If there’s anything more enjoyable than building a whisky collection, it’s enjoying it in the company of friends. (And maybe showing it off a little.)
Therefore, thinking about how your whiskies can help improve your entertaining is the best way to evolve your bar cart from good to great. To build your collection from a handful of bottles into something respectable, don’t just collect your own favourites. Try to expand your repertoire to cover a multitude of flavours, whisky types and serving styles. That way, you can offer your guests a few different choices — without necessarily having a huge number of bottles.
With that guiding principle in mind, we’ll take a look at six whiskies we recommend to round out and elevate your bar cart. And as for each one below, we’ll also glimpse a scene from an imaginary whisky-tasting party to show how it extends your collection.
1. Chivas Regal XV
The scene: One of your favourite party soundtracks is playing. The snacks are laid out. And there’s the door! Your first guests have arrived. It’s Divyan, John and Sadia. None of them are massive whisky hounds, just friends who enjoy it on occasion, and are game for trying some new things during your whisky night. You get them started with a Chivas Regal XV, served with their choice of soda, ginger ale, water or ice …
What is Chivas Regal XV?
A blended Scotch whisky notable for being partially matured in French oak casks the same kind used for Cognac) to give it a fruity, aromatic je ne sais quoi.
What it brings to your bar cart: We’re starting this bar cart enhancement with a fine blended Scotch because every whisky lover should have one. Not only that, it should be one of the cornerstones of your collection.
Younger generations of whisky lovers may have overlooked the virtues of blended whiskies — maybe blended Scotches in particular — because some regard non-blended bourbon, single malts and single pot stills as superior. But a quality blended Scotch like Chivas Regal XV is as tasty as any of those whiskies, and it’s also versatile, approachable and very handy to have around.
Is it sippable neat? Absolutely. Will it mix well in a cocktail? By all means, fix yourself one of these and find out. How about mixing with ice and soda? Why, that’s what it was born to do. With Chivas Regal XV on hand as guests arrive, you can give them all a greeting whisky in whatever style they like.
Learn more about Chivas Regal XV
2. Yellow Spot
The scene: Inside comes Carolyn, your first true fellow whisky geek to arrive. You’ve set aside something you know she’ll love, since she’s been exploring Irish whiskey more lately: a dram of Yellow Spot …
What is Yellow Spot?
A single pot still Irish whiskey, matured for 12 years in Spanish malaga casks, Spanish sherry butts and ex-bourbon casks
What it brings to your bar cart: Like blended Scotches, Irish whiskeys are another category you don’t want to overlook, even if you have a small whisky collection.
Ideally, you’ll already have a smooth blended Irish whiskey like Jameson’s Original on hand for mixing, and then supplement that with an upper-shelf Irish whiskey geared primarily toward sipping and savouring. Yellow Spot makes an excellent choice for this role: It’s approachable and medium-bodied, as well as sophisticated and complex.
Having Yellow Spot on your bar cart also means you can offer a nice treat for your fellow whisky-loving guests. Even if they’ve tried a single pot still Irish whiskey or two, Yellow Spot is on the rare side, and deserves an appreciative wink at your host.
3. The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
The scene: Anne and Tina roll in, all smiles as always. They’re neighbours who are keen to learn more about whisky. They’ve asked you where they should begin. Why not start them off with a true classic? Out comes The Glenlivet 12 Year Old — you advise them to take it with a splash of water.
What it is: A smooth, creamy Speyside single malt Scotch whisky.
What it brings to your bar cart:
The Glenlivet 12 is a whisky with wide appeal — it’s become one of the world’s most-beloved single malt Scotches thanks in large part to its perfectly classic flavour profile, which it would be difficult to imagine any whisky lover not enjoying (as we noted in our guide to whisky gifting). It’s approachable, so you can serve it to a novice who might be a little shy around whisky. Yet its sophisticated balance is a pleasure — one that even experienced whisky connoisseurs are happy to revisit.
