Best Scotch Whiskies for Rob Roy

Last Updated on: 24th April 2024, 04:31 pm

With the assistance of Scotch expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have assembled a list of Top Scotches to make a Rob Roy cocktail.

Discover your next favorite!

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways

• Affordable Scotch whiskies are recommended for Rob Roy cocktails, as their flavors blend well with other ingredients.
• The list includes Johnnie Walker High Rye, Dewar’s White Label, Monkey Shoulder, Chivas Regal 12, Famous Grouse, Pig’s Nose, and Kirkland 12-Year Blended Scotch.
• Each whisky is evaluated based on nose, palate, finish, and suggested drinking methods.
• Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

List of Best Scotch Whiskies for Rob Roy

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whisky	Price
Johnnie Walker High Rye	$26
Dewar’s	$19
Monkey Shoulder	$30
Chivas Regal 12	$26
Famous Grouse	$20
Pig’s Nose	$33
Kirkland 12 Year Blended Scotch	$27

Johnnie Walker High Rye: Rye Twist on Classic Cocktails

• Nose: Ripe fruit, mint, rye spice
• Palate: Caramel, honey, apple, spice
• Finish: Medium, mint, spice
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, Cocktails

Johnnie Walker High Rye bridges the gap between Scotch and rye for Rob Roys and Manhattans. Made with a high-rye mash bill and malts from Cardhu, Glenkinchie, and Caol Ila, it offers a unique profile.

The palate features a satisfying body with caramel, honey, apple, and moderate rye spice. This moderately spicy whisky is a great sub for rye in cocktails, especially for those who might not have easy access to rye whiskey, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Dewar’s White Label: Smooth Surprise for Mixing

• Nose: Apple, peach, oak
• Palate: Honey, cereal, vanilla, smoke, oak
• Finish: Caramel, vanilla, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Dewar’s White Label, America’s favorite blended Scotch, isn’t just for sipping. Though budget-friendly Scotches can be rough, Dewar’s surprises with a smooth, sweet profile.

The nose hints at apple, peach, barley, and oak. The palate is surprisingly creamy with honey, caramel, vanilla, and a touch of smoke and oak. The finish lingers with sweetness and spice. While short, it shines in Rob Roy cocktails, making it a popular and budget-friendly choice in the US.

Monkey Shoulder: Sweet & Smooth for Beginners

• Nose: Marmalade, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon
• Palate: Malt, vanilla, orange, honey, oak
• Finish: Caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Monkey Shoulder entices the nose with marmalade, vanilla, and warm baking spices. The palate is smooth and creamy, offering vanilla, orange, and honey with a touch of oaky bitterness. The finish is short with caramel and lingering spice. Water brings out the sweetness.

This approachable and affordable blend os single malt whiskies is ideal for beginners and its versatility makes it a cocktail champion, mixing well in a Rob Roy.

Chivas Regal 12: Blended Scotch for Mixing

• Nose: Apple, vanilla, lemon curd
• Palate: Apple, malt, oak, caramel, pepper
• Finish: Short, pepper, bitter
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Highball

Chivas Regal 12 offers a light-bodied and approachable Scotch for beginners. The nose is simple yet pleasant, with apple juice, vanilla, and a hint of lemon curd. The palate is light with oak, featuring subtle flavors of caramel, green apple, cinnamon, and a touch of black pepper. The finish is short and peppery, with a mild warmth.

Chivas 12’s affordability and balanced profile make it a good choice for highballs and Rob Roy cocktails.

Famous Grouse: Scotland’s Value-Friendly Choice

• Nose: Apple, caramel, barley
• Palate: Caramel, citrus, honey, smoke
• Finish: Malt, citrus
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Scotland’s favorite for decades, Famous Grouse reigns supreme in value. Smooth and easy-drinking, it lacks the bitterness common in budget blends, making it ideal for beginners looking for a smooth Rob Roy.

The nose whispers apple, caramel, and barley. The palate offers caramel sweetness, honey, sherry, a touch of orange, and balancing mineral notes with a hint of smoke. The finish is short and malty with oak spice, orange, and caramel.

Pig’s Nose: Budget-Friendly Peat for Rob Roys

• Nose: Peach, apple, apricot, peat
• Palate: Peach, apple, apricot, peat, oak spice
• Finish: Short, peat, oak, spice
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Pig’s Nose offers a fruity nose with hints of peach, apple, apricot, and a surprising touch of peat smoke. Despite a slightly thin palate, the fruit flavors carry through, joined by peat and oak spice. The finish is short with lingering peat and spice.

While not the best for sipping neat, Pig’s Nose shines in Rob Roy cocktails, where its affordable price and balance of peat and fruit make it a great choice for experimenting with classic recipes.

Kirkland Blended Scotch: Budget-Friendly Rob Roy Base

• Nose: Oak, fruit, vanilla
• Palate: Smoke, vanilla, citrus
• Finish: Pepper, oak
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Costco’s Kirkland Blended Scotch offers a decent, budget-friendly option for Rob Roys.

This 12-year-old blend of single malts and grain whiskies features an oaky nose with fruity hints and a touch of vanilla. The palate is a bit thin, with gentle smoke upfront, followed by vanilla, orange zest, and a peppery note. The finish is short and slightly bitter but lacks warmth.

While not the smoothest for sipping neat, its affordability and balanced profile make it a competent base for crafting budget-friendly Rob Roy cocktails.

How to Choose a Good Scotch for Rob Roy?

1. Blended vs. Single Malt: Go with a blend which is typically more affordable.
2. Flavor Profile: Look for a Scotch with a balanced flavor profile. It should have a good mix of sweetness, maltiness, and smokiness, but none of these should be too overpowering. A Scotch that is too peaty or smoky can dominate the drink.
3. Smoothness: A smoother Scotch will blend more seamlessly with the sweet vermouth and bitters, creating a more harmonious cocktail.
4. Age: An aged Scotch can add depth and complexity to the cocktail, but very old or expensive Scotches are often better enjoyed neat to appreciate their full range of flavors. A moderately aged Scotch is usually a good choice for a Rob Roy.