In the forest at Gaick they tell of the witch of Laggan, who had a heart as black as night. Cú Dhub is named after her — and the whisky comes in the same colour.

Expert description

Cú Dhub Batch No 1 The Black Dog is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 43%.

The name means black dog in Gaelic and refers to a Highland folk tale about the witch of Laggan, who could change shape. The whisky is a marriage of Scottish malt whiskies, assembled and bottled by the Danish spirits company Mac Y. The dark colour is part of the concept and makes the bottle easy to spot on a shelf — behind it sits a thoroughly malted whisky with a clear liquorice character.

Tasting notes

Nose

Roasted coffee beans and dusty malt sweetness, English liquorice and a hint of dryness.

Palate

Creamy and intense. Sweetness and liquorice first, then vanilla and a distinctly spiced middle. The malt character runs right through and carries the whole flavour.

Finish

Medium and sweet with liquorice, malt and a dry spiced close.

Specifications

Name: Cu Dhub Batch No 1 The Black Dog Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 43%
Distillery: Cú Dhub
Bottler: Mac Y
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43 %
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Batch No. 1 The Black Dog
EAN no.: 5714772001039

Flavour profile

Malty · Liquorice · Creamy · Sweet · Spiced

Did you know?

Cú Dhub means black dog in Gaelic, and the name points at one of the most widespread ghost motifs in British folklore. The black dog turns up everywhere from the Highlands to the English moors — always as an omen, never as company.

See our full range of Cu Dhub Whisky

Westport is the unofficial name used for Glenmorangie when the whisky has a small amount of spirit from another distillery added, meaning it cannot be sold as a single malt. This cask shows just how much character the Italian house Wilson & Morgan can conjure.

The expert's description

Westport 2004/2019 Glenmorangie Wilson & Morgan 15 år Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 57,8% is a Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in Sherry wood, butt #900050 and bottled at 57.8%.

The whisky was distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2019 by Wilson & Morgan from a single sherry butt, #900050, with an outturn of 539 bottles. It carries clear traces of Glenmorangie's clean, fruity, lightly spiced profile, but gains extra depth and dark nuances from the long sherry maturation.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried fruit, raisins, dark caramel and warm spice.

Palate

Full and oily with nuts, oak and chocolate.

Finish

Long, dark and lasting with sherry-driven tones.

Specifications

Name: Westport 2004/2019 Glenmorangie Wilson & Morgan 15 år Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 57,8%
Distillery: Westport
Bottler: Wilson & Morgan
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 57.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry wood, butt #900050
Distilled: 2004
Bottled: 2019
Number of bottles: 539
EAN no.: 8033749406033

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Full-bodied · Spiced

Did you know?

The name Westport is typically used when a whisky from a named distillery has a small proportion from another distillery blended in, which legally prevents it from carrying the single malt label, even though the majority still comes from one place.

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Glenborrodale is not a distillery. It is a village on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, and Adelphi has borrowed the name for the range where they marry malts from several distilleries rather than bottle a single cask. Batch 8 is the eighth release in the run.

The expert's description

Glenborrodale 11 Year Old Batch Release no 8 is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky from Adelphi, bottled at 46% in 1,404 bottles.

Adelphi is known first and foremost for single cask bottlings at cask strength, so a blended malt at 46% is a deliberate step to one side. The idea behind Glenborrodale is to build a whisky where the blend does more than the individual parts, and where the strength is set so the bottle can be drunk without ceremony. Batch 8 is an 11 year old — the oldest in the run so far.

The range belongs to Adelphi's Dales releases, where the names are taken from places in Ardnamurchan and Morvern. It is the same country where Adelphi built the Ardnamurchan distillery in 2014, and where the centre of gravity of the firm now lies.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sherried fruit and malt, with dried apricot and a trace of candied orange. Behind it sits a touch of smoke that only just shows itself.

Palate

Full and malt-driven. Dark fruit and nuts from the sherry casks, with a spiced middle and a light smoke note underneath. The 46% gives the body firmness without making it sharp.

Finish

Medium. Malt and dried fruit first, then a dry spiced close with a final wisp of smoke.

Specifications

Name: Glenborrodale 11 Year Old Batch Release no 8 Adelphi Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Number of bottles: 1,404
Edition: Glenborrodale Batch Release no 8
EAN no.: 5060383651508

Flavour profile

Sherried · Malty · Dark fruit · Lightly peated · Spiced

Did you know?

