Grain whisky rarely gets celebrated on its own, but this North British from Edinburgh shows what patient maturation can do for an overlooked category.

Expert's Description

North British 1987/2023 Adelphi Limited 36 Year Old is a Single Grain Scotch Whisky matured in a refill bourbon cask and bottled at 47.5%.

Adelphi is run by two whisky enthusiasts who over 20 years have built an import business focused on great flavour and the ability to stand out from the crowd. This 36-year-old North British was filled from cask #235959, with only 208 bottles released worldwide.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The aroma opens with fresh straw and vanilla fudge, while creamy vanilla lingers in the background.

Palate

The palate delivers honeycomb and delicate oak, with a hint of citrus notes.

Finish

The finish is dry and elegant.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 36 years
ABV: 47.5 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Bourbon Barrel, cask #235959
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 1987
Bottled: 2023
Number of bottles: 208
Edition: Adelphi Limited
EAN no.: 5060383653496

Flavour Profile

Soft · Creamy · Light · Elegant

Investment Potential

Medium. A 36-year-old single grain whisky with only 208 bottles is an unusual combination of age and rarity, making this release relevant for collectors of older grain whisky.

Did You Know?

The North British distillery in Gorgie is one of the last grain whisky distilleries in Edinburgh and has run continuously since the mid-1880s.

See our full range of North British

Listen to our podcast:

North British was founded partly by whisky legend Andrew Usher, specifically to secure independent access to grain whisky for blends.

Expert's Description

North British 1991/2017 Lady of the Glen 26 Year Old is a Single Grain Scotch Whisky matured in a refill hogshead and bottled at cask strength 49.2%.

Lady of the Glen is created by Hannah Whisky Merchants and is recognisable by its transparent labels that let the whisky's colour show through directly. This 26-year-old North British is limited to just 95 bottles, all un-chill filtered and free of added colour.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers ginger, creamy vanilla and light oak.

Palate

On the palate there is fresh cereal and citrus notes, while delicate oak adds a final twist.

Finish

The finish is soft and refreshing.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: Lady of the Glen (Hannah Whisky Merchants)
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 26 years
ABV: 49.2 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Hogshead, cask #200308
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 1991
Bottled: 2017
Number of bottles: 95
Edition: Limited Release

Flavour Profile

Soft · Creamy · Light · Elegant

Investment Potential

High. With only 95 bottles of a 26-year-old single cask grain whisky at cask strength, this is one of the rarest releases in this category, typically reflected in rising prices on the secondary market.

Did You Know?

Grain whisky like North British is distilled in column stills and typically develops flavour more slowly than malt whisky, making older vintages especially sought after.

See our full range of North British

Listen to our podcast:

There is a particular calm to old grain whisky that has been allowed to rest for decades, and North British is one of the finest examples of exactly that.

Expert's Description

North British 1991/2023 Signatory Vintage 31 Year Old is a Single Grain Scotch Whisky matured in a refill oloroso sherry butt and bottled at cask strength 54.3%.

An impressive 31-year-old single grain from North British, bottled by the renowned Signatory Vintage. This rare release comes from a single cask, entirely without additives and without chill filtration, with 415 bottles in total – a fine choice for the collector wanting to explore the refined world of well-matured grain whisky.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The glass first greets you with dried fig, quickly followed by raisin and a hint of dark chocolate.

Palate

The palate is full-bodied with sherry sweetness, dried fruit and brown sugar.

Finish

The finish is warm with a hint of oak.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 31 years
ABV: 54.3 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt, cask #272183
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 16/10/1991
Bottled: 20/04/2023
Number of bottles: 415
EAN no.: 5021944122691

Flavour Profile

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

Investment Potential

Medium. A 31-year-old single cask grain whisky at cask strength from a respected bottler like Signatory is rare on the market and has historically held its value well among grain whisky collectors.

Did You Know?

North British was founded in 1885, partly by blender Andrew Usher, who wanted an independent source of grain whisky outside the DCL monopoly.

See our full range of North British

Listen to our podcast:

Edinburgh's whisky history usually centres on malt, but the North British distillery in Gorgie has quietly earned its place as one of the capital's most underrated spirit producers since 1885.

Expert's Description

North British 2003/2021 Douglas Laing Old Particular 18 Year Old is a Single Grain Whisky bottled at 48.4%.

Old Particular is part of Douglas Laing's "Exceptional Single Casks" range, where each bottle comes from a single cask, chosen for its individual character. With 788 bottles from this particular cask, it is a generous yet still limited release.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The aroma opens with vanilla fudge and fresh straw, while creamy vanilla lingers in the background.

Palate

The palate delivers delicate oak and honeycomb, with a hint of citrus notes.

Finish

The finish is dry and elegant.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 48.4 %
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2003
Bottled: 2021
Number of bottles: 788
Edition: Old Particular
EAN no.: 5014218818635

Flavour Profile

Soft · Creamy · Light · Elegant

Did You Know?

North British is today jointly owned by Diageo and the Edrington Group through the company Lothian Distillers – two competitors sharing one distillery.

See our full range of North British

Listen to our podcast:

Grain whisky is rarely allowed to stand alone, but when it does, as here from North British, it reveals a very different side of Scotch.

Expert's Description

North British 2006/2024 Coopers Choice 17 Year Old is a Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky finished in an oloroso sherry cask, bottled at cask strength 52%.

