whisky as well as a pleasant, citrussy fresh fruitiness. The packaging is pretty striking too, with a scary monster and a (deliberately) singed label. Bottled at 46% and un-chillfiltered, just how we like 'em.
A higher-strength Glenfiddich aged 15 years, this Distillery Edition has been bottled at 51%. Great to see what Glenfiddich's brilliantly well-made spirit is capable of at a higher strength.
A 15 year old whisky from Aberlour, the Select Cask Reserve was originally a release for the French market but we've managed to grab a few bottles.
Originally released for travel retail, Saligo Bay is named after an area close to Kilchoman distillery. This five-year-old whisky has been aged in ex-bourbon casks, and offers notes of butterscotch, toffee, citrus and smoke.
70cl / 46% - Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Distillery Bottling
The Christmas 2016 release of Douglas Laing's Big Peat blended malt. The composition includes whiskies from Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila and Port Ellen - big, peated and bottled at natural cask strength.
The ongoing cask-strength addition to Tomatin's core range. Aged in a combination of bourbon and oloroso-sherry casks, this allows the distillery's spirit to shine through, along with notes of golden syrup, ginger, malt and marzipan.
A gift pack edition of Kilchoman's first ongoing bottling - Machir Bay. This young and peaty dram is accompanied by a pair of branded Glencairn glasses to help you share and enjoy this whisky from Islay's smallest distillery.
Glenmorangie's Nectar d'Or is finished in Sauternes casks for 12 years. This is sweet and spicy with notes of ginger, nutmeg lemon meringue and honeycomb.
Released in 2014, AnCnoc Cutter is the peatiest whisky from the brand to date. Named after the hand tool used to cut peat from drier, shallower bogs, this is peated to 20.5ppm.
Initially released for travel retail, Heartwood is a combination of whiskies aged in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks. Rich, fruity and sweet.
With the smoothness of the 10 year-old allied to extra complexity from more ageing, this is a winner. 'A delicious and sophisticated dram with impressive depth and almost perfect weight.' Jim Murray, Whisky Magazine Dec 2000
Bunnahabhain Ceòbanach harks to the distillery's early days, when the spirit was heavily peated. Aged in ex-bourbon casks for more than 10 years, this is a rich and complex whisky with a maritime character, and will match well with chocolate, smoked fish or red meat.
This 2004 vintage Caol Ila has been selected by The Whisky Exchange from stocks owned by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail and bottled as part of the Reserve Series. Aged in a first-fill bourbon barrel, this is rich, fruity and smoky.
A 14-year-old limited-edition Balvenie which finished its maturation in casks which had previously held Caribbean rum. Expect vanilla and toffee notes as the rum contributes extra sweetness to the flavours.
Released in late 2010, this Arran 14 year old replaced the old 12 year old. Neither coloured nor chill-filtered, Arran 14 year old is bottled at a sensible drinking strength of 46%, for which the management deserve maximum kudos.
Released to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Lagavulin distillery by John Johnston in 1816, this eight-year-old is big and smoky, with sweet spice that becomes apparent with a drop of water. Inspired by the visit of Alfred Barnard to the distillery in the 1880s when he tried an 'exceptionally fine' eight-year-old from the distillery, this is a fitting tribute for the milestone.
Oban Little Bay is married in the smallest casks available at the distillery, 200-litre ex-bourbon barrels. This has resulted in a rich whisky with notes of stone fruit, spice and honey.
A sweet and rounded 15 year old dram from Glengoyne, made using air dried barley and about as unsmoky as a whisky can get. It's a rich mix of 1st fill sherry and bourbon matured whisky, rounded out with some refill casks.
Non Chill-Filtered is an interesting variant on Aberlour's usual 12 year old whisky, not only changing the proportions of different whiskies that are used to make the expression, but also leaving it un-chillfiltered. This means that it retains the full body and flavour of the whisky from the cask, although it may go cloudy if water is added or it gets cold.
A young peated Highlander from the excellent Ardmore distillery, this has been finished in quarter casks to speed up maturation. Gold Medal in its category at the World Whisky Awards.
The 100-proof edition of Benromach 10 Year Old, presented in the distillery's new packaging. The original has been a huge hit since its introduction at the end of 2009.
The Bowmore Darkest has flourished since it gained a 15 year-old age statement. The sweet sherry notes take precedence over the peat here.
Rich and sherried 15 year old malt from one of the best distilleries in Speyside. As always, Glenfarclas remains one of the best-value malts on the market – a must for lovers of sherried whisky.
Glenfiddich's Malt Master Brian Kinsman was the first to double-mature a Glenfiddich whisky in two different casks (although shorter finishing periods in more than one kind of casks has of course been done several times before). This whisky has been matured for some time in traditional oak casks before finishing its maturation in sherry casks.
The 2001 vintage is a 2012 addition to the The Glenrothes range. The brand is owned by historic wine & spirit merchants Berry Brothers & Rudd and releases its whiskies by vintage rather than by age, in keeping with the owner's wine-related history.
Benriach 16 year old is a terrific malt from a distillery that has really shot up after years of Seagram neglect. A delicious, complex all-rounder.
Formerly a travel retail exclusive, the popularity of the Triple Wood has led to it being launched into the general market. The whisky starts off maturing in regular bourbon casks, before being moved to Laphroaig's bespoke quarter casks for a time. The whisky is then finished in oloroso sherry casks to gently sand off any remaining sharp edges.
This edition of Peat's Beast Cask strength has been finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for extra richness. An extremely peaty whisky from an unnamed distillery, it's got the rampant smoke you'd expect from a beastly named whisky, as well as a pleasant sherried character.
A 2013 addition to The Balvenie's range, as a younger sibling to the 15 Year Old single cask. This is exclusively matured in first-fill bourbon casks and each bottle is part of a batch that is at most 300 bottles - all taken from the same cask.
Aberfeldy 16 Year Old was released in 2015 as part of The Last Great Malts series. Matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, this has lovely balance between sweetness and spiciness.
The second batch of Tamdhu's Batch Strength is a high-strength bottling aged exclusively in sherry casks. A large proportion of the oak – both European and American – is first-fill. Rich, spicy and fruity.
A 2015 addition to the Tamdhu family, Batch Strength is a high-strength bottling aged exclusively in sherry casks. A large proportion of the oak – both European and American – is first-fill. Rich, spicy and fruity.
A fine drop of Ardbeg bottled at cask strength. A marriage of Ardbeg from bourbon barrels and sherry butts which gives a sweet and smoky finish to this malt. Uigeadail is the loch from which all Ardbeg water flows. An absolutely stunning whisky, and following the demise of Airigh nam Beist, this probably represents the best value in the core range.
The Islay representative in the 'Classic Malts' series is a deep, dry and exceptionally peaty bruiser. Probably the most pungent of all Islay malts, Lagavulin is not for the faint-hearted but inspires fanatical devotion in its many followers.
Launched at The Whisky Show 2014, the first bottling of heavily peated Port Charlotte made with Islay barley has been released. It's crisp and clean, with a engaging mix of fruit and cereal and an elegant peatiness. Despite the abv, we prefer it without water.
A 1999 vintage Caol Ila bottled by The Whisky Trail in 2011. Briny smoke, like a bonfire on the beach, medium-bodied with a slightly spicy finish - a great session whisky.
