A new NAS expression from Scapa on Orkney, matured entirely in first-fill American oak casks. An initial hint of lime cordial, then musty peaches, almonds, cinnamon, and table salt. More peaches on the palate, with tinned pear and a little honey. Tingling spices in the drying finish, which soon becomes quite bitter – detracting from the overall balance.

Refill bourbon, American oak, and virgin oak are the woods in question. Technically, they are all American oak, just at different flavor-giving stages of their productive lives. Honey, fresh apricot, floral, and supple barley notes, candied orange, star anise, dried chili, and a touch of aniseed. Exceptionally smooth with caramel, date, red fruits, chocolate, and pecan pie, finishing with wood char and spice. One wood three ways, I grant you. Previously labeled as Grant’s Family Reserve

Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition is an ultra-premium Kentucky straight bourbon finished for three additional years in select French XO Cognac barrels, resulting in a complex, rich, and velvety spirit. Bottled at 45.2% ABV (90.4 proof), it features notes of toasted oak, dried fruit, cocoa, and creamy vanilla. The bourbon comes in a handmade Baccarat crystal decanter. 

This dark gold whisky has a nose of plums, berries and green ferns. The palate is sweet with notes of apricots, chocolate, and spice. The finish is long, with lingering fruit notes.

The nose of the 62er Grant has a multi-faceted range of aromas that are creamy, intense, and characterful. Hazelnuts and woody spices rise from the glass, with hints of chocolate, vanilla, and honey. Undertones of furniture polish and leather can also be detected, as well as raisins in rum and caramel infused with peppermint. As you inhale, you are greeted with a dignified and old-fashioned bouquet that stimulates salivation.

The first sip is mild and velvety, with a balance of creamy sweetness and fruity flavors. The second sip reveals the appearance of citrus fruits and tart, spicy wood tones. The wooden sharpness lingers in the mouth and is accompanied by old walnuts, dark caramel, dried orange peel, and dark chocolate. The flavors of raisins, cherries, leather, and tobacco gradually come to the forefront, along with cedar wood and sweetish tobacco. The finish is powerful and voluminous, pulling the flavors down the throat and leaving behind dark fruit flavors, woody spices, leather, tobacco, and fresh peppermint. The complex flavors blend together to leave a contented smile on your face.

The Chaps at Master of Malt

The nose is rich and full with a well-harnessed sweetness. There are notes of acacia honey and buttery vanilla, notes of mixed wild berries and Creme de fraise. Hints of gooseberries with dry ropes and creamy citrus and smoke. The palate is complex and well-balanced. There are notes of aged Cuban rum with a touch of dark, yet quite subservient peat. The smoke rises gently, coerced by a rather persuasive sherry. The finish is long and smoky with plenty of sherry notes.

This Amber Coloured Whisky:
Is very rich and concentrated on the nose with dark fruits - plums, blackberries - combined with beef stock, the darkest chocolate and a slight rubberiness.
Is very savoury on the palate with more beef stock along with herbal-amaro type notes and a rich, European oak influence.
Has a long, lingering and complex finish.

A very special Mortlach, released as part of the Diageo Special Releases 2022. This takes a left turn compared to most other Mortlach whiskies, which are traditionally aged in sherry casks, and looks at other wines. It was finished in red-muscat and tawny-port casks, and also has a little bit of virgin-oak-finished whisky in the mix. The result is big, rich and spicy, with layers of dark red fruit flavour.