Roe & Co is relatively new to the market, but builds on the legacy of George Roe, one of the 19th century's greatest Irish whiskey producers.

Expert Review

Roe & Co Blended Irish Whiskey is a Blended Irish Whiskey, bottled at 45%.

The whiskey is matured primarily in first-fill bourbon casks, giving it a rich, full-bodied tasting experience with notes of creamy vanilla, ripe fruit and a lightly spiced finish. Roe & Co was launched in 2017, marking Diageo's return to Irish whiskey production. The name pays tribute to George Roe, whose distillery on Thomas Street in Dublin was once Ireland's largest, covering an area of 69,000 square metres, situated right next to the Guinness brewery.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sweet vanilla, ripe fruit and a hint of spice.

Palate

Soft and creamy with vanilla, pear and spiced oak.

Finish

Long and rounded with a subtle warmth.

Specifications

Name: Roe & Co
Distillery: Roe & Co
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Blended Irish Whiskey
Cask: First-Fill Bourbon Casks
ABV: 45%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5010103940184

Flavour Profile

Soft · Creamy · Fruity · Vanilla-forward · Elegant

Did You Know?

The Roe & Co distillery is located in the old Guinness Power House on Thomas Street in Dublin, just a few metres from George Roe's original distillery, and began production in 2019.
See our full range of Irish whiskey

High above the Glenlivet valley sits a hill that once mattered a great deal to smugglers. Creag An Innean gave them a view over the road south, and an edge over the excisemen.

Expert Description

Glenlivet Nordic Single Cask 2017 Creag An Innean is a Single Speyside Malt Whisky, drawn from a single Oloroso sherry cask at cask strength of 61.2%.

The whisky is a distillery bottling from The Glenlivet, released specifically for the Scandinavian market, with only 618 bottles from this one Spanish Oloroso sherry cask (cask no. 58013). The name Creag An Innean refers to a hill near the distillery that, in the 19th century, served as a lookout point for whisky smugglers heading south to the market in Dundee, a place from which they could watch for excisemen and plan their routes well in advance.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A rich aroma of sweet dates and sherry-soaked raisins, carried by spiced oak and liquorice, with caramel, toffee, candied orange peel and a touch of ginger.

Palate

Spiced cinnamon meets soft raisins and freshly baked ginger biscuits, well balanced against a sweetness reminiscent of strawberry jam.

Finish

Soft with a discreet, spiced close.

Specifications

Name: Nordic Single Cask 2017 Creag An Innean
Distillery: The Glenlivet
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 14 Years
ABV: 61.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oloroso Sherry Butt, Cask No. 58013
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Number of bottles: 618 bottles to Scandinavia
Edition: Nordic Single Cask Creag An Innean

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Spiced · Fruity · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

Medium. As a single cask release bottled specifically for the Scandinavian market in a very limited number, Creag An Innean is a bottle that typically grows in demand as remaining bottles leave the market.

Did You Know?

The name Creag An Innean is Gaelic and translates roughly as "the crag by the cattle fold", a reminder that the land around The Glenlivet was for centuries shaped as much by farming and cattle as by the illicit distilling that later made the place famous.

See our full range of The Glenlivet

One field, one distillery, one whisky. 100% Islay 5th Release is another chapter in Kilchoman's most particular project — proof that terroir isn't just a word for wine.

Expert's description

Kilchoman 100% Islay 5th Release is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, at least 5 years old and bottled at 50 %.

The 100% Islay series differs from every other Kilchoman release in that the entire process — from the barley growing on the distillery's own land, through floor malting and distilling, to maturing and bottling — happens in one and the same place. 5th Release continues that story with selected 5 year old first fill and refill bourbon casks.

Because the barley used is home-grown and more lightly peated than the bought-in malt Kilchoman otherwise uses, the series carries a more delicate, floral character, where the smoke acts as a gentle layer rather than a dominant force.

Tasting notes

Nose

Soft fruit notes and pear drops meet a light, delicate peat smoke, with a hint of honey.

Palate

Sweet and round, where the peat smoke slowly unfolds and leaves a warm, gentle finish.

Finish

Long and sweet, with soft smoky tones that never become overwhelming.

Specifications

Name: Kilchoman 100% Islay 5th Release Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Kilchoman
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: 100% Single Farm Single Malt Islay Whisky
Age: Min. 5 years
ABV: 50 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First Fill and Refill Bourbon Casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: 100% Islay 5th Release

Flavour profile

Peated · Floral · Delicate · Farm-to-bottle · Sweet

Investment potential

Medium. As one of the early releases in a now well-established annual series, 5th Release historically becomes harder to find as collectors seek a complete run.

