Moon Import was founded by Pepi Mongiardino in 1980 and he bottled his first whisky in 1982. Always beautifully labelled, Pepi is acclaimed for designing the packaging for Moon Import bottles himself, often using images found in old books. These iconic designs, coupled with the quality of the liquid saw Moon Import steadily grow in popularity. The company is still going strong, and their early releases are some of the brightest gems in any whisky collection.

The Dreams series was a 1999 collaborative effort between longtime friends, Mongiardino and Samaroli. The unusually labelled series feature artworks designed by Nadia Pini and Hans Piu, and all bear Silvano Samaroli's signature printed on the capsule.

Samaroli are perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), founder Silvano Samaroli is regarded by many as a visionary. Since his passing in 2017, the company has been run by his friend Antonio Bleve, who continues his tradition of high quality releases. Many of Silvano’s early bottlings occupy deserved spots on the pantheon of all-time whisky greats.

This Glenrothes was distilled in 1969 and matured in sherry wood. Bottle 239 of 414.

Earmarked from an early stage an ideal component in blended Scotch whiskies, Glenrothes has long been a key part of big brands such as Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse. Its relationship with the former, lead to a three decade-long association with London wine-merchants, Berry Brothers & Rudd, who first approached Highland Distillers about licensing the Glenrothes single malt brand in 1983, eventually trading the Cutty Sark blend with Edrington for full ownership of it in 2010. The distillery itself remained with Edrington through, and the two were reunited when the now hugely successful brand was returned in 2017. Releases from independent labels like this have also always been highly regarded.

Incredible cask, superb reduction, nothing to complain about, it's a magnificent sherry, elegant to boot. I had a truly magical time. Nose Superb nose on fresh wood glue that goes far up the nose, powerful for a reduction. The wood is there, dense but very aromatic, on cedar and oak. Concentrated dried fruits. Grilled coffee, caramelized walnut husk. Taste Incredibly good palate instantly. Already, the alcohol is perfect, it looks like a 45% cask strength rather than a reduction, all the aromas are exuberant without the alcohol pushing them artificially. Noble wood that gives way to a cream of dried figs and prunes, all seasoned with cinnamon and caramel. A few very ripe tropical fruits (banana, mango, melon) boiled in coffee syrup. Liquorice on the finish. Finish Warm finish, chocolate dried fruits. Macadamia nuts. Buttered brioche.