The name is straightforward, and so is the smoke. SmokeHead is Ian Macleod's tribute to Islay's most relentless side, unfiltered and unapologetic.

Expert's Description

SmokeHead is a Single Islay Malt Whisky from Ian Macleod Distillers, bottled at 43% with no fixed age statement.

The source distillery is undisclosed, but SmokeHead is known for an unusually powerful smoke profile even by Islay standards, neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Intense heavy smoke and peat, tar, salt and pepper in a big burst.

Palate

Powerful smoke meets an underlying sweetness and a hint of citrus.

Finish

Long and smoky with lingering peat and a dry, salty close.

Specifications

Name: SmokeHead
Bottler: Ian Macleod Distillers
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
EAN No.: 5010852038699

Flavour Profile

Heavily peated · Maritime · Salty · Intense

Did You Know?

SmokeHead deliberately markets itself with the slogan 'no age statement, all attitude' — a direct contrast to Scotch whisky's traditional focus on age.

See our full range of SmokeHead

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

Expert's Description

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

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

Tasting Notes

Nose

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

Palate

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

Finish

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

Specifications

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

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced · Citrus-fresh · Maritime

Did You Know?

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

See our full range of The Vintage Malt Whisky Company

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

Expert's Description

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

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

Tasting Notes

Nose

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

Palate

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

Finish

Long, dry and smoky with lingering salt and peat.

Specifications

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

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Raw · Maritime · Cask strength

Investment Potential

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

Did You Know?

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

See our full range of Blackadder

On Sweden's west coast, where the Skagerrak meets land by the tiny fishing village of Smögen, a lawyer with a taste for smoke distils his own spirit in one small copper still. This ten-year-old single cask left that still in 2013, was bottled by independent bottler Adelphi Selection in 2023, and only 232 bottles exist.

The Expert's Description

Smögen 2013/2023 Adelphi Selection is a Swedish Single Malt Whisky matured in a first-fill bourbon cask and bottled at 58.1%.

Smögen distillery was founded in 2009 by lawyer and whisky author Pär Caldenby, who insisted on one thing from the start: the whisky had to be heavily peated. Production runs in small batches through a single, small copper still, giving the distiller tight control over every batch and a result packed with character.

This particular release was distilled in 2013 and bottled in 2023 after ten years of maturation in cask #58, a first-fill bourbon cask selected by Adelphi Selection's team for its series of independent bottlings. The whisky is neither chill-filtered nor coloured, and with only 232 bottles released, it belongs to whoever is quick and curious enough to find it.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dry smoke meets fresh bourbon vanilla, with sea salt and tarred rope close behind. Underneath sits a sweetness of honey and ripe pear that keeps the smoke from taking over entirely.

Palate

Powerful and cask-strength intense from the first sip, with smoke, black pepper and burnt sugar in tight interplay. The bourbon cask shows clearly through vanilla and coconut, while coastal salt adds a maritime edge.

Finish

Long and warm, with lingering smoke, toasted oak and a dry, ashy close that invites another sip.

Specifications

Name: Smögen 2013/2023 Adelphi Selection 10 Year Old Swedish Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Smögen
Bottler: Adelphi Selection
Region/Country: Bohuslän, Sweden
Type: Swedish Single Malt Whisky
Age: 10 year(s)
ABV: 58.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First-fill bourbon cask, cask #58
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2013
Bottled: 2023
Number of bottles: 232
Edition: Adelphi Selection
EAN no.: 5060383653458

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Cask strength · Spiced · Sweet

Investment Potential

Medium. Smögen ranks among the most sought-after Scandinavian distilleries with collectors, and with only 232 bottles from this particular cask, it will not be easy to find again once it is gone. The peated house style and Adelphi's name on the label both work in this bottle's favour.

Did You Know?

Smögen produces under 35,000 litres a year, making it one of the smallest distilleries in the Nordics. Pär Caldenby, the man behind it, wrote a book about enjoying malt whisky long before he ever distilled a drop of his own.

See our full range of Smögen

See our full range of Adelphi

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A California rye born when a city dweller's love of Sonoma country turned into a distillery.

Expert description

Sonoma County Rye California is an American rye whiskey, bottled at 48%, from Sonoma Distilling Company. The distillery was founded in 2010 by Adam Spiegel, who grew up in San Francisco and discovered his passion for spirits in 2008 while helping a distiller friend in Santa Rosa. The rye whiskey is double distilled in handmade copper pot stills, made from a mash of 80% unmalted Californian and Canadian rye and 20% malted rye from the UK, giving it a distinctly spicy backbone with nutty and fruity overtones. The whiskey is aged for at least 15 months in smaller casks.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers rye bread, pepper and a hint of nuts.

Palate

The palate is spicy with rye grain, fruit and light sweetness.

Finish

The finish is medium to long, dry and spicy.

