As soon as presents are opened and Christmas lunch and household video games are over, there’s nothing higher than enjoyable with a dram or two of particular festive whisky. In fact, it’s possible you’ll have already got your favorite bottles, however the world of whisky is more and more various. This yr there appears to be extra selection than ever, with distillers releasing seasonal specials, present editions and particular cask-finishes.
So in case you’re searching for one thing new, right here’s a variety to present you inspiration. In addition to basic Scotch and Irish bottles, the vary additionally contains craft bourbon, a smoky Tequila-cask end and a decadent Port-cask bottling from Kavalan in Taiwan for the whisky adventurers.
There are decisions for followers of blends, single malts and single cask whiskies. Plus suggestions for anybody who enjoys mixing up their very own whisky cocktails at house. Cheers!
Finest whiskies for Christmas
Angel’s Envy Bourbon Port End
For many years, bourbon was staid and predictable, however for a era now a brand new wave of craft distillers has compelled America’s signature whiskey type to up its sport. Ending in ex-Port casks lends this luscious instance candy vinous notes alongside vanilla, nutmeg and (paradoxically) a Sherry-like nuttiness. Nice neat, however very best for a wealthy Manhattan or Previous Customary. By no means combine grape and grain? Nonsense. Alcohol 43.3%
Glen Moray 2013 Amontillado End Warehouse 1
The most recent in an more and more spectacular run of releases from a beforehand under-appreciated Scotch distillery, that is lower than a decade previous – however you wouldn’t guess. The place oloroso Sherry casks can generally be clumsily flabby, amontillado creates extra delicate flavours of blonde tobacco, white chocolate and hazelnut praline. A splash of water opens up orchard fruits from the distillate. Alc 57.5%
Glenmorangie A Story of the Forest
This new expression is a mildly natural, eucalyptus-scented tackle the basic, high-toned Glenmorangie type. It’s the results of a resurrected barley kilning (drying) approach involving juniper berries, birch bark and heather flowers. There’s the merest whisper of smoke within the background (peat can also be concerned), and delicate oak affect from refill casks. The genius right here is that Glenmorangie’s sprightly distillate is just not overpowered, however given house to shine. Alc 46%
Jameson Single Pot Nonetheless
In case you’re questioning why there hasn’t been a Jameson single pot nonetheless Irish whiskey earlier than – effectively, there has. That is the type that made Jameson well-known, earlier than its late-Twentieth-century conversion into the easy-drinking mix we all know in the present day. Triple-distilled and mixing malted and unmalted barley in true pot nonetheless type, it efficiently combines Jameson’s smoothness with pot nonetheless’s tangy fruit and dry spice. Alc 46%
Kavalan Solist Port Cask Single Cask Energy
A contemporary basic, matured in ex-Port casks in Taiwan’s subtropical local weather. This is without doubt one of the single malts that rightly put Kavalan on the whisky map. It’s richly fruited with blackcurrant and wild strawberry, accompanied by spice and toasty notes from fairly assertive oak. The end is silky, prolonged and full of darkish mocha notes. Decadent winter consuming. Word: abv varies from cask to cask. Alc 57.8%
Mossburn Signature Casks Sequence Invoice No 2
This massively pleasant whisky has flavours of bruised apple, citrus, pepper and spice – plus heather honey and sherry notes from the cask combine – providing a scrumptious evocation of the favored notion of the basic Speyside type. However don’t be fooled: Scotland’s premier whisky locale has much more variety than this may recommend. Alc 46%
Nc’nean Natural Single Malt
This extremely promising whisky hails from a terrific new distillery on the distant Morvern peninsula. Sustainability is to the fore: the distillery is powered by a biomass boiler fed by regionally sourced woodchips, utilizing natural Scottish barley and a 100% recycled bottle. Pre-programmed to create an early-maturing type (distillation started in 2017), it provides an unctuous mixture of citrus and tropical fruit with gentle spice from the cask. Pure consuming pleasure. Alc 46%
Redbreast 12 12 months Previous Fowl Feeder Version
A win-win for whiskey lovers and birders, this seasonal present pack combines a bottle of Irish whiskey Redbreast 12 with an attention-grabbing crimson copper hen feeder. A proportion of the proceeds from gross sales go in the direction of funding the work of charity BirdLife Worldwide. Contained in the bottle is Redbreast’s basic winter hotter: a Sherry cask-matured single pot nonetheless whiskey with luxurious Christmas spices, dried fruit and toasty oak notes. Alc 40%
Smokehead Terminado Tequila Cask
Till a number of years in the past, you couldn’t mature Scotch whisky in ex-Tequila casks; then the foundations modified. A change for the higher, if that is something to go by. It’s an Islay single malt matured in ex-bourbon oak, then completed in casks used to age Mexico’s premier agave spirit. The result’s a fierily fruity whisky that marries Islay smoke with black pepper and a bewitching notice of charred pineapple. Alc 43%
The Dalmore 2007 Classic
That is certainly one of two releases from the Highland distillery’s Classic assortment – the results of an annual spherical of cask inspections within the Dalmore warehouse. A full of life, zesty Dalmore that exhibits a barely totally different side to its sometimes wealthy and luxurious type. Spring blossom, orange zest and light-weight honey mix with ginger and only a pinch of clove. A candy however balanced dram. Alc 46.5%
