What is the Best Christmas Whisky?

Christmas is a fun and joyous occasion. It’s a holiday to share good times with loved ones and to enjoy a good old fashioned Christmas whisky.

During the colder months, you crave rich, warm and spiced flavours. Whiskies with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove capture the essence of holiday spices

So, what is the best whisky for Christmas? The ideal choice should capture the festive spirit, with flavours that pair well with holiday foods such as a spiced whisky.

Christmas Whisky for Scotch Connoisseurs

If your a whisky enthusiast and you love your scotch, the festive season calls for single malts from iconic regions:

Speyside Whiskies:

Speyside whiskies offer fruity notes and a sweetness that is perfect for the holidays. We would recommend you try:

• Glenfiddich 15 Year Old: Is a single malt whisky that has flavours of warm spice and dark fruits. This whisky is ideal for a gift or a special occasion like Christmas.

Islay Whiskies:

Try an Islay whisky if you like bold and smoky flavours. If you’re seeking something distinctive this Christmas, we would recommend you try:

• Ardbeg 10 Year Old: Is held in high regard by whisky connoisseurs for its well-balanced smoky and peaty flavour.

Highland Whiskies: 

Highland Whisky has a balance of rich and light characteristics. They can complement a variety of festive dishes from savoury meats, to desserts. You should try:

• Dalmore 15 Year Old: Is a whisky that has been matured in various sherry casks. It offers you notes of winter spice and dried fruit. 

These whiskies are perfect for Christmas and pair beautifully with festive desserts such as Christmas pudding. The pudding's sweetness and fruity flavours complement the rich notes of Scotch whisky. For a contrasting flavour, you should try serving whisky with a cheeseboard. A creamy brie, for example, balances the smokiness of a peaty whisky.

Christmas Whisky for Single Malt Enthusiasts

If you are a single malt whisky drinker, you’ll appreciate taking the time to savour the finer details. The perfect Christmas whisky will offer distinctive and nuanced flavours, making each sip special. That's why you should look for bottles from renowned distilleries and older single malts that provide intricate layers of flavour. It's worth trying:

• Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Reserva Rum Cask Finish: Is finished in casks that once carried Caribbean rum, giving it flavours of ginger spice and sweet toffee.

• Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old: Is a fully rounded single malt that has notes of vanilla and nutmeg. This whisky gives a rich and warm finish that would pair excellently with your Christmas celebration.

• Lagavulin 16 Year Old: Its long maturation process creates a rich, smoky and peaty flavour. This whisky would make a great contrast to the sweetness of Christmas. 

These whiskies would make a great addition to your Christmas dishes. They would pair well with festive desserts such as Christmas pudding or gingerbread. You could also enjoy them alongside honey glazed vegetables and meats, for a sweet combination. Peaty flavours complement savoury dishes like roast meats. However, they can also balance out the sweetness of a fruitcake. 

Cask Influence:

Now consider the styles of casks. A sherry or bourbon cask can add more elements of dried fruit or vanilla, similar to holiday treats. For a Christmas single malt you should try:

• Buffalo Trace Bourbon: Produced by one of America's oldest distilleries, this bourbon has hints of spiced caramel and vanilla. It finishes smoothly with notes of brown sugar and dark fruit.

Christmas Whiskey for American Whiskey Enthusiasts

If you are an American whiskey drinker, you will often enjoy the rich and heavy notes they have to offer. The best Christmas whiskey will offer a warm and comforting flavour. These are typically found in either bourbon or rye.  

Bourbon Options:

Bourbon is a great festive drink for its sweet notes of caramel and its smoothness. You should consider trying:

• Maker's Mark:  A great introduction to the world of bourbon. This bourbon is produced in Kentucky and has notes of caramel, vanilla and woody oak.

• Buffalo Trace spirits: Is a whiskey that lingers on the palate, with flavours of dark fruit and sweet toffee. A hint of cinnamon develops with each sip, adding to its complexity.

Rye Whisky:

Rye whisky is spicy and boldly charismatic. You can enjoy it neat, over ice or in a Christmas cocktail. We suggest you give a try to:

• WhistlePig: Made with 100% rye it has a spicy flavour and includes cinnamon and caramel. It has a warm finish, with an after taste of butterscotch. 

A bourbon whisky is a great Christmas drink. You should try sweeter bourbons with honey-glazed pork for a harmonious flavour or pair them with a dark chocolate cake to enhance the rich toffee notes. The spiciness of a rye whisky can capture the warm flavours of a spiced apple pie, making a festive pairing.

Christmas Whiskey for Irish Whiskey Enthusiasts

Irish whiskey can be a great choice for festive gatherings. The characteristics of the best Irish whiskies are light in flavour and easy to drink. You can serve them neat, on the rocks or stirred within a classic Irish coffee. We highly recommend you try:

• Jameson Irish Whiskey: A classic Irish whisky that has a balanced flavour and is easily drinkable at any time of the year.

• Redbreast 12 Year Old: Is matured in both sherry and bourbon seasoned oak casks for at least 12 years. This whisky has flavours of buttery hot-cross-buns, warm spices and dried fruits.

• Teeling Small Batch: Is made with a blend of malt and grain whiskeys. Aged in ex-Bourbon barrels, it has hints of vanilla and rum raisin.

