Somewhere in a Scottish warehouse sat a cask nobody could quite place anymore. Pure Highland malt whisky, matured for years on bourbon oak, without a name and without a story, until two curious bottlers from Fintry found it and gave it a new finish and a new chapter.

The expert's description

Heart of Gold 2013/2024 is a Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, composed of malt whisky finished in a fresh Sauternes cask and bottled at 50%.

Behind the bottle stands The Uncharted Whisky Co., a small independent bottler run by Jack Breslin and Dana de Vos from Fintry, Scotland. The spirit in Heart of Gold is a marriage of malt whiskies from the Highland region, first matured in standard ex-bourbon casks before Uncharted Whisky discovered the parcel and chose to give it a final chapter in a fresh Sauternes wine barrique, cask reference UC030. The whisky was distilled in April 2013 and bottled in March 2024, giving it 10 years of total maturation, with only 363 bottles produced of this release.

Because the original distilleries behind the blend are not disclosed, Heart of Gold is a whisky that lives on its cask treatment rather than a named distillery, the Sauternes cask leaving a clear, sweet signature over the clean Highland malt character.

Tasting notes

Nose

Ripe stone fruit and pineapple meet dried apricots and a light lemon-sherbet freshness, with a sweet, wine-like undertone from the Sauternes cask.

Palate

Candied pineapple and a full, buttery character that moves into honey and freshly baked brioche.

Finish

Long and sweet, with peaches and a creamy, almost custard-like close where the Sauternes wine sweetness lingers longest.

Specifications

Name: Heart of Gold 2013/2024
Bottler: The Uncharted Whisky Co.
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon, finished in a Sauternes cask (Cask no. UC030)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: April 2013
Bottled: March 2024
Number of bottles: 363

Flavour profile

Fruity · Sweet · Creamy · Soft

Did you know?

The Uncharted Whisky Co. does not run a fixed portfolio of regular releases but instead searches for single casks that have somehow been overlooked or forgotten in Scottish warehouses, hence the name, meaning "uncharted".

See our full range of The Uncharted Whisky Co.

Grain whisky is almost always tucked away inside blends where nobody notices it. Hedonism is the bottle where John Glaser put it up front and asked people to taste it properly.

Expert description

Compass Box Hedonism The Muse is a Blended Grain Scotch Whisky bottled at 53.3% without chill filtration and without added colouring.

Hedonism was the first commercial blended grain whisky when Compass Box launched it in 2000, and The Muse is the house bottling at cask strength. Grain whisky is distilled in a column still rather than a pot still and is usually used as a soft backbone in blends. Given long maturation in good American oak it instead develops a creamy, coconut-like sweetness no malt whisky can produce. At 53.3% it stands far more powerfully than the standard Hedonism.

Tasting notes

Nose

Vanilla pod, coconut and crème brûlée. Behind them sit sugared popcorn, pale caramel and a trace of wood shavings.

Palate

Velvety and sweet. Vanilla, coconut milk, white chocolate and pale syrup, with a warm spiced note that comes from the strength rather than the oak. The texture is thick without turning cloying.

Finish

Long and creamy, with vanilla, coconut and a dry oak note slowly drying out the sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Compass Box Hedonism The Muse Blended Grain Scotch Whisky 53,3%
Bottler: Compass Box
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
ABV: 53.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Hedonism The Muse

Flavour profile

Creamy · Vanilla · Coconut · Sweet · Cask Strength

Investment potential

Medium. The Hedonism range appears in changing editions, and cask strength bottlings are both scarcer and more sought after than the standard version.

Did you know?

When Hedonism arrived in 2000, blended grain barely existed as something you sold on its own. Compass Box essentially built the category from scratch, and today several large houses have followed with grain bottlings of their own.

See our full range of Compass Box Blended Whisky

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A little pig grins out from the label, and the name is a play on the classic hogshead cask, the roughly 200-litre barrels whisky matures in right across Scotland. Behind the playful front sits a blend that never reveals where it comes from, yet speaks for itself in the glass.

The expert's description

Hogshead Fine Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky with no age statement and no disclosed distilleries, bottled at 43%.

The whisky is composed entirely of malt whisky from several Scottish distilleries, a large share of which is thought to come from Islay, rounded out with a gentler base likely from the Highlands or Speyside. Neither the source distilleries nor the bottling company are named on the bottle, which is common for this type of accessible blend that relies on its flavour rather than its pedigree.