Glenborrodale is part of Adelphi's Dales range, where the releases are named after places in Ardnamurchan and Morvern on Scotland's west coast. The names point to the country rather than to the distilleries, precisely because the contents change from batch to batch.

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Seven years is young for a blend. There is not enough cask time to smooth everything out, and that puts demands on the malts going in. Batch 4 is the fourth release in the Adelphi Glenborrodale range, and it shows what the house can do without age as a safety net.

The expert's description

Glenborrodale 7 Year Old Batch Release no 4 is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky from Adelphi, bottled at 46% in 1,484 bottles.

A young blended malt depends entirely on the selection. There are no decades in wood to pull the whisky together, so the blend has to work first time. That is exactly the kind of work Adelphi has built its name on, and their selection standards are the same whether a cask ends up as a single cask or in a blend like this one.

Adelphi tastes far more casks than it bottles. Alex Bruce and the whisky writer Charles MacLean taste the samples together, and under four per cent of the casks offered are approved. It is an unusually hard sift, and it is the whole basis of the firm’s reputation.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh malt and bright fruit, with vanilla and a trace of honey. The youth registers as a cereal sharpness behind the sweetness.

Palate

Direct and malt-driven. Apple, pear and pale caramel, with a dry spiced edge from the cask. The 46% gives it enough weight not to feel thin.

Finish

Medium and dry. Malt and a touch of oak closing cleanly.

Specifications

Name: Glenborrodale 7 Year Old Batch Release no 4 Adelphi Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 7 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Number of bottles: 1,484
Edition: Glenborrodale Batch Release no 4

Flavour profile

Malty · Fruity · Dry · Spiced · Young

Did you know?

Under four per cent of the casks Adelphi is offered are approved for bottling. Alex Bruce and Charles MacLean sit together and taste the samples, and most casks are sent back — including casks that would be perfectly saleable at other bottlers.

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At the far edge of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, where the Atlantic washes over Scotland's westernmost point, lies the valley of Glenborrodale.

Expert description

Glenborrodale 8 Year Old Batch Release No. 3 from Adelphi is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky matured in sherry casks and bottled at 46%. The whisky is the third release in Adelphi's ongoing Glenborrodale series, in which several Scotch single malts are combined into one blended malt built around a firm sherry core. Batch Release No. 3 is bottled with no chill filtration and no added colour, with only 1,014 bottles made of this particular release. The name Glenborrodale comes from the small valley on the Ardnamurchan peninsula where Adelphi's owners built their own distillery in 2014 — the blended malt is thus named after the land the company would later come to distil on. Adelphi itself dates back to 1826, when the name was first used for a distillery in Glasgow's Gorbals district. It closed in 1907, but was revived in 1993 as an independent bottler, and since 2004 Keith Falconer and Donald Houston have led the company.

Tasting notes

Nose

Rich and malty with layers of fresh sherry, condensed milk and biscuit sweetness, while a hint of citrus cuts through in the background.

Palate

On the palate you meet chocolate-dipped wafers, rum-and-raisin fudge and a mild, coastal peat smoke that can just be glimpsed behind the red fruit.

Finish

The finish is medium-length with prunes and sugared almonds, slowly turning into a dry, lightly smoky tail.

Specifications

Name: Glenborrodale 8 år Batch Release nr 3 Adelphi Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Number of bottles: 1,014
Edition: Batch Release No. 3

Flavour profile

Sherried · Fruity · Lightly smoky · Spicy

Did you know?

The name Glenborrodale roughly means 'the fortified valley' — and the valley sits just a short drive from where Adelphi today distils its own Ardnamurchan malt. The blended malt was on shelves long before the distillery itself was even finished.

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Mossburn gathers malt from the Scottish islands and lets the charred oak of the casks speak clearly, tying smoke and spice together in a different way than the well-known Islay names.

Expert's Description

Mossburn Island is an Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky combining malt from several island distilleries, bottled at 46%.

The whisky is matured in a combination of reused American bourbon casks with heavily charred heads – a technique that adds extra character from the oak. It is bottled without added colour or chill filtration.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The glass first greets you with tar, quickly followed by citrus peel and a hint of peat smoke.

Palate

The palate is full-bodied with salted caramel, ash and smoked bacon.

Finish

The finish is dry with lingering smoke.

Specifications

Distillery: Mossburn
Region/Country: Islands, Scotland
Type: Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks with heavily charred heads
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Cask Bill No. 1

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Maritime · Salty · Powerful

Did You Know?

Mossburn is an independent whisky merchant that, alongside its blended releases, also owns the two Scottish distilleries Torabhaig on Skye and Reivers near the English border.

