North Star Ardnamurchan 6 Year
$181.99
Distilled in December 2016, bottled in April 2023 after maturing in a first fill ex-Oloroso Sherry Butt
58.5% ALC./VOL.
Tri Carragh Ardmore 2009 12 Year
$194.99
SLYRS 51 German Single Malt Whisky
$117.99
This German single malt has been made with Bavarian barley, matured in sherry, port, and sauternes casks. 51%
Nikka Coffey Malt 45%
$94.99
Note: Nikka's own website notes that this bottle does not meet the criteria to be called a Japanese Whisky. The good news is that might mean it also contains Ben Nevis Single Malt, as the Ben Nevis Distillery is also owned by Nikka.
It is unusual to see single malt whisky distilled in a column (AKA continuous or Coffey) still, but here you have it and the result is superb. Formerly exclusive to KWM in Alberta, this is one hell of an interesting dram, soft, layered and very complex.
The sugar yield of malted barley compared with corn and wheat is not favourable, especially when you take the cost of malting and corn subsidies into account. So the Nikka Whisky Co. must have some other designs than simply creating bulk whisky by running barley through their Coffey stills.
Glenfarclas Family Cask 2004 S23
$524.99
This Summer 2023 release, 2004 vintage Glenfarclas Family Cask is a bit of a curiosity, it was matured 19 years in a Refill Port Pipe, before bottling at 54.2%. 2004 has been one of the most sought-after Family Cask vintages, but they have typically been first fill sherry. 87pts Whiskybase.
Glenfarclas Family Cask 2005 S23
$507.99
This Summer 2023 Glenfarclas Family Cask has been bottled after 17 years in a 4th Fill Sherry Butt, at 59.6%. Don't get hung up on the 4th fill bit... Glenfarclas says 4th fill when they aren't sure... and as you can see from the colour, it looks more like a second fill! 87pts Whiskybase.
Glenfarclas Family Cask 2007 S23
$477.99
Only the second ever release of a 2007 Glenfarclas Family Cask, it was matured 15 years in a Refill Sherry Butt before bottling at 60.1%.
Oban Little Bay
$102.99
Oban's first no age statement release impressed us a lot more than we feared it would. Maturing stocks of Oban have been finished in small casks to speed up the maturation process, likely in a similar manner to Laprhroaig's Quarter cask.
Producer’s Tasting Note: “A dense and coating mouth feel- sometimes sugary and slightly minty- with a warming, comforting sweet chewiness of a richly fruited malt loaf. Occasional hints of orange zest and clove, before growing drier, again slightly minty, with hints of green apple.”
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: very fruity, Jujubes, and Wine Gums, a touch of salt and faint clean smoke; some caramel and spice with soft toasty oak.
Palate: more smooth caramel, lots of toasty, grainy oak, with salt and more clean smoke; the Wine Gums and Jujubes are there with big spices and chewy malt.
Finish: long with salt, smoke and malt.
Comment: much more satisfying and interesting than expected.
Glenglassaugh Portsoy
$124.99
Named for the harbour village next door, Portsoy is a peated expression of Glenglassaugh, matured in a mix of Bourbon, Sherry, and Port casks before bottling at 49.1%.