The fourth release in Bowmore's Tempest series, taking a small batch of first-fill bourbon casks and marrying them before bottling at cask strength. A classic example of relatively young and fully flavoured Bowmore.
Bowmore Gold Reef was released for the travel retail market in 2014. A No Age Statement whisky that was matured predominantly in first fill ex-bourbon casks, this is a coastal whisky with tropical fruit flavours.
Balblair's second release of its 1999 vintage (the first was released for the travel retail market) replaces the 1997. It's a combination of American oak, ex-bourbon barrels and Spanish oak ex-sherry butts.
A favourite expression in the Dalmore stable, this 15-year-old is elegant and smooth, with lipsmacking texture and the flawless balance one would expect from blending maestro Richard Paterson.
A release of young Ledaig, the peated whisky from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. This was distilled in May 2008 and bottled in June 2016 at eight years of age.
A 1999 vintage Ledaig from independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail as part of the Connoisseurs Choice range, bottled in 2015. Ledaig is the name for peated whisky produced at Tobermory on the Isle of Mull.
This is the second batch of Auchentoshan's Virgin Oak. Aged in new North American oak casks, this triple-distilled Lowland whisky is rich, spicy and complex.
Highland Park Ambassador's Choice was chosen by Danish brand ambassador Martin Markvardsen. Originally released in Sweden, it has now been given a more general release. Aged for 10 years, in a combination of American oak bourbon barrels (70%) and oloroso sherry casks (30%), this is sweet with the smoke that the distillery is known for.
An elegant nose, faintly sweet, scented with apple and wood. Glenfiddich 18 year old is a robust and full-bodied single malt whisky, yet remains remarkably soft, rounded and long lasting.
A fruity and spicy release from Aberlour, this 16 year old has been matured in a combination of sherry butts and first-fill bourbon casks. Jim Murray scored it 94.5/100 in his 2015 Whisky Bible, describing it as 'a malt of unbridled magnificence'.
The third annual release of Loch Gorm, Kilchoman's sherry-cask-matured expression. Building on the previous releases, this edition has some spirit matured in sherry hogsheads, as well as the usual oloroso butts. Bottled at around five years of age, it's an intensely smoky and sherried whisky, but carefully balances the peat and fruit.
Selected by The Whisky Exchange, this 2004 Ledaig was aged in a refill-sherry hogshead for 11 years. This peated whisky from the Isle of Mull has notes of apple, banana, chocolate and bonfire smoke.
This 2003 vintage Distillers Edition from Glenkinchie has been finished in Amontillado sherry casks for an extra burst of rounded flavour. This was aged for more than a decade before being bottled in 2015.
Laphroaig Lore is a 2016 addition to the distillery's range. Made up of whiskies aged in a combination of quarter casks, sherry casks and reused peated casks. This is rich and classically peaty with a spicy chili bite and a long, sweet aftertaste.
As a replacement for the much-loved 1990 Airigh nam Beist, Ardbeg Corryvreckan had some pretty big shoes to fill, but the good news is that this is a belter, winning World's Best Single Malt Whisky at the World Whisky Awards 2010 and Best No Age Statement Scotch from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible.
The 18 year old offering from Loch Lomond. The site is multi functional and is home to a malt distillery, a grain distillery (which creates High Commissioner Whisky) and even a cooperage. This is sweet and smoky with hints of raisins and Christmas pudding.
2015's fifth edition of Kilchoman 100% Islay is a vatting of bourbon barrels from 2009 and 2010. Made using barley malted on site, this is lightly peated, yet full of Islay character.
70cl / 50% - Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Distillery Bottling
A 1996 vintage whisky from the Jura, a small batch bourbon cask whisky further finished in a mysterious 'Bourbon JN cask'. Distilled on 22nd May 1996.
70cl / 56.5%- Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Distillery Bottling
The third batch of Deanston 18 Year Old – finished in first-fill bourbon barrels. This is typical of the Highland distillery's signature profile, sweet with hints of spice.
Initially released for travel retail, this release from Bruichladdich is made entirely with organic Scottish-grown barley. Rich in texture with an underlying sweetness and notes of honey, almond and pear.
After maturation in 100% American oak casks, this Auchentoshan 18 years is a significant step up in quality and complexity from the Classic and 12 yrs expressions.
The Vault Editions from Bowmore is a four-part series of whiskies that highlight one characteristic of the distillery's style. The first release is named Atlantic Sea Salt and focuses on Bowmore's maritime style, while displaying its classic smoky and fruity nature.
A sherried release from Highland Park, Dark Origins is a combination of 80% first fill sherry casks (of which 60% is European oak and 20% American) and 20% refill sherry. A dark expression which fits in with the distillery's origins – founder Magnus Eunson being a smuggler who worked in the darkness of night.
AnCnoc 18 Year Old has been matured in a combination of oloroso sherry and bourbon casks, all of which were second-fill barrels. An aromatic and sweet Highlander.
A 1996 vintage whisky from edge-of-Speyside distillery Tomatin, bottled by Gordon & Macphail for their Connoisseurs Choice range in 2013.
Following 2015's limited-edition first release, Arran has now added its 18-year-old whisky to the core range. A rich and complex whisky, with notes of citrus, orchard fruit, milk brioche and dark chocolate.
Glen Scotia Victoriana is finished in charred-oak casks and bottled at 51.5%. This has notes of spice and vanilla with a smoky finish.
The 2001 vintage entry for Oban in Diageo's Distillers Edition range, finished in Montilla fortified wine casks for more depth and a kick of spice.
Luceo is part of Dalmore's Fortuna Merita collection originally released for travel retail. Matured in Apostoles-sherry casks, this displays the classic distillery notes of cherries and toffee, along with nuts and ginger.
A long-awaited whisky from Bruichladdich - a 10 year old comprising solely of unpeated spirit produced since Murray McDavid took over the distillery at the turn of the century. A landmark in their production and the beginning of a new age for the distillery. Notes of gingerbread, honey and sultanas.
A unique whisky from Glenmorangie – everything about The Taghta was designed by consumers: the finishing cask, the name and the label design. Taghta (pronounced tuh-tah) is Scots Gaelic for 'chosen' and the whisky was finished in ex-Manzanilla casks.
This combination of bourbon- and sherry-cask-aged Islay single malt whisky is big, bold and peaty. Honeyed and autumnal tones combine with Islay smoke and charcoal dust. Sherry casks bring in richer fruity notes but still allow the clean, crisp spirit to shine through.
The second Tastival bottling from Isle of Jura was released for the eponymous festival which coincides with neighbouring Islay's Feis Ile. Distilled in 1997, it has been matured in ex-sparkling-wine casks from the Loire Valley's Bouvet Ladubay. Rich and fruity with notes of cherries, marzipan and liquorice.
Extra ageing has calmed the impact of the phenols, with the peat arriving on the palate late, and tempered by smooth oak. A very mellow, mature Islay malt.
The second coming of the Dalmore Cigar Malt, relaunched in an eye-catching red box. Fans of the previous edition will definitely want to get their hands on this.
