BenRiach Firkin 1978

$2,678.39

Coopers Choice Lochside 1967

$204.29

90pts Serge Valentin Whisky Fun: "So vanilla and coconut at first, then more marzipan, custard, putty, hazelnut liqueur (and even touches of the dreaded Bailey's) and then only distant ideas of limes and lemons. Frankly, it's a big surprise that this baby wouldn't be oakier and more tired, esp. at such low strength (btw, it's cask strength). Mouth: the miracle goes on, with a very wide assortment of tropical fruits (coconuts first, then mangos, pineapples and papayas) and aromatic herbs and flowers (teas). Rosehip, hawthorn, honeysuckle pastries, baklavas, vanilla... It's quite incredible that oak didn't take control here, and there's certainly something of an old high-quality grain whisky (although the label stipulates 'single malt'). Finish: more of all that plus strawberries and orange blossom water in the aftertaste. Comments: old malt whisky that tastes pretty much like old grain whisky in my opinion. Who cares, quality's very high but warning, it's extremely quaffable."

Signatory Linlithgow 1982

$243.89

Bowmore Tempest lll

$80.99

A former whisky of the month at whisky-pages.com - and the note? "Both the previous releases of this Bowmore variant have been very well received and have garnered numerous awards and accolades, and the third expression certainly does not disappoint. Tempest is offered in non-chill-filtered form, at cask strength, and has been matured for a decade in first-fill Bourbon barrels, stored in the Islay distillery's famous No. 1 Vaults. 1,850 cases are available worldwide. The result is a whisky with a remarkably progressive nose, which opens with buttery aromas and Arbroath smokies, followed by developing brine. Vanilla and wood smoke then arrive on the scene, and the nose finally offers icing sugar. Lots of smoke and spicy citrus fruit on the palate, notably Jaffa oranges. The finish is long, with satisfying peat, salt, and more citric notes when water is added."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society A4

$153.89

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM!

SOFT, SPICY, RICH AND INTENSE

A Society bottling of Armagnac bottled at 47% after 22 years after maturing in Refill Bourbon Ex-Hogsheads.

Panel's Tasting Note: "Wonderfully soft and perfumed yet spicy, deep, intense on the nose - hints of sandlewood, dark cherries, toasted apple, candyfloss, oranges and spices transported us to a late autumn bonfire (not Guy Fawkes or Halloween though). On the palate initial intense spicy perfumed woody notes gave way to a soft creamy taste with a hot spicy almost tannic finish. Water (and it didn't really need it) made it waxier with church candles and saddle soap, sweet caramel and rich apple tarte tatin. To taste it seems even spicy - cinnamon, aniseed and clove but still very soft and supple with a long sweet unctuous finish."

Drinking Tip: "A perfect autumnal dram but would be fantastic as a digestif."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 17.32

$92.69

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM!

BOILED SWEETS AND GRAPEFRUIT PEEL

This a 9 year old Orcadian matured in a Refill Barrel and bottled at 56.2%.

Panel's Tasting Note: "Bubble-gum and vanilla sponge, with boiled sweets (pear drops and lemon sherbets); apple & elder flower cordial, white wine jelly; after a while a light soapiness. Fresh and clean overall. The taste is sweet, sharp and hot - grapefruit and lemon peel; powdery, with a pinch of salt. The scent of grapefruit skins increases at reduced strength, and the other aromas remain intact - vanilla, lemon sherbets, pear drops, washing powder. The taste is now sweeter and more salty, with light acidity and an aftertaste of lemon bon-bons. A fresh young aperitif from Orkney's second distillery."

Drinking Tip: "A springtime apertif."

HIghland Park Earl Haakon Magnus 3

$325.79

Whyte & Mackay Dalmore Astrum 40 Year

$1,698.29

Only 500 bottles of this 1966 vintage have been released at 42% after maturing nearly four decade in American oak and finishing for 18 months in Gonzalez Byass Matusalem Sherry Casks. Astrum is Latin for constellation. Distiller's Tasting Note: "The shimmering dark golden colour of Astrum is instantly alluring. Its exquisite nose is provocative and pleasing and its flavours enchant and sparkle with an orchestrated display of brilliance. Nuances of honeyed pear, banana and passion fruit stimulate the senses, while unfettered pleasure is drawn from evocative bursts of blood oranges, fleshy peaches, figs and roasted Columbian coffee. Clusters of Black Forest fruits, crushed apples, spicy cinnamon and bitter chocolate crown this heavenly creation."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 29.105

$106.19

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM! 

MASSIVE AND VOLCANIC

Matured 12 years in a Refill Sherry Butt and bottled at 59.6%. Not for the faint of heart!

Panel's Tasting Note: "The nose leapt out with smoke, tar and smouldering embers (waking up the 'danger' zone of the cortex); it was also briny, with minty humbugs, some kind of green leaf and vanilla. The palate was described as "Massive!" and "Volcanic" - ash, liquorice, tar and salt, with wild boar sausages and something lovely and sweet hiding away, like a ballerina in a group of miners. Water hardly dented the nose - sweet-cured bacon, diesel exhaust and molasses. The palate seemed sweeter - chocolate in amongst the smoke and a lavender after-taste. One of the founders, Donald Johnston, drowned after falling into 'burnt ale."

Drinking Tip: "A late night dram."