What’s The Best Scotch Whiskey

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The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old

Macallan is a fixture in the high-end whiskey world. Theyve been around since 1824, and theyre still one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. In fact, they were one of the first to mass-produce single malt whiskey.

We like Macallans Sherry Oak 12-Year for two reasons: firstly, its matured in unique Oloroso sherry-seasoned oak casks from Spain. These casks introduce a bit of fruitiness and floral spice to the flavor. Secondly, with 12 years of age, its a mature, premium scotch yet much more attainable than Macallans older bottles .

Macallan makes a Speyside whiskey, meaning theyre distilled in Strathspey, Scotland, which just happens to be the home of the other two best-selling Scotch whiskeys in the world: Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. Speysides are characterized by a sweeter and fuller flavor thats more approachable for beginner whiskey drinkers.

Courtesy Drizly.com

The Best Scottish Single Malt Whiskeys For 2022 Are:

• Best overall GlenAllachie 12: £47.95, Thewhiskyexchange.com
• Best aged whiskey Balvenie 25 year old rare marriages: £595.75,
• Best new distillery Lindores abbey mcdxciv: £43.95, Masterofmalt.com
• Best limited edition bargain AnCnoc 200: £48.95, Thewhiskyexchange.com
• Best peated whiskey Laphroaig 10 year old: £34.94, Masterofmalt.com
• Best for whiskey collectors Macallan harmony collection rich cacao: £114.95, Masterofmalt.com
• Best cask strength whiskey Aberlour abunadh: £82.95, Thewhiskyexchange.com
• Best classic bargain Old Pulteney 12 year old: £32, Morrisons.com
• Best full flavoured classic Talisker 18: £90, Thewhiskyexchange.com
• Best organic whiskey Ncnean organic single malt whisky: £46.45, Masterofmalt.com

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Springbank 12 Year Old

This cask-strength gemwhich means it can put you on your ass if youre not carefulpacks notes of milk chocolate and vanilla when you open it up with a few drops of water. Like other Springbreak offerings, youll find influences from the peat and the sherry casks used in the 12 Year Olds creation. For something that only matured for a dozen years, its really an exceptionaland surprisingscotch. Link

Is There A Misconception Of Blended Scotch Whisky

Out of all the Scotch whisky sold in the world, its estimated 90% of it is a blend.

When a blended whisky carries an age statement , that statement pertains to the youngest whisky in the blend. For example, Johnnie Walker Black Label 12-Year-Old consists of whisky thats been aged for 12 years or more. The biggest misconception about blended Scotch is that because of this, the quality is lacking. We asked the whisky experts, is there a misconception about the quality of blended Scotch Whisky? and heres what they had to say.

Theres absolutely a misconception about blended whisky! For the longest time blends were the king of whisky, only in the last 50 years or so did single malts become popular. That isnt to say that every blended whisky on the market is good there are certainly some underwhelming drams out there but theyve definitely received an undeserved bad rap over the last few decades, said Oliver Maruda, a whisky expert and co-founder of The Whisky List.

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Balvenie Doublewood 40% Abv

Take a trip to Speyside with this opulent, flavourful addition from Balvenie. Expect rich milk chocolate on the palate, with fresh raspberry, warming cinnamon and a hint of spicy black pepper to finish. Every true whisky connoisseur could do with a bottle of this special single malt on their shelves.

Available from:

Lagavulin’s 16-year-old expression is a titan of the industry. One of the world’s most popular single malts, this whisky is a go-to at local pubs and enjoyed by the rich and famous. Definitive of the Islay region, imposing smoky notes are tempered by a rich sweetness. For the whisky geek in your life.

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A sumptuous blend of creamy vanilla and dark berries with just the right amount of kick provided by pepper and spices. This 12-year-old dram is testament to the stature The Macallan holds in the whisky world it is delicate, sophisticated and oozes class. Perfect for the swanky whisky drinker in your world.

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Wemyss Malts The Hive Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Scotch blending house Wemyss Malts names each of its expressions after the character of the liquid in bottle. This release, a fusion of up to 16 single malts aged at least eight years, gains its moniker from its luxurious honeyed character. Expect an abundance of baking spices, too, and lively texture as the whisky meets the palate. Average price: $46.

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Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Made from Scotlands rarest and most expensive whiskies, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an outstanding whisky of style and taste. Its the brands most prestigious blended whisky.

Its also a popular whiskey choice for novices and experts. The casks with elusive quality and character are hand-selected and set aside to create the signature flavor of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

On the palate, its rich and velvety. There are honey, hazelnut, dried fruits, and sherry tasting notes. We can taste a little bit of sweetness with hints of pepper and oranges. The finish is smooth and lingering.

How We Selected Scotch Whiskies

Our quest to provide you with a list of the best Scotch whiskies to drink in 2022 took us to far-flung corners of the internet. From popular websites to more obscure domains, we scoured the web for both expert and community reviews that would help us compile our inventory.