Did you know?

The word terroir is normally used for wine, but Kilchoman's 100% Islay series is one of the best examples in the whisky world that the same principle applies to barley — the soil, climate and water leave their own distinct mark.

See our full range of Kilchoman

Listen to our podcast:

Ten years is a milestone for a distillery that was still young when this bottle was filled. Mackmyra 10 Years Old was the first of its kind from the Swedish distillery, and it set the standard for what Swedish whisky could be.

The Expert's Description

Mackmyra 10 Years Old is a Swedish Single Malt Whisky matured in Swedish oak and bottled at 46.1%.

The whisky was crafted by master blender Angela D'Orazio and marked a milestone as Mackmyra's first 10-year-old release. Maturation uses Swedish oak that has grown for over a hundred years under harsh Swedish conditions, and for the smoky character the distillery uses peat from the nearby Karinmossen bog together with fresh juniper twigs, giving the whisky a distinct Nordic signature.

A total of 20,000 bottles were produced of this first 10-year-old release from the Swedish distillery.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Swedish oak and a touch of juniper smoke meet a soft, malty sweetness.

Palate

Round and balanced with tones of peat, honey and spiced oak, showing the distillery's signature style clearly.

Finish

Medium length and smoky with a final, warm tone of Swedish oak.

Specifications

Name: Mackmyra 10 Years Old Swedish Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Mackmyra
Region/Country: Gästrikland, Sweden
Type: Swedish Single Malt Whisky
Age: 10 year(s)
ABV: 46.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Swedish oak
Number of bottles: 20,000
EAN no.: 7350029667085

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Oaky · Round · Spiced · Nordic

Did You Know?

Mackmyra uses peat from its own nearby bog, Karinmossen, together with fresh juniper twigs to give the whisky its distinctive smoke, a method that sets it clearly apart from peated Scotch whisky.

See our full range of Mackmyra

In the small coastal town of Akashi, closer to the sea than any other Japanese distillery, White Oak has brewed spirits since 1888 and whisky since 1919.

Expert Description

Akashi Meisei is a Blended Japanese Whisky, bottled at 40%.

The whisky comes from Eigashima Shuzo, known under the White Oak whisky brand, which in 1919 became the first Japanese distillery to be licensed to make whisky - years before both Yamazaki and Yoichi. Meisei, meaning "fame" in Japanese, matures across a combination of bourbon, shochu and virgin oak casks.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Apple and light honey with a salty, maritime undertone.

Palate

Soft and gently sweet with caramel and a fine spice.

Finish

Short to medium, mild and clean.

Specifications

Name: Akashi Meisei
Distillery: White Oak
Region/Country: Akashi, Japan
Type: Blended Japanese Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 50 CL
EAN no.: 4969265728189

Flavour Profile

Soft · Sweet · Maritime · Light

Did You Know?

Eigashima became the very first Japanese distillery to be officially licensed to make whisky in 1919 - years before both Yamazaki (1923) and Yoichi (1934).

See our full range of Akashi White Oak

Westland's American single malt gets a Spanish twist through sherry casks.

Expert description

Westland Sherry Wood American Single Malt Whiskey is matured in a combination of American oak and European sherry casks, giving a deeper, more fruit-driven character, bottled at 46%. Westland Distillery was founded in 2010 by Matt Hofmann and Emerson Lamb in Seattle's SoDo neighbourhood with the ambition of creating an American single malt that could stand alongside the world's best whiskies. The distillery was acquired by Rémy Cointreau in 2017 and uses exclusively malted barley fermented with a Belgian Saison yeast, after which the whiskey is matured in a mix of new American oak, ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is full with sherry, dried fruit and a hint of spice.

Palate

The palate offers raisin, nut and a darker sweetness from the sherry cask.

Finish

The finish is medium to long, warm and fruit-driven.

Specifications

Name: Westland Sherry Wood American Single Malt Whiskey
Distillery: Westland Distillery
Region/Country: Seattle, Washington, USA
Type: American Single Malt Whiskey
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Sherry-driven · Full · Fruity · Nutty

See our full range of Westland

Westland's core expression, shaped by the Pacific Northwest and American oak.

Expert description

Westland American Oak Single Malt Whiskey is the distillery's core expression, matured exclusively in new American oak, bottled at 46%. Westland Distillery was founded in 2010 by Matt Hofmann and Emerson Lamb in Seattle's SoDo neighbourhood with the ambition of creating an American single malt that could stand alongside the world's best whiskies. The distillery was acquired by Rémy Cointreau in 2017 and uses exclusively malted barley fermented with a Belgian Saison yeast, after which the whiskey is matured in a mix of new American oak, ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is sweet with vanilla, caramel and a hint of fresh grain.

