The Best Whiskies For An Old Fashioned

The definitive cocktail of the dram drinker, The Old Fashioned is so simple using just whisky/whiskey, a sugar cube, a little dash of Angostura bitters and an orange twist.

Like with all recipes so simple though, the base ingredient has to be good quality so you need a whisky that can live up to the headline act billing. There are so many directions you can take the Old Fashioned in using your drink of choice, be it smoky, zesty, spicy, or sweet, so have a read through of these bottles and the effect they’ll have on making a stunning Old Fashioned.

Classic Glen Moray

A complete favourite here at The Three Drinkers with so much flavour for the money. Fresh and sweet Speyside orchard fruits flood the palate, with rich honey and vanilla bringing sweetness and just a touch of lemony zest to keep you on your toes and add subtle refreshment to the cocktail. Such a popular and reliable Scotch and for good reason.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £24.74

Jura 10 Year Old Whisky

We can never praise Jura enough, a really characterful distillery on a tiny Scottish isle that sits at the centre of a resilient community which saved the production years ago and has gone on to completely flourish since. Jura 10 is now a prized inclusion in Jura’s core range, adored for its delicate, fragrant smokiness intertwined with velvety, sweet honied raisin notes and hints of cocoa and vanilla. A decade of maturation in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, followed by a sherry cask finish, imparts complexity and depth on your Old Fashioned too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £33.90

Deanston Virgin Oak Single Malt

We loved sipping our way through Deanston on our podcast, and their Virgin Oak Single Malt is perfect for cocktail versatility. Crafted by hand, it matures in ex-bourbon casks from a Kentucky cooperage, then blooms in virgin oak casks, creating a subtly zesty and spiced character that will really bring out the best in the Angostura. Aromas of heather honey, green apples, and citrus zest lead to candied fruits and creamy toffee on the palate, all before a lingering finish with spices and honeyed malt. And let us tell you, this tastes so much older than it actually is so the value here is immense.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.3%
Find here: £27 (usually more!)

Glenturret 12 Year Old

Glenturret’s 12-year-old is always a stunning dram, and the latest batch is no different. European oak and American oak hogsheads casks boast creamy vanilla, and spiced, dried fruits that create a really appetizing profile in an Old Fashioned. The warmth of the spice here, with that touch of ginger in particular is a dream in the cocktail.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £64.90

GlenAllachie 15 Year Old

A real crowd pleaser and favourite of Billy Walker, GlenAllchie’s 15 year old is masterfully enhanced by sherry casks boasting dark chocolatey fig notes with indulgent mocha, honey and treacle flavours. The spices are sweet, there’s tremendous warmth, there’s smoothness and balance – it’s so complete. A jewel for Old Fashioned enthusiasts.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £66.95

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Whisky

If you’re bored of Old Fashioned’s always ending up the same, then this is the one for you. Not a beginner’s choice, this is a dram that embraces the essence of Islay with quintessential peated single malt delivering serious smoke and a touch of medicinal, seaweed character. A decade of Bourbon cask ageing marries those peat notes with warm spice for a full body that carries a little surprising fruity sweetness and sprinkles of salt. Rich and briny, this will take your cocktail in directions you never expected.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.45

Well, now you’ve got the whisky, how about the Old Fashioned? Master the traditional recipe going back centuries here, and experiment with twists too – especially check out the Maple Old Fashioned!

One Drink, Three Ways: Coole Swan Irish Cream

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join us as we take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, The Three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

Last year, we saw an explosion of Baileys-a-like cream liqueurs but none of them had the class and finesse of this white Irish cream by Coole Swan. Named after an epic romantic poem by W.B. Yeats entitled ‘Wild Swans at Coole’, this modern version of an Irish cream took 231 attempts to get right.

Made with fine, white Belgian chocolate, Irish cream and Irish whiskey in Country Cavan, Ireland, You can totally sip this chilled alone but to change things up occasionally, here are three wonderfully different ways to serve it.

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Nine & Fifty

Nine & Fifty

25ml Coole Swan Irish Cream

35ml Grand Marnier orange liqueur

15ml Tequila Blanco (100% Agave)

Pinch of edible glitter (you chose the colour!)

Edible flower for garnish

Glass: Small coup

The trees are in their autumn beauty,

The woodland paths are dry,

Under the October twilight the water

Mirrors a still sky;

Upon the brimming water among the stones

Are nine-and-fifty swans.

