Christmas is a season made for whisky. Whether poured fireside, shared around a table, or mixed into a celebratory cocktail, the right bottle has a way of shaping the mood and marking the moment. Our curated guide brings together our favourite whiskies of 2025, which range from classic single malts, limited festive releases and modern expressions, designed to suit everything from quiet winter evenings to lively gatherings. Consider this your shortcut to finding a bottle that feels memorable and perfectly timed for Christmas.
Tomatin 18 Year Old
Tomatin 18 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask
A refined choice for slow evenings and winter gatherings, Tomatin 18 Year Old Oloroso Sherry is a whisky made for fireside indulgence. Matured in a combination of traditional oak and Oloroso sherry butt casks, it delivers generous layers of dried fruit, tropical sweetness and warming richness. Aromas of dried apricot, plum and nutty sherry lead into vanilla fudge and softly spiced pears, while the palate unfolds with marmalade, cooked apple, butterscotch and cocoa, finished with touches of salted caramel. Complex yet beautifully balanced, this award-winning single malt is the ideal gift for those who enjoy lingering over a glass and savouring the quieter moments of the festive season.
Cù Bòcan 15 Year Old
A whisky with a playful streak, Cù Bòcan 15 Year Old brings a spark of curiosity to the festive table. Distilled only during Tomatin’s winter runs, this lightly peated single malt balances gentle smoke with layers of sweet spice, citrus and toasted oak. The nose opens with sun-dried fruit, marmalade and flamed orange peel, followed by hints of autumn bonfire and warm spice. On the palate, plum, cinder toffee, coffee and softly smoked meat come together with earthy depth, before a long finish of dried fruit, tobacco smoke, dark chocolate and Christmas cake. Modern yet rooted in tradition, it is an ideal gift for friends who enjoy whisky that dares to do things a little differently.
Christmas Morning Fiesta
A bold and characterful festive release for the curious whisky lovers, Christmas Morning Fiesta delivers flavour in generous, celebratory layers. Distilled in the Highlands and matured first in ex-bourbon hogsheads before a finishing period in a first fill European oak ex-PX butt, this 13 year old single malt leans into rich dried fruits and warming spice. Expect aromas of dried orange, cinnamon, apple and marzipan, followed by a powerful palate of treacle glazed meats, dates, dark chocolate and plum jam. With a little water, softer notes of sugared almonds, fig rolls, cappuccino and marmalade emerge, adding depth and balance. Bottled at natural cask strength, this is a confident, full bodied Christmas dram that rewards slow sipping and festive indulgence.
Glen Scotia 12 Year Old
Glen Scotia’s new 12 Year Old shines a spotlight on Campbeltown’s distinctive maritime style. Matured exclusively in first-fill bourbon casks, it opens with fresh sea air, honeyed vanilla and tropical fruit, before unfolding into caramelised sugar, bright citrus and ripe pineapple on the palate. Gentle toasted oak leads into a long, warming finish touched with cinnamon and nutmeg. Presented in striking royal blue and chalk white packaging inspired by the distillery’s historic dunnage warehouses, this release celebrates Glen Scotia’s role in the revival of one of Scotland’s most characterful whisky regions and makes a confident addition to any festive whisky selection.
Circumstance Single Grain Estate Whisky
For the whisky lover who appreciates innovation, this Bristol-born single grain is an inspired choice. Made from organic malted, unmalted and roasted barley, it undergoes an unusually long 14-day fermentation with saison and Belgian abbey yeasts that build rich character before the spirit ever reaches the cask. After 37 months in new European oak, ex-bourbon and oloroso-conditioned barrels, it emerges with aromas of roasted nuts and spiced plums, followed by ripe fruit, caramel, lemon zest and a touch of milk chocolate. Modern, expressive and crafted with care, it is a brilliant introduction to the new wave of English whisky.
The Antiquary 21 Year Old
An elegant way to round off the festive season, The Antiquary 21 Year Old is a beautifully composed blend that celebrates tradition and balance. Bringing together Highland and Speyside malts with carefully selected Lowland grains, it delivers layers of fruit, honey and gentle spice with effortless smoothness. Aromas of cut hay, burning heather, dark mocha and vanilla lead into a palate of spiced plum, wild strawberries, dark chocolate and a savoury hint of charred game. The finish is refined and lingering, with sea salt and red fruits carrying through. Polished and quietly confident, this is a thoughtful gift for those who appreciate maturity, heritage and a whisky to savour into the year ahead.
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby
A contemporary gift choice, Johnnie Walker Black Ruby reimagines whisy for a new generation of whisky drinkers. Created by Master Blender Dr Emma Walker, this permanent addition to the Black Label family leans into sweeter, fruit-forward flavours drawn from malts matured in PX and oloroso seasoned casks, ex-red wine and bourbon barrels. Expect lush notes of raspberry jam, blackberry pie and honeyed richness, layered with figs, plums and maraschino cherries, all lifted by a gentle touch of spice and delicate smoke. Designed to shine both neat and in cocktails, Black Ruby is sociable, versatile and easy to enjoy, making it an ideal festive bottle for parties, gifting or anyone curious to explore Scotch beyond the traditional serve.
The Singleton
A reassuringly classic gift that appeals to both newcomers and seasoned whisky drinkers, The Singleton of Dufftown 15 Year Old delivers everything you expect from a refined Speyside single malt. Soft and gently sweet, it opens with baked apple, brown sugar and subtle spice, followed by creamy notes of milk chocolate, vanilla custard and butterscotch. Hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and toasted nuts add warmth before a smooth, malty finish lingers with touches of dried orange and cocoa. Easy going yet full of flavour, this is a versatile bottle that works just as well as an introduction to single malt as it does a dependable favourite for relaxed festive evenings.
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old
A dependable classic and an easy crowd-pleaser, Old Pulteney 12 Year Old captures the character of Scotland’s northern coastline in a beautifully balanced single malt. Aged for 12 years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, it combines gentle coastal salinity with rounded sweetness. On the palate, notes of vanilla, honey, dark caramel and cream lead into soft fruit and fresh spice, before a subtle maritime note carries through to a long, sweet finish. Smooth, warming and versatile, this is a thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoys traditional whiskies, equally suited to relaxed evenings or festive celebrations.
Paul John Indian Single Malt Christmas Edition
A richly festive gift for the whisky lover who enjoys indulgent seasonal flavours, Paul John Christmas Edition 2025 is the oldest release yet in the distillery’s much loved annual series. Crafted in Goa from unpeated malt, it is first matured in ex-bourbon casks before an extended finish in rare cream sherry casks combining Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez. The result is deep and warming, with notes of ripe plum, dark cherry and candied orange on the nose, followed by layers of apple, stone fruits, butterscotch and dark caramel on the palate. A long, creamy finish with echoes of Christmas cake makes this limited release a natural centrepiece for festive gatherings or a thoughtful collector’s bottle to enjoy long after the season has passed.
