Red wax seal, softer bourbon — Maker's Mark since 1958.

Expert description

Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the distillery's core expression, made from a wheated mash bill, bottled at 45%. Maker's Mark was founded in 1953, when Bill Samuels Sr. bought the old Burks' Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. His wife Margie created the entire brand identity — the name, the square bottle and the hand-dipped red wax seal, still hand-dipped on every bottle today. Bill Samuels wanted to create a softer bourbon than the typical rye-based styles of the day and replaced rye with red winter wheat in the mash bill. The distillery was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1980.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is soft with caramel, vanilla and a hint of fruit.

Palate

The palate is round and sweet with caramel, vanilla and spiced oak.

Finish

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

Specifications

Name: Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distillery: Maker's Mark
Region/Country: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 45%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Soft · Sweet · Caramel · Rounded

See our full range of Maker's Mark

A personal label on one of the bourbon world's most recognisable bottles.

Expert description

Maker's Mark VIP Bespoke Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky is the distillery's classic core expression with a custom, personal label, bottled at 45%. Maker's Mark was founded in 1953, when Bill Samuels Sr. bought the old Burks' Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. His wife Margie created the entire brand identity — the name, the square bottle and the hand-dipped red wax seal, still hand-dipped on every bottle today. Bill Samuels wanted to create a softer bourbon than the typical rye-based styles of the day and replaced rye with red winter wheat in the mash bill. The distillery was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1980.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is soft with caramel, vanilla and a hint of fruit.

Palate

The palate is round and sweet with caramel, vanilla and spiced oak.

Finish

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

Specifications

Name: Maker's Mark VIP Bespoke Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
Distillery: Maker's Mark
Region/Country: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 45%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: VIP Bespoke Label

Flavour profile

Soft · Sweet · Caramel · Rounded

See our full range of Maker's Mark

A reference book that gets bought again every single year by people who already own last year's edition.

About the product

The Malt Whisky Yearbook 2024 by Ingvar Ronde is the annual, fully updated reference guide with information on over 400 whisky distilleries worldwide. The book includes more than 250 tasting notes from every active distillery in Scotland and Japan, alongside articles from respected whisky experts and over 500 colour photographs.

It works as much as a reference guide as a book for pleasure reading, and is a fixture for serious whisky collectors year after year.

See our full range of whisky books

In the shadow of the famous names, Mannochmore quietly does its work — consistent, without fanfare.

Expert's description

Mannochmore 12 år Flora & Fauna Single Speyside Malt Whisky 43% is a Speyside Single Malt Whisky, matured in sherry and bourbon casks and bottled at 43%.

The whisky comes straight from Mannochmore's own warehouse and belongs to the Flora & Fauna series.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose opens with pear, green apples and mild sweetness.

Palate

On the tongue you find floral notes, spice and light oak.

Finish

It finishes long and spicy, with spice and green apples.

Specifications

Name: Mannochmore 12 år Flora & Fauna Single Speyside Malt Whisky 43%
Distillery: Mannochmore
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Flora & Fauna
EAN no.: 5000281024394

Flavour profile

Fruity · Soft · Classic

Did you know?

In the 1990s Mannochmore was the source spirit behind the notorious 'Loch Dhu – The Black Whisky', whose near-black colour from heavy cask charring and caramel made headlines and is now a cult collector's item.

See our full range of Mannochmore

Some bottles tell an entire story in the name alone. Mannochmore 1991/2004 Signatory 35 cl African Sherry Butt Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43% is one of them.

Expert's description

Mannochmore 1991/2004 Signatory 35 cl African Sherry Butt Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43% is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in south african sherry butt and bottled at 43%.

The whisky is distilled at Mannochmore and independently selected and bottled by Signatory Vintage.

It was distilled 7. november 1991 and bottled Februar 2004, giving it its cask maturation.

Tasting notes

Nose

The aroma offers floral notes, green apples and sherry toffee.

Palate

On the tongue you find lemon zest, raisins and stewed plums.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with dried fig and lemon zest.

Specifications

Name: Mannochmore 1991/2004 Signatory 35 cl African Sherry Butt Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43%
Distillery: Mannochmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Highland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 35 CL
Cask type: South African Sherry Butt (#16589)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 7. november 1991
Bottled: Februar 2004

Flavour profile

Sherry-matured · Rounded · Spicy

Did you know?

In the 1990s Mannochmore was the source spirit behind the notorious 'Loch Dhu – The Black Whisky', whose near-black colour from heavy cask charring and caramel made headlines and is now a cult collector's item.

