Shopping for a Scotch fan? Search no longer. Here are five gift-worthy whiskies that enthusiasts would be delighted to unwrap on Christmas morning.
Bunnahabhain 12-year-old
Unpeated Bunnahabhain will surprise anybody who thinks Islay whisky has to smell and taste like a campfire. Known as the “local’s dram” on Islay, Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old is a wonderfully sweet, welcoming whisky with lots of toffee notes set off by a gentle saltiness. It’s just the thing for Christmas eve – or, hey, Christmas morning. We won’t judge.
Glenmorangie Astar
Everybody loved Glenmorangie’s old Astar release, but it was discontinued in 2012. This year, the Highland producer is back with a new Astar, still aged in bourbon barrels from Missouri. It’s still got that signature Glenmorangie fruit character, but it’s wrapped up tight in buttery, caramelly, coconutty richness.
Edradour 12-year-old
Embedded in the bucolic setting of Perthshire, tiny Edradour is Scotland’s “little gem.” One of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, it makes a rich, dense, unpeated whisky with tons of fruitcake-like sherry character. The lovely Edradour 12-Year-Old can be tricky to find in the United States, but that just makes it a better gift, no?
An independently bottled Caol Ila
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At the whisky bar in the basement of the Highlander Inn, I heard the bartender remark offhand if an independent bottler can’t bottle a good Caol Ila, they can’t bottle anything good at all. I find Caol Ila’s whisky to be pure, elegant, and laser-focused, as well as particularly well-suited to cask strength bottlings. Look to Signatory or Gordon & Macphail for a can’t-miss one-off – we’ve been thoroughly enjoying a cask strength 2006 Caol Ila from Gordon & Macphail we picked up at their wonderful shop in Elgin earlier this year.
Drambuie 15-year-old
OK, so it’s not a Scotch (or rather, it’s not just Scotch), but Drambuie’s high-end variant, the age-stated Drambuie 15-Year-Old, is a sweet and sticky holiday delight. The classic Drambuie liqueur pairs Scotch whisky with honey, spices, and herbs. Drambuie 15-year-old is drier and more sophisticated than its younger sibling, refined enough to enjoy over ice but a willing partner for single malt Scotch in a high-end Rusty Nail.
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