Scottish Whisky : Scotch

A 2003 vintage Glenkinchie single malt Scotch whisky, bottled in 2015 after being finished in Amontillado Sherry casks. Presented as part of the long-running Distillers Edition selection.

Nose: Golden barley and spiced oak, with a subtle wine-like sweetness coming through.

Palate: Custard Creams, more old oak, white grapes and orange segments.

Finish: Drying on the finish.

Sourced from reputable independents, Signatory Vintage, cask #900658 was a first-fill Sherry butt and a fairly active cask at that, with more of an old-school attack then a clean, contemporary one. Pickled ginger, struck match, burnt orange, hazelnut and hints of hessian sack give the aroma a sulphury slant, though there's some redemption from the latent fruitiness. The flavours follow with roasted hazelnut, marzipan, ginger biscuit and orange infused dark chocolate - those 'rustic' notes adding a burnt fruit toast character to the finish

49.3% ABV

The Glenlivet - This whisky has been called a lot of things in its time: smooth, fruity, complex, sophisticated, entertaining, classic. The Original Malt Whisky Almanac says: ?A first-class malt. One of the most popular malts in the world ? deservedly so.? Representing The Glenlivet?s signature style, this classic malt is first matured in traditional oak, before spending time in American oak casks which impart notes of vanilla and gives the whisky it?s distinctive smoothness. The mineral-rich water that comes from Josie?s Well helps form the flavours during mashing and fermentation, whilst the specific height and width of the copper stills add a delicate yet complex character. Keep a bottle on hand for every occasion.

Well-balanced and fruity, with strong pineapple notes

Classic Speyside floral summery malt from one of the big players in the Scotch malt whisky scene.

This is a delicate dram with grassy notes, citrus and nuts on the nose, leading to a gentle mouthful of further citrus flavours balanced with toffee and vanilla.

Excellent 12 year old single malt from the Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside, which enjoys its maturation in both European and American oak casks. It's an immensely popular expression which disappeared from shelves in 2015, but has since returned! A great example of the character of Glenlivet's whisky, boasting a bounty of orchard fruit, fragrant florals and honeyed malt notes carried on a creamy mouth feel.\

Nose: Apricot, pineapple, greengages, citrus blossom and toasted teacake.

Palate: Buttery and vanilla-rich, though still packing all the bright fruit notes from the nose.

Finish: A soft crackle of oaky spice and malt, plus a hint of red apple juiciness.

Glenlivet First Fill American Oak matured for 13 years in casks made from American white oak, which shaped the sweet character.

Nose: intense aromas of toffee and fresh vanilla at the beginning, followed by aromas of ripe tropical fruits, especially mango and papaya - above all hints of nuts and spicy nutmeg

Taste: mouth-filling - soft and creamy with clear notes of ripe pears and red apples, plus elegant toasted notes of fresh baguette paired with light tones of coconut and citrus
Finish: the finish is from medium length, warming and soft, the nutty tones and vanilla are present - with slightly spicy notes

40% ABV

This whisky ages for 15 years in oak casks before it is finished, as the name suggests, in Limousin French Oak (the same kind that is used for many Cognacs). Expect rich notes of fruit, almonds and sweet spice.

The Glenlivet Single Cask is an exclusive tasting experience. A unique blend bottled at its natural cask strength and without chill filtration that allows it to retain the same purity it had while maturing in the cask. Aged in first fill American Oak Barrels for 16 years, there are only 180 bottles of this limited-edition whisky. Every cask holds a flavour which can never be replicated and every bottle is individually numbered.

This is a single cask bottling of single malt from Speyside's Glenlivet distillery, bottled in November 2016 with an outturn of 558 bottles (originally released for the German market). This was bestowed the name Cairn na Bruar, taken from a Scottish hill which served as a landmark on smuggling routes back in the day.

Nose: Honey'd sultanas and raisins, peanut brittle and vanilla sponge.

Palate: Nutty at first, with layers of hazelnut cream and diced almond. A hint of ground nutmeg.

Finish: Banana chips and more baking spices.

Part of a series of single cask whiskies released to celebrate the spectacular landscape around Glenlivet, Ladderfoot is a sherry-matured 16-year-old single malt with rich notes of ginger, raisins, cinnamon, victoria plum and dark chocolate layered on top of Glenlivet?s classic orchard fruit and toffee character.

Ladderfoot takes its name from the eponymous farm situated at the bottom of the Ladder Hills. Many smugglers would have passed Ladderfoot on the ?whisky road? from the Braes o?Glenlivet to Fettercairn and the markets beyond, a long but quiet path that allowed them to deliver their illicit whisky to thirsty customers untroubled by the law.

The Glenlivet 18 years old is the perfect expression of age and elegance.  Sublime and complex, an enticing whisky of outstanding balance and flavor.

Nose: Fragrant, elegant, complex with a sweet oakiness, rich sweet fruit aromas. Toffee notes.

Palate: Smooth and wonderfully balanced.  A burst of spices and bitter oranges drying out an oaky note.

Finish:  Long and lingering hints of oak and spice.

Another bottling in Glenlivet's Single Cask Edition series - this time it was aged for 18 years in cask #96421 and bottled in January 2016 with an outturn of 660 bottles. This edition has been given the title 'Allargue'. Perhaps named after the nearby Allargue Estate.

Nose: Soft but oak-y barley, with notes of vanilla tablet and cinnamon sticks.

Palate: Nuttier on the palate - think oily walnuts and sugared almonds. Vanilla and cinnamon remain at the fore.

Finish: Lightly floral.

Glenlivet is one of those distilleries whose malts just keep improving with age. This superb 21yo is an elegant, intricate, sophisticated malt, presented in a very smart wooden box - just don't drop it on your foot.

43% ABV

A single malt with a bold, tropical twist. A portion of this whisky is finished in barrels that previously held Caribbean rum - the result is a well balanced and exceptionally smooth whisky. Single malt, meet summer.

The whisky that kicks off the Glenlivet range, one of the oldest and most reputable distilleries in Speyside. Named in honour of the distillery's founder, George Smith. It's classic Glenlivet, with a creamy and fruity character bolstered by the use of first-fill American oak to mature some of the whisky.