If you’re drinking whisky, it might as well be the best. And while there are Australian, Irish, Indian, and Japanese distilleries making some of the best whisk(e)y on the market, the brown stuff will always be inextricably linked with Scotland; making the Celtic country the ideal starting point for any whisky lover.
From idiosyncratic single malts to dangerously smooth blended whiskies, these are the best Scotch whisky brands to know about. Slàinte Mhath!
The best Scotch whisky brands to buy in 2024
1. The Macallan
Often cited as the reference point for Scotch, The Macallan is a name familiar to those even remotely cognisant of the world of whisky. The Highland distillery was founded in 1824, close to the River Spey, and sits on a bucolic 485 acres. Both a Speyside and Highlands whisky (with the distillery marketing itself as the latter), The Macallan’s close proximity to the River Spey results in a pleasing unity of both styles.
The Macallan is best known for its Double Oak and Sherry Oak varieties, both of which come in 12-year, 18-Year, and 30-year expressions. Single malts from the latter are matured exclusively in sherry-seasoned oak barrels hand-selected by The Macallan’s Master of Wood from Jerez, Spain.
For those with a bit of extra coin to spare, The Macallan often releases limited edition drams through its M Collection, Rare Cask, and Estate series.
Region: Speyside, Highlands
Established in: 1824
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old Sherry Oak Single Malt, Double Cask 12-Year Old, Rare Cask, M Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2022 Release
2. The Dalmore
Established in 1839 on the banks of Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands by merchant Alexander Matheson, The Dalmore is known for its idiosyncratic stills which lend each expression unique character and depth. A pioneer in the art of multi-cask maturation, The Dalmore sources and uses rare casks from some of the finest wineries and bodegas around the world. Defined by their smooth, floral flavour and signature undertones of caramelised orange, chocolate, and sweet spices layered with rich, nutty notes, each creation by The Dalmore is nuanced and deliciously smooth.
The core range of The Dalmore comprises single malts aged from 12 to 25 years, with the 21-year-old singled out by the distillery as the pinnacle of the collection. Aged in 30-year-old González Byass Matusalem Oloroso sherry casks, it has an aroma of dark chocolate, oranges, and coffee on the palate, as per the distillery’s house style, with a sweet palate of forest fruits, marzipan, and walnuts.
Region: Northern Highlands
Established in: 1839
Notable expressions: The Dalmore 21, King Alexander III, Luminary No1 2022 Edition
3. Ardbeg
If you’re a fan of the peated stuff, look no further than Ardbeg. The Islay distillery has been perfecting the art of bold, smoky whisky for over two centuries — and suffice to say, it’s got it down pat. Operating since 1810, Ardbeg ran into tough times during the 1980s and 1990s, and was saved from closure by acquisition by The Glenmorangie Company. In the years since, the Islay distillery has gone from strength to strength, developing a cult following for its unabashedly smoky and peaty creations.
Under the layers of intense smoke and burnt vanilla, there’s more than a healthy dose of nuance, with Ardbeg whiskies predominantly aged in first- and second-fill bourbon barrels, as well as occasionally in sherry and French oak casks.
Anchoring the Islay distillery’s offering, the Ardbeg Ten Years Old is known globally for being the peatiest, smokiest single malt. An explosion of peat and citrus juices on the palate is met with a layer of salty brine, which softens to unveil the sweetness of bananas and currants followed by waves of smoke laced with creamy cappuccino and burnt marshmallow. A seemingly never-ending finish is characterised by tarry espresso, toasted almonds, aniseed, and soft barley. Along with peat. Lots of peat.
Region: Islay
Established in: 1810
Notable expressions: Ten Years Old, Arrrrrrrdbeg!
4. Glenmorangie
A viable entry point to the world of Scotch whisky, Glenmorangie’s smooth, full-bodied, quintessentially Highland style lends it to easy drinking. Confused as to why Glenmorangie uses a giraffe in its logo — an animal nowhere to be found in the Celtic country? It’s a cheeky nod to the height of the Highland distillery’s stills, which are equal to that of a giraffe.
The Glenmorangie Original 10-Year-Old is aged for ten years in ex-bourbon casks and boasts a mellow, delicate flavour characterised by an opening of citrus followed by layers of orange, honey, and vanilla, with lashes of peach. Its light, soft tones; fruity, citrusy flavours; and full-bodied richness embodies the archetypes of the Highland whisky style, making it a good place to start.
Region: Highlands
Established in: 1843
Notable expressions: Original 10-Year-Old, 18 Years Old
5. Glenfiddich
The Glenfiddich is a no brainer when it comes to selecting one of the best Scotch whiskies. A widely available, relatively affordable brand that never fails to impress, the Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old is among the best-selling (and most-awarded) single malt Scotch whiskies in the world. Aged in American and European oak casks, the Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old is characterised by its sweet, fruity notes with subtle tones of butterscotch, cream, and oak. After you’ve been acquainted with that, get your hands on the 14-Year-Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve — aged in ex-bourbon casks, it sees the quintessential smoothness of Scotch laced with the sweetness of American bourbon, resulting in a rich, complex expression defined by lush notes of toffee, caramel, spices, candied orange, and oak.
