In its striking bottle with its marmalade orange hues, Bulleit Bourbon is high in rye which helps add real spice to its character. Award-winning and becoming more and more popular, Bulleit has a pungent nose awash with orange and oak notes, as well as a hint of smoke and even a little banana. The flavour is creamy and full-bodied, zesty on the palate with orange and lime notes and then oaky tobacco comes through, enjoyable and warm.
The new liquid retains the rich distinctiveness and is a more balanced, smoother finished whisky, married together in virgin oak casks giving a slightly sweeter taste.
Bushmills black bush is an interesting blend that’s a little different from the rest on the market. Bringing together malt whiskies which have been aged for 11 years in sherry casks for a truly alternative flavour. The nose is powerful with lemon, fresh grapes and barley with a flavour which is sweet, almost dairy-infused and rich in fruit. Its finish brings the barley back into centre stage and peppery notes come through strongly.
Jim beam red stag whisky uses an infusion of the natural essence of black cherry, delivering a unique and interesting flavoured whisky which is different from your average bourbon. It has the appearance and flavour of a whisky liqueur without the same syrupy thickness and from the aroma, you’ll enjoy the warmth of the cherry without losing the depth of the bourbon flavour. Mellow oak comes through on tasting and enhances the rich dark cherry flavour, leading to an endnote which is naughtily sweet.
A single store right up in Aberdeen is where Chivas regal is created. The art of blending has been honed to perfection, allowing the creation of a range of stunning Chival Regal whiskies enjoyed around the world. Chivas regal 12 year is recognisable because it’s lighter than your average dram, has a distinct sweet aroma and a smoky character, distinguishable on the palate which releases elements of all the different flavours behind its blend.
Maker’s mark’s claim to fame is that they distil their bourbon to the lowest proof in the whole of us. They believe their distillation process ensures their bourbon’s rich, powerful flavour and the addition of red winter wheat adds a necessary smoothness. Fruity and rich on the nose you can enjoy the heat of spiced honey and the zest of mixed peels. Rye, spice and barley malt come through alongside butterscotch and vanilla, rounded the drink off perfectly.
Evan Williams extra-aged offers flavours different from other bourbons in the distillery’s range, simply due to the extra time it spends in its barrels getting ready. When perfectly prepared it’s bottled and you’ll enjoy a wonderfully mellow and drinkable bourbon which has a perfectly balanced flavour. On the nose you’ll get bright notes of vanilla, cream and spice and they soon lad onto a maple syrup rich body, warm on the palate with oak notes balancing against the spice. Warm and sweet, perfect for those chilly winter nights.
Four roses is an exclusive small-batch bourbon that offer a distinct and sweet flavour with strong notes of molasses and cinnamon. Honey hues release honey fudge and nougat notes followed closely by cedarwood and pipe tobacco. The flavour is similarly sweet, with the honey notes married closely with cinnamon and the cedar wood gaining a smoked quality. The final notes that linger are of lightly toasted nuts with the rye content of the bourbon coming to the forefront.
Kentucky Straight bourbon finished in ruby port wine casks, which adds a subtly distinct flavour to give Vanilla, ripe fruit, maple syrup with a hint of Madeira that slowly fades.
A rye whisky to be reckoned with Jim beam use all their tried and tested methods to produce this high quality, critically recommended bourbon. 51% rye in the mash bill ensures fiery heat and an ageing process of four years ensures smoothness and oaky tones which further enhance the quality of the drink. Caramel vanilla warmth help temper the heat of the spice with welcome notes of cherry and nutmeg also coming through. A quality rye whisky is certainly worth a go!
A blended malt whisky from the folks at the famous William Grant distillery, monkey shoulder brings together a range of smooth single malts in beautiful harmony. The nose is an elegant marmalade-laced malty affair, with just a little clove and cinnamon spice. The flavour too is malt-driven yet creamy in the mouth with recognisable berries, toasted barley and butterscotch notes. The creamy warmth of this blend doesn’t let go until the very end and is a wonderfully enjoyable offering.
Gentleman Jack is a whisky of real refinement, charcoal-mellowed twice before its ageing process begins. In its recognisable monogrammed bottle and the granddaddy of all Jack Daniel offerings, any fan of the Daniel’s family simply has to add the gentleman to their collection. Surprisingly sweet and enjoyable mellow, vanilla and brown sugar take centre stage with just a touch of charcoal. Short and sweet in its finish, a truly refined classic from the Daniel family.