Specifications

Name: Sonoma County Rye California
Region/Country: Sonoma County, California, USA
Type: Rye Whiskey
ABV: 48%

Flavour profile

Spicy · Rye-forward · Nutty · Dry

Soraghan 3 Year Old Blended Irish Whiskey blends single grain and single malt from Bushmills Distillery into a light, approachable dram – perfect for Irish Coffee.

Expert Review

Soraghan 3 Year Old Blended Irish Whiskey is a Blended Irish Whiskey, bottled at 40%.

You take single grain and single malt Irish whiskey from Bushmills Distillery and blend them together, creating this delicious dram from Ireland. Soraghan 3 Year Old is a young Irish whiskey that shows the classic soft and approachable style Ireland is known for. It is matured for three years in oak casks, giving it a fresh, light character while still showing clear layers of flavour. On the nose you meet a mild aroma with fruity notes, a touch of vanilla and a discreet spiced tone. The palate is rounded and balanced, with an initial sweetness of caramel and fruit sliding into a lightly spiced finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Mild aroma with fruity notes and a touch of vanilla.

Palate

Rounded and balanced with caramel and fruit.

Finish

Soft, pleasant and lingering.

Specifications

Name: Soraghan 3 Year Old
Distillery: Soraghan (Bushmills Distillery)
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Irish Blended Whiskey
Age: 3 years
Cask: Oak Casks
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Vanilla · Caramel · Lightly spiced · Versatile

Did You Know?

Soraghan 3 Year Old is a great introduction to Irish whiskey, yet has enough character for experienced enthusiasts.
See our full range of Irish whiskey

Soraghan 7 Year Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey is matured for seven years in oak casks, giving it a mature, nuanced character with a golden amber colour.

Expert Review

Soraghan 7 Year Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey is an Irish Single Malt Whiskey, bottled at 46%.

This Irish single malt is matured for seven years in oak casks, giving it a mature, nuanced character. It appears with a golden amber colour and a complex aroma, where fresh fruit notes meet vanilla, spice and a discreet malt sweetness. At 46% ABV, Soraghan 7 Year Old has an intensity that adds extra depth and character while still retaining the classic Irish smoothness.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fruity and aromatic with notes of apple, citrus and a touch of vanilla.

Palate

Rounded and full with layers of caramel, spice and nutty undertones.

Finish

Long, soft and harmonious, where sweetness and spice merge in an elegant close.

Specifications

Name: Soraghan 7 Year Old
Distillery: Soraghan
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Irish Single Malt Whiskey
Age: 7 years
Cask: Oak Casks
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Vanilla · Caramel · Nutty · Mature

Did You Know?

Soraghan 7 Year Old is great to enjoy neat, but also works as an exclusive dram for special occasions.
See our full range of Irish whiskey

The Loch Lomond Group's 200 years of combined distilling experience is used to reinvent the single grain category.

Expert description

Spearhead Single Grain Whisky is a Scotch Single Grain Whisky, bottled at 43%. Spearhead is produced by the Loch Lomond Group, drawing on over 200 years of combined distilling experience. The whisky is made entirely from 100% malted barley, undergoes an unusually long fermentation, and is distilled on a Coffey column still, before maturing in ex-bourbon barrels ahead of a final finish in a combination of fire- and infrared-toasted virgin American oak barrels. The whisky launched globally in the summer of 2021, marking an attempt to give the single grain category a more prominent place alongside single malt.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers vanilla, toasted oak and a hint of honey.

Palate

The palate is round with caramel, spiced wood and light sweetness.

Finish

The finish is medium to long, warm and woody.

Specifications

Name: Spearhead Single Grain Whisky
Bottler: Spearhead
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation method: Coffey column

Flavour profile

Vanilla · Spicy · Round · Warm

Did you know?

Spearhead uses 100% malted barley rather than the more typical neutral grain base, which is unusual for the single grain category and gives the whisky a more pronounced malt character.

See our full range of Spearhead

Old-school Speyside with a wine-like attitude — Wilson & Morgan finds the casks that bite back properly.

Expert's Description

Speybridge 2011/2023 is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Wilson & Morgan, distilled in 2011 and bottled in 2023 after 12 years of maturation at 57.1%.

The whisky is matured in a refill butt and first fill Oloroso sherry butt, cask no. 3589, giving an intense sherry character with clear tannin and a wine-like, aperitif-style bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dry, tight Oloroso sherry with hints of bitter aperitif, orange peel and roasted chestnut.

Palate

Full and wine-like with sherry tannin, dried fruit and a warm alcoholic edge.

Finish

Long and dry with lingering nuts and a lightly bitter sherry close.

Specifications

Name: Speybridge 2011/2023
Bottler: Wilson & Morgan
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 57.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Refill butt and 1st fill Oloroso sherry butt, cask no. 3589
Distilled: 2011
Bottled: 2023
Number of Bottles: 776 bottles
EAN No.: 8057760350434

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Wine-like · Nutty · Cask strength

Did You Know?

