A play on Glen Scotia's classic Double Cask, this expression sees the distillery's unpeated spirit matured initially in American oak barrels, before spending a final 6 months in ex-Demerara rum casks. 

Bursting with tropical fruits and boiled sweet characters and complexed by maritime elements. 

A classic expression of Glen Grant's style, this 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch shows pleasant notes of orchard fruit, almond and citrus accompanied by subtle notes of apple pie crust and caramel. The finish lingers with fruit and subtle hints of spice.

The third release in The Balvenie Stories range is a particularly rich and exciting 26 year old expression, title A Day of Dark Barley. It sounds quite ominous, doesn't it? Don't worry, here's a spoiler to the end of the story - it results in excellent whisky!

This expression harks back to a day in 1992, when Balvenie mashman Brian Webster and maltman Robbie Gormley took in a delivery of dark barley, kicking of a long experiment. Dark barley isn't a common sight in the whisky world - you're more likely to see it put to use in beer brewing, particularly those yummy stouts we hear people talking about. Turns out, it also makes yummy single malt. Ideal.

Nose: Big malty notes, soft brown sugar, vanilla toffee, blossom honey and a mild oaky spiciness.

Palate: Syrupy with a toffee sweetness, some citrusy notes of tangy orange peel, followed by oak vanilla and a touch of cinnamon and ginger spices at the end.

Finish: Enduring gentle waves of vanilla and oak spices.

Precious little of this lovely Gamay was made from a vineyard of just 1386 vines of Gamay in Northburn, Central Otago. This equates to 0.33 hectare. What this wine lacks in volume, it more than makes up for in high quality.
It?s a wonder that Gamay is only just beginning to be recognised as the plush little sister to Pinot Noir and here is another small volume, top notch example from Central Otago, which proves the point with its lush mouth feel and lively fresh dark fruit flavours.  

Silver Wing Ceramic Sauvignon ticks lots of boxes from the funky, earthy aroma notes to the fresh bright acidity that gives Sauvignon Blanc its refreshing edgy flavours. And it also ticks the vegan box. 

Winemaker Andrew Fox focusses on low intervention winemaking methods, including no filtration which may result in lees sediment in the wines, which is harmless and looks like small crystals. 

Silver Wing wines are made by Andrew Fox in the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury.  

95/100 Wine Enthusiast, Kerin O'Keefe

"Underbrush, camphor, cedar and mature dark-skinned fruit aromas come to the forefront along with spicy notes. Full-bodied and firmly structured but also boasting a surprising weightlessness, the palate features dried cherry, steeped prune, licorice and tobacco set against a firm backbone of tightly knit, close-grained tannins. It's still youthfully austere so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2027–2037. " Drink 2027 - 2037

94+/100 Parker's wine Advocate, Monica Larner

"Considering the untimely passing of Renato Vacca in March of 2020, there is a lot of emotion coming back to this wine: It has always been an expression of Barbaresco nostalgia and romanticism, even when its creator was alive and well, working in these vines located directly under his family house. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Ovello bears his winemaking imprint with balance and elegance that never misses a beat. This vintage offers more density and concentration for sure, and the positioning of the Ovello cru overlooking the Tanaro River Valley sets the wine up for open-knit characteristics and suave softness. Those impressions are amplified in this vintage but are not overblown. Some 6,000 bottles were released and you get terrific value in this bottle. The wine is set to hit the market in September 2021." Drink 2023 - 2038

94/100 Vinous, Antonio Galloni

"The 2017 Barbaresco Ovello is a superb effort for the year. Bright, aromatic and effusive, the 2017 is so expressive right out of the bottle. It has the vintage 2017 power found in all the wines here, but also the cut and verve that make Ovello one of the most distinctive sites in all of Barbaresco. It is such a gorgeous wine." Drink 2025 - 2037

This exceptional edition was created by current Laphroaig Distillery Manager, John Campbell, to honor those who have gone before him. Starting with malted barley that's gently smoked over a peat-fuelled fire, then distilled along with the clear water drawn from the legendary Kilbride stream, the spirit is aged twice.

The process begins in first-fill, over-charred ex-Bourbon barrels before moving into large, new European oak hogsheads for further maturation. The result is a deep orange-hued whisky which combines the signature peat smoke and medicinal flavor of Laphroaig with caramelized dark fruit. Serve neat, or pour over ice.

Whisky made in tribute to two centuries of Laphroaig master distillers

Developed by John Campbell to pay tribute to his predecessors

Notes of peat, caramelized dark fruit and oiled wood

Perfect balance of bitter, sweet, fruity and smoky flavors

Matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and new European oak hogsheads

From the distillery...

