10 Stunning Scotch Whiskies For Hogmanay

There’s nothing like a dazzling dram to usher in the New Year. Whether you’re clinking glasses with friends and loved ones or looking for a tasty Scotch to arrive with as a ‘first footer’, we’ve got you covered.

Not familiar with first footers? It’s the Scottish tradition of being the first person to enter the house after midnight, who usually brings gifts including coal and whisky in exchange for a meal, before cracking open the good stuff afterwards.

Well, if you bring any of these, you’ll definitely be welcomed into any house in your neighbourhood (okay, maybe not any), because whether it’s peaty, fruity, or sweet, you’ll find the standout Scotch for your Hogmanay in this Top 10.

Black Bottle Double Cask Alchemy Series

Inside this gorgeous retro bottle is an equally gorgeous wine-finished whisky with two intertwined blends. First, a grain whisky matured in red wine casks, and second a malt matured in Spanish sherry. Bright red berries run from nose to finish and are offset by mellow vanilla and nutty notes for a really well put together Scotch on the sweeter side. One of the best options for the price.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.3%
Find here: £25.75

Glen Grant 10 Year Old

We loved sipping this on our Bring a Bottle podcast because it appeals to whisky beginners and seasoned dram drinkers all the same. Behind that gorgeous amber colouring is a Speyside single malt that’s spent a decade in bourbon casks infusing with a light and malty profile. Green orchard comes through, as does distinct toffee and vanilla with a gentle peat finish. It's completely deserving of its awards, and you’ll have no regrets whatsoever about making it your first drink of the new year!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%    
Find here: £30.99

Glen Moray 12 Year Old Elgin Heritage

Glen Moray has a great portfolio of whiskies, but this is probably their best – the flagship 12-year-old. There’s none of the slightly unusual casks you often see with Glen Moray here, simply American oak done super well. It’s a classic Speyside single malt with good malty depth and variety of notes, from apple and shortbread on the nose to a light vanilla and honey palate. Nothing dominates, the balance is spot on and it’s more than up to the job of being your Hogmanay dram!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £35.90 // US $43.99

CreAg Dhu

Another beautiful bottle with that river of whisky nectar running through inviting you in, and the landscape hints at Craeg Dhu’s mission too. Smoky Scotch requires peat burning, which releases carbon and can cut into the biodiverse peatlands in an unsustainable way. Therefore, funds from each bottle of this non-peated Scotch sold go towards saving the peatlands, which are the largest UK carbon store. The Speyside dram itself is matured for 8 years in Sherry casks and there’s sumptuous, dried fruits with honey alongside nutty malt notes and warming ever so slightly charred spice. If you like sweet and fruity Scotch then this is great for you, and you’re supporting a good cause at the same time. Win win.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40.2%
Find here: £33.99

Bladnoch Vinaya

Since changing ownership, renovating, and bringing in a new Master Distiller, Bladnoch’s new expressions have levelled up. Vinaya is wonderful single malt matured in first-fill bourbon and first-fill sherry casks for a complexity beyond the price, capturing summery lowland florals, gentle spice with pepper and cinnamon and a comforting fruity sweetness through the heart of it. Easy drinking and a distillery to keep an eye on going forward!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.7%
Find here: £48.99

Blair Athol 12 Year Old - Flora and Fauna

This is a Highland gem from the Flora and Fauna series of single malts. Dating back to 1798, Blair Athol Distillery sits on the peaty foothills of the Grampian Mountains in a stunning landscape, and the Scotch is just as magical. Pure sherry cask maturation gives rich dried fruit spices and a toffee aroma that builds as it’s exposed to the air. As the ice in your glass melts, fresh gooseberries and apricots come to the front before a curiously sweet and slightly unusual aftertaste. One of the most characterful sherried whiskies around and well worthy of celebrating the New Year with.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £48.94

Big Peat 12 Year Old

This Islay Blended Malt arrives in a very distinct and eye-catching bottle, and it’s the first permanent release from Douglas Laing’s peat series, blending various single malts from the island’s distilleries. At 12 years old, the peaty intensity is bold but not overpowering and there’s a fine balance, with forward coastal sea-breeze vibes too. Citrus complexity adds depth to the flavour, and the campfire char arrives early on. Simply put, this is a must try for those of you who love peaty whisky and one you’ll probably revisit a few times in the year ahead after trying.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: UK £49.95 // US $45.99

Deanston 12 Year Old Oloroso Cask Matured

This Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured Scotch is very special, and if you can’t pour it on celebrating a new year then when else can you? It was limited to 13,227 bottles when it was distilled in 2008, and at almost 53%, it has serious oomph. With dried fruit, honey and warming gingery spice, it’s a fantastic way of continuing the Christmassy flavours. From the minute it hits your nose, it’s bold and the smooth mouthfeel is so moreish. Nom!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 52.7%
Find here: £76.99

