The best spirits for Christmas

Embrace the cold winter nights this festive season, put on your warmest Christmas jumper and splurge on one of these top sipping spirits. After a year like this, we all deserve something special...

Words by Adam Partridge And IWSC experts

Glass of whisky next to an open fire

Some spirits are just made for winter sipping – so as temperatures drop and the nights draw in, we’ve compiled our top ten festive spirits that your Christmas bubble (or drinks cabinet) deserves.

Our selection – all IWSC award-winners – ranges from the budget to the blow-out and shines a light on everything from rum-drenched Jamaican shores, with Hampden Estate’s 8-year-old, to Taiwan, with Kavalan’s Solist Amontillado Sherry Cask.

For those partial to a post-prandial drink, how about Château du Tariquet’s Folle Blanche 15-year-old Armagnac, with its roasted nut and baking spice aromas? Or perhaps a dram of Bunnahabhain 25-year-old single malt Scotch whisky with its orange liqueur and grapefruit zest notes?

South of the equator, KWV’s attention-grabbing, perfumed and herbal 20-year-old South African Brandy will delight even the most traditional Cognac connoisseur. And, for your virtual, aperitif-drinking, Zoom-quizzing guests, surely Four Pillars Distillery’s Spiced Negroni Gin will hit the spot with its citrus, spice, mint and liquorice flavours.

Whether it’s to toast guests both near and far, or something to sip as you wrap another present, scroll down to discover a bottle that will make for fine company this Christmas.

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