Top 10 Single Malts to Celebrate Mother’s Day

(in no particular order)

Are you struggling for ideas on what to get your Mum for Mother’s Day? If you think your Mum would prefer something different from a bunch of flowers or a “World’s Best Mum” mug, then what about getting her a unique single malt? Below is a selection of the top 10 single malts to help give you some ideas to help you show your Mum how much you love and appreciate her.

Springbank Distillery Hazelburn 12 Year Old 46%

A stunning 12 year old triple distilled malt from the Campbeltown region Springbank Distillery first released in 2009 is a beautiful bronze liquid in the glass with rich malty flavours to tempt your senses

The influence of the Sherry cask is immediately apparent in this sweet dram with hints of chocolate among subtle notes of orange marmalade, apricot, marzipan and almonds.

Dalmore 15 Year Old 40%

A first class and most popular expression from the Dalmore stable and the blending maestro that is Richard Paterson, this 15 year old is smooth and elegant with a delightful texture and perfect balance.

First launched in 2007 and matured in matusalem, apostoles and amoroso sherry casks it has stunning winter notes of winter spice, chocolate and orange zest.

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old 40%

Another classic from Speyside this 12 year old makes a great after dinner malt that starts its life in refill American oak casks before gaining its extra complexity as a result of a second maturation in first fill European oak Sherry that gives it the doublewood name.

Its sweet good body with  gentle spice and vanilla is always a pleasure to revisit and can easily convert a non whisky drinker with its fantastic taste.

Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old Islay Single 46.3%

A stunning 18 year old single malt from the fabled Islay region this Bunnahabhain is a triumph for whisky drinkers around the world. Now bottled without the colouring and chill filtration of older Bunnahabhain 18 year olds.

With notes of salted caramel and sticky toffee pudding its rich sherried notes are delightfully lifted with a coastal saltiness.

Auchentoshan Three Wood 43%

Another popular malt this time from the Lowland distillery of Auchentoshan, the only single malt distillery to use a triple distilling process. The three wood takes its name from being first matured in bourbon casks before being finished in Oloroso and then Pedro Ximénez casks to give it that extra rich and sweet fruitiness.

This rich golden bronze malt has notes of blackcurrant, orange and plum with a fresh and fruity oaky sweetness.

The Macallan Cask Strength 10 Year Old 58.1%

The Macallan from Speyside is synonymous with quality and being a top tier whisky with a rack of top line malts in its stable, but there is an unsung hero from this distillery and that is the cask strength. A cracking malt rich in flavour and as punchy as they come.

With its sherried finish, caramel, toffee and vanilla notes it has a sweet tawny port balance on the palate.

Jura Diurachs’ Own 16yr Old 40%

Another Island malt this time from the Isle of Jura this stunning 16 year old won three silver awards in 2014.  Rich & full-bodied with hints of citrus fruit and toffee patience is required to achieve the unbelievably full bodied finish that comes from spending 14 years in American white oak and then its final 2 years in ex-Amoroso Oloroso sherry casks.

‘A delicious and sophisticated dram with impressive depth and almost perfect weight.’ Jim Murray, Whisky Magazine Dec 2000

Glenkinchie The Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43%

Glenkinchie is a Lowland malt also known as the Edinburgh Malt from the stable of Diageo, this Distillers Edition is a fine example of their delightful drams. Finished in amontillado sherry casks its medium dry nuttiness is a beautiful complement to the lighter style of this whisky. The palate is very fruity with notes of Madeira and sweet stewed fruits. A hint of calvados and tannic oak lining the mouth. There is a freshness and roundness to this dram. The finish is of medium length with notes of cereal and a fresh greenness.

Bowmore 25 Year Old 43%

Bowmore distillery is another well established and favoured malt from Islay, the 25 year old small batch release is a long aged bottle that has the largest proportion of its casks being ex sherry which are what give this complex and fruity Islay malt its sweetness and depth. Combine this with the smoky, coastal distillery style that we know and love from Bowmore and you get the characteristic peat smoke, cocoa and creamy nuttiness of an Islay classic.

Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Extremely Rare 43%

Glenmorangie is another extremely popular single malt from the Highland region and the 18 year old has always been one of the best from its core range and this ‘extremely rare’ edition certainly looks the part.  A delightful thick and creamy dram, which spends its first 15 years in ex bourbon casks before being finished in Oloroso sherry casks. One of the more expensive malts from our selection it is well worth seeking out for its finish of big oaks and citrus peels.