The whisky matured in American oak casks and finished in a single oloroso sherry cask, cask #4358, adding a rich and complex character to North British's usually light base profile. Only 246 bottles were filled.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers dark chocolate, chestnut honey and raisin.

Palate

On the palate there is spiced oak and walnut, while brown sugar adds a final twist.

Finish

The finish is long and spicy.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: The Coopers Choice
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 17 years
ABV: 52 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oloroso Sherry Cask, cask #4358
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: Juni 2006
Bottled: Januar 2024
Number of bottles: 246
EAN no.: 5024720863160

Flavour Profile

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

Did You Know?

The North British distillery in Gorgie is one of the last grain whisky distilleries in Edinburgh and has run continuously since the mid-1880s.

See our full range of North British

Listen to our podcast:

North British is today jointly owned by Diageo and Edrington and supplies the backbone of flavour to some of Scotland's best-known blends.

Expert's Description

North British 2007/2022 Murray McDavid 14 Year Old is a Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky finished in a Koval oat cask, bottled at 46%.

The cask comes from the American Koval distillery, known for its oat-based whiskey – an unusual choice for a Scotch grain whisky, giving this release a softer, creamier character with a touch of oatmeal and honey.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The glass first greets you with light oak, quickly followed by coconut and a hint of creamy vanilla.

Palate

The palate is full-bodied with mild pepper, light sweetness and delicate oak.

Finish

The finish is lightly spiced.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: Murray McDavid
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Koval Oat Cask
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2007
Bottled: 2022
Number of bottles: 849
Edition: Limited Release – Select Grain
EAN no.: 5060353303659

Flavour Profile

Soft · Creamy · Light · Elegant

Did You Know?

Grain whisky like North British is distilled in column stills and typically develops flavour more slowly than malt whisky, making older vintages especially sought after.

See our full range of North British

Listen to our podcast:

Some whisky is built to carry other names forward. North British is the very definition of that quality, rarely given its own spotlight.

Expert's Description

North British 2009/2023 Signatory Vintage 13 Year Old is a Single Grain Scotch Whisky matured in bourbon casks and bottled at 46%.

Signatory sources casks from distilleries across Scotland and bottles them under its own name. This North British has matured for 13 years in bourbon casks, giving an accessible, soft grain whisky with a distinct vanilla character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The aroma opens with fresh straw and vanilla fudge, while creamy vanilla lingers in the background.

Palate

The palate delivers honeycomb and delicate oak, with a hint of citrus notes.

Finish

The finish is dry and elegant.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon cask, cask #260481-260484
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 23/06/2009
Bottled: 02/2023
EAN no.: 5021944121939

Flavour Profile

Soft · Creamy · Light · Elegant

Did You Know?

North British was founded in 1885, partly by blender Andrew Usher, who wanted an independent source of grain whisky outside the DCL monopoly.

See our full range of North British

Listen to our podcast:

A long maturation in a single cask can turn even the most reserved grain whisky into something deeply personal, as this North British shows.

Expert's Description

North British 2013/2024 Blackadder Raw Cask 11 Year Old is a Single Grain Scotch Whisky bottled at cask strength 59.8% without any form of filtration.

Raw Cask is Blackadder's internationally recognised flagship, bottling whisky straight from the cask without even mechanical filtration – exactly as it would have been poured from a cask behind a 19th-century bar. Traces of cask sediment may appear in the bottle as proof of its fully natural state. Only 285 bottles were filled from cask #314708.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers ginger, creamy vanilla and light oak.

Palate

On the palate there is fresh cereal and citrus notes, while delicate oak adds a final twist.

Finish

The finish is soft and refreshing.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: Blackadder
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 59.8 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Cask #314708
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 12/02/2013
Bottled: 03/2024
Number of bottles: 285
Edition: Raw Cask
EAN no.: 5055030621416

Flavour Profile

Soft · Creamy · Light · Elegant

Did You Know?

North British is today jointly owned by Diageo and the Edrington Group through the company Lothian Distillers – two competitors sharing one distillery.

See our full range of North British

Listen to our podcast:

The North British distillery sits in the heart of Edinburgh's Gorgie district and has worked in the shadow of the better-known malt distilleries since 1885.

Expert's Description

North British 31 Year Old The Sovereign 1988/2020 is a Single Grain Scotch Whisky from Hunter Laing, matured in a bourbon cask and bottled at cask strength 52.4%.

The Sovereign series from Hunter Laing is dedicated exclusively to single cask grain whisky, always bottled at cask strength without added colour or filtration. This 31-year-old North British is limited to 197 bottles from a single bourbon cask.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The glass first greets you with coconut, quickly followed by light oak and a hint of creamy vanilla.

Palate

The palate is full-bodied with light sweetness, mild pepper and delicate oak.

Finish

The finish is lightly spiced.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: The Sovereign (Hunter Laing & Co.)
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 31 years
ABV: 52.4 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon cask
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: Oktober 1988
Bottled: Februar 2020
Number of bottles: 197
Edition: The Sovereign
EAN no.: 5060354272619

Flavour Profile

Soft · Creamy · Light · Elegant

Investment Potential

Medium. A 31-year-old single cask grain whisky with only 197 bottles from a dedicated grain series like The Sovereign is a rare combination that has historically attracted collectors of older grain whisky.

Did You Know?

The North British distillery in Gorgie is one of the last grain whisky distilleries in Edinburgh and has run continuously since the mid-1880s.