In the glass the colour is light amber, and the style is considerably milder than the name and the presumed Islay component might suggest. This is a whisky built to be broad and welcoming rather than uncompromising.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh oranges and a touch of black pepper meet gentle smoke and mint, with a faint yeasty note underneath.

Palate

Soft, sweet smoke moves into sherry sweetness and fruit candy, with a small maritime whisper in the background.

Finish

Medium length, with grapes, sweet liquorice and dark bread, before a light fruit acidity lingers as the last impression.

Specifications

Name: Hogshead Fine Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5021944020768

Flavour profile

Smoky · Sherry matured · Fruity · Soft

Did you know?

The hogshead cask takes its name from the old British volume unit "hogshead", equal to roughly 63 US gallons; in whisky production the casks are typically recycled from American bourbon-making before switching over to Scotch whisky maturation.

See our full range of Hogshead

Behind every well-balanced blend sits a master blender who has tasted more casks than most drinkers will in a lifetime. This Isle of Skye release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

Isle of Skye 12 Year Ian MacLeod Distillers Blended Scotch Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

This bottling comes from Ian MacLeod Distillers.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft smoke, honey and ripe apple.

Palate

Toffee, spiced oak and a gentle smokiness.

Finish

Clean and gently smoky with lasting warmth.

Specifications

Name: Isle of Skye 12 Year Ian MacLeod Distillers Blended Scotch Whisky 40%
Distillery: Isle of Skye
Bottler: Ian MacLeod Distillers
Region/Country: Highland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5010852000184

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

The label on Isle of Skye shows Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's most photographed castles, even though it actually stands on the mainland near the bridge to Skye.

See our full range of Ian MacLeod Distillers

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

Expert's description

Isle of Skye 18 Year Ian MacLeod Distillers Blended Scotch Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

This bottling comes from Ian MacLeod Distillers.

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: Isle of Skye 18 Year Ian MacLeod Distillers Blended Scotch Whisky 40%
Distillery: Isle of Skye
Bottler: Ian MacLeod Distillers
Region/Country: Highland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5010852030884

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

Ian MacLeod Distillers, the company behind Isle of Skye, was founded in 1933 and today also owns distilleries such as Glengoyne, Tamdhu and Rosebank.

See our full range of Ian MacLeod Distillers

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A great blend is never an accident — it is the sum of dozens of quiet decisions made over many years. This Isle of Skye release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

Isle of Skye 25 Year Ian MacLeod Distillers Blended Scotch Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

This bottling comes from Ian MacLeod Distillers.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt, toffee and a whisper of peat.

Palate

Honey, malt and a light peppery spice.

Finish

Medium length with a soft smoky close.

Specifications

Name: Isle of Skye 25 Year Ian MacLeod Distillers Blended Scotch Whisky 40%
Distillery: Isle of Skye
Bottler: Ian MacLeod Distillers
Region/Country: Highland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 25 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5010852047301

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. 25-year-old blends are rare, because both the malt and grain components must mature for the same length of time — making Isle of Skye 25 Years an unusual example within the category.

Did you know?

Even though Isle of Skye is a blend, the philosophy is the same as for a single malt: nothing in the bottle is younger than the stated age, including the grain components.

See our full range of Ian MacLeod Distillers

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Behind every well-balanced blend sits a master blender who has tasted more casks than most drinkers will in a lifetime. This J&B release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

J&B Rare Scotch Whisky Blended Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft smoke, honey and ripe apple.

Palate

Toffee, spiced oak and a gentle smokiness.

Finish

Clean and gently smoky with lasting warmth.

Specifications

Name: J&B Rare Scotch Whisky Blended Whisky 40%
Distillery: J&B
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: J&B Rare
EAN no.: 5010103800259

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

J&B Rare is one of the best-selling Scotch whisky blends in the world and has for decades been a bar staple thanks to its versatility in cocktails.

See our full range of J&B

Behind every well-balanced blend sits a master blender who has tasted more casks than most drinkers will in a lifetime. This J&B release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

J&B 15 Year Reserve JUSTERINI & BROOKS LTD Blended Scotch Whisky 43% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 43%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt, toffee and a whisper of peat.

Palate

Honey, malt and a light peppery spice.

Finish

Medium length with a soft smoky close.