When I first tried this cocktail using Coole Swan Irish cream liqueur and Tequila, it blew my mind. Why? Well on paper, it doesn't feel like it should work but wow, it does. A twist on Coole Swan ’s ‘Cool Blue’ recipe and named after a line in ’Wild Swans at Coole’, this cocktail blends the freshness of a Grand Margarita with the creamy, chocolatey tones of Coole Swan’s legendary white, Irish cream liqueur. I’ve added a pinch of edible glitter to add a splash of pink colour, which when combined with an edible flower, makes for a delicious drink that becomes a piece of art.

Method: Super simple to make, just add all the ingredients into a shaker with ice until combined and chilled. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with your flower. If making a few, you can also change up the colour with the glitter every time.

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Mint Choc Chip Martini

Mint

Choc Chip Martini

35ml Coole Swan Irish liquer

20ml Crème de Menthe

20ml Crème de Cacao Blanc

Dark chocolate shavings

Squirty cream

Glass: Martini Glass

Mint and white chocolate is a gloriously decadent, retro mix and Coole Swan lends itself to a mint choc chip cocktail perfectly. Think of it like a drinkable After Eight! Note: if you can’t find Crème de Cacao Blanc, you can simply use 50ml of Coole Swan instead of 35ml. Also, Giffard and Monin do great Crème de Menthe.

Method: Another very simple recipe, simply combine the wet ingredients into a mixing glass with large cubes of ice and stir. Strain into a coup glass, add a squirt of cream and grate the dark chocolate over the top.

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Coole Black Magic

Coole Black Magic

50ml Coole Swan Irish liqueur

25ml Spiced rum

3/4 Blackberries

Garnish: Fresh blackberries

Glass: Martini glass

For something a little darker with an elegant twist, try this spiced blackberry scented, creamy delight. Another super simple creamy cocktail that has the wow factor. And if you want to add an extra touch of magic, include a pinch of purple, edible glitter.

Method: Combine the Coole Swan, rum and blackberries into a blender and blend until as smooth as possible. Strain into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds to chill. Strain agin into a vintage glass and garnish with a blackberry or two on a cocktail pin.

Like this? Check our our other One Drink, Three Ways pieces: Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora, Mar de Frades Albariño.

The Best White Rums for Cocktails

White rum is the backbone of so many incredible cocktails, and most of the rum serves as you can see from The Most Popular Rum Cocktails, so you want a bottle that’s totally dependent, versatile, and powerful enough to shine through the other ingredients.

Well, these are just that and more. Let’s waste no more time and get exploring our curated selection of top-notch white rums, starting with the best value picks out there.

£15-25

Merchant's Choice White Rum

This is an unaged Guyanese rum that’s crying out to be a reliable cocktail ingredient. Aromas of ripe banana, zesty lemon, and soothing vanilla invite exploration. Coconut, cacao nibs, grapefruit zest, and toffee tantalize the palate. Notes of cinnamon, almonds, and a hint of milk add depth. The finish features a touch of bitter grapefruit completing a hugely flavourful and varied sip. A versatile addition to your cocktail arsenal for sure, and plenty of those notes would suit a Piña Colada down to the ground.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £17.45

Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum

A globally recognized white rum, Bacardi Carta Blanca's presence graces backbars across the planet. Hailing from Cuba, the brand's origins are as unique as its bat-adorned labels. Crafted since 1862, it boasts a smooth, clean profile thanks to column distillation and charcoal filtering post-aging, THE latter of which it totally pioneered back in the day. Zippy lemon and pear drop notes are detectable on the nose, while the palate offers a little citrusy goodness but what you get with Bacardi is impeccable smoothness and a clean feel, something that is very useful for cocktails. Starring this in a Mai Tai really cannot go far wrong.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £19.90

El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum

An award-winning gem, this rum secured silver at the 2006 and 2007 International Wine and Spirits Competitions, and a resounding Gold at the International Review of Spirits. Versatile and lively, it really shines in cocktails. As a Demerara rum, it embodies tradition in its crafting bringing alluring brown sugar notes as well as the fresh crispness you want from white rum. We love it. Honestly it could go into pretty much any cocktail, but a Pornstar Martini works very well indeed.