See our full range of Mannochmore

Listen to our podcast:

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

Expert's description

Mannochmore 2007/2021 Signatory Vintage 13 år Single Highland Malt Whisky 43% is a Highland Single Malt Whisky, matured in hogsheads and bottled at 43%.

The whisky is distilled at Mannochmore and independently selected and bottled by Signatory Vintage as part of the The Un-Chillfiltered Collection series.

It was distilled 27. april 2007 and bottled 2021, giving it 13 years.

Only 286 bottles were released from this batch, making it an exclusive release for collectors.

Tasting notes

Nose

On the nose you meet floral notes, green apples and mild sweetness.

Palate

On the tongue you find green apples, light oak and mild sweetness.

Finish

The aftertaste is short but concentrated, with spice and pear.

Specifications

Name: Mannochmore 2007/2021 Signatory Vintage 13 år Single Highland Malt Whisky 43%
Distillery: Mannochmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Highland Single Malt Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Hogsheads (#6666 og 6669)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 27. april 2007
Bottled: 2021
Number of bottles: 286
Edition: The Un-Chillfiltered Collection
EAN no.: 5021944113965

Flavour profile

Fruity · Soft · Classic

Did you know?

In the 1990s Mannochmore was the source spirit behind the notorious 'Loch Dhu – The Black Whisky', whose near-black colour from heavy cask charring and caramel made headlines and is now a cult collector's item.

See our full range of Mannochmore

Listen to our podcast:

Mannochmore belongs to the kind of spirit whisky people speak of quietly, with respect.

Expert's description

Mannochmore 2008/2021 Signatory Vintage 12 år Single Highland Malt Whisky 43% is a Highland Single Malt Whisky, matured in hogsheads and bottled at 43%.

The whisky is distilled at Mannochmore and independently selected and bottled by Signatory Vintage as part of the The Un-Chillfiltered Collection series.

It was distilled 17. september 2008 and bottled 2021, giving it 12 years.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose opens with pear, green apples and spice.

Palate

The palate delivers green apples, mild sweetness and light oak.

Finish

The aftertaste is long and warm, with mild sweetness and green apples.

Specifications

Name: Mannochmore 2008/2021 Signatory Vintage 12 år Single Highland Malt Whisky 43%
Distillery: Mannochmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Highland Single Malt Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Hogsheads (#12253 og 12257)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 17. september 2008
Bottled: 2021
Edition: The Un-Chillfiltered Collection

Flavour profile

Fruity · Soft · Classic

Did you know?

In the 1990s Mannochmore was the source spirit behind the notorious 'Loch Dhu – The Black Whisky', whose near-black colour from heavy cask charring and caramel made headlines and is now a cult collector's item.

See our full range of Mannochmore

Listen to our podcast:

In the shadow of the famous names, Mannochmore quietly does its work — consistent, without fanfare.

Expert's description

Mannochmore 2008/2025 Signatory 16 år Symingtons Choice Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 54,4% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in px sherry butt and bottled at 54,4%.

The whisky is distilled at Mannochmore and independently selected and bottled by Signatory Vintage as part of the Symington's Choice series.

It was distilled 17. september 2008 and bottled 17. februar 2025, giving it 16 years.

Only 351 bottles were released from this batch, making it an exclusive release for collectors.

Tasting notes

Nose

On the nose you meet lemon zest, green apples and dates.

Palate

The taste unfolds with green apples, walnut and dark chocolate.

Finish

It finishes long and warm, with stewed plums and pear.

Specifications

Name: Mannochmore 2008/2025 Signatory 16 år Symingtons Choice Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 54,4%
Distillery: Mannochmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 16 years
ABV: 54,4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: PX Sherry Butt (#1)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 17. september 2008
Bottled: 17. februar 2025
Number of bottles: 351
Edition: Symington's Choice

Flavour profile

Sherry-matured · Rounded · Spicy

Investment potential

Medium. 16 years of maturation at full cask strength and only 351 bottles from Signatory's new Symington's Choice series make this Mannochmore a rare bottle from a distillery seldom seen as a single malt.

Did you know?

In the 1990s Mannochmore was the source spirit behind the notorious 'Loch Dhu – The Black Whisky', whose near-black colour from heavy cask charring and caramel made headlines and is now a cult collector's item.

See our full range of Mannochmore

Listen to our podcast:

In Speyside, some distilleries never shout about themselves — they let the whisky speak. Mannochmore is one of them.

Expert's description

Mannochmore 2010/2022 James Eadie 11 år Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in re-charred hogsheads and bottled at 46%.

The whisky is distilled at Mannochmore and independently selected and bottled by James Eadie as part of the Small Batch series.

It was distilled 2010 and bottled 2022, giving it 11 years.

