Our (Current) Top Five Single Malts

On May 21st 2016, it will be #WorldWhiskyDay, we thought that we would celebrate by giving you a list of our top five whiskies that you might want to buy and try on this very awesome of days!!

Yamazaki 12 Year Old – Real Dram Factor 8.6

This dram is the old, worn comfortable leather chair of whiskies, it is smooth, incredibly drinkable and very complex. I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t love this spirit. There are notes of spice and of nuts, that resonate around the mouth and always make me think of Christmas. The bottles are only getting more expensive, so grab a bottle now, before it hits £100.

Who is it for? This is a bottle to treat yourself to, so that you can get it out at special occasions and make them even more special.

Buy Online: Master of Malt – Yamasaki 12 – £89.91

Kilchoman Machir Bay – Real Dram Factor 8.6

This a smoky, biscuity, powerful number, which is full of youthful zest. It is a Islay whisky, which are known for their smoke and punchiness, but this is a finely balanced whisky that never overpowers. There are fruity notes, that come out toward the middle of the dram and there is a gorgeous warming quality too. For a taste of something new, but that completely defies its age. this is a great dram.

Who is it for? This is bottle for people who lovely there whiskies big, full of flavour and robust. It would make a great whisky to drink round a fire in any season.

Buy Online: Master of Malt – Machir Bay – £43.09

Midleton Dair Ghaelach – Real Dram Factor 8.6

This is our only Irish whiskey in our current top five and one that should make an entire nation proud. It is an absolute belter of a dram, which only grows with knowledge of its fantastic journey to life. Using Irish oak, which is specially selected, hand sawn and then used to create barrels that allow a unique maturation, this is a fine example of pot still whisky. It is a wondrous mix of cream, sweet bananas and warming spice. There are also notes of chocolate and zest of tangerine present too.

Who is it for? This is dram for those that like their whisky special, but smooth and beautifully easy to drink. The provenance alone is reason to pick it up…

Buy Online: Master of Malt – Dair Ghaelach – £180.00

Ardbeg Uigeadail – Real Dram Factor 8.6

This is a huge, sprawling sea monster of a whisky. It feels to me like it has emerged, writhing from the black Scottish seas on a dark, stormy night covered head to foot in barnacles and seaweed. This is a salty, peaty, powerful whisky. It is also one of the only drams I have ever tasted that seems to evolve every time that I try it. There are new notes that pop up above the noise of the whisky each and every time. This is a fantastic whisky and at an incredible price too!

Who is it for? Absolutely everybody, but its a great dram to drink after blustery stroll along an English coastline on a day that was surprisingly cold!

Buy Online: Master of Malt – Uigeadail – £52.95

Kilchoman Sanaig – Real Dram Factor 8.7

Accuse me of bias all you like, but this second Kilchoman dram is the third and final Islay whisky in our top five and it is the only dram that we have rated above 8.6. We thought that it might have been, over excitement when we first reviewed it, but every time we drink it, we fall more in love. This is a sweet, smoky whisky, which drinks like a rich, full bodied South American coffee. This combination is a winner in our book and we think you will love it too!

Who is it for? This is a whisky for coffee drinkers and for those that want an Islay Malt, but still like a sweetness to what they are drinking.

Buy Online: Master of Malt – Sanaig – £49.84

Prices are correct at the time of going to press and as Master of Malt Affiliates, buying using these links supports the writing we do here, so thanks in advance!!