The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky

Double Gold winner for Blended Scotch at the 2020 World Spirits Competition, The Sassenach is the first Scotch launched by actor Sam Heughan (Outlander) and it’s a triumphant debut. It’s bursting with warmth and vibrancy, with cinnamon and zest on the nose, and honeyed almonds alongside vanilla fudge rising up on the palate. It really is a completely satisfying dram with beauty to match the Highlands it’s inspired by. Classy bottle too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £79.95

Jura Tide 21 Year Old

We’ll finish on a pricier option, but it’s impossible to leave it out. It’s gilded with major awards and if you’re able to splash out, then this is where you want to put your money. 60 miles off the west coast of Scotland is the tiny, remote, and rugged island of Jura. There are 20x the number of deer as there are people, but for an island with just a single road and pub, it leaves its mark and then some. It also has just one distillery that has always been at the centre of the community, and since being rescued from ruin in the 1960s, it has a flawless reputation now. Tide is their 21-year-old single malt that’s released as part of their Aged Vintage series. It’s double matured, in ex bourbon barrels first, and then virgin American white oak casks. The spicy complexity is beguiling, with warming spices like ginger and pepper balanced out by lofty banana and white chocolate biscuits. From start to finish, it’s heaped with flavour that’s driven home by the high alcohol percentage. When it comes to bottling the magic of the surroundings, Jura Tide hits the nail on the head.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.7%
Find here: £144.99

If you’re more into Irish whiskey, then it might not be the most traditional Hogmanay but hey ho, who’s gonna notice just by looking at it? Here are the best!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

House of Hazelwood Whisky

Occasionally in the world of Scotch, something comes along which is new. They tend to be innovations using younger liquid or unusual barrel finishes, or out-of-the-norm production methods. All are within the rules. However, this year something new arrived that opposed all the above. Old, sorry, very old Scotch whiskies in traditional casks, that were made many, many years ago, using traditional methods.

What types of whisky does House of Hazelwood produce?

House of Hazelwood for the last few years has been producing blends with some age to them. Starting at 18 and rising to 25, they were premium blends. However, the brand has now been re-invented and reimagined. They have taken this initial idea and gone way beyond creating premium blends.

House of Hazelwood has been re-born. As part of the William Grant and Sons portfolio, they have access to some of the rarest Scotch whisky casks in Scotland laid down by the Gordon family over a period of nearly 100 years. However, although they are a part of the William Grant and Sons portfolio, they are a separate entity and do not answer to the whisky team there. In being “independent” they can be creative and they can also be nimble as a new, smaller business. And oh my what they are creating is magnificent.

Which Whisky is Used in the House of Hazelwood Blends?

They are still blending, but with a difference. The youngest blend created to date is 33 years old, with many over 40 and 50 years old. The whiskies by nature of their age are very rare, and the blends created from these old and rare casks are one-off blends, never to be repeated. Two of my favourites were a blend from 1963, called ‘A Singular Blend’ created from both grain and malt whisky distilled in the same year and at the same highland distillery in 1963. The other is a blend from 1965 called ‘Blended at Birth’. Now forbidden by the SWA, this whisky was created by blending different new make spirits straight off the stills that were then placed in casks together to age. There is precious little liquid left in some of the casks leading to very small numbers of bottles being created for each blend. For example, ‘A Singular Blend’ had only 74 bottles in existence. Of which there must be less now as one was opened for us at Hazelwood House when we visited the Gordon family home after which the brand is named. Even though the whiskies are of such age and rarity, they surprisingly don’t cost the earth. Unlike many other whiskies, House of Hazelwood has whiskies from a little under £1000 and even the rarest of them all is under £5000. Although a lot of money for a bottle of whisky, these are no mere bottles of whisky.

The brand itself talks about these whiskies being a family of individuals, each whisky being unique within the overall collection. It seems very apt with the idea coming from the Gordon family. With such individuality in the whiskies, there is no precedent for them to release whiskies at a particular age or adhere to a particular formular. They can bottle the spirit when they feel it is ready, not feeling forced to push whiskies to an age beyond their natural conclusion. And once drunk, these one-of-a-kind snapshots of whisky history are truly gone forever. You can see more about this beautiful whisky here.

If you’ve enjoyed this feature, why not have a read of what Master Blender Billy Walker shared when we caught up with him to talk all about the GlenAllachie range?

Words by Colin Hampden-White

One Drink, Three Ways: Glen Grant 15-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves which 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.