Only 1061 bottles were released from this batch, making it an exclusive release for collectors.

Tasting notes

Nose

On the nose you meet pear, lemon zest and mild sweetness.

Palate

The taste unfolds with lemon zest, light oak and spice.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with mild sweetness and lemon zest.

Specifications

Name: Mannochmore 2010/2022 James Eadie 11 år Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%
Distillery: Mannochmore
Bottler: James Eadie
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Re-Charred Hogsheads (#6280, 6890 og 6892)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2010
Bottled: 2022
Number of bottles: 1061
Edition: Small Batch
EAN no.: 5060485431558

Flavour profile

Fruity · Soft · Classic

Did you know?

In the 1990s Mannochmore was the source spirit behind the notorious 'Loch Dhu – The Black Whisky', whose near-black colour from heavy cask charring and caramel made headlines and is now a cult collector's item.

See our full range of Mannochmore

In the shadow of the famous names, Mannochmore quietly does its work — consistent, without fanfare.

Expert's description

Mannochmore 2011/2023 Coopers Choice 11 år Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 51,5% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in american oak & ruby wine butt and bottled at 51,5%.

The whisky is distilled at Mannochmore and independently selected and bottled by The Cooper's Choice as part of the The Cooper's Choice series.

It was distilled 2011 and bottled 2023, giving it 11 years.

Only 600 bottles were released from this batch, making it an exclusive release for collectors.

Tasting notes

Nose

The aroma offers pear, floral notes and mild sweetness.

Palate

On the tongue you find lemon zest, spice and light oak.

Finish

The aftertaste is short but concentrated, with spice and green apples.

Specifications

Name: Mannochmore 2011/2023 Coopers Choice 11 år Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 51,5%
Distillery: Mannochmore
Bottler: The Cooper's Choice
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 51,5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American Oak & Ruby Wine Butt (#8264)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2011
Bottled: 2023
Number of bottles: 600
Edition: The Cooper's Choice
EAN no.: 5024720862699

Flavour profile

Fruity · Soft · Classic

Did you know?

In the 1990s Mannochmore was the source spirit behind the notorious 'Loch Dhu – The Black Whisky', whose near-black colour from heavy cask charring and caramel made headlines and is now a cult collector's item.

See our full range of Mannochmore

Listen to our podcast:

Mannochmore sits quietly behind its sister distillery Glenlossie in Speyside, spending most of its life supplying malt for Diageo blends rather than standing in the spotlight. When it does step out under its own name, it is worth paying attention.

Expert's Description

Mannochmore 2012/2024 Signatory Vintage 100 Proof Edition #13 is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a first fill oloroso sherry butt and bottled at 57.1%.

Signatory Vintage's 100 Proof series gathers single casks from across Scotland, bottled at the old-fashioned strength once known as "100 proof", translating to 57.1% on today's scale. The cask has given this Mannochmore a dark, sherry-driven character that contrasts with the distillery's usually light, floral house style.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose opens with dark chocolate and raisin, chestnut honey and a touch of orange peel, tying the sherry sweetness to the malt's underlying cereal note.

Palate

The palate is full-bodied with brown sugar, dried figs and spiced oak, while the cask strength adds a warm, almost peppery bite that holds everything together.

Finish

The finish is long and spicy, closing with a last trace of dark marmalade and toasted almond.

Specifications

Name: Mannochmore 100 Proof Edition #13
Distillery: Mannochmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 57.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2012
Bottled: 26/03/2024
Edition: 100 Proof Edition #13
EAN no.: 5021944125623

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Spicy · Full-bodied · Dark fruit

Did You Know?

Mannochmore was built in 1971 right next to sister distillery Glenlossie, and the two still share the same water source to this day.

See our full range of Mannochmore

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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 standard release in the McConnells family is the one that shows the brand's DNA at its purest, no extra cask finish, just five years in oak and the soft Irish style the city was once known for.

Expert Review

McConnells 5 Year Old is an Irish Whiskey matured in oak casks, bottled at 42%.

The whiskey has undergone five years of maturation in high-quality oak casks, giving soft notes of vanilla, caramel and toasted oak. With a slightly lower alcohol strength than its sibling Sherry Cask Finish, this expression offers a lighter, more approachable experience while retaining depth and complexity in flavour.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, subtle spice and a touch of fruitiness.

Palate

Smooth and creamy, with vanilla, caramel and toasted oak.

Finish

Pleasantly warm, with hints of malt and oak.

Specifications

Name: McConnells 5 Year Old
Distillery: McConnell´s Distillery
Region/Country: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Type: Irish Whiskey
Age: 5 years
ABV: 42%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Smooth · Creamy · Vanilla-forward · Lightly spiced · Approachable

Did You Know?

