A classic from the Isle of Skye and a critically acclaimed offering, Talisker 10 Year Old is a tangy and tasty malt. The nose is bitingly sharp with thick pungent smoke. Apple peels and light fragrant notes help to mellow the sharpness which is how the flavour is dominated with smoke, peppery peat and real intensity. The long finish is welcomingly sweet, with barley and malt, mellows the intense peaty and smoke.

A West Highland malt of real esteem, this 14 year old Oban is traditional in its flavour but this isn’t something to overlook. Rich and smoky on the nose, this Oban has a medicinal flavour about it, with notes of the sea, coast and seaweed all coming through together. Smooth sweetness is offered up by citrus-infused vanilla but it’s the medicinal notes which truly make this a memorable dram.

A blended malt whisky from the folks at the famous William Grant distillery, Monkey Shoulder brings together a range of smooth single malts in beautiful harmony. The nose is an elegant marmalade-laced malty affair, with just a little clove and cinnamon spice. The flavour too is malt-driven yet creamy in the mouth with recognisable berries, toasted barley and butterscotch notes. The creamy warmth of this blend doesn’t let go until the very end and is a wonderfully enjoyable offering.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask was released in 2004 to much esteem. Youthful compared to other offerings it’s a highly commendable malt which still has a bold, enticing flavour despite its young age. Oily and butter rich on the nose, toffee, nuts and hickory smoke come through measuredly. The palate gives a bold hit of sweetness with fiery chilli heat coming through quickly in pursuit, medicinal freshness, chewy cereals and even a hint of cola also follow.

Beautifully packaged as a testament to the quality of the dram, Glenmorangie Signet is intense and deep with chocolate malty flavours. The nose of this offering is wonderfully rich, with chocolate raisins, citrus peels and old-fashioned cocktail flavours. The palate is sweet and syrupy thick with dry cinnamon, strong hits of cocoa and of course that archetypal malt which makes this Glenmorangie dram so moreish. Pleasant dry notes bring the drink to a close in refined, elegant style.

The talents of Scotland and America are combined in each bottle of Glenmorangie. The finest single malt whisky of Scotland is matured in American Mountain Oak casks, delivering the characteristic aromatic flavour of Glenmorangie. A light and inviting aromas only hints at the flavour, enticing you to taste the fresh and floral flavours within. Notes of vanilla balance gently alongside sweet orange and peach, the latter lingering in a satisfying aftertaste.

A classic Speyside offering, Glenfiddich’s 12 Year Old blend spends time in both American and European oak casks, developing a truly distinguished flavour. Your traditional Speyside flavours are released as you open the bottle with a slightly floral, mineral-inspired malted aroma, with citrus honey and orchard fruit notes. The floral notes come to a head in the flavour, with spices carrying the drink to a new level, smoothness ruling throughout. A true benchmark of quality.

One of the most well-known distilleries in the land, this 21 year old Glenfiddich has all the flavours you want from an exceptional malt. Finished in specially selected Caribbean rum casks, rum-like notes come through in the nose alongside figs, caramel, evoking the festive period. The flavour is rich in spiced fruit depth, with ginger and lime standing out strongly. A long and dry finish is the perfect ending to a highly enjoyable drink.

At the heart of the Bowmore range, this 12 year old offering doesn’t disappoint with a mixture of coastal notes and earthy, gentle peat. On the nose you’ll enjoy wonderful bright floral notes, with smoky heather and heady hits of peat. The palate is more rounded, smooth and mellow rich if floral perfumed smoke, dark peat and a touch of lemon and sea spray. Evokes coastal strolls and waves crashing against the shore.

The clue’s in the name with this one, Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt gets its name from the interesting distillation process, involving distillation in two woods. The maturation process involves moving the whisky from a traditional oak whisky cask to a Spanish oak sherry cask, adding more depth to its flavour and creating its warm, rounded character. Sweet fruit and sherry notes are apparent in its scent and the taste is mellow for a single malt, the sherry at work once more, with nuttiness and cinnamon notes building too.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan is a legend in its own right. A dram you won’t forget and a malt you are almost guaranteed to want to buy time and again. Medicinal in style, the nose is rich in herbal and pine notes, with creamier hints of buttery warmth and smoke. The palate too is wonderfully creamy with tingling spices, a touch of fresh fruit, orange peels and that medicinal tang. The finish is long with a salty edge, a hint of peat and that unusual yet enjoyable medicinal taste remains prevalent.