Scottish Whisky

A Good Old-Fashioned Christmas Whisky 2022 Edition
Blended Scotch Whisky

50.5% ABV
$110
Website

What the Bottle Says

Rich complex malts and the most elegant aged grain whiskies combined to create festive flavours and evoke the spirit of Christmases past
The Whisky Exchange
This festive marriage brings together rich sherry-matured whisky from Blair Athol with elegant old grain from Strathcylde and Cameronbridge, classic Speyside malt from Glen Elgin and spicy new-oak-matured Linkwood to create a dram that’s packed with Christmas flavour. Plum pudding and sticky toffee with apples, oranges and shortbread on the side – the perfect accompaniment to the festive season.

What Gary Says

Nose: Fruity, chocolate fudge, orange zest, pears, apples, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and a hint of a mineral note.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, fruity with apples, raisins, plums, oranges, cinnamon, pepper, candied ginger, honey, apricots and oak.
Finish: Moderate in length with spice notes, chocolate and honey.
Comments: The nose on this reminds me of mincemeat pie – which definitely takes my mind to the holiday season! I bought this at auction on a whim (for £50, which was around $64 USD at the time). The recommended retail price was £85 ($109) so a solid discount, even with the hammer price. My only regret is that Richard happened to buy a 2023 edition of this, giving me a sample that unfortunately didn’t have a good seal (and in recent years I’ve accumulated quite the backlog, so it’s been over a year since I got it). So I can’t compare this to that edition unfortunately, but based on this sample size – despite it being non-age stated I would pay retail for it (and in fact, just won an auction on a 2024, so look forward to bringing that comparison next year!)

Rating: Must Try

Compass Box Art & Decadence
Blended Scotch Whisky

49% ABV
$200
Website

What the Blender Says

Limited Edition
What Does Decadence ‘Mean’ to You?
Oscar Wilde wrote that “we live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities”. The age in question was the late nineteenth century, when the Aesthetic Movement gave rise to the Decadent Movement, where more was always more. Art was made for the sake of art; there were no ulterior motives. Similarly, a whisky like Art & Decadence may not be strictly a necessity – and that is the whole, glorious point.

FLAVOUR PROFILE
Rich and aromatic on the nose with red apples, waxed wood and wine notes. Creamy, with a liquorice aroma. Banana, toffee and custard blended with Sauternes. On the palate, notes of dried fruit – golden raisin, apricot, apple and plenty of vanilla. Lingering flavours of dark chocolate and fragrant oak.

SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
Dinner’s final course – when the puddings, cakes, tarts, jellies, chocolates and cheeses emerge – is typically the moment for true decadence. This whisky compliments this very important juncture in the meal.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Natural colour
Light 10 micron filter, not chill-filtered
A limited edition of 9,496
November 2023

LEAD WHISKYMAKER: James Saxon.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, honey, fresh baked vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting, banana and apples.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with peaches and cream, pears, apples, apricots, vanilla, honey and slowly building oak spices.
Finish: Long and bright with tropical fruit notes, oak and a bit of spice.
Comments: Very nice! Fruity but with some savory spice notes to balance it all out. A few drops of water brings the fruit a tad towards citrus (maybe tangerines) but this drinks delightfully neat.

Rating: Must Try