Scotch, defined as whiskey made in Scotland, is synonymous with class. Whiskey is the overall category and can be made anywhere. So, all bourbon, Scotch, Canadian, Japanese, and Irish whiskies are also whiskey. The main difference between scotch and whisky is geographic, but also ingredients and spellings. Scotch is whisky made in Scotland, while bourbon is whiskey made in the U.S.A, generally Kentucky. Scotch is made mostly from malted barley, while bourbon is distilled from corn. If you’re in England and ask for a whisky, you’ll get Scotch, in Ireland, you’ll get Irish whiskey.
Scotch drinkers like to keep things simple. Sure, you can make a fantastic cocktail, but most drinkers want to enjoy the smoky flavor unadorned except perhaps for ice, water or a splash of soda. Here’s the top 20 Scotch will make sure you have the best whisky in your glass. Enjoy!
$25 – MCCLELLAND’S ISLAY 12 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: McClelland Distillery
- Category: Islay
- ABV: 40.2%
- Age: 12
- From the Distillery: “McClelland’s Single Malt is part of a suite of Single Malt Scotch whiskies from multiple distilling regions. Mclelland’s offers varieties from Highland, Islay, Speyside, and the Lowlands. McClelland’s does not distill its own product, rather it is a bottling of several Morrison Bowmore spirits.”
$28 – BULLEIT RYE
- Distillery: Bulleit Distillery
- Category: Rye
- ABV: 45%
- Age: 6
- From the Distillery: “Bulleit Rye is a new offering from the fine folks behind Bulleit Bourbon. The bourbon already boasts a relatively high rye content, but the new Bullet Rye Whiskey is composed of 95% rye grains, a much higher concentration than the mandated 51 percent.”
$30 – EAGLE RARE SINGLE BARREL BOURBON WHISKEY
- Distillery: Eagle Rare
- Category: Bourbon
- ABV: 45%
- From the Distillery: “Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is masterfully crafted and carefully aged for no less than ten years, each barrel is discriminately selected. The rareness of this great breed of bourbon is evident in its complex aroma, as well as the smooth and lingering taste. Each bottle of Eagle Rare offers consistent flavors, but with a seemingly individual personality from each unique barrel. Eagle Rare is a bourbon that lives up to its name with its lofty, distinctive taste experience.”
$30 – DUNCAN TAYLOR SMOKIN’ – THE GENTLEMAN’S DRAM
- Distillery: Duncan Taylor
- Category: Blended
- ABV: 40%
- From the Distillery: “Whisky as it used to be! Blended in small batches, Duncan Taylor has created a modern Blended Whisky using peaty malts from throughout Scotland, and paying homage to the legendary old, heavy smoky blends of yesteryear. Smokin’ The Gentleman’s Dram contains smoky whiskies from distilleries throughout Scotland, no-longer bound by regional definitions.”
$40 – BALVENIE 12 YEAR OLD DOUBLEWOOD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: Balvenie Distillery
- Category: Speyside
- ABV: 43%
- Age: 12
- From the Distillery: “The Balvenie DoubleWood is a 12 year old single malt which gains its distinctive character from being matured in two woods. Over its period of maturation it is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill European oak sherry cask.”
$43 – ARDMORE TRADITIONAL CASK HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
- Distillery: Ardmore Distillery
- Category: Speyside
- ABV: 46%
- From the Distillery: “At bottle strength the influence of the two styles of maturation casks compliment each other producing a full bodied smooth aroma. The maturity that shows through comes from the America barrels and the spicy creamy nose from the old style smaller casks.”
$52 – ABERFELDY 12 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: Dewar’s Distillery
- Category: Highlands
- ABV: 40%
- Age: 12
- From the Distillery: “After we blend our Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky, we return it to the vintage oak casks so it can mature a little more. This extra step is called double barrel aging and it makes Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky an even smoother blend with a long, lingering finish.”
$55 – LAPHROAIG SELECT SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: Laphroaig distillery
- Category: Single Malt
- ABV: 40%
- From the Distillery: “Laphroaig Select takes its name from the special selection of American and European casks, chosen for their unique character that they give during maturation. Our Inspiration for our new Global expression was taken from history 70-80 years ago, the time of the last family member owner of the distillery, Ian Hunter.”
$55 – BALVENIE 15 YEAR OLD SINGLE BARREL SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: Balvenie Distillery
- Category: Speyside
- ABV: 47.8%
- Age: 15
- From the Distillery: “The Balvenie Single Barrel is a 15 year old single malt which is drawn from a single traditional oak whisky cask of a single distillation. Whilst each cask is subtly different, The Balvenie Malt Master selects only those casks which have the essential characteristics of The Balvenie Single Barrel, particularly honey, vanilla and oaky notes.”
