Smoothest Scotch Whisky: Explore Smooth Single Malts

Last Updated on: 23rd November 2023, 05:08 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.

Navigating the World of Smooth Scotch Whiskies

Written by: J Highland

Discover the smoothest Scotch Whisky Single Malts available today!

Perfect for those who prefer easy-drinking, velvety Scotch, this guide caters to both newcomers and seasoned aficionados who appreciate a subtler, more approachable dram.

We’ll introduce you to the best smooth Scotch whiskies for a relaxed, enjoyable experience.

So, if you’re looking for a gentle, pleasant sip, you’ve come to the right place.

Which is the smoothest Single Malt Whisky to buy?

If you’re new to Single Malt Whisky and want the smoothest options, the Glenfiddich 12, Glenlivet 12, and Auchentoshan 12 are excellent.

These malts are incredibly easy to drink and perfect for those with no experience.

However, if you’re a seasoned whisky lover looking for a smooth yet more decadent option, the Glenallachie 12 or the Balvenie 12 are fantastic.

These whiskies are more robust and complex, delivering a smooth and satisfying experience with a touch of complexity.

Smoothest Single Malts: Buying Guide

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whisky	Price	ABV
Glenlivet 12	$30	40%
Glenfiddich 12	$36	40%
Glenmorangie 10	$42	43%
Auchentoshan 12	$53	43%
Springbank 10	$82	46%
Glenallachie 12	$76	46%
Balvenie 12	$63	43%

1. Glenlivet 12 – Super Smooth Scotch Whisky

Nose: Toasted cereal, honey, pear
Palate: Vanilla, ripe fruit
Finish: Short, honey, vanilla
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Neat
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Glenlivet 12 is the easiest 12-year single malt Scotch to drink as it doesn’t have smoky or complicated notes, although it lacks complexity or any memorable tasting note.

Let’s call it a “plain vanilla” whisky.

The nose is light, hinting at toasted cereal, honey, and pear.

The Glenlivet 12 is creamy and overly smooth on the palate, with vanilla flavor and fruity notes.

The finish is short with more sweet and vanilla notes.

The Glenlivet 12 is smooth with no hint of harshness, peat, smoke, or any challenging note.

It’s mellow and rich in notes of vanilla and honey.

You can easily drink this whisky neat or straight, but add a dash of water if you want to make it better.

Just a few drops of water will open up the whisky, allowing rich floral notes to emerge, enhancing sweetness.

This is how Scots drink whisky.

2. Glenfiddich 12 – Entry-level Smooth Scotch Whisky

Nose: Floral, ripe fruit, honey
Palate: Fruity sweetness, pear, oak
Finish: Medium, pear, oak
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Neat
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Glenfiddich 12 is the best-selling Single Malt Whisky worldwide, thanks to its affordability and being one of the smoothest Scotches.

The nose offers a light aroma with floral notes and hints of fruit and honey.

It has a decent body on the palate, with a fruity sweetness followed by a touch of pear and oak.

The finish is decently long with no warmth and an aftertaste of pear and subtle oak.

While Glenfiddich 12 may seem too friendly or dull to experienced whisky enthusiasts, it is a clean, sweet whisky perfect for those new to Scotch.

It lacks any harshness or traces of smoke, making it the best whisky for beginners.

For many people, including myself, Glenfiddich 12 has been the entry-level bottle of single malt whisky, and for a good reason: it is a solid, smooth, and affordable single malt.

3. Glenmorangie 10 Scotch Whisky

Nose: Lemon, nectarine, apple
Palate: Vanilla, citrus, caramel, oak
Finish: Long, smooth, malty
Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
How to drink: Neat
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Glenmorangie’s aging in ex-bourbon barrels for ten years gives it a taste that will appeal to bourbon lovers, with familiar notes they will enjoy.

The nose is fruity and light, with hints of lemon, fresh apples, and nectarine.

It offers a satisfying mouthfeel, feeling creamy on the palate.

The flavor is smooth and sweet, with notes of caramel and vanilla, complemented by a subtle hint of oak.

The finish is long, smooth, and malty, with no warmth.

Glenmorangie 10 is a light, sweet, and creamy whisky that goes down smoothly.

It’s a clean and straightforward fruity whisky that is easy to drink but perhaps too easy.

The finish is pleasant and makes for an easy everyday sip with no harsh or off-putting notes.

Whether you enjoy it neat or with a splash of water, Glenmorangie 10 might not be the best Scotch Whisky but rewards with an easy drinking experience.

4. Auchentoshan 12 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Nose: Vanilla, floral, cough syrup
Palate: Vanilla, citrus, ripe fruit
Finish: Medium, oak spice, citrus
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Neat
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Auchentoshan 12 is distinctive for being both triple distilled and unpeated, which is uncommon for Scotch.

Triple distillation is commonly used in Irish Whiskey to achieve smoothness, but not often seen in Scotch.

This additional step makes it one of the smoothest Scotch Whiskies!

Being unpeated makes it a good option for those who don’t enjoy that flavor note, which can be challenging to appreciate.

The nose is delicate, with hints of vanilla, followed by floral notes and a subtle hint of cough syrup.

On the palate, Auchentoshan offers a full-bodied texture. The flavor is smooth and sweet, with notes of vanilla, orange peel, and ripe fruit.

The finish is satisfyingly long, with a touch of oak spice and hints of orange.

Auchentoshan’s smoothness might be too much for those who prefer a bit of warmth in their whisky, but it’s a great option for those who prioritize smoothness.