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We’ve been working our way through different ages of Glen Grant Scotch whisky lately and loving every sip. Their 15-year-old spirit is matured in a balanced combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks before eventually being bottled at 50% abv. Oomph! Behind that inviting gold colouring is a superbly well-rounded bold and fruity flavour profile, with rich vanilla oak char laced throughout. If you like Speyside whisky, you’ll love this.

You might have seen our Glen Grant 10-year-old cocktails, but these are a lot simpler with fewer ingredients. Put simply, all the hard work has already been done for you at the distillery and in this case, less is more. Enjoy!

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Helena’s Choice: Classic Highball

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With more and more drinkers looking to take their first steps on the whisky road, highballs are a great, accessible way to start the whisky journey before hitting the stuff neat. With such a flavoursome, well-rounded Scotch, a classic highball is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious 15-year single malt at its peak! Simply pour the whisky into a highball glass with ice and top it up with soda. Sublime.

Classic Highball

Recipe

50ml Glen Grant 15 YO

Soda

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Aidy’s Choice: Bobby Burns

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Here’s a classic Scotch cocktail if ever I saw one. Made in the same vein as a Rob Roy but superior (if I do say so myself), this is a deliciously boozy cocktail. The three liquids balance out really well to create a rich and subtly spicy concoction that is dangerously sippable. You can mix up the ratios to your taste, but all you’ve got to do is stir everything with ice, strain into a glass and serve with a nice orange twist! 

Bobby Burns

Recipe

40ml Glen Grant 15 YO

20ml sweet Vermouth

10ml Benedictine

Orange twist

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Colin’s Choice: On the Rocks

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A big lump of ice and a generous pour of beautiful whisky – sometimes you can’t beat simplicity. This Scotch certainly isn’t one to wilt in the limelight, so it performs well on the rocks where you can experience all of its layers. Just sip and enjoy as the ice melts.

On the Rocks

Recipe

50ml Glen Grant 15 YO

Big piece of ice

ABV: 50%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £59.95 // US $80.99

For a slight change of pace, check out our options for the younger 10-year-old Scotch!

One Drink, Three Ways: Bruichladdich - The Classic Laddie

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves which 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.

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Bruichladdich (pronounced like ‘brookladdie’), is a distillery doing things differently. Based on Islay, a southern island of the Inner Hebrides, they are the first company of their kind in Europe to become a ‘BCorp’. What does that mean? Well, without getting into the nitty gritty, Bruichladdich meet an incredibly high standard of social and environmental performance. They’re a progressive, forward-thinking company with a focus on the world around them as much as their liquid.

They’re also unusual in how they produce their products themselves. Unlike the neighbouring distilleries on the island, the entire range is made without peat. Instead, local barley is pushed to the fore and each batch is unique. The recipe is, ‘not set in stone’ and they’re ‘never striving for absolute consistency’. 

The Classic Laddie is a floral and elegant Single Malt Scotch, trickle distilled and matured in American oak by the banks of Loch Indaal before bottling at a lip-smacking 50%. The intriguing paleness is somewhat of a mirage when you taste the flavoursome and harmonious blend of sweet oak and barley, with ripe green fruits and sugary fruit in the background. It’s super smooth and well-rounded with very little smoke or spice. 

There’s a tonne of interesting information about The Classic Laddie and Bruichladdich on their website, but for now we want to get to our cocktails! We’ve prepared three fantastic serves below that make great use of this delicious dram.

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Helena’s Choice: Laddie & Ginger

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Highballs are one of the most popular ways to ease whisky drinkers in, and this Laddie & Ginger is no different. The warming ginger ale emphasises the lingering sweetness of the Scotch. For a whisky cocktail this is incredibly refreshing, with the vibrancy of the fruit coming through and subtle sea-spray to finish. Pour the whisky over plenty of ice, top up with ginger ale and stir gently to retain those bubbles!

Laddie & Ginger

Recipe

60ml Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scotch

Ginger Ale to the top

Lots of ice

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Aidy’s Choice: Classic Laddie Sour

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Anyone that knows me knows I love sours, and what an opportunity this is to make just that. The Scotch is smooth already, but the egg white gives it a foamy and luxurious feel. Sour lemon balances out the sweet malt and maple syrup for a tantalising tang, and the complexity of the whisky isn’t overshadowed at all. What a gem! Dry shake everything first, then repeat with ice and strain over a rocks glass. Dried apple slice to garnish.

Top Tip: Vegans out there, the egg white can be substituted for aquafaba!