See our full range of North British

Listen to our podcast:

There is a particular joy in finding an old single grain that has been allowed to mature well beyond the ordinary, as with this North British.

Expert's Description

North British The Ten 2007/2016 is a Single Grain Scotch Whisky from French whisky merchant La Maison du Whisky, matured in a used bourbon cask and bottled at 40.1%.

The Ten series from La Maison du Whisky brings together ten different distilleries under a shared concept. This North British is bottled without added colour or chill filtration, with a nose of creamy vanilla and light oak, and a palate of delicate oak, lemon and mild pepper.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The aroma opens with vanilla fudge and fresh straw, while creamy vanilla lingers in the background.

Palate

The palate delivers delicate oak and honeycomb, with a hint of citrus notes.

Finish

The finish is dry and elegant.

Specifications

Distillery: North British
Bottler: The Ten (La Maison du Whisky)
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 40.1 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Used bourbon cask
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2007
Bottled: 2016
Edition: The Ten

Flavour Profile

Soft · Creamy · Light · Elegant

Did You Know?

Grain whisky like North British is distilled in column stills and typically develops flavour more slowly than malt whisky, making older vintages especially sought after.

See our full range of North British

Whiskymessen 2018. A special cask – 64.6%. Available for one occasion only. That's what these event bottlings from Nyborg Distillery's Ørbæk era are.

Expert description

Nyborg Distillery Whiskymessen 2018 (64.6%) is an organic Danish Single Malt Whisky bottled at 64.6% cask strength exclusively for the Danish Whisky Fair in 2018. Produced during the distillery's Ørbæk era, before the move to Nyborg and the launch of Isle of Fionia. These event bottlings are rarely available after the fair itself and represent a unique snapshot of the distillery's production at one specific moment. An uncut cask strength bottling with authenticity.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh and grain-rich nose with a clean organic base. Light sweetness from cask maturation, a hint of citrus and peach. Clear and direct.

Palate

Round and full-bodied at 64.6% – surprisingly approachable for the cask strength. Ripe grain notes, light sweetness and a warm spice on the palate. A drop of water is recommended.

Finish

Clean and medium with warm grain notes and a fresh close.

Specifications

Name: Nyborg Distillery Whiskymessen 2018
Distillery: Nyborg Distillery (Ørbæk era)
Region/Country: Funen, Denmark
Type: Organic Danish Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 64.6%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Whiskymessen 2018

Flavour profile

Fresh · Grain-rich · Sweet · Clean

Investment potential

Medium. Event bottlings for specific fairs are single-purpose collector pieces – they represent a specific date and event that will not recur. This Whiskymessen 2018 bottling from the Ørbæk era is a rare find.

Did you know?

Whiskymessen is Denmark's largest whisky festival, held in Copenhagen each year. Many Danish distilleries release exclusive event bottlings for the fair, which are typically only available on the day. Finding a Whiskymessen bottling from 2018 outside the fair is therefore rare.

Listen to our podcast:

Bourbon cask. Organic grain. 59%. From Ørbæk Brewery, when it all began. Here is Nyborg Distillery in its purest form – clean and unspoiled by anything but time and wood.

Expert description

Nyborg Distillery Bourbon Cask is an organic Danish Single Malt Whisky bottled at 59% cask strength from the distillery's early production at Ørbæk Brewery. The organic Funen distillate matured on a bourbon cask of American white oak, contributing classic vanilla, caramel and grain roundness. A bourbon cask is the world's most classic cask type and gives the most direct expression of the distillate's character – here the organic grain from Ørbæk. A bottling that captures the essence of the Ørbæk era in one bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Classic bourbon cask character with vanilla, caramel and wheat grain. Clean and clear organic base from the organic Funen distillate. A fresh, appealing nose.

Palate

Round and full-bodied at 59% with the bourbon cask's classic sweetness as the centrepiece. Vanilla and butter biscuit with an underlying grain richness. Approachable and well-defined.

Finish

Medium long with lingering vanilla and a clean, slightly dry oak close.

Specifications

Name: Nyborg Distillery Bourbon Cask
Distillery: Nyborg Distillery (Ørbæk era)
Region/Country: Funen, Denmark
Type: Organic Danish Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 59%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon cask (American white oak)

Flavour profile

Vanilla · Caramel · Grain-rich · Classic

Investment potential

High. Ørbæk-era bourbon bottlings from Nyborg Distillery are historically standalone productions. The distillery no longer produces at Ørbæk, and these classic bourbon cask bottlings represent a definitively closed chapter.

Did you know?

Under US law, bourbon casks may only be used to produce bourbon once. This makes used bourbon casks the most accessible and affordable casks for Scottish and American distilleries. For small Danish distilleries like Nyborg Distillery, used bourbon casks were often the first casks they acquired and a central part of the very earliest bottlings.

Listen to our podcast:

Funen meets Islay. An organic distillate from Ørbæk Brewery finished on a Laphroaig cask – perhaps the most unlikely combination in Danish whisky history. The result: 69%, raw and smoky.

Expert description

Nyborg Distillery Laphroaig Finish is an organic Danish Single Malt Whisky bottled at 69% cask strength from the distillery's early Ørbæk era. The organic Funen distillate was finished on a cask from Laphroaig – one of Islay's most famous heavily peated distilleries. The finish adds smoke, peat and iodine to the otherwise clean and organic Danish distillate. The extreme ABV of 69% is uncut and demands attention. A bottling that is unique in every respect – and will never be repeated.

