The World of Single Malt Whisk(e)y
December 2021
Yuletide Cheer:
Best Single Malts for the Holidays
'Tis the season for giving, so why not give the gift of great booze? Particularly, a quality single malt! Here is a brief list of delicious, affordable, available, and eminently gift--able single malts perfect for this time of year. Go ahead -- treat yo’self or someone you really like. Yule thank me later ;)
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Dingle Irish Single Malt
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This independently owned, unassuming distillery produces quality whiskey in Dingle, Ireland. Handcrafted in small batches (appropriately labeled as Batch No. 4, Batch No. 5, etc.), this single malt is aged in PX sherry and ex--bourbon casks and offers notes of fresh fruit (lime, pear), caramel apples, raisin, vanilla, toasted almonds, honeyed sweetness, and mixed spices. Bright, fresh, and sweet - just like a kiss under the mistletoe.
$90
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Baller American Single Malt
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Surprisingly inexpensive for how complex and intriguing it is, Baller by St. George Distilling well deserves a place on this suggestions list as a great holiday buy! This is the perfect bottle if you enjoy American single malts, unique aromas and flavours (such as redolent perfumes, lychee, candied plums, honied nuts), and a Baller story (pardon the pun)!
(Check out September’s article if you want to read more about this brand and other ASMs.)
$50
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Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Scotch
Even for those who claim they don’t like peated whiskies, Laphraoig’s Quarter Cask is a soft and easy introduction, while still providing enough peaty goodness for those die-hard peat lovers. Well integrated, this is the perfect dram for snuggling together on a cold winter eve, enjoying the crackling glow of the fire. This is also a great crossover whisky for those who typically prefer bourbon. A combination of whiskies 5--11 years in age, matured in ex--bourbon casks, these whiskies are then married for 8 months in quarter casks (125L), which introduce more of the bourbon qualities into the malt, along with a drier quality, making the dram incredibly creamy. (For more info on this and Laphroaig, see November’s article.)
$70
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BenRiach Moscatel Cask Single Malt Scotch
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Perhaps not widely available, it is still on the market and well worth snatching up if you enjoy a beautifully complex, rich, and fruity dram. The nose is fantastic -- full of chocolate, maple syrup, candied apricot, orchard fruits such as pear and peach, baking spices like cinnamon and pepper, and an utterly scrumptious note of custard and sticky marmalade roll. The white wine comes through on the palate with an almost ephemeral mouthfeel and additional flavors of ripe pear and apricot, tropical fruits, sultanas, white pepper, chocolate, and oak. A real treat for the season!
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$139
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Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve Single Malt Scotch
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This one’s on the pricier side for this wee listicle, but it’s warranted. Even if you’re not a cigar connoisseur, you’re sure to love the rich intensity of this single malt by Dalmore. Aged in ex--bourbon and Matusalem sherry butts, finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barriques, the Cigar Malt Reserve is perfect for the holidays with its chocolate, vanilla, orange, spice, and red fruit notes and big body. Plus, it’s a striking look with the red packaging!
$190