Specifications

Name: J&B 15 Year Reserve JUSTERINI & BROOKS LTD Blended Scotch Whisky 43%
Distillery: J&B
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 75 CL
Edition: J&B Reserve

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

Justerini & Brooks was founded by the Italian Giacomo Justerini, who moved to London in 1749 to follow an opera singer and ended up founding one of Scotland's best-known whisky houses instead.

See our full range of J&B

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

Expert's description

J&B JET Whisky Justerini & Brooks Ltd. - Blended Scotch Whisky 43% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 43%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt, toffee and a whisper of peat.

Palate

Honey, malt and a light peppery spice.

Finish

Medium length with a soft smoky close.

Specifications

Name: J&B JET Whisky Justerini & Brooks Ltd. - Blended Scotch Whisky 43%
Distillery: J&B
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: J&B JET

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

J&B JET is one of the lesser-known members of the J&B family, no longer marketed as widely as J&B Rare in every market.

See our full range of J&B

A great blend is never an accident — it is the sum of dozens of quiet decisions made over many years. This J&B release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

J&B Rare Blended Scotch Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt, toffee and a whisper of peat.

Palate

Honey, malt and a light peppery spice.

Finish

Medium length with a soft smoky close.

Specifications

Name: J&B Rare Blended Scotch Whisky 40%
Distillery: J&B
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: J&B Rare
EAN no.: 5010103800259

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

J&B Rare takes its name from the founder's spirit of experimentation, an Italian-inspired approach to blending that has stayed central to the brand since the 18th century.

See our full range of J&B

Behind every well-balanced blend sits a master blender who has tasted more casks than most drinkers will in a lifetime. This Johnnie Walker release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

Johnnie Walker Blue Label James Jean Limited Edition Year of the Dragon 2024 Blended Scotch Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft smoke, honey and ripe apple.

Palate

Toffee, spiced oak and a gentle smokiness.

Finish

Clean and gently smoky with lasting warmth.

Specifications

Name: Johnnie Walker Blue Label James Jean Limited Edition Year of the Dragon 2024 Blended Scotch Whisky 40%
Distillery: Johnnie Walker
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Blue Label James Jean Limited Edition Year of the Dragon 2024

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Investment Potential

High. As an artist-collaboration limited edition built on rare casks from closed distilleries, the Year of the Dragon release carries the value-appreciation potential typically seen with Blue Label special editions.

Did you know?

Artist James Jean is a Taiwanese-American illustrator who has designed album and book covers for the likes of Prada and the Batman comics before turning his brush to Johnnie Walker's dragon design.

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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 Blue Label Scotch Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

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 Blue Label Scotch Whisky 40%
Distillery: Johnnie Walker
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Blue Label
EAN no.: 5000267115245

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

Diageo states that only around one in every 10,000 casks in its warehouses is judged good enough in character to be included in Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

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A great blend is never an accident — it is the sum of dozens of quiet decisions made over many years. This Johnnie Walker release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt, toffee and a whisper of peat.

Palate

Honey, malt and a light peppery spice.

Finish

Medium length with a soft smoky close.

Specifications

Name: Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Whisky 40%
Distillery: Johnnie Walker
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Double Black
EAN no.: 5000267116303

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

Double Black was originally developed specifically for the travel retail market, but became so popular that it later joined Johnnie Walker's permanent global range.

See our full range of Johnnie Walker

Behind every well-balanced blend sits a master blender who has tasted more casks than most drinkers will in a lifetime. This Johnnie Walker release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt, toffee and a whisper of peat.

Palate

Honey, malt and a light peppery spice.

Finish

Medium length with a soft smoky close.

Specifications

Name: Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Whisky 40%
Distillery: Johnnie Walker
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Gold Label Reserve
EAN no.: 5000267117560

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

Gold Label Reserve was kept out of public reach for more than 70 years after it was first blended in 1920, before it finally became available outside the company.

See our full range of Johnnie Walker

A great blend is never an accident — it is the sum of dozens of quiet decisions made over many years. This Johnnie Walker release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Whisky 100 cl 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft smoke, honey and ripe apple.

Palate

Toffee, spiced oak and a gentle smokiness.

Finish

Clean and gently smoky with lasting warmth.

