I’m allergic to chocolate (it’s been over 20 years since my last Bounty – yes, my chocolaty tastes are stuck in the 1980s) and so my Advent calendars are always a bit of a challenge. This year, I decided to put my own together using 25 different drams.
They’re mainly Scotch single malts but there are other nationalities and a few blended thrown in for good measure. I review the whisky daily and share my views – recommendations are always welcome. My problem here is limiting it to just 25!
None of the reviews have been paid for but I am always happy to accept review whisky – feel free to contact me if you represent a whisky company or specialist outlet.
Whisky
I’m a purist so the whisky is always drunk neat – no ice, no water, just whisky.
December:
Christmas Day
And this is it, the last day of my whisky Advent calendar and Santa delivered a huge sack today with plenty of different whiskies to try but a request to finish the calendar with this one – Kilchoman Machir Bay. A 46% ABV Islay, single malt whisky from a relatively new distillery, served in a beautifully squat bottle. Big Peat shows that you can’t judge a whisky by its packaging but Kilchoman’s is very stylish and good quality which creates a good impression, especially with its flat-top wooden stopper – a great gift whisky.
Peat, smoke, oak and grass on the nose and the taste hits you – a smooth, beautifully peated dram with butterscotch, gooseberry, sherry and vanilla. The aftertaste is a lingering sherry and vanilla with a hint of leather and seaweed. It reminds me slightly of Laphroaig, another Islay peaty offering. This is a whisky to savour, it’s better than an everyday choice.
It’s a really good choice to finish the 25 different drams and something new which celebrates classic Scotch whisky traditions. Yes, you can get whisky from around the world but I’ll always love a good Scotch, especially from Islay or Speyside.
And who knows what next year will bring – I’ve got more than 25 completely different whiskies to taste next Christmas or maybe I’ll look at Port, rum, vodka or Gin. For me, whisky is the perfect countdown to Christmas – no water, no ice, just pure whisky.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and whiskied 2015.
24
I had an early Christmas present this Christmas Eve – a bottle of English Whisky single malt, from the St George’s Distillery in Norfolk, non-aged and, in this case, sold through Marks & Spencer’s which accounts for the rather bland style of labelling on the back. It’s 43% ABV and the colour is a weak tea. I’ve been looking forward to trying English Whisky for a while, especially after Wales’ Penderyn Whisky was such a revelation. But, before I can taste it, I have to work out how to open it – no handy V-shaped section to pull in the foil near the image of St George slaying the dragon as is quite common amongst whisky producers.
The nose is a little musty with brown sugar and cinnamon, not as sharp or rich as most of the whiskies reviewed here. Give the nose time to brew, it opens up to toffee and boiled sweets. It’s smooth, surprisingly so after the nose took time to develop. Butterscotch, candy floss, popcorn and nuts. The aftertaste is oaty with a hint of tea and custard creams.
I’m pleased I’ve tried it and it’s a decent everyday whisky. Nothing special with the exception of it being made in England and, to be honest, it will get lost amongst the better whiskies north of the border but I’ll happily drink the rest of the bottle. It’s smooth and gentle, not overly flavoursome but an easy drink and, sometimes, that’s exactly what you need in a dram. I just expected better from a country whose ales are so impressive.
And we’re almost there, just one more whisky to finish the Advent calendar – and it will be a Scotch. See you tomorrow and wishing you all a very merry Christmas. I hope Santa brings you some whisky.
23
Sticking to one of my favourites: Singleton of Dufftown, a 12-year-old single malt from Speyside. It’s a rich, smooth, well-balanced whisky with plenty of flavour.
Sea on the nose – a fresh, salt smell with a hint of lemon, moss and smoke. There’s a medium-light maltiness, crisp apple, ginger, nutmeg, hazelnuts, sherry, golden syrup and marshmallow. The aftertaste is a heavier, sharper malt which lingers on the tongue, almost biting it in eagerness but mellowing out to the taste of the sea, oak and berries. It’s a fabulous whisky which competes with heavier, peaty offerings from Islay such as Caol Ila – very different from the lighter Balvenie Doublewood, another Speyside whisky.
