Over the bar: What’s new in December

This is a list of new whiskies selected, tasted and released weekly by our passionate team. We put around 10 whiskies on the bar each week, so our menu is forever changing and evolving and includes a broad selection of new, vintage and independently bottled whiskies.

Here we bring you our tasting notes, and we hope they’ll inspire you to explore the world of whisky further, and give you some great ideas about what to look for the next time you visit the bar.

 

1. SMWS 68.12 Beeswax on a cello 58.1% Highlands –
Tasting Notes: Marzipan, apricot marmalade, cedar, menthol, nougat and clove.

2. Aultmore 21 year old ex-bourbon cask by Maltbarn 50.7% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Grapefruit oil, freshly cut grass, mineral, biscuity with a finish of black tea and bergamot.

3. Blair Athol 22 year old single sherry butt matured by Old Malt Cask 50% Highlands –
Tasting Notes: Grape flavoured Hubba Bubba, purple Fanta, pecan, clove, jersey caramels with a salty finish.

4. SMWS 44.96 Who ate all the pies? 59.7% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Apple cider vinegar, sweet pastry with a raw cashew texture finishes with cherry pie and fruit danishes.

5. Glen Moray 120th Anniversary Edition finished in virgin oak 52.4% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Honey roasted almonds, vanilla slice, vanilla bean poached fruits, raw pistachios and Viennetta ice-cream.

6. SMWS 35.196 A Moroccan snake cake 58.2% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Mahogany, dark chocolate coated inca berries and cherry liqueur filled chocolate.

7. The Macallan Edition No. 4  48.4% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Brown sugar on the nose delivers on the palate alongside allspice and advent calendar chocolate.

8. Glenfarclas 15 year old bottled pre 1991 46% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Old chocolates that have been individually wrapped, teriyaki glaze and musty strawberries.

9. Springbank 13 year old cask 996 Sherry Butt 60.3% Campbeltown –
Tasting Notes: Gunpowder, bitumen, driftwood, sugar and prune flambe, dank wood and rancio. Washed rind cheese, rust, a fresh packet of balloons finishes with pudding glaze and fruit pies!

10. Longrow Red 11 year old Cabernet Franc cask 55.9% Campbeltown –
Tasting Notes: White chocolate and mushroom soil, cheese and bacon balls, but no peat on the nose. Remarkably fruity with a finish of green peppercorns.

11. Thomson Manuka NZ manuka smoked whiskey 46% New Zealand –
Tasting Notes: Clove, cigarettes and a bark bushfire.

12. SMWS 53.270 Preparation for skinny dipping 60.9% Islay –
Tasting Notes: Pork crackling, burn anzac biscuits and peanut brittle!

13. A.D.Laws Four Grain Single Barrel Bourbon 59% America –
Tasting Notes: Dr. Pepper cola, cherries and rye bread.

14. Glenfarclas Heritage Cask Strength 60% Speyside (M.W.R only)  –
Tasting Notes: Leather, cherry liqueur chocolates, molasses, marsala, vintage port, brandy soaked Christmas pudding, a little fire soot and dark cacao date energy balls. Kecap Manis, treacle and hot raspberry jam on the finish. One incredible whisky!

15. Ballechin 11 year old Caroni Cask finish 56.2% Highlands (M.W.R only) –
Tasting Notes: Cannabis, arid dry red earth, barbecued pineapples, dry peat, with a finish of subtle vanilla that becomes rich and pastry-like with time in the glass.

*On pour at Whisky & Alement from Wed 5 Dec

 

14. Glenfarclas Heritage Cask Strength 60% Speyside  –
Tasting Notes: Leather, cherry liqueur chocolates, molasses, marsala, vintage port, brandy soaked Christmas pudding, a little fire soot and dark cacao date energy balls. Kecap Manis, treacle and hot raspberry jam on the finish. One incredible whisky!

15. Ballechin 11 year old Caroni Cask finish 56.2% Highlands –
Tasting Notes: Cannabis, arid dry red earth, barbecued pineapples, dry peat, with a finish of subtle vanilla that becomes rich and pastry-like with time in the glass.

*On pour at Melbourne Whisky Room from Wed 5 Dec

 

16. Royal Lochnager Distillery Release 48% Highlands –
Tasting Notes: Grape Hubba Bubba, cheap perfume, berry yoghurt and apricot muesli bar on the nose, followed by spicy, thick red berry on the palate. Imperial leather on the finish.

17. Epitome 24 year old blended malt whisky distilled 1993 by Maltbarn 53.1% Scotland –
Tasting Notes: Dried strawberry, butterscotch, browned butter and warm jam on scones on the palate. More butter, berry danish and buttered scones on the palate followed by a lactic finish.

18. Mortlach 18 year old by Gordon & MacPhail 1st fill bourbon cask 59.4% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Stone fruit, pineapples, coconut, apples and orange blossom honey on the nose. Clove, cardamom, peppers, cinnamon, soap and orange water on the palate with a prominently soapy finish.

19. Benrinnes 14 year old by High Spirits 50% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Musk sticks, peaches, jasmine, Milko’s and raspberry shortcake on the nose with sulphur, rancio, blackberry jam and rought iron on the palate, finishing with a little spice.

