Best Scotch Whiskies under $50

Last Updated on: 16th April 2024, 08:29 pm

With the assistance of Scotch whisky expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer input, I have assembled a list of the top Scotch Whiskies under $50.

Discover your next favorite!

Written by: J Highland

Top Scotch Under $50

• Laphroaig 10 is mentioned as the top choice under $50 for smoke lovers.
• Glenmorangie Lasanta and Glenlivet 14 make great choices for those who are not fond of smoke.
• The selection process includes considerations like price (under $50), type (both single malts and blends), flavor diversity (from peaty to fruity), quality (high ratings from enthusiasts and critics), aging, availability, brand reputation, and positive customer reviews.
• The whiskies listed offer a variety of tastes and are suitable for different preferences and budgets.
• 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 under $50

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Scotch	Price	Smoke Level*
Laphroaig 10	$40	5
Glenfiddich 14	$44	0
Johnnie Walker Green Label	$50	2
Highland Park 12	$47	2
Ardbeg Wee Beastie	$50	5
Glenlivet 14 Cognac Cask	$43	0
Talisker Storm	$50	4
Glenmorangie Lasanta	$45	0
Aberfeldy 12	$32	1
Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve	$31	0
Monkey Shoulder	$30	0
Johnnie Walker Double Black	$29	3

Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve: Speyside Meets Bourbon

• Nose: Pencil eraser, honey, caramel, vanilla
• Palate: Caramel, pear, charred oak, vanilla
• Finish: Short-lived, ripe fruit, spice
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

The Glenfiddich 14 offers a unique twist! The nose entices with an intriguing pencil eraser note alongside honey, caramel, and vanilla. The palate combines caramel, vanilla, and pear with a hint of oak, reminiscent of bourbon. The finish is short and warming with a touch of spice.

This single malt matures in bourbon casks and finishes in charred American oak barrels, creating a smooth and harmonious dram. For American whiskey fans curious about Scotch, this Glenfiddich is a great place to start, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Johnnie Walker Green Label: Rich & Balanced Blended Scotch

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

Johnnie Walker Green Label isn’t your typical blend. This “unofficial single malt” uses malts from Diageo distilleries.

The nose entices with coffee, chocolate, oak, and a hint of smoke. The medium-bodied palate offers sweet dates, walnuts, malt, coffee, and minerals. The finish lingers with sweetness, smoke, and oak spice.

This balanced blend, with a touch of peat, is a favorite for its smoothness and value within the Johnnie Walker range.

Highland Park 12: Smoky Gateway to Peat

• Nose: Floral, smoke, orange, honey
• Palate: Cereal, orange, green tea, smoke
• Finish: Long, oak, pepper
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Highland Park 12 offers a gateway to peaty pleasures. The nose entices with floral notes, citrus, honey, and a whisper of smoke. The light palate is smooth and sweet with honey, iodine, and a touch of smoke. The finish is moderately sweet, peppery, and oaky. Water unlocks meaty notes and enhances sweetness.

This balanced malt bridges the gap between smoky Islays and Speyside’s sweetness, perfect for exploring peaty whiskies.

Ardbeg Wee Beastie: A Feisty Young Islay Monster

• Nose: Beach bonfire, meaty smoke
• Palate: Smoke, eucalyptus, chocolate, tar
• Finish: Long, meat, salt, chocolate
• Alcohol content: 95 proof (47.4% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Ardbeg Wee Beastie roars with smoke and bacon on the nose, like a beach bonfire. This young and intensely peaty malt surprises with meaty sweetness and hints of chocolate. The long finish explodes with BBQ smoke and medicinal notes.

Patience is rewarded, and a splash of water unlocks hidden sweetness. While not a typical mixing malt, Wee Beastie conquers smoky cocktails.

Glenlivet 14 Year Old: Orchard Fruits Mingle with Chocolate

• Nose: Ripe fruit, citrus, grape
• Palate: Honey, raisins, apple, dark chocolate
• Finish: Medium-length, spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Glenlivet 14 entices with a ripe fruit basket of aromas with citrus and grape hints. The creamy palate offers honeyed sweetness, evolving with raisin, apple, and a touch of dark chocolate. The finish lingers with gentle spice for depth.

