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

Expert's Description

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

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

Tasting Notes

Nose

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

Palate

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

Finish

Long and warming with lingering fruit sweetness.

Specifications

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

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Cask strength · Honeyed · Rare

Did You Know?

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

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Strathmill's first appearance in Diageo's prestigious Special Releases series — a 25-year-old proving the distillery's ability to keep its style light, even after a quarter-century in cask.

Expert's Description

Strathmill 25 Year Old Limited Edition 2014 is a Single Speyside Malt Whisky, matured in refill American oak and bottled at natural cask strength of 52.4% in a run of only 2,700 bottles.

As the distillery's debut in Diageo's Special Releases, the 2014 edition was the lightest in style among that year's selection, underscoring Strathmill's characteristically elegant, lightly cask-influenced profile.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft malt and citrus meet a delicate vanilla sweetness from the long refill maturation.

Palate

Elegant and light with honey, apple and a hint of spice.

Finish

Long and soft with lingering malt and a dry, clean close.

Specifications

Name: 25 Year Old Limited Edition 2014
Distillery: Strathmill
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 25 years
ABV: 52.4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Refill American Oak
Number of Bottles: 2,700 bottles
Edition: Special Releases 2014
Natural Colour: Yes

Flavour Profile

Elegant · Light · Cask strength · Rare

Investment Potential

High. As the distillery's debut in Diageo's prestigious Special Releases and with only 2,700 bottles from 2014, it has become a sought-after bottle among Speyside collectors.

Did You Know?

The 2014 edition was Strathmill's first-ever appearance in Diageo's annual Special Releases series, making it a landmark for the distillery's rare solo releases.

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A bar, a band and a casino — Brave New Spirits builds a speakeasy story around McKintyre's The Game, three 10-year-old releases each in its own cask.

Expert's Description

McKintyre's The Game 10 Year Old is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Brave New Spirits, matured in a bourbon cask and bottled at 46%.

The range consists of three editions, each matured in unique oak casks, all 10 years old and bottled at the same strength, connected by a theme drawn from a fictional Prohibition-era speakeasy.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt and light sweetness meet a hint of vanilla from the bourbon cask.

Palate

Round and approachable with caramel, apple and a hint of spice.

Finish

Medium length with lingering malt and a lightly sweet close.

Specifications

Name: McKintyre's The Game
Bottler: Brave New Spirits
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Bourbon Cask
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
EAN No.: 5060909040069

Flavour Profile

Approachable · Round · Caramel · Themed

Did You Know?

The 'The Game' series is one of three parallel McKintyre's releases from Brave New Spirits, each built around a speakeasy narrative and matured in its own unique oak cask.

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The original Stronachie distillery vanished long ago, but the name lives on as A. Dewar Rattray's tribute to a bygone whisky style.

Expert's Description

Stronachie 10 Year Old is a Single Speyside Malt Whisky from A. D. Rattray, bottled at 43% after 10 years of maturation.

The name Stronachie comes from a distillery that closed long ago, and A. D. Rattray revived the name as a brand to recreate the style of the original Stronachie whisky, based on an old bottle found by the Rattray family.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt and light sweetness meet a hint of fruit and a touch of spice.

Palate

Round and balanced with honey, apple and a mild oak influence.

Finish

Medium length and soft with lingering malt and a dry, clean close.

Specifications

Name: Stronachie 10 Year Old
Bottler: A. D. Rattray
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
EAN No.: 5060056921495

Flavour Profile

Soft · Balanced · Fruity · Classic

Did You Know?

A. D. Rattray revived the Stronachie name after finding an old, original bottle from the original distillery, which inspired the style of the modern reissue.

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Suntory Royal has been the company's prestigious flagship since 1960, and the faceted bottle has become an icon in its own right in Japan.

Expert Description

Suntory Royal 15 Year is a Blended Whisky from Japan, bottled at 43%.

The whisky is composed by Suntory, Japan's oldest whisky producer, founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1899. The Royal series was launched in 1960 to mark the company's 60th anniversary and has since been one of the most recognised names in Japanese blended whisky, known for its elegant, balanced style.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, apple and a light, floral aroma.

Palate

Soft and round with caramel, vanilla and a hint of spice.

Finish

Medium length and elegant.

Specifications

Name: Suntory Royal 15 Year
Distillery: Suntory
Region/Country: Japan
Type: Blended Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 4901777039049

Flavour Profile

Soft · Elegant · Floral · Round

Did You Know?

The faceted bottle shape that Suntory Royal is known for was designed to symbolise a Japanese lantern and has remained unchanged since its launch in 1960.

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

A rare edition of Suntory's classic Royal series, built around malt from Japan's first and most celebrated distillery, Yamazaki.

Expert Description

Suntory Royal 60 Yamazaki is a Single Malt Whisky from Japan, bottled at 43%.

