There were also several single malts singled out for exceptional quality. GLENFIDDICH 12 Year Old. In fact, hes such a fan that he has collaborated on several releases with the distillery, including the recent Offerman Edition: Charred Oak Cask Aged 11 Years. Region: Speyside. All have their own unique distillation process but all follow the same blueprint to garner the title Single Malt. The official tasting note from the judging panel described the Singleton of Glendullan 15 YO as having: Citrus and hints of lemon are on the nose. Highland Park 12. Celeb collabs aside, the distillery has a variety of special edition and one-off releases, as well as a range of age statements that veer towards youngerseven, eight, and nine-year-old single malts that prove that older doesnt mean better despite what some people think. This classic expression of Laphroaig is exuberant and full of the iodine and peat smoke that drinkers have gravitated toward for generations. The Singleton of Dufftown 54 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It combines a prominent smoky peat note, with fresh fruit, cooked cereal notes and a tangy salty note. No color is added to the whisky. Ingredients : - 50ml The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve. 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. The Glenrothes also uses sherry-seasoned casks for the majority of its maturation, and has an in-house cooperage to repair and refurbish these casks that come from Jerez, Spain. ", 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. Glenmorangie Signet: Dry and Decadent. Orange peel and oak lay on the tongue with winter spices on top of the medium finish. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as. There was a time, only a few years ago, when old reliable Glenlivet 12 could have been included in a list of the best . It has a distinctive cracked black pepper note on the nose that is always an unmistakable marker for Talisker. We may earn a commission from these links. Sometimes the familiar is the hardest to appreciate. Stephen Kurpinsky, U.S. brand ambassador for Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Region: Speyside | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Apple, Citrus, Vanilla. 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 . Along with barley and yeast, water is one of three key ingredients that make Scotch single malt whisky. 75cl, 47.2%. Hazelnuts and Marcona almonds sweep in on the white-licorice-kissed finish. Bruichladdich is a study in creative contradictions. 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. The whisky is aged for 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads, finished for nine months in Oloroso sherry casks, and then transferred into large "tuns" to allow the liquid to mingle. The distillery's history dates back to the early 1800s, and it has persevered over the years through Prohibition and World Wars. 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. Its seaside maturation imparts a slightly maritime savoriness. A major malt component of the Dewars blend comes from Aberfeldy, a distillery that has been around since the beginning of the 20th century. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. The whisky. You'll get plenty of smoke, dried fruits, fresh coffee, dark sugars and that bit of sea salt. The core lineup ranges in age from 12 to 21 years, and there have been some excellent new limited editions as well. For that relatively low price, the discerning drinker is rewarded with flavor-rich, syrupy notes of honey punctuated by bursts of vanilla and paired with a gentle spice undercurrent. 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. Region: Islay | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Green Apple, Brown Sugar, Grass. This is a classic whisky from the Island of Skye. "On the palate, it is remarkably smooth and almost sweet. 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. There are five Scotch Whisky regions - Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. .css-gk9meg{display:block;font-family:Lausanne,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-top:0.25rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-gk9meg:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.15;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}The 55 Best Gifts to Get Your Girlfriend, 7 Things Esquire Editors Bought This Week, The 28 Best Places to Shop For Outdoor Furniture, The 24 Best Skincare Gift SetsEven For Yourself, The 10 Best Essential Oil Diffusers For Your Home, 12 Glasses That'll Do Your Single Malts Justice, The 11 Best Tom Ford Colognes For Any Occasion, 6 Things Esquire Editors Bought This Week, The Rowing Machine You'll Actually Want to Use. Review. 1 Vaults are supposedly the oldest maturation warehouses in the world. Laphroaig, from the Islay region of Scotland known for its smoky scotch, falls around 45 ppm, which makes this a decidedly peat-forward whisky. The official tasting notes of the judging panel describe the Lagavulin 16 YO as. Buy Scotch whisky, Single Malts, Single Barrel, bourbon, Premium Tequilas, Gin and thousands of other Spirits at lowest prices for Scotch Lovers. Recent expressions have focused on the concept of terroir in whisky, an idea that Bruichladdich is trying to convince the doubters really exists. In addition to those icons, the 15 single malt scotch whiskies below, listed alphabetically, are well worth stocking up on. And while there are countless expressions that will set you back some serious dollars, there are just as many that can be found for less than $100, and deliver serious pleasure. Its intake needs to . 