O Whisky! soul o' plays and pranks!
Accept a bardie's gratfu' thanks!
When wanting thee, what tuneless cranks
Are my poor verses!
Thou comes - they rattle in their ranks,
At ither's arses!

- Robert Burns

Why not follow the old bard’s example and see what inspiration or mischief may flow from our fine selection of Scotch Whisky…

One of our most recent discoveries has been the intriguing Isle of Skye Whiskies from the  Torabhaig Distillery. Their manifesto is to produce peated whiskies with elegance and a sense of place. 

They pride themselves on the support they offer local residents, with employment opportunities and community engagement. The cultural heritage of Skye is of paramount importance to the distillery; through the traditional art of distilling, restoration of an old farmstead and partnering with the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. We are very pleased to have two of their smoky, yet delicate, Legacy Series releases in stock:

Torabhaig Whisky Legacy 2 Allt Gleann Single Malt 46%£67
Combining small batches of whisky distilled in 2017 and 2018. This expression is crafted from a blend of Concerto and Laureate malted barley, and matured in a combination of first-fill Bourbon barrels and re-fill whisky casks. On the palate hints of apples and kiwi, pepper spice, vanilla oak with hints of medicinal herb. It is brimming with roasty, smoky peat and plenty of maritime character. 

Torabhaig Whisky Legacy 4 Sound of Sleat 46% £67
This release is aged exclusively using Quercus Alba American Oak, including first-fill heavily toasted barrels shipped directly from the cooperage, first-fill Bourbon barrels typically 4-6 years old from Kentucky and refilled Bourbon barrels that may have had 10 years+ use.
The result is a deeply expressive single malt, offering delicate notes of orange, apricot, and sweet maritime seaweed on the nose, a rich palate of bonfire smoke, honey, and sea salt.

If you prefer your whisky without the smoky profile, the Mossburn Speyside offers an easy drinking alternative with a fruit forward profile, typical of the region.
If you’re just getting started on your whisky journey, try one of our unpeated single malts from the Tomatin Distillery in Inverness:

Mossburn Speyside Blended Malt Whisky 46% Abv £54.95 
Distilled in Strathspey in North East Scotland, this is made from a blend of single malt whiskies, The Mossburn blend is aged in Oloroso Sherry Butts with heavily charred virgin American Oak heads to enhance the richness, depth and spicy vanilla flavours.

Tomatin Legacy Highland Single Malt 43% 70cl £39.95
'The Softer Side of the Highlands' - Tomatin's motto rings true in this creamy and generous Single Malt, aged in a mixture of Bourbon casks and first-fill Virgin Oak.
An unpeated malt, it is velvety and smooth, with lots of vanilla, coconut and white chocolate notes before a hint of crystallised ginger on the finish.

If you are looking for something very special visit our Adelphi  / Ardnamurchan range.Ardnamurchan is one of a collection of five West Highland peninsulas (just north of the Isle of Mull) and is home to Independent whisky bottler,  Adelphi who now run one of the most prestigious and environmentally sustainable distilleries in Scotland, the Ardnamurchan Distillery. Adelphi produces both peated and unpeated whisky, made with barley grown on the estate of one of the distillery owners. They are all about bottling rare casks so we are very privileged to get our hands on these small batch creations.

Don’t be put off by the top of the range prices. The Midgieis a fantastic introduction to the distillery:

Ardnamurchan The Midgie Single Malt Highland Whisky 48% £59.95

This serious whisky (with a quirky anti-midge branding) is a 60/40 blend of peated and unpeated spirit, which has seen Madeira, Sauternes, Sherry and Bourbon casks for its  maturation. 
Brandy snaps, orange zest and heather honey are the first impression, joined by subtle peat smoke aromas. On the palate it is smooth and rounded, with grilled peach, stem ginger and a lovely smoky finish. An outrun of only 6400 bottles!

On Burns night, this 25th January, raise a glass to the poetic legacy of Rabbi Burns. Indulge in the culinary delights of haggis, neeps and tatties! As for the bottle -  share it, savour it and celebrate a moment of cultural reflection.