Palate

The palate offers honey, brown sugar and a light nutty note.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, warm and round.

Specifications

Name: Westland American Oak Single Malt Whiskey
Distillery: Westland Distillery
Region/Country: Seattle, Washington, USA
Type: American Single Malt Whiskey
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Vanilla-forward · Sweet · Round · Nutty

See our full range of Westland

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

Expert Description

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

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

Tasting Notes

Nose

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

Palate

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

Finish

Medium length, mild and sweet.

Specifications

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

Flavour Profile

Soft · Round · Sweet · Fresh

Did You Know?

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

See our full range of Mars Shinshu

Yoichi sits where cold sea winds off the Sea of Japan meet the mountains of Hokkaido - a climate Masataka Taketsuru found strikingly similar to Scotland.

Expert Description

Nikka Yoichi is a Single Malt Japanese Whisky, bottled at 45%.

The whisky comes from Yoichi Distillery on the island of Hokkaido, founded in 1934 as Nikka's very first distillery by Masataka Taketsuru. The distillery still uses direct coal-fired stills, a rare and demanding method that gives the whisky its powerful, smoky character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Peaty smoke meets ripe apples and a touch of sea spray.

Palate

Powerful and full-bodied with smoke, caramel and a fine maritime spice.

Finish

Long and smoky, with a last note of dried fruit.

Specifications

Name: Nikka Yoichi
Distillery: Nikka
Region/Country: Hokkaido, Japan
Type: Single Malt Japanese Whisky
ABV: 45%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 4904230042204

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Maritime · Powerful · Spicy

Did You Know?

Yoichi is one of very few distilleries in the world still distilling over open coal fires - a method requiring constant attention, but one that gives the whisky its signature smoky character.

See our full range of Nikka

Listen to our podcast:

Kræn Kræmmer. A name, a character, a cask. Thy Whisky Fad no 6 Kræn Kræmmer is one of the named single cask expressions from the distillery – a series that tells stories through each individual cask.

Expert description

Thy Whisky Fad no 6 Kræn Kræmmer is a Danish Single Malt Whisky bottled at 50.4% in a 70 cl bottle. Distilled and matured at Thy Whisky Distillery in Thy. Fad no 6 is the sixth cask in the distillery's named cask series, and "Kræn Kræmmer" is the character name associated with this specific cask. Thy Whisky names selected single casks after characters from north Jutland folklore and cultural life – a way of giving each cask an identity and narrative that extends beyond the cask number alone.

50.4% is a more approachable strength for a single cask release and lets the profile's nuances come through without requiring dilution. Fad no 6 Kræn Kræmmer is a single cask and is produced in a naturally limited number.

Tasting notes

Nose

Elegant and complex with honey, light fruit nuances, vanilla and a soft oak character. Refined and well-rounded.

Palate

Harmonious and balanced with sweet malt, light oak, discreet fruit and a soft spicy note in the background. A whisky with personality.

Finish

Long and soft with persistent malt sweetness and light oak warmth. Satisfying and complex.

Specifications

Name: Thy Whisky Fad no 6 Kræn Kræmmer
Distillery: Thy Whisky
Region/Country: Thy, Denmark
Type: Danish Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 50.4%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes

Flavour profile

Single Cask · Named · Honey · Elegant · Malt

Investment potential

High. Thy Whisky Fad no 6 Kræn Kræmmer is a single named cask in a limited series. Named single cask expressions from Thy Whisky are rare and attractive to collectors with an interest in Danish single estate whisky.

Did you know?

Thy Whisky names selected single casks after characters from north Jutland cultural life and folklore. "Kræn Kræmmer" is a traditional Danish name and occupational title – a kræmmer is a merchant, and "Kræn" is a north Jutland dialectal form of the Danish name Kristen. It is a tribute to the local and the historical.

Kyloe is pronounced Kahy-loh and is the name of the cattle breed that thrives in Scottish wind and sleet. The whisky borrowed the name and the temperament: no filtration, no dilution and no apologies.

Expert description

Black Bull Kyloe is a Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 50% without chill filtration.

The blend is put together with single malt outweighing grain whisky, which is unusual for the category and is the direct reason for the full mouthfeel. Duncan Taylor bottles the range at 50% precisely to keep the aromatic compounds that normally disappear in the chill filtration most blends go through.

