Somewhere between the wash still and the warehouse, Tobermory built a reputation few casual drinkers ever hear about. This particular release from Isle of Mull shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Ledaig 2005/2024 Signatory 19 Year Symingtons Choice Cask #900158 Single Malt Scotch Whisky 54,1% is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured on 1st Fill Oloroso sherry butt, cask #900158 and bottled at 54,1%.

This bottling comes from Signatory Vintage, released as part of the Signatory Vintage Symington's Choice range.

The whisky was distilled in 2005 and bottled in 2024.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried raisins, toasted almonds and a rich sherry sweetness.

Palate

Toffee, dark fruit and a layer of warming spice.

Finish

Rich and sweet with a slow fade of dark fruit.

Specifications

Name: Ledaig 2005/2024 Signatory 19 Year Symingtons Choice Cask #900158 Single Malt Scotch Whisky 54,1%
Distillery: Tobermory
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Isle of Mull
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 19 years
ABV: 54,1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st Fill Oloroso sherry butt, cask #900158
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2005
Bottled: 2024
Edition: Signatory Vintage Symington's Choice
EAN no.: 5021944127580

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Spiced

Investment Potential

High. As a 19-year-old single cask bottling from Signatory Vintage, matured in a named sherry cask, this is a release that will not be repeated once the cask is empty.

Did you know?

Signatory Vintage's Symington's Choice series is named after the company's own selected casks and is used to highlight particularly characterful single cask releases from across Scotland.

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A mystery in the glass. No distillery name on the label, just a Highland whisky full of caramel, apples and a warm, sherried depth.

Expert description

Tantallan 10 Year Old is a Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, bottled by independent bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Company at 40% ABV, without disclosing the distillery behind it.

The name Tantallan is borrowed from the 600-year-old ruin of Tantallon Castle on the Firth of Forth, and this whisky was one of the very first brands launched by The Vintage Malt Whisky Company after its founding in 1992. Because the source distillery stays undisclosed, enthusiasts keep guessing at its origin, and one of the most common guesses among connoisseurs is Mortlach.

The whisky is composed to be approachable and uncomplicated, carrying a classic sherried character with a deep golden colour that delivers a soft, rounded experience for beginners and seasoned tasters alike.

Tasting notes

Nose

Baked apples, caramel and a hint of floral notes over a sherried base.

Palate

Soft malt sweetness, light spice and a touch of oak deliver a balanced, rounded mouthfeel.

Finish

Medium length, with lingering warmth and sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Tantallan 10 Year Old
Distillery: Undisclosed (widely guessed by connoisseurs to be Mortlach)
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Single Highland Malt Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5024720600000

Flavour profile

sherried · rounded · approachable

Did you know?

The Vintage Malt Whisky Company was founded in 1992 by Brian Crook, formerly export director for one of Scotland's major distillers, and the business is now carried on by his son Andrew Crook.

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Some whiskies give away their origin in brackets. "(HP)" on this label is Signatory Vintage's quiet nod, without breaking any confidentiality — a single sherry-cask experience from Orkney, bottled at full cask strength after seventeen years on oak.

Expert Description

Orkney 17 (HP) 2005/2023 Signatory Vintage 17 Year Old is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky from a single Oloroso sherry butt, bottled at cask strength 55.3%.

The name Orkney, paired with the bracketed hint (HP), is Signatory Vintage's discreet compromise: the distillery cannot be named, but the cask code DRU17/A63 and the nickname point unmistakably to Highland Park. The whisky spent its entire maturation in a single cask, number 27 — nothing blended in, nothing added.

The cask was filled on 7 May 2005 and bottled on 17 February 2023, yielding 612 bottles with natural colour and no further dilution.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raisins, orange peel and dark chocolate sit on top of a light peat smoke, with a hint of sea salt hinting at its coastal origin.

Palate

Rich and sherry-driven, with fig, damson jam and a warm clove spice, underscored by a muted, mineral smokiness.

Finish

Long and warming, with lingering sherry sweetness, a light bitter cocoa note and a final hint of seaweed and salt air.

Specifications

Name: Orkney 17 (HP) 2005/2023 Signatory Vintage 17 Year Old Cask #27
Distillery: Orkney (undisclosed distillery, believed to be Highland Park)
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Orkney Islands, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 17 Years
ABV: 55.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oloroso Sherry Butt, Cask No. DRU17/A63 #27
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 7 May 2005
Bottled: 17 February 2023
Number of bottles: 612
EAN: 5021944121885

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Peated · Spicy · Maritime

Did You Know?

A Single Cask bottling means every bottle in this release comes from exactly the same cask — no two single-cask releases from Signatory Vintage taste quite alike, even from the same distillery and vintage.

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Ten years in bourbon casks at an unusually high natural strength — this release is a good example of just how intense a relatively young Edradour can become.

The expert's description

Edradour 2012/2022 Bourbon Cask 10 years old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in bourbon casks and bottled at 59.6%.