'Speybridge' is one of the names independent bottlers such as Wilson & Morgan use for undisclosed Speyside distilleries — the name references the region's characteristic bridges over the River Spey.

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Three sherry casks, one whisky — Wilson & Morgan combines the power of several PX-finish casks to give this Speyside malt a deep, sweet character.

Expert's Description

Speybridge 2012/2022 is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Wilson & Morgan, distilled in 2012 and bottled in 2022 after 10 years of maturation at 46%.

The whisky has been given a sherry finish in Pedro Ximénez casks, cask no. 1623, 1624 and 1625, giving a sweet, dark character layered on top of the underlying Speyside malt.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sweet PX sherry with raisin, dark caramel and a hint of malt.

Palate

Soft and sweet with dried fruit, chocolate and a light spiced warmth.

Finish

Medium length with lingering sherry sweetness and a dry close.

Specifications

Name: Speybridge 2012/2022
Bottler: Wilson & Morgan
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Sherry finish PX, cask no. 1623, 1624 & 1625
Distilled: 2012
Bottled: 2022
EAN No.: 8033749408723

Flavour Profile

PX-finished · Sweet · Dark · Soft

Did You Know?

Pedro Ximénez (PX) is a Spanish fortified wine made from sun-dried grapes, giving one of the sweetest and darkest sherry casks in the whisky world.

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Speyburn sits tucked in a valley so narrow that the sun rarely reaches the distillery's pagoda roof. This 10-year-old is the distillery's handshake to the whisky world.

Expert's Description

Speyburn 10 Year Old is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Speyburn distillery, matured in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, bottled at 40%.

The distillery, founded in 1897, is known for its distinctive pagoda roof silhouette and a light, fresh style that makes the 10-year-old one of the most accessible Speyside malts on the market.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh malt and green apple meet a light sweetness of honey and vanilla.

Palate

Soft and easy-drinking with citrus, malt and a hint of spice.

Finish

Short to medium with clean malt and a lightly sweet close.

Specifications

Name: Speyburn 10 Year Old
Distillery: Speyburn
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: American oak ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks
EAN No.: 5010509021067

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Light · Fruity · Approachable

Did You Know?

Speyburn's distillery was founded in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, making it one of the youngest Speyside distilleries from the Victorian era.

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The Coopers Choice has been hunting down great casks since 1992 — this Speyburn shows why an old bourbon cask and a port cask can become good friends.

Expert's Description

Speyburn 2022 Coopers Choice Speyside Preserve is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, bottled by The Coopers Choice from The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. at 56% from cask no. 8872.

The whisky has matured in a combination of American oak and a Ruby Port cask, giving a fruity, port-driven depth over Speyburn's light base character. Only 420 bottles were produced.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Ripe red berries and port sweetness meet a lightly malty freshness.

Palate

Full-bodied with port fruit, caramel and a hint of spice.

Finish

Medium length with lingering berry sweetness and a dry, wine-like close.

Specifications

Name: Speyburn 2022 Speyside Preserve
Distillery: Speyburn
Bottler: The Coopers Choice
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 56%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: American Oak & Ruby Port Cask, cask no. 8872
Bottled: 2022
Number of Bottles: 420 bottles
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
EAN No.: 5024720862088

Flavour Profile

Port-matured · Fruity · Full-bodied · Rare

Did You Know?

The Coopers Choice range was founded in 1992 by Brian Crook under The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. and is known for seeking out unusual, often wine-based cask finishes.

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Bradan Orach means 'golden salmon' in Gaelic — a tribute to the River Spey, which flows past the distillery and is famous for its salmon fishing.

Expert's Description

Speyburn Bradan Orach is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Speyburn distillery, matured in American ex-bourbon casks, bottled at 40% with no fixed age statement.

As the distillery's most accessible expression, Bradan Orach is designed as a light, fruity and straightforward introduction to Speyburn's style.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh green apple and citrus meet a light malty sweetness.

Palate

Soft and light with vanilla, honey and a hint of spice.

Finish

Short and clean with a lightly sweet close.

Specifications

Name: Bradan Orach
Distillery: Speyburn
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: American Oak Ex-Bourbon Cask
Edition: Bradan Orach
EAN No.: 5010509021944

Flavour Profile

Light · Fresh · Fruity · Approachable

Did You Know?

The River Spey, after which Bradan Orach is named, is one of Scotland's most famous salmon rivers and lends its name to the whole Speyside whisky region.

See our full range of Speyburn

Some distilleries refuse to put their name on the label, yet the whisky speaks clearly enough on its own. This 16 year old Speyside malt is one of those bottles where the silence around the source only sharpens the curiosity.

Expert Description

Speyside (GL) 16 Year Old Signatory Exceptional Cask 100 Proof Edition #8 is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, bottled at cask strength of 57.1%.

