Whisky Archive

This is the fifth cask from our secret cellar of rare island malt. The liquid has a deep, faerie gold colour and strong beading. The nose is smoky and very peppery, yet the nose-feel effect is cooling. The overall effect is clean and fresh, like dentists’ mouthwash, bringing to mind wind-swept dunes and sea-wrack strewn beaches. BRONZE MEDAL MALT MANIACS 2008.

Another splendid old Caol Ila from Port Askaig. It comes from a refill hogshead and is mid gold in colour, with a moderate bead. The nose is mellow and mineral-like, fresh and somewhat dry. First dentists mouthwash, then some lemon grass.

From a refill sherry hogshead, the colour is mid amber, or deep gold with copper lights. It has retained its distillery character well – saddle soap, the skin on a rice pudding, orange peel and then fondant (i.e. Dolly Mixtures).

It is drawn from a first-fill, ex-bourbon Hogshead and has the colour of old polished mahogany. The nose is prickly and takes a while to yield its secrets: first red wine vinegar, then glacé cherries, glacé kumquats and angelica root, and finally vanilla sponge.

The grand-daddy of them all! And this cask has reached grandpa age, in whisky years. It is an American oak hogshead and has a glorious polished mahogany hue. A fresh nose, with Speyside pear-drops. Marshmallows behind and mellow soft fruits, brown apples, desiccated coconut and marzipan.

By popular demand… another magnificent ex-sherry hogshead from Glenrothes Distillery. And possibly the best so far! Rosewood in hue, with crimson lights and a decent bead.

This example, from an American barrel, is the colour of Golden Syrup, with copper lights. At natural strength, the nose is reminiscent of French apple tart (sliced and glazed), with a curious Elastoplast aroma behind.

Rich gold, with almost no beading. Immediately you are standing in a maturation warehouse, with an added nose of Russian Fudge, soft toffee, marzipan, prunes, apple Tarte-Tatin.

Dark, brooding gold in colour with a lovely “old rancio” nose to start. Ever-changing, like all good, old whiskies, first apricots with a hint of balsamic vinegar (all taken in an old library), then assorted glace fruits, greengages, over-ripe figs, now macerated fruits and a rich banana cake.

A rare refill sherry hogshead of 18yr old Macallan, a rich gold in colour with long legs and excellent beading. At first, a mild nose of bruised apples, then baked apples and brown sugar.