2025 is behind us and we move into 2026. The New Year is always a natural time for reflection of what has happened in the previous year. The whisky world is no different and neither are we. This is always one of our favourite articles to write each year. The Top 10 is something we started in our second year of whisky blogging, way back in 2009. Within it we celebrate the finest new whisky releases of that calendar year.
Now, each of the ten whiskies on our list is a winner in its own right and for differing reasons. With the Covid-19 pandemic now a seemingly distant memory, the whisky world (and real world) has returned to some sort of normality with some excellent releases. That said, 2025 has been a tricky year for many in the industry with some distilleries reducing production or ceasing outright. This includes some of the biggest names in the business.
It is always difficult to select just ten to be honest, given that we have sampled several hundred whiskies between us this year. Probably more actually. As with all Top 10 selections, the choices are subjective. Everyone will pick a different set of whiskies to feature and that is what makes the industry so interesting and diverse. Our only criteria was that each whisky was released during 2025. So no old or retro bottlings are eligible.
What would you pick as your favourite whisky of 2025? Here is our Top 10 in alphabetical order.
Fielden Hazybower
The second bottling in English whisky brand Fielden’s Fieldnotes Collection marries three cereal types – heritage rye, wheat and barley – with American oak ex-rye whisky and Hungarian oak ex-Tokaji sweet wine casks. The name is derived from ‘hazy’ suggesting a sense of mystery and depth, with a ‘bower’ being an old English word for a shady, leafy shelter or a place of rest. Hazybower is vibrant, spicy and uplifting. Notes of golden syrup, honey and a peppery heat marry superbly with sultana, grapefruit rind and eucalyptus. The combination and balance is sublime.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Fielden Hazybower here.
Filey Bay Regenerative Edition: Nurture
Nurture celebrates The Spirit of Yorkshire’s regenerative farming approach, and was just the second English single malt brand to be listed in a UK supermarket when released mid-year. All barley is grown on a nearby farm, which is maintained by the same ownership as the distillery, using regenerative methods to protect and enhance the soil. This whisky is bright and breezy with crisp green pear, malted biscuits and red apple to the fore. Other notes include honey, vanilla and white chocolate with a hint of tropical flavoured bubblegum. This is English whisky at its best.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Filey Bay Regenerative Edition: Nurture here.
Glenmorangie The Lasanta 15 Years Old
Changing a well-loved classic expression in your core range is a risky move. But the Highland distillery of Glenmorangie have pulled it off not just once, but four times. There entire core range has seen the age statements increase and the Lasanta was the final whisky in the process. It also saw the largest increase – the age rose from 12 to 15 Years Old. Heady aromas of dried fruit, honey dusty spices give way to vanilla sponge cake, apricot jam and hazelnut praline on the palate. A highly complex whisky that feels almost oliy and viscous, while delivering a multi-layered drinking experience.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Glenmoranie Lasanta 15 Years Old here.
Highland Park Sherry Skies 19 Years Old
The final whisky from Gordon Motion, the former Master Whisky Maker of Orkney distillery Highland Park, who retired earlier this year after 16 years in the position. It features just nine casks – 3x European oak ex-sherry quarter casks, 3x American oak ex-sherry quarter casks and 3x- ex-bourbon barrels. The result is stunning. Expect notes of caramel, almond and toffee married with raisin, sultana and maple syrup. Everything is superbly underpinned by delicate baking spice and a wisp of smoke reminiscent of old tobacco tin or cigar box. A fitting tribute to industry legend Motion as his last whisky.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Highland Park Sherry Skies 19 Years Old here.
Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask Edition
This is the first ever bottling from the craft Scittish distillery of Isle of Raasay to feature ex-Marsala wine casks. And on this evidence, it should not be the last. The whisky has been matured exclusively in rare Marsala Vergine casks sourced from the historic Frazzitta winery in Sicily, Italy. Expect a whisky that is rounded, sweet and fruity but with a wonderful wisp of salty, ashy smoke that wraps around everything. There is also a delightful twist of candied citrus peel that adds depth. Isle of Raasay is definitely a new Scotch distillery to watch.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Isle of Raasay Marsala Cask Edition here.
Jameson Triple Triple Marsala Cask Edition
The second Marsala cask influenced whisky on our list. This is the third expression in the Triple Triple travel retail exclusive range from the famous Irish blended whiskey brand. It is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels, ex-Oloroso sherry casks, and ex-Marsala casks. These were hand-selected from the renowned Florio winery in Sicily and was released in time for St. Patrick’s Day 2025. The nose is packed with green apple and fresh apricot, while notes of demerarar sugar, plump juicy sultana and cocoa dominate the palate. A lovely creamy texture too. One to check out on your travels.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Jameson Triple Triple Marsala Cask Edition here.
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby
This extension of the Johnnie Walker Black Label family was introduced in the Spring, initially exclusive to the travel retail sector but then hit the shelves in selected domestic markets. It was created to explore and expand upon the rich depth of sweetness and fruitiness of Black Label. Spirit from owner Diageo’s Speyside distillery of Roseisle is at its heart. Raspberry jam, rosehip cordial and malty biscuit notes mix with red apple, butterscotch sauce and hints of dried mint and tobacco leaf. Everything is wrapped in a sweet, gentle smoke. A flexible and versatile whisky that is an instant classic.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Johnnie Walker Black Ruby here.
Lochlea Orchard & Oak
Early Autumn saw the launch of the first ever core range of single malts from Scottish craft producer of Lochlea. They grow every single grain of barley used in production on the farm where the distillery is located. It is true ‘farm to bottle’. Orchard & Oak is one of three new products that joined the exitiing Our Barley expression in the Single Estate range. It highlights Lochlea’s delicious fruity style with the use of first-fill ex-bourbon, virgin American oak, and ex-Calvados apple brandy casks. Vibrant and fresh with plenty of green apple and pear plus vanilla custard, white chocolate and honey.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Lochlea Orchard & Oak here.
Octomore 16.3
Octomore is a super heavily peated single malt produced at the Islay distillery of Bruichladdich and is released in small batches annually. It has gained somewhat of a cult status amongst whisky drinkers. This 16.3 expression is made from Islay barley grown exclusively in a single field on Octomore Farm. It has been matured in ex-bourbon, ex-Sauternes dessert wine and ex-Pedro Ximénez casks. The high level of smoke has a tobacco bitterness is balanced superbly by a sumptuous sweetness and fruity quality – think of apricots, honey and milk chocolate.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Octomore 16.3 here.
Torabhaig Sound of Sleat Batch Strength
Named after The Sound of Sleat, the narrow stretch of sea separates the Sleat Peninsula on the southwest of Skye with the Scottish mainland, this high ABV version of the core Sound of Sleat expression is superb. The packaging also features abstract artwork from Scottish landscape painter Ellis O’Connor. This whisky is bold, fresh and sweet with fabulous punchy ashy peat smoke. The balance of each element is superb. Sound of Sleat Batch Strength is one of the best whiskies that we have sampled from one of Scotland’s new distilleries to date.
Read our full review and tasting notes of Torabhaig Sound of Sleat Batch Strength here.
