Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus

$180.89

This is a limited edition 15th Anniversary bottling from Scotland's foremost boutique blender, Compass Box, headed by the visionary John Glaser. 5,689 bottles have been released World-wide, with a limited quantity coming to Canada of this one of a kind Blended Grain Scotch Whisky.

From the Producer: "Hedonism Quindecimus uses grain whiskies of varying ages from five distilleries to create a riotous, inter generational celebration of all that the interplay between grain spirit and American oak can deliver. The joie de vivre of youth and complexity of age combine to create something seductive, mouth-coating and irresistible. So join us in this, our fifteenth anniversary toast to all of you that have joined us on the journey since our first bottling. To fifteen years of joyful pleasure. To the thrill of exploration. And of course to the spirit of occasional, unabashed excess."

Producer Tasting Note: "The combination of grain whiskies from different distilleries and of varying ages has created extraordinary complexity and juxtapositions of flavour. Indulgent yet lively, unctuous yet light, you will find a deep, sweet caramel coconut succulence combining with exultant tropical fruits." 

Glenfarclas Gift Pack 105, 12 & 15 Year

$32.39

Glenfarclas gift packs!

Glenfarclas Gift Pack 15, 21 & 25 Years

$44.99

Glenfarclas, from Speyside!

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 29.142

$147.59

ROCK POOLING AND BEACH BARBECUE

An 18 year old Islay malt from a refill barrel at 58.6%

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Heavily peated

Outturn:  160 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "It is a warm sunny afternoon on the beach and we are rock pooling, exploring diverse marine life; starfish, anemones, crabs, limpets, small fish and seaweed – exposing a possible meal every low tide. Talking of a meal there are also aromas of lamb chops sizzling on a barbecue with a hint of rosemary and the freshness of mint sauce. The taste is ashy to start, oak smoked mackerel, cold smoked salmon and the sweetness of honey glazed ham. With water turning into sweet cured herring with a dill sauce and gravlax with a honey mustard marinade. The taste is now hickory sweet smoked fish, beer battered calamari and roasted marshmallows over an open fire – hungry yet?"

Drinking tip:  "Take a hint from the title"

Provenance Inchgower 12 Year Sherry

$71.99

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 66.57

$113.39

ASIAN DELIGHT

A 10 year old peated Highlander from a refill barrel at 59.1%

Flavour profile:  Oily & coastal

Outturn:  214 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Some of us were transported to a Scottish beach - a salty sea breeze, tarry ropes and pork sizzling on a barbecue. Others went further afield, to Malaysia with chicken satay infused with a punchy spicy marinade being grilled and served with a peanut coconut dipping sauce. The taste neat is big, hot, salty and ashy – it almost burns your tongue, like a Phall curry. A drop of water and the aroma turns into burnt heather and a charcoal grill being doused with sea water next to a salmon smokehouse. The taste was sweet, fresh and salty; smoked oysters and glazed ham with pineapple."

Drinking tip:  "Star-gazing at a beach barbecue"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 4.199

$138.59

BOY SCOUTS AND BIKERS

A 14 year old Orcadian from a 1st fill barrel at 56.2%

Flavour profile:  Lightly peated

Outturn:  148 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Pata Negra jamon to start – Spanish prosciutto – then a perfumed scent (rose, dried rosemary?), with a hint of white wine and a pack of cigarettes; then ‘coastal’ and ‘garden party’ (What?! ‘cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches on a damp day’!). Water brings up its more usual characteristics of hemp ropes, leather bikers’ jackets (‘Triumph, not Harley’), and barbecue (‘char-grilled eggplant with rosemary’). The taste is sweet and ‘old-fashioned’ at natural strength, with guy ropes (lightly tarred), tobacco and bruschetta; water sweetens the taste, holds the hemp and lingers pleasantly in an old-fashioned way."

Drinking tip:  "For the hip-flask at a wedding"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 121.76

$125.99

CLOSE SHAVE FROM A TIPSY BARBER

A 12 year old Islander from a refill barrel at 57.9%

Flavour profile:  Spicy & dry

Outturn:  210 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The initial nose spoke of the barbershop – old leather chairs, razor-strops, sharp blades, after-shave and band-aids (the barber, who’d been drinking gin, had shaky hands) – plus beeswax polish and dried flowers. With water, we got hot linen and laundry detergent (hot cloth slapped on your close shave) but also marzipan, Dr Pepper, caramel, digestive biscuits and bath bombs. The neat palate was herbal (fennel seed, absinthe) but complex and very tasty – chocolate fudge cake, popping candy and ‘liquorice allsorts from an engineer’s overall pocket’. In reduction – tree bark, chalk, Chartreuse (herbal again) interesting citric fizz and some ash – satisfyingly unusual."

Drinking tip:  "After any close shave, or when looking for something unusual"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 55.23

$199.99

CHOW MEIN ON A WORKBENCH

A 20 year old Speysider from a refill hogshead at 55.1%

Flavour profile:  Spicy & sweet

Outturn:  248 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Despite cut grass, herbal notes, citrus, pineapple and watermelon, we could not describe the nose as clean – an almost grubby fascination kept drawing us back – we found toasted oak and pistachios, nutmeg, ghee, an engineer’s workbench, burnt eucalyptus and chow mein noodles. The palate was concentrated and intense (‘an espresso of a dram’) fizzy, mouth-watering and impressively textured – with hits of anise and fennel seeds, plus oily, nutty, peppery elements; sweetness appeared as liquorice allsorts, white chocolate and agave syrup (especially with water) but savoury undertones, even salty, seaside suggestions and medicinal intimations made it a slightly challenging but satisfying experience."

Drinking tip:  "Whether you have been renovating an old motorcycle or performing brain surgery – job well done and you deserve a dram of this"