Whiskies from the 2010's

Specially selected by the team at Whisky Galore and Adelphi for DramFest 2025, this Caol Ila marks one of the four exclusives for the event. Distilled in 2014 and matured for 10 years in an ex-sherry hogshead, this is a classic Caol Ila - wind-swept beachside bonfires evokes smoke and salt, joining a rush of rich toffee and earthy peat. Flavours of peat-smoked bacon sizzling on a grill is contrasted by a citric profile of rich marmalade and tart citron. We hope you enjoy this special Adelphi selection, exclusively available here in New Zealand.

Chosen in partnership with the Benromach distillery for DramFest 2025, this New Zealand exclusive release was bottled from a single first-fill ex sherry hogshead. Distilled from Benromach's lightly peated barley, this cask shows great balance between rich raisin sweetness and fragrant Christmas spices. A flash of struck-matches on the nose gives way to a dense and complex character of red fruits and berries, with clementine and raisin pudding. An integrated peat smoke runs through the heart of this dram, finishing with chocolate and a lasting oak spice.

Created from a batch of just 5 refill ex-sherry butts, this Glen Elgin shows a delicate pear juice and appletiser flavour, with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. Crisp pink lady apples build with a background of milk chocolate, with lashings of pear Eau de Vie drizzled over flaky pastry, and a light lemon-oil citric flavour to finish.

Distilled in 2016 and filled from a single refill ex-Oloroso sherry butt, this is an Ardmore bursting with character, distinctly reminiscent of a place: an old bothy peat fireplace surrounded by hessian sack, wet bung and old fishing equipment. Buttery and vanilla tones join tart blackberry, pan-fried sausages and smoky cedar.

Selected from a small batch of casks laid down in 2012 at the Ardmore distillery, this new release from Signatory was matured in a unique type of cask - 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrels that were sourced from an undisclosed distillery on Islay (codenamed LA, suggesting Laphroaig). The nose opens with an industrial smokyness, evoking old workshops and savoury smoke. There is a touch of old hessian sacks and then a sweet barley tone that shifts to creamy and vanilla'd.

The first certified organic Single Malt Scotch whisky since 2006, this is the latest of Benromach's acclaimed 'Contrasts: Organic' series. Distilled in 2013 this follows previous releases unpeated spirit, matured in virgin-American oak. Offering an aromatic and sweet fragrant oaky note, rich with vanilla and toffees, the nose is creamy and malty as well. The mouthfeel is creamy again with banana custard, moving to coffee and cocoa flavours. Fully accredited by the UK Soil Association, this is a rare example of totally organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Matured initially in ex-bourbon barrels before a final mature period in ex-Oloroso butts, this Knockdhu is a festive treat with orange marzipan, gingerbread and jammy flavours. Spicy and sweet like a slice of gingerbread, there is a note of cola cubes and milk chocolate - distinctive notes from sherry casks.

Chosen from casks that were laid down in 2012, this brand new 'Cuvee' expression sees GlenAllachie's whisky given a secondary maturation in hand-chosen French and Italian wine casks. The disitllery's spirit, with heather honeyed tones is joined by pastel fruits and red berries, hints of ginger and caramel biscuits. A burst of orchard fruit and citrus can be found, with plum syrup and more berries in 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 refill 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.

Made from peated barley, this 10 year old Bunnahabhain from Cadenhead shows the sweet, salty and savoury character of the distillery's 'Staoisha' peated spirit. The nose opens with crispy smoky bacon, moving to smoky fish soup (Cullen skink) and lashings of peat. The finish has a minty, herbal twist, remaining coastal to the end.

Bottled from a small batch of ex-Oloroso sherry cask finished barrels, this Linkwood offers a heavier than normal profile of this famous Spey malt. This additional maturation has brought forward notes of warm, spicy apple puddings, berry compote and pan au raisin. A warm and full mouthfeel leaves a spicy trail, finishing on caramel and liquorice tones.

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.