An Cuan Mor (Gaelic for 'big ocean') is a travel retail bottling of Laphroaig. Aged in first-fill American white oak bourbon barrels, it is finished in European oak. Rich and spicy with a maritime character.
The 2001 vintage of Caol Ila's entry in Diageo's Distillers Edition range, taking their regular smoky malt and finishing it in sweet Moscatel-wine casks for an extra depth of sweetness.
The sixth release of Br in the Elements of Islay series was distilled in 1992. This is light and fresh, showing the distillery's classic mix of coastal character and orchard fruits.
The 2016 re-release of the much-missed Highland Park 15 Year Old. Aged in sherry casks, this is rich and initially sweet before a dry smokiness comes to the fore.
A creamy and buttery Tamdhu from Hunter Laing as part of the First Editions series. Distilled in 1998 and aged for 18 years, this has notes of toffee, clotted cream and gentle herbs.
A 20 year old entry in Tullibardine range, replacing their previous vintaged bottlings with classic honeyed dram, rich with malt and peppery spice.
Jura's Tastival bottling for 2016 combines three whiskies aged in different types of sherry cask – Palomino Fino, Amoroso and Apostoles. The youngest whisky in the blend is 14 years old and the result is a whisky with notes of vanilla, apple, white flowers, maple syrup and roasted hazelnut.
A 1995 vintage Glen Grant bottled at 21 years of age by Signatory. Distilled on 31 May, matured in a pair of bourbon barrels and bottled at cask strength on 18 April 2017, part of a batch of only 384.
A replacement for Glengoyne's 17yo that appeared in their revamped range in late 2012. A mix of refill sherry casks and a generous slug of first-fill sherry-matured whisky.
A limited edition ceramic Bell's decanter produced to celebrate the birth of Prince William on 21st June 1982. This contains Bell's blended Scotch Whisky.
Tormore is one of the most beautiful Speyside distilleries, with hedges in the shape of stills outside. We have chosen this single refill bourbon barrel from 1996 – and what a whisky. Big, rich and spicy, this is packed with notes of chocolate, Christmas spices and fresh orange.
SPEY Byron's Choice has been released to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lord Byron's marriage to Anne Isabella Milbanke on 2 January 1815. Aged in port casks, this is sweet and fruity with a toffee aftertaste.
An exclusive 18-year-old cask of Balblair aged in a single refill bourbon barrel. This is a sweet and creamy whisky with notes of green apple, spiced oranges and roasted almond.
Another fantastic invention from the workbench of Balvenie Malt Master David Stewart – a 17-year-old version of the bestselling DoubleWood. Still initially matured in 'whisky oak' casks before being switched to sherry wood to finish, the extra years give it extra depth without being overpowering.
The second release of 1990 vintage Balblair. Long known to blenders as a category 'A' malt, Balblair is a terrific malt whisky worthy of the renewed attention its 2007 makeover and thrilling vintage releases have bestowed.
Just like the 15 year old, Glendronach Allardice 18 year old (named after the distillery's founder) has been 100% matured in oloroso sherry casks. We're delighted to welcome Glendronach back from the wilderness – Billy Walker and his team are doing outstanding work here.
A recent Connoisseurs Choice bottling of 1993 Tullibardine from Gordon & Macphail, bottled at a higher-than-usual strength for this series of 46% abv.
A 24-year-old-Signatory bottled whisky from Ben Nevis distillery in the Highlands of Scotland. This has been bottled without chill-filtration after maturing in a sherry butt - distilled on 29 October 1991 and bottled on 5 October 2016. Ben Nevis whiskies are known for their notes of vanilla and honey.
This is the 57th batch of Aberlour's popular A'bunadh series. Matured in oloroso-sherry casks, this is big, rich and full of fruit-and-nut flavours.
The middle entry in Bruichladdich's revitalised line-up, sitting between the 10 and 22 to provide a bourbon-cask-focused slice of unpeated Islay whisky.
Always a staple in Diageo's Special Releases, the unpeated bottling of Caol Ila has reached 17 years of age. Wispy smoke combines with gingerbread, sweet-cured meat and smoked fish, with a refreshing lemony note.
A 1991 vintage Glen Keith from Signatory as part of the Cask Strength Collection. Aged for 25 years in a pair of bourbon barrels, this is rich and sweet.
Made with some of the first peated spirit to be produced at Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull in 1996, this has been aged for just under two decades, including a finishing period in ex-oloroso sherry casks. A wonderful mix of spice, smoke and sweetness.
The latest expression of Dalmore is an 18 year old, and it's just as smooth, spicy and sweet as fans of this distillery would hope.
Aberlour is already one of our favourite distilleries thanks to the excellent a'bunadh. Introduced in 2008, this 18 year old is now one of the stars of the range: rich and fruity, with a great textured mouthfeel. A previous winner of a Gold Medal & Best in Class at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
A rare young Balblair bottled in the 1980s in a flat bottle with a label emphasising the distillery's (then) connections with Ballantine's blend.
The sixth release of Tempest – Bowmore’s cask-strength 10-year-old. Aged in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, the emphasis is on tropical-fruit character. A peaty, smoky and fruity dram with great balance.
One of the best ongoing bottlings from this great distillery. This is more lightly peated, allowing its fresh, coastal maritime character to shine through. This is a real gem.
This is the relaunched version of Bunnahabhain 18 year old, with owners Burn Stewart having ditched the caramel colouring and chill-filtration and upped the strength to 46.3%. A triumph for 'naturalist' whisky drinkers and a PR triumph for Burn Stewart – bravo!
2013's unpeated release of Caol Ila is named for distillery manager Billy Stitchell, who is retiring after almost 40 years at the distillery. This year it's been bottled without an age statement and despite being 'unpeated' there's a definite smoky tang to the whisky, although less so than in previous years.
A delicious no-age-statement dram from Glenmorangie, some of the spirit in Signet has been made using a unique heavily roasted chocolate malt that really beefs up the rich flavours. The packaging is impressive, too.
Part of Ledaig's limited releases is this 19-year-old Marsala finish. Produced at Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull, this peated whisky has notes of citrus, grape, toffee and dark chocolate.
An all-time classic, Glenfarclas 25 year old is the epitome of long-aged sherried Speyside, gorgeously smooth and silkily-textured, with rich, generous flavours of fruitcake, hazelnuts, dried fruit and a hint of dark chocolate and coffee. A thoroughly delightful dram.
An excellent value 21 year old Aberfeldy, showcasing the richer end of the Highland spectrum with plenty of sherry influence. Winner of a Gold Medal and Best in Class at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010.
Originally a travel retail exclusive, Glenfiddich have now released Age of Discovery on the general market. Their first 19 year old whisky, finished in Madeira casks in honour of the Portugese explorers of the 15th century.
A deliciously smooth, mellow long-aged Auchentoshan. This 21 year old Lowland single malt is a sophisticated and well-balanced dram to savour slowly after a good meal.
Johnnie Walker's most prestigious whisky. Probably THE most famous super-premium blend, made up of the finest old-aged malt and grain whiskies. The Cristal of the blended whisky world. Blue Label’s bold, multi-layered palate and silky delivery ensure that it sits unchallenged at the top of the Johnnie Walker pile.
An 8 year old distillery bottling from young Highland distillery Deanston. We think this was bottled in the 1980s, a decade for much of which the distillery was mothballed.