McConnells 5 Year Old uses a slightly lower alcohol strength than many other Irish whiskeys, a deliberate choice to make it more approachable for new whiskey drinkers.
See our full range of McConnells

At the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, the distillery of the same name has been producing whisky since 1825 – and this bottle pays tribute to its older, traditional style.

Expert's Description

McDonald's Traditional Ben Nevis is a Scotch Pure Malt Whisky from the Ben Nevis distillery near Fort William, bottled at 46%.

The bottle is designed as a replica of an older Ben Nevis release and carries the name of founder "Long John" MacDonald, who established the distillery in 1825 at the foot of Scotland's highest mountain.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The glass first greets you with honey, quickly followed by shortbread and a hint of vanilla.

Palate

The palate is full-bodied with apple compote, malt and creamy vanilla.

Finish

The finish is gently sweet.

Specifications

Distillery: Ben Nevis
Region/Country: Fort William, Highlands, Scotland
Type: Scotch Pure Malt Whisky
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Replika af historisk flaske
EAN no.: 5026673000616

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Soft · Vanilla-sweet · Floral

Did You Know?

Ben Nevis Distillery has been owned by the Japanese company Nikka since 1989, one of the earliest examples of Japanese investment in Scotch whisky.

See our full range of Ben Nevis

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Five brothers, one family tradition, and a bourbon name that outlasted both Prohibition and recession.

Note: Tear and wear on the label.

Expert description

Medley Old Version Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an American bourbon from Kentucky, bottled at 43%. The Medley family has distilled whiskey since 1800, when John Medley IV moved his family from Maryland to Washington, Kentucky. The family tradition continued across generations, and in 1901 George Medley relocated the distillery to Owensboro for better access to river shipping on the Ohio River. After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Thomas Aquinas Medley began production of a new bourbon, and in 1940 five Medley brothers founded the Medley Distilling Company. The Medley Bros. label was originally created in the 1940s as the brothers' shared tribute to the family's whiskey heritage, and has since been revived by the seventh and eighth generations of the family.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers caramel, vanilla and a hint of toasted nuts.

Palate

The palate is round with brown sugar, oak and spice.

Finish

The finish is medium to long, warm and spicy.

Specifications

Name: Medley Old Version Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Region/Country: Owensboro, Kentucky, USA
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 43%
Size: 95 CL

Flavour profile

Caramel · Spicy · Warm · Nutty

Did you know?

The Medley family has run whiskey distilling almost continuously since 1812, interrupted only by Prohibition's 13 years — one of the longest unbroken bourbon lineages in the US.

Chinquapin is an American oak species you rarely encounter in Scotch whisky – at Meikle Tòir it becomes a surprisingly spicy frame around the distillery's smoky style.

Expert description

Meikle Tòir 5 Year Old The Chinquapin One is a peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in virgin oak casks made from chinquapin oak, bottled at 48%.

Meikle Tòir is GlenAllachie's peated sister series, launched in 2023. The name means "the big pursuit" in Scottish Gaelic. The whisky undergoes a fermentation of around 160 hours, markedly longer than usual, giving the spirit a fruitiness that plays off the peat smoke. The peat comes from the Scottish mainland and sits at around 35 PPM.

The Chinquapin One is named after the American oak species chinquapin, used for the virgin oak casks in this release. Chinquapin oak is rare in Scotch whisky production and known for imparting a more intense and spicy character than common American white oak.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers peated smoke alongside sweet vanilla and freshly sawn wood, with a spicy undercurrent of coconut and lightly toasted caramel from the chinquapin oak.

Palate

The palate combines smoke with a pronounced sweetness of vanilla and butterscotch, while the oak's spice gives a touch of pepper and dry wood structure.

Finish

The finish is smoky and lightly sweet, with a dry, spiced ending where the oak lingers long after the smoke has faded.

Specifications

Name: Meikle Tòir 5 Year Old The Chinquapin One
Distillery: GlenAllachie
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Virgin oak casks made from chinquapin oak
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: The Chinquapin One
EAN number: 5060568326818

Flavour profile

Peat smoke · Vanilla · Spiced oak · Butterscotch · Coconut

Did you know?

Chinquapin is a small American oak species rarely used for whisky casks, but known for imparting a more concentrated vanilla and spice character than the more common American white oak.

See our full range of GlenAllachie

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Smoke and sherry sweetness in the same glass sounds like a contradiction, but at Meikle Tòir it is exactly that contrast that drives the story forward.

