Tasting: The Single Cask – Caol Ila 13 Years Old

The Single CaskCaol Ila 13 Years OldThe Single Cask ABV: 54.5%Country: ScotlandStyle: Single MaltPrice per bottle: GB£82.00Availability: Travel Retail Phoebe Calver – 8.0 Nose: A lovely combination of salty peat, citrus peel, orange marmalade and damp wood. Some fresh elderflower notes, too. Palate: Follows through from the nose, with more peatiness,

Tasting: Method and Madness – Rye & Malt

Method and MadnessRye & MaltIrish Distillers ABV: 46.0%Country: Rep. of IrelandStyle: Single GrainPrice per bottle: GB£96.00Availability: Travel Retail (Dublin) Phoebe Calver – 7.7 Nose: Thick-cut marmalade spread on toasted rye bread, then there’s a light vanilla creaminess, with some heather honey and peppermint. Palate: It all gets richer, with dark chocolate,

Tasting: The Glen Grant – 15 Years Old

The Glen Grant15 Years OldCampari Group ABV: 50.0%Country: ScotlandStyle: Single MaltPrice per bottle: US$79.99Availability: Travel Retail Phoebe Calver – 8.5 Nose: It’s pretty zesty, with tarte au citron hints, crispy thin pastry, a little sweetness of caramel and some gingery spice. Palate: Things definitely get more fruity here, with lemon peel,

Tasting: Johnnie Walker – Blue Label

Johnnie WalkerBlue LabelDiageo ABV: 40.0%Country: ScotlandStyle: BlendedPrice per bottle: £30.00Availability: Travel Retail Phoebe Calver – 8.2 Nose: A breakfast buffet of blackcurrant-covered pastries, a little ginger spice, sandalwood box and orange zest.Palate: Very different here, getting dark and rich. Hints of tiramisu, with lots of creamy dark chocolate, some oaky spice

Tasting: Johnnie Walker – Gold Label Reserve

Johnnie WalkerGold Label ReserveDiageo ABV: 40.0%Country: ScotlandStyle: BlendedPrice per bottle: GB£33.00Availability: Travel Retail Phoebe Calver – 8.4 Nose: A hint of eggnog spice, grated nutmeg and stroopwafel. There’s runny honey drizzled on rye bread and heathery wildflowers. Palate: Thick caramel sauce, like banoffee pie, with more of the heathery herbal notes,

Tasting: Johnnie Walker – Black Label

Johnnie WalkerBlack LabelDiageo ABV: 40.0%Country: ScotlandStyle: BlendedPrice per bottle: GB£30.00Availability: Travel Retail Phoebe Calver – 8.2 Nose: Relatively chilled, with Christmas pudding notes, maple syrup and some orange zest. Palate: All gets a little smokier here, like your clothes after a bonfire, with malted milk biscuits, banoffee pie and some sage