Top 10 whiskies for World Whisky Day

On Saturday 18 May it’s World Whisky Day.

What does that mean? Who cares. Let’s drink whisky. 

Here are ten top choices for you to enjoy, from the bargains to showstoppers.

Our top 10 whisky picks for World Whisky Day 

Whiskies under £50

The Leith Export Co. Table Whisky – Single Grain 70cl

Table Whisky is the Port of Leith Distillery’s interpretation of table wine, the kind of easy-drinking, made-to-be-shared bottle that you can keep coming back to. It’s a great concept and it’s pulled off well, thanks to the marriage of North British single grain whisky aged in virgin oak and sherry casks.

Clydebuilt Sailmaker Blended Malt (Ardgowan) Whisky 70cl

Ardgowan master whisky maker Max McFarlane has a real knack for pulling together tasty blends. In the case of Sailmaker, no less than six whiskies from Highland, Lowland, and Speyside Distilleries fully matured in first-fill oloroso sherry casks made the cut. This one has already picked up a number of awards.

Whiskies under £100

Rampur Double Cask Single Malt Whisky 70cl

Stellar Indian single malt from Rampur, Double Cask spent two-thirds of its life in American oak bourbon barrels, and the other third in European oak sherry casks. This gives it a fabulous balance of dry sherry spice and sweeter, tropical notes.

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Whiskey 70cl

Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey aged for at least a decade is not particularly common becausee it’s a fine art to mature whiskey for that in such a climate without it becoming overwhelmed by the cask. Buffalo Trace is a master of the craft, however, so every bottle of Eagle Rare delivers big but balanced flavours.

Underrated whisky

Willowbank 18 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 50cl

Willowbank is Kiwi whisky from a now sadly gone distillery. Those who know about this whisky, love it. But if you’re familiar, just wait. I don’t even want to describe it to you. I feel like I’ll spoil the magic of that first sip. Just taste it and you’ll know. 

Masthouse Single Malt Pot & Column Still Whisky 50cl

Fabulously fruity English single malt whisky from the Masthouse range, produced at the Copper Rivet Distillery in Chatham, Kent. We urge you to give the whisky made at this distillery a go and it’s worth reading how the whisky is made too.

Whiskies of the world

World Whisky Blend (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 70cl

As it’s World Whisky Day, we might as well include some whiskies that directly reference Planet Earth. That Boutique-y Whisky Company has blended all kinds of whisky from across the world into this one tasty expression. We also encourage you to mix it embracing the many favourites from across the globe: cola, ginger ale, soda water, tonic, coconut water or even green tea.

Out Of This World Whisky Blend (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 70cl

While the World Whisky Blend was inspired by how most whisky is enjoyed around the world, the Out of This World Whisky Blend was inspired by how people like to enjoy particularly fancy whisky: neat, in the snazziest glass you own, in good company. Whisky from Scotland, Switzerland, Sweden, India, New Zealand, Ireland, Taiwan, France, Canada, Japan, Italy, and more made it into this incredible creation. 

Luxury gifts

Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura 29 Year Old Whisky 70cl

Grand Yozakura is a Scotch whisky from the Glenfiddich distillery that was finished in oak casks that previously matured the oldest distilled alcoholic drink in Japan, Awamori. We cannot think of another whisky of this profile and if World Whisky Day isn’t for splashing out and trying some incredible new whisky, then what the hell is it for?

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy Whiskey 70cl

Midleton’s Barry Crockett edition was named after the distillery’s legendary master distiller emeritus, one of the most important figures in Irish whiskey history. It is simply, consistently, one of the best whiskies on the market and if World Whisky Day isn’t for honouring great people of whisky by raising a glass of something incredible, then what the hell is it for?

What is the difference between World Whiskey Day and International Whiskey Day?

Ok, ok. That intro was a little curt. For those who fancy a bit of extra light reading, here’s the difference between World Whisky Day and International Whisky Day. Both events are celebrated globally to appreciate whisky but occur on different dates and have distinct purposes.

World Whisky Day is on the third Saturday of May each year. It was founded in 2012 by whisky writer Blair Bowman when he was a student. The day is intended to celebrate all types of whisky (or whiskey) and encourage people to enjoy it in any manner they prefer, whether neat, on ice, or in a cocktail. It’s a global social event centred on enjoying and experiencing whisky.

International Whisky Day: Celebrated on March 27th, International Whisky Day was inaugurated in 2008 and honours the birthday of Michael Jackson, a British writer and whisky critic, not to be confused with the famous pop star. This day focuses more on appreciating whisky and raising money for Parkinson’s disease charities, a cause close to the late Michael Jackson who suffered from the disease. It encourages tasting whisky and promotes education about its different types and styles.

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