Ardbeg Grooves was released in celebration of Ardbeg Day 2018, and as ever, the Islay-based distillers have created a most intriguing expression. Part of the whisky that makes up Grooves was matured in red wine casks that were very well-charred, resulting in heavy grooves in the surface of the wood. A mellow though flavoursome dram.

Nose: A thick, spiced aroma of iodine, seaweed and golden syrup leads among a herbal note of lavender. An earthy funk from damp bonfire wood, old oak and dried grass is complemented by lighter touches of butterscotch, stone fruits and a little marzipan icing.

Palate: Vanilla fudge, toffee popcorn and tarred orchard fruits rise through a big, salty opening. Savoury BBQ notes of cured Italian meats are percolated by paprika, green chilli and scorched herbs. Antique leather and damp oak form an interesting backdrop.

Finish: Seaside bonfire and smoked salts percolate through a mellow sweetness.

Black Estate - This Riesling is grown on the rolling slopes of our Damsteep Vineyard.  The site's dense clay and mineral limestone provide weight, texture and salivating freshness.  A true character.

This distinctive whiskey is the third expression of Athrú 14 year old single malt. It was matured for 10 years in ex bourbon American oak and then finished for 4 years in rare Tokaji sweet wine casks. These casks were sourced from a Hungarian vineyard originally planted in the 1720s for Catherine the Great. This was the same time Hazelwood House was built at Lough Gill, Co. Sligo.

Notes: green apples and pear. Long, subtle finish of butterscotch and tobacco.

Keshcoran takes its name from the mystical fairy mountain near Sligo, the reputed birth place of King Cormac, the first great High King of Ireland.

Blended by one of Scotland's most famous Master Blender's, Billy Walker, this new lineup of Irish whiskey is part of a limited edition series of whiskies selected for the Lough Gill distillery in Sligo. Annacoona has been aged for 14 years, the first 11 were in American oak casks, prior to a final 3 years in rich pedro ximenez and oloroso sherry casks. Billy describes the whisky as elegant and aromatic, with dried fruit, oranges and rich melted chocolate, remaining fresh and lively as well. The palate is unusually rich for an Irish malt, with salted caramel, dark forest fruits and spices that linger, becoming honeyed and again a combination of chocolate & citrus.

Another release of fantastic Irish single malt whiskey here from the Athrú range, this time titled Knocknarea, after the large hill on the west coast of Ireland in County Sligo. This particular expression was initially aged in American oak casks, before enjoying a finishing period in Oloroso sherry casks. Wonderfully well-presented, and the flavour lives up to that presentation!

Nose: Warming cedar and macadamia nut notes, with a touch of fresh linen along the way.

Palate: Classic sherried sweetness unfolds on the palate with zesty orange and dense raisin, plus softly toasty barley hints. 

Finish: Almond, chocolate pears, lingering tobacco and peppercorn spiciness.

Convalmore is a familiar face in the Diageo Special Releases line-ups, with the 2017 outturn marking the closed distillery's fourth appearance in the series. And this superb 32 year old shows exactly why the malt has earned its place. Vibrant and complex with an impeccable balance between distillery character and oak, the liquid is from refill American oak hogsheads and is bottled at a natural cask strength of 48.2%. Only 3,972 bottles of this delight have been released.

Nose: Initial Dolly Mix with floral notes at full strength, taking it into Jelly Tot territory too. Barley sugar develops with a touch of tangerine, apple and cedar. Impressive.

Palate: Soft oak and spice with some orange and tomato stem. Adding just a little water transforms the texture of this malt, however, as well as releasing more intense herbal notes. 

Finish: More gentle oak, birch sap and oatcakes. Some biscuits too, including Hobnobs.

Manzanilla is much like Fino sherry, which is produced by the sea where the conditions are even more suitable for the growing of flor. Though the maturation is the same as for the Kavalan Fino, the texture is lighter and more delicate with a touch of saltiness together with mineral flavours, which are all the consequences of a stable and thick layer of flor, sea breezes and brine.

