If you’re stuck with what to get a loved one for Christmas, you can’t go far wrong with a decent bottle of whisky. Right now is a great time to pick up a brilliant bottle at a cut price, thanks to a wealth of whisky deals hosted on Amazon in the build-up to Black Friday.
Take Talisker’s 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – reduced from £49.99 down to £29. This is perhaps one for more seasoned whisky drinkers, as it has more of a peaty and smoky flavour, with a peppery aftertaste.
With 4.8 stars from 12,530 ratings, with one reviewer calling it “liquid gold”, writing: “It’s my favourite dram and for good reason. It’s peppery, orangery, smoky and yet there’s a smoothness that defies the smoke… It’s paradoxical, and yet it works.” However, another reviewer did say: “Not how I remember it from when I last had a bottle around 1.5-2 years ago. Even the colour seems to be much darker compared to the old stuff.”
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Then there’s The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which handily comes in a gift box for those who find wrapping presents too much of a chore. It’s currently reduced by nearly 50% in the Black Friday deal, taking its price down from £39.50 to £22.99.
This traditional single malt Scotch has a zesty taste with a creamy, smooth finish, thanks to the fact it has been matured in American oak casks. With 4.8 stars from over 10,400 ratings, one happy drinker raved: “The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky stands as a testament to the brand’s legacy of crafting exceptional spirits. From its exquisite flavour profile to its impeccable presentation, this whisky is a true embodiment of single malt excellence.” But as always, everyone’s tastebuds are different, and another shopper said: “Disappointingly flat aroma and taste.”
For something a bit more intense, you could look to Lagavulin’s 16-Year-Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which is £5.99 (down from £83). This is a strong and peaty drop but with sweet notes of vanilla and dates.
It’s racked up 4.8 stars from 13,262 ratings, with one shopper writing: “Great whisky, amazing aromas of sherry, woodsmoke, rich caramel/vanilla. Nice sherry richness on the palate with a sophisticated and not too overbearing smokiness, not too long a finish but a great dram nonetheless.” Meanwhile, another noted: “It is, as the descriptions state, intensely smoky – for me, overpoweringly so.”
Or finally, Amazon is also offering up a brilliant deal on Laphroaig’s 10 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – you can grab it for just £50, as opposed to its full price of £80. This is a complex and satisfying drop, with notes of honey, bacon and maple syrup – as well as some peaty smoke to give it a whole lot of depth.
Perfect when enjoyed neat, over ice or with a splash of water, 22 Amazon customers have awarded it an average of 4.8 stars out of 5. “I first tasted this divine concoction on a tour of the distillery on Islay. It was my favourite of all the samples I tried, and I visited 12 distilleries that week! It’s fabulous. Don’t all like it or there’ll be none left for me!” raved one shopper. Another said, “Very good, but I’m not sure the price is right yet.” Perhaps they didn’t purchase a bottle when it was on sale.
If you do want to look elsewhere for whisky, there are plenty of options. Entry-level whisky drinkers might appreciate a smoother taste – they could look to Johnnie Walker’s Black Label Whisky, which is £35 from Sainsbury’s. Alternatively, if you want to try something from Ireland, Asda is selling Bushmills Irish Whiskey for the reduced price of £17.
But for some serious savings to be made on some top Scotch whiskies – from The Glenlivet to Talisker – be sure to check out Amazon’s offers.