Get ready with your favourite dram, it’s time to celebrate as World Whisky Day approaches on Saturday 18th May. With whiskies from the UK, USA, India and Ireland, this is your one-stop-shop guide on how to celebrate World Whisky Day this year.
Whisky Picks for World Whisky Day 2024
USA: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Elijah Craig, one of the Fastest-Growing Super Premium Whiskies in the US. Elijah Craig Small Batch is made exclusively from a blend of 200 or less 8 to 12-Year-Old barrels, aged in open air rickhouses. It is this extra aging and expertise in barrel selection that give Elijah Craig its robust body and rich flavour and owes its distinctive warm spice & subtle smoke flavour to Level 3 charred oak barrels.
The Master Distillers at Elijah Craig use malted barley, rye and local corn to produce this burnished copper coloured Bourbon, with a delightfully complex aroma, notes of vanilla bean, sweet fruit and fresh mint. The taste is smooth and warm, woody with accents of smoke and nutmeg and a long, sweet and slightly toasty finish.
RRP: From £42 for 70cl. ABV: 47%. Available from: Tesco
ENGLAND: Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky
Cotswolds Distillery is now the largest producer of English whisky in the UK following the recent expansion of its whisky production site last year.
Launched in October 2017, the award-winning Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky is the first whisky ever distilled in the Cotswolds. Crafted using the finest, locally grown Cotswold barley and matured in a combination of highly active STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine casks and premium first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels, this single malt is rich, fruity and sippable with notes of honey, Seville orange marmalade and dark red fruits. All the flavour and with natural colouring, this non-chill filtered malt is certainly one to try.
Nose: Honey and butterscotch layered with light fruits (peaches and apricots), a hint of marzipan.
Palate: Strong notes of tannin-rich malt, oils and dark sugar with lots of spice and caramelised Seville orange marmalade.
Finish: Long and resinous, with dark red fruits and a subtle hint of treacle.
RRP: £39 for 70cl. ABV: 46%. Available from: Waitrose, Ocado, Majestic, The Whisky Exchange, Amazon and Cotswolds Distillery
ENGLAND: Cotswolds Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky
This cask strength release from the Cotswolds Distillery comes from founder Dan Szor’s favourite casks: STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) American oak ex-red wine barriques. These uniquely active casks, designed by whisky expert Dr. Jim Swan, give a rich and intense maturation to the distillery’s fruity single malt spirit, offering notes of toffee, oak and red fruits, and a beautiful, deep colour.
RRP: From £75 for 70cl. ABV: 60.5%. Available from: Cotswolds Distillery, Hedonism Wines, The Whisky Exchange, Ocado and Spirits Kiosk
IRELAND: The Dubliner Bourbon Cask Irish Whiskey
As rich in character as any Dubliner, this is a smooth, tasty and versatile Irish whiskey. Loud, lively and loved, just like the city itself. As comfortable in a cocktail as it is neat or on the rocks.
This warm, versatile Irish whiskey was aged in Bourbon casks, making it smoother than a lake at dawn.
Tasting Notes: Touches of vanilla and orchard fruits to begin. Before long, honey and caramel notes arrive, stirring a slight hint of pepper to turn up the volume at the back.
RRP: £25. ABV: 40%. Available from: Neat & Shaken and Amazon
INDIA: Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky
Produced in India’s oldest distillery, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, this super luxury premium whisky is distilled in traditional copper pot stills. The malt matures for two-thirds of its life in handpicked American Bourbon Barrels and a third in European Oak Sherry Casks and is then non-chill-filtered.
3 Fab Whisky Gift Ideas
Embark on a journey of luxury and surprise with The Explorer. This exceptional decanter set transcends the ordinary; it embodies luxury and style, perfect for those who treasure the finer moments of whiskey. £39.95 from Amazon.
This pack of tumbler glasses with an intricate design is a staple piece for your table this summer. Priced at just £10.00 from Dunelm, they won’t break the bank either!
Gift a luxury Scotch whisky experience for any occasion. Including Balvenie’s smooth and mellow DoubleWood 12 year single malt. With a nutty sweetness, cinnamon spiciness and a layer of sherry taste, this whisky is sure to impress your lucky recipient. Priced at £65.00.
