A Few Frugal Fermented Flutters for some Fabulous Festive Fulfilment...(try saying that after several large drams)

The Christmas shopping frenzy is undoubtedly one of the low points in anyone's festive calender- pushing, shoving, fighting for the last, over-priced thing on the shelf, it kind of reminds us of trying to get one of the Festival bottlings at this years Feis Ile.

But fear not...help is at hand. If you were considering buying your loved one a tasty Scottish tipple for their stocking we've been perusing the December bargains at the various supermarkets and booze emporiums, so you don't have to!

Here is a round up of the offers we encountered on a recent shopping trip, with helpful links to their online shops:

Asda, while stocks last:

• Glenmorangie Original- £19.50
• Highland Park 12 year old- £20.50
• Ardbeg 10 year old- £22
• Glenfiddich 12 year old - £20

4 great buys here, with a good £5-6 slashed off the price. They all represent great entry level whiskies for someone taking their first steps in the world of single malts or are just damn good additions to the cabinet for anyone who has tried them before and needs to stock up before the merriment starts.

Waitrose:

• Lagavulin 16 year old- £33.99
• Laphroaig 10 year old - £19.99
• Talisker 15 year old Distillers Edition - £34

Another fabulous haul here. The Lagavulin 16 year old is certainly one of Caskstrength's 'house whiskies' which we simply can't do with out and at £33.99 it's a great time to stock up.
Also special mention to the Talisker- an amazing price of £34, for this Distillers Edition, matured in bourbon oak then transferred to amoroso sherry casks to finish its maturation. Easily the cheapest we've seen it and another great way to enjoy a Tali'...

Sainsburys:

• Dalwhinnie 15 year old- £22.99
• Glenfiddich 18 year old - £30.99
• Glenlivet 12 year old - £19.99

Again, a good £5-6 off most things here. The Glenfiddich 18 year old is a brilliant dram- and at £30.99 is a lovely step up from the 12 year old at a very reasonable cost.

Whisky Exchange:
With so much to choose from, it's hard not to go mad and buy all your friends quality spirits from The Whisky Exchange. We think the following represent their best Christmas buys:

• 'Single Malts Of Scotland' Aultmore 1992 15 year old - £29.25 + a free tasting glass!
• Glenfarclas 15 year old -£ 36.49 + 2 GF tasting glasses
• Glenlivet Nadurra - £37.49
• Laphroaig Quarter Cask £21.99
• Caol Ila Cask Strength (distillery bottling) £31.99

Quarter Cask for 22 quid? dive in now! this is an excellent example of peated perfection that no Islay fan should miss. Most of these have bottles have between £3 and £6 off, so are definitely worth checking out. Also the SMoS range of bottlings, exclusive to the Whisky Exchange are a fabulous way to try genuinely rare and quality casks for 'credit crunch' prices. (Apologies, I had vowed never to use that damn phrase!) The shop is based in Vinopolis nearest tube London Bridge and next to Borough Market, so you can always buy a hand-reared Ostrich burger on the way out!

Oddbins:

• Benromach Traditional - £18.99
• Auchentoshan 3 Wood - £36.99 (buy 2 and save £10)
• Aberlour a'Bunadh - £35.99 (buy 2 and save £10)
• Clynelish 14 year old - £27.99 (buy 2 and save £10)

Some interesting options here- The Aberlour a'Bunadh is a great big sherried monster that dram fans either love or hate. At this price, it might be worth taking the 'Marmite Challenge' to find out what side you and your loved ones fall! Also very good savings on the Benromach Traditional- the first whisky produced after the distilleries re-opening in 2004.

So there you have it- may all your Christmas dreams come true... if they don't... well at least you got some cracking whiskies for peanuts.

Slainte!