The Whisky List - Blair`s Ardoe House

The Whisky List
The Whisky List
The Regions
Like the fine wines of the world,
the single malt whiskies of
Scotland are grouped by region.
Traditionally there were four
whisky distilling regions, these
regions have more to do with old
regulations and taxation systems
than anything else.
The four main Whisky Regions of
Scotland are Campbeltown, Islay,
Lowlands and the Highlands.
Speyside and the Islands are
generally accepted as subdivisions of the Highlands region.
Each of these individual regional
groups do to some extent produce
many whiskies which are similar
in their broad basic flavours,
although there are certainly a few
exceptions.
Regional whisky characteristics
are not quite as clear cut as with
wines. You will find that many
whiskies from the same region
have similar characteristics in
taste and style, but this is more of
a guideline rather than a set rule.
The final flavour of a whisky is determined more by the equipment used and the methods
used to produce each whisky rather than by the geographical location of where the whisky
is produced.
Alongside each whisky you will find a QR code which you can scan with your
phone/tablet to find out more about each whisky, including reviews, extensive
tasting notes and information on how to buy your own bottle. Search ‘QR
Code Reader’ in your app store.
2
Speyside
For many whisky enthusiasts Malt Whisky is most closely associated with Speyside, but in
truth this is only half the story. The strength of the association, however, can be seen from
the many distilleries which, although not situated beside the River Spey, make allegiance
with it when stating their provenance. It all goes to show how over the last two centuries
'Speyside' has meant high quality and today the truth of that statement has not diminished
at all.
There is a 'Golden Triangle' that stretches from Elgin over towards Banff and down to the
cradle of distilling on Speyside - Dufftown. In this triangle lies the greatest concentration
of malt whisky making apparatus in the world, and to savour the atmosphere here is to
realise how important and how dearly distilling is held in the Highlands of Scotland.
Speyside Whiskies are generally noted for their elegance and complexity often with a hint
of stylish smokiness.
Aberlour 10
Five Pounds
Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, this 10
year old from Aberlour remains a perennial favourite, typical of the
modern Speyside style and thoroughly approachable. Such is its
popularity that this bottling has been exported to over fifty
countries.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Sweet and full. Sherried raisins, hints of toffee and a pleasant nuttiness.
Palate: Quite full-bodied, spicy rich fruitcake, toffee notes and a creamy malty-feel and the
vaguest whisper of something akin to synthetic banana.
Finish: Caramel and honey, the malt still evident and the sweet spices still linger.
Aberlour A'Bunadh
Six Pounds
Aberlour's sherry monster has become so popular it's now released
every few months. There's a good reason for this: it's delicious. If
you like heavily sherried Speysides, this represents very good value
for money, especially considering it's bottled at a hefty 59.8%.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Very rich and sweet, with mince pie spices, particularly cinnamon. You can taste
the Oloroso too, and all round you can tell it's another big a'Bunadh.
Palate: It's sweet, and thick with dried fruit; prunes, figs raisins and sultanas. There's
sticky toffee pudding, plus malty cereal notes.
Finish: Long and strong - should come with a cuddly puppy soft toy. Heavily sherried
and oozing spice.
3
anCnoc 12
Five Pounds
Knockdhu renamed their whiskies anCnoc to avoid confusion with the
nearby Knockando distillery. This 12 year old exhibits a gentle, nonsherried style of whisky.
Tasting Note
Nose: Aromatic, quite robust. Honeysuckle, fresh flowers, cereals, barley.
Palate: Medium, Madeira, winter spices, mocha, Crème de Cacao, toasted granary bread.
Finish: Medium length, great interplay between oak and barley.
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel
Seven Pounds
An individual numbered 15 year old from selected single ex-bourbon
casks from the Balvenie distillery, this is a single malt both fruity and
honeyed with an excellent finish.
Tasting Note
Nose: Delicate sweetness one expects from Balvenie. Honey and dried mixed
peel.
Palate: Husky sweetness. Barley lies on a bed of juicy ripe fruit.
Finish: Climaxes with barley and bourbon spiciness peaking most spectacularly.
Balvenie Doublewood 12
Six Pounds
Aged in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in sherry casks,
Double Wood is an excellent example of what the Balvenie distillery
can craft, even at 12 years.
Nose: Gristy, supple nuttiness, grapey
Palate: Sweet with good body. The bourbon characters develop; gentle spice
with a little vanilla, a balancing peat lurking quietly in the substrata.
Finish: Dry, spicy, beautifully warming.
Benromach 10
Five Pounds
The newly released 10 year old from Gordon and MacPhail's
Benromach distillery. This was matured for the first nine years in 4/5
bourbon and 1/5 sherry casks before a year in sherry casks.
Tasting Note
Nose: Dry, barley, big on malt and oak. Dry pine, fruity. A tad spirity. Sweet
spices after a time and a hint of puckering prune from the sherry cask and maple fudge.
Palate: Barley, slightly herbal, a little fruit, grassy. Big on malt, ground ginger.
Finish: Bittersweet. Ginger, dry sherry, almost hoppy after a while.
4
Benromach Organic
Five Pounds
Benromach Organic is the first Soil Association certified Organic
single malt whisky and has enjoyed maturation in new oak, though
this is a well-oaked dram, there is plenty of toffee and spice.
Tasting Note
Nose: Woody, spicy and malty. Some caramel and resin.
Palate: Oaked, oily. Toffee sweetness with freshly cut overripe fruit. Toasty spice.
Finish: Wood shavings, quite fresh.
Craigellachie 1997 CC
Six Pounds
Bottled at 46% ABV - slightly higher than previous Connoisseurs
Choice releases - this is beautiful 1993 vintage Craigellachie. It was
aged in remade refill American Hogsheads and it has a medium
body.
Tasting Note
Nose: Fresh, zesty with pear drops and custard. Beeswax, furniture polish and caramel.
Palate: Lavender blossom, allspice and hints of tangy citrus. Walnut, cocoa butter and star
anise.
Finish: Freshly cut hay, tropical fruit salad and allspice on the finish.
