To mark International Whiskey Day we look at 5 entry-level single malts you should be stocking in your home bar this year.
If ever there was a day when you should be reaching for well-made single-malt whisky, it should be today, March 27, International Whiskey Day, a global celebration (with a good cause) of the distillers, distilleries, and distillates that we all love.
While you may still be discovering which kinds of whiskey you like, there’s nothing quite like well-made single-malt Scotch to define a sense of place and to captivate the palate. However, you needn’t break the bank to start discovering single-malts for yourself, with a host of great entry-level single malt whiskies on offer for very competitive prices.
Tamdhu 12 Year Old
An outstanding single-malt whisky from Speyside, one of Scotland’s most iconic whisky belts, Tamdhu has a century-old tradition of making whisky that’s matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks. You could say they were ahead of the curve when they choose this cost-intensive method back in the late 1800s.
Now produced by Ian Macleod Distillers Tamdhu 12 Year Old has been matured exclusively in hand-selected, Oloroso sherry oak casks for 12 years. The result is a wonderfully dark amber hue, a distinctive sherry richness and the long, smooth finish you want from a dram. Look for iced cinnamon rolls, orange boiled sweets, sweet oak, and a touch of mint of the palate, followed by a silky texture and a pleasantly long finish with a hint of peat smoke.
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Balvenie DoubleWood 12
A classic expression of the Speyside region of Scotland, home to big players like Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, and Macallan, Balvenie is produced by William Grant & Sons (who also make Glendiffich) and sees 12-year-old whisky given a second maturation in sherry casks to deliver a rich intensity. Packed with sweetness and toasted spice, this is a great sipping whisky and is bound to make you reminiscent of Christmas pudding.
Auchentoshan Three Wood
Produced just outside Glasgow, in the Scotch producing region known as Lowland, this whisky is a little different from the rest of the pack. Auchtensohan triple distills its whisky (most Scotch is distilled twice), increasing the strength of the resulting spirit while softening its character. The result is a whisky that’s lighter and cleaner, with fruit flavours and touches of caramel and tobacco from the use of Bourbon, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks – the ‘three woods’ – during the aging process.
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Highland Park 12 year old
Always regarded as a great value whisky, Highland Park’s 12 Year single-malt was recently rebranded with a Viking Horse, a nod to the Viking’s influence on the tiny island of Orkney, where the whisky is made. Despite the fancy new branding, this whisky continues to please palates, with a nose packed with floral accents as well as a kiss of peat. This is followed by honey and fruitcake on the tongue and a touch of smoke on the finish that makes it a great Spring sipper.
Springbank 10-Year-Old 100 Proof
Don’t let the age statement on whisky fool you, there are some great, young entry-level single malts whiskies available, including Campbeltown’s Springbank 10 Year Old, a vivacious cask-strength single-malt made with a unique two-and-a-half-times distillation process.
The whisky begins its life in bourbon casks but finishes in sherry, ensuring a complexity that’s accentuated by the higher ABV. Look for touches of honey, fresh cucumber and a hint of brininess, with smoke and sherried maltiness on the finish.
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