NEON CACTUS WINES

Refreshingly soft, yet reassuringly rich… the name plays on the notion that it’s as smooth as a pig’s nose. This exceptional blended Scotch was created by Richard Paterson, Scotland’s only third generation Master Blender. Produced in specially selected first fill oak casks, the seriously satisfying smoothness is achieved through combining oak-aged Speyside, Islay and Lowland malts with superior Invergordon gentle grain whiskies. Pig’s Nose, launched by Spencerfield Spirit Company in 1977 as a stablemate for Sheep Dip, is another award-winner, enjoyed throughout the world.

Colour
Golden sandy highlights. Clear and bright.
Nose
Firm and rich luscious creamy, round tones. The long marrying period has brought these many individual characters into one lasting union. Great harmony ~ soft and full with no ragged edges, smooth and mellow. Plenty of finesse and breeding.
Taste
A positive grip, almost a spicy richness as these great flavours attack the palate, leaving it beautifully rewarded as they drift over. Elegant and distinguished. The delicate Speyside Malts, the heart of the whisky, have played a major part in bringing this quality blend together. $37.95*

The Glencairn Nosing and Tasting Crystal Glass
The unique and stylish shape has been crafted with eminent care to enhance the enjoyment of single malts and aged blends. The tapering mouth allows an ease of drinking not associated with traditional nosing glasses, while capturing that all-important bouquet. The wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky’s colour. The solid base is designed to be easy on the hand. $14.95*
The story of The Glencairn Glass & how to appreciate Scotch…

Initially launched in 2006 as the world’s first bottled Single Malt to be fully certified as organic. The whole process, including the use of the raw ingredients, distillation, maturation and bottling, is certified to the rigorous standards set by the UK Soil Association. The whisky is matured in virgin American oak casks from environmentally managed forests which has added a unique robustness and depth which complements the traditional Benromach spirit.

AROMA without water
Sweet, charred oak aromas with fresh fruit notes (bananas and pineapples). An earthy, toasted aroma also present.

TASTE without water
Sweet, vanilla and toffee flavours. Hints of green apples and orange peel with a rich resinous note.

AROMA with water
Sweet with malty aromas. A perfumed note emerges. The fruitiness remains ~ peaches and pears. Sweetness develops into cream toffees.

TASTE with water
Malty with sweet oak flavours. Hints of drier fruit ~ sultanas and raisins.
$79.95*

The makers of Spicebox Whisky say:
“So, we start with a top-notch whisky, which happens to be a blend of whiskies aged in bourbon barrels, from 3 to 6 years. What gets us in the kisser is the great rye in our blend, which comes off as pepper and fruit. But, here’s the interesting part: through cold infusion, we extract the pure, beautiful flavours of spices and vanilla, which makes this good stuff smooth and inviting. There’s a reason it’s been called one of the best tasting spirits on the market.

Triple distilled and matured in American bourbon oak for over eighteen years. The result: a refreshing Lowland single malt whisky with the added infusion of ripe citrus and green tea, the warmth of toasted almonds and the signature smooth, delicate, Auchentoshan taste.
To The Eye – Deep golden summer barley.
To The Nose – Fresh tobacco leaf – then sweet with a hint of caramelized sugar, green tea and toasted almonds.
To The Tongue – A floral freshness with sweet barley sugar at first – this gently ebbs to reveal a tangerine zestiness. The palate is left alive and refreshed.
To The End – A long, lingering and well balanced dram that invigorates the mouth.
$119.95*

This complex single malt attained its distinctive burnt sienna hue from a life spent maturing in American bourbon casks followed by three years in Oloroso Sherry casks.
Nose – Rich, dark chocolate and raisins, great depth and character.
Palate – Mouth-coating, rich and dark, with old Sherry, bitter chocolate, treacle toffee, and a hint of smoke.
Finish – Treacle and smoke linger on the lengthy, robust finish.
$94.95*

International Wine & Spirit Competition – Silver Medal
International Spirits Challenge –Trophy Winner
San Francisco World Spirit Competition –Gold Medal

