Each year on the third Saturday of May, whisky fans celebrate the “water of life,” originally derived from Gaelic language. In commemoration of the annual World Whisky Day, drams distilled across the globe are savoured worldwide by whisky enthusiasts over tastings, events and communal gatherings. This year’s World Whisky Day takes place Saturday, May 18, 2024, and we’ve rounded up our favourite bottles and brands for you, below. —Vita Daily
Old Pulteney
Defined and shaped by its stunning coastal location, Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky owes much to its home town of Wick. Established in 1826 at a time when the town was home to a thriving fishing port, Old Pulteney has a strong place in the heart and history of this coastal community. Being distilled and matured by the sea coupled with meticulous cask selection creates a distinctive flavour, which sets it apart from other single malt Scotch whiskies. With traditional warehouses exposed to the invigorating sea air blowing in off the North Sea, Old Pulteney captures the taste of the sea in every drop of its liquid gold; from subtle coastal chords to more defined salty notes. Delivering a flavour spectrum from vanilla to spice with an added hint of saltiness, Old Pulteney takes you from vibrancy to indulgence. Matured for 12 years, this is the definitive house style of the brand’s maritime malt, Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky.
Fettercairn
Fettercairn’s history offers a deep and rich backdrop. Since Sir Alexander Ramsay established the distillery in 1824, the brand has been going to extraordinary lengths to capture the purest expression of its whisky’s character. Located in the foothills of Scotland’s Cairngorms, they don’t just use crystal clear mountain water as an ingredient, they drench their stills with it, cooling the copper so only the finest vapours rise. The best way to serve and enjoy? Fettercairn’s whiskies should first be tasted straight, and then again with a small splash of cold water as this slight dilution opens up the spirit, bringing out more of the signature tropical fruit flavours and aromas.
The Dalmore 12
Under the watchful eye of The Dalmore‘s master distiller, this outstanding spirit is initially matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks. This gives its first base of soft vanilla and honey notes. A proportion of the spirit is then lovingly transferred into the finest sherry casks, some of which have previously held rare and aged oloroso sherry. These are exclusively sourced from the world’s finest bodegas, including Gonzalez Byass. These personally curated sherry casks gift the whisky its rich nutty character. The two styles are then reunited to create something magical.
Jura Rum Cask Finish
A few miles off the west coast of Scotland you’ll find an island: remote, sometimes wild, yet always beautiful, home to 212(ish) islanders, one road, one pub and one distillery. Jura was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 to bring life back to the island and the community. Inspired by its history and its island home, its whiskies reflect the unwavering passion and tenacity of the islanders, so it tastes distinctively better because it matters more to those who make it. Jura Rum Cask Finish has been initially matured in American White Oak Ex Bourbon barrels and then transferred into hand selected Caribbean Rum Casks for a smooth, creamy and fruity finish.
The Glenlivet
It’s a great time to celebrate the original Speyside single malt that set the Speyside style, as The Glenlivet celebrates its 200th anniversary. To mark this historic milestone, 2024 will see a year of celebrations with bold and original innovations and initiatives. The Glenlivet has followed in the footsteps of its founder George Smith with its storied history of innovation. From pushing boundaries of flavour and craftsmanship through exceptional distinctive casks such as the world’s first whisky with a cognac cask finish, to redefining whisky consumption through its innovation, The Glenlivet has continuously challenged the norm with pioneering initiatives. Often imitated but never bettered, The Glenlivet is the one that set the fruity, floral Speyside style for which the region is now revered for.
Glenfiddich
Whisky holds a historic background as one of the most recognized distilled spirits in the world, dating back to Ireland and Scotland thousands of years ago. In 1887, Glenfiddich founder William Grant laid the first stones that built one of the oldest family-owned Scotch whisky distilleries in Dufftown, Scotland. The historical distillery was appropriately named “Glenfiddich,” Gaelic for “Valley of the Deer,” and on Christmas Day, the first drop of Glenfiddich was drawn from its copper stills. While single malts were once a well-kept secret of the Scots, in 1963, Sandy Grant Gordon, great grandson of William Grant, made Glenfiddich the first single malt to be promoted outside Scotland. Consumers around the world who were once accustomed to blended scotch were introduced to the delights of single malts. Today, Glenfiddich has grown to become recognized across the globe as the world’s most awarded single malt scotch whisky and remains family-owned to this day. Canadians celebrating World Whisky Day with a dram, or a spirited whisky cocktail will enjoy Glenfiddich’s lineup of 12 Year Old, 14 Year Old, 15 Year Old, and 18 Year Old single malt scotch whisky expressions, each rich in historical significance and crafted with remarkable technique.
Gibson’s Finest
Gibson’s Finest is an award-winning range of Canadian whiskies; however, the beginnings of Gibson’s Finest Canadian whisky don’t start in Canada. In 1856, John Gibson left his native Scotland and purchased 40 acres of prime land south of the border to Pennsylvania and the shores of the Monongahela River. With his Scottish perseverance, quality local ingredients and a steadfast focus firmly on his goal to craft the best whisky in the Americas, by the end of the 19th century, the Gibson’s Distilling Company was indeed the largest and best manufacturer of rye whisky in North America. Then came the dark days of American prohibition. On a sad day in 1923, every still, every barrel, every bit of grain, and every drop of spirit was auctioned off to the highest bidder, Schenley Industries of New York. Fifty years after that fateful auction, Schenely Distillery, staying true to John Gibson’s passion of producing the finest rye whisky possible, began crafting Gibson’s Finest 12 Year Old Canadian whisky in Valleyfield, Quebec. In 2002, William Grant & Sons acquired Gibson’s Finest. In 2008, production moved to Windsor, Ontario. Now, these award-winning Canadian whiskies are meticulously aged for a smoother, richer taste, and are perfect for celebrating the finest days, including World Whisky Day. The Gibson’s Finest Canadian whisky range includes 4 variants that ensure there is a flavour profile to suit every taste palate, ranging from sweet and silky to vibrant with vanilla. The four variants include Gibson’s Finest Sterling, Gibson’s Finest Bold 8 Year Old, Gibson’s Finest Rare 12 Year Old, and Gibson’s Finest Venerable 18 Year Old.
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