1. Ardbeg Uigeadail - An absolute must for Ardbeg aficionados, Uigeadail is a thrillingly complex expression that is smooth, long and intensely smoky. Packs a strong peaty punch which is balanced by delicious, velvety sweetness. An exceptional whisky that deserves its many accolades.
2. Black Bowmore - An expression rare enough to have inspired an almost mythical reputation amongst whisky enthusiasts. Black Bowmore is released in limited batches after a lengthy aging process in Oloroso sherry casks that lends it both its distinctive black hue and a wonderful complexity that's attracted superlatives from everyone lucky enough to have tried it.
3. Macallan 30 Year Old Fine Oak - A serious and sophisticated Speyside whisky that reveals its bold yet elegant character in waves sweet caramel followed by dry, earthy oakiness with just a hint of peat. A unique and deservedly revered expression.
4. Glenmorangie Signet - Everything about Signet is enthrallingly distinctive, from its extravagant, smoked glass bottle to its blend of extremely well aged malt and more structured, youthful whiskies to the unique and wide ranging selection of casks employed in its maturation. Unsurprisingly then, Signet is a strikingly individual drop that may divide opinion but demands to be sampled.
5. Laphroaig 18 Year Old - Recently introduced as a replacement for the widely revered 15 year old Laphroaig, the 18 year old expression had much to live up to but succeeds with assured grace. It's an altogether more gutsy expression, upping the ABV to 48% without sacrificing any of its predecessor's complexity.
6. Port Ellen 1982 - The Port Ellen distillery in Islay closed in 1983, a year after this sought after malt was produced. Whilst this probably lends it an added air of desirability its reputation is as much founded on a hefty palate that packs in plenty of rich, fruity sherry and a long finish of peat smoke and sea air.
7. Nikka Coffey Malt 12 Year Old - A rare and intriguingly unusual Japanese whisky produced in a coffey still rather than the conventional pot still. The result is loaded with rich, fruity spiciness and deeply satisfying nutty notes.
8. Lagavulin 16 Year Old - You'll struggle to find a bad word said about this south Islay bruiser. Few malts can match 16 year old Lagavulin for sheer peat intensity but beneath its muscular immediacy you'll find a surprisingly complex and rewarding whisky boasting creamy sherry sweetness and touches of vanilla and salt. The epic peat-heavy finish leaves you with little doubt that this is a genuinely great whisky.
9. Brora 30 Year Old - Praised for its artfully poised balance of flavours the 30 year old Brora was released in 2007 in a limited batch of 2958 individually numbered bottles and marries a complex palate of sweet and dry notes with refined grace. A rare and desirable drop that lives up to the hype.
10. Port Charlotte PC6 - PC6 is the second release of Bruichladdich's range of Port Charlotte distilled whiskies (PC5 was released a year earlier in 2006) and has been finished in Madeira casks. The range has attracted a bit of a cult following and represents the usually mild mannered Bruichladdich letting rip with an unapologetically challenging blast of full bodied peat. A heavyweight spirit that should thrill Islay aficionados.
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