TASTING NOTES

EYE: Honey

NOSE: Salted pistachios, malt, hay, herbal pine, banana chips, orchard fruit, melon rind, wax and vanilla. Just a wonderful, sweet and nutty, fruity whisky that’s shockingly different from the regular Amrut Classic Indian Single Malt Review.

PALATE: Waxy banana, malt, orchard fruit, melon rind, herbal pine, vanilla, pistachios, golden raisins, oak, baking spice and a touch of black licorice. The palate of the Amrut Cask Strength Indian Single Malt is so much more powerful and decadent with an oaky pop that starts light but grows. This is nice.

FINISH: Long - Waxy banana, oak, spice and, herbal pine and pistachio gelato mix into one of my favorite fades in recent whisky memory.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL: Well balanced, full body and a warm, creamy, feel.

Situated along the banks of the Ohio River in Owensboro, Kentucky, the Medley Distilling Company is stewarded by Charles and Sam Medley, a father-and-son team who represent the seventh and eighth generation master distillers in their family. The Medley's roots run back to the birth of Kentucky bourbon; while Reverend Elijah Craig is usually credited with producing the first bourbon whiskey at his mill in Lebanon in 1789, the Medley's ancestors were distilling whiskey prior to that time in the adjacent county in Kentucky. In fact, except during the thirteen years during which distillation was outlawed in the United States, a member of the Medley family has been operating a distillery continuously since 1812. Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Thomas Aquinas Medley began distillation and maturation of a new bourbon in honor of his family's rich history. Thomas died shortly thereafter, but the Medley Distilling Company continued to produce Kentucky bourbon for the next five decades. Today, under the tutelage of Charles and Samuel Medley, the distillery continues to distill bourbon using the same recipes and techniques that the previous generations of Medleys perfected decades ago. Wathen's Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made from a mash of corn, rye and malted barley. After the grains have been harvested, they are milled and mashed before being fermented with an eight-generation old yeast strain (the unique strain of Medley Family yeast has been inherited by each generation of Medley's since the 19th century, and remains a closely-guarded family secret). Following fermentation, the wash is distilled through a copper-pot still before being aged in new, charred American oak casks under the Kentucky sun. After the bourbon has matured for approximately eight years, Charles and Sam Medley taste each individual cask to determine when it is ripe for bottling. Since each bottle of Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon is bottled from a single cask rather than being crafted from a batch of casks, each bottle of Wathen's is slightly different and entirely interesting. 

During the American Revolutionary War, the British Royal Navy imposed a blockade against American ports, which prevented the colonists-turned-revolutionaries from importing crucial supplies into the United States. As a result of blockade, American distilleries, which had been distilling molasses imported from the Caribbean islands into rum, began distilling rye grains instead. By the end of the war, approximately 5,000 log stillhouses were operating in Pennsylvania's Fayette, Allegheny, Westmoreland and Washington counties, producing an incredibly aromatic rye whisky known as Monongahela Rye (the rye was named after the Monongahela River, which was situated adjacent to a number of distilleries). Following the Whiskey Rebellion a bloodless battle that was instigated by an excise tax imposed on distilled spirits a number of these distillers moved south into Kentucky and Tennessee. Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whisky is a Kentucky rye whiskey crafted using the same traditions that Pennsylvanians used to craft Monongahela Rye over two centuries ago. After the grains are mashed and fermented, the whiskey is distilled and aged in new, charred American oak casks for a minimum of four years (although the average age of the rye is closer to six years old). Following maturation, the whiskey is bottled-in-bond at 100 proof. Rittenhouse Rye has an aroma of cocoa, toasted rye and oak spices, along with hints of vanilla and caramel. Notes of rich, intense chocolate, cloves and spices dominate the palate, and are balanced by sweeter notes of vanilla, orange zest and raisins. The finish is long and beautiful, with touches of cocoa beans, baking spices and allspice. Rittenhouse Rye earned the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where it was named the North American Whiskey of the Year. In addition, it earned a score of 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, which named it one of the Top 50 Spirits of 2010. It was also named the Best North American Whisky by Whisky Magazine and "Best Buy Whisky of the Year" by Whisky Advocate. Enjoy the following cocktail recipe: 

