Top ten premium whiskies perfect for Christmas
Maybe we have a little bit of bias, but in our opinion, whisky is one of the most thoughtful gifts. Because the choices are so seemingly endless, you have to know what the person likes to find the right present and that means you can tailor a bottle to the individual. Or, you can introduce a fan of the spirit to something new entirely and open another door of deliciousness.
Now you can get wonderful whiskies for less. But for those looking to splash out, either for yourself or as a gift, we have provided a top ten to inspire you.
Here are our top ten premium whiskies for 2023
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Gift Pack with 2x Glasses
Blue Label is a legend in its own right. One of the ultimate premium blends, this rich and slightly smoky whisky is made up of some very old malt and grain Scotch whiskies and it’s said that only one in ten thousand casks makes the grade. Not only does this handsome gift set contain the ever-awesome Blue Label, but it also boasts a pair of very snazzy branded tumblers to sip said whisky from! Ought to make quite the gift.
This week’s top pick
Caperdonich 23 Year Old – Forgotten Gems Whisky 70cl
Ever tried a single malt from Caperdonich? The distillery is now closed and the majority of the distillery’s whisky went into blends, but absence made the heart grow stronger in this case and people only really realised what we lost after it was gone. Luckily the Forgotten Gems got a hold of 30 bottles to release this beauty.
Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky 70cl
The flagship single malt whisky from Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery and the expression that helped an industry reach the big time, Yamazaki 12 Year Old was the first Japanese whisky to be given a gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge in 2003, and many more followed.
Midleton Very Rare 2023 Whiskey 70cl
Midleton’s annual Very Rare series began in 1984 and ever since it’s been an annual highlight from the world of Irish whiskey. The 2023 release was created by master distiller Kevin O’Gorman who selected a range of pot still and single-grain Irish whiskeys matured in lightly charred bourbon casks. It’s got a medley of fruits, rich pot still spice, and a rich creamy texture.
Dalmore King Alexander III Whisky 70cl
Dalmore King Alexander III is sensational, sophisticated Highland single malt Scotch whisky that looks as good as it tastes. It’s a marriage of many fine whiskies matured in wine, Madeira, sherry, Marsala, Kentucky bourbon, and Port casks. Whisky fit for a king.
Underrated pick
Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old – The Character of Islay Whisky Company 70cl
Islay whisky matured for over 30 years and is in pretty short supply, so when a bottler like The Character of Islay Whisky Company gets its hands on some, you should take advantage while you can. Fiona Macleod was matured for an impressive 33 years and boasts a flavour profile packed with mature oak, rich smoke, and flashes of lively tropical fruit.
WhistlePig 15 Year Old Whiskey 70cl
Old, old whiskey in rye terms here from the always reliable WhistlePig. The 15 Year Old expression is a straight rye whiskey that enjoyed a finishing period in Vermont oak barrels which have been given a long toast and heavy char. Shorter growing seasons and harsh winters mean Vermont oak has a tight grain pattern, which can affect the flavour profile of the whiskey, which means there’s some tree terroir afoot here!
Glen Scotia 21 Year Old Whisky 70cl
A corker of a dram from Campbeltown distillery Glen Scotia here, a single malt Scotch whisky matured in a combination of refill bourbon barrels and refill American oak hogsheads before a six-month finish in first-fill oloroso sherry casks. It was bottled at 46% ABV with natural colour and is non-chill filtered. It’s classic Glen Scotia and all the better for it.
Bunnahabhain 17 Year Old (cask 2004) Hand-Filled from Warehouse Nine Whisky 70cl
A very special Bunna whisky, this 17-year-old single malt Scotch whisky from the distillery on Islay was hand-filled from a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask from its famous warehouse nine! It was bottled at 54.1% ABV and is a truly unrepeatable whisky.
Bargain of the bunch
Royal Salute 21 Year Old Signature Blend Whisky 70cl
One of the finest blends ever created, the 21-year-old Royal Salute Signature Blend was first created to honour the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It’s aged for a minimum of 21 years in honour of the 21 Gun Salute that is fired at the Tower of London for Royal celebrations and comes in a classic blue Wade ceramic decanter.
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