With the leaves beginning to change colour and the nights becoming longer, Autumn is most assuredly on its way.
With the longer, colder nights we'll need something of a treat to warm us after a hard day at work and what better way then with some delightful drams.
Here are five of the best to savour on these Autumn evenings.
(Distillery: Aberlour, Region: Highlands, ABV: Varies per batch)
Picture: Aberlour
There's something extremely comforting about knowingthat a whisky will taste great even when it's produced in small batches - which could in theory vary wildly in terms of consistency - and in Aberlour's core NAS (Non-Age Statement) expression you have a whisky you can always rely on.
Perfectly rich, with notes of orange zest, dried fruits and dark chocolate, the higher abv means it packs the kind of heat you need when the weather is cooler, and with the great value (it's currently £50 on sites like amazon) you won't be receiving any Halloween style scares when it comes to the price.
(Distillery: Ardbeg, Region: Islay, ABV: 54.2% )
The Oogie - which no one else probably ever calls it - is a monster of a whisky, it's our go to peat dram and pound for pound, in our mind at least, the best of Ardbeg's core range.
A marriage of bourbon barrels and sherry butts and bottled at cask strength, it has a deep complexity that will have you coming back again and again.
(Distillery: Bunnahabhain, ABV: 46.3%)
Picture: The Whisky Exchange
From one end of the extremes to the other, most people assume that when a whisky comes from Islay it has to be heavily peated but that's not the case with Bunnahabhain, what you do get is a wonderfully fruity maritime malt, that'll end up being your go to for many years to come.
(Distillery: Springbank, Region: Campbeltown ABV: 46%)
Springbank used to be at the centre of what was once the 'Whisky Capital of the World' - Campbeltown - but nowadays is happy quietly producing some of the best whisky you'll find anywhere in the country.
The Longrow is there peated expression and is perfect solution for those who want to take a break from Islay's well trodden shores.
With tasting notes like toasted marshmallows, lingering smoke and cream and vanilla, you know it'll be fun to drink.
(Distillery: Glen Scotia, ABV: 46%)
Picture: Glen Scotia
A new favourite of ours, which also just so happens to originate from the peninsula of Kintyre. The recent resurgence of Glen Scotia has yielded some cracking results in terms of new whiskies (most notably the 25 year old) and the Double Cask is no exception.
Matured in the finest first fill bourbon barrels before being finished for up to twelve months in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, the DC's maturation perfectly complements the oily rich distillery character, and all for a cracking price.
