Turntable Blending is releasing affordable small-batch whisky with high value for money. One of their latest offerings is this Turntable Unplugged .This core expression is a blended Scotch whisky, with over 80% malt content. It includes distillates from Linkwood, Ballindalloch and Benrinnes, from first and second fill bourbon casks and sherry casks. They also add a dash of peated Ledaig to make it wider.
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Affectionately called the Lunch Wine, this GSM from Grant Nash Wines is a delicious yin and yang balance of fruit and savoury delight. Dark fruit and raspberry rope notes get things moving up front, with layers of cured meats, pan juices, stripped bark and meat rub spices adding complexity and depth. The palate walks with impressive poise and a moreish length that urges another sip. Equally comfortable alongside a charcuterie board or plate of barbecued meats, this is a GSM that delivers flavour, texture and drinkability in equal doses. Big love. Go here. 93/100 Region: McLaren Vale RRP: $40 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
Douglas Laing likes to play with their Big Peat series, one of the cornerstones of the Remarkable Regional Malts range. Limited editions are often nicely themed, with the typical character in a Christmas or Sinterklaas disguise. Many places around the world also have their localised edition: Mount Fuji, Tirol, Haemeldaeme... you name it.For Whisky in Leiden 2026 , which takes place next weekend in a church in Leiden, they came up with a tequila finished version. Big Peat - The Leiden Edition (60,9%, Douglas Laing 2026, tequila cask finish, 256 btl.) Nose: lots of mineral notes, seaweed, damp soil, along with roasted lemons and kippers. Nice mentholated / camphory notes. Also bonfire ash and a slightly sweeter hint of vanilla and unripe peach. Light herbal undertones as well. Really good. There's a very light green / vegetal note but I'm not getting much of the expected agave. Mouth: big and punchy. Quite raw, with a lot of white pepper and fiery medicinal peat coming out. Lemon j
An intriguing Cabernet Merlot blend from Blackwood Valley producer Sunnyhurst Winery, a splash of Petit Verdot works its way into the mix (50/40/10). Curiously, the website states 20% Petit Verdot, but the label says 10%... Each component was fermented separately and matured for 15 months in French oak before blending. On the nose, the aromas are tightly wound, pointing to a long future ahead. With air, it reveals a core of black fruits and berries and is layered with savoury notes of black olive, cloves and a touch of dark chocolate. The palate is firm and dry with assertive tannins that take charge for now, but these should settle with time. The concentrated fruit profile echoes the aromas. Those notes of spice and chocolate add depth and intrigue. The tension calls for time in the decanter if it were to be enjoyed now, but some more bottle age will see things unfurl and harmonise. 91/100 Region: Blackwood Valley RRP: $32 Source: Sample Winery Website S
