While theres barely a whiff of smoke, this whisky is sweet and buttery with a dash of fruit, honey, and subtle spice notes. Nicely done interior, good staff, and theyre now tied in with a fish n chips shop, which has expanded their menu. Jim probably wont post this comment, and thats fine, but at least hell see it, and know that at least one visitor was having a fine time reading all of the HELPFUL comments left by others until he came to this piece of infuriating puffbaggery. Unbelievable number of whisky distilleries AND several from distilleries no longer in existence (such as bombed out in WWII) If you'd like, you certainly can sip it neat, but Dewars also makesquite the refreshing highballwith soda and lemon. On the other end of the Speyside style, richer and Sherry-finished, youll get luscious fruit flavors, buttery and smooth with notes of toffee, vanilla, and dark dried fruits. Aberlour 12 Year 8. Not everyone loves a peated whisky, so if you want an unpeated, complex, and floral Scotch whisky, you should not miss out on Bruichladdichs Classic Laddie. But the 12 year is a medium-peated Islay, with smoke and sea spray on the nose intermingling with florals and light citrus, and a sweetness that balances any iodine character. Its flavor mingles vanilla with brled pineapple flavor. I tend to love very peaty Islay single malts and often the peatier the better. Not quite as good but still tasty enough, and surely the best value single malt I have yet found. Best Scotch for beginners: Wemyss Malts The Hive Blended Malt Scotch . Region: Islay | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Tropical fruit, Black pepper, Vanilla, With scotch cocktails, says Chasse, you want to feel like youre enhancing the spirit with other ingredients, but you dont want those ingredients to overwhelm the whisky. Last but not least, comparing the distilleries owned by the big companies to MacDonalds is funny if Big Macs tasted as good as The Glenlivet 18, I would eat there every day instead of once every few years! This is true whether the whisky is a smoky, briny island style; a floral, fruity Highland bottle; or a vanilla-and-citrus blend. Here are 2 more for around $25. Macgavins Highland Single Malt Scotch, 11. Its lighter, in color and flavor, but surprisingly smooth at that price point; eminently drinkable for everyday. I have Most of the contemporary choices from macallan, glenfiddich, glenlivet, glenmorangie, balvenie, talisker, and oban. I also saw the poster above me talk about the Tomatin 12 which I saw at the Sams Club for $24 I believe. Betsy Andrews is a freelance journalist specializing in wine, spirits, food, travel, and the environment. Bowmore. Who knows. The Best Scotch Whisky for Beginners 1. I love so many of the others, but the Fiddich 18 is my Speyside benchmark. At these prices, such drams are the perfect new standard for every day, says Desoblin. I also have a Dualchas, a couple of bottles of standards discussed above, and an Aberlour 100 proof a 1L bottle, which must also have come from duty free. It has health benefits like heart disease prevention, immunity booster, and stress reliever. While there are more affordable single malts on the market, few of those expressions pack as much flavor into the bottle as Glenmorangie Original. Pretty sure they dont serve Haggis. Layered nuance, says Crystal Chasse, beverage director of New YorksTalk StoryRooftop: The beginning, mid-palate and finish will all have their own expressions, taking you on some sort of journey.. Drinking good scotch is always a pleasure but acquiring it is not so by any means, because of price and labels way too many options, which is good, of course, but confusing nonetheless. Other flavours synonymous with Islays are iodine, seaweed, salt and medicinal type notes. Costco often has Lagavulin 16 around $55 to $62 range. Drink responsibly! our process. ***Disclosure: I have no stake or financial interest in their websiteI just admire there selection and greatly appreciate their customer service I think it tastes fantastic for a blend, and its only $30 for 750ml! A Total Wine employee recommended a Grangestone Double Cask Matured, NAS as an alternative to the Tomatin; I find it palatable, but my dad was not pleased by the substitution. Im a fan of Bowmore and I have several bottles in my collection (18, Enigma, and Mariner) and you wont go wrong with this one. (not sure this is the appropriate description) Anyways, as the JW Black emptied, I liked it more again, but decided to do more research into these single malts and discovered your site! With that in mind, weve included a variety of styles so you can find a match depending on your tastes. Lovely site, Jim! Its roundness is abetted by those nice, raisinated notes from the