A fabulous foursome of Scotch whiskies for your this month. Something a little arty from Glen Garioch bottled by Robert Graham. A superb 32 year old from the sadly silent Rosebank stills. An unusual expression from the folks at Ardbeg. And finally a Manzanilla finished dram from Wolfburn. These four whiskies each offer something special, whether it’s a connection to lost distilleries, innovative cask finishes, or artistic collaborations.
Staff Picks - our choices for this month
Glen Garioch 'The Court Of Redonda' Series One 2011 12 year old
First up is a delightfully artistic creation from Glen Garioch, bottled by the renowned Robert Graham company. Since 1874, Robert Graham has been a staple in Scottish whisky retail, and they began acquiring casks in 2002. Their latest venture, the Court of Redonda series, showcases a collaboration with artist Stephen Chambers. This particular Glen Garioch, a 12-year-old single malt from the 2011 vintage, is bottled at a robust 50% ABV. It's a beautifully crafted whisky that combines traditional distilling with a touch of artistic flair.
£129.95 at www.htfw.com
Rosebank 32 Year Old 3rd Release 1990
Next, we have a superbly aged expression from Rosebank, a distillery whose stills sadly fell silent many years ago. Fortunately, some of their precious stock remains, though it’s becoming increasingly rare. This 32-year-old gem, distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2023 at 47.6% ABV, is a testament to Rosebank’s enduring legacy. It’s a little piece of Scotch whisky history that every serious collector and enthusiast should experience.
£1999.95 at www.htfw.com
Ardbeg Spectacular - Ardbeg Day 2024
In a bold move, Ardbeg has ventured into port cask maturation with their Ardbeg Spectacular, released in celebration of Ardbeg Day 2024. Known for their peated spirits, Ardbeg has combined the smoky richness of their whisky with the sweet nuances of port wine casks. A portion of the spirit has also been aged in ex-Bourbon American white oak casks, the rest in port wine casks, resulting in a complex and intriguing profile. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling, describes this whisky as "totally weird and absolutely spectacular," and I couldn't agree more.
£99.95 at www.htfw.com
Wolfburn Manzanilla Cask Finish
Finally, we have a fascinating expression from Wolfburn, finished in Manzanilla casks. Manzanilla, a type of Spanish sherry, imparts a unique character to the whisky. Wolfburn, known for using white American oak and ex-Oloroso casks for their core spirit, has given this dram an extra layer of complexity with its Manzanilla finish. This additional maturation period under the influence of Manzanilla wood creates a nuanced and refined whisky that's part of Wolfburn's esteemed cask finish series.
£69.95 at www.htfw.com