Size: UK 700ml/US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £23.99 / US $19.99

£25-£35

Takamaka Rum Blanc

Straight from the Seychelles, this white rum offers a delicate sweetness and crispness, making it ideal for cocktails and more specifically, the Daiquiri which has established somewhat of a reputation for. Notes of syrupy peach and sugary biscuits are subtle alongside spiced fruits before softly finishing with a touch of peppercorn. It really offers a lot more than so many white rums and whilst the flavours aren’t instantly in your face intense, they creep up on you in the best way possible.  

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £26.74

J Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum

Something different here, and something unforgettable. As hinted by the green and yellow label, this is an iconic Jamaican overproof rum, clocking it a seriously punchy 63%... and there’s no getting away from that. It’s unaged and pungent with herbal, grassy undertones but more noticeably the funk of overripe banana and pineapple. For adding rum oomph, it’s perfect for tiki cocktails like Mai Tais but for the experience alone, try it with a little coconut water and ice as it’s often enjoyed in Jamaica.

Size: UK 700ml/US 750ml
ABV: 63%
Find here: UK £29.45 / US $25.99

Hoolie Manx White Rum

Embrace the gusts of flavour with this delightful Isle of Man creation, aptly named after the local term for 'very windy'. Crafted from molasses, it's double-distilled in a wood-fired still and charcoal filtered, offering notes of sweet liquorice, biscuity butterscotch, and a zesty kick. It’s one that is really moreish on its own whilst also shining in classics like Mojitos, Daiquiris, and even a simple rum and coke. Could easily become a go-to, especially with the craftmanship and sustainability of the distillery Outlier. Oh, and if you want something stronger than the Hoolie…keep scrolling.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £34

Copalli White Rum

From Belize comes Copalli White Rum, an organic marvel that captures the essence of the region and in an environmental sustainability way too. Crafted from organic sugarcane, harvested, and crushed within hours, this pure gem is distilled using a unique blend of pot and column methods, and canopy water! Even better, the leftover sugar cane fuels the pot stills. The result is a smooth, crystal-clear rum with soft grassy notes, hints of lemon, and a refreshing minty undertone. Embrace the jungle's finest in a clean and fresh feeling Mojito.

Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £34.44/ $17.99

£35-45

Hurricane Overproof Manx Rum

Isle of Man distillery Outlier already gave us the Hoolie, but what’s stronger than just ‘very windy’… yes, a Hurricane. This powerful rum weaves a tale of double-distilled molasses, with a portion matured in Islay whisky casks, masterfully blended with the unaged brilliance of Hoolie white rum. A smoky intrigue awaits within, a touch of caramel and seaweed, with hints of vanilla, coconut, straw, and star anise. Remarkably smooth for an overproof, it's a force to be reckoned with in cocktails. Pair the Hurricane up with a Dark & Stormy for whirlwind of flavours.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 64%
Find here: £44

Prefer dark rums? Check out our best bottles to try this year right here!

One Drink, Three Ways: Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join us as we take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, The Three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

Sweet wines are back in vogue as people realise that there is so much fun to be had with them! From swapping out simple syrups for them in cocktails to drinkable puddings, sipping neat or in highballs, sweeter sips are the drinks trend of this summer and beyond. 

One must-try sweet wine that does everything is Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora. Hailing from Victoria, Australia, this rich, golden sipper is made with the lesser known Orange Muscat grape blended with some rare Flora, all harvested late to concentrate the sugars. The result is a sweet, viscous white wine with fresh, orange blossom aromatics and notes of candied lemon peel and marmalade. At just 10% ABV, it’s incredibly versatile; you can have this alone as a drinky dessert, pair it with salty blue cheese (yum!) and even mix it into elegant cocktails. Here are three, fun ways to try the Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora.

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Helena’s Choice: Orange Sunset

Think of this as a much lighter, more elegant and summery version of an old fashioned with a delightfully floral kick. This works as an aperitif as well a digestif depending on the mood and is a great all rounder cocktail for everyone at your gathering. Simply build the drink in a tumbler glass by combining the whiskey with the wine, adding the bitters and ice cube, then stirring. Garnish with an orange wheel or orange peel.

Orange Sunset

50ml Orange Muscat & Flora

25ml Rye Whiskey

2 Dashes Orange bitters

Orange peel zest

Large ice - ideally with flower frozen into it

Glass: Small wine glass

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Aidy’s Choice: Spiked Orange Bellini

Here’s another super simple recipe - a Bellini with a twist! Switch out your fresh pear juice for some Orange Muscat & Flora wine in a flute and top up with Extra Brut Prosecco to give your fizz a golden hue and stunningly different aroma and flavour. It’s a really beautiful, yet simple change form a classic recipe and is guaranteed to get people talking. Garnish with an orange ribbon if you’re feeling fancy.

