THE 2025 WHISKies

BRAND: NIKKA WHISKY
PRODUCT: Nikka Whisky - Taketsuru Pure Malt
ORIGIN: Japan
TASTING NOTES: A tribute to Masataka Taketsuru, the father of Japanese whisky and founder of Nikka. As a disciplined craftsman, Taketsuru had always been in search of perfection in the art of blending his whiskies, a personality trait that inspired Nikka to create the Taketsuru Pure Malt. This whisky is a blend of casks from Yoichi and Miyagikyo, Nikka’s two distilleries, and showcases an exquisite balance between great softness and deep complexity.

BRAND: JURA WHISKY
PRODUCT: Jura 14 Rye Cask
ORIGIN: Scotland
TASTING NOTES: Matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in American rye casks for a warm, welcoming whisky that's reminiscent of the long summer days on Jura. Layers of sweet citrus fruit, dark chocolate, a hint of cinnamon and pecan pie.

BRAND: PAUL JOHN INDIAN SINGLE MALT
PRODUCT: Paul John Peated Indian Single Malt
ORIGIN: India
TASTING NOTES: The smoky, sweet and earthy fragrances have mellow resonances of spice. PALATE: As the crisp Muscovado and Demerara sugars create layered nuances, the smokiness of the Single Malt sets in, creating a perfect balance. A hint of spice radiates from the hickory and Dominican-style cocoa. FINISH: The delicate finish of this Single Malt has notes of Dominican cocoa laced with the tart edge of marmalade. COLOUR: Golden mahogany.

BRAND: JOHNNIE WALKER
PRODUCT: Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old
ORIGIN: Scotland
TASTING NOTES: Made using whiskies from all over Scotland that have matured for at least 18 years, carefully chosen for their flavour and quality, this combination of up to 18 whiskies make for a wonderful combination of both classic and contemporary tastes – blending notes of citrus and fragrant almonds, with warm vanilla and a hint of tropical tangerines.

BRAND: Oban
PRODUCT: Oban 14 Year Old
ORIGIN: Scotland
TASTING NOTES: Oban comes from one of the oldest and smallest distilleries in Scotland, made by a small team of 7 dedicated craftsmen in limited volumes using a time-honoured process. Oban is the perfect marriage of the full-bodied character of Island whiskies & the softer style of Western Highland malts. A superb combination of rich sweetness and smoky dryness.

BRAND: BRUICHLADDICH
PRODUCT: Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Year
ORIGIN: Scotland 
TASTING NOTES: Port Charlotte's long-awaited 10-year-old, rich and smoky whisky made by the independently minded folks at Bruichladdich distillery on Islay. PC, as it's known to its friends, is heavily peated to 40PPM, putting it up with Islay's other heavy hitters. The resulting whisky is big and peaty with a maritime tang—the Bruichladdich team would claim that it's because their warehouses are so close to the sea, we're still undecided. In the end, the most important thing is the taste: it's rather good.

BRAND: TOMATIN
PRODUCT: Tomatin 12 Year Old Bourbon & Sherry Cask
ORIGIN: Scotland
TASTING NOTES: A bright pale golden colour, with aromas of butterscotch, marzipan, toasted pecan and smoke. Smooth, with a warming cinnamon spice sensation; the flavours feature crisp pear, vanilla, almond, lilac and honeysuckle with an undertone of dried apricots. The finish is clean and gentle, with subtle lingering flavours.

BRAND: INDRI SINGLE MALT INDIAN WHISKY|
PRODUCT: Indri Single Malt Indian Whisky
ORIGIN: India
TASTING NOTES: "There are a lot of bruleed notes evoked here of flamed orange peel, kindling wood, poached pear, and fire-roasted marshmallow. Big and bold on the palate, showing stewed sweet oranges, mulled golden pears, and ginger-spiced molasses, the finish is spice-laden and well-integrated." 93 Points, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2023.