The expression carries the Royal series' faceted design heritage, but stands apart by being built on malt from Yamazaki Distillery - founded in 1923 as Japan's very first whisky distillery. That makes the bottle a rare meeting of the Royal series' history and Yamazaki's celebrated single malt style.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Ripe peach and honey with a delicate sherry sweetness.

Palate

Soft and full-bodied with caramel, dried fruit and a light, spiced oak.

Finish

Medium length and warm, with a last note of sandalwood.

Specifications

Name: Suntory Royal 60 Yamazaki
Distillery: Yamazaki
Region/Country: Osaka, Japan
Type: Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Soft · Sweet · Round

Investment Potential

Medium. As a discontinued Yamazaki-based special release from Suntory's Royal series, this bottle is already hard to find in good condition.

Did You Know?

Yamazaki Distillery was built where three rivers meet west of Kyoto - a spot chosen for the purity of its water long before whisky ever reached Japan.

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The faceted bottle has stood on Japanese spirits shelves since 1960, when Suntory Royal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of founder Shinjiro Torii's birth.

Expert Description

Suntory Royal SR is a Blended Whisky from Japan, bottled at 43%.

The blend combines malt and grain whisky from Suntory's distilleries, including Yamazaki and Hakushu, and is known for its round, gently sweet style. The Royal series is one of Suntory's oldest and best-selling Japanese blends, and a fixture of the Japanese whisky landscape since its launch.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey and ripe apples with a light floral aroma and a touch of oak.

Palate

Soft and round with caramel, light spice and a fine balance between malt and grain whisky.

Finish

Medium length, mild and clean, with a last touch of vanilla.

Specifications

Name: Suntory Royal SR
Distillery: Suntory
Region/Country: Japan
Type: Blended Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 100 CL
EAN no.: 4901777012141

Flavour Profile

Smooth · Round · Sweet · Lightly Spiced

Did You Know?

The faceted Royal bottle is designed to catch the light like a jewel, and the shape has changed only marginally since its 1960 launch.

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A tribute bourbon with a name that conjures up swing jazz and cocktail glasses.

Expert description

Swinging Dean Tribute American Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an American Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at 42%. As the name 'Tribute' suggests, the bottle is intended as a nod to the classic era of American bourbon rooted in the swinging bar and cocktail culture of the mid-20th century, made from a corn-based mash and matured in new charred oak casks.

Tasting notes

Nose

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

Palate

The palate is round with brown sugar, honey and spiced wood.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, warm and sweet.

Specifications

Name: Swinging Dean Tribute American Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Region/Country: USA
Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 42%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Sweet · Spicy · Warm · Round

In the far reaches of North Jutland, where winter storms sweep across open farmland and ancient ruins speak of a thousand years of history, Søgaard Destilleri has created a whisky with something to say. Bisgaardsmark Børglum Kloster is named after one of Denmark's most remarkable medieval monasteries.

Expert description

Bisgaardsmark Børglum Kloster Single Malt Danish Whisky is a limited single malt from Søgaard Destilleri in Aalborg, bottled at 46.1% in a 50 cl bottle and presented as a gift set with a whisky glass. Named after Børglum Monastery — an Augustinian monastery dating back to the 12th century in northern Jutland — the whisky pays tribute to the region's deep cultural history. Only 501 bottles were produced, bottled on 13 November 2023. Søgaard Destilleri is part of Søgaards Bryghus in Aalborg, a project that started in 2018 when the distillery equipment was ordered from CARL, a German firm founded in 1869. The distillery focuses on terroir-driven Danish whisky production using grain from North Jutland's islands. The whisky is matured in bourbon oak casks and is unpeated.

Tasting notes

Nose

Soft and approachable with sweet malt and fresh barley grain. Vanilla and light caramel from the bourbon cask appear early, with delicate floral notes and a hint of honey in the background.

Palate

Round and harmonious. Sweet malt and caramel lead, followed by fresh fruit notes — hints of pear and green apple. A gentle warming spice develops toward the finish.

Finish

Medium-long and smooth, with lingering vanilla and light oak. A clean, fresh close that invites another sip.

Specifications

Name: Bisgaardsmark Børglum Kloster Single Malt Danish Whisky
Distillery: Søgaard Destilleri
Region/Country: North Jutland, Denmark
Type: Danish Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 46.1%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: Bourbon oak casks
Bottled: 13 November 2023
Number of bottles: 501
Edition: Gift set with whisky glass

Flavour profile

Sweet · Fruity · Bourbon-matured · Danish Terroir · Limited Edition

Investment potential

Medium. With only 501 bottles produced and from a young Danish distillery gaining recognition, Bisgaardsmark Børglum Kloster has potential as a collector's item — particularly as Søgaard Destilleri is still relatively unknown outside North Jutland.

Did you know?

Børglum Kloster, which inspired the whisky's name, is one of Denmark's best-preserved medieval monastery complexes. Founded by the Augustinian order in the 12th century in North Jutland, it is today a listed heritage site open to visitors.

