Tamdhu 15-years-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46%, Master of Malt, £77.50 for 70cl
Located in the heart of Speyside, Tamdhu distillery is famed for maturing its single malt exclusively in expensive sherry casks. The result in this expression, aged for 15 years, is a rich and unctuous Scotch that carries notes of Christmas cake, honey, dates and figs.
Ledaig 18-years-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46.3%, The Whisky Exchange, £79.95 for 70cl down from £84.95
Made at the Tobermory distillery on the Isle of Mull, Ledaig is named differently to the core Tobermory malt whisky, to mark it out as carrying a smoky, peaty style. This expression won specialist retailer the Whisky Exchange’s Whisky of the Year 2023 and comes layered with black pepper notes, sweet oak and rich smoke.
GlenAllachie 12-years-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46%, Royal Mile Whiskies, £53.95 for 70cl
The independently owned GlenAllachie distillery has become a “one to watch” since it was acquired by Billy Walker, the man who gave GlenDronach malt whisky such an amazing reputation. His style is for big flavours, and this whisky, matured for a minimum of 12 years in former Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, has an explosion of sweet cherry notes and rich oak spices
Ardnamurchan AD/ Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46.8%, Selfridges, £68.99 for 70cl
A new Scottish distillery, located in Glenbeg in the Western Highlands, which opened in 2014. Its releases have been garnering critical acclaim. AD/ is the first consistent and regular release from the distillery following a series of limited editions. A mix of 50% peated and 50% un-peated whisky, it shows off maturity beyond its years.
Glen Scotia Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46%, Amazon, £71.95 for 70cl
Remote Campbeltown is Scotland’s smallest whisky-producing region, boasting just three distilleries. However in the Victorian era it was one of the country’s biggest and busiest, and known as “the whisky capital of the world”. This single malt from the region’s Glen Scotia distillery aims to replicate the oily, unctuous and hugely flavoursome malt whisky from that time, and it does so with aplomb.