Kyloe is the entry point to the Black Bull range and follows the same principles as the age-stated releases, only without the age requirement. That gives fresher fruit and more direct malt, where the older versions carry more cask spice.

Tasting notes

Nose

Full gold in colour with aromas of toffee, apple, clementine, brown sugar and toasted oak. Given time in the glass, honey and pale flowers arrive.

Palate

Soft and comfortable despite the strength. Hazelnut, chocolate and raisin, with a rich citrus running over everything alongside fresh apple and pear.

Finish

Long and creamy with vanilla and oak settling as a final layer over the malt.

Specifications

Name: Black Bull Kyloe Blended Scotch Whisky 50%
Distillery: Black Bull
Bottler: Duncan Taylor
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Edition: Kyloe
EAN no.: 5060294564188

Flavour profile

Malty · Fruity · Nutty · Creamy · Powerful

Did you know?

In earlier centuries Kyloe cattle were driven on foot in large herds from the Scottish Highlands down to the Lowland markets. The journey could take weeks, and the animals were shod for the road.

See our full range of Black Bull
See our full range of Duncan Taylor

Once a year, Caol Ila does something unexpected: they stop the peat and malt barley with untouched grain. The result is Caol Ila Unpeated Style – a window into what the distillery tastes like once smoke is taken out of the equation.

Expert's description

Caol Ila 15 Years Unpeated Style 2018 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled in 2018 at cask strength 59.1% – one of the distillery's rarest official releases. Here the barley has been malted without peat.

Unpeated Style is a limited annual release Diageo has produced since the early 2000s, primarily for the Feis Ile festival on Islay. The 2018 edition shows what 15 years in oak casks gives to a distillate not defined by smoke.

Without peat smoke, Caol Ila's true distillate character emerges – flowers, vanilla, fresh fruit and richness from maturation. It is a different Caol Ila from the one people know, and for those accustomed to the island's smoke, it can feel almost foreign. That is precisely what makes it fascinating.

Tasting notes

Nose

Floral and fruity – apple, pear and white flowers. Vanilla and honey from the oak, with a creamy sweetness that has no parallel in the peated bottlings.

Palate

Rich and full without smoke's structure. Ripe fruit – peach, apricot – with soft oak and an almost diaphanous sweetness. Cask strength gives warmth and depth.

Finish

Long and slightly exotic. Vanilla, ripe fruits and a note of floral honey – completely unlike the familiar biting close of smoke.

Specifications

Name: Caol Ila 15 Years Unpeated Style 2018
Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 59.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak casks
Bottled: 2018
EAN no.: 5000281051666

Flavour profile

Floral · Fruity · Creamy · Rich · Unpeated

Investment potential

Low to Medium. Caol Ila Unpeated Style is a limited and discontinued official release from Diageo. The 2018 edition is sought by collectors following Caol Ila's rarer bottlings and has largely left the market.

Did you know?

Caol Ila typically produces 3.3 million litres of pure alcohol per year. The unpeated edition accounts for only a tiny fraction – malted in the same mill as the peated versions but with grain that has never touched peat.

See our full range of Caol Ila Whisky

Listen to our podcast:

Jameson Crested pays tribute to the very first drops of whiskey produced in Dublin – a classic blend with an updated look.

Expert Review

Jameson Crested Blended Irish Whiskey is a Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey, bottled at 40%.

The whiskey is a tribute to the very first drops of whiskey produced in Dublin, and is matured in casks including sherry casks. Crested is the new name for Jameson's former Crested Ten, with an updated look but the same blend. It is made with older Jameson whiskeys with a high proportion of pure pot still whiskey in the mix, a fair share of which has been aged in sherry casks to add a spicy sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Spiced and lightly sweetish.

Palate

Pot still character with sherry sweetness.

Finish

Spiced and soft.

Specifications

Name: Jameson Crested
Distillery: Jameson
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Blended Irish Whiskey
Cask: Including Sherry Casks
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5011007003548

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Sherried · Sweetish · Soft · Classic

Did You Know?

Jameson Crested was formerly known as Crested Ten, and pays tribute to the very first whiskey drops produced at Jameson's Dublin distillery.
See our full range of Irish whiskey

Jameson Black Barrel is a special version of Jameson, where a rich mix of first-fill bourbon and sherry casks delivers a delicious, full-bodied dram.

Expert Review

Jameson Black Barrel Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey is a Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey, bottled at 40%.

