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Whisky • 11 min • 06.12.2023
10 Best Scotch Whisky Brands for a Smooth Sip
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough." — Mark Twain
Scotch whiskies offer diverse and enticing aromas meticulously distilled in the heart of Scotland. But not all are created equal; each bottle can give you a different experience.
The smokiness of the peats and caramel flavours that come from the lignites of the casks will help you if you're new and have yet to get used to the taste. So join me on a journey across Scotland to find your next favourite sip.
Find out how to enjoy whisky like a gentleman
10 Best Scotch Whisky Brands
- Best overall scotch whisky for a smooth sip: Highland Park 21
- Best blended scotch whisky for smooth notes: Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve
- Best peated scotch whisky for a smoky finish: Laphroaig Quarter Cask
- Best single-grain scotch whisky for artisanal flavour: Haig Club Single-Grain
- Best Speyside scotch whisky for floral notes: Glenfiddich 12-Year Single-Malt
- Best Islay scotch whisky for a maritime taste: Lagavulin 16-Year-Old
- Best highland scotch whisky for a well-balanced taste: Glenmorangie 18-Year-Old
- Best Lowland scotch whisky for a citrusy flavour: Auchentoshan 12-Year-Old
- Best bourbon cask scotch whisky for vanilla-infused elegance: Balvenie DoubleWood 12-Year-Old
- Best aged scotch whisky for oak-driven Excellence: GlenDronach 18-Year-Old Allardice
1. Best Overall Gin for Gin and Tonic
- Classification
Single malt scotch whisky
- Location
Orkney Islands, Scotland
- Made from
Peat and barley
- Price
$497.64 ($467.64 member price)
- ABV
40%
The Highland Park 21 is the best scotch whisky in the world, bringing a complex, balanced palate. It's aged for 21 years in a combination of American and European oak casks, which give it its rich and mellow flavour.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Golden amber
- Nose
Scents of charred seaweed, dried fruit, dark chocolate, and honey.
- Palate
Butter, honeyed oak, and a hint of orange peels.
- Finish
Long and warming with strong notes of cedar and hazelnut.
2. Best Blended Scotch Whisky for Smooth Notes
- Classification
Blended scotch whisky
- Location
Scotland
- Made from
A blend of Clynelish single malt whiskies
- Price
$88.27
- ABV
40%
Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve is the best blended scotch whisky made from a mixture of malt and grain spirits across Scotland. For 18 years, they age in various casks, including American and European oak and sherry wood. If you try it, expect subtle notes of honey, caramel, nutmeg, and dried flowers.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Pale gold
- Nose
Honey, caramel, and a subtle nutmeg with a float of dried flowers.
- Palate
Smooth and succulent with a honeyed sweetness. It reveals delicate floral undertones that eventually succumb to subtle notes of spiced vanilla.
- Finish
Long with lingering caramel notes.
3. Best Peated Scotch Whisky for a Smoky Finish
- Classification
Single malt scotch whisky
- Location
Islay, Scotland
- Made from
Barley, peat, and water
- Price
$108 ($104.35 member price)
- ABV
48%
Laphroaig Quarter Cask is first matured in traditional oak barrels and later transferred to smaller quarter casks, which supports better interaction between the whisky and wood. The peat used during malting adds a smoky flavour to this pale gold spirit.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Pale gold
- Nose
Toffee and caramel caused by the vanillas and tannins of the American oak. Plus, a hint of dryness from the wood oil.
- Palate
The intense smoke transforms into velvety sweet nutmeg, finishing with a subtle warmth.
- Finish
Long; it alternates between sweetness and smoke.
4. Best Single-Grain Scotch Whisky for Artisanal Flavour
- Classification
Single-malt scotch whisky
- Location
Scotland
- Made from
Wheat and malted barley
- Price
$76.32
- ABV
40%
Haig Club made headlines when it was announced as one of the few mainstream single-grain whiskies in 2014. It's made from a blend of grain whiskies aged in American oak casks that previously held bourbon, which give it notes of toffee and vanilla with slight oak undertones.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Amber
- Nose
Butterscotch and coconut lemon peel with mango and cardamom.
- Palate
Toffee and vanilla with oak undertones, complemented by banana and a touch of nougat.
- Finish
Praline, cinnamon, ginger, and a hint of cardamom.
5. Best Speyside Scotch Whisky for Floral Notes
- Classification
Single malt scotch whisky
- Location
Speyside, Scotland
- Made from
Malted barley and water from Robbie Dhu spring
- Price
$107.95 ($102.95 member price)
- ABV
40%
A favourite among seasoned and new drinkers, the Glenfiddich 12-Year Single Malt brings white flowers and fruit-forward palate notes. It's a versatile whisky that you can enjoy neat, on the rocks, or mixed with club soda in a cocktail.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Straw gold
- Nose
Pear, white flowers, a hint of oak, and a touch of orange peel.
