My Online retailer Top Ten Christmas picks for 2013!

HoHoHo!

 

Jingle bells and Hogmanay Drams, the festive joys are upon us and the mad shoppers are out in force getting there festive pressies and treats, the boys at the booze shops have their specials ready and there festive recommendations and discounts, I recently made a list of My Hong Kong Top Ten Christmas picks for 2013 so I thought I would give my online picks.

 

 

So enough babble let’s get on with it, here’s my pick for your festive treats, pressies and Hogmanay Drams.

 

Again in no particular order.

 

1     The Balvenie Doublewood 17 Year Old - Speyside

The Balvenie Doublewood 17 Year Old is now part of the Speyside distillery’s core range. An older version of The Balvenie’s most popular whisky – The Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old – this whisky is an indulgent treat to enjoy during the holidays. Described as delivering deep vanilla notes with green apple and creamy toffee flavours, and with a golden caramel colour, The Balvenie Doublewood 17 Year Old is a whisky to settle down with on special occasions such as Christmas.

 

 

2     Bruichladdich 22 Year Old - Islay

Revived by a group of whisky-loving investors at the turn of the millennium, the prolific Bruichladdich distillery continues to go from strength to strength, with a rather bewildering array of small-scale releases. One of their more accessible recent launches, this relatively inexpensive, crowd-pleasing blend of different vintages is sweet, fruity and creamy with a whisper of Islay iodine.

 

 

 

 

3     ARRAN Amarone Finish – Islands

A new finish from Arran as they consolidate their range. Given the high strength and care of selection the price isn't bad. We love Amarone wine and we love Arran but will we like the combination?  A well-balanced combination of the finesse of The Arran Malt and the restrained fruit and oak from the Amarone casks. Concentrated and elegant this malt delivers on all levels.

 

 

 

 

4     Balblair 1989 - Highland

A gutsy malt with a golden hue and rich aromas of raisin, apple and hints of banana and lemon. On the palate it has yet more fruit, pronounced spicy notes and warm, toffee undertones from the American oak in which it was aged. The finish is smooth and lingering. Rich, complex fruit with hints of spice and a smooth finish - what more can you ask for? Alter Ego: Nigella Lawson; voluptuous and comforting, whilst retaining an edge. A good companion to cheeky midnight trips to the larder.

 

 

 

 

5     SPRINGBANK 9 Year Old Gaja Barolo - Campbeltown

Another interesting wood expression from Springbank distillery. Initially aged in refill bourbon barrels for 4 years it then spends 5 years in refill Gaja Barolo wine barrels from Italy to create a thick sumptuous flavour.

 

 

 

 

 

6     BIG PEAT Christmas – Islay

AHHH! Christmas. This blended malt contains some of the iconic and supremely drinkable peaty whiskies from Islay (Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen are mentioned) and all bottled at cask strength.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7     Highland Park 30 year old - Islands

The nose is full and rich. Some floral notes develop with hints of acacia honey. Dark toffee with honeycomb and notes of juicy sultana. There are some date notes with a touch of sugary fresh pastry. The palate is warm and rich. Notes of winter spice and sherried raisins, hints of mixed peels and manuka honey sweetness. A little mocchaccino note lies somewhere in the mix with a little rum. The finish is long with toasty oaked spice.

 

 

8     Glenfarclas 25 Year Old - Speyside

If you like sherried whisky, you will love this super 25 year old from Glenfarclas. It oozes noble blood and devastating class.

 

 

 

 

 

9     TOMATIN 18 Year Old – Highlands

Delicious sweet sherry bursts up you, and plateaus with undertones of fresh apples, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup and a hint of smoky heather. Initial maturation in re fill American oak casks, married in Oloroso sherry butts prior to bottling. “What a well-mannered malt. As if it grew up in a loving, caring family and behaves itself impeccably from first nose to its last whimpering finale”.

 

 

10   Whisky Advent Calendar

The Whisky Advent Calendar! Now returning for a second outing, it still laughs in the face of chocolate advent calendars. "Ha!"
Behind each of the 24 windows lies a different 3cl sample dram of delicious whisky! This year, be sure to count down to Christmas in style! As each calendar is the same you'll be able to discuss the dram that's revealed each day, whether it be a single malt Scotch whisky or some other treat from around the world, with other proud owners of one of the very best things ever.