Spiked Orange Bellini

50ml Orange Muscat & Flora

Top up with Extra Brut Prosecco

Orange and or lemon garnish

Glass: Flute

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Colin’s Choice: Mango Flora Frosé

Mango Flora Frosé

300g Frozen mango slices

150ml Orange Muscat & Flora

Edible flowers to garnish

Glass: Large, round wine glass

This frozen treat can be a light pudding in itself or it makes a great palate cleanser before or after cheese. It takes some thinking ahead though as you need to pour the wine into a freezer bag and leave it overnight, before adding it to a blender with the mango and giving it a good blitz! Serve in a coup glass or large wine glass and garnish with edible flowers of your choice to pretty it all up.

Like this? Check our our other One Drink, Three Ways pieces: Belvedere Organic Infusions, Tanqueray Gin and The Macallan 12.

What is the Best Thing to Drink on Aeroplanes?

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment a holiday starts, but sipping on an in-flight drink whilst cruising above the clouds is a guaranteed way of getting into the mindset. But have you ever noticed any differences in how your favourite drinks taste at 35,000 feet?

Well, you’re not imagining it. The altitude lessens the ability of our senses to detect complexities in flavour, and the pressurised, dry air subdues taste buds, dries out the nose and de-intensifies aroma. It is easy to forget just how much our taste relies on our small, and in the cabin, you may well notice that your favourite aromatic wine on terra firma is unusually shy in the cabin. Did you know that even the loud engines compromise taste, for example!? So, bearing that in mind, how do we drinkers adapt to these conditions and avoid disappointment when the drinks cart comes around?

The key is to opt for bolder, fuller, and more intense flavours, whilst avoiding subtle, more nuances and fragrant drinks. Particularly when it comes to premium aged liquids like older whiskies and wines, the full sensory experience involved in enjoying these is best left till your feet are back on the ground!

When deciding in-flight white wine, you’ll get more out of powerful whites like Chardonnay, Rhone blends, and Viognier-based bottles. For reds, look out for punchy Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Syrah.

Tomato juice is sold in surprisingly huge quantities by airlines, nearly as much as beer in the case of Lufthansa. Research shows that this umami flavour profile may not only avoid the compromise of other tastes, but actually may be enhanced! So, if a Bloody Mary is an option or perhaps savoury gins, then these may taste even better than usual.

One semi-myth of in-flight boozing is that you get drunk quicker. Some say that the pressure change thins the blood, strengthening the effects of any alcohol consumed. What’s more likely however is that the lack of oxygen, dehydration, fairly empty stomach (airports are expensive and plane food’s reputation isn’t the best), limited movement and vacation excitement contributes towards an intoxicated feeling – so there’s some truth to it we suppose. One thing to note; carbonated booze is very popular on flights, and these are absorbed by the body at a faster rate, so if you want to avoid any tipsiness until you reach your destination, maybe steer clear of these.

The Best Whisky to Gift For a 21st Birthday!

Throughout our lives there are birthdays which seem to have more meaning than others. The first big birthday arrives at 18, where in most of the world we become of drinking age. However, one would probably argue that our palates at that point in life are not very developed and we are at the stage of experimenting with what we like and dislike (though there are still loveable options for that milestone here!). Three years later is a different matter.

By our 21st birthdays we have probably worked out if we like whisky, and hopefully by that point haven’t had an experience which has put us off for some time. By the time whisky is 21 years old, many feel it is in a sweet spot. It has enough age to have great complexity, and yet not so old to still have verve and vigour. The oak hasn’t had the opportunity to overrun the spirit and the tannins are still supple and not yet dry. I have not yet found a bad 21 year old whisky. There are those that I like more than others, but that is all about personal preference. With such variation in flavour and with so many 21 year old whiskies on the market I think they make an ideal present for a 21st birthday.

Expensive enough to be very special, yet not so expensive to be completely out of reach for most of us. So in no order of preference, although I may point to some of my favourites along the way, I will offer up 16 of the best 21 year old whiskies to buy.

SCOTtish

Dewar’s 21

This 21 year old joins Dewar’s Double Double series which uses double methods of maturing and blending before finishing the whisky in oloroso sherry casks. It is a decadent whisky with dried pineapple, peach, honey and crunchy nut cornflakes. There are tropical fruits which come through the palate and gentle wood spice on the finish. Blended whisky is all about balance and this has great balance yet still character shines through with the dried fruits from the oloroso cask finishing. Just be aware that it might seem too inexpensive to be true, but it is 500ml not 700ml. Still worth every penny.

