Vinous (93+)

For the impressive Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese GK Nr4 2010, a well-renowned estate in the Saar region of Germany takes centre stage. This luxurious white has been carefully crafted by the Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken winery, which boasts an impressive history dating back over three centuries. The terroir of the Saarburger Rausch vineyard, renowned for its grey Devonian slate soil, nurtures the Riesling grapes to produce this exquisite Auslese with notable finesse and balancing acidity. This vintage offers luscious honeyed fruitiness and beguiling aromatics with a supreme ageing potential. A gastronomic delight, its abundant sweetness is harmoniously balanced by a crisp finish, echoing its mineral-rich vineyard origins. Cherish the Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese GK Nr4 2010 — the epitome of winemaking artistry.

James Suckling (96)

Showcasing the reputable cru classé vineyards of Mosel, Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling GG Trocken 2020 is a harmonious symphony of quality and refinement. This splendid Riesling is produced by the illustrious Fritz Haag, a wine estate synonymous with premium consistency since 1605.

A true testament to the winemaker, this 2020 dry trocken exemplifies the virtues of German Riesling, delineating fruit intensity with remarkable finesse and clarity. With a disciplined yield restraint policy, every drop illustrates meticulous vinification and purposeful precision.

The Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling GG Trocken 2020 adroitly matures on its lees in traditional 1000-litre Mosel Fuder barrels. Marked by crystalline minerality and vibrant acidity, it whispers eloquent notes of green apple, peach, and exotic spices, delicately balanced by a captivating finish. Perfectly reflected through the prism of the Brauneberger Juffer terroir, it truly is the embodiment of germanic viticulture.

James Suckling (93)

James Suckling (96)

Wine Advocate (95-96)

Whisky Base (93)

Colour: Full, rich dark gold.

Nose: Full, complex aromas with dried berries and sherry-infused malty tones

Palate: Sweetness akin to a fine, aged cognac with incredible oloroso depth and freshness. Fruit, nuts, marzipan and Christmas cake warming spice.

Finish: A whisky you never want to end and it almost feels as if it won't, the finish goes on forever with spice, decadent dark cocoa and forest floor. A final flourish of spiced demerara rum leaves you longing for more.

Colour: Autumnal, red gold.

Nose: Fresh sweetness with fruity Turkish delight with a power akin to the first whiff from a freshly opened bag of Java coffee beans.

Palate: An undeniably decadent sweetness on the palate with salted caramel, dark cocoa and Oloroso-soaked raisins. Sherry comes through with excellent power, bringing with it Sherry and spicy demerara notes.

Finish: Lingering and persistent with alternating layers of sweetness and dry roastiness and peppery spice. Extremely complex and enthralling.

Colour: Amber with dark-gold highlights.

Nose: Complex yet refined with tempting aromas of marmalade, nuts, freshly ground coffee and chocolate.

Flavour: Full-bodied and robust with some oaky tannins courtesy of its exceptional age in sherry barrels.

Finish: Powerful but never overbearing with exceptional balance. Intense and long in the mouth with beautiful finesse and freshness.

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.

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.

James Suckling (94)

Hambledon Premiere Cuvee Brut NV is a magnificent exemplar of British viticulture. Acclaimed for its layered sophistication, this sparkling cuvee is meticulously handcrafted in Hampshire, at England's oldest commercial vineyard, Hambledon Vineyard, where tradition effortlessly combines with the latest winemaking technology.

Comprising predominantly Chardonnay, with thoughtful drizzles of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the Hambledon Premiere Cuvee Brut NV draws its distinct character from its terroir. Fermented at controlled temperatures followed by secondary fermentation in the bottle crafted in an exceptional base wine, resonating Hambledon's commitment to quality.

The diligent stirring of lees, also known as 'bâtonnage', lends it an unparalleled richness and creamy texture, while an extended ageing period allows the wine to develop a well-rounded complexity. The final product is an elegant, golden-hued nectar boasting an intense, layered nose, a perfectly balanced palate, sublime depth and a persistent finish, establishing the Hambledon Premiere Cuvee Brut NV as a symbol of luxury in the quintessentially British wine realm.

Unveiling the exquisite Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvee 2013, a fitting representation of the United Kingdom's emergent viticulture prowess. Carefully crafted in Hampshire, England, at the acclaimed Hattingley Valley winery, known for producing outstanding English sparkling wine, this Kings Cuvée delivers an unforgettable sensory experience. Rounded out by an ageing process of 60 months on lees, this blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grape varieties brings a balanced charm.

Bursting with aromatic complexity, this prestigious cuvée has seductive toasty notes with nuances of honey and almond on the nose. Each sip reveals a soft mousse with vibrant acidity, showcasing delectable layers of baked apple, quince, and delicate brioche flavours. Perfectly refined, the Hattingley Valley Kings Cuvee 2013 expertly walks a tightrope of finesse and sophistication, celebrating the magnificence of English sparkling wine to the fullest.

Indulge in the true sensation of the Saar vineyards with the Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Spatlese 2019. Cultivated on steep, south-facing slopes in Germany's renowned Mosel region, this is a creation of father-son duo, Erich and Johannes Weber of the esteemed Hofgut Falkenstein estate. Esteemed for nurturing a vein of old vines, they employ traditional viticulture methods, paired with low-yielding, hand harvested fruit.

The meticulous winemaking processes involve cool fermentations in ancient, large wooden casks, yielding the vivacious, attention-grabbing Riesling. The wine shimmers in the glass releasing complex notes of green apple, citrus zest, and white florals with an intriguing slate-like minerality. The 2019 vintage, whilst deeply fragrant and rich, maintains a fresh and vibrant character balanced with an elegant sweetness. Truly, the Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Spatlese 2019 encapsulates the quintessential, exhilarating expression of Saar Riesling. Salute to a wine that dances on the palate, leaving a lasting, compelling aftertaste.

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.

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.

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 is 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.

Wine Advocate (90)

Wine Advocate (96)