The whisky was distilled on 8 February 2012 and matured for 10 years across eight selected bourbon casks before being bottled in February 2022. The relatively young age combined with a high natural cask strength gives the whisky a fresh, intense character, where the bourbon cask's vanilla and sweetness come through clearly. 1,783 bottles were released.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh vanilla and green apple, with a hint of honey and pale oak.

Palate

Intense and spicy with citrus peel, caramel and a fine peppery warmth from the high strength.

Finish

Medium length with lingering vanilla and a dry, spicy finish.

Specifications

Name: Edradour 2012/2022 Bourbon Cask 10 years old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 59.6%
Distillery: Edradour
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 59,6 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: bourbon casks (cask no. 47, 50, 53, 54, 55, 57, 61, 63)
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 08/02/2012
Bottled: 28/02/2022
Number of bottles: Only 1,783 bottles
EAN no.: 5021944117086

Flavour profile

Spicy · Fresh

Did you know?

Edradour's whisky has traditionally had a heavier, more oily texture than many other Highland malts — a result of the slow, old-fashioned distillation methods the distillery still uses.

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100 Proof is an old British measure of strength — Signatory keeps the tradition alive with a series that never compromises on intensity.

Expert's Description

Strathmill 2012/2025 Signatory Vintage 100 Proof Edition #36 is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky, distilled in 2012 and bottled on 24 February 2025 after 12 years of maturation at 57.1%, corresponding to exactly 100 British proof.

The whisky is matured in first fill Oloroso sherry butts, giving a pronounced sherry character, neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark sherry sweetness with raisin, toasted nuts and a hint of spice.

Palate

Full and powerful with sherry tannin, dried fruit and a warm alcoholic edge.

Finish

Long and spiced with lingering sherry sweetness and a dry close.

Specifications

Name: 100 Proof Edition #36
Distillery: Strathmill
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 57.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts
Distilled: 2012
Bottled: 24/02/2025
Edition: 100 Proof Edition #36
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
EAN No.: 5021944127887

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Cask strength · Powerful · Spiced

Did You Know?

'100 Proof' is a historic British strength measure equal to 57.1% ABV — a standard dating back to the old British measurement system, before the modern ABV scale was introduced.

See our full range of Strathmill

Hidden once more behind the name Whitlaw is Highland Park from Orkney, this time matured in casks given an extra turn through the fire. Rechar butts are not common, and the effect is unmistakable.

The expert's description

Whitlaw 2014/2024 Signatory Vintage 10 år Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46% is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in Rechar butts and bottled at 46%.

The whisky was distilled in September 2014 and bottled in September 2024 by Signatory Vintage, matured for 10 years in Rechar Butts. These are large 500-litre casks that have been re-charred inside to renew the active char layer, intensifying the interaction between wood and spirit and giving deeper notes of caramel, toasted oak and gentle smoke.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, dried apricots and orange marmalade.

Palate

Vanilla, cinnamon and caramelised banana with a mild smoky tone.

Finish

Long and warm with almonds, sea salt and spice.

Specifications

Name: Whitlaw 2014/2024 Signatory Vintage 10 år Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%
Distillery: Whitlaw
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Orkney, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Rechar butts
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 09.2014
Bottled: 09.2024
EAN no.: 5021944127047

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Spiced · Lightly smoky

Did you know?

Rechar butts differ from ordinary sherry casks in that they are re-charred inside after their first use, a technique far less common than classic sherry seasoning.

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Gordon & MacPhail has traded in whisky since 1895, and their Discovery Range is meant as a straightforward way into their vast stock of casks – no detours required.

Expert's Description

Bunnahabhain 11 Years Old Gordon & MacPhail The Discovery Range is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in sherry casks and bottled at 43%.

The Discovery Range is Gordon & MacPhail's accessible entry point into their archive of Scottish single casks, and this 11 Years Old Bunnahabhain was chosen for its sweetness and easy drinking style. The sherry casks have given the whisky a warm caramel hue and a full sweep of spice.

It's a mild, unpeated take on Islay – a fine place to start if you want to understand why Bunnahabhain is often called the island's quiet exception.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sherry, citrus peel and a hint of milk chocolate.

Palate

Sweet and round with nuts, spice and a light citrus tang.

Finish

Short to medium, soft and gently sweet.

Specifications

Distillery: Bunnahabhain
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail
Region/Country: Scotland (Islay)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 Years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Sherry Casks
Distillation Method: Double Distilled
Edition: The Discovery Range
EAN No.: 5020613067509

Flavour Profile

Sherry-Matured · Fruity · Soft · Approachable

Did You Know?

Gordon & MacPhail started life as a grocer's shop in Elgin in 1895, long before the firm grew into one of the world's largest independent whisky bottlers.

See our full range of Bunnahabhain · See our full range of Gordon & MacPhail

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An everyday dram does not have to be dull. This one has spent ten years in oak, and you hear it straight away: the smoke has gone tender, the caramel deep, and there are no sharp edges left.

Expert description

Black Bottle 10 Years CVH is a Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 40%.

The release is a limited follow-up to standard Black Bottle, with every component in the blend matured for at least ten years. Fruity grain whisky meets both peated and unpeated single malts, and as across the range it is the Islay component that sets the tone. The extra time in wood shows most clearly in the texture, which is oilier than in the young expression.