The nose is awash with sweet cherries and classic vanilla and on the palate you’ll enjoy an intense heat that mellows into a mesh of peaches, cherries, cinnamon and orange zest. A smoky finish is just what’s needed to show a bourbon of true class.
Woodford reserve is a very specific combination of corn, rye and malt creating a cereal-rich flavour. It’s unusual as it's triple distilled and matured for six years, creating a smooth yet punchy flavour which is perfect for bringing out the best in your next old-fashioned cocktail. Thick and creamy both in aroma and taste, notes of honey, deep spice, fresh leather and cocoa come together to create a flavour you won’t be able to forget. Toast oak spice is your main reminder of the drink when you finish.
Wild turkey 101 has been aged for eight years at a much higher proof than they’re traditional bourbon. This delivers a more intense, alcohol-heavy nose but also a deeper, more complex flavour. You wouldn’t know it from the nose as it’s light and unassuming but once you sip you’ll taste the depth of sweetness within this bourbon alongside the toasty alcohol burn. Pepper, caramel and honey are stand out flavours in this intense bourbon and it’s certainly one to remember.
A classic Speyside offering, Glenfiddich’s 12-year-old blend spends time in both American and European oak casks, developing a truly distinguished flavour. Your traditional Speyside flavours are released as you open the bottle with a slightly floral, mineral-inspired malted aroma, with citrus honey and orchard fruit notes. The floral notes come to a head in the flavour, with spices carrying the drink to a new level, smoothness ruling throughout. A true benchmark of quality.
Johnnie walker double black is an exceptionally limited edition offering which brings out the finest notes of the traditional black label and combines them with a peatier whisky which is matured in barrels which are more charred. A smoke-filled nose offers up a little vanilla, citrus and malt and the flavour is creamy, malty and packed with enjoyable peat smoke. Salty butter, sweetened custard and cereals add further depth and character to this premium blend.
Knob Creek is one of those classic small-batch bourbons that’s jumped in popularity. Take this chance to try it out for yourself. Produced by Jim Beam, it’s a traditional blend with nine years spent maturing and a spicy sweetness which is warmly satisfying. Even when first encountering the aroma you’ll get that mix of spice and sweetness, with granary toast melding with toasty oak and a spicy touch of rye. The flavour is pepped up and spice is the central feature with nutty, sweeter notes taking a backseat. It ends on a dry note and is wonderful sipped neat.
Dewar’s 12-year-old blend is a vibrant, juicy offering which is rich in fruity flavours and warmth. The nose is a heady concoction of fruit and creamy malted notes. There is a sweetness in the nose that follows through into the flavour with the barley malts taking centre stage and aromas of hot buttered toast also coming through. A little honey and aniseed spice adds further depth and reinforces the rich whisky flavour.
The talents of Scotland and America are combined in each bottle of Glenmorangie. The finest single malt whisky of Scotland is matured in American mountain oak casks, delivering the characteristic aromatic flavour of Glenmorangie. A light and inviting aromas only hints at the flavour, enticing you to taste the fresh and floral flavours within. Notes of vanilla balance gently alongside sweet orange and peach, the latter lingering in a satisfying aftertaste.
It hardly needs introducing, it’s one of the stalwarts of the drinks cupboard! Bell’s blended scotch whisky brings together the earthy flavours of many of Scotland's finest single malts creating a blend which is improved by oak cask maturation. Rich and familiar, the taste of Bell’s is like a loyal friend and the welcome nutty flavours teamed with notes of spice are infinitely enjoyable. The eight-year maturation process guarantees a round, warming flavour.
Bushmills just got even better. An exceptional 10-year-old single malt offering which has been recognised for its quality and won awards for its flavour. The rich banana aroma leads into a highly fruited flavour, with hints of chocolate and oak tannin depth. Floral notes are present throughout and this is one whisky that only reveals itself with you pop in a drop of water or two. Simple yet classic and of course, extremely moreish.
NOSE: Fresh, Grassy And Apple Notes With A Clean Malt Aroma.
TASTE: Smooth Mellow, Honey Sweetness, With Underlying Pepper Spice.
FINISH: Silky Smooth With A Touch Of Caramel.
This classic 12-year-old Aberfeldy is a traditional single malt scotch, distilled up in the highlands. Rich and malty in character, aromas of cooked cherries, sherry and a light hint of smoke come through first. The flavour is wonderfully sweet with a clean mouthfeel and malty notes coming through consistently. Gentle peaty depth reminds you of the quality of this malt and peters off to a gentle finish.
