Many scotch whisky lovers may realise that they’re well into their admiration journey before they ever grasp what the word “single malt” really means. To qualify as a single malt scotch, the whisky must be made from a mash bill of 100% malted barley at a single distillery and matured in oak casks for at least three years.
Distillers are free to be as creative as they want, from varying the number of distillations to utilising multiple cask finishes. In Scotland, around 120 distilleries are producing single malt whisky, much of which is meant for use as a component in blended whiskies, but some of which is bottled as a unique expression of the distillery’s character.
Here is the best single malt scotch whisky available in various categories, with a style for everyone.
Recommendations of the 10 Best Single Malt Scotch
Here are the top single malt scotch worth trying:
1. ARDBEG 10 Year Old
ARDBEG 10 Year Old is recognised as the peatiest, smokiest, and most complex single malt globally.
However, it does not exaggerate the peat; rather, it allows the inherent sweetness of the malt to shine through. This balance results in a perfectly balanced whisky.
A rush of intensely smoky fruit escapes into the atmosphere, wrapped in waxy dark chocolate and flavoured with tangy lemon and lime. Bold menthol and black pepper cut through the delicious smoke, which is then followed by tarry ropes and graphite.
Enjoy the aromas of smoked fish and crackling bacon with green bell peppers, baked pineapple, and pear juice when this best single malt scotch bottle is opened.
Millions of flavour explosions are started by a crackling peat explosion – peat effervesces with tangy lemon, lime juice, black pepper explodes with scorching cinnamon-spiced toffee.
The brine is then infused with creamy buttermilk, ripe bananas, and currants.
Smoke slowly rises to the palate, bringing with it a taste of warm creamy cappuccino and toasted marshmallows.
Liquorice root, dry espresso, and tarry smoke develop as the flavour lengthens and deepens, covering the palate with chewy peat oils.
2. BRUICHLADDICH The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley
The casks chosen by Head Distiller Adam Hannett for each batch of The Classic Laddie have been filled with spirit distilled from 100% Scottish-grown barley, unpeated. Thus, it is without the classic ‘smoky’ Islay element.
The unique combination of Scotland’s ideal climate, high latitude, and soil types makes the Scottish barley harvest ideal for developing the best flavour profile during distillation for the Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Scottish Barley.
Individual casks are meticulously mixed to highlight the traditional, floral, and elegant Bruichladdich house style. It is a testimonial to the quality of ingredients that it was trickle distilled and then aged for its whole life on the banks of Loch Indaal in fine American oak.
BRUICHLADDICH The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley is as smooth as pool pebbles. It’s clean, fresh, and vibrant, with the oak and grain operating in harmony. The bouquet is stunning.
On the nose, it begins with barley sugar and a hint of mint. The scent then progresses to the most beautiful notes of freshly cut wildflowers, including buttercup, daisy, meadowsweet, myrtle, primrose, and cherry blossom.
The purity of the spirit is astounding. More smells emerge from the glass as the seconds pass, small zephyrs of spindrift and sea pinks reminding you that the sea solely ages this spirit.
Caramelised fruits, lemon drops and honey, and tangerine appear after four or five minutes and with the addition of a little water.
3. DALMORE 12 Year Old
In 1893, the Dalmore distillery was established by Alexander Matheson, who promptly leased it to the Sunderland family. They managed it for more than thirty years until 1869 when it was taken over by three Mackenzie brothers, Alexander, Charles, and Andrew.
This single malt from the Dalmore distillery, released in late 2008 to replace the previous 12-year-old, is a toasty, coffee-rich dram with lovely spice overtones and a thick mouthfeel. Very rich for a 12-year-old and makes it one of the best single malt Scotch.
DALMORE 12 Year Old has a deep, golden mahogany colour with a great scent of orange, marmalade, and fragrant spice. On the tongue, it’s elegant and rich, with intense citrus, oloroso Sherry, and hints of sweet vanilla pod. A fantastic and lingering finish.
4. Deanston 12 Year Old
Deanston distillery began as a cotton mill rather than a distillery in 1785.
Soon after, the village of Deanston, which is located in Scotland’s Highland area, began to grow, and a community was steadily created.
When the cotton mill collapsed in 1965, the company’s employees began manufacturing whisky as a means of coming up with new ideas.
Deanston produces its single malts without the assistance of modern technology, and each bottle is handcrafted.
They are the only distillery in Scotland that generates energy, thanks to a dam and a turbine dating back to the cotton mill era.
Deanston 12 Year Old Single Malt was just relaunched in its current form. The relaunched 12-year-old single malt has been bottled at a little higher proof, eliminating the need for chill-filtration and maintaining more of its natural appeal.
Deanston distillery produces a lovely dram. Look for roasted nuts, barley, and tangy orange marmalade flavours.
5. GLENDRONACH 12 Year Old
This magnificent richly sherried single malt is aged at least 12 years in a blend of the best Spanish Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks.
The GLENDRONACH 12 Year Old is a creamy and sweet dram with a 43% ABV and natural colour.
