Best Scotch Whiskies

Last Updated on: 22nd April 2024, 08:49 pm

Written by: J Highland

With the assistance of whisky expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have assembled a list of the top Scotch Whiskies in every age range and at different prices catering to every budget.

Discover your next favorite!

Choosing the Best Scotch

Peaty & Smoky:

• For the Peat Beginner: Balvenie 14 Peat Week (smoky with a balance of sweet and savory notes)
• For the Peat Enthusiast: Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength (intense smoke with hints of leather and bacon) or Ardbeg Uigeadail (powerful smoke with meaty notes and Islay iodine)
• For the Smoky Scotch Lover Who Wants Sweetness Too: Lagavulin 16 (balance of smoke and sweetness) or Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition (smokier and fruitier twist on Lagavulin 16)

Fruity & Sweet:

• For Someone Who Wants a Hint of Smoke: Kilkerran 12 (sweet and smoky delight with marzipan, pineapple, and vanilla)
• For Someone Who Doesn’t Like Smoke: Macallan 18 Sherry Oak (dates, raisins, oak, cinnamon, clove) or Balvenie 21 Port-Finished (fig, plum, peach, black tea)

Bold & Spicy:

• For Someone Who Likes Strong Flavors: Aberlour A’Bunadh (bold sherry and spice)

General:

• For Someone Who Wants a Dependable Blended Scotch: Johnnie Walker Black Label (smoky blend with vanilla, orange zest, and nectarine)

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 Scotch Whiskies

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whisky	Price
Lagavulin 8 / Best 8 Year	$70
Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength / Best 10 Year	$90
Kilkerran 12 / Best 12 Year	$80
Balvenie 14 Week of Peat / Best 14 Year	$105
Laphroaig 15 / Best 15 Year	$80
Lagavulin 16 / Best 16 Year	$100
Macallan Sherry Oak 18 / Best 18 Year	$400
Balvenie Portwood 21 / Best 21 Year	$300
Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition / Best Smoky	$120
Ardbeg Uigeadail / Best NAS	$90
Aberlour A’Bunadh / Best High-Proof	$100
Johnnie Walker Black Label / Best Value	$40

Lagavulin 8: Islay Smoke Meets Sweetness in a Powerful Dram

• 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 offers a complex smoky taste with hints of oak, burnt sugar, popcorn, roasted nuts, and a touch of sweetness. The finish is warm and long-lasting, with apple, almond, and cigar ash notes.

To fully appreciate its complexity, adding a little water is recommended, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength: Intense Smoke for Peat Lovers

• Nose: Smoke, leather, bacon, mineral
• Palate: Smoke, caramel, honey, ash, bacon
• Finish: Smoke, caramel
• Alcohol content: 116 proof (58% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength packs a punch. Unfiltered for richer flavor, it offers a bolder smoky aroma with hints of leather and bacon. The surprisingly smooth palate layers smoke with caramel and honey, finishing long with lingering peat, vanilla, and a touch of bacon.

Enjoy neat or add water to unlock sweeter notes. This intense dram might be the most satisfying 10-year Scotch for peat enthusiasts.

Kilkerran 12: Sweet & Smoky Delight

• 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

Kilkerran 12 offers a unique value for a 12-year-old single malt. It boasts a delightful nose of marzipan, pineapple, and vanilla with a subtle hint of smoke. The taste is smooth and oily, featuring notes of vanilla, toffee, honey, and orange, balanced by a touch of smoke. The finish is warm and lingers with honey, orange, ginger, and a touch of spice. Water reveals more toffee and oak complexity.

This award-winning Campbeltown dram is my favorite 12-year-old whisky and a great choice for those seeking a well-crafted whisky under $100 (US) or £50 (UK).

Balvenie 14 Peat Week: Smoky Surprise for the Peats-Curious

• 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

Don’t let Balvenie fool you! This 14-year-old offers a surprising smoky twist. The nose balances smoke with honey, molasses, and aged leather. The peat is present yet gentle on the palate, accompanied by dried fruit and caramel. The finish is long, fruity, and concludes with a touch of smoke.