Cragganmore 12
Six Pounds
A sherried 12 year old single malt from Diageo's Classic Malts range,
this bottling from the Cragganmore distillery represents Speyside and
proffers a rich, slightly floral whisky with barley notes.
Tasting Note
Nose: Aromatic, floral. Heather, fruit salad, creamy texture. Smoked almonds,
stemmy hay.
Palate: Rich, honey, stone fruits, chestnuts, walnuts, almonds. Berries.
Finish: Smoky, good length, delicate peppery spice.
Glen Grant 10
Five Pounds
A gentle, delicate 10 year old single malt, a great beginner's whisky
from the Glen Grant distillery.
Tasting Note
Nose: Medium. Vanilla, toffee apple. Herbal, hint of smoke.
Palate: Firm. Sweetness, fruity, vanilla. Gentle peat, malty.
Finish: Dry, supple peat, toffee.
5
GlenDronach 12
Five Pounds
A 12 year old from the Speyside distillery, Glendronach, a very
heavily sherried single malt.
Tasting Note
Nose: Rich, cereals. Barley, creamy, hazelnut. Oak.
Palate: Fruits, peels, buttery. Pain au chocolat, marmalade on toast, nutty.
Finish: Good length, buttery cereal, toffee.
GlenDronach Allardice
Eight Pounds
The famous GlenDronach 18 year old, now renamed Allardice, is the
third expression in the GlenDronach core range. This exceptional
single sherried malt is non chill filtered and of natural colour. Matured
in the finest Spanish Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 46%, this
sublime richly sherried malt is truly unforgettable.
Tasting Note
Nose: Sweet aromatics of fudge and muscovado sugar. Fruit compote and glacier morello
cherries provide added complexity.
Palate: Rich dark and seductive. Remarkable flavours of stewed fruits and all-spice marry
together with classical aged Oloroso and toasted walnut bread and chocolate orange.
Finish: Tremendously complex and long.
Glenfarclas 105
Seven Pounds
Glenfarclas 105 is a superb cask strength whisky, really bold and
punchy. In 2004, the Malt Maniacs rated this the best “Bang for your
buck” whisky.
Tasting Note
Nose: Great depth, sherry. Creamy and nutty. Honey on toast, touch of smoky
coffee.
Palate: Silken, spicy and peppery oak. Almond, praline, hazelnut, dried peels, fruity.
Touch of Armagnac, hint of rancio perhaps?
Finish: Long, peppery and nutty.
Glenfiddich 12
Five Pounds
This classic Speyside from Glenfiddich was the Winner of a Gold
Medal at the 2007 International Wine and Spirit Competition, aged
for 12 years in American and European Oak casks.
Tasting Note
Nose: Grain. Slightly floral, mineralic. Spirity, orchard fruit, malty, honey.
Citrus develops.
Palate: Light, floral, spices. Very smooth.
Finish: Sweet, touch of oak and general fruit, oily.
6
Glenfiddich 15 Solera
Six Pounds
A 15 year old matured in American bourbon, Portuguese sherry and
virgin oak. The whisky was then married in a Solera vat. This is a
great staple 15 year old from the Glenfiddich distillery.
Tasting Note
Nose: Sherry, citrus - orange in particular, dry wood. Slight suggestion of
smoke?
Palate: Medium, sherry, raisins. Fruitcake, spices, sweetness.
Finish: Candied fruits, raisins, spices, Christmas pudding, oak takes over.
Glenfiddich 18
Eight Pounds
This 18 year old from Glenfiddich's core range was matured in a mix
of Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks.
Tasting Note
Nose: Loads of fruit. Zesty grapefruit, apples. Dry wood.
Palate: Candied fruits, spicy, toffee, ginger, sherry, syrupy.
Finish: Peels, spices, sherry, sweet ginger, touch of salted toffee.
The Glenlivet 12
Five Pounds
The entry level bottling from the illustrious Glenlivet distillery at
Speyside's heart, aged for 12 years. The archetypal Speyside dram,
honey and orchard fruit driven.
Tasting Note
Nose: Sweet creamy vanilla, honey, pineapple, vanilla, pressed apples and a
little cinnamon.
Palate: Apple cores, fresh and fruity trifle and creamy citrus.
Finish: Long and delicious, almonds and apple.
Overall: One of the best selling malts in the world, well-worth re-visiting.
The Glenlivet 18
Eight Pounds
This excellent 18 year old single malt from Glenlivet is a classic
Speyside dram, it also won two golds at the International Wine and
Spirits Competition.
Tasting Note
Nose:Well-rounded, sultanas, sherried peels, barley sugar, toasty cereal and
apple blossom. Fudge and wisps of smoke.
Palate:
Full and rich, notes of chewy, tannic oak. Manuka honey, walnut, Cox’s
apples and orange peel, cut herbs; fennel and spearmint.
Finish:
Long and dry with spicy oak notes.
7
Glenrothes 1998
Six Pounds
The latest core expression from the Glenrothes catalogue, this 1998
vintage follows on from the previous 1994. The first bottling made
with Gordon Motion as the Glenrothes Malt Master.
Tasting Note
Nose: Very spicy and creamy with oodles of sweet vanilla, ginger nut
biscuits, golden syrup, hints of citrus and malt.
Palate: A creamy, malt-driven palate with sweet winter spices, particularly cinnamon.
Rhubarb crumble with hot custard and hints of black pepper.
Finish: Good length with more vanilla and a suggestion of nutmeg on the tail.
Knockando 12
Five Pounds
A delicate, sweet 12 year old single malt, unchallenging, yet rather
charming. It was because of the Knockando distillery that Knockdhu
began bottling their whiskies under the name anCnoc - for they
deemed their names too similar and wanted to avoid confusion.
Tasting Note
Nose: Gentle and fragrant, Mauka honey, malty barley and steamy hay. Chewy peat lying
in the background.
Palate: Full with notes of heather and damp earth. Honeyed sweetness, Jamaica ginger
cake, rum and malty peat.
Finish: Long with winter spice, crystallised ginger and cereal notes.