Size: UK 500ml // US 375ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: UK £127.95 // US $49.99

Royal Salute

This is the quintessential 21 year old blended whisky. There are no younger age statements from Royal Salute. It was created in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It honours the 21 gun salute which accompanies royal celebrations. It is a sophisticated whisky, so well balanced with a mix of sweet ex bourbon cask maturation and soft spicy notes from ex sherry casks. It is a masterclass in blended whisky. The fruits are complex with both fresh and dried fruits present and flavours which let you recognise its age. Light furniture polish and dark chocolate with elegant floral notes and orange blossom in the background. This might represent the establishment, but this established whisky feels open to all.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: UK £136.99 // US $209.99

BenRiach 21

From one great value 21 year old whisky to another! The last of my selection from Speyside and it’s a cracker. This whisky is matured in a complex mix of casks. Ex bourbon, sherry casks, virgin oak casks and Bordeaux red wine casks which deliver huge amounts of fruit seamlessly delivered to the palate. Lots of dried fruit flavours with citrus peel, nuts, dark chocolate and a wisp of smoke in the background. The blending of all these casks has been executed perfectly by Rachel Barrie the master blender for BenRiach, Glenglassaugh and Glendronach, which I will come on to next. As for this, I’d be surprised if it stays at this price for very much longer.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: £142.35

Tomatin 21

Moving further into the highlands now with Tomatin. This distillery produces whiskies which have lots of tropical fruits in the flavour profile and this expression is no exception. With fresh mango and papaya and dried passion fruit. Having been fully matured in 1st fill ex bourbon casks, the whisky is sweet with honey and vanilla fudge and fine oak to balance the sweetness. A whisky which is extremely easy to drink and if I were gifting a whisky to a first time whisky drinker, this would be the one, and I think they’d be bowled over by it. It is very hard to find in shops as it is distributed in the travel retail market, but there are a few websites which manage to find a few bottles.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: £149.26

Aberfeldy 21

Some say that Aberfeldy is the real gateway to the highlands. Only a little over an hour from Stirling, the landscape changes dramatically from here on. The hills become higher as you pass with other great names just off the same road like Blair Athol and Edradour, in another 30 mins you are on the highest road in Scotland at the Drumochter pass, aptly named. Having passed Dalwhinnie distillery, the next stop is Speyside. The whisky from Aberfeldy is honied and this is no exception, yet there is a refinement and elegance in the 21 year old, with fine oak, soft spices and fresh and dried fruits. It’s a classic.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: UK £156.99 // US $199.99

Glen Moray 21 Portwood Finish

Glen Moray is often seen as the best value for money, not just in Speyside, but is Scotland. And this expression is certainly showing this to be true. The quality of the whisky is incredible. Here, they have matured the whisky for most of its life in ex bourbon barrels, but for a few months before bottling they have finished the whisky in Port casks. This finishing gives darker fruit flavours of blueberry and a little strawberry tart among caramel, vanilla shortbread, dark chocolate, and some spicy ginger, this dies away to leave raisins and honey with a little milk chocolate. Complex and fruity, and incredible value for a 21 year old whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.3%
Find it Here: £157.99

 Jura 21 Time

There are two 21 year old Jura whiskies on the market at the moment, one of them is very coastal and has an ashy style of smoke in its flavour character, and if you like that you can find it easily in quite a few shops and it’s call Tide. Time on the other hand can mostly only be found in global travel retail, so look out for it when you are on holiday abroad. For me it is the far better of the two, but then I like a sweet fruity style of smoke in whisky, and this certainly fulfils that wish. With Turkish delight, oranges and tropical fruits with sweet smoke, it’s a pity it’s harder to find, but when you do it’ll that little bit more special. As it should be for a 21st birthday.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47.2%
Find it Here: £159.99

Tobermory 21

Onto the islands we go with a trip to Mull, the home of Tobermory. This is a new expression in the Tobermory line up and they have a plan to keep only the 12 year old younger than this. It’s a great addition, having been finished in ex oloroso casks to create flavours of the foraged fruit found on Mull, it really does taste of red berries, nuts and a little salinity, as well as marzipan, toffee, raisins and ginger. It’s not so saline that it is competing with many of the other coastal whiskies for that big saltiness and iodine, this is a gentle dram, but non the less complex for it. If any of these drams were to accompany a summer party in the islands, then this would do the trick.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.3%
Find it Here: £164.99