Specifications

Name: Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Whisky 100 cl 40%
Distillery: Johnnie Walker
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 100 CL
Edition: Red Label
EAN no.: 5000267013602

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

Johnnie Walker stopped being blended in Kilmarnock after 2011, when production moved to Diageo's newer facilities, a change that caused considerable debate in Scotland at the time.

See our full range of Johnnie Walker

Behind every well-balanced blend sits a master blender who has tasted more casks than most drinkers will in a lifetime. This Johnnie Walker release carries that philosophy into every glass.

Expert's description

Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Whisky 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 40%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt, toffee and a whisper of peat.

Palate

Honey, malt and a light peppery spice.

Finish

Medium length with a soft smoky close.

Specifications

Name: Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Whisky 40%
Distillery: Johnnie Walker
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Red Label
EAN no.: 5000267014203

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

Johnnie Walker's distinctive slanted label was introduced in 1877 to make the bottle stand out on shelves, and the design remains largely unchanged to this day.

See our full range of Johnnie Walker

In a region crowded with famous names, Douglas Laing has quietly gone about its business for generations. This particular release from Scotland shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

King of Scots 50 Year Douglas Laing Blended Scotch Whisky 46% is a Blended Scotch Whisky and bottled at 46%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft smoke, honey and ripe apple.

Palate

Toffee, spiced oak and a gentle smokiness.

Finish

Clean and gently smoky with lasting warmth.

Specifications

Name: King of Scots 50 Year Douglas Laing Blended Scotch Whisky 46%
Distillery: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 50 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: King of Scots
EAN no.: 5014218829310

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Investment Potential

High. A 50-year-old blend is rare, because both the malt and grain components must mature for the same length of time, and this anniversary release from Douglas Laing will not be repeated.

Did you know?

Douglas Laing was founded in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing, and the name King of Scots has been part of the company's identity since the early days of its history.

See our full range of Douglas Laing

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In a region crowded with famous names, Label 5 has quietly gone about its business for generations. This particular release from Scotland shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Label 5 Classic Black Blended Scotch Whisky 100 cl 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky matured on oak casks and bottled at 40%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt, toffee and a whisper of peat.

Palate

Honey, malt and a light peppery spice.

Finish

Medium length with a soft smoky close.

Specifications

Name: Label 5 Classic Black Blended Scotch Whisky 100 cl 40%
Distillery: Label 5
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 100 CL
Cask type: Oak casks
EAN no.: 3147690051107

Flavour Profile

Rounded · Spiced

Did you know?

Label 5 is one of the best-selling blended Scotch whisky brands in France, released by La Martiniquaise, one of Europe's largest independent spirits producers.

Some whiskies don't need to surprise – they just need to be good, every time. Loch Lomond Reserve is the distillery's take on a classic blend, where both malt and grain come from the very same address on the loch's shore.

Expert's Description

Loch Lomond Reserve is a Blended Scotch Whisky matured in American oak and bottled at 40%.

The whisky is composed entirely of malt and grain whisky distilled and matured at Loch Lomond Distillery – with no whisky sourced from other distilleries. That makes it a rarity among blends: a "single-site blend", where the entire process happens in one place.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sweet honey and caramel with a touch of toffee and light vanilla.

Palate

Light and easy-drinking with honeyed sweetness, creamy caramel and a soft, round body.

Finish

Short, mild finish with lingering sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Loch Lomond Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak
Serving suggestion: Neat, on ice or in a highball

Flavour Profile

Sweet · Smooth · Light

Did You Know?

Loch Lomond is one of the few Scottish distilleries able to make a complete blended whisky using only its own malt and grain whiskies, without sourcing anything from other distilleries.

See our full range of Loch Lomond

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A signature blend has to do it all at once – be easy-drinking, yet still bring something to the table. Loch Lomond Signature solves that with a solera system that ties the distillery's malt and grain together into one rounded whole.

Expert's Description

Loch Lomond Signature is a Blended Scotch Whisky matured in oloroso casks and re-charred American bourbon casks and bottled at 40%.

The whisky is built on a solera system of 100 casks, where malt and grain whisky from the distillery are continuously blended and replenished. The combination of ex-oloroso sherry casks and re-charred American oak gives the whisky a round, fruity sweetness with a sherried edge.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sweet and fruity with round vanilla, butterscotch and toffee, plus a light sherried tinge and baked apple.

Palate

Honey and vanilla with a shell of black pepper, apple fruitiness, ripe pears, cinnamon, ginger and dark sugar.

