The festive season is upon us. Here are a few selections from our Christmas whisky cabinet - a premium blended scotch, a pair of fantastic independently bottled single malts and an Indian whisky from Goa. Enjoy the holidays!
Staff Picks - our choices for this month
Abbey Whisky - Rare Casks - Caperdonich 17 year old
Independent retailer Abbey Whisky recently started bottling a series of malts under their Rare Casks label. This 17 year Caperdonich is an excellent expression from a distillery which has sadly joined the ranks of the “lost distilleries” - having been knocked down in 2010. Clean cereally malt, plenty of spices and fruit notes - especially bruised bananas - and it has that quality you only really find in a mature scotch.
£59.50 at www.abbeywhisky.com
Paul John - Brilliance
The unpeated “Brilliance” is one of a pair of standard expressions released this year by the newest Indian Single Malt producer, Paul John Distillery. This young whisky shows why Indian single malt is catching peoples’ attention - its amazing what can be achieved with a relatively short maturation time in the Indian climate. Complex and spicy, this Goan whisky deserves serious attention. If you haven’t tasted Indian whisky this would be a great place to start.
£37.65 at www.thewhiskybarrel.co.uk
Ballantines 17 year old
Smooth, balanced, integrated... this premium blend has a strong peaty backbone running through a dense nose with aromas that are by turns sweet, floral, honeyed and fruity. A blend like this has a flavour spectrum rich and malty enough to entice the most hardened single malt drinker. Wonderful.
£44.00 at www.abbeywhisky.com
Berry Bros & Rudd “Boisdale Collection” : Clynelish 14 years old
Berry Bros rarely put a foot wrong with their single cask bottlings and this whisky is no exception. A rich & fudgy nose, with plenty of fruity goodness and soft coastal notes. This is immediately appealing and approachable. A perfect whisky for the festive season.
£49.99 at www.shop4whisky.com