Whisky: the best, tried and tested

American Single Malt whiskey is a relatively new spirit (unlike Scotch, which has been around for hundreds of years) and therefore isn't as defined either in character or in terms of who the big players are.

Yellowstone produces some of my favourite bourbon and so I was keen to see how it would approach this exciting genre. The result is very distinct from a Scottish single malt - with an intensely sweet smell and caramel colour.

To taste, it combines key flavours from across the pond with something like a more traditional single malt. It's full of warm, spicy honey like a bourbon and then a firey aftertaste like a rye whiskey (although from the high alcohol content rather than a grain). After that it settles into a cereally maltiness.

I think I need to drink a lot more of it to really get under the hood of this one, which is no hardship, to be honest.

Another two-for-the-price-of-one review here as we've sampled both the Signature and Reserve whiskys from Cotswolds Distillery and I controversially prefer the former, which is slightly cheaper.

Also worth noting this single malt originates from very south of the Scottish border (potentially the southernmost dram on this list, come to think of it), which makes it the perfect gift for a whisky-know-it-all who wouldn't consider buying a bottle from England themselves.

That's because, quite simply, it's brilliant. Sweet on the nose with pear and a smokey caramel vibe, which is really strong, so much so that you don't even need to hold it close to your nose.

The taste is sweet and fruity at first with a spicy kick, a long burn and a lingering toastiness. Very complex for a relatively young malt. It's really nicely balanced and super moreish. The Reserve offers a similar profile but is more subtle in smell and has a woodier, savoury body. It's still quite spicy but not as vibrant.

Both are really, really good but it's the Signature that caught my attention. In fact, it's my new favourite.

I love a rye whisky and this bottle from Finnish distiller Kyro has been aged in American oak and bourbon barrels to give it a real depth of flavour.

It has a rich aroma with some heady sweetness - also present in the taste - which develops into a strong spicy finish. That's a great combination which will have you going back for more in no time. Just bear in mind it's only a 50cl bottle!

Perfect for rye or bourbon fans looking for something new from a distillery they might not have tried before. You even get a pack of stickers in the box.

Something happens to me as the nights draw out and the temperature rises - my thirst for peaty, wintery whisky gives way to sweeter bourbon and firey rye from the USA.

I've been trying to think what this bourbon (yes, not a whiskey) reminded me of and coming up short, other than to say it's really, really good. But in writing this review it's just hit me - liquid baklava - with all the same honey sweetness, nutty highlights and wholegrain base notes.

It's sugary and smokey on the nose, then full of caramel and heat from the rye content to taste. I could easy sip through a bottle, no problem. If your experience of bourbon so far is mixed with Diet Coke in a university bar then now's the time to rediscover this golden elixir.

Quite a delicate rye all in all, and a perfect entry point to what can be quite an uncompromising spirit. It has a pleasingly simple nose with hints of the wood and vanilla that carry over to the overall taste, which has a light body and sweet tang.

This spirit contains 51% rye, which is on the lower side of what you're allowed to call a rye whiskey. That makes it very easy going, with a light spice that builds to a dry, charcoal smokiness and sour oak finish. A great way to decide if rye is for you (I suspect it will be).

Attracting quite a bit of attention from whisky enthusiasts online, this 15-year-old single malt pulls zero punches with a 50% ABV and comes with an equally strong price tag, making it a serious treat for you or the whisky lover in your life.

Glen Grant's mid-table bottle (there's a cheaper ten and more expensive 18-year-old version) smells sweet and malty, a bit like Ovaltine, with a light zest and woody base. To taste it is nutty and vanilla sweet, but not overly so, with quite and astringent, drying finish.

It's full-bodied too almost like single cream, with a really fiery heat, and both attributes can be dialled down with a few drops of water to suit. I like it neat though - I'm a fan of rye whisky and the heat of this one, although it's not a rye, has the same appeal.

Two reviews for the price of one here with a glass thrown in for good measure. Gladstone Axe is named after and inspired by William Gladstone, a four-time Prime Minister who used to let off steam by felling trees with an axe.

