There comes a moment in later life – usually around the same time you realise your knees make a noise when you stand up – when whisky stops being something you drink and starts being something you understand. Or at least pretend to, loudly, while holding the glass by the base like a man who knows what he’s doing.
Starting a whisky collection after 60 isn’t about hoarding dusty bottles like a Highland dragon. It’s about curiosity, pleasure, and – let’s be honest – giving your family something foolproof to buy you for Christmas that isn’t socks, novelty mugs or another book about retirement you didn’t ask for.
So, let’s begin properly.
First, a small but important lesson: whisky, not whiskey
If it’s from Scotland, Japan or Canada, it’s whisky.
If it’s from Ireland or the United States, it’s whiskey.
That extra “e” is not decorative. It’s historical, cultural and – crucially – something you can correct people about at dinner parties. Which is half the fun.
Since this is a Starts at 60 audience, we’re beginning with Scotch whisky, because it rewards patience, contemplation and the ability to sit still for longer than five minutes.
The Five Bottles Every Whisky Collection Should Have
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old – The Gentleman’s Introduction
This is the whisky equivalent of a well-cut navy blazer. Reliable. Polite. Pleasant.
Light, slightly sweet, with pear and malt notes, Glenfiddich 12 is ideal for beginners and guests who claim they “don’t really like whisky” but will finish the glass anyway.
If your collection were a dinner party, this would be the one everyone gets along with.
Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak – The Crowd-Pleaser
Ah yes. The Macallan. Smooth, rich, slightly indulgent and faintly smug.
Aged in sherry casks, it offers dried fruit, spice and warmth – the whisky equivalent of a cashmere jumper.
It’s also a brilliant gift bottle, which you should subtly mention to your family.
Talisker 10 Year Old – The Wake-Up Call
From the Isle of Skye, Talisker is where whisky stops being polite and starts being interesting.
Peppery, maritime, with a salty kick that reminds you the sea is cold and unforgiving.
This is the bottle you bring out when someone says, “I want something with a bit more character.”
Lagavulin 16 Year Old – The Smoke Monster
This is peat. Proper peat. Smoke, iodine, fire and drama.
Lagavulin 16 divides rooms and ends conversations – usually because everyone is concentrating very hard on the glass.
It’s not for beginners. But it is for people who enjoy intensity and have reached an age where they no longer need universal approval.
Highland Park 12 Year Old – The Perfect All-Rounder
If you could only own one whisky, this might be it.
Balanced, slightly smoky, honeyed, and endlessly drinkable. Not flashy. Not dull. Just deeply competent.
Think of it as the whisky equivalent of a really good doctor.
How Should You Drink It? Straight, With Water or Ice?
Here’s the truth whisky snobs won’t tell you: drink it how you like it.
That said:
Straight (neat): Best for appreciating aroma and flavour, especially with aged whiskies.
A few drops of water: Often improves whisky by opening it up. This is science, not weakness.
Ice: Acceptable, particularly in warmer weather, but use one large cube so you’re chilling, not drowning.
Never apologise for adding water. Whisky is strong. You are human.
How to Start Collecting Without Losing the Plot
Start small. Five bottles is a collection, not a cry for help.
Keep notes if you enjoy that sort of thing. Store bottles upright, away from heat and sunlight. And most importantly: open them. Whisky is not an investment vehicle. It is a beverage.
Why This Makes the Perfect Christmas Gift
A whisky collection grows slowly, deliberately, and with intent – much like us.
It gives family members an easy win (“Get Dad whisky”) while allowing you to steer them gently toward quality rather than novelty.
You don’t need another tie.
You need a bottle with a story.