Smoked Apple Whisky Sour

Recipe

60ml Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Scotch Whisky

1 Egg White

20ml Lemon Juice

10ml Apple Juice

10ml Maple Syrup

Freeze-Dried Apple (or just a thin slice of apple) as a garnish

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Colin’s Choice: Young Laddie

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I’ve opted for a variation on the Old Fashioned which I adore. Invented by Joaquin Simo of Death & Co in Manhattan, the Young Laddie replaces traditional bourbon with the Bruichladdich for a smoke-free version. If you don’t have grapefruit bitters at hand, then Angostura steps in nicely but the two garnish twists tie the drink together really well at the end, so make sure to include those. Simply combine everything (except the twists) in an Old Fashioned glass, add a large chunk of ice and stir until chilled. Squeeze the twists before dropping them in and there you have it.

Young Laddie

Recipe

60ml Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scotch

7.5ml simple syrup

1 dash Peychaud's bitters

1 dash Bittermens hopped grapefruit bitters

Orange twist

Grapefruit twist

ABV: 50%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find Here: UK £41.45 // US $69.99

For more like this, head over to our One Drink, Three Ways page now!

The Best Pre-Lunch Christmas Drinks

Once the mimosas have been drunk, breakfast had and Christmas lunch is beginning to be prepared, the chef, and everyone else for that matter, might be wanting a little something to drink before the grand meal gets under way. Personally, I don’t eat much at breakfast, so one of the next drinks can be a great substitute, whether with or without alcohol. One of my favourite drinks of all time is the Bloody Mary. Traditionally made with vodka there are other options out there. If you’re not a tomato juice fan, then a gin and tonic can go down very well pre-lunch too. And there is always the traditional Christmas drink of Sherry. Forget the old days of cream sherries, there are plenty more options of something tasty to sip away at to get your appetite going.

The BEst Spirits for a Bloody Mary cocktail

Glen's Vodka

Glens Vodka is the second best-selling spirit in the UK. And it is made in Scotland! Made by the Loch Lomond Distillery Company, who know how to make great spirits, this is a clean, smooth and easy going vodka created for mixing, and it is great value for money. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find It Here: £13

Dima’s Vodka

We at The Three Drinkers have long been a great supporter of Dima’s Vodka, and in my opinion, it is the best vodka on the market today. It has superb flavour without being flavoured, it has a great texture that feels creamy in the mouth, and it is incredibly smooth. Beyond all this, it comes from Ukraine and is created by Ukrainian Dima, hence the name. Every bottle sold goes to help fund the Ukrainians in their battle against Russia making buying a bottle even more worth it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find It Here: £35

Ardbeg 10 Year Old

For whisky lovers out there, this makes one of the best Bloody Marys I have ever had. Choose a rich thick tomato juice, or even add some passata to the drink, and once the spices are added, with the Ardbeg 10 Year Old, a smoky, earthy, and delicious drink evolves. With the power of the whisky, you can use as little or as much spice and Worcester sauce as you like, and it’ll taste great.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find It Here: UK £42.90 // US $52.99

X Muse Vodka

Pronounced 10th Muse, this vodka is made with heritage varieties of barley in Scotland, which are distilled separately and then carefully blended. Based on the mythical 10th Muse which was supposed to be an amalgam of the other 9 muses, this vodka has huge amounts of flavour and complexity which shine through in a Bloody Mary. This is a vodka which really does push the boat out, but is worth every penny, and definitely worth the splurge on Christmas day. Beyond the tomato juice, this is a vodka to savour and sip.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find It Here: £55.74

The Best Gin for a Gin and Tonic 

Gordon’s Special London Dry Gin

The quintessential British gin. Gordon’s has been the country’s gin of choice for the humble gin and tonic for a very long time. And with good reason. It is a classic London dry gin with plenty of botanical flavour alongside the juniper and the resulting G&T is very, very good. It’s also great value and, if you don’t happen to be drinking, they make a very good 0% version, which, having tasted quite a few decent no alcohol gins, is my favourite.

Gordon’s Special London Dry Gin
Size: UK 700ml // US 1.75L
ABV: 38%
Find It Here: UK £16 // US $21.99

Gordon’s 0% London Dry Gin
Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find It Here: £12

Finger Lime Gin

Made from an unusual fruit, which although is called a ‘lime’, it’s not certain if it actually fits into the citrus family or not, this gin is definitely zesty with oodles of citrus flavours which mixes with tonic superbly well. If you can find some finger limes to garnish, the little green caviar-like cells will bounce up and down the drink with the bubbles creating a very pretty display. A little like a gin and tonic snow globe. Perfect for Christmas.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find It Here: £34.95

Anty Gin

Created by the Cambridge gin distillery, this is a special gin which, although made of ants, wood ants to be precise, tastes great, and adds a little more interest to a simple gin and tonic. A great talking point when guests or family descend on you for Christmas, it may be a convenient distraction from any brewing family feud!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find It Here: £194.99