Linkwood 12
Six Pounds
The Flora and Fauna series released 12 year old from the Speyside
distillery, Linkwood. Whisky Magazine awarded this an "Editor's
Choice".
Tasting Note
Nose: Quite green, thick. Herbal, nutty, oily. Almond.
Palate: Medium, oily. Honey, pine oil. Malt, almond.
Finish: Quite long, dry, touch of anise.
Longmorn 12 G&M
Five Pounds
A first fill and refill sherry matured 12 year old from the Longmorn
distillery.
Tasting Note
Nose: Full of fruit notes, Apple peels, Calvados, barley sugar, acacia honey,
notes of smokey dry oak.
Palate: Medium body, notes of citrus, dried mixed peel. Toasty cereal and orange blossom
honey.
Finish: Good length with notes if barley and orange honey blossom.
8
The Macallan Gold
Five Pounds
Macallan’s new range has done away with age-statements and instead
focuses on the colour of the whisky. The concept being that the older
the whisky is the darker it will be... Regardless of how true this really
is, it's certainly a great whisky packed with assertive vanilla and
citrus flavours.
Tasting Note
Nose: This burnished gold spirit presents a lemon citrus nose, the orange peel and an
interlacing sweetness that softens but doesn't eliminate the zest. A quiet note of vanilla is
followed by dark chocolate - more assertive, yet not overly so - with a lingering floral and
light oak notes.
Palate: Citrus and boiled sweets rule the palate, along with hints of ginger and cinnamon,
while soft oak tones reveal toasted apples.
Finish: The finish is medium sweet, malty and slightly dry.
The Macallan Sienna
Ten Pounds
The third darkest and third most expensive bottling in the no age
statement, sherry matured 1824 Series from The Macallan. Sienna is a
naturally occurring pigment, referring not only to the hue of this
expression but to the fact that The Macallan's whiskies are all
released with no added colouring.
Tasting Note
Nose: Noticeably bigger than Gold and Amber, orange peel, vanilla sugar and hot cross
buns.
Palate: Raisins and dried apricots, ripe greengages, frozen currants.
Finish: Fruity and slightly spiced with a touch of anise.
Overall: This is where the 1824 Series becomes more intense.
The Macallan Ruby
Eighteen Pounds
The jewel in the crown of The Macallan's 1824 Series is erm, a Ruby!
With the darkest hue in a no age statement range where colour is
king, Ruby has spent the longest time in only the very finest sherry
casks. The colour has been taken on naturally with no artificial
colouring.
Tasting Note
Nose: Rich wedding cake and espresso, cocoa, a little clove and walnut.
Palate: Raspberry coulis, maraschino, prunes, marmalade.
Finish: Long and rich, dark berries and ginger.
Overall: Big, bold, fruity sherried Speyside.
9
Mortlach 15 G&M
Six Pounds
A 15 year old from the Mortlach distillery, aged in first fill and refill
sherry casks before bottling for Gordon and MacPhail.
Tasting Note
Nose: Cereal sweetness, warm barley, apple blossom. Stewed fruits and
Christmas punch.
Palate: Quite full and sweet, cereal notes, syrupy texture. Sherried sultanas, fresh fruit
salad, toasty oak, vanilla spice.
Finish: Long with fruit and spicy oak
Strathisla 12 Year Old
Five Pounds
This is a new edition of the Chivas malt Strathisla 12 year old, a fruity
and sherry-rich single malt from Speyside.
Tasting Note
Nose: Soft oak and hints of candied peel. A little floral character too, with
notes of spice and Danish pastries.
Palate: Malty core with notes of sultanas and cinnamon pastries. Allspice, cooked apple
and mince pies.
Finish: Long finish. Very fruity.
Overall: A good all-rounder - excellent value for money...
Tomintoul 16
Five Pounds
Crafted by fourth generation distiller, Robert Fleming, this is a great
16 year old from Tomintoul.
Tasting Note
Nose: Medium-bodied and punchy, Steamy cut hay, dried grasses, leafy green
note, rooty earth and fudge.
Palate: Medium body and quite rich. Notes of boiled sweets and espresso, moccchaccino,
ground almonds, granary toast with melted butter, vanilla fudge and thick cream.
Finish: Good length, notes of almonds and barley sugar.
10
Highlands
Outside the Speyside area distilling activity is spread more sparsely throughout a wide
area which is best split into four main areas in the North, South, East and West. This large
area covers on the mainland from Pulteney in the northeast to Oban in the west, to
Tullibardine in the south. None of these Highland areas, however, is officially regarded as
a region.
If they have any similarities, it is a firm and round dry character with some peatiness.
Ardmore Traditional
Five Pounds
The 2007 release of this 'Traditional Cask' was the first official single
malt from the Ardmore distillery, this is a young whisky, but it was
aged in quarter casks, which proffers a speedy maturation thus
discounting its youth.
Tasting Note
Nose: Full of caramel. Toasted oak is evident and rich and just the faintest peat has
muscled its way through.
Palate: Lots of barley and cereal notes, oodles of rich bourbon, smoke and peat still present.
Charming interplay through the caramel sweetness and the vanilla spiced oak.
Finish: Has a sharp edge, more caramel and sugary barley notes and a lanolin smoothness
and more tapering smoke.
Dalmore 15
Seven Pounds
The Dalmore 15 year old was first launched in 2007. Matured in
matusalem, apostoles and amoroso sherry casks, it proffers all those
winter spice, orange zest and chocolate notes characteristic of
Dalmore.
Tasting Note
Nose: A chocolate orange. Potpourri, perfumed. Fruitcake, sherry.
Palate: Medium, lovely delivery. Zesty orange, Blue Curaçao, chocolate. Winter spice,
stem ginger in syrup. Hints of anise and a little hickory.
Finish: Malty barley and smoky espresso.
Dalmore King Alexander III
Sixteen Pounds
A sextuple-wood bottling from Dalmore. This auspiciously-named
dram was matured in wine, Madeira, Sherry, Marsala, Kentucky
bourbon and Port casks. King Alexander III is a rich, fruity Highland
single malt.