Expert description

Meikle Tòir 5 Year Old The Sherry One is a peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in PX and Oloroso sherry casks, bottled at 48%.

Meikle Tòir is GlenAllachie's peated sister series, launched in 2023. The name means "the big pursuit" in Scottish Gaelic and refers to the distillery's search for a peated style that still carries GlenAllachie's signature. The whisky undergoes an unusually long fermentation of around 160 hours, giving a spirit with more fruit and depth than you would normally associate with peated whisky. The peat comes from the Scottish mainland and sits at around 35 PPM.

The Sherry One is matured in a combination of PX and Oloroso sherry casks, layering dark fruit sweetness on top of the smoke.

Tasting notes

Nose

Smoke greets you first, quickly followed by dark sherry sweetness – think plum jam and cane sugar – with an underlying aroma of ash and dried seaweed.

Palate

The palate offers peated smoke and stewed dark fruit side by side, with baking spices and a touch of dark chocolate tying the two sides together.

Finish

The finish is long and smoky, with a sweet tail of sherry that slowly gives way to ash.

Specifications

Name: Meikle Tòir 5 Year Old The Sherry One
Distillery: GlenAllachie
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: PX and Oloroso sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: The Sherry One
EAN number: 5060568326801

Flavour profile

Peat smoke · Sherry sweetness · Dark fruit · Ash · Spice

Did you know?

Meikle Tòir uses a fermentation time of up to 160 hours, markedly longer than at many other distilleries, giving the mash time to develop fruity esters that later balance the smoke from the peat.

See our full range of GlenAllachie

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Billy Walker is best known for GlenAllachie's sherry-driven house style, but with Meikle Tòir the distillery reveals a completely different, peat-smoked side of itself.

Expert's Description

Meikle Tòir 5 Year Old The Turbo 2023 Edition is a Peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the GlenAllachie distillery, matured in virgin oak and oloroso hogsheads and bottled at 50%.

"The Turbo" captures the heart of the heart of the distillate – the most phenol-rich part of the peated malt – giving the whisky an intensified smoky identity at a full 71 PPM. It is bottled without chill filtration or added colour.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The aroma opens with sea salt and medicinal edge, while peat smoke lingers in the background.

Palate

The palate delivers tarred rope and smoked bacon, with a hint of pepper.

Finish

The finish is salty and spicy.

Specifications

Distillery: GlenAllachie
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 50 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Virgin Oak & Oloroso Hogshead
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: 2023 Edition – 71 PPM

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Maritime · Salty · Powerful

Investment Potential

Medium. Peated Speyside releases from GlenAllachie at this strength have shown growing interest among enthusiasts, and the Meikle Tòir series often trades at a notable premium on the secondary market.

Did You Know?

The name Meikle Tòir means "great thirst" in Gaelic, and "The Turbo" refers to taking the very heart of the most phenol-rich part of the distillate.

See our full range of GlenAllachie

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A trading house from 1868 lies behind this creamy Irish liqueur.

Expert description

Merrys Irish Cream Liqueur is the house's classic cream liqueur, bottled at 17%. Merrys Irish Cream Liqueurs trace back to the historic trading house Robert A. Merry & Co., founded in 1868 in the southeast of Ireland. The modern cream liqueur was first produced in 1994 and is today made in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, in the heart of the fertile dairying region known as the Golden Vale, from where the liqueur is now exported to over 20 countries.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is creamy with cream, caramel and a hint of whiskey.

Palate

The palate offers cream, caramel and a soft sweetness.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, creamy and round.

Specifications

Name: Merrys Irish Cream Liqueur
Region/Country: Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland
Type: Cream Liqueur
ABV: 17%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Creamy · Caramel · Soft · Sweet

Salt and caramel meet Merrys' creamy Irish liqueur.

Expert description

Merrys Salted Caramel Irish Cream Liqueur combines the house's creamy liqueur with salted caramel flavour, bottled at 17%. Merrys Irish Cream Liqueurs trace back to the historic trading house Robert A. Merry & Co., founded in 1868 in the southeast of Ireland. The modern cream liqueur was first produced in 1994 and is today made in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, in the heart of the fertile dairying region known as the Golden Vale, from where the liqueur is now exported to over 20 countries.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is sweet with caramel, cream and a hint of salt.

Palate

The palate offers salted caramel, creamy cream and a soft sweetness.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, creamy and lightly salty.

Specifications

Name: Merrys Salted Caramel Irish Cream Liqueur
Region/Country: Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland
Type: Cream Liqueur
ABV: 17%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Sweet · Creamy · Caramel · Salty

Strawberries and cream meet the house's classic Irish cream liqueur in this pink-hued edition.

