With the holiday season well and truly approaching at rapid pace, we thought we should extend our spotlight to 20 picks for this month and the next as well, to help you find that perfect gift for the whisky lover in your life or for as a gift to yourself.
1. Bladnoch Vinaya £47.50
Expertly crafted, the Bladnoch Vinaya is a unique and flavorful whisky, aged in both Sherry and Bourbon casks for an unparalleled taste experience.
Distillery Tasting Notes: Apple | Floral Grass | Chocolate
Nose: Sweet floral grass with boiled sweets
Palate: Fresh green apples with chocolate with a hint of pepper.
Finish: Light and refreshing
Our reasoning
An exceptional refreshing whisky at a incredible value, its a delightfully light and enjoyable with a hint of pepper spice to warm you up on those cold evenings. Also a beautifully bottle that catches the eye.
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2. Caol Ila 13 Year Old £99.00
Discover the bold and smoky flavors of Caol Ila 13 Year Old. This single malt scotch is expertly crafted and bottled under Gordon & Macphail's Discovery Range.
Tasting notes:
Sweet vanilla and dry cured meat aromas, peat smoke undertones are complemented by apple and apricot. Ripe banana, kiwi and vibrant hint of fresh citrus, leading to a long, sweet and smoky finish.
Our Reasoning
Something for the peat lovers, not the heaviest of peat levels but enough to give you that smoky, warming sensation balanced perfectly with sweet vanilla and fruits will keep this whisky long in memory.
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3. Tomatin 12 Year Old £60.00
A Discontinued edition of Tomatin 12 Year Old in old presentation box. Finished in Spanish Sherry Casks.
Tasting Notes:
Aroma: A complex bouquet contains rich malt and fruity aromas with a hint of peatiness.
Palate: The palate is rewarded with a unique combination of attactive flavours - a balance of apples, pears. malt, with a gentle hint of nuttiness enhanced by the subtle use of sherry wood.
Finish: Smooth, Sweet and very satisfying.
Our Reasoning
A uniquely delightful whisky that was matured in sherry casks that bring instant memories of sherry at Christmas while still capturing the essence of the highland whiskies and Tomatin's signature style.
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4. Ardmore 46 % Traditional Cask £79.00
A discontinued Ardmore Traditional Cask matured for a final period in small 19th Century style Quarter Casks. A lightly peated Highland Single Malt Whisky which is Full and Rich, with Peat-Smoke notes.
Our Reasoning
At a incredible value for a discontinued whisky is a fantastic whisky with evry step as traditional as possible to create this highland whisky that is on the light end of peat so enjoyable for almost all whisky drinkers.
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5. Ardbeg Drum Feis Ile Festival 2019 £199.00
This Ardbeg Drum Single Malt Whisky released for Feis Ile 2019 Islay Whisky Festival is the first Ardbeg Distillery release to be finished in Rum Cask.
Tasting Notes:
Nose : Smoked apple and pineapple, ripe banana, fragrant pine resin and subtle woodsmoke. Dry cocoa powder, cinnamon and ginger spiced dates and ‘floating’ lavender notes.
Palate : Peppery texture, huge smoky palate, oil, tar, creosote, rich dark chocolate. A treasure of spices – clove, liquorice and ginger mingles with smoked vanilla.
Finish : Intense smoke on the finish, more spice with a sweet coffee liqueur finish.
Our Reasoning
Ardbeg one of the most famous and world renowned peaty whiskies but this particular bottling was matured in rum casks giving a unique twist of Caribbean rum flavour to a sensational peaty whisky.
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6. Annandale 8 Year Old Cadenhead £149.00
This Annandale 8 year old Cadenhead's Authentic Collection is bottled from a single cask at natural cask strength. Distilled in 2015, Bottled in Winter 2023, Wood Type :Bourbon Barrel, Number of bottles : 228
Annandale 8 year old Tasting Notes:-
Nose : Malty, muesli, golden syrup.
Palate : Toasted oats, peat, rye crackers.