$56 – GLENMORANGIE QUINTA RUBAN 12 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH PORT CASK FINISH
- Distillery: Glenmorangie Distillery
- Category: Single Malt
- ABV: 46%
- Age: 12
- From the Distillery: “The darkest and most intense whisky in the extra-matured range, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban has spent 10 years maturing in American white oak casks, before being transferred into specially selected ruby port pipes from the Quintas or wine estates of Portugal.”
$57 – INVER HOUSE GREEN PLAID 12 YEAR OLD SCOTCH
- Distillery: Inver House Distillers
- Category: Blended
- ABV: 40%
- Age: 12
- Description: With fruit and a mix of malt and grain flavors, this whiskey offers a strong, flavorful taste in lieu of nose. A very drinkable whiskey, it offers a simple, brief finish.
$60 – CAOL ILA 12 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: Caol Ila Distillery
- Category: Islay
- ABV: 43%
- Age: 12
- From the Distillery: “Fresh, sweetly fruity and smooth-bodied, Caol Ila 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky is the colour of pale straw, with a delicate balance of tastes. The clean, appetising nose shows subtle citrus fruit with just a puff of smoke. Firm and smooth, it begins sweetly then yields a fragrant smokiness and a sweet-smoky, lingering finish.”
$64 – BALBLAIR 11 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: Balblair Distillery
- Category: Highlands
- ABV: 46%
- Age: 11
- From the Distillery: “A small batch of Balblair Vintage 1991 briefly replaced our award-winning 1989. The American oak barrels used in the distillate’s maturation, lend a warm toffee, vanilla fragrance.”
$70 – JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD LABEL BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY
- Distillery: John Walker and Sons
- Category: Blended
- ABV: 40%
- Age: 18
- From the Distillery: “Johnnie Walker Gold Label was blended to celebrate the first 100 years of the House of Walker in 1920. A well-kept secret, it’s only been available outside the company since the 1990s. It has a distinctly smooth, sweet and luxurious character, with a stylish elegance and refined quality. Gold Label is crafted … for a honeyed flavor and creamy texture yet still retaining the signature Johnnie Walker smokiness.”
$74 – HIGHLAND PARK 15 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: Highland Park Distillery
- Category: Highlands
- ABV: 40%
- Age: 15
- From the Distillery: “Highland Park 15 Year Old has a remarkably complex nose with notes of camphor, peat and citrus fruits and flowers. The drying sensation on the finish leaves a rich smoky feeling and the immediate desire to refill your glass.”
$76 – THE DALMORE 15 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: Dalmore Distillery
- Category: Highlands
- ABV: 40%
- Age: 15
- From the Distillery: “Twelve years maturing in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, then a three year finish in three different sherry woods — Amoroso, Apostoles and Matusalem oloroso. A robust, yet elegant spirit.”
$80 – THE GLENLIVET NADURRA OLOROSO SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
- Distillery: The Glenlivet
- Category: Single Malt
- ABV: 60.7%
- From the Distillery: “Nadurra is crafted in small batches using traditional 19th century methods. Unlike most modern whiskies, it has not been chill filtered, resulting in greater body and a distinctively creamy texture and mouth feel. The word Nadurra comes from the Gaelic for natural.”
$81 – DEWAR’S THE MONARCH 15 YEAR OLD SCOTCH
- Distillery: John Dewar & Sons
- Category: Blended
- ABV: 40%
- Age: 15
- From the Distillery: “Known as ‘The Monarch.’ This rare and special whiskey is named after the famous painting, ‘The Monarch of the Glen.'”
$90 – GRANGESTONE 30 YEAR OLD BLEND
- Distillery: William Grant & Sons
- Category: Highlands
- ABV: 40%
- Age: 30
- From the Distillery: “Grangestone 30 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky is a selection of the finest Malt and Grain Scotch Whiskies from some of the most renowned distilleries of Scotland chosen for their own distinctive style. Each whisky has lain undisturbed for a minimum 30 years before our Master Blender carefully blends them to create a superbly balanced spirit with its own distinctive character.”
$94 – GLEN GARIOCH VINTAGE 1994
- Distillery: Glen Garioch Distillery
- Category: Highlands
- ABV: 53.9%
- Age: 17
- From the Distillery: “Savour the subtle peat smoke and fresh Highland floral aromas in our Glen Garioch Vintage 1994, patiently matured for 17 long years in the finest North American oak barrels.
Our Score
[Total: 3 Average: 4.7]
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