Tasting notes

Nose

Powerful smoke and peat from the Laphroaig cask. Iodine and coastline. Beneath the smoke the organic distillate is present with grain and a light sweetness.

Palate

Intense and explosive at 69% – water is strictly necessary. Smoke and peat dominate, but there is an underlying Danish organic sweetness behind the Islay character. Iodine and sea salt.

Finish

Very long and persistently smoky with an iodine-medicinal close typical of Laphroaig. A finish that lingers.

Specifications

Name: Nyborg Distillery Laphroaig Finish
Distillery: Nyborg Distillery (Ørbæk era)
Region/Country: Funen, Denmark
Type: Organic Danish Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 69%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Finished on Laphroaig cask (Islay)

Flavour profile

Smoky · Peated · Iodine · Intense · Coastal

Investment potential

High. The combination of Danish organic Ørbæk production and a Laphroaig finish at 69% is unique and unrepeatable. These early Ørbæk bottlings are no longer produced and form part of the birth and infancy of Danish whisky.

Did you know?

Laphroaig on Islay is famous for its heavily peated whisky with characteristic iodine and creosote notes. The distillery holds a Royal Warrant from King Charles III. That a Danish organic distillate ended up on a Laphroaig cask is so unexpected it borders on the absurd – but the result speaks for itself.

Listen to our podcast:

Before the train depot in Nyborg. Before Isle of Fionia. This is Nyborg Distillery from the Ørbæk era – an organic Danish single malt at 59% reflecting the very first years at Ørbæk Brewery.

Expert description

Nyborg Distillery Sherry Finish is an organic Danish Single Malt Whisky bottled at cask strength 59% from the distillery's early production at Ørbæk Brewery. Today, Nyborg Distillery produces under the Isle of Fionia brand in the historic DSB train depot in Nyborg – but these Ørbæk bottlings represent roots and beginnings. The whisky has been matured and finished on sherry casks, which add sweetness and depth to the organic distillate. A bottling with historical value for the Nyborg Distillery collector universe.

Tasting notes

Nose

Ripe sherry sweetness with dried fruit, vanilla and a gentle nutty character. The organic distillate provides a clean, fresh base beneath the cask richness.

Palate

Full-bodied at 59% with the sherry cask sweetness well integrated. Dried plums, caramel and warm spice. The heat from the strength is well-integrated.

Finish

Medium long with lingering sherry and a light oak tannin close.

Specifications

Name: Nyborg Distillery Sherry Finish
Distillery: Nyborg Distillery (Ørbæk era)
Region/Country: Funen, Denmark
Type: Organic Danish Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 59%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry cask

Flavour profile

Sherry · Sweet · Fruity · Warm

Investment potential

High. Ørbæk-era bottlings from Nyborg Distillery are historically standalone productions. The distillery no longer produces at Ørbæk – these bottles cannot be repeated and represent a closed chapter in Danish whisky production.

Did you know?

Nyborg Distillery started production at Ørbæk Brewery in Funen – an organic brewery with long traditions. When the distillery grew and got its own premises in the historic DSB train depot in Nyborg, the brand changed to Isle of Fionia. The Ørbæk productions are the only ones that carried the distillery's original identity.

Listen to our podcast:

Whiskymessen 2018, cask number two. Same fair, different cask, a new character. 62.6% from Ørbæk Brewery.

Expert description

Nyborg Distillery Whiskymessen 2018 (62.6%) is an organic Danish Single Malt Whisky bottled at 62.6% cask strength for the Danish Whisky Fair in 2018. Like the corresponding 64.6% bottling, it was produced during the distillery's Ørbæk era and represents a separate cask with its own flavour character. The two Whiskymessen 2018 bottlings complement each other and offer enthusiasts the opportunity to compare what two casks from the same period and base spirit can produce. A standalone and rare bottling.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh grain base with a clean organic character. Light sweetness and a delicate plum fruitiness. Discreet cask influence allowing the distillate to shine through.

Palate

Gentle and approachable at 62.6% with integrated warmth. Fresh apple fruit and light sweetness. A warm finish on the palate.

Finish

Clean and short to medium with fresh grain notes.

Specifications

Name: Nyborg Distillery Whiskymessen 2018
Distillery: Nyborg Distillery (Ørbæk era)
Region/Country: Funen, Denmark
Type: Organic Danish Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 62.6%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Whiskymessen 2018

Flavour profile

Fresh · Grain-rich · Fruity · Clean

Investment potential

Medium. As the second bottling for Whiskymessen 2018 from the Ørbæk era, it is a complementary collector piece to the 64.6% version. Both are from a definitively closed production period.

Did you know?

It is unusual for a distillery to release two separate event bottlings at the same fair. By releasing two casks at Whiskymessen 2018, Nyborg Distillery offered collectors and enthusiasts the chance to experience how different two casks from the same distillery and era can be.

Listen to our podcast:

Oban sits wedged between the cliffs in the centre of the town that shares its name, with the sea right outside the door leaving its mark on every cask.

Expert's Description

Oban 14 Year Old is a Single West Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, the distillery's classic core release, bottled at 43%.

Oban is wedged between cliffs and harbour in the middle of the town sharing its name, and that maritime location is clearly felt in this 14-year-old core release, which balances a touch of smoke with fruity sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers vanilla, citrus peel and honey.

Palate

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

Finish

The finish is soft and lingering.

