Vinous (87)

Vinous (87)

Vinous (92-94)

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94)

James Suckling (95)

Decanter (95)

This twelve-year-old Highland Single Malt was distilled in 2008 at the Blair Athol Distillery along the banks of the River Tummel. Drawn from a single, undersized 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel previously used by the Koval Distillery, it is a youthful pale golden colour with bright aromatics of red apple and pear as well as fine vanilla and warm baking spices. A generous, well-balanced highlander from one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland dating back to 1798, this is a personal favourite and a fitting first bottling of the Stiùbhart Single Cask Selection. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 58.9% without chill filtration or added colouring.

Blair Athol is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, tracing its foundation back to 1798 when it was originally set up as the Aldour Distillery, in reference to its water source, the Allt Dour - or Burn of the Otter. Located on the outskirts of the Victorian spa town of Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire, Blair Athol, along with neighbouring Edradour are two of the final vestiges of Perthshire's long lost farm distilleries.

In addition to its proud heritage, Blair Athol is also one of the most visually striking distilleries with many of the original buildings as well as an impressive dunnage where the finest casks slumber patiently waiting to be bottled. Only two official bottlings have ever hit the market; the standard, heavily sherried 12 year old and a limited edition 23 which shows the longevity of Blair Athol's spirit.

A key component of the Bell's blend of whiskies, Blair Athol is praised for its fruit-driven style with subtle earthy - not smokey - peat influence courtesy of the ancient moorlands over which its water flows. A mellow malt; the quintessential old highland gentleman, Blair Athol has as much of a bright future as it does a storied past. It is only a matter of time before the reputation of this much loved distillery catches up with the ineffable quality of their whisky.

Vinous (91-93)

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (88-90)

Vinous (94)

Vinous (94)

Tim Atkin MW (95)

Vinous (92+)

Immerse yourself in the luxury of the Dalwhinnie Speyside Highland Single Malt Special Release 30YO Bottled 2020 1989, boasting a heritage steeped in Scottish tradition. This fine malt is synonymous with the Dalwhinnie distillery, nestled within the ruggedness of Scotland's highest and coldest malt distillery. The charm of Speyside makes its presence known in the spirit's character, with tones reminiscent of heather honey, citrus fruits and a hint of wood smoke.

This single malt whisky is a testament to three decades of meticulous craftsmanship. Each bottle is the reflection of the tranquillity and purity of Speyside, matured in refill hogsheads and butts. The authenticity of the Dalwhinnie Speyside Highland Single Malt Special Release 30YO Bottled 2020 1989 is indisputable - each limited-edition bottle a unique story portraying an era that dates back to 1989. An exemplar of perfected whisky craft, it's a bottled testament to Dalwhinnie's commitment to quality and sophistication.

Discerning palates will savour the complex layers of the Daniel Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru Cote Lechet 2007, a masterful creation hailing from a renowned 400-year-old family vineyard in Chablis, France. Crafted meticulously from vines aged between 35 and 80 years, this esteemed Premier Cru marries palate-intensive precision with majestic minerality intrinsic to the Limestone-rich soils of the Cote Lechet slopes. A testament to the distinguished winemaking methods of Daniel Etienne Defaix, this vintage enjoys an extended maturation process in stainless steel vats, yielding an exquisite balance of brightness, vivacity, and opulence that lingers on the palate. Expect divine expressions of ripe fruits harmonising sublimely with mature, savoury notes, echoing the wisdom of the venerable vine stocks it originates from. Ideal for collectors and connoisseurs alike, the Daniel Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru Cote Lechet 2007 is both the essence of Chablis tradition and an invigorating exploration of terroir individuality.

Wine Advocate (92)

Vinous (94)

Wine Advocate (93)

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.

Vinous (92-94)

Vinous (94)

Delight in the mesmerising elegance of Jean-Claude Bessin Chablis VV 2021. Hailing from the esteemed, family-owned winery in the heart of Chablis, this captivating offering exemplifies the regional terroir brimming with mineral complexity and vivacity. A product of old vineyards, some originating as far back as 1934, this distinguished vintage was intentionally harvested on the cusp of ripeness to reflect the exceptional quality on which Bessin's reputation rests. Painstakingly vinified using indigenous yeasts, the wine lumbers in old French oak barrels for a year, embracing a balance of freshness and softness. The final result is nothing short of spectacular: Jean-Claude Bessin Chablis VV 2021 entices with vibrant lemon, apple notes, nuanced by creamy richness and finishing with an echo of flint-like minerality. An unrivalled addition to any discerning collection, this wine is an ode to Chablis’ traditional winemaking heritage, bringing forth a sublime sensory experience.

Vinous (90-93)