The bottle is lozenge-shaped, reminiscent of a giant hipflask. The flat surface has a feel-good factor that’s easy to pour and makes it stand out on the shelf – it’s an ideal gift, as well as a wonderful whisky – a step above everyday drinking.
And this is one of the few whiskies where I poured a second dram. It’s definitely a whisky to sip slowly and enjoy.
Just two days before Christmas and I’m down to choosing my last two whiskies but always knew that Singleton would be making the cut. I’m lucky enough to be getting some new bottles of whisky as gifts, including two different Singletons – Spey Cascade and Tailfire.
22
Tonight’s whisky Advent calendar is one of my favourite blendeds and I’ve been saving the last dram of Big Peat for a special occasion. I had great news today so this is the perfect time for celebrating.
One of my favourite specialist drinks retailers is Harvey’s in Lewes. They don’t just sell their own beer but have a great selection of other drinks, including whisky and they recommended Big Peat. I have to admit that I wouldn’t have even considered it without their recommendation. Not because it’s a blended as I have a good selection which sit comfortably alongside my single malts. What put me off is that it looks cheap and nasty. The matt label even has a big air bubble where it hasn’t been put on properly and the box and presentation let down an otherwise high quality dram.
This peaty taste of heaven is from four Islay distilleries – Port Ellen, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Ardbeg, two of which I’ve already included in my calendar and I’m a huge fan of Islay whiskies. It’s a heady 46% ABV and even has a batch number on the bottle – #42 in this case, showing that it’s a small batch whisky. It’s a vatted malt and a beautiful marriage.
The first thing to mention about the whisky itself is that it’s very pale – more Pinot Grigio than whisky. The nose is so masculine and, dare I say it, sexy – leather, shoelaces, peat and even egg sandwiches. I love egg sandwiches so this is a positive scent – it’s not heavy sulphur or geysers.
And the peat whacks you right between the eyes, giving way to leather, liquorice, espresso and the sea. It’s not a subtle whisky, it’s not a gentle whisky – it’s so butch but in a good sense. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not rough. You won’t grow hairs on your chest or rip your throat tasting it but it is an all-embracing, peaty yell. Yes, I love this whisky and it’s so different from the rest of the whiskies reviewed here.
The aftertaste is gentle, surprisingly so. The peat gives way to espresso and chocolate with a hint of berry. It’s delicious.
I have a feeling it’s a bit of a Marmite whisky (apart from the aftertaste which I could enjoy on its own) – avoid if you don’t like peat because this is a proudly descriptive big peat drink. I just wish I still had more of it on my shelf.
21
It’s Penderyn tonight, a Welsh whisky. I’m on my second bottle of this and it opened with a satisfying pop and that lovely glugging sound which I find as electrifying as hearing a jackpot in Vegas. It starts with a heady nose of lemon and boiled fruit drop sweets. The taste is a whoosh of caramel, softening to a latte and rich vanilla fudge with heather honey and sherry. The latter thanks to its finishing in Madeira casks.
The aftertaste is slightly weaker than I’d expect from such a full-flavoured whisky but it’s got cinnamon and pine.
I enjoy Penderyn – ever since I was sent a free bottle to review back in my days of editing a food magazine and it’s a pleasant, everyday addition to my whisky shelf. I wouldn’t have it as my only whisky, though. I’m a Scotch woman at heart but love the Japanese whiskies I’ve drunk and I’ve got my eyes on a Taiwanese whisky for the New Year.
And there are just four days to go. I won’t be including an Irish whiskey (note the spelling – that ‘e’ always feels like a typo to me) as I only have Jamesons here which is a pleasant, everyday dram but can’t compare to many of those included in this year’s Advent Calendar. Rumour has it, Santa is bringing me some other Irish whiskies this year.
Four days and just four more whiskies, one of which will be one of my favourite blendeds as I’ve been saving the very last dram for a special occasion – and what better way than to celebrate the countdown to Christmas with you!
20
I’m off to Japan tonight with Nikka Whisky from the Barrel, a Japanese whisky from Nikka Whisky who have two distilleries: Yoichi and Miyagikyo. This is one of their blended whiskies, using both malt and grain, with a heady 51.4% ABV.
