The peat is fine-grained, much more clearly highland peat than Islay or Coastal as it foregoes the iodine and TCP or boat oil, more reminiscent of an autumn bonfire somewhere in the distance. The sherry brings in the classic Macallan profile to work in perfect balance with that unique peat-inflected edge. A true masterpiece of the bottler's art. Just 690 crystal decanters filled at 47%.

COLOUR: Rich Autumn Gold.
NOSE: Warm and inviting scents of butterscotch meet aromatic heather, encapsulated by orange zesty charcoal Smoke.
PALATE: Satisfyingly, creamy and peppery with aromas of roasted nuts, nutmeg and clove, with hints of Madagascan vanilla, dark chocolate, honey, candied fruits and floral smoke.
FINISH: Long-lingering sweet, oaky spice.

Savour the full-bodied complexity of the Macallan Highland Single Malt Sherry Oak Cask 18YO Bottled 2023 NV, a distinguished spirit renowned globally. Matured exclusively in handpicked Spanish oak sherry seasoned casks for 18 years, this extraordinary dram embodies the Macallan's commitment to exceptional cask management from their Speyside distillery in the Highlands of Scotland.

The Macallan Highland Single Malt Sherry Oak Cask 18YO Bottled 2023 NV offers a symphony of sophisticated flavours. The nose will enchant you with the aroma of dried fruits, ginger, and toffee. Palate-wise, you're introduced to a balanced richness with notes of dried fruits and spice, complemented by hints of vanilla and dark chocolate. The finish is long lasting with a warming oak and a smooth velvety texture.

Hailed as a paragon of its kind, this whisky is the quintessence of The Macallan’s craftsmanship, promising a sublime taste experience.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Vides Bourses 1er Cru presents a complex nose of citrus fruit, popcorn and a touch of grilled walnut, all very well defined and terroir-expressive. The well-balanced palate delivers the same concentration and verve as the Les Champs Gain, and turns quite saline toward the finish, which lingers wonderfully. This is a class act, but try to resist temptation for the first 4–5 years.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2019 Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes Rouge comes from low-yielding 80-year-old vines that offered just 30hl/ha in this vintage. It has a lovely nose of dark cherries, raspberry and bergamot, nicely defined and more elegant than the other two reds that I tasted from Damien Colin. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, gentle and unimposing with a mixture of red and black fruit laced with chalk towards the finish. Fine and quite nuanced.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)

Around 65 year old vines. Deep purple. The bouquet shows an explosion of ripe deep raspberry fruit. Reaching for fruit freshness and a little gourmandise and all that has arrived quite naturally in 2020. I’ll have a magnum of this whenever you want! Seamless and with supple tannins. Tasted: October 2021

Burghound (93)

Sweet Spot Outstanding. Cooler and airier aromas of restrained green fruit, essence of lemon zest and lovely spice nuances give way to rich, concentrated and almost painfully intense medium weight flavors that brim with minerality on the balanced, clean and moderately dry finale. This too could use better depth but Virondot seemingly always ages extremely well.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Virondot 1er Cru, which unlike the other Premier Crus was taken from barrel, has a lovely bouquet with hazelnut, orange rind, wet granite and just a touch of praline. The palate is very well balanced with an irresistible peachy entry that segues into a gorgeous quince-tinged finish. Often one of the Domaine best offerings, this Virondot is another to add in a succession of great wines from this climat.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet En Virondot 1er Cru, which was severely affected by frost, has a pretty blackcurrant leaf and candy floss-tinged bouquet, well-defined and seductive even at this early stage. The palate is well balanced with sour lemon and lime on the entry, fine depth, quite spicy and lively with orange rind and quince; touches of peach appear toward the satisfying finish. What survived the onslaught of frost is worth seeking out.

Vinous (89-91)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chenevottes 1er Cru sees around 20-25% new oak. The nose offers lemon verbena, pear and a touch of nectarine, unfolding in the glass with neatly integrated oak. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, quite linear and strict with a touch of stem ginger and towards the waxy finish. Pretty and appealing, though I think the ‘19 will have more longevity

Vinous (91-93)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Vergers 1er Cru has a touch more terroir-expression and mineralité on the nose compared to the Les Chenevottes. The palate is taut and fresh with kernels of orange rind and sour lemon. Fine energy and good concentration on the finish, this is an excellent Chassagne that should age well in the cellar.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Vergers 1er Cru has a slightly more penetrating nose than the Vergers, more mineralité coming through with time. The palate is well balanced with fine grip and matière, lime and orange pith; it's very pretty towards the finish with almond and walnut on the aftertaste.