The whiskey is a special version of Jameson, featuring a rich mix of first-fill bourbon and sherry casks in the blend. First-fill casks are casks that have only been used once before, giving a more intense transfer of flavour from the cask to the whiskey. The result is a delicious, full-bodied dram that sets it apart from the more approachable Jameson Original.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Rich and full, with notes of sherry.

Palate

Caramel and spice.

Finish

Full-bodied and long.

Specifications

Name: Jameson Black Barrel
Distillery: Jameson
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey
Cask: First-Fill Bourbon and Sherry Casks
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5011007024000

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Caramel-sweet · Spiced · Sherried · Rich

Did You Know?

First-fill casks are casks that have only held spirit once before, giving a more intense flavour transfer than standard casks.
See our full range of Irish whiskey

This release was chosen specifically for the Danish market - a Danish-selected single cask bottling from one of Taiwan's most award-winning distilleries.

Expert Description

Kavalan Selection Juuls Bourbon Cask is a Single Malt Whisky from Taiwan, bottled at 57.1%.

Kavalan Distillery was founded in 2005 in Yilan county on Taiwan's east coast, where the humid subtropical air gives a fast, intense maturation. This particular cask selection was made in collaboration with the Danish importer Juul's Vin & Spiritus.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Tropical fruit, vanilla and an intense caramel sweetness.

Palate

Powerful with mango, honey and spicy oak.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Kavalan Selection Juuls Bourbon Cask
Distillery: Kavalan
Region/Country: Yilan, Taiwan
Type: Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 57.1%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 4710085208432

Flavour Profile

Powerful · Tropical · Sweet · Spicy

Did You Know?

Kavalan Distillery has won more international awards in just two decades than many traditional Scottish distilleries have achieved in over a hundred years.

See our full range of {'da': 'Kavalan whisky', 'en': 'Kavalan whisky', 'sv': 'Kavalan whisky'}

The second release in Scallywag's Cask Strength series turns up the intensity, without compromising on the sherry-driven, characterful style.

Expert Review

Scallywag Cask Strength Edition No 2 Douglas Laing Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 54,1% is a Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky matured in sherry casks and bottled at 54.1% ABV.

Scallywag Cask Strength Edition No. 2 is a Speyside blended malt from Douglas Laing, bottled at full cask strength without filtration or added colour. The new limited edition release builds on Scallywag's well-known, sherry-driven style, only at a markedly higher strength.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is intense with raisin, dark chocolate and a warm spiciness.

Palate

The palate is full with sherry sweetness, fig and a distinct alcohol warmth.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with lingering dark fruit.

Specifications

Name: Scallywag Cask Strength Edition No 2 Douglas Laing Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 54,1%
Distillery: Scallywag
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 54.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: sherry casks
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Edition: Cask Strength Edition No. 2

Flavour Profile

Cask Strength · Sherry-matured · Powerful

Did You Know?

Scallywag is named after the Scottish slang term for a charming rogue, reflected in the label's cheerful badger mascot.

See our full range of Scallywag

Listen to our podcast:

February 2017. Stauning Rye is finding its voice. This edition is slightly more restrained than the most powerful Young Rye batches – but no less interesting.

Expert description

Stauning Young Rye 2017 February is a Danish Rye Whisky bottled at 48.4% and distilled in 2013. Released February 2017. Made from 100% Danish rye malt, floor-malted and double distilled. 2,377 bottles. Non-chill filtered with natural colour.

At 48.4% ABV this edition is more approachable than the stronger variants in the series. It provides a softer entry into Stauning's rye character – spiced and fruity without overwhelming the palate.

Tasting notes

Nose

Rye, light blossom and dried fruit. Honey and baked grain with a mild spice note.

Palate

Soft and malt-rich with rye bread, light pepper and peach. Balanced and approachable.

Finish

Moderate with malt sweetness and light spice. Pleasant ending.

Specifications

Name: Stauning Young Rye 2017 February
Distillery: Stauning Whisky
Region/Country: Jutland, Denmark
Type: Danish Rye Whisky
ABV: 48.4%
Size: 50 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 2013
Bottled: February 2017
Number of bottles: 2,377

Flavour profile

Spiced · Soft · Rye bread · Fruity · Vintage

Did you know?

2,377 bottles is one of the lower production figures in Stauning's Rye series. This is because the distillery was still relatively small at this point – the new large distillery building did not open until 2018.

See our full range of Stauning Whisky

Listen to our podcast:

Ireland's first commercial liqueur was born as a solution to a surplus problem at a whiskey distillery.

