Arran Robert Burns Single Malt
$61.99
Made from Arran Distillers’ Single malt which is produced at their Lochranza Distillery on the Isle of Arran. Aged in a combination of ex-ex-Sherry Hogsheads and ex-Bourbon casks. Bottled at 43% ABV.
Evan’s Tasting Note
Nose: Fresh out of the oven biscuits, pear compote, apple strudel, ripe banana, whipped cream with a dash of vanilla, elderflower, light dunnage notes and a touch of balsa wood and eucalyptus,
Palate: Smooth and creamy with a dash of spice. Shortbread, candied ginger, soft jujubes, lemonade and french toast with honey drizzled on top plus a touch of cinnamon powder.
Finish: Short, but sweet with just a touch of salt and creamy dannin to slowly dry the mouth and leave it ready for more. Possibly much more.
Comment: This is likely young as there are not a lot of prominent wood notes, but man is it ever balanced. It is not overly complex, but it sure is well put together and very drinkable.
Signatory 100 Proof Caol Ila 13 Year #70
$124.99
This 13 year old 100 Proof Caol Ila was matured in Oloroso Sherry Butts and Refill Hogsheads before bottling at 57.1%.
Glendronach Peated
$100.99
The first ever peated offering of Glendronach, and a new core range release. Billy Walker hand his team at BenRiach Distillery Co. have made hay with their peated expressions of BenRiach. It was a logical extension to make a peated version of Glendronach too. It isn't old, BenRiach only bought Glendronach in 2008, so this whisky isn't likely to be older than 6 or 7 years, but don't let that get in your way. Other peated malts like Kilchoman have shown well at as young as 3 years. Bottled at 46% without colouring or chill-filtering the whisky has been matured in sherry from peated malt. In some way it is a truer style to what the distillery would have first produced in 1826, than what they produce today! The whisky was matured in Ex-Bourbon and finished in Oloroso and PX Sherry.
Auchentoshan 21 Year
$249.99
An updated bottling of top end bottling in Auchentoshan's core range. A classic, rich and layered Lowland single malt whisky.
From the Distillery: "Triple distilled and aged perfectly for over twenty one years in American bourbon and Spanish sherry casks. This creates a refined Lowland Single Malt Whisky, ripe with gooseberries, sweet creamy vanilla, a hint of oak, warm honey, and the signature smooth, delicate, Auchentoshan taste."
Arran Machrie Moor Cask Strength
$89.99
Machrie Moor is the name Arran gives to peated single malt whiskies from their distillery. The Machrie Moor Cask Strength is bottled at 58.2%. It used to have batch numbers, but given that it is now a part of the permanent Arran range they have phased those out. The barley is peated for 20ppm, which is a little lower than Bowmore on Islay.
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Citrus notes with a background of peat and a puff of smoke immediately apparent.
Palate: A robust dram with the typical orchard fruits of Arran coming to the fore over a layer of toasted brioche and red berries.
Finish: Long lasting, creamy vanilla and coconut notes from the Bourbon cask.
A memorable dram with character andcomplexity.
More About Arran Machrie Moor
On the west coast of the Isle of Arran lies a windswept and mystical peat bog called Machrie Moor. Bronze Age stone circles and standing stones are strewn across its barren, undulating terrain. One of the stone circles is known as Fingal’s Cauldron Seat, where sits a stone with a carved hole. The legendary warrior giant Fingal is said to have tethered his favourite dog Bran to this stone. This cask strength, peated expression of the Arran Single Malt perfectly captures the rugged beauty and lore of the landscape. Unleash the legend that is Machrie Moor.
• Peated Arran distilled each year since 2004
• Bottled at Cask Strength (56.2%). No batch number in 2018 as this product will now be a permanent part of our range.
• Peating level of 20PPM
Signatory Edradour 23 Year Symingtons
$741.99
Distilled in 2000, this Edradour was bottled after 23 years in a First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt at 56.2%. 89.57pts Whiskybase
Lagavulin 8 Year
$103.99
This is the new core release of Lagavulin 8 Year, released on the heels of the highly successful 200th Anniversary release of Lagavulin 8 Year. Bottled at 48% it was matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and ex-wine seasoned casks.
Georgie Crawford said: ‘The 8 Year Old is a signature Lagavulin-style bottling with a liveliness that balances out the Islay smokiness. We hope that Lagavulin fans will enjoy this bottling, just as Alfred Barnard did centuries ago.’"
Signatory Laphroaig 25 Year 54.9% Sym
$1,019.99
One of two 25 year old Laphroaigs to arrive as part of the Symington's Choice range. Distilled in 1998 this one was bottled from an ex-Bourbon Barrel at 54.9%. 89.67pts Whiskybase
Scapa Skiren
$79.99
Considering Scapa has a production capacity of nearly a million and a half litres per year, it's an absolute crime that we see no more than two official expressions from the distillery. While we can only shake our heads in frustration, it's hard not to be impressed by this young coastal gem. Everything you'd expect in an island malt is here (yes, including that tangy oceanic salinity), but there is also an impressive array of fruit notes that elevate this one beyond what should reasonably be expected in a glass of whisky this affordable. Great, highly-drinkable malt from Orkney.
40% abv
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Delicate scented floral flavours with a hint of fresh pear. Sweet and fruity pineapple notes with a citrus tang.
Palate: Smooth and sweet, ripe honeydew melon slices, bursts of fruity pear and lemon sherbet.
Finish: Long, refreshing, shimmering sweetness.