It’s no secret that whisky is one of the most popular spirits in the world. In fact, it’s estimated that there are over 1,000 different brands of whisky currently being produced. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best Scotch whiskies of, including our top pick, Aberlour 16 Year Old.
What Is Scotch Whisky?
Scotch whisky, also known simply as scotch or whisky, is a type of distilled spirit made from malted barley and other grains. Scotch can be produced anywhere in Scotland, although there are some specific rules about the production process that must be followed for it to legally qualify as “scotch.”
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Single malt Scotch whisky is a type of whisky that is made using only malted barley as the grain. This barley is then mashed, fermented, and distilled entirely at one distillery. The term “single malt” is used to distinguish this type of whisky from other types of whisky that use different grains or are produced at multiple distilleries.
Single malt whisky has a long and storied history. It was first produced in Scotland in the early 19th century and has since become one of the most popular types of whisky in the world. Single malt whiskies are known for their rich flavor and variety, and they are often used in cocktails or drunk neat.
Single malt whiskies are known for their rich flavor and variety, and they are often used in cocktails or drunk neat. The flavor of single malt Scotch depends on many factors, including the type of barley used, the climate where it was grown, the fermentation process, and the cask aging.
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
A blended Scotch whisky must contain at least two single malts. The malt content in a blended malt whisky must be 100% barley. A blended Scotch whisky, on the other hand, can contain both single malt and grain whiskies. The malt content in a blended Scotch whisky must be at least 40%.
The result is a smooth drink with a complex flavor profile that’s created by the different malts used in the blend. Blended malts are sometimes also called “vatted” or “pure” malts because they’re made exclusively from malted barley. This distinguishes them from blends which contain both grain whisky and single malts.
Single Grain Scotch Whisky
You may be familiar with single malt and blended Scotch whisky, but have you ever tried single grain Scotch whisky? Single grain Scotch whisky is made from a single type of grain (usually wheat or corn), as opposed to the multiple types of grains used in blended whisky. In order to be considered a single grain Scotch whisky, the juice must be made at one distillery.
While single malt and blended Scotch whiskies are more popular, single grain Scotch whiskies are becoming increasingly available as consumers become more interested in exploring different styles of whisky. If you’re looking to branch out and try something new, a single grain Scotch whisky might be just what you’re looking for. Here are a few things to keep in mind when seeking out a quality single grain Scotch whisky.
Single grain whiskies tend to be lighter and sweeter than other Scotch whiskies due to the use of grains like wheat or corn. They are also typically less smoky than other Scotches, since peat is not used in the kilning process. Single grain whiskies are generally aged for a shorter period of time than otherScotch whiskies, which contributes to their lighter flavor profile.
Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
Blended grain Scotch whiskies are blends of single grain Scotch whiskies produced at different distilleries.
The individual grain whiskies must be distilled in column stills, and the resultant blend must be bottled at a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof). Blended grain Scotch whisky was first introduced by William Grant & Sons in 1960, under the brand name “Grant’s Stand Fast”.
The individual grain whiskies that make up a blended grain Scotch whisky must be distilled in column stills. Continuous distillation results in a lighter spirit than that produced by pot stills, which are typically used to distill single malt whisky. The lighter spirit produced by continuous distillation is thought to contribute to the smooth, delicate flavor of blended grain whisky.
After the individual grain whiskies have been distilled, they are then blended together and bottled at a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof). Depending on the style of blended grain Scotch whisky being produced, additional aging may take place in wood casks before bottling.
Blended grain Scotch whiskies are typically lighter and more delicate in flavor than single malt or blended malt whiskies. The light, delicate flavor of blended grain whisky makes it an ideal choice for mixing in cocktails. Blended grain whisky can also be enjoyed on its own, neat or with a splash of water.
Blended Scotch Whisky
Blended Scotch whisky is a blend of single malt Scotch whiskies and single grain Scotch whiskies.
The proportion of malt to grain can vary, but is usually around 50:50. Blended Scotch is the most popular type of Scotch whisky in the world and is made by some of the biggest names in the business including Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, and Highland Park.
The original purpose of blending was to create a more consistent product as the quality of single malt whiskies varied greatly from year to year and distillery to distillery. By blending together different single malts and single grains, blenders were able to create a product that was more reliably delicious.
Walker’s Blended Scotch quickly became popular and other companies soon got in on the action. Today, there are countless brands of blended Scotch on the market, each with their own unique flavor profile. Some common flavor notes in blended Scotches include citrus, honey, vanilla, smoke, and spice.
