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Spirits
1.0Ltr
Bottle: $12.11 $12.75
A newcomer to the marketplace, this velvety, blended Irish whiskey offers sweet, malty flavors that incorporate baked...
WE
94
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $10.99
A newcomer to the marketplace, this velvety, blended Irish whiskey offers sweet, malty flavors that incorporate baked...
WE
94
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $27.74 $29.20
12 bottles: $26.60
TOP 100 SPIRITS 2019. This easy-drinking whiskey has a straw hue, mild vanilla aroma and feather-light feel on the...
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92
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Spirits
1.0Ltr
Bottle: $32.82 $34.55
Inviting aromas of roasted grains, wildflower honey, apple pastry, and lemon tart introduce this classic whiskey. In...
UBC
91
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90
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Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $20.56 $21.64
Inviting aromas of roasted grains, wildflower honey, apple pastry, and lemon tart introduce this classic whiskey. In...
UBC
91
WE
90
Sale
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $60.87 $64.07
6 bottles: $49.91
Rich aromas of toasted marcona almonds, saltine crackers, and hay are earthy, savory and ethereal. Equally powerful...
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92
UBC
92
Sale
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $60.87 $64.07
6 bottles: $60.47
Pours an inviting amber color and shows complex aromas of preserved lemon, toasted grains, dried peach, and honey...
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UBC
92
WKY
91
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $144.77 $152.39
6 bottles: $143.99
Blanched nuts, clover honey, and hay are delicate and mellow aromas. The palate erupts with baking spice and tropical...
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UBC
96
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95
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $286.13 $301.19
Red wine poached pear, dried tobacco, baking spice, and baked apricot on the nose. Much softer and honeyed on the...
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UBC
96
WKY
96
Rapid Ship
Spirits
1.0Ltr
Bottle: $39.35
12 bottles: $37.38
This elegant, super-soft sipper is a blend of grain whiskey and malt whiskey that was finished in oloroso Sherry...
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96
UBC
90
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $40.80 $42.95
12 bottles: $33.73
This elegant, super-soft sipper is a blend of grain whiskey and malt whiskey that was finished in oloroso Sherry...
WE
96
UBC
90
Sale
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $35.34 $37.20
12 bottles: $31.92
The closest you can get to the Bushmills that would've sat behind the bar at the Shelby's legendary Small Heath pub.
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $40.80 $42.95
12 bottles: $29.17
A brilliant copper color, this medium-bodied spirit is creamy and lush, with flavors of dried peach, date, and apple,...
UBC
90
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $54.71 $57.59
6 bottles: $52.79
12 FREE
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $52.79
6 bottles: $47.99
This golden whiskey offers pear aromas and a honeyed palate accented by candied ginger. Adding water coaxes more...
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91
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $54.71 $57.59
6 bottles: $52.79
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $140.22 $147.60
NOSE: Poached pears, cinnamon & ginger. PALATE: Dark chocolate, berry & spice. FINISH: A long finish of oak spices...
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $53.58 $56.40
6 bottles: $52.80
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $23.16 $24.38
6 bottles: $18.20
This honey-hued blended whiskey offers vanilla, coconut and almond aromas and flavors plus touches of menthol and...
WE
89
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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $50.54 $53.20
A triumph from Connacht, a relatively young distillery in County Mayo, this is the first whiskey off their stills,...
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91

Irish Whiskey Mavrodaphne Mencia

The Irish are hailed as being the original producers of whiskey in the British Isles, and their innovations and techniques were so successful, that neighbouring Scotland were quickly influenced by them in the 15th century. Centuries later, it was the Irish who brought whiskey to America, and their style of whiskey has since become popular all over the world.

However, it wasn’t always plain sailing for the Irish whiskey industry - from being a dominant force in the 19th century, whose produce was considered far superior to that of Scotland, political upheaval and war saw the Irish whiskey almost disappear forever in the early 20th century. Today, the Irish whiskey manufacturers are back on their feet, and they are once again proving that the original is often the best. With new distilleries opening every year, it is safe to say that Irish whiskey is very much back.

Irish whiskey differs from Scotch whisky in a number of ways, and not least the spelling - the extra ‘e’ was said to be added in the 19th century as a way of distancing the Irish drink from what they saw as an inferior Scottish product. Irish whiskey was traditionally made in enormous stills, as a way of ensuring consistency from bottle to bottle, and maintaining the quality and complexity their reputation was founded on. The typical tasting notes of fine Irish whiskey include apple and vanilla, alongside spicy and sweet touches of nutmeg and fresh hay, making this a highly pleasant and smooth drink, made for relaxation and stimulating conversation about times past.

In the Archaea region, high in the Northern Peloponnese mountains, the predominant grape varietal grown is the prized Mavrodaphne. Meaning 'Black Laurel', the Mavrodaphne grapes have extremely dark skins, and ripen slowly under the Greek sunshine, helped by the mineral rich soils the vines thrive in. This grape varietal is mostly used to produce the opaque, inky fortified wine of the same name, which is popular all over Greece and elsewhere in the world. This fortified wine allows the grapes to really show off their complex and fascinating flavors, which range from a rich marzipan to flavors of bitter chocolate, sweet coffee, dried figs and prunes, as well as plenty of jammy fruit notes.

Mavrodaphne is produced in a traditional method which involves leaving the grape juice exposed to the sun in large vats, before having its fermentation halted by the addition of various distillates taken from previous successful vintages. This mixture contains plenty of residual sugar, which gives the end result its characteristic sticky sweetness, and also helps with the next fermentation process, which typically takes place in large underground cellars. The final product is a heady drink, absolutely bursting with unusual, rich and sweet flavors and carried in a dark and slightly viscous Port-like liquid.

Mavrodaphne grapes are also used for the production of still red wines, but are generally blended with varietals such as Agiorgitiko or imported grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon. Mavrodaphne grapes are excellent for mellowing more acidic varieties, and producing deliciously rounded wines, which have taken the international market by storm in recent decades.

Additional Information on Greek Wines


Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?