The entry-level bottle from the Glenkinchie distillery, this 12-year-old malt is rich in the classic flavours whisky lovers look for. The nose is light and fragrant, with cereal notes and a little barley sweetness most prominent. The flavour is fruity with notes of sweet Madeira, calvados and tannic oak flooding the mouth. Fresh and rounded, this dram is vibrantly refreshing with just a little gentle spice coming through.
A legend in its own right, 12-year-old highland park is an Orcadian classic. Made from the finest barley malted over peat fires and blended with the fresh waters of the isle, its character is intensely satisfying. Fresh peat notes stand out strongly against the classic malted barley and even heather comes through, offering a fresh, floral dimension. Medium-bodied and enhanced by its aromatic floral notes, this is one classic single malt.
Matured for 12 years, Cragganmore is a delicious, sherry-infused single malt representing Speyside and offering up both fruity warmth and slight floral notes. As you open the bottom it’s those floral notes that come first, closely followed by heather, smoked almonds and honey. Stone fruits dominate from your first sip, with a rich honey depth, chestnuts, walnuts and almonds enhancing the flavour even further. Delicate pepper spice brings each sip to a close in understated yet delectable style.
Johnnie walker green label is one of the lesser found offerings from the hugely popular distillery and has a flavour which deserves at least one taste. A blended malt whisky which binds together many different flavours of Scotland, Johnnie walker green label is rich in oak tones, coffee beans and even chocolate. Dates and walnut also come through with oak and charcoal wood smoke also getting a look in. A long finish is nicely spiced, rich with honey and sweetened by malty cereals.
The artist's blend is a high-malt-content blend designed to be easy drinking and appealing to a wide range of consumers – this is full of compass box innovation and flair.
Nikka from the barrel is an exceptional Japenese whisky which truly packs a punch. Power is truly the name of the game with nikka from the barrel. A balanced nose introduces floral flavours, fresh fruit, spice and also oak leading into a full-bodied punchy flavour on the palate. Winter spice, toffee and vanilla come alongside the bright fruity notes, creating a flavour which is welcoming, enticing and almost demands you take just one more sip.
A highly commended malt which offers wonderful value for money and exceptional flavour, this 15-year-old Dalwhinnie lets its simple yet effective flavour notes do the talking. On the nose, it’s all about aromatic toffee, sweet nectarine, apple blossom and just the slightest touch of smoke. When it comes to the palate you can reveal in malty walnut depth, sticky manuka honey and that gentle smoke weaving into the midst. Simplicity at its best.
Four roses single barrel takes all the qualities of their exceptional bourbon and intensifies them further. Using ten different mash bills and yeast combinations, four roses single barrel is 11 years old and has an aroma which is rich with sweetcorn, vanilla, brown sugar and maple syrup. Spicier notes of black pepper and cinnamon come through and on tasting you’ll enjoy the toasted oak flavours dry with tannins and even hints of natural mint leaves. In every sip, you can taste the quality and care that went into its production.
A classic from the isle of Skye and a critically acclaimed offering, Talisker 10 year old is a tangy and tasty malt. The nose is bitingly sharp with thick pungent smoke. Apple peels and light fragrant notes help to mellow the sharpness which is how the flavour is dominated with smoke, peppery peat and real intensity. The long finish is welcomingly sweet, with barley and malt, mellows the intense peaty and smoke.
This smoky little number will not let you down. 10-year-old offering from the esteemed Laphroaig distillery, it has that classic medicinal taste we all know and love. The powerful muscle of peat comes through in the nose with liquorice and sweet baking spices following behind. As far as the flavour goes it’s sultry, with a real coastal feel and has notes of sweet vanilla, strong oak and spicy chilli there too. It ends dryly, inviting you to give it another sip.
The bright honey hues of this 10-year-old bourbon invite you in to try its wonderful warm flavour. Eagle rare 10-year-old is a pure and mellow flavoured bourbon with scents of ripened banana and smoky charcoal coming through first. The flavour is deeper with fresh fruit notes pairing with the charcoal depth, melon comes through strongly with candied almonds and a long fiery endnote. A versatile bourbon which you can mix or sip as you wish.
At the heart of the Bowmore range, this 12-year-old offering doesn’t disappoint with a mixture of coastal notes and earthy, gentle peat. On the nose, you’ll enjoy wonderful bright floral notes, with smoky heather and heady hits of peat. The palate is more rounded, smooth and mellow rich if floral perfumed smoke, dark peat and a touch of lemon and sea spray. Evokes coastal strolls and waves crashing against the shore.
