Whisky is one of those spirits that never goes out of fashion. And, with a growing number of distilleries around the world (with more than 120 in Scotland alone), there's never been a better time to delve into the industry.
That's especially important when you realise that the distilleries of recent years aren't just sticking to traditional methods, either. Instead, they're playing around with different casks to age each liquid and figuring out new ways to give their bottles a unique edge.
Whisky can broadly be split into two categories: single malt or blended. The former requires the whisky to be distilled from a mash bill of 100 percent malted barley at a single distillery and should be aged for a minimum of three years in wooden casks. The latter (sometimes - wrongly - disregarded by old fashioned whisky aficionados) comes with more freedom, combining various whiskies of differing ages into one bottle.
Single malt whiskies tend to be more expensive and, like you might expect, the older the whisky, the higher the price. But you'll find plenty of delicious whiskies available at good prices - it's no longer necessary to spend hundreds on a single bottle.
A few of the characteristics to look out for: peatiness, sweetness and spiciness. Single malt Scotch whisky is often renowned for its peatiness, thanks to the smoky flavours released by the peat fires used to dry malted barley. Japanese single malt whiskies are sweeter, lighter and easier for beginners to enjoy. Irish single malts cover a lot of ground and can offer a brilliant midpoint between the two. Feeling enthusiastic? That’s the spirit.
Read on for all of our favourite bottles.
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Highland Park 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Highland Park’s 12 Year Old is one of the best all-rounders: a slightly sweet, suitably mouthy, sufficiently peaty whisky that appeals to the masses. This flavoursome, golden bottle is aged exclusively in ex-sherry casks, which gives it a sweeter edge.
Highland Park describes its flavour as “heather-honey” and, with its notes of orange peel, vanilla and dark chocolate, it’s one that’s just as enjoyable for whisky connoisseurs as it is for beginners. It’s smooth, lengthy and perfect for sipping neat or enjoying on the rocks.
Buy now £33.49, The Whisky Exchange
Balblair 12 Year Old
Balblair’s 12 Year Old might be the youngest expression from the brand but it’s no less delicious than its older counterparts. This Scotch whisky is most definitely a fruity one, filled with hints of red apple and cooked pear. Sip it slowly and you’ll also notice its further flavours of honey, barley and nutmeg.
This whisky is aged in a combination of casks - both ex-bourbon and double-fired American oak - which gives that traditional smokiness with a hint of sweetness thrown in for good measure. It’s a good all-rounder that you’ll appreciate in Old Fashioneds especially.
Buy now £41.99, Master of Malt
Bruichladdich Classic Laddie
Beginners, look away: Bruichladdich’s The Classic Laddie is a whisky for those who’ve spent a lot of time developing their tastes and prefer a heavy, peaty and intense liquid. This iconic whisky comes in a just as iconic vibrant blue bottle that you’ll appreciate on your bar cart each time you fancy a sip.
Bruichladdich’s distillery is based on Islay, the Inner Hebrides, and comes with a signature smokiness and a hint of coastal salt that you’ll struggle to replicate in other brands. Expect hints of brown sugar combined with cinnamon, toffee and plenty of malt.
Buy now £39.99, Master of Malt
House of Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Japanese whisky might not have half as much (widely recognised) history as Scotch does but its delicate flavours and contrasting notes make it a great world to delve into for whisky beginners. Alternatively, if you’ve sipped your fill of Scotch and Irish single malts, a journey into Japanese whisky provides a beautiful contrast.
House of Suntory’s Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky brings together the brand’s classic elegance in a fresh, herbal expression. It uses a number of both lightly-peated and heavily-peated malts combined with pure, locally sourced water to produce a bottle that’s a little more interesting than the norm.
Buy now £195.00, Harvey Nichols
Lagavulin 8 Year Old
Lagavulin is up there with the best when it comes to heavily peated single malts and this brand can err on the more expensive side. The 8 Year Old is just as peated yet a lot more budget-friendly, especially if you’re a fan of larger measures.
Another Islay-based distiller, Lagavulin’s 8 Year Old blends intricate, smoky peat with burnt sugar, salted popcorn, coriander seed and a dash of cumin. It’s intense: but that’s exactly what it’s loved for. If you like strong, heavily peated whisky, chances are you’ll love this one.
Buy now £55.99, Master of Malt
Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask
Macallan went through a stage of leaving age statements off of each bottle but the 12 Year Old is one that wants you to focus on its (displayed) age. This double cask whisky is definitely an interesting one, spending time in both American and European Sherry oak casks to produce a smoky, sweet finish.
