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2024 Kooyong Single Vineyard Estate ChardonnayMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and gorgeously shaped, it possesses superb power, vitality and a Burgundy like refinement.
Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Inviting white peach, nectarine, dried honey and cashew scents bound out of the glass intermixing with biscuity nougat and spice notes along the way. Rich and concentrated, the gorgeously shaped palate carries plenty of textural volume featuring expansive flavours of fleshy white peach, nectarine, dried honey and cashew. Possessing superb power, vitality and a Burgundy like refinement, it finishes very long with a creamy feel.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
This delivers. It’s powerful, it’s complex and it’s long. It tastes of grapefruit, sweet pear, cedar, milk, flint and meal. It hits up from toad it keeps on hitting, though the finish hones dramatically and well. Beautiful chardonnay. Top class. Drink 2026-2032+
95 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front -
- 94
- 94
2023 Dandelion Vineyards Menagerie of the Barossa GSMBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich, juicy textured and moreish.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Dark raspberry, plum and liquorice aromas sail through the nostrils with subtle dried herb, scorched earth and vanillin spice notes also chiming in. Rich and juicy textured, the moreish palate is awash with dark raspberry and liquorice fruits. Spicy dark plum, vanillin spice and delicate scorched earth elements sit in the background. Velvet smooth tannins with a long succulent finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
A bright, perfumed grenache, shiraz and mataro blend from a vineyard on Seppeltsfield Road in the Barossa Valley. There's a raspberry edge to the fruit this year. Under that you'll find satsuma plum, blueberry and boysenberry with layers of spice and hints of biltong, dried citrus rind, citrus blossom, gingerbread, char siu and warm earth. Medium bodied with a savoury lean to the pure, ripe fruits, plenty of spice, fine, sandy tannins and abundant energy and zip. Drink by 2042.
94 Points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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- 93
2022 Chateau Mont-Redon LiracLirac, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkA rich, bold and chewy Southern Rhone blend.
A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, two thirds of which was aged in tank and one third in barrel for a period of 18 months.
Very deep dark red black heart with a dark red purple tinged hue. Dark to black raspberry, liquorice and black cherry aromas flood the nostrils with notions of scorched earth, herbs du Provence and pepper also evident. Rich, bold and chewy, a tidal wave of black cherry, liquorice and black raspberry fruits engulfs the full bodied palate. Robust tannins lend a muscular feel with notions of scorched earth and peppered meats the undercard. Concentrated and power packed it has a long opulently fruited yet sturdy finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Fascinating nose of graphite and forest berries with a touch of dried rosemary. The fine tannins give the full-bodied palate an elegance rare in this appellation, which has a reputation for rusticity. Polished finish. 70% grenache, 20% syrah and 10% other varieties. 70% was matured in tanks and 30% in Burgundy barrels. Drink or hold.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 95
2024 Clonakilla Sauvignon Blanc SemillonCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinWonderfully intense and textural with crisp acidity counterpointing the voluminous feel.
Brilliant water like core with distinct highlights of green around the edges. Herbaceous grassy top notes meld with gooseberry, citrus, asparagus and faint pencil shaving notes. Displaying wonderful intensity and textural shape, mouth filling flavours of herbaceous gooseberry, tropical fruits and citrus overlay a grassy asparagus, subtle capsicum and spicy pencil shavings back drop. Crisp acidity counterpoints the voluminous feel, the finish dry and long.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2024 Mr Riggs Woodside Sauvignon BlancAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinLong, crisp and refreshing.
Brilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Passionfruit, green apple and lime aromas fill the nostrils followed by some delicate grassy and mineral notes. Mouth watering acidity underpins scrumptious passionfruit, lime and green apple flavours. Subtle herbaceous characters and mineral elements are also evident. Long, crisp, refreshing finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Evans & Tate Wild Cape Sauvignon BlancMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinZesty passionfruit and gooseberry flavours with a racy feel.
Brilliant water like core surrounded by a faint greenish tinge. Passionfruit, gooseberry and citrus aromas jump out of the glass followed by some herbaceous grassy notes and whiffs of capsicum. Zesty passionfruit and gooseberry flavours have a racy feel across the palate with some citrus, herbaceous grassy elements and hints of capsicum in the background. Finishes dry with crisp acidity and a refreshing medium to long aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 94
2024 Levantine Hill Levant ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinBeautifully shaped, with an attractive flavour profile and long finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of white peach, nectarine and cashew flow from the glass with hints of dried honey and spicy nougat also evident. Beautifully shaped, the palate has an attractive flavour profile of fleshy white peach, pear, nectarine and subtle dried honey over cashew, spicy nougat and flashes of flint. Fresh finish with a gentle creamy feel to the long aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 GilGraves SangioveseCentral Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.7%Closure: StelvinSavoury with a taut, chalky feel across the spicy mid length finish.
Matured in seasoned oak for 1 year. Dark red core with black toned edges and a red hue. A mix of sour to red cherry and rhubarb scents greet the nostrils with infusions of fresh herbs, earth and mint also apparent. Savoury sour to red cherry and winter strawberry fruits meld into an earth, dried herb and subtle spicy tobacco back drop. Lively acidity and grainy tannins lend a taut, chalky feel across the spicy mid length finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.7% -
- 94
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Picher-Krutzler Loiben RieslingWachau, AUSTRIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinTense and racy with a dry, minerally yet also slightly waxy finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Elevated lime, pear and red apple scents mix with hints of bees wax, lemon butter and subtle oily toast like notes. Zippy lime, red apple and lemon fruits are underscored by crisp acidity which imparts a tense, racy feel. Delicate bees wax, toast and steely mineral elements sit beneath. Finishes, dry, minerally and racy yet also slightly waxy in it’s feel.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12% -
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- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Craiglee JADV ShirazSunbury, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinJuicy, medium bodied Shiraz with a savoury, pepper laced finish.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Blackberry and liquorice aromas sail from the glass trailed by some spicy plum, smoked meats and peppered earth notes. Juicy liquorice and blackberry fruits carry medium body weight and ample flesh across the palate. Some plum, scorched earth and peppered meat elements ensue. Fine grained tannins with a savoury, pepper laced finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Even with just a dash of viognier, this comes out as a savoury offering and quite firm. Smoky, cedary oak to the fore. Underneath, dark fruit with licorice, malt with dried herbs and old potpourri. A suppleness across the fuller-bodied palate yet drying tannins and the finish clipped. Best with food. Drink by 2030.