The Mortlach Speyside Single Malt Sherry Finish 21YO Bottled 2020 1999 is a perfect representation of the renowned quality of the Mortlach distillery in Scotland. Richly matured for 21 years in American oak barrels and creatively finished in Oloroso sherry casks, this Scotch elicits a remarkable aroma and distinct flavour profile.

Noteworthy is the warmth of its sherry finish, a result of the maturation in traditional oak casks. The full-bodied spirit reveals tantalising hints of dark chocolate, dry fruits, and spicy undertones, resulting in an unforgettable palate. Taken in conjunction with a long, smooth finish, the Mortlach Speyside Single Malt Sherry Finish 21YO Bottled 2020 1999 speaks volumes about the distillery's commitment to incomparable quality and artisanal craftsmanship.

This fine whisky confirms Mortlach’s reputation for producing robust, complex spirits, a delight to both discerning connoisseurs and curious seekers of fine whisky globally.

Vinous (85-87)

The 2020 Chassagne Montrachet Clos St Jean 1er Cru (Rouge) has a slightly muted bouquet at the moment. Sultry. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening, quite sweet and candid, though it is missing a little tension and grip on the finish.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chenevottes 1er Cru is very attractive on the nose with scents of mirabelle, almond, white chocolate and Granny Smiths, complex and involving. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. Plenty of tension and energy in situ, quite saline on the finish with superb persistence. This is one of the best 2020s from Philippe Colin this vintage.

Immerse yourself in the regal taste of Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Maltroie Blanc 2020. This distinguished white burgundy hails from the acclaimed Chassagne-Montrachet region of Burgundy, esteemed for its remarkable vineyards. It embodies the precision and artistry of renowned winemaker, Philippe Colin, whose devotion to traditional, sustainable viticulture is manifest in every bottle.

This pristine wine is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, hand-picked from old vines and aged exquisitely in French oak barrels, bestowing a unique complexity of flavour. Expect a harmonious blend of apple, peach, and citrus notes on the palate, interwoven with subtleties of vanilla and butter, a characteristic mineral undertone and a lingering finish that testifies to its pedigree. Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Maltroie Blanc 2020 is a truly unmissable gem for enthusiasts of fine white Burgundy wines. Delicate yet expressive, it offers a superb reflection of its terroir and the Colin legacy in every glass.

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.

Tasting Note
At 7 years of age but with regauged numbers from April 2021 reminiscent of a newly filled cask, this is a superb long term offering that has excellent upside for the 5-year term bringing it to 12 years old. Fresh and barley driven with that classic Tomintoul peaty tang, there is a lot of potential to develop into a very complex, elegant malt.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Blanchot-Dessus 1er Cru come across a bit sultry on the nose despite coaxing. White flowers, fresh white linen and citrus scents eventually emerge. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, fresh and quite saline, perhaps it just need a little more complexity towards the finish, but otherwise this is well-crafted.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-94)

Pure powerful lemon yellow, and there is power too to the yellow fruit of the bouquet. Very backward in its elevage at the moment. Quite high acidity, this 2021 Blanchot has all the constituent parts, but not quite in place as yet. Drink from 2026-2031.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet Le Cailleret 1er Cru shows a little more reduction on the nose than the Morgeots, although there is good concentration here. The palate is quite vibrant on the entry with lemon zest, quince and a touch of orange pith. Plenty of energy, well focused with a saline finish, this is a fine Chassagne from Girardin.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2020 Chassagne-Montrachet La Romanée 1er Cru is more reserved on the nose, but well defined with crushed stone and touches of pressed flowers and chai. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, much more linear, almost Puligny-like in style thanks to the calcaire terroir on the finish. Vivid and animated.

A phenomenal Chassagne, but we have come to expect nothing else from Girardin in recent years. Fine-grained and mineral-driven with medium weight flavours and solid delineation on the complex and persistent finish. This is quite dry and intense given the heat of the vintage and sufficiently firm that we would suggest allowing it at least a few years of cellar time first.