SAB Night Black evokes the stillness of a night landscape, where mountains and trees appear as dark silhouettes against the moonlit sky. In the glass, that same image translates into a whisky of quiet power: smoky, woody, earthy, and restrained, with a dark, contemplative character. It is the kind of dram that does not shout, but gradually reveals its depth.

Tasting notes
Nose: A subdued aroma with smoky embers, a refreshing woody note, and a hint of black pepper.

Palate: Smooth and soft in texture, with bitterness, black pepper, ash that coats the tongue, a strong woody flavour that tightens the whole, and earthy peat.

Finish: Mildly spicy and strongly smoky.

How to taste it

Neat (without water): Taste this first to set the tone for the box. Let it rest in the glass briefly, then nose slowly topick up the embers, wood, and pepper before the smoke grows more apparent on the palate. Its softer texture means the darker notes arrive gradually rather
than all at once.

With water: Add just a few drops to open the aroma and soften the ash and woody tension. Water may lift a little more freshness in the nose while keeping the smoky, earthy core intact. This is a whisky that can take a touch of dilution, but too much may flatten its quiet intensity.

This Macduff is the brighter, more playful contrast in the set. Matured in bourbon cask and bottled by Asta Morris, it shows a lively fruit-driven style with a gentle creamy texture and just enough vanilla and floral lift to keep everything fresh. It brings sunshine into the box after the opening smoke.

Tasting notes
Nose: Very gentle fruity notes edging toward tropical fruits, with hints of vanilla and a touch of floral character.

Palate: Smooth and slightly creamy, remaining pleasantly fruity, with more vanilla present and nice whiffs of orange peel.

Finish: The bourbon cask does a great job, leaving an everlasting fruity and pleasant finish.

How to taste it

Neat (without water): Taste this second to brighten the palate after the smoky opener. Neat, it should show the clearest balance between fruit, vanilla, and soft oak, with the tropical edge becoming more noticeable as it sits in the glass. The creamy texture makes it easy to sip, yet the cask character keeps it interesting.

With water: A few drops of water may bring out even more fruit sweetness and soften the oak slightly. Expect the vanilla and orange peel to become more pronounced, with the tropical notes appearing rounder and friendlier. Water should enhance its easy, generous character without dulling the freshness.

This is the contemplative centrepiece of the box: an Ardmore with serious age, remarkable purity, and a peat profile that has evolved into something far more subtle and complex than a younger smoky whisky. Rather than bold smoke, it offers a layered, mineral, coastal style where peat feels broken down into fine textures of sandalwood, lanolin, brine, and olive oil. It is elegant, unusual, and deeply rewarding.

Tasting notes
Nose: Ethereal and complex smokiness, including sandalwood, bonfire embers, sheep wool, ink, and mineral oils. With time, it moves toward medicinal notes such as lanolin, wintergreen, herbal toothpaste, and smoked olive oil.

Palate: Classically farmyard Ardmore, with fragmented peat expressed through crystalline smokiness, coal tar soap, lanolin, sandalwood, smoked olive oil, and preserved lemons in brine. With time, it becomes more coastal, showing anchovy paste, salted butter, pink grapefruit, and touches of seawater.

Finish: Medium in length, rather salty, with brittle minerals, lemon-infused olive oil, natural tar, white pepper, and a refreshing sharpness. 

How to taste it

Neat (without water): Save this for last and give it time in the glass, as the aromatics unfold gradually and beautifully. Neat, it shows the full range of its age-driven complexity, from smoky minerals to coastal brightness and medicinal nuance. This is a whisky to sip slowly and revisit often, because its subtleties become more apparent with patience.

With water: A small amount of water can help lift the more coastal and citrus-led notes, especially the preserved lemon and pink grapefruit. It may also soften the sharper mineral edges and bring more harmony to the smoke, salt, and herbal tones. Use water sparingly, as the whisky’s elegance lies in its precision and restraint.