92 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Coppabella Single Vineyard ChardonnayTumbarumba, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA fresh, vibrant, fruit driven Chardonnay.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges and a watery hue. Citrus and white peach aromas mix with melon, subtle nougat and flint notes. Fresh and vibrant the palate features fleshy white peach, melon and citrus fruits over delicate dried honey and flint elements. Crisp, stimulating acidity finishing fresh, energetic and fruit driven.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Coppabella Sirius ChardonnayTumbarumba, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinNicely shaped with soft, easy going acidity and a cream tinged finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of nectarine, pear and bees wax have a toast overlay with some citrus and spicy nougat notes also evident. Nicely shaped the mid weighted palate features nectarine and citrus fruits over a bees wax, toast and spice back drop. Soft, easy going acidity with a cream tinged finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 88
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Gill Estate Gentle Giant ShirazVictoria, AUSTRALIA$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.9%Closure: StelvinA simple, easy going, fruity Shiraz.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Plum and cherry aromas mix with hints of red liquorice, vanillin spice and peppered earth notes. Juicy plum and ripe cherry fruits overlay vanillin spice and earthy dried herb elements. Fleshy mouth feel with fine grained tannins. Simplistic with an easy going, fruit driven finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.9% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
- Organic
2021 Swell Season CabernetsMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA sturdy, mid weighted Cabernet.
A blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 21% Malbec and 14% Merlot matured in 20% new French oak for 10 months. Midnight black heart with a dark red hue. Aromas of blackcurrant infused with black olive mix with earthy tobacco, toasty cedar and spicy dried herb notes. Medium bodied and sturdy in its feel, blackcurrant and black olive flavours meld into an earthy tobacco, dried herb and spicy cedar back drop. Firmish tannins lend a grippy feel to the mid length finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Robin Brockett Heyward Vineyard ChardonnayBellarine Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinFocused and elegant.
Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with green toned edges and a watery hue. Intense ripe peach, nectarine, dried honey and crème brulee scents fill the nostrils with some nougat and spice also evident. Pear, beeswax and nectarine flavours are underscored by lively acidity. Delicate lemon butter, nougat and spicy almond elements are also apparent. Finishes dry and focused with an elegant aftertaste.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
From a 1ha, 25-year-old vineyard in Wallington. Whole-bunch pressed; fermented and matured in 1- and 2-year-old French barriques. Bright green gold. An attractive bouquet with stone fruits, dried pear, yellow flowers and a hint of honeysuckle. Just as good on the taut, gently nutty palate that finishes with a pleasing touch of grip. Drink by 2027.
94 Points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - 2020 Habitation Velier Renegade 3 Year Old Cask Strength Grenada Pure Single Rum (700ml)GRENADA$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenABV: 55%
"A umami bomb" - 88bamboo.com
"Renegade" continues the Habitation Velier series, being the world’s only range of Pure Single Rums. Like "Single Malt Scotch", the term "Pure Single Rum" defines a rum from a single distillery, distilled exclusively in pot still(s). This particular release is essentially an indie bottling, and one that should appeal to rum chasers looking for something different.
Established in 2020, the man behind Grenada's Renegade Distillery is Mark Reynier, better known for reviving Bruichladdich on Islay and developing the Waterford Whiskey brand in Ireland. A chance holiday in Grenada had Mark fall in love with the island. The ethos for this project echoes what started with the aforementioned brands; Terroir! Taking a look at Renegade's distillery bottlings you'll see that each is segmented by the single estate from which its cane is harvested from. His rums are all agricole style and all ageing is done at the distillery. Given the great friendship between Reynier and Velier’s, Luca Gargano, Mark wanted Velier to have the honour of being the first ever to independently co-bottle (Velier’s preferred lingo) Renegade’s rums.
The result is said to be memorable to say the least - not only distinctive, but with a fascinating complexity that's summed up as "... a umami-bomb; a real bouillon cube of a rum, and on top of that it does this little magic trick of contrasting a great thicker texture with those multi-dimensional sweet, umami and savoury notes." Renegade comes aged in a combination of French and American oak casks and is bottled at a natural strength of 55% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Ooh this is surprisingly mellow - the savouriness and umami flavours are still present and accounted for, but here it’s alittle more tannic, but it still throws us some spiced honey alongside the olives, baked cheese and mushrooms. Little bit of dark chocolate. The tannins tense up more to give it quite a fair bit of dryness into the finish... Yet another twist! Here it’s more of a herbal jelly, rather grassy and of herbal dried roots, spiced honey and then it’s back to the oaky tannic dryness. At every leg of the tasting, I found myself delightfully greeted with (positive) surprises, each adding more nuance and complexity, with the utmost intensity that you wouldn’t believe can still remain cohesive. It’s a wonder how this stays so balanced and also friendly and approachable on the palate. What a stellar, stellar expression, good god! This is one I’m going to remember for a long time! It got me smacked and I was getting everyone to try it. - 88bamboo.co
- Rum of the World (Worthy Park) Single Cask 8 Year Old Cask Strength Jamaica Rum (700ml)JAMAICA$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 55%
300 bottles only of this natural strength, single cask beauty were bottled exclusively for an Australian Rum Club. Distilled from molasses in 2016 using a traditional double retort pot still at the award winning Worthy Park Estate in Lluidas Vale, Jamaica, this funky and flavourful expression spent 8 years in a single American Oak cask, first at origin in tropical Jamaica and then sent to Europe to undergo continental aging. Bottled in 2024 at 55% Alc./Vol. lends to its full bodied and complex profile that includes notes of banana, pineapple, menthol, nutmeg, leather, oak & creme brulee. Perfect to sip neat, or add to a big bold cocktail.