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There was a time when Talisker 10 Year Old came in 100cl bottles carrying an illustrated map of Skye on the label - built for large bars and export markets where a standard 70cl didn't go far enough. This "Map" edition is one of the surviving examples.

Expert Description

Talisker 10 Year Old Old Version 1 Map is a 100cl Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in American oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. The label dates from an earlier design period, when Talisker used a map motif of Skye on some of its larger bottles.

The 100cl format was common for bar and export use, but is rarer to come across today, since most Talisker releases are sold in 70cl. The whisky itself is the same classic 10 Year Old, just in an older and larger format.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is powerful with smoke, sea salt and citrus, backed by a deep sweetness and a hint of pepper foreshadowing the fullness to come.

Palate

The palate is rich and warm, with smoke, salt and citrus up front and a peppery edge building towards an intense, spicy middle.

Finish

The finish is long and lingering, with a distinct touch of pepper that stays well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Talisker 10 Year Old
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 100 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Old Version, Map label 100cl
EAN no.: 5000281003641

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Spicy · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

Medium - the 100cl Map label format is rarer than the standard 70cl, which typically makes it more sought after among collectors of older Talisker releases.

Did You Know?

100cl bottles carrying the map motif were mainly distributed to travel retail and export markets, which makes them less common to come across in the Danish market today.

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Before 2012, Talisker 10 Year Old looked different on the shelf. This bottle predates the redesign most people know today - a small time capsule for anyone collecting Talisker's packaging history.

Note: Light wear on the box/bottle.

Expert Description

Talisker 10 Year Old Isle of Skye Old Version Pre-2012 is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in American oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. The whisky inside is the same classic 10 Year Old, but the bottle carries the label used before the distillery's packaging redesign around 2012.

For a collector, it's exactly this kind of detail that turns an otherwise familiar bottle into something interesting - a chance to own an earlier edition of a whisky still produced today, just with a different look.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers smoke, sea salt and citrus, with an underlying sweetness and a hint of pepper foreshadowing the power to come in the palate.

Palate

The palate is powerful and warming, with smoke, salt and citrus up front, while the sweetness balances a clear, spicy peppery edge.

Finish

The finish is intense and fairly long, with a lingering pepper note drifting into a lightly salty close.

Specifications

Name: Talisker 10 Year Old
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Old Version, pre-2012

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Spicy · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

Medium - a discontinued label version of an otherwise active core release, which typically draws moderate interest from collectors of Talisker's packaging history.

Did You Know?

Talisker updated its packaging around 2012 as part of a wider visual overhaul across several of Diageo's Classic Malts, which makes bottles from before that period a small marker in time.

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Not many whiskies can taste of the sea without ever having sat in it. Talisker 10 Year Old has made that its trademark for decades, and it is still the bottle most people picture the moment someone says "Talisker".

Expert Description

Talisker 10 Year Old is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. It is the distillery's flagship and one of the original six Classic Malts, a series UDV (now Diageo) put together in 1988 to showcase Scotland's different regional styles.

The colour is a shining gold, and the whisky carries a depth and intensity that has made it a standing reference for what an island whisky from Skye should taste like. Since 2021 the bottle comes in packaging where both the glass and the box are 99.8% recyclable.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers smoke, sea salt and citrus, with a sweetness that keeps the saltiness in check. There's also a hint of black pepper hinting at the bite to come.

Palate

The palate is powerful and warming, with smoke, sea salt and citrus up front, backed by a pleasant sweetness. The pepper appears along the way, giving the whisky its signature bite.

Finish

The finish is intense and fairly long, with a distinct touch of pepper that lingers well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Talisker 10 Year Old
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
EAN no.: 5000281005416

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Spicy · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Did You Know?

For more than 180 years Talisker was the only distillery on Skye, and the name actually comes from the estate of the same name near Carbost, not from the village itself.

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Some bottles have sat on a shelf longer than most of us have been driving. This Talisker 10 Year Old dates from the 1980s, when the label still carried the classic "Map Label" motif, and the 100cl format makes it a genuine rarity today.

Expert Description

Talisker 10 Year Old Old Version Map Label 100cl is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the 1980s, matured in American oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. "Map Label" refers to the illustrated map of Skye that decorated Talisker's labels in this era, before several design changes through the 90s, 2000s and 2012 changed the look.

The 100cl format was common in the export and bar market of the period, but is rare to find today, especially combined with a bottle that is genuinely over 40 years old. The whisky itself is the same powerful 10 Year Old, just from a time when Talisker looked markedly different on the shelf.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is powerful and classic Talisker, with smoke, sea salt and citrus, backed by a deep sweetness typical of whisky that has been left standing for a long time after bottling.

Palate

The palate is rich and warming, with smoke, salt and citrus up front and a peppery edge building throughout.

