Whisky Agency 10th Annv Longrow 1996
$759.99
The oldest Longrow we've ever seen around here. And man, what a Longrow it is!
When one of the greatest distilleries in the world meets one of the most consistently great independent bottlers going, all you can do is sit back and enjoy the fireworks show. Longrow is Springbank's most heavily peated offering, but after two decades in wood, the smoke and phenols have faded and the fruit notes have stepped forward into the spotlight. Absolutely beautiful harmony here. You can still expect that earthy farminess that so sets Springbank apart for the pretenders, but everything is held in check here by the influence of great wood. Dynamite whisky.
Natural color and non-chill filtered.
700 ml
Kilchoman 2012 Red Wine Finish AB Cask
$154.99
Bottled at 58% after maturing in ex-Bourbon and finishing in exPotugese red wine. Our team was invited to help Andy Dunn, owner of Gold Medal Marketing, and Kilchoman’s Alberta importer to select this cask. I have to be honest it was not my first choice of the samples we reviewed. But it was the unanimous favourite of the members of the rest of my whisky team at the shop, as well as Mr. Dunn himself. It is a lovely single malt, and my impression of it having now sampled the final product is much improved. Wine finished whiskies generally speaking are just not my style!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: strawberry Twizzlers, dark wine gums, dark goats milk chocolate, black licorice pipes and creosote soaked ocean docks; very malty with a base of vanilla cream and wood ash from a forrest fire; a touch of bacon wrapped scallops to boot.
Palate: bold but balanced with juicy malt; the vanilla-oak tones hit first before the leathery wine finished elements kick in; strawberry puff candies, black licorice, tar and firm new leather; more dark milk chocolate and subtle tarry-creosote tones; maritime with some soft elegant smoke and firm spices.
Finish: long, coating and spicy with firm earthy peat, clean smoke and juicy malt.
Comment: this is a lovely Kilchoman, and the wine finishing is deft; another bold but balanced, and ultimately beautiful Kilchoman.”
Whisky Regions of Scotland Gift Set
$64.99
If you believe in Whisky Regions, which are a little like believing in Unicorns and fairies, then this is the gift set for you! Dropped in price by $13 this year... woo hoo!
From Drinks by the Dram: "It's incredible just what a huge range of different styles of whisky that are produced all over Scotland. Drinks by the Dram came up with this tasting set of five 3cl samples to showcase the Regions of Scotland, from the peaty, smoky Islay; to the fruity, malty Highlands; the soft, floral Lowlands; and the honeyed, often Sherried Speyside and more!"
Master of Malt 12 Whiskies of Christmas
$119.99
!We are only expecting 25 of these 12 bottle whisky sets. Not quite a Whisky Advent Calendar, but more than a gift pack!
Producer Description: "Drinks by the Dram have unveiled a the perfect Christmas present for those whisky enthusiasts in your life - The 12 Scotch Whiskies of Christmas! This specially-curated bundle of festive deliciousness features 12 wax-sealed 30ml drams of Scotch whisky, from single malts to single grains, blended malts and more (including whisky worth over £100 per bottle!) - enjoy a different dram each day during the Twelve Days of Christmas (y'know, from Christmas Day onwards)."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 7.177
$149.99
SWEET SNUGGLE
This 13 year old from Speyside comes in at 58.1% after maturing in a refill barrel.
Flavour profile: Sweet & spicy.
Outturn: 183 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "There was an array of aromas on the nose neat. We smelled dusty rosewood antique furniture, expensive waxed leather shoes and a floral designer fragrance. The taste neat had plenty of spice to start followed by the sweet heat of sticky toffee pudding and thick cut marmalade on hot buttered toast. Diluted, the soft scent of cinnamon swirls, pecan Danish and freshly brewed Earl Grey tea all served on an antique finished rosewood tray made us all feel very comfortable and cozy. On the palate now so smooth like a banana cream pie with a gingersnap cookie crust."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 9.142
$199.99
GENTLE AND SOPHISTICATED
This 24 year old Speysider comes in at 49.2% after maturing in a refill barrel.
Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow.
Outturn: 150 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "A delicate, sweet, fruity and floral earthy aroma filled the air when we poured this sample. Descriptions of a bed of roses, cherry blossom orchard, herb garden and the sandy clay floor inside a sherry bodega made us all very much look forward to having a sip. A gentle vanilla buttercream and lemon curd beginning became a teasing, lively, pleasant spicy tingle of fresh fruit (peaches and apricots) with fromage blanc and a spiced honey sauce. Add a drop of water, if you wish, and even more mellow on the nose as well as on the palate; violet and rose creams accompanied by a glass of demi-sec Champagne."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 42.44
$154.99
WINTER WARMER
This 9 year old from the Highland Islands comes in at 58.5% after maturing in a refill hogshead
Flavour profile: Peated
Outturn: 232 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "The nose evokes a beach bonfire barbecue on shell sand – maple-cured bacon and Portobello mushrooms sizzling away; someone is smoking Sobrani cigarettes and there are creamy custard tarts for after. The palate is pretty straightforward – balancing simple sugary barley sweetness with mineral, shale-like smoke; it has a slightly oily mouth-feel. Water shifts the nose to coal tar soap and creamy, nutty smoke. The palate is now much sweeter and better balanced – imagine smoked bonbons; a touch of citrus starts to come through – lemon, clove and Fisherman’s Friends on the finish. A dram for inner warmth before chopping logs in the snow."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 54.62
$124.09
WASABI MARZIPAN
This 9 year old Speysider was matured in a 2nd fill barrel and is 61.2% abv.
Flavour profile: Young & spritely.
Outturn: 204 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "The nose employed a spicy kick from cinnamon, nutmeg and mace to introduce green apples and grapes packed into wooden crates made of freshly sawn wood stacked on a damp earth floor. Moving through pine forests we discovered sweeter aromas of marzipan and strawberry laces with the thick texture of walnut oil. The palate was crisp and vibrant with a kick of fresh ginger and wasabi that became sweet like digestive biscuits and buttered malt loaf. A cooling wave washed through the mouth like candied mint leaves before turning dry on the finish with the introduction of quinine and powdered spice on a wooden chopping board."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 96.16
$127.49
THE MERCHANT OF ALSACE
This 11 year old Speysider was matured in a 2nd fill barrel and is 55.2%.
Flavour profile: Sweet & spicy.
Outturn: 204 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "This distillery is more commonly known for sherry maturation these days so the panel was both eager and curious to try this example from refill bourbon maturation. We found a vibrant nose full of mille-feuille, vanilla foam, sliced pineapple, black cherries in brandy, fresh pastries and an eventual slide towards mineralic, gravelly qualities. Water brought notes of rosehips, Turkish delight, marjoram, lime curd and pink lemonade. The palate revealed notes like crushed ivy, jelly beans, lavender icing, lychee, young Gewurztraminer and turmeric. Water softens everything and opens up herbal ice cream, tamarind, green oak, toasted mustard seeds and ripe apricot."