- 2019 Habitation Velier Hampden LROK 5 Year Old Cask Strength Jamaica Pure Single Rum (700ml)JAMAICA$260. 00Bottle$3120.00 DozenABV: 60.5%
Falling into the LROK marque (Light Rum Owen Kelly) at 200-400 gr/hlpa of esters, this unusual Velier brings some of whisky's historical practices to rum. Indeed, maturation in a combination of nine Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks has given it a patina that recalls certain Scottish single malts. This is a low ester Hampden, yet rich, dense and full of vigour. The flavour profile takes us into increasingly autumnal territories, eclipsed by a very pleasant herbal bitterness. Bottled at barrel proof with no sugar added. 60.5% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the bottlers... Aroma: Full, heady. Revealing delicious cocoa, liquorice, balsamic notes (cedar), autumnal tones (dried leaves, lichen) and herbal infusions (thyme, bay leaf), the aroma palette beams with fresh complexity. Allowed to breathe, citrus fruit fragrances (orange, mandarin), apricot, sandalwood and wax bring great nobility. Taste: Rich, dense. The flavour palette is full of energy and takes us to even more autumnal lands (porcini mushroom, truffle, chestnut). A very pleasant herbaceous bitterness (gentian, mint) arrives at the perfect time to refresh the taste buds. Emery cloth and walnut stain add the finishing touches to this colourful ensemble. Finish: Long, rich. Intensifying the aroma palette’s chocolate character, the tasting becomes very rich (chocolate cake, .clair). Increasingly powdery (cinnamon, rice, ginger), it lingers on flavours of raisin and dates. The empyreumatic retro-nasal olfaction (diesel, fuel oil) marks the Hampden signature.
- Papalin Haiti 6 Year Old Vatted Rum (700ml)HAITI$189. 99Bottle$2279.88 DozenABV: 54.1%
Readers who purchased the previous edition will be familiar with Luca Gargano's Papalin project, marking a return to the ancient tradition of rum blending, and with a transparency that's welcomed by rum purists. The inaugural release was a four year old, while the latest is a six year old with a twist - ex Sherry casks have been employed. The blend of seven barrels from three Clairin distilleries includes Sajous, Vaval and Casimir. Each was pot distilled and tropically aged for six years at the Port-au-Prince distillery in casks that previously held Oloroso sherry from the House of Lustau. As you'd expect from the provenance, this is a rum big on aromatics and complexity, ranging from rooty (ginger), medicinal (cough drop) and slightly camphoraceous notes through to more typical Clairin characteristics of vegetal sugar cane, toffee, curry, turmeric and cocoa. It should be blast for lovers of agricole or anyone intrigued by Caribbean styles of yesteryear. 54.1% Alc./Vol.
- Worthy Park 109 Proof Single Estate Jamaica Rum (700ml)JAMAICA$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 54.5%
"You can’t go too far wrong picking up one of these for the home bar. " - thelonecaner.com
Reported to be a great substitute for traditional navy styles, this cocktail workhorse is ideal for tropical and Tiki recipes calling for a bold dark rum. The molasses-based blend of pot still rums includes some unaged components and others aged up to 3 years in ex-Bourbon casks. While it's not as overpowering as category equivalents like Plantation's OFTD or Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof, the producers emphasise it is primarily intended for mixing rather than straight sipping. Worthy Park also make no secret of the fact that it's caramel coloured, however that's aligned with other brands such as Lamb's or Woods. 54.5% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Overall, the melange of solid primary tastes and occasional jagged edges makes the 109 borderline as a sipper – I would not drink it regularly that way myself – but I think it’s excellent for what it was meant to be, and would handily wake up any cocktail you care to dump it into. I’m a simple guy with no real mixing experience, so you’ll forgive me for sticking with that old standby of the rum ‘n’ coke, at which this thing absolutely shines (and look forward to a flurry of notes from various bartenders who want to suggest alternatives and school me better). So, then: is it gold or pyrite? I can hear you ask. Honestly, I believe the WP 109 is neither: it’s simply an unpretentious, firm, tasty rum that doesn’t forget its backdam antecedents, and yes, it’s definitely not important what they call it — it would be similarly good if they called it The Son of Kong. A little older, a touch less bite, and it would be almost the perfect midrange rum, and given what it costs it’s great value for money to boot. You can’t go too far wrong picking up one of these for the home bar. - thelonecaner.com
On the nose Worthy Park 109 Jamaica Rum is quite smoky, with a slightly burnt note to it. Beneath this is a nice hit of banana, rum and raisin ice cream and some red apple. Theres plenty of caramel, toffee and some milky coffee. I’m not getting much of the signature English Breakfast tea. Sipped at full strength its actually quite smooth and not at all “fiery”. I’m not getting something say like J Wray and Nephew or even Worthy Park’s own Rum Bar White Overproof. That said it still backs a big punch of flavour. I’m definitely getting some of the unaged rum as I continue to sip this neat. Some light varnish and petrol notes with unmistakable funky flavours of pineapple, red apple and some guava. It has a sweet note to it that reminds me a little of Myers’s but this just has a bit more complexity and just feels more complete. The mid palate has a nice length to it with some caramel, toffee and English Breakfast tea fading in and out. This is complemented alongside the funkier more astringent youthful notes. On the finish it fades out rather quickly and has quite a dry finish. Lets be fair – its not meant as a high class sipper. Worthy Park already have a few of those around. It’s the kind of rum you might drink as a chaser with a pint and just have a mouthful from time to time. It’s hair on your chest kind of stuff. A bit like Pusser’s Gunpowder, which I must admit I think hasn’t been quite the same since it went to a Guyana only blend. 4.5 stars - thefatrumpirate.com
Notes from the producers... Opens with notes of fresh tropical fruit, hints of banana, pineapple, and orange. Distinct flavours of crème brûlée, cacao, and coffee, accompanied by the unmistakable Jamaican funk resulting from the high ester pot-still rums.
