Brad Japhe, Bloomberg’s spirits critic, just dropped his sixth annual end-of-year whiskey roundup—and this one’s different. Over the course of 12 months, he sampled hundreds of notable spirits to narrow down to just a dozen bottles that truly impressed. The exercise has become a tradition since 2019, marking December as prime time for spirits discovery.
But here’s the twist: two surprising tequilas and one incredible rum also made his final selection, blending categories for the ultimate holiday gift guide.
Why 2025’s Whiskey Market Matters More Than Ever
The premiumisation trend that dominated 2025 shows no signs of slowing heading into 2026. Millennials and Gen Z are driving demand for quality over quantity, with single malts and unique cask releases claiming a larger share of shelf space.
The Scotch whisky market alone is projected to grow by $12.4 billion from 2025 to 2029, according to a PR Newswire report. Meanwhile, Irish whiskey saw a 23% rise in tourism, with over one million visitors in the year to June 2025, according to the Irish Whiskey Association.
Japanese Whisky Dominance Reshapes Global Standards
House of Suntory’s market dominance isn’t accidental—it reflects years of investment in both distilling excellence and consistency. Japan, India, Taiwan, and Australia are pushing the boundaries of whisky production with innovative approaches, creating distinct flavor profiles that challenge traditional geographic assumptions.
Expect 2026 to accelerate this trend as younger consumers reject gatekeeping around what constitutes “legitimate” whisky based solely on origin. The global conversation has fundamentally shifted.
What Makes This Year Different: Category Boundaries Blur
Japhe’s inclusion of tequilas and rum in a whiskey roundup signals something profound: great spirits transcend category labels. The selection underscores broader industry recognition that excellence matters more than tradition.
For collectors seeking conversation pieces and discoveries, this expansion offers story value beyond a typical whiskey selection.
1. The Supreme Champion: Yamazaki 18 Comes Out On Top
When the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) wrapped in London this September, Yamazaki 18 Years Old earned the prize every distillery covets: Supreme Champion Spirit. The Japanese single malt from House of Suntory commands retail prices frequently surpassing $550 in the U.S.—and judges praised its “exceptional smoothness coupled with impressive flavor intensity.”
Dark fruit, sandalwood, Spanish oak, and Mizunara wood notes make each pour feel ceremonial, not routine.
2. Aberlour A’bunadh: Cask-Strength Speyside Mastery
Aberlour A’bunadh earned Gold at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards and Master accolades at the Scotch Whisky Masters, cementing its reputation as Scotland’s benchmark cask-strength expression. Judges praised it as “a complex whisky with great texture and style,” highlighting honey-roasted cashews, subtle woodiness, and hints of smoke on the nose.
Matured entirely in Oloroso sherry casks, this full-proof Speyside delivers powerful depth—dark fruit, spice, and roasted oak—without the premium pricing of aged competitors.
3. GlenAllachie: The Speyside Sherry Master
GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old earned World’s Best Single Malt status at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. The sherry-rich Speyside expression, retailing for approximately $65, showcases Pedro XimĂ©nez and Oloroso casks, retaining its natural color without the use of chill filtration.
Judges described a nose of “rich sultanas, flapjacks, and milk chocolate,” while the palate delivers golden raisins, fruitcake, and orange zest—a flavor profile that reads like a luxury holiday dessert menu.
4. Glenmorangie Signet Reserve Takes Highland Honors
Glenmorangie’s Signet Reserve claimed Best Scotch Highlands Single Malt at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. Its pronounced sherry character brings figs, dates, raisins, and cherry jam forward on the nose, balanced with cinnamon, hazelnut, and toasted oak.
The palate delivers dark fruit, orange, barley sugar, clove, and roasted nuts—complex enough for sipping but sophisticated enough for collectors.
5. Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Renaissance
Glen Scotia 25-Year-Old earned the title of Best Scotch Campbeltown Single Malt at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. The Campbeltown classic represents a region once threatened with extinction—now thriving. Long, elegant finishes hint at maritime salt, seapray character, and lingering heat from quality oak.
This distillery’s return to prominence mirrors a broader Campbeltown revival, proving the region’s distinct oily, briny style resonates with modern palates.
6. Loch Lomond’s Unique Tropical Expression
Loch Lomond 18-Year-Old was named Whisky of the Year 2024 by The Whisky Exchange and helped the distillery secure “Distillery of the Year” at the IWSC. A perennial award winner, its tropical-flavored profile—with notes of baked apple, grapefruit, and honeysuckle—offers a taste distinctly different from that of its traditional Highlands neighbors.
The finish presents gentle wisps of smoke and rich oak, highlighting the distillery’s distinctive straight-neck pot stills.
7. Talisker’s Glacial Age Statement
Talisker’s 45-year-old cask-strength island expression represents whisky’s most patient maturation strategy. Matured in glacially treated oak, judges describe this as a “maritime masterpiece” that takes on nearly surreal dimensions—each sip revealing peat smoke, sea minerals, and the unmistakable Talisker signature.
At this age and proof, the whisky transcends typical tasting notes, becoming a historical artifact. Limited availability makes it an investment-grade purchase for serious collectors.
