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Unique Whiskies For True Connoisseurs This Christmas
From collectables to hipster favourites
It's no easy feat buying whiskey for an aficionado. That's why we gathered the truly unique bottles that will be sure to please even the most refined of palates this Christmas.
Woodford Reserve
43.2% (Kentucky)
Triple distilled for extra smoothness, this rich Kentucky whiskey from Woodford Reserve has notes of toffee, caramel and chocolate, and makes the perfect base for an Old Fashioned (don't know how to make one? The distiller's cocktail syrup will take care of that).
£32.95/70cl
JJ Corry, The Chosen 27-year-old Irish Single Malt Whiskey
52% ABV (Co. Clare, Ireland)
Note the extra 'e'; this is Irish whiskey, not Scottish whisky. There's only 100 bottles of this rare drop, which is rich and fruity with a long, smoky finish. It comes in a crystal decanter and ash presentation box, which are hand-crafted by fellow Irish artisans J Hill's Standard John Galvin.
£6,500/70cl
Talisker 1978, 40-year-old Bodega Series
50% ABV (Skye, Scotland)
Talisker's oldest buyable single malt has been finished in casks that previously spent 40 years maturing sherry. It's one big thwack of fruit and spice, with hints of sea and smoke.
£2,750/70cl
The Glenlivet Captain's Reserve
40% ABV (Speyside, Scotland)
This easy-going single malt is jazzed up by a spell in cognac casks, adding warm cinnamon and raisin flavours that balance beautifully with the smooth and light Glenlivet style.
£48/70cl
Koval Bourbon
47% ABV (Chicago)
This small-batch, single-barrel, organic bourbon (from Chicago's first distillery since Prohibition) is soft and sophisticated. A sugary scent calms down on taste, turning into vanilla and caramel, with a tiny tinge of pepper.
£47/50cl
White Walker by Johnnie Walker
41.7% ABV (Scotland)
Made in anticipation of the final series of Game of Thrones, this limited-edition blends whiskies from Scotland's highest distilleries and should be put in the freezer so as to incur a chill.
£32.65/50cl
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select
45% ABV (Tennessee)
This premium Jack displays the barrel number and bottling date around the neck. Expect overtones of orange and popcorn flavours (without the syrupiness). Too good to go into cola.
£43.95/70cl
Tokinoka Black
50% ABV (Japan)
You know what would be cool? If you became a Japanese whisky guy. That's a good vibe for Q4 drinking. This is a great place to start. Created by master Blender Akito Ueda, Tokinoka Black mixes 50% malt whisky and 50% grain whisky.
£48.95/50cl
Highland Park 25 Year Old
45.7% ABV (Scotland)
This heady mix of ex-sherry and bourbon cask whisky has been matured for 25 long, tasty years, and has subtle notes of dark chocolate, fudge, honey and all that good stuff. It also comes with a cool wooden case – which is nice, isn't it?
£399/70cl
Amrut Peated Port Pipe
59% (India)
Little fact for you: India is the biggest whisky-drinking nation on Earth. However, because the majority of Indian product is molasses-derived, it isn't actually recognised by the EU as whisky. The more you know! This one here, from Amrut (the first malt whisky made in India), has notes of Turkish Delight, orange blossom and nutmeg.
£160/70cl
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