Indulge in a timeless dram with the 'Glenfarclas, Highland Single Malt The Family Casks S22 4th Fill Butt Single Cask 5988 Bottled 2022, Speyside 1992'. This resplendent offering hails from the renowned Glenfarclas distillery, located in the heart of Speyside, Scotland's historic whisky region. Matured in a 4th-fill sherry butt, this exquisite single malt was meticulously crafted and bottled in 2022, capturing the essence of its robust 1992 distillation. It enjoys a distinct character imbued by the local waters of Ben Rinnes, filtered through hard granite and aromatic peats. This Highland gem boasts distinct notes of rich fruits, delicate spices, and impeccable oak integration. Glenfarclas, a family-owned distillery since 1865, is lauded globally for its expertise in producing the finest whisky expressions. The 'Glenfarclas, Highland Single Malt The Family Casks S22 4th Fill Butt Single Cask 5988 Bottled 2022, Speyside 1992' is a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality and tradition.

Indulge in a timeless dram with the 'Glenfarclas, Highland Single Malt The Family Casks S22 4th Fill Butt Single Cask 5988 Bottled 2022, Speyside 1992'. This resplendent offering hails from the renowned Glenfarclas distillery, located in the heart of Speyside, Scotland's historic whisky region. Matured in a 4th-fill sherry butt, this exquisite single malt was meticulously crafted and bottled in 2022, capturing the essence of its robust 1992 distillation. It enjoys a distinct character imbued by the local waters of Ben Rinnes, filtered through hard granite and aromatic peats. This Highland gem boasts distinct notes of rich fruits, delicate spices, and impeccable oak integration. Glenfarclas, a family-owned distillery since 1865, is lauded globally for its expertise in producing the finest whisky expressions. The 'Glenfarclas, Highland Single Malt The Family Casks S22 4th Fill Butt Single Cask 5988 Bottled 2022, Speyside 1992' is a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality and tradition.

Whisky Bible (95)

Nose (23.5): Crunchy, crisp sugars capture the malt fresh and youthful as though in aspic.

Taste (24): Profoundly salivating. Like malt sets off fermentation, icing sugars sets off the barley-rich juiciness to the maximum level... and the mid-point? Hard to believe but here you hit malt max!

Finish (23.5): Not sure if it is possible to get better balance between oak and malt in a Highland whisky. Light mocha and liquorice. But a sub-strata of creamy Horlicks, too...

Balance (24): Principally has a firm glazed feel to this. But the intensity of the malt takes the breath away. Too beautiful.

A superb rendering of Glenmorangie's elegant Highland spirit in a gloriously whimsical, yet sophisticated presentation. The flowers adorning the case and label eloquently capture the profile of the whisky and give one of the great classics of world whisky the flair it deserves.

Elevate your whisky appreciation with the exceptional Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Tuiga 25YO Bottled 2021 1995. Richly textured, this well-aged single malt delivers an alluring array of aromas from ripe tropical fruits to an undercurrent of sweet smoke. Distilled in the rolling farmlands of Tain, Scotland and bottled by Glenmorangie Distillery, it is a true testament to the sublime art of maturation. Matured in a carefully curated selection of traditional oak and sherry casks, the spirit reaches an unrivalled depth and complexity over a luxury spell of twenty-five years. The Glenmorangie Distillery is globally celebrated for their exacting maturation practices and exceptional craftmanship, ensuring each sip holds a harmonious blend of matured tastes. With a taste sensation of burnt caramel fading to reveal a dry, smoke-infused finish, the Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Tuiga 25YO Bottled 2021 1995 is a sublime indulgence to be savoured.