See our full range of Mossburn

This blend crosses borders in a way few other whiskies do - malt and grain whisky from several countries brought together in one glass.

Expert Description

Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Malt Whisky is bottled at 46.5%.

The whisky is composed by Ichiro Akuto of Chichibu Distillery and combines malt whisky from several countries, including Japan, Scotland and Ireland, with grain whisky from the US and Canada. The series is a tribute to whisky's global character and showcases Akuto's ability to blend across traditions.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, apple and a light spiced sweetness.

Palate

Round and complex with caramel, vanilla and a hint of oak.

Finish

Medium length and soft.

Specifications

Name: Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended
Distillery: Chichibu
Region/Country: Japan (multiple origins)
Type: World Blended Malt Whisky
ABV: 46.5%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 3700597306451

Flavour Profile

Round · Complex · Spiced · Soft

Did You Know?

The label features a world map marking the countries of origin for the various whiskies in the blend - a visual tribute to the series' global concept.

See our full range of {'da': 'Chichibu whisky', 'en': 'Chichibu whisky', 'sv': 'Chichibu whisky'}

Winter falls fast in Speyside, and the little fox terrier with the oversized moustache returns to keep the cold at bay with sherry and spice.

Expert's Description

Scallywag Douglas Laing The Winter Edition is a Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and Oloroso casks, and bottled at cask strength of 52.6%.

Douglas Laing blends together several Speyside distilleries under Scallywag's distinctive fox label. This winter release leans into deep sherry character, with only 3,000 bottles produced.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark cocoa and plump raisins meet a whisper of tobacco, while warming winter spices like clove and cinnamon simmer underneath.

Palate

Full and round with sherry sweetness, dark chocolate and a touch of orange peel, carried by the high strength without turning sharp.

Finish

Long and warming, closing on spiced oak, dried fruit and a final bitter note of coffee grounds.

Specifications

Name: The Winter Edition
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 52.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Number of Bottles: 3,000 bottles
Edition: The Winter Edition

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Spiced · Dark · Full-bodied

Did You Know?

The scruffy fox terrier on the label is drawn specifically for the Scallywag range and changes backdrop with each seasonal release — in winter he stands beneath the northern lights.

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Named after the Scottish "samurai" Thomas Blake Glover, who helped modernise Japan in the 19th century, this series brings Scotch and Japanese malt whisky together in one cask.

Expert Description

The Glover 4 Year Old Batch 5 by Adelphi is a Fusion of Japanese and Scotch Malt Whisky, bottled at cask strength of 54.7%.

Behind the bottle is the Scottish independent bottler Adelphi, which, together with Fusion Whisky, created The Glover series: a fusion of Scotch malt from Adelphi's own Ardnamurchan Distillery and Japanese malt from Chichibu Distillery. The name honours Thomas Blake Glover, the Briton who played a decisive role in opening Japan to the West.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Peaty smoke meets delicate Japanese fruit sweetness and a touch of honey.

Palate

Powerful and spiced with dried fruit, pepper and a distinct smoky core from the Scotch side of the blend.

Finish

Long, smoky and dry, with a last note of Japanese apple.

Specifications

Name: The Glover 4 Year Old Batch 5
Distillery: Adelphi
Region/Country: Scotland/Japan
Type: Fusion of Japanese and Scotch Malt Whisky
Age: 4 Years
ABV: 54.7%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5060383651072

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spicy · Powerful · Fruity

Investment Potential

Low-Medium. The Glover series is released in small, numbered batches, and earlier releases are already hard to find on the Danish market.

Did You Know?

Thomas Blake Glover was the first non-Japanese person ever to receive the Order of the Rising Sun for his role in modernising 19th-century Japan.

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Robert Burns wrote of the small, timid field mouse. Douglas Laing's version of the beastie is anything but timid – 25 years have given it both teeth and temper.

Expert's description

Timorous Beastie 25 år Douglas Laing Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46,8% is a Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American oak and sherry casks and bottled at 46,8%.

This 25-year-old expression is one of the oldest releases ever in the Timorous Beastie range, composed of selected Highland single malts matured on a combination of oak casks.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, dried apricot and a touch of old leather.

Palate

Spiced raisin sweetness, caramel and toasted oak.

Finish

Long, dry and lightly smoky.

Specifications

Name: Timorous Beastie 25 år Douglas Laing Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46,8%
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Highland
Type: Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 25 Years
ABV: 46,8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak and sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Number of bottles: 1,600
Edition: Limited Edition

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Spiced · Fresh

Did you know?

