Merchant Testing

The first authorised history of one of Scotland's most famous malt
whisky distilleries retold by whisky writer Ian Buxton and produced in
lavish full colour. 2011 saw the 175th anniversary of the founding of
this family-owned Speyside business.

Situated just outside of Huntly in the highlands of Scotland, the GlenDronach distillery has since 1826 produced a style of whisky that is renowned for its rich, heavy character. Notes of dried fruit (raisins, sultanas) followed by a big dollop of toffee and sherry lead into hints of dark chocolate/cocoa. The GlenDronach 12 is one of the best value for money whiskies that we stock, punching far above its weight.

In stark contrast to the more well known style of whisky made at GlenDronach, this expression has been made from peated barley, paying tribute to the peat historically used to dry the barley in the early days of whisky making. The classic GlenDronach character is still there, with fruit, spice and toffee, and a subtle peat note smouldering throughout, adding dryness and a finish reminicent of an earthy campfire smoke. The use of peated barley has been used cleverly and carefully here, never dominanting but always present - an excellent new addition to the range.

From GlenDronach distillery this whisky has been maturing for ten years, with the last three years in port pipes from the Douro Valley in Portugal. The nose has notes of plums, bramble, strawberry jam and ginger. The palate has big fruit notes with blackberry and roasted apple, baked orange and freshly backed gingerbread. To finish the notes develop into orange peel, sultana and cherry cake.

GlenDronach's 'Revival' 15 years old has been matured in both Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez, giving it a rich, robust and mouth-filling palate and a complex and rewarding nose. Dense with flavours of heavy toffee, macerated dried fruits and a distinctive hint of dark chocolate. One of our most popular whiskies and an excellent example of the iconic Highland Scotch whisky style.

Launched in 1968 as the first distillery expression of cask strength whisky, Glenfarclas' 105 has always been made by balancing a selection of ex-sherry casks, whose combined natural strength is exactly 60% ABV - 105 British proof. This new limited edition 105 has been made from casks that have matured for 16 years, with the classic Glenfarclas flavours of butterscotch, lashings of Christmas spices and rich, long-lasting dried fruit and woody tones.

A rich, heavily fruity nose (Christmas cake, dates) and palate that has elements of dark chocolate and oak notes, in particular a clove & pepper spice. At 60% this is still a very drinkable dram, but it really opens up and excels with a couple of drops of water. A whisky to be played and experimented with, this is a brilliant introduction to the world of cask-strength whiskies.

Please note this is a 200ml bottle.

Laid down in 1999, this 'Family Cask' release offers a glimpse into single cask that resided in the traditional dunnage warehouses of the Grants of Glenfarclas in Speyside, Scotland. At nearly a quarter century of maturation, you can expect flavours that are a medley of dried and red fruits, leathery tones and a deeply complex woody spice. There is a quality of antique furniture polish and woodworking on the nose, and an intensity of flavour that is extremely long-lasting in the finish.

Part of the famous Family Cask series from Glenfarclas, this new release comes from cask #2669, distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2023. Coming in at 60.9% natural cask strength, this will offer the traditional Glenfarclas flavours of rich fruit puddings, drying oak flavours and a bracing kick of peppery, warm spices. One of only 634 bottles produced.

A rich, heavily fruity nose (Christmas cake, dates) and palate that has elements of dark chocolate and oak notes, in particular a clove & pepper spice. At 60% this is still a very drinkable dram, but it really opens up and excels with a generous splash of water. A whisky to be played and experimented with, this is a brilliant introduction to the world of cask-strength whiskies.

matured in 100% ex Oloroso Sherry Casks, the Glenfarclas 12 years old is an inviting amber-gold colored whisky that has notes of dried fruit, hints of chocolate, toffee and a lovely spiciness on the finish. A perfect introduction to a richer single malt Scotch whisky, and one that is beloved by fans of the classic Speyside style.

At 15 years old, this whisky shows the complex and mature style the Glenfarclas distillery is renowned for - light butterscotch, dried fruit and an big oak and sherry character are mingled with hints of malted barley and a touch of dry peat smoke. The finish is long, with Christmas cake spices lingering on the palate, making for a complex and richly satisfying single malt.

Bottled after 25 years of quiet maturation at the Glenfarclas distillery in Speyside, this whisky is hued amber with dark gold highlights, and has hints of sherry, honey, dark roasted coffee beans along with a distinct oaky spice and nuttiness. The finish is long lasting with a gentle touch of peat smoke in the background. An elegant and complex dram from one of the true greats of the Speyside region.