Matured for 13 years at Linkwood in a refill hogshead cask, this single cask bottling from Thompson Bros shows beautiful character of this old distillery. The nose carries a sweet note of toasted museli and vanilla custard, with delicate orchard fruits and a chalky minerality. To taste, a medley of nuts & fruits and warm baked pastry, finishing with citrus and a hint of umami savouryness.

Matured for 12 years in an ex-refill sherry butt, this single cask whisky hails from the Benriach distillery in the heart of Speyside. At its core, this is a classic Benriach, fruity with raisins and apricots surrounded by a blanket of heather honey and vanilla. A long note of milk chocolate coated dried fruit lingers in the finish.

Part of Signatory's all new 'Small Batch' series, this bottling of Caol Ila has been matured in a selection of Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon casks. There are expected notes of rich sherried tones, colliding with Caol Ila's signature coastal, meaty and oily nature, think of salty cured meats, coastal bonfire smoke, sweet nuts, tanned leather and hints of dried fruits.

Chosen from an undisclosed distillery in Speyside, this 11 year old has a flavour that reflects its ingredients, with notes of grist (ground malted barley) and boiled barley sugar sweets. Sultanas and a hint of savoury, struck-match sulphur joins in, becoming meaty and gamey. The finish is full of lime and grapefruit, with a crisp ending.

One of the few Highland producers who use peated malt, this 11 year old Cadenhead selection comes from the Ardmore disitllery. A rich aroma of smoked rhubarb, Turkish delight and smoky bacon crisps lead the nose, with a contrasting sweet stewed fruityness on the palate. Strawberries and cherries join flavours of black forrest gateau and a lingering peaty tang in the finish.

This expression from Linkwood distillery was bottled from two American oak barrels and two hogsheads. Matured for ten years, this bottling showcases Linkwood's elegant character. On the nose there are aromas of rich chocolate and limes, satsumas and kumquats along with wet cut grass. Shredded wheat, warm milk and drizzles of honey coat the palate, along with zesty citrus notes of orange and fleshy lemons and hints of dry spice.

After 11 years maturation in a single cask, this Macduff has a distinctly toffee'd flavour, with lashings of vanilla from the wood. Bringing to mind custard, caramels and creamy notes, it has a very rounded texture. This is a classic Macduff, reminiscent of hard toffee melting in the mouth.

Selected from a small batch of casks from the Tamdhu distillery, matured for 11 years in ex-Bolgheri wine casks from Tuscany. The distillery's chewy caramel and toffee character remains in the background, with a more prominent profile of vibrant black and red berries coming through from the wood. There is a dry and tannic spice in the finish, ideal for pairing with a sweeter style of chocolate with nutty or fruity notes.

This expression, distilled at Glenrothes distillery has been matured for ten years on oak, with a six month finish in a single Octave cask, yielding an outturn of just 89 bottles. Presented at the natural strength of 54.1%, there are gentle sherry tones, alongside soft caramel and peppered strawberries with soft hints of aniseed and heavy cream.

Bottled from a refill Oloroso sherry hogshead laid down at the Teaninich distillery in 2014, this 10 year old shows the distillery's sweet and viscous profile. The nose opens with a step in to an old-fashioned sweet shop - berry-flavoured hard boiled candies join candied grapefruit and red licorice, joining a sweet and grapey flavour like old dessert wines. The palate is rich and weighted with a satisfying length.

This expression from Tomintoul distillery has been finished in an ex Rye Whiskey cask bringing forward pronounced spiciness 

On the nose there are notes of lemon meringue pie and fizzy citrus sherbert, custard cream biscuits and hazelnut praline.  The rye cask shows of its influence on the palate, with bold and intense spiciness. There are also notes of honey soaked nougat and zesty alcohol infused lemon sorbet.

Distilled at the little-known Royal Brackla distillery near Nairn, this 10 year old single malt has a very sweet and dessert-like flavour, with salted caramel, toffee apple and fudge notes throughout. On the palate, it is very rich and buttery, with the charred oak casks adding depths of pepper and woody tones.