Specifications

Distillery: Oban
Region/Country: West Highlands, Scotland
Type: Single West Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 43 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon and sherry casks
EAN no.: 5000281005447

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Soft · Vanilla-sweet · Floral

Did You Know?

Oban is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, founded in 1794 – seven years before the town itself was officially granted burgh status.

See our full range of Oban

Listen to our podcast:

Few distilleries have a town that literally grew up around them – Oban is one, and you can clearly taste that maritime closeness.

Expert's Description

Oban Little Bay is a Single Highland Malt Whisky, finished in small ex-bourbon casks, bottled at 43%.

Little Bay refers to the small bay by which the Oban distillery sits, and to the smaller casks the whisky receives a finishing period in, giving extra contact with the oak and a more intense flavour profile than the distillery's 14-year-old core release.

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: Oban
Region/Country: West Highlands, Scotland
Type: Single Highland Malt Whisky
ABV: 43 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Small ex-bourbon casks (Little Bay casks)
Edition: Little Bay
EAN no.: 5000281039336

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Soft · Vanilla-sweet · Floral

Did You Know?

Oban's still house holds only two pairs of stills, making it one of the smallest distilleries in Diageo's entire portfolio by production capacity.

See our full range of Oban

Listen to our podcast:

The salt wind of Scotland's west coast meets orchard sweetness in this year's release from one of Scotland's smallest and most photographed distilleries.

Expert Review

Oban Special Release 2024 Coastel Orchard 10 år Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 58% is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American oak, finished in Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 58% ABV.

The name Coastal Orchard captures the link between sea and orchard that defines this Oban Special Release. The whisky is matured in American oak and finished in selected Oloroso sherry casks, layering orchard-fruit sweetness over the distillery's classic maritime character.

Oban Distillery sits wedged between the cliffs of the small harbour town that shares its name, on Scotland's west coast, and is one of the country's smallest and oldest distilleries still in operation. Its compact size means small batches and a close relationship between the copper stills and the salty sea air that drifts through the warehouse doors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers ripe apples and pears, underpinned by a light salty breeze and a hint of honey from the sherry casks.

Palate

The palate is full and oily, with candied citrus peel, dried apricot and a warm spiciness from the high strength.

Finish

The finish is long, with lingering sea salt and a final hint of fruit sweetness from the sherry casks.

Specifications

Name: Oban Special Release 2024 Coastel Orchard 10 år Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 58%
Distillery: Oban
Region: West Highland, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 58%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: American oak, finished in Oloroso sherry casks
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Edition: Special Release 2024
EAN No.: 5000281076263

Flavour Profile

Maritime · Sherry-matured · Fruity · Cask Strength

Did You Know?

Oban Distillery was founded in 1794, before the town of Oban had even grown up around it – today the distillery sits in the heart of the town, with warehouses cut directly into the rock face behind it.

See our full range of Oban

Listen to our podcast:

The heart of the harbour town beats in this 12-year-old release, where Oban's clean, maritime style is left to stand fully on its own in American oak.

Expert Review

Oban Special Release 2025 Heart of the Harbour 12 år Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 54,7% is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks of American oak and bottled at 54.7% ABV.

Oban 12 Year Old Special Release 2025 is an exclusive single malt from the legendary Oban Distillery, bottled at natural cask strength and part of Diageo's sought-after Special Releases series. Maturation takes place solely in ex-bourbon casks, giving a clean, full style that puts the focus on the malt's fruitiness and the cask's vanilla character.

Oban Distillery is among Scotland's smallest, with just two stills, which keeps production volume low but consistent year after year. Its location in the heart of the small harbour town gives the whisky its name, Heart of the Harbour, underlining the close bond between distillery and town.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose opens with sea salt, fresh breeze and a hint of dried kelp, balanced by green apple, pear and mild vanilla from the oak.

Palate

The palate brings soft malt sweetness, baked apple, toffee and subtle wood spice, with sea breeze and light smoke in the background.

Finish

The finish is warm and medium-long with notes of oak, fruit and a hint of smoke.

Specifications

Name: Oban Special Release 2025 Heart of the Harbour 12 år Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 54,7%
Distillery: Oban
Region: West Highland, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 54.7%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: ex-bourbon casks of American oak
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Edition: Special Release 2025
EAN No.: 5000281080406

Flavour Profile

Maritime · Fruity · Cask Strength · Spicy

Did You Know?

Oban is the only distillery in Scotland where the name refers to both the distillery and the entire town it sits in – both are simply called Oban.

See our full range of Oban

Listen to our podcast:

Octomore Farm sits three kilometres from the distillery, and in 13.3 you can taste that distance. Edition 13.3 is the most rounded in its series, giving fruit just as much room as the smoke.

Expert description

Octomore 13.3 is a super-peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bruichladdich, matured for 5 years and bottled at 61.1%.

The barley is 100% Concerto, grown on Octomore Farm itself and peated to 129.3 ppm. The whisky is matured for five years in a combination of first-fill European oak casks from Rivesaltes in France and Ribera del Duero in Spain, along with first-fill American whiskey casks.

The combination of terroir-driven barley and three different cask types gives 13.3 a more rounded fruitiness than many other Octomore editions, without compromising on the peat.

Tasting notes

Nose

Lemon and orange peel meet a subdued, ash-free smoke, with malted grain notes beneath the fruit.

Palate

Nutty nougat and fruit play alongside a lightly salted, bonfire-like smoke reminiscent of an evening by the coast.

