A fascinating cask-finishing experiment from Teeling Irish Whiskey, who have teamed up with fellow Dubliners the Dot Brew craft brewery for this special collaboration. Teeling Amber Ale Small Batch is the product of a complex symbiosis. Dot Brew were sent a batch of the rum casks used to finish Teeling Small Batch Whiskey, and used them to age their Amber Ale. After the beer had been bottled, the casks were sent back to Teeling, who filled them up again with Small Batch whiskey.

The influence of rum casks and higher alcohol (46%) creates a smooth, sweetly mellow, gently wooded marriage that sparkles on the tongue. Heartwarming.

Aged in traditional oak casks and finished in Caribbean rum casks which result in a well-rounded whisky with notes of toffee, fruit and vanilla.

To create The Balvenie PortWood 21 year old single malt whisky, a marriage of rare Balvenie is transferred to port casks, or pipes, which have held fine port wines. Here it is sampled regularly by The Balvenie Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE to ensure that just the right amount of character is imparted by the port casks, enhancing and developing the single malt whilst preserving its original characteristics.

The taste is rich and mellow; cool on entry then as it reaches the back palate you can feel the warmth and absolute purity of slow unhurried distillation. This is a bewitching, delectable and luxurious gin; its citrus. Freshness excites and stimulates the taste buds allowing you to experience a starburst of flavours as they explode across the palate. All this from a beaten up old pot still, operated by beaten up distillers on the coast of heaven.

The Botanist is a gin of layered complexity, a progressive exploration of the botanical heritage of the isle of Islay. 22 hand-foraged local botanicals delicately augment nine berries, barks, seeds and peels during an achingly slow distillation. The first Islay dry gin is a rare expression of the heart and soul of this remote Scottish Island. A must-have for any home bar and the essential dry gin for all of your favourite cocktails.

Growing Wings is the second expression of The Cardrona Single Malt Whisky coming of age. Aged for five years in a marriage of specially selected ex-Oloroso Sherry butts and ex-Bourbon barrels, Growing Wings is decadently rich and delivered at natural cask strength. Dark fruits on the nose, and sticky treacle in the mouth. Opens with water.

Cardrona's 2023 Single Malt Whisky release is an exquisite trinity of three hand-selected casks, drawn from some of Cardrona's oldest stocks, a 7 year old ex-Oloroso Sherry butt, a 7 year old ex-Boubon barrel and a 5 year old ex-Pinot noir barrique. With just 1,501 bottles, this expression demonstrates a mastery of both maturation in an extreme environment and world-leading innovation in cask management. Burnt toffee. Vanilla cream. Sun-scorched nectarine. Pepper. Cardrona's earnest work's desire realised.

The Dalmore 12, an outstanding Highland Single Malt matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks, finished in rare and aged Oloroso Sherry casks. The Aroma: Citrus fruits, chocolate, aromatic spices. The Palate: Seville oranges, dried fruits, and hints of vanilla pods. The Finish: Roasted coffee and dark chocolate.

The Dalmore 15 year old was first launched in 2007. Matured in Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso Sherry casks, it proffers all those winter spice, orange zest and chocolate notes characteristic of Dalmore.

An indulgent, smooth Highland Single Malt matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and aged Tawny Port pipes. The Aroma: Sweet red berries, Seville oranges, plummy fruits, and sticky toffee pudding. The Palate: Nectarines, creamy caramel, roasted chestnuts, and Java coffee. The Finish: Rich plums, sultanas, Sanguinello blood oranges, and macerated cherries.