There are some new and exciting ones to try – an award-winning peated single malt, a classic Irish pot still, an American rye, a blended grain whisky, and one from an Australian whisky brand that is taking the whisky world by storm. 

Ledaig 18-Year-Old is a richly peated yet gentle Island single malt whisky from the Tobermory Distillery in Mull. Winner of The Whisky Exchange’s ‘Whisky of the Year 2023’ award, it has been described as the perfect all round fireside winter warmer dram. Finished in sherry casks, this whisky balances sweet floral fruitiness with the richness and warmth of cracked pepper and smoke.

On the nose you’ll find hints of sweet barbecue, apple, and treacle. On the palate, herbal peat smoke, orange peel and coffee, before a lingering finish of liquorice, wood, and sea spray. 

Bunnahabhain 12-Year-Old Cask Strength is the latest in the distillery’s annual small-batch cask strength single malt releases. It has been bottled at the highest strength of all the series’ yet but fully retains its full spectrum of flavours. This unpeated rich and fruity Islay single malt has been matured in hand-picked first and second-fill sherry casks and a limited number of bourbon casks. 

On the nose, hints of cracked pepper and tropical fruits with a whisp of sea breeze. The palate produces notes of fig, stone fruits and nutmeg before a sweet vanilla pod finish. 

Part of independent bottler Limited’s new Ben Nevis collection, Limited Ben Nevis 2000 is the youngest cask in the range, having been matured on-site at the distillery for just over 22 years. This whisky is a well-rounded and gentle malt that’s full of tropical fruit and wood notes which are balanced by a subtle sweetness that lingers on the palate.  

On the nose, you’ll find poached pear, honey, and malt loaf. On the palate, pineapple, star anise and cayenne pepper, leading to a long sweet woody finish. 

Chivas Regal 18-Year-Old Blended Whisky is possibly one of the most revered and awarded blended scotch whiskies of all time. Developed by Master Distiller Colin Scott, who hand-picked 20 different single malts from around Scotland that have been aged for no less than 18 years, to create a smooth yet full character blend with broad appeal. 

On the nose, marmalade, coconut and nutmeg. On the palate, you’ll find velvety dark chocolate and winter spice before a long finish of warm oak and cinnamon. 

Compass Box Hedonism Blended Grain Whisky is a pioneering and unique expression, crafted by founder John Glaser and his team. It’s made from a blend of rare, high-quality grain whiskies from various distilleries across Scotland. Compass Box is known for its transparency in sharing the whisky’s component distilleries, which change every year. Enjoyable as the name suggests, this whisky is smooth and approachable with a silky, bourbon-like creaminess. 

 On the nose, vanilla, caramel and ripe fruit. On the palate you’ll find toffee, butter cookie and lemongrass, all leading to an essence of coconut on the finish. 

Redbreast 21-Year-Old Single Pot Still is widely regarded as being the best pot still Irish whiskey, full of rich and complex flavour which helped it win Gold Outstanding in 2023’s  IWSC awards. Released in very limited amounts, it’s made using a mash of malted and unmalted barley before being aged for a minimum of 21 years using a careful balance of first fill and refill casks.   

On the nose, nuts and dried fruit. On the palate, which is creamy in texture, there’s notes of soft vanilla, biscuit and toasted oak before a very long spicy fruit finish. 

WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Rye is probably one of the most highly rated and awarded rye whiskeys of all time. Independent producer WhistlePig craft all their whiskeys in small batches in Vermont and mature them in wood barrels produced on the estate. This 100%-rye is well-rounded and makes a bold statement with its spice forward character.  

On the nose, toffee, nougat and a touch of cinnamon. On the palate, orange, vanilla and spice with a slight hint of peppermint, leading to a medium-length finish of sour cherries and spice. 

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey is a classy, all-round, multi-award-winning bourbon from the 200-year-old Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. This complex bourbon was applauded as ‘one of the world’s great whiskies’ by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. Made from the finest corn, rye and barley it matures in new, charred oak barrels for at least eight years.  

On the nose, you’ll find vanilla, mint and molasses. On the palate, sweet brown sugar and spice give way to a long, smooth oak and dark fruit finish. 

Yoichi Single Malt represents Yoichi’s re-launched no-age statement whisky which is a blend of single malts from different years. Yoichi Distillery is traditional in that it has the only coal-fired stills in the world which somehow helps to give the blend its smoky edge. Matured in ex-bourbon oak casks, this expression perfectly balances sweet fruity notes with aromatic peaty smoke and rich oak. 

 On the nose you’ll find aspects of smoke, peach and lemon. On the palate, citrus, candy and peat smoke with a long silky finish imparting floral and ripe fruit notes. 

Distilled at Melbourne-based Starward Distillery, Starward Octave Barrels Single Malt whisky is aged in small 100 litre octave barrels that previously held Yalumba Octavius Shiraz. The small casks offer a higher wood-to-spirit ratio, imparting a rich, complex character with a shorter ageing period. This smooth single malt whisky added Double Gold to its already extensive award roster at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, making Starward Distillery Australia’s most awarded spirits distillery. 

On the nose, stewed apples, plum and star anise. On the palate, you’ll find red grapes, candied orange peel and mint before a long oaky finish. 

Hopefully these best whisky recommendations have inspired you to go where you may never have ventured before by trying something new. 

Perhaps if you only usually drink single malt Scotch whisky, try a Japanese whisky; if you only ever drink bourbon, now could be a good time to try an American rye.  

So, cheers to your whisky adventures. Whichever whisky, bourbon or rye you choose to discover for the coming year, all that remains to be said is Slàinte Mhath!