Here are our picks of the best scotch whiskeys you can add to your collection. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly list, you can have a look at our recommended cheap whiskeys that are available today.
Aberlour 16 Year Old
Aberlour 16 Year Old is a Speyside whisky that has been matured in both bourbon and sherry casks for 16 years before being bottled. This allows the whisky to take on unique flavors from both types of cask, resulting in a complex and well-rounded spirit.
On the nose, you’ll notice notes of caramel and oak, while on the palate you’ll find more pronounced notes of spice. The finish is long and lingering, making this a perfect sipping whisky.
Whether you’re a seasoned whisky drinker or just beginning to explore the world of brown spirits, Aberlour 16 Year Old is sure to please.
Jura 10 Year Old
If you’re looking for a great whisky that won’t break the bank, then look no further than Jura 10 Year Old. This budget-friendly bottle hails from Scotland’s Isle of Jura and is matured in ex-bourbon barrels for 10 years before being bottled at 40% ABV.
On the nose, you’ll detect citrus and vanilla notes, while on the palate there’s a hint of smoke alongside more traditional whisky flavors like honey and oak. The finish is short but clean, making this an easy-drinking option that’s perfect for any occasion.
Laphroaig Triple Wood
Laphroaig Triple Wood is a single malt Scotch whisky that was matured in three different types of casks: ex-bourbon barrels, ex-sherry casks, and virgin oak casks.
This unique maturation process gives the spirit its distinctive flavor profile which includes notes of iodine, smoke, and wood on the nose; sweet vanilla and citrus on the palate; and a long smoky finish.
Bottled at 48% ABV, Laphroaig Triple Wood is not for the faint of heart—but if you’re looking for a bold and flavorful whisky then this bottle should definitely be at the top of your list.
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
While Bruichladdich is best known for their intensely smoky whisky like the Port Charlotte and annual Octomore releases, their Classic Laddie is a non-age statement single malt that’s full of notes of citrus, sweet malted barley, vanilla, and honey. It’s light and easy to drink, making it a great choice for those who are new to Scotch whisky. And at 50% ABV, it’s got a bit more punch than your average bottle.
Nose: Green apple, brown sugar, grass, Taste: Sweet malted barley, vanilla, honey, Finish: Lingering sweetness with a hint of peat smoke
The Classic Laddie from Bruichladddich is a great entry-level Scotch whisky. It’s light and easy to drink, with sweet notes of barley, vanilla, and honey. And at 50% ABV, it’s got a bit more punch than your average bottle. If you’re looking for a quality whisky that won’t break the bank, the Classic Laddie is a great option.
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old is a popular whisky that is matured in a combination of American and European oak. The whisky has a light golden color and the nose is full of sweet fruit notes. The taste is of baked apples, citrus, and vanilla with a hint of oak. The finish is long and smooth.
The Glenlivet’s 12-year-old expression is extremely popular. Its light golden color and sweet nose of fruit make it an inviting dram. The flavor is well rounded with notes of baked apples, citrus, and vanilla supported by a firm oak presence. The finish lingers smoothly on the palate.
The Glenlivet 12 year old is an outstanding whisky that offers excellent value for the price.
Aberfeldy 12 Year Old
The distillery was founded in 1896 by John Dewar & Sons. The 12-year-old expression is a great value single malt.
For a whisky as well-regarded as Aberfeldy, the 12-year-old expression offers excellent value. Aberfeldy has a light, floral aroma with hints of honey and citrus. On the palate, it is smooth and sweet with notes of vanilla and spice.
The finish is long and warming. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners or those who prefer a lighter whisky. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed in cocktails.
Auchentoshan American Oak
Auchentoshan has ignite something of a regional revival. This American Oak expression is a traditional, triple-distilled single malt. The spirit is matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before being bottled at 40% ABV.
Auchentoshan American Oak is a bourbony number that’s very drinkable. On the nose there are citrus fruits, vanilla, and honey. The palate is where things get really interesting; there’s more fruit (oranges, lemons), plus caramel, chocolate, and even a hint of coconut. The finish is medium in length with more citrus fruits.
All in all, this is an outstanding example of a modern Auchentoshan whisky. It’s well-rounded and very drinkable, with plenty of flavor to keep you coming back for more. If you’re looking for a delicious single malt to sip on neat or use in cocktails, look no further than Auchentoshan American Oak.
Glen Scotia Victoriana
The Glen Scotia Victoriana is a Campbelltown style whisky that was introduced in 2018. It is 51.5% ABV and has an extra-charred finish. Despite its high alcohol content, it is a very smooth whisky that is easy to drink.
