Step up your gift game this Christmas with these fab bottles of whisky.
Whether you’re buying for a genuine whisky enthusiast or just need to buy something classy for a man with otherwise inscrutable taste, it’s nice to get something a little bit different. We asked some of London’s whisky experts what they’d like to get under the tree this year – here are their suggestions!
First up, Thom Salberg from the ultra-swish east London whisky den Black Rock suggests…
Zuidam Millstone 2009 Barrel Proof Rye, £56
‘Zuidam is a Dutch producer of genever and gin… and amazing whisky, as we are repeatedly finding out! The Barrel Proof is The Whisky Exchange’s second exclusive bottling, and it is incredible: big, strong and full of character. It wowed us this year – and a lot of our guests as well.’ Buy it here.
BenRiach 17-year-old Pedro Ximenez Finish, £69
‘Amazing producer of speyside whiskies. Big and fruity, but incredibly well balanced. If you can find the peated expression the Septendecim, which is currently discontinued, prepare to be wowed.’ Buy it here.
Octomore 2010 Edition 7:3, £150
‘One of my favorites from Bruichladdich. Made with Islay Barley, and heavily peated, the smoke is really well integrated, the body is really light, and the whisky is just gorgeous.’ Buy it here.
Four Roses Single Barrel, £40
‘Four Roses Single Barrel was my first favorite whisky ever and still has a big place in my heart. Amazing neat, dangerously great in an Old Fashioned. Outstanding whisky.’ Buy it here.
Loch Lomond 12 Year Old, £40
‘My favourite value for money whisky. Fantastically well balanced, from a brilliant Highland producer that never ceases to amaze me.’ Buy it here.
Andy Mill from the awesome Cocktail Trading Company on Brick Lane shares…
R & B Raasay While We Wait Single Malt Scotch Whisky, £52
‘I was lucky enough to go along to the opening of R&B Distillers’ Raasay Distillery earlier this year on the little Scottish island, and I’m really looking forward to tasting their Scotch when it’s ready to drink in a few years time. In the meantime, I would personally love a bottle of R&B’s Raasay While We Wait single malt; it has a gentle peat smoke flavour and fruity notes which means it works really well with black cherries in a wintery Manhattan. It’s a really interesting, complex whisky and a new favourite of mine.’ Buy it here.
Cristian Cuevas is the operations manager at Bull In A China Shop, a sweet little spot in Shoreditch dedicated to whisky and rotisserie chicken. His selections:
Balblair 19 Year Old Art Of Whisky Mashing, £100
‘I think that this Balblair 19 Year Old would make a fantastic present. 171 bottles have been released, and it can either be drunk – or it can be the start of a whisky collection! The liquid, as always from Balblair, is fantastic.’ Buy it here.
Linkwood 15 year old, Gordon & Macphail bottling, £49
‘If it was a present for me, I’d be very happy opening this under the Christmas tree! It’s an amazing whisky at an amazing price.’ Buy it here.
And finally Stroo, the whisky aficionado behind the drinks at Soho’s Blade Hairclub, picks…
Bunnahabhain 12 Single Malt, £36
‘Fix your cocktail cabinet on the cheap AND impress your friends by resurrecting an old 70s cocktail, The Godfather, this festive season. Mix in a tumbler with Disaronno Amaretto, ice, orange bitters and an orange twist, then sit back and enjoy your Christmas cake in the form of candied booze.’ Buy it here.