Glengoyne 21 year old is noticeably deeper than year oldunger expressions, with delicious rich, fruity and oaky notes – the darker colour and long finish are testament to the extra years in the sherry wood.
7.4 is the first virgin-oak-matured release from Octomore. Distilled in 2008 from barley peated to 167ppm, this was aged for seven years in new-oak casks. A sumptuous mix of sweetness, peat smoke and rich spice.
A 2011 release to fill a gap in the rapidly expanding Glendronach range and named for the Parliament of rooks that live in the trees near the distillery. A tasty combination of sherry matured whiskies, both Oloroso and PX, perfect for sherry-heads.
The third of the first three whiskies to appear in Bruichladdich's Cuvee range - Eroica, subtitled 'Oh mensch! Gieb acht! Was spricht die tiefe mitternacht?', the opening line from a song in Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra. It's an American oak matured whisky finished in Limousin oak that once held brandy.
An old presentation of Cardhu 12 year old which we estimate was bottled sometime in the 1980s.
An old bottling of Glen Elgin 12 year old. Most of the distillery's production is used for blending as it's rarely seen as a single malt. We estimate this bottle dates from the 1980s.
A special bottling to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Glenfiddich's opening, with spirit running from the stills on Christmas day 1887. This was originally a travel retail exclusive released in 2012.
This 19 year old cask-strength edition bursts with fabulously flinty, lemony, seashells-on-the-seashore flavours. This is a truly elemental whisky, perfect for sipping from hip flasks during cold winter walks.
70cl / 50.4% - Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A cask-strength 21 year old from Tomatin, a distillery which has really benefited from a bit of brand investment recently, with a packaging facelift and a flurry of highly-regarded new releases. Expect smooth, spicy wood influence and more than a hint of sherry in the mix.
A bottling of 26-year-old, 1990-vintage Glen Garioch by Signatory, specially selected by our team and released at The Whisky Show: Old & Rare in February 2017. Following the theme of the show, it's an old fashioned Glen Garioch, produced when they still had a bit of smokiness in their malt. That's become integrated and adds a rich and spicy backbone to this fruity dram.
The 2017 release for Ardbeg Day is Kelpie. A combination whiskies aged in virgin Black-Sea oak casks and bourbon barrels, this is rich and intense with notes of pepper, treacle toffee, Turkish coffee, dark chocolate and smoky bacon.
An old bottling of Bowmore 12 year old. This looks to have been bottled sometime in the 1990s and has a wonderful screen printed label.
A post 1974 bottling (as they didn't use their own name before then) of single malt whisky from Deanston. This one has the added interest of the back label calling the whisky Deanston Mill.
Bottled in 2015, this is the 1999 vintage of Lagavulin's Distillers Edition. By far the most popular of the series, this double-matured Lagavulin has had a finishing period in sweet, sticky Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. A whisky that never disappoints.
A 5 year old Tomatin, bottled in the 1980s, which was an interesting time for the distillery. Tomatin went into liquidation in 1985 and was the first Scotch distillery to be taken into Japanese ownership in 1986, a country where it remains one of the top ten selling Scotch brands.
A wonderful old 1970s official bottling of Tomatin 10 year old, with an understatedly picturesque black and gold label.
A simply-labelled bottle of 10 year old Tullibardine from the 1970s. With the distillery only having opened in 1949 this ranks as one of the earliest fully-matured OBs from the early days of production.
Released during Feis Ile 2015 to celebrate Ardbeg's 200th anniversary, this is a blend of old and young whisky, matured in both bourbon and sherry casks, delivering the classic Ardbeg note of cured meats, smoke and sea spray.
An 8 year old whisky bottled in 1995 to celebrate Morrison-Bowmore winning the first ever IWSC Best Distiller award. It's a vatting of whiskies from Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch.
An old bottle of Dewar's Ancestor which we estimate was bottled sometime in the 1970s.
An official bottling of 12 year old Highland Park in the distillery's dumpy bottle. In 1979, the owners invested in marketing the single malt, which led to a massive increase in sales at the time this bottle would have been released.
The 3rd batch of Laphroaig's riotously popular small batch editions of their famed 10year old cask strength Islay single malt. No doubt this will be as big a hit as the previous editions - this is an expression that never disappoints.
An old bottle of Auchentoshan Whisky. The label calls this "Unblended All Malt" which is essentialy another way of stating Single Malt, but is a term that which is no longer used. We would estimate that this was bottled sometime in the 1970s.
An old Bowmore gift set containing a bottle of their 10 year old and a Bowmore branded tumbler. We estimate this pack dates from the 1980s.
A special no-age-statement bottling of Glen Elgin for the Japanese market, proudly displaying its status as one of the key ingredients of the iconic White Horse blend.
The second 20 year old Glenkinchie bottled for Diageo's Special Releases is, like the first, a small batch from refill American oak casks. This is an equally enjoyable dram, in our opinion a bit better, although it definitely needs a drop of water to get going.
The fifth of Glenmorangie's yearly Private Edition special releases - Companta, Scots Gaelic for friendship. It's a marriage of whiskies finished in Clos de Tart Grand Cru wine casks and sweet fortified wine casks from Côtes du Rhône. Dr Bill Lumsden likes to experiment each year and we suspect this will be excellent.
The 1998 vintage of Lagavulin's Distillers Edition. By far the most popular of the series, this double-matured Lagavulin has had a finishing period in sweet, sticky Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. A whisky that never disappoints.
The 12th release of 12 year old Lagavulin from Diageo's Special Releases range. A perennial favourite, balancing price against a punchy cask strength edition of whisky from one of Islay's most mysterious distilleries.
Please welcome the 2011 entry into the ranks of superb Talisker 25 year olds. Where previous version of Tally 25 year old have been released at fullstrength, 2011's edition is the first to be bottled from refill casks at Talisker's traditional strength of 45.8% (80 proof) with a slightly larger outturn than usual to let more people join in on the fun.
The 13th release of Lagavulin 12 year old from Diageo's Special Releases range. A longstanding favourite, this was the biggest and most fully flavoured of the 2013 lineup, and could well be the best 12yo yet.
A rare old distillery bottling of Aultmore 12 year old, we believe this to be from the 1980s.
Aged in a single sherry cask and selected by The Whisky Exchange, this is a rich and warming example of Balblair. Distilled in 1999 and bottled in its mid-teens, this is juicy and mouthwatering with notes of fruit cake, apricots, stewed fruit and butter toffee.
A combination of classic and new Bruichladdich, at release the oldest in the distillery's revitalised range of unpeated Islay whiskies.
This 8 year old whisky was distilled at Glengoyne and bottled sometime in the 1980s.
A very special, rare, bottling of Glenmorangie 10 Year Old. This was released top commemorate the opening of the Dornoch Firth Bridge by The Queen Mother on Tuesday 27 August 1991.
Lagavulin 12 year old is always one of the most anticipated bottlings in Diageo's Special Releases. As before, this is a full strength bottling from American oak casks.
The 2009 release of cask-strength Lagavulin 12 year old is a simply superb bottling. One of the highlights of this year's Special Releases, this will delight fans of the distillery.
A litre bottle of the older presentation of the now-defunct Aberlour 100 proof malt whisky, bottled at a punchy 57.1%.