The producer's own notes for the ten year old point to smoked cherry wood, caramel and charred embers, and that is a fair description: the smoke has a sweet, woody edge rather than the medicinal peat associated with the southern Islay distilleries.

Tasting notes

Nose

Caramelised sugar and smoked fruitwood, almost like a barbecue burning down. Behind it sit dried apricot and a brush of vanilla.

Palate

Soft and full with toffee and malted grain, then the smoke rolls in as glowing ash and a nip of black pepper.

Finish

Medium and lightly spiced. The smoke drops away slowly and leaves toasted malt and a dry, pleasant sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Black Bottle 10 Years CVH Blended Scotch Whisky 40%
Distillery: Black Bottle
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Limited Edition
EAN no.: 5029704219810

Flavour profile

Smoky · Sweet · Spiced · Soft · Fruity

Did you know?

Black Bottle was created by tea merchants. The Graham brothers made their living blending tea in Aberdeen before working out that the same craft applied to whisky — and gave up the tea.

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The Wemyss family has traded wine and spirits from Fife since the 19th century, and their blended malts are named like characters from a deck of cards. Spice King is the spiciest of them all.

The expert's description

Wemyss Malts Spice King Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46% is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and bottled at 46%.

Spice King is a blended malt composed of selected single malts, primarily from Speyside and Highland, bottled at 46% without chill filtration. The name refers to the whisky's pronounced spice profile, characteristic of the series.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Warm spice, ginger and a hint of black pepper.

Palate

Full-bodied with cinnamon and caramelised sugar.

Finish

Long and spiced with a dry, warm finish.

Specifications

Name: Wemyss Malts Spice King Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%
Distillery: Wemyss Malts
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Full-bodied · Warm

Did you know?

Wemyss Malts names its blended malts after playing card figures, with Spice King serving as the spicy counterpart to, among others, the sweeter and fruitier Peat Chimney.

See our full range of Wemyss Malts

The Blueprint series is Tormore's way of thinking out loud. Each release focuses on one specific maturation style that may one day shape the distillery's future. This time it is the sweeter cream sherry casks setting the course.

The expert's description

Tormore Blueprint 10 år Cream Sherry Casks Single Malt Scotch Whisky 48% is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in Cream sherry casks and bottled at 48%.

This Small Batch release is part of the Blueprint series and matured in cream sherry casks. 1,500 bottles were produced of this specific maturation style, offering a glimpse of the direction Tormore may take in future releases.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raisin, walnut and a creamy caramel scent.

Palate

Full and sweet with dried fruit.

Finish

Medium length with soft spice.

Specifications

Name: Tormore Blueprint 10 år Cream Sherry Casks Single Malt Scotch Whisky 48%
Distillery: Tormore
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Cream sherry casks
Number of bottles: 1.500
Edition: Blueprint series, Small Batch
EAN no.: 5061035821676

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Full-bodied · Sweet

Did you know?

The Blueprint series was created so Tormore's distillers could experiment openly with maturation styles and share the results directly with whisky enthusiasts, rather than keeping the trials hidden away in the warehouses.

See our full range of Tormore

The Blueprint series is Tormore's way of thinking out loud. Each release focuses on one specific maturation style that may one day shape the distillery's future. Here it is the toasting of the cask itself that takes centre stage.

The expert's description

Tormore Blueprint 10 år Toasted Barrels Single Malt Scotch Whisky 48% is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in Toasted barrels and bottled at 48%.

This Small Batch release is part of the Blueprint series and matured in toasted barrels. 1,500 bottles were produced of this specific maturation style, offering a glimpse of the direction Tormore may take in future releases.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Toasted bread, caramel and a hint of smoky wood.

Palate

Nutty with burnt sugar and spice.

Finish

Long with dry wood and warm spice.

Specifications

Name: Tormore Blueprint 10 år Toasted Barrels Single Malt Scotch Whisky 48%
Distillery: Tormore
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Toasted barrels
Number of bottles: 1.500
Edition: Blueprint series, Small Batch
EAN no.: 5061035821713

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Nutty · Full-bodied

Did you know?

The Blueprint series was created so Tormore's distillers could experiment openly with maturation styles and share the results directly with whisky enthusiasts, rather than keeping the trials hidden away in the warehouses.

See our full range of Tormore

The Blueprint series is Tormore's way of thinking out loud. Each release focuses on one specific maturation style that may one day shape the distillery's future. This release dives into classic bourbon barrels.

The expert's description

Tormore Blueprint 10 år Bourbon Barrels Single Malt Scotch Whisky 48% is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in Bourbon barrels and bottled at 48%.

This Small Batch release is part of the Blueprint series and matured in bourbon barrels. 1,500 bottles were produced of this specific maturation style, offering a glimpse of the direction Tormore may take in future releases.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla, citrus and a hint of fresh oak.

Palate

Lightly sweet with honey and grain.

Finish

Short and clean with a mild vanilla tone.