Tasting Note
Nose: Malty and utterly Dalmore. Seville orange zest, Parfait Amour, malty cereal,
barley and chocolate. Creamy vanilla fudge, tropical fruit with a vaguely vinous quality.
Palate: Medium, rounded. Winter berries, spice, zesty orange. Liqueurs emerge; Gran
Marnier, kirsch and Frangelico.
Finish: Peppery with well-integrated oak and the claret makes a last minute
appearance.
11
Dalwhinnie 15
Six Pounds
A great malt which Jim Murray awarded 95 points in his Whisky
Bible, this is excellent value for money. The flavours are simple, but
flawless, a clean, crisp 15 year old from the Dalwhinnie distillery.
Tasting Note
Nose: Aromatic, toffee, fruit salad, lush nectarine, custard. Floral, apple
blossom, honeysuckle. Apple peels, pear, touch of smoke.
Palate: Malty. Walnuts steeped in manuka honey with vanilla sponge. Gentle smoke
weaves its way through the cereal with a touch of spice.
Finish: Long, malty, walnut, almond.
Edradour 10
Five Pounds
Edradour is one of Scotland's smallest distilleries and at the heart of
the range, this 10 year old Eastern Highlander is a rather unique
single malt, a decidedly rum-like dram with a thick mouthfeel.
Tasting Note
Nose: Medium, great complexity. Thoroughly fruity, sherry, sweetness,
alluring vanilla.
Palate: Cloying, seductive murkiness. Rum, barley, toasted almonds. Some may find
themselves lost in the mêlée, not quite enough method to the madness.
Finish: Any confusion is arrested: spiced fruitcake with crème anglaise.
Fettercairn 1997
Five Pounds
Fettercairn is a Highland whisky which first opened in 1824. This
bottle was distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2010 by Gordon &
MacPhail.
Tasting Note
Nose: The nose combines roasted malt, tropical fruits and fresh-cut grass in a
vibrant and stimulating aroma.
Palate: Toasted malt and a light lemony quality form initially on the palate followed by
notes of chilli and spice.
Finish: The finish has a warming quality with spicy notes on the tail.
Fettercairn Fior
Six Pounds
A handsome, smartly packaged Fettercairn. Fior is Gaelic for "true",
and the whisky has an astonishingly rich flavour of cocoa, espresso,
spices, fruit and almond. It was released in Summer 2010 as part of
the distillery's rebranding process, which is positioning them into the
premium market.
Tasting Note
Nose: It’s quite punchy, has a big hit of sherry, stewed fruits and fig, creamy expresso and
dark chocolate, cocoa powder and a touch of earthy peat.
Palate: very smooth, creamy coffee, melted dark chocolate, burnt orange peels, the sherry
oak is here as well bringing a nice deep fruitiness, soft dark peat-smoke runs though the
palate as well as some desert spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove.
Finish: Dry on the finish, strong notes of oak, salted caramel and toffee, the desert spices
carry over from the palate and fade into the finish.
12
Fettercairn 40
One Hundred and Ten Pounds
The stunning-looking (and stunning-tasting!) Fettercairn 40 Year
Old. This was distilled in 1969 and it was aged in Apostoles Palo
Cortado sherry wood. It was bottled recently with the newly
redesigned packaging, and there are just 463 bottles.
Tasting Note
Nose: Chocolate, dried apricot and musty orange. Very stylish and tasty! Hints of cocoa,
espresso, nutmeg and stewed fruits.
Palate: Good body, with a lot of depth. Hints of dark fruits, honey, caraway, chocolate
oranges (a la Dalmore!), a little tobacco sweetness, pepper and malt.
Finish: Long, oaky and bittersweet with dark chocolate and cedar.
Glen Garioch 12
Six Pounds
Released in 2010, Glen Garioch's new 12 year old is matured in both
bourbon and sherry casks, and it has loads of character, as well as
being bottled at the sensible strength of 48%...
Tasting Note
Nose: The colour of sharp honey, on the nose heathery floral notes are
balanced with the richness of poached pears and the sweetness of malted barley.
Palate: Crème brûlée and sweet ripe banana at first, then comes a light oakiness with
pear fruitiness, leading to a long smooth, creamy and fragrant finish.
Glen Garioch Founder's
Five Pounds
Founders reserve is the new offering from Glen Garioch (pronounced
Glen Geerie).
Tasting Note
Nose: Warm amber in appearance, sweet vanilla and subtle spice combine
with fruitier green apple and grapefruits on the nose.
Palate: Butter cream and vanilla pave the way to fruity green apple skin and citrus
cleanliness, leading to an elegant and subtle finish.
Glengoyne 21
Fourteen Pounds
Winner of a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits
Competition 2005, a single malt from Glengoyne matured in first fill
European oak sherry casks for 21 years.
Tasting Note
Nose: Oak, barley, red fruits.
Palate: Barley and oak, possibly erring on the side of too much oak. Winter spice, cider.
Finish: Oak, barley.
13
Glencadam 10
Five Pounds
This was first released in 2008 under the new ownership of Angus
Dundee. Glencadam 10 stands as a delicate, balanced dram, neither
coloured nor chill-filtered so it retains its true flavour.
Tasting Note
Nose: Aromatic and fresh. Hay, fruit, gentle wood influence with light vanilla
and spice.
Palate: Beautifully balanced with tart fruits, freshly cut hay and vanilla sweetness.
Finish: Long and gentle as it fades out on barley malt and fruit.
Glenmorangie Original
Five Pounds
Original is the core bottling in the Glenmorangie range, released to
replace the old 10 year old. This really is a classic malt, so creamy
and fruity.
Tasting Note
Nose: Very fruity and thick. Rich notes of lemon, nectarine and apple. Spices.
Palate: Fresh and balanced, vanilla. Boiled sweets, very creamy, tiramisu, toffee.
Finish: Quite long, gentle, malty and very fruity.
Oban 1997 DE
Eight Pounds
The Distillers Edition range is a series of Diageo's Classic Malts,
finished in sherry casks. The Oban is finished in Montilla Fino sherry
casks, which results in a clean, nutty flavour. This is the 1997
edition.
