Wine Enthusiast (90-95)

Glen Grant Distillery is a renowned Scottish whisky producer located in the beautiful Speyside region. Founded in 1840 by brothers John and James Grant, the distillery has a rich history and is known for its high-quality single malt whiskies. The distillery is also recognized for its beautiful gardens, which were designed by John Grant himself. With over 180 years of experience, Glen Grant continues to produce exceptional whiskies that are loved by whisky enthusiasts worldwide.

The Springbank Single Malt Yokai Series Tiger & Dragon Edition Mizunara Oak Finish 28YO 1993 is an extraordinary product from Campbeltown, Scotland's oldest operating distillery. This limited-edition release forms part of the Yokai Series, yielding a unique pairing of East and West. The Tiger & Dragon Edition represents the vitality and strength of these mythical beasts, reflected in the spirit's complexity and depth.

This 28-year-old single malt was matured using the finest Mizunara Oak, delivering a rich bouquet of dried fruits, cinnamon, and a hint of peat, followed by a long, satisfying finish with hints of ginger and clove. The nuances from the high-quality Japanese oak complement the intrinsic qualities of the Springbank malt, providing a distinctive flavour profile.

Rich in character, steeped in heritage and meticulously crafted, the Springbank Single Malt Yokai Series Tiger & Dragon Edition Mizunara Oak Finish 28YO 1993 is a testament to Springbank's uncompromising commitment to excellence in whisky production.

Immerse yourself in the rich, sumptuous flavours of the highly sought-after Stars & Stripes Straight Bourbon NV. This exceptional spirit embodies the true essence of American craft distilling, hailed from the heartland of bourbon, Kentucky. Notorious for its robust flavour profile, each bottle captures the essence of corn, rye, and malted barley specially sourced from local farms. This esteemed blend is meticulously cultivated in charred American oak barrels, endowing the bourbon with delectable notes of vanilla and toasted caramel and a smooth, lingering finish.

In the hands of dedicated, time-honoured artisans, the Stars & Stripes Straight Bourbon NV is carefully distilled according to traditional methods, ensuring its consistent acclaim. Infused with a sense of pride and heritage, this spirit encapsulates classic American flavours, exuding sheer opulence and refinement, qualifying it as a favourite amongst discerning bourbon enthusiasts.

Relish the complexity of Stars & Stripes Straight Bourbon NV - an emblem of American distinguished luxury and tradition.

Founded in the 1820s in the Speyside village of Keith, Strathmill is best known as the malt whisky at the heart of the J&B Rare blended scotch whisky, a role which has seen it included in one of the most popular whiskies on earth, though the single malt itself has long flown under the radar; a preserve of connoisseurs and an insider's secret.

Only one official bottling has ever been released; the exquisitely balanced, classically Speyside 12 Year Old 'Flora & Fauna' edition, now sadly discontinued. Indie bottlings are also relatively rare, though the few we do see fetch surprisingly high prices at young ages. The rarity of Strathmill on the market coupled with the good value presented by these casks gives remarkable upside for those with the patience to wait.

Strathmill's style is somewhat akin to Cragganmore, in our view; with a fair bit of sandalwood, incense and light woody spice on top of a delicate orchard fruit and citrus bouquet. This is a distillery which rewards Bourbon wood very well indeed so no re-racking necessary in this case.

Whisky Advocate (93)

Revel in the elegance of Taketsuru Blended Pure Malt 17YO NV, a definitive blend crafted by the renowned Nikka Whisky Company in Japan. Epitomising mastery in distillation, this pure malt is achieved through a meticulous amalgamation of traditional pot stills from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. Matured for 17 years, it boasts an unparalleled harmony of rich, mature flavours. The nose introduces balanced oak, dark chocolate and ripe orchard fruits, followed by a robust palate with profound sherry richness, nuanced by delicate lashings of fruit and spice, culminating in an enduring, complex finish. Enjoy it neat or on the rocks, savouring every sip of this opulent Japanese whisky. For connoisseurs seeking quality, Taketsuru Blended Pure Malt 17YO NV delivers an indulgent drinking experience imbued with a commitment to heritage and expertise that is universally applauded.