Douglas Laing never reveals the distillery behind Timorous Beastie – the philosophy is that the whisky should speak for itself, regardless of which Highland distillery the malt comes from.

See our full range of Timorous Beastie

21 years in cask lift Rock Island to a more mature, complex level than the younger releases in Douglas Laing's island range.

Expert Review

Rock Island 21 år Douglas Laing Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46,8% is an Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 46.8% ABV.

Rock Island 21 years old is a blended malt from Douglas Laing, composed entirely of whisky from Scotland's islands. With 21 years in cask, the whisky has developed a depth and body that sets it apart from the more accessible releases in the range.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is maritime with sea salt, smoke and a hint of dried fruit.

Palate

The palate is full with smoke, honey and a light spiced warmth.

Finish

The finish is long and smoky, with lingering salt.

Specifications

Name: Rock Island 21 år Douglas Laing Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46,8%
Distillery: Rock Island
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region: The Scottish Islands, Scotland
Type: Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 21 Years
ABV: 46.8%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes

Flavour Profile

Maritime · Peated · Complex

Did You Know?

Rock Island brings together malt from several of the Scottish islands, including Orkney, Jura, Arran and Mull, into a single blended malt representing the full range of island whisky.

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Blackadder calls its releases 'Raw Cask' for good reason — nothing is adjusted, nothing is dressed up. Just Islay, exactly as the cask handed it over.

Expert's Description

Smoking Islay 2017 is a Blended Islay Malt Whisky from Blackadder, bottled in November 2017 from cask number SI 2017-04 at 55%.

The 'Smoking Islay' series is Blackadder's umbrella brand for independent Islay bottlings with an undisclosed source distillery, bottled in a very limited run of just 248 bottles.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Smoky peat and sea air with a raw, unfiltered intensity.

Palate

Powerful and maritime with peat, salt and a light sweetness from the unadjusted spirit.

Finish

Long, dry and smoky with lingering salt and peat.

Specifications

Name: Smoking Islay 2017
Bottler: Blackadder
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Blended Islay Malt Whisky
ABV: 55%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Cask no. SI 2017-04
Bottled: November 2017
Number of Bottles: 248 bottles
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Raw · Maritime · Cask strength

Investment Potential

Medium. A very limited run of just 248 bottles from a respected independent bottler makes this bottle interesting for collectors of smoky Islay whisky.

Did You Know?

Blackadder is owned by Robin Tucek, one of Scotland's most experienced independent bottlers, known precisely for the 'Raw Cask' philosophy of no filtration or adjustment.

See our full range of Blackadder

A bar in New York, a glass created for the occasion, and a story that grew too good to tell only once. The Story of The Spaniard is Compass Box's tribute to Spanish cask tradition, told by John Glaser himself.

Expert description

The Story of The Spaniard is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 43% ABV by independent whisky merchant Compass Box, founded by American John Glaser.

The whisky originates from a bespoke bottling Compass Box once created for a cocktail bar named The Spaniard in New York. John Glaser and his team later decided to explore the sherry-influenced style further and make it a permanent part of the range under the name The Story of The Spaniard, first released in 2018.

The whisky is a blend of Highland and Speyside malt whisky, of which a significant portion, around 48%, is matured in used sherry casks, while a further 25% has aged in casks that previously held Spanish red wine. The rest of the blend contributes lighter, fruitier notes that balance the heavier, dark cask influence.

Tasting notes

Nose

Baked pear in red wine meets dark berries and a hint of spiced citrus peel.

Palate

Full, soft and tangy with juicy poached pears, citrus peel and warm spice.

Finish

Long and elegant, with vanilla panna cotta, berries and cherries fading slowly.

Specifications

Name: The Story of The Spaniard
Bottler: Compass Box
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: NA
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN: 5065000482558

Flavour profile

Winey · Fruity · Spiced

Did you know?

Compass Box is known for its openness about cask compositions in an industry where such details are traditionally kept secret, making the company a pioneer of whisky transparency ever since John Glaser began publishing his recipes.

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An early Fèis Ìle release of Big Peat, created for Islay's 2018 whisky festival.

Expert description

Big Peat Feis Ile 2018 is a limited edition of the Islay blend, created specifically for the 2018 Fèis Ìle festival, bottled at 48%. Big Peat was launched in 2009 by independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co as the first in the company's 'Remarkable Regional Malts' series. The idea was to create the 'ultimate distillation of Islay' by blending single malt whisky from several of the island's distilleries, including Caol Ila, Bowmore and Ardbeg, without using grain whisky. Big Peat is non-chill filtered, with no colouring added. Each year Douglas Laing releases a Christmas Edition of Big Peat at natural cask strength, and at Islay's Fèis Ìle whisky festival, special limited editions are regularly released.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers smoke, peat and a hint of sea salt.

