Laphroaig Quarter Cask
$89.99
Casks were much smaller in the 19th C. than today. They gradually grew as the industry did, the larger casks being more cost-effective. But something was lost in the switch to big. The smaller casks gave the whisky up to 60% more exposure to oak thereby intensifying the maturation process. Laphroaig has recreated this style by transferring still maturing whisky into quarter casks for finishing.
Glenmorangie Signet
$314.99
According to Dr. Bill Lumsden, SIGNET represents the "culmination of a lifetime's experience". At the heart of SIGNET lies whisky created from high roasted "chocolate" malt, giving rich, dark and powerful flavors that no whisky before has been able to so beautifully balance. SIGNET also contains rare and ancient whiskies from the Glenmorangie's archives, aged for over 34 years.
Armorik Classic Single Malt
$69.99
This French single malt from the Breton region is distilled by Warenghem Distillery, which has been distilling since 1900. Warenghem Distillery's whisky - including this single malt which is from ex-bourbon casks aged for four to eight years and then bottled at 46% - have been well reviewed.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: creamy, honyed, peppery and grassy with white orchard fruits like browing green and candied apples.
Palate: very creamy with loads of toasted oak, unsweetened vanilla, and grassy goat cheese; there is a savoury character and some notes of black pepper too.
Finish: drying and toasty with some creamy notes.
Bunnahabhain 12 Year
$83.99
A few years back Bunnahabhain bumped their strength up to 46.3%, bottling it without colouring or chill-filtering. This is the entry level bottling of the Bunnahabhain Distillery, known as the "Gentle Giant of Islay." Bunnahabhain's whisky is generally unpeated, bucking the trend of most Islay distilleries, though it does also produce peated malts. Bunnahabhain is the anchor whisky of the Black Bottle Blend.
Producer Description
"As the original member of our current Core Range, Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old holds a special place in our hearts. First launched in 1979, the Bunnahabhain 12 year old has endured almost 40 years, thanks to the passion and dedication of our distillery team, not to mention the love and support from our fans and friends around the world.
"Our 12 Year Old has set the tone and the benchmark for the rest of the range – only the best will do. Double Matured in Ex Bourbon and Ex Sherry Casks, this whisky is beautifully rich and full-bodied, achieving the perfect balance of the characteristic nutty and sherry flavours of Bunnahabhain."
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban
$114.99
The Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban recently evolved from a 12 year old, into a 14 Year. Matured initially in ex-Bourbon, the wine is finished in Port casks before bottling at 46%. This whisky is replete with notes of chocolate and orange, which is derived from the finishing in port casks.
Producer Tasting Note
Aroma: Dark mint chocolate and Seville oranges mingle with sandalwood and walnut, with a spicy finish of pepper and nutmeg.
Taste: Mint chocolate and walnuts envelop the palate, laying the foundations for rose, Turkish delight and sweet Seville oranges.
Finish: Long-lasting, silky aftertaste leaving dark chocolate mints and traces of orange.
Andrew's Tasting Note - on the 12 Year
Nose: dried cherry and cranberry leap out of the glass; some musty old wood with dark chocolate, prune juice and cooked dates.
Palate: big, nutty and wood; more dark chocolate with some firm old leather and sweet Cuban tobacco; the musty old wood is still there with some licorice nibs and decadent spice.
Finish: medium-long and warming; the spicy oak holds on with a touch of chilli heat.
Comment: I forgot how interesting this whisky is; I am not generally a fan of Port matured or finished whiskies, but this one is good!
From the Distillery: "Extra maturation in these port pipes develops Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban into a voluptuous spirit with a complex balance of sweet and dry flavours and an intriguing contrast of smooth and crisp, cooling textures. Non chill-filtered for additional aroma and mouthfeel."
Producer Description
"Dr Bill, our Director of Whisky Creation, was born with a taste for adventure. And with this single malt he sought to create a whisky as unpredictable as his travels. Quinta Ruban is a whisky journey into the wild – a dark and delectable forest where the wind whistles with gusts of peppermint and dark swirls of chocolate can happen at any moment.
"In our giraffe-high stills, it begins soft and fruity, then gets darker and deeper as we let it age for 14 years in bourbon casks and port casks from Portugal. The finished whisky is a thicket of voluptuous flavour combinations. Walnut and black pepper. Mandarin orange and melted marshmallow. Dark chocolate bar and peppermint. And, like stepping into a chocolate-minty-orange unknown, the journey is as delicious as the destination."
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Tomintoul 14 Year
$114.99
The label for most Tomintoul bottlings carries the moniker "the gentle dram", and for good reason. The distillery tends to make smooth, unpeated, and easy-drinking Speyside Single Malt Scotch and this 14-year-old is no exception. Bottled at 46%.
Looking for something peated from the same distillery? Check out Old Ballantruan. You won't regret it!
Glenmorangie Lasanta 43%
$104.99
The whisky begins with a base of the same spirit that goes into Glenmorangie Original, 10 year old whisky matured exclusively in American oak Ex-Bourbon casks. The whisky is then finished for 2 years in Oloroso Sherry casks from Jerez, Spain.
From the Distillery: Lasanta is Gaelic for warmth and passion, a reminder not just of the Spanish provenance of these Oloroso sherry butts, but also a reflection of this expressions lusciously soft texture and deep, enticingly sweet aroma.Non chill-filtered for additional aroma and mouthfeel."
Distiller's Tasting Note:
Aroma: Warm spices mix with smooth chocolate covered raisins, honeycomb and caramel toffee.
Taste: Deliciously sweet sherry flavoured sultanas, orange segments, walnuts and butterscotch combine to create complex warm spices.
Finish: Long and satisfying finish with spiced orange and chocolate covered hazelnuts.
Edradour Ballechin 10 Year
$131.99
This 10 Year Old is the flagship bottle of Edradour Distillery's heavily peated Ballechin line. It is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill-filtered and with no colouring added. Ballechin is peated to a level of 50 PPM, and the 10-year-old is a combination of mostly ex-Bourbon casks with some ex-Oloroso Sherry casks put in the mix just for fun.
Talisker Port Ruighe
$119.99
Bottled at 45.8% from whisky matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and finished in Ruby Port casks.
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Instant, very well balanced, and sweet, yet not cloying; overall, rather like the sweet smokiness of a fading wood fire with the fruity richness of ripe plums.
Palate: Sublime, smoky and savoury: spicy pepper rapidly grows into peatiness, as a creamy smokiness mingles with spice and dark fruits.
Finish: Long, memorable, and mouth-filling, leaving on the tongue an appealing and intense cocoa-rich drying smokiness.
Distiller's Description: "Double matured in port casks, this malt is a toast to the Scottish traders who braved the high seas and were instrumental in the foundation of the port wine trade. Port Ruighe, pronounced ‘Portree’ is the Gaelic spelling of the once-bustling trading port on Skye. The port finish combines Talisker’ s powerful maritime character with succulent sweet notes of rich berry fruits for a superb taste experience."
