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.

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.

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.

The longest-standing expression in the range, 10 year old was introduced in 2002. It offers a nose that is light and initially green, with unripe apples, acetate, ripe pears, bananas, and light fudge. The palate is relatively insubstantial, with nutty milk chocolate, vanilla, brittle toffee, and oak. Nutty in the short finish, with a hint of malt and drying oak.

This aromatic spirit is scented with citrus peel, rose Turkish delight, florist shop notes, honeycomb, candied orange halves, pear, and gentle wood spices. The palate begins with fruity flavors of citrus, dried apple, and star fruit, transitioning to a creamy texture with vanilla, malt, Oreos, and oak tannins. It leaves a lingering finish of cocoa, delicate spices, and residual fruitiness.

Nose: Rich and sweet with notes of dried fruits, raisins, and figs. Hints of toffee and caramel.

Taste: Smooth and velvety on the palate. Flavors of dark chocolate, orange peel, and Christmas cake. Slight nuttiness and a touch of spice.

Palate: Full-bodied and luscious. The sherry influence is prominent, bringing forth flavors of dried fruits, cinnamon, and cloves. A long and warming finish with a lingering sweetness.

Nose: Rich and fruity with notes of ripe peaches, apricots, and honey. Subtle hints of vanilla and oak.

Taste: Smooth and creamy with flavors of sweet white grapes, honeydew melon, and a touch of citrus. Slight spiciness with a gentle warmth.

Palate: Delicate and well-balanced. Creamy mouthfeel with a luscious sweetness. The white port cask finish adds a unique depth and complexity, enhancing the fruity and honeyed character.

What's in the bottle is a mix of four-year-old rye blended with a small portion (22%, to be exact) of rum sourced from the Caribbean and South America. The end result is distinctly sweet orange-peel and orange-blossom fragrances, and a spice cake-like flavor. Traces of maple and brown sugar wind into oak and allspice. Meant for mixing. Kara Newman

Trail’s End 8-Year Apple Brandy Finished Bourbon is a Kentucky straight bourbon aged for eight years in new charred American oak barrels before being finished in Apple Brandy casks from Clear Creek Distillery in Oregon. Bottled at 52.5% ABV (105 proof), it offers a complex profile of caramel, roasted apple, hazelnut, and baking spices with a long, warm finish.

Pale gold with amber hues; lovely aromas of citrus peel, light toast, honey, dried flowers and spice; the palate shows more spice with brine, candied orange peel, marmalade and vanilla.

Nose: Rich and inviting with notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak.

Taste: Smooth and well-balanced, with flavors of honey, dried fruits, and a hint of spice.

Palate: Creamy and velvety, with a touch of sweetness and a lingering finish of toffee and dark chocolate.

Slow-roasted corn, marzipan, cinnamon, nutmeg, and kettle corn start this experience and slowly fade to corn on the cob with butter, salt, and pepper. Then, it’s apple cider vinegar, deep-fried mushrooms, and Nutella. Fried pie dough and hints of chocolate appear before a medium finish that has a hint of toffee.

For the first time we offer Undone No.3 Not Whiskey, a non-alcoholic whiskey with the taste and aroma of a unique blend of American bourbon and Irish whiskey.

Wakatsuru Saburomaru Junenmyo Rouge is a 46% ABV blended Japanese whisky from the Saburomaru Distillery in Toyama, featuring a, "Rouge" (red) wine cask finish. It blends over 50% heavily peated Saburomaru malt with aged grain whisky, offering a complex profile of smoky ash, sweet red berries, and caramel.

Aromas of roasted grain and a hint of orchard fruit lead into an earthy, malty palate tinged with chamomile tea, oak and cinnamon, winding into a mild almond finish. This expression is part of Waterford Distillery's The Arcadian Series. Made using biodynamic barley, the spangly night-sky label refers to practice of using lunar cycles to guide farming. Released October 2021, with a limited edition of 21,000 bottles worldwide.

Nose: A rose bed after a summer shower, white pepper, rhubarb tart, salted caramel, popcorn, fudge, marshmallows, cherries, vine tomatoes.

Palate: White pepper, orange zest, almond, dates, lemon sherbet, liquorice, gentle maltiness and warm chocolate brownie.

Finish: Warm spices that gently goes to leave a cherry biscuit note.

This premium whisky is made with 4 grains: rye, wheat, barley and corn, and has been aged for 5 years. Notes of malt, vanilla, butter, caramel and citrus.

Wheel Horse is a small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon distilled at Green River Distilling Co. using a 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley mash bill. Aged 2–4 years in #4 char American oak, it is bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV) without chill filtration. It features flavors of caramel, baking spices, dark fruit, and oak.

The "Whisky Tour of the World 2nd Edition" is a luxury advent calendar and gift set that features 24 different 50ml bottles of premium whiskies from around the globe, including Scotch, Irish, Japanese, and American varieties. It comes with a high-end presentation, a handcrafted wooden bookcase with five linen-bound books, two branded whisky glasses, and a detailed companion book with tasting notes and distillery information. The set is designed to be a premium gift for whisky lovers, offering an immersive tasting journey through diverse whisky-producing regions.

Regauged into once-used bourbon barrels, this is not the WhistlePig of old. Four years’ finishing in Vermont has toned down the sweetness and high notes, emphasizing a complex, leather/dark chocolate/tobacco spectrum instead. Lavender, violets, and ripe red fruit rise over dusty-dry barn boards, blue clay, and dark rye bread. The spicy rye tones glow with white pepper, while hints of astringent barrel oak keep a slight slipperiness from clinging.

Critic tasting note: "The age is readily apparent on the nose, which offers notes of chamomile tea, spice cabinet, antique store, grape jam, candied orange, and balanced oak. The palate is spicy, with bright citrus flavors, orange peel, pepper, and tingly spice. Water brings out guava, lemon iced tea, and mocha. The finish offers loads of spice, with drying oak tannin and more orange peel, contrasting with a hint of vanilla sweetness. (10,000 bottles)"

Whistlepig Farmstock Rye is a tribute to their "grain-to-glass" process, using their own farm's grain, water, and local Vermont oak barrels. It has a sweet and aromatic nose with notes of vanilla, maraschino, roasted chestnuts, and cigar box. The palate features oak, toffee, and baking spices, followed by crème brûlée and rose petals, with a warm and lasting finish of rye spice.

Whistlepig PiggyBack Bourbon is a 6-year-aged, 100-proof bourbon with a high corn mash bill and a dash of rye, known for its sweet, caramel corn, and oak notes. It features a creamy mouthfeel with flavors of maple and vanilla, and a finish of herbal tea with a hint of honey. It is recommended for sipping neat or for use in cocktails, especially citrus and sour drinks.