A stablemate of classic Islay distillery Bunnahabhainn and the iconic Tobermory Distillery on Mull, Deanston is a hidden gem of a Highland Malt. Founded on the banks of the River Teith in 1795 as a cotton mill, the beautiful stone building was converted to its present purpose in 1965. Drawing water from the river which also powers its own hydro-energy facility, it has the distinction of being the only energy self-sufficient distillery in Scotland.

The spirit produced here is a classically fine, balanced Highland Malt with a bit of punchiness to its profile that does well ageing relatively unhindered in ex-Bourbon wood as is the case here. The distillery’s production of bottled single malt is small with 85% of the output going into blends. That gives holders of Deanston casks a point of relative rarity that very little of this delicious spirit is bottled as single malt, and even rarer, bottled at an advanced age. As such this will greatly reward patience.

Tasting Note
Fresh and bright with excellent potential given the performance over 9 years of maturation in a single refill hogshead, it was regauged just this year close to 60% ABV, this is well suited to a very long term hold, while Deanston's profile rises as it has done for the past decade. Look for classic apple, pear and stone fruit aromatics alongside crisp barley and cereal notes as it shows a remarkably youthful nose. This is ageing slow indeed with a lot left to give in the years (and decades) ahead.

In celebration of its illustrious 125-year legacy, Tomatin Distillery of the Scottish Highlands presents the exceptional Tomatin Highland Single Malt 125th Anniversary 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead Cask No 30040 50YO Bottled 2022 1971. Embodied in rich hues, this singular 50-year-old single malt has lain undisturbed since 1971, nurtured in a hand-selected first-fill oloroso sherry hogshead.

Hailing from the heartland of Scotch whisky, this Tomatin offering carries the characteristically smooth and fruit-rich profile the distillery is renowned for, refined by a half-century oak influence. The sherry cask maturation has further endowed it with distinctive notes of dried fruits, spice and a hint of dark chocolate in the finish.

With an unrivalled legacy in producing exceptional single malts, this 125th anniversary commemorative release confirms Tomatin's dedication to quality distilled from its pristine Highland surroundings, offering aficonados an unparalleled whisky experience.

Based in the small village of Ballindaloch on the banks of the River Spey, situated a stones throw from Glenfarclas, Tomintoul is a modern classic. Known popularly as "the gentle dram with a peaty tang" it breaks with fellow Speysiders by introducing a hint of peat smoke to their distillery's flavour profile.

Less heavily peated than the likes of Ardmore, Tomintoul has begun to gradually build up its reputation around the world and though it can still be considered an insider's secret, a number of independent bottlings from Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory and Douglas Laing have raised the distillery's profile among the cognoscenti and an increased and much improved distillery-bottled range have paved the way for a very bright future for the brand indeed.

Colour:  Amber colour, almost mahogany

Nose:  Very complex, combining wooden, vanilla, old Porto, dry fruits, nuts to floral notes (dry rose), but also spicy (clove and pepper), cigar wooden box

Palate:  Light and elegant structure, rich and wooden notes. It is perfectly well-balanced and the length is exceptional The Lafite Cognac, given its rarity and long ageing, shows a complexity, suppleness and exceptional aromatic persistence which make it ideal to enjoy as a digestive at the end of a meal.

Indulge in the rich, distinct taste of Tullibardine Highland Single Malt 1st Fill Barrel Cask No. 54 Full Cask 2021. Distinctively sourced from the verdant landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, Tullibardine expertly tends to its whisky. The handpicked grain, pure Highland spring water, and the masterful ageing in first fill barrels create an unmatched single malt scotch.

This 2021 vintage is a marvel, showcasing the superior craftsmanship of Tullibardine Distillery. Matured in cask number 54, the first fill barrel lends an intenseness to the flavour profile. A rich concerto of chocolate, honey, and citrus undertones surface, with a fine hint of oak. Savour each sip; the finishing is long, warm, and velvety.

Commanding reverence amongst whisky aficionados, the Tullibardine Highland Single Malt 1st Fill Barrel Cask No. 54 Full Cask 2021 embellishes every occasion with an air of sophistication.

