With World Whisky day just around the corner (May 16th) we’ve rounded up a selection of some exciting single malts from Scotland and beyond.
Rampur Select Indian Single Malt Whisky
This super premium malt whisky is distilled in traditional copper pot stills, matured at Rampur Distillery, India’s largest and oldest distillery dating back to 1943, in the foothills of the Himalayas and then non chill-filtered and bottled at 43%.
The unique distilling location of the Himalayan foothills exposes the whiskies to polar opposite climate conditions throughout the year, with the flavour of the famous Indian Summer giving Rampur Whiskies an added dimension and depth. Indian whisky matures significantly more quickly than other whiskies, such as Scotch and Irish Whiskey.
Rampur Indian Single Malt Whisky is smooth, with a mellow taste with a long-lasting finish. It is distinctively malty, with creamy vanilla taste with hints of apricot, apple and sweet and wine-like finish
ABV: 43%
RRP: £49.95 for a 70cl bottle
Available from: thewhiskyexchange.com
Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky
Award winning Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky was launched in October 2017, and is the first whisky ever distilled in the Cotswolds. The distillery uses 100% locally grown, floor-malted barley and matures the whisky in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and reconditioned red wine casks. This English whisky is rich, fruity and sippable with notes of honey, Seville orange marmalade and dark red fruits. Each bottle lists the barley variety, harvest year and local Cotswolds farm it was grown on.
ABV: 46%
RRP: from £44.95 for a 70cl bottle
Available from: cotswoldsdistillery.com
J&B Rare
J&B Rare has been distilled, blended and bottled in Scotland since the 1930’s and is a blend of 42 malt and grain whiskies. The heart of J&B Rare is formed from the finest Speyside malts including Knockando, Glen Spey, Auchriosk and Strathmill. The blend is returned to the cask for a further three years’ maturation which brings together the bold flavours of the single malts with the lighter grain whiskies adding fullness and depth to the blend.
This iconic whisky has become a recognised symbol of sophistication around the world and has transformed tastes and perception of blended whisky. J&B Rare is smooth with an elegant taste, fruity and aromatic on the nose and has a flavour that layers rich fruitiness and vanilla. As it is lighter than single malts it is the perfect addition to the cocktail cabinet.
ABV: 40%
RRP: £22.50
Available from: Waitrose