Top 10 Whiskies
You love whisky. But how to pick your next dram? If you are in need of inspiration, we can help. Here's 10 we think you'll really like, perfect for kicking off the new year in style.
What Whisky to Drink in 2026
A truly wonderful aspect of the modern world is the abundance of great whisky available—more than there ever has been. This does create its own problem, however: Which whisky should you drink next?
That's the kind of problem we love to solve. See, we don't just sell whisky, we love whisky and have the opportunity to try all kinds of it. We sample new expressions, revisit classics, and savour the bottles that deserve more attention than they're getting. That means we're perfectly placed to pull together a starter for 10 from all the various styles, categories, and approaches out there. A list that manages to tick a wide range of boxes while keeping quality and integrity at the core of every selection.
There's single malt Scotch, of course. But there's also peated whisky from the Lowlands. Redbreast makes the cut, as it so often does, and so does a blend of fine English malts. There's Kiwi whisky smoked with Manuka wood, a newcomer from the old favourite that is Islay, even a Canadian corn whisky with a moose on the label. This is a true whisky lover's selection, perfect for the searcher who dreams of a new dram. Dig in!
Speyside Single Malt
GlenAllachie 12 Year Old
70cl • 46%
The whisky that was crowned World’s Best Single Malt in 2025 absolutely flew off our shelves last year. People love their GlenAllachie, and the 12-year-old single malt Scotch whisky represents sensible value for its fans and the perfect introduction for new drinkers. It features whisky matured in Pedro Ximénez, oloroso and virgin oak casks, which gives the single malt a huge flavour profile of fruit, oak, and vanilla.
"One of our very best sellers. Full stop. It was also crowned World’s Best Single Malt at the 2025 World Whisky Awards! Heaps of sherry, fruit, and oaken vanilla make this a particularly satisfying, moreish sipper all year 'round."
English Blended Malt
The Heart Cut x Barley
50cl • 46%
The Heart Cut has made its mark with repeated excellent releases of single-cask releases from across the world, but now it steps into the world of core expressions. The Heart Cut x Barley is the first in a three-part series celebrating the grains that shape whisky: Barley, Corn and Rye. It brings together single malt casks from five respected English distilleries: Copper Rivet, The English, Cotswolds, White Peak, and Adnams, creating a modern English blended malt.
"Wife and husband duo Georgie Bell & Fabrizio Leoni are on an absolute tear. Indie Bottler of the Year twice running (Icons of Whisky '24 & '25), plus their own ‘house’ blended malt. Extraordinary even before you hear they started the business just a couple of years ago around the same time their twins were born!"
Irish Single Pot Still
Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition - Iberian Series
70cl • 46%
Redbreast Pedro Ximenéz Cask Edition was the first limited edition release from the brand's signature Iberian Series. But this delicious single pot still Irish whiskey was so good it became a permanent addition to the Redbreast range. The whiskey is tripled distilled and matured in bourbon and oloroso Sherry casks before being re-casked in Pedro Ximénez Hogsheads for a decadent, sweet finish.
"I've written a lot about Redbreast. And I'll do it again. Sometimes I forget how much I love sherried whisky until that robin lands on my shoulder. Gesturing to a glass dark and full of deep promises. Just one sip, rude not to..."
Islay Single Malt whisky
Ardnahoe Bholsa
70cl • 50%
An exciting opportunity to check out the single malt from Islay's Ardnahoe distillery following its inaugural release in 2024. Bholsa is matured predominantly in oloroso sherry casks and bottled without added colour or chill filtration at a generous 50% ABV for a splendid profile of juicy dried fruits, apricot, and peppery peat.
Speyside Single Malt Whisky
Balvenie 12 Year Old 2012 Montilla Wine Casks
70cl • 47.3%
A 12-year-old single malt that spent its life in European oak casks seasoned with sweet wine from Montilla in Andalusia, Spain. Selected by malt master Kelsey McKechnie, it adds a sun-drenched Spanish twist to The Balvenie’s trademark honey and vanilla, layering in fruit and spice.
Lowland Single Malt Whisky
Kinglassie 8 Year Old 2017 - Raw Edition
70cl • 46.3%
A limited edition peated single malt, one of the first from Fife's InchDairnie distillery! This heavily peated Lowlander matured in bourbon barrels for eight years before bottling at a satisfying 46.3% ABV for an untamed profile that's packed with punchy peat smoke and complex malt.
Kiwi Single Malt Whisky
Thomson Manuka Smoke
70cl • 46%
If you want to showcase the world of whisky in 2026, missing out Thomson would be a glaring omission. The Kiwi whisky maker is making some of the most interesting spirits in the world right now. Just like this bottling, made from local barley smoked with native Manuka wood. It's smoky, spicy, and unmistakably homegrown.
American Bourbon
New Riff Straight Bourbon
70cl • 50%
A Kentucky Straight Bourbon from the ever-wonderful New Riff! There's a fairly generous amount of rye in the mash bill, 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley, so expect a good helping of spice alongside the sweeter, buttery notes. It's aged in toasted and charred new oak barrels before bottling at 50% ABV. Bourbon nerds love New Riff. If you don't, it's just a matter of having that first drop.
Canadian Corn Whisky
Canadian Corn Whisky 8 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
70cl • 45.8%
Canada is known for its rye, but don't let that association stop you from sampling its sweet corn whiskies. This is a belter from That Boutique-y Whisky Company, who you can always trust to bottle up some brilliant whisky. Check out that value too. There's no excuse not to try it.
Japanese Blended whisky
Nikka From The Barrel Extra Marriage
50cl • 51.4%
One of Japan's most famous distilleries celebrated a landmark in 2025: The 40th anniversary of the release of Nikka From The Barrel. To honour one of Japan's most famous sons, it pushes the original From the Barrel further by adding a cask marriage period twice as long. It retains FTB's elegant style but adds a smart new silver label. If you like the legend, then you'll love this.
More Whisky excellence
It's almost impossible to narrow down just 10 whiskies we think you should try in 2026. So, what the heck, here's a whole bunch more we think you'll like.
Popular whisky categories
From old & rare drams, tasting sets, and our own subscription service, you'll find the whisky you want here.
