Trade
Top 10 Whiskies
NOVEMBER 2026
A lot of people ask us what the 'best whisky' is, and we usually explain that there is no universal 'best whisky' because it's such an individual thing – there's only the best whisky for you. It's like asking someone what the 'best film' is. You're going to get a lot of strongly held yet wildly different answers.
But nobody is ever satisfied by that, so each month we hold a battle royale an earnest and civilised* debate among the expert Master of Malt team to narrow it down to their 10 favourite whiskies that month – here are our picks for November.
Kyrö Sauna Stories No.3
Finnish rye whisky
The third chapter in Kyrö’s Sauna Stories series is the first to bring smoke into the mix. Kyrö Sauna Stories No. 3 takes the Finnish distillery’s characterful rye whisky, adds freshwater peat smoke, then finishes it in Monbazillac wine casks for a layer of rich fruit and sweetness. As with the previous releases, the whisky is finished in the warmth and humidity of a real Finnish sauna, where the heat helps the spirit and oak get better acquainted. Bottled at a robust 50.7% ABV. Just 3,924 bottles were produced.
"This series continues to grab my attention. Although I was initially sceptical, every release has proven to be a delightful surprise, with the latest entry being no exception. It presents a wonderful harmony between sweet Monbazillac wine cask notes and Finnish peat-smoked rye. Hyvä!"
Dave Worthington
Olive-fuelled, affable & beardy award-winning whisky ambassador
Tasting notes
Sweet orchard fruit, warming rye spice, gentle peat smoke and a touch of honeyed wine richness.
Peppery rye leads into ripe pear and stone fruit, with rich sweetness and steadily building smoke.
Long and warming, with lingering spice, soft fruit and a final curl of smoky sweetness.
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie 10yo
Scotch single malt whisky, Islay region
The flagship whisky of Islay's Bruichladdich distillery has carried a 10-year-old age statement edition of The Classic Laddie – its flagship single malt. Made with 100% unpeated Scottish barley, this single malt matured for a decade before bottling at a generous 50% ABV, helping to bring fruity, floral barley notes to the fore.
"My die-hard staple! There’s always a bottle of The Classic Laddie in my personal collection, and spotting it behind the bar is how I measure a good pub. Ripe apricot, creamy with a touch of oak, and that lovely hint of salinity on the finish. It’s been my go-to for years. An Islay without the smoke, it’s always my recommendation for any whisky collection, especially if peat isn’t your thing!"
Callie Thirsk
Our Midlands Maverick & award-winning Brummie bar (Fox & Chance) owner
Tasting notes
Barley sugar sweeties, orange blossom, oaken vanilla, and honeyed sweetness, with a touch of sea breeze.
Orchard fruits, white grapes, nectarines, and elegant oak char, with spiced fudge resting beneath.
Honeyed sponge, browned butter, balanced woody spice.
Broken Bones Cask Strength Peated
Slovenian single malt whisky
Slovenian single malt with a smoky streak from Broken Bones in Ljubljana. Made with peat-smoked barley, it’s matured in a combination of Slovenian oak and American oak casks, the latter previously home to peated Scotch whisky. This single cask release comes bottled at a hearty 58% ABV, without chill filtration or added colour.
"Slovenian law prohibits the advertising of alcoholic beverages over 15% ABV. So I’ll wave the flag for Broken Bones, a bright, fun distillery that makes delicious whisky its own way. Try everything they do."
Adam O'Connell
Whisky nerd and certified mate of Ainsley Harriott
Tasting notes
Soft peat smoke, ginger and a little curry spice, with smoked almonds and creamy pistachio.
Gentle smoke drifts through sweet barley and malt biscuits, with a lightly drying oak grip.
Smoky mocha, almond and green tea, followed by demerara sugar, pear and a touch of salt.
1792 Full Proof (Barrel 0122) MoM Exclusive
Kentucky straight Bourbon American Whiskey
This isn't just any bottle of 1792 Full Proof, this is our very own Master of Malt exclusive Sazerac Barrel Select bottle of 1792 Full Proof! This characterful Kentucky bourbon is filtered through a plate-and-frame filter rather than undergoing chill filtration, for a rich, full, bold flavour profile.
