Five Christmas Drams
At Around 50€
In my talks and tastings, I share whisky from my collection. Which is rare and limited in availability. So with Christmas creeping up on us, I thought I would share 5 whiskies which are both available and affordable. These five are all around the 50€ price point and they all deserve a place at your table, or under your tree. Preferably in your glass!
Oh! And don't forget to check out my blog entry "Whisky and Christmas Day".
Glendronach Traditionally Peated
The Glendronach distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland and is still very traditional in many ways. It is located near Huntley in the Highlands region, and takes its name from the Dronach Burn. Glendronach was founded in 1826 and has had many owners. The most recent is Brown-Forman who took ownership in 2016.
This whisky has been matured in Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso sherry and port casks. The peat is not strong and makes a perfect dram for a Christmas by the open fire. It has no age statement as it is a single malt made up of several (yummy) casks.
Nose: Toffee, molasses and dark honey combined with delicately smoky barley.
Palate: Oranges and molasses combine with cloves and blackberries.
Finish: Dark fruits and a hint of licorice accompany the intense, earthy finish.
A powerful whisky that retails just under 50€ a bottle.
Glenallachie 12 Year
Glenallachie Distillery was opened in 1968 to supply the blended industry. It was in 2017 that it was bought by Billie Walker, whose career spans over 50 years working at Ballantine’s, Deanston, Tobermory, BenRiach, GlenDronach, Glenglassaugh and finally GlenAllachie. He has worked wonders applying his knowledge and skills to produce some great core ranges. Glenallachie 12 is one of them.
Nose: Intense and rich. Fresh and dry fruit, figs and dates. caramel and some dried orange peel.
Palate: Orange-flavoured caramel, followed by dark chocolate and coffee, some malt notes, a bit of ginger & vanilla, some fruitiness and just a touch of oak
Finish: The finish is all dark sherry notes, and rich coffee with a hint of chocolate, dates, and sweet spices.
A true christmas cake whisky for around 50€.
Glen Scotia 15 Year
Glen Scotia, originally called just Scotia, was established in 1832 in Campbeltown by the town’s Dean of Guild James Stewart and Provost John Galbraith. After closing twice and being re-opened by new owners, it is now in the hands of the Loch Lomond Group who have invested and developed this legendary brand. Increasing capacity, opening warehouses and creating a visitor centre. Today, Glen Scotia continues to thrive at the heart of the “whiskiest” place in the world.
Glen Scotia 15 years Single Malt is an exceptionally beautiful whisky that has been allowed to mature in American oak barrels for 15 years. The taste of Glen Scotia 15 years contains notes of vanilla and dark red fruits.
Nose: citrus peel and ginger biscuits, pleasantly sweet aromas of ripe apricots and fruit salad - followed by spicy oak and baked fruits
Palate: the nose suggests full, ripe fruit notes, but the taste is surprisingly dry, then notes of caramel and spicy oak
Finish: the slightly dry finish is harmonious and round
Another Christmas taste but a tad more expensive than the others so far. This one sells for around 60€.
Lindores Abbey Thiron
Lindores Abbey started producing spirit in 2017. In 2016, Drew, Helen and Poppy travelled to Thiron-Gardais, a small town in France, with a keenness to learn about the birthplace of the monks who founded Lindores Abbey.
Whilst there, they visited an area of woodland where Thiron Oak trees grew, and so began the journey that led to this very release. This whisky features a contribution from spirit that was matured in casks handcrafted using wood sourced from Thiron-Gardais. Alongside specially selected Rejuvenated Red Wine Barriques and Bourbon casks, this whisky is exceptional on the nose and palate, providing an immersive journey through time with each sip, decanting history with every dram. How poetic is that?!
Nose: Aromas of mellow vanilla cake, caramel syrup, baking spices and fruity plum jam.
Palate: Flavours of oaky vanilla and butterscotch, undertones of more plum jam playing with cinnamon & ginger, and layers of roasted chestnuts.
Finish: Smooth and silky
This is a Limited Edition release and is selling for around 55€.
Arran Port Cask Finish
Wonderful granite mountains, peaty plains and good water. This is the Isle of Arran, an island off the west coast of Scotland. Whisky production on the island paused for over 150 years until Harold Currie founded the Arran Distillery with David Hutchinson in 1991. A clever financing idea was the sale of promissory notes, which were to be exchanged for whisky after a few years. The concept worked and the distillery opened its doors in 1995. The distillery was actually supposed to open in 1994, but the opening was delayed by a year as two golden eagles built their nest on a cliff near the distillery, causing construction to pause. The eagles even made it onto the Arran Distillery logo.
This Port Finish whisky is full of Christmas cheer.
Nose: Intense fruits, mandarins surrounded by vanilla, spices and toffee.
Palate: The fruits come out even more clearly during the tasting. Raisins and prunes can be tasted just as much as cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish: Long lasting and sweet.
And that at a price under 50€.