Best Whiskies under £50

Last Updated on: 23rd April 2024, 08:09 pm

With the assistance of whisky expert Neil Coleman, I have crafted a selection of the top whiskies available for purchase, all priced under £50.

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best Whisky under £50

• Kilkerran 12: Great choice for its balance and delicate smoke.
• Talisker 10: Known for its creamy texture and peppery finish.
• Laphroaig 10: Offers a fiery smoky character.
• Lagavulin 8: Not beginner-friendly, rich in smoky and meaty nuances.
• Ardbeg 10: Ideal for peat and smoke enthusiasts.
• Glenallachie 12: Exquisite with full-bodied richness, aged in sherry and oak casks.
• GlenDronach 12: Known for its sherry wine presence and sweet profile.
• Johnnie Walker Green Label: A unique blend with a sweet and smooth character.
• Balvenie 12 DoubleWood: Offers a velvety texture with a balanced profile.
• Auchentoshan Three Wood: Sweet and approachable, matured in three types of casks.
• 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.

Quick Look at the Best Whiskies under £50

Prices are approximate and stated in Sterling:

Whisky	Price
Kilkerran 12	£48
Talisker 10	£40
Laphroaig 10	£33
Lagavulin 8	£45
Ardbeg 10	£47
Glenallachie 12	£48
GlenDronach 12	£49
Johnnie Walker Green Label	£45
Balvenie 12	£47
Auchentoshan Three Wood	£45

Talisker 10: Island Delight

• Nose: Smoke, pear, apple
• Palate: Smoke, dried fruit, mineral notes
• Finish: Long, pleasantly peppery
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Talisker 10 offers a gentle balance of smoke, pear, apple, and a touch of sea air. The creamy palate combines mellow smoke with dried fruit, cereal, a hint of black pepper, and a mineral edge. The long finish warms with pepper and oak, leaving hints of caramel. A touch of water tames the peppery kick.

This full-flavored whisky marries creamy smoothness with smoke, salinity, pepper, and a touch of honeyed sweetness. Perfect for those who enjoy a moderate peat experience, it’s a standout among 10-year-old whiskies, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Laphroaig 10: Love It or Leave It Smoke Bomb

• Nose: Smoke, caramel, oak, coffee
• Palate: Charred oak, smoke, chocolate, honey, iodine
• Finish: Smoke, caramel
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

This Islay malt is a bold statement. Don’t be surprised by the divisive aroma of burnt rubber, seaweed, and smoke, alongside hints of caramel and oak. The palate is a powerful wave of smoke and oak, giving way to surprising sweetness with vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. The finish is long and smoky, with lingering minerals and seaweed.

Intense and complex, it might overwhelm at first, but for those who develop a taste for it, Laphroaig 10 becomes an irresistible smoky dram.

Lagavulin 8: Bold Islay Smoke

• Nose: Popcorn, roasted nuts, wood, burnt sugar
• Palate: Smoke, oak, caramel, herrings
• Finish: Smoke, ash, apples, almonds
• Alcohol content: 96 proof (48% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Lagavulin 8 isn’t for beginners. It’s a powerful mix of smoke, peat, and meaty notes. The nose offers strong smoke with hints of popcorn, nuts, oak, and burnt sugar. The creamy palate is dominated by smoke, but reveals underlying caramel sweetness and a touch of fish. The long, warm finish blends smoke, cigar ash, apple, and almond.

Despite its intensity, it finds a balance between smoky and sweet, showcasing Islay’s mineral character. Enjoy it neat, or a touch of water can tame the boldness.

Ardbeg 10: Smoky Paradise

• Nose: Smoke, ash, coal, caramel
• Palate: Smoke, tobacco, caramel, bacon
• Finish: Long, caramel, smoke
• Alcohol content: 93 proof (46.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Ardbeg 10 explodes with smoke, ash, and coal on the nose, slowly revealing rich caramel. The creamy palate is a symphony of smoke, tobacco, espresso, and a savory bacon touch, all balanced by sweet caramel. The long, comforting finish lingers with smoke, caramel, and a hint of black pepper.

A must-try for peat lovers, its harmonious balance of smoke and sweetness shines. Newcomers may find it strong – a splash of water unlocks floral notes for a gentler introduction.