60 ml Rittenhouse 100 Rye Whiskey
15 ml Carpano Antica Formula (sweet bitters)
7 ml Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
Ice
Absinthe, for rinse
Luxardo maraschino cherry

In a mixing glass, add the Rittenhouse, Carpano and Maraschino Liqueur. Top with ice and stir for 15 seconds. Rinse a chilled glass with absinthe and dispose of extra. Julep strain the cocktail and garnish with a Luxardo maraschino cherry.

Situated over 1,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Monadhliath Mountains, Tomatin Distillery is one of the highest distilleries in Scotland. Its origins date back to the 15th century when drovers, bringing their cattle over the high mountain passes to the Tomatin market, filled their flasks from a still hidden at the Old Laird's House, which is situated adjacent to the distillery. Since that time, centuries of isolation and generations of family tradition (some workers at the distillery are the fifth generation of their family to work there) have created a distillery rooted in Scottish heritage and tradition. Tomatin C Bcan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky pays homage to a spectral hound (named C Bcan) who has haunted the distillery for centuries. The hound was once spotted by a distillery employee, who felt compelled "beyond all natural reason" to touch the hound's fur. As he reached out his hand, the hound dissolved "before his eyes leaving nothing but a vacuum of deathly silence and an inky blue cloud of smoke, soon spirited away across the peat moorland." For one week each year, Tomatin Distillery produces a spectral peated single malt scotch whisky, in contrast to their typical unpeated expressions. The whisky is crafted from malted barley, which is smoked over a peat flame to approximately 15 phenol parts per million. After the barley has been peated, it is fermented and then twice distilled through Tomatin's copper pot stills. The stills have a round, flat shape that gives the whisky a rounder and sweeter flavor profile, notes Douglas Campbell, Tomatin's master distiller. After distillation, the whisky is matured in three different types of casks: virgin oak casks, casks that were previously used to mature bourbon and casks that were previously used to mature sherry. As a result, the whisky has an aroma of tropical fruits, vanilla, parsley and green herbs. The aroma gives way to hints of honeyed smoke, lime, toasted almonds and cloves on the palate, and leads to a finish touched with charcoal, oak and sweet smoke. The whisky earned the Silver Medal at the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival in 2013 and at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2014. Don't worry about the bottle disappearing after you touch it, though.

Willett Pot Still Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a premium bourbon whiskey produced by the Willett Distillery, a family-owned and operated distillery located in Bardstown, Kentucky. The distillery was established in 1935 and has been producing high-quality bourbon ever since.

The Willett Pot Still Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey is named after the copper pot stills that are used to distill the whiskey. These stills are made of copper, which is believed to impart a unique flavor and character to the bourbon. The whiskey is made from a mash bill of corn, rye, and barley and is aged for a minimum of four years in charred oak barrels.

One of the unique aspects of the Willett Pot Still Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey is its high proof. This gives the whiskey a richer and more complex flavor profile, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak.

The Willett Pot Still Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey is also known for its distinctive bottle design. The bottle is shaped like a pot still, with a bulbous base that tapers up to a narrow neck. The label on the bottle features the Willett family crest, which includes a pot still and the motto "The Price of Perfection."

Tasting Notes

Nose: "vanilla lemon cake." The palate is a balance of caramel, vanilla, spices and citrus. 

“Fresh aromas of minerals and cotton are soft and elegant.  The round and plush texture fill the mouth with a subtle earthy sweetness as hints of lime zest shine through.  Ultimately refined, it is a delight to sip on straight or mixed into any cocktail.”

Awards

Rated 5 stars by F. Paul Pacult, Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka has been ranked as the top vodka in the world in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge Top 100 Spirits list.