Glenmorangie Tusail Private Edition NV epitomises the pinnacle of Scottish whisky craftsmanship. Matured at the esteemed Glenmorangie Distillery on the eastern Highlands, this exquisite spirit is a harmonious blend of carefully selected malted barley and pristine spring water from the Tarlogie Springs. Aged in a unique combination of Spanish Oloroso and American ex-bourbon casks, it develops a sophisticated profile characterised by rich notes of orchard fruits, dark chocolate, and subtle spices. The Tusail Private Edition NV showcases Glenmorangie’s dedication to excellence and innovative maturation techniques, resulting in a velvety smooth finish with a lingering complexity. Each bottle is meticulously crafted by master distillers who uphold Glenmorangie’s proud heritage of quality and distinction, making it a coveted choice for connoisseurs seeking an unparalleled whisky experience.

One of the hottest commodities on the cask market over the past year is assuredly The Glenrothes. Stablemate to Macallan and Highland Park and under the masterful guidance of Gordon Motion who took the reins in 2009, there are few Speysiders which have the reputation for longevity and excellence as The Glenrothes. After a rapturous reception to our recent offering of the 2011s and a follow up of 2012, we are pleased that we can offer a last butt of 2013 to our customers as well.

Glenrothes is best known as a sherry-aged Speysider and this cask shows why that reputation is so justified; taking the best elements of the wood and developing into a thoroughly impressive malt. Having spent the last decade in first fill butts and taking on some remarkable characteristics as well as impressive depth of colour, they are nothing short of blue chip casks in the early days of their trajectory.

Stored at Glenrothes distillery since distillation, this has not been regauged hence the cask being listed with OLA details but a sample drawn has indicated excellent colour extraction and a recent regauge of the 2011 casks we purchased registered RLA 262.5 which is par for the course on a 1st fill Sherry butt and we would expect this to be regauged in the coming weeks between 262 and 285 RLA or thereabouts with an ABV in the low to mid 60s, indicating excellent longevity.

Colour: Fine, polished brass.

Aroma: Delicate and grassy with a bright orchard fruit profile, reminiscent at first of Speyside but developing a unique persimmon complexity.

Taste: Exceptional purity rivalled by few if any others. A fine salinity balanced by bright satsuma citrus notes makes for a sweet, ethereal palate.

Finish: For such a light, balanced whisky the finish is exceptionally long and complex. The persimmon on the nose comes back for an encore, taking a final bow with notes of ginger, allspice and bay.

Hampden Pagos Pure Single Jamaican Rum NV epitomises the rich heritage of Jamaica’s rum craftsmanship. Distilled at the Hampden Pagos estate in the heart of Jamaica, this exceptional spirit is crafted using traditional pot stills, ensuring a full-bodied and robust character. The rum is produced from the finest locally sourced molasses, fermented with a unique blend of yeast strains that impart complex esters and tropical fruit nuances. Aged meticulously in American oak barrels, it matures gracefully over several years, absorbing subtle vanilla and spicy undertones while retaining its distinctive Jamaican persona. Under the stewardship of the esteemed Hampden Pagos Distillery, renowned for their commitment to quality and authenticity, this single rum offers a sublime balance of sweetness and depth, making it a distinguished choice for connoisseurs seeking a genuine expression of Jamaican rum excellence.

Vinous (91)

Bearing a rich heritage, the Hermitage Cognac Grande Champagne Paradis 1893 is the epitome of rarity and sophistication. From the revered producer, Hermitage Cognac, this Grande Champagne Paradis 1893 is distilled exceptionally in the precious Grande Champagne district of Cognac, France. The diligent crafting, using traditional copper pot stills, lends it an enchanting complexity and depth.

Aged in medium toasted Troncais oak casks, it boasts a hero’s colour palette of topaz and hues, revealing an irrefutable attraction. Its aromatic symphony tingles the olfactory senses with vibrant notes of dried fig, walnut, and crème brûlée, underpinned by softly-spiced undertones. The palate unfurls layers of profound flavours, each enriched by a century-old narrative.

Serving as an awe-inspiring testament to the mastery of refining eaux-de-vie, Hermitage Cognac Grande Champagne Paradis 1893 is a compelling purchase for the discerning collector or a splendidly surprising gift for the seasoned spirit enthusiast.