Finish

The finish is long and intense, with a lingering pepper note and a lightly salty close.

Specifications

Name: Talisker 10 Year Old
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 100 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Old Version, Map Label, 1980s

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Spicy · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

High - a genuine 1980s vintage in the rare 100cl format with the classic Map Label, making it one of the more remarkable older Talisker bottles to find today.

Did You Know?

The "Map Label" era was one of the earliest in which Talisker printed an illustrated map of Skye directly on the label, long before the distillery's current, more minimalist design.

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A tax band is really just a small strip of paper across the cork - but its absence tells a story about where a bottle originally came from. This Talisker 10 Year Old is an Old Version without the Danish tax band, most likely brought in through a different channel than standard Danish retail.

Note: This release has no Danish tax band.

Expert Description

Talisker 10 Year Old Old Version without tax band is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in American oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. The whisky is identical to the classic 10 Year Old, but the bottle lacks the Danish tax band normally placed across the cork on bottles sold through the Danish duty system.

That makes it a slightly different edition for the collector, without changing what's in the bottle - the smoke, salt and pepper are still the same signature Talisker has always been known for.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers smoke, sea salt and citrus, with a sweetness that keeps things balanced and a hint of pepper foreshadowing the palate's later edge.

Palate

The palate is powerful and warming, with smoke, sea salt and citrus up front, backed by a pleasant sweetness and a clear peppery edge.

Finish

The finish is intense and fairly long, with a touch of pepper that stays well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Talisker 10 Year Old
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Old Version, no tax band
EAN no.: 5000281005416

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Spicy · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

Medium - a discontinued label version without a tax band, which makes it a slightly different variant for collectors of Talisker's older editions.

Did You Know?

The Danish tax band on spirits bottles is historically a duty stamp, and its absence typically signals that a bottle originally entered the country through a different distribution route than standard Danish wholesale.

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If Talisker Storm is a strong wind out of the west, Dark Storm is that same storm after it has picked up speed over open water. This 100cl bottling matures in heavily charred casks and heads in a deeper, darker direction than its smaller sibling.

Note: This release has been discontinued from Talisker's core range.

Expert Description

Talisker Dark Storm is a no-age-statement Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in heavily charred American oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. It has been discontinued from the distillery's core range, but builds on the same base recipe as Talisker Storm.

The heavy charring of the casks gives a deeper, smokier character than the standard Storm, without losing the distillery's salty, peppery core. The 100cl size makes it a natural bottle for sharing, or for anyone wanting more whisky per bottle.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is sweet with butterscotch and honey, followed by briny, salty notes and a distinct smokiness that builds towards the end.

Palate

The palate offers vanilla and butterscotch sweetness sliding into sea salt and seaweed, with an earthy, faintly nutty edge.

Finish

The finish closes salty and smoky, with a warm, lingering note of charred wood.

Specifications

Name: Talisker Dark Storm
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 100 CL
Cask type: Heavily charred American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
EAN no.: 5000281033631

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Sweet · Nutty · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

Medium - discontinued from Talisker's core range, which typically raises interest among collectors wanting one of the remaining bottles of this specific cask treatment.

Did You Know?

Dark Storm used the heaviest cask charring Talisker had ever applied to a standing release, and the distillery itself described its smoke level as the most intense in the range.

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Some bottles become interesting not because they were rare to begin with, but because they've grown rare with time. This Talisker 10 Year Old predates the 2005 label redesign and is now one of the older editions rarely seen on a regular shelf.

Expert Description

Talisker Old Version 10 Year Old (pre-2005) is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in American oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. The bottle carries a label from before 2005, making it an earlier version of the distillery's best-known core release.

Over the years, the number of circulating bottles from this period has fallen as they get consumed or collected. The whisky inside, however, is unchanged - the same powerful, salty and peppery 10 Year Old Talisker has always made.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is powerful with smoke, sea salt and citrus, carried by an underlying sweetness and a clear hint of pepper.

Palate

The palate is rich and warming, with smoke, salt and citrus up front and a peppery edge building throughout.

Finish

The finish is long and intense, with a lingering pepper note drifting into a lightly salty close.

Specifications

Name: Talisker 10 Year Old
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Old Version, pre-2005
EAN no.: 5000281005416

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Spicy · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

High - an older label version from before 2005, where the number of available bottles keeps shrinking, which typically raises interest among collectors of Talisker's design history.

Did You Know?

Talisker has updated its label several times over the decades, and each older version becomes harder to find in original condition over time, as bottles are either opened or drawn out of the market by collectors.

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Scotland traded wine and port with Portugal long before anyone thought of whisky as an export good. Talisker Port Ruighe brings that history back and lets it leave its mark on the distillery's usually salty, raw style.

Expert Description

Talisker Port Ruighe is a no-age-statement Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in American and European oak casks and finished in port casks, bottled at 45.8%. The name Port Ruighe refers to the small bay near the distillery and to the historic trade between Scotland and Portugal.