Our fourth release in the collection, Charbay's R5 Lot No. 4 is double-distilled from Bear Republic Brewery's award-winning Racer 5 IPA beer (7% ABV). Marko chose this full-bodied IPA for its aromatic hops and smooth, clean finish, forming the base of R5's unique profile.

Its fourth release, Lot No. 4 was a 10 barrel release, distilled in March 2013 and aged for 29 months in French oak. It has an intensely hoppy nose mixed with orange and clove, and sweet molasses, smoky notes on the palate.

4 STARS / Highly Recommended - Spirit Journal

"Charbay is one of my favorite distilleries in America, and this whiskey is an education in a bottle". - Michael J. Neff, bar director, Holiday Cocktail Lounge, NYC

In March 1791, at the behest of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, President George Washington signed into the law the Whiskey Excise Act. The law levied taxes on spirits distilled within the United States and was the first tax ever levied by the federal government on a domestically-produced product. Farmers living west of the Appalachian Mountains the western frontier at the time were vehemently opposed to the tax. These farmers often operated small stills and distilled the excess grains they harvested from their farms into whiskey, which was easier to transport over the Appalachian Mountains as compared to cumbersome grains. When agents of the Treasury Department were forcibly prevented from collecting the whiskey tax by the farmers turned distillers, George Washington led a federalized militia of nearly 13,000 soldiers into western Pennsylvania in order to suppress the "Whiskey Rebellion." Without firing a shot, the rebellion collapsed, although many Pennsylvanian farmers continued to evade the tax. "Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskies pay homage to our state's rich tradition of making small-batch whiskey," says Herman Mihalich, master distiller at Mountain Laurel Spirits. Raised in Monessen (a small city situated in southwest Pennsylvania) and armed with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Wharton, Mihalich has spent most of his life in Pennsylvania. "I really wanted to revive that entrepreneurial spirit and rich rye heritage we have here,"he says. Dad's Hat Rye is made from a mash of 80% rye, 15% malted barley and 5% malted rye. After Mihalich sources all of the grains from local farmers in Pennsylvania, he slowly ferments the mash for approximately seven days before distilling it though a 500-gallon Christian Carl copper-pot still imported from Germany. The still, which is augmented by a side-column, allows Mihalich to remove any impurities in the whiskey, while simultaneously refining its flavor and texture. After distillation, Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye is aged in charred, white oak quarter casks (15-gallon casks) for just under one year in a temperature-controlled warehouse. The small casks and climate-controlled aging give the whiskey hints of cinnamon, dried fruits, nuts and candied apple, which nicely balance out the flavor of the spicy rye. After maturing, each cask of Dad's Hat Rye Whiskey is brought to proof and bottled by hand. Inspired by the old-fashioned fedora hats his father used to purchase in Philadelphia, Mihalich's goal was to recreate the sentiment that these hats represented with Dad's Hat Whiskey: quality, tradition and integrity.

THE BENROMACH STORY

We are a traditional Speyside distillery owned by a family of whisky-lovers intent on making single malt the right way with true character.

We keep things simple. A handful of distillers relying entirely on our expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky; Speyside single malt matured exclusively in first-fill casks, with a subtly smoky character. It takes just four ingredients – barley, water, yeast and a human touch.

All of our casks are hand-filled, individually weighed, stencilled by hand and stowed in our traditional dunnage warehouses. Why? Because at Benromach we believe making whisky by hand guarantees genuine character.

OUR HISTORY

Our family, the Urquharts of Elgin, have always been passionate about whisky. Our ancestor John began laying down casks of single malt at different distilleries in 1915, when everyone else was blending their whiskies.

It was the realisation of a long-held dream when we acquired Benromach Distillery in 1993. Five years of meticulous refitting of the distillery followed before HRH Prince Charles officially reopened our doors in 1998.