The bottle belongs to Signatory Vintage's Exceptional Cask series, where independent releases from named and undisclosed distilleries are gathered under a single theme: casks that stand out from the crowd. The distillery behind this release has not been disclosed, but the character points clearly toward Speyside's classic, sherry-driven style. 16 years of maturation has given the whisky a deep, concentrated sherry character, and the Edition #8 number confirms there are several casks behind the series, of which this one was selected for its power and weight.

At 57.1% ABV, the strength once known in the English-speaking world as "100 Proof", this is a whisky built for those who want the flavour in its most uncompromising form.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried dates, raisins and figs meet honey and dark chocolate, with a hint of leather and tobacco in the background.

Palate

Full-bodied and oily with malty, spiced notes, a light peppery heat and a sweetness reminiscent of sultanas in dark syrup.

Finish

Long and rounded, where tart fruit and a soft sweetness stay together to the very end.

Specifications

Name: Exceptional Cask 100 Proof Edition #8
Distillery: Undisclosed Speyside
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 16 Years
ABV: 57.1%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Bottled: 25.04.2025
Edition: Exceptional Cask 100 Proof Edition #8

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Full-bodied · Spiced · Fruity

Did You Know?

When a Speyside distillery chooses to bottle without a name on the label, it is usually down to contractual agreements between the distillery and the owners of the bottle supply. Whisky drinkers often call it "a secret Speyside", and part of the fun of a bottle like this is guessing the source from the flavour alone.

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Signatory Vintage knows what it's doing. When they select a cask from one of Speyside's most iconic distilleries and let it rest for 12 years in Oloroso sherry casks, the result is predictable in the best possible sense.

Expert's Description

Speyside (M) 2011/2024 Signatory Vintage 12 Year Old is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled in 2011 and bottled in 2024 by independent bottler Signatory Vintage. Matured in Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 48.2% as part of Signatory's Small Batch series, Edition #11. The distillery behind the malt is Macallan — one of Speyside's most acclaimed names, whose fruity and sherry-driven character here expresses itself on Signatory's own terms.

An independent bottling like this provides access to an expression that does not necessarily follow the distillery's own brand or house style. This is the Macallan character seen from the outside — a different experience from opening a bottle from the official range.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A textbook sherry bomb with bags of raisins, figs, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. Dark sugar, walnut and golden syrup. Bright cherry top notes.

Palate

Dried fruits lead with raisins and dried plums. More oak than the nose with notes of charcoal and dark chocolate. Cherry and sherry-soaked orange zest.

Finish

Medium to long finish with dark fruits and gentle oak bitterness. The sherry cask's deep imprint lingers for a considerable time.

Specifications

Name: Speyside (M) 2011/2024 Signatory Vintage 12 Year Old
Distillery: Macallan
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 48.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oloroso sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2011
Bottled: 2024
Edition: Small Batch Edition #11
EAN no.: 5021944125555

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Fruity · Full-bodied · Spiced

Did you know?

Signatory Vintage was founded in Edinburgh in 1988 by Andrew and Brian Symington. They have owned Edradour Distillery since 2002 — but that doesn't stop them from continuing to release whisky from other distilleries whenever an exceptional cask comes along.

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Signatory hand-selects casks from across Scotland for its Small Batch series. This time, the choice fell on Tamdhu, known for its sherry maturation.

Expert's Description

Speyside 11 Tamdhu 2013/2024 Signatory Small Batch Edition #13 is a Single Speyside Malt Whisky from the Tamdhu distillery, distilled in 2013 and bottled in 2024 after 11 years of maturation at 48.2%.

Signatory's Small Batch series brings together exclusive single malts from various Scottish distilleries, hand-picked for quality and character, neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sherry sweetness and ripe apples meet a lightly malty freshness.

Palate

Round and fruity with dried fruit, honey and a light nutty tone.

Finish

Medium length with lingering sherry sweetness and a dry close.

Specifications

Name: Small Batch Edition #13
Distillery: Tamdhu
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 48.2%
Size: 70 CL
Distilled: 2013
Bottled: 2024
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Fruity · Round · Nutty

Did You Know?

Tamdhu is one of the few Speyside distilleries that matures exclusively in sherry casks — no bourbon casks feature in its core range.

See our full range of Tamdhu

An anonymous Speyside distillery, designated only by the letter 'M', is bottled by one of Scotland's oldest independent bottlers.

Expert description

Speyside 15 (M) 2009/2024 is a Single Speyside Malt Whisky, distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2024 after 15 years of maturation at 48.2%, under Signatory Vintage's Small Batch series. Signatory Vintage was founded in 1988 by Andrew Symington and is today regarded as one of Scotland's most respected independent bottlers, known for preserving whisky from distilleries that have since closed or been rebuilt. The designation '(M)' indicates that the source distillery is kept anonymous, a common practice when the distillery doesn't want its name used officially on third-party bottlings — though the source's identity remains known within whisky circles based on the Speyside region and the letter.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers honey, apple and a hint of malt.