5. Springbank 10 – Reddit Favorite Whisky

Nose: Oak, baking spice, ripe fruit, honey
Palate: Malt, citrus, berries, brine, marzipan
Finish: Smoke, toasted barley, caramel
Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
How to drink: Neat
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This whisky balances smoothness and complexity, offering a subtle amount of smoke that adds depth to the flavor without overwhelming the palate, unlike some Islay Whiskies such as Ardbeg or Laphroaig.

The Springbank 10 is more complex and rewarding than typical Speyside Scotch whiskies like Glenfiddich or Glenlivet but not as overwhelming as some peatier Islay whiskies.

The nose is characterized by oak and baking spice, with ripe fruit and honey notes and a subtle hint of smoke that adds a layer of complexity.

On the palate, the Springbank delivers a creamy and full-bodied experience, with malt and citrus flavors followed by notes of berries, brine, and marzipan.

The finish is long and satisfying, with a pleasant smoky note rich in toasted barley and caramel.

6. Glenallachie 12 – Personal Favorite Scotch Whisky

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

Glenallachie 12 delivers a beautiful drinking experience due to its aging in sherry casks, resulting in a smoother and sweeter taste.

Despite its high 96 proof, this whisky is gorgeous, exhibiting complexity, viscosity, richness, and smoothness.

This whisky can be purchased for under £50 in the UK, making it an excellent value and one of the best Scotch Whiskies within the 12 year category.

The nose offers pleasing notes of subtle oak, almond, and banana.

It feels creamy and honeyed on the palate, with additional flavors of banana, caramel, raisins, and chocolate.

The finish is medium to long, smooth, and exhibits little warmth, leaving behind an aftertaste of oak spice and chocolate.

The delectable flavors of caramel, chocolate, and oak are prominent, with a moderately spicy finish that lingers pleasantly.

Adding a few drops of water enhances the complexity and sweetness of the whisky.

7. Balvenie 12 DoubleWood – King of Smooth Whisky

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

Balvenie 12 exemplifies smoothness, deserving of recognition by the late Queen Elizabeth II through David Stewart‘s knighthood for his contributions to the Scotch Whisky industry.

The aroma is rich, with ripe fruit, sherry, vanilla, and honey notes.

Balvenie 12 has a velvety body and creamy mouthfeel.

The taste mixes nuts, citrus peel, vanilla, cinnamon, and sherry.

The finish is long-lasting, with a hint of oak spice and vanilla.

Balvenie 12 is a friendly and approachable whisky with a balanced sweetness and spice, satisfying the palate without being too sugary or a sherry bomb.

Although not overly complex, this whisky offers a pleasing finish with no harsh alcoholic burn.

Balvenie 12 is best enjoyed neat, but adding a splash of water will accentuate the oak flavor and sweetness.

Balvenie 12 is an exceptionally smooth whisky, making it the best single malt Scotch for those who value a mellow taste yet rich in flavors

How did I choose the smoothest Whisky?

These is the criteria I followed to assemble this selection:

Evaluation: I thoroughly tested these scotch whiskies and collected customer input.
Cost-effectiveness: I provide reasonably priced selections, avoiding overly expensive options.
Reputation: I omit whiskies from brands with less favorable standing.

The Art of Crafting Smooth Whisky: Beyond Distillation

Achieving smoothness in good Single Malt Scotch is a delicate and intricate process that requires attention to detail, particularly during the distillation stage.

Smoothness in Scotch is a sought-after quality, defining the overall drinking experience, harmonizing flavors, and leaving a pleasant, lasting impression on the palate.

One of the pivotal techniques to attain this revered smoothness is to perfect the distillation process.

This involves carefully discarding the initial and final portions of the distillate, commonly known as the ‘head’ and the ‘tails’ respectively.

These portions tend to harbor the most undesirable flavors, ranging from overly sharp to unpleasantly bitter.

Removing them is crucial, allowing only the ‘heart,’ the middle and the most desirable part of the distillate, to be collected.

This separation ensures that the resultant Scotch lacks harsh, unwelcome flavors, contributing to its smoothness.

However, the pursuit of smoothness does not end with distillation.

Several other factors play a crucial role in determining the smoothness of Scotch.

The quality of ingredients, the source of water used, and the maturation process all significantly impact the final product.

The type of barrels used for aging and the duration of this aging process further refine the flavors, soften the spirit, and integrate complexity.

The use of malted barley and the malting method can also influence the smoothness of a good Scotch Whisky.

Traditional floor malting, peat levels, and the drying process all add nuanced flavors and aromas to the Scotch, ranging from smoky and rich to light and fruity.

In conclusion, achieving smoothness in Scotch Whisky requires precision, patience, and a deep understanding of the spirit’s intricacies.

The harmonious interaction of the right ingredients, careful distillation, meticulous aging, and thoughtful crafting culminate in a Scotch Whisky that is pleasurably smooth, rich in flavor, and high in quality.

Single Malt Whisky 101:

This FAQ will help you solve your related doubts:

What is the difference between single malt scotch whisky and blended scotch whisky?

It is made from malted barley from a single distillery, whereas blended scotch whisky is made by blending single malt whiskies from multiple distilleries with grain whisky.

What are the different regions of Scotland that produce single malt scotch whisky?

Five main regions produce this type of whisky: Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown.

Each region produces good whisky with its unique characteristics.

What are the different flavors and aromas of single malt scotch whisky?

Scotch Whisky can have a wide range of flavors and aromas, depending on factors such as the type of barrel used for aging, the length of aging, and the region of Scotland where it was produced.