‘Splurge-worthy whiskeys’ for the holidays

The whiskey season is now upon us, said Jason Wilson in The Washington Post. Celebrations of the dark spirit have recently been held in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, giving tasters a chance to sip rare, 30-year-old single malt scotches—and also to discover a few other “splurge-worthy whiskeys” as holiday gifts. Here are my recommendations.

Pappy Van Winkle’s 15-year-old Family Reserve ($50)

The showpiece of this Kentucky distillery is Pappy Van Winkle’s 23-year-old Family Reserve ($200). But this is “the finer bourbon, at a much more affordable price.”

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Dewar’s 18-year-old Founder’s Reserve ($80)

Anyone looking for an alternative to Johnnie Walker Blue should consider this smooth blended scotch, now available in the U.S. for the first time.

Bruichladdich Cuvée A 16-year-old Lafite Cask ($100)

Some single-malt whiskies can command from $300 to $500 a bottle. This scotch, finished in Château Lafite wine barrels, delivers an “amazing complexity” of flavor at a much lower cost.

Buffalo Trace ($19.99)

“My favorite bargain.” Any bourbon fan will be impressed—guaranteed.