Specifications

Name: Tormore Blueprint 10 år Bourbon Barrels Single Malt Scotch Whisky 48%
Distillery: Tormore
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon barrels
Number of bottles: 1.500
Edition: Blueprint series, Small Batch
EAN no.: 5061035821713

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Fruity · Light

Did you know?

The Blueprint series was created so Tormore's distillers could experiment openly with maturation styles and share the results directly with whisky enthusiasts, rather than keeping the trials hidden away in the warehouses.

See our full range of Tormore

No two hand-made jugs are alike — that's the whole point of choosing one that didn't come off a production line.

About the product

This hand-made pint jug holds 0.5 litres and carries the small variations in shape and surface that only happen when glass is shaped by a person rather than a machine. It works well as a water jug for the whisky glass or as a general table jug.

A piece of functional craft that becomes more personal every time it's used.

Some whiskies shout their pedigree from the label. This one from Laphroaig prefers to let the liquid do the talking. This particular release from Islay shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Version Single Islay Malt Whisky 40% is a Single Islay Malt Whisky matured on american oak casks and bottled at 40%.

The whisky was bottled in omkring 1990.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bonfire smoke, dried fruit and a maritime edge.

Palate

Rich smoke, dark chocolate and spiced oak.

Finish

Dry and smoky with a final salty note.

Specifications

Name: Laphroaig 10 Year Old Version Single Islay Malt Whisky 40%
Distillery: Laphroaig
Region/Country: Islay
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Bottled: omkring 1990

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced

Investment Potential

High. As a discontinued early-1990s release with the original green stripe, bottled shortly after the Royal Warrant, this bottle is a sought-after piece of Laphroaig history for collectors.

Did you know?

Laphroaig received its first Royal Warrant from Prince Charles, today King Charles III, making the distillery the only one on Islay with an official royal endorsement.

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Sweet & Spicy is a promise. PX sherry delivers the sweetness, and the natural malt base supplies the spice. Fary Lochan made a dram that refuses to pick a side.

Expert description

Fary Lochan Sweet & Spicy PX is a Danish Single Malt Whisky with PX sherry influence, bottled at cask strength 58.7%, 50 cl. Fary Lochan distillery in Give, Jutland, was founded in 2009 and uses locally grown grain. PX – Pedro Jiménez – is one of the sweetest sherry styles, and the casks contribute raisins, dried fruit, and dense sweetness to the whisky's natural malt spice. Bottled at cask strength, non-chill filtered with natural colour.

Tasting notes

Nose

Raisins, plums, caramel and a light pepper-spiced note.

Palate

Sweet PX sherry, ginger, dark sugar and malt.

Finish

Warm and long with sweet sherry and a spiced dryness.

Specifications

Name: Fary Lochan Sweet & Spicy PX
Distillery: Fary Lochan
Region/Country: Jutland, Denmark
Type: Danish Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 58.7%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: PX sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled

Flavour profile

Sherry matured · Sweet · Spiced · Full-bodied

Did you know?

PX sherry is made from Pedro Jiménez grapes sun-dried before pressing – the concentration of sugar and flavour is significantly higher than in most other wine styles used for whisky casks.

The sea around Orkney crashes hard against the cliffs, but the whisky from Scapa has always been the gentlest voice in the chorus. This 16-year-old is an echo from a bygone era.

Expert's Description

Scapa 16 Year Old The Orcadian is a Single Orkney Malt Whisky, matured in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 40%.

The release was introduced in 2008 as part of the 'The Orcadian' series, replacing the earlier 14-year-old version. It is now discontinued and has achieved cult status among island whisky collectors, representing the era when Scapa reclaimed its place in the market.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fruity and floral with citrus, apple, pear and a hint of pineapple, backed by a light grassy freshness.

Palate

Silky and sweet with honey, vanilla and ripe fruit in a light-to-medium body.

Finish

Soft and lingering with honey, a touch of pepper and a whisper of oak.

Specifications

Name: The Orcadian 16 Year Old
Distillery: Scapa
Region/Country: Orkney, Scotland
Type: Single Orkney Malt Whisky
Age: 16 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Ex-bourbon casks
EAN No.: 4005971233309

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Floral · Soft · Honeyed

Investment Potential

Medium. The whisky is discontinued, which has steadily increased interest among collectors of island whisky from Scapa.

Did You Know?

Scapa sits just a few hundred metres from the famous Scapa Flow anchorage, where much of the German fleet was scuttled in 1919 — a name the distillery shares with that history.

See our full range of Scapa

Somewhere between the wash still and the warehouse, Lagg built a reputation few casual drinkers ever hear about. This particular release from Isle of Arran shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Lagg Distillery Palo Cortado Finish Isle of Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky 56,2% is a Single Isle of Arran Malt Scotch Whisky matured on ex-Palo Cortado sherry casks from Spanien and bottled at 56,2%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark chocolate, dried figs and a warm sherry depth.

Palate

Sultanas, cocoa and a rounded sherried sweetness.

Finish

Long and warming with a lingering spiced oak note.

