Whiskies

One of the classic after-dinner malts, Balvenie Doublewood's extra complexity and richness are a result of a second maturation in fresh sherry casks. Great stuff.

A vibrant addition to the Nikka range, Nikka Days is a bright and vivacious blend of malt and grain whiskies from both Nikka's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. Its medium body hosts an array of floral and zesty flavours which mingle effortlessly with an underlying vanilla-toffee depth and a light, distant touch of breezy peat smoke. A fresh and delicate whisky, Days makes a delicious sipping dram or sits beautifully in a refreshing highball.

Älv – meaning 'river' in Swedish – is creamy, vanilla-forward Swedish single malt from High Coast distillery's Origins series. Matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon barrels and ex-bourbon quarter casks, Älv has sweet, fruity aromas of vanilla, apples, peaches and grapes. The palate offers notes of sharp citrus, spicy ginger, red berries and sweet, malty vanilla.

The second iteration of Ailsa Bay single malt, replacing the version released in 2016, is both peatier and sweeter than its predecessor. It has, however, gone through the same micro-maturation process as the first edition - one that sees the spirit first filled into smaller-than-average bourbon casks for six to nine months, a process which accelerates maturation before it is then transferred into more traditional casks for several years. Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke has notes of damp heather, vanilla oak, creamy toffee and candied orange peel.

A rich, elegant single malt that's part of Old Pulteney's new range for 2018. This 15-year-old single malt has been matured in both ex-bourbon and Spanish oak casks.

The only distillery bottling of Glenlossie, other than a Manager's Dram. Almost all of their whisky goes into Diageo's blends, which is a shame as this is a classic spicy Speysider.

A relaunch in fancy packaging for Deanston's single malt, previously famous as the whisky used in the much-missed Wallace whisky liqueur. Trivia snitched from the Malt Whisky Yearbook: Deanston is the only distillery in Scotland that is self-sustaining for electricity, being equipped with a dam and a turbine.

A distillery release of 18-year-old Glencadam. Like most of the distillery's range this was bottled at 46%, and is a great addition to the Glencadam’s malt family. This single malt delivers notes of spice, apples and pears and an exquisite chocolatey finish.

A small batch Irish whiskey from Hinch that has been matured in ex-bourbon casks, this has notes of creamy vanilla, honey-nut cornflakes and lively citrus throughout the palate.

Made in 2008 at Glen Moray distillery, this Speyside single malt was matured in a single first-fill American oak hogshead, before being bottled in 2019 for The Whisky Exchange's 20th Anniversary. A sweet, fruity whisky, it offers aromas of candied apple, greengages and cherries, and the palate holds notes of peach, apricot and vanilla custard.