Time well spent creating a style of single malt reminiscent of the days before commercial maltings. A time when Speyside distilleries malted their own barley using peat to fuel the fires and impart a distinctive touch of smoke to their whiskies. The resurrection of Benromach Distillery signalled the rediscovery of a lost style of Speyside single malt.

Only ever matured in the finest oak casks, our signature TEN YEAR OLD single malt delivers delicate forest fruits and creamy malt, a touch of smoke and rich, lasting sherry notes.

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR: Golden Amber

AROMA: Sweet green apple and pear complement creamy dark honey. Soft vanilla develops alongside gentle smoke.

PALATE: Smooth flavours of malted cereal and stewed fruit combine with warm toffee and a hint of black cherry.

FINISH: Full bodied finish with malted cereal and soft smoke.

According to the legend, John E. Fitzgerald founded a distillery along the banks of the Kentucky River shortly after the Civil War ended. Fitzgerald began distilling bourbon and selling it to passengers aboard the trains and steamships that passed through town. Shortly thereafter, Fitzgerald sold his brand "Old Fitzgerald Bourbon" to Julian P. "Pappy" Van Winkle for $10,000, a small fortune at the time. Pappy moved production of Old Fitz to his distillery, where it became one of the most famous bourbons in the world. But if you ask Sally Van Winkle (Pappy's granddaughter), the story of John E. Fitzgerald and Old Fitz Bourbon is slightly more complicated and certainly more interesting. In 1999, Van Winkle revealed that Fitzgerald was not the man nor the distiller he claimed to be he was, in fact, a bonded treasury agent. At the time, the Treasury Department was tasked with collecting taxes levied on spirits and as such, bonded treasury agents were the only people legally allowed to carry the keys to barrel storage warehouses. Fitzgerald did have a discerning palate for fine bourbon and would use his warehouse keys to pilfer the best barrels of bourbon as they aged. The barrels, which became known as "Fitzgerald barrels," and the brand were immortalized when Pappy Van Winkle named Old Fitzgerald bourbon after the treasury agent, and added a "Whisper of Wheat "to his bourbon's recipe. By using wheat rather than rye as the secondary grain in the bourbon's mash bill, Pappy imparted a rounder, softer flavor profile in Old Fitz as compared to other bourbons at the time. Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon pays homage to both John E. Fitzgerald's superb taste and the legacy of the Old Fitzgerald brand. Made from a mash of corn, wheat, malted barley and rye, Larceny Bourbon carries on the tradition of Old Fitz by using wheat as the bourbon's secondary grain rather than rye. As a result, Larceny Bourbon has a sweeter, softer flavor profile as compared to bourbons that use rye as their secondary grain. After the grains are milled, they are cooked in Kentucky limestone water and fermented using a proprietary strain of yeast. Following fermentation, the mash is distilled through 70-foot tall column stills and the resulting bourbon is aged in honey barrels for six to twelve years. After aging, the casks are blended and brought to 92 proof before being bottled. The resulting bourbon has notes of sweet corn, honey, vanilla and light cinnamon, along with a hint of oak and rye that provides for a subtle edge. Larceny Bourbon earned a score of 93 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2013, and a score of 93 points from Wine Enthusiast. In addition, it was named one of the top 20 spirits in the world by F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal and named a "Best Buy" by Whisky Magazine. Quite simply, Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a steal. 

As founding father of the bourbon industry, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. left an indelible legacy. His dedication to distilling began at the close of the Civil War when he purchased O.F C. Distillery. There, he developed innovative techniques that are still in use today. Made by hand, this Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey has been aged inside century old warehouses constructed by E.H. Taylor, Jr.  Barrels are evaluated and selected to create a perfect blend of distinctive character that is like no other. This bourbon is a true sipping bourbon that honors the uncompromising legacy of E.H. Taylor, Jr.

TASTING NOTES

Tastes of caramel corn sweetness, mingled with butterscotch and licorice. The aftertaste is a soft mouth-feel that turns into subtle spices of pepper and tobacco.

