Wander into whisky
Whisky can feel like a difficult category to understand if you're new to it. There's are so many different types to choose from and a lot of people have strong opinions on what you should drink and how.
Whether you're new to whisky and wanting to try a new dram or you're looking for a gift for someone who thinks they know it all, wander into whisky with our comprehensive guide.
The Approachable One: Cardhu
A smooth sweetness makes Cardhu a perfect introduction to the world of whisky.
Silky, smooth and honeyed, the malts of Cardhu have a warmth and cleanliness of taste making them both elegant and approachable.
A bit of history...
The distillery was founded in 1811 by husband-and-wife duo John and Helen Cummings. Initially running somewhat illicitly, the Excise Act of 1824 marked the transformation of Cardhu into an established and well-respected local distillery - largely thanks to Helen's business acumen and skills as a distiller. Her daughter in law, Elizabeth Cummings later took the mantle after the death of her husband and transformed the distillery to the brand we know today.
The Adventurous One: Talisker
A smokey taste to match the rugged landscape it was born in.
Bold, smokey and peppery, The Talisker collection captures the elemental wildness and pure beauty of its birthplace, creating a full-bodied single malt whisky with depth and character.
Talisker: Made by the sea
Ever since the distillery opened at Carbost in 1830, Talisker single malt has been crafted on the shores of Isle of Skye, where wild coastlines embrace the untamed sea.
Originally opened by the MacAskill brothers, the distillery has since passed through generations, changes of ownership, and even a fire, but Talisker has always kept Skye at the heart of the brand and the whisky.
It's here you'll find adventure in a bottle.
The Bold One: Johnnie Walker Black Label
This iconic blend balances sweet and smoke for a rich finish.
Balanced, rich and smokey, Johnnie Walker Black Label is a rich, smooth blended Scotch Whisky made using only single malt and grain whiskies.
It spends 12 years in a cask growing into a vibrant body of flavor. The results are deep layers of sweet fruit, spice, and vanilla – all wrapped in a cloak of smoke.
The perfect whisky for an every day dram
Deliciously versatile, Johnnie Walker Black is created using only single malt and grain whiskies that have aged in casks for at least 12 years and are sourced from the four corners of Scotland.
The Social One: The Singleton
A mellow, easy-drinking whisky that’s ideal for cocktails, The Singleton is the perfect choice for laid-back social events.
Nutty, smooth and sweet, The Singleton is celebrated for its exceptionally smooth texture and profound flavour, a testament to the care given at each stage of its creation.
And, don't listen to the purists - single malt whiskies can absolutely be used in cocktails. If you're hosting any sceptics, serve them The Singleton Hazelnut and Coffee Martini; we guarantee they'll be impressed.
Slow-batch distilled
Originating from the distilleries of Glen Ord, Glendullan, and Dufftown, this award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a masterpiece of patience and expertise.
The Dramatic One: Lagavulin
This peaty and complex whisky is as striking as it is intense.
Lagavulin is known as the 'King of Islay' and is revered by connoisseurs and experts globally.
Perfected by people
The windswept Isle of Islay imparts a profound strength of character into everything it nurtures. It's here, cradled in a secluded bay, that the cherished Lagavulin whisky has been meticulously crafted for over two centuries.
Legal distilling started at the distillery in 1816 by farmer John Johnston and by the turn of the century, under the leadership of Peter Mackie, the Lagavulin name ascended to be the quintessence of Islay malts - a status it holds to this day.
The Refined One: Dalwhinnie
A refined single Malt with sophisticated fruity notes and a medium-body, Dalwhinnie boasts delicate, floral, warming notes.
No other distillery may use the water from Lochan na Doire-uaine – "Loch of the green thicket" – a gathering of pure snowmelt and rainwater high in the Drumochter Hills. That might be why Dalwhinnie is the only Highland whisky to offer a combination of clean and accessible, malty-sweet taste with a smooth and smoky warmth.
Embrace the gentle spirit of the highlands
Made in the highest and coldest working distillery in Scotland, with water from a loch at 2000 feet, Dalwhinnie whisky thrives on extreme conditions – creating a liquid as sweet and accessible as its highland home is remote.
The Distinguished One: Oban
A full-bodied and smokey number, with notes of butterscotch and toffee.
Rich and peaty with a deep smoke, the sea and land converge in the bustling fishing town of Oban, giving its whiskies a distinctive flavour profile.
Founded in 1794
Oban is the frontier between the West Highlands and the Islands. Its mild, temperate climate, warmed by the Gulf Stream, sets it apart in a region known for its rugged natural beauty. The proximity to the coast lends Oban some of that salted character for which the Islands are renown, though this is as gentle as the soft rains which give the fishing town its lush surrounds.