The indulgence of a sophisticated palate beckons with the Tullibardine Highland Single Malt 1st Fill Barrel Cask No. 59 Full Cask 2021. This captivating spirit roots deep into Scotland's highlands, at the distinguished Tullibardine Distillery. Known for their craftsmanship and traditional methods, Tullibardine carefully distills their malts in copper pot stills, ensuring an unmatched purity. The 2021 cask emphasises a meticulous process of ageing in a first-fill barrel, giving it a rich, luxurious character. An artistic choreography of vanilla, honey, and enticing oak symphony delights the senses. The palette showcases a beautiful persistence, with layers of spice, orchard fruits and a hint of cocoa.
Defined by its deep golden hue and abundant complexity, Tullibardine Highland Single Malt 1st Fill Barrel Cask No. 59 Full Cask 2021 indeed reflects the mastery of Scottish whisky-making.

An opulent elixir hailing from the esteemed Uitvlugt Distillery in Guyana's Demerara County, the Uitvlugt, Demerara Rum ULR 17YO Bottled 2014 1997 is a connoisseur's delight. Born in the vestiges of a 17th-century Dutch plantation, this rum channels the spirit-rich lore of Uitvlugt into a divine drinking experience. Harvested from the finest sugar cane, and subjected to a rigorous fermentation and distillation process, it betrays a depth befitting its age. The climate of its birthplace confers a distinctive tropical richness, expertly harnessed in French oak barrels. It wears the autumn of 1997 proudly and takes its final bow in 2014 under the masterful hands of United Rum Merchants. Cocooned in silk and velvet notes, with whispers of fennel and coriander, the Uitvlugt, Demerara Rum ULR 17YO Bottled 2014 1997 is a testament to Uitvlugt Distillery's passion, patience, and prowess. A golden pour of this rum is a toast to time, tradition, and taste.

Produced by the renowned Vecchio Magazzino Doganale in the sun-drenched region of Calabria, southern Italy, the Jefferson Amaro Importante NV is a sophisticated ensemble of harmonious flavours. This artisanal bitter is cultivated from the fragrant local herbs, exceptional roots, and aromatic citrus peels which are left to macerate in high-quality spirit before being slowly refined in oak barrels. Vecchio Magazzino Doganale, famed for their traditional, yet innovative productions, ensures that every bottle is a testament to their impeccable craftsmanship.

As one indulges in a glass of Vecchio Magazzino Doganale Jefferson Amaro Importante NV, they experience an eloquent mingling of intense, yet balanced bitter-sweet profile, that conjures an extraordinary sensory journey graced with spicy notes. The lingering aftertaste pays tribute to the serene Mediterranean landscape. For connoisseurs seeking an undeniable Italian spirit, Vecchio Magazzino Doganale Jefferson Amaro Importante NV promises a rich, fulfilling experience.

Immerse yourself in the rich allure of the WhistlePig Straight Rye 10YO 1000, an exquisite high-profile spirit renowned globally. This beauty, a creation of WhistlePig's master distiller Dave Pickerell, hails from the heart of the verdant Green Mountains of Vermont, USA. It's a 100% rye grain whiskey, matured for 10 years in charred American white oak barrels, promising a full-bodied, robust experience. At 100 proof, it captures the precise balance between boldness and elegance. Expertly hand-bottled at the elusive WhistlePig Farm, it boasts of enticing notes of allspice, nutmeg, clove, and vanilla binding with a rich caramel and smoky finish that lingers. An arresting example of true American straight rye whiskey, WhistlePig Straight Rye 10YO 1000 stands as a testament to old-world craftsmanship and heritage. Perfect for the discerning spirits connoisseur seeking extraordinary and memorable tasting experiences.

Hailing from the verdant landscapes of Vermont, USA is the craft distillery behind the exquisite WhistlePig Straight Rye Old World 12YO NV. This proud bottling offers a mature, exceptional taste profile infused with character from ageing in hand-selected, first-fill European oak casks of Madeira, Sauternes, and Port - an homage to traditional, old-world techniques. The artistry extends to the exhaustive finishing process, lasting an additional two to six years, harnessing an impeccable fusion of both American and European styles. The palate reveals a delightful symphony of fruit and spice, contrasted with dark chocolate and oak for a decidedly rich and complex character. WhistlePig, renowned for its dedication to Rye, has surpassed itself with this harmonious marriage of time-honoured traditions and avant-garde innovation. Experience the intriguing charm of the WhistlePig Straight Rye Old World 12YO NV - a veritable testament to craft distilling at its finest.

Wine Enthusiast (97)