Kristiane Sherry
Dec 10, 2024
The Milroy’s Christmas Drinks Guide 2024
It’s that time of year again! Whether you’re looking for presents for loved ones or something to pour on the big day, our Milroy’s Christmas Whisky Guide is here to help you deliciously navigate the festive season.
When it comes to Christmas, a few things are true. One, it can be tricky to find the perfect whisky gift. There are so many great releases out there, where to start?! Secondly, finding the ideal bottle to crack open for the festivities is similarly a challenge. How to please everyone around the table?
We’re here to help. From our vast stocks online, we’ve chosen the best whiskies and wines to get you through the season. From budget-friendly bottles to showstopping pours, consider this a capsule drinks collection to delight a wide range of tastes.
Some crucial last shipping dates to know: if you’re sending bottles overseas, make sure you order with us by 13 December. If your treats are UK-bound, your cut-off is 20 December. But don’t leave it until the last-minute – pick up one of these recommendations now and you’ll be sorted way ahead of the day itself.
BEST WHISKY GIFT UNDER £50
Lochlea Our Barley
Lochlea is a charming farm distillery in rural Ayrshire – and Our Barley is its first permanent expression. We love it for its balance of first-fill Bourbon barrels, Oloroso Sherry casks and STR barriques and resulting fruity, cereal-like palate. It’s also a relatively undiscovered gem, so you’ll impress even the most committed whisky collector.
Buy NowBEST WHISKY GIFT £50-100
Balvenie Stories Week of Peat 14 Year Old
Speyside distillery Balvenie is most known for its signature orchard fruit flavour profile. But this bottling turns that on its head with the addition of peat in production! The addition of an earthy smoke adds a new depth of character to this much-known maker. Peat is used for just one week a year at the distillery, hence the name.
Buy NowBEST WHISKY GIFT £100+
Craigellachie 23 Year Old
A luxuriously sumptuous single malt from Speyside distillery Craigellachie. Its fascinating oily texture shines bright in this release, which has been aged in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. We love that the characteristic meatiness is so well integrated with the honey and icing sugar elements – a complex dram that’s a real treat.
Buy NowBEST STOCKING FILLER
Glenfiddich IPA sample
Did you know that we sell whisky by the measure?! Our 30ml drams make the perfect stocking fillers, Secret Santa gifts, or festive table favours. Our pick? This Glenfiddich release brings all of the lushness from the Speyside maker, with a deep, rich, IPA cask finish. Ideal for a quick pressie.
Buy NowBEST WHISK FOR CHRISTMAS DRINKING
Tamdhu Batch Strength
When it comes to festive imbibing, nothing seems to hit the mark quite like a deliciously sherried single malt. Our pick this year? Tamdhu Batch Strength. There’s rich honeycomb, dried fruits, creamy vanilla and a gorgeous nuttiness – the perfect after-dinner dram. It’s versatile too. Pour over ice and top with soda for a refreshing festive Highball.
Buy NowBEST FIZZ FOR CHRISTMAS DRINKING
Lallier Grand Reserve
Nothing says Christmas conviviality like bubbles! And this great value bottling from Lallier does the trick. Vibrant, zesty and complex, it brings a lovely fruity vibe with a rich toastiness. It’s a fantastic, easygoing yet luxurious sipper, and the perfect way to kick off the festivities. Grab the flutes!
Buy NowBEST WINE FOR CHRISTMAS DRINKING
Domaine du Colombier Petit Chablis 2021
A gorgeously versatile unoaked Chardonnay that pairs especially well with festive starters. There are loads of stone fruit notes going on, alongside a gentle acidity. Well-structured, it’s a proper wine that’s also a crowdpleaser. If you’re looking for something on the refreshing side before tucking into a feast, this is the bottle for you.
Buy NowTHE WHISKY WE ALL WANT
Milroy's Heavily Peated 13 Year Old 2010 Jamaican Rum Barrels
Fun, funky and fantastically flavourful, this vibrant single malt packs a punch – and is topping our collective Christmas list. We’ve taken the earthiness of Jura and finished it in casks from Jamaica’s Monymusk distillery. The resulting flavour profile is profoundly enjoyable, both neat and lengthened into a Highball.
Buy Now