Tasting Note
Nose: Hints of cocoa and grape. Dried peels, almond and soft malt. Seasalt.
Palate: Buttery palate with notes of dark chocolate and cooked fruit. Salt caramel and
dried herbs.
Finish: Herbal, coastal finish. Nutty.
Old Pulteney 12
Five Pounds
Matured in ex-bourbon casks for 12 years, this Old Pulteney malt
was a Double Gold winner at the 2006 San Francisco World Spirits
Competition.
Tasting Note
Nose: Crisp and clean. Great balance reveals notes of herbs and grist.
Parsley, almond.
Palate: Balanced with medium body. Musty, nutty, sultana, toffee, spices. Oak.
Finish: Medium, oak, spices.
14
Old Pulteney 21
Fifteen Pounds
Malt from the most northerly mainland distillery in Scotland. This
21yo is an exceptionally well-matured version well worth a try. This
was just rated the best whisky in the in Jim Murray's 2012 Whisky
Bible.
Tasting Note
Nose: Medium to high intensity, dry with a briny hint of sea air.
Palate: Sweet, floral, citrus: lemon and lime plus dry banana skin. Smooth and faintly
salty.
Finish: Creamy, toffee, vanilla, baked red apple with a hint of smokiness and a dry
finish.
Royal Lochnagar 12
Five Pounds
This 12 year old was distillery at the Lochnagar distillery, once visited
by Queen Victoria when she was staying at nearby Balmoral.
Tasting Note
Nose: Full bodied with traces of fruits (apples and pears); slightly fragrant
with spicy overtones.
Palate: Creamy, toffee, vanilla, baked red apple with a hint of smokiness and a dry finish.
15
The Islands
Orkney
Orkney is the most northerly outpost of whisky distilling in Scotland with two very good
malts emanating from Highland Park and Scapa. Their much sought after character has
light smoky heather touches.
Skye
Skye's giant of a malt Talisker is a 'big' whisky in every way with an explosive effect on the
palate and a wonderful peaty, sweetness on the nose. The palate is slightly oily spicy
seaweed, warm, tangy and peaty.
Mull
Tobermory has one the most beautiful distillery locations at the southern end of the famous
harbour on the Hebridean island of Mull. It produces a light medium-flavoured malt with
touches of soft smoky honey and herbs.
Jura
Jura from the island just north of Islay produces a light, slightly oily dram with a malty
flowery feel.
Arran
The most recent addition to the island portfolio is the Arran distillery at Lochranza
producing complex flavours of malt and spice.
Arran 10
Five Pounds
Officially launched in 2006, this 10 year old lies at the heart of the Isle
of Arran range and exudes all the honeyed richness we have come to
associate with the island distillery.
Tasting Note
Nose: Herbal, biscuity, hedgerow greenness and dried grass, like a long
English summer's afternoon.
Palate: Sweet. Quite malty, digestive biscuits, followed by green fruits and Cox's apple peel.
Finish: Slightly bitter, maltiness.
Highland Park 12
Five Pounds
The entry level bottling from Scotland's most northerly distillery,
Highland Park, aged for 12 years with plenty of citrus and green
notes.
Tasting Note
Nose:
Heather-honey sweetness, peaty smokiness
Palate: Rounded smoky sweetness, full malt delivery
Finish: Sweet and lingering with heathery notes and subtle smoke
16
Highland Park 18
Ten Pounds
A superb 18 year old from the Highland Park distillery and a winner
of a Gold Medal at the 2005 San Francisco World Spirits
Competition.
Tasting Note
Nose: Rich, mature oak, top note of aromatic smoke
Palate: Rich, full flavour, honey and peat
Finish: Soft, round and long
Highland Park 25
Twenty Five Pounds
Ever tried a perfect whisky? Well this could be your chance! This
bottling of 25 year old Highland Park single malt is made with whisky
taken from ex-sherry and bourbon casks and bottled at 45.7% abv,
slightly lower than previous 25 year old expressions from the
Orkney distillery. It was awarded 100 points out of 100 at the
2013 Ultimate Spirits Challenge in New York; a perfect score!
Tasting Note
Nose: Soft, plump cherries, toasted walnut, crumbly pastry and brown sugar.
Palate: Stewed fruits, sweet vanilla and some classic Orkney peat. A hint of spiciness, not
too much though.
Finish: Sweet, long and delicious.
Overall: This really is a fantastic single malt from Highland Park, tonnes of flavour but
balanced admirably.
Isle of Jura 10
Five Pounds
A core bottling from the Isle of Jura's only distillery. This 10 year
old has exhibits the distillery's classic oily, briny characteristics.
Tasting Note
Nose: Freshness, notes of damp hay, soft malty cereal. Touch of peat,
gentle oak, blossom tones.
Palate: Thick and full. Barley fudge sweetness, creamy smoothness, aniseed.
Finish: Long with Peppy winter spice.
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Jura Prophecy
Seven Pounds
A very peated edition from Isle of Jura, Prophecy is made from a
selection of old and rare Jura whiskies. Very interesting indeed.
Tasting Note
Nose: Some peat, aniseed, oily, dry, pungent.
Palate: Smoky and dry, a muscular, powerful Jura with notes of nutmeg,
cardamom, sea spray. Coal tar.
Finish: Good length, with punchy, dry peat smoke and dry herbal notes.
Ledaig 10
Seven Pounds
A 10 year old from the Tobermory distillery on Mull, a Gold Medal
winner at the 2008 International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Tasting Note
Nose: Quite light and well-balanced. Soft peat, gentle smoke. Notes of
barley, malt extract, walnut, pine oil. Dried fruit and nuts.
Palate: Medium-bodied and quite rich. Notes of spice, smoked gathering above charred
oak. Quiet and dry peat, black pepper and earth.
Finish: Medium-length, slightly smoky with spice.
Scapa 16
This 16 year old from Orkney's Scapa was relaunched in 2008.
Seven Pounds
Tasting Note
Nose:
Quite thick, rich notes of honeycomb and toffee, dried peel,
marmalade, malty texture.