This 1992 vintage Benrinnes, bottled at 21 years of age as part of Diageo's Special Releases 2014 is a big sherry-monster. Aged in sherry wood, this is a real meaty whisky – one for those who like their whiskies big and bold.
Released to celebrate the distillery's centenary, this 17 year old Benromach spent its final two years in sherry casks dating from 1886, 1895 and 1901 before bottling in 1998 by Gordon & Macphail, who had recently taken over and re-invigorated the distillery after a fifteen year distilling hiatus.
An increasingly hard-to-find old presentation of the splendid Glenmorangie 18 year old.
Lagavulin's popular limited edition Distiller's Edition, distilled in 1995, finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, and bottled in 2013. An extra layer of sweetness soothes the rough edges of this much-loved dram.
As reliably excellent as ever, the 2011 Special Releases Lagavulin 12 year old was distilled in 1999 and vatted from refill American oak casks. As year oldu'd expect, this is a very upfront, sooty-sweet Lagavulin in the classic style.
Zesty oak and warm peat smoke top notes, with sweet undertones, reminiscent of fresh nutmeg and toasted almonds. Faintly salty. Laphroaig 15 year old is a smoother and more elegant elder sibling to the robust 10 year-old.
Bruichladdich Valinch 2013 Lions Tour is commemorative bottling to mark the British Lions tour of Australia in 2013. A great sporting achievement presented by an incredible distillery. Aged for 23 years and enhanced in Pomerol casks. Only 400 bottles ever released and sold exclusively on Islay, this is a true collectible.
A rare and unusual whisky, produced at Ben Nevis in the early 1970s. A blend of malt and grain spirit both produced at Ben Nevis, which was blended as new make and then left mature together in a cask for 43 long years. One for the adventurous.
Benrinnes is another Diageo distillery of which very little is seen. Most of the malt produced at Benrinnes is used as blend fodder, so it's great to see a debut single cask bottling to sit alongside the Flora & Fauna version and 2009's acclaimed Special Release 23yo.
One of the most anticipated releases of 2014 – the second edition of Bowmore Devil's Casks. A fully sherry matured whisky from the capital of Islay, this is slightly sweeter than the first batch, but just as delicious.
This limited-edition ceramic decanter of 10-year-old Bowmore was released for the Garden Festival in Gateshead which took place between 18 May and 21 October 1990.
Long-aged Caol Ila can be excellent, and this is one of the best we've tried. With age, the smokiness of the whisky softens, revealing layers of fruit, gentle spice and elegance. A cracking dram, selected by and exclusively bottled for The Whisky Exchange. This was awarded 88 points by Serge Valentin of whiskyfun.com
An old bottling of Dufftown-Glenlivet, bottled at 12 years of age in the 1980s. This would have been distilled in the 1970s, a decade which saw the distillery double in size from four stills to eight.
An early example of double-matured whisky, this was predominantly aged initially in bourbon casks before being finished in sherry casks. We don’t know the exact length of the finishing period, but the whisky is approximately 12 years old.
An early example of double-matured whisky, this was predominantly aged initially in bourbon casks before being finished in sherry casks. We don’t know the exact length of the finishing period, but the whisky is approximately 12 years old.
Caol Ila Fèis Ìle 2013 is a limited edition Fèis Ìle festival bottling. It is a triple matured release and was personally selected by distillery manager Billy Stitchell, giving it the description - "Spirit distilled in 1998 has been triple-cask matured. For 12 years it rested in a combination of Refill Butts, Hogsheads and Barrels. The vatted whisky was then allowed to mature for several months in active hogshead casks to impart a spicy/oaky note to the existing delicate Caol Ila smoke. Finally, it was treated to a final gentle maturation in European oak.
One of Bruichladdich's single cask Valinch whiskies. This particular edition was released for the Islay Festival in 2006 and was matured in a Guigal Hermitage Syrah wine cask.
Only 430 ever produced and we have bottle number 15.
An old rectangular bottle of Auchentoshan 18 year old, bottled at 43% for the Italian market.
Bruichladdich Laddie Crew 25 Year Old is a single cask celebrating David Hope.
Limited to 375 bottles, finished in Pessac Leognan, and only ever sold exclusively on Islay at Bruichladdich Distillery.
Cask no. - 062
**One bottle available - Number 60**
A single European oak cask of Glenkinchie 1992, bottled in 2009 as part of Diageo's Managers' Choice range. Along with the Dalwhinnie, this is one of the oldest bottles in the series.
Glengoyne 25 year old is a 2014 addition to the core range. Made in the distillery's traditional way, with the slowest distillation in Scotland and no peat used in the process. This expression was matured entirely in sherry casks and has resulted in a rich and spicy whisky.
The higher strength release of Ardbeg Perpetuum, sold at the distillery only. Released in 2015 to celebrate Ardbeg's 200th anniversary, this is a blend of old and young whisky, matured in both bourbon and sherry casks, delivering the classic Ardbeg note of cured meats, smoke and sea spray.
A 1970s litre bottle of Balvenie 8 year old, with a rather grand leather label on its very Glenfiddich-esque bottle.
The second of Bruichladdich's Black Art series is just as mysterious as the first and is expected to sell out just as quickly.
The 4th edition in Bruichladdich's DNA series, digging into the heart and soul of the distillery's character. This time it's from 1985 and has been aged for 27 years before cask selection and bottling.
The third edition in Bruichladdich's DNA series, examining the component parts that make the distillery's whiskies tick. This one marries together some of their best casks of the 1980s - their final batch of sherry butts. Bottled at cask strength and limited to only 1665 bottles, this is one for all fans and collectors of Bruichladdich.
An old bottling of 8 year old Glendronach. This was produced at a time when the distillery was producing fantastic whiskies, if not quite the sherry monsters we see today.
A superpremium Glen Elgin 1998 bottled at full cask strength, this is part of Diageo's Managers' Choice series of single casks bottled in 2009.
Bottled in 2012, this 1996 edition of Lagavulin's Distillers Edition (probably the most sought after in the range) combines the regular rich, peat smoke that the distillery is known for with a finishing period in sweet Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for even more depth of flavour.
A rare independent release of Lagavulin, bottled in 2004 for The Syndicate, which seems from the back label to be a group of five guys, in Bruichladdich's bottling hall.
The 2016 bottling of Laphroaig's much-acclaimed cask-strength 25 year old. Matured in a combination of Oloroso sherry casks and bourbon barrels, both of which were first-filled.
An old 1980s distillery bottling of extinct Highlander Lochside. We're 99% certain that this is a bottle of the 10year old, the age label of which has fallen off.
An old bottling from Longmorn distillery. This whisky has been matured for 12 years and appears to have been bottled sometime towards to end of the 1970s.
Another interesting bottling from the "ODD" series of bottlings by Springbank distillery. Each release is without age-statement or vintage and bottled at 46%. This whisky has been matured in a Fresh Rum Cask.
This 25-year-old Aultmore is part of Dewar's The Last Great Malts range launched in 2014. Rich with both sweet and earthy notes, this is one to sip and savour.
An old bottling of 26 year old Bruichladdich released by then owners Whyte & Mackay as part of their Stillman's Dram series of bottlings.
