Looking for the Best Scotch Whiskey?
Whiskies, especially the Scottish ones are still considered by many Purists as the Original spirits.
It’s just an opinion, and many others like the American, Canadian and Irish whiskies are still widely distributed around the world.
In our opinion, every spirit from every part of the world finds its takers and each of them have a unique taste, flavor and whole lot of history to talk about.
Nevertheless, let us only focus on the Best Scotch Whiskies you can buy in the market right now.
The 10 Best Scotch drinks are given below in no particular order.
SCOTCH NAME
FEATURE
The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 years
Sweet & uncomplicated flavor, Iconic Scottish brand
Oban 14 years
Sweet Toffee Flavored with hint of Cinnamon & sea salt
Lagavulin Distillers Edition
Peated & Smoky Flavor, Islay drink
Glenmorangie Signet
Sweet & Orange syrup notes, blended from oldest whiskies
Glenkinchie 12 year
Light and aromatic, Lowland Whisky
Compass Box Great King Street
Blended Scotch, Soft and Fruity notes
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Blended, Nutty & Earthy notes with Smoky flavor
Bowmore 18 year
Complex flavors including Green Apple, Dark Chocolate and Honeydew, Islay drink
Ardbeg 10 year
Peat, Smokey Flavor, Islay drink
Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch
Citrus & Vanilla flavor, ideal for Cocktails
The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 years:
- Age: 18 years
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Region: Speyside
- Type: Single Malt Scotch
- Appearance: Caramel Amber Color
- Nose: Dried Fruits, with Vanilla and Cinnamon aromas
- Palate: Sherry Flavors with Spicy hints of Orange, Clove and Oak
- Finish: Long Finish with Orange and Ginger flavors
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
One of the best Speyside Whisky. One of the best Single Malt Whisky. And one of the best Scotch Whisky.
If they say Whiskies are Gentleman’s drinks, then this one is as Classy as ever.
The Macallans know how to make Whiskies and they have never failed with this one as with any other Macallans.
Strong, Clean, Uncomplicated and Full-bodies, 18 year Macallan will surely leave you lingering in its depth.
Oban 14 years:
- Age: 14 years
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Region: Highland
- Type: Single Malt Scotch
- Appearance: Golden Amber Color
- Nose: Peat, Caramel Toffee with Sea Salt
- Palate: Citrus flavors with hint of Nuts and Vanilla
- Finish: Long Peaty Finish with little Caramel Sweetness
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
A Highland Whisky, known for the Peaty smoke flavor, Oban still manages to give you a smooth finish and sweet notes.
Backed by rich history, (YES, the distillery has been operational since 1793) Oban’s Whisky reminds you of every flavor in and around the region and the salty winds of the particular location. Do not miss this, if you get a chance!
Oban 14 year old is also one of the best scotch under $ 100 you can buy right now.
Lagavulin Distillers Edition:
- Age: 16 years
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Region: Islay
- Type: Single Malt Scotch
- Appearance: Golden Syrup Color
- Nose: Sweet and Smoke due to Vanilla and Peat
- Palate: Malt taste with Coffee and Vanilla hint but peaty smoke remains
- Finish: Long Peaty Finish with tinge of fruitiness
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
Located near the bay from which the distillery got its name, Lagavulin is known for its brilliant, flavor-rich and super long finish.
The characteristic Smoky flavor comes from the repeated exposure to Peat smoke and then is distilled and aged in oak casks.
Addition of Caramel and Vanilla only improves the overall flavor.
Glenmorangie Signet:
- Age: NAS
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Region: Highland
- Type: Single Malt Scotch
- Appearance: Dark Amber
- Nose: Plenty of Aromas with Orange, Ginger, Oak dominating
- Palate: Dark Coffee underlying Vanilla, Cinnamon, Orange and Nutmeg spices
- Finish: Long with Citrus feel
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
Boasting of the Tallest stills in Scotland, Glenmorangie distillery has its own history, being found in the year 1843.
If you ever feel a hint of Beer while drinking this Signet, it is because of the malt that goes into its production.
High Roast Chocolate Barley malt is usually the precursor for Stout Beers and Porters.
It also combines Cadboll Barley malt produced in its own estate. If you love Beers and Coffees, then this Whisky is definitely going to surprise you!