This unique malt’s journey through bourbon, Cognac, and sherry casks creates a fruity and chocolaty single malt with a satisfying smoothness.

Talisker Storm: Smoky Delight

• Nose: Peat, smoke, citrus
• Palate: Peat, charred oak, earth, salt, caramel
• Finish: Medium length, smoke, pepper
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (45.8% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Talisker Storm is like Talisker 10, but smokier and bolder.

The nose bursts with peat and smoke, with a hint of orange. The palate is intensely peaty with earthy and mineral notes from charred barrels. The finish lingers with smoke and pepper. It’s approachable for a peaty dram.

Glenmorangie Lasanta: Sherry-Kissed Delight

• Nose: Raisins, caramel, oak
• Palate: Dried fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, hazelnut, oak
• Finish: Dried fruit, oak spice, baking spice
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Glenmorangie Lasanta entices with a warm nose of raisins, caramel, vanilla, and oak. The creamy palate offers dried fruit, baking spice, and a smooth mouthfeel. The long finish lingers with fruit, oak, and spice.

Initially matured in bourbon barrels, it’s finished in Oloroso and PX sherry casks, creating a harmonious blend of dried fruit and sherry notes. This flavorful whisky is a delight for those who enjoy a touch of sherry influence.

Aberfeldy 12: Honeyed & Smooth Speyside Delight

• Nose: Honey, caramel, vanilla, pear
• Palate: Caramel, apple, orange
• Finish: Medium, oak spice, roasted nuts
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Aberfeldy 12 offers a sweet and approachable Speyside dram. The nose entices with honey, caramel, vanilla, and pear. The creamy palate is smooth with rich caramel, apple, citrus, and a touch of oak spice. A subtle hint of smoke adds intrigue. The finish lingers with a mild warmth, oak, and roasted nuts.

This easy-drinking malt, with a touch of complexity, is a great starting point for new whisky drinkers. Water can further enhance the experience.

Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve: Tropical Twist on a Speyside Classic

• Nose: Banana, pineapple, cherry
• Palate: Banana, caramel, coconut
• Finish: Short, ripe fruit, brown sugar
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve ditches tradition for ex-rum casks, resulting in a fruity twist. The nose entices with banana, pineapple, and cherry. The smooth palate offers ripe banana, caramel, and coconut. The finish is short and fruity with a hint of oak. A splash of water unlocks more fruit and oak.

Enjoy it neat, on ice, or in cocktails for a versatile and easy-drinking dram.

Monkey Shoulder: Smooth & Mixable Speyside Blend

• Nose: Marmalade, vanilla, baking spice
• Palate: Malt, vanilla, orange, honey, oak
• Finish: Short, caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails

Monkey Shoulder, a Speyside blend, is a great all-rounder. The nose entices with marmalade, vanilla, and warm spices. The palate is smooth and creamy with vanilla, orange, honey, and a touch of oak. The finish is short with caramel and spice.

Easy-drinking for beginners, it truly shines in cocktails due to its blend of malts from Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Kininvie.

Johnnie Walker Double Black: Double Down on Smoke

• 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, cocktails

Johnnie Walker Double Black isn’t your typical blend. It’s smokier and bolder than the Black Label. Peat dominates the nose with hints of fruit and a touch of salt. The palate is creamy with strong smoke, charred oak, and subtle fruit and vanilla. The long finish lingers with smoke, oak, and a hint of orange. This blend offers a bold and smoky experience for peat lovers.

Laphroaig 10: Islay Smoke & Maritime Magic

• 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

Laphroaig 10 is an Islay single malt known for its bold peat influence. The nose offers a blast of smoke, seaweed, and rubber, alongside hints of caramel, oak, and coffee. The powerful palate explodes with smoke and char, balanced by surprising sweetness of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. The finish lingers with smoke, minerals, and a touch of seaweed.

This Islay classic might be challenging for beginners, but its complexity and quality win over enthusiasts, making it a top choice for 10-year-old peated whiskies.

How to Choose a Good Scotch Scotch Under $50

• 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.

Consider further options by looking at the top affordable Scotches.