Blend: Sémillon 80%, Sauvignon blanc 20%
Drinking Window: 2025-2080

100 Points - James Suckling
“A perfect Yquem again after the 2021, which is fresher and more refined than the 2022. The perception of sweetness is super-knit. Lots of botrytis, with turmeric, saffron, cream, roasted meringue, pine nuts, spices and dried mangoes. This is a powerful, seductive and lush wine. Ornamented and richer this year than 2021, but there is so much charm and harmony. Long and spicy, with a hint of petrol at the end. Wow. The second most concentrated Yquem after 1945, according to the winemaker. About 160 grams of residual sugar. So approachable now, but better in five or six years. It will live forever."

Nose: Aromas of ripe red apples, citrus zest, and hints of brioche.

Taste: Crisp and refreshing with flavors of green apple, lemon, and a touch of pear.

Palate: Delicate bubbles, lively acidity, and a creamy texture. Notes of toasted almonds and a long, elegant finish.

This exquisite 32-year-old Highland single grain whisky, distilled at Invergordon in January 1990 and bottled by Duncan Taylor in August 2022 for their Rare Auld series, offers a luxurious tasting experience. Drawn from single sherry cask number 520009 and bottled at natural strength, it presents enticing aromas of butterscotch toffee, vanilla biscuits, and hints of sherried fruits. On the palate, flavors of vanilla cream biscuits, sugar-glazed red fruits, honey, rich oak, and subtle spices unfold, leading to a sweet and fruity finish with lingering notes of dark chocolate. Complex and indulgent, with only 330 bottles available worldwide.

With its usual deep ruby red colour, Ornellaia 2020 stands out on the nose with ripe red fruits and delicate vanilla and gentle tobacco notes. Upon tasting, the wine reveals itself to be rounded and velvety, making an enjoyable and engaging first impression that entices for a second sip. The tannins are dense yet elegant and the finish proves to be savoury and enduring.

Kujira 15 Year Old is a premium Japanese single-grain Ryukyu whisky from Masahiro Distillery, crafted from 100% Indica rice and black Koji. Matured for over 15 years in Sherry, Bourbon, and American White Oak casks, this 43% ABV spirit offers a mellow, silky texture with notes of dried plums, chocolate, and oak.

"This impressive wine is structured yet well balanced by an attractive fruitiness that parallels the tannins and the smokiness from wood aging. The density of the palate is countered by fresh acidity that shines through. Drink 2024. Roger Voss" - 95/100, Wine Enthusiast

Quality, taste and rarity have always defined JW Blue Label. Lunar New Year provides an important means of driving JW Blue's story of rarity, quality and flavour in an authentic and culturally-relevant way. It' s a slow, intense, rich, deep and multi-layered experience. The powerful aromas from the west coast are balanced with hints of sweetness and depth. Then there's a rich and uniquely long and satisfying finish of smoke, pepper, ending with a glorious touch of spice.

2023 is the year of the Rabbit, and those from the Rabbit tend to be introspective and thoughtful, so if your dad was born in the year of Rabbit, he is sure to love the packaging and the whisky inside. Plus, it's Johnnie Walker so what's not to like?

"Little Book® Chapter 6, 'To The Finish,'" as an opportunity for both seasoned connoisseurs and newcomers to expand their whiskey palate. This blend of five different liquid streams, aged using various wood staves and barrel techniques, showcases the innovation of the Little Book series over the past six years. Despite its lower aged whiskies, Chapter 6 challenges assumptions with its unique profile from secondary aging, making it approachable even for those new to cask strength whiskey. Inspired by Freddie's passions for cooking and whiskey, Chapter 6 combines the smoke and flavor of hardwoods with American Whiskey, creating a taste that's greater than the sum of its parts, reflecting generations of culinary and distilling expertise.

Kaiyo The Sheri Third Edition is a premium 46% ABV Japanese whisky, matured in rare Mizunara oak and finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, often aged at sea for depth. It features a rich, complex profile with notes of dried fruit, toasted oak, caramel, and spice.

Toko Fukurotsuri Junmai Daiginjo is an ultra-premium, award-winning sake from Kojima Sohonten (est. 1597) in Yamagata, Japan, characterized by a luxurious, silky texture produced via gravity-drip (Fukurotsuri) extraction. Made from 35% polished Yamada Nishiki rice, it features intense fruity/floral notes like melon, lychee, and pear with a clean, elegant finish.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 64%, Merlot: 31%, Cabernet Franc: 4%, Petit Verdot: 1%
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2048

97 Points - James Suckling
"The 2017 Pontet-Canet is a vibrant and polished wine with aromas of black cherries, cassis, forest floor, and hints of violet. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers a rich and plush texture, supported by fine-grained tannins and lively acidity. The palate showcases layers of ripe dark fruit, mineral complexity, and subtle spices. The finish is long and elegant, reflecting the vintage’s balance between concentration and freshness. Ready to enjoy now but built for several years of further ageing.”