The port casks soften Talisker's usually sharp, peppery style and add a layer of dark fruit and chocolate, without losing the maritime core. That makes Port Ruighe the sweetest and most approachable release in the distillery's core range.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is softer and sweeter than the classic Talisker style, with sea air, light saltiness and restrained smoke sitting alongside dried red fruit, raisins, stewed cherries and a deep chocolate note from the port casks.

Palate

The palate opens with salted caramel and port-driven berries, while salt and pepper keep it recognisably Talisker underneath the rich sweetness.

Finish

The finish is warm and sweetly dry, with lingering peppery spice, light smoke and a cask-driven bitterness of cocoa and toasted wood.

Specifications

Name: Talisker Port Ruighe
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American and European oak casks, finished in port casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
EAN no.: 5000281033143

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Fruity · Sweet · Spicy

Did You Know?

The name Port Ruighe comes from a small bay near Talisker Distillery and pays tribute to Scotland's long-standing trade relationship with Portugal, which the port casks in this release directly reference.

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Talisker had never used rum casks before 2020. Then came Special Release 2020, and suddenly the distillery's salty, peppery backbone found itself sharing space with demerara sugar and tropical fruit from the Caribbean - a combination never seen before or since.

Expert Description

Talisker Special Release 2020 8 Year Old is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, finished in ex-rum casks from the Caribbean and bottled at a natural cask strength of 57.9%. It belongs to the "Rare by Nature" collection, Diageo's 2020 Special Releases, and marked the first time the distillery used rum casks for a finish.

The young age lets Talisker's raw, maritime character stand right at the front, while the rum casks add a sweeter, more tropical layer on top. The colour is gold with a faint greenish tinge, and at just 8 years old this whisky shows the distillery's power without the polish that older releases can carry.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers sweet, maritime salt, molasses and dried seaweed, with notes of demerara sugar and tropical fruit from the rum casks. Underneath sits a smoky base with a trace of charred meat and white pepper.

Palate

The palate is soft and full with an explosion of salted caramel, quickly followed by Talisker's trademark pepper. Banana, coconut and sugar cane from the rum casks bring a sweetness that balances the drying, spicy finish.

Finish

The finish is long and evolves with mint, burnt caramel and a lightly bitter cocoa note, while the pepper lingers.

Specifications

Name: Special Release 2020
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 57.9%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Finished in ex-rum casks from the Caribbean
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Distilled: 2011
Edition: Special Releases 2020 - Rare by Nature
EAN no.: 5000281063461

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Sweet · Spicy · Tropical

Investment Potential

High - a discontinued 2020 vintage that was Talisker's first ever rum cask finish, and this kind of first-of-its-kind release tends to gain the most value on the secondary market.

Did You Know?

Special Release 2020 marked the first time in Talisker's history that the distillery used rum casks for a finish - something never seen before and never repeated since.

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Skye rarely goes gentle in November, and Talisker built its 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 for exactly that kind of weather - cask strength, younger and rawer than its older siblings, but carrying every bit of the smoke and salt the island is known for.

Expert Description

Talisker 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured across a mix of American and European oak casks and bottled at a natural cask strength of 55.1%. It belongs to Diageo's annual Special Releases programme, in which distilleries such as Talisker, Lagavulin and Mortlach each contribute an expression that steps outside the core range.

The oak brings a double layer of sweetness and tannin, while the younger age keeps Talisker's trademark pepper and smoke sharp and direct. This is the distillery showing its rawer side rather than its polished one, built for an evening that calls for a bit more intensity in the glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose opens with salty sea air and peat smoke, quickly followed by citrus oil and a touch of mint. Underneath sit vanilla, green apple and toasted oak, and the high strength lifts the aromas without turning sharp.

Palate

The palate is rich and lively, with seaweed, sea spray and fresh lemon sitting alongside ripe fruit and vanilla. Talisker's pepper arrives quickly and builds into a chilli kick, while the casks add sweetness and a light oak bitterness underneath it all.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with smoke, pepper and a salty minerality that lingers well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Special Release 2022
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 55.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill bourbon casks, finished in wine casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Special Releases 2022
EAN no.: 5000281071053

Flavour Profile

Peated · Peppery · Maritime · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

Medium - an annual, limited Special Release from Diageo that has historically grown in demand among collectors once a vintage sells out.

Did You Know?

Diageo's Special Releases programme dates back to the early 2000s and gives its distilleries room to experiment with cask types and ages that never make it into the permanent range.

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Skye still has cliffs of basalt that were once molten lava. Talisker took exactly those rocks and used them to toast the casks its 14 year old Molten Seas spent its final months in - a whisky that quite literally carries the island's volcanic past forward.