Finish

Baked apple and toffee that turn slightly bitter at the edges, with a hint of lemon towards the end.

Specifications

Name: Loch Lomond Signature Blended Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-oloroso and re-charred American oak
EAN: 5016840034230
Serving suggestion: Neat, on ice or in a highball

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Fruity · Sweet

Did You Know?

Loch Lomond Signature uses a solera system of 100 casks – a method usually associated with sherry and port – to continuously produce a consistent, rounded blend.

See our full range of Loch Lomond

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In Scotland, some distilleries never shout about themselves — they let the whisky speak. Long John is one of them.

Expert's description

Long John 12 År Finest Scotch Whisky i Keramikkande 43% is a Blended Scotch Whisky, matured in sherry and bourbon casks and bottled at 43%.

The whisky comes straight from Long John's own warehouse.

The bottle is presented in a classic Scottish-style ceramic jug, making it a striking addition to any collection.

Tasting notes

Nose

On the nose you meet soft malt, light caramel and mild sweetness.

Palate

On the tongue you find light caramel, spice and mild sweetness.

Finish

The finish is short but concentrated, with light oak and soft malt.

Specifications

Name: Long John 12 År Finest Scotch Whisky i Keramikkande 43%
Distillery: Long John
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 75 CL

Flavour profile

Fruity · Soft · Classic

Did you know?

The brand is named after John 'Long John' MacDonald, an unusually tall Scot who ran the Ben Nevis distillery in the 19th century and lent his name to the blend.

There is a calm to Long John that only truly reveals itself once you give it time in the glass.

Note: This bottle was filled in the 1970s and shows clear signs of its age, with wear and marks on the label.

Expert's description

Long John Special Reserve Finest Blended Scotch Whisky 70 cl 43% is a Finest Blended Scotch Whisky, matured in sherry and bourbon casks and bottled at 43%.

The whisky comes straight from Long John's own warehouse and belongs to the Special Reserve series.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose opens with soft malt, grain and spice.

Palate

The taste unfolds with grain, light oak and mild sweetness.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with spice and light caramel.

Specifications

Name: Long John Special Reserve Finest Blended Scotch Whisky 70 cl 43%
Distillery: Long John
Type: Finest Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Special Reserve

Flavour profile

Fruity · Soft · Classic

Did you know?

The brand is named after John 'Long John' MacDonald, an unusually tall Scot who ran the Ben Nevis distillery in the 19th century and lent his name to the blend.

High in the Japanese Alps, 798 metres above sea level, sits Japan's highest-altitude whisky distillery - home to Mars Maltage COSMO.

Expert Description

Mars Maltage COSMO is a Japanese Blended Whisky, bottled at 43%.

The whisky comes from Hombo Shuzo, which has produced spirits in Japan since 1872, and its Shinshu Distillery in Nagano Prefecture. COSMO combines malt and grain whisky in a blend that reflects Shinshu's cool high-altitude location, which gives a slow, even maturation.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Apple and pear meet a light floral sweetness and a touch of vanilla.

Palate

Soft and round with honey, light spice and a fine, clean finish.

Finish

Medium length, mild and sweet.

Specifications

Name: Mars Maltage COSMO
Distillery: Mars Shinshu
Region/Country: Nagano, Japan
Type: Japanese Blended Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 4976881501164

Flavour Profile

Soft · Round · Sweet · Fresh

Did You Know?

Shinshu Distillery sits 798 metres above sea level in the Japanese Alps, making it Japan's highest-altitude whisky distillery - the elevation gives a cooler climate that significantly slows the pace of maturation.

See our full range of Mars Shinshu

The Nimbus motorcycle defined Danish engineering in the 20th century, and this whisky borrows its name and spirit as a tribute to strength, elegance and craftsmanship.

Expert's Description

Nimbus is a Blended Scotch Whisky, bottled at 40% as a tribute to the Danish motorcycle brand of the same name.

The whisky is matured in carefully selected casks and carries flavour notes of ripe fruit, light smoke and warm spice. The bottle's design references the Nimbus motorcycle's timeless, elegant lines, making it an easy collector's item for both whisky and motorcycle enthusiasts.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers vanilla, citrus peel and honey.

Palate

On the palate there is honeycomb and fresh citrus acidity, while creamy vanilla adds a final twist.

Finish

The finish is soft and lingering.