Expert description

Merrys Strawberry Irish Cream Liqueur combines the house's creamy liqueur with fresh strawberry flavour, bottled at 17%. Merrys Irish Cream Liqueurs trace back to the historic trading house Robert A. Merry & Co., founded in 1868 in the southeast of Ireland. The modern cream liqueur was first produced in 1994 and is today made in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, in the heart of the fertile dairying region known as the Golden Vale, from where the liqueur is now exported to over 20 countries.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is sweet with strawberries, cream and a hint of vanilla.

Palate

The palate offers fresh strawberries, creamy cream and a soft sweetness with a hint of whiskey underneath.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, creamy and carries a lightly tart strawberry note.

Specifications

Name: Merrys Strawberry Irish Cream Liqueur
Region/Country: Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland
Type: Cream Liqueur
ABV: 17%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Sweet · Creamy · Fruity · Soft

Did you know?

The Golden Vale region around Clonmel is considered one of Ireland's most fertile dairying areas, and it's this local cream that gives the Merrys liqueurs their characteristic creaminess.

White chocolate gives Merrys' signature liqueur an extra sweet dimension.

Expert description

Merrys White Chocolate Irish Cream Liqueur combines the house's creamy liqueur with white chocolate flavour, bottled at 17%. Merrys Irish Cream Liqueurs trace back to the historic trading house Robert A. Merry & Co., founded in 1868 in the southeast of Ireland. The modern cream liqueur was first produced in 1994 and is today made in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, in the heart of the fertile dairying region known as the Golden Vale, from where the liqueur is now exported to over 20 countries.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is sweet with white chocolate, cream and vanilla.

Palate

The palate offers white chocolate, caramel and a creamy sweetness.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, sweet and creamy.

Specifications

Name: Merrys White Chocolate Irish Cream Liqueur
Region/Country: Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland
Type: Cream Liqueur
ABV: 17%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Sweet · Creamy · Vanilla-forward · Chocolatey

Some whiskies cross borders before they're ready for the bottle. Michel Couvreur 2011/2021 VJ Maturation is one of them - Scotch malt given its final, defining maturation in a French Jura wine cask.

Expert's description

Michel Couvreur 2011/2021 VJ Maturation 10 Year Old is a Single Malt Whisky matured in a Jura Vin Jaune cask and bottled at 48 percent.

The whisky was distilled on 15 February 2011 and bottled on 22 June 2021, giving it exactly 10 years of total maturation. Vin Jaune is a distinctive, oxidative white wine from the Jura region in eastern France, and the cask leaves a dry, nutty character rarely found in Scotch-based malt whisky. Only 3,000 bottles were filled of this release.

Michel Couvreur started out as a wine merchant in Burgundy before whisky caught his attention in 1978. His fresh filling method, where sherry casks are emptied and refilled with whisky on the very same day, means the wood is still damp with sherry when the whisky arrives.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers walnut and a light oxidative tang, backed by honey, dried apple and a hint of yeast - a clear sign that a wine cask has left its mark.

Palate

The palate is dry and nutty with sherry and apple, spiced with a touch of pepper and a faint bitter edge reminiscent of citrus peel.

Finish

The finish is long and dry, with lingering walnut and a hint of herbs that slowly gives way to pure malt.

Specifications

Name: VJ Maturation
Distillery: Michel Couvreur
Region/Country: France
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 48 %
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: Jura Vin Jaune cask
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2011
Bottled: 2021
Number of bottles: 3000
Edition: VJ Maturation
EAN no.: 3760150950361

Flavour profile

Cask-driven · Dry · Nutty · Complex

Did you know?

Vin Jaune is made under a yeast veil called 'voile', which protects the wine from oxygen during ageing - a technique reminiscent of Spanish sherry production, but unique to Jura. It makes this cask a rare and original whisky finish.

Some bottles just need room to breathe - Blossoming Auld Sherried is Michel Couvreur's masterpiece, bottled after 14 years in casks from a bygone era.

Expert's description

Michel Couvreur Blossoming Auld Sherried 14 Year Old is a Single Malt Whisky from a single cask, bottled at 45 percent.

The whisky has matured for 14 years in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks from the 1950s, and the age of the cask gives a depth rarely encountered even by seasoned sherry-whisky lovers. The style is meant as a full tribute to the powerful, sherry-matured whisky of the Victorian era - soft, heavy and in no way restrained.

Michel Couvreur passed away in 2013, but the house is carried on by his son-in-law Jean-Arnaud, following the same philosophy. The casks still travel from Jerez to the damp cellars of Bouze-lès-Beaune, where young Scotch malt gets to mature further under French skies.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is bombarded with layer upon layer of sherry, followed by flowers, vanilla, chocolate, spice, dried fruit, hazelnuts and raisins.

