Let’s start with a few classics.

Bushmills Black Bush

In nearly all Irish cupboards you would find one of the big four settled in and waiting for a guest to arrive.

If you were a Bushmills house in the run up to Christmas, you’d likely add a bottle of Black Bush. Aged in both Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks, Black Bush displays flavours of stone fruits, dried fruits, orange peel and the traditional Bushmills spice making it a staple that will continue our cupboards at this time of year.

Redbreast 12 Year Old

Next on the list is another Irish classic, The Redbreast 12 Year Old is a Pot still whiskey with huge cultural influence.

Similarly to the Black Bush it is aged in both Bourbon and Sherry casks. However, the Pot still style takes its flavour to the next level over the Blended Black bush. Known for its Christmas cake comparisons it has big notes of dried fruits, treacle, Brazil nuts and spices such as ginger and cinnamon. It’s often our own Christmas present to ourselves.

Why not for someone else?  

Yellow Spot 12 Year Old

Staying with Irish whiskey is a favourite of anyone that has tried it Yellow Spot 12 Year Old.

Aged in Bourbon, Sherry and Malaga casks it is a beautifully smooth Pot still whiskey.

The Christmas spices are still there, but dialled down a level or two, with stone fruit, sweet honey and creamy notes coming to the fore. Crème brulée in a glass.

A must try for those who have not yet had the pleasure.

Shortcross Rye & Malt Irish Whiskey

Finishing our Irish recommendations, we have a whiskey from our neighbours and friends near our Crossgar home, Rademon Estate Distillery.

Shortcross Rye & Malt Irish is their second whiskey and has notes of stone fruit, orange peel, ginger spice, fudge and honey.

Bottled at 46% they are making whiskey the right way and are a worthy maker to consider for your festive dram.

Benromach 10 Year Old

First up, we have the Benromach 10 Year Old.

A Speyside whisky aged in Bourbon and sherry it has all the Dried fruit and vanilla notes you’d expect.

It has plenty of Christmas spice notes but what he adds compared to our Irish choices are those subtle smoky notes found often in Scotch.

A nice whiskey (or whisky) to have this festive period.

Torabhaig Cnoc Na Moine (Legacy Series) Single Malt

Speaking of smoky notes, we have the highly awaited third chapter in the Torabhaig Legacy Series, Cnoc Na Moine. Cnoc Na Moine or “Hill of peat” in Gaelic pairs Torabhaig robust peatiness with ageing in Bourbon and Sherry casks.

 Along with its big smoke and brine notes it has a lovely underscore of dried fruit, sweet spice and vanilla from the sherry and bourbon casks.

It needs some time to sit with and would be perfect for the compilation of the year past or the year future.  

Penderyn Madeira Finish

On to the wildcard of the bunch, Penderyn Madeira Finish Welsh Single Malt.

Penderyn produce award-winning single malt whiskies and spirits at their distillery on the foothills of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

This whisky is aged in Bourbon and Madeira casks and has those toffee, rich fruit and vanilla notes.

A nice dram for whisky enthusiasts and novices alike!