Expert description

Irish Mist Honey Liqueur is an Irish whiskey liqueur, bottled at 35%, based on a blend of Irish whiskey, honey and natural aromatic spices. The liqueur is considered the first commercial liqueur produced in Ireland, with commercial production beginning in 1947 in Tullamore, County Offaly. The recipe originated as an idea from Desmond Williams, grandson of the founder of the Tullamore Dew whiskey company, as a way to economically use up the company's surplus whiskey stock. The recipe draws on an ancient tradition of heather wine dating back over 1,000 years. The company was renamed the Irish Mist Liqueur Company in 1953, and distilling in Tullamore ceased the following year. The brand has since changed hands several times, from Cantrell & Cochrane in 1985, to William Grant & Sons in 2010 alongside Tullamore D.E.W. and Carolans, and most recently to Heaven Hill in 2017.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers honey, whiskey and a hint of spice.

Palate

The palate is sweet with honey, herbs and light whiskey warmth.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, sweet and spicy.

Specifications

Name: Irish Mist Honey Liqueur
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Whiskey Liqueur
ABV: 35%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Honeyed · Spicy · Warm · Herbal

Did you know?

Irish Mist's recipe draws on a tradition of heather wine dating back over 1,000 years — one of the oldest known inspirations behind a modern commercial spirits bottle.

Boann Distillery is one of the newest and most beautiful distilleries in Ireland, and this 7-year-old release at full cask strength shows that youth is no obstacle to depth and complexity.

Expert Review

The Whistler 7 Year Old Limited Edition Natural Cask Strength is a Small Batch Irish Whiskey matured in first fill bourbon casks and subsequently oloroso sherry casks, bottled at full cask strength 59%.

The whiskey is produced at Boann Distillery, a completely newly built distillery and one of the most beautiful in all of Ireland. This release is 7 years old and bottled at full cask strength, ensuring maximum flavour and intensity. It has matured in first fill bourbon casks for the majority of its maturation, after which it spent the final 2 years in used oloroso sherry casks, adding depth and spice.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Intense caramel and sherry sweetness, with a touch of spice.

Palate

Powerful and full, with dried fruit, nuts and a pronounced cask influence.

Finish

Long and warming, with lingering sherry character.

Specifications

Name: The Whistler 7 Year Old Limited Edition
Distillery: Boann Distillery
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Small Batch Irish Whiskey
Age: 7 years
ABV: 59% (cask strength)
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First fill bourbon casks & 2 years in used oloroso sherry casks
Other: Limited Edition
EAN no.: 5391528252060

Flavour Profile

Powerful · Sherry-driven · Caramel-like · Full-bodied · Spiced

Did You Know?

Boann Distillery is one of Ireland's completely new distilleries and is known for its modern architecture, considered among the finest in the country, while the distillery also experiments with unconventional cask profiles.

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

Expert description

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

Tasting notes

Nose

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

Palate

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

Finish

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

Specifications

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

Flavour profile

Sweet · Creamy · Fruity · Soft

Did you know?

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

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

Expert description

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

Tasting notes

Nose

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

Palate

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

Finish

The finish is medium-length, sweet and creamy.

Specifications

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

Flavour profile

Sweet · Creamy · Vanilla-forward · Chocolatey

The name doesn't lie: this blend carries a notably higher malt content than most blended whiskies, giving it a body closer to a single malt.

Expert Description

The Blend of Nikka Maltbase is a Japanese Whisky, bottled at 45%.

As the name suggests, the blend has an unusually high proportion of malt whisky from Nikka's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, topped up with a smaller share of grain whisky. That delivers a deeper, more complex flavour than many other Japanese blends while keeping a round, approachable character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried fruit and caramel with a touch of smoke and spiced oak.

Palate

Full-bodied and round with honey, dark chocolate and a fine spice.

Finish

Long and warm, with a last note of dried apricot.

Specifications

Name: The Blend of Nikka Maltbase
Distillery: Nikka
Region/Country: Japan
Type: Japanese Whisky
ABV: 45%
Size: 66 CL
EAN no.: 4904230100751

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Round · Spicy · Sweet

Did You Know?

The Maltbase concept is Nikka's way of showing how much character a blend can carry when the malt proportion is pushed well beyond the usual level.

See our full range of Nikka

Listen to our podcast:

Cream and whisky sounds like a shortcut, but it is not when the whisky is actually good. Arran makes its own single malt at Lochranza and uses that rather than anonymous spirit, and you can taste it.

The Expert's Description

Arran Gold is a cream liqueur made with Single Island Malt Whisky from Arran, bottled at 17%. It is therefore not whisky but a cream-based liqueur in which the distillery’s own malt whisky forms the spirit component.

