It’s that time of year again. The unavoidable invasion of red-nosed reindeers and chubby old men dressed in Coca Cola colours lies ahead of us. For anyone on the lookout for whisky-realated gifts – be it for friends and family or for themselves – here are a few recommendations that offer great value for their price tags.
Bruichladdich’s entry level bottling is the current leader of the Dramming Bang-For-The-Buck List. A perfectly balanced whisky with a gentle maritime influence.
Score: 90/100 – Price Tag: £30
Intermediate: Ardbeg Uigeadail
Arguably this whisky offers the best value of the entire Ardbeg range. The strong peat is perfectly complemented by fruity sherry aromas that add another dimension to this dram.
Score: 92/100 – Price Tag: £50
No, it does not have to be Scotch for Christmas. Here is a true classic from Japan’s oldest distillery. There is sherry, there is wood, there is smoke, there is spice – this whisky has it all.
Score: 90/100 – Price Tag: £105
Deeper Pockets: Glenfarclas 40 yo
This is the the epitome of an aged sherried whisky, and furthermore it is one of the most affordable Scotch whiskies of this age. The luxurious character of this malt makes it the perfect Christmas whisky.
Score: 92/100 – Price Tag: £275
Bookshelf: Canadian Whisky – The Portable Expert
This book impressed me the most in 2012. Davin de Kergommeaux traces back the rich but largely forgotten history of Canada’s favourite tipple and explains the present.
Score: Brilliant – Price Tag: $15
