There are few independent distilleries left in Scotland. Isle of Arran is among them. That freedom from corporate control may be a reason it can bottle a large variety of styles. This is one of my favourites. After a long maturation period in standard casks, the spirit spends an additional brief period in wood that once contained Sauternes dessert wine from Bordeaux. The wine-infused casks lend fruit and honey and a sweet entry to this robust, 50-per-cent whisky. But the complexity builds to include strong notes of cereal, soda bread, hay, vanilla and nuts. Available in limited quantities in Ontario. $63.79 in New Brunswick, $61.60 in Newfoundland.