The difference from an ordinary cream liqueur lies precisely there. Most use neutral spirit or an anonymous blend, while Arran uses malt whisky from its own distillery. That gives a cereal sweetness and a light malt character beneath the toffee and chocolate which would otherwise disappear.

Arran Gold was named World’s Best Whisky Liqueur at Whisky Magazine’s World Whisky Awards in 2007. The distillery sits at Lochranza at the northern end of the Isle of Arran and was founded in 1995.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Toffee and milk chocolate first, with cocoa and a clear cream note. Beneath the sweetness sits a malty cereal note from the whisky, which makes the nose less one-dimensionally sweet than an ordinary cream liqueur.

Palate

Full and creamy. Caramel, chocolate and vanilla open, then the malt whisky comes through with a light cereal sweetness and a hint of oak. At 17% it is soft and easy to drink, but not thin.

Finish

Medium and creamy, with cocoa and a final malt note lingering after the sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Arran Gold Cream Liqueur with Single Island Malt Whisky 17%
Distillery: Arran
Region/Country: Isle of Arran, Scotland
Type: Cream Liqueur with Single Island Malt Whisky
ABV: 17%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Arran Gold
EAN no.: 5060044480270
Serving suggestion: Serve chilled with coffee or over ice as a welcome drink

Flavour Profile

Creamy · Toffee · Chocolate · Sweet · Malty · Soft

Did You Know?

The Arran distillery at Lochranza was founded in 1995 and was the first legal distillery on the island in over a century and a half. Arran otherwise had a long history of illicit distilling, since the island’s remote bays were well suited to keeping the excise at arm’s length. Today the family also runs a second distillery, Lagg, at the southern end of the island.

See our full range of Arran

Listen to our podcast:

Brilliance is Paul John's founding story without smoke, a whisky built on sweetness, spice and the crisp character that made the brand known.

Expert's description

Paul John Brilliance Non Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky is an Indian Single Malt Whisky matured in American oak casks and bottled at 46%.

With no peat in the recipe, the honey-like sweetness and spiced tones are allowed to take centre stage, backed by a crisp, almost "crunchy bar"-like character that has become one of Brilliance's trademarks.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is sweet and spiced with a hint of honey.

Palate

The palate offers a crisp, creamy character with honey and spice.

Finish

The finish is smooth and relaxed with a touch of mild spice and intense vanilla.

Specifications

Distillery: Paul John
Region/Country: Goa, India
Type: Indian Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: American oak casks
Edition: Brilliance Non Peated
EAN No.: 8904014800699

Flavour Profile

Spicy · Round · Creamy · Fruity

Did you know?

Brilliance is often considered Paul John's flagship and the whisky that first introduced many Danish whisky enthusiasts to Indian single malt.

See our full range of Paul John

Listen to our podcast:

Every story has a first chapter. For Kilchoman, this bottle was it — the very first whisky the distillery ever sent out into the world, and the proof that a small farm distillery on Islay could make something people would remember.

Expert's description

Kilchoman Inaugural Release is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 3 years old and bottled at 46 %.

The whisky was released in 2009 and is the very first bottle of malt whisky Kilchoman ever put its name to. It was matured for between 2.5 and 3 years in bourbon casks, before receiving a finishing period of 6 months in sherry casks — a recipe that set the tone for much of what the distillery has since become known for.

The release was met with considerable acclaim from the start, including 92 points from the respected publication Malt Advocate — an unusually high accolade for a distillery still in its absolute infancy.

Tasting notes

Nose

Young, energetic peat smoke meets citrus peel and a sweetness of honey and vanilla from the sherry finish.

Palate

Direct and spiced, with peppery smoke, sweet malt and a light fruitiness confirming the cask finish's influence.

Finish

Medium length, dry and smoky, with a final trace of raisin and oak.

Specifications

Name: Kilchoman Inaugural Release Islay Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Kilchoman
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 3 years
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon Casks with Sherry Finish
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Bottled: 2009
Edition: Inaugural Release

Flavour profile

Peated · Young · Citrus-fresh · Spicy · Historic

Investment potential

High. This is the very first whisky Kilchoman ever released, making it the most historically significant bottle in the distillery's entire catalogue.

Did you know?

When Inaugural Release was reviewed by the American publication Malt Advocate, it scored a full 92 points — an unusually high rating for a distillery that had only existed for four years at the time.

See our full range of Kilchoman

Listen to our podcast:

Straight neck stills sound like something for technical nerds, but the result is anything but dull. Inchmurrin 12 Year Old is a fruit salad in glass form – peach, apple and pear meeting dark chocolate and exotic spice.