We also took into account a variety of factors. Firstly, we looked at whisky type, the maturation process, and age statements. After all, a single malt whisky aged for a decade will have a very different taste profile from a younger variety that blends different malt and grain whiskies. We also considered geography, since different climates tend to influence both aroma and flavor .

With so many variables, selecting a Scotch whisky that hits the right notes can be a tall order. To simplify the process, here is our list of the best Scotch whiskies to drink in 2022.

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Glenfiddich 21 Year Gran Reserva

We think all whisky newbies should all try a top-shelf bottle, if possible, to get the full picture of what whisky can be. This Glenfiddich 21 Year Gran Reserva is a good way to do just that. Its maturity has shaved down the bite, letting you fully appreciate the whiskys elegant subtleties. The single malt is finished in Caribbean rum casks, imbuing unique hints of banana, spicy toffee, and other fruits.

With the Gran Reserva, youre also getting acquainted with one of the worlds quintessential whisky brands. Glenfiddich has been around since 1887 and is currently the worlds best-selling single-malt whisky. The storied brand is a staple in any whisky connoisseurs bar, and certainly worth trying if youre just getting into the spirit.

If youre a longtime whisky drinker, then you probably know that a 21-year bottle of Glenfiddich is a damn good whisky, through and through. Pick it up as a nice gift for any fellow whisky lovers, or tuck it away for special occasions .

Glenfiddich

Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10

In addition to being Bruichladdichs flagship Port Charlotte expression, this 10-Year blend also took Double Gold at the 2018 San Francisco Spirits Competition, so, needless to say its heaped with peated pedigree. Comprised of 65% first-fill American whiskey casks, 10% second-fill American whiskey casks, and 25% second-fill French wine casks, its a complex spirit thats loaded with sweet-yet-salty spice. Though experienced Scotch drinkers might be turned off by the bourbon-like flavors, wed recommend it as an ideal introduction for those who are just getting into the category.

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The Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies According To New York International Spirits Competition

Some of the Single Malt Whisky Medalists at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition.

Each spring, the New York International Spirits Competition conducts an annual judging of spirits. The competition is unusual in that it is one of the few competitions that relies entirely on judges drawn exclusively from the beverage trade.

The NYISC is one of 10 different competitions that include, among others, the New York International Wine Competition, the Berlin International Spirits Competition and the Melbourne International Beer Competition.

The competition, as the name suggests, has a strong New York focus. 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.

This year, there still was a total of 1,400 entrants judged.

The NYISC gives out awards for Distillery of the Year by Scotch producing region. It also gives out awards for best single malts across several age categories and awards medals to the top entrants. The highest medal given out is the Double Gold. This year there were four Scotch whiskies that won Double Gold: Ardbeg Uigeadail, Glenmorangie Signet, Oban 14 YO and Talisker 10 YO.

Ardbeg Uigeadail, NAS, 54% ABV, 750 ml, $79

Average Price: $5299tasting Notes: Honey And Cream Ripe Fruity Undertones And Fresh Spice

Old Pulteney 12 contains one of the best maritime notes in the whisky. The marine influence of the distillerys location is apparent as it has hints of the saltiness from the sea. It is made from a combination of traditional malt and grain whisky.

The nose reminds you about the sea breeze, which makes it different than other scotch whiskies. It has a very smooth taste with tangy sweetness at first and later turns spicy and dry.

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Average Price: $43tasting Notes: Orange Honey Creamy Vanilla And Peach

Glenmorangie Original is a mellow whisky that was first released more than 175 years ago. This best scotch has been around for so long because of its delicate flavor and smooth texture, making it an ideal drink no matter where you are in the world.

To give this stuff some new life, it has been aged for ten years in bourbon casks which infuse all sorts of delicious flavors into the original formula. The taste starts with citrus but finishes off sweetly on your palate.

Sia Blended Scotch Whisky

Average Price:$39

The Whisky:

SIA Whisky is the result of Carin Luna-Ostaseskis passion for the good stuff from Scotland. Luna-Ostaseski successfully launched this whisky through Kickstarter, making the first crowd-sourced whisky. The actual juice in the bottle is a blend of Speyside, Highland, and Islay juices with a 60/40 grain whisky or malt whisky ratio.

Tasting Notes:

Theres a marrying of bright orange zest with a five-spice note lurking beneath. The citrus really brightens things up as hints of vanilla pudding, honey, buttery toffee, and fatty nuts balance out the flavor with a very distant wisp of that Islay smoke. The end is well-rounded, nutty, and full of vanilla cream, all finishing on a slightly sweet smoky note.

Bottom Line:

This blend continues to shine as something new in the world of blended scotch. I tend to use this pretty much just for highballs. But in that application, it always delivers.