Expert Description

Talisker Special Release 2025 Molten Seas 14 Year Old is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, first matured in ex-bourbon casks and then finished in new American oak toasted with heat from volcanic basalt rock from Skye, bottled at a natural cask strength of 53.9%.

The toasting is done by heating the rocks to around 2000 degrees and placing them over the casks, giving the wood a deeper caramelisation than standard toasting achieves. The result keeps Talisker's maritime core intact while adding an extra layer of warmth and wood sweetness from the unusual cask treatment.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is mellow and forward with a dry edge, a light prickle and maritime, mineral notes. With a little air it turns fruitier with a hint of white grape, while a vegetal note of parsnip appears in the background.

Palate

The palate is creamy in texture and pleasingly mellow, yet distinctly sweet and salty at the same time. The pepper builds in a controlled way, with a trace of smoky peat sitting underneath it all.

Finish

The finish is long and drying, with a light peppery edge and a faint smoky peat that lingers.

Specifications

Name: Special Release 2025 Molten Seas
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 53.9%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks, finished in new American oak toasted with volcanic rock
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Special Releases 2025 - Molten Seas
EAN no.: 5000281080222

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Spicy · Creamy · Mineral

Investment Potential

Medium - a brand new vintage in Diageo's Special Releases series, where earlier Talisker releases have typically gained interest among collectors once they sell out.

Did You Know?

The casks for Molten Seas are toasted by placing them over a cage of super-heated basalt rock from a quarry on Skye - a technique never previously used for a Talisker release.

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The name Storm was not chosen at random. Skye takes a battering from westerly wind and rain for much of the year, and this particular bottle still carries the older label from when it first landed on Danish shelves.

Note: This bottle carries an older label version of Talisker Storm, from before the current design was introduced.

Expert Description

Talisker Storm is a no-age-statement Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in selected refill and toasted American oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. It was developed as a bolder, more maritime sibling to the 10 Year Old.

This particular bottle carries the older label, but the liquid inside is identical to the Storm sold today - a whisky built to weather both salt water and rough weather, figuratively speaking.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers salt, lime and orange peel with a fresh fruitiness, and the smoke sits as a quiet background note rather than up front.

Palate

The palate carries notes of spice and cream toffee, while the smoke stays discreet in the background and lets the sweetness speak first.

Finish

The finish is medium length with a warm, lightly salty close and a trace of smoke drifting quietly away.

Specifications

Name: Talisker Storm
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Selected refill and toasted American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Older label

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Fruity · Creamy · Spicy

Did You Know?

Talisker Storm launched in 2013 as the distillery's answer to demand for a bolder, more maritime whisky than the 10 Year Old, without settling on a fixed age statement.

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There's something about a whisky named after bad weather that suits a dark winter evening perfectly. Talisker Storm is the distillery's answer to how it feels to stand on Skye's coastline when the wind really picks up.

Expert Description

Talisker Storm is a no-age-statement Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in selected refill and toasted American oak casks and bottled at 45.8%. It is built to be a bolder, more direct experience than the 10 Year Old, without pinning the liquid to a fixed age.

This bottle carries the current design the distillery has used since a packaging update, and the liquid fully lives up to the maritime, peppery style Talisker is known for.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers salt, lime and orange peel, backed by a pleasant fruitiness and a whisper of smoke sitting deep in the background.

Palate

The palate carries a clear streak of spice and cream toffee, while the smoke stays discreet and leaves room for the sweetness.

Finish

The finish is medium length and warm, with a lightly salty edge and a mild smoky note that fades calmly.

Specifications

Name: Talisker Storm
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 45.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Selected refill and toasted American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Double distilled
EAN no.: 5000281032733

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Fruity · Creamy · Spicy

Did You Know?

Even without an age statement, Talisker Storm is blended from several vintages to hit a fixed, recognisable flavour profile each time - a technique common among most no-age-statement whiskies.

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Tamdhu bets everything on sherry — no other cask comes close at this distillery. This 12-year-old is proof that the gamble pays off.

Expert's Description

Tamdhu 12 Year Old is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Tamdhu distillery, matured exclusively in European and American oak Oloroso sherry casks, bottled at 43%.

As the distillery's signature whisky, the 12-year-old is built on Tamdhu's philosophy that only sherry casks can deliver the right balance and depth, an approach that has made it an award-winning classic.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Rich sherry sweetness with raisin, orange peel and toasted nuts.

Palate

Full and balanced with dried fruit, caramel and a lightly spiced warmth.

Finish

Medium length with lingering sherry sweetness and a dry, soft close.

Specifications

Name: Tamdhu 12 Year Old
Distillery: Tamdhu
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Sherry Oak Cask
Natural Colour: Yes
EAN No.: 5010852036688

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Award-winning · Balanced · Classic

Did You Know?

Tamdhu is one of very few Scottish distilleries that uses exclusively sherry casks across its entire core range — no bourbon casks are ever used.

