These are the tasting notes to accompany the Nick’s SpiritsCast on the current Classic Malts Special Release whiskies.

Glen Spey 21 Year Old

$185

Huge spicy notes on the nose reminiscent of wood bark and tar. There’s a hint of dried fruit and even sweet cream on the front palate but that quickly fades into an extended, dry and lightly spiced finish that lingers in the mouth, and the mind, for minutes. A challenging, deeply complex dram.

Glenkinchie 20 Year Old

$189

Seductively dry and heathery, smooth as silk, and just as luxurious.

Auchroisk 20 Year Old

$175

A delightfully pretty whisky. Light and slightly sweet on the palate, with subtle floral notes, heather and possibly a hint of aniseed, especially on the finish. An ideal aperitif dram.

Cragganmore 21 Year Old

$205

Cragganmore 12 Year Old is my favorite of the original six Classic Malts…..ok. ok, one of my favorites.  It seems to embody the best of Speyside whisky capturing the region’s classic creamy richness without being heavy or obviously sherried. Now the cellar masters at Diageo have unearthed a trove of superb 21 year old barrels.

It doesn’t taste like it’s that old – it’s still gloriously fresh light, but with the hallmark Cragganmore elegance and stylish polish.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old

$109

Despite it’s obvious Islay smokiness it is surprisingly subtle and delicate. As Diageo’s Nick Morgan explains ““I have to say, if you like smoky whiskies, it is an absolutely fantastic tasting dram. And talking about a distillery character, it’s from an American oak cask so this is real straight-on Lagavulin as it comes.”