Palate: Full-bodied, cut grass, honey oak, winter spices, cinnamon, cloves.
Finish: Long, Dry oak, gentle weaving smoke.
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Talisker 10
Five Pounds
A classic Island dram from the Isle of Skye. Always highly rated, this
was an Editor's Choice at Whisky Magazine. Lots of spice and fresh,
tangy peat.
Tasting Note
Nose: Thick, pungent smoke. Notes of kippers, seaweed, apple peels. Fresh and
fragrant.
Palate: Full bodied with huge plumes of smoke and volcanic, peppery peat. Intense.
Finish: Long finish, barley, malt.
Talisker 18
Ten Pounds
A must have for any Talisker fan. The 18 year old was hugely well
received by just about everyone, it took the title Best Whisky in the
World at the 2007 World Whiskies Awards too.
Tasting Note
Nose: Clean and fresh, mixed fruity sweetness, peat and smoky notes of oak,
calvados, ground ginger.
Palate: Thick, rich and full-bodied, spicy peppery oak, espresso beans, wood smoke. Allspice
and zesty character.
Finish: Long finish, peppery oak.
Tobermory 15
Ten Pounds
A 15 year old from the Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull, this
was matured in Gonzalez Byass Oloroso sherry casks.
Tasting Note
Nose: Medium-bodied and rich. Sultanas, Oloroso sherry, lemon and orange
peel. Honeyed cigar smoke.
Palate: Full-bodied, sherried peels, winter spice, crème de cacao, peppery oak.
Finish: Long, spicy. Walnut, salted melted butter.
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Islay
Of all Scotland's malts, the Islay single malts are perhaps the most characteristic. But even
so, there are some surprises within this group which are traditionally held to be amongst
the heaviest and most pungent available. The most recognisable characteristics are due to
the production methods which were developed in concert with the available distilling
ingredients in this remote locality. While the mainland markets were supplied by mainland
distillers in the 18th and 19th centuries, the islanders supplied a local market from stills both legal and illegal - which were operated from farmyards, bothies on the bleak moors
above Port Ellen and remote caves along the precipitous coast of the Oa.
The island of Islay, renowned as the most fertile island in the Hebrides, had three major
assets in this development, a ready source of local barley - or bere as it was then known inexhaustible amounts of peat and burns running brim-full of soft water. It is impossible to
visit Islay and not notice the peat. Along the roadside crossing the enormous Laggan Moss
between Port Ellen and Bowmore the peat banks spread as far as the eye can see. The fuel
was the only means by which the islanders could dry their grain which was an essential
process not on for distilling, but also for storage during the wet seasons. By kilning barley
it could be kept longer and the dryer the grain was, the less likely it was to go mouldy. As
the grain dried in the fumes, the peat imparted to the barley a highly distinctive character
which manifested itself when the spirit was finally distilled from it.
These characteristics are still apparent in today's Islay malts which are renowned for their
seaweedy, iodine like, phenolic character and are best experienced by trying Ardbeg,
Lagavulin and Laphroaig which form the three most traditional Islay malts. The
other Islay single malts display this peaty-smoky characteristic to a lesser degree but it is
always detectable nonetheless.
Ardbeg 10
Six Pounds
Jim Murray's 2008 World Whisky of the Year! When Ardbeg 10 was
released it was the first expression from the distillery not to be chillfiltered. It's a true classic from Islay, and a must have for any fan of
single malt whisky.
Tasting Note
Nose: A ridge of vanilla leads to mountain of peat capped with citrus fruits and circled by
clouds of sea spray.
Palate: Sweet vanilla counterbalanced with lemon and lime followed by that surging
Ardbeg smoke that we all know and love.
Finish: Long and glorious; sea salted caramel and beach bonfire smoke.
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Ardbeg Uigeadail
Seven Pounds
Uigeadail derives from the Scotch Gaelic for 'Dark and Mysterious
Place' and is named for the Loch from whence Ardbeg draws its
waters. Jim Murray's 2009 World Whisky of the Year, this caskstrength bottle exudes breathtaking balance.
Tasting Note
Nose: Multifaceted, notes of peat and little flourishes of dark sugar, freshly ground
espresso beans.
Palate: Ripe fruit and black forest honey. A good helping of malt, Peat and smoked
barley.
Finish: Very long, caramel and malt weave their way through peat smoke and dark sugar
and just a hint of fresh espresso coffee before it finally peters out.
Bowmore 12
Six Pounds
The heart of the Bowmore range, the 12 year old exhibits some
beautiful coastal notes with a gentle peat, it is the balance that the
floral element presents that makes this a great entry bottling for
Bowmore.
Tasting Note
Nose: Very floral, lots of peat and smoky heather. Ash, hay, coastal, zesty orange.
Palate: Lovely and rounded, perfumed smoke, coastal element develops. Dark Peat.
Blossom, oily sweetness.
Finish: Very smoky, long. Sea spray, dry grass, ash and citrus.
Bowmore 18
Eleven Pounds
A comparatively recent release from Bowmore, the 18 year old was
launched in January of 2007 to replace the 17 year old. A perfumed,
fruity offering from the Islay distillery.
Tasting Note
Nose: Pungent, citrus. Stewing fruit, hints of damp wood and a very soft
smoke.
Palate: Spirity at first, then give ways to perfume, fruit, plum jam. A good sweetness, peat
smoke, grapey.
Finish: Seville marmalade, blossom, dark peat.
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Bruichladdich ‘The Classic Laddie’
Five Pounds
Created by Jim McEwan from whisky matured in American oak
casks alongside Lochindaal, and chosen to represent the classic,
unpeated distillery style. Bruichladdich's new signature bottling is
made with 100% Scottish barley.
Tasting Note
Nose: Barley sugar, mint, freshly cut wild flowers; buttercup, daisy, meadowsweet,
myrtle, primrose and cherry blossom. Caramelisd fruits, lemon drops, honey, tangerine
and tablet.
Palate: Refined and refreshing, sweet oak and barley. Ripe green fruit, brown sugar.
Finish: Unforgettable! Its best enjoyed in good company.
