How to choose a whisky to offer Christmas?

12/07/2020

Expert, amateur, or just curious, you want to select a quality whisky for the holidays? Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of whisky or want to discover new expressions, here are some selection criteria and ideas that will make your choice for Christmas easier.

1. A discovery whisky

Discovering the flavours of whisky is a bit like a trip, where every brandy is a stage where you learn to know your tastes, your preferences. This path of flavours opens with the following selection: Powers Gold Label, Blended Whiskey with a triple Irish distillation, Benriach 10 years, a smooth, round and fruity Single Malt, or the Bushmills Black Bush, an introduction to premium Blended Whiskey. These expressions will be an opportunity to discover the world of quality whiskies.

2. Whisky boxes

On the occasion of Christmas, great whiskies come in their luxury boxes. Discover the Connemara Distillers edition, a renowned and very popular whisky from Islay, or the Aberfeldy 12, 16 and 21 year old tasting box, exclusively at Le Comptoir Irlandais. Miniature boxes are also to be discovered such as the Glenfarclas 15 years old. Other boxes can also be found on our selection.

3. Peated whisky

Peat, used in the malt drying process, is an essential element in the composition of certain whiskies. It originates from the vast wetlands of Scotland and Ireland. Revealing flavours, those initiated into the magic of peat will recognize the complexity, depth and smokiness it brings to Scottish Singles Malts as well as certain Japanese and Irish whiskeys. Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 years, Lagavulin 8 years are prestigious selections that will make you browse all the finesse of the most peaty and smoked Singles Malts. Also discover the American Single Malt from the Westland distillery, an original and peaty version.

4. Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey is distinguished by different production methods from their Scottish neighbors. Triple distillation, aromas rich in spices, elaborate blending techniques are at the origin of lighter and fruity whiskeys. In full revival and more qualitative than ever, Irish whiskey is the original idea of Christmas. With its 14 year old Single Malt expression, Tullamore Dew dexterously produces a whiskey aged in Bourbon, Sherry, Port and Madeira barrels. The Cuvée, a surprising Single Malt from the Waterford Distillery, the result of blending barley from 25 farms, in a way the sum of 25 Single Farm Origins. Redbreast 12 years old is cult and in the traditional style it embodies the high end of the Irish.

5. Whisky with original notes

Consisting of thousands shades, the particularly perfumed whisky develops an impressive array of aromas. Browse the full aromatic range with an original, fragrant whisky such as Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, a very aromatic bourbon that comes from a unique maturation. Teeling Small Batch is first aged in traditional oak barrels before being refined in barrels that have contained Nicaraguan rum, which gives it unique flavours. Penderyn Maidera is a Welsh Whisky that first aged in bourbon barrels Evan Williams before receiving a finish in Madeira barrels to give it more complexity and richness.

6. Noble and high-end whiskey

Rare and exceptional, these whiskies impose their character and personality. Octomore 13.1, known for being one oh the most peated whiskies in the world, is the ultimate peat tasting experience. Akashi 5 Year Old Sherry Cask is intense and rich with a silky and delicate mouthfeel. For the Balvenie 16 years old, the cellar master opted for ageing in Pineau des Charentes barrels, after years of maturation in American oak barrels.

7. A whiskey with maritime notes

It is all the magic of the Scottish islands that is condensed in its eaux-de-vie, marked by the force of nature, the waters, the mountains and the surrounding ocean. A classic must and benchmark whisky of the range, Talisker 10 years old is produced from the only distillery on the Isle of Skye, the northernmost of the Inner Hebrides. Glen Scotia Double Cask is a Single Malt with an iodine style, a balance between sea spray and rich aromas of dried fruits, vanilla and roasted oak. Old Pulteney Flotilla, nicknamed "Maritime Malt", is a whisky with a resolutely iodized profile marked by sweet notes.

8. Japanese whisky

Initially considered a curiosity, Japanese whiskey has established its reputation thanks to the competence of its distillers and the quality of the environment of the Japanese islands where the whisky is made. Less dry than its Scottish counterpart, the Japanese blend whisky is surprisingly round and balanced. The Hakushu Single Malt, The Chita Single Grain Suntory or Nikka Coffey Malt are high quality blends of great finesse.

9. Exclusive whisky

In search of originality, you will be pleasantly surprised by our exclusive bottlings from Welsh, Irish and Scottish distilleries, made from casks selected for you. These limited editions are unique and original. Penderyn Rum Finish Small Batch, selected by our experts, aged in Bourbon barrels before enjoying additional maturation in Rum barrels. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel, made from the best barrels, was obtained from Tennessee whiskey bottled barrel by barrel without any blending, thus revealing all the complexity of this whiskey. New Kilchoman expression, this Small Batch N°2 Edition 2021 is an edition limited to only 1,800 bottles.

10. Whisky for cocktail

To make your cocktails at Christmas time, we offer different whiskies. Floral and fruity, Glenmorangie 10 Years Old acts as a flavour enhancer in your cocktails. Also try the Sexton Single Malt or the Slane Triple Casks Irish Whiskey, they will be the ideal partners for sweet and spicy cocktails.