The clue is in the name really. Cask Strength Release No. 2 is bottled straight from the cask, without adding water to reduce alcohol content, to deliver an extraordinary depth, complexity and balance of flavours.

Casks have a huge influence on the flavour, character and natural colour of our whisky as it matures, so our Cask Strength series presents our whisky in its purest form, giving you the freedom to enjoy our whisky, your way. Discover the taste and strength that suits your palate by experimenting with the amount of water you add to reach your optimum flavour.

For this second release in the Cask Strength series, Gordon Motion, our Master Whisky Maker, selected mainly sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, along with just a few ex-bourbon casks. You’ll find aromas of summer rose, ripe pear and fresh coconut gathering on a wave of aromatic peat smoke, followed by a wild harmony of sweet and spicy flavours - poached pear and rich almond cake, a drizzle of cloudy honey and a twist of salty liquorice. There’s the suggestion of toasted oak and intriguing notes of orchard fruits, black pepper and sweet aniseed linger, in a satisfyingly long finish. In a word (or three) we call it ‘smoky peppered praline’.

Welcome to a whole new taste adventure…why not find out more by checking out the tasting video below?

We’ve been crafting our award-winning whisky at the Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney, since 1798. Age, experience and respect for tradition may define our whisky, but it’s Orkney that sets it apart. Something magic happens here and the result is the wild harmony of flavours found in our whisky.

ABV : 63.9%

A sherried Glenfiddich originally released for the distillery's travel exclusive Perpetual collection, this single malt was aged in Spanish Sherry casks. Intriguingly, only half the whisky in the vat is bottled before it's refilled with fresh spirits, in the style of classic Spanish sherry soleras, meaning there is always a well-balanced mix of well-aged and young whisky.

Polished leather, freshly-baked fruitcake, bittersweet marmalade, and toasted oak on the nose.

The palate is silky, sweet, and spicy, with peppery fresh oak, cigar box, and well-toasted bread.

Candied peels, treacle, and a good whack of cinnamon on the finish

Bottled straight from the cask, without adding water to reduce alcohol content, delivers the extraordinary depth, complexity and balance of flavours that’s now the established hallmark of our Cask Strength series. Release No. 3 is no exception.

This third release has been created using an expertly balanced combination of three cask types – first-fill sherry seasoned American and European oak casks and a smaller quantity of refill casks for balance and depth. Using a higher proportion of Orkney peated malt, our Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, has achieved an intensely smoky character, coming through first on the nose with aromas of smouldering peat and lightly charred oak, balanced by honey-glazed lemons and crushed aniseed.

Discover what best suits your palate by experimenting with the amount of water you add as you release this whisky’s distinctive notes of ripe mango, cloudy heather honey and whipped vanilla cream with a hint of aromatic violet. Pink grapefruit zest, freshly-baked sponge cake and a final gust of heathery peat smoke provide a long and distinctive finish.

64.1% ABV

Elevated over 15 years of maturation in European oak sherry casks and a process notable for its continuous movement, VAT 03 distinctly embodies the Glenfiddich pioneering spirit. Resulting from Solera VAT 3, this silky-smooth full-bodied whisky harmoniously combines warm notes of spice with hints of nutty marzipan and dark sherry oak. A satisfyingly rich and sweet Glenfiddich for connoisseurs.

Colour - Golden with reddish hue.

Nose - Intriguingly complex aroma with sweet heather honey and vanilla fudge combined with rich dark fruits.

Taste - Silky smooth, revealing layers sherry oak, marzipan, cinnamon and ginger. Full bodied and bursting with flavour.

The finish is satisfyingly rich with lingering sweetness.

Hibiki was created to be the paragon of the Suntory blend.  The name Hibiki literally means "resonance" in Japanese, and reflects the Suntory Corporate philosophy to "live in harmony with people and nature."  

The Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the epitome of the Hibiki blend.  Subtle, noble and harmonious, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a perfect introduction to Japanese Whisky and the award-winning House of Suntory Whisky.

Nose:  Rose, Lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness/sandalwood

Palate: Honey like sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate

Finish: Subtle and tender long finish, hint of Mizunara (Japanese Oak)

Whole roasted cocoa beans and Bourbon vanilla are macerated on an alcohol base to create a chocolatey, rich liqueur. Briottet have masterfully balanced sweetness with purity and intensity of flavour. This is a great cocktail liqueur.

Dog Point Vineyards Chardonnay is one of Marlborough's great dry, full bodied, creamy whites made by Ivan Sutherland and James Healy, who are two of the most talented winemakers in the country. 

Their vineyards are 100% certified organic and their winemaking is second to none. Barrel fermentation, creamy, nutty flavours are complimented with a freshness that sees these wines last for the long haul.

This drinks well now and can age for up to a decade. A delicious taste sensation and a keeper. Win win.

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