Specifications

Distillery: Ukendt
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40 %
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Nimbus Tribute

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Soft · Vanilla-sweet · Floral

Did You Know?

The Nimbus motorcycle was produced in Copenhagen from 1919 to 1960 and remains one of the most iconic pieces of Danish industrial design ever made.

In miniature format, An Gearasdan packs all of Roslin Distillers' classic blended style into a small bottle, perfect for getting to know the brand.

Expert Review

Roslin Distillers Miniature An Gearasdan Blended Scotch Whisky 5 cl 40% is a Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 40% ABV.

A classic blended Scotch in miniature format. An Gearasdan offers an accessible, rounded style that represents Roslin Distillers' philosophy of creating well-balanced blended whiskies with broad appeal.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is soft with caramel, apple and a light malty sweetness.

Palate

The palate is round and lightly sweet, with honey and a mild spiciness.

Finish

The finish is short and soft, with lingering caramel.

Specifications

Name: Roslin Distillers Miniature An Gearasdan Blended Scotch Whisky 5 cl 40%
Distillery: Roslin Distillers
Region: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 5 CL

Flavour Profile

Soft · Caramel · Approachable

Did You Know?

The name An Gearasdan is Gaelic for Fort William, a town at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, with close historical ties to Scotch whisky production.

See our full range of Roslin Distillers

Apples, pears and a whisper of honey in a whisky that has followed Glasgow drams since the 1800s.

Expert description

Teacher's Highland Cream is a Blended Scotch Whisky from William Teacher & Sons, bottled at 40% ABV in a generous 100 cl bottle.

The blend was registered as a trademark in 1884 and built its reputation as a robust, malt-heavy blend, with the Ardmore distillery in Aberdeenshire, founded by the Teacher family in 1898, forming the backbone of the whisky ever since. The brand is now owned by Beam Suntory, yet the recipe still follows the tradition of a full-bodied, malt-forward blend.

The character is defined by a deep maltiness up front, which softens into a sweeter profile of fruit and honey, helping make Teacher's one of the best-selling blends in the UK for decades.

Tasting notes

Nose

Apples, pears and a sweet hint of honey over a solid malt base.

Palate

Deep maltiness up front, developing into sweeter notes of ripe fruit and honey.

Finish

Medium length, with warm sweetness and a hint of dried fruit.

Specifications

Name: Teacher's Highland Cream
Distillery: William Teacher & Sons (core malt from Ardmore)
Region/Country: Highland/Scotland (blended)
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 100 CL
EAN no.: 5010093210007

Flavour profile

malt-forward · fruity · honeyed

Did you know?

William Teacher started out selling whisky from his wife's grocery shop in Glasgow in 1830, long before the Highland Cream name was registered in 1884.

See our full range of Teachers

Named after Sir Walter Scott's 1816 novel, The Antiquary has stood for a soft, classic blended Scotch style since 1857 - this 15 year old expression draws extra depth from French red wine casks.

Expert description

The Antiquary 15 Year Old is a Blended Scotch Whisky at 43%, combining malt and grain whisky matured for 15 years, including in casks that previously held fine Bordeaux red wine.

The brand was founded in 1857 by the Hardie family and named after Sir Walter Scott's 1816 novel "The Antiquary". Since 1996, The Antiquary has been owned by Tomatin Distillery Co, which relaunched the brand in 2024 with a refreshed range, including this 15 year old expression.

The whisky is unpeated and shows an unusually soft, light flavour profile, where the wine casks lend a light fruity sweetness and complexity to the classic blend.

Tasting notes

Nose

Soft grain and ripe red berries, with a touch of vanilla and a hint of dried flowers.

Palate

Silky and round, with notes of stewed red fruit, honey and a light nutty undertone.

Finish

Short to medium, mild and lightly sweet, closing on a trace of oak.

Specifications

Name: The Antiquary 15 Year Old
Distillery: The Antiquary (Blend), owned by Tomatin Distillery Co
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bordeaux red wine casks
EAN no.: 5018481101265

Flavour profile

soft · fruity · round

Did you know?

The Antiquary took its name from Sir Walter Scott's 1816 novel about an eccentric Scottish antiquities collector - a fitting literary reference that still graces the label more than 165 years after the brand's founding.

See our full range of The Antiquary

Bordeaux's red heritage meets old Edinburgh craft in a bottle. A well-aged blend unfolds in layers of dark berries and worn leather.

