Best Scotch Whiskies for Scotch & Soda

Last Updated on: 24th April 2024, 03:32 pm

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

With the assistance of Scotch expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have compiled a list of the top whiskies for Scotch & Soda.

Discover your next favorite!

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best Scotch for Scotch and Soda

For Smoky Scotch Beginners:

Smokehead: This Islay offering is a good introduction to smoky whiskies with its lighter smoke presence balanced by sweetness and a touch of citrus. The attractive price makes it a good value for budget-conscious drinkers.

For Those Who Enjoy More Smoke:

Johnnie Walker Double Black: A step up from the Black Label, this blend offers a bolder smoky and oaky profile. If you enjoy intense smoke, enjoy it neat, otherwise the soda will tame the smokiness for a more balanced Scotch and Soda.

For a Smooth & Unexpected Choice in a Budget-Friendly Scotch:

Dewar’s White Label: Despite its affordability, Dewar’s offers a surprisingly smooth and sweet profile with a touch of smoke, making it a great mixer for Scotch and Sodas.

For the Beginner Who Prefers Sweeter Scotches:

Monkey Shoulder: A smooth and creamy blend with prominent marmalade, vanilla, and baking spice notes. While good neat, its sweetness and affordability make it a great choice for cocktails like Scotch and Soda.

For Value Seekers Who Want a Reliable Sipper:

Famous Grouse: This value-priced blend offers a smooth and easy-drinking experience with some malty character and a hint of smoke. While not complex, it mixes well in a Scotch and Soda.

For Those Who Enjoy Blended Scotches in Cocktails:

Chivas Regal 12: This light-bodied blend with notes of apple, vanilla, and citrus offers a balanced profile that mixes well in Scotch and Sodas. The affordable price point makes it a good choice for those who prioritize cocktails.

For a Budget-Friendly Scotch and Soda Base:

Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch: While not the smoothest neat sipper, this Costco option offers a decent value with some smokiness and vanilla notes. It makes a competent base for a budget-friendly Scotch and Soda.

Additional Tips:

Experiment with adding a twist of citrus (lemon, orange) to your Scotch and Soda for an extra layer of flavor.
Play with the soda to water ratio to find your preference. More soda will result in a lighter drink, while more water will allow the scotch flavors to shine through more.

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 for Scotch & Soda

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Scotch	Price
Smokehead Islay Single Malt	$56
Johnnie Walker Double Black	$49
Dewar’s	$29
Monkey Shoulder	$37
Famous Grouse	$24
Chivas Regal 12	$37
Kirkland 12 Year Blended Scotch	$27*

*offered in a 1.75ml bottle

Smokehead: Islay Smoke for Beginners

Nose: Smoke, orange, caramel
Palate: Smoke, honey, rubber, charcoal, mineral
Finish: Smoke, pepper, caramel
Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
How to drink: Add water

Smokehead opens with a blast of smoke, calming to reveal hints of orange and caramel. The palate is light-bodied with moderate smoke, balanced by surprising honey sweetness. While subtle notes of burnt rubber emerge, they don’t overpower. The finish fades with smoke, spice, and a touch of caramel.

Unlike its Islay cousins, Smokehead is lighter on smoke and sweeter, making it a good starting point for smoky whiskies and a great choice for smoky Scotch and Soda cocktails at an attractive price, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Johnnie Walker Double Black: Smoky Step Up

Nose: Smoke, vanilla, tar, barbecue sauce, citrus, malt
Palate: Charred oak, peat, caramel, vanilla, salted butter
Finish: Charred, oak, peat, vanilla, citrus
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks, Highball

Johnnie Walker Double Black is their smokiest blend, a step up from the Black Label. Smokey and oaky, it’s for experienced drinkers.

The nose is bold smoke with vanilla, orange, malt, and a BBQ hint. The creamy palate explodes with charred oak and peat, then softens to caramel, vanilla, and salted butter. The long finish lingers with smoke, oak, vanilla, and citrus zest.

Enjoy it neat if you love smoky intensity, or in a scotch and soda for a smoother experience.

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 Scotch, isn’t just for cocktails. 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.

Water unlocks floral notes, making it pleasant neat, but it truly shines in a scotch and soda, highball, or Rob Roy.

Monkey Shoulder: Smooth & Sweet 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

Marmalade, vanilla, and warm baking spices greet the nose in Monkey Shoulder. The palate is smooth and creamy with vanilla, orange, honey, and a touch of oak spice. The finish is short with caramel and oak, but a drop of water brings out the sweetness.

This approachable and affordable blend of single malts is ideal for beginners and its versatility makes it a cocktail champion.

Famous Grouse: Scotland’s Value 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. While unexceptional, it’s a reliable sipper, especially with a touch of water and a good addition to your next scotch and soda.

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

Chivas Regal 12: Blended for Mixing

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

Chivas Regal 12 offers a light-bodied profile with a nose of apple juice, vanilla, and lemon curd. The palate features oak, caramel, green apple, hints of cinnamon, and black pepper. The finish is short and peppery, but not harsh.

While not complex, Chivas 12 has a balanced profile that shines in scotch and soda and highballs. The affordable price and mixability make it a solid choice for those who enjoy blended Scotch in cocktails.

Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch: Budget-Friendly Choice for Scotch and Soda

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

Costco’s Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch offers a decent value for the price. This 12-year-old blend mirrors Johnnie Walker Black Label with hints of oak, fruit, and vanilla on the nose. The palate is lighter-bodied with gentle smoke, vanilla, orange zest, and a touch of pepper. The short finish is slightly peppery and bitter.

While not ideal for sipping neat, it’s a competent base for Scotch cocktails, making it a budget-friendly alternative to make scotch and soda cocktails.