As fun as that sounds we'd rather wind down with either of the blended malts in this gift set, designed to delight whisky lovers and give them an idea which side of the fence they sit when it comes to these quite different drinks. You also get two hefty tumblers (so you can drink both whiskies without doing any washing up, presumably) which are made from thick glass with a heavy bottom and ergonomic thumb dent. They're an irregular sort of shape like they've been hewn from wood, which fits the whole axe theme rather well.

Throwing caution into the wind I went for the more substantial Black Axe blend first, and for my money this is the more interesting of the two. It is unusual in being quite light bodied (more like water than Baileys) but absolutely packed with flavour - light smoke, lots of wood, fruit, and a bit of a spicy aftertaste that would suit rye fans (like me). It smells great as well, sweet and woody with a kind of pear drops, varnishy vibe.

The American Oak variety is more subtle and lighter weight, with a bourbon-like sweetness and less smoke and spice than the Black Axe blend. It has a shorter, fruitier aftertaste and overall feels very approachable. Gladstone Axe says both blends would work well in a cocktail - I think that's true for this one, but the former stands up really well on its own. So you can make your own mind up.

At an incredibly reasonable price for two deliciously flavourful whiskies, as well as two beautifully crafted tumblers, this could be the perfect Father's Day gift this year.

What could be better than a carefully selected whisky dropping through letterbox every month? With Whiskey Me that's exactly what you get - a (recyclable) pouch of delicious spirit along with tasting notes and a pairing guide.

You can pick from Traditional or Discovery subscriptions, offering Scottish single malts or whiskey from around the world. For true whisky afficionados you can also double up and get both delivered.

It's a bit odd at first, pouring whisky from a squashable pouch, but once you're over that this is a fantastic gift. Each delivery comes in a 60ml pouch (just over a double measure) for a generous dram.

I sampled the Glenfarclas15 year old, a fruity, spicy number, and the peaty Glenturret, which had a satisfyingly long-burn to the finish. Find something you like? Each delivery comes with a 10% code against a full bottle in the box too.

If you've tried Naked Grouse before this bottle will be instantly familiar - a blend of malts from Highland Park and Macallan, aged in first-fill sherry casks (hence Naked) and poured into a minimalistic, 100% recyclable bottle. It tastes like it should cost a lot more than £26 and the rich and fruity flavour makes it an ideal introduction to whisky.

Toasty, warming and slightly spicy, it's also a great pairing for a winter's night in front of the fireplace. Our only complaint is how easy it is to drink - don't expect a bottle to last very long at all. Actually, buy two to be on the safe side.

A really complex and outside of the box selection for anyone looking to try something a little different, Minor Case is a rye whiskey, which means it's neither a Scottish whisky nor an American bourbon. Traditionally a rye whiskey is spicier than a malt whisky and not as sweet as a bourbon.

This one has been matured in sherry casks though, which have imparted a sweet and fruity taste we did not expect. It's quite light in colour and smells of honey and pine, and to drink it's surprisingly smooth with a fiery aftertaste that really lingers. It's a puzzle in a glass that will have you going back time and time again - whether neat or in a Manhattan, Minor Case is a delicious and interesting whiskey with a huge depth of flavour.

This one's pretty unusual, it's all about the wood. Each cask (kasc?) is made from five different kinds of wood, American, French, Hungarian and Portuguese oak, plus chestnut. Each of these woods imparts its influence on this whiskey to make it a riot of different flavours and aromas. Think lots of dark brown sugar on a spicy fruit crumble as the aromas and then taste caramelised tropical fruit, maybe a baked banana, with a spicy, festive pudding finish. Great if you want something totally different and innovative. We really really liked this one!

