"It is fruity and complex on the nose and it does not punch you with peat," he says. Spectacular single malt Scotch whisky from the legendary Glenfarclas Distillery up in Speyside, matured for 29 years in a single refill Oloroso sherry hogshead from December 1991 to September 2021. More info. This Speyside distillery has an excellent lineup, with the 16-year-old landing right in the sweet spot of maturation between the 12 and 18, the other two age statement bottles in the range. This is a classic Highlands whisky and is an interesting look at one of the whiskies that makes up the much better-known Dewars White Label. Colkegan. Region: Speyside. Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The primary source of the confusion seems to come from the word "single." "single" does not refer to coming from one batch, barrel or even kind. Leer ms Su nombre hace referencia a la tradicin de disparar 21 salvas desde la Torre de Londres como seal de respeto a la Reina. In addition, the distillery uses a small still, nicknamed the wee witchy, in which the heads and tails of prior distillation runs are redistilled. Many scotch distilleries finish their whiskies in port pipeshuge wooden vessels that previously held port, and named for the Portuguese word "pipa," or caskwhich provides a different way to enhance the flavor of a whisky. This 12-year-old expression from Glenfiddich, one of the biggest names in scotch whisky, is both affordable and readily accessible. As a neat pour or on the rocks, there's plenty of barrel to appreciate, but the pomaceous fruit notes sit well with gentle, earthy spices, and there's plenty of room in its long, creamy finish to add in tart, astringent or bitter elements, says Otsuji. The whisky is then cut with water (unless its bottled at cask strength) before bottling. productslearn more about Must Every Single Malt Scotch Whisky Bottle Be a Unicorn? It gives a tanginess to the drink and many other flavours. The whisky was matured in a combination of American and European oak and is a good entry-level bottle for those who dont want to spend too much but are looking for something with complexity of flavor. Sometimes caramel color is added to maintain consistency. Sante Fe Spirits was perhaps the first American distillery to turn to that all-American flavour of mesquite for its whiskey. Mortlach is one of the few distilleries that still operates worm coils instead of the modern clam shell condensers. Vanilla and floral aromas draws you in time and time again, making it far-too-easy to go through a bottle without noticing. To celebrate Stewarts tenure coming to an end, The Balvenie launched its oldest and rarest whisky ever, a 60-year-old single malt with just 71 bottles available priced at a hefty $145,000. Dried-fruit biscotti and a lingering note of ginger-snap cookies round it all out. This year, there still was a total of 1,400 entrants judged. Related: The Best Cheap Scotches to Drink, Region: Highlands | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Almond, Baking Spice. 1 Vaults are supposedly the oldest maturation warehouses in the world. It was prominently featured in. Assorted. Best Under $100: Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie at Flaviar. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Fill a shaker with ice, then add 1.5 fluid ounces (44 mL) of bourbon, 0.75 fluid ounces (22 mL) of lemon juice, and 0.75 fluid ounces (22 mL) of simple syrup. The team at Bruichladdich has been hard at work establishing themselves in the field, and this rare unpeated whisky from Islay absolutely brings some modern, forward-thinking, and transparency to the region." His work has appeared in many different national outlets covering trends, new releases, and the stories and innovators behind the spirits. Johnnie Walker ; Jack Daniel's . Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Get your glasses ready and let's see which the smoothest single malt scotch for beginners are: 7. The GlenDronach does not add coloring to its whisky. Once a quaint fishing village on the shores of the Sound of Kerrera, the distillery has found itself in the center of a bustling town and resort community that has grown up around it. Few people seem to be intimidated by good ole bourbon or humble Irish whiskey, but single malt is different. Best Value: Aberfeldy 12 Year Old at Drizly. Malt whisky / whiskey is usually made from barley, which has a particularly affinity with the malting process, and was also the most easily available grain during the development of th . The plot failed, Mary was eventually beheaded and Queen Elizabeth endured. Many scotch enthusiasts may discover that they're well into their journey of appreciation before they ever actually learn what the phrase "single malt" even means. All of these distilleries are key components of the Dewars blend, but make excellent single malts of their own as well. This distillery is located in the Highlands and focuses on sherry-cask matured whisky. Whisky is supposed to be fun, so dont listen to anyone who says you shouldnt