Celebrating this Chinese New Year, Johnnie Walker Blue Label announces the launch of Year of The Dog.

This limited edition design is inspired by the Dog as a symbol of prosperity and tells the story of Johnnie Walker and his clever canine companion journeying around the world, bringing good fortune to all as they rejoice in the arrival of the new year.

A balanced blend - it's richly aromatic, but is much dryer to the palate than you might expect. There are some neat marmalade and dark chocolate flavours, couple with some smooth sweet spice.Great blended dram.

A nod to the history of Speyside, Benriach Temporis is peated, as they did back in the 1970s. It's been matured in a mix of bourbon barrels, virgin-oak casks, and Pedro Ximenez and oloroso sherry casks, adding in layers of fruit and spice on top of Benriach's honeyed peat smoke character.

46% ABV l 700mL

This whisky tells a different story of The Macallan spirit and casks, but more than that it tells a story of rarity. Less than 100 casks maturing at The Macallan distillery have contributed to the creation of this out of character whisky. These mysterious casks remained untouched in the dark warehouses of The Macallan under the watchful eye of our Master Whisky Maker, until he felt they were ready to be released.

Smoky Macallan is rare - there is very little in existence - and once used these casks will be no more. Unexpected and distinctive in flavour with full bodied richness from the Macallan spirit, Rare Cask Black is an unusual smoky spirit that tells a story of creativity and innovation.

Polished copper colour. Orange cake, juicy malt then fruit mince pie and gobstopper. Aeration adds oatmeal biscuit to the aroma list. Almost chewy in texture - a sublime harmony of honeyed malt and light Christmas pudding at mid palate; then buttered raisin bread, followed by hints of caramel fudge and grassy freshness late in the fade. Woody to end, though still good vibrancy. Distinguished by its subtle staying power.

THIS ITEM WILL SHIP FROM OUR HAMILTON WAREHOUSE.

In just a fraction of a second, this bottling takes us to Laphroaig to breathe in the particularly invigorating salty sea air. Next, acting as a link between the peat and the other ingredients of the aroma and flavour palette, incredibly smooth dark chocolate brings us irresistibly towards the malting floors filled with the utterly divine fragrances of germinating barley.

Nose: clean, complex. On the first nose, traces of rubber, intense smoke and gentian root dig furrows into an anthracite-coloured peat. Allowed to breathe, this peat becomes more oily and medicinal (band-aid, merbromin), salty and even hot (cayenne). Gradually, the gamy character takes over (smoked fish and bacon). At the same time, the aromatic palette is undeniably jaunty, spring-like and bright.

Palate: powerful, lively. On the attack, blocks of chocolatey peat roll across the palate. Immediately after, iodine tincture and mustard seed bring lots of vitality. The mid-palate is a subtle mixture of herbaceous (hay, malted barley), fruity (pear, Golden Delicious) and vanilla sequences. At the end of the palate, a subtle liqueur of acacia honey and roasted pineapple unctuously floods the entire palette of flavours.

Finish: long, generous. In archetypal Laphroaig style, the start of the finish is peaty/chocolatey, fruity, iodine and phenolic (hydrocarbon, sleet). Rooted in its terroir (gentian, ginger), in a mineral-rich soil. A handful of dried fruits (almond, walnut) and citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit) dominate the very dynamic end of the palate. On the retro-nasal olfaction, coconut milk, ash and aromatic plants (sage, verbena) stand out for their intensity. The empty glass is vegetal (Havana cigar) and chocolatey.

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.

A 21 year old single malt, triple distilled and aged in second fill sherry casks, though nothing is lost to the power of the sherry. This bottling stands as the flagship for the core Auchentoshan range.

Nose: Soft and supple. Dry grass. Fruity notes, a citrus edge and very floral honey.

Palate: Oily, nuttiness. Dry and rounded with sugared peels.

Finish: Apricot conserve on granary toast with dry citrus notes.

Produced at one of the most remote distilleries in Scotland, this is the core release from Ardnamurchan. 

Once again, the talented team have kept the distilleries signature lightly peated style with a combination of casks. The nose reminds us of enjoying a quiet picnic on the beach. Starting with apricots and zesty oranges, there's a touch of chocolate and a handful of Brazil nuts. The palate sees salty taffy, lemonade and Christmas cake being passed around the rug. Finally, a warming bonfire has been lit on the palate to round off this classic West Coast single malt.

Spicy vanilla fruit, ripe apples and a rich, luxurious mouthfeel. This is the result of eighteen long years and a generous proportion of first-fill sherry casks.

43% 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.

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

When you look at the almost transparent color of this Ledaig, you know straight away that the cask will have no influence on its aromatic and taste palette. Both earthy and marine, it is also rustic and at the same time very elegant and easy to access that does not exclude complexity. It expresses in a way that could not be more natural all the paradoxes that make the reputation of this single malt from the Isle of Mull.

54.2% ABV

The Tobermory 20 years old is an old Isle of Mull singel malt. This release is matured in ex bourbon casks followed by a sherry cask finish. Bottled at 46.3% ABV, non chill filtered and with no added colour.

Nose: rich and warm with molasses, golden syrup, mulled wine, nutmeg, walnuts, sultanas and dates

Palate: oak with caramelized oranges marmalade, vanilla, dried fruit, hazelnuts and dark chocolate

Finish: long and sweet with nuts, apricots and orange jam

46.3% ABV