Palate

The palate is powerful and nuanced, sweet and dry at once, with fruit, caramel, chocolate, cinnamon and dried oranges, carried by a lovely cask influence.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with lingering notes of raisin, dark chocolate and a last hint of spiced wood.

Specifications

Name: Blossoming Auld Sherried
Distillery: Michel Couvreur
Region/Country: France
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 45 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Pedro Ximenez-sherryfade fra 1950'erne
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Blossoming Auld Sherried

Flavour profile

Sherry-matured · Powerful · Complex · Rich

Did you know?

The casks behind Blossoming Auld Sherried date back to the 1950s - older than most whiskies currently on the market - and a type of cask that's practically impossible to source today.

Some whiskies deserve a bigger frame - Blossoming Auld Sherried is also available in this striking magnum bottle, presented in its own wooden case.

Expert's description

Michel Couvreur Blossoming Auld Sherried over 13 Years Magnum is a Single Malt Whisky matured in sherry casks and bottled at 45 percent.

The whisky has matured for over 13 years in sherry casks and is bottled in a 150 centilitre magnum, presented in a wooden case. The style is, as in the standard bottle size, a full tribute to the powerful, sherry-matured whisky style of the Victorian era.

Blossoming Auld Sherried is also available in this striking magnum bottle - a fitting tribute to Michel Couvreur's life's work, packaged in a wooden case that signals something special from the house's cellar in Bouze-lès-Beaune.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is bombarded with layer upon layer of sherry, followed by flowers, vanilla, chocolate, spice and dried fruit.

Palate

The palate is powerful and nuanced, sweet and dry at once, with generous fruit, caramel, chocolate and cinnamon.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with lingering notes of raisin and dark chocolate.

Specifications

Name: Blossoming Auld Sherried Magnum
Distillery: Michel Couvreur
Region/Country: France
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: over 13 years
ABV: 45 %
Size: 150 CL
Cask type: Sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Blossoming Auld Sherried Magnum

Flavour profile

Sherry-matured · Powerful · Rich · Complex

Did you know?

The magnum bottle holds twice as much as a standard bottle, which means slower oxidation in the glass - something many collectors believe gives the whisky even more time to develop each time the bottle is opened.

Cap A Pie means 'from head to toe' - a fitting name for a blend built with care in every single step.

Expert's description

Michel Couvreur Cap A Pie is a Blended Whisky matured in sherry casks and bottled at 45 percent.

The blend is made from selected young Scotch whiskies, matured further on fresh sherry casks using the house's fresh filling method for at least 3 years. The name Cap A Pie is an old French expression meaning equipped from head to toe, underlining that every part of the process - from the chosen whiskies to the right cask - has been carefully considered.

Michel Couvreur's blends follow the same philosophy as his single malts: young Scotch whiskies chosen with an unrelenting eye, matured further on fresh sherry casks in the cool cellars of Burgundy until the style is exactly as he wanted it.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is round and inviting with honey, sherry and a light creamy vanilla tone.

Palate

The palate is soft and lightly sweet, with caramel and ripe apples, tied together by a warm spiciness.

Finish

The finish is medium and gentle, closing with a last hint of nut and dried fruit.

Specifications

Name: Cap A Pie
Distillery: Michel Couvreur
Region/Country: France
Type: Blended Whisky
Age: min. 3 years
ABV: 45 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Cap A Pie

Flavour profile

Sherry-matured · Soft · Round · Approachable

Did you know?

The expression Cap A Pie comes from medieval chivalry, where a knight 'equipped from head to toe' was ready for battle in full armour - an image Michel Couvreur borrowed to underline how thoroughly this blend was put together.

Intravaganza is the name of a whisky that doesn't hold back - bottled at its full, natural strength.

Expert's description

Michel Couvreur Intravaganza New Version is a Single Malt Whisky matured in fresh casks and bottled at 50 percent.

The whisky has around 3 years of cask maturation and is bottled at its natural strength without chill filtration or added colour, following the house's fresh filling method. This release comes with a new bottle design, while the silky, powerful character is retained from the original release.

Intravaganza is one of the more playful names in Michel Couvreur's range, and the whisky behind it lives up to it: bottled at natural strength, without filtration or added colour, after roughly three years of cask maturation in Burgundy.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is intense with sherry, honey and a warm spiciness of cloves and nutmeg.

Palate

The palate is powerful yet silky, with caramel and sherry, carried by a light, warm strength.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with a last sweetness of dried fruit.