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. Interestingly, Laphroaig packs additional flavor into their 10-Year-Old . The distillerys No. This includes scotch brands like Johnny Walker and Chivas Regal. The 10-year-old anchors the range, with some hard-to-pronounce, Gaelic-named expressions to round it out. Regarding what is Single Malt Scotch Whisky, there are a few regulations within Scotland's and international law that define a Single Malt Scotch. It has appeared in an episode of "The People V. O.J. our process. Big peat smoke, spice, sherry and notes of soft wood and black teadelicious all by itself (no ice) while you're unwinding next to the fire., Region: Speyside | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Brown Sugar, Caramel, Spice, Finishing whisky in a rum cask might not be as popular as sherry or wine casks within the single malt scotch category, but there are some benefits. 26.00 (37.14 / l) Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 700ml. Speyside. - 25ml spice-roasted pineapple syrup*. 10YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700mL. The whisky does not carry an age statement, but it includes whiskies up to 40 years old in the blend. Both distilleries are based in Speyside. And of course there has to be an ultra-luxury collection as wellin this case, its the Decades collection, the latest of which includes vintages from 1951 to 2000 and is valued at $275,000. Hailing from the Lochranza Distillery on the Island of Arran, southwest of Glasgow and southeast of Islay, this whisky boasts delicately spiced citrus and honey-coated yellow apples. The result is a creamy, fruity whisky with hints of smoke and a salty sea breeze. The competition, as the name suggests, has a strong New York focus. Aberlour, 16 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $80, another Speyside icon, won the Best 16 YO Speyside single malt. The grassy notes remain but under a lemon curd light citrusy and cream layer. Lynnette Marrero, co-founder of Speed Rack, bar director at Llama Inn, Region: Islands | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Orange, Cherry, Though not as well-known an island as its neighbor Islay, the isle of Jura also boasts a history of scotch productionand its namesake distillery offers a delicious and approachable 10-year-old expression. The result is a dram that deliciously bucks convention and shines with vivid hard pear and apple fruit, honey candies, brown sugar caramel, and a delicate finish that unfolds with layers of sun-warmed hay and dried springtime flowers. That collection, by the way, is said to be the island's oldest commercially-produced single malt. This fall, Hypernova hit store shelves, which was touted as the smokiest Ardbeg whisky to date with a PPM greater than 170. Single Malt. productslearn more about A quick primer on the differences between these different styles: "Single malt" means that the whisky comes from one distillery and is made from 100-percent malted barley. More info. 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. 36.00 (51.43 / l) Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70 cl | Sherry Finish Whisky. The core lineup was relaunched with new bottle designs, names, and expressions a couple of years ago. Bowmore is an Islay distillery owned by Beam Suntory, which also owns Laphroaig, but the whisky it produces is quite different. 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. 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. This makes it a unique liquid and a great starting point for someone looking. A single grain Scotch whisky is not a Scotch whisky from a single grain but rather a grain whisky, typically from multiple grains, i.e., a blended whisky, from a single distillery. Style. Its a balanced, silky, and fresh dram that, for under $80, is a serious steal. A Guide to the Five Scotch Whisky Regions, Plus the Islands. [It's] one of my all-time favorites from Islay, says McCoy. 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. 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. Diageo, the brands owner and the largest Scotch whisky producer on the planet, has announced plans to make The Singleton, in all of its three forms combined, the best-selling single malt whisky in the world. If its been a while since youve tasted them, then you owe it to yourself to taste them again for the first time. The well bodied liquid with citrus and honey layers lay on the tongue with hints of oak and brown sugar on the long finish. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Distilerija. The Macallan is an extremely popular distillery that is known for making whisky almost entirely aged in sherry-seasoned casks sourced from Spain, giving it a creamy, fruity mouthfeel with a hint of dry spice and cocoa. This is a good value at under $100, a great whisky to sip neat, and elevates a simple highball cocktail. Craigellachie is consistently the most interesting of the bunch, with 12, 17, and 23-year-old core whiskies that anchor the range. 