And even those who don’t normally take a dram do so at this time of the year so here I am ringing the bells in with these world whiskies.
Whisky, or whiskey as they call it in Americaland, Ireland and Japan and other places in between has long been synonymous with New Year revellers.
As a more traditional and earthy alternative to champagne.
Because of the warmth it gives those of us stuck on a pile of rocks just down from the North Pole.
And which is all part of the ritual of a tall dark stranger bringing in coal, fruit loaf and whisky for luck, happiness and cheer.
Which is an excuse we carry on in this Scottishland to carry on the party.
Now we’re not saying this is a definitive list but should you be raising a glass to hail 2026 then here are a few tipples to warm the spirits.
For peat’s sake
Laphroaig: Or the ‘beautiful hollow by the broad bay’ as it translates from the native Gaelic of the Inner Hebridean island of Islay.
Laphroaig (pronounced la-fro-aig) is, we’d all agree, an acquired taste.
Acquired by pouring water in an ashtray… yeah, it shouldn’t work.
But Laphroaig fans swear by this smoky, peaty whisky.
We’ll let the marketing people promote the ‘beautiful hollow by the broad bay’.
And the taste they get from the seaweedy water washing into the cellars and infusing the whiskies in the barrels.
Roll out the old barrel
Bushmills: The ‘mill on the river Bush’, and those lyrical Irish know how to make anything poetical,
The Antrim distillery, 50 miles north of Belfast. claims to be the oldest in the world.
Dating back to 1608, granted by King James VI of Scotland and James I of the -hen United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
And with whiskey notes of warmed raisins, oatmeal cookies, orange-slice candies, brown sugar, caramel sauce, cinnamon-roasted hazelnuts, and barrel spice.
Which we, of course, didn’t have to tell you as you’ll already know.
The Suntory story
Suntory: And because all imitation is flattery, the Japanese borrowed from the Scots.
When chemist Masataka Taketsuru came to Jockoland and Glasgow University to learn at the hand of distillers.
And took back not just the secret but a bride too, Rita Cowan.
Whiskey lovers will tell you that there are three aspects to whiskies, the nose, the palate and the finish.
And from each of those the drinker will get a kick of green apples, thyme honey and white pepper and ginger.
Bourbon on the shelf
Woodford Reserve: And we have Favourite Cousin Kath’s husband Kentucky Mark to thank.
For introducing us to Woodford Reserve which is now on shelves over here.
And not just any old Woodford Reserve (as if there was such a thing) but the Kentucky Derby special edition.
Don’t be put off by the Woodford Reserve site’s listing of 200 detectable flavour notes.
From bold grain and wood, to sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit and floral notes.
And the power of whiskies is that you can be transported to friends across the world with just one sip.
On the rocks
Ice Label: And, of course, whiskies travel with the Scots and the Irish.
But who would have expected it in the Ice Bar at the top of the Jungraujoch in Switzerland?
Ice Label is a Swiss Highland Single Malt.
With notes of currants, vanilla, sherry, cherry, and pecan brittle, developing into spices, orange, grapefruit, clove, and peppermint.
And just a piece of advice from one who has been there… go easy on it before you take on the curling rink.
SLAINTE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
