The archive

Samhain Pronounced "SOW - IN" The origins of Samhain are rooted in ancient. Each whisky in the Samhain Series tells a tale steeped in local legend, with evocative labels designed by Edinburgh-based artist and designer Steven Shand, who has over 13 years of experience in the Scottish whisky industry. Shand's intricate artwork and storytelling complement the atmospheric whiskies, capturing a haunting essence of Scotland's past.

●      ‘The Quiraing, Playground of the Giants’ – Torabhaig Distillery, 7 years old, 60.4%, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, limited to 215 bottles.

The nose immediately takes you to the west coast. Classic peat and smoke but with lots of creaminess beneath with notes of vanilla, chocolate nuts and custard. Soft and sweet to taste initially before it takes a citrus twist with notes of barbecued lime, lemon pork and cracked black pepper. Long lingering smoky finish with a chocolate coffee bean and salted liquorice character.

On the Isle of Skye, the Quiraing, named from the Old Norse for "pillared enclosure" is said to be the arena of battling giants. The scars of their epic, pitched confrontations still mark the island, with stramashes so violent that their clashes shook the earth, causing landslides that sculpted the jagged rock formations seen today. One tale speaks of a fallen giant on the Trotternish Peninsula, where the iconic Old Man of Storr is said to be the remains of his thumb, or according to some, a rather more private part of his anatomy.

Samhain Pronounced "SOW - IN" The origins of Samhain are rooted in ancient. Each whisky in the Samhain Series tells a tale steeped in local legend, with evocative labels designed by Edinburgh-based artist and designer Steven Shand, who has over 13 years of experience in the Scottish whisky industry. Shand's intricate artwork and storytelling complement the atmospheric whiskies, capturing a haunting essence of Scotland's past.

●      ’The Ghosts of Dumbarton Castle’ – Strathclyde Distillery, 31 Years Old, 54.6% Refill Oloroso Hogshead. limited to 145 bottles.

The nose brings toffee apples, candy floss, fresh hay and nutmeg. The palate is soft and buttery, like pancakes & syrup with notes of toasted coconut and spicy oak. Surprisingly long finish for a grain with notes of peanut brittle and glazed cherries.

Dumbarton Rock, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, has seated many forts and walled castles throughout time. It endured countless sieges by Roman, Viking and English forces, leaving a trail of bloodshed and unrest. It is said to be haunted by many a restless spirit of the warriors who died defending it. Witnesses speak of ghostly warriors wandering the battlements, strange lights and disembodied screams at night, remnants of the many violent sieges that the fortress has endured.

Samhain Pronounced "SOW - IN" The origins of Samhain are rooted in ancient. Each whisky in the Samhain Series tells a tale steeped in local legend, with evocative labels designed by Edinburgh-based artist and designer Steven Shand, who has over 13 years of experience in the Scottish whisky industry. Shand's intricate artwork and storytelling complement the atmospheric whiskies, capturing a haunting essence of Scotland's past.

●      ’The Wizard of Gordonstoun Outruns the Devil’ – Miltonduff Distillery, 11 years old, 56.8%, Ex-Peated Islay Wine Barrique, limited to 239 bottles.

A hugely intriguing nose with classic Speyside apple, pears and fragrant floral notes all wrapped around a fascinating blanket of light smoke. The taste offers dried banana chips coated in honey, tinned peaches and creamy vanilla. The smoke makes a full appearance on the Finish, almost full peat, charred citrus and a comforting peppery warmth.

The Wizard of Gordonstoun, Sir Robert Gordon, made a pact with the Devil, who bestowed him with unearthly powers. Once the time came for the Devil to collect the wizard's soul, Sir Robert mounted his horse to escape the unholy pact's consequences. Too soon he heard the thundering hooves of the Devil's black stallion and the howling of the dreaded hell hounds. Lightning crashed all around and rain stung his face. As luck would have it Sir Robert had landed just within the grounds of the kirk so the Devil was unable to claim his prize.

Samhain Pronounced "SOW - IN" The origins of Samhain are rooted in ancient. Each whisky in the Samhain Series tells a tale steeped in local legend, with evocative labels designed by Edinburgh-based artist and designer Steven Shand, who has over 13 years of experience in the Scottish whisky industry. Shand's intricate artwork and storytelling complement the atmospheric whiskies, capturing a haunting essence of Scotland's past.

●      ‘The Three Witches of Sueno’s Stone’ – Glenlossie Distillery, 21 Years Old, 56.7%, Refill Hogshead, limited to 208 bottles.

