12 Year Old Whisky

Twelve years is the classic age statement. It is the age at which Scotland's best-known distilleries release the bottle they are judged by, which makes a 12 year old the safest whisky gift there is and the right place to start a collection.

The Speyside names lead: The Macallan 12 Double Cask, Glenfiddich 12, The Glenlivet 12, Aberlour 12, Glenfarclas 12, Glen Grant 12, The Balvenie 12 Doublewood and Sweet Toast of American Oak, Singleton of Dufftown 12 and Linkwood 12. From the Highlands and islands come Highland Park 12, Aberfeldy 12, Royal Brackla 12, GlenDronach 12 and Glenmorangie's Lasanta and Palo Cortado 12s; Bowmore 12 is the Islay choice; Lagavulin 12 and Clynelish 12 from the Special Releases are bottled at cask strength. Auchentoshan 12 and Jura 12 complete the Scotch.

In blends, Chivas Regal 12 comes in 5cl, 35cl, 70cl and a 4.5L, Johnnie Walker Black Label is a 12 year old blend, and Dewar's 12 is the value pick. From Japan, Yamazaki 12 and Hakushu 12; from America, WhistlePig 12 rye.