With Fathers day approaching, I thought I should recommend a few excellent examples of the Single Malt Whiskies that are available out there. A contemplative sip on a calm summers evening should bring a gleam to any Dad or grandad’s eye.

My two favourites at the moment are Auchentoshan and Bowmore.

Auchentoshan is an award-winning single malt that’s quite unique due to its fresh subtle flavours and smooth easy taste

www.auchentoshan.co.uk

Auchentoshan 12 year old (*RRP £26.99) the nose has a honey and caramel edge to the sweet oatmeal and orange peel tones with a vaguely medicinal hint. On the palate the sweet oatmeal comes to the fore of the gentle toffee and candied peel flavour with that twist of Iodine.

Auchentoshan Three Wood (*RRP £36.99) this one has a tighter more grainy, oaky edge to the pear and oatmeal nose. A complex mouthful of biscuity oatmeal and finely balanced pear fruit with an evolving finish hinting at sweet ripe plums and spice.

At the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Auchentoshan 12 year old, Auchentoshan Classic and Auchentoshan Three Wood were all awarded a Silver Medal in the Spirits category.

Bowmore is a single malt whisky of a truly rugged character which has matured in Bowmore’s unique cellars, beaten by the wild Atlantic winds and soaked in sea spray from Loch Indaal ’s untamed waves. It is the original whisky from Islay’s oldest distillery established in 1779, where each finished expression is balanced by nature.

Highly acclaimed, Bowmore is a multiple-award winner. At the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Bowmore 12 Year Old won a Double Gold Medal, whilst Bowmore 16 Year Old received a Gold Medal.

In 2008, the single malt scooped the Trophy for Best Spirit Range and Trophy for Best Overall Spirit at the International Spirits Challenge Awards. The 2008 Malt Advocate Whisky Awards also honoured the Black Bowmore with the Scotch Malt Whisky of the Year Award and the White Bowmore was awarded a place in the Top Ten New Whiskies for 2008.

Choose a special award winning dram to suit your Dad’s taste from Bowmore’s unique range of single malts:

Bowmore 12 Year Old (*RRP £27.99) This one has a typically gorgeous nose of sweet, honeyed oatmeal with a comforting tang of Iodine. On the palate there is a trace of chocolate to the soft toasted oatmeal flavour that has hints of leather and rubber.

Bowmore is the original whisky from Islay’s oldest distillery established in 1779. A multi-award winner, Bowmore is matured in cellars beaten by the Atlantic winds and sea spray from Loch Indaal’s waves - each finished expression is balanced by nature.

www.bowmore.co.uk.