Smokehead Sherry Bomb Islay Single Malt
$114.99
Bottled at 48% after finishing (presumably) in "Spanish Sherry casks," the whisky is rumoured to hail from the Ardbeg Distillery; but we can't really be sure!
Smokehead High Voltage
$84.99
We can't be 100% sure that this is a cask strength NAS Ardbeg, but it sure as hell tastes like one. We weren't looking for a new exclusive Islay mystery malt, but when we tasted it, we had to have it. 58%
Laphroaig 33 Year Ian Hunter
$2,499.99
This is the third release in Laphroaig's Ian Hunter Series, a work-in-progress 15 bottle collection meant to tell the tale of Laphroaig's history under the careful stewardship of Hunter Ian, the last of the Johnston line to run the distillery. Each bottle in the series is framed inside a book. This third edition is titled Book 3: Source Protector, presumedly having to do with that infamous period in Laphroaig's history when they were bogged down (pun fully intended) in the 'water wars' with neighboring Lagavulin.
33-year-old Laphroaig, distilled in 1987, and matured entirely in ex-Bourbon. Trust us, there is simply no better better way to showcase the majesty of Laphroaig than ex-Bourbon maturation and a high age statement. Apex Islay single malt.
Non chill-filtered, and bottled at 49.9%.
Innis & Gunn Islay Whisky Cask 2 Pack
$15.99
Cut Point Caol Ila 2011 Single Cask
$139.99
Excellent young Caol Ila from local darlings Cut/Point. This is brash and loud-mouthed young Caol Ila, make no mistake, but there's also a sort of hidden complexity here; not in the sense that it's tough to unravel, but more like there's a rather difficult balance being struck here. There's a lot of youth on display - which is great when drinking peated whisky, as youth generally equals big smokiness - but it drinks far from underripe. A style that perfectly suggests the aromas you'll encounter at the distillery.
279 bottles from ex-Bourbon Hogshead #307974. 56.6%
Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2012
$124.99
Distilled in 2012, from a 2011 harvest of 100% Bere barley grown by the Agronomy Institute of Orkney College. The whisky was matured in 10 years in First Fill ex-Bourbon casks before bottling at 50%.
Producer Description
"Bere is Britain’s oldest strain of cultivated cereal and would have been used by Scotland’s early distillers through distant centuries. However, in the 20th century an emphasis on efficiency and commercial return encouraged the pursuit of yield over flavour – favouring varieties that would produce the easiest crop and greatest extract.
"As champions of flavour, we’ve been working with the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Agronomy Institute since 2005 to reintroduce Bere barley to the distilling of single malt whisky.
"However, its importance stretches beyond whisky making. It is believed that this varietal has huge potential for the future of food production.
"Sown in April for a September harvest, the 2011 growing season was mostly warm and dry, until the crucial cutting time when there were very few days free from rain. Maturing for over ten patient years in first fill ex-bourbon casks, the understated maturation of this 2012 vintage delicately balances an unctuous texture and malty, sweet fruit flavour."
Bruichladdich Black Art 10.1
$779.99
Distilled in 1992 matured 29 years in a secret assortment of casks, known only to Adam Hannet, before bottling at 45.1%. 91.56pts Whiskybase
Producer Description
"Whisky making is an ancient art, one that has intrigued and captivated for centuries. Black Art 10 is testament to this elusive mastery.
"Pulling exclusively from Bruichladdich Distillery pre renaissance casks which have been patiently maturing on our island home for almost three decades, this finite single malt is secretly created by our Head Distiller, Adam Hannett. What happens inside each cask, under the darkness of the warehouse, remains a mystery.
"Putting our trust in Adam, he is given complete creative freedom to create this incredible whisky. With no rules and no restrictions, Black Art Edition 10.1 is unique and unrepeatable. A chance to experiment and push the boundaries of possibility, only Adam knows what has gone into crafting the precious 29 year old single malt.
"Unpeated and matured in the finest quality oak, this tenth edition of Black Art is a captivating marriage of faith and ingenuity."
Elements of Islay Cask Edit
$76.99
Producer Note: "Elements of Islay Cask Edit is part of the new core range trilogy alongside Sherry Cask and Bourbon Cask. Cask Edit is a composition - or edit - of refill, bourbon and sherry casks and is bottled at 46% for the perfect balance of drinkability and personality. Rich, smoky single malt from Islay’s south coast marries together with a fresher, fruitier style from the north. Sip and savour, or experiment in cocktails."
Natural colour, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 46% abv.
Elements of Islay Sherry Cask
$106.99
Producer Note: "Elements of Islay Sherry Cask is part of the new core range trilogy alongside Cask Edit and Bourbon Cask. It is matured in first fill and refill Sherry butts and hogsheads and is bottled at a higher strength of 54.5% to fully showcase the whisky’s natural personality. Islay single malt from a south coast distillery brings flavours of dried fruits and dark chocolate, while a distillery on the north coast contributes notes of lemon oil and Arbroath smokie."
Natural colour, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 54.5% abv.