What price? How old is it? What to buy? Three of the most common questions I get asked. As someone who has almost 3000 bottles of Single Malts and blends, I'm comfortable providing answers. Here are my top picks in the £30-£40 price category.
Ledaig Rioja Finish Sinclair Series - an absolute belter of a medium-peated, red wine finish from Tobermory Distillery on Mull. Red berries, fruity, smoky. Can often be bought for around £33 to £35.#
Glencadam Andalucia Reserva - this Bourbon-cask finished in oloroso sherry from Jerez is as tasty as it sounds. Smooth and sweet it should be a staple of any whisky cabinet.
Old Pulteney 12-year-old - this is almost cheating as it normally retails for £25. Salted caramel, sea salt, toffee notes with a hint of citrus. This distillery has been producing whisky in a heritage fashion for ages.
Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve Rum Cask Finish - all the rounded rum flavour, all the spiky spirit and molasses, all the tropical notes. This whisky is around £30 and super in a rum cocktail /highball too for those summer moments (note I said moments as we do live in Scotland!
Ardbeg Wee Beastie. Yes, Yes, Yes...super peated, super smoky, super delicious. This 5-year-old is young but punches above its weight. If you are a peat head and love an Islay you can pick this up for around £35.
Cardhu Gold Reserve. My grandmother’s granny started this distillery before the behemoth DCl/Diageo took it over so obviously I have a wee soft spot. This gentle honeyed dram offers a special Speyside experience, a sipping whisky that just flows too easily; £25 to £30.
Deanston Kentucky Cask-Bourbon Finish is unbelievable value. As I write it’s currently £15 a bottle on Amazon, usually £28-ish. A great entry level Bourbon Finish Single Malt and a brilliant gateway into the Deanston range.
Tamnavulln Sherry Cask Finish. This American oak is finished in three styles of sherry before being vatted and bottled. It can be picked up for around £22 to £30. The sherry imparts a rich, sweet note, and American oak builds foundation character.
Ardmore Legacy. Lightly peated, smoky, sweet, complex and around £20! A brilliant whisky and amazing as a hot toddy base for when it gets colder. Buy one now and in October/November you will thank me!
Bruichladdich Classic Laddie - just scrapes in at roughly £38 to £40 bottle.This unpeated Islay Malt is stupendous, an absolute stalwart of any whisky collection. It’s an iconic release with good reason. American and Spanish oak. It’s a smooth, stunning dram. (C. Hinds)
Tipsy Midgie is open Thursday to Sunday, 4pm until late at 67 St Leonards Hill, Edinburgh and during The Fringe will have a three whisky flight each night at 11pm.