Specifications

Name: Lagg Distillery Palo Cortado Finish Isle of Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky 56,2%
Distillery: Lagg
Region/Country: Isle of Arran
Type: Single Isle of Arran Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 56,2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-Palo Cortado sherry casks from Spanien
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Small Batch
EAN no.: 5060044489310

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. Palo Cortado is the rarest sherry style, and a Small Batch release on exactly this cask type from a newer distillery like Lagg is not easily recreated.

Did you know?

Palo Cortado is the rarest of all sherry styles, because it begins its life ageing as a Fino before unexpectedly developing a character that leads the cellar master to reclassify it as an Oloroso.

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Spain and Scotland meet again in Arran's Duero series — this time in its third edition, where bourbon and Spanish red wine casks play off each other.

A 12-year-old single malt that deliberately breaks from the classic sherry and bourbon choices.

Expert Description

Arran Duero Discovery 12 Year Old Edition 3 is a Single Islands Malt Whisky matured in bourbon casks and Spanish red wine casks, bottled at 50%.

The whisky spends its early years in classic bourbon casks before moving to 1st fill Spanish red wine casks from the Duero region. This is the third edition in the Discovery series, identified by batch number 18-RDD-01-48, where the distillery continues experimenting with letting the wine casks' fruitiness shape Arran's bright island character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Salted caramel and sweet spice meet dark berries from the red wine cask.

Palate

Full-bodied with the same dark berry character, backed by a lightly tart, wine-like edge and Arran's signature sweetness.

Finish

Medium length with a trace of wine-derived tannin structure and caramel.

Specifications

Name: Arran Duero Discovery 12 Year Old Edition 3
Distillery: Arran
Region/Country: Isle of Arran, Scotland
Type: Single Islands Malt Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks, finished in 1st fill Spanish red wine casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Duero Discovery Edition 3, Batch 18-RDD-01-48
EAN no.: 5060044489082
Serving suggestion: In a Glencairn glass at room temperature

Flavour Profile

Wine-toned · Fruity · Spiced · Full-bodied

Did You Know?

The Duero region in central Spain is known for its powerful red wines made from the Tempranillo grape — the very grape behind this Arran's deep berry notes.

See our full range of Arran

González Byass in Jerez has casks that have held Matusalem oloroso for thirty years. Dalmore gets to borrow them — and that arrangement is what the entire house style rests on.

Expert description

Dalmore 2023 Edition 18 years is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American white oak and 30 year old Matusalem oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 43%.

The distillery sits at Alness on the shore of the Cromarty Firth and has since 1839 worked in a heavy, sherried style. The partnership with the sherry house González Byass gives Dalmore access to oloroso casks that held wine for three decades, and it is those that give the 18 year old its depth. This release is the 2023 version of the standing 18 year old, which is adjusted from year to year.

Tasting notes

Nose

Deep and inviting. Orange peel, raisin and dark chocolate, with cinnamon, roasted nuts and a warm note of old oak.

Palate

Full and silky. Dried fruit, caramel and marzipan, with spice from the sherry cask and a malted core underneath. The 43% carries the sweetness without making it sticky.

Finish

Long and warm, with raisin, cocoa and a dry spiced close.

Specifications

Name: Dalmore 2023 Edition 18 years Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 43%
Distillery: The Dalmore
Region/Country: Highlands Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 43 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American white oak and 30 year old Matusalem oloroso sherry casks
Edition: 2023 Edition
EAN no.: 5013967019324

Flavour profile

Sherried · Dried Fruit · Chocolate · Orange · Full-bodied

Investment potential

Medium. Eighteen year age statements keep getting rarer in the trade, and Dalmore's annual versions of the 18 year old are not reprinted once the year has passed.

Did you know?

Matusalem is González Byass' oldest oloroso, a VORS sherry with at least thirty years in cask. The casks serve sherry for decades and only then whisky — one reason Dalmore can hold such a dark and concentrated style.

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Barrel Blush is Rampur's take on a wine-influenced branch of Indian single malt, matured in American oak and then sent, cask-wise, on a trip to Australia.

Expert's description

Rampur Barrel Blush Single Malt Indian Whisky is an Indian Single Malt Whisky matured in American oak and finished in Australian Shiraz wine casks, bottled at 45%.

The Shiraz casks add a wine-red hue and fruity sweetness that layer on top of the base character from the American oak, giving the whisky a distinctly wine-driven signature.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is sensual with ripe berries, a touch of vanilla and a light wine-like sweetness.

Palate

The palate offers spice and ripe berries in harmony with the vanilla notes from the American oak.

Finish

The finish is soft and rounded, with a last hint of wine-like fruit.

Specifications

Distillery: Rampur
Region/Country: Uttar Pradesh, India
Type: Indian Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 45 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: American oak finished in Australian Shiraz wine casks
Non-Chill Filtered: Yes
EAN No.: 81127202359

Flavour Profile

Wine-influenced · Fruity · Soft · Spicy

Did you know?

Shiraz grapes are barely grown in India at all, so the casks for Barrel Blush are shipped in from Australia, travelling more than 10,000 kilometres before the whisky ever touches them.

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Ezra Brooks' classic profile gets a sweet, fruity lift from the port cask.