This well-crafted, peated Balvenie is a delight, especially for those curious about Islay whiskies. It serves as a perfect introduction – smoky but approachable, with a nice balance of sweet and savory notes. Enjoy it before diving into bolder Laphroaig or Ardbeg.

Laphroaig 15: Tamed Smoke Meets Tropical Fruit for a Sophisticated Dram

• Nose: Peach, baking spice, seaweed, peat, iodine
• Palate: Peat, vanilla, chocolate, caramel, almond
• Finish: Smoke, vanilla, mineral
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Laphroaig 15 offers a surprising twist on the Laphroaig legacy. While hints of peat and smoke are present, they’re overshadowed by a delightful tropical fruit note. Vanilla, chocolate, and caramel add complexity, culminating in a smooth and sophisticated sip.

Despite its lower alcohol content, it offers richness and complexity, making it an excellent value and a great choice for those seeking a more approachable Laphroaig.

Lagavulin 16: Balance of Smoke & Sweetness in a Classic Dram

• Nose: Smoke, vanilla, iodine
• Palate: Smoke, tobacco, seaweed, fresh fruit
• Finish: Smoke, fig, vanilla
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Lagavulin 16 delivers a balanced peat and smoke experience. The nose opens with a captivating mix of smoke, sea salt, vanilla, and caramel. The taste explodes with layers of smoke, fruit, and caramel, all wrapped in a smooth and creamy texture. The finish is long and warming, lingering with smoke and a touch of sweetness.

Enjoy it neat, or add a touch of water to unlock even more complexity and approachability. This 16-year-old Lagavulin is a true classic, offering a delightful balance of smoke and sweetness for any peat whisky lover.

Macallan 18 Sherry Oak: The Undisputed King of Sherry-Kissed Scotch (But Be Prepared to Pay)

• Nose: Dates, raisins, oak, cinnamon, clove
• Palate: Oak, baking spice, dark chocolate, raisin
• Finish: Long, tobacco, chocolate, dried fruit
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Macallan 18 Sherry Oak isn’t just a whisky, it’s an experience. The nose entices with dates, raisins, oak, cinnamon, and a touch of clove. The taste is luxuriously smooth, with oak leading the way followed by spice, dark chocolate, and raisin. The finish warms gently, leaving notes of tobacco, chocolate, and dark fruit lingering on the palate.

This award-winning dram is widely considered the pinnacle of Sherry-aged whiskies. While the price tag might be steep, the complexity and depth of flavor are unmatched.

Balvenie 21: Port-Finished Luxury for Demanding Whisky Drinkers

• Nose: Fig, plum, peach, black tea
• Palate: Honey, dried, fruit, almond, pecan
• Finish: Burnt caramel, ginger, chocolate
• Alcohol content: 95 proof (47.6% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Balvenie 21 offers a luxurious taste experience. The nose opens with a delightful sweetness of fig, plum, and peach, accented by a subtle black tea note. The oily palate is smooth and warming, showcasing honey, dried fruit, almond, and pecan. The finish lingers with burnt caramel, ginger, and dark chocolate, all perfectly balanced.

A splash of water reveals a touch of floral and oak notes, surprising for a 21-year-old whisky. This complexity, along with the smooth and deep flavor profile, makes Balvenie 21 a must-try for any scotch enthusiast. While it comes at a premium price, the experience is truly exceptional.

Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition: A Smokier, Fruitier Twist on the Classic Lagavulin 16

• Nose: Caramel, smoke, plum
• Palate: Smoke, ripe fruit, salt
• Finish: Oak, vanilla, baking spice, smoke
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

The Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition takes the beloved Lagavulin 16 to a new level. While the signature smoky and briney notes are present, they’re balanced by a surprising richness of ripe fruit. This is thanks to a second maturation in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, resulting in a thicker, creamier body. The finish is long and complex, leaving a lingering smoky and spicy aftertaste with a touch of oak and caramel sweetness.