On the nose, it is sweet, and creamy vanilla with ginger overtones as well as laced with spiced mulled wine with pear filling the air. You can inhale the rich, creamy, and silky smooth tones with anticipation.
On the tongue, it is warm, with deep oak and sherry richness, substantial mouth feel, raisins and soft fruits.
It is spicy with a medium length and a dry finish. Long, full, and firm, with a hint of nutty.
6. GLENFIDDICH 12 Year Old
The pioneer of the single malt Scotch whiskey category, Glenfiddich’s Signature malt is famous for its wonderfully balanced scent and refreshing rich flavour.
William Grant created this best single malt Scotch whisky in 1887 using pure waters from a local spring known as the Robbie Dhu.
Until today, the same water is utilised, over 120 years later to ensure the single malt preserves its flavour and purity.
This pure crystal water, along with our whisky’s extended maturation in bourbon and sherry oak casks, gives the GLENFIDDICH 12 Year Old its subtle, rounded flavours of fresh pear and subtle oak; qualities that contribute to it being the world’s favourite single malt.
It is mellowed in oak marrying tuns after being carefully matured in the best American oak and European oak sherry casks for at least 12 years.
The 12-Year-Old is the epitome of Glenfiddich’s unique Speyside style, with a long, smooth, and mellow finish.
It is usually regarded as the greatest dram in the valley.
7. Glenmorangie Signet
Glenmorangie Signet is an exceptional single malt Scotch whisky with incomparable elegance and flavour.
The nose is driven by chocolate raisins and sugared mixed peels. These smells are complemented with toasted spices, bread and butter pudding, and golden syrup, with a hint of Angostura bitters lingering beneath. Sweet, syrupy cinnamon and drying malt take the lead, followed by a hint of Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
There is a hint of lime rind, as well as lychees and dates. Tobacco leaves and freshly roasted espresso beans, with a hint of honey-roasted cashew, make up the backdrop.
8. HIGHLAND PARK 18 Year Old Viking Pride
HIGHLAND PARK 18 Year Old Viking Pride has been named the ‘Best Spirit in the World’ (Spirit Journal) by American whisky expert F Paul Pacult.
18-YEAR-OLD VIKING PRIDE is Highland Park’s most highly-awarded single malt whisky. The 2021 International Spirits Challenge saw it receiving both a Gold and an Ultimate Recommendation (with a score of 96).
This superb 18-Year-Old single malt pays tribute to the five keystones of production by maturing in a first-fill sherry seasoned American and European oak casks. It presents a sophisticated medley of ripe cherries dusted with bittersweet cocoa, freshly harvested honeycomb, and candied orange peel.
There is a fragrant peat smoke with a hint of Orkney’s salty sea spray with Highland Park.
9. Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Lagavulin 16 Year Old is one of the world’s most intense, smoky, and rich whiskies.
It is a dark and pungent whisky that has spent sixteen years maturing in oak casks.
The extended fermentation, distillation, and maturation ensure that the Lagavulin 16 Year Old fully develops all of its long, rich, peaty qualities.
You can give the most mature Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the Lagavulin 16-Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, as a present to friends and family as this best single malt Scotch is perfect for any occasion.
The Lagavulin 16 is one of the greatest ways to express congratulations on your accomplishment, whether as a Father’s Day present, a Christmas gift, or merely as a celebration gift for housewarming celebrations, bachelor parties, retirement parties, or successful business negotiations.
This whisky is a highly sought-after single malt with a delightful blend of smoke, peat, and sherry aromas typical of southern Islay, where it was born. However, it also has richness and a dryness, making it unique on the palette.
Salty blue cheeses are a great food accompaniment for the Lagavulin 16 Year Old. A platter of these perfectly compliments the strong, peat-rich, sweet and salty flavour of this finest whiskey.
This unique whiskey is praised for its thick, rich, strong peat and oak flavours, and even those who aren’t fans of smoky flavours will be pleasantly impressed.
10. PORT CHARLOTTE Islay Barley 2011
Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2011 is made exclusively from barley cultivated on the Scottish island of Islay. Indeed, the grain used was farmed on just three Islay farms, reflecting Bruichladdich’s dedication to producing products that represent the island’s distinctive features.
PORT CHARLOTTE Islay Barley 2011 was matured in 75% first-fill former Bourbon casks and 25% second-fill former Syrah and Figaro wine casks.
Port Charlotte is Bruichladdich’s peated offering, with a peat content of 40ppm. This dram has flowery and thick peat notes, as well as a robust sweet citrus core (think lemon drizzle cake), a bit of dried fruit and oak, wine sweetness, malted milk, vanilla, apples, sea spray, and toasted almonds.
This toasty and warming Port Charlotte, bottled at 50% ABV, retains all of the delicate floral and creamy flavours Bruichladdich is famous for.
Simply said, this is another fantastic Bruichladdich whisky.
Conclusion
We hope that the list of finest single malt scotch recommendations above is beneficial to people who enjoy single malt scotch! Of course, you should taste all of the available single malt scotches on the market to find the ideal one for you.