The nose is very different from the rest of my Advent calendar choices so far – it’s pear drops, oak and cherries, and very open. The smell is almost so good, you don’t want to drink it, just inhale. I actually spent longer sniffing this than any of my other whiskies.
It’s a very full-flavoured whisky which reveals more with every sip. Pear, gooseberry, oak, butterscotch, vanilla cream topped with nutmeg, plus marzipan with a hint of smoke. The aftertaste is black coffee and almond. This is a revelation for those who think whisky should only ever be Scotch and single malt. Despite such a complex array of flavours, it’s very smooth.
My one complaint is that it comes in a dinky 50cl bottle which, as it’s very more-ish, can become expensive quickly, especially as, price-wise, the smaller bottle is similar to a 70cl Caol Ila. The stylish box is mainly in Japanese so I can’t tell you anything about the age of the whisky – something for the distiller to consider in future, I hope.
It’s an attractive designer bottle with its squat top. Pleasant to hold and pour, it just needs to be bigger. And I would have had a second dram had I not had two other, pain-related drams earlier today (Glenmorangie at a friend’s and Talisker at home). If only whisky were prescribed on the NHS as it really is a most effective painkiller.
Tomorrow’s whisky is also a non-Scotch. I just wish my English Whisky isn’t waiting for Santa to deliver it as I’d have liked to include it here. I’m working out whether next year’s Advent calendar will be 25 different whiskies from any featured here or whether to change to gin, vodka or rum. Gin is the most likely – but why not tell me what you’d like to see in future?
19
Sticking to an old favourite for tonight’s #whisky Advent calendar – Caol Ila (aged 12 years). A fabulously peaty whisky without bashing you on the nose with the peat – the balance is perfect. There’s also mince pie and espresso on the nose. It’s a light whisky, despite the peat, with tastes of crème brûlée, pine, lemon meringue pie, apple, pear, the sea and tar. The aftertaste is smoky, plus some distinct notes of Earl Grey tea (bergamot).
It’s very smooth with an appealing oiliness to it – not mouth-coating but lubricating. There’s a reason this is one of my favourite whiskies as it’s so satisfying. This isn’t an everyday whisky, although I drink it as though it is. It’s very special and a great present if trying to choose a whisky for others.
A confession: I’ve just had to drink two drams of Caol Ila as the first dram was the last of a bottle and, just in case, that was an issue, I quickly opened a new one.
18
Tonight’s whisky is the 1995 Dalwhinnie Distillers’ Edition (bottled in 2011), a single Highland malt whisky. I love Dalwhinnie but The Distillers’ Edition is new to me and only arrived this morning thanks to an Amazon Lightning Deal. Did you know that they have special short-term discounts on bottles of whisky at around 7pm most nights? I almost wish I hadn’t discovered this as I’m hooked! I bought Drinks by the Dram whisky crackers in tonight’s deal…
A rich Christmas cake and clementines on the nose with a waft of roasted coffee beans. Peat, jasmine, clementines, heather honey, fudge, dates and chocolate make this a beautiful, full-flavoured whisky. It feels too good for everyday drinking, every mouthful reveals something new. The aftertaste is a swirl of flavour, dominated by sherry, thanks to its double maturation, the first in oak casks, the second in Oloroso casks, and also a taste of Cointreau (other orange liqueurs also available).
Quick note on the packaging, the foil is sharp – I wasn’t impressed to cut myself before I even opened the bottle! The cork was also a very tight fit so this particular bottle might be best decanted.
This is near the top of my list of favourites in the whisky Advent calendar so far and I had to have a second dram – just to see which new flavours developed, of course.
17
I’m very excited about tonight’s whisky Advent calendar. It’s a Macallan Batch 2 from That Boutique-y Whisky Company which work with the top distilleries to create small batched whisky, served in artistic bottles. Only 350 bottles of this batch were ever released and they’re very collectable.
Citrusy Christmas cake on the nose. The whisky is smooth and peaty with caramel, chocolate, vanilla latte, a hint of jasmine, and more of that wondrous Christmas cake. The aftertaste is pure honey. It’s very more-ish – warm, soft and mouth-coating. It’s a hug in a glass.