BRAND: GLENALLACHIE 
PRODUCT: Glenallachie 12 Year Old
ORIGIN: Scotland
TASTING NOTES: Butterscotch and honey playing the lead, with raisins and mocha in the background. 90 Points, IWSC 2019 "Aromatic and perfumed, with vanilla, bananas and coconuts on the first impression. Sweet and lifted on the palate, with a light and creamy mouthfeel. This is an easy-drinking example, with a charming bourbon vanilla finish.” Ralfy's Whisky of the Year 2019. Double Gold, San Francisco Spirits Competition 2020

BRAND: BENROMACH
PRODUCT: Benromach 10 Year Old
ORIGIN: Scotland
TASTING NOTES: Sweet green apple and pear complement creamy dark honey. Soft vanilla develops alongside gentle smoke. Smooth flavours of malted cereal and stewed fruit combine with warm toffee and a hint of black cherry. Full bodied finish with malted cereal persevering and lingering soft smoke. 92 Points, Whisky Advocate "This expression was distilled from malt peated to 12 to 14 ppm, and aged in 80% bourbon and 20% sherry casks before a final year in more sherry casks. Sweet smoke on the early nose, with malt, vanilla, quite dry sherry, apple, and toffee. Smoky barley, vanilla, subtle sherry, and light honey on the palate. Peaches, ginger, and woodsmoke on the medium-length finish. Very accomplished. ” 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast "This copper-hued whiskey offers concentrated caramel, pecan pie and oak aromas. The palate is oaky and drying, not as luscious as the aroma suggests, showing vanilla and spice, plus hints of baked apple and cocoa. Adding water brings out more nutty flavor and a whiff of smoke.”

BRAND: MICHTER'S
PRODUCT: Michter’s US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
ORIGIN: USA
TASTING NOTES: Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is made from a carefully selected mashbill that features the highest quality American corn. It is then matured to the peak of perfection. Truly "small batch" each batch of our US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is batched in a holding tank sized to fit a maximum of twenty full barrels, leaving no margin for "blending out" imperfection and thus necessitating excellence from every barrel. Reflecting the spirit of the Bluegrass State, Michters US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is nuanced, mellow and earthy. Tasting Notes: Rich caramel with balanced vanilla, stone fruit notes, smoky depth, with an oak finish.

BRAND: BOWMORE
PRODUCT: Bowmore 15 Year Old Sherry Oak
ORIGIN: SCOTLAND
TASTING NOTES: Aromas of moist Corinth raisins and sweet dates are complemented by sweet spices, cinnamon, cocoa beans, a hint of dark chocolate, and subtle smoke. The palate offers flavours of cedarwood, treacle toffee, boiled sweet confectionery, clove spice, and liquorice root. A curiously rich and wooded finish leads to contented sweet spice.

BRAND: THE GLENLIVET
PRODUCT: The Glenlivet 15-Year-Old French Oak Reserve
ORIGIN: SCOTLAND
TASTING NOTES: The unique use of French oak casks intensifies the whisky's character, imparting a richer, creamier texture and a distinctive spiciness. Deep golden in colour, it offers enticing aromas and flavours of crème brûlée, sweet apple, and delicate peat smoke. Hints of lavender add an elegant floral nuance, leading to a rich, complex, and lingering finish.

BRAND: ABERLOUR
PRODUCT: Aberlour A'bunadh Alba
ORIGIN: SCOTLAND
TASTING NOTES: "Classic style with balanced oak notes on the nose combining with confected red fruits and spice on the palate with sweetness, ending in a liquorice finish. Sweet and spicy with clear wood dominance on the palate; viscous and lush." 96 Points, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2023.

BRAND: MACALONEY WHISKY
PRODUCT: The Peat Project: European Moscatel Barrique
ORIGIN: CANADA
TASTING NOTES: Peat-smoked on-site using Olympic Peninsula peat, this single malt delivers layered waves of coastal smoke, sweet citrus, and charred oak. The bourbon cask maturation softens the spirit’s boldness, highlighting its smooth malt core with hints of vanilla, sea brine, and smouldering driftwood.

BRAND: GLEN GRANT
PRODUCT: Glen Grant 18YO
ORIGIN: SCOTLAND
TASTING NOTES: Colour: Bright gold Aroma: Rich and floral with oaky overtones and hints of baking spices Taste: Malty caramel, delicate, dried raisins, and vanilla Finish: Long, sweet with hints of nuts