Specifications

Name: Intravaganza (nyt design)
Distillery: Michel Couvreur
Region/Country: France
Type: Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 50 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Fresh casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Intravaganza (nyt design)
EAN no.: 5760150950521

Flavour profile

Cask strength · Sherry-matured · Powerful · Soft

Did you know?

The name Intravaganza plays on the word 'extravaganza' and underlines that this release - despite its relatively few years in cask - offers a power and richness that feels far more lavish than its age alone would suggest.

Pale Single Single has a new outfit - the same sherry-matured soul, wrapped in a fresh, updated look.

Expert's description

Michel Couvreur New Version Pale Single Single is a Malt Whisky matured in fresh sherry casks and bottled at 45 percent.

The whisky is, like the original Pale Single Single, matured via the house's fresh filling method and bottled in a release of 1,000 bottles. This version comes with an updated bottle design, while the whisky itself retains the pale, elegant style the house is known for.

Pale Single Single is one of the names that best shows Michel Couvreur's flair for the distinctive - a whisky that insists on its own style, matured on fresh sherry casks using the house's fresh filling method, now presented in a new bottle design.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is light and elegant with honey, sherry and a hint of fresh apples.

Palate

The palate is soft and rounded with sherry and a light nutty character, spiced with a touch of pepper.

Finish

The finish is medium and dry, with a last hint of almond.

Specifications

Name: Pale Single Single (nyt design)
Distillery: Michel Couvreur
Region/Country: France
Type: Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 45 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Fresh sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Number of bottles: 1000
Edition: Pale Single Single (nyt design)
EAN no.: 3760150950248

Flavour profile

Sherry-matured · Elegant · Soft · Light

Did you know?

The updated design on this release is one of the clearest signs that the Michel Couvreur house continually refines its visual identity, even when the whisky behind the label stays true to the original.

Some whiskies are allowed to take their time - Overaged from Michel Couvreur is named after exactly that philosophy.

Expert's description

Michel Couvreur Overaged is a Malt Whisky matured in sherry casks and bottled at 43 percent.

The name Overaged nods to the house's core idea: Scotch malt given extra, extended maturation in Burgundy, following Michel Couvreur's fresh filling method, where sherry casks are refilled with whisky the same day they're emptied of sherry. The result is a whisky that feels older and more rounded than its years on paper suggest.

Michel Couvreur was uncompromising in a way few producers are. He selected young Scotch whisky himself, then insisted on deciding when it was ready to travel on to his cellars in Bouze-lès-Beaune, where the humidity and cool vaulted rooms did the rest of the work.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is rich with dried fruit, caramel and a warm spiciness of cinnamon and cloves.

Palate

The palate is soft and round with sherry, raisin and dark chocolate, balanced by a light oaky dryness.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with lingering notes of dried figs and a last touch of spice.

Specifications

Name: Overaged
Distillery: Michel Couvreur
Region/Country: France
Type: Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 43 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Overaged

Flavour profile

Sherry-matured · Rich · Spicy · Round

Did you know?

Michel Couvreur sourced his sherry casks himself in Jerez with help from Emilio Lustau, shipping them - still damp with sherry - all the way to his cellars in Burgundy, so none of the cask's power was lost along the way.

Pale by name, but certainly not by character - Pale Single Single shows that colour and richness don't always go hand in hand.

Expert's description

Michel Couvreur Pale Single Single is a Single Malt Whisky matured in fresh sherry casks and bottled at 45 percent.

The whisky has at least 3 years of cask maturation and, like the rest of the house range, is matured via Michel Couvreur's fresh filling method, where sherry casks are refilled with whisky the same day they're emptied of sherry. 1,000 bottles were filled of this release, which despite its pale colour offers a surprising depth of flavour.

Uncompromising is probably the word that fits Michel Couvreur best. He went where the fence was highest and found his own path by pairing Scotch malt with sherry casks that never had a chance to dry out before the whisky went in.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is light and elegant with honey, sherry and a hint of apple, without the heavy colour tone the name might suggest.

Palate

The palate is soft and rounded, with sherry and a light nutty character, spiced with a touch of pepper.

Finish

The finish is medium and dry, with a last hint of almond and herbs.

Specifications

Name: Pale Single Single
Distillery: Michel Couvreur
Region/Country: France
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: min. 3 years
ABV: 45 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Fresh sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Number of bottles: 1000
Edition: Pale Single Single

Flavour profile

Sherry-matured · Light · Elegant · Soft

Did you know?

The name Pale refers to the whisky being deliberately bottled without added colour, so the pale hue is an honest picture of what the cask has actually given - not the result of added caramel colouring.