This dram offers a smoother and more approachable take on Lagavulin’s smoky profile, making it a fantastic choice for both experienced peat fans and those curious to explore Islay whiskies.

Ardbeg Uigeadail: Monstrous Smoke for the Fearless Peat Freak

• Nose: Smoke, bacon, iodine
• Palate: Smoke, ash, ripe fruit, chocolate
• Finish: Caramel, smoke, menthol, pepper
• Alcohol content: 108 proof (54% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Ardbeg Uigeadail isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a beast of a dram, unleashing a powerful blast of smoke, meaty notes, and Islay’s signature iodine. The creamy palate explodes with intense smoke and ash, slowly revealing hints of fruit, chocolate, and barley. The finish is a marathon of smoke, warmth, pepper, caramel, and a touch of menthol.

This unfiltered, cask-strength whisky is a celebration of Islay peat. If you seek an intensely smoky and complex dram, Uigeadail will not disappoint. But be warned, its power demands a certain level of peat appreciation.

Aberlour A’Bunadh: Bold Sherry & Spice for the Spirited Whisky Explorer

• Nose: Caramel, brown sugar, fig, oak
• Palate: Chocolate, caramel, black pepper
• Finish: Long, oak spice, baking spice
• Alcohol content: 120 proof (60% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Aberlour A’Bunadh isn’t for the faint of heart. This cask-strength dram packs a warming punch with a rich nose of caramel, brown sugar, and oak. The taste is equally bold, featuring dark chocolate, spice, and a long, oaky finish.

Despite its high proof, it remains surprisingly smooth, offering a complex and flavorful experience at a competitive price. For those seeking a powerful and bold Speyside whisky, A’Bunadh is a must-try.

Johnnie Walker Black Label: The Dependable Smoky Blend for Everyday Enjoyment

• Nose: Vanilla, orange zest, nectarine
• Palate: Smoke, roasted malt, caramel, vanilla
• Finish: Long, fruity, peppery, smoke
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Johnnie Walker Black Label is a well-respected blend, often considered a starting point for serious whisky exploration. The nose offers a mix of vanilla, citrus, and a touch of smoke. The taste is light-bodied but flavorful, with a pleasant balance of sweetness, peat smoke, and hints of caramel. The finish is warming with lingering notes of smoke, pepper, and caramel.

Black Label delivers a dependable and smooth experience. It serves as a great introduction to smoky whiskies, especially when enjoyed neat or on the rocks. As a readily available and affordable blend, Johnnie Walker Black Label is a solid choice for an everyday Scotch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Factors Are Considered in Selecting Top Scotch Whiskies?

• Taste Profile: Essential for identifying harmonious and unique flavors.
• Distillery Reputation: The history and expertise of the distillery are key.
• Customer and Expert Feedback: Insights from a diverse group of whisky lovers.
• Value for Money: Finding whiskies that offer quality at a reasonable price.
• Availability: Ensuring the recommendations are accessible.
• Authenticity: Adherence to traditional Scotch whisky-making methods.

How Are Scotch Whiskies Defined?

• Scotch whisky is defined as a whisky made in Scotland using malted barley, water, and yeast, aged in oak barrels for at least three years.

What Are the Different Types of Whisky?

• The main types include malt whisky, blended malt, single grain, blended grain, and blended Scotch whisky.

What Is the Difference Between Single Malt and Blended Whisky?

• Single malt is made exclusively from malted barley at one distillery, while blended whisky combines multiple single malts and/or grains.

What Is the Best Way to Enjoy Whisky?

• Preference varies; it can be enjoyed neat, with water, on the rocks, or in cocktails. Experiment to find your preferred style.

How Should Whisky Be Stored?

• Store in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and heat. Keep the bottle sealed and consume within a reasonable time once opened.

What Is Considered the Best Age for Whisky?

• While subjective, many connoisseurs find 18-year-old Scotch to be a sweet spot for complexity and flavor balance.