As the temperature drops and the nights grow longer, there’s nothing quite like the comforting warmth of a well-chosen whisky. And there are plenty to choose from, not only from Scotland but from all over the world.
Whether you prefer a smoky Islay from Scotland, love a traditional blended whisky from Japan or are a huge fan of Kentucky bourbon, we’ve curated a list of 10 world whiskies that will add warmth to your winter evenings, and we’ll also suggest some tasty snack food pairings to enjoy with them.
Kicking off in Scotland, the land most closely associated with whisky, we have two single malt Scotch whiskies and a blended whisky.
Glenfiddich 15-Year-Old (2024 Festive Limited Edition)
Crafted using an unusual solera vatting system, The Glenfiddich 15-Year-Old is made by blending whiskies aged in sherry, bourbon, and new oak casks. This unique process produces a complex whisky marked by a full-bodied richness and warming notes of dark fruit, rich sherry, and cinnamon, with a lingering sweet oak finish.
Perfect food pairing: Venison paté on toast.
Ledaig 18-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Ledaig 18-Year-Old is a richly peated (smoky) yet gentle Island single malt whisky from the Tobermory Distillery in Mull. A multi award winner, 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 the warmth of cracked pepper and smoke.
Perfect food pairing: Roquefort cheese and oatcakes.
Compass Box – Art & Decadence
Inspired by the 18th century Decadent movement, a literary school that celebrated abundance and pleasure, Compass Box Art & Decadence has been crafted as the perfect festive after-dinner dram. At its heart is whisky from the Balmenach distillery, matured in a variety of casks, including Madeira, Sauternes, and Marsala. The palate offers rich flavours of orchard fruit, liquorice, banana, toffee, and juicy apricots.
Perfect food pairing: Pear tart with cream.
We journey slightly further south now into the north of England and to the Lake District.
The Lakes Distillery Whiskymaker’s Reserve No. 6
The Lakes Distillery, set in the picturesque Lake District, presents Whiskymaker’s Reserve No. 6, a complex English single malt whisky showcasing a sherry-forward style. No.6 is matured in Oloroso, PX, and red wine casks and offers sherried notes of dates, fruit cake, and five-spice, before a rich, spicy finish.
Perfect food pairing: Rich dark chocolate briquettes.
A quick hop over the Irish Sea now to the Emerald Isle, where whisky was first made – except there, they call it whiskey, with an ‘e’.
Redbreast 21-Year-Old Single Pot Still
Redbreast 21-Year-Old Single Pot Still Whiskey is 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. Full of notes of soft vanilla, toasted oak and dried fruit, this is one of the most highly regarded and awarded pot still whiskeys.
Perfect food pairing: Spicy lamb madras bites.
Gold Spot – 13-Year-Old Single Pot Still
Gold Spot Single Pot Still Whiskey is crafted by combining Gold Spot's bourbon and sherry cask-matured whiskey and then finishing for an extra 16 months in Recioto della Valpolicella Italian red wine casks. The result, showcasing wine cask maturation, is a smooth yet rich whiskey with layers of sweet red fruit, jammy berries, and oak.
Perfect food pairing: Atlantic oysters.
Over to the USA now, with a Kentucky bourbon and an American rye whiskey.
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the flagship bourbon from Kentucky’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, is crafted from corn, rye, and malted barley, then aged in new oak barrels within its historic warehouses. It offers warming yet complex notes of brown sugar, spice, dark fruit, toffee, oak, and anise with a wonderfully long finish.
Perfect food pairing: Barbeque pork ribs.
WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Rye Whisky
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 full of orange, vanilla and cherry notes and makes a bold statement with its spice forward character.
Perfect food pairing: Warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
Finally, we’re off to the Far East for Japanese whisky; one blended and the other an increasingly hard-to-find age statement.
Nikka From the Barrel Japanese Whisky
Nikka From the Barrel is an expertly crafted blend from one of Japan’s most celebrated whisky producers, Nikka. This standout expression combines matured malt and grain whiskies from Nikka’s two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. The blend, composed of over 100 different batches of malt and grain whisky, produces a smooth yet powerful whisky with notes of candied orange peel, cinnamon and clove.
Perfect food pairing: Kobe beef or white fish sashimi.
Hakushu 12-Year-Old Japanese Whisky
Hakushu 12-Year-Old Single Malt, hailing from the mountainous region northwest of Tokyo, is known for its vibrant, grassy flavour, with delicate notes of sweet pear, mint, kiwi, and a whisper of smoky peat. This perfect winter warmer follows the principles of Japanese authenticity for whisky making, drawing inspiration from Scottish malt traditions yet applied with meticulous Japanese precision and craftsmanship.
Perfect food pairing: Sweet pork tonkatsu.
Whichever world whisky and tasty snack combination you choose, pour yourself a glass, settle into your cosiest spot by the fire, put your feet up and let the rich flavours of these fantastic whiskies carry you through the darkest and coldest months of this winter.