Bunnahabhain 12
Six Pounds
This entry level Bunnahabhain bottling comes in a redesigned bottle.
This 12 year old is lightly peated for an Islay single malt and
consequently is a light, fresh dram. Now at the higher strength of
46.3% - for more complexity and flavour.
Tasting Note
Nose: Fresh, sweet. Seaweed, malt.
Palate: Soft, supple. Sherry, nutty. A little sweetness, malty, juicy sultana. Slightly
coastal.
Finish: Sherried, mochaccino, herbal, balanced salty tang.
Caol Ila 12
Six Pounds
This 12 year old is the entry level bottling from the Caol Ila distillery,
launched in June of 2002 this expression is light and fresh with that
distinctive Caol Ila smoke. Pronounced Cowl-Eela.
Tasting Note
Nose: Fresh, herbal. Rubbed peppermint leaves, stemmy, damp grass, smoky.
Oily, cigar leaves, smoked ham, hickory.
Palate: Good body, oily, tar, elegant smoke. Hints of boiled sweets.
Finish: Long, peppery, spicy warmth, smoke.
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Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014
Six Pounds
The Machir Bay 2014 is a vatting of 5 and 6 year old ex-bourbon
barrels and Oloroso sherry butts. According to John MacLellan,
Distillery Manager at Kilchoman, the sherry butts give the whisky a
desired taste that has proven to be this drams unique selling point.
The best new Islay whisky.
Tasting Note
Nose: Picture yourself sitting around a lovely peat fire in a harbour: Plenty of peat,
iodine, salt and oiliness. A lovely little bit of mintiness follows with floral and citrus
notes hiding at the back.
Palate: Big hit of cut grass and syrup right from the word go! The smoke is much
calmer on the palate and balances really, really nicely with that soft syrup and chocolate
feel. The oily character has fallen but the coastal feel is still pretty dominant with the
peat and sweetness on the palate.
Finish: Salty, savoury, and meaty like good dim sum dumplings.
Lagavulin 16
Seven Pounds
A much sought-after single malt with the massive peat-smoke that's
typical of southern Islay - but also offering richness and a dryness
that turns it into a truly interesting dram. The 16 year old has
become a benchmark Islay dram from the Lagavulin distillery.
Tasting Note
Nose: More like Lapsang Souchong tea than Lapsang Souchong! One of the smokiest
noses from Islay. It's big, very, very concentrated, and redolent of iodine, sweet spices, good,
mature sherry and creamy vanilla. Stunning.
Palate: Very thick and rich. A massive mouthful of malt and sherry with good fruity
sweetness, but also a wonderful sweetness. Big, powerful peat and oak.
Finish: Long, spicy finish, figs, dates, peat smoke, vanilla.
Laphroaig 10
Six Pounds
Really smoky and iodine rich. This has to be one of Scotland's most
characterful drams. Laphroaig are known for their medicinal malts,
and the classic 10 year old is no exception.
Tasting Note
Nose: This opens on big, smoky muscular peat notes. There are spices, and
liquorice, as well as a big dose of salt. This whisky has become slightly sweeter in recent
years, and it beautifully on the nose, amidst the classic iodine/sticking plasters and cool
wood smoke we love.
Palate: Seaweed-led, with a hint of vanilla ice cream and more than a whiff of notes from
the First Aid box (TCP, plasters etc). The oak is big, and muscles its way into the fore as
you hold this whisky over your tongue. An upsurge of spices develop – cardamom/black
pepper/chilli.
Finish: Big and drying, as the savoury, tarry notes build up with an iodine complexity.
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The Lowlands
The modern difference between the Lowland Malt and that originating from the other
regions is simply one of style. Historically, the distinguishing factors were more numerous.
In the late 18th century the product of the discreet Highland still (be it legal or illegal) was
considered a wholesome, hand-crafted product which was in great demand in the urban
markets, but the larger Lowland distillers produced a relatively coarse whisky (rarely
made purely from malted barley alone) in huge industrial stills in an effort to supply both
the city drinkers and the lucrative London market. The distinction was created by the
industrial Lowland distillers who aggressively exploited whatever Government legislation
was in force. The distinctions were magnified by the drawing of the 'Highland Line' which
effectively stretched from Greenock on the river Clyde to Dundee on the river Tay and
split the country into two regions 'gauged' by two separate sets of Excise regulations due
to the disparity between their respective products.
The lowlands tend to produce whiskies with a gentle lemony sweet fruitiness of the malt
without the peatiness or costal brine and seaweed.
Auchentoshan 12
Five Pounds
A more recent release from the Auchentoshan distillery, replacing the
previous staple 10 year old, this 12 year old bottling exhibits the
new, slightly Imperial aesthetics Auchentoshan have rebranded
themselves with.
Tasting Note
Nose: Cereals, exotic fruits.
Palate: Tannins, a little sweet barley, vanilla.
Finish: Dry and very long, a little sweetness from the barley.
Auchentoshan Three Wood
Six Pounds
A Lowland single malt matured in 3 different casks, namely: Pedro
Ximenez Sherry casks, bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry. A
distinctive triple distilled whisky from Auchentoshan.
Tasting Note
Nose: Cooked fruit, sherry, toffee, a rum-like quality and notes of Bas
Armagnac.
Palate: Rich. Liqueur cherries in dark chocolate, more sherried fruit, ripe dark forest
fruits, like a Black Forest Gateaux.
Finish: Superb, led by thick dark treacle and toffee notes and chewy wooded notes,
balanced with a green fruit edge.
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Glenkinchie 12
Five Pounds
This 12 year old is the new entry level bottling from Glenkinchie,
released in 2007 to replace the 10 year old.
Tasting Note
Nose: Quite light, yet fragrant. Fresh cereal and grist, barley sweetness and
a nutty note. Acacia honey.
Palate: Very fruity with notes of Madeira and sweet stewed fruits. Calvados and tannic
oak.
Finish: Medium length with notes of cereal and a fresh greenness.
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Campbeltown
Dufftown could lay claim to being Scotland's whisky capital but in the middle of the last
century there was only one place which had the right to that name - Campbeltown.