The 2020 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, aging in 50% new French oak barriques, 35% concrete amphorae and 15% in one-year-old barrels. Harvest began on the 14th of September for the Merlot, and the final lot of Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested on 30th September. Opaque purple-black in colour, it needs significant aeration and swirling to coax out evocative notes of black cherry preserves, raspberry pie, blackcurrant pastilles and damp soil, before launching into gorgeous floral and spice notions of red roses, cinnamon stick, star anise and cardamom, with a waft of crushed rocks.

Big and rich, with expressive beef and earthy notes to the dark plum and roasted dark cherry flavors, which are backed by firm tannins and acidity. Creamy in the midpalate, with hints of dried green herbs and dark chocolate on the finish.

Angel's Envy Cask Strength is an ultra-premium, highly limited annual release. Bottled at its natural barrel proof without dilution (typically hovering between 118 to 122 proof, or 59-61% ABV), this iconic Kentucky Straight Bourbon is famous for its extended maturation and signature Port wine cask finish.

Bull XO Napoleon Brandy is a rich, complex spirit known for its distinctive, sculpted glass bottle (often a rearing horse or bull) and luxurious taste profile featuring notes of dried fruits (apricot, fig), caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and spice, offering a smooth, full-bodied, and long, warming finish, ideal for sipping neat or gifting due to its premium presentation. It's an aged brandy, combining Armenian or French production elements with sweet wines and oak aging for depth, making it a collector's item.

Victorian by provenance, Kings & Spies is a cider fit for royalty or rogues. Crafted from King apples, Northern Spies and other apples of mysterious lineage, this off-dry cider is crowd-sourced and community-minded to the core. A portion of proceeds supports Growing Chefs, a program which educates BC families about growing and preparing healthy food. Kings & Spies pairs with everything from crispy potato chips to chicken salad and complex seafood dishes.

The Glasgow Distillery Company has gone and distilled its whisky not once, not twice, but thrice! This is its Triple Distilled single malt Scotch whisky, which has been fully matured in virgin oak casks, and it gets bottled up at 46% ABV without any chill-filtration or additional colouring. It's got that traditional triple-distilled lightness to it, but packs plenty of complexity in there too.

Horse XO Napoleon Brandy (750ml) is a premium, aged Armenian or French brandy, often presented in a distinct, sculpted decanter shaped like a rearing horse or bull. It is characterized by a smooth, full-bodied taste featuring notes of dried fruits (apricot, fig), caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak, making it ideal for sipping neat or as a luxury gift.

Barone Fini Pinot Grigio Valdadige is a light-bodied, dry white wine from the Italian Valdadige region with delicate floral aromas and flavors of citrus, green apple, and honeydew. It features bright acidity and a balanced minerality, leading to a crisp and clean finish. The wine's versatility makes it suitable as an aperitif or paired with seafood, poultry, salads, and various pasta dishes.

Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2034 - 2050

96 Points - James Suckling
“The blackcurrants and lead pencil reveal themselves immediately with so many fresh-flower undertones like violets. Medium-bodied, this has intense yet refined tannins that show length and elegance as well as structure. A fine interpretation of the vintage. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot and 3% petit verdot.”

The Frias Family Vineyard 'Lady of the Dead' Red offers an enticing nose of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and hints of vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied with velvety tannins and flavors of blackcurrants, plum, and a touch of spice. The wine finishes long and smooth, leaving a lingering impression of black fruit and subtle oak.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Snake 2025 Edition. Combining luxurious craftsmanship with intricate zodiac-inspired artwork, this limited release is a standout collector’s piece and an ideal gift for marking the Year of the Snake in style.

Batch #12, blended by Rhea, features a unique mix of well-aged, bold bourbons: 7- to 14-year-old bourbons combined with two different 4-year-old bourbons. The nose reveals sweet spice and caramel with a hint of butterscotch, offering a long, pleasant aroma. The palate presents a warm rush of spice, robust caramel, and cream, melting into passion fruit and spicy citrus notes. The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering caramel and cream. Batch #12 is bottled at 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV).