International Wine & Spirit Competition, IWSC 2023 — GOLD 96 points
Worthy Park Estate received the prestigious ‘Rum Producer of the Year’ Trophy at IWSC 2023
- 2020 Habitation Velier Providence 4 Year Old Cask Strength Haiti Pure Single Rum (700ml)HAITI$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenABV: 55%
In collaboration with the Barbancourt family and Vittorio Capovilla, Velier's Pure Single Rum collection sees the 'Providence' label make a return, this time with an age statement. Haiti's Port au Prince Distillery is the source of the 2020 edition, a blend of 14 ex-Caroni casks, distilled in a Müller pot still using fresh Cristalline syrup from cane grown in Saint-Michel-de-l’Attalaye. With an ester content of 265 g/hlpa and decanted straight from the casks, the rum is a bright and fresh expression underscored by notes of cane sugar, tropical fruits, florals, spices and vanilla. Tropically aged in Haiti and bottled in 2024 at 55% Alc./Vol., it's another testament to Haitian rum's ancestry and glory.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Vibrant Golden Yellow. Aroma: Rich and voluptuous. Opening with spices (pepper, clove), camphor and tropical fruits (ripe banana), the aroma palette then develops more vanilla and medicinal registers (arnica). Allowed to breathe, cane honey and warm cane sugar flood the air, pepped up by a very pleasant salinity. Taste: Lively yet creamy. Alongside delicate liquorice, honey (geranium) and vegetal notes of sugarcane, the flavour palette wavers between candied lemon and pineapple. Sweet spices (ginger, cinnamon) and vanilla pod softly coat the taste buds. Finish: Long, silky. The finish is juicy (pineapple), slightly tannic (cane wood) and heady (iris butter), before becoming richer (vanilla flan) and more tropical (coconut, lychee). The retro-nasal olfaction reveals candied notes (pear, Mirabelle plum, ginger), herbaceous tobacco leaf aromas and precious woods (sandalwood, cedar).
- 2011 Worthy Park 11 Year Old Special Cask Series Cognac Cask Jamaica Rum (700ml)JAMAICA$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 55%
Cognac would seem to be a complementary match for a rum's secondary maturation, hence this addition to the Special Cask Series. Distilled in the iconic Forsyths Double Retort Pot Still at the Estate in Jamaica in 2011, then tropically aged, the initial 8-year spell in ex-Bourbon wood was followed by a further 3 years in barrels that had previously contained Cognac. Eight casks make up this limited edition release, equating to 1056 bottles world-wide. 55% alc./vol.
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Yamamoto Leona Sparkling Shochu Yuzu (375ml)JAPAN$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenABV: 8%Closure: CorkMade with Japanese yuzu citrus and authentic barley shochu, this spritz brings a touch of finesse to a refreshing classic. The yuzu shines with its vibrant, tangy character, lifted by subtle notes of lemon verbena and fresh grass. The shochu base adds depth and roundness to the pure citrus, while the gentle sweetness and lively effervescence balance the zest. Crisp and invigorating, it’s an ideal companion for the warmer months. Enjoy chilled on its own, over ice, or topped with soda for an extra-refreshing spritz.
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Sawanotsuru 100 Nin No Kikizakishi Junmai Sake (720ml)Hyogo, JAPAN$35. 99Bottle$431.88 DozenABV: 18.5%Closure: Screw CapFounded in 1717, Sawanotsuru is one of Japan’s oldest breweries. Their 100 Nin No Kikizakishi is crafted from premium Yamada-Nishiki rice and presented as a Junmai Nama Genshu—unpasteurised, undiluted, with a 70% polishing ratio. Produced using advanced ultrafiltration, it pours brilliantly clear, with a crystalline purity that carries through to the nose. Aromas are delicate and restrained, showing faint hints of green melon and nougat. The palate follows suit, understated yet refined, with subtle notes of white strawberry, yoghurt, and nougat emerging on closer inspection. A sake of quiet elegance and refreshing clarity, best enjoyed chilled.
- Rikyu-Gura Myo-Cha Matcha Sake Liqueur (500ml)Osaka, JAPAN$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 8%Closure: Screw Cap
Rikyu-Gura crafts their traditional Myo-Cha matcha sake liqueur using flavourful Uji matcha tea from Kyoto. The result is a harmonious balance of refined sweetness with the gentle bitterness and mellow savoury tones of the tea. Versatile and engaging, it can be enjoyed neat over ice, topped with soda for a refreshing lift, or even with milk to highlight the richness and depth of the matcha.
