Ben Nevis sits at the foot of Britain's highest mountain and has been owned since 1989 by Japanese whisky giant Nikka. A decent chunk of its spirit goes into Nikka blends, which makes an indie single cask like this a genuine find. Chapter 7 is named for Shakespeare's seven ages of man - the stages of a life mirrored by whisky slowly maturing in the cask. A fine first chapter for any dram-atist!

Tasting notes:

Nose: Candlewax, hazelnuts, cardamom and Thai basil.

Palate: Vanilla, Williams pears and mezcal.

Finish: Long and memorable with dark roasted almonds, earthiness and lemon curd.

Goldfinch Whisky Merchants are named for the bird that summers in Scotland and winters in Spain, near the very sherry bodegas that supply whisky's most prized casks. Their Bodega Series celebrates that link, with whiskies matured in beautiful oloroso casks. Here a fresh, grassy 14 year old Teaninich takes on the cask's dried spice alongside its own tropical fruit and vanilla.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Parma violets, light and grassy, wisps of vanilla and pineapple.

Palate: An initial explosion of fruit and dried dates, slightly tannic but with scintillating spice and leather.

Finish: A smooth unwinding finish of malt, leather, vanilla, cereal and smooth nuttiness.

Tri Carragh is Gaelic for "three pillars" - a nod to water, barley and yeast, the three ingredients behind every Scotch. This young Edinburgh indie aims to spark conversation, and this single cask Aultmore did exactly that, taking Gold at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. Aultmore is one of Speyside's prized blending malts, so a quality single malt release like this is a genuine find.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Polished mahogany wood, cinnamon spice, red apples, cider, cherries, almonds, tablet and milk chocolate.

Palate: Wood spices, cinnamon, red fruits and tannins from 5 years in a 1st fill oloroso cask.

Finish: Red berries join the apples and add depth of flavour.

Woodrow's of Edinburgh are cask traders, blenders and warehouse keepers, but first and foremost passionate drammers. Founder Woody Tan studied brewing and distilling before going into the cask trade - and while looking after casks, he kept finding gems too good not to share. This 15 year old is one of them: a fine example of Pulteney's coastal style, long known as "the Maritime Malt" and shaped by the North Sea air around its Wick distillery.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Fudge, honey, orchard fruits and accompanied by a slightly floral note.

Palate: Salted caramel, lemon, white chocolate and vanilla.

Finish: Creamy and fresh finish with a touch of oak spice.

Fib takes its name from the old Pictish word for Fife, the kingdom where the Mundy brothers run their tiny bonded warehouse. Possibly the only indie bottler with a sideline as musicians, they moonlight as folk-pop duo Braw. This Glenrothes is Volume I in their flagship "Legends of the Picts" series and spent 16 years in a first fill oloroso cask, a perfect match for the distillery's honeyed, fruity spirit.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Lovely balanced notes of ripe banana and homemade flapjack.

Palate: Delicate, tropical sweetness.

Finish: A rich, yet beautifully rounded sticky toffee pudding finish.

Càrn Mòr is the independent arm of Morrison, one of Scotland's oldest whisky families. For this release they have found a special sip of whisky history: a Glen Keith distilled in 1998, just a year before Chivas Brothers silenced the distillery for 14 years. A rare 26 year old pre-closure survivor - just 160 bottles drawn.

Tasting notes:

A vibrant whisky. An active second fill bourbon barrel has provided a rich spiciness and explosive mouthfeel. Woodspice and orchard fruits at the fore, followed by a sprinkle of baking spices and red apples.