The Glen Scotia Victoriana was created by whisky maker Michael Henry. It is a blend of 14 different single malt and grain whiskies that were aged in first-fill bourbon casks. The whisky gets its name from the Loch Lomond Stillhouse, which was built in 1855 and is the only surviving 19th century distillery in Scotland.
The Victoriana has a very unique flavor profile thanks to its extra-charred finish. It is sweet and malty with notes of vanilla, honey, and oak. The high alcohol content is well-balanced and does not overwhelm the palate.
Highland Park 18-Year Viking Pride
The Highland Park 18-Year Viking Pride is a complex single malt scotch that has been both peated and sherry-aged.
The 18-Year Viking Pride has a light amber color. Nose: candied fruit, light smoke, vanilla, oak Palate: The flavor is very rich and jammy with notes of candied fruit, smoke, and vanilla. There’s also a hint of oak on the finish.
The Highland Park 18-Year Viking Pride is an excellent scotch whisky with a complex flavor profile that will appeal to lovers of both peated and sherry-aged expressions. If you’re looking for something a little different, we highly recommend giving this one a try.
The Macallan 18-Year Sherry Oak
The Macallan 18-Year Sherry Oak single malt is a classically mahogany-colored whisky that starts off with some sherry and spiced plums notes.
Nose: The nose of the Macallan 18-Year Sherry Oak is initially quite pungent, with lots of alcohol evident. After a few minutes in the glass, however, lighter fruity notes start to appear, alongside hints of chocolate and spices.
Taste: On the palate, the whisky is initially quite sweet, with a thick mouthfeel. The sweetness is quickly replaced by a more drying feeling, as the tannins from the oak cask come through. There are also notes of dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, and tobacco on the palate.
Finish: The finish of the Macallan 18-Year Sherry Oak is long and lingering, with more of the chocolate and coffee flavors from the palate making an appearance. There is also a hint of oak on the finish.
Ardbeg 10-Year
Packed full of flavor, it hits you with notes of light honey, candy, and citrus. And the finish is a lingering, tropical fruit delight. Here’s a closer look at this exceptional Islay scotch.
The Ardbeg 10-Year is a single malt scotch that hails from the Islay region of Scotland. It’s made using water from the Oa Loch and malted barley that has been smoked over peat fires. That peat smoke imparts a unique flavor to the final product.
Peat smoke is often an acquired taste. Some people love it, while others find it too strong and overwhelming. If you’re not sure whether you’ll like it, the Ardbeg 10-Year is a great place to start because it’s not as intensely peaty as some other Islay scotches. The light honey, candy, and citrus notes help to balance out the peat smoke flavor.
The Ardbeg 10-Year is best enjoyed neat or with a splash of water. A few drops of water will help to open up the scotch and release more of its flavors and aromas.
Lagavulin 16-Year
This Islay whisky has a robust flavor profile that is packed full of flavor. It starts off with notes of light honey and candy, followed by hints of citrus and tropical fruits on the finish.
Nose: The nose of the Lagavulin 16-Year is complex and bold, with strong aromas of peat smoke, roasted coffee beans, and tobacco. There are also notes of dark chocolate and roasted nuts on the nose.
Palate: On the palate, the whisky is rich and full-bodied, with loads of toffee and caramel flavors. The peat smoke is present, but it is not as intense as on the nose. There are also notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans, which add a nice depth of flavor to the whisky.
Finish: The finish is long and satisfying, with more hints of peat smoke, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee beans. The tropical fruit notes from the palate also carry over on the finish, rounding out this exceptional scotch whisky.
Caol Ila 12-Year
From the first sip, you’ll experience a medley of vanilla, honey, and coconut flavors. And the finish is fruity and long-lasting. Here’s a closer look at this uniquely delicious single malt whisky.
The Caol Ila 12-Year is an Islay single malt scotch that is known for its unique flavor profile and bold aromas. It starts off with notes of vanilla and honey, which are balanced out by hints of coconut on the palate. The finish has even more complexity, with distinct fruit flavors such as pineapple, mango, and citrus.
One thing that sets the Caol Ila 12-Year apart from other single malt whiskies is its balance between sweet and smoky notes. While the nose is distinctly peaty, the palate is much more gentle and mellow. This makes it a great choice for scotch drinkers who want to try something new but are not yet used to fully smoky whiskies.
To get the most out of this scotch whisky, we recommend enjoying it neat or with just a splash of water. A few drops of water will help to open up the aromas and flavors on the nose while also making it slightly smoother on the palate. Whether you’re sipping it at home or out at your favorite bar, Caol Ila 12-Year is sure to impress.