It’s a beautiful whisky and the bottles of this company are worth buying just for the cult designs, not just the superb whisky within. I’ll definitely be buying more of this range if I’m lucky enough to find them.
16
Today’s Advent calendar whisky comes with a story attached. It’s a 12-year-old Bowmore, another peaty Islay whisky but the peat, in this case, is light. It’s got orange, vanilla and a bit of smoke on the nose. The taste is smooth with gentle peatiness, caramel, coffee, oak, vanilla and golden syrup before fading away to leave an aftertaste of orange blossom honey. It’s a very good whisky… which leads me to my tale.
Growing up, my dad, who was not the least bit ‘manly’, let me know that the whisky decanter in the corner cocktail cabinet was his. It was ‘for men’. I was allowed to drink sherry from at least the age of 7; wine and Champagne, too – well, we are European in England, even if some choose to think of us as an isolated, island race. My American friends are shocked that we grew up drinking but it was normal and alcohol was appreciated, not binged. It still is.
I tasted my first whisky by accident because of this. It was my paternal granny’s funeral and my uncle had poured what I assumed to be glasses of sherry when we all trooped back to his house. Being me, I chose the largest glass – and discovered that the sherry was, in fact, whisky. It was Bell’s which can’t compare to Bowmore but I still have a soft spot for it because of that memory.
Fast forward a couple of decades and dad has died but the whisky decanter still remains. Being a helpful daughter, I tasted it for mum so she could clean its rather grubby but beautiful decanter. And… I can’t even begin to explain both the shock and utter disgust I felt when I realised that dad, who’d boasted that whisky was only for men, couldn’t even drink it neat or slightly diluted but had hugely diluted the entire decanter!
Not just his own glass but the whole lot.
What was worse was that he would proudly offer this to family friends, real men who played rugby and understood the rules of cricket. Real men who might choose to dilute their whisky a little but only in their own tumblers.
There was just a hint of peat left and the other tastes had virtually disappeared but it really tasted like slightly peaty water. It was appalling. My dad killed a 12-year-old Bowmore! I can’t bring myself to pour it away but the Bowmore I tasted today was the real thing – from the same bottle as that butchered, diluted decanter. I can only apologise to the distillers who made a beautifully smooth, lightly peated whisky for the ghost whisky in the decanter. Poor dad!
15
Tonight’s choice is a 1993 Tullibardine which stresses it’s a ‘single Highland malt… of majestic qualities’ – their italics. But does it live up to the ‘fine, rare, smooth & mellow’ description of its very talkative front label? I can never resist a whisky that the distillers describe as ‘eminently quaffable – nor have I seen a label with such proud claims but it’s a decent dram.
The nose is smoky with lemon and floral gums behind it. It’s a bit sneezy, to be honest. But it’s definitely quaffable – banoffee pie, popcorn, vanilla with a double hit of oak. The aftertaste is caramel and a hint of bonfire.
I’m getting near the end of the bottle and I’ll miss it, even though it’s a smooth and mellow, fairly light, everyday whisky. Ideal for unwinding at the end of a long day.
14
And it’s back to the 1970s tonight for Logan’s De Luxe Whisky from the White Horse Cellar. It’s 70˚ proof and a blended whisky ‘from the oldest and most famous distlleries’. De Luxe is their spelling – two separate words – and it’s a 1970s whisky from my mum’s cocktail cabinet. It comes in a rectangular bottle with ridges which makes it stand out on the shelf, although the branding is surprisingly subtle. It doesn’t scream White Horse.
It’s a working whisky with heavy peat on the nose and some apple pie. The taste is surprising but that might be down to changing tastes amongst whisky drinkers, it lacks the butchness and depth of some more modern whiskies – it’s very light but with a wham of peat and opens up beautifully to vanilla, oak, caramel, liquorice, bonfire and lemon meringue pie.
Despite being so peaty, it’s very gentle and smooth and the aftertaste of sherry is appealing. I’d buy more of this if it were readily available. It’s an easy, everyday whisky. Almost too easy.
Warning: this is the type of drink that will creep up on you unawares as it doesn’t taste as alcoholic as it is so you could get caught out pouring one too many.