Johnnie walker gold-blend reserve is one premium whisky that all connoisseurs are rushing to try. Constructed around the flavours of single malt from clynelish, the flavours have been nurtured and brought into their own with great care. The nose is rich with Scottish heather, honey and caramel, with just a little subtle nutmeg coming through. On drinking, you’ll enjoy the smoothness immediately, with a velvety mouthfeel and more of that satisfying honey warmth. Spiced vanilla comes through accompanied by bright floral notes, leading into a long toffee-rich finish. Extremely drinkable.
Rittenhouse rye whisky 100 proof is a hot and spicy offering which spends six years maturing before bottling. vibrant cinnamon, black pepper and spicy rye are all prevalent in the nose and they lead into a medium body in which the higher proof is immediately apparent on the tongue. Rich notes of tobacco, cinnamon, clove and brown sugar blend together to create a highly spiced offering with just a touch of sweetness. Sip it slowly.
The clue’s in the name with this one, Balvenie Doublewood single malt gets its name from the interesting distillation process, involving distillation in two kinds of wood. The maturation process involves moving the whisky from a traditional oak whisky cask to a Spanish oak sherry cask, adding more depth to its flavour and creating its warm, rounded character. Sweet fruit and sherry notes are apparent in its scent and the taste is mellow for a single malt, the sherry at work once more, with nuttiness and cinnamon notes building too.
Jameson Redbreast whisky is rarer than your average Irish offering and has some truly memorable keynotes. Pouring your first dram will be a pleasure as aromas of freshly cut grass, malt and lemon citrus come through. On drinking, you’ll enjoy a flavour rich in ginger with thick honey, hot cinnamon and even notes of sherry on the palate. The cinnamon delivers fiery spice which is satisfying and blends beautifully with the deep malty notes.
Triple distilled from the finest Irish barley and pure spring water and then matured in oak casks. Jameson carries the hallmark of quality, which has made it the best selling Irish whiskey around the world.
Stormy by name, stormy by nature Talisker storm is a youthful whisky which has the characteristics of the Talisker distillery as well as smoky notes and an interestingly complex flavour profile. An initially briny nose leads into a banana, citrus and white pepper notes. This multi-faceted nose leads into a similar palate, with additional wood smoke and biting chilli heat. It ends on a dry note, satisfying and welcome.
How do you drink your Jack? Hardly in need of an introduction, Jack Daniel’s exceptional sippin’ whisky is one of Tennessee's finest exports. It’s exceptional and unparalleled flavour is down to the traditional methods used in its distillation and filtration through super maple charcoal helps ensure the smooth, mellow flavour is both rounded and enticing. Notes of chocolate orange, charcoal and a woody hint satisfyingly linger long after that final sip.
Ardbeg is another Scottish single malt of much worth. Straight from cask to bottle, Ardbeg offers a unique flavour which is different from others from regions. Tree bark, peat and vanilla fudge aromas are first to escape and on tasting a burst of smokiness, sea salt and sweet aniseed vanilla hit the palate. Honeyed notes help to mellow it out but it’s the smoky peat flavour which lingers on.
A range of Craigellachie single malts was released for the first time in 2014. The distillery is known for its meaty character, and the 13-year-old is sweet, spicy and slightly smoky.
This entry-level Bunnahabhain single malt is a lightly peated offering from islay and is aged for 12 years. Enjoy a light, fresh dram with a higher than average proof and a complex yet enjoyable flavour profile. The nose is rich in salty seaweed, warm malts and sweetness. This inviting aroma leads into a flavour which offers up notes of sherry, nuts, malt and juicy sultana. It’s wonderfully warming and sharply spiced without being overwhelming and it’s one you’ll find yourself reaching for time and again.
Matured in American Bourbon, Portuguese sherry and virgin oak casks, this Glenfiddich offering is a fine and enjoyable choice. 15 years spent ageing makes this a staple of the distillery and one which every drinks cabinet should be home to. The nose is rich with sherry, bright citrus notes and dried oak. Its flavour enhances these notes with raisins and sherry, evoking Christmas cake, complete with light spicing. Oak lingers and takes centre stage as the endnote fades.
Laphroaig quarter cask was released in 2004 to much esteem. Youthful compared to other offerings it’s a highly commendable malt which still has a bold, enticing flavour despite its young age. Oily and butter-rich on the nose, toffee, nuts and hickory smoke come through measuredly. The palate gives a bold hit of sweetness with fiery chilli heat coming through quickly in pursuit, medicinal freshness, chewy cereals and even a hint of cola also follow.