- Palate
Ripe pear and oak blend seamlessly with toffee, creating a subtle warmth.
- Finish
Delicately mellow and oaky, with a slight oily aftertaste.
6. Best Islay Scotch Whisky for a Maritime Taste
- Classification
Single malt scotch whisky
- Location
Islay, Scotland
- Made from
Barley, water, and peat
- Price
$146.95 ($141.95 member price)
- ABV
43%
Lagavulin 16 is made from malted barley dried over a peat fire. It has notes of iodine and seaweed, which give it a maritime character. The combination of smoky, salty, and sweet flavours creates a full-bodied taste highly respected by whisky enthusiasts.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Deep amber gold
- Nose
Peat smoke, iodine, and seaweed
- Palate
Dry peat smoke fills the palate with a gentle but intense sweetness, followed by sea and salt with a touch of wood.
- Finish
Long, elegant, and peat-filled, with salt and seaweed.
7. Best Highland Scotch Whisky for a Well-Balanced Taste
- Classification
Single malt scotch whisky
- Location
Highlands, Scotland
- Made from
Malted barley and water
- Price
$194.64
- ABV
43%
The Glenmorangie 18-Year-Old is one of the best single-grain scotch whisky brands produced in the Scottish Highlands. This rounded and sweet drink ages at least 18 years in first-fill American oak barrels, which are later emptied and refilled with Oloroso sherry to add complexity to the flavour.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Deep amber
- Nose
Rich, rounded, and sweet with dried fruit and a complex floral fragrance.
- Palate
A blend of honey and malt. Rich figs, dates, and a hint of wood smoke complement subtle floral notes.
- Finish
Long and enticing with the sweetness of dried fruit and subtle dryness of Oloroso nuttiness.
8. Best Lowland Scotch Whisky for a Citrusy Flavour
- Classification
Single malt scotch whisky
- Location
Lowland region, Scotland
- Made from
Malted barley
- Price
$82.95 ($75.95 member price)
- ABV
40%
If you like a zesty whisky, the Auchentoshan 12-Year-Old extracts subtle and fruity notes from the mash. It also has a sweetness from triple distillation, and it ages in American oak and sherry casks for at least 12 years.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Copper
- Nose
A distinctive aroma of crème brûleé, with a burst of citrus and a signature green leafiness.
- Palate
Smooth, with sweet notes and hints of tangerine and lime.
- Finish
Medium, gingery, and a slightly dry finish with lingering nuttiness.
9. Best Bourbon Cask Scotch Whisky for Vanilla-Infused Elegance
- Classification
Single malt scotch whisky
- Location
Speyside, Scotland
- Made from
Barley and water
- Price
$147.80
- ABV
40%
Balvenie Double Wood 12-Year-Old mixes the distinctive vanilla profile of bourbon casks with the refinement of a Speyside scotch. The combination results in one of the few scotch whisky brands with a smooth and sophisticated taste.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Reddish amber
- Nose
A blend of nutty sweetness, lively cinnamon spice, and a touch of sherry.
- Palate
Tropical fruits with caramel, honey, vanilla, and nutmeg.
- Finish
A lingering and indulgent. A lightly charred bitter oak is complemented by creamy vanilla.
10. Best Aged Scotch Whisky for Oak-Driven Excellence
- Classification
Single malt scotch whisky
- Location
Highlands, Scotland
- Made from
Malted barley and water
- Price
$234
- ABV
46%
Named after James Allardice—the renowned founder of the distillery—the GlenDronach Allardice is a testament to the art of ageing. It's one of the best single-grain scotch whisky brands, left to mature naturally in sherry casks for 18 years. The palate is full-bodied with notes of stewed fruits and a hint of dark chocolate.
Experience and Flavours
- Eye
Rich mahogany
- Nose
Sweet fudge, muscovado sugar, fruit compote, and glacier Morello cherries.
- Palate
Stewed fruits and all-spice combined with classic aged Oloroso sherry and toasted walnut bread combined with chocolate.
- Finish
Complex and long
Discover, Indulge, and Enjoy
These outstanding spirits are a testament to the craftsmanship behind scotch whiskies. Each bottle brings a unique taste, from the smoky allure of Lagavulin to the zestiness of the Auchentoshan.
If you're new to whiskies, try different flavours to develop your palate. You can go to a bar, or sample other bottles from Paneco's scotch gallery. With a free membership, you can enjoy exclusive offers and not break the bank while trying new brands.
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