The Lakes, Whiskymaker's Reserve, No. 5, Single Malt, England (52%)

This fifth entrant in the multi-award-winning Whiskymaker’s Reserve series saw our Cumbrian chums at the Lakes distillery embrace the house style of intense ex-Sherry cask maturation, augmented by some juicy ex-red wine casks. Plush and rounded, the resultant whisky is a triumph of sweet and savoury wood notes, exotic spice and nuts. Bottled at 52%, this mouth-filling dram leaves a distinctly rich impression on the palate of luxuriantly spiced syrups.

Rob Whitehead, Spirits Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (March 2023)