whisky gifts

The Dalmore Aurora in Time For Christmas

Filed under: Spirits

The Dalmore Aurora, 45-year old whisky expression has been making its way to the better whisky purveyors around the world in time for collectors and extra special holiday gift giving.

The super-premium collectible, priced at £3500, or $5,537.00 is named after the Aurora Borealis, a natural phenomenon also known as the Northern Lights. The whisky was put into a Oloroso sherry butt on 29 April 1964. Having aged for 46 years, it was was selected for this special bottling. There are only 200 decanters released at 45% ABV.

Taste notes: Honeyed pear, banana and passion fruit. Blood oranges, figs, marmalade and coffee notes are also very present, typical of long aging in sherry casks. The color is dark amber.

Tags: Single-malt scotch, The Dalmore, The Dalmore Aurora, whisky, Whisky Gifts

Holiday Shopping Guide: Ten Great Whiskies To Buy

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

There are few things a whiskey connoisseur likes better under the tree than a long, festively wrapped box containing something special.

It has been a good year for new whiskey expressions, so there is no shortage of options. And I would recommend something new to the market to help the receiver usher in a new year.

Sure, you can buy your Glenmorangie or Glenlivet loving gift recipient a bottle of 12-year old. But put a bit more thought into it, and a bit more brass, and you can turn a grin into a broad smile. For holiday gift-giving, I always thing it's better to give someone a limited edition or otherwise special expression of the brand they prefer. The other route to go is to introduce them to something unique in the category that will capture their interest and sense of curiosity.

These days, almost every brand of Scotch, Irish or American whiskey has a "special," whether it's a single-barrel, cask-strength, extra-aged or barrel-finished.

Here are some gift suggestions of new whiskies Luxist has tried this year and reviewed. Most of these will be found at better whiskey shops in major cities, as well as duty-free travel retail, rather than the corner store.

Gallery: Holiday Shopping: Ten Great Whiskies

Tags: Amrut, Ballantines Scotch, Bowmore, Compass Box, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, holiday gift guide, Jim beam, Whiskey gifts, whisky gifts, WhistlePig

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Win a Year's Supply of Whisky From Master of Malt

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Master of Malt has launched a Golden Dram Competition in which five winners will receive a year's supply of whisky from the world's greatest distilleries.

The competition was launched to celebrate the release of Master of Malt's dram sets - 24 different tasting sets showcasing the world's finest spirits. Each set includes five labeled, wax-dipped samples, specially selected by the Master of Malt tasting team. There is a wide range of sets to choose from including an Old and Rare WhiskyTasting Set, a Regions of Scotland, a Super Peaty Whisky Tasting Set, and many more.

Golden Drams have been hidden in five lucky tasting sets, and if you find a golden dram before the end of November, you win a free Gold Membership (RRP £499.95) into Master of Malt's Dram Club. Gold members receive a year's supply of whisky, with 10 drams every month.

There are three different membership options:

Bronze Dram Club Membership (£84.95) includes:A 5 dram box-set every three months; Two Glencairn tasting glasses.

Silver Dram Club Membership (£249.95) includes: 5 new whiskies to try every month; Two Glencairn tasting glasses.

Gold Dram Club Membership (£499.95) includes: 10 new and exciting drams every month (a year's supply of whisky); Two Glencairn tasting glasses.

Tags: Master of Malt, whiskey, whisky, whisky Gifts