Expert description

Ezra Brooks Port Cask Finish Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the brand's core expression finished in port casks, bottled at 49.5%. Ezra Brooks was founded in 1957 by Frank Silverman and was originally distilled at the Hoffman Distilling Company by two of Kentucky's most respected distilling families, first the Ripy family and later the Medley family. The brand changed hands several times over the years, most recently to Luxco in 2006, and since 2018 Ezra Brooks has been distilled at the family's own distillery, Lux Row Distillers, in Bardstown, Kentucky — known as the capital of bourbon.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers red berries, caramel and a hint of port sweetness.

Palate

The palate is fruity and full with berries, caramel and spiced oak.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, sweet and lightly wine-toned.

Specifications

Name: Ezra Brooks Port Cask Finish Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distillery: Lux Row Distillers
Region/Country: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 49.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Finished in port casks

Flavour profile

Fruity · Sweet · Full-bodied · Wine-toned

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Lemon and meadow flowers give this Nc'nean edition a bright, herbal character.

Expert description

Nc'nean Huntress Lemon Meadow Organic Single Highland Malt Whisky is an aromatic edition of the distillery's whisky, bottled at 48.5%. Nc'nean Distillery was founded by Annabel Thomas, who left her job in London in 2013 and spent four years raising capital and building the distillery from scratch on the Morvern peninsula on Scotland's west coast. The distillery opened in 2017 and helped pioneer an organic, sustainable approach to whisky production, becoming the first in the UK to reach net-zero carbon emissions in its whisky production. The name Nc'nean comes from Neachneohain, a Gaelic legend meaning 'Queen of Spirits'.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers lemon, meadow flowers and a hint of honey.

Palate

The palate is fresh and fruity with citrus, caramel and botanical herbs.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, fresh and lightly sweet.

Specifications

Name: Ncnean Huntress Lemon Meadow Økologisk Single Highland Malt Whisky
Distillery: Nc'nean Distillery
Region/Country: Morvern, Highland, Scotland
Type: Single Highland Malt Whisky
ABV: 48.5%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Huntress – Lemon Meadow

Flavour profile

Citrus · Fresh · Botanical · Sweet

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The Scottish midge is a national affliction. It weighs nothing, it arrives in millions, and it ruins any summer evening in the Highlands. Naming a whisky after it is either self-deprecation or defiance, and probably both.

The Expert's Description

Ardnamurchan The Midgie is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky composed of 50% ex-American bourbon casks, 48% port barriques and 2% sherry casks, bottled at 48%. The whisky is made from 75% unpeated and 25% peated malt.

The cask make-up is unusual in that the port barriques account for almost half. Most distilleries use port as a short finish, while The Midgie carries the casks as a full half of the blend. That gives red fruit and a vinous sweetness that does not normally take up so much room.

The ratio of peated to unpeated malt is also set differently from the house standard: only a quarter is peated here, where AD/ is an even split. The smoke is therefore a suggestion rather than a floor. The whisky is neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Complex from the first moment. Layers of cooked ham meet charred pineapple, prunes dipped in salt and strawberry jam on a salted cracker. The aromas round off with almond oil, coconut macaroon and a fresh touch of green mint.

Palate

Salt-baked pear, meadowsweet and wild flowers joined by lemon thyme. Deeper notes of raisin, cherry and cocoa powder add warmth, while pink peppercorns bring a subtle spiced bite.

Finish

Elegant and persistent with a gentle breath of liquid smoke, Himalayan salt and redcurrant juice. The balance between sweet and salty elements gives a dry, long-lasting close.

Specifications

Name: Ardnamurchan The Midgie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 48%
Distillery: Ardnamurchan
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 50% ex-bourbon casks, 48% port barriques and 2% sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: The Midgie

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Saline · Vinous · Floral · Lightly Smoky · Spiced

Did You Know?

The Scottish midge is Culicoides impunctatus, and only the females bite, needing blood in order to lay eggs. They are most active at dusk and in still weather, which are precisely the conditions you would otherwise choose for a dram outdoors. There is a certain logic in naming a summer whisky after them.

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One cask, full strength, no filtration and no colouring. Signatory does nothing to the whisky beyond moving it from cask to bottle, and with a spirit like Benrinnes that is the most honest way to meet the place.

The expert's description

Benrinnes 1995/2015 Signatory Vintage 19 years is a Single Speyside Malt Whisky matured in a hogshead, cask no. 5895, and bottled at 52.9 % cask strength without chill filtration and without added colour.

The whisky went into cask on 6 June 1995 and was drawn on 9 April 2015 after nineteen years. The cask yielded 291 bottles, and the 52.9 per cent is the natural cask strength with no water added.

Benrinnes is known for a heavy, almost meaty spirit with a light sulphur edge, coming from worm tub condensers and from the old system of three stills in series. Nineteen years in a hogshead is enough to round the edges without removing the character.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dry malt, walnut and apple peel with a light mineral edge.

Palate

Powerful and dry with cereal, spiced oak and a meaty middle. The cask strength gives bite without burning.