Glenfarclas 21

From one of only two family owned and family run distilleries in Scotland, I have started with Glenfarclas for a good reason. - It is about to be discontinued. Fortunately, not forever, they are simply having to lay down stocks for the future to make the age statement more sustainable. Find this if you can at under £200 and it’s going to represent good value. I am pretty sure that in four years time when it arrives back on the market it won’t be under £200. This is an elegant whisky but with that typical sherry cask style Glenfarclas is well known for. Lots of Christmas cake flavours, but still refined. The tannins and rounded and soft, and the dried fruits still present with some juicier fresh fruit too. There are notes of chocolate and fine spice and leather. This is a whisky with lots of finesse and is one of my all-time favourites.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: UK £170 // US $219.99

The Singleton of Dufftown 21

Staying in Speyside and a distillery not known to many. The brand is one of the world’s biggest with different distilleries being used for it in different countries. The brand is The Singleton, and in the UK the 21 year old comes from the Dufftown distillery. Three different cask types are used, Oloroso, Pedro-Ximenez and ex bourbon casks are blended together and married in American oak giving a hugely rich dram with exceptional balance. Rich baked orchard fruits mix with fresh pears and creamy vanilla fudge, with a little soft spice in the background. There are delicate floral notes, white chocolate and white pepper keeping the whisky elegant and showing that although there are youthful elements in the whisky it isn’t in its youth any more.  Perfect for a 21st birthday present.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find it Here: £179.95

Glengoyne 21

Glengoyne is unique. It is classed as a highland distillery yet is in the lowlands as well. It sits right on the Highland Line, and although its stills are in the highlands, the warehousing on the site in in the lowlands, but it is the stills that matter when naming a whisky’s region, so highland it is. And highland it is in character as well. It is a very fruity whisky with plenty of white fruits, both orchard and stone fruit. Yet ex sherry casks are predominantly used in the maturation so there is a refined spiciness as well with tangy molasses and cranberries and cider vinegar. A complex and exciting dram.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find it Here: UK £195 // US £239.99

Aultmore 21

Aultmore is a whisky not seen in many shops, but it is certainly worth tracking down, now that we are all traveling again, the best place to find it is in travel retail. There is a balance in this whisky between herbal flavours and fruity flavours which are rarely experienced in other whiskies. The fruits are complex with melons, peaches and pears mingling together with a little tropical dried mango. These fruity flavours are bound together by rosemary flavours and a little note of olive oil. The finish is spicy, with fine oak and cracked black pepper which stays on the palate for a long time.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: £199

Glendronach 21 Parliament

Glendronach 21 is so called because the collective name for rooks, is Parliament and there is a Parliament of rooks living in the trees by the distillery. Matured in sherry casks, both Oloroso and Predro Ximenez, this whisky is the epitome of a refined sherry matured whisky. It is released by vintage, so there will be tiny variations, but all on the same theme giving plenty of fruit cake flavours, along with lemon zest, dates, coffee, raisins, dark honey, coco nibs, and complex spices. The oak, fruit and spice all mix perfectly with a tiny touch of smoke in the background. If you haven’t tried a sherry matured whisky before, then this is a top notch dram to start with, and if you’re an experienced sherry cask whisky drinker, then you’ll certainly see the quality in Glendronach.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 48%
Find it Here: UK £215 // US $349.99

Royal Brackla 21

Heading into the highlands, the Royal Brackla distillery is found near Inverness on the Cawdor estate of Macbeth fame and unfortunately doesn’t have a visitors centre, which is a great pity. Although it was re-built in the 1960’s like many distilleries, this distillery is beautiful to look at. With a lake in front of the distillery perfectly reflecting its white walls. The whisky is pretty spectacular too. Having been matured in Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez and Palo Cortado casks, this is an indulgent whisky with honey, lots of dried fruits inclusing apricots, raisins and dates. The spices are complex and so well balanced allowing the sweeter flavours to come through. truly worthy of a 21st birthday. Although it may spoil the recipient’s palate and make it harder to stomach the less finer things in life. Royal Brackla is only one of two distilleries which have Royal in the name, and it is definitely worthy of it.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: UK £231.99 // US $691.99

irish

Bushmills 21

I couldn’t write an article about 21 year old whiskies without traveling across the Irish sea. We start in Northern Ireland where there has been a resurgence in a very old brand. It was not long ago that Bushmills had a rebranding and the liquids blended with even greater precision than ever before. There are classic tropical fruits in this 21 year old, which are typical of older Irish whiskies, but also some soft spice from oloroso casks and then also red fruit complexity from finishing in Madeira casks. There are also flavours of toffee, dates, damp tobacco leaves and a hint of mint. An exquisite whiskey.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: UK £194.99 // US $272.99

