Pour a few of these drams in time for the Bells
PLENTY of Scots shoppers will be toasting the new year with a favourite dram, but there’s no reason why they can’t also try a fresh new dram for 2025.
We have highlighted some classic hogmanay options, some lesser known brands as well as new players on the scene to consider for the Bells that consumers may wish to pick up.
Finding a spirit in the Glen
Scotch whisky brand Glenfiddich has unveiled a new series of limited-edition designs across its core range of aged expressions.
The William Grant & Sons-owned brand has collaborated with the Japanese artist Raku Inoue on the “A Gift for Blossoming Futures” limited-edition designs across the Glenfiddich’s flagship range that consists of the 12, 15 and 18-year-old whiskies.
Each unique design features the brand’s iconic stag made from a colourful selection of petals to connect the design to the outdoors.
Fallon Paul, global marketing manager at Glenfiddich, said: “We are thrilled to partner with a wonderful artist like Raku for our limited-edition campaign.
“This initiative continues to drive scale and positions the brand for luxury gifting – ensuring salient presence in our global markets and elevating the all-important gifting occasion for consumers.”
Raku Inoue said: “My aim was to take you on a journey to the great outdoors, harnessing some of the most magnificent elements.”
Triple the tipples for occasion
Drinks firm Speciality Brands has touted a trio of its tipples to make some tempting drams for this Burns Night.
This includes the Elements of Islay Cask Edition blended malt, to deliver a more smoky dram that highlights the strength of the island.
Next is the Port Askaig 8 Year Old, another Islay whisky and named after the island’s port, known as the gateway to Islay.
Though, for shoppers looking to buy from further afield, Speciality has its Nikka from the Barrel.
This blend comes from Japan and is made with a ratio of 60% grain whisky to 40% malt whiskies, most of which come from Nikka’s own distilleries.
The whiskies are aged for an average of 10 years before they are blended, with a resulting dram that sits at 51.4% ABV.
The Dunnet Bay Saga continues
Caithness spirits makers Dunnet Bay Distillers and Stannergill Whisky have released the third in a series of 10 “collectible” drams.
Sales of the Castletown Mill: A History Through Whisky Sagas are being used to fund a bid to turn the site into a destination distillery once again.
Each Saga is described as “a carefully curated blend of grain and single malt whiskies, telling a unique story about the history of the iconic mill”.
The third Saga features an image of Benjamin Calder and wife Jessie on the bottle. Calder was a tenant miller who bought the property in 1913.
This Saga uses a higher proportion of Speyside malts, blending spirits from Strathmill and Tamdhu distilleries as well as from Cameronbridge and Deanston.
The result is said to be a smooth, complex, sweet dram, with lots on the nose. The makers refer to “malty sweetness, hints of honey, oak, vanilla and a little bit of dark chocolate”.
The limited-edition Saga 3, which has an ABV of 46.7%, is available to buy from www.stannergillwhisky.co.uk for £60 per 700ml bottle.