Few producers of spirit, Scotch or other can claim as dynamic a history as Tullibardine. Tullibardine’s modern history begins in 1949 though there was a brewery on the site dating back to 1488 which made ale for the coronation of James VI, (later James I of England). Originally part of the Whyte & MacKay portfolio it was under-appreciated and mothballed in 1995, until it was bought by independent investors setting up the Tullibardine Distillery Ltd. who resumed production and rejuvenated the brand.

A classic Highland gentleman, it is a whisky of fine character and a good example of the terroir of whisky as the distillery draws its water from the Danny Burn flowing from the Ochil Hills, known as some of the purest in the country (the same source of Highland Spring water). This splendid source gives Tullibardine its soft generosity, not to mention its agreeable nature, affording it a remarkable propensity to take to wine finishes better than most. We've even had a very fine rosé-tinted Banyuls finish!

A strikingly designed distillery set among picturesque farmland at the foot of the Ochil Hills in Auchterarder it is in many ways the modern heir of the Perthshire farm distilleries of centuries past. It is a genuine marvel for many insiders that Tullibardine's elegant, gentle spirit has not attracted the attention it deserves. That will not remain the case for long, in our view.

Tasting Note

True to the distillery's style there is a gentle, fine-grained oak influence and a soft, refined perfume to this cask of Tullibardine. It is maturing slowly and the colour is currently akin to a young german Riesling rather than a white Burgundy. The nose is just so pretty and engaging even considering the youth of this cask. A touch of pear rather than apple, some honeysuckle and melon with a subtle floral perfume. Patience is a virtue, but one this makes me struggle to employ. Give it at least 5 years before checking in on it and probably bottle at 15 or above.

Hine Cognac Grande Champagne 1981 epitomises the pinnacle of exquisite Cognac craftsmanship. Produced in the esteemed Grande Champagne region, renowned for its chalk-rich terroir, this fine spirit benefits from the meticulous selection of premium eaux-de-vie. aged for over four decades in Limousin oak barrels, allowing it to develop unparalleled depth and complexity. Hine, a venerable house established in 1765, employs traditional distillation methods combined with innovative techniques to ensure each bottle reflects their unwavering commitment to quality. The 1981 vintage reveals a harmonious balance of rich amber hues, subtle floral notes, and intricate layers of dried fruits and spices, culminating in a long, elegant finish. This exceptional Cognac is a testament to Hine's legacy of excellence and is a coveted addition for connoisseurs seeking a distinguished and storied spirit.

The Holyrood Distillery is the first malt distillery to open in Edinburgh in nearly 100 years and its founding comes amidst a truly exciting time for the whisky industry in Scotland. With an innovative and ambitious spirit sweeping the country buttressed by steadily growing global demand for the world’s most famous distillate, Scotch whisky has been reinvigorated by new start-ups and micro distillers placing the ancestral homeland of whisky back at the forefront of this global industry.

Founded by Canadians Rob & Kelly Carpenter and Scot David Robertson, it is in many ways remarkable that Holyrood is the first malt distillery for so long to make a home in Edinburgh (Glenkinchie is well out of town in Pencaitland and North British is single grain only). The city has a long and proud history of brewing and distilling (legal and otherwise) and the city’s natural underground water supply is known through history as “the Charmed Circle” for its purity and abundance.

The focus in this casks is the barley variety; distilled from a mash bill of 100% pure Golden Promise barley - the same type used in the distillation of The Macallan and Glengoyne single malts, and filled them into 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry hogsheads (in which Golden Promise has shown excellent success at both the aforementioned distilleries) of the highest possible quality.

Filled in April of this year, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to follow the development of a new distillery with one of their earliest distillations. Imagine having a cask of 2001 Port Charlotte bought for under £17 IB per bottle when casks now go for £60,000-plus! The one difference being that Port Charlotte is just a sub-brand from the Bruichladdich distillery which had been running for many years already; here we have a new distillery entirely founded with a commitment to making the best possible whisky in the heart of Scotland’s capital.