Discover the joyous diversity that can be found in malts from the Speyside region with our latest edition of Cask Speyside, a 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky finished in sherry casks. The rich, spiced berry flavours are an indulgent contrasts to the refreshing citrus flavours of our Speyside 10 Year Old. Un-coloured and non-chill-filtered.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Warm copper.
Nose: Almond icing, dusted cinnamon, red apple and blackcurrant.
Palate: Cherry plum, spiced honey and zesty orange marmalade.
Finish: Rolling gently through subtle spice to a lightly tart, bramble conclusion.
An interesting bourbon with a special twist. After the initial maturation it spends between 3 and 6 months finishing in port barrels. The more experimentation the better, especially when it turns out something like this , marrying the sweet caramel and grain of bourbon with the rich sticky wine flavours of a port cask.
The five year old offering initially launched as Angostura Gold is here and ready to show off the finest features of the popular Trinidadian brand. Blending together heavy and light molasses-based rums Angostura 5 Years is intense with pungent treacle and muscovado sugar notes coming through in the nose. The flavour itself is medium with cedar wood and spice playing key roles alongside zesty grapefruit. The citrus notes come through especially well in the aftertaste.
Angostura 1919 is an 8 year old offering from the famous Trinidadian distillery that benefits from oaky tones delivered through the ex-bourbon casks it’s matured in. Toasted coconut and rich vanilla are released from first opening and the taste is zesty with notes of exotic cumquat, dark sugar and faint herbal notes of eucalyptus and almond. The citrus flavours are the most prominent from beginning to end and give Angostura 1919 a refreshing twist.
Another classic from the famous Appleton Rum Distillery, a blend of Jamaican rums come together to deliver the flavour of Appleton 21 Year. Matured for that full 21 year period, this Appleton rum is a rarity and is only released once a year, making it highly sought after. Burnt fruit cake and leathery notes are the most prominent in this rum closely followed by bitter spiced oak, that classic Demerara sugar flavour and vanilla and ginger spices. The tannic oak flavour remains long after drinking and is indicative of the premium quality of this rum and its maturity.
Appleton Estate 8 Year Rum blends together 20 different rums to create a dark sugar concoction which is intensely enjoyable. The sugary nature of this Appleton offering is tempered by warm honey and despite the seeming sweetness it is sharp on the tongue with a satisfying hit of citrus peel and caramelised apple. Caramel and hazelnut flavours come through on tasting and this one rum that should be enjoyed neat.
Appleton Rare 12 Year Rum brings together rums of ages between 12 and 18 offering one of the finest quality aged rums that Jamaica has to offer. The age of this rum is apparent from the moment you open it, with a thick and rich nose packed full of buttery vanilla and nutty spice notes. It is rich and creamy on the palate with an oaky biscuit flavour. The oaky notes are the most prominent to the end.
15 individually distilled pot and column rums come together to give us Appleton Signature . Medium-sweet in flavour with a smoothness on the palate, Appleton VS is perfect on the rocks, is complemented by ginger beer and hasa true taste of the Caribbean. Brown sugar, light spices and dried currants and raisins are prominent on the palate and the flavour remains sweet and mellow from beginning to end.
A name everyone is familiar with and a flavour that’s hard to forget, Archers Peach Schnapps has been popular since before most of us can remember. The natural flavour of the peach has been sweetened to create a moreish and endlessly drinkable taste which is most commonly and effectively paired with lemonade and crushed ice. Archers strong, sweet flavour also makes it a great choice for popping into an exotic or tropical cocktail.
Ardbeg is another Scottish single malt of much worth. Straight from cask to bottle, Ardbeg offers a unique flavour which is different to 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.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan is a legend in its own right. A dram you won’t forget and a malt you are almost guaranteed to want to buy time and again. Medicinal in style, the nose is rich in herbal and pine notes, with creamier hints of buttery warmth and smoke. The palate too is wonderfully creamy with tingling spices, a touch of fresh fruit, orange peels and that medicinal tang. The finish is long with a salty edge, a hint of peat and that unusual yet enjoyable medicinal taste remains prevalent.
Ardbeg Uigeadail takes its name from the Scottish Gaelic word for ‘dark and mysterious place’ which is also the loch from which Ardbeg gets its water. Ardbeg pride themselves on a range of unique quality malts and Uigeadail doesn’t let the team down. The aroma is a rich mixture of peat, dark sugar, espresso beans and a hint of deep tar. The flavour is led by sweeter notes, with ripe fruit and honey coming through first with just a touch of malt, all the while supported by that lingering peat. Caramel and malt find a place in the lingering finish, adding warmth and sweetness to the peat.
An untamed young single malt from Ardbeg, Wee Beastie has spent five years in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks before being unleashed. Fresh, herbal aromas of pear, cracked black pepper, pine needles, vanilla and honey-glazed ham mingle on the nose with aniseed, green apple, leather and coffee. The palate offers notes of dark chocolate, hot tar, smoked bacon, aniseed and eucalyptus that liner in the finish.
Maturing in white oak barrels for up to 18 months gives Arette Anejo its recognisable flavour. Luminously golden, each glass of Arette Anejo is steeped in sweetness and smoothness which makes it enjoyable whether youmix it or enjoy it neat. Aromatic and awash with the wonderful sweetness of 100% blue agave, Arette Anejo has pepperiness which keeps you sipping and deliciously light vanilla notes tempting you to have just one more glass.