Palate

The palate is round with caramel, dried fruit and light spice.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, soft and malty.

Specifications

Name: Speyside 15 (M) 2009/2024 Signatory Small Batch 15 år Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 48.2%
Distilled: 2009
Bottled: 2024
Series: Small Batch

Flavour profile

Honeyed · Malty · Fruity · Round

Investment potential

Medium — a single-cask or small-batch bottling from one of Scotland's most respected independent bottlers, with an anonymised but sought-after Speyside origin.

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It is called Tapestry because three cask types are woven together rather than following one another. That is a different idea from the classic finish, where one cask gets the last word.

The expert description

Glen Elgin 2009/2022 Tapestry 13 Years Old is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in oloroso sherry casks, Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and bourbon casks, bottled at 50%.

The whisky was distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2022 after thirteen years. Tapestry is a range from the Uncharted Whisky Company, founded by the Scot Jack Breslin and the Dutch-German Dana de Vos, who both worked in the whisky trade for many years before setting up on their own.

The three cask types each pull in their own direction. The bourbon casks give vanilla and pale fruit, oloroso adds nut and dried fruit, and Pedro Ximenez brings the dark, almost syrupy sweetness. Put together they land on a profile none of them would have given alone. The whisky is bottled at 50% without chill filtration and without colouring.

Tasting notes

Nose

Raisin and dried apricot first, then vanilla and walnut, with a note of dark syrup in the background.

Palate

Full and layered. Yellow fruit and honey from the bourbon wood, dates and nut from the sherry, and a dark sweetness tying it together.

Finish

Long and warm with dried fruit, a touch of cinnamon and a dry oak close.

Specifications

Name: Glen Elgin 2009/2022 Tapestry 13 Years Old
Distillery: Glen Elgin
Bottler: Uncharted Whisky Company
Region/Country: Speyside Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oloroso sherry casks Pedro Ximenez sherry casks and bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2009
Bottled: 2022
Edition: Tapestry

Flavour profile

Fruity · Sherry matured · Sweet · Nutty · Spiced

Did you know?

The Glen Elgin fruitiness is no accident. It comes from clear wort, long fermentation and slow distillation, which together clean the sulphur notes out of the spirit, and only afterwards does the whisky get its weight back from the distillery worm tubs.

See our full range of Glen Elgin

Many whisky lovers instantly ask 'Speyside — but which one?' when they hear the name. Little Brown Dog answers with a wink: here, there are no secrets.

Expert's Description

Speyside Distillery Not Secret 2009 Little Brown Dog is a Single Speyside Malt Whisky, distilled on 25 June 2009 and bottled on 13 February 2026 after 16 years of maturation at 54.2%.

The whisky is matured in a refill American Oak sherry hogshead, giving a brighter, fresher sherry profile where Speyside Distillery's own character shines through clearly. Only 317 bottles were produced.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Pomegranate, paprika and a nostalgic scent of freshly opened crayons.

Palate

Redcurrant, artichoke and an elegant wine-like tone reminiscent of Sancerre white wine.

Finish

Liquorice and a playful hint of popping candy give a fizzy, electric finish.

Specifications

Name: Not Secret 2009
Distillery: Speyside Distillery
Bottler: Little Brown Dog
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Cask Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 16 years
ABV: 54.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Refill American Oak sherry hogshead
Distilled: 25/06/2009
Bottled: 13/02/2026
Number of Bottles: 317 bottles
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Wine-like · Fresh · Rare

Investment Potential

Medium. With only 317 bottles from a single refill sherry hogshead, it is attractive to collectors seeking something different from the Speyside region.

Did You Know?

The label honours the snow leopard from the wildlife park near the distillery in Kingussie, giving the bottle a distinctive visual theme beyond the pun in its name.

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

Expert's Description

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

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

Tasting Notes

Nose

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

Palate

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

Finish

Long and warming with lingering spice and a dry close.

Specifications

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

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Powerful · Batch strength · Warm

Did You Know?

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

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Another round of spice from Wemyss Malts — Batch No. 2 turns the strength up slightly and lets the spice fill even more of the glass.

Expert's Description

Spice King Batch No. 2 is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky from Wemyss Malts, bottled at batch strength of 58% in a run of 9,000 bottles.

As the follow-up to Batch No. 1, this release continues the series with an even larger run, where spiced intensity and a robust character remain the core.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Black pepper and clove meet a deep malty sweetness.

Palate

Full and spicy with ginger, cinnamon and a warm alcoholic edge.

Finish

Long and spiced with lingering pepper and a dry close.

