Johnnie Walker Blue Label
$339.99
The top of the line for the core Johnnie Walker Lineup. The prestigious Blue Label first entered the market in 1992. Some of the whiskies in this blend are between 30 and 35 years old and it is composed of at least 13 different malt and grain whiskies. The main distilleries in the Blue Label DNA include Linkwood, Caol Ila and Royal Lochnagar. 40% ABV.
Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old
$159.99
Previously dubbed the Johnnie Walker Platinum Label, this 18 year old was originally released globally in 2012. There are 14 to 16 malt and grain components in this Blended Scotch whisky, with Blair Athol, Glen Elgin, Mortlach and Cardhu doing the heavy lifting. Bottled at 43% ABV.
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: A wonderfully rich aroma, combining notes of rich, sweet fruit with hints of toffee and caramel.
Palate: A comforting mix of warming, malty cereal and smooth creamy vanilla, with fragrant notes of almond and tropical tangerine.
Finish: A lingering finish with hints of dark chocolate, citrus peel and a very light, aromatic smoke.
Togouchi Japanese Blended Whisky
$73.99
This is a Blended Japanese whisky, made with Scottish malts and Canadian grain whiskies, and matured in a railway tunnel that was never used.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: honeyed and decadent with bright citrus and jammy berry fruits; a touch floral with French soap and more muddy peat.
Palate: soft, honeyed and creamy with more bright citrus and jammy bery fruits; corn syrup, light muddy peat, a touch floral with more French soap; late spices.
Finish: warm, spicy and fruity; medium length with a light touch.
Comment: light, fresh and very approachable.
Producer Description: "A grain whisky with different features (an unblended whisky with a soft sweetness and an unblended whisky with rich minerals and grains) blends a well balanced peat aroma and a malt whisky that has a soft sweetness like vanilla and chocolate. Utilize the youthfulness, the whisky has been finished with a light flavour but comes with a kick."
Producer's Tasting Note
Aroma: It has a youthful aroma, but a slight peaty aroma can be noticed followed by sweet honey, nuts and corn flakes.
Taste: It’s has a light and mild taste. A sweet aroma that reminds you of grains and honey gives you a mellow feeling.
Finish: The slightly peaty aroma dominates the aftertaste.
Junenmyo Red Label Japanese Blend
$99.99
Like a lot of current Japanese whiskies, the Junenmyo Red Label Blend is created from imported components. In this case it is at least 50% heavily peated malt imported from Scotland that are then distilled and aged in Japan. The minoirty portion of grain whisky is and imported from Scotland. Bottled at 40% ABV.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: big caramel, plum wine and gentle peat; salty Dutch licorice chews, dark chocolate and candied cherries; Demerara sugars, orange peels and waxy Strawberry Twizzlers.
Palate: soft, and smoky with a prominently salty maritime note; lots of chewy barley, candied orange and cherries; silky grains, soft spices and fennel seeds; mossy peat, more salty caramel and Dutch licorice.
Finish: lush, coating and malty; lasting malts and peat.
Comment: not what I expected for a Japanese blend, prominent peat and maritime notes; the components may be Scottish, but the style is Japanese; elegant and understated.
Producer Description: "Since the foundation in 1952, we have passed down our original ingredients and techniques, making whisky today with the same passion carried on since the beginning."
"There is the place called Junenmyo nearby Saburomaru distillery. The name of Junenmyo has a meaning of lamping people for a decade because in days of old, people living there cultivated a lot of canola flowers as field mustard and the oil from it had lighted people’s life and their hearts for a long time. Our whiskey Junenmyo hopes to light people like it."
Yushan Taiwanese Blende Malt Whisky
$62.99
Bottled at 40%, this Blended Malt Taiwanese whisky is made from a mix of Scotish and Taiwanese single malts matured in ex-Bourbon and Sherry. Bottled at 40%.
The distillery is built between the Bagua mountain range and the tranquil Maoluo river. The Blended Malt and Single Malt Whiskies are sold under the brand Yu Shan, named for the beautiful nearby “Jade Mountain”. The single malts are non-chill filtered, and bottled without added colouring. There is no age statement on the whiskies, but, like Kavalan, the Taiwanese climate rapidly matures spirit, with 7-10% angels share lost each year!
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: light – cereals, dried fruit.
Palate: Succulent – honey, tropical fruit.
Finish: Delicate and refined – yellow fruit, malted barley.
Yushan Signature Sherry Single Malt
$85.99
Distilled at Nantou Distillery, Taiwan's other, government owned whisky maker. Bottled at 46% aftert maturing in ex-Sherry casks.
The distillery is built between the Bagua mountain range and the tranquil Maoluo river. The Blended Malt and Single Malt Whiskies are sold under the brand Yu Shan, named for the beautiful nearby “Jade Mountain”. The single malts are non-chill filtered, and bottled without added colouring. There is no age statement on the whiskies, but, like Kavalan, the Taiwanese climate rapidly matures spirit, with 7-10% angels share lost each year!
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Clean and complex – stewed fruit, dried fruit, dark chocolate.
Palate: Intense and succulent – Brioche, caramel, smoky.
Finish: Long – bitter orange, dried fruit.
Berry`s The Perspective 21 Year Blend
$124.99
Exclusive is KWM in Canada. Bottled at 43%, the label features a photo of Sandwood Bay in Sutherland, by Scottish photographer Lindsay Robertson. Hard to find a 21-year-old Scotch this good, at this price!
Producer Tasting Note
"Fresh, vibrant fruit is undercut by delicate oak and spice, gracefully interwoven with vanilla and honey. A lingering finish caps the experience."
About the Series
"The Perspective Series brings together two art forms – whisky-making and photography. The essence of our master blender’s work is captured by photographer Lindsay Robertson’s evocative images."
Aerolite Lindsay 10 Year Islay Sn Malt
$69.99
An Islay single malt of undisclosed origin, the whisky is created by marrying ex-Bourbon, Sherry and Quarter Casks. Bottled at 46%. Kind of sounds like it might be Laphroaig!
Producer Description: "
It wasn’t that long ago that when someone mentioned world whisky in the UK, one would normally think of Ireland, USA, Canada and perhaps Japan? Firstly, nobody makes Scotch whisky better than the Scottish! Scotch Whisky is certainly unique in the world. Its global status has been built on the back of Blended Scotch Whisky, and although single malt whisky sales are slowly growing, around 90% of the annual sales is still dominated by the blends. More people drink Scotch as a blended whisky than single malt whisky. Then I guess more people treat whisky as just a drink that they enjoy, rather than delve into its history and intricacies. While a few have tried to emulate Scotch whisky over the years, there’s definitely a trend for more regional styles of whisky being made around the globe. The distilleries are not trying to emulate Scotch whiskies, but are out to create a style particular to their market. Great news for whisky enthusiasts as there’s a whole new palate of flavours to explore!"
Johnnie Walker Celebratory Blend
$109.99
One of the 200th Anniversary relases from Johnnie Walker, is this very decent Blend bottled at 51.0%.
Producer Description
"The blend’s unique strength is similar to that of our Old Highland Whisky sold during that era. John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend is a sensorial journey featuring notes of sweet dried raisins and subtle spice, which develop into hints of roasted nuts and gentle peat, with a soft pepper finish. Best served neat or on the rocks."
