Glen Scotia 18 year old (The Single Cask) 1992

Distillery: Glen Scotia

Region: Campbeltown

Age: 18 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 58.4%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Edition Spirits

Distillation Date: 1992

Bottling Date: 2010

Cask Number: tbc

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The Single Cask is a new range by independent bottlers Edition Spirits Ltd. specialising in old and rare whisky. The range deals primarily with exclusive bottlings for private collectors and specialist retailers, with few brands and expressions made available to the wider public.

Like many others, especially in the Campbeltown region, Glen Scotia distillery has a history beset by closures, and is one of the smallest operations still surviving with a staff of just three employees. Despite this, Glen Scotia has earned a reputation for good quality whisky, especially its Single Cask expressions.

Springbank Triple-Distilled 13 year old (NC2) 1997

Distillery: Springbank

Region: Campbeltown

Age: 13 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 54.4%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

Distillation Date: 1997

Bottling Date: 2010

Cask Number: tbc

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NC2 stands for "non-coloured" and "non-chill-filtered" and as such bottlers Duncan Taylor proudly proclaim this range as "completely natural". Each cask in the NC2 range is matured at it's original distillery and hand-picked for bottling by Duncan Taylor.

Springbank is rare in still being a family owned distillery, and with most of its product sold as Single Malt and Single Cask. They are also one of only two distilleries in Scotland that performs every step of the process, from malting to bottling, all on the same premises. Even more unusual for Scotch whisky is their distillation process - even their own distillery branded bottles use a process they refer to as "distilled two-and-a-half times", which produces a purer, smoother spirit. However, it is also one of the most inactive distilleries, with the stills in operation for less than a third of the year. This mixture of quality and scarcity makes Springbank a highly sought-after malt.

Isle of Arran 12 year old (Whisky Galore) 1996

Distillery: Isle of Arran

Region: Island

Age: 12 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength:46%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

Distillation Date: 1996

Bottling Date: 2008

Cask Number:

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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.

Since the closure of Lagg Distillery on the Isle of Arran in 1837 there had been no legal distilleries on the island for over 150 years. That is, until this young addition to the Single Malt world was founded in 1995. Despite its youth, Arran is developing a good reputation, perhaps in part due to the fact that almost all of its product is released as either Single Malt or Single Cask, with just a small portion used in blends and liqueurs, making it easily accesible.

Macallan 12 year old (Wealth of a Nation) 1997

Distillery: Macallan

Region: Speyside

Age: 12 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 46%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Scottish Liqueur Centre

Distillation Date: 1997

Bottling Date: 2009

Cask Number: 981

Tasting Notes

Colour: Pale gold.

Aroma: Coconut, vanilla and mint.

Taste: Fruity, with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Finish: Vanilla lingers on.

As the third biggest-selling Single Malt Scotch, Macallan will be a familiar name even to non-aficionados. Traditionally maturing in sherry casks, the supply of which dwindled during the late 20th century, in recent years the distillery has gradually shifted towards other used casks, such as bourbon. This Single Cask selection is a subtle shift from distillery bottled product - similar enough to be obviously kin, but different enough to delight a curious palate.

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.

Isle of Jura 9 year old (Battlehill)

Distillery:Isle of Jura

Region: Island

Age: 9 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 43%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

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The Battlehill range, named for the many sites of battles throughout Scotland, is a popular selection of predominantly young expressions bottled by Duncan Taylor.

The Isle of Jura is tucked away between the mainland and whisky mecca Islay, yet the solitary distillery on the island produces a softer, subtler flavour next to the heavy peat of it's neighbours. Aside from the ingredients used - soft, peaty water; plain malt dried with warm air - a major contributor to the style of Jura whisky is the use of very tall stills, creating a very light whisky.

Isle of Jura 18 year old (Rare Auld) 1990

Distillery: Isle of Jura

Region: Island

Age: 18 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 52.4%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Duncan Taylor

Distillation Date: 1990

Bottling Date: 2008

Cask Number: 6401

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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 Isle of Jura is tucked away between the mainland and whisky mecca Islay, yet the solitary distillery on the island produces a softer, subtler flavour next to the heavy peat of it's neighbours. Aside from the ingredients used - soft, peaty water; plain malt dried with warm air - a major contributor to the style of Jura whisky is the use of very tall stills, creating a very light whisky. This 18 year old is as rare as the branding suggests - just 312 bottles from the cask!

Glenfarclas 40 year old

Distillery: Glenfarclas

Region: Speyside

Age: 40 years

Maturation Cask: Sherry

Strength: 46%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Distillery

Tasting Notes

Colour: Rich, dark gold.

Aroma: Antique leather, walnuts, chocolate raisins.

Taste: Sweet at first with orange and chocolate into burnt brown sugar.

Finish: Dry, with tannins and dark cocoa.

An independent distillery, the Grant family have owned Glenfarclas since 1860 producing whisky that many enthusiasts embrace as a personal favourite. So revered even a rival distiller is reputed to have proclaimed "of all the kings Glenfarclas reigns supreme", this 40 year old received an impressive 95/100 from Malt Advocate magazine.

Glenfarclas 25 year old

Distillery: Glenfarclas

Region: Speyside

Age: 25 years

Maturation Cask: Sherry

Strength: 43%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Distillery

Tasting Notes

Colour: Amber with dark gold highlights.

