Part of the Diageo Special Releases Collection 2014.

A limited edition, natural cask strength single malt which was distilled at the Lowland distillery, Rosebank, which closed in the following year. This is the third limited release in this series and is interesting to compare with the previous 25 year old 1981 and 21 year old 1990 releases.

Distilled in 1992 and matured in refill American Oak casks, there are only 4,530 individually numbered bottles worldwide.

Tinned peaches and lychees, and a fresh citric top note. Soon gains a hint of soft vanilla sponge and becomes more floral (rose-water, scented hand cream). A drop of water introduces a vinegar note to the citric and creamy vanilla scents. The taste starts sweet and finishes refreshingly sharp (bitter lemon), with an intriguing perfume in the cool finish.

 

Please Note: This is part of a private collection

The history of Rosebank distillery in the town of Falirk dates all the way back to 1840. But with the global fall in sales of whisky during the nineties the distillery had to be mothballed and reduced in more recent years to a derelict site of crumbling buildings. Since 2017, Ian Macleod Distillers have been reviving the Rosebank legacy, releasing whisky that was stored from before the closure in preperation for the release of the first ‘new’ Rosebank whisky.

This Rosebank 30 Year Old is matured in refill sherry butts and bourbon hogsheads as a first release of this annual expression in a limited run of 4,350 bottles. The spirit is triple distilled, left free from chill filtration and bottled with an ABV of 48.6%. On the nose are creamy floral notes with caramel wafer and fresh citrus. The palate is delicate and crisp, with a lovely balance of oak spice and a lingering finish of violet, orange and gentle mint.

To celebrate the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones, Diageo have collaborated with HBO to release a limited edition collection of eight single malt Scotch whiskies inspired by each of the Houses of Westeros and the Night’s Watch.

Having led the rebellion against the Targaryen dynasty, Robert Baratheon took the Iron Throne to rule over the Seven Kingdoms, with the Baratheon stag flying above King’s Landing. Royal Lochnagar also boasts a royal lineage, being renamed from New Lochnagar after a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who granted a royal warrant to the Highland distillery.

The nose has soft oak and banana with a caramelised brown sugar note. The palate is sweet with liquorice and creamy vanilla coffee, before a long nutty finish with a creamy custard tart aspect.

Sunlight in a bottle. A rich, vivid Scotch that will remind you about the pleasures of springtime. A deep golden colour, this Royal Lochnagar 16 Year Old is a regal dram in many ways. It underwent a dual maturation process, between American oak and European oak refill casks. The Highland dram is presented at a hearty 57.5% abv, and is cask strength (which means no artificial colouring, or chill filtration).

The horse on the front of the bottle is somewhat less bold on the nose, with subtle hints of fruity, zesty, puff-pastry aromas. The palate is where the horse kicks on, delivering a creamy texture that rolls across, developing with fruity acidity and a quick oaky dryness. The finish is wonderful, with lingering pepper in a toasted oak aftertaste.

This non age statement expression from Orkney’s Scapa Distillery was introduced in September 2015. Crafted by five dedicated artisans using the last working barrel-shaped Lomond wash still in the Scotch whisky industry, Scapa Skiren’s smooth taste embodies the unexpected contrasts of the Orkney Islands, setting it apart from traditional Island Malts.Taking its name from the Old Norse for ‘glittering bright skies’, this Single Malt lights up the senses with its delicate scented floral notes. The palate is smooth and sweet with honeydew melon, fruity pear and contrasting sweet sherbet. The finish is as long and refreshing as the Orcadian skies for which it is named.

Scarabus may be an Islay single malt you are unfamiliar with, but do not be surprised. A whisky bold about its origins, but a little hard-to-pin down about pretty much everything else. And even more mysteriously, Hunter Laing have managed to get a 10-year-old variation of the mysterious single malt. Produced by an undisclosed distillery on Islay, this was bottled together after a decade of gently maturing in a combination of refill, virgin oak, and ex-bourbon casks.

The nose is smoky, with notes of buttery pastry, sea air, and floral notes. On the palate lies notes of vanilla pods, dried spice heat, and brown sugar. The finish is everything you would expect from an Islay distillery, full of peat and warming.

If you dare to open this 50 year old, you’ll be greeted with notes of menthol and spice before a burst of umami.

This unusual first-ever exclusively refill cask release of The Singleton Dufftown has been matured for seventeen years in refill American oak hogsheads, to showcase the fresh, spring-like nature of this slowly crafted single malt. Part of the annual Diageo Special Releases 2020 range, this expression is highly-limited.

Mellow and mild on the nose; bright, spring-like scents of honey and orchard fruits give a pleasant first impression. A more intense, rich palate follows, with sweet notes of pear drops and beeswax making for a delightfully creamy dram. A peppery-spice lingers on in the finish and leaves the palate tingling.

The Singleton range starts with this naturally rich single malt whisky, matured mainly in European oak casks for a minimum of 12 years. This limited edition gift pack includes two matching tumblers so you can sip your Scotch in style!

Lots of fruit and nut flavours can be found in the 12 year old expression. Sweet fruit aromas move into a richer, dried fruit and toasted nut flavour on the palate, with a medium-long, crisp and warming finish.

Distilled in the Dufftown distillery of Speyside, where fine single malts have been produced since 1896, exceptional care is taken at every stage of producing The Singleton to create the best taste possible. ‘Perfectly Balanced, Naturally Rich and Smooth’ is the wording on the label, and it is the ideal summary of this rich and mellow 18 year old striking malt.