We are jumping on the gift guide bandwagon here at Hunt Bourbon, but with a marked flair for all things whiskey related as you might have guessed. With our birth into the online spirit scene just over a year ago, we have grown from relative infancy in both taste and knowledge. The experience we have gained has come through sips from many a bottle and brand, some of which were a treasure and others we would rather forget. For your enjoyment we have gathered a list of our Top Ten Gift Worthy Whisk(e)ys. Our goal is to present you with a range of expressions that include some well-known names, new and noteworthy, along with a few with a unique twist- we hope you find just the bottle to bring some cheer into the new year!
For Scotch Lovers – Benriach The Smoky Ten
Benriach The Smoky Ten has been crafted from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit and three cask matured for at least ten years in a combination of bourbon barrels, Jamaican rum casks and toasted virgin oak. The whisky is then expertly married together to create sublimely smooth layers of sunripe fruit, aromatic smoke and toasted oak spice, lingering into the perfectly balanced sweet and smoky finish.
For Scotch Lovers – Benriach The Original 10
Looking for a delicious scotch but not a fan of smoke? The Original Ten encapsulates the signature smooth and multi-layered character of Benriach Smoky 10 just without the smoky flavor. Three cask matured for at least ten years in bourbon barrels,sherry casks and virgin oak, to create layers of luscious orchard fruit, sumptuous honeyed malt and toasted oak, all interwoven with a subtle trace of smoke.The perfect introduction to our signature style and richly layered Speyside Single Malt.
For Scotch Lovers – Glenfiddich Project XX
With its deep golden hue, Project XX embodies the warm, fruity character of a classic Glenfiddich whisky with hints of apple blossom, summer fruits and ripe pear. But its multiple personalities are revealed with hints of sweet candyfloss, cinnamon spice, almonds and rich port tannins with the odd whisper of liquorice. Deep and mellow, the finish is long lasting with a lingering sweet oakiness.
For Bourbon Lovers – Maker’s Mark SE4 X PR5
This second annual limited release from Maker’s Mark is a highly coveted gift any bourbon lover will enjoy. Maker’s Mark SE4XPR5 is a marriage of virgin toasted American & French oak staves that has been barrel finished & bottled at 112.5 proof for amplified notes of vanilla, baking spices & creamy caramel
For Bourbon Lovers – Bib & Tucker 10 Year Bourbon
This award-winning 10-year-old bourbon is distinctly American in that it forges a path all its own. To create its singular flavor profile, we double-distill it and choose not to chill-filter as is traditional with Tennessee Bourbons. Combining traditional rick houses and Level 1 char palletized barrels for aging provides a high level of wood contact and yet keeps the vanilla and oak influence subtle. This gives us an even greater depth of flavor going into the bottle. Incredibly well balanced, it’s a standout bourbon for moments that are to be remembered.
For Rye Whiskey Lovers – Crown Royal Noble Collection 16 Year Old Rye
The fifth expression in the multi-award winning Noble Collection. This limited edition expression showcases Crown Royal Rye whiskey and is aged for no less than 16 years. The Crown Royal Noble Collection 16 Year Old Rye has a bold and spicy rye aroma upfront softened by creamy vanilla, sweet caramel, and hints of stone fruit. Bold rye continues upfront on the palate and is paired with an initial heat which relaxes into a residual warming mouthfeel while hints of cherries, cinnamon, anise and clove reveal themselves.
For Rye Whiskey Lovers – Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye 2020
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye is bottled in its purest form, straight from the barrel, uncut at full proof. Because this special release Tennessee whiskey is charcoal mellowed and aged in new, white oak barrels, it also has the Jack character and smooth finish. Tennessee Rye is the Jack Daniel Distillery’s first new grain bill since Prohibition, made up of 70% rye, 12% malt and 18% corn. This special iteration, aged at the highest reaches of the barrel house offers a deep copper hue with robust aromas of deep smoke, raisin, rich caramel and toasted fruit; boasting tastes of molasses, sawn oak and bold rye spices with a peppery finish.
For Irish Whiskey Lovers – The Sexton Single Malt
Created by Alex Thomas, one of a few female master blenders in the industry. The Sexton starts with the best ingredients, using only unpeated Irish malted barley in the mashbill for a pure malt flavor. The spirit is distilled in copper pot stills for exceptional smoothness and then aged in formed Oloroso sherry cask from Jerez, Spain, imparting uncommon complexity and richness of flavor.
For Irish Whiskey Lovers – The Busker Single Malt Irish Whiskey
The Busker Single Malt is a delightful discovery, an intense journey into the realm of taste. The whiskey is distilled in large copper stills, then matured in two different woods to bring you a complexity that is waiting to be experienced. The Busker Single Malt is a deep golden whiskey. It begins with an arrangement of fruit, which gently leaves space to an explosion of pine essence and malt biscuit. The palate is very intense, with rich, chocolate notes. The whiskey concludes with a sweet and creamy finish.
For Irish Whiskey Lovers – Bushmills 16 Year Old
Buckle up. Bushmills Single Malt Whiskey 16 year old is is truly one of the great whiskeys of the world. Aged for about 15 years in a combination of Oloroso Sherry and bourbon-seasoned casks, and then finished for about 9 months in port wine pipes (large barrels unique to making port wine.) This single malt shows its layers of flavor, juicy fruits, nuts and spice, as well as a hint of ruby redness. It’s best enjoyed neat. Okay, maybe one small cube of ice to open it up.
