The holidays are just around the corner, and that means thinking about what to buy that whisky drinker on your list. Fortunately (or not), there is literally a world of whisky to choose from, but just in case you need to narrow it down a little, we’ve got a few recommendations for that picky drinker on your list.
Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake
Nothing evokes the holiday spirit more than dessert, and Glenmorangie has found a way to turn cake into a delicious spirit. Their Director of Whisky Creation devised this whisky to conjure the magic of a cake moment, finishing his favourite Glenmorangie Single Malt in Tokaji dessert wine casks.
The liquid is a rich copper, but the taste is complex with multi-layered bursts of honey, white chocolate and fruits with a lilting hint of mint. As you might expect, it tastes incredible when enjoyed with actual cake, with Glenmorangie even working with pastry chef Dominique Ansel on a recipe.
Glen Scotia Double Cask
Glen Scotia Double Cask is one of the most underrated whisky’s out there. It takes a classic Campbeltown malt and finishes in a combination of first fill bourbon barrels followed by Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. There is a perfect balance of rich spicy fruits, overlaid with the characteristic sea spray and vanilla oak finish for which the house of Glen Scotia is famous for.
Balvenie DoubleWood 12
The DoubleWood is one of the most consistently solid whisky’s on the market, and one of our personal favourites. Balvenie takes whisky that has spent at least 12 years in traditional whisky casks, American Oak ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads, and moves it to Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks for an additional nine months. The whisky is then transferred to large oak vessels called for 3-4 months to allow the whiskies from individual casks to blend together.
The traditional casks soften and add delicate character, the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour and the final few months allow the whiskies to marry harmoniously.
Aberfeldy 12
A great whisky for those that aren’t a fan of peat and like their whisky on the softer side. Aberfeldy has a richly textured, honeyed nose with sweet creamy intensity, full of flavours of dried fruits, floral heather notes, creamy vanilla and hints of toasted coconut in a full-bodied palate, with a spicy, woody finish.
Bowmore 15
This is a good option for those that like a little bit of peat, but don’t want to be overwhelmed by it. Bowmore 15 is matured in a combination of both bourbon and sherry casks, with the final three years spent in the coveted Oloroso sherry casks giving it a final mix of toffee, fruit and peat.
Ale/Sessions 