Glenallachie 12: Sherried Delight

• Nose: Banana, almond, oak
• Palate: Banana, caramel, raisins, chocolate
• Finish: Medium, oak, chocolate
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Glenallachie 12 packs complexity and richness at 46% ABV. The nose entices with banana, almond, and oak. The creamy palate explodes with honey, banana, caramel, raisin, and chocolate. The smooth, medium-long finish lingers with oak spice and chocolate.

Water unlocks even more depth, highlighting caramel, chocolate, and oak with a spicy warmth. This superb sherried whisky showcases expert cask selection.

GlenDronach 12: Sherried Perfection

• Nose: Caramel, honey, apple
• Palate: Vanilla, caramel, dried fruit
• Finish: Oak, dried fruit, sherry
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Toffee, honey, and a hint of apple tantalize the nose in GlenDronach 12. The creamy palate bursts with caramel and vanilla, leading to luxurious dried fruit. The finish is a long, harmonious blend of oak, dried fruit, and sherry.

This exquisite single malt ranks among the best 12-year-olds, offering a satisfying and balanced profile with no rough edges. Enjoy it neat – no water or ice needed – to fully appreciate the expert sherry cask influence that creates its nutty, sweet character.

Green Label: The Blend that Acts Like a Malt

• Nose: Coffee, smoke, chocolate, oak
• Palate: Dates, walnuts, barley, coffee
• Finish: Long, caramel, spice, oak
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Johnnie Walker Green Label isn’t your typical blend. This unique mix of Diageo malts offers a single malt-like experience. The nose entices with espresso, chocolate, oak, and a touch of smoke and sea air. The smooth palate surprises with sweetness, dates, walnuts, malt, coffee, and a hint of minerals. The finish lingers with sweetness, a touch of smoke, and oak spice.

Green Label delivers complex flavors at a fair price, balancing smokiness, sweetness, and depth, making it Johnnie Walker’s best value.

Balvenie 12: Sweet & Sophisticated

• Nose: Honey, toffee, vanilla, pear
• Palate: Caramel, apple, citrus
• Finish: Spicy oak, roasted nuts
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Balvenie 12 entices with a nose of ripe fruit, sherry, vanilla, and honey. The creamy palate reveals toasted nuts, citrus, vanilla, a touch of cinnamon, and subtle sherry. The finish lingers with gentle oak spice and vanilla, showcasing a satisfying balance.

This Speyside single malt avoids overwhelming sweetness or sherry, achieving a smooth texture and approachable complexity. It’s a perfect choice for those seeking a well-rounded dram without overpowering spice or alcohol.

Auchentoshan Three Wood: Triple Cask Delight

• Nose: Fruitcake, dry fruit, plum, sherry
• Palate: Tobacco, red fruit, oak, vanilla
• Finish: Medium, oak, red fruit
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

This Speyside malt offers a delicious journey through three cask types. Expect a nose of fruitcake rich with dried fruit, plum, and sherry. The palate reveals tobacco, red fruit, oak, vanilla, and a hint of spice. The finish lingers with oak and red fruit, blossoming further with a touch of water.

Sweet, approachable, and enjoyable, Auchentoshan Three Wood is a winning dram for any occasion.

Kilkerran 12: Campbeltown Gem

• Nose: Marzipan, pineapple, vanilla, dates
• Palate: Vanilla, toffee, honey, orange
• Finish: Honey, orange, ginger
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

This revived Campbeltown distillery delivers a gem! Kilkerran 12, aged in bourbon and sherry casks, boasts natural color and skips chill filtering for maximum flavor. The nose entices with marzipan, pineapple, vanilla, dates, and a touch of smoke. The palate is velvety smooth with vanilla, toffee, honey, orange, and subtle smoke. The finish warms with honey, orange, ginger, and black pepper. Water adds depth to the toffee and oak notes.

A solid and enjoyable whisky, Kilkerran 12 ranks among the best 12-year-olds and is a must-have under £50.

How to Choose the Right Whisky Under £50

• Flavor Profile: Consider what flavors you enjoy – typical malt and sherry flavors or peat and smoke.
• Occasion: Some whiskies are better suited for sipping neat, while others excel in cocktails.
• Proof: Higher-proof whiskies often offer more complexity but may need water or ice to open up the flavors.
• Brand Reputation: Well-known brands often provide a consistent quality, but don’t overlook smaller distilleries.
• Aging: Longer aging typically makes the whisky more complex in flavor.
• Personal Preferences: Ultimately, your taste preference should guide your choice. Whether you prefer a smooth whisky or one with a peaty kick, there’s something for everyone in this price range.