Bruichladdich 20 Years Old Islay Single Malt
Third Edition
60335
700 mL $199
TASTING NOTE: Nose: Rounded, rich and elegant with a lightly charred nose. Burnt raisin, light prune, fruit cake with a hint of clove, walnut. Good concentration. Palate: Well-rounded. A sweet, mellow quality with an intriguing burnt edge. Beech nut. Very soft and subtle with gentle, deep plummy fruits. Starts slightly muted, then the flavours are slowly revealed and keep building. Subtle and elegant. Finish: It is, isn’t it? Treacle toffee and cold tea. Comment: Old and gentle with a broad smile. Score - 8 (out of 10).
(Dave Broom,
www.whiskymag.com,
Dec. 2006)
Bruichladdich Double Matured in Gaja Bolgheri Cask 14 Years Old Islay Single Malt 1993
Non Chill-filtered, The Italian Collection
60350
700 mL $95
Bruichladdich is one of a few distilleries that is at the forefront of wine-cask finishing. Their Italian Collection offers a unique flavour profile, one that is perfect for those looking for something off the beaten path. Doubled-matured, this limited-release Islay single malt is first aged in traditional Bourbon casks but then spends additional time in Merlot/Syrah wine casks that hail from the famous Gaja estate in Bolgheri. As a result, this rare bottling displays flavours of cranberry, strawberry, black cherry, citrus and vanilla and offers a refreshing alternative to traditionally made Scotches.
Bruichladdich Double Matured in Sassicaia French Oak 14 Years Old Islay Single Malt 1993
Non Chill-filtered, The Italian Collection
60343
700 mL $95
This uniquely matured Scotch is part of Bruichladdich's 'Italian Collection'. First it sees ageing in traditional Bourbon casks and then it undergoes additional maturation in select French oak wine casks that once upon a time were responsible for ageing that King of Super Tuscans, Sassicaia. The resulting non chill-filtered, Islay single malt is full of juicy pomegranate, cranberry, red grape and citrus flavours. This limited-release, double-matured single malt is indeed a rare bottling that would make a delicious divertimento for the Scotch lover with everything.
Caperdonich Lonach Cask Strength 37 Years Old Speyside Single Malt 1969
(Duncan Taylor & Co. Ltd.)
55624
700 mL $175
Caperdonich is only available as a single malt through independent bottlers like Duncan-Taylor. After 25 years or so, some casks may lose some alcoholic strength and fall below the 40% alc./vol. that is legally required of any Scotch whisky. The traditional industry solution is to blend these fragile older casks with younger, higher-strength casks. Thanks to their vast stock of old whiskies, Duncan-Taylor is able to blend any ageing whisky with another cask of the same whisky from the same year; by doing this, the purity of these venerable single malts is preserved. Mature whiskys bottled from these mixed casks are labelled the Lonach Collection. This 37-year-old displays lovely aromas and flavours of honey, apple, cloves, peat as well as a raisin-nutty note.
Glenrothes Cask Strength 37 Years Old Speyside Single Malt 1968
Non Chill-filtered, Btld. 2006
(Duncan Taylor & Co. Ltd.)
55632
700 mL $299
Connoisseurs know that Glenrothes is synonymous with exceptional quality. This amber-coloured, 37-year-old beauty displays a vanilla-creamy sweetness with a touch of toffee on the nose. There is more creaminess on the palate along with a hint of spice and citrus fruits. Silky sweet and aged to perfection, this single malt would make a very special gift for Scotch fans.
Highland Park Cask Strength 40 Years Old Orkney Island Single Malt 1966
Btld. 2006
(Duncan Taylor & Co. Ltd.)
55616
700 mL $799
Highland Park, the great Orcadian distillery, is one of the finest in all of Scotland. This extremely rare, 40-year-old Scotch is a classic single malt with an island twist. Its nose speaks of honey and glycerin with sweet bramble notes. The palate bursts with zesty flavours and lingering spicy oak that eventually yield to a finish that is long lasting with lightly spicy end notes. An exceptional Scotch that makes a beautiful counterpoint to Islay single malts.
Armagnac
Armagnac de Montal 1958
55590
700 mL $299
In 1958, Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's was published, Canada's Avro Arrow made its debut flight, and this distinguished Armagnac began its first of fifty long years of ageing. A half-century later, it sports an orange-sepia hue and has mellowed to perfection; its bouquet is filled with lovely aromas of raisin, apricot, and old oak and the smooth, harmonious palate displays flavours of pear, rancio and oak. This Armagnac would make the perfect gift for that special 50-year-old friend of yours or for those celebrating a 50th anniversary.
Armagnac de Montal 1948
55269
700 mL $549
In 1948, Louis St. Laurent became Prime Minister, the Calgary Stampeders won their first Grey Cup, and Arthur Miller wrote Death of a Salesman. De Montal did its part that year by creating this classic Armagnac. Smooth, round and mellow, this Armagnac offers appealing aromas of walnut, cacao and leather; notes of plum and quince surface on the palate, which add even greater complexity to this pedigreed spirit, and the finish is appropriately long and soft. Travel 60 years back in time with this meditative libation.