Very warming and comforting nose with buttery pastry, soft vanilla and orchard fruits notes. The first taste offers honey roast pears and sugared almonds before moving to blackcurrant jam and juicy sultanas. Waves of spice, vanilla and oak on the finish with a lingering gingerbread character.

Sueno's Stone near Forres, is the tallest remaining Pictish standing stone in Scotland. The Stone is tied to legends of three witches who lured warriors to their deaths, each victim's fate carved onto the stone. Lore tells of witches crafting wax effigies to curse victims. In the legend, they were eventually imprisoned inside the stone but should the stone be broken they would be released. Other grisly local reports tell of those accused of being witches, sealed inside nail-studded barrels, rolled off of cliffsides, into the sea, or burning heather.

Samhain Pronounced "SOW - IN" The origins of Samhain are rooted in ancient. Each whisky in the Samhain Series tells a tale steeped in local legend, with evocative labels designed by Edinburgh-based artist and designer Steven Shand, who has over 13 years of experience in the Scottish whisky industry. Shand's intricate artwork and storytelling complement the atmospheric whiskies, capturing a haunting essence of Scotland's past.

●      ’The UFOs of the Falkirk Triangle’ – Deanston Distillery, 11 Years Old, 49.7%, 1st Fill PX Quarter Cask, limited to 158 bottles. 

A classic heavily sherried nose of toasted malt loaf, rum soaked raisins and dried herbs. The taste is sweeter than the nose suggests with notes of chocolate coated strawberries, brown sugar and candied ginger. A touch of liquorice, fennel and anise on the finish add warmth to the treacle toffee sweetness that lingers long after.

The Falkirk Triangle, spanning Fife, Stirling, and Bonnybridge, is known as a UFO hotspot. Since the early 1990s, hundreds of sightings have been reported, of mysterious lights, flying discs silently hovering or darting across the sky. The area gamed widespread attention after a local councillor began documenting encounters from residents who claimed to see unexplained aerial phenomena or even experience abductions. The sheer volume of reports have made the Falkirk Triangle a major subject of interest among UFO researchers.

Samhain Pronounced "SOW - IN" The origins of Samhain are rooted in ancient. Each whisky in the Samhain Series tells a tale steeped in local legend, with evocative labels designed by Edinburgh-based artist and designer Steven Shand, who has over 13 years of experience in the Scottish whisky industry. Shand's intricate artwork and storytelling complement the atmospheric whiskies, capturing a haunting essence of Scotland's past.

●      ’The Tarbh-Uisge vs The Each-Uisge’ – Bruichladdich Distillery, 15 Years Old, 52%, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, limited to 245 bottles.  

On the nose, bright citrus and floral notes with subtle hints of oak spice, vanilla and sea air. To taste, sweet flaky almond pastry with a mineral quality and hints of coastal salinity. The finish is long with notes of toffee, honey and the citrus character is now orange based.

The Tarbh-uisge, or Water Bull, is believed to inhabit lochs and deep pools on the Island of Islay. Unlike its cousin, the Each-uisge (Kelpie), the Tarbh-uisge is usually seen more as a benevolent guardian. Described as a powerful bull with a smooth, wet hide, it often emerges from the water to mate with cattle, producing unusually strong but slightly wild offspring. The Tarb-uisge is said to protect the local Ileach folk from Each-uisge spells.

Both creatures embody the unpredictable forces of water, deeply rooted in Celtic traditions.

This product does not have a description yet.

We are a mixture of pleased and frustrated to be offering you this release as web exclusive.

The cask arrived with us badly damaged with large cracks on two sides of the cask and as a result there have been massive losses leaving us with just 34 bottles.

The spirit was originally matured in a standard refill hogshead before it was reracked into a 1^st fill ex- Pedro Ximenez sherry cask from Josfaer bodega around six years ago. However, in the time since the rerack something has gone wrong and the cask has split.

Normally we would prudently expect 190 to 250 bottles but we have 34 richly sherried Dailuaine available at natural cask strength. 

DISTILLED 11th May 1998 AND BOTTLED 4th April 2025

The cask yielded only 276 bottles and it was bottled at natural cask strength 43.2%

Founded 200 years ago in 1825 and overlooked by the highest mountain in Scotland. The distillate is medium bodied and sweet. Long maturation has developed complex notes of tropical fruit.

This highly sought after full bodied Highlander is very rare to see these days and especially at this vintage from 1998. Fully matured in a refill hogshead with a naturally low ABV, this has allowed the natural spirit character to shine through, the result is a combination of sweet, spicy and tropical notes. . 

The taste revealed - pineapple, beignets and passion fruit tart.