Cars -- 3 days ago
These are the best whiskies to gift this Christmas
From a future collectible by Talisker to a cocktail-ready bourbon by Buffalo Trace, these are the perfect presents for enthusiasts of the strong stuff
Words: Gentleman's Journal
From a future collectible by Talisker to a cocktail-ready bourbon by Buffalo Trace, these are the perfect presents for enthusiasts of the strong stuff
Words: Gentleman's Journal
Christmas is a time of high spirits; spiced sloe gins; and brandy-soaked puddings. But, in this boozy parade of present-giving, one bottle remains prized above all others, and it’s filled to its festive brim with single-malt scotch. Because whisky was made for winter. It’s dark, decadent, and perfect for everything from warming your cockles to toasting the new year ahead.
And the choice! There really is something for every drinker, however discerning they may be. If they prefer it peaty, Islay’s the ticket. If they like it lighter, scoot over to Speyside. There are even excellent bottlings to be found further afield, such as the slightly sweeter bourbons and ryes of North America. Here, we’ve rounded up a bevy of the best to wrap, ribbon, and pop under the tree.
The best whiskies are transportative. Loch Lomond’s first edition in its Waypoint Series will transport you to the Falls of Falloch, a stunning part of Scotland that has captivated generations of travellers with its natural beauty. The unpeated 16-year-old single malt is matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished for 12 months in ex-cognac barrels, resulting in unique depth of flavour.
Each of Glen Scotia’s Icons of Campbeltown releases pays tribute to the historical Campbeltown community, where the world-renowned Glen Scotia distillery has been producing spirits since 1832. Release No.2 takes inspiration from the story of Saint Michael, the courageous archangel who slayed a fire-breathing dragon with his spear. With its rich backstory and fiery, fruity flavour, it’s the perfect gift for mythology fans and whisky lovers alike.
This collaboration between The Macallan and Cirque du Soleil evokes the energy and liveliness shared by the brands. Characterised by a deep autumnal hue; intense and fragrant nose; creamy palette; and lingering sweet, vanilla finish, this single malt is a total treat for the senses. Be sure to opt for complimentary gift wrapping and messaging at the check-out for an extra-personal touch to your Christmas gift.
Single malt purists will be delighted with the gift of Glenmorangie’s award-winning 12-Year-Old Original, a smoother, creamier and more complex iteration of the distillery’s signature single malt. Aged for 12 years in bourbon casks, the result is a luxuriously layered whisky with a rush of citrus and notes of honey and peach. Priced at under £50, it’s a fail-safe stocking stuffer.
If you really want to up the ante this Christmas, give the gift of Talisker 30 Year Old, a stunning dram of single malt from the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye. This particular 30 year old bottling was aged and matured in a combination of European and American oak casks, creating a unique medley of flavours; think freshly sawn oak, plumes of smoke and sweet stone fruits.
The Glenturret has been producing whisky since the 1700s, making it the oldest working distillery in Scotland. Such history and tradition is embodied in the 2024 release of The Glenturret’s 12-Year-Old, a rich and fruity expression that combines the hard-won wisdom of generations of distillers with contemporary imagination and innovation. Create the perfect gift for the whisky lover in your life by pairing the 12-Year-Old with two branded ‘Wee Dram Whisky Glasses’ and opt for a custom-engraved message on the bottle.
Our first festive foray outside Scotland takes us to Vermont. WhistlePig’s 10-Year-Old is a 100-proof, 100% rye grain straight rye whiskey, aged for at least ten years through a unique double-barrel process that sees it spend five years in American oak barrels and another five in used bourbon barrels. The resulting flavour profile is one of clove, mint, barrel char, creamy caramels and butterscotch.
Hailing from Kentucky, the whiskey heartland of America, Buffalo Trace bourbon is beloved the world over for its complex taste and smooth finish. Its Traveller Whiskey Blend No.40 – a collaboration between 10X Grammy Award-Winning Artist Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller, Harlen Wheatley – epitomises the company’s commitment to quality, as the carefully curated result of countless hours of tasting and testing.
Woodford Reserve has been distilled, for decades, in Versailles, Kentucky, and its liquids are just as decadent as their address suggests. The brand’s Distiller’s Select serves as an excellent entry-level offering that’s perfect for sipping straight-up or mixing in a classic cocktail to kick off the festivities.
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