Best 14-Year-Old Scotch Whiskies

Last Updated on: 19th April 2024, 07:11 pm

With the assistance of whisky expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have assembled a list of the top 14-year Scotch Whiskies.

Discover your next favorite!

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best 14 Year Old Scotch

Looking for a delicious 14-year-old Scotch? Look no further! Here’s a guide to some fantastic options that cater to different preferences:

For the Curious:

• Clynelish 14: This Speyside malt offers a unique twist with a touch of Islay smoke (think citrus, honey, spice, and a hint of smoke on the palate). A great way to explore the smokier side of Scotch.

For the Islay Enthusiast (Subtle Smoke):

• Oban 14: A well-balanced Islay with a moderate level of smoke (think ripe fruit, dried fruit, spice, and a long finish with oak and salt). Perfect for those who enjoy a gentler Islay experience.

For the Sherry Lover:

• Aberlour 14: This Aberlour expression boasts a smooth and well-rounded profile with prominent sherry notes (think vanilla, apple, plum, dates, and a touch of oak, tobacco, and clove on the finish).

For the Speyside Traditionalist:

• Glenfiddich 14: A classic Speyside with familiar bourbon-like flavors (think honey, caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice). A great choice for those transitioning from bourbon to Speyside whisky.

For the Rum Fanatic:

• Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask: A fruity and easy-drinking Speyside with a rum cask finish (think vanilla, honey, ripe fruit, and a touch of tobacco with a long vanilla and oak spice finish). Perfect for rum lovers who want to explore Scotch.

Bonus for the Sweet Tooth (Under $100):

• Quinta Ruban 14: (This is technically a 12-year-old with a 2-year finish, but often categorized as a 14-year-old). A fantastic value and a personal favorite! This port-finished gem offers a delightful balance of sweetness and texture (think dark chocolate, almonds, blackcurrant, raisins, with a long chocolate and berry finish). Smooth and easy-drinking.

For the Peaty Adventurer (Higher Proof):

• Balvenie 14 Peat Week: A surprising smoky twist from a distillery not known for peat (think smoke, honey, molasses, leather, with peat, dried fruit, and oak on the palate). A great introduction to smoky whisky for those who enjoy sweeter notes alongside peat.

Choosing Your 14-Year-Old Scotch:

• Consider your taste profile: Do you enjoy sweetness, smokiness, or something more complex?
• Think about the occasion: Are you looking for an everyday dram or something special?
• Price also plays a role: 14-year-old Scotches can vary in price depending on the brand and region.

No matter your preference, there’s a perfect 14-year-old Scotch out there waiting to be discovered!

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 14-Year-Old Scotch Whiskies

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whisky	Price
Balvenie 14 The Week of Peat	$105
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14	$65
Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14	$95
Glenfiddich 14 Bourbon Barrel	$65
Aberlour 14	$80
Oban 14	$95
Clynelish 14	$75

Clynelish 14: Speyside Meets Islay Delight

• Nose: Citrus, baking spice, smoke
• Palate: Honey, pepper, ripe fruit, smoke
• Finish: Long, bittersweet, mineral
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Clynelish 14 offers a unique blend of Speyside and Islay character. The nose starts citrusy, then reveals cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of smoke. The palate is smooth and waxy with mild spice, honey, ripe fruit, and a hint of smoke. The finish is bittersweet with a mineral touch.

This approachable malt balances complexity and smoothness. Take your time to savor it; a few drops of water enhance the experience. Enjoy the exciting marriage of Speyside sweetness and Islay peat in this 14-year-old aged in bourbon and sherry casks, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Oban 14: Subtly Smoky Delight

• Nose: Ripe fruit, orange peel, smoke
• Palate: Dried fruit, pear, apple, cinnamon
• Finish: Long, oak, baking spice, salt
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Oban 14 entices with a nose of ripe fruit, citrus peel, and a hint of smoke. The creamy palate showcases dried fruit, pear, apple, baking spice, and a subtle smokiness. The long, warm finish leaves notes of oak, salt, and spice.

This well-balanced malt offers a moderate level of smoke, perfect for those who prefer a gentler Islay experience. Enjoy it neat or with a touch of water to enhance the sweetness and oak. Aged for 14 years in bourbon barrels.

Aberlour 14: Sherried Smoothness

• Nose: Vanilla, apple, plum, dates
• Palate: Apple, pear, vanilla, plum, dates
• Finish: Oak, plums, tobacco, clove
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Aberlour 14’s nose is gentle, offering vanilla, apple, and hints of dried fruit like plum and dates. The palate is velvety smooth with classic Aberlour flavors of apple, pear, and vanilla, complemented by subtle sherry notes. The long finish showcases oak, plum, tobacco, and clove.