"62.5% ABV (125 proof) bourbon, big, bold, and bursting with character, this one's a no-brainer. We did a fantastic job picking this one from a whole host of samples. And did we mention it's an exclusive barrel with our name on it?"
Thomas Burton
MoM Customer Service alumnus, translator to the dev team & MoM OG
Tasting notes
Slick layers of polished leather, rye bread, notes of toffee popcorn, and bold oak, with that bold ABV making its presence known. Earthy spices gather beneath.
A robust, mouth-filling medley of savoury spice, backed by cough-drop sweetness. Peppercorns and cloves bring balanced warmth, while fruity, herbal waves of sloe berries nestle in the depths.
A flash of nutmeg and cinnamon warmth, hints of goji berry, set caramel, leathery oak, dried prunes.
Rosemaund Farm 10 Year Old Chapter 2
English single malt whisky
Chapter 2: The Orchard Cut is a 10-year-old English single malt, drawn entirely from first-fill bourbon casks, with an outturn of 1,500 bottles. It’s a continuation of the Rosemaund Farm Distillery house style, all bright orchard fruit, soft vanilla, and a freshness that reflects the season in its home of Herefordshire.
"No, I am not watching The Gentlemen, no my opinion cannot be bought, but yes, this whisky tastes of a place and I think that is fascinating; apple orchard air has most certainly influenced these casks and the maris otter barley is unmistakable. In Netflix-speak, two thumbs up "LOVE THIS!"
Sam Simmons
Whiskevangelist, award-winning blender & guitar shredder
Tasting notes by the Producer
Fresh green apple, orchard blossom, cool cucumber skin, hints of melon and soft vanilla.
Energetic and vibrant. Buttery mouthfeel. Green citrus oils. Fresh herbs — thyme, perhaps wild sorrel. Opens to white pepper spice, savoury green pea, gentle oak.
Fresh, slightly savoury. Lingering green fruit and soft spice.
Isle of Harris - The Hearach Oloroso
Scotch single malt whisky, Islands
The second permanent expression in The Hearach lightly peated (12-15ppm) single malt range, entirely matured in first-fill oloroso sherry butts sourced from the respected Bodega José y Miguel Martín. The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured is bottled at 46% ABV, with no colour added, and non-chill filtered. The below tasting note comes from Harrison Wood, blender at the Isle of Harris Distillery.
"There's a new sub-£50 Isle of Harris single malt hitting our shelves imminently, and I still believe the inaugural Hearach with a small % of Fino casks is likely the pick of the range (my July 2024 Whisky of the Month), but this 100% oloroso edition from the community-centred 'social distillery' is just perfect as the nights draw in towards the end of the year."
Jake Mountain
Resident doer of things, spirits buff & MoM OG
Tasting notes by the Producer
Initial winter aromas of cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves which remind me of Christmas at home. There are green notes of herbs and the nostalgic creaminess of white chocolate from childhood days.
When sipped, I can taste walnuts and fireside wood smoke. The dram develops with a hint of thyme from my kitchen, closely followed by dried oranges.
Spices then come through, like vanilla pods and a subtle sense of cloves, before a long leather and liquorice finish.
Aberargie Laureate
Scotch single malt whisky, Lowland region
Perthshire's young Aberargie distillery presents a showcase of Laureate barley at its very best! Distilled from 100% estate-grown modern Laureate barley, this whisky matured in a combo of 32% first-fill bourbon casks and 68% first-fill sherry casks. There's also a companion bourbon cask-led Expressions release that's 100% heritage Golden Promise barley.
"Aberargie is another exciting Lowland distillery embracing a true single estate barley-to-bottle philosophy. It's crafted entirely from Laureate barley grown on the Morrison family farm, offering charming fruity depth that's lifted by a touch of sweetness."
