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 1974 Vintage

Distillery: Isle of Jura

Region: Island

Age: 30 years

Maturation Cask: Bourbon, finished in Matusalem Sherry

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 44.5%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Amber gold with dense copper highlights.

Aroma: Cinnamon, chocolate, orange and coffee.

Taste: Madeira, Liquorice, almonds and treacle.

Finish: Long, soft memories of marzipan and treacle.

658. That's how few bottles of Isle of Jura 1974 came into existence. And it's as rare as it is good, which is why the number available is decreasing fast. Usually the Scotch whiskies from the Isle of Jura distillery don't like sherry wood. It's too heavy. But when you get it to a grand old age, like the 1974, the whisky can handle the stronger tones. 18 months in Matusalem sherry butts was just right. Any longer and the Jura's subtler notes would be masked by the wood. This is a glowing, gloriously gutsy scotch that could be enjoyed in the early evening. Just add one sunset.

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.

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old Single Malt

Distillery: Glenfarclas

Region: Speyside

Age: 15 years

Maturation Cask: Sherry

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 46%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Rich gold.

Aroma: Unabashed in it's fragrance, likened to a woody cologne.

Taste: Almost sweet and rum-like with strong hints of wood.

Finish: Dense, creamy and powerful, yet balanced.

An independent distillery, the Grant family have owned Glenfarclas since 1860 producing whisky that many enthusiasts embrace as a personal favourite. What this popular 15 year old lacks in subtlety it more than makes up in its power and flavour, leading to high ratings and awards.

BenRiach "Curiositas" 10 Year Old Single Malt

Distillery: BenRiach

Region: Speyside

Age: 10 years

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 46%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Rich amber.

Aroma: An explosion of peat reek, hints of honey, fruit and oak.

Taste: A deluge of peat chased by a mix of heather, fruit, nuts and spices.

Finish: A hot and long finish of cereal, smoke and (with water) a hint of cinnamon.

BenRiach returns to the original 19th Century character of Speyside malts by using heavily peated malted barley to bring out a distinctive and unique flavour. The result is an appealing dram that has won medals in several international competitions. Recommended with a wee dash of water.

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old Single Malt

Distillery: Glenfarclas

Region: Speyside

Age: 30 years

Maturation Cask: Sherry

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 43%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Dark gold, full and rich.

Aroma: A complex and full mixture of fruit and spices. Often likened to fruitcake.

Taste: Brandy, fruit, nuts

Finish: An incredibly long finish with a lingering hint of charred chocolate.

Glenfarclas is rare in still being a family owned distillery even after nearly 200 years. So revered even a rival distiller is reputed to have proclaimed "of all the kings Glenfarclas reigns supreme", it is unsurprising that their 30 year old is a past winner of the International Spirits Award overall trophy.