From Glenfiddich...

For our latest experiment, Brian Kinsman, our Malt Master, travelled to Somerset in the Southwest of England to meet Matilda Temperley, Master Distiller of her family's industry-defining Somerset Cider brandy company.

It was in the acres of vintage apple orchards that caught Brian's imagination.

Somerset Pomona, a blend of apple cider brandy and apple juice, started him on an aromatic journey that led to the first ever single malt Scotch whisky finished in Somerset Pomona spirit casks.

Created in Dufftown at the heart of Speyside and exclusively finished in virgin American oak, Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve delivers the balance and sophistication of Scotland with a sweet kick of Kentucky. After spending 14 years in ex-Bourbon barrels, the whisky was then meticulously transferred into new American oak barrels built especially for Glenfiddich by the Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville Kentucky.

Tasting Notes: Beautifully rich and sweet with layers of creamy toffee, woody spices, candied orange peel and fresh toasted oak.

One of the most delightfully enjoyable Glenfiddich?s we?ve ever tasted: you could spend an entire night just nosing it!

Scented with spices and honeyed plump fruits this is a syrupy dram, with lots of vanilla and fudge, with a whisper of smoke on the finish.

Nose: Creamy. Some sherried fruit with a trailing hint of smoke.
Palate: Sweet, malty, a gentle peat but nonetheless the mouthfeel is very clean.
Finish: Malt, a faint hint of citrus.

This core release single malt from the a lesser known distillery in the Highlands is finished for six-to-nine months in Oloroso Sherry casks before being bottled imbuing the whisky with lovely stem ginger and dried orange peel notes.

A 2006 Distillers Edition Oban single malt, finished in Montilla Fino sherry casks and bottled in 2020. Aromas of dates, sugared almonds, ginger, oak and waxy orange peel fill the nose, complemented by notes of chocolate digestives, ginger biscuits, pecans, salty sea breeze and juicy sultanas throughout the palate.

43% ABV

Nc'Nean distillery, pronounced nook-nee-an, is situated in one of the most isolated locations on the rugged west coast of Scotland. Founded in 2017 by Annabel Thomas, this is one of the only certified organic whiskies made in the world. Matured in a combination of ex-American oak, ex-STR wine casks and a touch of ex-Oloroso sherry butts, there is an abundance of fruity tones like apricot, peach and a delicate citrus quality. A creamy, toasted brioche flavour joins in, giving way to a warming, spiced finish. Whisky Galore are thrilled to bring to New Zealand this beautiful new dram.

Old Pulteney is based in the thriving metropolis of Wick.  and is a stones throw from the sea, and is known for its seasidey, coastal flavours. The 12 is a great entry point into this outstanding distillery - it shows a little toffee, citrus and spice.

"On the nose, you'll find fruit and malty aromas, with just a hint of peat. On the tongue, sweet and nutty flavours are present, which coat the palate to leave a very slight pleasant flavour of smoke"

Matured for 18 years, this is indulgent and spicy thanks to the casks selected for maturation.

Taking its character and colour entirely from the casks within which it has been nurtured, this is a deeply warming whisky.  The indulgence extends through this single malt with chocolate and spice defining the character but allowing for the influence of more vibrant zesty flavours.

Pulteney Distillery lies on the southern side of Wick, and is Scotlands's most northerly mainland distillery.  At one time, Wick was deemed to be such an unruly place that it suffered from a period of prohibitions.  Ironically, the distillery was still producing its whisky throughout the period of enforced abstinence. 

Packaged with a vibrant blue label and tube, the design features an image of the Noss Head lighthouse by which the whisky was inspired. Built in 1849 by Robert Arnot and named after the Old Norse word ?Snos?, the lighthouse represents the nose-shaped headland where it is situated. Matured in American Oak ex-bourbon casks the malt inside has a full bodied, sweet and spicy taste with hints of coconut, lemons and oranges and a long-lasting finish.

A perfectly balanced single malt whisky, matured in three types of cask - bourbon, refill and re-charred.

The Loch Lomond 12 year old is a perfect representation of the Loch Lomond signature style, delivering a deep fruity character which is overlaid with hint of peat and smoke.

46% ABV

A reinvigorated release from Tullibardine, upping the quality of presentation as well as their whisky. This bourbon barrel matured dram is packed with vanilla and spice.

GlenDronach have released another sumptuous single malt that has enjoyed a rest in Port casks. This particular expression is a 10 year old whisky, initally aged in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks before being finished in Port pipes from Portugal's Douro valley.

This Twelve Year Old Aberlour has been matured in two cask types.  Traditional oak and Sherry oak casks.  Especially selected every year, they are filled with whisky and quietly aged for a minimum of twelve years; then the casks are married together.

Traditional oak casks encourage the subtle character of Aberlour to develop, whilst Sherry oak casks add hints of ruby gold colour and a deep and rich flavour to the whisky.  A perfectly balanced single malt with notes of fruits and spices.

Dalwhinnie Winter's Gold is a 2015 addition to the Highland distillery's range inspired by the chilly climate up in the remote part of Scotland where their single malt Scotch whisky is distilled - as the label remarks, it was "Crafted by the Cold". It's made only with spirit that has been distilled between October and March, and interestingly enough, they suggest that you try serving this expression frozen! 

700mL | 43%ABV