Tipples on trial

Looking for a last-minute Father’s Day gift? Find out which whisky is worth gifting to your dad, as rated by the Hearst Institute

BEST SUPERMARKET OWN-BRAND WHISKY

M&S 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl, 40%, £30 (ocado.com)

Holding its own against the big brands, this 12-year-old highlander from M&S is oh-so elegant. Not dissimilar to apple pie and vanilla ice cream, it has a pretty floral nose and a touch of caramel. Try with sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters in a Rob Roy cocktail.

80/100

BEST FOR AN OLD-FASHIONED

Highland Park 12 Year Old 70cl, 40%, £25 (amazon.co.uk)

If an Old Fashioned is your cocktail of choice, we’ve found the perfect whisky base. Highland Park’s 12-year-old has had a little makeover, but the liquid remains the same – that is, peachy and malty with a delicious orange zest.

78/100

BEST FOR UNDER £20

ASDA Extra Special Special Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl, 40%, £20 (asda.com)

This simple, supermarket Speyside has a gorgeous strawberry cheesecake nose, moving to toffee and vanilla on the palate. Sure, it’s a touch bitter on the finish, but at this price it’s not a deal-breaker. If you’re looking for an everyday whisky that can be enjoyed both neat and in cocktails, yet won’t break the bank, this is it.

77/100

BEST BUDGET BUY

Aldi Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl, 40%, £16.49 (aldi.co.uk)

Proving you needn’t spend big bucks to get yourself a decent dram, budget retailer Aldi has delivered the goods, yet again. Displaying the rich and smokey flavours typical of Islay, alongside delicate tropical fruit and malty sweetness, our testers agreed that this single malt was surprisingly smooth.

77/100