Arette Blanco is a premium silver tequila, launched in 2007 and highly thought of on the drinks scene. Bottled on site in Jalisco and made of 100% agave, Arette Blanco is an exceptional silver tequila full of fresh flavours, spicy hints and a cheeky character in which you can pick out each single flavour note. Great body and wonderful for sipping or mixing into a wide range of different cocktails and long drinks.
The tiny Isle of Arran was once rife with working distilleries but many of them lucked out when the market became swayed towards quantity rather than quality. Many distilleries fell into disuse until 1995 when a distillery in Lochranza reopened it’s doors to become home to the Isle of Arran Distillers. Then in July 1998, the first legal dram of whisky was served for over 160 years. The 10 year old single malt is a medium-bodied, whisky with a nose of herbaceous hedgerow and biscuits with a sweet, malty palate followed by green fruits and apples.
Our long awaited 21 year-old has now joined our core range of Single Malt whiskies. This is truly the jewel in Arran Single Malt's crown and is 100% matured in a mix of some of the oldest Sherry Butts from our distillery. We are delighted to present it in a beautiful new gift box for autumn 2019 as part of our new range.
This whisky is truly stunning. The nose immediately reveals delicious sweet Sherry notes whilst the palate has elegance and finesse. The first sip remains true to the character of Arran - fresh fruit and sweet spice in abundance. I am proud of this Single Malt as it joins our core range as one of our oldest expressions to date. - James MacTaggart, Master Distiller.
For the LAGG Kilmory Edition we have used Concerto malted barley and water from our own borehole. Our chosen yeast and fermentation time allows us to create the full-bodied flavour with a vibrant and fresh taste profile which is the cornerstone of what LAGG Single malt has to offer into the future. The influence of the peat combined with the vanilla and creamy influence of the american oak forms the backbone of the go-to LAGG Single Malt.
It can be said that the Kilmory expression embodies the 'house style of LAGG' which centres around the use of Bourbon Barrels with our peated spirit.
Palate: Spun sugar, earthy malt with a hint of oat, recognisable Arran fruitiness.
Finish: Lingering hints of smoke and guava.
The classic fresh Arran Single Malt character with a puff of peat smoke. This Single Malt produced at Lochranza Distillery is some of the original, very first peated Single Malt that we produced on the island.
A single malt from the Isle of Arran distillery, celebrating the famed Scottish poet, Robert Burns. This tasty bottling is officially endorsed by the World Burns Federation, making it perfect for Burns Night as well as any other time of year!
A young German brandy, Asbach Uralt is a warm and fruity flavoured drink which benefits from up to three years maturation in flavourful Limousin oak casks. Deep golden in colour like your traditional cognac, it has a fruitier, more vibrant flavour than your traditional cognac and its main aromas are of sweet grape and oak. Sharp on the tongue and palate cleansing, Asbach Uralt has an intense acerbic flavour which makes it perfect for sours cocktails.
Savour the taste of sustainability with Avallen – the natural apple brandy from Normandy, France that's a true champion of the planet.
Made from nothing but apples, water, and time Avallen is on a mission to become the world’s sustainable drink as a Climate Positive, Certified B Corp, and 1% For the Planet member (donating to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust).
Heavy on the botanicals upon entry which almost mask the juniper. Bergamot peel mid palette followed by herbs and flowers. Gentle kick followed by stronger juniper notes with a sweet, almost lavender undercurrent on the close.
Rich, sweet dark rum from one of the most well known spirits brands in the world - Bacardi. This bottling of Bacardi Carta Negra has been bottled at a slightly-higher-than-usual 40% ABV, and still carries a flavour profile packed with dark coffee, molasses and cinnamon. A perfect dark rum for cocktails and mixed drinks.
There may be no better known name in the world of rum than Bacardi. This release has been matured in oak casks for 4 full years, adding a spicy depth to their fruity, light rum.
Bacardi is best known for their world famous white rum but here Bacardi 8 Year Old is an intense, red-gold offering which is exceptional when added to spiced cocktails or enjoyed neat. The aroma is awash with buttery caramel, orange marmalade and banana leaf notes which lead to a medium bodied flavour which allows sweet Demerara sugar, apricots and gingerbread to take centre stage. Butterscotch and vanilla notes linger throughout with just a touch of nutmeg spice finishing it off.
A delightfully warming spiced rum spirit drink (to be classed as a rum it would have to be over 37.5% ABV) from Bacardi, with a complex blend of spices that should be sure warm your cockles. Enjoy with your favourite mixer or use it in a lip-smacking cocktail...
Setting the standard in white rum, Bacardi is known worldwide. In 1862 it became the world’s first premium aged white rum and using charcoal filtration was key to its original development. Bacardi is a necessity for many world famous cocktails and without we’d not have the classic Daiquiri, the Mojito or the Cuba Libre. Smooth and gentle on the palate it’s wonderful however you choose to mix it and offers a taste of Cuba which can’t be compared.
This is the first Texan whiskey, as well as being the first whiskey to be distilled from blue corn! When we first tried this we thought it was wonderful, though very "different". These days it's become a firm favourite, along with the rest of the craft distillery's fantastic releases.
A bold, flavour-forward Texan pot still bourbon from Balcones, matured in charred oak casks, creating aromas of honeycrisp apples, toasted oak, popcorn, savoury crackers and well-oiled leather that fill the nose. The palate offers notes of honey, vanilla cream, roasted pecans, sandalwood and leather that linger in the finish.
The strongest vodka we have ever come across, Balkan 176 comes in a bottle with 13 different health warnings (including one in Braille), mainly because it's at 88% abv. It is produced in the Czech Republic, and is triple distilled and essentially shouldn't be drunk neat, sniffed, held or even owned.
