Benromach Organic - 43% abv

The smallest working distillery in Speyside, Benromach slipped out of view for a while after it was mothballed in the 1980s. Happily, Gordon & MacPhail bought it and re-opened it with new, smaller stills in 1998. The result is a richer whisky and a host of new bottlings.

This whisky is certified by the soil association as organic and is matured in organic virgin American oak (i.e. oak not previously used to mature whisky). Maturing scotch in virgin oak is difficult as the wood can easily overpower the whisky, and The Benromach organic is recognised as the first to really pull it off.

Tasting notes and further discussion on our Benromach Forum Page

The Glenlivet 15 year old French Oak - 40% abv

The Glenlivet is one of the iconic Speyside distilleries with a huge worldwide following. The 15 year old French oak reserve spent most of its life in American Bourbon casks before being transferred to Limousin oak. Barrels from the Limousin forest in South-Central France are more commonly used to mature cognac and sherry. European oak is slower growing than American oak. This can mean they impart a more subtle wood flavour on whisky.

This is an outstanding expression, all zippy spice from some virgin French oak, and scattergun oak and malt, like a couple of playful kittens tumbling over each other.

Further discussion on our The Glenlivet 15 Forum Page

Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or - 46% abv

Glenmorangie is situated at Tain in the Northern Highlands and is one of the most popular single malt brands in the world. It is certainly one of the most innovative when it comes to wood.

It uses top quality, slow-growing white oak from the Ozark mountains in Missouri, which is then used to mature Jack Daniels Tennessee whiskey for four years before being sent to Tain.

In the mid-90s it released a range of wood finishes including port, Madeira and sherry, the first distillery to do so. It has further developed this range and has also released a range of different oak finishes, including burr oak and chinkapin oak.

The Nectar D'Or is a relatively new addition, using French Sauterne barriques to finish the maturation after a minimum of 10 years in Bourbon casks. The Sauterne gives the already crisp and fruity Glenmorangie a luxuriant French patisserie character, full of citrus and light gingery spice.

Reviewed at The Rum Howler Blog and Whisky for Everyone

Further discussion on our Glenmorangie Forum Page

Aberlour A'bunadh batch 31 - 59.8% abv

One of the best and certainly best-value sherry-finished whiskies on the market, the a'bunadh (meaning 'of the origin' in gaelic) is a stunning example of its type.

Aberlour is situated in the Speyside region and has been in the top ten selling malts for over a decade. It is also the most popular single malt in France, where a much larger range of expressions is available than elsewhere. Happily, the a'bunadh is widely available within the UK.

Only second-fill oloroso sherry casks are used to mature the a'bunadh, using Aberlours ranging from less than 10 to more than 15 years old, vatted together. Each batch released is slightly different both in terms of subtleties of taste and alcoholic strength.

Further discussion on our A'bunadh Forum Page

Eagle Rare 10 y.o abv 45% abv

Arguably the first super premium bourbon, Eagle Rare is a single barrel bottling originally launched by Seagram and now part of Buffalo Trace. Buffalo Trace is so named because the distillery is sited at a point where once-great buffalo herds, following a traditional migration route, slowed down to cross the Kentucky river at a natural ford, making them easy targets for local Native American tribes. A new version of Eagle Rare is released every fall, but demand tends to outstrip supply so you have to move fast to get hold of it. It is an easy-drinking bourbon with a citrus and orange nose, there is just enough oak to give the overall experience shape and structure. Buffalo Trace also produce the exceptional Sazerac Rye.

Further discussion on our Eagle Rare Forum Page