An independent bottling from Darkness, this 12-year-old expression hails from Glen Elgin. It has been finished, just like the rest of the Darkness range, in specially-coopered sherry octave casks – this time in specifically a Moscatel sherry octave. Bottled at 55.6% ABV, the nose opens with toffee apple and malt loaf, with chocolate raisins and candied ginger on the palate finishing up with orange blossom, fresh mint and a lingering nutmeg warmth.

A Glenrothes single malt unlike any you can find. This Glenrothes 12 Year Old Olosoro Cask Finish is part of the highly acclaimed Darkness range. This expression had a 12 year old maturation, where it spent a six month finish in Oloroso sherry octave casks. An eye-watering 61.3% abv, this cask strength dram is a limited release that is free from chill filtration and artificial colouring.

Expect coffee, shortbread, caramelised banana, and spicy sweet notes on the nose. The palate is full of dried fruits, with raisins, dates, sultanas, and a little black pepper spice. The finish is creamy, with vanilla, and rich fruit cake notes. Splendid.

Originally released as a Travel Retail Exclusive, this 10-year-old expression from Deanston has been matured initially in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in casks that previously held red wine from the Bordeaux region of France. It was then bottled a decade later at 46.3% abv, without chill-filtration or added colouring. 

Fragrant and fruity on the nose, the aromas are of peach, apple crumble and lemon tart. The palate is full and creamy, with a burst of red fruits, damson jam and dark cherries. Dark chocolate lingers in the aftertaste of a short and sweet finish. 

Deanston has taken their signature soft and honeyed malt and finished it in Muscat casks to bring an boost of citrus zest to the flavour profile. This limited-edition release was distilled and filled into whisky re-fill casks in October 1991, before being transferred into Muscat casks in June 2016. Bottled at 28 years old, this expression comes at 45% ABV and without chill-filtration or added colouring. Just 1402 bottles are available. 

A sweet perfume tingles the nose, with notes of peach and cereal giving the impression of a fruit crumble. The palate is full bodied, with indulgent, mouth-coating oily, citrus notes. The finish is short and sweet, with a hint of cocoa right at the end. 

Distilled in 2008 at Deanston, a former cotton mill in the Scottish Highlands, this single malt has been matured for nine years in red wine casks from Bordeaux, France, imbuing the liquid with rich grape and caramel notes.There’s honey and caramel on the nose, sweet malt and rich red wine, with a touch of citrus and spice. The palate brings toffee and malt, rich red grapes and chilli-infused dark chocolate. The finish is fruity and sweet, with a subtle spice lingering.

Distilled in 2008 at Deanston distillery in the Scottish Highlands, this 10-year-old single malt has spent its final two years maturing in a selection of brandy butts. The French oak has brought rich spiced fruits and honey to the characteristic Deanston spirit.The nose has grape and dried fruits, drizzled in vanilla cream with some toffee and spice. The palate opens with rich oak notes, dried fruits and creamy toffee following with a honeyed vanilla influence. The finish has a subtle spice lingering with more dried fruits.

This single malt whisky from Brackla is another exceptional find from the Duncan Taylor Dimensions series. This expression underwent maturation for nine years in a sherry cask, giving it a sharp, punchy flavour, evidenced in the cask strength 54.7% abv. Only 258 bottles have been made from this single cask whisky, and it is free from both artificial colouring and chill filtration, allowing for a purer, more intense dram.

Malt whisky from the Royal Brackla distillery is rarely seen on shop shelves, and bottles from the distillery are exceedingly rare. Aromas of raisins and black berries arrive on the nose, followed by oak, caramel, and green apple on the palate. The finish is dry, sharp, and hot. A cracker!

This Islay single malt from Bunnahabhain has been hand-picked for its depth of character. Aged for 12 years in a sherry cask, this single cask expression is part of Duncan Taylor’s Dimensions range, a collection curated to show the multi-faceted output of distilleries big and small. It is, as all in this range is, free from artificial colouring and chill filtration. It comes at a cask strength 54.7% abv.

This one captures the sea location of the distillery: the nose has hints of sea breezes, along with a nutty, earthy complexion. The palate is full of sweet and rounded flavours, such as salted caramel, lemons, with a grassy note making itself prominent. The medium finish is well-rounded and warms the soul, honey features prominently and is balanced out with a peppery spice. Delectable.

Full of the characteristic fruit and floral scents of the region, this Linkwood 12 Year Old is a great find. Bottled by Duncan Taylor in 2021 after a 12 year maturation in an oak cask, only 257 bottles of this have been produced. It comes at a punchy 54.9% abv and is free from chill filtration and artificial colouring.

This expression is full of the Speyside character. There are aromas of fresh, soft fruits, vanilla, and lavender. The palate has a sweet, clean character with a delicate citrus acidity. The finish is long, and you can taste a subtle hint of oaky nuttiness.

This single cask expression has been bottled as part of the Distiller’s Art series from independent bottler Hunter Laing & Co. of Glasgow. Distilled in May 2001 at Braeval in Speyside, this single malt was matured for 13 years in a single sherry butt before being bottled in 2014. Only 784 bottles were filled, each one individually numbered and presented at a strength of 48% abv.