Pig's Nose 5 Year Old

With its jokey name and distinctly un-Scottish label it might seem that Pig's Nose is a bottle to be avoided, but there is a decent whisky hiding in there, and one with a respectable pedigree at that.

The founder of the Spencerfield Spirits company, Alex Nicol, was previously marketing director at Glenmorangie when their innovative wood finished whiskies were introduced, while Richard Paterson, Master Blender with Whyte & Mackay, was responsible for assembling the blend.

Made with a high proportion of malt – around 40% – and using whiskies chosen from first fill casks, which have more influence on the flavour, there's plenty going on in this dram.

The nose is big and sweet and fresh, rather like cranachan* without the raspberries. As you would expect from a young whisky, it isn't mellow, but it makes up for that with a rich malty sweetness on the palate. The finish continues the theme of sweetness, but changing from honey to toffee.

A good whisky when you want your palate to be comforted rather than challenged.

40% 70cl/£21 from specialist retailers

* Cranachan: a traditional Scottish dessert made from toasted oatmeal, honey, whisky, cream, and raspberries