MCCARTHY’S 3YO, OREGON, USA
McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey is distilled in a Holstein pot still using one pass distillation. This premium, non-chill filtered product is then barrel-aged in air-dried Oregon Oak barrels. The result is remarkably smooth for a 3-year-old whiskey.
KAVALAN EX-SHERRY OAK, YILAN, TAIWAN
An award winning Sherry Solist reduced to 46% alcohol volume with Kavalan spring water, this is a perfect introduction to the outstanding new world whisky. This rich and complex whisky opens onto notes of dried fruit and walnut with some marzipan and vanilla touches to it. The palate is smooth, with rancio red fruits (raspberry, red currant) and spices.
THE ARRAN MALT 14 YO, ISLE OF ARRAN, SCOTLAND
It is a perfectly balanced marriage of both first fill Sherry and Bourbon casks and is a highly rewarding Single Malt with depth of character and zest. It has aromas of dried fruits, vanilla and toffee up front.
With a little water a salty tang appears, with caramelised fruits indicating a depth of flavour to come. The palate has sweetness, spice, bitter orange, charred oak, honey, apple and pears.
SPRINGBANK 18 YO, CAMBELTOWN, SCOTLAND
A rusty copper colour with a delicious nose of vanilla, ripe fruits, marzipan followed by hints of sherbet, almonds and strawberries.
The palate is thick and oily, fruity and mellow and gives way to a sweet liquorice and aniseed flavour as it opens up. The finish is sweet and chocolatey with some coconut, the finish is long and consistent with a pleasant smokey tingle.
BUNNAHABHAIN 18 YO, ISLAY, SCOTLAND
Rich mahogany in colour. Notes of dried fruit, sherry, toffee and spices leading to a delicious honeyed nuttinessm with rich oak, and the slightest hint of sea salt.
KILCHOMAN, ISLAY (MACHIR BAY) SCOTLAND
All parts of the production process for the 100% Islay have taken place at the distillery – from barley to bottle; grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled, making for a unique character.
Citrus and lemon notes come through with soft peat smoke and a long smooth finish.
THE GLENDRONACH PARLIAMENT – 21 YO, HIGHLAND, SCOTLAND
The 21YO is matured in a combination of the finest Olorossoa and Pedro Ximinez sherry casks. Non chill filtered and of natural coloiur . The whisky has a delicate nose of ripe fruite – blackerries and plums and on the palate the malt is full bodied with spicy notes, chocolate sauce, all spice and nutmeg with a long finish.
SPEYBURN 10 YO, SPEYSIDE, SCOTLAND
Bold flavours and a long, smooth finish. Speyburn 10 YO Single Malt is matured in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
Pale gold with amber highlights, fresh and clean with a hint of lemon on the nose this malt is medium bodied with hints of toffee & butterscotch and a long, sweet finish
Luna Argenta Prosecco DOC Brut NV, Veneto, Italy: This harmonious and seductive sparkling wine is pale straw yellow in colour and combines soft body with floral notes.
Allan Scott Single Vineyard Moorlands Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand: Aromatic with lemon citrus and perfumed notes with hints of passion fruit and freshly crushed herbs. The palate is elegant with citrus, passion fruit and dried herbs; the oak influence is delicate and perfectly balanced with the clean refreshing acidity giving this wine a deliciously appealing finish.
Niel Joubert Chardonnay 2015, Paarl, South Africa: Pale with bright yellow reflections. Nose leads with ripe tropical fruit where citrus, melon and pineapple mingle. Hints of vanilla and some floral notes. Lively mouth where the tropical ripe fruit flavours give an impression of sweetness but great acidity gives fine balance. Some stone fruit flavours appear with time in the glass and add complexity. Lively, fruit filled finish.
Blackstone Merlot 2010, California, USA: The wine shows ripe black cherry, plum jam, dark chocolate, and raspberry flavors with hints of vanilla and toasty oak.