add ice or you have to add water to enjoy your dram properly. What is unusual about The Singleton is that each of the three brands has a specific geographic area where its sold: Glendullan is sold in North America, Dufftown is reserved for Europe and Glen Ord is exclusive to Asia. Tomatin 14 Year Old Port Cask Whisky 70cl. Other types of whiskey provide the same number of calories and carbs. This Lowland malt is renowned for being triple distilled (much like Irish whiskey). $64 at Drizly. The flavor of this Scotch comes from burning peat to dry out the barley and stop the malting process, which infuses the grain with smoke. You'll get plenty of smoke, dried fruits, fresh coffee, dark sugars and that bit of sea salt. There are so many to choose from, but one of the best comes from The GlenDronach. Orange peel and oak lay on the tongue with winter spices on top of the medium finish. Simpson" as well as two episodes of " Modern Family ". With flavors of caramel streaked with a touch of ancho chili and cinnamon, as well as supporting notes of honey-coated figs and white raisins, this grows more dense on the finish, resolving with lingering notes of caramel and graham crackers. Lagavulin 16 Year Old: Powerful and Peaty. The Macallan's New Scotch Collection Is Inspired By Coffee, The Best Way to Travel Through Scotch Country? There are more than 120 distilleries in Scotland making single malt whiskymuch of which is ultimately destined to be used as a component in blended whiskies, but some of which is bottled as an individual expression of the particular distillery's character. The name is a reference to the Catholic Insurrection in England in the early sixteenth century that attempted to topple Queen Elizabeth I and replace her with her half-sister, Mary Queen of Scots. Glenmorangie offers a wide selection of whiskies, from the 10-year-old core expression to some incredibly expensive vintages. Signet is produced from two different types of malted barley. Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 80 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Speyside, Scotland. Single Malts Aren't Just For Scotch The Perfect Fifth Distilled at Bunnahabhain Aged 28 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky; $750, 98 points. Crafted in Kirkwall, in the Orkney Islands, this sweetly honeyed and subtly iodine-kissed whisky balances counterpoints of medicinal notes and toffee, with wisps of peat smoke finding compliments in dried-fruit-studded biscotti and a suggestion of star anise. It seems that things are going quite well at the distillery, given last summers announcement that parent company Brown-Forman is making a major investment to expand operations due to high global demand for the whisky. Share. 1. Talisker 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 750ml. Shop Reserve Bar Shop Drizly Shop The Whisky Exchange. A Miniature Bottle of the 'World's Rarest Single Malt' Scotch Whisky Sold for $8,000 The Macallan Unveils Its Oldest Scotch Ever, Aged 72 Years A 'Forgotten' Cask of The Macallan from 1988 Just . The best overall single malt scotch, in a very competitive field, is Aberlour 16. Bruichladdich Classic Laddie. Aberlour, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $80, another Speyside icon, won the Best 16 YO Speyside single malt. That collection, by the way, is said to be the island's oldest commercially-produced single malt. Unlike some of the larger houses, this stuff is full of flavor, and not watered down to the legal minimum. Address: PO Box 69 Legana, 7277 Tasmania Phone: (03) 9010 5090 Cradle Mountain Whisky. The whisky. Save 11%. The third batch of this NAS, non-chill filtered whisky was recently released, bottled at 64.1 percent ABV (slightly more than batch 2) with big notes of smoke, vanilla, and honey on the palate. This is layered, textured whisky that stays with you for quite a while. Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700mL. It's a good entry-level bottle for those who dont want to spend too much but are looking for something with complexity of flavor. Kirkland Signature, Blended Scotch Whisky, Alexander Murray & Co Ltd, 40% ABV, 1.75 liter, MSRP: $24.99 On the nose, the whisky is honey sweet, with floral aromas and notes of caramel, cooked. Chocolate-coated raisin and caramel aromas set the stage for flavors of dark chocolate, cinnamon, cocktail cherries, and coffee. But when it comes down to popularity, blended scotch is the clear winner with sales far surpassing those of single malt. This single malt from Gordon & MacPhail, distilled at Glenlivet during World War II, is the . A spine of spice runs through every sip of this wildly gulpable whisky, lending a sense of savoriness to the caramel-coated citrus and red apple flavors. 5. How to serve : - Shake all ingredients with cubed ice, and strain over hand-cracked ice in a rocks glass. Talisker 10 Year Old: Smoke, Sea Air and Garden Fruit. 