fortified wine, Chasse says, yet its balanced enough that its not overly sweet. A bit of a dueling single maltbut the duel is interesting. Betsy Andrewshas been writing about wine and spirits for two decades. The one recommended to me was at or near the bottom end of the range; probably lower than the one mentioned above.. I charged out and bought a Balvenie Doublewood 12 based on many high recommendations here (and found it for $37 at Sams Club). Or a very cheap malt is Auchentoshan, its matured in a burbon cask for the last few years. If you like a slightly peaty single malt for a reasonable price try ledaig from the island of mull. Glenfiddich Scotch Single Malt Malt Masters, What Is Bourbon Made From? When you hear cheap scotch, you probably think of something that burns your throat. At the moment Ive got the Doublewood 12, Founders Reserve 10, and Caribbean Cask 14 on hand, and I think I had the Portwood at one time. And comparing them to McDonalds is absurd, I agree 100%. Laphroaig. Do you happen to have the list of green bottled scotch or a weblink where I could do the browsing please?. TAKE YOUR PICK of all the really great flavors and aromas available! Tomatin is a very good single malt scotch that is around 29.99 in price. You don't have to empty your wallet for a decent dram. If you're looking to spend as little money as possible without totally sacrificing quality, we recommend Dewar's White Label Blended Scotch Whisky (view at Drizly). Macallan has the branding power behind it and so they can charge a premium, much like how people pay more for a Mercedes Benz or a BMW. Thats fine. That said, Dewars Caribbean Smooth is a fine bottle. Tomatin was nice, cheap and fine $26+ at Bev Mo Thank you everyone. That holiday gift pack I bought was a Highland 12 with a 50mL bonus of Highland 18 for $42 at a chain liquor store. Thanks for sharing your find! Glenlivet 12 Year Old. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. No one has mentioned Deanston, which I feel is an excellent bargain scotch without the bargain taste for under $35. ! Craggenmore I personally wasnt very impressed with this one. It is unpeated and sells for around $30. The Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is one of the most iconic Highland single malts in the world. In fact, I had tried scotch several times before and never understood why I didnt like it they were blends. Is the addition of coloring a sign of cheap Scotch whisky? It has a nice mix of flavors and its name came from the famous whirlpool in Northern Islay [2] that only brave dare to venture into. Thanks for the tip of Dram Select 21, Ive never heard of it and based on the bottle, Id probably never buy it. The majority of Scotch whisky sold is blended Scotch. About Aberlour: the nostalgia bottle, and the current one, are labeled solely as Aberlour, presumably from the Aberlour distillery. They are well-made, pure expressions of the spirit. Except that wasnt a possibility. Dalwhinnie 15yo excellent value for a 15yo, but ending there sells it short. It appears you live in the States and I could use your help. Will I get more of a hangover with cheaper scotch vs. more expensive? A blended Scotch whisky is less strong, gentler, and a tad sweeter. Ah, the Balvenies; long may they mature . Speyside Blend Chivas Regal 12 Year $36 AT DRIZLY Tasting notes: honey, vanilla, ripe. Unsherried, unpeated: Glenlivet 12 or Glemorangie 10. The ABV is high, bottled at 51.4%. 34.95, Amazon. Highland Park 12yo Ive heard of some batch inconsistency, but it needs to be stressed that no distillery is immune from that. Clynelish 14 is another fruity, dense fantastic northern Highlander As innitially mentioned, a newbie on its way to become an addict :-). Oban has jumped in price around her to $60-$65 and it is well overpriced at that level. The best bottles Ive ever had were Macallen cask strength (lotsa luck getting this) & Jonnie Green which was made from 5 top notch single malts ( a blend). Andrew di Michele: where are Glen Ness 8 & Glen Kirk 8 distilled? I say it is good value for money. smooth, mild, and warm. The old expression "you get what you pay for" mostly holds up, but the goal in shopping for a quality bottle is to seek out every hard-earned pennys worth of flavor to maximize enjoyment to the last drop. Were about honesty here thanks for sharing your experiences! Glen moray is also one of my favourites ! Best budget Scotch: Imperial 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky. Tomatin is mentioned above solely in the bargain context, but their site shows varieties well into the $hundreds, and theyve been distilling a long time. A absolute gem of a malt and not very well known is the tomintoul 16 year old! This whisky is a blend of malt and grain whiskies from Nikka distilleries. As the bottle said, smooth and seductively fruity. First time to your wonderful site and a good article. Famous Grouse is better than Dewars for around the same price depending on promotions. Tropical fruit, vanilla, plenty of black pepper and other spicesall of these things it delivers are very easy to incorporate with other flavors in a cocktail.. Of course, the higher the ABV, the more powerful the alcohol in the bottle, so take particular care with those over 40% ABV. The Spanish sherry casks (oloroso sherry) and traditional oak mellow the Single Malt Scotch whisky, and the double cask gives every single bottle a subtly balanced flavor. Also Kirkland has a 12 yr in a huge bottle for dirt cheap. 24 . Then I tried the Glenlivet 18 and WOW. GlenDronach Is A Lot Older Than The Label Says Great idea that really works. Whether youre browsing for classic blends or rich single malts, there are modestly priced bottles to be found online or in your local shop, and there should be no trouble finding the good stuff without breaking the bank. Sure, Glenmorangie Original tastes like it should cost a tidy sum, but, thankfully, it doesnt. Kilkerran 12-Year Single Malt is a core expression of Glengyle Distillery, and it is known for its confident and rich tasting notes. Similar to Glenmorangie Original. If you like Islay single malts they have a great buy not as complex as the more expensive ones but under $20: Finlaggan. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Glenmorangie the Original Aged 10 Years Single Malt Scotch 70cl 25 at Checkout Single malt whisky of unique complexity and exceptional smoothness ON THE EYES: pale lemony gold ON THE NOSE: scents of citrus and ripening peach are softened by. For the budget-conscious Scotch lover who really wants a taste of smoke, enter Ardbeg Wee Beastie. Prices certainly are creeping up but new labels keep coming on the market at giveaway priceseventually the prices shoot up (Aberlour for example). I am thankful for the info ! Monkey Shoulder has been a whisky that has grasped my attention ever since I first saw the bottle, as it says "Blended Malt" instead of "Blended Scotch" like most bottles. You can also add a few drops of water to your glass of whisky, which opens up the flavors and aroma of the drink. Ha yes, the order is crucial, great point Dave! Their aptly named DoubleWood is a 12-year-old single malt that spends most of its life in second-fill bourbon barrels prior to being transferred to first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. I am a fan of IPAs and especially recently Black IPAs, and based on reading more on your site, I was considering the Laphroaig 10. Kilkerran 12-Year Single Malt 13. When I feel like spending $45 $50 its going to be Highland Park 12. What Is Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky? Scotch Whisky A-Z Of Scotch Whisky New Scotch Whisky Special Offers Exclusive Bottlings Top 10 Whiskies 20 Whiskies Tasting Set Drink Sustainably Shop by Type Single Malt Whisky Campbeltown Highland Island Islay Lowland Speyside Blended Whisky Blended Malt Grain Whisky Organic Whisky Distillery Bottlings Independent Bottlings Bruichladdich is mainly known for its smoky flavor profile. The broad characteristics of an Islay are having a "smoky" flavour profile due to the peat used during the drying of the malt. It has rich and complex tasting notes of homemade fruit cake and moist raisins. The Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year Old Single Malt ($60) "Easy on the palette with rich malty notes. Not devoid of sweetness, but only as a background balancer. Too expensive to open: why buy then? Thanks everyone. * Caol Ila (12 years old) - a milder cousin to . Probably the most balanced and interesting scotch I know of (and can afford). The iconic brand has never ceased producing top quality single malt, so you too can drink like a king. got them both on sale, Aberlour for 20 UKP and Laphroaig for 28.50 I even got my Glenlivet 18 on sale (just before Fathers Day lots of whisky goes on sale here). Schooled in the highlands and had field trips to local distilleries. Ive tried two bottles of Tomatin but its never grabbed me. "Smooth" isn't one of the most substantial adjectives one could use to describe whisky, as all good-quality drams should possess minimal alcohol burn. Ive had both, and I can honestly say the Macallan 18 is tops for me. Im picking up 4 bottles tomorrow. What about all those sub-$20 a bottle single malts that you see in the stores? With notes of figs on the nose, more dark fruits enter the fray upon the first sip: raisins and dates, backed by caramel and milk chocolate. The other day I went to Total Wines to restock my cabinet when I noticed the Glenn Ness 12 yo for less than $30. There was a time, only a few years ago, when old reliable Glenlivet 12 could have been included in a list of the best . I drink JW, Chivas Regal and sometimes Martell but once at Singapore Changi dutyfree, I bought this green bottled scotch (Around USD 60) and it tasted amazing. Please note that this Distillery Bottling is Oloroso. A standard is the Blue Box 10 year old Mac. Laphroaig 10 (Im actually drinking their 2014 Cairdeas as I type this reply) is great, one of my favorites and wont break the bank. Both come in 10, 12 and 15 year, and the 10 year versions are still worth some attention. I dont keep a large collection, about 75 sealed stashed bottles of things Ive found over the years that I really liked and about 40 sipping choices that includes some standards, some budgets, and some old favorites. The toasted almonds, spicy and silky smooth finish is evident in every sip. If you want a little smoke but not too much, Highland Park is solid it has sweetness and floral character plus some smoke and peat. Its a light gold whisky with no age statement but still retains the smoky peat nose that Bowmore is known for. To find out about popularity, please see Wine Ranks . Whisky is a drink to be drunk, not kept as a vanity item. Of course, theres a good dose of peat smoke, but it also boasts chocolate, salt, pepper, iodine, and anis with cocoa on the finish. However, Ive recently discovered Monkey Shoulder, which is a blend but a blend of only three Speyside single malts (Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie). . . If Id limited it to $50 the only option at regular prices would have been Glenlivet. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Nevertheless, its particularly great with a classic cocktail thats not too fussy, like a wintery and warm Rob Roy. Its not as if they make good ornaments and probably sit in a cupboard not getting any older. The tricky part about buying single malt scotches in the United States is that everything is imported and thus everything is automatically more expensive. Still holds its place in the Glenfiddich hierarchy but is no longer just the cheap one. Created to celebrate Queen Victorias first official visit toScotland, The Famous Grouse has long been the best-selling whisky and is named for the country's national game bird. After maturing in bourbon and sherry casks for many years, The Glenlivet whisky is finished in ex-cognac casks for at least 6 months, creating a uniquely rich and intense flavor. Seattle, WA. Balvenie 12 Double Wood is hands down the best scotch Ive yet to taste, and that was several years ago! If peat is your jam, you cant get much more smoky than Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Single Malt (view at Drizly). Both the Speyburn 10yr.old and the Bradan Orach are very nice for under $30US. Of Islay's 8 distilleries, Laphroaig's 10-Year-Old single malt scotch whisky stands out as the leader of the pack. Here is a summary of my top five selections. Ardbeg Scotch Corryvreckan Single Malt 10. Buy Scotch whisky, Single Malts, Single Barrel, bourbon, Premium Tequilas, Gin and thousands of other Spirits at lowest prices for Scotch Lovers. Beginners to seasoned Scotch fans, all appreciate this single malt. Youll detect some similar flavors though, because JW is a blend and I know for a fact is has smokiness in it that would be completely absent from Doublewood. and, as on Lindseys list, if youre an Isaly fan, the good news is that you can pick up something from almost all of the distilleries for under this limit.or extend a bit for the Lagavulin 16 which you can sometimes find for a little north of $60.well worth the increase! Best Under $100: Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie at Flaviar This statement single malt is light and full of notes of citrus, sweet malted barley, vanilla and honey. not to knock oban cause i like it but $60 and up way to much. Region: Islay | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Oak, Smoke. "Arranta" is the Scottish Gaelic word . Yum. Another type of cheap scotch is single malt scotch, which is made from a single type of grain. And they make a Virgin Oak that has a delightful oak taste that I love, and it is usually sold for just $25. It is the best cheap single malt whisky from Talisker. I agree, the Glenfiddich 12 yo Single Malt is a classic dram that consistently offer great value for money! Distilled in the Highlands and stored in the lowlands, Glengoyne is all about its totally unpeated barleymeaning not a hint of smoke, not even a subtly bracing smoky dryness on the finish. I wasnt that impressed with the Lismore grabbed it at Trader Joes and it is very drinkable but not a lot of body. Scotch is a type ofwhiskyproduced in Scotland from barley or a mix of grains. As I rely I am indeed sipping on Speyburn 10 year Highland single malt and it is quite nice for $29.99U.S. Maybe both. Your email address will not be published. im in my early thirties, and Ive been a single malt drinker for about 10 years. Ardbeg 10yo heavily peated as it goes, but still well balanced and complex. Rather than being a tragedy, in fact, there have been cases of distilleries being bought over and things actually improving because suddenly there was money for investment, so quality can go up rather than down think dark cloud/silver lining. It is my top choice under $60, and for everyday sippin. Glencadam 10 Its been a little while since Ive had this one, but I recall enjoying this expression a great deal. I enjoyed recently cask strength Caol Ila and they belongs to Johnny Walker and Diageo. Maybe taxes in your state? It's smooth, complex, and perfect for mixing into a Penicillin or any of your favorite Scotch-based cocktails. Tried aberlour cask strength and didnt rate it $61.95. ", Related: The Best Gifts for Whiskey Lovers, Region: Speyside | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Flowers, Walnuts, Honey. Their 15yo single cask is hovering near 90 bucks! It garners 4 out of 5 stars in consumer reviews at Master Of Malt, where the site's own experts comment on the full nose, fruity finish, and complex palate (e.g., creamy toffee, citrus, dry spice, and smoke). Balblair uses different varieties of malted barley [1] with minimal peat levels to ensure the whiskys lingering finish and unique character. Dont remember if I spit it out or swallowed, but the lovely Carlos then told me it was BUG SPRAY! I just bought a 750ml Glen Moray 12 for $18.99 (vs my usual Glenfiddich 12 which goes for $32.99 if I get it on sale). My fave but price keeps increasing is not necessarily cheap but absolutely love is the Balvenie 15 single barrel (Great, great one). Was at my usual store yesterday and was shocked that prices went up yet again. I dont know how else to describe it, but everyone who has been introduced to it has wholeheartedly agreed with that assessment. Best Blended: Mossburn Speyside at Drizly. Lagavulin 12 Year Old (2014 Special Release) Best 12 Year: Lagavulin needs no introduction. Ardbeg Scotch Corryvreckan Single Malt, 10. Glenfiddich 12 Glenfiddich ABV: 40% Average Price: $38 Would Gladly Pay: $50 The Story: When it comes to value Scotch bottles, it's not easy to beat Glenfiddich 12. Aberlour Abunadh is an intense and sherried hand-made whisky from grain to bottle. if you can find Benromach 10, dont hesitate! Ive tried Speyburn Bradan Orach and Deanston Virgin Oak and really like both. Smooth and creamy with an orchard fruit sweetness and an edge of zesty citrus, this special reserve bottle pays tribute to the 1822 founder. Thank you for sharing your notes with us! Found Talisker Storm at Costco for under $37. Your entire post did nothing but PISS ME OFF, when all I came here for was to read about reasonably-priced single malts. TRY SHEILDAIG HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT PURPLE & WHITE LABEL I GET IT FOR ONLY $ 18.00 a bottle at TOTAL WINE probably the largest store of wine, beer & spirits there is so they can afford to sell it cheaper than your corner liquor store. Youre just talking about brands owned by multinationals and hedge founds. Better than laphroig. The Liquor Laboratory is intended for adults over the age of 21 and the legal drinking age. Thanks for nothing. Love the finish, and it reminds me of my favorite non peated single. I dont recall encountering Bowmore previously, but Im certainly enjoying it. A good bottle is rewarding, and theres a mild peatiness that contributes an extra dimension rather than taking over. The 5 Best Single Malt Scotches To Try in 2021 Jack Croxford-Scott | February 3, 2021 | As drink categories go, whiskey isn't always the easiest to make sense of. Its light gold in color and one of my first scotches (in part because of price!). Boasting beautifully balanced flavors, this scotch is particularly great with a classic cocktail thats not too fussy. I really like balvenie, but damn, I dont understand whats going on with those prices. Craigellachie is a Speyside whisky known for its oil-fired and rich character. Best Speyside: Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old Single Malt at Drizly. I love single malts. As prices of name brand single malts continue to climb I would recommend the following: Islay: Bowmore legend is acceptable, 12 yr is better. If you ever have any questions, please let me know. Hmmm, Ive had Bowmore 12 before and I didnt find it as revolting, what about it did you dislike? but I picked it up last month on sale in Virginia for 24.99. This particular single malt is SO MUCH BETTER THAN any blend like J. Walker, Cutty Sark, J & B, etcIt is very peaty on the nose, beautiful subtle smoky to the palate, with overtones that a blend cannot come close to, and ALL THE BLENDS mentioned ( above ) including most other well known blends COST MORE THAN not only Sheildaig, but many other single malts, which I think are much better than any blends, and TOTAL WINE has MORE single malts to choose from ( under $ 25 for 750 ML ) than ANY OTHER STORE THAT EXISTS ! The nose holds notes of camphor, peat, citrus fruits and flowers. Lastly, try the Kilchoman if you get a chance; might be a little over $50, but brings in flavors reminiscent of Port Ellenat a fraction of the price of true PE! It epitomizes that bog-and-sea Islay style. A bit rough, rustic, but the richness makes like a nice warm tweed coat. A resounding favorite of the bartending crowd thanks to its versatility in cocktails, Monkey Shoulder ($35) is a great Scotch for mixing with other ingredients. Another option to maybe consider adding under your cheap, blended options is that of Bells Special Reserve. im not sure! It seems like so many single malts are climbing in price. We have our entire lives to develop it and we find things we enjoy and things we dont. . as a single malt is your best bet under 40 bucks.I picked one up for $35 recently and that will always be my go to single malt.You wont regret it. 206-687-7115, I havent been there in a while, but used to go often. Im hardly a scotch snob, I enjoy bourbons and other whiskies for each of their personalities and characteristics. Russell Reid General Manager at Two Fools Tavern Ledaig 10 and Ardbeg 10 Most recently, Ledaig 10 was available in my area for only ~$90. Sherry notes give it an awesome sweetness, but theres still a wonderful oak to it, so it doesnt lose its presence. I always try to start with a lite dram (i.e. That said, it wasnt exactly bad, its just not on my list of things to regularly sample. The word on pricing . Get easy-to-follow, delicious recipes delivered right to your inbox. If you are new to drinking Scotch, it can be a beginners spirit because it does not have complex tasting notes. This is a bit of a cheat but if youre new to scotch, consider a blend rather than single malt. A good, low-cost scotch is not necessarily made differently from other scotches, but it might be younger. 1. Macleods Single Malt Speyside Scotch, 12. Old Pulteney was cheap and will do fine, sharp but kinda light finish, Glenmorangie original is nice, but in Alberta Canada it runs $58/bottle. But dont be intimidated, either by the Scotchiness or the Single Malt-iness. Johnnie Walker Black Label is created using nearly 40 single-malt and grain whiskies sourced from all over Scotland, each aged for at least 12 years. Tomatin found even in supermarkets. I personally love peaty scotches, says Chasse, because they are so indicative of utilizing local ingredients and making a spirit in a specific place. They speak of the terroir of the Scottish bogs, where the peat burns to make the fire that dries malted or sprouted grain. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. I like the best for the least amount of money. Ive had a few bottles and I like it! Great choice!! Shieldaig 18 from Total Wine is a great value. Rather than a low grade single malt, try the blends instead. Lagavulin 16 Year Old: Powerful and Peaty. productslearn more about The marketplace bears the price. Benromach Single Malt is an entry-level bottling wherein the spirit is aged in double casks (bourbon and sherry). The ex-bourbon barrels bring the whiskys fudge, toffee, and vanilla notes. Longrow CV comes from Springbank and is their peated version. But, its more than double the price, so it better be! You wont get a worse hangover from any of the scotches in this article. Shelling down $40 on a bottle hurts the pocket but it seems to be the entry price for a good scotch. Ive seen these in the store and the box/tube it comes in (that all of the Bruichladdich comes in) looks amazing, but Ive never had it myself. Best Under $50: The Glenlivet 12 Year Old at Drizly It's a good entry-level bottle for those who don't want to spend too much but are looking for something with complexity of flavor. The consensus on Glenfiddich 12 yr. is spot on. Glenlivet 12 Year ($30 to 40) - BEST BUDGET OVERALL One of the most famous single malts out there, and an archetypal Speyside whisky (on the lighter, grassier end of the Speyside style). You missed Oban mate.its one of the best i have tasted. 