In the picturesque ambiance of the Côte d’Azur, a shimmering gown evokes the essence of luxury, catching the light with its golden hue and delicate fig and citrus notes, reminiscent of the coastal air. Similarly, The Singleton whisky embodies elegance and refinement, curated by the Malt Master with meticulous care akin to haute couture craftsmanship. Finished in Chardonnay de Bourgogne French Oak casks, it exudes a rich and magnetic character, offering lavish honeyed aromas, buttery Chardonnay notes, and layers of smooth texture with hints of ripe fruit and toffee. Silky and velvety, it commands attention and epitomizes sophistication.

Nose Malty with cereal/barley sweetness, buttery toast, wood shavings, hay and walnut. Palate Orange zest spiciness perks up a malty core of nuts, oak and toffee, hints of cut grass. Finish Oaky, rich with good length, some fruit lingers.

Get ready to explore some of the finest whisky releases from 2023 in this tasting set! Inside you’ll find 12 hand-picked 30ml drams, one from each month of the year, chosen because we thought it was exceptional. Now you don’t need to worry if you didn’t keep up with all the new and shiny releases – they’re right here for you to enjoy.

The Balmenach 1989 32 Year Old is a rare, highly matured single malt Scotch whisky, often bottled by independent labels like The Nectar Daily Dram or The Whisky Agency to celebrate special milestones. Distilled in 1989 and matured for over three decades, this Speyside whisky is known for a rich, complex profile featuring notes of honey, orchard fruits (pear/apple), beeswax, and a gentle, waxy mouthfeel.

Violets, sweet black fruits, balanced, leafy notes.

From bush vines planted in 1956, this was whole bunch pressed, only the free run juice was used for natural fermentation in 3rd-fill French oak barrels. Natural style, with that hint of funk and light earthiness, lightly nutty. Lots of sour and juicy apple. Very nice fruit that becomes sweet like Mandarin and even nectarine, fully ripe, but that dry savoury acidity punches through and balances beautifully.

Similar to the Verdelho grape, the Khakibos, known botanically as Tagetes Minuta, is a recent addition to the foothills of Stellenbosch. While neither are indigenous to the region, both have been successfully cultivated over the past twenty-five years, thriving in the distinctive climate of the Cape. Interestingly, Khakibos is also utilized as a natural repellent against insects and mosquitoes. This marks the fourth vintage of this exceptional wine, which has evolved to embody the vision of Stephanie and Etienne—a blend of Iberian white varieties, featuring drought-resistant Portuguese grapes.

Coastal Region wine, from 1980s vineyards in Stellenbosch and Pearl. A deeply coloured, powerful wine, plenty of substantial presence, slightly meaty nose, a touch of green-tinged dry and ashy character, with lots of sweet fruit, touched with a leafy, savoury character in the finish. The blend is 30/70 Alicante and Tempranillo.

The enchanting Montepulciano d'Abruzzo casts its spell with a timeless blend of crushed rocks, violets, lavender, delicate hints of blood orange, and nuanced strawberry notes. Its textured, ripe wild berry flavors embrace the palate, leading to a delightful mineral essence that adds a satisfying crunch towards the finish. The wine maintains its elegance throughout, concluding with a lightly structured yet concentrated profile, accompanied by captivating floral aromas that linger astonishingly long. This is unquestionably a stunning and impeccably balanced Montepulciano. For optimal enjoyment

This Tequila showcases an intense dark amber color with a subtle hint of red. Its aroma is smooth and inviting, offering a spectrum of scents ranging from fruity sweetness to notes of vanilla, prunes, chocolate, and toasted almonds, complemented by hints of apricots, tobacco, and soft oak. Upon tasting, it reveals a smooth and well-balanced profile, bursting with flavors of bitter chocolate, dried fruits, berries, light tobacco, spices, and nuances of toasted almonds and vanilla. Its overall character is elegant and harmoniously balanced, making for a delightful sipping experience.

This intense dark amber spirit exhibits ochre and reddish tones, presenting a perfectly clean, bright, and translucent appearance with reddish hues. Its impressive adherence in the glass is highlighted by legs and tears of great body. On the nose, it offers a very pleasant and smooth experience, unveiling a gamut of aromas ranging from fruity and sweet notes to cooked agave, vanilla, prune, chocolate, and toasted almonds, with subtle hints of apricot and tobacco impeccably balanced by oak, reflecting its lengthy maturation. The palate is smooth, well-balanced, and complex, featuring flavors of bitter chocolate, dry fruits, berries, light tobacco, and spices, culminating in a lengthy and persistent finish. Surprisingly elegant, harmonious, and balanced, it leaves a subtle hint of toasted almonds, leather, and tobacco lingering on the palate.

This opulent wine has a broad and balanced mid-palate, notes of vanilla and blueberry, a dried floral character and chalky tannins. Anise and cherry lift the palate to a beautiful, lingering finish. In both aromatics and palate, this is an elegant vintage worthy of cellaring for years to come.

Colour: Opaque, intense red. Aromas: Mature red fruits with a cloak of enveloping spicy notes and hints of chocolate and liquorice. Taste: Great strength, balance and persistence.

Tito's Handmade Vodka is a corn-based, gluten-free American vodka distilled six times in old-fashioned pot stills at the first legal distillery in Austin, Texas. This handcrafted process, similar to those used for single malt scotches and French cognacs, results in a smooth, medium-bodied vodka with subtle notes of sweet corn and a hint of peppery spice on the finish.

The initial nosing passes find subtle traces of charcoal and roasted grain which are followed by sweeter aromas of sweet grain mash and pipe tobacco. Entry is smoky and charred; the midpalate is oily, moderately viscous, semisweet and robust. Ends on a delicious oily, bacon-like note. A very well-made American pot still vodka.

