Best Whisky 2017

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Best Whisky 2017

December 19, 2017

Christmas and New Year's are just around the corner, and just about everyone you know is posting their company holiday parties on social media. The year is drawing to a close, which means that time has arrived. The time for 2017 countdowns and "best of" lists. Naturally, we had to contribute our own variation.

Here is our collection of products available that have received distinctions by World Whiskies Awards. Just in time for for last minute Christmas shopping or end of year celebrations.

	Best Japanese Single Malt The Hakushu 25 Years Old Japan Fresh wood and green apple make for a fresh, summery whisky with a pleasant lightness and complexity leading to a sophisticated aftertaste. Elegant and clean throughout.
	Best Islay Single Malt Ardbeg Corryvreckan Scotland Fresh sea breeze aromas and a distinct prickle from the alcohol. Scents of orange, caramelised brown sugar and raspberries, which come out more with water. Sweet, dense, smoky and salty on the palate. Like biting into charcoal. Sea salt-laced, sticky toffee pudding. Orange oils and a spicy bite – star anise and white pepper, plus some seaweed.
	Best Islands Single Malt Talisker 10 Years Old Scotland Orange blossom flavoured toffee on a freshly baked digestive biscuit on the nose. Palate is very juicy and sweet. Great mouthfeel, very quaffable. Some lemon tartness and spicy mid palate. Finishes dry, with wood smoke. Lingering spice.
	Best Irish Single Malt Teeling Whiskey Ireland Light and fresh on the nose with aromas reminiscent of white rum and tropical fruits. Apricots, pineapple, vanilla, pear drops and green apples. Sweet and fruity to taste, with flavours of pear, apple, pineapple, peach and white grapes. Very enjoyable.
	Best Highland Single Malt Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Years Old Scotland Deliciously bold sherry. Nutty, with dried fruit, a touch of dryness, apricots, dates and walnuts. A dry palate, but superbly balanced. Menthol, fruit cake, dark chocolate, cinnamon and clove notes. Excellent.
	World's Best Blended Hibiki by Suntory 21 Years Old Japan Lovely maturity to the aromas, and very much like an old grain whisky. Superb depth with a refreshing citrus twist. The palate is quite tannic to begin with as the oak really grips. There is a depth of lightly oiled dried fruit orange peel, strawberry jam and baked apple. Smooth, subtle and fairly short finish.
	Best Scotch Blended Johnnie Walker Double Black Scotland A fruit explosion on the nose which is then followed by a measured dose of smoke from a beach campfire. The palate has deep rich fruits, sherry and oak. Long finish with more spice. The oak is just about right, well balanced and complex. A fine dram.
	World's Best Blended Malt Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Years Old Scotland Green tobacco and match sticks, beach pebbles and shells in a plastic bucket, with a clutch of rocket salad. Palate of Oloroso sherry and burnt sugar underlain by a thin winey character. Welcome surprise of multi-layered bitter, dark, melted chocolate before the tobacco returns.
	Best Japanese Blended Malt Nikka Whisky Taketsuru Pure Malt 21 Years Old Japan Toffee, coffee ice-cream, maple syrup. Clean, sharp and bitter orange and citrus notes. Quite complex. Spice suggests age. A sweet and sour ping pong match and a hint of smoke.
	Best Premium Design Glenfiddich Experimental Series Project XX Scotland Very elegant design incorporating the traditional Glenfiddich bottle shape.