Whiskies from around the world

Arran Sauternes Cask Finish - 50% 

Arran is a whisky lovers favourite. Located on the Isle of Arran which was renowned for the 'Waters of Arran' illegal whisky, has a rich history of distillation. Opened in 1995, Arran is known for their beautiful spirit and its integration with quality casks. 

The Sauternes Finish is the ideal dessert dram with complementary notes of apricots, melon and honeysuckle.To achieve this rich partnership, our traditional Arran Single Malt is matured in oak casks for eight years and is then finished in a selection of Sauternes (Bordeaux sweet white wine) casks.

Arran Signature Series 3, Duero Discovery - 50%

We will also be pouring the latest edition in the popular limited edition Signature Series, the Duero Discovery. This 12 year old Single Malt Scotch was aged for 6 years in 1st and 2nd fill Bourbon casks and then a further 6 years in 1st fill Spanish red wine casks sourced from the Duero River region in Northern Spain. This rich whisky is full of red berries, sweet spice and creamy vanilla. 

Thomson Two Tonne 40%

Two Tone refers to the two kinds of cask used for the maturation of this whisky; European oak which formerly held New Zealand red wine and American white oak used exclusively for whisky. In place of an age statement the infinity symbol marking this bottling is symbolic of the marriage of casks.

Thomson Port Cask Finish Australian Exclusive - 51.6% not yet available for public release

6 weeks ago, Founder and Head Distiller, Mat Thomson visited Australia for a roadshow to visit stores and host events in Sydney and Canberra. We asked him to bring a cask sample of something cool that he had ageing, and he told us that he had a Port Cask that was almost ready. What made this particularly special, is that this was the only Port Cask that he has ageing, given the lack of port in New Zealand. During these visits and events, it was clear that this was a winner so we decided to buy the whole cask and make it an Australian Exclusive. 

Aged for 4 years in a bourbon cask and then transferred into a port cask for about 18 months, this whisky is nuanced and unlike most Australian port casks. Expect berries, fig, vanilla and wisps of smoke as we believe this is a Ghost Peated whisky. 

Barrell Foundation 5 Year Old Bourbon - 50%

Barrell Craft Spirits, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is an independent blender and bottler of unique, aged, cask strength sourced whiskey and rum. Barrell Craft Spirits have an unrelenting drive to break the status quo by selecting and blending products that explore different distillation methods, barrels, and aging environments with the goal to elevate barrels of whisky into something greater than the sum of their parts and to showcase the world’s most exciting spirits.

Barrell Foundation Bourbon is a blend of bourbons from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Maryland, all ranging in age from five to nine years. Twenty-three percent rye in the mash bill gives Foundation richness and complexity, while the approachable proof point brings out lush sweetness and dark fruit.

Remnant Drop Bear 12 Year Old Single Cask 55.06%

If you're not familiar with the story of Remnant, it's one of a barrel investment scheme that turned out to be more like a Ponzi scheme. At heart of it though, was some incredibly good whisky that is now 10-13 years old. The most sought after releases from Remnant have always been the Drop Bear. These cask strength, single cask releases are some of the best Australian whisky on the market. This 3rd edition was bottled exclusively for The Whisky Show, however, we have secured some for this tasting. Aged for 12 years in Sherry casks, this release is full of rich flavours, deep complexity and a long finish. A wonderful example of aged and unadulterated Australian whisky. 

Decadent Drams Ben Nevis From The Barrel Australian Exclusive 53.3%

This is another Australian Exclusive from the best selling independent bottler in Australia, Decadent Drinks. If you aren't familair with Ben Nevis, it has a cult following due to their 'funky' spirit which is full-bodied, rich and full of character. All of this is on show in this bottling. Part of a refill sherry butt, matured for 6 months in a refill quarter cask and finished for another year or so in an 2nd fill ex-Bourbon ex-Deanston cask. Simple. 

And of course it needs a funky label with just a little bit of sarcasm. Hopefully different enough from "that whisky" to avoid a cease and desist. If you're not sure of the correlation, make sure to ask me on Saturday! 

Jimmy Shore - The Whisky List