Level up: great Christmas whisky gifts in the €100-€250 range that open a new world of choice

Redbreast 18

Redbreast 18 is the latest addition to Midleton’s most famous single-pot still family. Like its siblings, it’s matured initially in ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry and then in cream sherry and ruby port. Cream sherry is a sweet wine with a rich, thick consistency. Deep red ruby port then brings another layer of complexity to an already intricate whiskey.

The traditional full-mouth feel of Redbreast takes prominence on the palate, with lots of sweet grapes, dark fruits, spiced ginger and liquorice lying deep within elegant oak and citrus notes. The finish is rich and lasting: the pot still spices, fruit, and oak slowly fade harmoniously, showcasing the balance of this wonderfully complex whiskey.

Bruichladdich 18

This 18-year-old Scottish single malt from the Islay distillery is entirely made with stock distilled after Bruichladdich reopened in 2001. Made with three types of barley – organic, Islay and mainland Scotland-sourced grains – it was matured in ex-bourbon before a lengthy finish in sauternes and port barrels. This creates a wonderfully rich, silky smooth texture that carries lots of honey, butterscotch and orange threaded alongside deep vanilla notes. 

Bottled at 50%, Bruichladdich is the unpeated variant from the island whisky maker. It sits alongside the heavily-peated Port Charlotte and super-peated Octomore brands from the same distillery. 

Red Spot

Red Spot is a beautiful cask combination that celebrates all that is great about pot still whiskies – rich, decadent flavours including sweet baked fruit, black pepper and spice, all underpinned by warm, honeyed smooth layers. It’s a complex whiskey with lots to reveal in every sip and a bottle that fans return to again and again.

It’s a 15-year-old single pot still that’s been matured in ex-bourbon casks, Spanish sherry butts and Sicilian Marsala wine casks. This combination imbues this triple-casked whiskey with a deliciously rich and syrupy texture with tons of flavour. A truly special occasion pour and bottled at 46%.

The Antiquary

The Antiquary has been around since the late 1880s, but it was revived and relaunched this year by its new owners, Tomatin. Tomatin is a highland producer, but this is a terrific blend of Highland and Speyside malt whiskies and Lowland grain whisky. This 21-year-old is a superb example of what the series offers and is finished in rich and elegant Tawny port casks from the Symington Family Estate in Portugal. Bottled at 43%, it’s a deeply flavoured whisky that promises lots of dark fruit, vanilla and sweet biscuit on the palate and the nose.

Appleton Estate 21

The water that feeds the Jamaican rum distillery Appleton Estate has a striking blue hue, derived from being filtered through limestone before flowing towards the sea. 

A hint of this same blue colour is captured on the label of this 21-year-old rum, which many consider to be one of the best-crafted blended Jamaican rums on the market. 

Its aroma and taste run deep, with luxurious notes of vanilla, cinnamon, orange and figs punctuating this complex pour. Distilled in copper pot stills, it’s matured in American oak and bottled at 43%. Only 12,000 bottles are released each year.

Athru Annacoona 14

This 14-year-old Irish single malt is one of a trio of superb releases from Lough Gill Distillery in Co Sligo. Bottled at 48%, it was matured in ex-bourbon and finished in a combination of Pedro Ximenes and oloroso sherry casks. 

The creation of the Athrú collection was overseen by Scottish distilling maestro, Billy Walker, and this bottle is distinguished by the rare and flavour-packed casks he chose to represent the Annacoona. 

On the nose, you can expect rich dark chocolate, dried fruit and orange oil. Waves of caramel, spice and forest fruit layer the palate with a long finish that reflects its years in exceptional oak.

Tamdhu 18

Tamdhu has built a reputation with its sherry maturation, creating a series of impeccable single malts layered with dark fruit, crisp nuttiness and burnt brown sugar. This 18-year-old stands out among a shelf of wonderful pours from the Speyside distillery. Its 18 years were spent in 100% oloroso casks and this brings a distinct chocolate, almond and vanilla flavour load that elevates the experience. Bottled at 46.8%, rich, dark and decadent.

Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia

This ultra-premium small-batch tequila from Jose Cuervo, Reserva de la Familia, is considered the pinnacle of Jose Cuervo’s tequila output. Barrel-aged in oak, it carries an aroma packed with almonds, olives and cinnamon, followed by a palate rich in vanilla, cinnamon and oak. It has a long and silky texture that belies its 38% ABV, which has helped it win awards all over the world.

Currently, it’s the official tequila of the Michelin Guide in the US – a fact that is helping consumers recognise, once again, the lofty heights this Mexican pour has reached in gastronomic circles.

Glenmorangie 18

This 18-year-old single malt is part of Glenmorangie’s prestige collection. 

Matured for 15 years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, it was finished in oloroso sherry for an additional three years. Bottled at 43%, it has a wonderfully creamy texture with lots of spice and fresh citrus layers running deep within its golden colour.

Fruit and honey are the signature notes in this elegant release, which has lots of dark sugar and caramel baked in. A multiple award winner, it remains one of Glenmorangie’s most refined and popular bottles.