SPIRITS

Diageo has released a collection of rare and limited edition whiskies from Scotland's top distilleries every year since 2001 as part of their Special Releases series. The 2021 series, titled "Legends Untold," features 8 single malt whiskies bottled at cask strength and released in limited quantities. The series has notable design work from digital illustrator Ken Taylor. The Oban whisky included in the series is rich and smooth, with a maritime aroma, notes of seaweed and citrus, and a hint of smoke. The taste offers a balance of sweet and savory flavors, including fruits, honey, vanilla, smoked fish, pepper and woody spices.

Beautifully blue, this Lavender & Juniper Gin is blended with unique herbs like heather, lavender and chamomile. With just a touch of bergamot and sweet almond, this gin finishes dry on the palate.
Botanicals: Juniper, Coriander, Lavender, Heather, Chamomile, Almond, Orris Root & Bergamot.

MacNair’s Lum Reek is a range of blended malts produced by the GlenAllachie Distillers Company. Created by Billy Walker, this composition is built around peated Islay and Speyside whiskies, mixed with GlenAllachie single malt. The whiskies are drawn from a combination of Oloroso, virgin oak and red wine casks. Nose: a nice start on elegant smoke, tobacco leaves and hints of cedar wood, mixed with raisin sweetness, toffee and a good dose of vanilla. Plum jam. Cinnamon. Lemon zest. Hints of cocoa in the background. Maybe not hugely expressive – elegance is key here.

Taste: s layered combination of dry and sweet notes again. Peaches, marmalade and berries, some honey and dark chocolate. Some old leather and pleasant woody touches. Toffee. Pepper. The earthy smoke is present but never overpowering.

Finish: medium to long, more ashy and spicy with lingering cocoa.

Hiding in a small valley east of the picturesque town of Pitlochry, Edradour is a small operation producing fruity un-peated distillate under the Edradour name, and a meaty and peaty version named Ballechin. This release from Equilibrium (aka Whisky Sponge) is a vatting of a cask of each, both matured in refill ex-sherry casks.

Ben Nevis Distillery is a distillery in Scotland that is located at Lochy Bridge in Fort William and sits just at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, which rises to 4,409 feet above sea level. A coastal distillery in the Western Highlands, Ben Nevis draws its water from the Allt a'Mhuilinn which originates from two pools, Coire Leis and Coire na'Ciste. Founded in 1825 as an independent enterprise, it has been owned by Nikka Whisky Distilling of Tokyo, Japan, since 1989.
Nose: Treacle, strawberries and vanilla.
Palate: Sweet - with anise, Granny Smith apples and Kraft caramels.
Finish: Long and lingering with a rye spiciness and oak.

Lightly aged for two months in oak barrels, this offers subtle complexities of fresh agave, oak, citrus, and honey with a light amber hue. Smooth and sweet on the palate with exceptional balance; the finish is highlighted with flavours of floral and vanilla notes.

A blend of the most sublime eaux-de-vie of Grande Champagne Cognac, the Tesseron Lot No 53 XO Perfection is composed of grapes from two varieties: the Colombarde and Ugni Blanc to give it dimension and character. Aptly named, it errs on perfection due to the undeniable finesse. This is to be expected of such a high quality, Premier Cru Cognac. For a cognac of this caliber, it offers extremely good value for money. This is a wonderfully complex, yet refreshing Cognac with lots of critical acclaim across the board. As an Extra Old Cognac, the Tesseron Lot 53 XO has been aged for over two generations in Limousin oak barrels. The bouquet of figs, chocolate and plum is rich and decadent, and you’re bound to fall in love.

Tesseron Lot 53 XO Awards

Wine Enthusiast: 96-100 points Spirit of the Year 2006
International Wine and Spirit Competition: Silver 2009

The Tesseron Lot No 29 Exception is a well-aged blend, truly worthy of its name. A unique XO, made up of Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie - this Cognac’s maturation process has passed through at least three generations of the Tesseron family who have dedicated their passion and love for Cognac through the family business. With fresh and floral fragrances, Lot No 29 unveils velvety aromas of mocha chocolate alongside dried fruit and hints of honey. Its prevailing rancio is characterized by the decades spent in old oak barrels - a true jewel of the Grande Champagne cru.

Tasting notes:

Eye: Lustrous topaz
Nose: Heady, decadent, layers of honey, figs, plums & exotic fruit laced with oak. Sumptuous and silky, this Cognac retains freshness and vitality.
Palate: Supremely elegant, combining dried fruit with hints of mocha and cocoa, refreshed by floral aromatics. Extremely well balanced and complex, with marmalade notes emerging on a persistent finish.

A very special Mortlach, released as part of the Diageo Special Releases 2022. This takes a left turn compared to most other Mortlach whiskies, which are traditionally aged in sherry casks, and looks at other wines. It was finished in red-muscat and tawny-port casks, and also has a little bit of virgin-oak-finished whisky in the mix. The result is big, rich and spicy, with layers of dark red fruit flavour.

Japan has come a long way with making whisky with many master distillers taking their training right in Scotland and importing the Scottish heather for peat making. There is much quality here in Japanese whisky and dad would no doubt be surprised and delighted with this one, aged in a Sherry cask to give it nutty, toasty aromas and flavours.

Since 2006, Templeton Distillery has supported the American rye revolution as the choice of those who seek a quality rye whiskey, whether sipped neat or as an added kick to your favorite cocktail. Aged 4 years in charred new American oak barrels. Ideal for enjoying over ice or mixed in a classic whiskey cocktail.