In the 1650s, a Dutch doctor named Franciscus Sylvius was searching for a remedy to the kidney and stomach ailments that he often encountered in his practice of internal medicine. At the time, Dr. Sylvius was a Professor of Medicine in Leyden, and he attempted to infuse juniper berries into a spirit distilled from grain in order to create a panacea. The resulting elixir eventually became known as gin, and was so popular that within a few decades, the Dutch were exporting 10 million gallons annually. For the next 250 years, nearly all the gin produced in the world was barrel-aged since the spirit was stored and transported in oak barrels (at the time, glass was too fragile and plastic and stainless steel containers were still not available). In order to craft a more traditional gin, "we've rested our signature vapor basket gin in our charred oak barrels previously used to age our spiced rum," says Darek Bell, the founder and master distiller at Corsair Artisan Distillery. Since opening its doors in 2009, Corsair has received numerous accolades and awards, including being named the 2013 Craft Distillery of the Year and 2013 Innovator of the Year by Whisky Magazine. As a result of this barrel aging, together with its citrus-heavy botanical recipe, the gin has a bold aroma of cola, anise, sweet spices and and oak. The aroma gives way to notes of tropical fruits, vanilla, citrus and candied nuts on the palate, and finishes with a touch of ginger and licorice. Once the gin has matured, each bottle is filled, labeled and then boxed by hand. "We make less in a year than a big distillery spills in a day," says Clay Smith, Corsair's Distillery Manager. Corsair Barrel Aged Gin earned the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2011.

Master distiller Crispin Cain is a seasoned spirits and wine industry veteran. In 1983 he was moonlighting jobs in Pleasanton in a wine cellar, and on a bottling line, while working with Cooper Laboratories plasma kinetics division during the day. After having settled in Mendocino County, in 89 Crispin Cain worked as assistant distiller to the brandy master Hubert Germain-Robin for seven years before founding Greenway Distillers Inc. with his wife, partner, and vice president, Tamar Kaye in 2005. In 2008, he started a second company, Tamar Distillery Inc. which produces Low Gap Whiskey, Russell Henry Gin, DSP 162 Vodka, and Fluid Dynamics Barrel Aged Cocktails. Cain has proved to be quite the wizard on the still, known for delivering award-winning spirits, he has been distilling since way back in 1989. It was while working for Germain-Robin that Cain got the idea of creating high-quality whiskey from Northern California that would express the purity of nature, "one which expresses the simple beauty of clean air, clean water, and tall trees, while capturing the complexity of malted grains from a variety of local and classic sources." He continues: "I create Low Gap whiskies using the time honored traditions of Cognac, keen attention to fermentation, the Charentais Pot Still, the double distillation method, choosing fine barrels to match fine spirits. Carefully selecting the distillate which becomes Low Gap Whiskey is the best part of my job, I do this with great pleasure," says Cain of his Low Gap Whiskey. Low Gap Bavarian Hard Wheat Whiskey is made exclusively from malted Bavarian winter wheat, which has a high protein content and is ideal for fermentation. Once the wheat has been malted and mashed, it is fermented into a craft beer with an 8.8% ABV. Following fermentation, the wash is twice distilled through Coale's antique, 15-hectoliter cognac still. After distillation, the whiskey is aged in three different types of barrels: new American oak casks, 350-liter French Limousin oak barrels that were previously used to age brandy, and used American oak barrels that were previously used to mature Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. After the whiskey has aged for a minimum of two years, it is brought to proof using rainwater and bottled by hand. The whisky has an oaky aroma, with touches of toasted wheat, chocolate and crackers. The aroma fades into notes of sweet caramel, malt, butter and tobacco on the palate, and ultimately leads to a finish accented by raisins, prunes and plums.

A unique three part series of rare and limited edition single malts created by exceptional luminaries from the worlds of whisky and architectural design, curated in partnership with V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum.