Finish

Long and dry with nut, pepper and a last malty warmth.

Specifications

Name: Benrinnes 1995/2015 Signatory Vintage 19 år
Distillery: Benrinnes
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 19 years
ABV: 52,9 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Hogshead, cask no. 5895
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 6 June 1995
Bottled: 9 April 2015
Number of bottles: 291
Edition: Cask Strength Collection

Flavour profile

Cask strength · Dry · Malty · Nutty · Spiced

Investment potential

High. Nineteen year old Benrinnes from a single cask in 291 bottles cannot be recreated, and spirit predating the 2007 rebuild of the distillery is sought after by those who know the old house style.

Did you know?

Benrinnes used worm tubs, long coiled copper pipes in cold water vats, instead of modern shell and tube condensers. The method gives less copper contact and therefore a heavier spirit with more meat and sulphur.

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Two casks from the same distillate, bottled just a year apart – a rare chance to see how a single bourbon barrel can pull a whisky in its own direction. This is one half of that story.

Expert's Description

Glenlossie 2006/2021 Signatory 14 Year Old is a Single Speyside Malt Whisky bottled at cask strength, 58.6%.

Distilled on 27 November 2006 and bottled on 22 April 2021 by Signatory, from two bourbon barrels, Cask No. 3291 and 3302, yielding 388 bottles – with no added colour and no chill filtration, so the colour is exactly what the casks gave it.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Pale honey and vanilla custard with a hint of coconut from the bourbon cask. Beneath the sweetness sits a dry, cereal malt and a touch of green apple.

Palate

Powerful and sweet, with caramel, vanilla sugar and a warm, peppery spice. The bourbon cask's imprint is clear, but it never smothers the malt beneath.

Finish

Long and dry, with a faintly bitter oak note and a last trace of honey.

Specifications

Name: Glenlossie 2006/2021 Signatory 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Single Speyside Malt Whisky 58.6%
Distillery: Glenlossie
Bottler: Signatory
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 58.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon barrels, Cask No. 3291 + 3302
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 27 November 2006
Bottled: 22 April 2021
Number of bottles: 388

Flavour Profile

Vanilla-sweet · Powerful · Spiced · Dry

Did You Know?

This release shares its distillate and cask year with a sister bottling from Signatory, filled a year later at 15 years old – two takes on the same spirit, separated only by time in cask.

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Watt Whisky is redefining what an independent bottler can be — this Strathmill from 2014 is one of the casks showing why.

Expert's Description

Strathmill 2014/2025 Watt Whisky is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky, distilled in 2014 and bottled in 2025 after 10 years of maturation in a bourbon hogshead at 56.4%.

With only 310 bottles, this is an exclusive release from the relatively new independent bottler Watt Whisky, neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Stewed fruit, plum and honey cake meet a lightly tart note of gooseberry.

Palate

Full-bodied with apricot and vanilla, carried by the high strength.

Finish

Long and warming with lingering fruit sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Strathmill 2014/2025
Distillery: Strathmill
Bottler: Watt Whisky
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 56.4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Ex Bourbon Cask
Distilled: 2014
Bottled: 2025
Number of Bottles: 310 bottles
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
EAN No.: 5060825691086

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Cask strength · Honeyed · Rare

Did You Know?

Watt Whisky is one of the younger independent bottlers on the market, founded in Campbeltown, and has quickly built a reputation for finding exciting single casks.

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An independent bottler puts the spotlight on Caol Ila's distillate from a single vintage.

Expert description

Caol Ila 2010/2021 Signatory Vintage 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is an independent bottling from Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2021 after 10 years of maturation, bottled at 43%. Caol Ila Distillery was founded in 1846 on the shore of the Sound of Islay, from which the distillery also takes its name — Gaelic for 'Sound of Islay'. The distillery is today owned by Diageo and is one of Islay's largest producers, although much of its output has traditionally gone into blended whisky such as Johnnie Walker. Despite its peated character, Caol Ila is often somewhat lighter and more elegant than several of Islay's other distilleries.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is smoky with sea breeze, citrus and a hint of grain.

Palate

The palate offers smoke, citrus and light sweetness.

Finish

The finish is medium to long, smoky and fairly gentle.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 2010/2021 Signatory Vintage 10 år Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Caol Ila
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
Distilled: 2010
Bottled: 2021
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Smoky · Maritime · Citrus-forward · Elegant

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A cask already used twice in Kentucky gets a third turn in Scotland. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is made by moving finished bourbon into yet another freshly charred barrel. That barrel then came over here, with peated Scottish malt inside it.

The Expert's Description

Annandale Double Oaked Man O' Sword Cask 1437 is a Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in an ex-Woodford Reserve Double Oaked cask and bottled at 61.1% cask strength. The cask was filled in 2017 and emptied in 2023, giving six years.

Man O' Sword is Annandale's peated range, named after Robert the Bruce. The combination of peat smoke and a double-charred bourbon barrel is unusual: the cask has already given up most of its bourbon character in Kentucky, but the extra char released fresh sugars in the wood, and it is those that meet the smoke here.

