Navigating the Whisky Landscape: Expert Recommendations for Your Next Dram

Expand Your Whisky Horizons

As a whisky enthusiast, you might often find yourself wondering what to try next in the vast and exciting world of whisky. With countless options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or stick to familiar favourites. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you broaden your whisky horizons and discover new, delightful drams that cater to your unique palate.

In this blog post, we’ve handpicked a selection of whiskies from different categories, such as unpeated, peated, rye, bourbon, and more, to provide you with a comprehensive guide to diverse styles and flavours. For each category, we’ve chosen the next logical step for you to try, an unexpected gem that might challenge your taste buds, and a completely different style with an intriguing link to your current favourites. This curated list is designed to inspire you to explore beyond your go-to whiskies and uncover new flavour experiences.

Embrace the adventure of whisky exploration and let our curated guide inspire your next dram. And remember, the best way to discover the whiskies that truly resonate with you is by trying new and diverse expressions. Happy tasting!

glenfiddich 12 year old

Unpeated Scotch Whisky: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

Next logical step:
Glenlivet 12 Year Old. You should try this because it’s also an unpeated Speyside whisky with a similarly light and fruity character, making it a natural progression from Glenfiddich 12.

Something unusual:
Auchentoshan Three Wood. You should try this because it’s a triple-distilled Lowland Scotch that’s aged in three different casks, giving it a unique and complex flavour profile that contrasts with the simpler Glenfiddich 12.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
Jameson Irish Whiskey. You should try this because it’s an Irish whiskey with a light and approachable flavour profile similar to Glenfiddich 12, allowing you to explore a different whiskey-producing country while maintaining familiar taste notes.

ardbeg 10 year old

Peated Scotch Whisky: Ardbeg 10 Year Old

Next logical step:
Laphroaig 10 Year Old. You should try this because it’s another heavily peated Islay Scotch with a more medicinal and smoky profile, offering a different interpretation of peatiness compared to Ardbeg 10.

Something unusual:
Talisker 10 Year Old. You should try this because it’s a peated whisky from the Isle of Skye, offering a distinct maritime character and peppery notes, challenging your taste buds with a different peated experience from Ardbeg 10.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey. You should try this because it’s a peated Irish whiskey, allowing you to experience the influence of peat in a different whiskey-producing country while still enjoying the smoky flavours you appreciate in Ardbeg 10.

Rittenhouse Straight Rye

Rye Whiskey: Rittenhouse Rye

Next logical step:
Pikesville Straight Rye. You should try this because it’s produced by the same distillery and offers a higher proof and more complex flavour profile, making it a natural step up from Rittenhouse Rye.

Something unusual:
High West Double Rye. You should try this because it’s a blend of two different rye whiskies with distinct age statements, offering a unique and spicy flavour profile that challenges your perception of what rye whiskey can be.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whiskey. You should try this because it’s an American whiskey made from blue corn, offering a rich and spicy character that is similar to Rittenhouse Rye, allowing you to explore a different style of American whiskey while maintaining a familiar flavour profile.

Buffalo Trace Whiskey Sainburys Best Whiskey under £25

Bourbon Whiskey: Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Next logical step:
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old. You should try this because it’s also produced by Buffalo Trace, but with a higher age statement, offering a more refined and complex flavour profile while retaining the familiar characteristics of Buffalo Trace Bourbon.

Something unusual:
Four Roses Single Barrel. You should try this because it showcases the distinct flavour profile of a single barrel, offering a unique and complex taste experience that differs from the consistency of Buffalo Trace Bourbon.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
Knob Creek Small Batch Rye. You should try this because it’s a rye whiskey with a similar bold and spicy character, allowing you to explore a different style of American whiskey while maintaining the flavour profile you appreciate in Buffalo Trace Bourbon.

Suntory Toki

Japanese Whisky: Suntory Toki

Next logical step:
Hakushu 12 Year Old. You should try this because it’s another Suntory whisky with a more complex flavour profile, featuring light peatiness and refreshing fruitiness, making it a natural progression from Suntory Toki.

