Let me start by saying, this is not a sponsored article! As you know, I spent a good amount of last year tasting whisky online, with hundreds of different people. I worked together with brands, I gave whisky educations and industry training. The best thing I did was to take some notes during those tastings, and one of the ideas I had was to create posts that had ‘real’ insights from real people. So, here are the best bottles for mother’s day, according to ‘real’ mothers.
I have to mention that during these tastings, we tasted whiskies from all around the world. Scotland, Japan, India, Taiwan and more. The bottles I am sharing on this article are either expressively loved during the tastings by mothers or they sent me emails or comments about their love on these bottles. Well, let’s get started!
1- The Sexton Single Malt
The first whisky comes from Ireland! The Sexton is created by Alex Thomas who has the privilege of being one of the few female master blenders in the industry. It is made with unpeated Irish malted barley and aged in Oloroso Sherry casks from Jerez.
Honestly, I was quite surprised with the taste of the whisky. It was way above my expectations. Especially at a price of $25-30 range, this bottle is worth giving a try this weekend.
2- Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or
Take your mother to a French pastry shop by giving her this bottle. Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or has always been a joyful whisky for me. Quoting Janet from Boston, who attended one of my tasting sessions, “I am amazed how rich, expressive and delicate that Nectar was.” She told me she bought a case!
3- Compass Box Hedonism
Compass Box Hedonism is one of the best blended grain Scotch whiskies and it is also the whisky that introduced Compass Box to the world whisky scene. In simple words, creamy, luscious with fruity notes, coconut, vanilla and more and more. As the name suggest, it is an experience to be enjoyed with pleasure.
4- Paul John PX Select Cask
This bottle is specifically listed here for a special woman in the Bay Area who has been enjoying a certain brand of blended Scotch whisky for decades. When she tasted this, her excitement was over the roof and she patiently waited until we could get the bottle in the market. You can find more detail on Paul John PX Select Cask here.
5- Hakushu 12 Japanese Single Malt
“That smoke, fruit and vibrant taste just felt like I am in heaven” said Meghan from Denver. As I recall, her sons gifted her other Japanese whiskies she didn’t really enjoy until Hakushu 12! Well, I can’t blame her as Hakushu is also one of my favorite whiskies from Japan, as long as I find it around a normal price of less than $100 nowadays.
6- Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
We often hear that peat can be intimidating for some when we taste drams from Islay! I had the chance to work with Bruichladdich last year, thus I could taste The Classic Laddie with a lot of people including mothers. This unpeated whisky from Bruichladdich made most of the mothers appreciate Islay whisky more. Quoting Aisha from Austin, “Now I can enjoy an Islay whisky in hot Texas!”
Bonus: G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé Champagne
Sorry, not sorry! This post couldn’t end without a bottle of Champagne in it as we both like to be slowly poisoned by Champagne in the house. For the mother of my two cats, G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé Champagne will be the bottle to open this weekend as she tasted it a couple months ago at a brunch and wanted more in our fridge. Cordon Rosé is made with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier grapes resulting in a red fruit experience balanced with bright and fresh notes. It is not burning the wallet either.
