The best Scotch and Japanese whiskies to add to your collection now

The Macallan TIME:SPACE Sherry Cask

The third release in the Speyside whisky maker’s TIME:SPACE collection marks the house’s first expression matured in casks seasoned with its Valdespino sherry wine since The Macallan acquired the historic bodega in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

The 20-year-old single malt stands out with its two-stage sherry cask influence. The whisky is first matured in predominantly European oak sherry-seasoned casks at The Macallan Estate, then married in a selection of the first 200 casks seasoned at Valdespino bodega.

The casks were crafted at The Macallan’s Jerez cooperages and shipped to Scotland for filling in 2024, when the house celebrated its 200th anniversary. 

Presenting a refreshing approach to sherry cask seasoning, The Macallan TIME:SPACE Sherry Cask boasts aromas of sherry-soaked raisins, figs, and Medjool dates. On the palate, it has opulent notes of dried fruit, ginger cake, and chocolate-coated cherries, leading to a finish of warming wood spices and espresso notes. 

The whisky comes in the TIME:SPACE collection’s signature circular vessel, an ode to the continuous flow of whisky-making’s past, present, and future. The presentation box design draws inspiration from Palomino grapes cultivated in Valdespino vineyards that glisten under the Andalusian sun. 

Available at The Macallan House Singapore at Raffles Hotel.

Royal Salute 21-Year-Old The Blended Grain

Grain whisky has played a stalwart supporting role in the world of Scotch, providing much of the backbone behind blended whiskies without taking top billing. Royal Salute is now putting grain whiskies in the spotlight with the first grain whisky in the house’s core Classic Blends Collection.

Crafted by master blender Emeritus Sandy Hyslop, the whisky is an assemblage of the finest grain whisky stocks from Scotland, with every whisky in the blend aged for a minimum of 21 years and matured entirely in American oak casks.

On the nose, peach and red apple sit alongside honeycomb, creamy vanilla and sugared almonds, with a hint of spring florals. Flavours-wise, the palate reveals notes of soft caramel, honey, and vanilla, followed by ripe pear and apricot, marzipan, and white chocolate.

Available at Pernod Ricard’s official e-store on Shopee.

Yamazaki Refill Spanish Oak

Spanish oak has been integral to Yamazaki’s whisky-making heritage since the distillery was founded in 1923. For over a century, generations of whisky-makers at the House of Suntory have explored the richness and depth that Spanish oak can impart over time. 

The limited-edition Yamazaki Refill Spanish Oak spotlights the evolution of the whisky crafted in second-fill Spanish oak casks. With the oak’s influence mellowed, vibrant red-fruit notes become more prominent — in line with Yamazaki’s signature bright, elegant fruit character while retaining depth and complexity.

The fruit-forward whisky has notes of stewed apricot compote on the nose, and a complex mix of fresh cherries, dried figs, charred peach, and shaved cacao on the palate, matched by a smoky, coffee-like finish. 

Available at selected dining and drinking venues, including Barrel, Chao Yuan, and Olde Cuban.

The Glendronach Boynsmill House Edition

To mark its bicentennial, Scotch distillery The Glendronach has launched the 14 Year Old Boynsmill House Edition, named after its storied estate in the Scottish Highlands. What makes this expression unique is master blender Dr Rachel Barrie’s introduction of whiskies matured in selected Claret red wine casks alongside the distillery’s signature sherry-cask maturation in a mix of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

This style permeates the tipple with vibrant layers of red berry fruit and elegant complexity. The copper-hued whisky opens with delightful fruity and nutty notes on the nose, then delivers flavours of plush malt, dried fruit, and nuts, leading to a velvety chocolate-caramel finish. 

Available at Malt & Wine Asia.

The Macallan Carta Nautica 20 Years Old

The Macallan has launched two travel-retail exclusive expressions — the Carta Nautica 20 Years Old and The Macallan Carta Nautica Distilled in 1987. The Carta Nautica 20 Years Old is inspired by oceans that connect continents of the world. In the same spirit, the whisky melds the influence of two continents in an unconventional cask combination.

Matured initially in sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, the whisky is then transferred to American bourbon casks for further maturation, adding another layer of complexity to its character.

The whisky opens with vibrant orange peel, creamy vanilla, and tropical notes of charred pineapple, juicy mango, and apricot conserve. The palate reveals peach tea, caramelised figs, leather, and chocolate orange, before giving way to a lingering finish of dried tropical fruits, caramel, and toasted oak spice.

The Macallan Carta Nautica, distilled in 1987, has been matured for close to four decades and is part of its vintage releases. 

American paper artist Amy Genser designed the ocean-inspired packaging for both whiskies, featuring flowing designs that echo the movement and rhythm of the Atlantic Ocean.

Available at Lotte Duty Free at Changi Airport.