With less than a week to go, only a crazy person would leave buying their christmas presents till the 11th hour. And yet, as every Christmas that goes by, I always find myself in exactly the same position, thinking that everything will be ok, once I venture onto the streets of Central London for a few hours of 'gifting'. I sort of pulled it off this year, but then the weather turned and I had to beat a hasty retreat before I was marooned with all the all the other crazy people, their faces covered with that familiar, mildly panicked look that only number of last minute rash purchases can cure.
Fortunately, for the whisky fan in your life, we've got a few suggestions whilst there's still time to get the visa card out.
We featured a number of books recently on the blog, 101 Whiskies To Try Before You Die, The World Atlas Of Whisky, and now, on a similar tip comes The World's Best Whiskies, by Dominic Roskrow. With 750 whiskies around the globe to fill up its 300 pages, as well as useful sections on food matching, classic cocktails and tips on nosing and tasting whisky, Dominic has excelled in bringing whisky to life and this is an excellent read, post Christmas day, with dram of something firmly in hand. Whereas, it might be too late to order them online with all this snow, Messrs. Waterstone's should be able to help!!
On the dram front- both Master Of Malt and The Whisky Exchange have some decent, and interesting gift ideas, that you can probably still lay your hands on if you get your skates on!
This Islay tasting kit features a few cracking drams that the discerning peat lover will undoubtedly be delighted to open on Christmas morning, lunchtime, or for that special evening dram, to make the nauseating Dr Who special fly past.
Similarly, TWE have a great offer on The Glenrothes 1985 at the moment. Perfect for shutting up Uncle Monty's inane jokes during the Bond double bill you've been waiting for.
On a non-whisky related tip- for the gentleman in your life with a penchant for fine grooming, A trip to Ted's Grooming Room will brighten up their lives and leave them looking super sharp and ready for 2011.
