The GreatDrams Christmas Whisky Gift Guide 2020

November 6, 2020

let’s begin

Oh ho ho, bloody ho its just about November, so it must be time for the GreatDrams Christmas Whisky Gift Guide 2020. I know, I know. I usually say the same thing every year (literally - I would normally copy and paste the the same intro each year), but 2020 eh? It has been, to quote, well everyone, ‘unprecedented’ and has changed how every single one of us has lead our lives as well as changing the world in which we live.

There is no bias here, I am only listing whiskies I have personally had ‘wow’ moments with, whether you agree or not is personal opinion, but please do comment below if you have others you’d recommend… you never know, it might just help someone get the gift they really want.

Buying a bottle for anyone at any time is hard; you need to know what flavours they like, need to set a budget that not only does not break the bank, but shows the person you’re giving the bottle to how much they mean to you. Yes, these are all factors. Here are the top ten bottles I’m recommending in the GreatDrams Christmas Whisky Gift Guide 2020

First up, a couple of releases from GreatDrams

Girvan 30 Year Old Single Cask Single Grain Whisky

from £65

An ancient grain whisky from the Girvan Distillery – distilled in 1989, this 30 Year Old has spent thirty years patiently sleeping, maturing, developing… This limited edition Girvan 30 Year Old Single Cask Single Grain Scotch Whisky bottling is a release of just 96 bottles globally.

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
Girvan	Lowlands	30 Years Old	July 2020

Cask type	ABV	Limited
Second fill Sherry cask	54.5% ABV	96 bottles only

GreatDrams Blended Cask Series Batch 02

£45

Comprised of just three component whiskies, this Blended Scotch Whisky brings together three different cask maturations from three different distilleries. Whether enjoyed neat or with soda, this whisky is wise beyond its years in terms of depth of flavour owing to the use of a first fill Ruby Port Wine barrique in the recipe.

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
North British, Glen Moray & Knockdhu	Speyside & Lowlands	7 Years Old	Feb 2020

Cask type	ABV	Limited
A first fill ex-Bourbon cask from the North British Distillery, an ex-Bourbon cask from the Glen Moray Distillery and a 1st-fill Ruby Port Wine Barrique from the Knockdhu Distillery	46.2% ABV	250 Bottles

Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth

£25

Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth is a blend of up to 40 single malts and grain whiskies that have been aged for at least 8 years and then double aged, before being finished in ex Caribbean rum casks for up to six months, creating a Caribbean smooth finish.

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
Dewar’s Aberfeldy	Multiple	8 Years Old	2019

Cask type	ABV	Limited
Caribbean rum cask	40% ABV	Undisclosed

Ballantine’s 7 Year Old

£20

Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish is aged for 7 years and finished in bourbon barrels, combining the depth of Scotch with the sweet touch of bourbon to give you the best of both worlds. A whisky with all the character of Ballantine’s but with an added touch of toffee apple and caramel thanks to the finish in bourbon barrels.

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
Ballentine’s	Scotland	7	2020

Cask type	ABV	Limited
Bourbon Barrel Finish	40% ABV	Undisclosed

Cotswolds Single Malt

£39.13

The first whisky ever distilled in the Cotswolds. Use 100% locally grown, floor-malted barley and mature the whisky in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and reconditioned red wine casks. Rich, fruity and sippable with notes of honey, Seville orange marmalade and dark red fruits.

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
Cotswolds	England	5 Year Old	2015

Cask type	ABV	Limited
Various	46% ABV	Ongoing

Fettercairn 16 Year Old

£61.65

The nose opens with notes of dried fruit, Christmas cake and cinnamon. It is very sherried and the sweet, spicy heat of the port also brings out some interesting flavours. There is an earthy richness to the aromas.

The palate is equally rich. More sherry and port notes appear, with ginger, oak wood and sweet red wine notes coming out. Vanilla and honey add a lovely sweetness and give the spicy notes a nice edge. Dried fruit, including raisins and figs also appear. The finish is bold and lingers on dried raisins and apricots.

Fettercairn have a wonderful range of malt under their belt and this 16 year old is full of character. This malt is a good touchstone for how well they make Scotch.

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
Fettercairn	Highlands	16	2020

Cask type	ABV	Limited
American oak ex-bourbon casks	46.4% ABV	Ongoing

Rampur Double Cask

£58.95

This beautiful expression is crafted by maturation in handpicked American Bourbon barrels & European Oak sherry casks. Delicate balsamic vanilla notes from the American white oak compliment the full-bodied aroma; Rich caramel, dried dark fruits and spicy tonality from European oak add to the depth.

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
Rampur	India	Undisclosed	2020

Cask type	ABV	Limited
American Bourbon barrels & European Oak sherry casks.	45% ABV	No

Hinch Peated Irish whiskey

£32.46

Matured in the finest Ex Bourbon Oak Casks, this classic blend only uses the finest grain and single malt whiskies.Paired together in small batches to give a classic smooth Irish Whiskey

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
Hinch	Ireland	No Age Statement	2019

Cask type	ABV	Limited
Bourbon cask	43% ABV	2019

Midleton Very Rare 2020

£180

Chosen from the most exceptional quality single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys laid down over the past four decades in Midleton, Co Cork, Midleton Very Rare 2020 is aged from 13 to 35 years in lightly charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels. Brian Nation selected a higher pot still inclusion than in some of his previous vintages, while also increasing the use of refill barrels among his choice of casks. The result is a luxurious and balanced whiskey with rich pot still notes and elegant grain distillates that take centre stage thanks to the inclusion of refill casks – a fitting legacy for one of Irish whiskey’s great Master Distillers.

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
Midleton	Ireland	Up to 35	2020

Cask type	ABV	Limited
Mostly ex-Bourbon	40% ABV	Yes

Glenburgie 16 Year Old Boutique-y Whisky Company

£64.96

An independent bottling of single malt from Glenburgie, featuring a giant on the label looking for his hat at the distillery in Speyside. If you couldn’t guess from the description, this is of course yet another wonderful indie bottling from That Boutique-y Whisky Company. This giant really should try to keep track of his belongings better. If he doesn’t, he might lose that strawberry jam sandwich he’s got in his pocket too!

Non-chill filtered
Natural colour

Distillery	Region	Age	Bottled
Glenburgie	Speyside	16	2019

Cask type	ABV	Limited
Ex-Bourbon	45.7% ABV	~2,000 bottles

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.