Redbreast 21

Finally, my GOAT. Yes, it is this brilliant Irish whisky which is my greatest 21 year old of all time. There will be times I am going to prefer any of the other whiskies from time to time over this one, but the majority of the time if I saw this line up, this is the bottle I would reach for. If my wife hasn’t hidden it. It is also her favourite 21 year old whisky. In fact, Redbreast is her favourite whisky overall, so I have to fight for it! This is a spicy pot still Irish whisky exclusively matured in first-fill Sherry and ex bourbon casks, it is a masterpiece of blending from Billy Leighton with typical tropical Irish whisky flavours with menthol, leather, chocolate and leather. Figs, and a touch of guava hang in the background, and then the finish has dark honey and fine oak.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it Here: UK £230 // US $399.99

There we have it. Now you may say there are some notable absences from this list, and I agree there are some other great 21 year old whiskies from other distilleries and brands, but there are expressions from them at different age statements which I find even more notable, so you’ll likely see them in other listings from me. If I were turning twenty one again, any whiskies in the selection would make me feel special, and for such an important milestone in one’s life, it deserves an important dram.

One Drink, Three Ways: Albariño Mar de Frades

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join us as we take one bottle or style and create a trio of phenomenal serves that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine, we’ll help you get the most from your glass.

The Albariño wine grape that’s making a big splash around the world most famously hails from Rias Baixas in Galicia in northern Spain, where 90% of production is fine white wine made with it. Rias Baixas is a region characterised by a unique, damp, coastal climate where this thick-skinned white grape thrives, producing wines with lively acidity, aromatic intensity and flavours of citrus, peach and tropical stone fruit with a characteristic saline note. 

One of the leading wine producers in the region is Mar de Frades with their range of beautiful Albariño wines all presented in eye-catching, blue bottles mirroring the crisp freshness of the wine and their coastal home. Founded in 1987 in D.O Rías Baixas, Mar de Frades is located in the Salnés Valley, where characteristic Atlantic breezes and granite soils give the grapes their saline, fresh, citric and mineral profile. Here are three classic styles of Rias Baixas Albariño to try made by Mar de Frades.

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Classic, Crisp & Citrusy

Mar de Frades Albariño: Classic Albariño is made in a style that’s light and lemony with a peachy note, a saline core and subtly bitter finish. Super refreshing, this classic style is made in stainless steel and tasted young. It is the perfect pairing for seafood dishes or even just sipped alone as an aperitif.

Mar de Frades

Albariño

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Gastronomic Albariño

Mar de Frades Finca Valiñas: More and more Albariño is being made in a gastronomic style, where oak ageing is used as well as some extended ageing on lees (the dead yeast cells) to add texture, creaminess and depth of flavour. These processes make the wines ideal for ageing longer and for pairing with richer fish dishes and white meats especially. 

Mar de Frades

Finca Valiñas

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Sparkling Albariño

Mar de Frades

Brut Nature, Sparkling

Mar de Frades Brut Nature: Much more rare is a sparkling Albariño, but we are starting to see them produced! These ‘espumoso’ wines are made in the traditional method like Champagne and give crisp, lemony and saline notes with elegant, yeasty complexity - perfect as an aperitif or with fish & chips.

Like this? Check our our other One Drink, Three Ways pieces: Belvedere Organic Infusions, Tanqueray Gin and The Macallan 12.

Whisky Wanderlust: Crossing Oceans, Capturing Flavours

There are many whiskies that aren’t American that can be found in the USA. Now that the tariff war is long gone, the UK has left the EU, and many companies have increased their distribution, there are more whiskies than ever being offered to the US market from the traditional markets, such as Scotland, Ireland and Japan.

The following whiskies are some of my favourites which reach the US and don’t cost the earth. In the US there is the advantage of a larger bottle, and taxes aren’t quite so high, so there is great value to be had. So, with that said, let me introduce 8 bottles you are sure to love.