Finish

Medium length with smoky salt, seaweed and a lingering, dry sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Octomore 13.3
Distillery: Octomore (Bruichladdich)
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 61.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First-fill European oak casks and American whiskey casks
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 2016
Edition: 13.3, The Impossible Equation

Flavour profile

Smoky · Fruity · Maritime · Nutty

Did you know?

The barley for 13.3 is grown directly on Octomore Farm, just three kilometres from the distillery itself, making it one of the most terroir-driven releases in the entire Octomore series.

See our full range of Octomore

Listen to our podcast:

16.1 opens a new conversation in the Octomore series. Uncompromising peat meets honeydew melon and apricot, in a whisky that insists smoke and sweetness can speak the same language.

Expert description

Octomore 16.1 is a super-peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bruichladdich, matured for 5 years and bottled at 59.3%.

The whisky marks the start of Octomore's 16th series, distilled from 100% Scottish Concerto barley with a smoke intensity of 101.4 ppm. It's matured for five years in first-fill American bourbon casks, giving a deep, rounded character despite its young age.

The combination of powerful peat smoke and bourbon maturation creates a balanced and sophisticated flavour profile that both challenges and rewards the seasoned whisky enthusiast.

Tasting notes

Nose

Intense peat smoke with sweet notes of vanilla, coconut, honeydew melon and apricot, and a mineral freshness underneath.

Palate

Full and layered with waves of smoke, golden honey, stone fruit and toasted oak, with chocolate unfolding as the alcohol warms the palate.

Finish

Long, smoky and complex with earthy tones and a hint of sea breeze.

Specifications

Name: Octomore 16.1
Distillery: Octomore (Bruichladdich)
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 59.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First-fill American bourbon casks
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: 16.1, The Impossible Equation

Flavour profile

Smoky · Fruity · Sweet · Maritime

Did you know?

Octomore 16.1 marks the 16th series in the line, and each series continues the distillery's attempt to prove that extreme peat and elegant fruitiness can go hand in hand.

See our full range of Octomore

Listen to our podcast:

Four cask types, one whisky. Octomore 16.2 blends Oloroso, Bordeaux, Madeira and Moscatel with extreme peat, attempting to unite smoke and winey elegance.

Expert description

Octomore 16.2 is a super-peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bruichladdich, matured for 5 years and bottled at 58.1%.

The whisky is distilled from Scottish Concerto barley to 101.4 ppm and matured for five years in a complex combination of casks: Oloroso sherry, Bordeaux, Madeira and Portuguese Moscatel. The result is a whisky with depth and an unusual balance between peat smoke and winey nuance.

This edition of The Impossible Equation series explores how extreme peat smoke can be united with elegance and fruitiness from four different wine casks at once.

Tasting notes

Nose

Caramelised sugar, roasted nuts, dried fruit and campfire smoke.

Palate

Dark berries, raisins, cherry and spiced molasses, framed by winey tannins and peat.

Finish

Long and smoky with tones of dried fruit, ash wood and warm spice.

Specifications

Name: Octomore 16.2
Distillery: Octomore (Bruichladdich)
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 58.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oloroso sherry casks, Bordeaux, Madeira and Moscatel wine casks
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: 16.2, The Impossible Equation

Flavour profile

Sherried · Smoky · Fruity · Spiced

Did you know?

16.2 is matured in four different wine casks at once, one of the most complex cask combinations the Octomore series has ever used in a single release.

See our full range of Octomore

Listen to our podcast:

189.5 ppm made from barley grown three kilometres from the distillery. Octomore 16.3 is the culmination of its series, where terroir and extreme peat meet in their most concentrated form.

Expert description

Octomore 16.3 is a super-peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bruichladdich, matured for 5 years and bottled at 61.6%.

The whisky is distilled from Concerto barley grown at Octomore Farm in Church Field on Islay, making it a terroir-driven edition with a clear local character. It's matured for five years in a combination of bourbon, Sauternes and Pedro Ximénez casks, adding sweetness, complexity and depth to the powerful smoke profile.

With a ppm count of 189.5, 16.3 is the culmination of the series and a clear expression of Bruichladdich's philosophy of transparency, terroir and innovation.

Tasting notes

Nose

Honeyed malt, toasted grain and earthy peat, balanced by floral tones, dried apricot and a salty sea breeze.

Palate

Structured and intense with sweet malt, smoky oak and waves of sea spray, alongside notes of sultana cake, toffee and candied lemon peel.

Finish

Monumental and lasting with mineral salinity, floral smoke and a winey sweetness from the casks.

Specifications

Name: Octomore 16.3
Distillery: Octomore (Bruichladdich)
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 61.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon, Sauternes and Pedro Ximénez casks
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: 16.3, The Impossible Equation

Flavour profile

Smoky · Sherried · Fruity · Maritime

Did you know?

The barley for 16.3 is grown in Church Field on Octomore Farm, just three kilometres from the distillery itself, making it one of the most terroir-driven Octomore releases ever.

See our full range of Octomore

Listen to our podcast:

133 ppm in a glass that's still only five years old. Octomore 9:3 is raw, young power, where the peat hasn't had time to hide anywhere.

Expert description

Octomore 9:3 is a super-peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bruichladdich, matured for 5 years and bottled at 62.9%.

This release is peated to 133 ppm and forms part of the ninth Octomore series, a limited release that builds on the house's philosophy of pushing how peated a single malt can become without losing its balance.