Region: Speyside
Established in: 1887
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old, 14-Year-Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve
6. Laphroaig
Another purveyor of peat to come out of the Isle of Islay. Laphroaig is known for its heavily peated expressions, defined by its inimitable briny, salty, iodine-laden notes; something that comes courtesy of the distillery’s own peat beds. The 10-Year-Old is the distillery’s signature expression, a robust peated single malt characterised by its rich salty, woody, smoky, and seaweed notes, attenuated by a hint of sweetness. Its long, dry finish lingers on the tongue long after you’ve had your last sip.
Region: Islay
Established in: 1815
Notable expressions: 10-Year-Old
7. Lagavulin
Founded a year after Laphroaig — with which it enjoys close proximity and a storied rivalry — Lagavulin entered the public consciousness by way of actor Nick Offerman, whose Parks and Recreation character Ron Swanson had a noted love for the Islay distillery. The actor himself is also a fan, a fact the distillery paid homage to with the collaborative Offerman Edition: Charred Oak Cask Aged 11 Years release. Proving older isn’t always better, Lagavulin has several younger age statements — think seven-, eight-, and nine-year-olds — that pack more than their fair share of peat. However, for one of the best peated single malts Islay has to offer, look no further than the 16-Year-Old; an impossibly smooth, full-bodied peated whisky with all the smokiness of a campfire and a touch of minerality.
Region: Islay
Established in: 1816
Notable expressions: 16-Year-Old, Eight-Year-Old
8. Talisker
Located on the coastline of the Isle of Skye, Talisker is defined by its maritime influences. Peated, without being overly so, and suffused with seaside and barley notes, Talisker whisky combines the best of Highland and Islay whisky styles. The ideal entry point to the brand, the 10-Year-Old sees an opening of tart green apples make way for malted barley, with a smoky peaty finish.
Region: Islands
Established in: 1830
Notable expressions: 10-Year-Old, 18-Year-Old
9. The Balvenie
The sister distillery of Glenfiddich, The Balvenie is located just outside Dufftown in Speyside. More niche than its sibling, The Balvenie is characterised by its use of wood, with its experimental approach to barrel selection setting it apart. Its DoubleWood 12-Year-Old is first aged in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks; a process pioneered by David Stewart, Malt Master at The Balvenie. Meanwhile, the 14-Year-Old Caribbean Cask is finished in rum casks, which serve to enhance and intensify its fruity character.
Region: Speyside
Established in: 1892
Notable expressions: DoubleWood 12-Year-Old, 14-Year-Old Caribbean Cask
10. Tamdhu
Known for its exclusive use of Oloroso sherry casks during the maturation process, Speyside distillery Tamdhu is a quiet achiever. Its 15-Year-Old age statement asserts its sherry cask influence, with dark dried fruits, summer fruits, vanilla, and sweet oak taking centre stage, with a long, warm finish that lingers on the palate.
Region: Speyside
Established in: 1897
Notable expressions: 15-Year-Old, 12-Year-Old
11. The Glenlivet
Persevering through the Prohibition and both World Wars, The Glenlivet is one of Speyside’s best exports (alongside Glenfiddich). Offering a solid (and affordable!) introduction to scotch, the 12-Year-Old is a straightforward yet complex single malt that doesn’t disappoint; with smooth, honeyed notes making for easy drinking. The flagship range contains age statements up to 25 years, while character-laden special offerings cater to the seasoned dram drinker. Try the White Oak Reserve which brings together sherry, American oak, and traditional oak casks; or the Carribean Reserve, which is matured in rum barrels.
Region: Speyside
Established in: 1824
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old
12. Glenglassaugh
Founded in 1875, Glenglassaugh shut its doors from 1986 to 2008, releasing its pre-1986 stock to much acclaim before starting to resume production the following year. This year, the Highlands distillery unveiled its new flagship 12-Year-Old, which encapsulates the distillery’s signature coastal style. Matured in sherry, bourbon, and red wine casks, the 12-Year-Old sees candied pistachio and dried fruit meet cherry and vanilla, tempered with the salinity of fresh coastal air.
Region: Highlands
Established in: 1875
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old
13. Oban
Taking its name from the seaside town in which it resides, Oban is located between the West Highlands and the Hebrides Islands. Inextricably linked to its rugged maritime environment, Oban whiskies are characterised by their touch of salinity. The flagship 14-Year-Old sees citrus peel meet salt and smoke for a delicately peated expression, while the annual Distiller’s Edition experiments with various barrel finishes; the most recent being Montilla Fino sherry casks resulting in a full-bodied palate of fresh and dried fruit, spice, and dark chocolate, laced with a hint of sea salt.
