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.

A very rare indepentently bottled expression of old style GlenDronach, this limited expression bottled by North Star is sure to impress. Distilled in 1991 before maturing in a single refil Oloroso Sherry Butt for 31 years. The nose is rather earthy, with notes of petrichor, (the smell asscoiated with the arrival of rain) and hot tar, accompained with freshly cracked black pepper. The finish takes a rich and deep turn, with elements of Black Forrest Gateau and rich hot chocolate.

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.

Matured in a combination of ex-olorosso and ex-Pedro Xiniminez cask for a minimum of 21 years, the Parliament is a rich and decadent dram. Aromas of ripe Autumnal fruits, notably blackberries and red plums and toasted oak. Resolute flavours of fine Oloroso sherry open up on the palate and bitter chocolate sauce which has been spread liberally over homemade plum pudding. This is all infused with spicy notes of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. A full bodied dram with a long lingering and spicy finish.

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.

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 40 is one of the most complex and sophisticated whiskies we have ever stocked - aromas and flavours of prunes, dates, leather armchairs, walnuts and chocolate covered raisins, with a heart of orange segments (chocolate dipped), brown sugar and a wonderful drying oakyness - a masterpiece of a dram from one of Scotland's most beloved distilleries.

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.

The Glenfiddich Solera system is unique amongst Scotch whisky distillers. Fifteen-year-old Glenfiddich matured in either Spanish Oak Ex-Sherry or new oak is married in a large Solera vat made of Oregon pine. The vat is always kept at least half full, ensuring a consistent quality of whisky is maintained whenever it is topped up. The result? A full and fruity nose, with delicate honey and vanilla notes. The taste is elegantly smooth, with a deep flavour that reveals fruit, gentle spice and a touch of oak. The finish is long and satisfying.

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.

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