Scotch Malt Whisky Society 26.92

$197.09

HARD-GLAZED PRETZEL STICKS

After 28 years in a refill sherry butt, this Highlander comes in at 58.2%

Flavour profile:  Spicy & sweet

Outturn:  491 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "At first nosing very ashy, like a distant erupted volcano, soon followed by various lemon aromas; lemon oil, lemon zest and lemon drizzle cake as well as a yeastiness of rye sour dough. The taste neat initially fiery like hot volcano ash but swiftly replaced by sweet wood smoke. There is also an interesting battle going on between the saltiness of pork scratchings and the sweetness of a crystallized orange. With water the nose turns fresher like a sea breeze and fruitier with apricots, pears and apples. This engaging sample from the distillery situated in Brora, tastes sweet like a bacon breakfast cake with maple syrup but at the same time salty like a Salzstange."

Drinking tip:  "Whilst watching your favourite sport on TV"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 1.185

$257.39

RUSSIAN, JAMAICAN, TURKISH, THAI

This 30 year old Speysider is 54.5% after maturing in a refill hogshead.

Flavour profile:  Old & dignified

Outturn:  190 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Opulent and elegant, the nose wove a textured fabric of sweetness (fudge, butterscotch, caramel, manuka honey, dark chocolate, peanut brittle) shot through by threads of garden exotics, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, After Eights and soft leather. The palate combined effervescent citric tingles with treacle toffee and old oak – Cossack-dancing Russian caramels smoked cigars while Jamaican gingerbread men limbo-danced on polished floors. The reduced nose evoked Botanic Gardens, cabinet makers, mint and lemon Turkish Delight and Thai spice. The palate – sweetly sophisticated with citric élan – strawberry, blackcurrant and lemon Life Savers, ginger snaps and tobacco – a Marypark marvel worth savouring."

Drinking tip:  "A captivating after-dinner dram (preferably on a large yacht)"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 5.42

$130.49

BATHED IN A BAKER'S SHOP

This 13 year old Lowlander is 59.5% and from a refill hogshead

Flavour profile:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

Outturn:  274 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "One panel member came over all broody, reminded of bubble bathed babies wrapped in fresh towels. Others found it very juicy, bouncing with green grape, apple chews and lemonade lollies. Ginger gave a lively spritziness to taste, baby was then soothed by vanilla Jell-O pudding, and peanut butter on bagels. The addition of water opened spearmint, elderflower soap and brioche on waxed paper. Mother hen found her baby swaddled in a newly laundered crochet blanket, while the rest found sweetly iced christening cake decorated with white liies, lychee and pea shoots. A bonny, blooming bairn!"

Drinking tip:  "A christening perhaps?"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 3.237

$161.99

CANDLE TAKING ITS LAST BREATH

This 17 year old from Islay is 57.2% spent its life in a refill sherry butt

Flavour profile:  Oily & coastal

Outturn:  537 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "A fairly robust nose, this one doesn’t hold back; oily smoky mackerels, treacle toffee, sherry soaked sultanas, banana bread, dark-fired tobacco, sticky barbecue ribs and salty pork scratching were just a few of the many descriptors given. Big on the palate –‘this is a butcher’s barbecue’, fresh meat from the local butcher; pork sausages, beef burger, chicken drumsticks all with a tasty homemade marinade.  Adding water turns it into a Christmas cake trifle or a boozy crème brulee as both having received a very liberal amount of sherry! In the taste, deep dark chocolate loaf with a sweet strong espresso at the finish."

Drinking tip:  "Late last night and the night before"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 48.58

$125.99

MEDIEVAL JOUSTING DRAM

At 63% this 11 year old Speysider came from a 1st fill barrel

Flavour profile:  Spicy & sweet

Outturn:  221 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The nose was many-faceted – waxy flowers and tree bark soon developed a fruity layer (apple, raspberry, fruit salad) eventually deepening into chocolate-coated toffee, cherry gateau and millionaires’ shortbread. The palate was a jousting contest between Sir Sweet (iced caramels, honeycomb, drinking chocolate, puff candy) and Sir Heat (dragon’s breath blast of chili and ginger). The nose turned even more attractive with a drop of water – coconut macaroons, meringues and iced gems, with tiny hints of salsa and wood. The palate was sweet and peppery – sugar-coated rose petals, malted milk-shake and jammy custard with a teasingly light dusting of pepper."

Drinking tip:  "To relax with after the daily jousting tournament (aka work)"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 42.15

$194.99

OSCILLATIONS OF LIGHT AND SHADE

Matured in a refill hogshead, this 19 year old Islander comes in at 58.6%.

Flavour profile:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

Outturn:  206 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The nose oscillated from light to shade – the light side including washing drying in the sun, pineapple, mango, banana split and golden syrup – the dark side had dried dates, coffee dregs, chili chocolate, black pepper, ginger, dark marmalade and feeding a Christmas cake with booze. The palate, even at natural strength, was very tasty, warming and pleasant – caramelized pineapple, Christmas pudding, dark cherries in syrup, toffee, caramel, dried fruits, some chili heat and woody dryness. The sweetness intensified with water (golden syrup, caster sugar, brandy snaps), but hints of bitter exotic fruits, ginger jam and treacle toffee balanced the sweetness perfectly."

Drinking tip:  "While hanging out the washing or making a Christmas cake"

Kilchoman 100% Islay 4th Edition

$108.89

The 4th edition of the Kilchoman 100% Islay has been matured 5 years in First Fill Ex-Bourbon barrels. 100% Islay releases from Kilchoman are produced from estate grown barley, malted, distilled, matured and bottled on site. 

Kilchoman 100% Islay 10th Edition

$129.99

Bottled as always at 50%, the 10th edition of the Kilchoman 100% Islay is a 9 Year produced by the mariage of 39 Bourbon Barrels and 2 Oloroso Sherry Butts. The Kilchoman 100% Islay is a more lightly peated expression than the standard Kilchoman with one other notable difference. The whisky is made from barley grown on Kilchomans own farm, which they malt on site. It is Scotland's only single farm origin whisky.

Producer Description

"The 100% Islay 10th Edition was distilled from our 2007, 2009 and 2010 barley harvests before being matured in 39 bourbon barrels and 2 oloroso sherry butts for a minimum of 9 years."

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique

$284.99

This is Kavalan's landmark Jim Swan bottling, matured in STR (Shaved Toasted and Recharred) ex-wine casks before bottling at 57.1%.