Region: Highland
Established in: 1794
Notable expressions: 14-Year-Old, Little Bay
14. Bruichladdich
While it was established well over a century ago, Islay distillery Bruichladdich underwent an overhaul in 2001. Today, the distillery is one of few to be B-corp certified, exclusively using green energy, with all its barley grown organically on Islay.
Unlike its neighbours, Bruichladdich expressions are made without peat, instead showcasing the Scottish-grown barley at the centre of each bottle. Its use of tall, narrow-necked stills results in a soft, elegant, and slightly floral whisky which has come to define the distillery’s house style. The Classic Laddie embodies this, with a clean palate of green fruits, brown sugar, and malt underscored by sweet oak and barley.
Region: Islay
Established in: 1881
Notable expressions: The Classic Laddie
15. The Singleton
Another younger brand with a rich history, The Singleton whiskies are made at the Glendullan distillery in Dufftown. Showcasing quintessential Speyside style, The Singleton whiskies are soft and characterised by notes of ripe green fruit, citrus, and honey. One of the few brands to encourage the use of its single malts in cocktails and highballs, The Singleton is just as good in mixed drinks as it is sipped neat. Matured predominantly in American oak, with some European oak thrown in for good measure, the flagship 12-Year-Old is an easy drinking scotch, with notes of brown sugar, cooked apples, and creamy toffee ending in a short, smooth finish.
Region: Speyside
Established in: 1897
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old, 18-Year-Old
16. Glen Scotia
Hailing from the smallest whisky region in Scotland, Glen Scotia embodies the signature Campbeltown style; known for its full-bodied, smoky flavours. Aged in ex-bourbon and American oak casks, the 15-Year-Old is delectably rich and sweet, with ripe fruits, caramelised sugar, and oak on the palate.
Region: Campbeltown
Established in: 1832
Notable expressions: 10-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old
17. The GlenDronach
The luscious rouge hue of The GlenDronach is a good hint at what’s to come. With a focus on sherry cask maturation, The GlenDronach makes use of both Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso varieties, which lend its expressions a welcome dose of sweetness as well as notes of baking spices. The flagship range comprises age statements from 12 to 21 years, with the 12-Year-Old known for its sweet, creamy flavours.
Region: Highlands
Established in: 1826
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old
18. The Glenrothes
Owned by the same parent company as The Macallan, The Glenrothes often goes under the radar compared to its ever-popular sister distillery. One of the few distilleries in the world that uses a private water source for every element of production, the fresh spring water from The Glenrothes Estate is something the distillery claims “is fundamental to the elemental elegance that is the signature of The Glenrothes house style.” Primarily aged in sherry casks (both European and American), The Glenrothes is known for its complexity and more mature age statements, with multifaceted single malts that take time to open up in the glass. The 18-Year-Old opens with full-bodied sweetness, ripe fruit, and a hint of spice, with each layer unfurling to reveal nuanced notes of ginger, rosewater, and pear.
Region: Speyside
Established in: 1879
Notable expressions: 18-Year-Old, 42-Year-Old
19. Bladnoch
Another heritage distillery with a new story, Bladnoch was established in 1817. It was purchased by the Armstrong brothers in 1994 and resumed whisky production until 2014 when it went into administration. The following year, it was purchased by Australian businessman David Prior and began production from 2017 onwards. One of the few Lowland distilleries still in operation, Bladnoch produces both blended and single malt scotches. Its new flagship Vinaya Single Malt is aged in first-fill bourbon and sherry casks, resulting in a harmoniously light and smooth expression with a palate of green apples and chocolate.
Region: Lowlands
Established in: 1817
Notable expressions: Pure Scot Blended Whisky, Vinaya Single Malt, 14-Year-Old
20. Craigellachie
A distinctly atypical Speyside whisky, Craigellachie is the ideal dram for those looking for something a little different. Best described as robust and ‘muscular’, Craigellachie single malts are a far cry from some of the lunchtime whiskies on this list. A full meal in itself, the 17-Year-Old single malt is matured in bourbon and sherry casks, intensifying the exotic fruit and cereal flavours. Meanwhile, the 13-Year-Old Bas Armagnac Cask sees husky aged in bourbon and sherry casks given a second maturation period in French oak, resulting in a smoother, warmer take on the distillery’s signature pineapple and bonfire notes.
