Bright gold color. Bright, waxy aromas of honeycomb, dark caramel, raisin toast, and leather with a supple, lively, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length nuts, honeyed dried fruits, floral earth, and cedar finish. A nicely nuanced and layered Highland single malt.

In body, it is thick and oily. On the palate, a somewhat sweet maltiness up front is run over by a powerful peat smoke locomotive. Again, the whisky is enriched with citrus and pear notes, spice, and seaweed. The finish is powerful, long, and warming. The smoke lingers for minutes, if not hours. If you like your Ardbeg to go to a phenolic extreme, you will cherish this one. This big, powerful whisky makes no apologies for its Islay roots.

Soft honey and vanilla give way to dried fruits and light spice with vanilla returning to carry through the finish in this lovely dram. Perfect with just about anything

Dalwhinnie 15yo is a good introduction to the delights of single malt whisky – elegant, smooth and medium-bodied, with a light, fruity palate and a whiff of heather on the finish. Part of Diageo's Classic Malt range.

12 year old single malt Scotch whisky from GlenAllachie, released in mid-2018 following Billy Walker taking the reins of the distillery in 2017. This expression features whisky matured in Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso and virgin oak casks, resulting in a huge flavour profile of fruit, oak and vanilla.

Kavalan Single Malt Whisky Sherry Oak is a Sherry bomb of a deep mahogany color and layers and layers of fruit. And all the numbers line up too: no artificial anything and no chill filtering, and aged 100% in premium Oloroso Sherry casks from Spain.

Look for a straw hue and unmistakably peaty, smoky scent. On the palate, fruity sweetness leads at first, quickly morphing into a billow of pungent peat smoke. Quite drying, and finishes fiery. Water tamps down the alcohol heat and brings more orchard fruit forward.

Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2018, "Wonderfully sherried nose of salty, honey-roasted walnuts, golden raisin, truffle, and baked red cherry. The palate is full of briny, salty goodness with hints of apricot, tinned peach, and a tinge of mesquite smoke. Long and honey-tinged.

By not chill filtering, Tomintoul ensures its 14-year-old whisky’s aromatic qualities are perfectly preserved and enjoyed while drinking. With an enhanced flavour and its unique characteristics, this whisky delivers bite and impact.

Bulleit Barrel shares the high-rye mashbill of its lower proof sibling. Following the first blast of uncut barrel strength spirit are notes of butterscotch, honey, and cinnamon. Sipping reveals red pepper, barrel char, and a sweet but spicy finish. Water brings wood to the forefront.

Howler Head is blended with the finest Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. You've got a kick of oak, a whirl of sweetness and some straightfrom- the-jungle Bananarama awesomeness.

For a warm and comforting sipper on a chilly evening, this is a fine way to go. This honey-hued Bourbon has a big, powerful, sweet caramel aroma, and a rich mix of buttery, oaky and toasty flavors.