There is a wonderful world of whiskies to explore, with every bottle taking one’s tastebuds on a different journey. And the landscape is continually changing with a dizzying number of new (and old) expressions distilled in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Japan, and the southern US of A. It takes a serious whisky aficionado to distinguish single malts, blends, and bourbons made from corn, barley and rye.
For the serious spirit aficionado who prefers the finer things in life, here are five special whisky releases and themed gift sets.
Mortlach 20 Year Old
Two hundred years ago, Mortlach became the first Scottish distillery to legally produce whisky. Today, Mortlach defines a new code of luxury for modern, premium spirits with a unique distillation process that creates full-bodied, richly-textured single malts without the peat. Mortlach’s is use of quality sherry casks during maturation, contributing to the complex whisky’s robust spirit and fruity notes.
$248 via Drizly.
Lagavulin Distillers Edition
Double-matured in Pedro Ximenez-seasoned wine casks, Lagavulin Distillers Edition delivers flavors of rich sweetness, dark smokiness, salt and oaky spice. This expression pairs best with smoked meats, making it an ideal gift for fathers who love to fire up the grill or enjoy a dram by the hearth. The Lagavulin Distillers Edition gifting kit from TheBar.com contains a 750 ml bottle along with a pair of premium leather-and-suede grilling gloves.
$150 via The Bar.
Talisker Distillers Edition Gift Set
As a brand that is made by the seaside on the Isle of Skye, Talisker Distiller Edition is double-matured in Amoroso-seasoned casks. The wonderfully rounded, luscious, fruity sweetness complements the familiar crisp, dry peat-smoke and pepperiness of the original Talisker expression. It’s a perfect pairing with seafood, as are the mother-of-pearl caviar spoons in this limited-edition gift set.
$99 via The Bar.
Oban Distillers Edition
Oban’s craftsmen have remained anchored to the same distillery process for two centuries. The Oban Distillers Edition marque is delicately double-matured in Montilla Fino-seasoned casks, producing a sweet, creamy-smooth enhancement to the original fruity and salty Oban expression. The exclusive Oban Distillers Edition contains gifting accessories and a candle created by Heretic Parfum to complement the smoky oak, barley and citrus-fruit notes of this rare Oban liquid.
$95 via The Bar.
Old Parr Aged 18 Years
The smoothest whisky from the Old Parr House, Old Parr Aged 18 Years Scotch Whisky, is a meticulously crafted, full-bodied blend. Made of the finest aged Scotch whiskies from the heart of Scotland, the blend bursts with complex and robust flavors. Enjoy this bold drink neat or on the rocks to fully appreciate its unique, rich and balanced flavor.
$70 via Drizly.
