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Not sure which whisky to sip by a roaring fire? No problem, we’ve tasted them straight up for you
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Whether you’re stocking the bar trolley or hunting for a gift for a hard-to-buy-for relative, you’ll likely be one of the many picking up a bottle or two of whisky this Christmas.
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After carefully testing every whisky on this list – and many more – we are full of festive spirit and ready to step in to Christmas. Some whiskies were stirred into manhattans, others were enjoyed as a highball, and all were tasted straight up; all in the name of fairness, you understand.
We’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite bottles this December, from fine single malts to planet-friendly tipples and something for the more adventurous whisky drinker. Spicy rye, in-your-face smoke or elegantly English, there’s a dram for everyone. Slainte!
Glenmorangie 18-year-old the Infinita, 70cl
£124 at Master Of Malt
£116.89 at Amazon
It’s easy to spend silly money on aged single malts, but this (almost) accessibly priced 18-year-old Glenmorangie is a safe bet for scotch fans. Its honeyed spice notes morph into burnt orange, jasmine and wood smoke for a deeply delicious dram for any whisky connoisseur. This tasted fantastic rounding off a special dinner as a celebratory digestif.
Boann single pot still Irish whiskey, 70cl
£71 at the Umbrella Project
£55.26 at the Single Malt Shop
Irish whiskey is typically lighter, smoother and more easy drinking than its Scottish counterpart. This is a classic of the genre: bright cereal character with a vanilla edge and crisp apples underneath it all. It’s finished in madeira casks, lending a welcome richness. Lovely stuff for sipping – I enjoyed this best on the rocks.
Rampur double cask single malt whisky, 70cl
£60 at Majestic
£53.99 at Amazon
India may not be the first place you think of for whisky – but think of India you should. Rampur Distillery has been distilling for almost a century using Himalayan groundwater to add a uniquely Indian flavour. Extreme weather means the casked whisky matures rapidly, leading to deeper levels of flavour and complexity. Think heady cinnamon spice, salted caramel and all things nice in this must-try bottle, which I found equally lovely straight as in a warming hot toddy.
The Matsui Sakura cask whisky, 70cl
£160 at Selfridges
£128.71 at Amazon
The Kurayoshi Distillery has been producing unique spirits since 1910, using fresh volcanic water from nearby Mount Daisen’s snowmelt. This single malt’s pale hue offers no hint of the richness within, which boasts a floral spicy nose and bold bakery flavours, with pepper on the palate. The floweriness on the finish is a fitting nod to the Japanese cherry blossom Sakura casks used to age the whisky. I found this opened up nicely with a drop of water.
Michter’s US 1 single barrel straight rye, 70cl
£53.95 at the Whisky Exchange
£53.94 at Master of Malt
Rye’s spicy, bold profile has made it the go-to for most whiskey cocktails. Manhattans, juleps, sazerac, whiskey sours and even old fashioneds shine with rye as the whiskey component, and this one from Michter’s is ideal. Classic Kentucky spice along with sweet orange and plenty of oak makes it a triumph straight up too.
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Smokehead whisky skull gift tin, 3 x 5cl
£22.99 at Smokehead
£22.99 at Amazon
Fans of Islay scotch will enjoy unwrapping this Smokehead selection on Christmas morning. There are three single malts laden with seaweed, fiery peat and sweetness to be explored: original; High Voltage 58%; and Rum Rebel, which is matured in Caribbean rum casks for a tropical explosion alongside the signature sea spray and smoke. Best drunk from Smokehead’s incredible Smoke Mask glass (although its price puts it out of reach for most people’s Christmas stockings.)
Woodford Reserve Kentucky bourbon, 70cl
£39.95 at Master of Malt
£36.99 at Amazon
Bag yourself a limited-edition holiday bottle of everyone’s favourite bourbon and save yourself the job of wrapping. Adorned with golden bows for 2024, Woodford Reserve is as harmoniously balanced as ever, with warming aromas, dried fruit and a creamy finish. Best enjoyed neat – although it’s also my go-to for a Don Draper-worthy old fashioned.
Isle of Raasay scotch gift set, 70cl
£62.95 at Still Spirit
£65 at Raasay Distillery
The rugged Hebridean island of Raasay (population 161) is home to Raasay Distillery, which produces this lightly peated single malt. Matured in rye, oak and bordeaux casks, this is a complex drop with flavours of wild dark fruit, toffee, spice and smoke. For Christmas, two beautiful Glencairn tasting glasses are included alongside the decanter-style bottle.
The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Reserve No 7, 70cl
£82.95 at the Whisky Exchange
£85.50 at Amazon
Out of the Lake District comes this single malt whisky expertly matured in oloroso and pedro ximénez casks (with a few red wine casks thrown in for good measure), and the result is pure Christmas in a glass. Sherry-forward, richly fruited with warming spices and layers of woodiness, this is complex and clever and best enjoyed by a roaring fire. It’s a bit too spendy for adding to a hot chocolate after a bone-chilling walk – but I certainly didn’t regret doing so.
Nc’nean organic single malt, 70cl
£51.95 at Master of Malt
£51.95 at the Whisky Exchange
Made from organic barley on the wild west coast of Scotland, Nc’nean is single malt scotch – but not as you know it. Female-founded, B Corp-accredited and the first UK whisky distillery to achieve net zero emissions, it tastes good and does good. It’s also a Great Taste Award winner. It’s fresh and lively with lemon and opens up to candied citrus sweets with a dash of tropicality. I found it divine in a highball with a sprig of fresh mint.
Joanne Gould is a freelance food, drink and lifestyle writer with a decade of experience. As well as enthusiastically eating her way through London’s best bars and restaurants, she’s also a keen home cook and can often be found trying a new recipe or kitchen gadget, while taste-testing anything from South African wines to speciality coffee or scotch. Luckily, she also enjoys walking, running and keeping fit and healthy in her spare time – for balance.
The best whisky: 10 tried and tested tipples, from scotch and single malt to blended and bourbon