Specifications

Name: Spice King Batch No. 2
Distillery: Wemyss Malts
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 58%
Size: 70 CL
Number of Bottles: 9,000 bottles
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Edition: Batch No. 002
EAN No.: 811929030180

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Powerful · Batch strength · Intense

Did You Know?

At 9,000 bottles, Batch No. 2 is the largest run in the Spice King Batch Strength series to date, reflecting growing demand for Wemyss's spiced blend.

See our full range of Wemyss Malts

Turn the strength down to standard, and the spices become more approachable without losing their character — Small Batch is Spice King's everyday edition.

Expert's Description

Spice King Small Batch is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky from Wemyss Malts, bottled at 46% with no fixed age statement.

Unlike the Batch Strength editions, Small Batch is reduced to a more approachable strength, making it the range's most everyday-friendly release without compromising the spiced core character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Spiced malt meets a light sweetness of honey and dried fruit.

Palate

Soft and spicy with pepper, ginger and a hint of citrus.

Finish

Medium length with lingering spice and a dry, clean close.

Specifications

Name: Spice King Small Batch
Distillery: Wemyss Malts
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Edition: Small Batch
EAN No.: 04023214495

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Soft · Approachable · Clean

Did You Know?

The Small Batch edition is the most widely available in the Spice King range and acts as the series' 'base model', from which the Batch Strength releases diverge with higher strength.

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Forty-two casks, four grain recipes, one whisky. Hvenus is Spirit of Hven's take on a rye whisky that insists on complexity over simplicity, and the name is a small, double-edged love letter to both the goddess and the island itself.

The Expert's Description

Spirit of Hven Hvenus is a Swedish Rye Whisky matured in American oak casks and bottled at 45.6%.

Hvenus is assembled from no fewer than 42 American oak casks, all at least six years old, each contributing its own share to the final grain recipe. The result after blending is 78.6% rye, 11.9% wheat, 4.8% corn and 4.8% barley, a composition that gives the whisky unusual breadth for a rye-based expression.

Neither chill filtration, added colour nor sugar is used in production, so the whisky stands entirely on its own, with only grain, cask and time as collaborators.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Intense vanilla meets freshly cut grass and a touch of menthol, an unusual combination for a rye whisky.

Palate

Smooth and soft on the tongue, with vanilla developing into spiced toffee notes, malt and a hint of dark chocolate.

Finish

Fruity and soft with vanilla and lavender notes that settle calmly.

Specifications

Name: Spirit of Hven Hvenus Swedish Rye Whisky
Distillery: Spirit of Hven
Region/Country: Hven, Sweden
Type: Swedish Rye Whisky
ABV: 45.6%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: 42 American oak casks, minimum 6 years old

Flavour Profile

Grain-forward · Spiced · Soft · Vanilla-led · Fruity

Did You Know?

The name Hvenus is a double nod to both the goddess of love and the island of Hven itself. The whisky is assembled from 42 different casks, each contributing its own share to the final grain blend.

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On Hven, a speck of land in the Öresund strait where nothing is ever quite ordinary, a corn whisky broke a few local rules the moment it appeared. MerCurious borrows its name from the quicksilver planet, and it distils almost pure Swedish corn into something closer to bourbon than to any Nordic single malt you have tried.

The Expert's Description

Spirit of Hven MerCurious is a Swedish Corn Whisky matured in new, air-dried American oak casks and bottled at 45.6%.

Behind the bottle stands Henric Molin, the distillery's restless distiller, who built MerCurious as a nod to the American bourbon tradition, using purely Swedish grain as its base. The recipe runs 88 percent corn, topped up with wheat, barley and rye, and every batch is drawn from fourteen casks of air-dried American virgin oak. Depending on each cask's character, the whisky matures for three to eight years before it is blended and bottled.

The idea for Spirit of Hven took shape when Anja and Henric Molin realised this small island in the Öresund had almost everything a distillery could ask for: nutrient-rich soil, a mild microclimate and a position squarely between two countries. The distillery opened in 2008, and MerCurious has become one of its most personal expressions, a corn spirit that insists on doing things its own way.

Tasting notes

Nose

Light, sweet aromas of caramel and ripe apple lead, spiced with a touch of lingonberry. Underneath sits a sweet note reminiscent of freshly baked cornbread.

Palate

The whisky opens almost sparkling and fresh before rounding out into a fuller, sweeter register of vanilla and cocoa. The corn stays clearly present, close to leaning over a pot of just-boiled sweetcorn, balanced by a light tartness that recalls a warm fruit pie.

Finish

Soft and warm, closing on a last trace of sugar-cane syrup and toasted oak.

Specifications

Name: Spirit of Hven MerCurious Swedish Corn Whisky
Distillery: Spirit of Hven
Region/Country: Hven, Sweden
Type: Swedish Corn Whisky
ABV: 45.6%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: New, air-dried American oak casks
EAN no.: 7350044859441

Flavour profile

Sweet · Creamy · Fruity · Grainy · Lightly spiced

Did you know?

