Christmas is Coming
There is only a few weeks to go until Christmas Day, so it is time for the Whisky Boys to list some suggestions for Whisky-related gifts for all Whisky lovers, old and new.
Listed below is a selection of gifts which should be on all our readers’ lists to give to friends, neighbours, family and loved ones.
1 Malt Whisky Yearbook
Our favourite Whisky reference book is the Malt Whisky Yearbook. This is a must-have book for all Whisky enthusiasts. We look forward every Autumn to the publishing of a new edition. The 2026 edition is the 21st edition, which is fully updated.
2 The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
The next must-have gift is a membership for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. This independent Whisky bottler with three Scottish venues, two venues in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow and one London venue serving unique Whiskies from around the world, with one of the largest selections of single cask, single malt Scotch Whiskies. (On a personal note, I always enjoy a dram in these venues when I am in Edinburgh or Glasgow – even if it is just for one, although that is difficult).
As a member, you will enjoy visiting their venues and you will also be able to purchase any of their bottlings. Also, as a member, you can take up to three guests into the venues. Fabulous beers, wine, Single Malt Whiskies and other world spirits are all available.
We feel that there is no better place to sit and relax with a half and a half together with a snack or a full meal.
Please check out their website, SMWS, for all the details, membership, spirits, Whiskies, menus, events and special tastings, which is a regular feature.
I was the other day browsing Amazon when to my surprise, you can now buy a full years SMWS membership through Amazon for £100.00 which included a 70cl bottle of their Single Cask Single Malt, a great deal.
3 Visit to Blackness Bay Distillery
My distillery visit recommendation is Blackness Bay Distillery on the banks of the Forth. Please read my review last month of a visit and a tour of this unique and very quaint Distillery. If you have time and are hungry, then visit The Lobster Pot, which is located next door to the distillery.
4 Glen Moray
My favourite Whisky of 2025 is The Glen Moray – 12 Year Old, Smoky Peated Malt.
It has everything I enjoy about a single malt, smooth and fruity with that gentle touch of peat. Priced at under £50.00 this will be a delight for someone to receive in their Christmas stocking.
5 Distillery Visits
This is certainly the time of year to wrap up well and visit a distillery or two. Many of the distilleries have special tours and events. Most distilleries have a fill your own bottle from specially selected casks. These fill your own bottles allows you to write your own label and even dedicate to a loved one for Christmas.
Whisky and Hotel Combinations
Isle of Raasay Distillery. Stay overnight in the hotel located next to the distillery, enjoy a tour and some fine food and of course a dram or two.
Dornoch Castle Hotel. Located way up in Sutherland. This hotel has its own award-winning Whisky Bar and is close to Balblair, Glenmorangie and Dalmore Distilleries.
Craigellachie Hotel. It has an amazing and very impressive bar with over 500 malt Whiskies. This hotel is ideal whilst doing the Speyside Whisky Trail.
Dalwhinnie Distillery. Stay overnight at this distillery and do a distillery tour and tasting.
Ardshiel Hotel, Campbeltown. This fabulously friendly hotel is perfect for a short break. It has an extensive selection of single malts in their bar. From my personal experience I have found the food exceptional and the rooms delightful all within walking distance from the three Campbeltown distilleries, Glen Scotia, Springbank, and Glengyle.
Port Charlotte Hotel, Islay. Albeit a journey to get to Islay, if you haven’t travelled this route, it is a must, not only for scenery, but the pot of gold at the end of the journey which is enjoying an Islay dram from its home island. The Port Charlotte Hotel has a wonderful bar stocked primarily with Islay malts. The food in this venue is second to none, and the seafood to die for. The nearest, and within walking distance, is Bruichladdich Distillery. This delightfully friendly distillery looks over Lochindaal, so the combination of a wonderful dram, an exceptional view and some of the cleanest air I have ever breathed in is a joy. Obviously, if you make it to the Island, it would be “just rude” if you didn’t visit some of the other phenomenal distilleries on the island. You can tell I am a bit biased, but for me, you cannot beat an Islay malt, especially a Caol Ila.
Coming soon, I am about to taste Torabhaig – Sound of Sleat, Batch Strength 60.2% Alc/vol. Last May, I tasted Torabhaig – Sound of Sleat 46% Alc/vol. Looking forward to this tasting in the next few days.
