Nothing beats pouring yourself a proper evening drink and putting your feet up to relax. Whether you’re watching a moody noir, lost in the pages of a thriller, or letting Coltrane crackle through the speakers, a well-chosen dark spirit can elevate the moment.
There’s a reason the ‘nightcap’ endures — not just as a tradition but as a ritual. It’s a slow exhale in liquid form. And while your mood, film choice or playlist will naturally guide your pour, some spirits are built for the late hours. Rich, contemplative, warming — they belong at the end of the night, not the start of a party.
These are the ones we reach for when the lights dim and the world quiets down.
Whisky: The Classic Nightcap
Nothing beats a nice, rich dram of Scotch at the end of a hard day. This is especially true for those matured in expressive cask types such as sherry or Port. Peaty and smoky whiskies, due to their savoury notes and flavours, are also perfect as a late-night sipper.
Sherried or smoky whiskies pair very well with rich desserts or chocolate. One tip: buy the best you can afford, and you will not regret it. Whether it’s sticky toffee pudding, New York-style cheesecake, chocolate ganache truffles or a simple bar of 70% chocolate, all work excellently.
So, which whiskies fit the bill? We’ve picked out a few bottles that bring depth, warmth and just the right touch of indulgence — ideal companions for the quietest hours of the night.
Try: Glenmorangie The Lasanta 15 Years Old
One such classic is Glenmorangie The Lasanta 15 Years Old. This is the whisky with the heaviest sherry cask influence in the north Highland distillery’s core range, and it has recently upped its age statement from 12 to 15 years. The result is phenomenal.
Aromas of raisin, dried apricot and baking spices evolve into caramel, vanilla sponge cake and candied orange peel on the palate. It feels decadent and luxurious with late hints of toasted walnut, hazelnut praline and freshly baked gingerbread.
Try: Glendronach Ode To The Dark
Want to go even richer? The Glendronach Ode To The Dark, one of a trio of whiskies in the recently-released Master’s Anthology, is another cracker from the Highlands. It has been 100% matured in ex-Pedro Ximénez sherry casks – this style of sherry is almost dessert-like: sweet, sugary and treacly.
These characteristics are transferred perfectly to the viscous, oily spirit that Glendronach is known for. Expect notes of chocolate, plum and cherry combined with plump raisins, brandy-soaked prunes and treacle tart for a rich, decadent drink.
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Try: Bowmore 15 Years Old
Fancy something peated? This can be more of an acquired taste, but many enjoy the smoky aromas and flavours of an Islay whisky. The Hebridean island off Scotland’s west coast is famous for this style.
The Bowmore 15 Years Old is a classic example and one that combines peat smoke and ex-sherry casks. Bowmore does not pack the powerful punch of some of its Islay neighbours but offers a lovely level of elegant smoke combined with raisins, nuts, bitter orange oil and an intriguing twist of bright tropical fruit.
Rum: A Summer Night Favourite
Rum is another effortless option and works particularly well in the summer months. The deep, sugary and tropical flavours of a good gold or dark rum can instantly transport you to warmer climes.
Rum is also the perfect choice to pair with a cigar. A good glass of rum and a great cigar can make any evening feel better. But do your research – a robust cigar can easily overpower a delicate rum, and vice versa. Create a balance between the two, and they will complement each other superbly.
From bold, complex blends to rare cask finishes, here are two standout rums that bring a little sunshine to your evening wind-down — whether you’re lighting up a cigar or just chasing a warm breeze through the open window.
Try: Havana Club Tributo 2025 Edition
If you enjoy a Cuban cigar, you need a Cuban rum to accompany it. The Havana Club Tributo 2025 Edition is the eighth in the series of releases under the Tributo (tribute in Spanish) name. This year, the super-premium rum has been finished in barrels that previously held Redbreast Irish single-pot still whiskey.
“The Tributo 2025 is a celebration of Havana Club’s pioneering approach to successive ageing and blending, an art we have perfected over generations,” says Asbel Morales, Maestro del Ron Cubano and Master Blender for Havana Club.
“By finishing this rum in Redbreast whiskey casks, we introduce a new dimension to our craft, uniting the finest Cuban rum and Irish whiskey traditions to create a truly extraordinary expression.”
This quirky twist gives aromas of vanilla, dried fruits and candied orange with notes of raisin, fruitcake and plantain crisps on the palate.
Try: Andres Brugal Edition 02
Another fantastic option as a late-night sipper is the limited-edition premium bottling Andres Brugal Edition 02. The fifth generation of the Brugal family owns the Dominican Republic distillery, and the great-great-granddaughter of founder Andres Brugal is the Master Blender.
This bottling sees just four barrels blended: three first-fill ex-bourbon and one virgin American oak. The result is sublime. Expect notes of vanilla, golden syrup and creamed coconut married with orange zest, demerara sugar and peach.
This is one to sit and sip with a good book or that LP you have been meaning to listen to for ages.
Cognac: The After-Dinner Go-To
Cognac is another classic choice for kicking back on an evening. Its decadent fruitiness and sweetness complement the after-dinner scenario and the increasingly late hour. The spirit often feels luxurious and like a big hug in a glass.
Like rum, cognac’s rich flavour profile makes it perfect to pair with a good cigar. Many high-end versions also mix well in classic Sidecar or Old Fashioned cocktails if you’re feeling extravagant.
For the moments that call for something smooth, warming and just a little bit indulgent, these are the Cognacs worth reaching for — from iconic old houses to newer names making waves.
Try: Hennessy XO
Cognac is dominated by the Big Four houses of Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell and Rémy Martin. Of these, Hennessy is the largest. They created the XO (Extra Old) category in 1870, and Hennessy XO is the best-selling cognac on the market.
The iconic bottle, introduced in 1947, represents an upside-down bunch of grapes. XO must be aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 10 years.
The Cognac offers a dark and complex journey in a glass—think dried apricot, dark chocolate and black pepper mingling with cinnamon, prunes and a wisp of dried tobacco leaf.
Maze Churchill Origine
Aside from the big boys, many smaller and independent producers are releasing great Cognacs. One new kid on the block is Maze Churchill. They have been distilling high-quality eau-de-vie since the late 1970s on their family estate in the Borderies, Cognac’s smallest and most distinctive appellation.
Their inaugural bottling is Origine, which is taken from the private family collection of maturing casks and is the first of a five-bottle series. It is a marriage of two eaux-de-vie, aged on average for 35 years.
Notes of caramel, nutmeg and cinnamon combine superbly with vanilla spice, hazelnut and candied fruit. Warming and persistent spices linger on the finish.