20. Miyagikyo 2000’s 57% Japan –
Tasting Notes: Nutty on the nose with biscuit, cereal characters, pineapple skins and coconut. More biscuit on the palate with french oak, pencil shavings and barbecued pineapple and a soapy finish.

21. Elements of Islay Oc2 63.9% Islay –
Tasting Notes: A nose of raspberry sherbet and seaweed. Raspberry liquorice, ginger and more seaweed on the palate with a spicy vanilla finish.

22. Fettercairn 16 year old Chester Whisky & Liqueur 51.5% Highlands –
Tasting Notes: Cashews, lemon and lime soda on the nose followed by spicy lemon cream, pear friends and blueberry on the palate.

23. Abomination Heavily Peated hyper-aged Malt Lost Spirits 54% Scotland –
Tasting Notes: Campfire and mesquite on the nose develops into cinnamon and baked pears on the palate with a rich, overwhelming finish.

24. Springbank 8 year old bourbon barrel 59.4% Campbeltown –
Tasting Notes: Barbecued pineapple, barbecued peaches, vanilla and coconut panacotta on the nose followed by more barbecue on the palate, with fresh mandarins, peaches and pencil shavings!

25. Merry Christmas 12 year old single malt Whisky Connoisseur 40% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: A nose of rockmelon and lime zest is followed by a palate of creamy wood spice finishing in creamy rockmelon. Such a delight!

*On pour at Whisky & Alement from Wed 12 Dec

26. Single Islay Malt distilled 1995 by High Spirits 46% Islay  –
Tasting Notes: Cucumber on white bread, ash, pear, fresh celery and lime zest on the nose is followed by black pepper, nori, and more cucumber and lime zest on the palate. Finishes with a little ash.

27. The Glenlivet 12 year old The Distillery Reserve Collection 1st fill butt 58.8% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Oh my! A nose of bread and butter pudding, maraschino cherry, overproof rum, orange zest and tree sap. A palate of 80% dark chocolate, sarsaparilla, maraschino cherry and black cherry.

*On pour at Melbourne Whisky Room from Thu 13 Dec

28. Bruichladdich 12 year old ‘Life is a Circus’ by High Spirits 46% Islay  –
Tasting Notes: Wine gums, red skins, mango skins. Mashed potato, cooked cabbage, winey, molasses, toffee and bread & butter pudding.

29. Glen Moray Single Cask 1998 PX finish 45.5% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Dark grape juice, fatty lamb, red wine gums. Spiced cherries, over-ripe pears, cherries in eau-de-vie!

30. Clynelish Distillery Release 57.3% Highlands –
Tasting Notes: Blue heaven spider, mascarpone, apple skins, powdery donuts, vanilla milkshakes and white marshmallows.

31. Fettercairn 29 year old by Cadenheads 54.9% Highlands –
Tasting Notes: Rich, meaty, savoury nose. Smoked hay and yorkies on the palate. Green spearmint lollies, dry oak and new pencils.

32. Bowmore 1999 by Murray McDavid finished in Chateau D’Yquem cask 50% Islay –
Tasting Notes: Apricot danishes on a seaside pier. Swimming trunk, oregano, flinty peat, anchovies, scallops. Mango skins and pizza flavoured Shapes.

33. Benrinnes 15 year old by Jack Wiebers 53.8% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Rich red caramel, coffee scrolls and mocha. Red Liquorice, juicy fruits and cream cheese to finish.

34. Miltonduff 1st fill sherry cask by Gordon & MacPhail 58.8% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Salted caramel, fresh turkish bread, orange blossom, and a hint of damp earth (cork?). Limoncello, pork fat with fresh apple sauce.

35. Hobart 2nd release 53.9% Tasmania –
Tasting Notes: Fairy floss, creaming soda, musk sticks and cleaning cupboards. Dates, rhubarb tartness.

36. Talisker 8 year old 59.4% Isle of Skye –
Tasting Notes: Smoky BBQ sauce, mesquite smoke, burnt grill bits. BBQ and caramelised peach, salt and pepper squid and a szechuan feast!

37. Longrow 14 year old sherry cask 57.8% Campbeltown –
Tasting Notes: Tandoori chicken, braised beef in PX wine, garlic and butter sautéed chicken and mussels cooked in stout (this is beginning to sound like one hell-of-a feast!). Dark malt, rubber and red indian curry.

38. Ben Nevis Heavy Peat Single Cask 58% Highlands –
Tasting Notes: Wet earth, white pepper, water chestnuts. Damper, heather fires, sugar cane fires, lime jelly and green nectarines.

39. Ardmore 21 year old 1996 by Adelphi 61% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: Burnt orang oil, burning pollen and lolly teeth. Strong milky coffee, dusty coffee beans and grass.

*On pour at Whisky and Alement from Wed 19 Dec

40. Caol Ila 10 year old for Trattoria da Sandro Al Naville 46% Islay –
Tasting Notes: coming soon…

41. Aberlour 14 year old 1st fill butt distillery release 60.4% Speyside –
Tasting Notes: coming soon…

*On pour at Melbourne Whisky Room from Thu 20 Dec