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Sawanotsuru Koshujikomi Umeshu (720ml)Hyogo, JAPAN$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenABV: 11%Closure: Screw CapSawanotsuru craft their Koshujikomi Umeshu plum wine with aged Junmai sake and Nanko ume plums, brewed in the traditional Kimoto style and matured for over three years. In the glass it shows a burnished copper hue, reflecting its age. Aromas of yellow plum and nectarine lead, supported by hints of nougat, cream frosting, and a touch of fresh red apple for lift. The palate is weighty and viscous, carrying a sense of gravitas from the extended ageing, with layers of red currant, ripe plum, and nectarine unfolding in impressive depth. Luxurious yet balanced, it is best served chilled in a rocks or brandy glass to release the aromatics, and would pair beautifully with grilled beef, hot pot, or even late alongside chocolate desserts.
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2024 Puech-Haut Argali RosePays d'Oc, FRANCE$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Glass StopperPuech-Haut’s lighter coloured style of rosé is akin to what the French call "Vin Gris", usually enjoyed with Summer Mediterranean dishes like grilled fish, tian (a cold vegetable flan) and salads, but also as an aperitif with finger foods. Made as a "Rose de presse" (juice straight off the press), the grapes are pressed rather than macerated (as is the case in a "Rose de Saignee").
Chateau Puech Haut employ Grenache and Cinsault for this wine, which is fermented in thermo regulated stainless steel over twenty days to increase flavour intensity.Gorgeously textured and wonderfully intense with a long super moreish finish.
Very pale salmon pink tinged colour. Delighting the olfactory senses are fragrant aromas of peach, raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate which mix with whiffs of musk and wet stone. Gorgeously textured with a supple feel, and wonderfully intense, the palate is layered with peach, raspberry, strawberry and musk flavours. Stony back drop with flashes of pomegranate also making an appearance. Fresh acidity with a long slippery finish that makes a second glass impossible to resist. Blissful Summer drinking.
Drink over the next 1-2 years
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews…..
Silvery pink wine. Super-juicy, like a crush of blood orange, raspberries and early-season strawberries. Sharp and round at the same time. Tremendous energy. Lemongrass and basil-leaf sherbet, verbena-leaf freshness. Smooth as a pebble.
17/20
JancisRobinson.com -
- 95
- 93
2025 Shaw & Smith Sauvignon BlancAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinFabulously intense, lip smacking Sauvignon Blanc.
2025 is the 36th vintage produced of this benchmark Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc. Fruit is sourced from Shaw & Smith’s estate vineyards at Balhannah and Lenswood, complimented by fruit from a small number of highly valued growers.Brilliant water like core with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. Pungent tropical fruit, lime and green apple scents leap from the glass with some subtle herbaceous grassy and mineral notes sitting in the background. Lip smacking passionfruit, lime and green apple fruits burst across the palate with fabulous intensity. Crisp mineral infused acidity with delicate grassy characters lying underneath. Amply powered, it has a long, snappy finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
Perhaps one of Australia's most recognisable white wines, or at least one that delivers reliable quality and drinkability each year. It's charming in its glide and gloss to texture, a little bite of freshness through the finish. The perfume and palate match well in green pear, light passionfruit and guava notes, pretty citrus lift and a faint riff of green herbs. A good intensity and concentration of flavour. It's pretty and pitch perfect; nails the variety and has a sense of upfront charm. Drink by 2027.
93 points
Mike Bennie – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - Sazerac Barrel Select Chardonnay Cask Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 45%
Part of the Sazerac Company's July Releases in Australia which feature a collection of exclusive, barrel-select whiskies from some of the most respected names in the game. Leading the charge is 'Kentucky Chardonnay', a crisp and expressive single barrel of Sazerac Rye that showcases the whiskey's classic spice, turned up a notch. Clean, crisp, and lingering, the spice rides long — cinnamon bark, peppercorn, and oak char — but never overwhelms. A gentle return of orchard fruit and a subtle musky note keeps it refreshing and refined, just like a well-balanced Chardonnay on a hot day. 45% Alc./Vol.
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2022 Sons of Eden Zephyrus ShirazBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinSons of Eden is a partnership between winemaker Corey Ryan and viticulturist Simon Cowham who both learnt their trades in the vineyards and cellars of Eden Valley. The name of this wine is taken from Zephyrus, the Greek god of the west wind who is often depicted as a horse. The vineyards of the Barossa are regularly buffeted by cooling Westerly winds creating an ideal temperature range in which to slowly ripen Shiraz.
The 2022 Zephyrus is a blend of 10 different Shiraz parcels located throughout a wide range of vineyard sites within the cooler climate Eden Valley (44%) and warmer Barossa Valley (56%) regions. The vines are aged between 25-60 years old. Each parcel of fruit was fermented with varying levels of whole-bunch fruit clusters (between 10% to 35%). Maturation took place in a mix of new (35%) and seasoned French oak hogsheads for a period of 12 months.Rich, sumptuous and undeniably powerful with lavish layers of fruit carrying a luxurious feel.
Dense inky black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Intoxicating scents of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum waft out of the glass complimented by some subtlety smoked vanillin cedar, fennel, mocha and peppered earth notes. Rich, plush and concentrated, the moreish palate has an opulent coating of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Vanillin cedar, spicy fennel, subtle earthy mocha and pepper characters lend further interest. Boasting magnificent power and depth it has a velvety yet underlying sturdy tannin structure. Concludes exceptionally long and sumptuously rich yet retains a sense of refinement.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Deep crimson in the glass with aromas of macerated doris plum, black cherry and blackberry fruits, cut with hints of baking spices, licorice, dark chocolate, cedar, panforte, pan juices and earth. Weighty, with impressive depth and ferrous-edged tannin grip, fading with a crème-de-cassis-like intensity to the fruit. Drink by 2036.