Glen Garioch (pronounced “glen geery”) Distillery, established in 1797, is one of the oldest and most endearing distilleries in the Scottish Highlands. Their 12-year-old single malt is a warm gold in colour with medium body. Very smooth and easy to drink.
Nose – Heathery floral notes are balanced with the richness of poached pears and the sweetness of malted barley.
Palate – Crème brûlée and sweet ripe banana at first and then comes a light oakiness with pear fruitiness.
Finish – The creamy finish continues the fruit flavours with a suggestion of sherbet.
$53.95*

In December 2003, Bruichladdich distilled the first Organic Islay single malt Whisky (certified by the Bio Dynamic Agricultural Association).
In a time when Scotch whisky is increasingly being bottled overseas, from barley from who knows where, its historic connections being lost, its reputation compromised, this first organic bottling represents unparalleled Scottish provenance, quality, variety, authenticity and traceability. The Chalice barley was grown at Culblair Farm near Inverness in a Site of Special Scientific Interest on glacial gravel deposits with sand and loam and a touch of clay, one mile from the sea. It was malted and shipped to Islay.

Jim McEwan, Bruichladdich Production Director, says: “The middle cut was different from our regular Bruichladdich. We ran the distillation even more slowly than normal, to preserve the creamy texture of the spirit, which has a wonderful spring-like quality to it. It’s quite green and herbaceous with flowering currant, geranium and mossy riverbank notes, but there’s a balance of fruit in there, which you’d expect in new spirit ~ soft pears and sweet stewed apple. Our usual spirit is pretty damn good, yet here there is just more of everything. I never thought there could be such a difference!”
There are only 15,000 bottles of the Bruichladdich 2003 “Culblair Farm” edition. They call it “Anns an t-seann doigh,” the Gaelic for “the way it used to be.” $84.95*

Kilkerran “Work in Progress” is the second release from the Glengyle distillery, owned by Springbank. It is a 6-year-old dram aged in oak casks. It is not chill filtered and uses no artificial colouring. Glengyle plans to release a new bottling of Kilkerran every year until they reach 12 years of age, at which point they will release their “finished product.”

Nose: Light and fragrant, the nose leads you into the dram gently. Refreshing lemon citrus, hints of pear and just a dash of sherbert.
Palate: Masses of sweet vanilla immediately take over the tastebuds before the classic Campbeltown salt hits the tongue. Creamy toffee and butterscotch become apparent as the natural oils coat the mouth.
Finish: Gentle smoke comes from deep in your throat, followed up by very pleasant ground spices. $72.95*

Bowmore Legend single malt whisky comes with world-wide recognition, winning silver medal at the ISC, and as a trophy winner at the IWSC.

Colour: Light gold
Nose: Peat smoke and hints of fresh sea air
 Palate: Bold zesty lemon and smoke with a touch of honey
Finish: Full and warm with distinctive Islay peat smoke
$47.95*

1797 Founder’s Reserve celebrates a 200-year tradition of craftsmanship in this outstanding whisky. This selection of non-chill-filtered Glen Garioch illustrates the distinct house character ~ honey sweetness, hints of heather and just a touch of spice.

Nose: Sweet vanilla and butterscotch show the influence of North American oak with fruitier green apple and grapefruit coming through at the rear.

Palate: At first the palate is sweet with hints of buttercream and vanilla. As this begins to ebb, the fruitiness of the green apple skin and citrus cleanliness leaves the palate refreshed.
$46.95*

This unique single malt has been matured in three different cask types:  American bourbon, Spanish Oloroso sherry and finally Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.
The result is a rich complex whisky with incredible toffee and sherry-oak flavours.

Colour: Rich golden bronze
Nose: Blackcurrant, brown sugar, orange, plum and raisin
Palate: Fruit and syrup.  Hazelnut with hints of cinnamon and lemon. A butterscotch sweetness adds to the overall complexity.
Finish: Fresh and fruity with long lasting oaky sweetness. $79.95*

In 1923, Shinjiro Torii, founder of Sunatory, built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in the Vale of Yamazaki, on the outskirts of Kyoto. Using copper pot stills, the distillery was the first of its kind outside of Scotland.
The distillery’s location offers pure waters, diversity of climate and high humidity ~ the ideal environment for the maturation of good whisky.

