A Twist on a Christmas Drink Theme…port finished whisky

Christmas is a time where tradition holds dear. By far the majority of households will stick with roast turkey and all the trimmings because it’s almost unthinkable to serve up anything else.

Here I suggest looking at our Christmas drink of choice and seeing if our Christmas Day tipple could be updated, something that many have started doing already.

We trot out Christmas pudding, Christmas cake and mince pies as we’ve done for generations and hang up our Christmas stockings and leave our presents under the Christmas tree as not doing so would be inconceivable.

But there are some subtle changes appearing that respects tradition and yet shakes things up a little. And we like that, as long as it doesn’t stray too far from what’s expected. We’re talking about the trend of replacing our after-dinner port with a glass of port-finished whisky. These whiskies are very special indeed and a real treat. Often aged in ex- bourbon barrels and then finished in port barrels (whether they be ruby, tawny or even white port) to impart the richness and sweet juicy fruit notes you would expect from port. Perfect to accompany the cheese board on Christmas Day.

(And obviously if you want a real surprise for a Christmas Day whisky treat to share with loved ones, make sure you’re signed up to Summerton Whisky Club this festive season, and we’ll get a delicious bottle of something really special delivered to your doorstep in time to enjoy on the big day).

There are some great brands to try, here are a few of our favourites:

Arran Port Cask Finish

70cl  |  ABV 50%

After initially maturing in traditional oak casks for approximately 8 years, The Arran Single Malt in this bottling was finished in a selection of Port casks sourced from an artisan producer of this iconic Portuguese fortified wine. Our Master Distiller, James MacTaggart, has carefully monitored this period of secondary maturation to ensure the perfect balance is struck between the Port casks and the intrinsic sweet-fruity character of The Arran Malt. The end result is a Single Malt full of charm, complexity and quality.

A fantastic choice at any time, but particularly for the festive season. Ideal as an after dinner dram, especially with a delicious cheese selection.

Buy direct from the distillery for £53.99

The Quinta Ruban 14 Years Old

A complex balance of sweet and dry flavours and an intriguing contrast of smooth and crisp, cooling textures

Masters of Malt £56.99 | The Whisky Exchange £58.95

Tomintoul Tawny Port Cask Finish

70cl  |  ABV 40%

Tomintoul Tawny Port Cask Finish has been created by the careful selection of mature whisky “finished” in Port wood. The malt whisky was transferred from Bourbon casks into the hand-picked Port barriques to “finish” its maturation for a generous period of time. This process of “finishing” bestows on the whisky refined characteristics, most notably, tones of fruity Port sweetness.

Lush clean malt modified by fruity sweet port and some spicy oak tones finish Full and rich with lingering herbal spices and toffee sweetness.

Buy direct from the distillery for £43

Tomatin 14 Year Old Port Casks

70cl  |  ABV 46%

The Tomatin 14 Year Old is soft, smooth and sweet, benefiting from its time spent in Tawny Port casks which previously held port for around 50 years. Rich but balanced aromas of red berries, sweet honey and rich toffee develop into aspects of light fruits and nuts on the palate and an abiding finish of smooth fruit salad.

Matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels and Port casks

Buy direct from the distillery for £77.50

 

SUMMERTON WHISKY CLUB 15 YEAR OLD GIRVAN SINGLE GRAIN SCOTCH

70cl  |  ABV 46%

Now I couldn’t put together this port finished whisky recommendation list without including the very first whisky I created, a 15 year old single grain finished in port pipes. Knowing exactly what I wanted to create, I tasted cask trader and independent bottler, The Whisky Baron, to find me some well aged single grain casks that were nearly ready. He came to me with a set of 13 year old Girvan ex-bourbon casks that had already mellowed the whisky and added some lovely vanilla notes. We then re-racked into first fill port casks, tasting every few months until I had them exactly where I wanted them, with fruity notes and a lovely colour. It was a pleasure to be able to share with our Members as our April 2022 Club Bottle for all to enjoy.

First in fresh Port pipes

There’s now less than a case left of my first masterpiece, which you can pick up for £69.95 from the Club Shop

 

If you take a punt on any of the above port finished whiskies you will be one of a growing number of us who are gaining a real appreciation for high-end, sometimes rare and unusual whiskies. And there is no better time than Christmas to enjoy a dram or two. Oh and, by the way, we’re not suggesting you ditch the port altogether. Just expand your horizons and maybe your drinks cabinet too!

For something extra special…

Summerton Whisky Club take the guesswork out of your Christmas tipple selection – join the club by December 4th, and we’ll deliver a bottle of premium, unique whisky that you can’t find on the supermarket shelves to your door. And then we’ll deliver another bottle every other month thereafter – so you’ll be able to enjoy carefully curated whiskies throughout the year.

If you’d like to join the club, please click here. We also offer gift memberships if you’d like to have bottles delivered to friends, family or colleagues.