Each month here at Whisky Marketplace we put together a collection of staff recommendations to tantalise your taste buds.
This month we bring you two exciting new releases; we sniff out the last few remaining bottles of a rather special release by Highland Park before they disappear for good; and in the video podcast embedded above Pierre revisits the classic blended Scotch Chivas Regal 18 Year Old.
Staff Picks - our choices for this month
Tomatin Legacy
There's a nice little back story for Tomatin Legacy, which is the latest edition to their core range. When the distillery was built back in 1897, in a remote part of the Scottish Highlands, the owners started a project to provide accommodation for the workforce; this has lived on and Tomatin remains one of the few distilleries which provide a homes for it's craftsmen. This legacy is now remembered in a distillery bottling, a fresh and lively whisky which is bursting at the seams with green apples, sweet and spicy vanilla notes from the virgin oak and bags of tropical fruits. A sensational whisky for the price.
£24.99 at www.shop4whisky.com
Chivas Regal 18 Year Old
Revisiting a bit of a classic here. I’m a big fan of the Chivas Regal blends and the 18 year old is no exception. Very rich and satisfying, sure to please fans of blended whisky and single malt alike. A thick, nutty nose with notes of orange peel, candied fruit, and a little charcoal smoke, leads to a full bodied and luxurious palate.
£43.49 at www.thewhiskyexchange.com
Talisker Storm
A rugged new expression from Skye's iconic distillery – this whisky is aptly named Talisker Storm. Crafted with a strong thread of the classic Talisker DNA that we all know and love, however, this is a different beast than the de facto 10 Year Old. Big peaty, smoky flavours as you would expect but thrusted to the fore by the younger elements of this 'no age statement' single malt. Spicy, peppery, oily, well-rounded Talisker goodness. Enjoy!
£36.98 at www.thegreenwellystop.co.uk
Highland Park Thor
With all the attention surrounding the more recent Warrior series from Highland Park, it would be easy to overlook the fact that Milroys still have some of the original Thor, from the Valhalla series, at a very attractive price. Pick up a bottle of this terrific whisky while they still have stock!
£114.90 at www.milroys.co.uk