The result is powerful and full of character. At 61.1% there is nothing cautious in the bottle, and the whisky is non-chill filtered. Annandale sits in Dumfriesshire in the far south of Scotland and has run both peated and unpeated production since reopening in 2014.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Charred pineapple first, a note you do not meet often, alongside peat smoke and crisp biscuits. Behind them come burnt sugar and a warm, almost resinous wood note from the double-charred cask.

Palate

Black pepper and fire embers open, quickly followed by caramel and a thick sweetness from the wood. The smoke sits in the middle of it all rather than beneath, and the 61.1% gives a full, insistent mouthfeel. There are no soft edges here.

Finish

Long and warm. Smoke, spice and burnt sugar hold on for a good while, with a dry ash note right at the end.

Specifications

Name: Annandale Double Oaked Man O' Sword Cask 1437 Single Malt Scotch Whisky 61.1%
Distillery: Annandale
Region/Country: Lowland, Scotland
Type: Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 6 years
ABV: 61.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-Woodford Reserve Double Oaked cask, cask no. 1437
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Distilled: 2017
Bottled: 2023
Edition: Double Oaked Man O' Sword

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced · Burnt Sugar · Cask Strength · Oaky · Powerful

Did You Know?

Double Oaked is a bourbon technique, not a Scottish one. Woodford Reserve takes fully matured bourbon and moves it into another new charred oak barrel for an extra spell. When that barrel is later shipped to Scotland it arrives with two layers of char and has already given up most of its bourbon sweetness, which produces a very different cask influence from a standard ex-bourbon barrel.

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Orange oil, cherry and blackberry jam. That does not sound like Craigellachie — until you notice the cask is a sherry butt, and that it has had twelve years to do its work.

Expert description

Craigellachie 2011/2023 Duncan Taylor 12 years Private Cask Bottling is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a sherry butt and bottled at cask strength of 52.4%.

The cask gave 667 bottles and belongs to Duncan Taylor's Private Cask line. The house is based at Huntly in Aberdeenshire and has since 1938 built one of the largest private stocks of Scotch whisky in the trade. Craigellachie condenses in worm tubs and makes a heavy, meaty spirit that needs an active sherry cask to find balance — here twelve years is enough to give colour and fruit without erasing the distillery.

Tasting notes

Nose

Intense and dark. Orange oil, juicy cherries, red grapes and blackberry jam, with dates, spiced cake, nutmeg and dark chocolate behind.

Palate

Full and rounded. Chocolate-coated raisins, fig syrup, rosehip jam and black cherries, joined by candied orange, malt, roasted coffee beans and cinnamon.

Finish

Long and intense, dominated by juicy oranges, honey, sherry and dried fruit with a touch of caramel and roasted notes.

Specifications

Name: Craigellachie 2011/2023 Duncan Taylor 12 years Private Cask Bottling Single Speyside Malt Whisky 52,4%
Distillery: Craigellachie
Bottler: Duncan Taylor
Region/Country: Speyside Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 52.4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry butt
Distilled: 2011
Bottled: 2023
Number of bottles: 667
Edition: Private Cask Bottling

Flavour profile

Sherried · Dark Berry · Chocolate · Spiced · Cask Strength

Investment potential

Medium. 667 bottles from one sherry cask at cask strength. Sherried Craigellachie at this age is in demand, and Private Cask bottlings are never remade.

Did you know?

Duncan Taylor bought large parcels of Scotch casks in 1938 and set them aside. That stock is why the house can today bottle vintages many distilleries have used up themselves — they simply bought in while nobody else bothered.

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Christmas at Berry Bros & Rudd usually means a handful of sharply chosen single casks, and in 2023 Linkwood was one of them. The cask was selected by Doug McIvor, one of the house's most experienced tasters.

The expert's description

Linkwood 2010/2023 Berry Bros 13 år Single Cask Speyside Malt Whisky 52,1% is a Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead, cask no. #301233 and bottled at 52.1%.

The whisky was distilled in 2010 and given a finishing maturation in a Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead before being bottled in 2023 as a limited number of bottles for Berry Bros & Rudd's Christmas range. The PX cask adds notes of stewed apricot, caramel and spiced oak to Linkwood's usually light, floral character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Stewed apricot, buttery biscuit and rich caramel with a hint of spiced oak.

Palate

Rich and complex with berries, sultanas and chocolate-covered walnuts.

Finish

Full and lingering with syrupy fruit cake and warm baking spices.

Specifications

Name: Linkwood 2010/2023 Berry Bros 13 år Single Cask Speyside Malt Whisky 52,1%
Distillery: Linkwood
Bottler: Berry's Own Selection
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 52.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead, cask no. #301233
Distilled: 2010
Bottled: 2023
Number of bottles: 271
Edition: Christmas range

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Fruity · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. Berry Bros & Rudd's annual Christmas range is sold in very limited numbers and tends to sell out quickly, which has historically helped these bottlings hold their value well.

Did you know?

Berry Bros & Rudd is one of Britain's oldest wine merchants, founded in 1698 in London, and has traded from the same address in St James's ever since.

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