Top 10 Whiskies
December 2025
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 December.
Ardnahoe 5 Year Old Cask Strength
Scotch single malt whisky, Islay region
A cracking cask strength single malt from Islay's young Ardnahoe, which was founded in 2017 and is the only distillery on Islay to operate traditional worm tub condensers. Hunter Laing worked with the legendary Jim McEwan (previously of Bowmore and Bruichladdich) to build Ardnahoe and perfect their craft. This release was matured exclusively in first-fill bourbon barrels.
"Exactly what I need to warm up when the temperature drops. Bottled at 60.9% ABV, it may be only five years old, but it delivers fantastic flavour: coastal brine and peat – unsurprising for Islay – interwoven with orchard fruits, salted caramel, cacao, and a bright citrus finish."
Michael Monte
Spirits buyer, but in French (& sometimes Mandarin)
Tasting notes
Rich layers of dark chocolate, earthy peat, and coastal brine.
Salted caramel, sweet orchard fruits, and herbal tea, with balanced smoke, and hints of preserved lemons.
Dried citrus peels, bonfire smoke, and sea breeze.
Bomberger's Declaration 2025
Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon (2025 Release) pays tribute to the historic distillery once known as Bomberger’s in the 1800s, later becoming Michter’s in the 20th century. For 2025, the whiskey was matured in Chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) barrels seasoned for varying durations — 18 months, three, four, and five years — before being toasted and charred to Michter’s custom specifications. The variation in wood seasoning brings a dynamic balance of flavour, and layers of richness, spice, and complexity.
"The kind of bourbon that converts Scotch purists. Michter’s process blends passion and precision in a way that charms us whiskey people. Chinquapin oak barrels are the key for this edition here."
Adam O'Connell
Whisky nerd and certified mate of Ainsley Harriott
Tasting notes
Bright fruit, roasted nuts, and salted caramel with hints of dark chocolate and oak.
A bold, multi-dimensional experience, opening with floral and jammy sweetness, moving into salted caramel and chocolate, before finishing with baking spice and berry compote.
Long, rich, and complex, with lingering spice and silky sweetness.
SRV5 8 Year Old (Thompson Bros.)
Scotch blended malt whisky
From the Thompson brothers in Dornoch, SRV5 aka 'Station Road Vat 5' is married in the European oak vat illustrated on the label (by Yu Kurahashi of Bar Tre, Hiroshima). This also acts as a solera as it's never emptied to less than a third full when whisky is drawn off for bottling! Expect freshness, fruitiness, waxiness, and gentle smoke, bottled at a healthy 48.5%.
"I love this bright, bargainous (yet for the geeks), zesty Lilt/melon-led, practically effervescent blended malt with a solid Clynelish backbone and just a lick of peat. Phil & Simon have long been a vital part of the landscape, championing ‘old style’ production from hotel bar, to distillery, to lovingly integrated bottlings like this. Intentionally perfect for highballs too."
Jake Mountain
Resident doer of things, spirits buff & MoM OG
Tasting notes
Green apple, lemon curd, cucamelon, green olive, beeswax and a touch of burnt toast.
Mouth-coating and creamy, tomato stem and makrut lime leaves, marzipan and coal tar soap.
Rounded, gentle smoke and more fresh citrus, including orange.
Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength
Irish single pot still whiskey
The beloved Redbreast 12 Year Old, but in cask strength format (from specially selected casks, released in batches)! Triple distilled in copper pot stills from a combination of malted and unmalted barley, the whiskey matured in a host of American oak bourbon barrels and Spanish oak oloroso sherry butts before being bottled at cask strength, amping up all that classic, rich, rounded Redbreast character.
"Big and bold, incredibly creamy and fruity, with heaps of spicy complexity. Who needs to spend time making an Old Fashioned when you can kick back with a glass of this?!"
Emma Symons
Whisky word-engine, rum nut, imperial stout maven & MoM OG
Tasting notes
Juicy notes of fruit salad lead to sweet, dried stone fruits, with peaches and plump sultanas backed by a touch of candied orange and oaken spice.
Silky mouthfeel, with layers of stewed, spiced fruits, vanilla cream, and mellow oak.
Warm oak builds, with baking spices, sherried fruit, and robust barley.
Glenfiddich Grand Château 31 Year Old
Scotch single malt whisky, Speyside region
An immensely impressive addition to the Grand Series from Glenfiddich, and the first release by the distillery that has been matured in red wine casks from the Bordeaux region of France! This limited edition single malt was initially aged in American and European oak before finishing its 31-year maturation with a generous nine-year stay in Bordeaux red wine casks. The resulting whisky boasts a distinct reddish hue, and gloriously indulgent layers of rich candied cherry, warming spice, and toasted oak.
"Priciest whisky I have picked yet, but truly outstanding stuff here. Look, I've done the maths; £1,600 per bottle is like £61.50 per dram. Now, over twenty years in refill hogsheads plus nine years in Bordeaux casks for just seconds on the palate... can it possibly be worth the pricetag? Short answer... YES. It's a piece of art, from the André Saraiva illustrated box to the peerless liquid in the bottle. Truly worth getting the calculator out for."
Sam Simmons
Whiskevangelist, Blender of the Year & guitar shredder
Tasting notes by producer
Warm cocooning vanilla slowly unveils fruity, floral notes of beautifully ripe cassis berries, and piquant nutty aromas.