95 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionBrooding aromas of blackcurrants, mulberry bush, cassia bark and wild blackberries. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins, bright acidity and a generous mouthfeel, showing fresh notes of blood plums, sarsaparilla, violets, graphite and pepper. Very giving and generous, with a beautiful aromatic lift. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
95 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 96
2024 A. Rodda Whitlands ChardonnayWhitlands, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and beautifully shaped.
Winemaker Adrian Rodda spent more than 10 years at Oakridge wines before moving to Beechworth to set up his own operation. Formally labelled as Baxendale, the 2024 release has been renamed Whitlands and is sourced from a site planted in 1995. Fermented and matured in 500 litre French oak puncheons (35% first use) for a period of 12 months on lees, it was then transferred to tank for a further 3 months on lees prior to bottling.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green highlighted edges and a watery hue. White peach, nectarine and dried honey scents drift though the nostrils with plenty of intensity. Lending further complexity are notes of biscuity oak, cashew, nougat and gun flint. Rich, concentrated and beautifully shaped, mouth filling white peach, pear and ripe nectarine fruits are layered across the palate with a fresh, creamy feel. Biscuity nougat, dried honey, cashew and gentle gun flint elements extend across the back half. Perfectly pitched acidity lending energy to the long, powerful and textured finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% -
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2021 Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils Beaune-Greves Vigne de l'Enfant Jesus Premier CruBurgundy, FRANCEReduced from $499.00$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 100%Closure: CorkLight on it’s feet, it boasts superb power and a long, supple finish.
Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils is one of the most respected names in Burgundy, yet despite their renown, it seems the market has not yet fully appreciated just how good the wines currently being produced are. They are the largest owner of Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards in Burgundy, this includes prized plots such as Montrachet, Chevalier Montrachet, Chambertin, Bonnes Mares, and Meursault Perrieres.
Founded in 1731, the subsequent nine generations of the Bouchard family has amassed an impressive 130ha of vineyards, including nearly 100 separate climats. It's perhaps this large size, contrasting the current trend for tiny producers with a cult following that has meant Bouchard are not front and centre in the minds of many Burgundy drinkers. A true shame as Bouchard are making some of the best wines in their history.Dark red core with black toned edges and a red tinged hue. Leading the way with a perfumed like intensity are aromas of violets, red to dark cherries, rhubarb and strawberry which are overlaid with spicy vanillin cedar, earth, dried herb and spice notes. Rich dark cherry, strawberry, spicy red plum and red liquorice fruits expand across the elegant palate like a peacocks tail. Earth, vanillin cedar, subtle bramble and dried herb elements lend further complexity. Light on it’s feet yet boasting superb power, it has seamlessly integrated, grainy tannins and a perfectly balanced freshness. Finishes long, supple and enveloping yet sturdy.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
Here’s a deep and complex 2021 Beaune 1er Cru with stacks of dark earthy complexity as well as abundant red fruit character and a touch of smoky oak. The serious tannin structure engages the turbo, driving the wine relentlessly forward on the ample palate. Excellent freshness, too. Sustainable. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.
95 points
Stuart Pigott - JamesSuckling.comThis wine is among the most successful Beaune premier crus in 2021. The aromas begin with mulberry and cassis fruit with notes of earth, menthol, and smoke. Rich and substantial on the palate, it features surprisingly full body, firm tannins and rewarding length. The grapes are from the Bouchard monopole of nearly four hectares within Beaune Grèves. In 2021, 30% were fermented as whole clusters to ensure complexity and freshness. This should open well with a few years in bottle and age over the next two decades. Drink 2027-2045.
94 points
Charles Curtis MW - Decanter -
- 96
2006 Wendouree Shiraz MalbecClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 13.2%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
More purple than the Shiraz Mataro; consistently with the colour, has more drive and focus; the mouthfeel and length of the medium- to full-bodied palate are excellent, with almost juicy fruit sparking off the fine-grained tannins. Great now, great in another 15 years.
96 points
James Halliday’s Wine Companion -
- 89
Imbue Distillery Zingy Yuzu Fruit Gin (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 41%Made by first steeping Yuzu zest in Imbue's Aussie dry gin, then distilling the skins to extract the fragrant oils. Cordial-like, ripe citrus aromas are balanced by a touch of peel and light juniper. Flavours of Meyer lemon pulp and peel combine with a warming gin base, the natural acidity of the citrus nicely captured. With soda it flattens and takes on a fruit-tingle / lemon sorbet character. Dilute with restraint or add a lemon wedge to revive the vibrancy. Unfiltered, so some sediment may be apparent. This is not a production fault. 41% Alc./Vol.
- Glendronach Ode To The Valley Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 46.2%
Part of the core range that launched in late 2024. It includes three NAS expressions highlighting sherry maturation. Ode to the Valley uses sherry casks with Ruby Port casks from Portugal in support. The others are Ode to the Embers, a peated expression matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks, and Ode to the Dark, which relies on Pedro Ximénez casks. 46.2% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Nose: more Port than sherry, which shows as a mustiness. Rather thin and tart fruity notes, such as red plums, cranberries and raisins, along with orange peels. Underneath it shows an alcoholic note and young wood. Then muesli, a certain sour earthy note and roselle tea. Mouth: still high on alcohol, with hints of raspberry eau-de-vie and plum wine, more roselle and cranberry juice. Some darker blackberry underneath, as well as some cold coffee, cocoa and a slightly bloated vegetal note. Then hints of ginger and plain malty notes too. Finish: quite short, with more sour berries, wood spice and hints of cocoa. A very basic malt that is lacking weight and feels a bit diluted, allowing the sourness and alcohol to shine through. Too superficial and not particularly flattering for a series that wants to pay tribute to sherry casks. - whiskynotes.be
...when we are presented with these new marketing-led NAS whiskies, we almost feel sorry for the distillery, and because we find glimpses of "the good old days" in them, we want to like them but realistically we have to just come to the conclusion that they are too young and too expensive for what they are. Unfortunately that's how Brown-Forman "positioned" the range, and hence it'll just sit on the shelves, together with the now vastly overpriced 15 and 18. A shame, because Glendronach used to be my favourite distillery. - whiskybase.com
- Cadenheads Original Collection Ben Nevis 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 46%
The importer notes "Ben Nevis has many faces, as I sometimes think that when you get a new bottle from this super distillery, you really don’t quite know what you are going to get."