With just five years of maturation and a high natural cask strength, 9:3 comes across as raw and direct, a concentrated expression of Octomore's extreme style.

Tasting notes

Nose

Intense, earthy peat with a touch of citrus and a light honeyed sweetness beneath the smoke.

Palate

Powerful and direct with waves of peat, black pepper and a warm, alcohol-driven intensity.

Finish

Long, dry and smoky with a persistent ashy note.

Specifications

Name: Octomore 9:3 Dialogos
Distillery: Octomore (Bruichladdich)
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 62.9%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: 9:3, Limited Edition

Flavour profile

Smoky · Spiced · Powerful · Maritime

Did you know?

Octomore's series are numbered by release year and order, so "9:3" means the third release in the ninth series, a way for the distillery to keep track of its many experiments.

See our full range of Octomore

Listen to our podcast:

Dialogos means conversation, and that's exactly what happens in this glass. Ten years of maturation talks down Octomore's raw strength, without ever falling silent.

Expert description

Octomore Ten Dialogos is a super-peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bruichladdich, matured for 10 years and bottled at 54.3%.

The whisky is peated to 208 ppm and matured in a combination of first-fill ex-bourbon casks and fresh Virgin Oak casks. Although it carries one of the highest ppm counts in its series, it comes across as more restrained in smoke, precisely because ten years of maturation has rounded off the edges.

Distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2020, Dialogos shows how time can transform an extremely peated whisky without extinguishing its character.

Tasting notes

Nose

Salt, honey and tropical fruit such as pineapple and mango, with the peat smoke sitting as a deep, earthy base.

Palate

Rich and layered with sweet fruit and honey, giving way to a warm, lingering peat smoke and a touch of oak.

Finish

Long and smoky with a soft sweetness and a dry, ashy finish.

Specifications

Name: Octomore Ten Dialogos
Distillery: Octomore (Bruichladdich)
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 54.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First-fill ex-bourbon casks and Virgin Oak casks
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 2009
Bottled: 2020
Edition: Dialogos
EAN no.: 5055807413664

Flavour profile

Smoky · Fruity · Sweet · Oak-driven

Investment potential

Medium — as one of the longest-matured Octomore releases with an unusually high ppm count, Dialogos is sought after among collectors of the series, especially once sold out.

Did you know?

Dialogos takes its name from the Greek word for conversation, a nod to how ten years of maturation creates a dialogue between raw, young peat smoke and the mellowing effect of the cask.

See our full range of Octomore

Listen to our podcast:

The Beast has a name that doesn't lie. 167 ppm makes this Octomore one of the smokiest encounters you can have with a whisky, and yet citrus and honey hide beneath the ash.

Expert description

Octomore The Beast is a super-peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Bruichladdich, matured for 6 years and bottled at 60.5%.

The whisky has a phenol content of 167 ppm, making it one of the most heavily peated whiskies in the world. It was distilled in 2008 and matured for five years in American first-fill bourbon casks, as part of the Octomore series The Futures.

The bottle was released as a limited edition with a total of 9,600 bottles worldwide, one of the larger outputs in the Octomore family, yet still a sought-after release for peat lovers.

Tasting notes

Nose

Intense smoke reminiscent of a campfire with fresh ash, gradually giving way to citrus, honey, caramel and vanilla.

Palate

Powerful smoky experience with warmth from the alcohol, initially dominated by citrus fruit and floral honey, with a maritime, mineral edge and notes of oak and caramel.

Finish

Long and complex with a dry ash aftertaste.

Specifications

Name: Octomore The Beast
Distillery: Octomore (Bruichladdich)
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 6 years
ABV: 60.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First-fill American bourbon casks
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 2008
Number of bottles: 9,600
Edition: The Beast, The Futures

Flavour profile

Smoky · Maritime · Fruity · Spiced

Did you know?

At 167 ppm, The Beast is one of the most heavily peated whiskies Bruichladdich has ever released, measured in pure phenol strength before dilution and maturation.

See our full range of Octomore

Listen to our podcast:

Under the name Old Ballantruan hides Tomintoul's peated alter ego – a heavily smoked Speyside malt from a distillery otherwise known for the opposite.

Expert Review

Old Ballantruan 10 år Speyside Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 50% is a Peated Single Speyside Malt Whisky matured in bourbon casks and bottled at 50% ABV.

Tomintoul Distillery sits in the beautiful Cromdale Hills in the Speyside-Glenlivet region, near the source of the River Avon, and is known as one of Scotland's highest-altitude distilleries. While the core spirit is soft and light, the name Old Ballantruan is used for the distillery's peated expressions, where peated malt gives an entirely different, smoky character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers peat and caramel, with a hint of oak and a light vanilla sweetness.

Palate

The palate is round and sweet with clear smoke, supported by caramel and a mild spiciness.

Finish

The finish is soft and medium-long, with lingering peaty smoke and a final hint of sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Old Ballantruan 10 år Speyside Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 50%
Distillery: Tomintoul
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Peated Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: bourbon casks
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
EAN No.: 5021349701842

Flavour Profile

Peated · Caramel · Sweet

Did You Know?

Old Ballantruan is named after an old settlement near Tomintoul and is used exclusively for the distillery's peated bottlings, while the Tomintoul name is reserved for the soft, light core range.

See our full range of Tomintoul

Five extra years in the cask give this Old Ballantruan release a deeper, more rounded smoky character than its 10-year-old sibling.

