Q-Z

The first independently bottled expression of Annandale we have seen since its rebirth in 2014, This seven year old example was bottled by Glasgow based bottlers North Star Spirits.  Distilled in 2015, before being laid down to mature in a single Oloroso Sherry Butt. The result is a soft mellow and rather sweet dram with elements of spun sugar, boozy fruit cake and gentle spice on the nose, followed along by notes of sticky date pudding, spicy gingerbread and wafts of freshly cracked black pepper on the palate.  The spices linger on the finish with wafts of sweet Christmas spices accompanied by sweet chewy caramel.

Bottled from a single first fill Oloroso butt, this Ardnamurchan is like a trip to an old-fashioned sweet shop. The aroma starts off with notes of freshly varnished oak, before leading to sugar coated cola bottles, the confectionary notes continue through the palate, think of menthol, aniseed wheels and lots of liquorice bullets. The liquorice lingers on through the palate, joined with notes of caramelised banana sweets and banoffee pie

A striking, big a smoky brute from Islay, this Bunnahabhain was bottled from a single ex Bourbon barrel by North Star. A surge of herbal peat smoke rockets out of the glass, drenched with a savoury, sticky barbeque sauce. The BBQ continues on the palate, becoming meaty and joined with more grassy and herbal smoke notes. Deliciously more-ish, it finishes sweet and smoky.

Bottled from a refill hogshead, with an Oloroso finish, the aroma of this Glen Garioch is like breakfast on a cold Scottish morning, with warm porridge, sweet berries and brown sugar. The palate takes a sweet dessert like turn, with notes of custard and tart cherries served alongside baked apples. Grilled citrus notes linger on towards the end of the palate.

This Glenallachie from north star is an absolute sherry bomb. Bottled from a single Oloroso butt, the nose is full of rich oak and big sherry notes. The big sherry tones continue through the palate, joined with a malty sweetness, the finish is long, punchy and powerful, notes of stewed fruits linger on and on?

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.

Bottled from four refill octaves, this Glenlossie has the aroma of a stroll through the garden on a damp day, with notes of rain-soaked gorse flower and rhododendrons. The palate takes on a much sunny turn, with notes of pitted olives, sweet dried figs and crisp green apples, drying towards the end.

This incredibly grunty Glentauchers comes from a highly active ex-sherry butt, imparting its heavy wood influence over 14 years of maturation. Iain's tasting notes talk of "brand new tupperware filled with empire biscuits and victoria sponge", bringing to mind qualities of rich fruit jams and vanilla, while the palate is described as being like a leather riding crop soaked in sherry (come on now Iain...)

This Linkwood has been bottled from a single Oloroso Hogshead and is a classic dessert whisky. The nose begins with notes of dark chocolate sauce and sweet strawberry sorbet. The palate continues with the dessert theme, with elements of warm rhubarb crumble served with rich vanilla pudding and freshly baked bread rolls, moving towards sponge cakes and fondant towards the end, balanced by a slight hint of leather.

This Linkwood, bottled from a single Oloroso butt is a perfect winter warmer dram. There are notes of warm apple cider and zesty citrus on the nose, before notes of sweet toasted oak, and sweet honey join on the palate, the sweetness continues on towards the end of the palate, with a rather malty finish.

This Royal Brackla has been bottled from a single ex Pedro Ximenez barrel and is one for the chocoholics, there is an abundance of chocolate notes on the nose, with aromas of chocolate liqueur and Dutch cocoa. The chocolate notes continue on through the palate with intense dark chocolate tones continuing long into the finish.

Distilled at an unknown Highland distillery, this single cask expression has been aged for eleven years in Port and Oloroso Octaves and a refil Hogshead before being bottled at the natural strength of 56.5% 

On the nose there are hints of tart apple cider and summer berry pie 

The palate consists of vanilla ice cream sundaes and slices of freshly baked sponge cake with chocolate cream.

The finish is wonderfully thick rich and oily, covering the last buds and lingering with polished leather, sweet stewed berries and sweet oak.

A twelve-year-old blend from North Star Spirits of Glasgow, bottled from refill Oloroso butts and composing of both grain and malt whiskies. This whisky has aromas of jaffa cakes, sweet, toasted oak and vanilla pods. There are distinct meaty notes on the palate, alongside fresh stone fruit (peaches and plums) and a hint of dried herbs.

Bottled from a Pedro Ximenez Hogshead and named after the legendary Bessie Williamson, this Islay classic starts off with a surprisingly sweet nose with notes of Moffat toffee and beeswax, the palate sees the arrival of the distillery?s classic industrial smoke and distinct oiliness with hints of burnt pastries, towards the finish, there are notes of campfire cowboy coffee and drying peat smoke, with hints of stewed fruits

This blended expression from North Star draws from "a mix of distilleries" - the chosen whiskies were aged for ten years in two Sherry Butts. Light and desserty, with notes of peach melba and vanilla ice cream, paired with flat white coffee mousse. On the palate there are sweet notes of raspberry licorice, malted biscuits and hints of sweet spice. Sweet to the end with barley sugar sweets and syrupy hotcakes.  

The final chapter in North Star?s ?Supersonic? blended malt series, the Mach 1 is a blend of single malts entirely aged in sherry casks and bottled at 46%. The nose opens with Christmas cake with marzipan icing and a thick brandy sauce. On the tongue it explodes into tart dried fruit, barley sugars and fresh nutmeg, leaving behind a warming, lingering spice.