We second those comments. He adds, "With the new 2024 bottling from Cadenhead, the guessing game continues as this all ex bourbon cask mature example is all floral and fruity on the nose, but on the palate that unique oiliness is very much evident." Official notes read, “Creamy. Wholegrain cereal, malty, gooseberries. Kiwi skin, flint notes, salted caramel, barley sugar & barley drops.” 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Medium-bodied, with the rowan berries making a return alongside a slightly dirty, earthy character. Rich and rounded with a smooth undercurrent of vanilla. Medium-long, still carrying some of that earthy “dirtiness,” but now turning sugary sweet. Vanilla and herbs in the background. A whisky with a rugged charm. - whiskysaga.com
- Waubs Harbour Salt Marsh Limited Edition Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$240. 00Bottle$2880.00 DozenABV: 49.4%
The first of its kind for Waubs Harbour - peated whisky for non-peated drinkers, made by lightly smoking Tasmanian barley with local salt marsh peat, dug by hand. Apparently the peat is very subtle. Matured in ex-Bourbon casks by the ocean at Waubs Harbour in Bicheno, far east coast Tasmania, 556 bottles make up the entire release. 49.4% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Honeycomb, vanilla & mineral notes. Palate: Caramel sauce with a sweet, nutty, subtle brown sugared peat influence. Finish: Nutty, earthy, herbaceous, subtle brown sugared peat influence balanced with honeycomb & candy floss.
- Buffalo Trace Single Barrel #8 Story Series #2 Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 45%
Story Series #2 is a single-barrel selection from one of those rare honey spots in the warehouses, intended to offer the very best of what the flagship can be: rich, bold, balanced and memorable. Judging by the tasting notes, this should be an all-round richer and sweeter experience compared to your standard BT bottling. 45% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the importers... The first sip delivers a rich hit of dark brown sugar, pecan pie, and charred oak, followed by classic Buffalo Trace notes of toasted vanilla, ripe cherry, and a touch of spiced apple compote. But this barrel sings louder than most — everything is dialed up, with layers of maple glaze, nutmeg, and a hint of dark chocolate that give it a deeper, more luxurious profile.
- Cadenheads Original Collection Girvan 33 Year Old Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)Lowlands, SCOTLAND$320. 00Bottle$3840.00 DozenABV: 46%
Good reports from various sources on this single grain from the giant Grant's facility in the Lowlands. Official notes read, “Chewy. Brandy snaps, marzipan, carrot cake. Coconut macaroon, orange essence, butterscotch”. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... “The cereals are very varied and intense, ranging from airy oats to sweet corn, crispy wheat grains and puffed rice, malted barley, rustic rye, millet. Brioche, all coated in caramel. Ethereal almond, cloud of milk. On the palate, vanilla intervenes, it is slightly fruity but the cereals remain predominant. Very light spices, mirabelle plums and green apples. Deep finish, but could be longer, custard, sponge cake, white grapes, fudge, resin, cinnamon. Very good grain whisky, I still regret that the alcohol content is not a little higher, it is a little light on the palate”. - whiskybase.com
- Eagle Rare Single Barrel #6 Chocolate Fantales Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 45%
Apparently, this is different from the standard Eagle Rare 10, however, the importers haven't disclosed why or how. We can only assume the barrels selected featured flavours similar to the taste of Choclate Fantales. 45% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the importer... Silky & elegant starting with hints of milk chocolate, fudge brownie, and caramel toffee leap from the glass, evoking the unwrapping of a fresh Fantale. As it opens up, hints of vanilla bean, a slight cherry note & backdrop of old oak and leather.
- 2012 Worthy Park 10 Year Old Special Cask Series Calvados Cask Jamaica Rum (700ml)JAMAICA$189. 99Bottle$2279.88 DozenABV: 45%
The Special Casks Series is a collection of molasses rums distilled, aged and blended at Worthy Park aimed at exploring different secondary maturations. Distilled in 2012 in the Forsyths double retort copper still, in this example, the initial 8-years in ex-bourbon barrels followed time in barrels that had previously contained Calvados (apple brandy) for a further 2 years. Eight barrels were finally blended before bottling without chill filtration in 2022. Expect subtle apple, woody aromas and flavours in an approachable, nuanced sipping rum. 45% Alc./Vol.