Finish : Monkey nuts, grassy, soft ashy notes.
Our Reasoning
One of Annandale's first noted age statements since their reopening in 2014 bottled under legendary independent bottlers of William Cadenhead, makes for a fairly unique bottling as is. Annandale specialise in single cask bottling as a principle so a truly unique whisky that captures the spirit and signature of the distillery.
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7. Balblair 1999 2nd Release £169.00
This Balblair 1999 Vintage 2nd Release Single Malt Whisky is bottled in 2014.
Tasting Notes:
Nose : The American oak, ex-bourbon barrels and Spanish oak, ex-sherry butts used in maturation impart the signature Balblair aromas of honey and green apples, as well as notes of rich, fruity Christmas cake with a hint of spice, citrus fruits and vanilla.
Palate : On the palate it is full bodied, sweet and spicy in character, with hints of honey, vanilla and leather.
Finish : Warm, smooth and long lasting.
Our Reasoning
A beautiful presented bottle in presentation box that will catch the eye, but a expertly crafted whisky that is warm, soothing with the perfect balance of sweet and spicy character that will be perfect for these long festive nights.
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8. Benriach Latada 18 Year Old £180.00
Benriach from the heart of Speyside present the Latada 18 year old that was perfectly crafted and finished in Maderia casks, This limited edition bottling is a turely unique find and whisky.
Tasting Notes:
Nose : Torrents of campfire peat smoke, infuse heather honey and ripe pear. Hints of cantaloupe and candied citrus add to a luscious, crisp balance.
Palate : A mouth-watering sweet peat character, floods through delicious ripe fruit syrup. Dried apricots combine with warm oak spices and gentle citrus zest, giving a contrasting depth to the long finish.
Our Reasoning
An truly exceptional whisky that scream Speyside flavour mixed with a good level of peat and smoke, the addition of Maderia cask just adds beautifully to enchance the whisky that was aged to perfection.
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9. Nc'Nean Ex-Tequila Batch 1 £195.00
A very rare first single cask bottling of Nc'Nean Single Malt Whisky.
Produced for Selfridges it was the first single malt whisky to be finished in a first-fill ex-tequila cask, after first being matured in an first-fill ex-bourbon barrel.
One of Scotland's newest distilleries.Situated on the Morvern Peninsula.
Cask Strength of 51.4% Individually Numbered bottles , of only 289 in total. Cask Number #17-329
Our Reasoning
Nc'Nean are one of our favourite whiskies as is so combine that with a unique cask finish, you get something quite special. The use of Ex-Tequila casks is a very rare thing in whisky maturation, this may be only one we have seen that has.
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10. Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask 2017 £260.00
This Laphroaig Cairdeas Cask Strength Quarter Cask 2017 uses the art of ageing in smaller casks. Creating a more intense maturation through greater contact with American oak. Fully matured in Warehouse No.1, a soft creamy sweetness is created from the quarter cask.
Tasting Notes:
Nose : Gentle coffee cream and freshly sliced vanilla pods. Builds into sweet mint with notes of old hay, a background of beach bonfire and then freshly sanded wood.
Palate : A sweet vanilla dryness that develops into a creamy, oily mouth feel with bitter liquorice root and a throat full of smoke.
Finish : A long, creamy smoky finish
Our Reasoning
Laphroaig are one of the greats of peaty whisky often leaning into the heavy side of peat to really capture that Islay peat and signature, The maturation of smaller casks to draw stronger flavour is something special that creates a real creaminess to the whisky.
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Buy Here: Laphroaig Quarter Cask 2017
11. Glenfiddich Rich Oak 14 Year Old £159.00
Finished in New American & New European oak casks, resulting in a complex harmony of lively fruit flavours & rich new oak.
American: Initial spicy oak notes, followed by vibrant vanilla and rich dried fruit flavours
European: Elegant hints of fruit, with a complex nuttiness and a warming spicy oak finish.
Our Reasoning
Glenfiddich a well established name in making whisky, using the combination of two different casks that are balanced perfectly to bring out the exceptional characteristics of each cask combining to create a memorable whisky for the palate.