The story of The Luminary Series begins not with a person, but with a place – V&A Dundee, Scotland’s museum of design – a place where nature and architecture come together on the banks of the River Tay, in the heart of the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design.

The Dalmore and V&A Dundee have worked in collaboration since 2020, showcasing excellence in design and craftsmanship on a global stage.

The Dalmore Luminary No. 2 2024 Edition represents a scarce offering of single malt Scotch whisky, matured for 16 years in the Highlands. As a distinguished member of the Dalmore Luminary Series, it constitutes one segment of a trilogy of exclusive single malts crafted through collaboration between esteemed figures in the realms of whisky and architectural design, in conjunction with V&A Dundee, Scotland's renowned design museum. This particular 2024 edition holds particular appeal to collectors, particularly those with a penchant for Scotch whiskies boasting a profound heritage.

In 1805, the Mitchell & Sons Wine Merchants Company was established in the heart of Dublin, Ireland. By the turn of the 19th century, the Mitchells sold a range of Irish whiskeys under the name "Spot." This name originated from the company's practice of marking casks of different ages with a spot of colored paint. As a result, Mitchell & Sons sold whiskeys named Blue Spot, Yellow Spot and Red Spot, although Green Spot emerged as their most popular brand. Today, Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey continues to be crafted in the heart of Ireland. The whiskey is made from malted and unmalted barley, which are milled and mashed before being distilled through a traditional pot still. Following distillation, the whiskey is matured in a combination of American oak casks that were previously used to mature bourbon (75%) and European oak casks that were previously used to mature sherry (25%). Once the whiskey has matured for eight to nine years, the casks are blended together and brought to proof. "Pot Still Whiskeys define the traditional flavor character of Irish whiskey and we have seen a renewed interest and growth in the category over the last few years," says Brian Nation, the master distiller at Midleton Distillery, which makes Green Spot Whiskey. Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey has an aroma of butterscotch, caramel, honeyed oak, pine and orange that gives way to notes of citrus, tart apples, plums and apricots on the palate. The finish is smooth yet slightly spicy, with a touch of cinnamon and ginger. Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey was just released in the United States in 2014. It was named the top spirit of 2012 by "Serious Eats," and is "unquestionably one of the world's greatest whiskies" according to Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible.

Situated along a rugged farm on the western coast of Islay, Kilochman Distillery was founded in 2005 and is the first new distillery on Islay in over 125 years. "When we first started work on Kilchoman in 2003," says Anthony Wills, the distillery's founder, "the ambition was to build a distillery that was true to the traditions of distilling on Islay small farm distillers where every part of the whisky making process was done on site and I think we have managed to do just that." Kilchoman Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from fresh barley, which is harvested and then malted at the distillery's malthouse (Kilchoman is one of just six distilleries in Scotland that continues to malt its own barley). Once the barley has been malted, it is dried over a peat flame for ten hours. This drying process the barley is peated to approximately 20 phenol parts per million contributes a smoky, iodine-like flavor to the whisky. After the barley has been dried, it is fermented for three to four days in stainless steel washbacks before being twice distilled through Kilchoman's copper-pot stills. Kilchoman Loch Gorm Single Malt Scotch Whisky is aged for five years in casks that were previously used to mature Oloroso sherry. As a result, the whisky is slightly fruity, with an aroma of spices and soft peat. Notes of sweet fruits, bananas and pears dominate the palate, and are balanced by a subtle peaty undertone. The finish is long and clean, with a burst of citrus. 13,500 bottles had only been released.

