Whiskey is incredibly simple in ingredients and, in general, in the process of making it. The resulting product, however, is sublimely complex and comes in more variations than you can probably imagine. So, as we have found, choosing the best whiskey is something of a tough task.

We won’t get into it too much but whisky is typically from Scotland while others - spelled whiskey with an "e" - are from elsewhere, namely Ireland and America. However, you’ll see some exceptions like Maker’s Mark and Old Forester.

It’s the taste we’re concerned with, not how it’s spelled.

Here you’ll find a wide range of options spanning the globe. Not all whisky is a mouthful of smoke so if that’s not your thing, there are smooth Scotches and sweet bourbons to satisfy your tastebuds...

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1. Elijah Craig - Barrel Proof

For something special of the bourbon variety, you’re in good hands with this small batch Kentucky straight from Elijah Craig. It was bottled at a whopping 63.5% which is actually, somehow, one of the weaker editions.

There’s plenty of vanilla and maple flavour but a spicy heat from the booze, too. This won the whisky of the year 2017.

2. Ailsa Bay - Sweet Smoke

As the name suggests, this whisky perfectly balances the profile of a sweeter Scotch with smokiness, making it perfect for those wanting to find a middle ground between mainland and Islay.

This is the first distillery to have precision methods so Ailsa Bay is made to an exact 022 peaty parts and 019 sweet parts per million. It is also the only whiskey to be ‘micro matured’ in small Hudson Baby Bourbon casks for six to nine months before moving to American Oak.

3. Cotswolds - Single Malt

England may not be famous for its whisky but if do fancy trying one, it should be this Cotswolds Single Malt. It may be the first ever whisky to be distilled in the Cotswolds but it's already award-winning - having won a gold medal at the 2019 Wolrd Whiskies Awards. Flavour-wise, the whisky is sweet and fruity from being matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and reconditioned in red wine casks. With notes of honey, orange marmalade and dark red fruits, it is very sippable. A great option if you're looking for a gentle introduction to the world of whisky.

4. Bulleit - 95 Rye

It’s called ‘95’ because the mash is made up of that percentage of rye, the remainder barley. That’s a really high ratio, so while the original Buillet is a classic bourbon, we like the rye version for its spicy flavour.

Unlike scotch, bourbon is sweeter and here you get toffee and maple flavours. It’s still smooth enough to drink neat but try using it for cocktails like an old fashioned for that extra level of flavour.

5. Darkness 8

What used to be a very limited release is now a core range whisky. This 8-year old single malt is aged in ex-bourbon barrels followed by sherry casks. These are smaller than normal, meaning more surface area to impart character to the whisky.

The nose is full of candied orange peel and spice leading to flavours of biscuit, fruit and nuts. Add touch of smoke on the finish and you have a very well-rounded and moreish scotch.

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