Whisky Gifts Suggestions at an Affordable Price
Christmas is getting expensive. Especially if you are giving whisky. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are tons of great drams out there at an affordable price. So, strictly in the spirit of giving, here are a few recommendations that will treat your taste buds but not break the bank. And if you happen to buy one or two for yourself, we won’t blame you.
Powers Three Swallow Single Pot Whiskey. The Irish are well known for their affordable drams. This one is 5-7 years old, finished in Oloroso Sherry, bottled at 43%, and very affordable. It has a great lineage, dating back to the John Lane Distillery of 1791. It contains a small amount of oats, which gives it a nice, creamy texture that seems just right for Christmas. The name, as legend has it, goes back to the carriage days, when James Power’s coachmen would pack a wee dram to make those long trips a little easier. Enough whiskey was brought along to allow three swallows per passenger. Sounds just right for an evening around the Christmas tree.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Kentucky Straight Bourbon. There are a lot of Bourbons out there. A lot. And the price range covers the spectrum. It can be challenging to find a good Bourbon at a great price. This is one. Bottled at 58%, this cask strength gem is a blend of 6, 8 and 12 year whiskies that are all aged in Number 4 Alligator Charred barrels. That’s the most charred of the bourbon barrels. Looks like blackened alligator hide on the inside. Hence the great color and taste. The 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% barley mash adds to the flavor. It has only been around for a couple of years, but the Wild Turkey pedigree goes back to 1941 and has been an industry standard for taste and quality. Besides, what says Christmas better than a nice turkey?
Alberta Premium Cask Strength 100% Rye. Even though a 65% cask strength whisky might offer up a bit too much Christmas cheer, this Canadian gem is an all time favorite of mine. It is, I imagine, the least expensive whisky ever selected as the 2021 world #1 by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. It makes your lips numb. It tastes like pepper. It burns all the way down. Ho! Ho! Ho! This is a gift for the serious Canadian whisky fan.
Aberfeldy 12 Year Old. Nestled in the Scottish Highlands, Dewer’s Aberfeldy Distillery has been making quality whisky since 1898. This may be (and I have borrowed this quote from a source that I have forgotten) “The best single malt whisky in the world for the price”. It’s aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, giving it that classic highland whisky taste. Referred to as ‘The Golden Dram’, Aberfeldy 12 has won three gold and three silver medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. And the price is really, really affordable. If you have are looking to start a whisky collection, start here. Period. And this Christmas just might be a good time to start.
Signal Hill Canadian Whisky. This one is interesting. From the Island of Newfoundland, on Canada’s east coast, this whisky has only been around for a few years. The folks at Signal Hill (named after the hill in St. John’s where, in 1901, Guglielmo Marconi received the first trans-Atlantic radio signal) buy distilled whisky from Hiram Walker and bring it to the east coast for aging, blending, and bottling. Essentially it’s a 3-5 year old from virgin oak, ex-bourbon, and ex-Canadian whisky casks. What’s more interesting is that it doesn’t contain any rye, the traditional trademark of Canadian whiskies. It’s 90% corn and 10% barley. All of this should add up to a mediocre whisky at best. But it’s not. It’s a great little whisky at a really good price. Maybe it’s the Newfoundland water. Or, perhaps, the salty sea air. Whatever the case, I like it a lot. So does actor Dan Aykroyd, who has teamed up with the folks at Signal Hill to promote it. It’s a good choice for the whisky fan in your life, and the handsome bottle will look great under the Christmas tree.
So there you have it. Five great little whiskies that won’t break the bank this Christmas. The spirits of giving. And who knows? Maybe one will land under your tree this year with your name on it. Cheers and Merry Christmas!
Whisky Love 