Treat yourself and those around you with care, generosity, and a welcome measure of indulgence to begin 2026 on a fresh, inspired note
In this story, we highlight some spirits that are worth toasting the start of a new year with.
Chivas Regal Crystalgold
What better way to start a new year than with a convivial toast? Chivas Regal Crystalgold offers exactly that; a crystal-clear, ultra-smooth Scotch that looks like a modern aperitif, yet drinks with all the depth and quiet luxury of an oak-aged whisky. Created from a bespoke blend and then passed through a pioneering filtration process that removes the colour while preserving flavour, it’s Chivas’ most daring innovation in years.
On the nose, Crystalgold exudes warmth and indulgence, with aromas of baked pastry, vanilla fudge, creamy toffee, and a hint of citrus. The palate is lighter and more vibrant than traditional counterparts, yet just as generous, revealing red apples and ripe pears layered over soft spices, culminating in an exceptionally silky finish. Savour it neat over a block of ice to appreciate its pure clarity, or toast to 2026 with a Crystalgold Spritz—lifted with citrus, elderflower, and mint, and crowned with a generous pour of champagne for a festive touch.
Starting the year by toasting with a drink that puts a fresh spin on tradition feels like a winning move.
artistry of marrying whisky from three distinct styles of sherry cask. Photo by The Glendronach Distillery
The Glendronach 30-Year-Old
The Glendronach 30-year-old is an invitation to savour a contemplative dram. Drawn from Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks, with the addition of rare Amontillado for the first time at the distillery, this 30-year-old Highland single malt is quite the study in sherry-matured complexity.
Three decades in these casks have shaped a whisky that feels richly layered and remarkably composed. Expect dark cherries, raisins, and sultana cake, threaded with cinnamon- raisin toffee, chocolate, and a hint of toasted hazelnut from the Amontillado influence. Bottled at 46.8 per cent ABV, with natural colour and no chill- filtration, it carries an enveloping mouthfeel and a finish that lingers.
In embracing a third style of sherry cask while remaining true to its traditional Oloroso- and PX-led house style, The Glendronach shows that evolution need not mean abandoning one’s roots. Limited in release, each bottle feels like a time capsule from the dunnage warehouses in Forgue, a stark reminder that the most meaningful ways to begin a fresh year involve looking back with gratitude while you look forward with ambition.
