8 Single Malt Whisky Ideas For Christmas

It’s that time of year again! The Christmas lights are on, party season is in full swing and the debilitating indecision that haunts shopping for family members is building. Of course, nothing says Merry Christmas like a bottle of single malt whisky.

With the industry booming though, distilleries old and new are unleashing more beautifully packaged and positioned whiskies than ever before. It wasn’t that long ago that the dilemma rested on which of Scotland’s regions to choose, and budget permitting, how high the age statement should go. Perhaps, an Irish blend would mix things up a bit, but that was about the extent of it.

These days though, the flustered festive shopper has much more to consider. A whole new world of grain types, cask finishes, sustainability initiatives and limited releases must now be grappled with. Although this is fabulous news for the enthusiast, it can be a little overwhelming for those battling against the festive crush. So, here’s a helping hand - eight excellent single malts with a reason or two buy them.

Bunnahabhain Single Malt Scotch Whisky: 12 Year Old - 46.3%

Bunnahabhain derives from a Gaelic word meaning ‘Mouth of the River’ and describes the distillery’s position on the North East coast of Islay. This is a great value for whisky for those that enjoy a richer, toastier flavor.

Although known for its departure from Islay’s heavily peated style, there is quite a bit of smoky complexity in this. Indeed, it’s fairly Christmassy too, with notes of raisin, prune, cinnamon, honey, toffee and layers of rich wood sugars. It works neat, with water and in cocktails.

Isle of Harris Single Malt Scotch Whisky: ‘The Hearach’ (First Fill Olorosso Cask Matured) - 46%

It’s exciting to witness the revival of a distilling tradition on the small Hebridean island of Harris, a craft that has essentially been absent since the 1840s. At the heart of this resurgence is The Hearach, a whisky that pays homage to the island’s heritage, while appealing to the demands and expectations of contemporary drinkers. Its sister expression is produced in hand-selected ex Oloroso Sherry butts sourced from Huelva, Spain. Lightly peated, this is a very memorable whisky that balances a delicate smokiness with the unmistakable sweetness of sherry cask influence. Bright notes of citrus mingle with herbal undertones and warm cinnamon spice, creating a dynamic and evolving flavor profile that keeps you guessing. A great story and fabulous value.

Glendronach Single Malt Scotch Whisky: 12 Year Old - 43%

The Glendronach 12 year old is another very approachable single malt that sees the benefit of wood once soaked in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso. The distillery’s founder James Allardice, was an early pioneer of sherry cask maturation and today Glendronach continues that tradition, positioning its ethos as a marriage between robust Highland spirit and Andalusian barrels. There is a real winter’s day feel to this with moorish bruised fruit notes merging with smooth chocolate, gingerbread and sweet raisin. More complexity in the form of orange peel, sultana and Christmas spice. A great value whisky from the edge of Speyside.

Glenglassaugh Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Year Old - 44%

Glenglassaugh’s 12 year old single malt brings a little bit of summer fun to the table. Embodying a harmonious balance of the distillery’s signature coastal style, it shows succulent stone fruit notes coated with ocean spray. This is a really aromatic whisky for those that like something a bit lighter and fresher. It is designed to sip neat, or with a little water really, but its fruity and saline flavor profile makes it a luxurious component for highball cocktails. With relatively small capacity, this under the radar distiller focusses on quality over quantity, making this a great choice for someone appreciative of off-the-beaten-track whiskies. Still evolving as a project, Glenglassaugh is going to get better and better and it is a name to keep an eye on.

Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey: 26 Year Old Crystal Malt - 46%

For the indulgent enthusiast, is this prestigious window into Irish whiskey history. Costing upwards of $1000, the 26 year old single malt from Bushmills in Northern Ireland is one of the top Irish whiskies around. One of the few Irish distilleries able to meet this kind of age statement, it is clearly an ultra rare top shelf present, but one with undisputed pedigree. Created back in 1997 as Bushmills celebrated its 400th anniversary with an experimental first distillation of crystal malt, the whiskey has since rested at the Old Bushmills Distillery warehouse in first-fill Bourbon barrels, sourced from the Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky. Golden honey in color, this whiskey opens with aromas of sweet floral honeyed apples, mellow wood, and warm caramel. On the palate, creamy butterscotch gives way to layers of crème brûlée, roasted nuts, dark chocolate orange, spiced pear, and a touch of warm vanilla custard. A beautiful gift for those that know and appreciate their whiskeys.

Teeling Single Malt Irish Whiskey - 46%

Teeling Single Malt Irish Whiskey is made from 100% malted barley and aged in five different cask types, including Sherry, Port, Madeira, as well as wood previously used for white Burgundy. Its rich, fruit-forward profile is both complex and approachable, making it a great bottle to open up and share with guests. On the nose, there is melon, figs, toffee, and citrus. The palate follows with layers of dried fruits, vanilla, warm spice, and chocolate. Teeling was the Irish distillery to open in Dublin in 125 years and today is known for giving Irish Whiskey a contemporary feel. There is no focus on age statements, instead, like to meet customer’s with a range of cask finishes. Recognized as the "World’s Best Single Malt" at the 2019 World Whiskies Awards, Teeling Single Malt is still a great choice for enjoying neat, on the rocks, or in, for example, an Old Fashioned or Irish Coffee.

Kavalans Single Malt Whisky: Triple Sherry Cask - 40%

Located in Yilan County, Kavalan was the first non-government-owned distillery in Taiwan when it first opened in 2005. Since then it has achieved some of the industry’s highest honors, including IWSC’s “Distiller of the Year,” “Spirits Producer of the Year” and through the World Whiskies Awards, “World’s Best Single Malt.” The Triple Sherry Cask release is a rare combination of Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel-aged casks. Kavalan always provokes plenty of discussion amongst whisky enthusiasts, making this a great introduction for those with strong opinions. There is debate around the ‘accelerated’ maturation climate in Taiwan, the lack of age statements on Kavalan’s whiskies and their preference for lower alcohol levels. Regardless, in the glass this will appeal to many with its velvety texture and signature sweetness. Undoubtedly this will be popular with those that enjoy a much riper style of whisky.

Wolves American Single Malt Whisky - 48%

Building on a short but successful history of buzzy, sell-out limited releases, Wolves Single Malt American Whisky is now in year round production. Using 100% malted barley, the whiskey matures for five years in Californian wine barrels at a distillery in Arizona, and is then blended and finished in aged Cognac casks. Aiming to produce a liquid representation of the American west, it shows lots of rich, indulgent flavors. There is sweet fruit, caramel, roasted malt, and a touch of smoky oak, balanced with just enough ripe zest and citrus to keep things balanced and interesting. It’s robust without being heavy, and there’s a clarity to the flavors. Wolves isn’t trying to be traditional - this project is about making a whisky that stands on its own terms, and it does exactly that. Now that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has officially recognised American single malt as a whiskey category, we’ll be seeing far more of these around. Another thoughtful idea for the enthusiast.