In 1815, Donald and Alexander Johnston began leasing nearly 1,000 acres of land on the island of Islay. Their intent was to raise and sell cattle on the land and as a result, they began growing barley to be used as feed for their livestock. Following a particularly bountiful harvest, the brothers distilled the excess grains they had grown into whisky, and sold it to the inhabitants of the island. Soon thereafter, the brothers found it more profitable to distill whisky than to raise cattle, and Laphroaig (pronounced La-froyg) Distillery was born. For over a century, the distillery would remain in the hands of one of Johnston's descendants. In 1954, however, Ian Hunter passed away childless and bequeathed the distillery to Bessie Williamson, a secretary that had been working at the distillery for two decades. Hunter was incredibly protective of the distillery while he slowly revealed its secrets to Williamson after she had earned his trust, Hunter prevented a cooper who was employed at the distillery from publishing his memoirs because they described the workings of the distillery in too great a detail. Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky is one of the most flavorful and intense whiskies made anywhere in the world. During Prohibition, it was one of the few whiskies still legally imported into the United States, as it was considered a medicinal spirit. Laphroaig Single Malt is made from the finest Scottish barley, which is malted at the distillery and smoked over a peat flame. Unlike other distilleries which source peat from the Scottish mainland, the peat used to smoke Laphroaig barley is made from the heather, mosses and lichens of Islay and adds a distinct iodine-like flavor to the whisky. After the barley has been malted and peated, it is fermented before being twice-distilled through Laphroaig's copper-pot stills. The unique stills have an usually flat base and flat surfaces, which lends to the overall intensity of the whisky. After the whisky has been distilled, it is aged in seasoned oak barrels, which are re-charred prior to being filled. The re-charring process caramelizes the remaining sugars in the barrel, and adds slightly sweet notes of vanilla and nutty dough to the whisky. Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is aged for ten years in the distillery's warehouses, which are situated along the shores of Loch Laphroaig. As a result, the whisky is imbued with a slightly salty tang that compliments the whisky's notes of peat and vanilla. Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is then barrier-filtered (barrier filtering preserves the flavors and rich, oily texture of the whisky while removing any remaining sediment) before being bottled at cask strength. The whisky was awarded the title "Best Single Malt in the World" by Whisky Magazine. In addition, it earned the Double Gold Medal at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the Gold Medal, along with the title "Best in Class," at the 2010 International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Situated on the banks of the Charente River, the Cognac region of France is divided into six different crus (cru is French term for growth zones): Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois and Bois Ordinaire. The Grande Champagne cru, which is composed of approximately 34,000 hectares, is known for its quiet hills and rich, chalky soil, and is considered to produce the finest cognac in the region. In 1610, the Guillon-Painturaud family purchased a tiny, 18 hectare parcel of land in the Grande Champagne region of Cognac. For generations, the art of cognac production was passed down from parent to child, and today, Line Guillon-Painturaud one of the few female master distillers in Cognac benefits from her family's four centuries of experience in the region (the family continues to live on the same estate it purchased in 1610). The 18-hectare estate, which is devoted entirely to the production of a single varietal grape, enjoys a rich, calcareous soil, along with a temperate climate and generous amounts of sunlight. As a result, the Ugni Blanc grapes harvested on the estate are incredibly acidic and flavorful, making them perfect for distillation. Once the Ugni Blanc grapes have been harvested, they are pressed and the remaining grape juice is fermented into a wine. Then, Line distills the wine twice through a traditional copper still, before maturing the cognac in bespoke, French oak barrels (the oak is sourced from the Limousin and Troncais forests in France, and the barrels rest in Line's cellars). Guillon-Painturaud VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac is aged for an average of fifteen years, before each cask is brought to proof and bottled by hand (House Guillon-Painturaud is a member of the Vigneron Independent, a society specifically dedicated to winegrowers who undertake every aspect of production in-house). The cognac has an aroma of ripe orchard fruits, particularly green apples and pears, along with notes of caramel and butterscotch. The aroma opens up to notes of orange and lemon zest, along with touches of cinnamon, tropical fruits and pastries. The finish, which is long and elegant, has a smooth touch of caramelized apples. Guillon-Painturaud VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac earned four stars from F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal, which called the cognac an "excellent buy."In addition, it was named the "Best Bargain Brandy"by Wine Enthusiast.