4.7143 out of 5 star rating $ 95. Theres really no wrong way to drink whiskybut experts recommend trying it neat first, perhaps with a few drops of water to open up the palate. Glenmorangie Signet: Dry and Decadent. Twelve years is the benchmark for many distilleries, most of which have an entry-level whisky aged for this amount of time. And while its well more than $100, make sure to taste the 30-year expression if you canits balance between subtlety and exuberant pleasure is remarkable, the honey, white raisins, and pastry shell lingering with serious balance. In contrast, Lowland whisky was often made from other grains including oats, wheat, and later maize (corn). Recent expressions have focused on the concept of terroir in whisky, an idea that Bruichladdich is trying to convince the doubters really exists. Aberlour, 16 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Please join us as we embark on the whisky journey of a lifetime! The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as. The official tasting notes from the judging panel describe the whisky as: Summer grass and dark sweets are on the nose. Buy Scotch whisky, Single Malts, Single Barrel, bourbon, Premium Tequilas, Gin and thousands of other Spirits at lowest prices for Scotch Lovers. This is a good value at under $100, a great whisky to sip neat, and elevates a simple highball cocktail. Water. Price certainly plays a part here, as your average blend is generally a lot less expensive than a single malt, but thats not always the case. And last fall Grandeur Batch 11 was released, an expensive ($800) but fantastic 28-year-old single malt that is worth trying if you find a bottle. This triple-distilled whisky has an almost bourbon-like character, making it great to use in a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Boulevardier, or any other whiskey cocktail you can think of. The Glenlivets 12-year-old expression is extremely popular, and for good reason. It has the best of both wordsa rich, oaky structure with some sweet vanilla notes from the lengthy time in bourbon barrels, and ripe fruits and spices from the sherry casks. Shop Wine.com Shop The Whisky Exchange Shop Total Wine & More. Muscular is the adjective often used to describe the flavor of the whisky from Craigellachie, a distillery owned by Bacardi (along with Aberfeldy, Royal Brackla, Aultmore, and Deveron). Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Aberlour 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Arran 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Balblair 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley Unpeated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Highland Park 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Speyburn 15 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, The GlenAllachie 15 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, The GlenDronach Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Port Wood, The Glenrothes 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Tomintoul 14 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky. More info. The core lineup was relaunched with new bottle designs, names, and expressions a couple of years ago. These whiskies are traditionally very light and grassy. The result is a robust, powerfully flavored, whisky that noted spirits writer Dave Broom has nicknamed the Beast of Dufftown. Mortlach, 20 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Lisa Glen currently holds the title of distillery manager, leading a whisky making team that is responsible for core expressions like the classic Glenlivet 12, a very good introductory single malt for beginners. A Whisky for Every Moment ; A Guide to Ordering Whisky ; Whiskey Flip cocktail recipe. Distillers are then allowed to get as creative as theyd like, from experimenting with the number of distillations to using a variety of cask finishes. By Canoe, 22 Gins That Every Martini Lover Should Try, 14 Comforting Red Wines for the Coziest Time of the Year, This Rare Scotch Whisky Was Just Named Best in the World. Its priced affordably and has a really approachable palate, according to Chris Dempsey, bartender at Xaman in Dallas. This approachable whisky is perfect for any novice to the category, as it also works well in cocktails. This bottle fills the gap between the entry-level 10-year-old and the luxury 21-year-old. The whisky does not carry an age statement, but it includes whiskies up to 40 years old in the blend. Let us know if you manage to taste this one, because we havent! The bottom line is that theres a Lagavulin for everyone, so peruse the selection and find the bottle that best suits you. If you maintain a whisky bar all are must have expressions. Balvenie malt master David Stewart has worked in the industry for 60 years, and just recently passed the mantle to his apprentice Kelsey McKechnie. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as: A dark amber with rich floral and citrus notes. In addition to the Double Gold medalists, the NYISC also recognizes outstanding distilleries in some of Scotlands key producing areas. Talisker. Scotch Whiskey Single Malt as a Cocktail. Sale Off . Single malt Scotch whisky is Scotland's original whisky. The distillerys No. Buy Single Malt Scotch Whisky Online | Liquorland $10 - $20 (281) (273) SHOP ONLINE CLICK & COLLECT Single Malt Scotch Whisky Discover a taste of Scotland with well loved labels such as Loch Lomond and Glenlivet offering a smooth and smoky taste on the palate. LOS ANGELES, March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, a treasured spirit from Scotland's Speyside region, partnered with multidisciplinary artist and designer Sebastian . (Though Whiskey Reviewer distinguishes the 350 bottles per cask from the non-sherry. he Singleton of Glendullan, 15 YO Single Malt. And if you wanna get wild, check out ARC-52, a $75,000 single malt aged for 52 years that comes in a decanter that looks more like a spaceship than a bottle. Scotch is hugely popular, even though in 2020 the Scotch Whisky Association said the industry "lost a decade of growth" as sales fell 20% due to high tariffs from the U.S. and Europe and the . Dundamir whisky 136,45 (194,93 / l) Royal Salute 21 Aos Whisky Escocs de Mezc. Highland Park is known for a few things that are unique within the scotch whisky industrynamely, its fixation on all things Viking and its remote Orkney location, which makes it Scotlands northernmost distillery (it beats .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}Scapa by about a mile). Though it can be quite expensive, the 25-year-old is an excellent example of how good a whisky can taste when matured for nearly three decades. Auchentoshan is one of the few Lowland distilleries making single malt. Many of the spirits judged are already being distributed on the East Coast, although according to Levy, the competition has increasingly been used by beverage companies to evaluate the pricing, packaging and positioning of spirit expressions they are planning to introduce into the US market. Talisker 10 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky Photo courtesy Talisker Talisker, 10 YO, 45.8% ABV, 750 ml, $60 This is a classic whisky from the Island of Skye. 26.00 (37.14 / l) Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 700ml. 750ml. Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky | 70CL / 40% ABV. The Classic Laddie is a non-age statement single malt that is light and full of notes of citrus, sweet malted barley, vanilla and honey. Claimed. Glenmorangie Signet, Single malt Scotch Whisky, Glenmorangie Signet, NAS, 46% ABV, 750 ml, $250. Well layered with dark fruit and sherry with a mild oak layering followed by a long smoky peaty finish with a soft presence of vanilla. This is a classic whisky from the Island of Skye. Best Under $100: Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie, Best Under $50: The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, Best for Cocktails: Auchentoshan American Oak, Best 12-Year-Old: The GlenDronach Original, Best 25-Year-Old: The Macallan Sherry Oak, Best Rum Cask Finish: The Balvenie Caribbean Cask, Best Port Cask Finish: The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve, Best No-Age Statement: Glenmorangie Signet, Best Entry-Level: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, The 13 Best Scotch Whiskies to Drink in 2023, The Essential Scotch Whisky Bottles for Your Home Bar, Speaking Scotch: A Guide to Scotch Whisky Terms, The 9 Best Cheap Scotches to Drink in 2022, The Best Scotch Under $100, According to Industry Experts, The 12 Best Japanese Whiskies to Drink in 2023, These Peaty Scotches Taste Like Campfire in a Glass. The Dalmore is a Highland distillery that has an excellent lineup of expressions, and a master distiller who is basically the P.T. Vanilla and baked fruit lay in the mouth with a light coating of vanilla followed by a balanced finish with lingering vanilla notes. Legally, a small amount of caramel coloring can be used for color consistency in single malts. Its Colkegan Single Malt, named for distillery owner Colin Keegan, uses a combination of 30% mesquite-smoked barley alongside 70% un-smoked malted barley. Region: Lowlands | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Nuts, Pepper, Vanilla. The official tasting note from the judging panel described the GlenAllachie 15 YO as. Also look for Laphroaigs annual Cirdeas release; the most recent, from 2022, is the Warehouse 1, which benefits from the counterpoints of aging in close proximity to the water and ex-Bourbon casks, lending lemon zest, melon, and cracked peppercorn notes. Matured in sherry casks from Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso Spanish, this whiskey appeases all senses with hints of pears and apples and the rich sweetness of butterscotch. Speyside. Glenfarclas. ", Related: The Best Peaty Scotches for Smoky Scotch Lovers, Region: Islay | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Black Tea, Smoke, McCoy is a big fan of Lagavulin, an Islay distillery that produces some nicely peated scotch. The pioneer of the single malt Scotch whiskey category, Glenfiddich's Signature malt is famous for its wonderfully balanced scent and refreshing rich flavour. And