It’s tough to narrow down the top whiskies of the year for 2025. Which is good, it means there were lots of bottles we enjoyed. In fact, we’ve actually decided to make this round-up a two-parter. That’s 20 whiskies for your enjoyment.
These releases stood out in 2025 for getting it right, whether through originality, execution, storytelling, or just being outrageously drinkable. From charity bottlings and Orcadian charm to sherried Islay monsters and English whisky hitting its stride, this is the first half of our definitive top whiskies of the year 2025.
Top Whiskies of the Year 2025
Balmenach 15 Year Old – Badly Drawn Dogs
This year, we launched Badly Drawn Dogs. We’re sure you’ll agree, it was a seismic moment in whisky. Other bottles may have a history or a big name. This one has Diana, the Springer Spaniel. Eat your heart out, Glen-whatever. Best of all, what’s in the bottle rocks too. In this case, a refill hogshead of underappreciated Balmenach single malt. It delivers buttery shortbread, chocolate malt, and warming sweet spice. Oh, and every purchase sold supports Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and Dogs Trust, which is frankly excellent behaviour all round.
Scapa 16 Year Old
Scapa made a statement with its core range refresh. Matured in American oak, this 16-year-old balances ripe orchard fruit with creamy vanilla and soft mulled spice. It showcases Orkney elegance in a very handsome bottle.
Wire Works Amarone Wine (2025 Release)
White Peak’s lightly peated spirit goes deep as bourbon-led maturation follows a first-fill Amarone finish. Bottled at a muscular 53.6% ABV, this 2025 release layers dark red fruit, cocoa, and winey richness onto a gently smoky backbone. Simply put, White Peak is one of England’s finest, and we reckon it has a bright future. Guess the wires really work. Get it? Nevermind.
Glen Scotia 12 Year Old
It must be pretty cool to be Glen Scotia. You’re the Campbeltown stalwart that is actually affordable and available (no shade, Springbank, it’s just the way it is), and you can throw out a top new permanent fixture like it’s nothing. This year, we welcomed Glen Scotia 12 Year Old to the fold, a single malt from first-fill bourbon casks sitting pretty at 46% ABV, natural colour, and non-chill filtered. Packs plenty of Campbeltown character with fresh fruit, salt air, and warming spice. The new packaging looks sharp, too.
A Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 (Master of Malt)
Thirty-one years in an oloroso octave is not subtle, and this whisky makes no attempt to be. Distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2022, just 186 bottles emerged, packed with cinder toffee, roasted coffee, and bonfire smoke. This is old Islay in a Don Draper tuxedo. And yeah, it’s us, but you taste this and tell us we’re wrong. Honourable shout out to this ridiculously good Tobermory, which Dave reckons is the best he’s had from the distillery.
Nikka From The Barrel Extra Marriage
A 40th anniversary tribute that is worthy of the name. Grain whisky from Coffey stills meets Yoichi and Miyagikyo malts, with a marriage period twice as long as the original. Presented in that beloved squat bottle with a fresh silver label, Nikka From The Barrel Extra Marriage is deeper and richer than its famous predecessor.
Thomson South Island Peat
Thomson South Island Peat is a fresh, herbal take on smoke using 100% New Zealand barley and South Island peat. Matured in bourbon casks, it balances maritime notes, gentle sweetness, and earthy smoke. A modern peat lover’s curveball.
Arbikie Highland Rye The Peated
Arbikie makes rye meet peat in a way that feels distinctly Scottish. Finished in Islay whisky casks and bottled at 48%, this outlier combines spicy grain character, charred oak, and maritime smoke. Field-to-bottle credentials seal the deal.
Bivrost Heimdallr
From the world’s northernmost distillery comes a Norwegian whisky boasting heritage barley, Kveik yeast, and Arctic maturation. Rye and Amontillado casks, too, bringing nutty sweetness, spice, and coastal freshness. Heimdallr is the first in the Æsir series, and we look forward to seeing what comes next.
East London Liquor Company Threads Blended Malt
East London Liquor Company’s new path starts with a complex blend built by Sam Garbutt with John Glaser. It combines ELLC’s own peated, unpeated, and rye spirits with Loch Lomond single malt. Throw in some hard water fermentation, brewing yeasts, and an unapologetic personality, and you have yourself a capital blend, old sport.