Hven measures barely 7.5 square kilometres, belongs to Sweden, yet sits closer to the Danish coast than the Swedish one. That geographic quirk makes Spirit of Hven one of the most border-crossing distilleries you will ever pour a dram from.

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Most distilleries choose one grain and stick with it. Spirit of Hven never got that memo. Old Hare is built from four different grains grown right around the distillery, and the result tastes broader and rounder than most things coming out of the Nordics.

The Expert's Description

Spirit of Hven Old Hare is a Blended Swedish Whisky finished in PX sherry and red wine casks and bottled at 40.4%.

Where most Nordic distilleries stick to single malt, Hven takes a different route with Old Hare. The whisky is built from four grains grown locally on the island: wheat, rye, corn and malted barley. Each grain spirit is matured separately in new European and American oak for three to five years, before the distillery blends them with its own malt whisky and lets the marriage continue for up to twelve months.

The final stage happens in casks that once held sweet Pedro Ximénez sherry and Spanish Gran Reserva red wine, and that is where Old Hare picks up its round sweetness and light fruit notes. The whisky is neither chill-filtered nor coloured, and it is bottled directly at the distillery.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Mild and inviting, with vanilla and pear leading, followed by a soft grain sweetness and a light touch of oak. Not powerful, but easy to approach from the first sniff.

Palate

Oak and sweetness meet in fine balance, while ripe red fruit and dried fruit come through alongside a wine-like softness from the red wine casks. The malt sits underneath as a round base for it all.

Finish

Short but warm, with a gentle grain-spiced close that settles quietly without sharp edges.

Specifications

Name: Spirit of Hven Old Hare Blended Swedish Whisky
Distillery: Spirit of Hven
Region/Country: Hven, Sweden
Type: Blended Swedish Whisky
ABV: 40.4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: New European and American oak, finished in PX sherry and Spanish red wine casks
EAN no.: 7350044859045

Flavour Profile

Soft · Fruity · Sherry-toned · Oaky · Lightly spiced

Did You Know?

The name Old Hare nods to the German hares released on Hven in the 1850s under kings Oscar I and Oscar II. Hare hunting has been a local tradition ever since, and Spirit of Hven calls itself the world's smallest pot still distillery.

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Just north of Filey Bay on the Yorkshire coast, a distillery grows its own barley and fills it into cask a few hundred metres from the field. This bottling is drawn from a single Moscatel hogshead by Adelphi, one of Scotland's most experienced independent bottlers, offering a rare look at the distillery's early, energetic style.

Expert's Description

Spirit of Yorkshire 2018/2023 Adelphi Selection 5 Year Old is a Single Malt English Whisky matured in a first fill Moscatel hogshead and bottled at 48%.

The distillery on Filey Bay is Yorkshire's first of its kind, growing and malting its own barley, distilling and maturing it all on the same family farm in Hunmanby. This single cask was distilled in 2018 and drawn from cask number 3054 in 2023, giving the Moscatel wood five years to leave its mark on the spirit. The release is limited to 330 bottles.

Adelphi has spent twenty years building its reputation as an independent bottler on exactly this kind of find: young distilleries, unusual casks, and bottlings released without colouring or chill filtration, letting the spirit speak for itself.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose opens with cinnamon and honeycomb, quickly followed by orange marmalade and a dusting of dark cocoa. Underneath the sweetness sits a faint cereal freshness that hints at the whisky's youth.

Palate

The palate is warm and spiced, carrying dried fruit, marzipan and a tart edge of citrus peel. The Moscatel cask lends a wine-like sweetness that ties the cinnamon and honey together.

Finish

The finish is medium in length, dry, faintly peppery, with a last trace of honey cake.

Specifications

Name: Spirit of Yorkshire 2018/2023 Adelphi Selection 5 Year Old
Distillery: Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Yorkshire, England
Type: Single Malt English Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill Moscatel hogshead, cask no. 3054
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2018
Bottled: 2023
Number of bottles: 330
Edition: Adelphi Selection
EAN no.: 5060383653465

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Spiced · Wine-Cask · Creamy

Did You Know?

Cask number 3054 was selected as part of Adelphi's celebration of the bottler's 30th anniversary — a nod to exactly the kind of independent bottling that made the company's name.

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Balance is the word Douglas Laing chose for this single cask — a whisky where peat smoke and sweetness meet without either dominating the other.

Expert's Description

Spiritualist Balance 2005/2020 is a Single Cask Islay Malt Whisky from Douglas Laing's Old Particular series, distilled in November 2005 and bottled in April 2020 after 14 years of maturation at natural cask strength of 53.2%.

The whisky comes from a single refill hogshead, cask ref DL14032, letting the spirit's natural character shine through. The source distillery is not officially disclosed, but the style points toward a respected Islay distillery. Only 325 bottles were produced.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Pronounced peat smoke, fresh sea air and subtle mineral notes, spiced with green apple and vanilla.