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12. Ardbeg The Harpy's Tale 13 Year Old £299.00
Discover the legendary taste of Ardbeg Anthology The Harpy's Tale 13 Year Old. Aged for 13 years, this single malt scotch whisky showcases the perfect balance of smoky and sweet flavours. Matured in sweet Sauternes wine cask and classic Ardbeg ex-bourbon casks.
Tasting Notes:
Smoked lemon peels soars alongside balsamic vinegar, before fresh apricots roll and bank into notes of tarry rope.
Our Reasoning
A new bottle that has recently come available to us, is a fantastic whisky with a unexpected sweetness contrast for a Ardbeg, but still delivers that signature Islay peat of Ardbeg.
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13. Johnnie Walker Explorers Club Gold Route £99.00
Discover the smooth and rich taste of Johnnie Walker Explorers Club Gold Route. This 1 litre bottle is perfect for your next adventure, providing a refreshing and luxurious experience with each sip. Experience the exceptional quality of this exclusive blend and elevate your drinking experience.
Our Reasoning
Our first blended choice of this list, we went to the one of true heavyweights in Johnnie Walker, experts in creating the finest blended whiskies, the explorers edition of the gold route is a true experience of the Johnnie Walker whisky.
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14. Kilkerran 16 Year Old 2022 Edition £160.00
This is the oldest release by the Glengyle distillery from the Campbeltown region and is matured in bourbon casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Cut grass and lemon shortbread.
Palate: Spiced pepper and dried apricots to a earthy peat and hints of brine.
Finish: Ashey and wax peels.
Our Reasoning
Partially included so we can tick off a whisky from the Campbeltown region as there is so few distilleries, But is a fantastic celebration of the regions whisky that will be loved by any whisky lover .
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15. Tullibardine Sovereign £40.00
Expertly crafted in Scotland, Tullibardine Sovereign offers a unique taste experience with its maturation in bourbon barrels. The resulting flavor is smooth, balanced, and rich, making it the perfect choice for those looking for a high-quality whisky with a touch of sweetness.
Our Reasoning
A exquisite highland whisky, Tullibardine ensure the finest cask matures their whisky, with the aim of making to get the most flavour out of their cask into their spirit. This creates a rich smooth whisky with a touch of sweetness from the classic highland palate.
Distilled In the Heart of the Ardnamurchan Volcano by Co-Founder Miles. Locally Inspired botanicals Every Bottle is Handmade by Co-Founder Katie.
Each Bottle is a one off with unique markings from the casting process, creating the bottles "Birth Mark". All Bottles are oversized to allow shrinkage during the firing process, with capacity to hold 90 CL. They are hand filled by hand with legal limit of 70 CL and then hand labelled.
The only distillery in the UK to make its own bottles as well as distilling its own Gin. Husband and Wife team that care about each and every drop of Gin and hand crafted bottle.
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17. Bar Walls Micklegate Gin £39.99
Perfect for sipping or crafting delicious cocktails. Enjoy a truly delightful drinking experience.
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Black Spiced Rum from Cornwall. Rum Dhu is fermented on the cliffs of Cornwall, up above the sea spray. Distilled on copper pot stills before being spiced and aged in oak casks.
Inspiration for this Spiced Rum is taken from the ocean. Its hidden gullies and kelp forests, deep below the rolling boom of Cornish swells, the howling wind and thunder during squalls. Knuckles pressed white against gunwales on ships out on the blue. Pounding surf against cliffs. Warm nights by the fire with glass in hand whilst storms batter down.
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20. A.B Gold Rum £39.99
Blended from only the finest traditional pot-stilled, triple oak barrel-aged Jamaican rums, made from virgin Caribbean sugar cane. Refined using Yorkshire spring water, it embodies distinctive rich caramel tones with accents of fruit and mild influences of vanilla
Enjoy this smooth golden rum, over ice or add a luxurious edge to your favourite mixer.
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