Scallywag Year of the Dog

Volume: 700ml / ABV: 48%

Douglas Laing's acclaimed Speyside blend Scallywag is known for the monocle-wearing Wire Fox Terrier on its label – so what better brand to release a special Year of the Dog edition for 2018? Only 600 bottles have been produced and not only is the label special, featuring Scallywag's dog wearing a tangzhuang on a background of Chinese lanterns, but the whisky inside is too: the blend of Speyside single malts (which normally features top distilleries such as Macallan) was aged solely in sherry butts and has been bottled at a higher-than-usual strength.

This dram is rich and vibrant, with notes including orange peel, Christmas cake, mulled wine and chocolate-covered berries.