The Best Sherry for Christmas

Tio Pepe Dry Sherry

This sherry is made from the Palomino grape variety and aged for around five years. It is crisp and zesty, and the perfect drink before a meal that is likely to be of gargantuan proportion. Easy to sip and take your time over, and especially good if you like dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15%
Find It Here: £9.50

Lustau Oloroso Emperatriz

If sherry means rich and nutty flavours with lots of dried fruit aromas and flavours to boot, then this is a sherry you’ll love. There is lots of complexity and alongside the usual flavours you will find dark chocolate and nougat. The Solara this sherry comes from was founded in 1921 to mark the visit of Eugenia de Montijo to Jerez, who was the last Empress of France.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find It Here: £20.95

Bodegas Tradición 30 Year Old Palo Cortado

Palo Cortado is an unusual sherry. Many cheaper versions are created by the sherry maker, but those that happen naturally are rare. They are created when the “flor”, which is a naturally occurring fungal barrier that lies on top of the sherry in the barrel to prevent the oxygen from getting to the liquid, naturally and for no reason disappears, allowing the sherry beneath to start to oxidize. The best of these naturally occurring barrels are put aside to become Palo Cortado. It’s hugely complex, yet has great delicacy and finesse, this is one of the greatest examples, and would delight any sherry drinker.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find It Here: £103.05

Having sated oneself between breakfast and the great meal to come, the main event is next. With a huge number of drinks to choose from, I will keep it simple. To find out how to indulge yourself during this gourmet festive event, move on to my next set of drinks here. If you missed the Best Drinks to Enjoy on Christmas Morning, click here.

One Drink, Three Ways: Glen Grant 10-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves which 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.

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Brothers John and James Grant began as illicit smugglers but having built up a network of connections in Scotland, they founded The Glen Grant distillery in 1840 and even helped build local railways to help the Speyside region of Scotland become the whisky hotbed it is today. 

Beautifully amber on the eye, the 10-year-old Glen Grant Scotch is the definitive Speyside whisky. It has wonderfully unique notes of green orchard, toffee, and vanilla and it’s equally quaffable for a whisky beginner or a seasoned drinker, which is part of the reason it’s picked up so many awards and heaps of praise. 

Truth be told, Glen Grant is super satisfying to sip on its own, but when a whisky is this gorgeous it would be a crime not to experiment with it!

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Helena’s Choice: Orchard High Ball

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I’ve gone for a little orchard twist on the classic Whisky Highball. The green orchard notes of the Glen Grant work wonders so I’m emphasising them with a little pear liqueur and zesty freshness from orange bitters and wedge. Simply pour all the ingredients into a highball glass, stir well to blend everything, then add ice, and finish it off with an orange wedge for garnish.

Orchard High Ball

Recipe

50ml Glen Grant 10YO

10ml pear liqueur (Merlet works well)

2 dashes orange bitters

Soda Top

Orange wedge

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Aidy’s Choice: Brigadoon

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Originally from The Player, now Basement State in Soho, this is a modern classic that delights whisky drinkers and seasoned dram fans alike. The sour lemon and sweet apricot in this combination mirror each other so well, and at the heart of it is the strong Speyside Scotch that remains the worthy star of the show. There are a few bold flavours jostling here so make sure to shake well and serve over ice.

Brigadoon

Recipe

50ml Glen Grant 10YO

20ml Apricot liqueur (Briottet works well here)

20ml lemon juice

10ml orgeat

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Colin’s Choice: Grant’s Buck

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This short and sharp tipple is a delight. The green fruit notes of the whisky are brought to the fore, and there’s a little extra sweetness that goes nicely too. I’m also a fan of the finish with the gentle lingering spice from the Scotch and ginger ale. Fill a rocks glass with ice and add the ingredients. Give it a good stir and garnish with a lemon twist.

Grant’s Buck

Recipe

50ml Glen Grant 10YO

50ml ginger ale

Lemon twist

UK
ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £30.99

If you approve of our concoctions, check out what we put together for Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whisk Cream Liqueur, or if you want to stay on the whisky train, check out our three cocktails for Glenmorangie X!