Region: Speyside
Established in: 1881
Notable expressions: 17-Year-Old, 23-Year-Old, 13-Year-Old Bas Armagnac Cask
21. Benriach
A distillery that tends to fly under the radar, Benriach produces classic, peated, and triple distilled whiskies. One of the few distilleries to conduct its own floor maltings, the Benriach Malting Season releases are not to be missed, with the second edition literally liquid gold — seeing barley sugar and mandarin intermingle with honeycomb and white chocolate, all wrapped in a generous dose of malt sweetness. For lovers of smoke, look no further than The Smoky Twelve; matured in bourbon, sherry, and wine casks, it sees layers of ripe fruit and warming oak spice imbued with a lingering sweet smokiness.
Region: Speyside
Established in: 1889
Notable expressions: Malting Season Second Edition, The Smoky Twelve, The Sixteen
22. Highland Park
Located in the Orkney archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland, Highland Park is the country’s northernmost distillery. Drawing from the rugged nature of its remote location, Highland Park whiskies are characterised by their use of smoke and peat — as well as by the distillery’s noted fixation with all things viking related. The 18-Year-Old (Viking Pride) packs enough peat to take down a viking, layering it within a rich medley of ripe cherries, dark chocolate, and honeycomb, with a touch of citrus peel.
Region: Islands
Established in: 1798
Notable expressions: 12-Year Old (Viking Honour), 15-Year-Old (Viking Heart), 18-Year-Old (Viking Pride)
23. Bowmore
Allegedly home to the oldest maturation warehouses in the world, this Islay distillery makes layered, well-balanced whiskies that linger on the palate. Less peaty than its neighbours Laphroaig and Lagavulin, Bowmore whiskies balance the smoke with seaside mineral and fruity notes, with the layering of the three having come to define the house style. The 18-Year-Old is matured first in bourbon and then in sherry casks; the latter giving the single malt its deep hue. Akin to nectar, it features rich woody and treacle toffee notes tinged with spice.
Region: Islay
Established in: 1779
Notable expressions: 12-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old, 18-Year-Old
What is Scotch whisky?
Much like not all sparkling wine is Champagne, whisky needs to meet certain requirements to be classified as ‘Scotch whisky’. According to The Scotch Whisky Regulations (2009), Scotch whisky must adhere to the following requirements:
- It must be produced at a distillery within Scotland from malted barley and water.
- If any other cereals are added, they must be whole grains.
- The distillery must perform the following actions to the grains: process them into a mash; converted them into a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme; ferment them by adding yeast only.
- The spirit must initially be distilled alcoholic strength by volume of less than 94.8 percent.
- It must be matured for a minimum of three years, in oak casks not exceeding a capacity of 700 litres.
- It must either have no substances added; or no substance added except water and/or plain caramel colouring (however, the majority of distilleries on this list take pride in not using any added colouring).
- The resulting spirit must have a minimum alcohol content of 40 percent.
The regulations further state that the only type of whisky that can be produced in Scotland is Scotch whisky; meaning that whiskies not compliant with these regulations are not able to be distilled, blended or matured in the country.
Types of Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky can be broken down into five types:
- Single malt: this refers to a Scotch whisky produced from only water and malted barley at a single distillery by batch distillation in pot stills. Contrary to popular belief, single malt Scotch whisky can come from multiple barrels within the same distillery.
- Single grain: this type of whisky also comes from a single distillery, but can comprise whole grains from other malted or unmalted cereals (in addition to water and malted barley).
- Blended Scotch whisky: a combination of one or more single malt Scotch whiskies with one or more single grain Scotch whiskies.
- Blended malt Scotch whisky: a blend of two or more single malt Scotch whiskies from different distilleries.
- Blended grain Scotch whisky: a blend of two or more single grain Scotch whiskies from different distilleries.
What are the main Scotch whisky regions?
There are five official, and one unofficial, Scotch whisky regions. While there are overlaps between regional whisky styles, the smell and taste of Scotch whisky is heavily influenced by its location — think of the maritime influences of Talisker or the sweet, fruity notes of Speyside favourites like The Macallan and The Balvenie. The five main Scotch whisky regions are the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown, with the Islands also considered a bonus sixth region.
FAQ
The best Scotch whisky largely depends on your taste. However, some of the best Scotch whiskies on the market are the Aberlour 16-Year-Old, Lagavulin 16-Year-Old, The Balvenie DoubleWood 12-Year-Old, and The Macallan 12-Year-Old Fine Oak.
Ah, that contentious ‘e’. While often used interchangeably, regionality is key when it comes to whisk(e)y. All whisky produced in Scotland is whisky (no ‘e’), with the same applying to Japan, England, Australia, and Canada. However, American and Irish distilleries use the alternate spelling, therefore producing whiskey.
Scotch whisky adheres to the guidelines stipulated by The Scotch Whisky Regulations. Namely, it must be produced at a distillery in Scotland, aged for a minimum of three years, and be bottled at a minimum ABV of 40%.
Some of the most renowned Scotch whisky brands are The Macallan, The Balvenie, The Dalmore, The Glenrothes, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, The GlenDronach, and Glenmorangie.
Words by T. Angel
