Royal Lochnagar 19 year old (Rare Auld) 1990

Distillery: Royal Lochnagar

Region: Highland

Age: 19 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 54.6%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

Distillation Date: 1990

Bottling Date: 2009

Cask Number: 356

Tasting Notes

Colour: Straw.

Aroma: Powerful, grassy, with apple peel and wet stone.

Taste: Big and grassy again, with citrus, violet sweets and marmalade.

Finish: Long and complex, with almonds, orange and, once again, grass.

An outstanding collection, all aged 17 years and above, Duncan Taylor's "Rare Auld" range represents top-notch malts of impeccable quality, bottled from single cask and at cask strength.

The Lochnagar malt owes its prefix to the Royal Warrant issued in 1848 after the distillery was visited by Queen Victoria and her family, who were staying at the Balmoral estate next door. Most of what the distillery produces is used in Johnny Walker Blue and Black label whiskies, making any Single Malt bearing the name Royal Lochnagar a rare and much sought after dram.

Ben Nevis 10 year old (Whisky Galore) 1999

Distillery: Ben Nevis

Region: Highland

Age: 10 years

Maturation Cask: Port

Strength: 46%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

Distillation Date: 1999

Bottling Date: 2009

Tasting Notes

Colour: Light caramel hue.

Aroma: Creamy toffee and dried fruit.

Taste: Sweet, but with body, creamy toffee with dark sugary undertones.

Finish: Slightly spicy and woody, giving way to a vanilla maltiness.

Named for the Legendary Scotch which was smuggled from a wrecked cargo ship off the west coast of Scotland in 1941 (and the film of the same name based on those events), the Whisky Galore range is another of Duncan Taylor's unadulterated selections.

Ben Nevis Distillery sits in the shadow of the mountain it is named for, the highest peak in the British Isles. Established in 1825, it remains one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland, later becoming one of the first to produce malt and grain whiskies simultaneously.

The Dalmore "1263 King Alexander III"

Distillery: Dalmore

Region: Highlands

Age: Not specified

Maturation Cask: Various

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 40%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Golden mahogany.

Aroma: Almonds, berries, plums, hint of treacle.

Taste: Sherry, plum, vanilla and toffee.

Finish: Dry & spicy, wine-like aftertaste.

To make this Dalmore King Alexander III, Master Distiller Richard Paterson has selected a range of differently-aged malts matured in a mixure of French wine casks, Madeira drums, Sherry butts, Marsala barrels, Port pipes and Bourbon barrels from Kentucky. A remarkable feat of blending. When united, the individual characteristics of each work together to form a rich, deep spirit that has won Silver at the IWSC 2008 awards and the 2009 Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Dalmore 18 year old

Distillery: Dalmore

Region: Highlands

Age: 18 years

Maturation Cask: American oak & Matusalem sherry

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 43%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Pale amber.

Aroma: Very winey, with chocolate, malt & orange.

Taste: Balanced & antique, lavender, orange & oak.

Finish: Short but bold, cloves and dried orange.

A new addition to the Dalmore family in 2009, the 18 year old has a limited first release of 3,000 bottles worldwide. This expression was initially matured in American white oak before being moved to Matusalem sherry butts to complete it's maturation.

The Dalmore 15 year old

Distillery: Dalmore

Region: Highlands

Age: 15 years

Maturation Cask: Sherry

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 40%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Dark gold.

Aroma: Sweet, with toffee, vanilla, Sherry & orange.

Taste: Christmas spices, lush malt, dry ginger.

Finish: Long & progressively drying, vanilla hints.

Fifteen years in bespoke Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso sherry butts from Jerez de la Frontera have been elemental in influencing this malt. The redolence of these vessels delivers the perfect balance between spirit, wood and maturity. Potent and robust, this IWSC 2008 Silver Award winner delivers a rich and aromatic taste experience.

The Dalmore "Gran Reserva"

Distillery: Dalmore

Region: Highland

Age: Not specified

Maturation Cask: 2/3 Oloroso sherry, 1/3 Bourbon

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 40%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Dark gold.

Aroma: Malt, Sherry, chocolate-orange and coffee.

Taste: Zesty orange, spice, Sherry and fruitcake.

Finish: Long - coffee, Sherry & restrained vanilla.

Made from a selection of the most intense 10 to 15 year old, all drawn from first-fill oaken casks, the Gran Reserva combines whiskies from both Oloroso sherry butts and Bourbon barrels, further fused together over six months in upstanding sherry butts. This IWSC 2008 Bronze Award winner delivers an enhanced intense taste experience with a sweet finish.

The Dalmore 12 year old

Distillery: Dalmore

Region: Highland

Age: 12 years

Maturation Cask: Bourbon & Spanish sherry combined

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 40%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep gold mahogany.

Aroma: Citrus, almonds and a hint of marzipan.

Taste: Marmalade, fruit cake and slight coffee.

Finish: Zesty, of oranges and lemon peel.

Judicious selection and the precise balance of American white oak and Oloroso sherry wood delivers this vibrant IWSC 2008 Bronze award winner - robust, yet elegant, with an aftertaste of brilliant complexity.