- Cadenheads Original Collection Tullibardine 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 46%
Other reviews... A release from August of this year [2024]. Colour: gold. Nose: bursting with oranges – if you’re as fond of them as I am, you’re in for a treat. Jaffa cakes, honey, a touch of olive oil (Spanish, of course) and freshly peeled oranges. There’s also a hint of macarons and amaretti biscuits. Honestly, on the nose, it’s wonderfully done, but that’s often the case with good palo cortado. Mouth: yes, very good, especially considering the relatively modest price. Chocolate, walnut cake (that’s quite pronounced), turrón, hazelnut spread and peanut butter, roasted pecans… All of it works like a charm. Finish: perhaps its slightly weaker point, with some flinty notes, leather, and a touch of bitter orange taking the lead at this stage. Comments: frankly, this is a lovely little Tully. By the way, there is indeed a 'Tully' distillery in Washington State, USA, though I don’t believe I’ve tried anything from them. And let’s not forget Grandtully in Scotland, though that one closed back in 1910. 86 points - whiskyfun.com
...Taste: It’s not without some oak and the accompanying spices you’d expect, but there’s also a buttery sweetness, dried figs and just a tinge of papaya. Also fennel. Not the most complex though. Finish: Short to medium. Lingering spices, cocoa powder and nutmeg. Not the most expressive single malt, and the oak influence isn’t insubstantial either. A decent drinker that nonetheless doesn’t quite capture the imagination. - wordsofwhisky.com
- Cadenheads Original Collection Ardmore 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 46%
Independent bottlings of Ardmore are invariably more exciting than official releases, and as followers of this make will know, the distillery is not shy in using a good dose of peat. At Cadenheads, this bottling was a big favourite with the tasting panel who described it as "a bit of a beast." They say there's also a layer of sweetness, demonstrated by strawberry jam, wine gums and caramelised sugar notes, no doubt derived from the lengthy cask finishing which was x-Ruby Port. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... “Less robust and rugged than I was expecting. Ashy on the finish but faintly, more cracked black pepper, a coal bunker, figs, tobacco and ground clove. Flashes of aniseed midway, dark chocolate, baked potato skin. A gentle smokiness throughout, assisted by bacon fat, embers and orange zest. Wholemeal bread and a farm yard vibe... Fresh manure that hits the spot”. - dramface.com
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Glen Grant 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$1399. 00Bottle$16788.00 DozenABV: 46%One in a trio that make up Glen Grant’s “Glasshouse Collection.” At the time of writing, these are the oldest expressions in the distillery’s permanent lineup. The 25yo comes matured in oloroso sherry casks and x-bourbon barrels, bottled at 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Part of the distillery’s Glass House Collection, which also includes a 30 year old and a 21 year old. Earthy and dry, with cut grass aromas at first, then licorice, underripe banana, and orange peel. Sweeter and viscous on the palate, with apples, plums, vanilla, a hint of orange, baking spice, and black pepper. The finish is medium-length, with more vanilla. Sweet, fresh, syrupy, delicious, and lively for a 25 year old. 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Dehydrated pear, apple juice, light baking spice, and freshly baked challah rolls start off the nose. It’s quite light in character, with touches of oak and a tiny bit of pine sap, but still fragrant enough for individual scents to stick around long enough in the nostrils. Salty taffy develops over the course of minutes, adding polite sweetness and salinity that pairs well with the wood scents. The whisky is comparatively richer at first sip, which is both highly viscous and richly spiced, like milk caramel infused with nutmeg, vanilla extract, and mint sprigs. Tart green apple, orange bitters, and unripe pineapple form a backbone of fruit that builds toward the midpalate. Taken together, they’re a nice foil to the spicy sweetness, the whisky never quite settling fully into sweet or sour but existing harmoniously at their intersection throughout most parts of the sip. The finish turns toward macchiato and baking chocolate, topped with a barely-there layer of thin, woody caramel. A final pop of peeled apple skins and campfire embers wraps things up with a kiss of cooked fruit. This begs return after return to the glass and nearly warranted an even higher score. - drinkhacker.com
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- ABV may vary
Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (700ml)UNITED STATES$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 56.1%Sagamore are based in Baltimore, Maryland, a state that held one-third of the US rye whiskey supply in 1939. They're committed to putting Maryland back on the map as the premier distiller of rye. The company started out sourcing from MGP distillery in Lawrenceburg, but as of 2017 began distilling their own whiskeys from two different straight ryes – a high rye content and a lower rye content which allows corn and malted barley to play a larger role. This yields smoother and sweeter notes in the finished product. Whiskies are matured for seven years before being blended in small batches. Each barrel ages to a slightly different proof, which means batches will land at a slightly different ABV.
Other reviews... Wow! What a way to start another Whisky Bible tasting day. 95 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Chalk Hill Alpha Crucis Old Vine GrenacheMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2031-2033)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and powerful yet tense and chiselled in it’s feel.
Sourced from 90 year old bush vines with 20% whole bunch inclusion. Deep dark red heart with black tinged edges and a vibrant red purple tinged hue. Red to dark raspberry, red liquorice and cherry aromas infused with pepper soar out of the glass. Some crushed rock and vanillin spice notes are also evident. Rich and concentrated yet chiselled in its feel, delicious red to dark raspberry, ripe red cherry and liquorice fruits are sculptured by muscular tannins and energetic acidity. Tense and powerful, chalk, crushed rock, vanillin spice and pepper elements extend across the back half. Finishes long, fresh and juicy yet tightly wound and focused. Dual Trophy winner for best Grenache in Show at the 2024 National Wine Show and Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 93
2023 Domaine Metrat et Fils Constance ChiroublesBeaujolais, FRANCE$33. 99Bottle$407.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA mid weighted, amply fleshed Beaujolais that finishes fresh, spicy and juicy.
From 60 year old vines. Deep black dark purple heart with a dark purple red hue. A mix of sour to dark cherry, strawberry, earthy incense, Herbs du Provence and spice aromas greet the nostrils with admirable intensity. Rich morello to dark cherry and strawberry fruits infused with earthy incense characters carry a well fleshed feel across the mid weighted palate. Spicy herbs du Provence also chime in. Slightly grainy tannins with the fresh, spicy finish loaded with juicy fruit.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 J. Moreau & Fils Les Coches Pinot NoirVin de France, FRANCE$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA juicy, amply fruited Pinot.
Deep dark red core with black toned edges and a dark red hue. Ripe morello and dried cherry aromas mix with anise, earthy incense and spicy dried herb notes. Juicy morello and dark cherry fruits meld into a ripe strawberry, anise, earthy incense and spicy dried herb back drop. Ripe, gently chewy tannins with a fleshy feel to the amply fruited mid length finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13%