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A sherry-matured Tamdhu given an extra layer of port on top — Coopers Choice calls it 'Winter Fruits', and the name doesn't lie.

Expert's Description

Tamdhu 2022 Coopers Choice Winter Fruits is a Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky, bottled by The Coopers Choice at 59% from cask no. 9522.

The whisky has been given a Port Wood finish on top of Tamdhu's classic sherry character, adding an extra layer of dark berry sweetness. With 762 bottles, this is a relatively accessible yet still limited release.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark berries and port sweetness meet Tamdhu's characteristic sherry depth.

Palate

Full and fruity with raisin, dark chocolate and a warm alcoholic edge.

Finish

Long and sweet with lingering berries and a dry, wine-like close.

Specifications

Name: Winter Fruits
Distillery: Tamdhu
Bottler: The Coopers Choice
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 59%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Port Wood Finish, cask no. 9522
Bottled: 2022
Number of Bottles: 762 bottles
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
EAN No.: 5024720861890

Flavour Profile

Port-matured · Fruity · Full-bodied · Sweet

Did You Know?

The name 'Winter Fruits' refers to the dark berry and fruit sweetness added by the Port Wood finish on top of Tamdhu's already sherry-driven base character.

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Turn the sherry up to cask strength, and Tamdhu becomes something else entirely — intense, dark and without the dampening hand of added water.

Expert's Description

Tamdhu Batch Strength No 5 is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Tamdhu distillery, matured exclusively in sherry oak casks and bottled at natural cask strength of 59.8%.

As the fifth release in the Batch Strength series, it shows how Tamdhu's signature use of top-quality sherry casks gives the whisky its natural colour and characteristic flavour profile, amplified by the high strength.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Intense sherry sweetness with dark raisin, toasted nuts and a hint of dark chocolate.

Palate

Powerful and full with dried fruit, caramel and a warm, spiced alcoholic edge.

Finish

Long and warming with lingering sherry sweetness and a dry, nutty close.

Specifications

Name: Batch Strength No 5
Distillery: Tamdhu
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 59.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Sherry Oak Cask
Natural Colour: Yes
Edition: Batch Strength No 5
EAN No.: 5010852045161

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Cask strength · Intense · Powerful

Did You Know?

Tamdhu's Batch Strength series is bottled without water reduction, meaning the strength varies slightly from batch to batch depending on the sherry casks selected.

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A journey from American oak forests to Spain's 'sherry triangle' and onward to Speyside — Tamdhu Distinction celebrates the craft of the cask itself.

Expert's Description

Tamdhu Distinction Limited Release No 1 is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Tamdhu distillery, matured in first-fill American oak sherry casks and bottled at 48%.

The 'Quercus Alba Distinction' series honours the long process behind the casks: American oak transported to Spain, hand-crafted for six years in the 'sherry triangle', toasted and filled with Oloroso sherry, before finally reaching Tamdhu.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A rich amber colour is joined by a deep sherry sweetness and a hint of toasted oak.

Palate

Full and fruity with caramel, dried fruit and a warm spiced undertone.

Finish

Long and sweet with lingering sherry and a dry, woody close.

Specifications

Name: Distinction Limited Release No 1
Distillery: Tamdhu
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: 1st Fill American Oak Sherry Casks
Natural Colour: Yes
Edition: Quercus Alba Distinction Limited Release #1
EAN No.: 5010852048360

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Fruity · Sweet · Limited edition

Did You Know?

'Quercus Alba' is the Latin name for American white oak, the wood species used for the casks in this series, giving the name a scientific, craft-driven ring.

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In Speyside the story is often the same one, told a little differently each time. Tamdhu's Quercus Alba series starts with the oak itself, not the vintage.

The expert's description

Tamdhu Distinction Limited Release No 2 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 48% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in 1st fill American oak sherry casks and bottled at 48%.

This release, Limited Release #2, celebrates the qualities of maturation in 1st fill American oak sherry casks. The casks are handcrafted in Spain's "sherry triangle" over six years, air-dried in Mediterranean sun and seasoned with Oloroso sherry before travelling to Tamdhu, where they give the whisky its rich, fruity character and natural amber colour.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raisins, orange peel and the warm scent of freshly baked sherry cake.

Palate

Rich sweetness of dark chocolate and dried fruit, supported by spiced oak.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering notes of nutmeg and caramelised sugar.

Specifications

Name: Tamdhu Distinction Limited Release No 2 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 48%
Distillery: Tamdhu
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill American oak sherry casks
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Quercus Alba Distinction, Limited Release #2
EAN no.: 5010852048360

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Fruity · Spiced

Did you know?

Tamdhu is one of the few Speyside distilleries to mature exclusively in sherry casks, and some of its warehouses still make use of old carriages from the now-closed Speyside railway line.

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A third chapter of the same story can still surprise when the craft behind it is as consistent as Tamdhu's. This time it is another batch of hand-selected sherry casks doing the talking.