A classic Jameson can be paired with a classic roast turkey and cranberry sauce. The balanced whisky complements the savoury turkey and the tartness of the cranberry sauce. You can also create a great sweet and savoury combination by pairing an Irish whisky with a cheese platter. Whisky, joined with soft cheeses such as brie and dried fruits create a delightful combination.

Christmas Whisky for Sherry Lovers

Whiskies developed by sherry casks are rich and sweet, a perfect drink to have at Christmas. Their smooth flavours create a warm feeling that complements holiday celebrations perfectly. If you are a sherry fan we would recommend you to keep an eye out for brands such as Macallan and Aberlour. They are known for producing some of the finest sherry-aged whisky. Why not give a try to:

• Macallan's Sherry Oak: Is matured in hand-picked sherry seasoned oak casks. The final product is full of flavours of mature oak, ginger and raisins.

• Aberlour A'bunadh: Has notes of raisin and fruitcake. Its sweet and rich flavour is because of its sherry cask maturation. 

Whiskies with a deep and sweet flavour from sherry casks can be combined with sugary festive treats. The fruity notes of raisin and fruitcake in Aberlour A'bunadh pair nicely with the spiced, sweet flavours of a traditional mince pie.

Christmas Whisky for Peat Enthusiasts

If you are a peat lover you will be looking for a bold and smoky whisky this Christmas. Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin are whiskies with a strong peatiness. We would recommend you try:

• Ardbeg 10 Year Old: Is held in high regard by whisky connoisseurs for its well-balanced smoky and peaty flavour.

• Laphroaig 10 Year Old: A classic single malt Scotch whisky, made from malted barley. It has a rich, smoky flavour with a warm finish.

• Lagavulin 16 Year Old: Is aged for at least sixteen years in oak casks, giving it a smoky flavour with a hint of sweetness.

• Port Charlotte 10 Year Old: Is distilled, matured and bottled on Islay. It has a classic peaty flavour and underlying notes of ginger and nutmeg

Peat whiskies can be your ideal Christmas drink if you enjoy savoury meats. Their rich, smoky flavour pairs wonderfully with appetisers such as smoked salmon and nuts. For the main course, they complement meats such as lamb and beef beautifully. Cured meats and aged cheeses also make an excellent duo, enhancing the whisky's deeper flavours.

The Best Whisky for Global Explorers

Whisky is made all over the world, so why not try something new? This Christmas, you might find a festive drink from another country. A great whisky can take you on a journey with each sip. Here are some whiskies from around the world that you should consider:

Japanese Whiskies:

Japanese whisky is usually less peated and lighter on the palette. They use spring water and mizunara oak to build casks. This adds a unique flavour to their whisky. We would recommend you try:

• Hibiki Japanese Harmony: Is one of Japan’s most awarded and well-loved whiskies. It is a blend of Japanese malt and grain whiskies that has a fruity flavour with hints of light spice.

• Nikka Coffey Grain: A Japanese single-grain whisky that is made from 100% malted barley. This whisky has flavours of vanilla, coffee and butterscotch. 

Canadian Whiskies:

Canadian whiskey is known typically to be light and sweet, which would be great for Christmas. All Canadian whiskey needs to be aged for at least 3 years. You should check out:

• Lot No. 40: A rye whisky made using 100% unmalted rye. It has notes of pepper, vanilla and brown sugar.

• Canadian Club 6 Years Old: A Canadian whisky known for its light and slightly sweet flavour profile. Aged for six years, it offers flavours of crème brulee, honey and vanilla.

Swedish Whiskies

Swedish whisky is usually made with locally-sourced grains, peat and fresh water. Flavours can vary from light and fruity to rich and smoky. You might enjoy trying:

• Mackmyra Brukswhisky: A light Swedish whisky that is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon casks and Swedish oak. It has flavours of vanilla, autumn fruits and spices.

The Ultimate Whisky for Collectors

Christmas time is a great occasion to open a limited edition or rare bottle. However, it would also make a thoughtful gift for any whisky collector. 

Collectible Brands:

Some collectable whiskies include:

• Macallan Edition No. 6: Is the last release in The Macallan Edition series. This is a delightful option for collectors of this series and is perfect for the festive season. It has notes of nutmeg, ginger, chocolate and toffee.

• Glenfiddich 26 Year Old Grand Cru: Is a luxurious single malt whisky that has been finished in rare French Cognac casks. Aged for 26 years it has a buttery and sweet flavour.  

• Springbank 21 Year Old: This whisky spends at least 21 years maturing in Campbeltown warehouses. Known for its exceptional quality, this single malt whisky has flavours of raisins, sweet dates and figs.

Find the Best Christmas Whisky at Lochs of Whisky

We hope you have found a whisky that is perfect for you this Christmas. Whether you're hosting a big family dinner or having a quiet evening, there's a whisky out there.

If you're looking for a special Christmas gift, our miniature whisky bottles are perfect for whisky lovers. They are a thoughtful way to sample different flavours before committing to a full-sized bottle. It's a great way to share the joy of whisky this holiday season.

For more insights and recommendations, be sure to check out our full selection of whisky at Lochs of Whisky.