Welcome to this month’s Staff Picks. As usual, we've curated four standout selections. We journey to the Isle of Arran with the Arran 11 Year Old Barrel Bonfire Signature Series Edition 2, next we’re off to Japan with Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries, followed by a trip to the Highlands with anCnoc 2007 13 Year Old - Spirit of Art 2020. Lastly, we stop off on Islay with the Ardbeg Vintage Y2K 23 Year Old - a taste of history, celebrating a new era of production from the millennium year.
Staff Picks - our choices for this month
Arran Barrel Bonfire - Signature Series Edition 2
Arran 11 Year Old Barrel Bonfire Signature Series Edition 2 is a rich, full-bodied single malt with a character steeped in bold peat flavours. Stewart Bowman's masterfully managed creation boasts an aroma of citrus and vanilla, wrapped in the heavily peated release's main note.
£82.00 at www.thegreenwellystop.co.uk
Chichibu Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries
Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries is a highly regarded blend of single malt whiskies from Japan's esteemed Chichibu and shuttered Hanyu distilleries. The aroma brims with delicate jasmine, almond, and earthy macadamia. The palate harmoniously merges the fruity qualities of Hanyu with the full-bodied richness of Chichibu, leading to a lingering finish of stone fruit and wood spice.
£110.00 at www.thegreenwellystop.co.uk
anCnoc 2007 13 Year Old - Spirit of Art 2020
anCnoc 2007 13 Year Old, Spirit of Art 2020. In the glass its aroma captivates with floral grassiness, interspersed with subtle hints of honey. On the palate, the profile sparks to life with intriguing notes of fruitiness, reminiscent of spicy cake mix and a touch of honey, rounded off perfectly with gentle spice.
£150.00 at www.thewhiskyvault.com
Ardbeg Vintage Y2K (2000) 23 Year Old
Ardbeg Vintage Y2K 23 Year Old, a limited-edition single malt, symbolises a new era of production set in motion in the millennium year. Aged for 23 years in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, this malt delivers an enchanting aroma of candied walnuts, lemon balm, and heather honey. Its complex flavour profile offers the intensive sweetness of linseed oil in perfect harmony with a sooty, rich peat smoke finish.
£669.95 at www.htfw.com