An old bottling of 26 year old Bruichladdich released by then owners Whyte & Mackay as part of their Stillman's Dram series of bottlings.
A bottling of whisky from Deanston under the name Deanston Mill. We know this dates from the latter half of the 1970s as the whisky wasn't bottled under the distillery's name before 1974.
A special bottling of Speyside Single Malt Whisky. This bottle was produced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Forties Oil Field start up in September 1975. This whisky has been matured for 20 years and was released in 1995 to coincide with the anniversary.
30 years of maturation has enabled all the flavours to integrate seamlessly in this irresistible peaty whisky, revealing intense yet soft smoky notes with liquorice and banana bread.
An old rectangular bottling of triple distilled Auchentoshan 18 year old, bottled at 43% for the French market. We estimate this bottle dates from the 1980s.
Excellence is a 26 year old expression from Glenfiddich, aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks sourced from the Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky, which, like Glenfiddich, is independently owned by a Scottish family. Their first ongoing bourbon cask release, this is a fruit bomb of a whisky, with well-controlled spice from the long, American oak maturation.
A special edition of Glenfiddich released in 1987 to celebrate the distillery's centenary - the first run of spirit was on Christmas day 1887.
A special bottling of Tomatin 12 year old specially labelled to commemorate the retirement of John McDonald, managing director of the distillery.
A limited release from Benromach distillery, this 35-year-old whisky was distilled in the early 1980s and aged in first-fill sherry casks. Released in two tranches during 2016, this has notes of honey, chocolate, menthol and clove.
A 2014 addition to The Balvenie range – Single Barrel, Traditional Oak. Each bottle is part of a batch of only a few hundred, each filled from a single cask. Every batch will vary a little, but all will show off the great combination of subtle spice and honeyed sweetness.
This is the 2010 version of Ardbeg Supernova, and no doubt will be hoping to follow on from the success of last year's edition, which scooped Scotch Whisky of the Year from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2010.
A 1970s bottle of Balvenie 8 year old, with a rather grand black leather label on its very Glenfiddich-esque bottle.
An old bottling of 21 year old Bruichladdich. From the style of packaging we estimate this dates from the late 1980s or early 1990s.
A rare old late 1980s Connoisseurs Choice bottling of 1973 Ledaig, from when Tobermory's peaty spirit was highly sought-after.
An old bottle of Sandy Macdonald blended Scotch whisky. We estimate that this was bottled sometime in the 1950s. Please be advised that the fill level on this item is low (as pictured).
An old bottling of 1976 vintage Tomatin from independent bottler Cadenhead's Distilled in October, it was aged for 13 years before being bottled in September 1990 at 60.5%.
A fantastic vintage from Benromach and owners Gordon & Macphail. It's well known that G&M have some of the best casks in the industry and this is further evidence - a fruity and fresh tasting whisky with enough elegant oak influence to let you know that you're drinking something special.
A very rare No-Age-Statment Balblair bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in the 1970s. The neck label states "VH Small Still".
A much anticipated release from Bowmore, The Devil's Casks is a small batch 2013 release of 10 year old whisky aged entirely in first fill sherry casks. The delicious combination of peated whisky and sherry wood maturation strikes again.
A special bottling of Bruichladdich to celebrate the distillery's centenary in 1981. Bottled at 15 years old, this is presented in a beautifully shaped decanter and accompanying damaged box.
The whisky from the 2014 Special Releases that will divide opinion, this is the first premium no-age-statement to appear in the range. A combination of five wood types and five vintages, this is incredibly complex and typically waxy.
This 1995 vintage Lagavulin is finished in casks previously containing Pedro Ximenez sherry, and is the most popular of the 'Distillers Edition' expressions of the Classic Malts. A delicious layer of sherry sweetness smooths out the rough edges of the standard bottling.
The 2013 bottling of Laphroaig's highly lauded 25 year old. Matured in a combination of Oloroso sherry casks and bourbon barrels, both of which were first-filled. After a quarter of a century of ageing, it as bottled at cask strength.
The second in Glenmorangie's series of Private Editions (the first being the hugely popular Sonnalta), Finealta is lightly peated barley that has been matured partly in ex-sherry casks and partly in plain new American oak casks. The name means 'Elegance' in Gaelic.
A 2014 release, Old Pulteney's 35 Year Old is a combination of ex-bourbon American oak and ex-sherry Spanish oak casks, resulting in a rich and indulgent whisky. The box has been created to reflect the distillery's maritime heritage and contains a porthole through which the bottle is visible.
A 21 year old whisky bottled by Glenmorangie in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the distillery, presented in a white ceramic bottle.
This whisky was filled on the 17th May 1993 for Rebecca Stephens, the first British woman to conquer Mt. Everest. 10 years later, it was bottled to celebrate both the 10th anniversary of this acheivement and the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest.
Duncan Taylor's 'Rarest of the Rare' series showcases a range of single cask, cask-strength malts from distilleries that no longer exist.
The travel exclusive Laphroaig 20 year old Double Cask, matured for 18 years in bourbon hogsheads and finished for 2 years in Laphroaig's bespoke quarter casks.
A stunning 1983 vintage Caol Ila released at 30 years of age as part of Diageo's 2014 Special Releases. Aged in a combination of refill American and refill European oak, this is reminiscent of a cross between Brora and Port Ellen, combining the waxiness of the former with the chamois leather note of the latter.
A mid-1970s distillery bottling of 12 year old Glendronach distilled in 1963. Bottled at 43% for the Italian market.
This whisky has been matured for at least 12 years in American Oak Casks then finished in port pipes for a few years longer. This is the first release of the Port Wood which was at the higher strength of 46.5%, much bigger, bolder and a damn good whisky.
A very rare 1980s release of 15 year old Aberfeldy, bottled by the distillery.
An old Rare Malts bottling of Aultmore whisky, distilled in 1974. This whisky has been aged for 21 years and bottled at cask strength.
A very special Bruichladdich Valinch 1970, bottled at full strength from a bourbon cask to celebrate the first distillation of the re-opening of the distillery in May 2001.
This Bruichladdich Valinch is a single cask release of 1970 vintage whisky. Bottled to celebrate the first distillation of the re-opened Bruichladdich Distillery in May 2001. Bottled at cask strength and limited to just 250 bottles.
A 1970 vintage Bruichladdich as part of the Valinch label. This is the name given to the 'fill your own bottles' obtained on the distillery tour and rarely come on to the market. This one comes from cask 5085 and was bottled not long after the turn of the millennium.
A very limited edition Glenmorangie, matured for 14 years in a cask that previous held Cognac.
A characterful old bottle of Tomatin 10 year old bottled in the 1960s.
A very rare 1980s release of 15 year old Aberfeldy, bottled by the distillery.
A 1965 vintage whisky from Edderton's Balblair, bottled by Cadenhead's at 12 years on old in September 1977.
A 16-year-old Aultmore bottled to commemorate the distillery's centenary. Aged, judging by the colour, in a sherry cask, and bottled at 63% abv.
A remarkably well-priced 40 year old from Glenfarclas range; simply-packaged just like the distillery's standard bottlings, and bottled at a perfect drinking strength of 46%. A 40 year old sherried Speyside designed for drinking rather than sitting on a mantlepiece or in a display cabinet - bravo. Awarded a very well-merited Gold Medal at the Malt Maniacs Awards 2010.
