It’s the most whiskey time of year: four bottles to gift, or buy for yourself

This week we have four whiskeys that would make a nice present – or a Christmas treat for yourself. For its latest release, Teeling has partnered with Santa Teresa 1796, a 200-year-old Venezuelan rum producer. It aged its standard Small Batch whiskey in casks from the Santa Teresa rum solera. This is a limited-edition bottling, available exclusively from O’Briens.

Tipperary Boutique Distillery is a small family-run distillery in Ballindoney Farm in Grange, near Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Liam Ahearn works the 200-acre farm, growing barley for the whiskey crafted by distiller (and his wife) Jennifer Nickerson. It helps that she can call on her father, Stuart, one of the most experienced and respected distillers in Scotland. This is a true grain-to-glass operation, where home-grown barley is distilled and aged on site. The only task done outside the farm is the malting, which still takes place in Tipperary.

Tipperary Field Notes is a gift box containing two very different whiskeys; a 200ml bottle of Eight-Year-Old Single Malt and the same of an Eight-Year-Old Single Pot Still as well as a tasting glass. Both are made from home-grown barley. In addition to this, Tipperary has produced a limited edition three-year-old Single Pot Still Whiskey exclusively for nearby Cashel Palace Hotel.

The Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach is a series of Irish whiskeys aged in different virgin Irish wood casks. Until now, they have all been oak. However, the latest release is the Irish Sweet Chestnut Edition, made from barrels harvested from the historic Cappoquinn Estate in Co Waterford. A selection of Midleton Single Spot Still Whiskeys, originally matured in bourbon barrels, were aged a further five years in virgin Chestnut oak. Only 800 cases were produced.

Teeling Small Batch Whiskey Santa Teresa 1796 Cask Finish

46%, €55

Dried fruits overlaid with subtle dark chocolate and vanilla and a nicely rounded finish. A lighter style that works very well.

O’Briens

Tipperary Boutique Distillery Field Notes

46%, €125

The Single Malt has dark chocolate, raisins and grilled nuts, while the Pot Still is creamy and smooth with caramel, dark fruits and vanilla.

From tipperarydistillery.ie; Number 21 off-licences

Cashel Palace Irish Pot Still Whiskey

46%, €125

Warming and smooth with dried Christmas cake fruits, dark chocolate and a spicy touch.

From Cashel Palace Hotel; Mikey Ryan’s, Cashel; Sadler’s, Fethard; and Donoghue’s Pub, Cashel

Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kilranelagh Wood

56.1%, €440

Smooth orchard fruits – apples and pears – with milk chocolate and vanilla spice, finishing on a spicy note.

From selected specialist off-licences