Aroma: A refined yet complex balance of peat, marmalade, honey, coffee, sherry, nuts and oak.

Taste: Full flavoured, balancing between sherry and oak, with a nutty smokiness.

Finish: Intense, long-lasting and smoky, with dark chocolate at the back end.

An independent distillery, the Grant family have owned Glenfarclas since 1860 producing whisky that many enthusiasts embrace as a personal favourite. So revered even a rival distiller is reputed to have proclaimed "of all the kings Glenfarclas reigns supreme", this 25 year old is a great after-dinner whisky, rich and sweet enough to be dessert itself.

Glenfarclas 12 year old

Distillery: Glenfarclas

Region: Speyside

Age: 12 years

Maturation Cask: Sherry

Strength: 43%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Distillery

Tasting Notes

Colour: Vibrant amber-gold.

Aroma: Light, with sherried fruit, sweet spice and oak.

Taste: Very full flavour of sherried fruit and oak, punctuated by just a hint of peat.

Finish: Long, flavoursome and spicy.

An independent distillery, the Grant family have owned Glenfarclas since 1860 producing whisky that many enthusiasts embrace as a personal favourite. So revered even a rival distiller is reputed to have proclaimed "of all the kings Glenfarclas reigns supreme", this 12 year old is a great introduction to the distillery style, although seasoned drinkers may prefer skipping straight to the 15 year old.

Glenburgie year old (Wealth of a Nation) 1983

Distillery: Glenburgie

Region: Speyside

Age: 26 years

Maturation Cask: not specified

Strength: 46%

Volume: 70cl

Bottler: Scottish Liqueur Centre

Distillation Date: 1983

Bottling Date: 2009

Cask Number: 9798

Tasting Notes

Colour: Dark copper.

Aroma: Toffee and walnut.

Taste: Mixed fruit with ice cream and chocolate.

Finish: Very long and full of flavour.

With a history of just over 200 years, Glenburgie is one of the oldest surviving distilleries, and with only a dozen of those years officially hit by closure, one of the longest producing as well. A distillery of aliases, Glenburgie was originally called Kilnflat and in the latter half of the 20th Century also released a special malt under the name Glencraig. These days much of what is produced at the distillery ends up in blends like Teacher's and Ballantine's, leaving the Single Malt and Single Cask bottlings as rare luxuries.

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.

Isle of Jura "Diurach's Own" 16 year old

Distillery: Isle of Jura

Region: Island

Age: 16 years

Maturation Cask: Bourbon

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: insert here 40%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Golden sunlight.

Aroma: Malty, with curry spices and flora.

Taste: Sweet and dry, melons and marzipan.

Finish: Delicate and crisp, marzipan taste.

The Isle of Jura is tucked away between the mainland and whisky mecca Islay. The original Jura Distillery was founded in 1810 with the current one opened since 1963. Aside from the ingredients used - soft, peaty water; plain malt dried with warm air - a major contributor to the style of Jura whisky is the use of very tall stills, creating a very light whisky. A "Diurach" is a native of Jura, and this expression is so named as it is reputedly favoured by the islanders. A subtle and understated malt.

Gold winner at the 2009 IWSC awards.

Isle of Jura "Superstition"

Distillery: Isle of Jura

Region: Island

Age: not stated

Maturation Cask: Bourbon

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 45%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Intense mahogany.

Aroma: A strong peatiness, macadamia nuts.

Taste: Smoke, grass, nuts and heather.

Finish: Good length of drifting smoke.

The Isle of Jura is tucked away between the mainland and whisky mecca Islay. The original Jura Distillery was founded in 1810 with the current one opened since 1963. Aside from the ingredients used - soft, peaty water; plain malt dried with warm air - a major contributor to the style of Jura whisky is the use of very tall stills, creating a very light whisky. "Superstition" combines Jura's usual air-dried malt with a heavily peated one to create a dram more akin to it's Islay neighbours.

Silver "Best in Class" at the 2009 IWSC awards.

Isle of Jura "Origin" 10 year old

Distillery: Isle of Jura

Region: Islands

Age: 10 years

Maturation Cask: Bourbon

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 40%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Pale straw.

Aroma: Oily, with light pine, earth and salt.

Taste: Sweetish, yet slightly dry and salty

Finish: Malty sweetness.

The Isle of Jura is tucked away between the mainland and whisky mecca Islay. The original Jura Distillery was founded in 1810 with the current one opened since 1963. Aside from the ingredients used - soft, peaty water; plain malt dried with warm air - a major contributor to the style of Jura whisky is the use of very tall stills, creating a very light whisky. "Origin" carries the traditional Celtic symbol for birth, beginning and the forces of nature, appropriate from this island of "turbulent seas and windswept landscapes". A deliciously delicate yet robust dram.

BenRiach 16 Year Old Single Malt

Distillery: BenRiach

Region: Speyside

Age: 16 years

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 40%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Bright golden.

Aroma: A tapestry of toasted nuts, honey and marzipan.

Taste: Softly spiced malt and honey with a subtle injection of fruit.

Finish: Soft vanilla, given weight by a delicate touch of smoke.

Sourcing its water from springs deep below the distillery, BenRiach produces some of the most easy-going Speyside malts. The 16 year old showcases this delicate style, yet with a degree of complexity that has propelled it high on many experts "recommended" lists.