This unusual release has somewhat of a cult following. After all, where else can you find a whisky finished in (Australian) ginger beer casks for a full year? The spirit starts its maturation in their signature red wine barrels, before being transferred into casks seasoned with ginger beer made by Starward themselves at the distillery.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Notes of spicy ginger, burnt orange, and dark chocolate, along with tropical pineapple and mango.

Palate: Notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and candied citrus.

Finish: Complex notes of demerara sugar and candied ginger.

An incredibly complex "pure malt" whisky - the Japanese equivalent of a blended malt - finished in Japanese oak - or Mizunara - casks. Mizunara wood is scarce and expensive to purchase, so is a rarity for whisky maturation. However, the flavour it imparts is highly prized, contributing notes of perfume and incense.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Earthy notes of incense, rich sandalwood, and aloe woods, with a touch of white pepper and fresh citrus peels.

Palate: A pleasing ginger note with fragrant wood spices and honey, with dark chocolate and a subtle hint of smoke.

Finish: Stone fruits and warming wood spice.

This sixth release in Spirit of Yorkshire's annual Sherry Cask Reserve series has been matured in first-fill ex-Oloroso casks. Known for its complexity and character, Oloroso sherry brings nutty, fruity notes that sit at the darker end of the sweet-shop flavour spectrum. It really complements the light distillery character, with rich, treacle flavours singing out. Somewhat scrumptious!

Tasting notes:

Rich and complex with flavours of black treacle, fruitcake, blackcurrant jam and cola sweets.

A globe-trotting dram: Goa's Paul John single malt meets US-based indie bottler Single Cask Nation's geek-level cask hunting in this vibrant 4-year-old release. Aged in fierce tropical heat and bottled at natural strength, it's a punchy showcase of India's fast-maturing whisky style.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Opens with warm oatmeal, fruit cocktail syrup, and vanilla bean ice cream.

Palate: Leads with grilled pineapple but then the warm oatmeal returns accompanied by ground ginger, toasted hazelnuts, warm oak, and cracked peppercorns.

Finish: Moderate with lingering oatmeal, ground ginger, and returning fruit cocktail syrup.

New Zealand isn't the first place most people think of for smoky whisky - but Thomson makes a compelling case. Instead of peat, the barley here is smoked with native mānuka wood, the same tree famed for its honey. The result is a distinctly Kiwi take on smoke: fragrant, gently earthy and unlike anything coming out of Scotland.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Notes of spicy cinnamon, clove and resinous smoke, alongside candied ginger and white pepper.

Palate: Sweet manuka honey, citrus peels and stone fruits, followed by wood smoke.

Finish: A long, complex finish.

Taiwan's Kavalan has built a global reputation for bold, cask-driven whiskies, and the Solist range is where it really lets loose. This Madeira cask edition shows off beautifully how Taiwan's tropical climate can coax remarkable depth and intensity from whisky in just a few years.

Tasting notes:

Nose: The nose reveals fresh aromas of dark fruits, honey, and a hint of spice.

Palate: Smooth and well-rounded, with flavours of caramel, dried fruits, and a touch of oak.

Finish: A balanced, long and elegant finish.