Château de Parenchère Bordeaux Superieur 2011, Bordeaux, France: This traditional Parenchere blend is generally very fleshy, very deeply coloured robe. Characterized by a good balance between fruit and tannin, it displays distinct red fruit aromas with a long, sustained finish.
Ricossa Antica Casa Barolo DOCG 2012, Piedmont, Italy: This is a garnet red wine with traditional orange hues. The bouquet is typical of the nebbiolo grape presenting spices, licorice, red fruits, as well as savory notes of toasted caramel. The body is well balanced with an interesting meaty texture from well-orchestrated tannins.
WINES FOR THE EVENING
Pascal Jolivet ‘Attitude’ Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Loire Valley, France: “Attitude” has a beautiful freshness in mouth, a frank attack, delicate green and lemon flavours, citrus fruits, green apple and kiwi aromas. The minerality gives a long finish to the wine, a smoothness and elegance.
De Bortoli Harvest Dairy Semillon Chardonnay 2014, Victoria, Australia: Pale straw with lively green hues colour. Citrus and tropical notes are prominent complement with a hint of oak. This fresh zesty wine is balanced by a creamy mid palate whilst exhibiting up front citrus lemon, stone and tropical fruit flavour.
Saint Clair Premium Pinot Noir 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand: Dark garnet in color with aromas of sun warmed dark berry fruit especially boysenberry and freshly picked blackberries, interlaced with toasted wood notes and a hint of dark chocolate. The palate has flavours of dark berries, blackberry conserve, blueberries and fresh boysenberries combine with freshly ground coffee beans and dark chocolate. A hint of cinnamon spice leads into a savoury finish.
Bodegas Mauro Tempranillo 2013, Castilla y Leon, Spain: Fragrance, discretion and aromatic complexity in a well-delineated wine with a firm structure, suave tannins, and above all, great balance; with crispy and fresh fruit that invites you to enjoy it.
Tenuta San Guido ‘Guidalberto’ IGT Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2012, Tuscany, Italy: With an intense ruby-red color, the wine has profound aromas of red and black fruits. On the palate, the wine’s dense structure is balanced and elegant, with a silky presence, relatively low alcohol and noble tannins. In the mouth, this wine is long and persistent.
Guigal ‘Châteauneuf du Pape’ 2011, Southern Rhône, France: Deep dark red in color with spices and mature red fruits on the nose. The palate shows round tannins with powerful complexity. A rich unctuous wine with notes of mature plums, hazelnuts and red fruits. Very rich wine full of harmony and balance.
SAKE FOR THE EVENING
Ayakiku Junmai Ginjo: The Ayakiku Brewery takes great effort and care to bring out the full flavor of the best sake brewing rice available. Its fresh and elegant taste leaves an impression which will be long remembered. this sake is best enjoyed slightly chilled.
Junmai Koikawa: Soft but deep tasting Junmai. Made with Tsuyahime rice, which provides a very balanced flavor. Winner of the Slow Food Japan gold medal in 2014, with special mention for the unusual versatility: this sake can be served at any temperature and for each one it acquires different notes and characteristics. Even with its slightly higher than usual alcohol content, it remains very easy to drink.
WHISKIES FOR THE EVENING
Kilchoman Machir Bay, Isle of Islay, Scotland: The Machir Bay starts with a nose of soft cooked fruits with strong peaty aromas which in turn leads to a palate of mixed fruits and vanilla with an intense sweetness before a long lingering finish.
Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt Whisky, Yilan County, Taiwan: Clean & fresh tropical fruitiness with pleasant vanilla, coconut and spices. Soft, well-balanced natural sweetness, vanilla and oak spices, round and complex with silky smoothness.
Dad’s Hat Rye Whiskey, Pennsylvania, USA: Floral and spicy on the nose with a well-balanced mouth feel and flavor — up-front and back-end spice, cinnamon on the mid-palate. Underlying notes of dried fruit and black cherry with hints of tobacco, vanilla and oak.