Palate

The palate is smoky and spiced with peat, caramel and a hint of citrus.

Finish

The finish is long, smoky and lightly salty.

Specifications

Name: Big Peat Feis Ile 2018 Douglas Laing Fèis Ìle Blended Islay Malt Whisky
Bottler: Douglas Laing & Co
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Fèis Ìle 2018

Flavour profile

Smoky · Peated · Salty · Spiced

Investment potential

Older Fèis Ìle releases like this one from 2018 are hard to find today, which can make them attractive to collectors of limited Islay bottlings.

See our full range of Douglas Laing

For more than 30 years Adelphi has bottled whisky without owning a single distillery, and with The E & K the Scottish independent bottler ventures into a fusion of two whisky worlds.

Expert's description

The E & K by Adelphi 5 Year Old Fusion of Indian and Scotch Malt Whisky is bottled by the Scottish independent bottler Adelphi at 5 years old and 57.8%.

The whisky combines Indian and Scotch malt whisky in a single expression, a fusion that shows how two vastly different climates and traditions can meet in the same glass. Only 800 bottles of this release exist, making it a rare guest on the shelf.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is complex with malt, honey and a hint of tropical fruit from the Indian component.

Palate

The palate is powerful and spicy with caramel, toasted malt and a fine balance between the two whisky styles.

Finish

The finish is long and warm with a closing dryness.

Specifications

Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: India/Scotland
Type: Fusion of Indian and Scotch Malt Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 57,8 %
Size: 70 CL
Non-Chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Number of Bottles: 800

Flavour Profile

Spicy · Rich · Complex · Round

Investment Potential

Medium – An independent bottling from Adelphi limited to just 800 bottles. Adelphi's limited releases have historically shown growing collector interest once discontinued.

Did you know?

Adelphi was founded in 1826 and revived as an independent bottler in 1993 by Jamie Walker, great-grandson of one of the original distillery's founders, and today also owns its own distillery, Ardnamurchan.

See our full range of Adelphi

Two continents, one glass. Australian malt meets Scotch heritage in a bottling that challenges the very definition of whisky.

Expert description

The Brisbane by Adelphi is a 5 year old fusion of Australian and Scotch malt whisky, bottled at cask strength at 57.5% ABV by the independent Scottish bottler Adelphi.

A "fusion whisky" here means that whisky distilled in Australia has been blended with Scotch malt whisky from Glen Garioch and Glen Grant, two prominent Highland and Speyside distilleries, creating a bottling that bridges two whisky worlds on opposite sides of the globe.

Only 925 bottles of this fusion were produced, with no added colouring and no chill filtration, allowing the raw interplay between the Australian and Scotch components to come through in full.

Adelphi Distillery was founded in 1826 by the River Clyde in Glasgow, closed in the early 1900s, but was revived in 1993 as an independent bottler when a grandson of a former owner brought back the name with a philosophy of bottling only the very best casks.

Tasting notes

Nose

Tropical fruit and eucalyptus from the Australian component meet dry Highland malt and a touch of hay.

Palate

Bold and cask-strength driven, with honey, toasted nuts and an exotic fruit sweetness unusual for Scotch whisky.

Finish

Long, warm and spiced, with a final hint of citrus peel and wood.

Specifications

Name: The Brisbane by Adelphi
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Australia & Scotland
Type: Malt Whisky (Fusion)
Age: 5 years
ABV: 57.5%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Number of bottles: 925
EAN: 5060383650006

Flavour profile

Exotic fruit · Cask strength · Eucalyptus

Investment potential

With only 925 bottles and a genuinely unique concept combining Australian and Scotch malt whisky, this bottling holds strong appeal among collectors of rare Adelphi releases.

Did you know?

Adelphi reportedly tests around 25 casks for every single cask that gets approved for a bottling under the Adelphi name, meaning fewer than 4% of tested casks pass the needle's eye.

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Named after a Scottish merchant who helped open Japan to the West in the 1800s, The Glover unites two whisky traditions in one cask.

Expert Description

The Glover by Adelphi 18 Year is a Fusion of Japanese and Scotch Malt Whisky, bottled at 49.2%.