Expert description

The Antiquary 15 Year Old Claret Cask is a blended Scotch whisky matured for at least 15 years and finished in Claret Casks, casks that previously held Bordeaux red wine, before bottling at 40% ABV.

The blend follows The Antiquary's classic style of Highland and Speyside malt whisky married with Lowland grain whisky, and it is exactly this balance between malt and grain that lets the Claret casks leave such a clear mark.

The Antiquary brand traces back to Victorian Edinburgh, where the Hardie brothers registered the name in 1888 after Sir Walter Scott's novel of the same title, and the brand now belongs to Tomatin Distillery Co.

Tasting notes

Nose

Polished mahogany, pipe tobacco and a touch of candied orange, softened by the sweetness of the red wine casks.

Palate

Rhubarb, tamarind and juicy raspberries woven together with a soft layer of vanilla and ripe stone fruit.

Finish

Medium and warming, with a last echo of stewed berries and a light, dry winey tannin edge.

Specifications

Name: The Antiquary 15 Year Old Claret Cask
Bottler: The Antiquary
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Claret Casks (Bordeaux red wine casks)
EAN: 5018481101609

Flavour profile

Red wine sweetness · Leather · Ripe berries

Did you know?

The name The Antiquary comes from Sir Walter Scott's 1816 novel, and the brand's distinctive diamond-shaped bottle was introduced in the mid-20th century as one of its trademarks.

See our full range of The Antiquary

Twenty-one years is rare for a blend. Time settles here as a quiet layer of honey and old oak over every drop.

Expert description

The Antiquary 21 Year Old is a blended Scotch whisky in which Highland and Speyside malt whisky is married with Lowland grain whisky for at least 21 years before bottling at 43% ABV.

This bottling carries no additional cask finish, letting the long maturation alone shape the character, a counterpoint to the house's finished expressions in Claret and Port casks.

The Antiquary was founded by the Hardie brothers in Edinburgh in the late 19th century and now belongs to Tomatin Distillery Co, which carries on the Victorian blending tradition.

Tasting notes

Nose

Beeswax, dried apricot and a touch of toasted almonds over a deep, malty base.

Palate

Soft caramel, old oak and a hint of orange peel gliding easily across the tongue.

Finish

Long and dry, with a last suggestion of spiced honey.

Specifications

Name: The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Bottler: The Antiquary
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 21 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
EAN: 5018481217003

Flavour profile

Honey · Old oak · Spice

Investment potential

As an age-stated 21 year old blend from a respected Edinburgh brand, this bottle holds appeal among collectors of aged classic Scotch blends.

Did you know?

The Antiquary was one of the first blends to market itself directly on its high age, at a time when most blends carried no age statement at all.

See our full range of The Antiquary

Port wine's dark sweetness has had three years to sink into an already 21 year old blend. The result is deep, jammy and spiced.

Expert description

The Antiquary 21 Year Old Port Cask is a blended Scotch whisky matured for at least 21 years and then married in Port Casks, casks that previously held tawny Port wine, before bottling at 40% ABV.

The Port casks come from the Symington family's estates in Portugal, and the whisky has been allowed to rest in them for up to three years after its long base maturation, giving it a markedly deeper and sweeter profile than the house's standard 21 year old.

The Antiquary was founded by the Hardie brothers in Edinburgh and is now owned by Tomatin Distillery Co, which relaunched the brand in 2024 with a new trio of blends, of which this Port Cask expression is one.

Tasting notes

Nose

Floral peat, waxy hessian and drying hay, carried by vanilla and freshly brewed coffee.

Palate

Stewed plums, dark berry jam and a hint of chocolate-dipped orange.

Finish

Smoky, meaty malt that slowly gives way to a warm, Port-like sweetness.

Specifications

Name: The Antiquary 21 Year Old Port Cask
Bottler: The Antiquary
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 21 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Port Casks
EAN: 5018481101623

Flavour profile

Port sweetness · Smoke · Dark fruit

Investment potential

As a 21 year old blend with an exclusive Port cask finish, relaunched in limited scale, this bottle carries appeal for collectors of modern reissues of classic Scotch brands.

Did you know?

The Port casks used for this bottling come from Symington Family Estates, one of the most respected Port producers in Portugal's Douro Valley.

See our full range of The Antiquary