A whisky that offers something for everyone is a useful thing to have on your bar cart. (Can’t think of what to offer? The Glenlivet 12. You really can’t go wrong.)
Learn more about The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
4. Aberlour 14 Year Old
The scene: Andrew arrives — one of your oldest pals, he’s knowledgeable about whisky, and he comes bearing a gift. He’s brought Aberlour 14 Year Old, figuring that it’s a great Scotch to bring as a whisky gift — though he adds, “Promise me you’ll sit and have one with me after everyone else has left for the night.”
What is Aberlour 14 Year Old? A robust, rich and spicy Speyside single malt Scotch whisky
What it brings to your bar cart: What, another single malt Scotch from the Speyside region? You bet. A well-rounded whisky collection should include at least one — and more if possible, because you can’t cover all your bases with just one choice. Speyside single malts can be quite different from one another. As whisky writer Dave Broom put it in The World Atlas of Whisky, “There is no single Speyside style, just as there is no uniform Speyside landscape. Speyside is about distillers finding their style, testing new ideas, and remaining true to tradition.”
By putting Aberlour 14 next to your Glenlivet 12, you’re rounding your collection out with a richer, duskier side of Speyside. Whereas The Glenlivet is a lively dram to enjoy at any time of day, Aberlour 14 shines best in relaxed moments — after-dinner conversation, a toast with an old friend, even just listening to a favourite record. Slow, rewarding, mindful enjoyment: That’s what Aberlour is for.
Learn more about Aberlour 14 Year Old
5. Royal Salute Signature Blend
The scene: Chris breezes in right after. She’s a bit older than everyone else, and thanks to the colourful life she’s lived, she’s full of great stories. She’s had decades to figure out exactly what she enjoys in a whisky: something timeless and refined (like her, you think). “You know what I want!” she announces heartily, pointing at the most distinctive-looking bottle on your bar cart.
What is Royal Salute Signature Blend? A luxurious blended Scotch whisky created in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
What it brings to your bar cart: An undeniable mystique — which is helped by the jewel-coloured flagon that Royal Salute is presented in — as well as maturity and a touch of old-school elegance. Royal Salute is the kind of Scotch that made Scotch famous: a blend of rare and precious single malt and grain whiskies from around Scotland, coming together to create a picture of subtlety and poise. It unfolds like a riveting story, starting with a sunny beginning of pears, citrus and autumn flowers on the nose, followed by a more savoury palate of dry oak, vanilla, sherry and just a hint of smoke. Serve it neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water. However you serve it, this is a great whisky for listening to a gripping tale — or telling one.
Learn more about Royal Salute Signature Blend
6. Midleton Very Rare
The scene: The party’s nearly complete with the arrival of Joel. He’s another fellow whisky geek — and to be honest, one who’s a bit competitive with you. “Have you got anything special for me tonight? And I mean really special?” he asks, looking skeptical. You hand him a bottle of Midleton Very Rare. For once, he’s speechless.
What it is: An Irish whisky blended from single pot still and single grain whiskey (meaning unmalted grain whiskey that comes from a single distillery — in this case, the Midleton Distillery in Cork, Ireland)
What it brings to your bar cart: Every fine whisky collection, no matter how small, should have at least one special occasion whisky — the one to break out during celebrations, or to cap off a tasting in your home.
Or to show off.
Midleton Very Rare certainly qualifies for any of the above purposes. It really is very rare (the name doesn’t lie). And it’s unusual: Many whisky fans have probably never tried a blend of Irish pot still whiskey and Irish single grain whiskey. They’ll be delighted by the balance of complex fruit and elegant spice; this is a dram that’s both soft-textured and elegantly full-flavoured, with a lingering and memorable finish.
Midleton Very Rare is both a conversation starter and a grand finale. Put it right at the centre of your bar cart and share it with your nearest and dearest — and the Joels in your life.
Learn more about Midleton Very Rare
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