Distillery - Auchroisk
Bottler - James Eadie (JE)
Vintage - 29.05.2013
Bottled - 2024
Stated Age - 10 years
Cask Type - 1st Fill Marsala Hogshead Oak European Finish
Cask number - 367500
Number of bottles - 285
Strength - 57.3 %

Nose - There is a lot of typical Kavalan nuts, vanilla and honey but then comes this beautiful sweet smoky sea air with stewed apples, pears, pineapples and thick raspberry jam. It has the signature Kavalan tropical fruit notes, but they are hidden under a thick smoke and vanilla scent.

Palate - It comes in warm and thick a true Cask Strength single malt, with that raspberry jam and thick vanilla from the nose really showing their way through along with some coconut and smoky fruit flavour. This has a medium to long finish that is all present on the palate and coating of your mouth. When swallowed it seems to disappear as if it never went down at all but your mouth is left with a ton of smoky spices and fruity flavours that stay for a long time.

Taiwanese whisky has been a 'thing' for a while now, since 2008 in fact, but the highly-regarded Kavalan whiskies are now finally available in NZ !!!

KAVALAN Solist Brandy Cask matures in selected first fill brandy casks, which give it its sweet and balanced taste. It is unchill-filtered with no added coloring and is bottled as a single cask at cask strength. Each bottling carries a serial number, cask type and the signature of the master blender.

Tasting Note 

Nose: Peaches and cream, strawberry jam, freshly cut passion fruit, creamy toffee, baking spices and warm honey.

Palate: Tinned peaches, oily with dark toffee, toasted nuts and tropical fruits.

Finish: A long finish of stewed peaches, lychee and cocoa.

Pale amber in colour with an aroma full of spice, apple and vanilla notes. It's a light bodied whisky with a smooth, sweet, slightly spicy taste from its rye, rye malt, barley malt and corn building blocks and a clean, short finish. Good for mixed cocktails.

This whisky was distilled in 1989, and spent 30 years in a bourbon barrel (DL13917)before being bottled in April 2020. Just 280 cask strength bottles were released for the Xtra Old Particular series at 52.8% ABV.

Nose: Rich, darkly malted, intriguingly spiced and fruity.

Palate: Warming and ginger spiced as the big palate opens showing later Muscovado sugar and the gentlest oak - all running to a stewed fruit and vanilla custard finish.

An exceptional 30 year old scotch whisky; matured in our finest American Oak barrels and finished in Olorosso sherry, adding a layer of complexity to the finished product.

This brand-new expression from the Glen Scotia distillery was made entirely from unpeated barley and matured for 10 years in ex-bourbon American oak casks. The distillery's home by the sea brings a maritime character to the aroma, with sea-spray saltiness. Flavours of sweet apple, brown sugar and mellow spices join in, with a creme caramel / vanilla'd tone from the wood. A great introduction to one of the most acclaimed distilleries in Scotland

A wonderful expression of Bushmills single malt. This is the second release in the Steamship Collection and it was fully matured in Ruby Port Casks. 

Nose: Ripe red apples, chocolate aromas, a hint of red wine booziness.

Palate: Damson and honey, followed by drying touches of cacao and cinnamon.

Finish: Juicy red berries and spiced fruit compot

Bottled at 52%, this slightly reduced single malt expresses the full potential of its aromatic profile. Similar to the 43% version, its character reveals a more pungent side with fruity notes of apple, apricot and ripe fruits. On the palate, the rougher texture is light and silky, and highlights greedy aromas of honey, vanilla and cocoa. On the finish, spices will make their appearance with notes of pepper and nutmeg.

This is a limited-edition Ardnamurchan from indie bottler Adelphi, matured in a pair of sherry casks for five years that were hand selected by Charles MacLean and Alex Bruce (hence the M&B). A fresh and clean dram with plenty of complexity where you will find notes of orchard fruit, lemongrass and honeysuckle giving way to stewed fruits and walnut - all complexed by subtle hints of peat.

1st fill Oloroso Butts; peated & unpeated - casks 1059 & 1263

Cape Byron ‘The Original’ Australian Single Malt Whisky, the signature expression, aged in American oak ex-bourbon casks.

The colour of a Byron Bay sunset. The palate offers soft vanilla, creme brulee, and biscotti characters, layered over distinct notes of pear, coconut and buttery macadamia.

Excellent 12 year old single malt from the Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside, which enjoys its maturation in both European and American oak casks. It's an immensely popular expression which disappeared from shelves in 2015, but has since returned! A great example of the character of Glenlivet's whisky, boasting a bounty of orchard fruit, fragrant florals and honeyed malt notes carried on a creamy mouth feel.\

Nose: Apricot, pineapple, greengages, citrus blossom and toasted teacake.

Palate: Buttery and vanilla-rich, though still packing all the bright fruit notes from the nose.

Finish: A soft crackle of oaky spice and malt, plus a hint of red apple juiciness.

An ace Australian single malt from the Starward range, Nova spends its life maturing in casks that previously held Australian red wine, sourced from wineries that produce Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

In fact, the casks come right from the wineries, and are only lightly charred or steamed before whisky goes into them, ensuring that the wine's flavour profile has an impact on the spirit. Particularly decadent stuff, it does very well when pairing with rich foods as well as being enjoyed by itself. it's also rather good in cocktails that take advantage of the bold red fruit notes. Perhaps even a Manhattan...?

Nose: Positively bursting with red fruit, strawberries with a Port-like mixture of fruit and nuts.

Palate: Honey, cinnamon and more red fruit on the palate, creamy nutty texture, luxurious mouthfeel with a touch of tannin.

Finish: Toffee with walnuts.

An indulgent smooth single malt matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks and aged Tawny Port pipes. These casks were sourced from well-known port producer W&J Graham's

Nose: Clove-studded orange, raspberry and prune.

Palate: Chocolatey at first, before waves of dried fruit and stem ginger notes appear. A touch of earthy bitterness develops later on, balanced by runny honey.

Finish: Roast chestnuts, gingerbread and tobacco.