The expert's description

Tamdhu Distinction Limited Release No 3 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 48% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in 1st fill American oak sherry casks and bottled at 48%.

Limited Release #3 is another release in the Quercus Alba series, matured in 1st fill American oak sherry casks. The casks travel from American oak forests to Spain's "sherry triangle", where they are handcrafted and seasoned with Oloroso before being filled with Tamdhu's freshly distilled spirit.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark marmalade, toasted almonds and a hint of warm cinnamon.

Palate

Full sherry sweetness with fig, dates and a lightly bitter cocoa tone.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering wood and spice notes.

Specifications

Name: Tamdhu Distinction Limited Release No 3 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 48%
Distillery: Tamdhu
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill American oak sherry casks
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Quercus Alba Distinction, Limited Release #3
EAN no.: 5010852048360

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Full-bodied · Spiced

Did you know?

Tamdhu was founded in 1897 right on the banks of the River Spey, a location originally chosen for its easy access to the railway, which for many years carried both barley and finished whisky.

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Speyside filtered through Cadenhead's uncompromising lens: no added colour, no chill-filtration, just Tamdhu's own spiced, fruit-laden spirit lifted to 46% and left to a refill oloroso cask to finish the story.

Expert description

Tamdhu-Glenlivet 2013/2025 Cadenhead's Original Collection 12 Year Old is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in refill oloroso hogsheads and bottled at 46%.

This release belongs to Cadenhead's Original Collection, the series in which Scotland's oldest independent bottler presents single distillery spirit with nothing added and nothing filtered out. The liquid comes from Tamdhu in Knockando, a distillery founded in 1897 and now owned by Ian Macleod Distillers, who have shaped it into one of Speyside's most sherry-driven malts. The "Glenlivet" suffix is an old regional naming tradition from a time when the name signalled quality across Speyside rather than pointing to another distillery.

The whisky spent twelve years in refill oloroso hogsheads, casks that had already given up much of their first sherry punch. That means a more restrained, savoury sherry note, letting Tamdhu's own spiced, fruit-forward character lead rather than being buried under dark sherry. This particular batch was bottled in May 2026 as part of the Original Collection.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dulce de leche and soft caramel open up alongside a streak of raspberry sorbet and baked pear, sweet and inviting with Speyside fruit right up front.

Palate

Blueberry and crystallised ginger meet a grainy, almost rye-bread-like note, spicy and savoury with an oily weight that carries the 46% comfortably.

Finish

Mandarin and vanilla drift into a hint of lemongrass, medium in length and fresh on the way out.

Specifications

Name: Cadenhead's Original Collection Tamdhu-Glenlivet 12 Year Old
Distillery: Tamdhu
Bottler: Cadenhead's (Original Collection)
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill oloroso hogsheads
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2013
Bottled: 2025
Edition: Original Collection, May 2026 batch

Flavour profile

Sherried · Spicy · Fruity · Creamy · Savoury

Did you know?

Tamdhu was one of the last Scottish distilleries to malt its own barley on site using a mechanical Saladin box, and the building still lacks the classic pagoda roof that has become almost a trademark of Scottish distilleries.

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A yellow band and a discontinued label that still hold on to Tamnavulin's classic Speyside sweetness. A fragment of the distillery's design history that no longer sits on the shelf.

Please note: this is a discontinued label version with a yellow band, no longer produced by the distillery.

Expert description

Tamnavulin 12 Year Old is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured in oak casks and bottled at 40%.

This bottling carries the older yellow band that Tamnavulin used before the distillery modernised its label design. Tamnavulin sits on the River Livet in Speyside and is now owned by Whyte & Mackay, part of the Philippine Emperador group. The distillery was founded in 1966 and is known for a soft, approachable style that has historically also served as a backbone in several well-known blends.

The 12 Year Old has for many years been a fixture in Tamnavulin's range, matured in standard oak casks with no additional finish. With its yellow band, this bottle belongs to an earlier chapter of the distillery's history, before the current core range of sherry, port and wine-cask finishes took over the shelves.

Tasting notes

Nose

Honey and ripe apple mingle with a hint of vanilla biscuit and a touch of dried citrus peel.

Palate

Soft malt and caramel with a light nutty body that glides across the palate without sharp edges.

Finish

Short to medium, closing on a gentle honeyed sweetness with a whisper of oak.

Specifications

Name: Tamnavulin 12 Year Old
Distillery: Tamnavulin
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak casks
EAN nr.: 5011311024901

Flavour profile

Honeyed · Soft · Malty · Light nutty · Approachable

Investment potential

Medium. The discontinued yellow-band label makes this bottle interesting to collectors documenting Tamnavulin's label history, as this version is no longer produced.

Did you know?

Tamnavulin roughly means "mill on the hill" in Gaelic, a nod to the old woollen mill that stood on the site before the distillery was built in 1966.

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