Glenkinchie 12 year:
- Age: 12 years
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Region: Lowland
- Type: Single Malt Scotch
- Appearance: Golden Syrup
- Nose: Citrus, Lemon and Floral flavors with hints of Barley
- Palate: Lemon, Green Apple and Madeira notes with little creamy feel
- Finish: Medium to Long and smooth finish
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
Being the recipient of Best Lowland Single Malt in the year 2014 at the World Whiskies Awards is not a mean feat by any means!
A simple, uncomplicated, and straightforward dram, Glenkinchie 12 year old is what you will need if you want to have a sip at the end of your long hectic day.
The dry, semi-sweet and spicy finish makes it worth trying out.
Compass Box Great King Street:
- Age: NAS
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Region: -
- Type: Blended
- Appearance: Gold Color
- Nose: Vanilla, Dried Fruits and Sweet Cream
- Palate: Butter, Lemon and Rich Cream
- Finish: Long and Smooth
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
This whisky has its own story. Not coming from any distillers, Compass Box actually buys best single malts from Scotland, especially from Highlands and then blends them to form one of the best Blended Scotches in the world.
Getting the Blended Whisky of the Year in 2012 is a testimony for that. Extremely smooth, with all round notes, Artist’s Blend is sure to be in your Bar every time.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label:
- Age: NAS
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Region: -
- Type: Blended
- Appearance: Amber in Color
- Nose: Vanilla, hazelnuts and Sandalwood
- Palate: Hazelnuts, Dark Chocolate and Orange honey with dash of Ginger
- Finish: Long and Smooth finish with Earthy notes
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
Becoming THE MOST POPULAR Blended Whisky in the World is not simple or something that one would gain over a few years.
It has been more than a century old struggle and today Johnnie Walker walks off in style and how!
This Blue Label is in fact a successful recreation of the Original Premium Blend of finest Scotch Whiskies that the original legendary John Walker did years back.
Only the Bestest of the blends go into making of this Blue label.
Bowmore 18 year:
- Age: 18 years
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Region: Islay
- Type: Single Malt Scotch
- Appearance: Cherrywood
- Nose: Peaty Smoke and Caramel with Sea-salt
- Palate: Peat Smoke again with Dark chocolate and Peach
- Finish: Medium to Long with little fruit taste
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
What more can you expect from an Islay Single Malt other than the Salty notes and peaty flavor. However, this one particularly surprises you with its sweet notes in the palate.
Yet another oldest distillery, founded in 1779, the Bowmore Distillery located on the coast of the Islay, brings us the 18 year old Scotch that remains close to its culture and the taste.
Ardbeg 10 year:
- Age: 10 years
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Region: Islay
- Type: Single Malt Scotch
- Appearance: Dark Gold
- Nose: Intense Smoky, with hint of Lemon, black pepper and Menthol
- Palate: Peaty with Cinnamon spice, Toffee, Cappuccino and Marshmallows
- Finish: Long and lingering smoke
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
Classic example of how peaty an Islay Whisky can get. Ardberg 10 year old is intense and strong and one of the most peatiest Whiskies in the world right now.
People also have this as collectibles as its price is bound to increase because of the rarity such drinks come by. Miss this Whisky at your own cost!
Ardberg 10 year is yet another Single Malt Best Scotch under 100 you should definitely try now.
Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch:
- Age: NAS
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Region: -
- Type: Blended
- Appearance: Copper
- Nose: Intense Orange, with Vanilla flavors
- Palate: Still Orangish with Vanilla and other spices like Clove, Cinnamon
- Finish: Smooth finish with oak flavor
What makes this Whisky one of the best?
Hear this now! Monkey Shoulder is a product of William Grant and Sons. If you do not know who this is, they are the Owners of Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Girvan, Tullamore and Kininvie Distilleries.
And guess what makes Monkey Shoulder one of the best? It is a Speyside Trifecta – triple distilled with three best Single Malts from Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Kininvie.
And now you know why Monkey Shoulder is considered a Premium drink.
CONCLUSION:
There are many more worthy Scotch drinks to try out and we will definitely work them out in future articles. Till then, try all of the above mentioned Scotches and let us know what you liked the most!
Have a Safe Drink!