A litre bottle of Ardbeg 17 Year Old. A tad less peaty than early bottlings, this is still a great whisky, but is sadly becoming very thin on the ground as demand increases and supply runs low - it's now a good few years since owners Glenmorangie discontinued it. The first bottling of this sparked the revival of Ardbeg's fortunes after the takeover by Glenmorangie.
This 1974-vintage Ardbeg was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 1994 as part of the Spirit of Scotland series to commemorate 500 years of Scotch whisky.
A 16 year old Aultmore bottled to celebrate the distillery's 100th anniversary. It's a rare limited edition release and comes in at an eye-watering 63% abv. From the colour, it's probably safe to assume this was from a sherry cask.
A bottling of Balblair with no age statement that we believe was released in the 1960s, the days when the distillery was still owned by Robert "Bertie" Cumming.
A bottling of Balblair with no age statement that we believe was released in the 1960s, the days when the distillery was still owned by Robert "Bertie" Cumming.
A special bottling of whisky from Dallas Dhu, celebrating their 100th birthday in 1999. The distillery had been closed for 16 years by then, but it has since been reopened by Historic Scotland as a museum.
This 20-year-old whisky was finished in casks which formerly held Sauternes. Released for La Maison du Whisky's 60th anniversary, this is rich and rounded with notes of red fruits, chocolate, vanilla and liquorice.
A 1991 vintage Glenmorangie produced as part of one of their successful experiments with interesting wood. This was matured in new oak from Missouri in the USA and has a bourbony tang in addition to the regular Glenmorangie character.
This is a rarely-seen bottling of Glenmorangie. Distilled in 1988 it was aged full term in a Madeira cask for 15 years, producing 856 bottles in 2003.
A late 1990s bottling of a single cask Glenury Royal 1973, bottled at full strength for Signatory's Silent Stills series.
A rare official bottling of Rosebank, this high-strength 15 year old dates from the 1980s (when the distillery was still open). A classic of this 'pure' style.
The Mitchell family has called Campbeltown home since the 1660s, and this 1978 Springbank is filled with the uisge beatha that’s kept the firm in business since 1828.
This 19-year-old Springbank was distilled in June 1972 and bottled in January 1992. A sought-after bottling with the popular white label.
The 2013 release of Hankey Bannister 40 year old, the 2007 bottling of which won Best Blended Whisky in the World at the World Whisky Awards. The blend includes some 1967 and 1970 sherried Highland whiskies combined with Lowland grain.
Seductively woody, with substantial oakiness and lush notes of sherry, Glenfiddich 30 year old is an evening whisky, with sweet floral top notes and a long honeyed finish. This is the last edition of Glenfiddich 30 year old before its 2010 relaunch, and it celebrates the 40th anniversary of the opening of the distillery's visitor centre in 1969.
A vintage distillery bottling of Glenmorangie. This was distilled in 1974, aged for 20 years and was a travel retail exclusive at the time of its release.
A big cask strength Caol Ila released as part of Diageo's Rare Malts series. Distilled in 1978 and released at the turn of the millenium at a eye-watering 61.7% ABV.
An extremely rare old bottling of Dalmore at 20 years old. This was bottled in the 1930s, when the distillery had just been purchased by Whyte & Mackay. Sadly with low level but no sign of leaking.
A 1965 vintage Ardmore from independent bottler Cadenheads. Famed for being a peated Highland malt, this was distilled in October and was matured for 22 years before being bottled in November 1987.
A special set from Balblair from a few years back - a combination of a bottle of their long discontinued 33 year old whisky with a branded, and lined, nosing glass and a mini bottle of the whisky to try before you open the full sized version.
A very desirable bottle of Balvenie Classic, rare because it has a 12 year-old age statement, whereas most bottles we've seen are either 18 year-old or no-age-statement.
An old bottling of 26 year old Ben Nevis, bottled by the distillery in 2004. With only 213 bottles released this looks to be a cask strength and single cask.
A marriage of two casks of whisky distilled at Benromach back in 1969. Matured for 42 years in refill sherry casks it's bottled at 42.6% and is packed full of great sherry flavour.
A rare commemorative bottling of Bowmore released to commemorate the 2003 fly fishing championships on Islay. Only a small number of bottles, with their wooden display case, were produced and this is sought after by collectors.
High hopes for this sherry cask Brora from Signatory, who have bottled some magnificent stuff for their Cask Strength series in the last few years.
Very few expressions of Glen Elgin have been bottled, so this is a rare treat. Released in 2003, this is a delicious honeyed, fruity dram from an often overlooked distillery that has long been rated 'First Class' by blenders lists.
A rare and very sold out expression of Glenmorangie, augmenting the normal maturation with some time finishing in claret casks. A limited release showing off Glenmorangie's ways with wood.
A special bottling of Glenmorangie consisting of whisky hand selected by the distillery manager and bottled in 1998. 1981 has been a much loved vintage of the distillery's staff and this looks to have been one of the first bottlings to start off that affection.
A special bottling of Glenmorangie consisting of whisky hand selected by the distillery manager and bottled in 1998. 1981 has been a much loved vintage of the distillery's staff and this looks to have been one of the first bottlings to start off that affection.
First bottling, with only 65 bottles made for directors, staff and shareholders.
A very desirable bottle of Balvenie Classic, rare because it has a 12 year-old age statement, whereas most bottles we've seen are either 18 year-old or no-age-statement.
A late-1980s distillery bottling of 25 year old whisky from Aberlour. Distilled in 1964, and bottled at 43%.
Released in 2005, this was a limited bottling of 32-year-old Auchentoshan. Distilled in 1973 and aged in ex-sherry wood, just 480 bottles were produced.
Distilled in 1975, this single cask of Benromach was aged in a refill-bourbon hogshead for more than four decades. Gently sweet with notes of pepper, cocoa, tobacco and smoke.
An unboxed version of an official release of single cask Bowmore, distilled in August 1980 and bottled in July 2004 at cask strength. This is presented with a replica-copper still decanter, embossed with a name plate featuring the bottle number.
A new 2013 release which marks a change for Glenglassaugh. The previous releases of their 40 year old have been single casks, but, from now on, they will be releasing a vatting of casks as an ongoing release. Presented in the same 'teardrop' shaped decanter as the 30yo, this has seen a lot of sherry-wood influence, so can be expected to be rich and flavoursome.
A very rare example of Islay whisky at this age. Distilled in 1968, this is a combination of five sherry butts, which were married together for the final year. An exceptionally complex whisky that any Islay fan will savour.
This cask strength, single cask bottling of Auchentoashan was distilled in 1965 and matured for 31 years. Bottling during the late 90s for their distillery archive series.
A 31 year old single cask whisky from Auchentoshan, bottled at the full proof 44.2%. It was distilled in 1965 and then released in the mid-1990s, shortly after Suntory acquired parent company Morrison Bowmore.
A 1966 vintage whisky from Balblair distillery. This has been aged for 38 years and was matured in Spanish Oak Casks.
An official release of single cask Bowmore, distilled in August 1980 and bottled in July 2004 at cask strength. What's more, it comes with a rather nifty replica copper still decanter, embossed with a name plate featuring the bottle number.
