Q-Z

A rare sight to see, this unknown Highland Distillery has been slumbering in an ex-bourbon barrel for a full 37 Years in the Cadenhead vaults. The flavours have all come straight from the Belgium Christmas markets with aromas of brandy snaps, gingerbread with thick butter and baked apples. The palate is oily and rich with a heavy dusting of allspice over apple crumble. Finally, this dram is rounded off with warm hoppy notes that remind us of a final stein by the fire, followed by juicy prunes and roasted hazelnuts. 

Founded in 1842, Wm. Cadenhead are Scotland's oldest independent whisky bottlers, who are also renowned for their rum selections. The Cadenhead 'Classic' rum is a blend from distilleries in the Caribbean, bottled from a selection of casks and reduced to 50% ABV. The nose starts immediately rich, with molasses, demerara sugar and asian spices. The palate is very full and rounded, starting sweet before building to a spicy and slightly phenolic (rubbery, hot tarmac) note. For the rum purists, this has no added sugar content of any sort.

It is very rare for us to see independently bottled Irish whiskey in New Zealand so we're delighted to have this expression bottled by Wm. Cadenhead of Campbltown, Scotland. Drawn from an undisclosed distillery, it has the classic Irish single malt whiskey character with soft, sweet, fruity flavours (pears) and a wonderful creaminess.

As Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Cadenhead's warehouses are home to some casks whose history is not precisely known, even to themselves, and this latest 'Enigma' release is one such example.  Matured in refill sherry butts, this is a blend of single malt and grain whiskies, aged together for 25 long years. A sweet, toffee and fudge-filled aroma leads in to walnuts and raisins, with strawberry sauce and tart sherbert to finish things off.

Seven Stars is created by blending together carefully selected casks from the vast array of stock lying in Cadenhead’s warehouses. On the nose there are notes of strawberries and cream along with sweet buttery apple crumble. The palate moves towards a lighter note of citrus peel, raw cane sugar and ginger-nut biscuits, moving towards a sweet, zesty and slightly hoppy finish. 

Cadenhead's Old Raj Gin is distinctive in that it contains a measure of saffron, the rare and costly spice derived from the crocus flower. In addition to a slightly spicy flavour, this also imparts a pale yellow colour to Old Raj. Rich and clean, with a lovely oily mouthfeel, this gin has flavours of zesty lemon, indian spices and a hint of aniseed.

Cadenhead's Old Raj Gin is distinctive in that it contains a measure of saffron, the rare and costly spice derived from the crocus flower. In addition to a slightly spicy flavour, this also imparts a pale yellow colour to Old Raj. This expression, bottled at 55%, is one of the few high strength gins on the market, fantastic in a gin & tonic but is also particularly well suited to classic cocktails such as a martini.

With a total of 13 years of maturation, this fruity, nutty Glen Elgin spent its final years maturing in ex-Manzanilla sherry casks, chosen to bring out these qualities in the whisky. From the glass, aromas of green apples and marzipan / sugared almonds can be found, with an added touch of salted caramel. To finish, a note reminiscent of freshly made doughnuts or cookie dough.

Matured for a total of 13 years, this Glenburgie has been on a journey - from its original casks, it was re-racked in to Port 'pipes' (casks) from Portugal, followed by a final maturation in refill ex-bourbon barrels. This process has produced a whisky of character and balance, with the port cask influence bringing about notes of warm raspberry jam, medjool dates and pine shavings. To finish, a tone of peanut butter and raisins carry through the finish.

Glenlossie is a bit of a team favourite here at WG, and this bottling has been matured in re-charred Bourbon barrels and is light and fruity through and through. The nose is vibrant and refreshing with notes of zesty citrus, moving to sweet raisins covered in chocolate. The sweetness piles on the palate with creamy vanilla custard and marzipan. Finally, delicate creme brûlée, light pear drops and lemon fondant send this lovely light dram on its way.

Distilled at an undisclosed rum producer in Jamaica, this 13 year old rum was produced in pot still, offering the heavier side of the regional style. Notes of orange peel and lime lead the nose, with a distinctive note of burnt banana, new leather and other estery notes.

Though Royal Brackla was the first distillery in Scotland to be issued a Royal Warrant, it remains little-known to most. This is a fine example of the style, light, delicate and vibrantly aromatic. A burst of grape, pink grapefruit and orange peel leads the aroma, moving to a rich flavour of manuka honey drizzled over raisins. There is a sensation of saltyness on the edges of the palate, a contribution from the ex-Fino sherry cask.

This Tamnavulin from Cadenhead has spent 14 years maturing in a small selection of ex-bourbon barrels. Aromas of juicy stone fruits soaked in syrup, fresh pineapple, peaches and grapefruit kick off this summery feeling dram. Zesty lemons with banana cake covered in caramel buttercream arrive on the palate. Finally, warm fruits, flat cola and chocolate biscuits come through to finish.

Matured for 15 years in total, this new Teaninich from Cadenhead spent its final 3 years in a Sauternes barrique, enhancing the sweet and fruity character of the distillery. The aroma is that of desserts being made in a kitchen - melting butter, peaches in syrup and fruit trifle come to mind. To taste, sultanas and honeyed tones are contrasted against a savoury note of oregano and sun dried tomatoes, leaving behind a nutty finish.

Distilled in a column still at an undisclosed distillery in Trinidad, this 18 year old selection comes from Wm. Cadenhead, Scotland's oldest independent bottler, famous for their Scotch and Rum selections since 1842. Tasting notes describe notes of marshmallow, tropical fruit juice and golden syrup, with a herbal, minty and honeyed flavour.

This expression, distilled at Benriach and bottled by W.M Cadenhead's has been aged for twelve years and has been finished in an ex Sauternes cask. 

the nose is rather light, sweet and creamy, with notes of banana ice cream, fresh apples, custard cream biscuits and juicy apricots.

There is a distinct cask influence on the palate, with notes of soft white grapes, vanilla bean ice cream, freshly baked sponge cake and marzipan icing. 

There are notes of fresh warm buttery croissants, picked goosberries and once again marzipan on the finish.

Evoking a traditional Christmas dinner table, this richly spiced and fruity Tamdhu displays the classic distillery style - figs, blood orange and lashings of raisins can be found, joining a twang of dried herbs and mocha coffee. The ex-Oloroso sherry cask contributes an earthy and richly roasted meat character, finishing with a distinctive note of cola cubes.