Mortlach 12 Year Old

The beast of Dufftown, Mortlach is one of the best sherry led whiskies in Speyside. It is big, oily and rich, but also has great finesse and depth of flavour with sweet honey and dates, with lots of fruit cake flavours and touches of spice, oak and chocolate. This is the most expensive whisky on my list, and it’s worth it. It’s great for gifting with its smart new branding brought in a few years ago. It is a decadent whisky which I would serve by itself, with a little water, or if you wanted a superior old fashioned, this single malt whisky would do the trick.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43.4%
Find it here: $53.99

Nikka Days

Japanese whisky prices seem to have gone through the roof lately, especially for single malts. However, the blended whiskies from Japan can be excellent as well. One has to be slightly careful in Japan with blended whisky as quite a lot of it is in fact Scotch! This one however is all Japanese with Coffey Grain, un-peated Miyagikyo single malt, Coffey malt and a touch of Yioichi malt, this is a complex and delicious blended whisky. There are sweet notes and bright floral notes mixing with fruits, vanilla and caramel giving a long finish. Like many things Japanese, this has precision and elegance.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $49.99

Tullibardine Artisan

This whisky is simply incredible value. Back in the 1980’s a single malt Scotch would have cost around $25, and this is the price of this single malt Scotch today! Matured exclusively in ex-Bourbon barrels, it is sweet and unctuous with honey, vanilla fudge and digestive biscuits. Whisky Advocate Magazine in the US rated this whisky a best buy at 91 point. If you wanted to try malt whisky from Scotland for the 1st time, I’d recommend this one.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $24.99

Speyburn Arranta

This single malt like the Tullibardine, uses ex-Bourbon barrels, but in this case they are all 1st fill barrels, meaning that no Scotch has been in them before this filling which gives them an extra sweetness and depth of flavour. This whisky also has a touch of spice and lots of orchard fruits giving it plenty of character but keeping it all smooth and easy to drink. For me this is best over ice on a hot day, or even with soda making a highball. It’s got enough oomph to handle being diluted yet still providing plenty of flavour.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: $44.99

Glenmorangie X

This expression from Glenmorangie has been made purely with mixing in mind. There is plenty of rich sweetness, but also spice and rich oaky flavours, It’ll make a great highball, but is best in cocktails like a whisky sour. It mixes extremely well with cola, especially diet cola as the sweetness in the whisky can really shine through and isn’t competing with a naturally sugary drink. My favourite way to drink it is simply with lots of ice, soda and a dash of lemon juice and bitters

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $39.99

Ballantine’s 12

This is one of the world’s best blends. If you are used to drinking Ballantine’s Finest, this will be a little different, Finest is lighter and more floral in nature, whilst Ballantine’s 12 year old is richer and has more honey, caramel and toffee notes. There is a touch of spice to keep things interesting, but ultimately this is a smooth easy sipping blended Scotch. With the youngest whisky in the bottle being 12 years old, there are older whiskies in the blend giving further depth and pleasure.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $37.99

Glenfarclas 12 Year Old

This is the quintessential sherry matured Speyside single malt scotch. There are lots of Christmas cake flavours of raisins, currants, dates and apricots with complex spices including nutmeg, cinnamon and anise. There are sweeter toffee flavours and orange marmalade as well. A touch over 40% abv gives the flavours that little extra boost and the finish lasts for ages. If you’re feeling decadent, this makes the perfect Old Fashioned especially if you make one the traditional way with a cube of brown sugar rather than syrup.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: $50.99

Jameson Black Barrel

Last and by no means least, I have an Irish whisky. If you’re used to Jameson’s regular whisky, this is a good step up and you’ll find it hard to go back! The barrels used to mature this spirit have had extra charring which concentrates the flavours giving extra richness and smoothness which also comes from a triple distillation process which is different from Scotch’s double distillation. There is lots of vanilla sweetness and caramel with orchard fruits, a touch of tropical banana typical of Irish whisky, and warming spices. Don’t wait for a winter fireside with this one, it’s fabulous on the rocks in the evening sun.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: $42.99

All the above I have enjoyed many times over the years, and they have never disappointed. They have even kept my bank balance happy. I love sharing these with whisky lovers and those new to whisky alike and they have changed many people’s minds over the quality of blends over single malts and that Japanese whisky doesn’t have to break the bank. Find a flavour profile you like the look of, sit back and enjoy the rest of the summer.

Words by Colin Hampden-White