Expert Review

Old Ballantruan 15 år The 'Peated' Malt Speyside Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 50% is a Peated Single Speyside Malt Whisky matured in oak casks and bottled at 50% ABV.

Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old 'Peated' Malt is a heavily peat-smoked single malt whisky from Speyside. It strikes a unique balance between intense smoke and sweetness, where a full peaty smoke harmonises with sweet toffee notes and a mild spicy character from the oak casks.

The round, tempered smoke makes this whisky an elegant experience, where toffee sweetness and gentle spiced oak contribute to a complex, lingering finish – ideal for those seeking a balanced, smoky malt with finesse.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is full peaty smoke with toffee, dried fruit and a light vanilla sweetness from the cask.

Palate

The palate is round and sweet, with peat, toffee and a mild spiciness from the oak.

Finish

The finish is complex and lingering, with peaty smoke and a final hint of spiced oak.

Specifications

Name: Old Ballantruan 15 år The 'Peated' Malt Speyside Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 50%
Distillery: Tomintoul
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Peated Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 15 Years
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: oak casks
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
EAN No.: 5021349703587

Flavour Profile

Peated · Toffee · Spicy

Did You Know?

Although Tomintoul sits in the heart of Speyside, a region normally known for light, floral whiskies, the distillery produces some of the region's most heavily peated malts under the Old Ballantruan name.

See our full range of Tomintoul

Without an age statement, but with all the characteristic peat, this release offers Old Ballantruan's smoky side in its purest form.

Expert Review

Old Ballantruan Speyside Glenlivet Peated Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 50% is a Peated Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 50% ABV.

Old Ballantruan has a fine golden colour. The nose offers sweet notes of caramel and peat with a hint of oak and vanilla. This release carries no age statement but is built on the same peated style that defines the distillery's peated range from Tomintoul.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is sweet with caramel, peat and a hint of oak and vanilla.

Palate

The palate is likewise sweet and round, with good peaty character.

Finish

The finish is soft, with lingering peat and a final hint of caramel.

Specifications

Name: Old Ballantruan Speyside Glenlivet Peated Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 50%
Distillery: Tomintoul
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Peated Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Peated · Caramel · Round

Did You Know?

The peat used for malting Old Ballantruan comes from the same Scottish peat bogs as many of Islay's famous smoky whiskies, even though the distillery itself sits deep in Speyside.

See our full range of Tomintoul

A green label, a little gold foil and not one word too many. Behind the quiet packaging sit seven summers in fresh charred oak and a bottling that never met a drop of water. Old Ezra comes out of Lawrenceburg, Indiana — a river town once known as Whiskey City, because nobody else in America handled rye quite like this.

The Expert's Description

Old Ezra 7 years Full Proof is an American Straight Rye Whiskey matured for seven years in new charred American oak casks and bottled at 57%.

It arrived in November 2022 as the rye counterpart to Old Ezra 7 years Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which had just been named Best Overall Bourbon at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition that same year. Old Ezra is the heavyweight branch of the Ezra Brooks family, and this was the first rye ever released under the name.

The whiskey is distilled and matured in Indiana at Ross & Squibb Distillery — the plant formerly known as MGP — and bottled by Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky. It says so in small print at the bottom of the label, and it is worth reading. Lawrenceburg has been distilling rye since 1847 and still supplies rye spirit to a sizeable slice of the American whiskey trade.

Two mashbills are married together here. One is built on 95% rye and 5% malted barley, and it carries the sharp, peppery rye edge. The other runs 51% rye, 45% corn and 4% malted barley, laying sweetness and body underneath. Between them they explain why the whiskey tastes unmistakably of rye while still coming across rounder than most people expect at this strength.

The casks are new and charred, exactly as the law demands of a Straight Rye Whiskey. Seven Indiana summers pull vanilla, caramel and dry oak spice out of that burnt layer, and because the whiskey goes into the bottle at cask strength, none of it gets diluted away again. Before bottling the spirit is charcoal filtered, the same treatment the whole Ezra Brooks range receives, which takes the roughest corner off without flattening the whiskey. Gold at both ASCOT and SIP in 2024.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dry oak and earthy rye spice lead. Then it loosens up: caramel, vanilla, a hint of dark cherry. Give it a quarter of an hour in the glass and tobacco and old leather come forward.

Palate

Spiced honey and toffee arrive first, soft and thick. Then the rye asserts itself properly with black pepper, cinnamon and a sharp streak of orange peel. The 57% is clearly there, but it warms rather than burns.

Finish

Long and dry. Oak, pipe tobacco and a peppery heat that sits around well after the glass is empty.

Specifications

Name: Old Ezra 7 years Full Proof Straight Rye Whiskey
Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery
Bottler: Lux Row Distillers
Region/Country: Indiana, USA
Type: Straight Rye Whiskey
Age: 7 years
ABV: 57%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: New charred American oak casks
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Full Proof
EAN no.: 0088352139449

Flavour Profile

Spicy · Vanilla · Caramel · Oak · Tobacco · Cask strength

Did You Know?

The Squibb half of Ross & Squibb comes from William Squibb's distillery of 1869. In 1921 it was bought by George Remus, the bootlegger they called the King of the Bootleggers, and one of the figures F. Scott Fitzgerald is said to have had in mind when he wrote The Great Gatsby.

See our full range of Ezra Brooks Whiskey

Listen to our podcast: