A new list of the “best Scotch whisky brands” has been shared by experts.
Scotland is known far and wide for its many distilleries that produce world-class whiskies. All over the country, tasty malts are produced that are enjoyed by people across the globe.
Recently, specialists at whisky retailer Master of Malt shared a roundup of the best Scottish distilleries and which bottles they recommend. A total of 13 popular and acclaimed brands are featured on the list.
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Master of Malt wrote: “Today, whether they are single malts or blends, Scotland is still home to the biggest whisky brands in the world. We’ve picked a few of the biggest single malts and a few blends too.”
See below for the full list of the “best Scotch whisky brands” according to Master of Malt.
The Macallan
The Macallan in Moray recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, though it wasn’t until the 1970s that it began to properly market its single malts. Ever since then, its whiskies have become some of the most prized and collectable in the world.
The experts recommend The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak in particular, known for its dried fruit and marmalade notes. It is available to buy from Master of Malt for £77.65 or The Whisky Shop for £82.
The Glenlivet
The Glenlivet refers to itself as “the single malt that started it all”, dating back hundreds of years. Today, it competes with Glenfiddich as the best-selling single malt whisky in the entire world.
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old comes especially recommended, and can be picked up for £40.97 from Master of Malt. Meanwhile, it can also be purchased for £41.95 from The Whisky Exchange.
Glenfiddich
Once a relatively small brand owned by William Grant & Sons, today Glenfiddich’s single malts are among the most recognised across the globe. According to Master of Malt, “Glenfiddich has inspired countless imitators but it is still the biggest single malt brand in the world”.
The experts singled out the Glenfiddich 15 Year Old, which is inspired by the classic sherry-making bodegas of Spain and Portugal. It can be bought for £57.50 from Master of Malt or £58.95 from The Whisky Exchange.
Talisker
Nestled on the beautiful Isle of Skye, Talisker was once referred to by Robert Louis Stevenson as the “king o’ drinks”. It remains a cult-favourite to this day, with the Talisker 10 Year Old being singled out by the experts.
If you are looking to pick up the Talisker 10 Year Old yourself, it is available to buy for £45.95 from Master of Malt. Meanwhile, The Whisky Exchange also stocks it for £47.75.
Glenfarclas
Another popular choice amongst single malt lovers, Glenfarclas is renowned for preserving old techniques such as direct-fired stills. All of its production goes into sherry cask, which means that it is a great choice if you are a fan of the dry and fruit-rich Speyside style.
Master of Malt recommends the Glenfarclas 105 in particular, which it stocks for £72.95. The whisky can also be picked up for the same price from The Whisky Exchange.
Laphroaig
Laphroaig dates all the way back to 1815, when it was founded by Donald and Alexander Johnstone. Now owned by Beam Suntory, the distillery continues to produce one of the world’s most distinctive whiskies—known for its unique medicinal smoky taste.
A bottle of the Laphroaig Quarter Cask can be purchased for £47.95 from Master of Malt. Elsewhere, it is for sale for £55 from The Whisky Shop.
Glenmorangie
According to Master of Malt, Glenmorangie is another historic Scottish distillery. While its 10 Year Old expression was its only whisky for many years, today it produces a range of tasty malts.
The experts at Master of Malt singled out the Glenmorangie 10 Year Old as the best bottle to buy, which was matured in a combination of first-and-second-fill American white oak casks for 10 years. It is available to buy for £31.99 from Master of Malt or £40.50 from Tesco.
Ardbeg
Ardbeg is known for its fiercely loyal fans, primarily because it almost went out of business during the 1990s. Thankfully, the distillery survived and continues to produce some of the world’s top whiskies.
If you are looking for a particular bottle, Master of Malt recommends the Ardbeg Uigeadail—which it sells for £66.45. The whisky can also be picked up from The Whisky Exchange for £70.25.
Lagavulin
The Lagavulin distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located in the village of Lagavulin on the south of the island of Islay. It frequently places on lists of the top distilleries in the world, in large part thanks to the Lagavulin 16 Year Old.
Those looking for a bottle of the renowned whisky can purchase it for £76.95 from Master of Malt. The Lagavulin 16 Year Old is also for sale for £81.95 from The Whisky Exchange.
Bowmore
Marketed as a single malt whisky specialist prior to the growth of blended whisky in the 19th century, Bowmore produces a range of acclaimed whiskies. The experts recommend the Bowmore 15 Year Old, known for its rich sweetness and peaty elements, in particular.
The Bowmore 15 Year Old is currently sold for £74.99 by Master of Malt. Elsewhere, you can pick it up for £79.92 from The Whisky Exchange.
Johnnie Walker
Arguably the most recognisable name in Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker is a global enterprise that started life in a grocer’s shop in Kilmarnock. According to Master of Malt, the “bottle to buy” is the Johnnie Walker Gold Label.
You can snatch a bottle of the multi-award-winning blend for £56.10 from Master of Malt itself. It is also available to buy for £49.75 from The Whisky Exchange.
Monkey Shoulder
One of the newer whisky brands on the list, Monkey Shoulder was launched in 2005. The unusual name comes from a ligament injury sometimes sustained by maltmen, who spend great lengths of time bending over to turn the barley by hand.
In terms of which bottle to buy, Master of Malt recommends the Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt. It is sold for £30.37 from Master of Malt itself or £29.50 from Sainsbury’s.
Ballantine’s
Finally, Ballantine began its life in an Edinburgh grocer’s belonging to one George Ballantine. It has since gone on to be one of the most popular blended Scotch brands in the world.
Ballantine’s Finest is the bottle that the experts single out. The “easy-going and very flavoursome” whisky can currently be purchased for £21.74 from Master of Malt or £23.95 from Royal Mile Whiskies.