Around the world, it’s an all too familiar Christmas Eve routine for anyone with young children (and also, no doubt, for plenty of others too). The fireplace carrot for Rudolph, the mince pie for Father Christmas, accompanied by a glass of the perfect whisky. But which whisky?
Maybe I spend a bit too much time thinking about these things, but I always try to exercise a bit of imagination when making this seasonal choice – rather than simply reaching for the nearest available bottle and sploshing a casual dram into a glass.
So, when the bearded bearer of gifts has descended down our chimney in the past decade or so, he’s been confronted, yes, by whiskies from Scotland, Ireland and the US, but also from an increasingly cosmopolitan array of other locations: Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Denmark, New Zealand, India. Even, on more than one occasion, England.
Of course, I have no idea about Santa’s personal whisky preferences. I’ve proceeded on the basis that someone as well-travelled as him (on at least one night of the year, anyway) will appreciate exploring the wider world of whisky, especially now that you can find great liquid from just about every part of the globe. Even Lapland.
However, when it comes to purchasing whisky for loved ones at Christmas – or, indeed, for ourselves – we should have a bit more information on which to base our buying decisions. Even if we don’t have detailed intelligence on the gift receiver’s precise preferences in terms of flavour, style or origin, we (hopefully) have some insight about their essential character. Figure out what makes them who they are and you can start to put together some powerful clues about what to buy them.
But don’t be too predictable. It’s all too easy to think: ‘Well, they liked distillery x last year, so I’ll just get it again.’ But where’s the fun in that? A thoughtful whisky gift doesn’t just mirror the receiver’s personal preferences; sometimes it uses those predilections merely as a starting point, before gently ushering them out of their comfort zone and introducing them to something new. After all, that’s when the greatest and most exciting whisky discoveries are made. Just ask Father Christmas.
The perfect whisky for novices
Everyone’s beginning in whisky is different, but there’s usually a dram that converts you from curious outsider to devoted fan. It may not be a light whisky – for some, an Islay peat bomb will be the clincher – but your flavour preferences can help light the way.
So, if you love lipsmacking, zesty fruit, then the revamped Glenmorangie The Original 12 Year Old (Alc 40%) is a classic gateway malt; but those who hanker after something more powerful might plump for Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength (Alc 60%), a big, friendly Sherried giant.
Compass Box Nectarosity, Scotland
This blend’s core characters of virgin Missouri oak, Girvan grain and Clynelish malt make for a summer whisky to light up winter nights. This is positively brimming with tangerine, oak spice, punchy vanilla and a little black banana – before seguing into creamy-textured, warm tropical fruit and a drying finish. Alcohol 46%
The perfect whisky for Scotch lovers
Finding a whisky that universally pleases fans of Scotch is extraordinarily tricky, if not downright impossible. Do you go smoky – but not too smoky – with the peat/fruit/oak poise of Highland Park 18 Year Old (Alc 43%)?
Or veer towards the super-fruity with a classic expression from a sometimes overlooked distillery, such as Longmorn 18 Year Old Secret Speyside (Alc 48%), dripping with juicy mango and pineapple?
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet, Scotland
Now here’s a winter whisky in every sense: a limited edition, luxury blend for 2024 in association with lifestyle brand Perfect Moment, targeting the après-ski occasion. Blender Emma Walker used Met Office data to incorporate whiskies distilled during some of Scotland’s coldest winters, focusing on northern locations…
Source : https://www.decanter.com.master.public.keystone-prod-eks-euw1.futureplc.engineering/spirits/christmas-whiskies-for-all-517710/