This well-rounded whisky offers a harmonious balance of flavors without overpowering characteristics. It’s a great everyday sipper, representing a step up from younger Aberlour expressions with its refined profile. Aged in ex-oloroso sherry casks and first-fill American oak barrels.

Glenfiddich 14: Bourbon Comfort Meets Speyside Charm

• Nose: Pencil eraser, honey, caramel, vanilla.
• Palate: Caramel, pear, charred oak, vanilla.
• Finish: Short-lived, ripe fruit, spice
• How to drink: Neat

Glenfiddich 14 offers an intriguing nose of pencil eraser transitioning to honey, caramel, and vanilla. The taste is familiar to bourbon lovers, featuring caramel, vanilla, and a touch of pear with a bourbon-like oak char depth. The finish is short and warming with a hint of spice.

This smooth single malt bridges the gap between bourbon and Speyside whisky. For those who enjoy bourbon but want to explore single malts, Glenfiddich 14 is a great choice, offering familiar flavors with a Speyside twist. Aged 14 years in ex-bourbon casks and finished in new charred American oak barrels.

Balvenie 14: Rum-Kissed Delight

• Nose: Vanilla, banana, pineapple, pepper
• Palate: Vanilla, honey, ripe fruit, tobacco
• Finish: Long, vanilla, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Balvenie 14’s nose bursts with ripe fruit, vanilla, and a hint of black pepper. The smooth palate offers honey, vanilla, fruit, and a touch of tobacco. The long, warm finish showcases vanilla and oak spice.

This rum cask-finished whisky boasts a rich, fruity taste that blends beautifully with classic Speyside flavors. Perfect for rum lovers, it’s easy-drinking, sweet, and lacks smoke or harshness. Enjoy the smooth daily dram with its delightful rum influence. Aged in American oak barrels and finished in Caribbean rum casks.

Quinta Ruban: A Port-Finished Gem (Under 100 Words)

• Nose: Oak, almond, coffee, caramel
• Palate: Chocolate, almonds, blackcurrant, raisins
• Finish: Long, chocolate, berries
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Quinta Ruban’s nose is a delightful blend of oak, almond, caramel, and espresso. The creamy, almost chewy, palate offers dark chocolate, almonds, black currant, and raisins. The long finish continues with dark chocolate and berries, with a subtle warming sensation.

This is a top-shelf malt, one of my personal favorites. It balances sweetness and texture perfectly, showcasing delicious chocolate notes. Smooth and easy-drinking, it lacks harshness or overwhelming warmth. A fantastic value for the price, Quinta Ruban is a must-have for any whisky enthusiast. Aged 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels with a 2-year ruby port pipe finish.

Balvenie 14 Peat Week: Smoky Surprise

• Nose: Smoke, honey, molasses, old leather.
• Palate: Peat, dried fruit, caramel, oak
• Finish: Medium, ripe fruit, smoke
• Alcohol content: 96 proof (48% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Balvenie 14 Peat Week offers a surprising twist. The nose hints at smoke alongside honey, molasses, and leather. The taste showcases peat without overpowering the palate, complemented by dried fruit, caramel, and oak. The long finish is fruity with a late smoke arrival.

A well-crafted peated whisky, especially for a distillery not known for smoke. The peat is noticeable but balanced with sweet flavors, making it an excellent introduction to smoky whisky. Aged in bourbon barrels and unfiltered.

How to Choose a Good 14-Year-Old Scotch?

• Flavor Profile: Consider what flavors you enjoy – typical malt and sherry flavors or peat and smoke.
• Occasion: Some Scotches 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 Scotch or one with a peaty kick, there’s something for everyone in this price range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are 14-Year-Old Whiskies Less Popular?

• 14-year-old whiskies are less common in the market, possibly due to the number 14 not being as appealing or memorable as other age statements like 12 or 15 years.

How Do 14-Year-Old Whiskies Compare to 12-Year and 15-Year Olds?

• 14-year-old malts typically offer a more settled and mature flavor profile than 12-year whiskies, with richer oak influences.

Are 14-Year-Old Whiskies Worth Exploring?

• Yes, 14-year-old whiskies provide a distinct and mature taste experience, making them well worth exploring for those interested in the nuances of aged scotch.

How Were These Scotches Selected?

• The selection was based on personal taste, online research to identify current trends, and various opinions, including customer feedback.

What Characteristics Define a Good 14-Year-Old Scotch?

• A good 14-year-old Scotch often showcases a balance between youthful vigor and the depth of longer-aged whiskies, offering a rich and complex flavor profile.