After a fantastic year for whisky in 2025, I am convinced 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger. As a new year begins, my mind naturally turns to the bottles I want to add to my shelf. My personal wish list is a mixed bag, spanning from incredible value blends that everyone should try, to those premium bottles that have been tapping me on the shoulder for years. It is a plan of attack for my whisky cabinet, and I am excited to share the drams I have my eye on.
First on my list is a bottle I have been hearing about constantly, the Glencadam 15 Year Old. After falling for its 10 year old sibling, the comments section has been relentless in pushing me towards the 15. What really sells me is its confident, old school approach. Matured entirely in ex-bourbon casks, it is a massive green flag for me. It prioritises good wood and lets the spirit shine without any silly, frilly finishes. With solid specs like 46% ABV, non-chill filtering, and natural colour, it ticks all the right boxes. The price is a tad steep, but it represents the kind of quality I am always looking for.
Next is a bottle that proves you do not need to spend a fortune for a brilliant experience. I am still annoyed I missed a great deal on the Ardnahoe Bholsa, a stunning Islay single malt. But another bottle that offers unbelievable quality is the Signatory Vintage Symington’s 10 Year Old blend. At around the £35 mark, this is ludicrously well priced. It carries a bold age statement and boasts the same great specs you would expect from anything with the Signatory badge. It is a bottle that feels made for me, but its popularity means it is often sold out. The hunt is part of the fun.
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READ THE STORYFinally, there is that one bottle that has been on my radar for what feels like an eternity: the Glenmorangie Signet. I first tried this masterpiece years ago and it was absolutely stunning. I have been price-checking it ever since, watching in pain as the cost has steadily climbed. It has now crossed into eye-watering territory, making it a serious financial decision. Still, it remains that ultimate aspirational purchase, the kind of bottle you save up for to mark a special occasion. One day, it will have its place on my shelf.
This year’s shopping list is all about balancing exceptional daily drams with those special, aspirational bottles. What whiskies are you planning to hunt down in the year ahead?
You can see my full whisky shopping list here.
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