The Best Whisky to Gift this Christmas

For those of us who love whisky Christmas is a time to enjoy it all the more, whether that be for oneself, to share with others, or even to buy as gifts. I believe there are whiskies which are special at most price points, so I will be giving you great suggestions you can find in a supermarket, but also a range of bottles you most definitely can’t. It is Christmas after all, and the festive holidays should be for everyone. From sweet ex-bourbon casks, sherry casks, port casks and smoky whisky, these are my Christmas crackers for 2022. Starting with the two best-selling single malt whiskies in the world. So without further ado, let’s get to it…

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

At any one point in time, it is never certain whether this whisky or the next is the best-selling single malt in the world. They are so well matched, that they both take the lead over the other from time to time. Although they are equally very good, I do have a favourite, and this is it. With great balance and lots of fruity Speyside orchard fruits, this whisky will often be on special offer over Christmas and is a great gift. Although I’m not sure if it’d make it into wrapping paper in my house.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: UK £38 // US $44.99

Glenlivet 12 Year Old

I recently re-visited this distillery and in the tasting after the tour was presented with the 12-year-old as the first whisky. We then had two others from the range, and in my mind, although it was certainly not the most expensive, it was the best. It is so well balanced with apples and pears, with a little honey and vanilla, it’s hard not to see why it holds such regard in many people’s minds. And already on sale until January 2023 at Waitrose

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: UK £28 // US $47.99

Thompson Brothers 8 Year Old Blended Malt SRV5

The Thompson brothers, Phil and Simon have gained legendary status as independent bottlers, and the way they have managed that is by bottling great whisky at great prices. And this is no exception. With complex aromas and flavours of melon, limes, grapefruits and bananas with touches of candlewax and a tiny bit of smoke, this is a great blended malt whisky.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48.5%
Find it here: £34.95

Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or 

This is a real sweetie for the festive season. Finished in Sauternes wine casks, it has honey sweetness and vanilla to the fore. The sweet French white wine casks giving a syrup sweetness and viscosity. Sipped by itself or drunk in a highball with grapefruit soda, or ginger ale, this is an easy going crowd pleaser.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: UK £58.94 // US $81.99

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old

A stalwart of sherry matured whiskies, the 15 Glenfarclas is my all-time favourite ex-sherry cask Scotch. With the classic Christmas cake flavours, there are also nutty walnut flavours with orange peel, dates, and raisins. With a little water, it becomes even juicier. A great whisky for cold winter weather being very complex and easy to drink at the same time.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £57.94

Glen Grant 18 Year Old

In 2016 Glen Grant relaunched their range and thankfully included this 18 year old. It is a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks but is so balanced there is not a predominance of flavour from either. With lots of caramel, vanilla and raisins there are complex waves of sweetness which meet the palate. If you don’t like big heavy sherried whiskies then this would definitely be one for you.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: UK £115 // US $139.99

Glenturret 15 Year Old 2022 Release

This is the regular annual release from Glenturret of their 15 year old and like previous releases they have kept the abv on the higher side which gives a big punch of flavour. They’ve used a mix of casks which add to the complexity with both sweet and spicy notes, mixed with pepper, pine resin and lots of dried fruit. A big whisky for a big celebration.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: £125

Fettercairn 18 Year Old

This is a very unusual whisky. Scotch must be matured in oak, but where that oak comes from can vary. Traditionally ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks are used, as well as Port, Madeira, and many other wine casks, but never before has a Scottish oak cask been used. Whyte and Mackay, the owners of Fettercarin have a comprehensive Scottish oak project which this 18-year-old has benefited from. The type of oak makes a great deal of difference, with Scottish oak having a peppery spicy note on the back palate and finish beyond all the fruit cake and soft spice. Each batch is pretty limited, so grab one while you can.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.8%
Find it here: £174.50

Dalmore King Alexander III

One of the most complex yet easy drinking whiskies I know. This is matured in six different types of casks and then blended. It is a grand sipper, with lots of soft spice, winter berries and a zesty, oaky edge keeping the palate lively, this is a long-time favourite of mine. Decadence in a glass and definitely a special whisky.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: UK £129.90 // US $279.99

Bowmore 22 Aston Martin 2nd Release

I have to thank my fellow drinker Aidy for opening his bottle for his Christmas party last weekend, otherwise, I’m not sure this would have been on my radar, but it definitely is now! A big rich complex dram with lots of fruit cake and spice, nuts, toasted oak and a good dollop of sweet beach bonfire smoke. This is an absolutely brilliant whisky from Bowmore. Sold out in most places, buy it if you see it, or find it at auction. It’s not only a great present, tastes great, but I think it will increase quite a bit in price, so maybe one to hang onto.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 51.5%
Find it at auction for around £500

Glenrothes 32 Year Old 1988 Cask 16546 Gordon and MacPhail

This whisky is simple in its conception. Fill an American oak hogshead, let it mature for thirty two years, and when ready, bottle it. Simple is not how I would describe the result though. There are subtle flavours of white meadow flowers and fennel which mix well with lots of complex honey and fresh vanilla pods. Fruit salad in syrup and a little fine oak and sandalwood make this a very special whisky for a special gift if you can bare to give it away!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57.9%
Find it here: £720

Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute

I’ve been banging on about malt whisky, but now it’s time for a blend. The perception of blends is that they are cheaper and blander. This couldn’t be further from the truth. This whisky has great complexity with the whiskies contained within having been matured for over 40 years. Inlaid in 24 carat gold, this is the ultimate Christmas gift!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57.9%
Find it here: £2799.90

With the above choices there should be something for everyone. From highball drinkers and aperitive sippers, to big rich fireside drams. For the new drinker and supermarket shopper to the new king, the one thing all of these have is quality, and the ability to give you pleasure. So, enjoy the festive season with whatever whisky you find and raise a glass to all people who enjoy a glass of the amber nectar.

If you enjoyed this then why not check out our gin, rum or red wine Christmas guides?

Words by Colin Hampden-White

The Best Boozy Christmas Crackers You Need To Try This Christmas

The fortune telling fish, miniature nail files and Dad jokes tumbling out of crackers on Christmas Day are enshrined in festive law and we wouldn’t have it any other way, but that’s not to say we can’t try for something a little more exciting, is it? 

These alcohol-filled crackers are perfect to spice things up a little on the big day, filled with whatever tipple takes your fancy! Whether it’s rum miniatures that pack a punch, create-your-own crackers, or cream liqueurs to get the Baileys open even earlier than usual, we’ve got it all covered and more!  

The Best Gin Christmas Crackers:

Fever-Tree Ultimate Gin & Tonic

If you’re a gin lover and you haven’t heard of Fever-Tree then we don’t know where you’ve been. They are about as reliable as it gets when it comes to premium tonic varieties, and this cracker set matches four of them wonderfully. The Audemus Pink Pepper Gin with Elderflower Tonic in particular is delightful, but there isn’t a bad option in the box!

Find here: £34 Box of 4

Franklin & Sons Gin & Mixers

Founded in Victorian London, Franklin & Sons are pioneers in the soft drinks space, using the best natural ingredients to churn out unique flavours and top-notch classics. Inside this beautiful box are six crackers with the same Christmas tree design, each containing an award-winning combo of gin and mixer. From classics like Rock Rose and Sipsmith Dry to newer innovations from Manchester Gin and Masons, this is a cracker pull you’d definitely want to win. 

Find here: £35 Box of 6

York Gin

York Gin orchestrates its range of stunning gins around the history of the equally beautiful city of York. Their box of six contains one of each flavour, telling the story from the Roman foundations (Roman Fruit) to the Chocolate Orange flavour honouring the iconic Terry’s, whose factory was just a couple of miles from the York Gin distillery. A 100% renewably powered distillery, with a great concept and award-winning gin to back it up – not a bad thing to pull out of a cracker at all!

Find here: £60 Box of 6 (or £10 for 1)

The Best Mixed Spirit Christmas Crackers:

The Lakes Distillery

Each swanky cracker contains one premium 50ml miniature to experience the range of products the Lake District distillery has on offer. There’s a classic Lakes gin that doesn’t shy away from vibrant juniper, and a zesty pink grapefruit version too. As promised, this is a mixed set, but that mix is completely up to you. You can select whichever four from those two gins, or a fruity, gently smoky whisky, as well as a very alluring salted caramel vodka liqueur! Or you can have all four the same, but a surprise element when you’re opening is nice wouldn’t you agree?

Find here: £20 Box of 4

Lakeland Spirits Mix

You get the best of both worlds with these crackers. Not only are there miniatures of the UK’s most popular spirits in Bacardi, Baileys, Smirnoff, and Beefeater, but you also still get the terrible jokes and hats that come with your standard cracker...there’s no escaping them!

Find here: £39.99 Box of 6

The Best Beer Christmas Crackers:

Bier Company

These beefy crackers will need a real tug of war to break them open, and that’s because they contain not one but two premium craft beers each! Also included in these stylishly designed colourful crackers are the usual party hats, riddles and jokes we all know and love.

Find here: £39.95 Box of 5 (£12.95 for 2)

Black Sheep Brewery

This Yorkshire brewery’s crackers are ideal for experimenting with a range of intriguing beers. You simply select how many of each you want from their list of nine. So, you could throw in two reliable Riggwelters, and then add on one Pineapple Milkshake IPA and a Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale? You’ve got a really inviting selection with plenty of classic and unusual IPAs, Ales and Stouts, so it’s up to you – that’s the beauty of it!

