Worm tub whiskies

Previously part of their travel retail offering, Oban's Little Bay has graduated to the core range. Master Blenders Dr. Matthew Crow and Dr. Craig Wilson use whisky matured in refill American oak hogsheads, European oak Sherry casks and refill casks with new ends for this expression before allowing the resultant single malt whisky to marry in small oak casks.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Dried apple chips, floral herbs and chopped mint, candied orange and a touch of milky coffee.

Palate: Those fancy chocolates with the flakes of sea salt, pound cake topped with demerara sugar and cinnamon. Citrus returns on the mid-palate.

Finish: Spiced with cinnamon and ginger.

This is the core expression of 10 year old Ballechin single malt Scotch whisky, which is heavily peated whisky from Edradour. It has been named for the silent Ballechin distillery near the Edradour distillery. Releases under the Ballechin name from Edradour were previously presented as part of The Discovery Series, many of which were matured in different types of casks, including Sherry, bourbon and a selection of wine casks. This 10 year old expression, however, comes from a combination of ex-Oloroso Sherry and ex-bourbon casks.

Nose: Oily malt, whiffs of burnt ends and BBQ char, a few touches of apple and fig.

Palate: Chewy dates and oak, with smouldering peat bringing spicy heat to the palate.

Finish: A hint of ash sticks around on the finish.

This is the core expression of 10 year old Ballechin single malt Scotch whisky, which is heavily peated whisky from Edradour. It has been named for the silent Ballechin distillery near the Edradour distillery. Releases under the Ballechin name from Edradour were previously presented as part of The Discovery Series, many of which were matured in different types of casks, including Sherry, bourbon and a selection of wine casks. This 10 year old expression, however, comes from a combination of ex-Oloroso Sherry and ex-bourbon casks.

Nose: Oily malt, whiffs of burnt ends and BBQ char, a few touches of apple and fig.

Palate: Chewy dates and oak, with smouldering peat bringing spicy heat to the palate.

Finish: A hint of ash sticks around on the finish.

The 2000 vintage Glenkinchie Distillers Edition, bottled in 2014 at 43% ABV. It was finished in Amontillado Sherry casks, imparting a gamut of gorgeous, spicy aromas and a depth of dark fruit on the palate, which works very well with the honey'd freshness of Glenkinchie single malt.

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.

A bold, creamy 15-year-old whisky from Speyside's Speyburn distillery, matured in both American and Spanish oak casks.

46% ABV l 700mL

Matured for sixteen years exclusively in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and bottled only for Travel Retail; the resulting dram is bursting with notes of zesty fruit and creamy vanilla. Sweet pears and tropical pineapple give way to hints of white chocolate and honey; all wrapped together with a gentle spiciness.

43% ABV

This whisky is a return to the days when Bunnahabhain made big peaty whiskies. Ce?banach means 'Smoky mist' in Scots Gaelic,  and this dram certainly packs a rich, smoky profile that classic Islay fans will love. It was matured in ex-bourbon casks and bottled without chill-filtration.

The Cragganmore Distillers Editions spend a finishing period in casks that previously held Port wine, adding extra fruitiness to the whisky. The 2015 release was distilled in 2003.

Nose: Spicy red fruits, raspberry and black pepper (not hot), gingerbread too.

Palate: Creamy and Sherried with thick honey, orange, sticky raisins and fresh strawberries.

Finish: Lots of oak on the finish, with an increasing fruity tang and sweet Nice biscuits on further sips.

Distilled in 2004, this Cragganmore single malt Scotch whisky has enjoyed a finishing period in Port pipes to impart sweet, fruity notes to the Speyside whisky. It was bottled in 2016 as part of the Distillers Edition range.

Nose: Marzipan and strawberry jam. Oily spices and cooked apple. Stem ginger in syrup.

Palate: Peppery, warming palate entry with notes of cinnamon and apple jam. 

Finish: Thick, spiced finish.

Cragganmore was founded in Ballindalloch, Speyside, in 1869 and was the first distillery to take advantage of the railway system for transportation, with its own railway siding on the Strathspey route. The distillery was designed by Charles Cree Doig and the stone used came from the local hill 'Craggan Mor' (meaning 'big rock') which gave the new distillery its name. 

Cragganmore's Distillers Edition series welcomes another delicious vintage! This 2005 vintage was finished in Port pipes for greater clarity and depth in its fruity, sweet notes. Bottled in 2017 at a smooth 40% ABV, there's plenty of room for those flavours to breathe.

Nose: dark fruit, cured ham and granary toast,  winter spices and oily walnuts.

Palate: A gorgeously balanced concoction of blackberry jam, iron-rich meat, firewood, fruit cake and nutty oak are eventually joined by more of those winter spices.

Finish: Fizzy oaky tannins and armchair leather simmer in a dry finish.

A West Highland's malt and part of the Diageo Classic malts range. A smoky rich dram with marmalade, toffee apples, pears and cloves. The finish is long and smoky.

The ?Old Pulteney? Clipper Round the World Race yacht departed from London?s Tower Bridge on Sunday 1st September with a very special cargo on board: the first case of a brand new limited edition Old Pulteney inspired by the intrepid maritime adventure in the 13-14 Clipper Race - ?Old Pulteney Navigator?.

APPEARANCE
Rich golden honeycomb.

AROMA
Sweet and crisp: tangy apples and dried fruit with hints of chocolate and fresh vanilla.

TASTE
Full bodied and rich: a burst of cocoa, honey and oranges with a long-lasting, spicy finish and suggestion of the sea at the end.

Independently bottled by Douglas Laing This one was aged in a refill hogshead for 12 years, from July 2007 to February 2020, and then bottled up for the Provenance range. Just 371 bottles were produced.

Distilled - July 2007

Bottled - February 2020

Refill Hogshead - REF - DL13919

Nose: Opens with chrisp green apple, sweet Speyside barley, new leather and freshly cut wood. 

Palate: Lashings of syrup, full-bodied with gingerbread and more of the toasted barley.

Finish: Citrus sweet, with orange, thick Madagascar Bourbon vanilla and toasted biscuits (CSL).

A fruity, creamy Glen Elgin here from Douglas Laing, distilled in April 2011. Into a single refill hogshead it went, where it stayed for the next eight years. In January 2020, it was bottled for the Provenance series, with a release of just 359 bottles.

Distilled - April 2011

Bottled - January 2020

Refill Hogshead - REF - DL13789

Nose: Grassy & fresh .... green apples, barley sugar and caramelised nuts. 

Palate: An oak warmth initially then comes sherbet, meringue and clotted cream.

Finish: Long with runny honey and toffee balanced nicely by citrus peels (CSL).