It’s elegant and brightly fruity, with loads of mineral complexity. At thewhiskyexchange.com, ABV: 40%Region: Speyside and HighlandAppearance: Smooth caramel.Tasting notes: With a mellow, rounded nose, signature dry smokiness and raisin sweetness, the first sip reveals a velvety mouthfeel, then hazelnuts, honey, rose petals, sherry and orange.

It starts with a surprisingly mild mouthfeel and a sweet, mint-salt taste, before a freezing heat establishes itself, packed with notes of liquorice, honey, pine resin, salt and lemon. On the nose, the high level of peat is not there; it's actually quite light and floral, with lots of fruits, hints of coconut with vanilla and caramel coming through. £110, plus £10 for a limited-edition jigsaw puzzle, depicting the distillery in a painting by Scottish artist John Lowrie Morrison. Caribbean Expedition: The journey of scientific tradition, Daniele Bresciani: Loyalty shines through, 2020 The World's Most Admired Wine Brands, 2020 The World's Most Admired Champagne Brands, 2019 The Global Bar Edition featuring The World's 50 Best Bars, 2019 The World's Most Admired Wine Brands, 2019 The World's Most Admired Champagne Brands, 2018 The Global Bar Edition featuring The World's 50 Best Bars, 2018 The World's Most Admired Wine Brands, 2018 The World's Most Admired Champagne Brands, 2017 The Global Bar Edition featuring The World's 50 Best Bars, 2017 World’s Most Admired Champagne Brands, Renato Giovannoni wins Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2020, Scottish Hospitality Group pleads for further government aid after extended closures, Carlos I commemorates 130th anniversary with exclusive brandy, Harrods head of wine and spirits moves to Mocktail Beverages, Marussia Beverages launches Hatozaki Japanese whisky, Number of new US spirits brands exploding in 2020, Pernod Ricard recovery gathers pace in Q1, Bacardi unveils world's first biodegradable spirts bottle, Remy Cointreau raises guidance after 16.4% sales decline, Former Pernod Ricard execs create botanical rum.

The 2002 Cristal Gold Medallion Jeroboam, for example, is covered with 24-karat-gold latticework and costs $17,000 to $22,000. Leading Spanish brandy producer Osborne has launched a limited-edition called Carlos 130 to mark the bestselling brand’s 130th anniversary. The flagship bubbly from this producer is from a very hot growing season but has wonderful balance and is fresh and vibrant, with light notes of honey, plus depth and richness. In the background you’ll find traces of raisins and dates mixed with rich fruit cake.

Throughout the 18th and 19th century barrels of cognac were shipped across the world on huge sailing boats for months at a time to reach all corners of the Earth.