Situated on the lee shore of the Mull of Kintyre, this town was literally awash with
distillate just over a hundred years ago. When Alfred Barnard compiled his wonderful
book - The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom in 1886, he found no less than 21
producing distilleries in and around the town! Today, the sad reminder of the industry's
presence in the town is now manifested in just two distilleries, Glen Scotia and
Springbank. These Campbeltown single malts are very individual, with a briny or fresh
salty-sweet character.
Springbank 10
Five Pounds
The 10 year old from the Springbank distillery in Campbeltown, a
mixture of both bourbon and sherry matured whisky.
Tasting Note
Nose: Big-bodied with oaked aridity. Peat, earthen rootiness. Exotic fruits
and a hint of salinity.
Palate: Full-bodied with a good helping of cereal sweetness. Peat, with a dark nuttiness
and whirling smoke.
Finish: Long and crisp with a coastal tang and a trailing peat with oaked dryness.
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Blends
A blended whisky is the product of blending different types of whiskies and sometimes
also neutral grain spirits, colouring, and flavourings. It is generally the product of mixing
one or more higher-quality straight or single malt whiskies with lighter spirits and water.
Ballantine's Finest
Four Pounds
Ballantines Finest was Jim Murray's No Age Statement Blend of
the Year with a whopping 96 points! A classic blend.
Tasting Note
Nose: Expressive, crisp barley sugars. Touch of wood smoke, toffee.
Palate: Rich and sweet. Barley and caramel, very gentle peat.
Finish: Soft and sweet, fudge.
Ballantine's 12 Gold Seal
Five Pounds
The key ingredients in the Ballantines blends are Miltonduff and
Glenburgie as well as whisky from around fifty other distilleries.
This is a new 12 year old.
Tasting Note
Nose: Fruit salad and sherry, mixed nuts.
Palate: Rather creamy. Mochaccino and buttery pastry, spice.
Finish: Gentle, spice and fruitcake.
Ballantine's 17 40%
Seven Pounds
Ballantine's 17 Year Old is a blend favoured by many, including Jim
Murray, who awarded it Scotch Blend of the Year 2010, and who
can blame him? Ballantine’s 17 year old displays all the flavours of
Scotland, with a careful combination of malt and grain whiskies
from all over Scotland.
Tasting Note
Nose: Deep, balanced, elegant and smooth with hints of sweet vanilla, oak and a
sensation of smoke.
Palate: Full and complex, vibrant honey sweetness and creamy vanilla flavours with
hints of oak and spicy liquorice.
Finish: Long, sweet and smooth with a hint of spice.
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Ballantine's 21
Twelve Pounds
A sparkling gold colour, floral nose and aromatic palate give it a
delightful complexity. This sophisticated blend is a whisky to
savour on special occasions. Ballantines base their whiskies
around malt whisky from distilleries like Glenburgie and
Miltonduff.
Tasting Note
Nose: Rich, honey-sweet with hints of apple and floral aromas.
Palate: Smooth, rich liquorice and aromatic spice flavours with traces of heather and
smoke.
Finish: Long and mellow with hints of dried fruits.
Ballantine's 30
Thirty Pounds
With a deep gold colour, subtle sweet flavour on the nose and a
complex palate of honey and vanilla, Ballantine’s 30 Year Old is an
exceptional, rare and exclusive whisky. It won a Gold at the
International Spirits Challenge and Jim Murray gave it 92 points.
Tasting Note
Nose: Deep, soft fruity aromas and an elegant subtle sweetness with a luscious vanilla
oakiness.
Palate: A full, rich complex balance of honey, floral and fruity flavours, with mellow
notes of vanilla.
Finish: Long-lasting and elegant.
Mackinlay’s Shackleton
Fourteen Pounds
Yes, this is it – an exact replica of the whisky left in Antarctica by Sir
Ernest Shackleton during his Antarctic expedition between 1907 and
1909. The whisky was recreated down to the very last detail by
Whyte and Mackay’s blender extraordinaire, Richard Paterson. The
final replica bottle of Mackinlay’s blend contains whiskies from
Speyside, the Island, and the Highlands, and the recipe even
includes some very rare 1983 Glen Mhor!
Tasting Note
Nose: Soft, elegant & refined. Crushed apple, pear & pineapple, buttery vanilla, creamy
caramel and nutmeg. Marmalade, cinnamon, smoke, ginger and muscovado sugar
Palate: With a generous strength of 47.3% this gives the spirit plenty of impact on the
palate but in a mild warming manner. Gentle bonfire smoke give’s way to spicy rich toffee,
treacle and pecan nuts. Creme brulee, orange rind and freshly baked bread.
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Whyte and Mackay 30
Thirty Pounds
An incredible 30 year old blended whisky from Whyte and Mackay,
very rich and well sherried.
Tasting Note
Nose: Deep and mellow. The sherry wood exposes itself immediately. Hearty
and grand, the weight of the Speyside malts lingers in graceful harmony.
Palate: A classic refined flavour brought about by its many years in wood. A blend of this
age must be drunk with respect - slow, not hurried. Each flavour must be given time to
reveal its many fine qualities - rich and mellow, elegant and distinguished. All these
excellent attributes are captured on the tongue leaving the palate rewarded and satisfied.
Grain whisky
Ordinarily refers to any whisky made (at least in part) from grains other than malted
barley, such as whisky made using maize (corn), wheat or rye. Grain whiskies can also
contain some malted barley. Whisky made from only malted barley (or primarily from
malted barley) is typically called malt whisky rather than grain whisky (although barley is
a grain). Most American whiskeys and Canadian whiskeys are grain-based.
Compass Box Hedonism
Seven Pounds
A delightful blended grain whisky, Hedonism really is as enjoyable as
the name suggests, a smooth and creamy offering from Compass
Box.
Tasting Note
Nose: Ripe fruit, fraises des bois and sponge cake. Red pepper’s.
Palate: Sensual, disarmingly sleek & creamy. Black cherry, sweet spices, cereal notes.
Finish: Very warm and spiced, toasty, some oak and milk chocolate.
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