Old Pulteney Scotch

Nose: Crisp and clean. Great balance reveals notes of herbs and grist. Parsley, almond.

Palate: Balanced with medium body. Musty, nutty, sultana, toffee, spices. Oak.

Finish: Medium, oak, spices.

Country: Scotch Whisky

Region: Highland Whisky

Distillery: Pulteney

Bottler: Pulteney

Age: 12 year old Whisky

ABV: 40.0%

Tobermory 10 yr

Nose: Barley sugars and toasted cereal, supported by hints of winter spice and soft oak. Salty melted butter and ground ginger develop.

Palate: Quite sweet and light. There are elements of acacia honey and continuing oak from the nose. Smoke and black pepper notes rise gently with a touch of dried fruit and peels. A flash of cinnamon later on.

Finish: Long and herbal with a touch of pepper.

Country: Scotch Whisky

Region: Island Whisky

Distillery: Tobermory

Bottler: Tobermory

Age: 10 year old Whisky

ABV: 46.3%

Smokehead Whisky

Nose: Smoke! Lapsang souchong. Cool wood smoke. Thick and full.

Palate: Big, puckering peat. Smoky, fruity sweetness, touch of sherry, sultana. Herbal.

Finish: Herbal, tangy fruits and more peat smoke!

Country: Scotch Whisky

Region: IslayWhisky

Distillery: Smokehead

Bottler: Smokehead

ABV: 43.0%

Monkey Shoulder Scotch

Nose: An elegant, stylish nose of marmalade, Crema Catalana (apologies, but it really is there), cocoa and malt. Plenty of vanilla and a sprinkling of winter spice (nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon) alongside a mouth-watering hint of aniseed.

Palate: Very malty, creamy delivery with a suggestion of berry fruit. Juicy toasted barley, cloves and butterscotch. Manuka honey, hot-buttered-toast and dried apricot develop.

Finish: Medium length, spicy oak and a hint of peppermint on the tail.

Country: Scotch Whisky

Region: Scotch Whisky

Distillery: Monkey Shoulder

Bottler: Monkey Shoulder

ABV: 40.0%

Balvenie 15 Year Single Barrel

Nose: Honey and peach, buttery baked goods, angel food cake, white port wine, honeysuckle and freshly-cut flowers. Butterscotch.

Palate: Rich with honey and marzipan, low-burn. Clear and unmuddied heather at the beginning, middle, and end. Like liquid candy, but not cloyingly so. Delicate and floral on the attack, growing more nutty and with darker cooked-fruit flavors… like peach pie.

Finish: is short, but with a lingering ghost of lilac and yet more honey. This dram makes me want to be a bee in the next life.

Country: Scotch Whisky

Region: Speyside Whisky

Distillery: Balvenie

Bottler: Balvenie

Age: 15 year old Whisky

ABV: 47.8%