Released in 2017, Deanston 40 Year Old has been finished in oloroso-sherry butts, and is limited to 480 bottles. Rich and sweet with notes of heather honey, apple, vanilla and citrus.
A very special bottling of Glenmorangie 1971, this was selected to mark the 150th anniversary of the distillery's official opening in 1843.
A seldom seen large bottle (2 litres!) of 5 year old whisky from Springbank. A beautiful presentation, considering it's quite ungainly size, and a treat for the Springbank lover.
A beautiful (and very rare) Talisker 12 year old, bottled at 43% at some point in the 1980s before they switched to their now-habitual 45.8%.
A very rare 1970s decanter of Springbank 25 year old.
A 'Very Old' bottling of 30 year old Ardbeg with the old-style black label. Supplied without its wooden box.
At 25 years old this whisky embodies the richness, depth and sweetness of all Ardbegs. Light gold in colour and powerful in character. A phenomenal, much-sought-after bottling of a really outstanding malt.
An old bottle of 1966 vintage Auchentoshan. This was bottled sometime in the 1980s and limited to only 120 bottles. The label features a picture of the distillery.
Part of Bowmore's tradition of commemorating Scottish sporting events with limited-edition special bottlings, this one is in honour of the 2001 international horse trials at Blair Castle.
A 20 year old Caol Ila bottled by the distillery to celebrate their 150th birthday in 1996.
A very rare special one-off whisky from the early 1980s, bottled for the Prime Minister of the time - Margaret Thatcher.
A special edition Glenmorangie bottled for the 250th Anniversary of the battle of Culloden, the final major battle of the Jacobite Rebellion. A 1970 vintage whisky presented in a 'wonky' bottle.
Lagavulin is probably Diageo's most highly-rated distillery, with its muscular peaty presence and flashes of honey sending most of the cognoscenti into a swoon. This 15yo from 1993 is probably the most eagerly-awaited of the Managers' Choice series, particularly as it's one of only a handful of sherried single cask Lagavulins ever released.
A bottle of Glens Extra 8 Year old West Highland Malt Scotch whisky. Distilled, matured and bottled at Springbank, this was originally intended for the Italian market and, we estimate, dates from the 1960s.
Bottled over a decade ago, this is a very special Signatory edition of Ben Wyvis, the single malt made at Whyte & Mackay's Invergordon distillery for a brief period between 1965 and 1976. Almost all Ben Wyvis went straight for blending so this is rare indeed. Just 84 sets were released, each with a miniature of the spirit included in the box.
An independent bottling of 1966 Caol Ila from Gordon & Macphail released as part of the Centenary celebrations. Distilled in 1966 and matured for 29 years in a sherry cask.
Distilled in 1971 and matured in a small batch of exquisite Oloroso sherry casks, this 33 year-old dram appeared in 2004 and at the time was the oldest and quite possibly the best Glendronach ever released. Boasting 95/100 from Jim Murray's Whisky Bible and a Gold Medal at the San Francisco Spirits Competition, this is not a dram to miss.
A very special Bowmore from a hogshead filled on August 9th 1980, the day that Queen Elizabeth II visited the distillery. Cask #5774 was acquired by Jim Howat, then Chairman of Morrison Bowmore and was left in his will to the JTH Charitable Trust he created with his wife Christine. Designed and bottled in 2011 by Morrison Bowmore as a special limited edition for the charitable trust yielding 156 bottles at a natural strength of 46.7%.
A legendary bottling of 16 year old sherried Oban, bottled at its remarkable cask strength of 64% under the Managers Dram label for UDV staff only to celebrate the distillery's bicentenary in 1994.
A rare special bottling of 1965 vintage Springbank. Distilled in the year Everest, a British double-glazing and home improvement company, was founded, this was bottled in 1993 in commemoration of The Everest Challenge cycle ride.
Another supremely contemplative malt that demands time and concentration – the first Glenmorangie to carry a vintage statement and the first to talk about a 'finish'. This bottling is from bourbon casks that were re-racked into Oloroso sherry casks for the final stages of maturation. One of the most difficult-to-find Glenmorangie.
A rare old bottling of 1963 Glenmorangie, and one of the very first releases of Glenmorangie that mentions sherry finish on the label. This complex whisky has notes of tropical fruits, oak and sweet spices with a long, fresh and spicy finish.
One of the most difficult-to-find Glenmorangies, the first to have an age-statement and also the first to mention a sherry cask finish on the label. A rare and sought after bottling.
An incredibly rare bottle of 1973 Bowmore, produced in 2001. This was never commercially sold, but was given to attendees of a dinner held at Blair Castle to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of Stanley P Morrison Limited, Bowmore's then owners. An exceptional collector's item.
From the now-defunct vintage series from Bowmore comes this sherry-cask-aged 1973 vintage, which we estimate was bottled in the 1980s.
A special bottling of Glenmorangie released to commemorate Concorde's first ever commercial flight on 21st January 1976, the day this whisky was distilled. Presented in a wooden box, this is a rare bottle.
A rare bottling of Glenmorangie using whisky distilled on 21st January 1976, the day of Concorde's first ever commercial flight. Presented in an elegant wooden box, this is a hard to find whisky.
An incredibly rare bottle of 19 year old Longrow whisky. There were only 218 of these bottled, which makes this quite the collectible.
Steven Klein's work is celebrated in the sixth edition of Macallan's Masters of Photography series. The whisky is a specially created blend of sweet, spicy and smoky flavours. The set includes a part of Klein's tableau in a leather box, with a horse's head stopper, glass, tumbler, dropper and other alchemic glassware.
A 1974 vintage Longrow, just the second year the distillery made its peated malt. Aged in sherry casks for 16 years, this has picked up quite a colour.
Released at the end of 2013, this stunningly presented decanter, one of only 500 released worldwide, contains 35 year old Glengoyne. Distilled in the 1970s, this is rich and complex and comes with an individually numbered leather book detailing the distillery's history.
Bottled for the Feis Ile in 2006, this rare Ardbeg 1975 was matured in a single Fino sherry cask.
A rare 1973 single cask bottling from Balvenie, one of only 213 bottles released from the cask. Distilled on 20 June 1973 and bottled on 19 May 2004.
An independent bottling of Bowmore from Duncan Taylor as part of their Peerless collection. This was distilled in February 1968 and aged for 34 years. Only 230 bottles were drawn from cask #1421.
A 1969 Bowmore by Douglas Laing, as part of their Old Malt Cask series. This has been aged for 31 years, and bottled March 2001.
A special edition of Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve. This 1963 vintage whisky was released exclusively for Scotland and limited to just 219 bottles.
Distilled in 1969 and aged in refill butts for 34 years before bottling in 2003, of which 494 bottles were yielded.
Another legendary bottling in the always-impressive Prestonfield, this 20 year old Springbank 1967 received 93-94 points from Malt Maniac Serge Valentin on Whiskyfun and despite being from a multi-cask batch is now extremely difficult to find, having been bottled in the late 1980s.
The oldest-ever release from the distillery, this 37 year old was part of Diageo's 2013 Special Releases. A mix of European and American oak, it has depth and incredible intensity for such an old Islay whisky.