Considered by many as the benchmark of the Speyside single malt style, each sniff and sip conjures up images of old fashioned Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and a medley of dried fruits soaked in sherry. There is a complex buildup of spice and oak character that is carried by a soft mouthfeel into a long, enduring finish. 3 decades and generations of family craft and skill have gone into making this iconic Speyside Scotch whisky.

The Glenfarclas distillery has been run by the same family for 6 generations, a proud heritage that has enabled them to become one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world. A soft and mellow dram offering hints of dried fruit, gentle baking spices and a heartening warmth of oak. An excellent introduction to the distillery style.

A fusion of peat whisky and malts matured in bourbon barrels, and then finished in Latin rum casks to create a great exquisite whisky with campfire smokiness and toffee sweetness On the nose there is soft peat notes with rich sweet toffee and caramel with zesty fruit notes and spiciness. Taste of light smoky peat with oak notes and toffee. Sharp green fruit, sweet baked apple. The finish lingers with both smokiness and sweetness.

Glenfiddich resurrects the lost tradition of maturing in rum casks with this Glenfiddich 21 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky. Rum distillers from Sancti Spiritus, near the Sierra del Escambray in the heart of Cuba, worked with Glenfiddich to develop this unique Cuban rum finish. Casks of Cuban rum are decanted at the distillery in Scotland and filled with 21 Year Old Glenfiddich to absorb the unique character lingering in the wood. Glenfiddich then wait for their Malt Master to give his blessing for bottling - at the precise moment when the unmistakable Glenfiddich flavour reveals a new and vibrant overtone. Silver Medal winner at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2007.

What first hits you about the fresh and fragrant Glenfiddich 12 Year Old is the touch of pear in the nose, followed by a distinctive, well-balanced flavour of rich fruit, subtle pine and a hint of peatiness. Expect a satisfyingly long, lingering and rounded aftertaste. One of the most famous names in whisky and arguably the one that started it all.

Master craftsmen have created a complex, mellow single malt Scotch whisky from years of patient maturation in casks of the finest Ex-Oloroso Sherry and American Ex-Bourbon. It is secreted away in Glenfiddich's traditional warehouse, where the cool, thick stone walls and low ceilings mature the whisky to perfection. Years later what emerges is a Glenfiddich 18 Year Old with an elegant nose, faintly sweet, scented with apple and wood. It is robust and full-bodied, yet remarkably soft, rounded and long lasting

Produced by the Grant family at the most famous distillery in the world, Glenfiddich, this whisky represents four decades of careful maturation and selection by their director, Peter Gordon. Released in batches of just 1,000 bottles a year, this is one of the rarest releases available from the distillery.

Official tasting notes from the Glenfiddich malt master:

Beautifully rich with layer upon layer of dried fruits, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and ripe black cherries. Waves of gentle wood smoke, polished leather and cloves.

Silky smooth and luxurious. Intense dried fruit notes are followed by rich fruitcake, dates, raisins and stewed apples. Over time slightly dry oak notes appear, with a hint of bitter chocolate and the faintest peat notes.

Incredibly long lasting and complex. Truly memorable.

The 14th edition of Islay's only single farm whisky has arrived. As with previous releases, the peating level of the barley is less than the core Kilchoman range due to the variability of using the traditional floor malting methods to produce the barley for the malt for this expression. On the nose there are notes of tropical fruits, light campfire smoke, zesty orange peel and preserved lemons. The palate consists of sweet caramelized sugars, vanilla and lemon curd, grilled pineapples and fresh ginger root with an oily and sherried smoky finish. Distilled from the farm's 2013 and 2014 harvests, and matured in a selection of ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks for nine years.

This new expression from Kilchoman has been matured in a combination of recharred ex Red Wine casks, Oloroso butts and ex Bourbon barrels. A few drops of Kilchoman spring water has been added post maturation to achieve a batch strength of 57%

The nose gives aromas of red fruits, fresh cherries, heather blossom and intense peat smoke. On the Palate we have white grapes, fudge, salted caramel and tobacco leaves with waves of rich smoke. Followed with a finish of toffee, rich spices, vanilla and lasting peat smoke    

This new expression from Kilchoman has seen their spirit fully matured in ex-Cognac casks from Tonellerie Bossuet (France). These casks impart a herbaceous, sweet and spicy character that balances against the robust peat smoke character of the whisky. The palate carries a toasted oakyness, with lush fruit laced with crystalised ginger warmth. A tang of citrus oil lifts through the smoke and sweet wood in the finish.