December Whiskies of the Month - The Festive Season
As the festive season envelops us in its warm embrace, it’s the perfect time to explore the stories and flavours behind some exceptional whiskies that capture the magic of winter. Our December ‘whiskies of the month’ have been selected by our brilliant team of Visitor Assistants, with stories from the heart of Scotland’s rich heritage, each dram tells a tale steeped in tradition and celebration.
Whether it’s Kingsbarns Doocot’s nod to historic dovecots, Glendronach’s tribute to Hogmanay’s first-footing rituals, or Smokehead’s fiery homage to the Islay legend of Crom Dubh na Nollaig, this selection of drams is sure to get you into the festive spirit.
Kingsbarns Doocot
On the second day of Christmas your true love gave you Two Turtle Doves.
Named after the Scots word for ‘dovecot’, Kingsbarns Doocot pays tribute to the striking structure of the distillery. Doocots are traditionally free-standing structures which housed doves, an important part of rural life in the early 1800’s.
Kingsbarns Doocot Flagship Release is matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Portuguese red wine casks, giving this whisky a wintery feel. This wonderful creation was masterfully created by Master Blender Isabella Wemyss to create a nose of flora and sweet smells, soft brown sugars, banana, cake batter, and tropical fruits. Its palate, pineapple like with berries and rhubarb, finally finishing with a unique kiwi note with citrus zest. Perfect for the holiday season. Kingsbarns Doocot is the quintessential dram to enjoy next to the fire, watching the winter storms going by, in the warm comfort of home.
Glendronach 12 year old
First Footing is one of many traditions observed during Hogmanay in Scotland, but this practice stands out in particular. Referring to the first person to cross the threshold after the bells ring at midnight on New Years Day, the first-footer brings gifts such as coins and whisky, symbolising luck in the year ahead.
However, in order for this luck to be gained, the first-footer must meet some very specific physical criteria. They must be a male who is tall, dark, and handsome.
In honour of this tradition, the excellently sherried Glendronach 12 year old provides notes of dark sugars, dried fruits, chocolate, and tobacco. The blend of Oloroso and PX sherry casks combines a perfect balance of both spicy and sweet, truly encapsulating the meaning of ‘tall, dark, and handsome’ in a whisky.
Meikle Tòir - The Chinquapin
The celebration of Christmas in Scotland has a turbulent past. What was once a joyous affair centred around food and family, became outlawed in 1640 by the Scottish Parliament due to its links to Roman Catholicism. Activities such as baking Yule bread were a criminal act, and despite the law being revoked in 1712, it was still frowned upon to celebrate Christmas. It wasn’t until 1958 that the 25th of December was restored as a public holiday in Scotland!
During this time Hogmanay (Hog-mah-nay), celebrated on the 31st of December, became a substitute for the forbidden holiday. People welcomed in the New Year with celebrations that often lasted for days. Festivities often included music and poetry, bonfires and torches would be lit to ward off evil spirits from entering the New Year.
Whilst the origins, and some of the customs, of Hogmanay may have been forgotten by many, these traditions have translated in modern day to setting off fireworks. Edinburgh boosts one of the biggest Hogmanay celebrations, with people coming from all over the world for the highly anticipated street party and firework display.
We believe that Meikle Tòir The Chinquapin One is a firework in whisky form. With its punchy but sweet smoke coming through on the nose and palate, it’s a firework for the senses.
Smokehead Sherry Cask
You may have heard of the Central Europe legend, Krampus, a mythical creature who taunts poorly behaved children, but the Scottish isle of Islay has it’s own Krampus legend.
During the festive season, naughty children on Islay are warned of Crom Dubh na Nollaig – in English this translates to the dark crooked one of Christmas. This Scottish monster would visit bad children on Christmas Eve. Just like Santa, he would come down the chimney, but as he did, the children could hear the screams of the monster, alerting them to his presence. In reality, those screams were harsh winter winds coming down the chimney. Nevertheless, the children of Islay knew to behave around the holidays.
To honour Crom Dubh na Nollaig legand, selected is the Smokehead Sherry Cask Blast, a rich, smoky whisky hailing from Islay. Like a blast of winter wind, this whisky hits you with stunning smoke and intense flavour. Matured in ex-Spanish Sherry casks, this single malt is a perfect marriage between supple dark fruit undertones and fiery peaty flavours, perfect paired with slice of Christmas cake.
Whisky Row Rich & Spicy
Our blended malt of the month is the Rich and Spicy from Whisky Row, part of the Gleann Mòr spirits company. Based in Leith, a historic northern Edinburgh neighbourhood, Whisky Row blends flavours from across Scotland. Leith, once a bustling port town, became a key whisky blending hub during the late 1800s boom, housing over 100 bottling warehouses. However, a market crash in the early 1900s forced many blenders to close. Today, Scotch whisky is thriving again, and Whisky Row is among those bringing Leith back into the spotlight.
December’s festive spirit ties in with Edinburgh’s New Year football derby between Hibernian (Hibs) and Heart of Midlothian (Hearts). These rivals, boasting some of Scotland’s most passionate fanbases, clash during the holidays in a tradition dating back decades. Whisky Row, located in Hibs territory near their stadium, is the club’s official spirit partner. However, through parent company Gleann Mòr, Whisky Row also partners with Hearts, releasing special edition bottles for both clubs. By supporting both teams, Whisky Row celebrates Edinburgh’s rich cultural and sporting heritage, much like its whiskies honour Scotland’s distilling legacy.
Ballindalloch 2015 Vintage
The festive season is a time to be spent with loved ones and family, so we wanted a dram that would give a nod to distilleries founded by families.
Ballindalloch is owned by the Mcpherson-Grant family, who can trace their family heritage to the Ballindalloch estate all the way back to 1546. Marking 24 generations of custodians of the estate.
The director Guy Macpherson-Grant who is the current laird of Ballindalloch Estate is very hands-on with the distillery, ensuring that each whisky released is of the highest quality. Even though they are new to the market, Ballindalloch are highly regarded, winning four Icons of Whisky Awards. Just like the elves crafting gifts in Santa’s workshop, Ballindalloch is crafting premium and delicious whisky.