Expert's Description

Inchmurrin 12 Year Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American oak and bottled at 46%.

The whisky is distilled on Loch Lomond's distinctive straight neck pot stills, which help give Inchmurrin its pronounced fruitiness. After 12 years in a combination of ex-bourbon, refill and re-charred American oak casks, the whisky comes across as a lively, sweet and versatile dram.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Pear, red apples and ripe blueberries with cereal, allspice, ginger and pepper in the background, balanced by a sweet toffee tone.

Palate

Peach, red apples and pears create a juicy fruit salad, while grapefruit gives a zesty edge to creamy fudge and vanilla.

Finish

Medium length finish with fruity sweetness, drying oak and a peppery close.

Specifications

Name: Inchmurrin 12 Year Old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak (ex-bourbon, refill and re-charred)
Distillation method: Straight neck pot stills
EAN: 5016840155218
Serving suggestion: In a tulip glass, ideally with a few drops of water

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Creamy · Spiced

Did You Know?

Inchmurrin's high fruitiness comes from both the straight neck still distillation and an unusually long fermentation time – a combination unique to Loch Lomond.

See our full range of Loch Lomond

Listen to our podcast:

Madeira casks often give whisky a sun-soaked, fruity glow, and with Inchmurrin it turns into a feast of red berries and spiced chocolate. This expression shows just how far the distillery's fruity style can be stretched with the right cask.

Expert's Description

Inchmurrin Madeira Wood Finish is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in bourbon casks with a Madeira finish and bottled at 46%.

The whisky is first matured in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred to casks that previously held Madeira – a fortified wine from the Portuguese island of the same name. The finish gives the whisky its signature fullness of red berries, chocolate and spice, without ever drowning Inchmurrin's natural fruitiness. The whisky is non-chill filtered.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bright and sweet with light smoke, orange, mango and toffee, plus a dusty fruitiness of red berries and fortified wine.

Palate

Dark and full with charred wood, cinnamon and coffee cake, along with chocolate confectionery filled with red berries and creamy vanilla.

Finish

Intense finish of smoke and roasted chestnuts, with lingering black pepper and a touch of liquorice.

Specifications

Name: Inchmurrin Madeira Wood Finish Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks, finished in Madeira casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
EAN: 5016840153214
Serving suggestion: In a tulip glass at room temperature

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Sherry-matured · Spiced · Full-bodied

Did You Know?

The Madeira wine that previously filled these casks comes from the Portuguese island of the same name – historically famous for fortified wines once "matured" on long sea voyages through warm climates.

See our full range of Loch Lomond

Listen to our podcast:

There are small flakes at the bottom of the bottle. That is not a fault — it is the whole point. Raw Cask means the whisky has gone from cask to glass without being cleaned up in any way.

Expert description

Blackadder Raw Cask Peat Reek 2016 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from a single Oak Hogshead, bottled at cask strength, 61.8%.

Peat Reek is Blackadder's series for peated Islay whisky where the distillery name is withheld. Robin Tucek, who runs the house, has consistently kept the source confidential, but the series name leaves little doubt about what waits in the glass. Cask PR2016-2 yielded 279 bottles, and the whisky is neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Raw Cask is the house signature: filtration is coarse enough only to hold back the largest pieces of wood. Everything else comes along, including the particles and sediment that settle in the bottle over time. The method produces an unusually thick, flavour-saturated whisky.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dry peat smoke and heather, with lemon peel, salted caramel and a trace of iodine underneath. Cask strength makes the aroma sharp and penetrating.

Palate

Massive and oily. Soot, black pepper, toasted barley and a honeyed sweetness fighting the smoke for room.

Finish

Very long with ash, salt and dried citrus. The smoke stays put well after the glass has been set down.

Specifications

Name: Blackadder Raw Cask Peat Reek 2016 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 61.8%
Bottler: Blackadder
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 61,8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak Hogshead PR2016-2
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Bottled: April 2016
Number of bottles: 279
Edition: Raw Cask Peat Reek

Flavour profile

Smoky · Maritime · Powerful · Salty · Iodine

Investment potential

Medium. A single cask bottling of 279 bottles from a series no longer produced in this form. Blackadder's Raw Cask releases are followed closely by collectors.

Did you know?

The word reek is Scots for smoke. Auld Reekie, the old nickname for Edinburgh, comes from the same root and refers to the city's thick coal smoke.

See our full range of Blackadder

Listen to our podcast: