While Boris dithers, Christmas gets ever closer, and while we’re still allowed out, many have been cancelling their Christmas events, so we might just need to stock up the drinks cabinet at home to keep spirits up.
While we can’t promise to replicate a night out on the town or an evening with friends in a bar, we can point you towards some of the best spirits to keep you feeling festive, whatever your budget.
The Macallan Concept No 3
No. 3 is the latest release in The Macallan Concept Series, a collection of annual release whiskies which fuse the worlds of whisky and the visual arts.
For the third (and final) expression in the series, The Macallan has partnered with US graphic designer David Carson. Since establishing his own studio, he has created campaigns for some of the world’s leading consumer brands, including Nike, Levi, Pepsi and Ray-Ban, and he was among only two graphic designers selected by Apple as part of its iconic ‘30 most innovative users’ list.
To bring his unique perspective to the design of Concept No. 3, David visited The Macallan, where he spent time with whisky maker Polly Logan.
The result is a handmade collage design that features touches to celebrate their shared outlook – including the incorporation of the letter P for Polly. Polly, in turn, has drawn influence from David’s character when crafting Concept No. 3 to create a fresh whisky, with a warm, golden hue that pays tribute to the designer’s years on the USA’s West Coast.
Presented in a striking box featuring more of David’s designs, the whisky is developed specifically to be 40.8% ABV – a nod to the pair’s favourite number. On the nose, it’s sweet and fresh, with orchard fruits balanced with warming oak and cinnamon, while the flavour continues the same theme before giving way to creamy vanilla notes. The finish is sweet and buttery, flicking between the vanilla and rich cookies.
What: The Macallan Concept No 3
Where: GPBrands.co.uk and global travel retail hubs
How much: £400
English Spirit Distillery Raspberry Gin Liqueur
There are myriad flavoured gins to choose from, but if you’re looking for a fresh, fruity hit, then we’d suggest you try out the English Spirit Distillery’s Raspberry Gin Liqueur.
Made with Kentish raspberries and sweetened with just a hint of sugar, it’s rich and moreish, with just a touch of violets alongside the raspberries. Unlike many gins, Raspberry Gin Liqueur has a lovely, mellow taste without the bite of the botanicals.
Drink it over ice, with a splash of tonic, or even add it to your favourite champagne – no matter how you drink it, its fruity freshness will brighten up any wintery evening.
What: Raspberry Gin Liqueur
Where: English Spirit Distillery
How much: £22
Bankhall Sweet Mash Bourbon-Style Whiskey
The second release from the recently opened Bankhall DIstillery in Blackpool, Sweet Mash, has been aged in new charred American Oak barrels to create a bourbon-style finish.
Head distiller Vince Oleson hails from the US and brings his experience at a Brooklyn-based distillery and as a whisky sommelier in Manhattan to Bankhall. With a strong focus on bourbon-style brewing, using a mash bill of corn, rye and malt, Sweet Mash is aged for just nine months before bottling, but as the casks are filled while the liquor is at a lower ABV, more of the oak flavours are able to infuse the spirit.
Sweet Mash has a creamy, vanilla hit on the nose, with a honeyed dark sugar flavour which mellows to toasted wheat. The finish is creamy, smooth and well-rounded. Great to drink neat, over plenty of ice.
What: Bankhall Sweet Mash Bourbon-Style Whiskey
Where: Amazon.co.uk
How much: £27
Speyburn 10 Year Old Whisky
The Speyburn distillery has been making whisky for 120 years, and it’s this 10-year-old expression that balances the distinctive Speyside flavours with impressive value for money.
While you can spend triple the price on the 18-year-old version, or save a little on the Bradan Orach expression, you’ll be happy with the toffee and butterscotch flavours that shine through the pale gold drink.
A crisp nose and a slightly smoky finish mean there’s a depth to keep everybody happy, making it an excellent all-rounder for when you’ve got guests around.
What: Speyburn
Where: Amazon.co.uk
How much: £30
Cotswolds Cloudy Christmas Gin
The Cotswolds Distillery seasonal offering, the Cloudy Christmas Gin, is a twist on the classic Cotswold Dry Gin, with a wonderful citrus aroma of clementines immediately on the nose when you uncork the bottle. There are plenty of botanicals there, too, with pine and juniper both coming to the fore.
Once it’s on the palette, the flavour is fresh, and while the citrus vibe is still evident, the botanicals take precedence. It’s smooth and rich, and the spiciness is pleasantly warming. It is undeniably festive, and with a splash of tonic or in a Christmas cocktail, it’ll be a definite addition to your drinks cabinet this winter.
What: Cotswolds Distillery Cloudy Christmas Gin
Where: CotswoldsDistillery.com
How much: £35
Williams Elegant 48 Gin
Chase Distilleries has taken a different slant with Williams Elegant 48 Gin, using apple vodka as the base spirit.
Made using 48 rare varieties of apples from its 200-year-old orchard, Chase ferments the apples to create a cider which is then distilled into vodka. The liqueur is then distilled again in the gin still, with a mix of botanicals, which include juniper, hops and elderflower.
The result is a unique gin that Chase claims is designed to make the ultimate martini. On the nose are the usual suspects – juniper, citrus and floral notes. On the palate, you’ll get a crisp, fruity flavour and that underlying apple comes through. The finish is clean and aromatic.
What: Williams Elegant 48 Gin
Where: Amazon.co.uk
How much: £38
Glen Scotia Seasonal Release Whisky
Aged for 11 years in first-fill bourbon and American oak hogsheads, and then finished for 12 months in first-fill Olorosso hogsheads and heavily charred American oak barrels, Glen Scotia’s 2021 seasonal release brings a depth of flavour that works perfectly in the cold winter months.
The ageing process reveals a warming, spicy character that will go with winter dishes perfectly – try it with pork belly with spices and brown sugar – but can be enjoyed on its own.
The toffee notes start on the nose, turning into a wonderful blend of spicy cinnamon and nutmeg balanced with creamy vanilla and sweet sugar in the mouth. A long finish keeps the spices tingling, with the charred barrels revealing themselves too.
What: Glen Scotia 2021 Seasonal Release Whisky
Where: GlenScotia.com
How much: £75
Old Pulteney 15 Years Old Whisky
Sweet and spicy, this is an intense single malt that also balances the flavours to create a delightfully smooth experience. The 15-year-old expression is bottled at 46% ABV giving some strength to support the complex taste.
On the nose, you’ll find it full of sweetness, with honey and vanilla present, with maybe a touch of chocolate. That’s all balanced by some citrus sensations, adding some clarity. In the mouth, it’s a mix of sugar and spice; there are wintery spices throughout, with toffee sitting over it all. Old Pulteney says there’s some salty sea air in there too, but that’s beyond my palate. the finish is spicy, losing the sweetness as it fades quite quickly.
It’s as impressive a whisky as you would expect from a distillery that’s been around, in one form or another, since 1826.
What: Old Pulteney 15 Years Old Single Malt Whisky
Where: Amazon.co.uk
How much: £61
Domaine D’Esperance Folle Blanche
Brandy or Cognac are staples of the drinks cabinet, but Armagnac is often overlooked. Domaine D’Esperance, produced in the rolling hills of Bas-Armagnac, France, should change that as it’s worth savouring.
This honey-coloured Armagnac has a golden sheen that invites you to open the bottle, revealing a nose that’s got a fruity and floral bouquet. There’s some sweet fruit in there, such as plum and orange, with a hint of sugar and the warmth of vanilla. The tasting notes suggest hazelnut, too.
Tasting it revealed the complexity, with an unexpected hit of chocolate and vanilla, with a full, soft and almost velvety out feel. Dried fruit comes forward, mixing with the vanilla to create a pleasing flavour that lingers for a long time, giving way to chocolate once more.
A lovely, warming tipple for the festive season.
What: Domaine D’Esperance Folle Blanche 2002
Where: Armagnac.com
How much: £89
