Scotch

Every Scotch is distilled in Scotland and by law is aged for at least 3 years in oak barrels. Scotches designated as Single-malt are composed of blends produced in the same distillery. Blended scotches refer to a spirit that is composed of whiskies from more than 1 distillery.

Scotch History & Regions

Isle of Skye (Islay/Blended)

15p from every bottle sold now goes to Scottish Mountain Rescue. A special UK edition of the 8 Year Old featuring a bespoke fundraising label has been launched to highlight the Mountain Spirit campaign. The label features a mountaineering image and a clear message that every bottle sold will help save lives.

Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky has been aged for 8 years, which is significantly shorter than the average age (18 years) for Scotch whiskies. The age denotes the youngest component of the spirit, this blend may include parts that are far older.

Nose Stunningly evocative. Deep peaty tones waft from the glass. But there is a lot more beyond: the grains intermingle deliciously with oaky, vanilla notes and something malty and even slightly honeyed.

Palate Sweet at first, and remarkably viscous. This seems to be the peat hanging around and there is intense barley sugar and spice. Massively flavoured. This creaminess continues for what seems hours.

Finish Remains sweet, spicy and chewy and at the end faintly nutty. The oak returns at the end.

Johnnie Walker Red Label (Blended)

It’s a blend that combines light whiskies from Scotland’s East Coast and more peaty whiskies from the West, creating an extraordinary depth of flavor. Johnnie Walker Red Label has hints of cinnamon and pepper, fruity sweetness, and a mellow bed of vanilla, before the Johnnie Walker signature of a long, lingering, smoky finish.

Nose Aromas of butter roasted nuts and toffee.

Palate Dryish medium body with good depth and layers of dried fruits, spices and a full smoky aftertaste.

Finish Finishes with mossy peat, wet stone, and pepper on the long warming fade. Very solid with good dimension and balance.

Johnnie Walker Black Label (Blended)

Blended exclusively from forty whiskies matured for at least 12 years, it brings together flavors from the four corners of Scotland to create an experience that is complex, deep and rewarding. Johnnie Walker Black Label rolls decadently over the tongue, releasing intense sweet vanillas that give way to orange zest and aromas of spice and raisins. The finish is unbelievably smooth and layered with rich smoke, peat and malt.

Nose Attractive aroma of toasted grain, delicately smoky peat, dried fruits, and spices follow through on silky entry to a dryish medium-to-full body.

Palate Very good depth and notes of buttery praline and roasted spiced nuts, delicious and masterfully balanced blend.

Finish Finishes with a gentle fruit, buttercream, anise, and mossy river stone accented fade. A delicious and masterfully balanced blend.

Laphroaig 10 Year (Islay)

Laphroaig 10 Year Old is an all-malt Scotch Whisky from the remote island of Islay in the Western Isles of Scotland. Laphroaig, pronounced "La-froyg", is a Gaelic word meaning "the beautiful hollow by the broad bay.

Nose Huge smoke, seaweedy, "medicinal", with a hint of sweetness.

Palate Suprising sweetness with hints of salt and layers of peatiness.

Finish Lingering.

Macallan 12 Year (Speyside)

Nose Vanilla with a hint of ginger, dried fruits, sherry sweetness and wood smoke.

Palate Deliciously smooth, rich dried fruits and sherry balanced with wood smoke and spice.

Finish Sweet toffee and dried fruits, with wood smoke and spice.

Macallan 18yr (Speyside)

Nose Dried fruits and ginger, with a hint of citrus, vanilla and cinnamon.

Palate Rich dried fruits with spice, clove, orange and wood smoke.

Finish Full and lingering with dried fruits and sweet toffee, ginger and a hint of wood smoke.

Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt (Highlands)

A bustling seaside resort has grown up around the distillery in the two centuries since it was first built in the fishing town of Oban. The West Highland malt is still produced in the same unhurried, traditional fashion and this 14 year old is a classic dram from the distillery.

Nose Rich and smokey. The medicinal notes are quite evident with notes of the sea; seaweed, tarry ropes. There are notes of cut hay and wood smoke rising with a gentle estery sweetness.

Palate Thick and full. Notes of citrus with smooth sweetness. The smoke wafts with notes of seaweed. The oak is quite rich with grist and cereal and malt.

Finish Is of good length with fruit and dry oak.

Lagavulin 16 Year (Islay)

A much sought-after single malt with the massive peat-smoke that's typical of southern Islay - but also offering a dryness that turns it into a truly interesting dram. Lagavulin is an intense, smoky-sweet single malt with seaweed flavours and a huge finish, aged in oak casks for at least sixteen years.

Nose Intense peat smoke with iodine and seaweed and a rich, deep sweetness.

Palate A rich, dried fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong, barley-malt flavours, warming and intense. At the back of the mouth is an explosion of peppery smoke.

Finish Huge, long, warming and peppery with a distinch appetising sweetness.