Made from the producer's estate Monument Ridge, blocks that rise from 400 to 2,400 feet, this balanced, elegant wine is refined and savory, with classic structure. Crushed rock, mountain sage, pine and dusty tannin support a core of juicy currant and cassis. Virginie Boone

The nose is élégant and offers power (in finesse/controlled), a beautiful racy grain and a good definition. It reveals notes of boysen berry, fleshy/juicy strawberry, small notes of small wild fruits associated with fine touches of cornflower, pulpy/juicy violet plum as well as fine hints of tobacco, very discreet hints of cuben pepper, tonka bean, caramelized almond and an imperceptible hint of coffee (in the background). The palate is elegante, very finely tight, racy and offers a good definition, complexity, a beautiful silky/delicate touch, a beautiful finesse of the suavity/fat, tension, a racy power (in finesse/controlled) as well as a good guideline and finesse of the tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry, cassis, small notes of wild strawberry associated with small touches of small ripe/crushed red berries as well as hints of mild tobacco, tonka bean, mocha, cardamom, a subtle hint of zan, juicy violet plum, discreet hints of coffee, vanilla and an imperceptible almost saline hint (in the background). Tannins are precise, structuring, coating. Good length. Like a square of silk, we perceive thousands of small grains/threads that melt in the mouth.

A Night on Earth - The Journey celebrates cherished moments spent with loved ones, embodying the spirit of the New Year. This annual release offers a unique expression crafted from a harmonious blend of first-fill American ex-bourbon barrels, alongside European and American sherry-seasoned oak casks. Collaborating with acclaimed Chinese artist, Nini Sum, the release showcases innovative multi-layered packaging, enhancing the unboxing experience and adding to the celebration of shared memories and future aspirations.

This hand-blown glass in the shape of a dragon would be an asset to any Scotch collectors library. Inside is Small Batch whiskey crafted in the same style as single barrel scotch.

The Nicaragua Rum 1999 Sansibar 17 Year Old is a premium aged rum produced in Nicaragua by an undisclosed distillery and bottled by Sansibar, a German independent bottler. This rum was distilled in 1999 and aged for 17 years in oak casks, resulting in a rich and complex spirit with notes of vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, and spice. It is bottled at cask strength, without any artificial color or flavor additives. The Nicaragua Rum 1999 Sansibar 17 Year Old is a limited edition release with only a few thousand bottles produced.

The Brut Millésime from the pen of Champagne Barons de Rothschild from Champagne offers a brilliant, golden yellow color in the wine glass. The play of pearls of this sparkling wine presents itself in the glass incredibly fine, elegant and long-lasting. This sparkling wine also enchants the eye with reflections If you swirl the glass, then this sparkling wine is characterized by an immense brilliance, which makes it dance lively in the glass. Poured into a sparkling wine glass, this Old World sparkling wine presents delightfully distinguished aromas of apple, quince, nashi pear and pear, rounded off by other fruity nuances.

The 2014 L'Evangile comes racing out of the blocks on the nose with plenty of black cherry, blueberry, cold stone and black truffle scents, quintessentially Pomerol with impressive delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly grainy texture, lovely black fruit here laced with Earl Grey, spice and sage, quite intense and fanning out gloriously towards the long finish. This seems to have gained precision after bottling and I did warn that it may merit a higher score. This is a deeply impressive L'Evangile that might challenge Lafite-Rothschild in the long term. Chapeau!

This is the inaugural release of this wine, very different in style from the Bin 707 Cabernet, coming from a single district and aged in French, not American, oak. The fruit is from two prized blocks of Penfolds' own vineyards, and is aged for 14 months in new French oak hogsheads. At first it is quite closed, but there's a delicate, almost floral and mint leaf edge here, then a rush of cassis begins to fill in. The oak adds a smoky incense note. The palate has a really firm backbone, the tight, powerful tannins framing really juicy fruit that bursts onto the mid-palate with sweet blackcurrant. Savoury and fresh on the finish, this is concentrated but long and elegant too.

The Cadenhead Original Collection A Tennessee Distillery 18 years old is an American whisky from an undisclosed distillery in Tennessee. It was distilled in 2003 and matured in a barrel which was bottled on the 9th of Jun 2022 at 46% ABV, non chill filtered and with no added colour, as a limited release.
Official tasting notes:
Nose: Vanilla pods, salted caramel, honeysuckle
Palate: Caramel latte, honeycomb, milk chocolate
Finish: Root ginger, sweetened butter, many layers of sweetness

The Le Clarence Haut-Brion is the 2nd wine of the first growth Chateau Haut-Brion. It was in 2007 that this wine was renamed Le Clarence Haut-Brion as a tribute to Clarence Dillon, who acquired the property in 1935. The 2016 vintage is a blend of 51% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. It has a beautiful nose of cassis, violets, graphite and crushed rocks. Medium to full body, it has good concentration, grainy tannins and finishes with a long mineral note. Drink until 2036.

94 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate" Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it absolutely sings of red roses, black tea and tilled black soil with a core of crushed blackberries, Morello cherries and cassis plus a hint of cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of ripe black berries and floral layers, framed by soft, silken tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. (LPB)" (11/2018)

94 points - James Suckling

93 points - Wine Enthusiast