Michael Monte
Spirits buyer, but in French (& sometimes Mandarin)
Tasting notes by the Producer
Bright and expressive, it reveals notes of candied orange peel and dried fruits, complemented by crisp orchard fruits and a lingering honeyed finish.
Teaninich 8 Year Old (Special Release)
Scotch single Grain whisky (Rye)
Also known as 'Daring Rye', this single grain Scotch from Teaninich is arguably the most intriguing whisky in the Diageo Special Releases 2025. In a distillery-first, it was created from an experiment using rye (except official Scotch classifications have no space for such a thing, allowing only malt, grain, or blended whisky). Aged in bourbon casks, it's quite a distinct and delicious whisky.
"Quelle surprise! Another rye whisky from me. When I spotted the opportunity at an Edinburgh whisky bar to sample a rye whisky produced by Diageo at their Teaninich distillery, I simply couldn't resist. Made from a mash bill of 51% (unmalted) rye and 49% malted barley, processed through their mash filter and pot stills, it really is impressive!"
Dave Worthington
Olive-fuelled, affable & beardy award-winning whisky ambassador
Tasting notes
Toffee popcorn and caramel wafers, joined by vanilla cream, rye spice, and hints of clove and dill.
Creamy toffee sweetness balanced by rye bread spice, nutmeg, and herbal depth. A touch of mint and peppercorn brightens the profile.
Sweet and spicy, with vanilla fudge, clove, and lingering rye warmth.
Glen Scotia 12YO Icons of Campbeltown No.4
Scotch single malt whisky, Campbeltown region
The fourth expression of what will be a five-part annual collection inspired by Campbeltown folklore tales. Icons of Campbeltown Release No.4 was finished in Vin Santo wine casks and bottled at a batch strength of 53.8% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour. Vin Santo is a traditional Italian dessert wine made from dried white grapes, and its casks are traditionally known as caratelli.
"The Icons range has always produced some great value drams. I recently tasted this one at a whisky show and it was a real highlight of the day (not just because of my love of Italian wine either). Absolutely delicious."
Chris Wood
Spirits buyer, spirits seller & spirits drinker (& also MoM OG)
Tasting notes
Old leather, cigar box, oak char, ginger, vanilla, liquorice, and cinder toffee.
Dark chocolate, cinnamon, marmalade, vanilla, sweet peat, rich crème brûlée and toasted almonds.
Smoky and sweet.
Glencadam 17YO 2008 Réserve de Calvados
Scotch single malt whisky, Highland region
A delightful dram from Glencadam, finished in a host of Calvados casks that offered up generous notes of apple strudel and orchard blossom, while dark chocolate and baking spices nestle beneath. Bottled at 46% ABV, without added colour or chill filtration.
"'Apple Strudel'? 'Dark chocolate and baking spices'? I'm definitely in dessert mood over the colder months and this 17 year old Calvados finish certainly serves up everything I'm looking for. Glencadam, in my book, is a seriously underrated dram."
Chris Wood
Spirits buyer, spirits seller & spirits drinker (& also MoM OG)
Tasting notes
Baked apples, candied almonds, heather honey, and vanilla sponge, with hints of cocoa and a touch of floral chamomile.
Poached orchard fruits, dusted with sweet spices. Apple pastries, buttery fudge, a touch of marmalade, and cacao.
Vanilla custard, crumbly pastry, candied citrus, and hints of floral malt, with lingering baking spices and rich mocha.
*No humans were harmed this month during the 'debate'**
**Okay, relatively few were harmed***
***Fine, many were seriously injured, but the local A&E department was perfectly able to cope and they appreciated us sharing our samples with them.
Whisky by flavour
Choosing between hundreds or thousands of whiskies can be overwhelming to say the least. We've organised the world of whisky into five instantly understandable flavour groups to help you explore this amazing and diverse spirit.
Vintage Whisky
Buy and explore whiskies from specific years and decades, perfect to mark a birthday or other special occasion.
New on the blog
News and reviews on whisky and more written by our in-house experts (mostly Adam).