This Speyside whisky is a classic blend of dark fruity notes with a heavy, orange edge and a dash of vanilla to finish. Its golden colour makes it excellent for enjoying neat but it also mixes brilliantly into cocktails, too.
Buy now £54.95, Master of Malt
Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Talisker produces great entry level whiskies for those looking to explore the spirit without throwing themselves in head first. The 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is more of an intermediate level rather than beginner-friendly, with a rich, peaty finish that may come across a little too strong to begin with.
Don’t be put off by its smell: this whisky seems far sweeter than it actually is. But, the longer you drink it, the more you’ll fall for its peppery, fruity, vanilla-y notes. It’s one that deserves to be enjoyed neat.
Buy now £49.00, Harvey Nichols
Bushmills 10 Year Old
Bushmills 10 Year Old is a brilliant Irish whiskey - a little lighter than your usual single malt but bursting with flavour from the get-go. This fresh, light-golden whiskey is an award winner designed to suit all palettes.
It's a great beginner whiskey, especially when you add a drop of water, when its vibrant, fruity notes jump right out. But it's complex enough to suit all tastes, with plenty of sweet, floral and subtly spicy elements within each sip. For its smoothness, it's a bargain of a spirit.
Buy now £37.25, The Whisky Exchange
Nikka Yoichi Single Malt Whisky
Take a quick sip of Nikka Yoichi Single Malt Whisky and you'll swear it's a Scotch whisky rather than a Japanese one. Heavily influenced by Scotch, you'll spy that traditional smokiness and plenty of depth that's rather unconventional for a whisky of its origin.
Yoichi is made in northern Japan with a cool climate that's similar to Scotland. The result? A smooth, seamless, smoky drink filled with orchard fruits and lots of peat. It's one of the best single malt whiskies for gifting, particularly for someone who thinks they've tried it all.
Buy now £74.45, Amazon
Writers Tears Red Head
The first thing you'll notice about Writers Tears Red Head is its beautiful, detailed bottle. The second thing you'll notice is its striking amber colour. This single malt Irish whisky dances at the edges of what's considered a single malt, incorporating Oloroso sherry casks with a triple distillation method that results in such a one-of-a-kind bottle.
Like its colour suggests, Writers Tears Red Head is very much a fruity whisky, blending dried fruits, sherry plums and orange peel into a drink that even so-called whisky haters will find themselves enjoying. Once you've finished the bottle, you'll almost definitely want to save its casing.
Buy now £49.95, Master of Malt
Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Laphroaig 10 Year Old is triple distilled in ex-bourbon barrels and quarter casks and finally finished in European oak. If you're looking for a complex whisky with plenty of flavour to discover, this is it. This rich, intense whisky is salty and sweet and full of character.
It's one that activates your tastebuds a little unlike anything else out there, with its impressively smoky finish. If you're a whisky novice, you'll want to sip this one on the rocks to dilute some of its fiery nature. If you're well-versed in the ways of whisky, you'll probably appreciate it more served neat.
Buy now £34.49, Master of Malt
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Reserva Rum Cask Finish
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Reserva Rum Cask Finish is the whisky to buy for special occasions or for gifting the whisky aficionado in your life. It’s definitely not one for throwing back while the football’s on or generously dolling out into cocktails - partially due to its high price but most importantly due to its impressive taste.
Glenfiddich is also one of the most versatile whiskies around, pairing brilliantly with food, cigars or sipping neat (or with an ice cube if you find it a little too intense). Expect a hint of spicy ginger, thanks to its finishing process: this whisky was finished in casks used previously to age Caribbean rum for four months.
Buy now £139.00, Master of Malt
Speyburn 10 Year Old
Speyburn 10 Year Old is a great option if you’re looking to buy a truly delicious whisky but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. One of the cheaper premium brands around, it’s a top seller and multi-award winner with a soft, golden amber shade and a lighter taste to match.
This fruity whisky combines hints of orange, mandarin and cooking apple with a few contrasting notes of liquorice and dried herbs - it’s one you’ll want to initially sample neat before mixing into cocktails and other long drinks.
Buy now £29.50, Master of Malt
Verdict
For a whisky that's not too expensive, not too intimidating and perfectly rounded for all kinds of drinking opportunities, we'd have to choose Highland Park 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky as our favourite bottle. Whether you're looking for a new spirit to sip neat or a versatile bottle for pairing with food or cocktails, Highland Park's popular bottle does it all.