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. ' | tasting notes, market data, prices and stores in UK. This Speyside standout is non-chill-filtered, which lends it a lovely presence on the palate. This 12-year-old expression from Glenfiddich, one of the biggest names in scotch whisky, is both affordable and readily accessible. SHOP NOW. How to serve : - Shake all ingredients with cubed ice, and strain over hand-cracked ice in a rocks glass. In addition, the distillery uses a small still, nicknamed the wee witchy, in which the heads and tails of prior distillation runs are redistilled. After that, go ahead and add ice if you like, or even use it in a cocktail if you prefer. For a Whisky to have this denomination, it. In recent years, Bowmore has collaborated with British automaker Aston Martin, and the most recent release is Masters Selection 22 Year Old, aged in American oak and sherry butts. But the core bottling is actually this lovely unpeated whisky. The result is a thick, creamy and fruity single malt whisky. There are some NAS bottles to try and some interesting single cask releases, each with its own specific character. The most recent Octomore series (the 13th) includes some interesting experiments in maturation and barley variety, and proves that age really isnt an indicator of quality in whisky but terroir really could be. Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old: Sweet and Spicy Finish. Talisker. .css-1kgqwta{background:#ffffff;background-color:#ffffff;-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;border:thin solid #FF3A30;border-radius:2rem;color:#000;display:inline-block;font-family:Lausanne,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.875rem;letter-spacing:0.04rem;line-height:1.3;padding:0.625rem 1.25rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-transform:uppercase;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;white-space:pre-line;width:auto;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1kgqwta{padding:0.5rem 0.7rem 0.3125rem;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1kgqwta{padding:0.6rem 1.125rem 0.3125rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1kgqwta{padding:0.6rem 1.125rem 0.3125rem;}}.css-1kgqwta:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}.css-1kgqwta:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;background-color:#FF3A30;}Shop Wine.com Shop The Whisky Exchange. 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 . Single malt scotch is defined as whisky that is made in Scotland at one distillery from a mash bill of 100 percent malted barley. There are so many to choose from, but one of the best comes from The GlenDronach. Dark color sherry cask finish with toasted nuts and chocolate on the nose. Mix bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, and syrup for a simple cocktail. Hell, if you want to mix a $300 bottle of whisky with Diet Dr. Pepper, go for it (but maybe also give the whisky a try on its own as well). 18 Rums for Under $50 That Punch Above Their Weight, 28 American Whiskies Worth Splurging on This Year, 56 American Whiskies Under $100 You Need to Try, 15 Stellar Whiskies (and Whiskeys) from Scotland, Japan, India, and Australia, The 10 Best Whiskies to Start Your Collection, 11 Unique Barrel-Finished Irish Whiskeys to Drink Right Now, Why Irish Whiskey Is Better Than It's Ever Been Before. 00. Although the Signet single malt does not bear an age statement, it does not need one (and as expert whiskey drinkers know, age is not necessarily an indicator of quality). Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Open now : 11:00 AM - 02:00 AM. Such whiskies tend to be light and grassy, gentle and fruity, and rich and sweet. Both styles have their merits, but many people prefer single malt whisky, which really showcases the characteristics of the particular distillery at which its made. Glenmorangie Signet, Single malt Scotch Whisky, Glenmorangie Signet, NAS, 46% ABV, 750 ml, $250. The Singleton of Glendullan, 15 YO, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $50 took the award for the Best 15 YO Single Malt. The second portion undergoes a chocolate roast, a higher temperature kilning that imparts flavors of milk chocolate and coffee to the resulting whisky. 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. 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 core range consists of whisky aged for 10, 12, 15, 25 years, as well as a 50-year-old that retails for $35,000. 2 Reviews. $53 at Wine.com. Talisker 10 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Leer ms Malt whisky is made only from malted barley, in two (occasionally three) copper pot stills, by a batch process. This excellent sherry cask-matured whisky comes out in batches (its currently on number 74), with each varying slightly in ABV but usually hovering somewhere around the 60 percent mark. 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 . 1. Best Value: Aberfeldy 12 Year Old at Drizly. 'Single' malt whisky is the product of an individual distillery. This is absolutely one of my favorite 12-year aged Scottish whiskies, said Kurpinsky. This single cask release comes with an NFT, if you care about such things, with artwork from The New Yorker illustrator Maddie Dai. There are different levels of peat, of course. The best-selling whiskies from Scotland might be blends, but single malts better speak to a distillery's character. Claimed. Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 80 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Speyside, Scotland. Dense and fruit-forward, the stone fruit in this whisky leans in the direction of yellow plums and ripe apricots, as well as a nod in the direction of honeydew. A bottle of 10-year-old Ardbeg will run you around $62 and is the perfect introduction to scotch whisky. The balance continues maturing in ex-bourbon casks. 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. Bruichladdich Classic Laddie. The official tasting note from the judging panel described the GlenAllachie 15 YO as. Dried-fruit biscotti and a lingering note of ginger-snap cookies round it all out. Assorted. 