Suntory Yamazaki 12-year-old
This is the most popular single malt whisky in Japan and is enjoyed by whisky connoisseurs the world over. It is smooth, subtle and pristine.
Aging in three different kinds of oak casks ~ American, Spanish and Japanese ~ gives it its unique quality. This is a medium-bodied whisky with the aromas of dried fruits and honey. It has a delicate, mellow taste with a lingering, woody, dry finish. $59.95*

Connemara Family Single Malt Irish Whiskey Gift Set  $29.95*
Alongside a Connemara branded Glencairn-style tasting glass, the gift set includes three miniature (50 ml each) bottles of Irish Whiskey:
•  Connemara Peated Single Malt
•  Connemara 12-year-old Peated Single Malt
•  Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt

BRUICHLADDICH WAVES
A mix of different ages of Bruichladdich matured in Bourbon and Madeira casks create an incredibly rich, medium-peated Scotch. The bold new pack design evokes the power of the Atlantic shores of Islay. Taste cranberry, dates, juniper berries, citrus tang and fresh mint. Wave after wave of layers of sweet fruit and smokey flavours. $54.95*

BRUICHLADDICH ROCKS
An unpeated Islay single malt whisky of beguiling elegance and sophistication. Bruichladdich uses ultra-pure Islay spring water that has filtered through the oldest rocks in the whisky world ~ the 1800 million-year-old rocks upon which the distillery stands. This multi-dimensional bottling shows the purity of spirit distilled in Bruichladdich’s unique Victorian stills. Jim McEwan, the innovative brewer, suggests you try Rocks on ice. $56.95*

BRUICHLADDICH PEAT
(currently not in stock)
Peat is a new multi-vintage bottling, matured in bourbon casks, that has been crafted to offer a heavily peated flavour with a hint of medicinal sea iodine. The bold packaging features an atmospheric image of the Rhinns of Islay. Taste vanilla wafers, pear, melon, cracked black pepper and smoke. $59.95*

Lasanta is Gaelic for warmth and passion, a reminder not just of the Spanish provenance of the Oloroso sherry butts in which it was extra-matured, but also a reflection of its lusciously soft texture and deep, enticingly sweet aroma.

Light russet colour. Aromas of warm spices mix with smooth chocolate-covered raisins, honeycomb and caramel toffee. Deliciously sweet sherry-flavoured sultanas, orange segments, walnuts and butterscotch combine to create complex warm spices on the palate. Long and satisfying finish with spiced orange and chocolate-covered hazelnuts.
Elegant and full bodied. $74.95*

Awards
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010 Double Gold Category ~ Single Malt
IWSC 2009 Silver Category ~ Single Malt Highland
IWSC 2008 Silver Category ~ Single Malt Highland
ISC 2008 Silver Category ~ Scotch Single Malts

John Ramsay, Malt Master, crafted a selection of The Glenrothes which typifies the distillery house character ~ ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and hints of spice.

The Select Reserve is a non-vintage-specific selection carefully chosen by John and produced to the same high quality standards as The Glenrothes Vintage selections, only here they select and vat from casks from different years. $63.95*

The original expression of Glenmorangie elegance, this single malt is produced by marrying the delicate spirit that emerges from Scotland’s tallest stills, with first and second fill American white oak casks. The process develops a perfect balance between sweetness and complexity, resulting in a mature spirit that is soft, mellow and creamy. Perfect for enjoying at any time.