if you really want to splurge on something truly exceptional, pick up a bottle of Ardbeg 25. Most recently, The Sixteen was reintroduced to the lineup for the first time since 2016. Its a balanced, silky, and fresh dram that, for under $80, is a serious steal. Dark color sherry cask finish with toasted nuts and chocolate on the nose. Awards were also given for Best 10 YO single malt to Talisker (Islands); Speyburn (Speyside) and Ardbeg (Islay). The distillery has six stills, all of which have a unique shape. This statement single malt is light and full of notes of citrus, sweet malted barley, vanilla and honey. Its intake needs to . Such whiskies tend to be light and grassy, gentle and fruity, and rich and sweet. The most densely populated Whisky region in the world, famous for fertile glens and, of course, the River Spey. There are many whiskies included in their lineup, but the 18-year-old is one of the best for its age, which fills the gap between the entry-level 10-year-old and the luxury 21-year-old. Dried herbs and a lingering soft sweetness when in the mouth with a light oak finish. Its seaside maturation imparts a slightly maritime savoriness. The expression is full of fruity notes enriched with spicy sweetness. Talisker 2021 Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 750ml. The Singleton of Dufftown 54 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Islay scotch is renowned for its full body and powerful overtones of smoky peat. An attractive choice would be Glenfiddich 's newly unveiled 50-year-old scotch. Two new age statements were added to the Double Cask lineup a few years ago, 15- and 18-year-old expressions that are matured in both American and European oak Oloroso sherry-seasoned casks, both exceptional whiskies that are spicy and fruity with notes of chocolate and vanilla. The whisky in the 14-year-old Caribbean Cask is finished in rum barrels, where it picks up molasses and fruit notes. Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva Rum Cask Finish Read More. 00. to $ 104. Try using the Glenfiddich 12-year in your Moscow Mule or Jungle Bird, and see for yourself.. Add to cart. Here is a summary of my top five selections. The 10-year-old is a staple you can find at most bars and liquor stores, and its a solid choice, full of seaweed, vanilla, and grill smoke flavors. SPICE-ROASTED PINEAPPLE SYRUP. Bushmills tends to be the benchmark, given they . Best Under $50: The Glenlivet 12 Year Old at Drizly. Last winter, the oldest bottling to date was released, an 81-year-old whisky called The Reach which was distilled in 1940 and had a price tag of $125,000. Bruichladdich is a study in creative contradictions. The result is terrifically appealing and right around $100. This Speyside standout is non-chill-filtered, which lends it a lovely presence on the palate. This whisky combines the best flavors of bourbon and sherry cask maturation and provides the best complexity of flavor and palate for its price range. Last fall, the second edition of Malting Season was released, which is made using barley malted inhouse at the distillery, along with a new edition of Smoke Season, the distillerys most heavily peated whisky. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Regarding what is Single Malt Scotch Whisky, there are a few regulations within Scotland's and international law that define a Single Malt Scotch. Being aged in both Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks gives this whisky a complex flavor of dark fruits, chocolate, baking spice and orange peels. As you can guess, one of each is peated, the other is not. William Grant & Sons has two neighboring distilleries just outside of Dufftown in Speyside: the larger Glenfiddich and the smaller Balvenie. You cant get a better whisky in this range. Kenneth McCoy, chief creative officer at The Rum House in New York, Region: Speyside | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Sherry, Cinnamon, Vanilla. Region: Islay | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Green Apple, Brown Sugar, Grass. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. The Balvenie . In addition to those icons, the 15 single malt scotch whiskies below, listed alphabetically, are well worth stocking up on. Laphroaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70cl. ADD TO CART. But theres a lot of nuance underneath all of that salty, ripe, bold, burnt vanilla flavor. $1,244.27. Also look for Octomor and Port Charlotte, both made by Bruichladdich as well. For those that prefer the vanilla and honey influence that bourbon barrels tend to impart on a whiskys palate, theres another cask-strength expression called Abunadh Alba thats a nice comparison point to sip and ponder. Review. But it is often overlooked in favor of its much more popular Speyside sister distillery. Strict regulations governing the production of single malt Scotch whisky dictate that barley is the only permitted grain. There are many other Norse-themed bottles from Highland Park to explore, with age statements ranging up to 50 years.