The whisky is named after Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish businessman who played a central role in opening Japan to the West at the end of the Edo period. Adelphi Selection, an independent Scottish bottler founded in 1993, composed this fusion of Japanese and Scotch malt whisky as a tribute to Glover's historic ties between the two countries.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Smoky oak, dried fruit and a light sherry sweetness.

Palate

Complex with spice, honey and a hint of smoke.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering oak.

Specifications

Name: The Glover by Adelphi 18 Year
Bottler: Adelphi Selection
Region/Country: Japan/Scotland
Type: Fusion of Japanese and Scotch Malt Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 49.2%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Complex · Smoky · Spicy · Warm

Did You Know?

Thomas Blake Glover, the whisky's namesake, founded one of Japan's first Western trading houses and helped establish the country's early shipyards and industry in the 1860s.

See our full range of {'da': 'Adelphi Fusion whisky', 'en': 'Adelphi Fusion whisky', 'sv': 'Adelphi Fusion whisky'}

Blending is a craft in its own right, and this expression shows exactly why patience and a steady hand matter. This Johnnie Walker release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 43% is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and bottled at 43%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla, heather and a light smoky lift.

Palate

Balanced malt and grain sweetness with a mellow smoke.

Finish

Warm and rounded with a final malty note.

Specifications

Name: Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 43%
Distillery: Johnnie Walker
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Green Label
EAN no.: 5000267096612

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

Green Label is the only Blended Malt Scotch Whisky in Johnnie Walker's core range, while the other coloured labels are all traditional Blended Scotch Whisky.

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A copper dog was a home-made tube that distillery workers dropped into casks to smuggle whisky out in a trouser pocket. The name is a nod to that small crime.

Expert description

Copper Dog is a Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky built from eight distilleries and bottled at 40%.

All eight distilleries sit in Speyside, and the whisky is conceived as a distillation of the region's style rather than a portrait of one house. Copper Dog was developed at the bar of the Craigellachie Hotel, which is also where the name comes from — distillery workers used a small copper tube to draw an unauthorised sample from a cask. Diageo is behind the bottling.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fruit-driven and light. Apple, pear and honey first, then a lightly spiced note over a warm malted base.

Palate

Soft and round. Honey, ripe fruit and pale vanilla, with a touch of cinnamon and malt. There are no edges here — it is built to go down easily.

Finish

Short to medium, malty and lightly sweet, with a mild spiced warmth at the end.

Specifications

Name: Copper Dog Speyside Blended Malt Scotch 40%
Region/Country: Speyside Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40 %
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Copper Dog
EAN no.: 5000267165493

Flavour profile

Soft · Fruity · Honeyed · Malty · Unpeated

Did you know?

The Copper Dog Bar at the Craigellachie Hotel gave the bottle its name, and the hotel sits in the middle of Speyside with eight distilleries within reasonable walking distance. It is no accident that exactly eight malts ended up in the recipe.

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The name promises spice, and Wemyss Malts delivers. Spice King is a blended malt built to burn through with character from the very first drop.

Expert's Description

Spice King Batch No. 1 is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky from Wemyss Malts, bottled at batch strength of 56% in a run of 6,000 bottles.

As the first release in the Spice King Batch Strength series, it brings together several single malts from Wemyss's portfolio, chosen for their spicy, robust character, without chill filtration.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Warm spices like cinnamon and clove meet an underlying malty sweetness.

Palate

Powerful and spicy with pepper, ginger and a hint of dried fruit.

Finish

Long and warming with lingering spice and a dry close.

Specifications

Name: Spice King Batch No. 1
Distillery: Wemyss Malts
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 56%
Size: 70 CL
Number of Bottles: 6,000 bottles
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Edition: Batch No. 001
EAN No.: 0040232144950

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Powerful · Batch strength · Warm

Did You Know?

Wemyss Malts names its blended malts after their flavour character rather than the distillery — Spice King, The Hive and Peat Chimney are all poetic descriptions of the taste itself.

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The first release in a new range is always something of a milestone. The Gauldrons Batch 1 was Douglas Laing's first attempt at gathering Campbeltown's character into a single, accessible bottle.

Expert Description

The Gauldrons Batch 1 is a Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky composed of single malt from the region's distilleries and bottled at 46.2%.

As the very first release in The Gauldrons range, Batch 1 set the tone for what has since become a staple in Douglas Laing's line-up: a maritime, honeyed blend bottled without added colour or chill filtration, in smaller batches to preserve variation and character from cask to cask.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey and sea air meet crisp apples and a hint of spiced oak.