13
It’s an exciting and unusual choice tonight as I was allowed to help myself to whisky from my mum’s cocktail cabinet so expect a few 1970s whiskies to come – starting with Haig Dimple. This has got a fabulous dimpled bottle and the taste is as appealing as the bottle. It’s a blended, unaged whisky with burnt toffee, apple and smoked oak on the nose with a smooth, light and peaty whisky to taste. There are orange, cardamom, cinnamon, caramel and vanilla notes with an underlying bonfire taste which gives way to an aftertaste of crème brulée.
It’s a well-rounded whisky, with lots of complexity. Vintage bottles such as this are still available from specialist retailers. Expect to pay around £100-200 for a bottle or buy modern versions, such as the 15-year-old which featured in the cult TV series, Breaking Bad, according to Master of Malt, one of the retailers who sell Dimple. In America, it’s known as Dimple Pinch but with the same distinctive dimpled bottle.
12
It’s a cold night so perfect for a Christmassy-feel whisky. Tonight is Glen Orrin Special Reserve, aged 30 years, from Aldi. This was the sell-out whisky last year, despite being around £50 for a blended. You’re getting a lot of age for the money.
It’s a thick whisky, almost a cross between cough mixture and Christmas pudding but so much better than that sounded! Orange and toffee on the nose, then orange, cinnamon, vanilla and oak. It’s not a subtle drink but full of flavour and fairly smooth with no harsh afterbite. It fades gently to crème caramel.
A good whisky for those who prefer their drink to have an appealing sweetness. It’s not big and butch, neither is it complex but it works.
As an aside, I’m a huge fan of Aldi’s drinks section and will be blogging about their wines in the New Year. I’ve stocked up on their Minarete Ribera del Duero today, a big fruity red. Perfect with lamb or on its own. More on that next year.
11
Ballantine’s aged 17 years blended whisky tonight. Lemon pie and butterscotch on the nose, smooth coffee, caramel, a hint of sea water and apple pie with vanilla cream to taste. Opens up to burnt toffee.
Price compares to a good single malt and causes confusion for those who look down on blended. There are some excellent blended whiskies out there and, for me, Ballantine’s is one of the best.
10
It’s a classic tonight with 15-year-old Glenlivet, the French Oak Cask Reserve. Refreshing melon and banana on the nose, cinnamon toast, toffee, honey and chocolate. A gentle, smooth whisky with real fruitiness. The aftertaste is caramel and apple. The oak is subtle but adds to the finish of this quality, everyday dram.
9
Staying with Speyside for tonight with The Glenrothes Select Reserve, a single malt using whisky from different years. I love the bottle, a beautifully bulbous one which looks very touchable and distinguishes itself from classic whisky bottle – just as Hendrick’s does from other gins. It stands out which is a great ploy in a busy market but it’s let down by the squeakiest cork I’ve ever heard. I actually flinched opening this one and will probably just decant the rest of the bottle to avoid not just the sound but the tight squeeze which made it hard to open. But that’s a problem with the bottling, not the contents.
I love the nose – vanilla latte, followed by matching vanilla and coffee taste, cinnamon and orange, plus a well-balanced undertone of liquorice. It’s very Christmassy, then drifts off gently; a very mellow whisky. It’s enjoyable, inoffensive, a lovely open whisky but doesn’t quite match the promise of its appealing bottle. That said, I wouldn’t say no if someone offered me another bottle. This is a staple of my whisky shelf but as a very pleasant, everyday whisky. Neighbouring Balvenie Doublewood is in a different league.
8
Tonight’s whisky Advent calendar is Balvenie Doublewood (aged 12 years). Sherry and jelly babies on the nose, tasting of redcurrants, toffee, vanilla, honey and oak. Beautifully smooth and welcoming, a light and open whisky with a gentle tangerine aftertaste.
The Doublewood in question starts with being aged in whisky oak casks before being matured for a few months in sherry oak casks which gives the whisky a gentle and smooth richness, the vanilla taste enhanced with a fruitiness and an undercurrent of oak.