Pale lemony gold colour. The scent of citrus and ripening peaches is softened by the aroma of vanilla.Vanilla is detected on the tongue before it ripples along the palate bringing a burst of flowery fruitiness. About a minute after tasting, you are left with a clean and salving aftertaste with hints of orange and peach. $64.95*

Awards
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010 Double Gold Category – Single Malt
IWSC 2009 Gold Best In Class Category ~ Single Malt Highland
IWSC 2008 Gold Best In Class Category ~ Single Malt Highland
ISC 2009 Silver Category ~ Scotch Single Malts
ISC 2008 Silver Category ~ Scotch Single Malts

For centuries the stormy waters of the Atlantic Ocean have not only shaped the character of the people of Islay but also the character of the world famous Malt Whiskies. In many ways this fine malt mirrors the character of Islay people ~ strong yet gentle, warm yet mellow, but with a maturity beyond its years.
Robustly peaty, with an unmistakable breath of the seashore, the Ileach is a true “man from Islay.” $51.95*
Gold Medal ~ 1999 International Spirits Awards

This single malt gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods. Over its maturation period it’s transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first-fill European oak sherry cask. Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting whisky ~ the traditional casks soften and add character, while the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour.

Sweet fruit and Oloroso sherry notes, layered with honey and vanilla on the nose. Smooth and mellow with beautifully combined flavours ~ nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a delicately proportioned layer of sherry. The finish is long and warming. $68.95*

The name is inspired by the small casks used for Scotch Whisky in the 19th century and transported across the Glens by packhorse. As the industry grew, they fell into disuse – bigger and more cost-effective barrels became the norm. However, the relationship between the barrels and the maturing spirit is critical. The small cask size gives up to 30% greater contact with the wood compared to some of the larger sizes used today, thus greatly intensifying the maturation process.

With this single malt, use of  Quarter Casks recreates the flavours they produce. For greater authenticity, the whisky is barrier filtered – the method used in those far off days – and bottled at a higher alcoholic strength.

The result are surprising and delightful. The additional oak influence creates a soft sweetness and velvety feel when first tasted, then the intense peatiness so unique to Laphroaig, comes bursting through. The finish is very long and alternates between the sweetness and the peat. $53.95*

One of the whiskies in Bowmore’s range of finished malts. Dusk is aged first in oak casks then in Bordeaux claret casks.

Nose
Smoky. Peaty. Grassy. Linseed. Leather armchairs. Deliciously evocative.
Palate
Rich, fruity, smoky. Lots of flavour development: perfumy fruit, nuts/almonds.
Finish
Toffeeish, cedary, oaky, smoky. Long.
$79.95*

A beautifully crafted, complex single malt matured for at least 12 years in American and European oak casks of exceptional quality, all individually tended by an experienced team of coopers. The fragrance of the whisky is distinctively fresh and fruity ~ a delicate balance of the fruitiness of pear with the richness of subtle oak. Characteristic sweet, fruity notes on the palate develop into elements of butterscotch, cream, malt and subtle elegantly rounded oak flavours. Long, smooth and mellow finish. $46.95*

Gold Medal ~ 2007 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC)

“The Peacock,” released August 13,  2009, is the first in the “Icons of Arran” Limited Edition series.
 
The proud peacock that roams the grounds at the Isle of Arran Distillery has become an endearing symbol of Arran’s distinctive whisky. His vivid character is reflected in this glorious single malt, from 20 casks, chosen exclusively by Distillery Manager, James MacTaggart. This 1996 distillation, aged for 12 years, is typically Arran in style, with orchard fruits and rich vanilla sweetness followed by a spicy twist in the tail, resulting in a truly impressive display. $86.95*

Matured wholly in air-dried, hand-selected ex-bourbon casks, the “unashamedly excellent” Old Pulteney 12-year-old single malt scotch is the definitive expression in the Old Pulteney family. Traditionally crafted using techniques that other distillers have long abandoned, this winner of numerous gold medals at the most prestigious international competitions is a high water-mark of quality spirits.

The colour is deep amber with a slight pink hue. Medium- to high-intensity nose with a hint of sea air. Dry, medium-bodied, smooth palate with a clean finish: faintly salty with a slight sherry note. Intricately balanced with a delicate mineral-salted spiciness, Old Pulteney is a distinctive and evocative spirit ~ truly the “Genuine Maritime Malt”! $64.95*