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No Tricks, Just Treats: Our Top Halloween Whiskies
An intriguing dram inspired by Ardbeg’s mysterious history. In the words of the distillery team themselves:
“Take this whisky and hide it well. For its heart has been matured in DARK SHERRY CASKS, imparting waves of treacle toffee, coal tar, squid ink, noodles and toasted coffee grounds. Inspired by our turbulent past, this whisky is a clandestine meeting of Ardbeg matured in ex-bourbon casks and a heart matured in dark sherry casks. The darkest Ardbeg ever.” Stow away your own bottle, pour a glass, and drink in more of the spooky story here:
Charles MacLean’s tasting notes for the latest Living Cask expression by Loch Fyne Whiskies references “charred sweet potato on an extinguished barbeque”. We think that’ll make it a great accompaniment to any pumpkin-based dishes created with leftovers from your carving efforts!
Sweet yet salty, with a hint of charcoal on the spicy finish, the Living Cask Batch 4 is guaranteed to warm your bone as the spine-chilling night sets in.
A whisky reminiscent of toffee apples! Exclusively seasoned in sherry oak, this dram is sweet with vanilla, toffee and Tatin, yet still deliciously complex. We think it’s the perfect offering for grown-up trick-or-treaters, and a much more appealing alternative to apple bobbing on a brisk October’s evening!
Love the smell of recently extinguished Jack O’Lanterns? According to our whisky-oracle Charles MacLean, Royal Brackla’s 21 Year Old gives you a taste of that intoxicating aroma! In fact, this whisky is a truly Scottish Halloween creation through and through. North of the border, Halloween lanterns are traditionally carved from ‘neeps rather than pumpkins; in accordance, the Royal Brackla 21 Year Old layers voluptuous texture over sweet root vegetable notes with a thread of smoke.
Created in tribute to an era that played host to death photography, Jack the Ripper and the enormous popularity of Gothic literature (including Dracula, to name but one example), Glen Scotia Victoriana is a no-brainer for Halloween sipping.
Thankfully, the drinking experience isn’t as perturbing as Victorian tastes: expect an elegant nose with oak and crème brulee leading to caramelised fruit and polished oak, a palate that’s sweet and concentrated with blackcurrant jam, subtle wood and vanilla, and clean sweetness with cocoa tones on the finish.