Martine and Jean Donnay established the "Celtic Whisky Compagnie" in 1997 and began distilling in 1999 with Glann ar Mor's first bottling of unpeated single malt hitting the market in late 2008.
By November 2009, a peated malt was released (30-35 ppm) under the Kornog label, meaning "West Wind" in Breton. The distillery is located on a seafront, hence the name, which translates "At the edge of the sea".
The packaging further emphasises the locale, featuring a graphic of the Héaux de Bréhat lighthouse. This is a traditional operation that employs small stills, 100% live flame for both the spirit still and the wash still / slow distillation, wooden washbacks and seaside maturation.

Currently the whiskies are just over 3 years old, but already show surprising complexity and balance. 

Matured in a bourbon cask for 3 years. Bright pale straw gold. Opens with intense aromas of lanolin / wet wool. Air contact drops the peat a notch bringing forward dried apple, cinnamon and light cocoa. Follows through with an oily, cereal, crisp malt delivery with the finish upping the richness adding cocoa-laced peat, walnut slice and lanolin carrying through to the aftertaste. Exhibits a freshness, balance and staying power that belies its youth. A whisky that's both delicious and distinctive.

This blend is the fruit of generations of knowledge and a selection of the best vintages in the history of Saint James. This exceptional rum covers the entire aromatic palate of our aged vintages.
Marc Sassier, Saint James oenologist

APPEARANCE: Bright mahogany.

NOSE: A very special Saint James with an unusual sweet fruity dominance (fig, dried date). The classic notes of very old Saint James follow on in the background with fine smooth notes of undergrowth, roasting (mocha) and spices.

PALATE: A lively woody attack which quickly becomes warm and rich. Dominant fruit which lingers on notes of fruit brandy (cherry, prune).

The year 1998 was an exceptional harvest year in Martinique.

This Saint James single cask was bottled in 2016, after 17 years of ageing. The casks used are either small Quercus Alba (American white oak) casks or second hand casks that have previously held Saint James.

After 10 years, 5 barrels were chosen from 28 by Marc Sassier, the Saint James oenologist, and Gilbert Bolinois, the cellar master. The selected rum was thus able to continue its ageing and offer this rare bottling.

Each bottle is numbered, and the cask number is mentioned on the label.

Released during the distillery’s 200th year, this Highland single malt was distilled before Teaninich underwent significant expansion.

Reflecting its older style of production, the whisky makes an excellent aperitif or a partner to Asian cuisine. Initially sweet and zesty, this dram layers herbal notes under its toffee, lemon and apple flavours.

55.9% ABV

Macduff distillery is located near the mouth of the River Deveron, where the river meets the sea. Sheltered from the worst of the seaboard storms and winter winds, this tranquil spot has seen the creation of The Deveron malt whisky for many a decade. 

Using five small copper pot stills and unusual horizontal condensers that gently coax extra character from the spirit, The Deveron is a light, fruity and approachable spirit with some hints of nutty notes.

40% ABV

This ultra-rare single vintage Dalwhinnie has an astonishing bright intensity for its age and comes uniquely from refill American oak hogsheads, all of which were casked in 1989. Three decades of maturity have bought a fine elegance to the vibrant distillery character, allowing its moorland aromas to peak. The result is smoothly sweet, yet also surprisingly peppery

Matured in a combination of refill hogsheads and butts for three decades, this Dalwhinnie single malt is an elegant addition to Diageo's 2019 Special Releases. Aromas of raisins, leather, lemon and cinnamon-baked apples mingle with mint, grape jelly, honeysuckle, spring meadows and hay. The palate offers notes of summer flowers, vanilla toffee, delicate oak spice and slices of apple and pear, followed by zesty lemon, candied flowers, Crystalised ginger and buttery shortbread biscuits.