Tito's Handmade Vodka is a celebrated American craft vodka produced in Austin, Texas, at the state's oldest legal distillery. Distilled six times in old-fashioned copper pot stills from 100% yellow corn, it is naturally gluten-free and highly versatile for neat sipping or classic cocktails.

Nose: Rich and fruity with notes of ripe apples, pears, and a hint of citrus. Subtle floral undertones and a touch of honey.

Taste: Smooth and creamy with a gentle sweetness. Flavors of caramel, toffee, and vanilla mingle with hints of oak and spice.

Palate: Medium-bodied with a velvety texture. The fruitiness continues, with more apple and pear flavors, accompanied by a touch of malt and a subtle nuttiness. The finish is long and warming, with a gentle spice lingering on the palate.

Tobermory 42 Year Old Sherry Cask Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a historic bottling from the Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull. This exceptional whisky contains some of the first spirit produced when the distillery reopened in 1972. Renowned for its long-aged sherried profile, it boasts a rich texture, with pronounced spice and sweet fruit characteristics. On the nose, it presents a full-bodied aroma, while the palate reveals a surprising peat presence, with smokiness that quickly hits the palate before tapering off. The finish is smooth and long, leaving a lasting impression. Tobermory distillery, situated in the town of Tobermory on the Hebridean island of Mull, Scotland, was founded in 1798 and was formerly known as Ledaig.

Suntory Toki Black is a premium, limited-edition blended Japanese whisky released in late 2025 to mark the 10th anniversary of the original Toki. It features Hakushu peated malt and grain whiskies for a richer profile, notes of baked apple, butterscotch, and spice, and a gentle smoky finish, inspired by Japanese jazz listening bars.

A blended whisky from Suntory's three distilleries: Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita. Toki has a different composition to another Suntory blend, Hibiki, as its main components are Hakashu single malt and Chita grain whisky. It should work really well in a highball.

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.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, black cherries, and plums, with hints of tobacco and cedar.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and espresso.

Palate: Velvety smooth tannins, well-balanced acidity, and a long, lingering finish.

"The 2020 Aloxe-Corton Les Fournières 1er Cru is ripe and juicy on the nose: strawberry and raspberry, the oak here more pronounced compared to the Les Vercots. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, saturated tannins and again, here, I find the new oak more pronounced and perhaps just detracting a little from its delineation and mineralité on the finish. Yet once that is fully subsumed, this could turn into quite a substantial Aloxe-Corton." 89-91 pts, Neal Martin, Vinous

The Tollot-Beaut family is a based at Chorey-Les-Beaune with vineyards located in Beaune, Savigny, Aloxe-Corton and a small holding in Corton Charlemagne. The 2020 Corton Grand Cru, which comes from Les Combes as usual (though not on the label), has a lovely nose with brambly red fruit, black truffle and subtle pencil box aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, very fine tension and an almost sorbet-fresh, quite mouth-coating finish. It will require time in bottle...but this Corton will be worth the wait.

The Tollot-Beaut family is a based at Chorey-Les-Beaune with vineyards located in Beaune, Savigny, Aloxe-Corton and a small holding in Corton Charlemagne. This 100% Pinot Noir has ripe black cherry, black currant, violet and mineral notes. The palate is dense, yet elegant with ripe fruit and fine tannins. A consistently underrated site from a wonderful domaine.

A bright pale golden colour, with aromas of butterscotch, marzipan, toasted pecan and smoke. Smooth, with a warming cinnamon spice sensation; the flavours feature crisp pear, vanilla, almond, lilac and honeysuckle with an undertone of dried apricots. The finish is clean and gentle, with subtle lingering flavours.

This whisky undergoes a unique aging process, starting in bourbon casks before finishing in tawny port pipes. Its brilliant copper color with a rose hue sets the stage for a sensory journey. The nose entices with fragrant notes of toffee, pepper, dried fruit, berries, and toasted nuts. On the palate, it offers a luscious and warming experience, revealing flavors of fruitcake, cigar, chocolate, and red fruit, culminating in a long, spicy finish. Whether enjoyed neat or on the rocks, this whiskey promises a delightful sipping experience.

The Tomatin 30 Year Old Single Malt delivers fresh aromas of soft fruits, golden honey, and smooth white chocolate. On the palate, it presents a fusion of tropical fruits and creamy buttered vanilla, mingling with an explosion of sensational mixed spices.

A delight for Tomatin fans, the first batch of their 36-year-old single malt Scotch whisky was unveiled in mid-2015. Distilled in 1977 and matured in a combination of bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks until March 2015, this well-aged expression is bottled at 46% ABV. Expect masses of milk chocolate, oak spice, and subtle orchard fruit notes in this top-notch Highland dram. This release was limited to just 800 bottles.

The Tomatin Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky has a nose of sweet vanilla, honey, and caramel with a hint of oak. On the palate, it is rich and full-bodied with flavors of toffee, dark chocolate, and dried fruit. The finish is long and warming with a touch of spice and a lingering sweetness. Overall, this whisky is complex and well-balanced, with a smooth and satisfying mouthfeel.

Tasting Note By Master of Malt
Nose: Sweet almond croissant, with fresh hay, stewed apple and creamy coconut, supported by white floral aromas.
Palate: Classic festive spiciness, with ginger, nutmeg and oodles of dried fruit, orange chocolate and maple syrup drizzled over pancakes.
Finish: Waxy citrus, oily malt and fresh tropical fruit, followed by chai-spiced dark chocolate.

Tomato Wheels is the brain child of Moirae Choquette who felt that there just wasn't enough Lambrusco family wines in the market! Made with Lambrusco Salamino with 15% Malbo Gentile, it's rich and frothy with rich dark plum, blackberry and mulberry aromas and flavours.