Something unusual:
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky. You should try this because it’s made primarily from corn using a Coffey still, resulting in a unique and rich flavour profile that contrasts with the lighter and more delicate character of Suntory Toki.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
Glenmorangie 10 Year Old. You should try this because it’s a Scottish Highland whisky with a light and fruity character, allowing you to explore a different whisky-producing country while enjoying a flavour profile similar to Suntory Toki.

crown royal deluxe

Canadian Whisky: Crown Royal Deluxe

Next logical step:
Crown Royal Black. You should try this because it’s a more robust and flavourful expression from the same producer, offering a deeper and richer flavour profile while retaining the familiar characteristics of Crown Royal Deluxe.

Something unusual:
Lot No. 40 Rye Whisky. You should try this because it’s a 100% rye Canadian whisky, offering a bold and spicy flavour that challenges your taste buds and contrasts with the smooth and approachable Crown Royal Deluxe.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
Basil Hayden’s Bourbon. You should try this because it’s an American bourbon with a smooth and approachable character, allowing you to explore a different style of whiskey while maintaining the flavour profile you enjoy in Crown Royal Deluxe.

Redbreast 12 Year Old

Irish Whiskey: Redbreast 12 Year Old

Next logical step:
Redbreast 15 Year Old. You should try this because it’s an older expression from the same producer, offering a more refined and complex flavour profile while retaining the familiar characteristics of Redbreast 12.

Something unusual:
Teeling Small Batch. You should try this because it’s an Irish whiskey finished in rum casks, giving it a unique and sweet flavour profile that contrasts with the traditional single pot still character of Redbreast 12.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Matured. You should try this because it’s a Scottish Speyside single malt with a rich and fruity character, allowing you to explore a different style of whisky from a different whisky-producing country whilst maintaining the flavour profile you appreciate in Redbreast 12.

Westland American Oak

American Single Malt Whiskey: Westland American Oak

Next logical step:
Westland Sherry Wood. You should try this because it’s from the same distillery, but aged in sherry casks, offering a richer and more complex flavour profile while retaining the familiar characteristics of Westland American Oak.

Something unusual:
Balcones Texas Single Malt. You should try this because it’s a single malt whiskey from Texas, showcasing a unique flavour profile influenced by the region’s climate and offering a different experience from the Pacific Northwest-produced Westland American Oak.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
GlenDronach 12 Year Old. You should try this because it’s a Scottish Highland single malt with a rich and fruity character, allowing you to explore a different whisky-producing country while enjoying a flavour profile similar to Westland American Oak.

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Blended Scotch Whisky: Johnnie Walker Black Label

Next logical step:
Johnnie Walker Green Label. You should try this because it’s a higher-tier blended malt from the same producer, offering a more complex and richer flavour profile while retaining the familiar characteristics of Johnnie Walker Black Label.

Something unusual:
Compass Box Spice Tree. You should try this because it’s an innovative blended malt with a focus on unique cask finishing techniques, offering a bold and spicy flavour profile that contrasts with the balanced character of Johnnie Walker Black Label.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
Brenne French Single Malt. You should try this because it’s a French single malt with a smooth and fruity character, allowing you to explore a different style of whisky from a different whisky-producing country whilst maintaining the flavour profile you enjoy in Johnnie Walker Black Label.

Kavalan Classic Single Malt

Taiwanese Whisky: Kavalan Classic Single Malt

Next logical step:
Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask. You should try this because it’s a single cask expression from the same distillery, offering a richer and more complex flavour profile influenced by the sherry cask maturation while retaining the familiar characteristics of Kavalan Classic.

Something unusual:
Nantou Distillery Omar Bourbon Cask. You should try this because it’s a Taiwanese whisky from a different distillery, aged in bourbon casks, providing a different flavour profile that showcases the growing diversity of Taiwanese whisky production.

Different style, similar flavour profile:
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera. You should try this because it’s a Scottish Speyside single malt with a rich and fruity character, allowing you to explore a different whisky-producing country while enjoying a flavour profile similar to Kavalan Classic.

As you navigate the whisky landscape, remember that exploration and curiosity are key to discovering the flavours and styles that truly resonate with your palate. Let our expert recommendations guide your next dram, and embrace the excitement of unearthing new and unexpected gems. Happy tasting, and may your whisky journey be filled with delightful discoveries and unforgettable experiences.