Find here: £5.50 per cracker

The Best Whisky Christmas Crackers:

Drinks by the Dram

This selection of six bowtied crackers arrives in a lovely box, each containing a 30ml wax-sealed mini dram from a curated selection of fine whisky producers. For example, there’s the award winning softly sweet Glengoyne 10-Year-Old, the rich and peaty palate of Smokehead, or the experimental World Whisky Blend, which has combined single malts, single grains, and bourbons of all kinds into one. It’s a nice selection that will please beginners and seasoned dram drinkers all the same!

Find here: £39.95 Box of 6

The Best Cream Liqueur Christmas Crackers:

Hotel Chocolat

Hotel Chocolat has put together 50ml bottles of, ‘Velvetised Creams’, with real chocolate, crisp vodka, and silky cream. These would be perfect to save for a Boxing Day boozy hot choc, or if you can’t wait (we don’t blame you), enjoy them as an after-dinner digestif. You can expect two original chocolates, two salted caramels, one mint, and an Espresso Martini version, all super decadent and definitely worth fighting over... or diplomatically swapping, whatever works. 

Find here: £24.95 Box of 6

Baileys

Well, it’s a Christmas list so it was only a matter of time before Baileys showed up! These four colourful crackers complete the table, with two 50ml Irish Creams, a Coffee Liqueur, and an Orange Truffle flavour too. It’s the only cream liqueur to be awarded a World Spirits Medal every year since 2003 and when it’s so synonymous with Christmas, how can you not want it around? 

Find here: £14.99 Box of 4

Aldi Ballycastle 

The quality that comes with some of Aldi’s own versions of much-loved products is no longer a secret, and in terms of value, these 50ml Ballycastle creams are hard to beat. Inside there’s the classic, Chocolate & Clementine, Espresso, and White Chocolate, which sounds like a gloriously indulgent selection to us, just what every Christmas feast demands. 

Find here: £7.99 Box of 4

The Best Rum Christmas Crackers:

Sly Dog Spiced

Don’t worry rum lovers, because behind those ominous eyes is a Sly Dog miniature, filled with a Jamaican and Dominican rum blend and their secret recipe of spices. This is a sublime spiced rum with perfect balance, picking up Gold at the World Rum Awards in 2022. If you want something to crack open after the cracker itself that really hits the spot, then this is it. 

Find here: £30 Box of 4

The Best Cocktail Christmas Crackers:

Candy Cane Fizz & Berry and Bright Gin

Now this a box that screams luxury. The Cocktail Man in London has pulled together Chase GB Gin with his secret signature Sliqueur giving you everything you need to get started on that Christmas cocktail. You also get garnish, hats, jokes and don’t worry, there are very clear cocktail instructions because the last thing you need is another thing to get sorted on the big day. 

Find here: £59.95 Box of 4

The Best Vodka Christmas Crackers:

J.J Whitley 

J.J Whitley has been making spirits for 260 Christmases now (since 1762 that is by the way, just in case our maths is off), so it’s no wonder that they’re still winning awards on a yearly basis. It’s lovely and fresh on the nose and unravels into a creamy and full-bodied delight... and that’s just their Artisanal original! You’ll also get to try Vanilla, Raspberry, Watermelon & Lime, Blood Orange, and finally Passion Fruit. Serve them as chilled as a Christmas Day and you’ll be sure to have a jolly one!

Find here: £15.99 Box of 6

The Best Wine Christmas Crackers:

Virgin Wines 

You get more booze for your buck with these classy crackers, as each one reveals a 187ml bottle of fabulous wine. There’s Aussie Pinot Grigio, South African Chardonnay Viognier (which would be great with the Christmas dinner itself), Chilean Merlot, French Malbec, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and South African Cinsaut. Something for everyone

Find here: £35.99 Box of 6

Virgin Wines Prosecco

If Prosecco is more your thing, then Virgin still have you covered. Each cracker contains a 200ml Extra Dry Senti, an exquisitely crisp and fruity Prosecco with the perfect amount of fizz. Prosec-ho-ho! (Had to be done.)

Find here: £36.99 Box of 6

Create Your Own Christmas Crackers

Lakeland Fill-Your-Own

Often the most memorable moments around Christmas time involve personalised gifts and decorations, that show you’ve gone the extra mile and thought about the people you’re with. That’s why Lakeland have created these fill-your-own crackers. They arrive with some festive embossing and minor decoration, but it’s down to you to personalise them and fill them with whatever you like! If you know someone loves a particular drink but it can’t be bought in a cracker, then what a pleasant surprise for them to find it!

Find here: £14.99 Box of 6

If you’re now ramping up Christmas preparations, then why not booze-up the advent calendar as well as the crackers? Who says they’re just for kids? We’ve compiled our Favourite Advent Calendars For 2022, each one with a tasty treat behind every door!

Words by Calum Ecroyd