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. The Macallan is a sherry cask single malt favorite, with a wide range of bottles aged in hand-selected sherry-seasoned oak from Jerez, Spain. 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. GlenAllachie, 15 YO, 46% ABV, 750 ml, $95 took similar honors as the Best Single Malt from Speyside. The Hands-Down Best Single Malt Scotch to Drink, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. This non-age statement whisky is initially aged in bourbon barrels before being finished in Tawny Port pipes from W & J Graham's winery in Portugalexemplifying why port wood is a preferred cask finish. / / Single Malt. The peat is about half the ppm of Laphroaig, so while its still noticeable, the fruit, caramel, and spice flavors create a whisky potpourri that unravels as you drink. Dewars 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky 75cl. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. ADD TO CART. In the world of Irish Whiskey, the Single Malt is a prestigious title, with whiskies here tending to be minimum 10 years of aging in the barrel. Honey-coated Grape-Nuts cereal, sweet cinnamon, and a touch of chili pepper spice run through this classic. 6. Its super luxurious, smooth and well-balanced with smokey honey, wood, fruit notes and toffee. 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. This is a superb whisky that combines notes of chocolate, dried fruit, candied citrus peel and bread pudding notes into a layered, complex, absolutely stunning whisky at a very affordable price. Best Under $100: Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie at Flaviar. 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. Blended Whiskey: A blend of malted barley and grain whiskeys from multiple distilleries. The spirit here is uniquely bright and fruit-forward, with a distinct hit of white licorice to the lemon-blossom honey and dulce de leche notes, all of it pulsed with a touch of toast hovering in the background. It's a fruity Speyside malt with a whisp of salt tang that's usually associated with the heavier styles of Scotch. The official tasting notes from the judging panel described the whisky as offering: Hints of peak and smokiness on the nose without the impact of an Islay whisky. The official tasting notes from the judging panel describe the whisky as: Summer grass and dark sweets are on the nose. Its the sister distillery to Glenmorangie in the Highlands, and generally appeals to hardcore fans of the smoky stuff. Showing 1 to 24 of 53 products Sort & Filter Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask Miniature 5cl / 40% 8.45 (16.90 per 10cl) Chocolate-coated raisin and caramel aromas set the stage for flavors of dark chocolate, cinnamon, cocktail cherries, and coffee. This year, there still was a total of 1,400 entrants judged. Sometimes caramel color is added to maintain consistency. For something a bit more accessible, try the 10-Year-Old Sherry Oak, which gives a sherry finish to the core expression with fantastic results. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, two daughters, and one cairn terrier. Ardbeg has a worldwide reputation for being the peatiest, smokiest, and most complicated single malts in the world. The official tasting notes of the judging panel described the whisky as having: A dark amber hue signaling its years in the cask. There are also 11, 12, and 16-year-old whiskies if you prefer something a little bit more mature. So Speyside gives us this single malt Scotch whisky aged 15 years in a European oak sherry cask. Talisker 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 750ml. Some people love the earthy, smoky rush that envelops them from nose to finish, while others think it tastes like an acrid tire fire. There are several different ranges to try, from Sherry Oak to Double Cask to Triple Cask Matured. ABV: 40% (80 proof) Price: $45-50. Legally, a small amount of caramel coloring can be used for color consistency in single malts. The Macallan Single Malts - The Macallan Explore Our Single Malts Our Whisky Explore Our Single Malts Each and every Macallan single malt whisky reveals our unrivalled commitment to the mastery of wood and spirit since 1824. This distillery is located in the Highlands and focuses on sherry-cask matured whisky. The whisky is predominantly aged in first- and second-fill bourbon barrels, with some liquid going into sherry butts and French oak as well. Barley grains are malted (germinated) and then dried to stop the processsometimes using peat as a heat source to infuse the grain with a smoky flavor. This iconic distillery was founded by brothers John and Tommy Dewar in 1896, so it is not surprising that today this gentle and slightly honeyed single malt is used as the basis for the blended. Other types of whiskey provide the same number of calories and carbs. The Macallan's New Scotch Collection Is Inspired By Coffee, The Best Way to Travel Through Scotch Country? Single Malt Scotch Whisky Miniatures The range of flavours in single malts vary a lot between different brands, so our range of single malt whisky miniatures is the perfect way to try a few before purchasing a full-size bottle. A single shot of scotch contains 97 calories, no carbohydrates, no sugars, and no fiber. Whiskey goes with soda, water, orange, or chocolates. Regardless, the distilleries that don't use coloring at all in their whiskies will proudly and loudly let this be known. To be considered a single malt scotch, the whisky must be distilled from a mash bill of 100 percent malted barley at one distillery and aged for a minimum of three years in wooden casks.