Winter is that time of year when we all feel like a warming drink. This could be a dram of one of the world's favourite and best known spirits - whisky.
There are many well-known brands on the market. However, it's the premium segment that offers the greatest interest and diversity of flavours. Yet how easy is it to navigate this wonderful world of whisky?
Russell Spratley of independent bottler and whisky cask broker, Spiritfilled, says: "One of the things that makes the whisky category so intriguing and desirable is it's complexity and diversity. Within Scotland there are over 140 distilleries from different regions, each producing very different liquids. Also, different oak types enrich the whisky depending on the wood, the age of the cask and the number of refills it has had."
Nathan Shearer, Speciality Brands whisk(e)y ambassador, adds: "Many whiskies have beautiful spicy notes and rich flavour characteristics that are delicious paired with rich, wintery comfort food."
So, whether you prefer cereal, fruity, floral, spice, maritime or smoky flavours, here are a few suggestions to help you find your ideal winter warmer for curling up to the fire with or rounding off that perfect meal:-
This superb Speyside whisky, which spends 18 months in PX sherry casks, is part of Spiritfilled's series of premium malt whiskies with unique bottle designs representing beautiful images of mythological creatures. It packs a punch, but feels refined from start to finish. An elegantly light nose with cinnamon and apple pie notes leads on to a palate that's complex, rich and spicy, but mellowed by rounded, fruity tones of apple sauce that persist on the long finish. RRP £70 from Spiritfilled.
Irish distillery, Waterford, has created the world's first biodynamic whisky. Rich, fruity, spicy, creamy and complex, this whisky will take you on an aroma and flavour journey. There are mouth-watering notes of lemon drizzle cake, orchard fruits, cloves, almonds, milk chocolate, mint tea and more with a long aftertaste. The distillery recommends enjoying either neat or with a few drops of water to allow the cereal notes and viscous texture to open up. RRP £92.95 from Master of Malt.
This multi-award-winning whisky from MacNair's Boutique House of Spirits comprises the finest vintage Speyside and Islay single malts, blended with aged GlenAllachie and matured in Spanish sherry casks, French oak and virgin oak casks. On the nose, there are notes of subtle peat smoke, dark chocolate shavings, runny honey and vanilla fudge. The palate shows old leather, cedarwood and gentle undertones of peat, alongside cocoa, vanilla pods and sweet spices. RRP £125 from high-end stockists.
… and last but not least - a cult classic!
America's first whiskey company, Michter's, releases limited editions each year in really small quantities, which are sought after by whisk(e)y fans and collectors. This luxury whiskey displays deep notes of vanilla and toffee, toasted almonds and cinnamon with crushed pepper and citrus. Deliciously indulgent! RRP £399.95 from Hard to Find Whisky.
So what we can expect in the future for luxury whisky?
Scotch and American whiskey are still top in the luxury world and fetch the highest value at auction and at retail. However, online purchasing is making it easier to find premium whiskies from around the globe. So, we are likely to see 'world whiskies' from Japan, Australia, England and beyond becoming more important in this market. Now there's something to drink to!
This article was first written for Sunseeker Magazine Issue 68, a luxury travel publication