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Best Scotch Whisky Brands

The best Scotch whisky brands offer everything from smoky blends to sherry bombs. Whether its your first time discovering this wonderful spirit or youre just on the lookout for your next dram, were putting together a list that promises a genuine treat because theres no shortage of quality statements here. And for all the seasoned sippers out there were talking with some of the best whisky experts in the country to curate our list and surely you can always use a refresher.

Well be ticking off our list of the best Scotch first before taking a deeper look at why they made the list with everything you need to know about whisky below the list. Lets get it started.

These are just a couple of bottles from Pats Whisky Collection that fetched $6.4 Million at auction in 2022.

The Dalmore Decades No5 Collection

This very special selection of five Highlands rare whiskies includes:

The Decades 1967

ABV: 42.5%

Appearance: Amber honey gold.

Tasting notes: The complex palate taste is wonderfully intriguing, as a multitude of exotic flavours rolls out in gentle profusion to extenuate toffee apple laced with cinnamon, Devonshire fudge, spiced pear and sweet Sanguinello blood oranges.

The Decades 1979

ABV: 41.5%

Appearance: Dark, deep and mysterious as it radiates an earthy mahogany, dazzling hue.

Tasting notes: As the spirit lingers long on the palate, hidden treasures are unlocked: toasted pistachios, caramel fudge, maraschino cherries and Demerara sugar. Mouth-watering blood oranges, treacle tart, Rwanda black coffee and a touch of kirsch.

The Decades 1980

ABV: 40.8%

Appearance: Mahogany, amber gold, translucent.

Tasting notes: This beautifully orchestrated single malt layers and coats the tongue with a rhapsody of enticing flavours of baked banana bread, vanilla custard laced with Pedro Ximénez sherry, Christstollen cake and chocolate truffles. Leaving it long on the palate will unlock secret flavours of toffee apple, coconut blancmange, mulled wine and sun-kissed raisins.

The Decades 1995

ABV: 42.5%

Appearance: Amber cherry wood gold with glittering rays of crimson and honey.

The Decades 2000

ABV: 47%

Appearance: Satin wood, honeyed gold.

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Mossburn Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Mossburn employs an interesting barrel regimen for the aging of this Speyside blend of single malts, the specifics of which are detailed on the bottle label. Most notable is a second period of aging in oloroso sherry butts, which are topped with charred new American oak cask heads. Oak proves to be the guiding force from nose to palate, but dont worry about losing out on vibrant fruit character. Average price: $36.

Types Of Scotch Whisky

Weve previously covered Scotlands whisky regions, so if you want to know more about them, check out our article. And while youre digging, why not check out our in-depth article about single malt Scotch whisky and how it gets made. Last but not least, our extensive guide to peaty whisky is sure to have the smoky dram fans excited. Yes, it isnt an official type per se, but nevertheless exists in a category all its own. Putting all that aside, Scotch whisky breaks down according to the following types:

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Laphroaig Cirdeas 2021 Pedro Ximnez Casks Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Laphroaigs annual Càirdeas release is something of a calendar event for peated whisky lovers, and this years edition lives up to the hype. Finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels, the cask-strength whisky arrives with ruby reflections and brimming with dried berry aromas. The balance of peat, fruit, and alcohol on the palate is nothing short of exceptional. Make room on your bar cart for this stunning limited-edition release. Average price: $105.

Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dh

Average Price:$90

The Whisky:

This smoky Islay peated malt means smoky two. Well, thats what Toiteach A Dhà translates to anyway. The whisky is a peated malt thats matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks and then married with an eye cast towards the sea and all that sherry wood.

Tasting Notes:

Theres a clear sense of sweet and stewed plums with a focus on cinnamon sticks and an almost spicy smokiness. The palate shifts towards a savory fruit with flourishes of dark chocolate next to meaty dates and lightly salted sardines. The end leans back into the spicy and very briny smokiness as the malts ebb and flow between sweet and dry with a plummy texture.

Bottom Line:

I dont know why this works but it just does. I dont reach for this that often, but it has its place. By that I mean, I pour a dram about once a year when the new bottle arrives and enjoy it/respect it but then go back to the sweet Speysides I love.

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Best Islay: Ardbeg An Oa

Wine.com

Region: Islay| ABV: 46.6% | Tasting Notes: Nuts, Stone fruit, Salinity, Smoke

The first addition to Ardbegs foundational range of scotches in a decade, this 2017 introduction is named after the Mull of Oa, a rocky peninsula on the Kilodalton coast where the distillery is located. This affordable bottle is as approachable as Islay whisky gets, thanks to the balance that the former sherry barrels bring to the salty smoke.

Theyre taking a super-peaty whisky and taming it with beautiful wine-cask, says Shanahan. Theres no age on it, but still, its brilliant. Its a great introduction to the islands style.