There’s still a little time before pre-Christmas deliveries dry up, especially if you’re an Amazon customer. If you’re struggling for ideas, a bottle of whisky is a great choice for both connoisseurs and newbies alike, with a decent bottle being a welcome addition to any liquor cabinet.
Right now, you can scoop up a 70cl bottle of Tamnavulin Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Double Cask for just £24, down from £32 at Amazon (price correct at time of writing). That’s a staggeringly good price on this much-loved single malt.
Distilled in Speyside, a region well-known for its drams, this whisky is smooth, rich and refreshing. Matured in American oak barrels, it’s got a sweet and mellow flavour profile that evolves into a smooth sherry cask finish. Tasting notes include pineapple, demerara sugar, peach, pear, marzipan, apple, toffee and honey, combining for a rich and warm profile that goes down easily neat, on the rocks, or blended into a classic cocktail.
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With a massive 4.7 out of 5 stars averaged from over 10,600 customer reviews on Amazon, the odds are favourable for this being a welcome Christmas gift. “Great smooth taste,” said a five-star review. “If you like a single malt, try this. Great value for money.”
“I really enjoy this whisky,” said another happy customer. “Smoky taste with a small dose of fruit. The drinkability is absolutely on point, not burning your throat even one iota. Strength is there but not too strong. Taste, colour and flavour complexity are astonishing — the perfect trifecta.”
Another added: “I liked this single malt, was a nice change from my usual choice. A smooth dram with robust flavour, I expect due to the double cask process. Bottle didn’t last long though!”
It’s not quite to everyone’s tastes, although there’s some inevitability to that, of course. “Compared with the other (more expensive) Lagavulins, this is more than a little harsh,” said one review. Another wrote: “The smell reminds me of Bells, and there is a faint chemical aftertaste when tasted neat.”
While you’re considering alternatives, take a look at the Red Silkie Irish Whiskey, reduced to £24.95 at Wowcher. For a certified classic that will go down well in any stocking, there’s the 1L bottle of Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey at Asda for £23 (reduced from £25).
At less than £21 for the Tamnavulin Speyside Single Malt, this is nevertheless a rare opportunity to get a fantastic, artisanal whisky at an bargain price.