I’m loving my 25-dram whisky Advent calendar but tonight is the first night I’m pouring a second dram. I might be having a word with Santa!
7
Back to Scotland for tonight’s #whisky Advent Calendar with Bunnahabhain (aged 12 years). Jelly babies and strawberry on the nose. Goes down smoothly with a kiss of peat, coffee and burnt toffee, giving way to molasses and a hint of rum. A great everyday whisky, especially for those who want some peat but not too much.
Possibly the hardest whisky to spell but one of my regular drams. Also available as miniatures – so perfect for popping into a Christmas cracker!
6
Off to Australia for tonight’s #whisky Advent calendar for Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask which came in a four-whisky box from Drinks by the Dram – a great way to discover more unusual whisky without investing in a whole bottle. Santa, please note, this is the perfect present for whisky drinkers. As their French Oak Cask currently has a two-month wait, it might be the best way to buy the whisky at the moment.
Sullivans Cove is an award-winning distillery based in Hobart, Tasmania. Knowing it’s Australian, I’m expecting a big butch, hit you in the face whisky, heavy on the oak as the name suggests. I’m also expecting it to be worthy of the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky from the 2014 World Whisky Awards, as well as numerous other titles. Interesting to go beyond my usual Scottish and Japanese whiskies with the odd Welsh, English and Irish whiskies thrown in for good measure.
Petrol on the nose with clementine at the back, it bites as it goes down with a heavy punch of oak, giving way to vanilla, cinnamon, pear drops and molasses. The aftertaste is almost a whisper of Christmas cake which disappears quickly.
Interesting but I expected more Portiness from the cask and a longer finish. I need to try it again but I won’t be putting my name down on the waiting list, I prefer my whisky to have less of a punch.
5
Tonight’s Advent calendar whisky is a blended Scotch – Monkey Shoulder which combines Balvenie, Glenfiddich and Kininvie. It’s got a very open taste, bursting with flavours including vanilla, oats, butterscotch, oak, butter and honey.
It smells of pear drops, goes down smoothly then bites back a little but it’s a very more-ish whisky and, if (unlike me) you ever dilute your Scotch, this would be perfect for a hot toddy.
I also love the name which is in honour of a common injury amongst workers at the distillers. From turning the barley, apparently. A tempting buy just for the curved shape of the bottle with the monkeys on its shoulder but the contents are definitely for drinking – unlike Crystal Head Vodka where the eye-catching skull bottle isn’t even worth opening.
A very enjoyable, everyday whisky.
4
Day 4 of the whisky Advent calendar and I’ve opened a new bottle – Talisker Storm. Richer, more intense than Talisker, which is one of my everyday favourites. It’s warm and smooth with a wealth of peatiness, pear drops, clementine, toffee and apple.
The taste hurtles towards you. This is not one for those who prefer their whisky to whisper at them. It’s a shouter, with almost overwhelming peatiness but a fun addition to my whisky shelf. I’ll definitely drink it again but will stick to Talisker for quieter evenings.
Update: The lingering aftertaste lasted for over 45 minutes which was far too long. Take a mint after 10 minutes if you don’t want to go round smelling of a distillery all evening.
3
Today’s whisky Advent calendar is 13-year-old Speyside, a Glenkeir Treasure with liquorice undertones, warming honey and a gentle peatiness. It’s exclusive to The Whisky Shop where it’s sold in casks, buyers just choose their bottle size.
2
Tonight’s Advent calendar whisky is Highland Park, aged 12 years. Peaty oomph with toffee and marmalade. Lingering aftertaste which turns bacony in the mouth.
1
Okay, my homemade Advent calendar starts today – a different dram of whisky for the next 25 days. Today’s was provided by mum this morning, a rare blended Scotch for me but it’s been chosen by my local brewery in Lewes: Harvey’s Lewes Blend Whisky. It’s an eight-year-old whisky.
Very light with a bite but orange notes, a hint of caramel and a lingering, slightly burning aftertaste. Not peaty but a hint of smoke. Have to admit that this isn’t a bottle I’d buy again, just a bit too sharp for my tastes. It’s disappointing that no information about the distillery/ies is included on the bottle of this blended whisky.
Quaffed 