Palate

Maritime and round, with a clear saline edge and an underlying sweetness that holds balance throughout.

Finish

Long and salty, with a lightly spiced close that builds on the nose's honey notes.

Specifications

Name: The Gauldrons Batch 1
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Campbeltown, Scotland
Type: Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46.2%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Batch 1
EAN no.: 5014218803129

Flavour Profile

Maritime · Spicy · Fruity

Did You Know?

The Gauldrons Batch 1 was the very first release in the range and laid the groundwork for Douglas Laing's continued work of gathering Campbeltown's three distilleries into one shared blend.

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It does not say which distilleries are in the bottle, and that is deliberate. Glenalmond is a marriage of Highland malts, and who supplied what is a trade secret at The Vintage Malt Whisky Company. What you are told is how it tastes.

The expert's description

Glenalmond is a Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, bottled at 40%.

A blended malt is not the same as a blended whisky. There is no grain whisky in the bottle — only single malt from several distilleries married together. That lets the blender build a profile no single distillery could deliver alone, and it is exactly what Glenalmond is meant to be: an approachable Highland style with no sharp edges.

The bourbon casks lay vanilla and bright fruit in, while the sherry casks add the darker sweetness. At 40% the whisky is light and round rather than powerful, and the bottling carries no age statement, which allows the profile to stay consistent from batch to batch.

Tasting notes

Nose

Vanilla fudge and sweet malt, with cinnamon and a trace of honey. Bright and welcoming rather than complex.

Palate

Fruity sherry notes and fresh pale stone fruit, with candied citrus and soft vanilla. The body is light, and there are no sharp edges anywhere.

Finish

Mild and warming. Malt and vanilla ebbing away quietly with no bitterness.

Specifications

Name: Glenalmond Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 40%
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks and sherry casks

Flavour profile

Soft · Vanilla-sweet · Fruity · Light · Malty

Did you know?

Brian Crook founded The Vintage Malt Whisky Company in 1992, having been a director at Morrison Bowmore. Glenalmond was one of the very first brands the company put on the market, and it has been there ever since.

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A new name on the smoky whisky shelf — Smokestack is made for those who want smoke without being knocked over by it.

Expert's Description

Smokestack 30 PPM Limited Edition is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky from The Vintage Whisky Co. Ltd., matured in American oak and bottled at 46%.

With a smoke intensity of around 30 PPM (phenol level), the whisky sits in a range where the peat is prominent yet still open to nuances of sweetness and citrus. The range is bottled in limited batches of 4,200 bottles.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla and sweet peat smoke meet ginger and citrus with a faint maritime iodine note.

Palate

Dry, pronounced smoke accompanied by spiced sweetness, honey and lemon.

Finish

Long and drying, where the smoke slowly unfolds and lingers.

Specifications

Name: Smokestack 30 PPM Limited Edition
Bottler: The Vintage Whisky Co. Ltd.
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: American Oak
Number of Bottles: 4,200 bottles per batch

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced · Citrus-fresh · Maritime

Did You Know?

PPM (parts per million) measures the phenol content in the peated malt, not in the finished whisky — Smokestack's 30 PPM places it in the moderate-to-heavy end of the scale.

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A cheeky chappy from 1930s Glasgow lives on in a glass. Citrus, caramel and exotic fruit dance through this light Lowland blend.

Expert description

The Epicurean is a Lowland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, assembled by the Scottish bottler Douglas Laing purely from malt whisky sourced from several Lowland distilleries and bottled at 46.2% ABV.

The concept behind The Epicurean tells the story of a fictional 1930s Glasgow man, a real cheeky chappy and true connoisseur who valued good company as much as good taste, a spirit reflected in the blend's accessible, charming style.

The whisky belongs to Douglas Laing's series of "Remarkable Regional Malts", each representing a Scottish region, and The Epicurean is the house's take on the best of the Lowlands.

Tasting notes

Nose

Barley-rich, citrus-fresh notes with a touch of florals and herbs.

Palate

Sweet sugar, burnt citrus peel, mixed spice and ripe peaches.

Finish

Medium, gently sweet and light, with a closing hint of honey.

Specifications

Name: The Epicurean
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Lowland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46.2%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN: 5014218794540

Flavour profile

Citrus · Caramel · Exotic fruit

Did you know?

Douglas Laing named each of its "Remarkable Regional Malts" after a Scottish personality type, and The Epicurean represents precisely the connoisseur who loves fine food and drink.

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The second release in Scallywag's Cask Strength series turns up the intensity, without compromising on the sherry-driven, characterful style.