Palate

Full and complex with smoke balanced by light caramel, baked fruit and white pepper.

Finish

Long, dry and warm with smoke, baked citrus and a touch of dark chocolate and salted oak.

Specifications

Name: The Spiritualist Balance
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Single Cask Islay Malt Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 53.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Refill hogshead, cask ref DL14032
Distilled: 11/2005
Bottled: 04/2020
Number of Bottles: 325 bottles
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Complex · Cask strength · Balanced

Investment Potential

Medium. As a discontinued single cask from Douglas Laing's Old Particular series with only 325 bottles, it is attractive to collectors of independent Islay bottlings.

Did You Know?

Douglas Laing's Old Particular series is named after a Victorian term for specially selected sherry, a nod to the series' focus on quality over quantity.

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Springbank 10 Year Old is the gateway to the distillery's world - the bottle many whisky lovers point to when explaining why Campbeltown deserves its own place on the shelf next to Islay and Speyside.

Expert Description

Springbank 10 Year Old is a Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled at Springbank, matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks and bottled at 46%.

Springbank 10 Year Old has become increasingly hard to find as the distillery's strict allocations limit how much reaches Danish shelves. The whisky carries all of Springbank's hallmarks: the unique 2.5 times distillation, floor-malted barley and an oily, complex style found nowhere else in Scotland.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Heather honey, ripe pears and pepper blend with a hint of oyster shell and sea air.

Palate

Peaches in syrup meet salty umami notes, light peat smoke and a touch of soot.

Finish

Amber and warm, with a lingering sweetness that slowly gives way to a dry, smoky close.

Specifications

Name: Springbank 10 Year Old
Distillery: Springbank
Region/Country: Campbeltown, Scotland
Type: Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon and sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: 2.5 times distilled
EAN no.: 610854107000

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Maritime · Lightly peated · Spicy

Did You Know?

Springbank releases its 10 year old in such limited volumes that many retailers in Scotland itself struggle to get enough allocation - despite it being the distillery's best-selling release.

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Five years is young by Springbank standards, but in the 100 Proof range it isn't about age - it's about showing how much character the distillery can pull from even its youngest casks.

Expert Description

Springbank 100 Proof 5 Year Old 2026 Release is a Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled at Springbank, bottled at cask strength, 57.1%.

This release is part of the distillery's limited 100 Proof range, known for its high strength and intense flavour that highlights Springbank's unique style. Five years of maturation in carefully selected casks gives a youthful yet complex profile, where fruity and maritime notes combine with subtle hints of peat and spice. The whisky is neither filtered nor coloured.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Ripe apples and pears meet vanilla and a touch of peat, with light maritime undertones.

Palate

Rich and concentrated with layers of tropical fruit, malt and spice, balancing sweetness and salinity with a whisper of smoke.

Finish

Long, warm and powerful with classic Campbeltown notes of malt, peat and sea air.

Specifications

Name: Springbank 100 Proof 5 Year Old 2026 Release
Distillery: Springbank
Region/Country: Campbeltown, Scotland
Type: Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 57.1%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: 100 Proof 2026 Release

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Maritime · Spicy · Peated

Did You Know?

The 100 Proof range is Springbank's way of showing that cask strength and youth don't exclude complexity - the high alcohol strength preserves more of the volatile aromas that otherwise vanish upon dilution.

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Port Pipes are a rare guest in Scotch whisky maturation, but when Springbank uses them, something deep and berry-laden comes out of it - a whisky carrying a clear imprint of Portugal's sun-ripened grapes.

Expert Description

Springbank 13 Year Old Port Wood is a Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled in 1989, matured in Port Pipes and bottled at 54.2%.

The whisky was distilled in 1989 and bottled in February 2003 after 13 years of maturation, during which the Port Pipes added a deep berry sweetness and a reddish hue to Springbank's already oily, complex style. A total of 3,120 bottles were released of this edition.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark forest berries and a hint of port sweetness meet Springbank's signature oily, salty backbone.

Palate

Rich and berry-laden with cherry and blackcurrant playing against a lightly spiced, salty edge.

Finish

Long and full, with the berry sweetness lingering alongside a dry, mineral close.

Specifications

Name: Springbank 13 Year Old Port Wood
Distillery: Springbank
Region/Country: Campbeltown, Scotland
Type: Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 54.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Port Pipes
Distilled: 1989
Bottled: February 2003
Number of bottles: 3,120
EAN no.: 610854337001

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Sherried · Maritime · Spicy

Investment Potential

Medium - as a discontinued Springbank bottling on the rare Port Pipes cask type, this bottle is sought after by collectors chasing the distillery's older and more unusual cask experiments.

Did You Know?

Port Pipes are a historic cask type originally used to transport port wine from Portugal to Britain - today they are rare in Scotch whisky production, making this release something special.

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