Brand NEW Whiskies at Sense of Taste! Plus the review from our French Wine Masterclass.

Aficionados of a traditional peaty, smoky Scotch Whisky will be thrilled with the news Sense of Taste has virtually the entire range of the world-renowned Ardbeg in stock.

For more than 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on the small, remote Scottish Isle of Islay and their limited-batch release of the 2019 and 2020 19-year-old whiskies are among the range available now.

As is the 25-years-old Ardbeg, bottled from very rare casks filled during some of the distillery’s darkest days (the distillery has changed hands numerous times during its history).

The distillery description: “Majestic aromas of smoked cream and earthy bonfires are masterfully interwoven with layers of pine and fragrant candle wax’’.

The core range is the Ardbeg Ten, Uigeadail and Corryvreckan.

The Ten is named after its age, the Uigeadail after a lake which is a source of water for the distillery and the Corryvreckan takes its name from a famous sea vortex between the Isle of Jura and the Isle of Scarba.

The 2022 limited release Ardbeg Ardcore Punktured The Ultimate Islay Single Malt has been created with roasted black malt, roasted to the extreme. The malt is what defines its distinctive profile and is one for the most Ardcore of fans.

From the distillery: “Notes of charcoal and sweet smoke make for an in-your-face nose, potent notes of aniseed and dark chocolate’’.

Still on the subject of smoky …. It’s hard to beat a campfire (or firepit) on a winter’s night, enjoyable even more with a fortified in hand.

The new Sense of Taste catalogue is out and there are some good deals on fortified wines.

Try the Spanish Valdespino Pedro Ximinez Sherry for $23.99. This sherry is of an intense mahogany colour, with aromas of raisin and rich on the palate.

It’s from the Jerez region, the only place that can produce the wine named Sherry and it’s been producing these wines since wine-making was introduced to Spain by the Phoenicians in 1100BC.

The 12-year Galway Pipe Grand Tawny port is good value at $29.99 or grab a bottle of the Mr Pickwick’s Tawny for $54.99.

Produced by Saltram Wines, Mr Pickwick’s is widely regarded as Australia’s definitive tawny. It’s average age of over 21 years makes it unique amongst most fortified wines on the market.

The new catalogue features a red-hot deal on the Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz – six bottles for $99, that’s a saving of $65.

The Burge brand had its origins in the Barossa in 1865, when Meshach Burge installed fermenting tanks in one of his sheds. He didn’t do it with the intention of starting a world-renowned wine empire, he simply wanted to share wine with family and friends.

The Miamba Shiraz is distinctly Barossa – bold and big. Vibrant colour, earthy nose with blackberries and a touch of pepper and a richly flavoured palate with robust tannins.

Our French Wine and Cheese Masterclass was a success last week. If you missed out, keep an eye out for other upcoming events, including Italian and Spanish masterclasses.

Tickets are still available for our Penfolds Tasting Night on August 11, at Hotel West End.

Hosted by global ambassador Jamie Sach, taste six wines plus enjoy Penfolds’ new Thienot Champagne Brut Rose on arrival.

Tickets are $99 and that includes a take-home bottle of Bin 28. Canapes included.

Wellers Hill Bowls Club will host our gin and whisky showcase on Saturday, August 27. Come along and taste 90-plus spirits from local and international brands.

Tickets are $50, food trucks will be on site and there will be lucky door and raffle prizes.

Both events can be booked via eventbrite.