Bowmore 18-Year
This single malt Scotch was matured for 18 years in ex-bourbon barrels before being bottled at 40% ABV.
Pouring a pale orange in color, it starts off with an introduction of green apple. The nose is sweet with hints of caramel and toffee, followed by a peat smoke that is not overpowering. The body is medium with a creamy mouthfeel and the finish is very smooth for a peated whisky. Overall, this is an enjoyable dram that showcases the best of what the Islay region has to offer.
Glen Moray 12-Year
Glen Moray’s 12-Year is the entry-level expression for the Speyside spirit. Sweet, balanced, and perfect for sipping, it makes for an ideal initiation into single malt whisky.
The nose opens with aromas of fresh fruits and floral notes. On the palate, this dram is honeyed and fruity with a delicate balance of oak and spice. The finish is clean and malty with a hint of peat smoke.
This whisky was aged for 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels. It is non-chill filtered and bottled at 40% ABV.
AnCnoc 12-Year
The Knockdhu distillery is located in the Highlands of Scotland, about 30 miles south of Inverness. The distillery takes its name from the Gaelic translation for “black hill”. The knock part of the name likely comes from the same root as the Irish word for “hill”, while the dhu refers to the dark color of the local soil.
The distillery originally used coal to fire its stills, but they switched to using peat in 1905. The water for the whisky comes from two springs on Knock Hill, which are said to have medicinal properties.
The whisky produced at Knockdhu has a reputation for being light and fruity with a slight peatiness. It is distilled using small stills, which gives it a more intense flavor than other Highland Scotches. AnCnoc 12-Year is aged in ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in Oloroso sherry casks, which gives it a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other Highland Scotches.
Oban 14-Year
Two hundred years ago on the west coast of Scotland, a distillery was established that would come to produce some of the finest whiskies in the world. Today, one of their flagship products is the Oban 14-Year, a SIP double gold winner. Let’s take a closer look at this amazing whisky.
Oban 14-Year is made with only the finest ingredients and distilled using traditional methods. The end result is a smooth and complex whisky with notes of honey, almonds, and citrus. It’s perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks.
This particular whisky has won numerous awards, including double gold at the SIP Awards. That’s not surprising when you consider its excellent taste and quality. If you’re looking for a superb single malt Scotch whisky, then you need look no further than Oban 14-Year!
Springbank 15-Year
Springbank 15-Year is a Single Malt Scotch whisky that is made with all of its own barley processing performed in-house. The spirit is yellow-gold in color, wet and woody in scent. The flavor is complex with a hint of peat and a long, lingering finish. Springbank 15-Year is a great example of the quality that can be achieved when all aspects of production are controlled by the distillery.
Springbank 15-Year spends its entire maturation period in ex-bourbon barrels. The use of ex-bourbon barrels is common for Scotch whiskies, as bourbon must be matured in new charred oak barrels. When the bourbon has been fully extracted from the barrel, it can then be used to mature Scotch whisky.
Glenmorangie Signet
Signet’s flavor profile is unlike any other whiskey on the market today. The combination of old and rare whiskies gives Signet a richness and depth of flavor that you won’t find anywhere else. The chocolatey nose comes from the 1974 whisky, while the sweet syrupy orange taste is from the 1990 whisky. Together, these two flavors create a truly unique whiskey experience.
Glenmorangie Signet is a single malt Scotch whisky that has been carefully crafted using only the finest ingredients. Distilled in traditional copper stills, this rich and flavorful whiskey has notes of dark chocolate, citrus, and oak. If you’re looking for something truly special, then Glenmorangie Signet is the perfect choice.
Glenlivet 18-Year
The Glenlivet 18-Year is an award-winning Scotch whisky. This luxurious spirit has won two gold medals at the International Wine & Spirits Competition. Best enjoyed neat, it’s an apricot gold in color with an oaky-rose nose.
The nose of the Glenlivet 18-Year is oaky-rose. This is a result of the bourbon and sherry casks that the whisky was aged in. There are also notes of apricot, peach, and nectarine.
On the palate, this whisky is creamy and smooth. The flavors of oak, rose, apricot, peach, and nectarine from the nose are all present. There is also a hint of vanilla and cinnamon.
The finish is medium in length with a hint of oak tannins. The flavors of rose and apricot linger on the palate.
The Glenlivet 18-Year is a smooth and flavorful Scotch whisky. This luxurious spirit is best enjoyed neat so that you can fully enjoy its flavor profile. If you’re looking for a special gift for a whisky lover in your life, or if you simply want to treat yourself, the Glenlivet 18-Year is sure to please.