This whisky is one for people who prefer toasty biscuit flavours and warm fruit aromas. It's a sherried whisky, so after first being in ex-bourbon barrels, it has spent three months in specially coopered Oloroso (octave) sherry casks that are smaller than normal. Smaller casks mean bigger flavours and boy, has this whisky got some. Well worth a try especially if you're not a fan of peaty whisky and love bold flavours. Not ready to commit to a whole bottle? The Darkness Tasting set from Master of Malt makes a great gift that is perfect for Father's Day, so your dad can get a feel for this delicious drink.

Jura is an island 60 miles off the west coast of Scotland, there are 200 people, one road, one pub, and most importantly, one distillery. This is a 10-year-old single malt that has spent the majority of its life in American Bourbon Barrels before being finished in Oloroso Sherry Butts. There is the slight aroma of smoke accompanied by sherry and cinnamon in this whisky, with ginger, caramel and more sherry in the taste. If you like a little smoke in your whisky, and a smooth aged sweetness, this is the one for you.

Whisky is hugely popular in Japan and Nikka is one of the biggest and legendary brands. There is a lot of history and skill in Japanese whisky and they are hugely fashionable right now. This really is a 'smooth and delicate' whisky, it doesn't have many of the expected aromas and when you taste it you will know you are drinking whisky, but the creamy flavours are soft vanillas and almonds. A good choice as a daily drink, cocktails, or for someone who really likes light whisky and needs a change of scene.

A perfect gift set, this Japanese Whisky Tasting set from Drinks by the Dram is the ideal introduction to Japanese Whisky. The set of five 3cl samples includes a variety of blended, single malts and single grains.

Adnams knows drinks. It has a huge selection of quality beers and has won top awards for its Copper House Distilled Gin in the past. Its single malt whisky is made from the same local barley used in its beers, this is a small batch of whisky that has been in new French oak barrels for four years. With fresh oak, nutty aromas and a woody but fruity berry taste, you know you're drinking something quite new. Don't let that put you off - this is a fun, young and very easy to drink. If you've ever enjoyed a pint of Adnams ale and want to try something else, this won't disappoint.

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, the ubiquitous bourbon. Unlike its popular relative, the Gentlemen Jack isn't just for throwing into a cola with ice. This variation is given a second turn in the charcoal barrel, which works to really mellow and soften the taste. Gentleman Jack still carries the distinct Jack Daniel's flavour, being accessibly woody with vanilla and caramel notes, but with a warm, short and smooth finish.

Another great tasting set, this is a whisky gift with a twist! With four whisky cocktails to choose from (ready to serve straight from the bottle), you hardly have to lift a finger to indulge in a great drink. Simply pour over ice for bartender-quality cocktails. Crafted by Pritesh Mody, founder of World of Zing and Channel 4 Sunday Brunch cocktail expert, the Whiskey Lovers Cocktail Collection contains four 50ml bottles: Yuzu Whiskey Sour, Steel Aged Manhattan, Seville Orange Old Fashioned and Manhattan Sour. The perfect tipple for a summer's evening.

The Nolstrop family's Norfolk-based distillery was founded in 2005 and has since produced some of the finest English single malts. The English Smokey Single Malt Whisky is a great example of its output and takes on the much-beloved single malt profile, infused with peat, ginger, and vanilla. The finish is described by the distillery as a "smoke bomb", and that's certainly apt. The smoky flavour is powerful and quick to kick, delivering a long finish that is sure to please those looking for strong and unique whisky tastes.

Blended in celebration of the 200th anniversary of John Walker and Sons' first commercial whisky brand - and what a way to celebrate. The taste has a great mix of sweet and spice with a soft finish and is best served neat. If you want a whisky that is pleasant on all of the senses then this one is for you. It comes with a gift box too, so would make a great present.

Kentucky's state slogan is 'Unbridled Spirit', and the award-winning Woodford Reserve certainly lives up to the standard. Barrel matured for six years, the resulting whiskey has a complex and sweet aroma. The taste is bourbon at its finest, with the high rye content really kicking through to deliver a sweet and fruity flavour, with an accompanying note of oak and smoke. It's characterful enough to be taken neat, and powerful enough to elevate a cocktail.