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Cosses Country House
Ballantrae
Ayrshire KA26 0LR
Scotland

Fine Wines, a Good Cellar & Scottish Malt Whisky

Cosses Country House understands the importance of a good cellar to compliment the wonderful menu choices on offer. Choose from the excellent selection of Fine Wines from around the world; French, Spanish, German and Italian wines as well as wines from the 'New World'; Australia and New Zealand.

And what better way to round off a wonderful evening than with a dram of genuine Scottish Malt Whisky before an open fire. Cosses offers guests a fine selection of Malt Whiskys with recommendations and information on each.

We have two distilleries within easy reach of Cosses Country House:

Bladnoch is Scotland's most southerly distillery, in Wigtownshire, and is also one of its oldest. It was built in 1817 and stood on the banks of the River Bladnoch, in the village of the same name. It had many owners throughout the course of the twentieth century and was closed in 1993. The distillery recommenced production again under private ownership in December 2000.

Bladnoch is a light to medium bodied malt with a light, fragrant, lemony aroma and a gentle, unassertive flavour with fruity tones.
www.bladnoch.co.uk

Arran Malt - In 1995 a new distillery opened on Arran, in one of the most beautiful locations in Scotland, using only traditional methods of copper stills. The location offers perfect water for whisky production, cleansed by granite and softened by peat as it comes down from the mountain above. The atmosphere of sea breezes and clear mountain air together with the warm flow of the Gulf Stream matures the Arran Malt to perfection. Robin is a founder member and we recommend a visit to Arran a unique island known as 'Scotland in Miniature'. Early in the 19th century there were more than 50 whisky distilleries on Arran, most of them illegal. The Arran malt has a gentle light style with delightful nuances of apples and pears. www.arranwhisky.com

Wine List

Con Class Especial Blanco 2000, DO Rueda, Spain

Red Wines

Cabernet/Merlot 2000, VDP des Côtes du Tarn, Domaine Vigné-Lourac
'Poema' Vinas Viejas Garnacha 2000/01, DO Calatayud, Spain
Gran Campellas Tinto Crianza 1998, Bodegas Borsao, Campo de Borja, Spain
Gran Campellas Tinto Crianza 1998, Bodegas Borsao, Campo de Borja, Spain
Ch. Villars 1999/00, Costières de Nîmes, France
Pinot Noir 1998, Pendarves Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
Trinity Hill Red (Syrah/Merlot/Cabernet) 1999, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998, Domaine de la Janasse, Rhône

Wine of the Month
Rioja Reserva 1998, Marques de Riscal, S.A. Rioja, Spain

Based in the town of Elciego in the Rioja Alavesa region, Marqués de Riscal are perhaps the best-known exponents of classic Rioja. In their hands, the Tempranillo grape produces a medium-bodied, elegant wine, quite claret-like in style, with rich, blackberry fruit and the characteristically smooth, velvety texture that comes from 3 years' ageing in oak barrels. (The term 'Reserva' refers to this extended period of maturation in oak barrels). If allowed to age further, the wine develops a delicious 'gamey' character, rather like good Burgundy.

Red Rioja is a traditional partner for lamb, whether roast or casserole, but - depending on age - can also be good with game, poultry and dishes containing mushrooms.

Scottish Malt Whisky

1. Aberlour - 12 year old
Ben Rinnes - A very good post-prandial dram, full bodied & smooth
2. Balvenie
Dufftown - Initially sweet approach with a very satisfying aftermath
3. Blairmhor
Airdrie - Lighter than most
4. Bowmore Legend
Islay - Smooth and pleasing after-dinner malt
5. Bruichladdich - 10 year old
Islay - Light and peaty
6. Bunnahabhain
Good after-dinner dram. Full bodied flavour leaves good aftermath
7. Cragganmore - 12 year old
Ballindaloch - A good dry and demanding dinner dram
8. Dalmore - 12 year old
Alness - Rather dry but pleasing heavy after-dinner dram
9. Glenfarclas - 8 year old
A malt of character, makes a very fine after-dinner dram
10. Glenfarclas - 10 year old
Full of character
11. Glenfarclas 105 - Cask Strength
Unique character and superb taste
12. Glenfiddich
Dufftown - A good light introduction to malts
13. Glengoyne - 10 year old
Dumgoyne, Stirlingshire - A light, clean pleasant dram
14. The Glenlivet - 12 year old
Minmore - Bland, just one of an extensive range produced by Seagram
15. Glenmorganie - 18 year old
Tain - A distinctive and very smooth pre-dinner dram, mellow enough for after
16. Glenmorganie - Finished in Sherry Wood
Tain - A new (ish) finishing process in sherry butts produces a full-bodied malt
17. Highland Park - 12 year old
Orkney - One of the finest after-dinner drams. Smooth, full of character
18. Isle of Jura - 10 year old
Jura - This resembles a highland malt. Smooth, light-bodied
19. Lagavulin - 16 year old
Islay - Full bodied, it has a notable smoothness
20. Laphroaig - 10 year old
Islay - Very distinctive, slightly sweeter and not as full-bodied as Lagavulin
21. Macallan - 12 year old
Craigellachie - With an initial sweetness, but smooth body and splendid aftermath
22. Macallan - 18 year old
Craigellachie - Matures with ages. Superb
23. Oban - 14 year old
Argyll - Very pleasing, distinctive highland-like, pre or post dinner
24. Old Fettercairn - 10 year old
Kincardineshire - Good, clean, dry and satisfying pre-dinner dram
25. Talisker
Isle of Skye - A full body and strong aftermath make it a notable dram
26. Arran Malt

A superb Selection of Fine Wines & the best Scottish Malt Whisky