Indulgent and rich, flavours of slowly caramelised cherries and apples intertwine with an unmistakable warming spice and toasted oak.
Everlasting depth and character.
Christmas Cake & Dark Chocolate & Medjool Dates & Cinnamon 8YO
Scotch single malt whisky, Speyside region
Festive flavours are the name of the game here. And name of the whisky. Superb Speyside single malt, aged for eight years, obviously with plenty of sherry cask involvement for those evocative seasonal notes. Any whisky fan will be thrilled to find a bottle under the tree with their name on it.
"A gloriously festive Speysider that leans straight into its name. All the chocolate, sticky fruit, and warm spice you’d expect, wrapped up in a cosy, dessert-like dram that’s hard to put down. Everything delicious that comes to mind at Christmas, bottled."
Thomas Burton
Customer service guru, translator to the dev team & MoM OG
Tasting notes
Dried fruit soaked in sherry, gingersnaps, brandy butter, clove, malty vanilla lingering underneath.
A big helping of orange as it arrives on the palate, soon joined by dark chocolate shavings, golden syrup, cinnamon sticks, dried cherry, dates, and shortbread.
The eponymous Christmas cake notes hang around for a good while afterwards, with hints of citrus oil and chocolate mousse.
Kyrö Sauna Stories No.2
Finnish rye whisky
100% malted rye Finnish whisky aged in new American oak and apricot brandy casks, which were left to mature in a sauna! The founders of the distillery conceived the idea of Kyrö in a sauna, so this series is a nice full-circle moment. It's also an intriguing idea... a maturation climate hotter than most natural settings can achieve, with the pores of the wood opened right up to impart its character upon the whisky within.
"I must admit I was sceptical, as to me, Kyrö Rye is perfect as it is. However having tried the before/after sauna experiment I love the geekyness of this mad idea! The French oak apricot brandy casks elevate the fruitiness of their perfect rye. I used to work for a Finn once - he was mad too..."
Dave Worthington
Olive-fueled, affable & beardy award-winning whisky ambassador
Tasting notes
Exotic wood, vanilla, spice, dried fruits, and apricot peaks.
Rye spice, warm oak, bright stone fruits, bold and velvety.
Long-lasting taste with rye spice.
Tomintoul 15yo 2008 Tawny Port Cask
Scotch single malt whisky, Speyside region
This limited edition single malt started its maturation in a host of American oak bourbon barrels, before being treated to a finish in a selection of Tawny Port barriques, chosen by master distiller Robert Fleming. It was bottled at 46% ABV, without added colour or chill filtration.
"Soft red fruitiness and dark chocolatey vibes with this 15-year-old speysider from those positively festive Tawny Port casks. I'm a big fan of Tomintoul's cask finishes, and sat here really, really enjoying this one as I type! I recommend you check them out."
Chris Wood
Spirits buyer, spirits seller & spirits drinker (& also MoM OG)
Tasting notes
Dark chocolate-coated cherries, stewed fruit, woody spices, and cinnamon swirls.
Red fruit sweetness leads the way with notes of dried summer fruits and tangy rhubarb, followed by a touch of Turkish Delight, honeyed nuts, vanilla cream, and cocoa.
Walnuts, toasted marzipan, warming spice, a touch of cassis, coffee, and cacao.
Scapa 10 Year Old
Scotch single malt whisky, Islands
Scapa is back. It has a new core range, which includes 10, 16, and 21-year-old releases, and new fancy bottles. Matured in American oak, Scapa 10 Year Old is rich with layers of vanilla, pineapple and honeyed sweetness for a vibrant, characterful sipper.
"The reborn Scapa is bright, luscious, and tropical in tone, while retaining its island roots. It's an underrated number worth tasting. Or gifting, I guess. That time of year, isn't it?"
Adam O'Connell
Whisky nerd and certified mate of Ainsley Harriott
Tasting notes
A tropical welcome with oaken vanilla and toffee, joined by heaps of candied pineapple, dried mango, spiced banana bread, and citrus.
Honeyed fruits lead with a combo of the tropical varieties from the nose, alongside zesty citrus and crisp orchard fruits. Creamy coconut and chocolate balance woody spices beneath.
Buttery Tarte Tatin, beurre noisette, and vanilla fudge are backed by a touch of nutmeg and sweet baking spice.
CRN57 18 Year Old Blended Malt
Scotch blended malt whisky
Created by Gordon & MacPhail to show what’s to come from its new Highland distillery, The Cairn. The CRN57° 18 Year Old is a wonderfully balanced blended malt that aims to capture the essence of the Cairngorms. It's bright, fresh, and indulgent.
"If you want a taste of The Cairn Distillery’s future, look no further. This expression offers a preview of what Gordon & MacPhail aim to achieve with their spirit—fruity and nutty on the palate, with a touch of pepper on the finish. Wonderfully balanced throughout."
Michael Monte
Spirits buyer, but in French (& sometimes Mandarin)
Tasting notes by the producer
Crisp apples, blueberries and candied citrus peel. Raisins and toasted almonds topped with brown sugar.
Banana, milk chocolate and hazelnut. Strawberries and cream, and a touch of spice.
Fresh lime, mint and a hint of pepper.
*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.
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