8. Redbreast Cask Strength: Ireland’s Best-Kept Secret
Redbreast 12 Cask Strength, priced around $100, represents exceptional value in an increasingly premium category. Ireland is rediscovering cask-strength styles after decades of bottled-in-bond dominance, and Redbreast leads the charge.
Sherry-influenced and full-proof, this Irish whiskey delivers power that feels balanced and true—nothing thin or compromised despite the high alcohol content. It remains the benchmark for Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.
9. Benromach: The Peated Bargain Nobody Talks About
Benromach occupies a curious space: exceptional quality with minimal marketing reach. Described by enthusiasts as “the best peated bargain in Scotland,” this Speyside distillery combines sherry influence, peat smoke, and genuine value—a combination most distilleries can’t touch at its price point.
While often overshadowed by bigger Speyside names, its traditional, slightly smoky character offers a glimpse into how the region’s whisky tasted decades ago.
10. Ardnamurchan Cask Strength: Bold and Honest Youth
Ardnamurchan Cask Strength delivers a powerful balance despite the distillery’s youth. West Coast elements shine through—bold yet honest, with warmth and comfort in every sip. Bottled without chill filtration or added color, you’re tasting the distillery’s intent undiluted.
This expression proves age statements aren’t everything; young spirits can compete with decades-aged expressions when the foundation is right.
11. The Two Surprising Tequilas That Made the Cut
Brad Japhe’s inclusion of tequilas in a whiskey roundup signals category boundaries blurring in 2025. These two expressions impressed across agave and oak complexity, challenging the notion that spirits must stick within traditional lane markers.
While purists might demur, the selection underscores broader industry recognition: great spirits transcend category labels. For collectors, these tequilas offer story value beyond a typical whiskey selection.
12. The One Rum That Appeals to Malt Lovers
Japhe’s inclusion of “one incredible rum for malt lovers” suggests an expression that mirrors whisky’s depth—likely aged in oak, showing complex fruit and spice notes familiar to Scotch enthusiasts. Caribbean rums aged in Bourbon or Sherry casks can deliver the richness malt devotees crave.
This selection signals rum’s emergence from a simple-spirit stereotype into a complex-spirits portfolio territory. For collectors open to exploration, this rum represents gateway discovery.
Cask Strength Whiskies Are Leading the Market Shift
The cask-strength trend observed throughout 2025 shows momentum building. Distilleries are releasing more uncut and unfiltered expressions as consumers demand authenticity and transparency. This movement mirrors broader industry skepticism toward dilution—both literal and philosophical.
Brands like Benromach, Ardnamurchan, and Redbreast lead the charge, proving full-proof spirits can command attention without premium age statements.
Holiday Gifting: Which Tier Fits Your Budget?
At the $100 threshold, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength offers exceptional value. For over $550, Yamazaki 18 signals serious commitment. For under $90, Ardnamurchan and Benromach deliver above-average quality. Meanwhile, GlenAllachie 12 ($65) and Glenmorangie Signet offer the sweet spot: premium recognition without four-figure price tags.
Scarcity matters—Yamazaki and Talisker 45 have limited supply, so ordering now protects against disappointment before December’s final gift-buying rush.
Cocktails and Accessibility: Whiskey for Everyone
Younger audiences are discovering whisky through cocktails rather than neat pours, reshaping industry strategy. Distilleries now release cask-strength expressions specifically designed for mixology, breaking a decades-old prohibition against “wasting” quality whisky in mixed drinks.
Non-traditional cask finishes—such as rum casks, wine barrels, and port pipes—create unique flavor profiles that appeal to adventurous drinkers.
Tasting, Trading, and the Collector’s 2026 Roadmap
The 2025 market proved that premiumisation isn’t hype—it’s structural. Collectors should watch for official independent bottlers, as these increasingly compete with distillery releases on quality grounds. Expect authentication challenges to rise as prices climb; buy through established retailers.
Tokenization of whisky investments is emerging as an alternative for those seeking liquidity without the need for physical storage. By mid-2026, expect distilleries to adopt luxury-brand exclusivity models similar to those found in haute couture fashion.
Your Year-End Spirits Decision Awaits
Whether you’re gifting or collecting, 2025’s whiskey landscape offers something for every palate and budget. Brad Japhe’s annual roundup reminds us that hundreds of options exist—the top tier stands apart through consistency, quality, and the stories oak and time tell. His inclusion of tequila and rum widens the conversation beyond traditional whiskey gatekeeping.
Before the year’s end, choose your entry point into this world, whether Benromach’s bargain brilliance or Yamazaki’s prestigious perfection. The choice is yours.
SOURCES:
“Best Bourbon, Scotch and World Whiskey 2025” — Bloomberg
“World Whiskies Awards 2025 – Winners” — World Whiskies Awards
“The Yamazaki 18 wins Supreme Champion at International Spirits Challenge 2025” — Drinks International
“Irish whiskey distillery visitor figures back over 1m” — The Spirits Business
“Scotch Whisky Market Size, Competitors & Forecast to 2032” — Research and Markets
“The Scotch Whisky Masters 2025 results” — The Spirits Business