Expert Review

Scallywag Cask Strength Edition No 2 Douglas Laing Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 54,1% is a Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky matured in sherry casks and bottled at 54.1% ABV.

Scallywag Cask Strength Edition No. 2 is a Speyside blended malt from Douglas Laing, bottled at full cask strength without filtration or added colour. The new limited edition release builds on Scallywag's well-known, sherry-driven style, only at a markedly higher strength.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is intense with raisin, dark chocolate and a warm spiciness.

Palate

The palate is full with sherry sweetness, fig and a distinct alcohol warmth.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with lingering dark fruit.

Specifications

Name: Scallywag Cask Strength Edition No 2 Douglas Laing Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 54,1%
Distillery: Scallywag
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 54.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: sherry casks
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Edition: Cask Strength Edition No. 2

Flavour Profile

Cask Strength · Sherry-matured · Powerful

Did You Know?

Scallywag is named after the Scottish slang term for a charming rogue, reflected in the label's cheerful badger mascot.

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Batch 2 is early in the run. Adelphi was still working out what Glenborrodale should be at that point, so the early releases carry a different character from the later ones — more straightforward, less polished.

The expert's description

Glenborrodale 8 Year Old Batch Release no 2 is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky from Adelphi, bottled at 46%.

Eight years is the age Adelphi returned to several times in the early releases of the range. It is long enough for the cask to have rounded the spirit off, and short enough for the malt character still to lead. The whisky is a marriage of single malts from several Scottish distilleries, with no grain whisky.

Adelphi has an unusual history. The distillery was founded in 1826 by the Clyde on the edge of Glasgow and closed in the early twentieth century. The name lay dormant for almost a century until a descendant of one of the former owners revived it in 1993 — this time as an independent bottler rather than a distillery.

Tasting notes

Nose

Malt and baked apples, with vanilla and a dry cereal note behind. Simple and direct rather than layered.

Palate

Firm and malt-driven. Honey, apple and pale caramel, with a spice that arrives late. The body is good at 46%, and there is a dryness running the whole way through.

Finish

Medium. Malt and dry oak, with a lightly peppery close.

Specifications

Name: Glenborrodale 8 Year Old Batch Release no 2 Adelphi Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Glenborrodale Batch Release no 2

Flavour profile

Malty · Fruity · Dry · Spiced · Direct

Did you know?

Adelphi began as an actual distillery by the River Clyde in Glasgow in 1826. It closed in the early twentieth century, and the name lay unused for almost a hundred years until a descendant of the old owners started it up again in 1993 — as a bottler, not as a distillery.

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There is a mouse in Scottish literature that still makes people jump. Douglas Laing has given it four legs, a bottle and a bite that is impossible to mistake.

Expert's description

Timorous Beastie Douglas Laing Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46,8% is a Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American oak and sherry casks and bottled at 46,8%.

This small batch expression is composed of Highland malts from several well-known distilleries and bottled at 46.8% without chill filtration or added colour.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Very sweet with spiced honey notes.

Palate

Spiced with raisins, caramel and sugar.

Finish

Sweet with camphor drops and meringue.

Specifications

Name: Timorous Beastie Douglas Laing Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46,8%
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Highland
Type: Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46,8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak and sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Small Batch Release
EAN no.: 5014218794540

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Spiced · Fresh

Did you know?

The malt in Timorous Beastie originates from several named Highland distilleries, including Glen Garioch, Dalmore and Glengoyne, though the official source is never mentioned on the label.

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Rock Oyster from Douglas Laing is a tribute to the rugged, wind-swept whisky islands of the Scottish archipelago, gathered into one salty, smoky bottle.

Expert Review

Rock Oyster Douglas Laing Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46% is an Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 46% ABV.

Rock Oyster from Douglas Laing is an Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, created as a tribute to the rugged, wind-swept whisky islands of the Scottish archipelago. It brings together malt whisky from several island distilleries, including Orkney and Islay, in one balanced blend.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is maritime with sea salt, smoke and a light sweetness.

Palate

The palate is smoky and saline, with honey and a mild spiciness.

Finish

The finish is medium-long, with lingering smoke and salt.

Specifications

Name: Rock Oyster Douglas Laing Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Distillery: Rock Oyster
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region: The Scottish Islands, Scotland
Type: Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes

Flavour Profile

Maritime · Peated · Balanced

Did You Know?

The name Rock Oyster refers to oysters, which have been harvested for centuries along the rocky shores of the very islands whose whisky goes into this blend.

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