1979 saw the introduction of their acclaimed 12-Year-Old expression, which enjoys huge popularity as one of the best smoky Scotch whiskies on the market. But a good one should clock in at least around 10 years old. Notes: The cask strength slaps you with butter, smoke and fruit on the nose and cracked peppercorn, citrus and peaty smoke on the tongue. Its a young whisky, only aged a brief five years in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, but it still packs in the flavor. The palate is oily and well-integrated, with black pepper, coal tar soap, cloves, vanilla, and orchard fruits. How about you contribute and list some good quality, independently produced, cheap Scotch single malts. $9.99 Flat Rate Shipping for up to 4 Bottles | Free Shipping on orders over $250 Unfortunately in the United States, most of the scotches are the ones owned by multinationals. Glen Grant, as its website indicated, had been recently going through some type of change in management and company structure. Auchentoshan Classic is also very smooth, sweet, nutty, and eminently drinkable. And believe it or not, decent Single Malt Scotch isnt necessarily expensivein fact, many distilleries put out a great Single Malt around or under $50 as a sort of introduction to their style (since, as we said, a single malt is the expression of just one distillery). Glenkinchie 12yo decent, if not memorable. Im sure you can find some tasting notes if you like. Three years later Ive been through 50 different malts, but Glenfiddich is always one I come back to. All content on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. I know they went up in Maryland. Bowmore is an Islay Scotch (and Islay tends to be the home of salt-spray, iodine, and heavier peat). The Bowmore Legend is part of the Bowmore core range and available for less than $30 a bottle (750mL). ABV: 40% (80 proof) Price: $45-50. Their selection is IMMENSE. Region: Speyside | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Apple, Citrus, Vanilla. steer clear of dalwinnie, and glenmorangie. After a trip to Gibraltar I picked up auchentoshan heartwood single malt (27 no tax- 44 uk) this has more depth than springwood as its flavoured by rum and sherry casks, subtleties of flavour from both casks. I love Bowmore 12 it is peaty and smooth and sits easy on the palate. Glenfiddich 12 was my first single malt. Finally the bruichladdich the organic scottish barley, 50% alcohol make this one quick to hit you but leaves a very pleasant aftertaste, I bought it for 39.75 in Gibraltar bargain? McClellands Lowland Single Malt is a light and floral Scotch whisky with some sugary and fruity aroma. Quite a good Scotch selection. The best Scotch you can buy in Australia Best overall Scotch: Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Best Scotch under $200: Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Best Scotch under $100: Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky Best Scotch under $50: Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky The Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky - From the shores of the Isle of Skye, is a classic of the Talisker family. Peat does all the heavy lifting here. .. my daily single malt of choice. A smooth Scotch usually works better for mixing cocktails, whereas for drinking it neat, one with a more assertive flavor can be the better choice. You can still find it under $50. Is it worth it? Its like going for a date to macdonalds. , I havent had Glenlivet Nadurra in ages, Ill have to revisit (when I had it, I dont believe there was an age statement), but if we ever ran into each other at a bar, wed have some common favorites. The label takes its traditional eight-year blend and finishes it in rum casks for six months to make way for tropical features, including caramelized brown sugar sweetness and Caribbean fruitiness layered against classic Dewars smoke. The distillery that opened on Christmas in 1887 has had a long run defining the particular style of its native Speyside: fresh and fruity, as Chasse describes it, with orchard fruitsapple and Asian pearand a touch of oak.. anCnoc 12yo this ones nice and lively. Anyone have any experience with the 12? http://wordsofwhisky.com/glendronach-is-a-lot-older-than-the-label-says/, http://www.whiskyetc.nl/historisch-voordeel-the-glendronach/. While it was born to mix, its a rich whisky loaded with citrus, honey, vanilla, spice, oak, and a faint hint of grass, so it can easily stand alone. They sell the Tomatin 10 at my local Sams Club liquor for $23. I also cant speak for anything else theyve produced, so perhaps their other offerings are less tequila like. After trying about a hundred others in the last 17 years, I say it is still my favorite. Best Overall: Johnnie Walker Black Label 12-Year-Old at Drizly. Does anyone know where I would be able to find a fillable VA VSA 17A copy to fill out ? Best for Sipping: Speyburn Bradan Orach Single Malt at Total Wine. She has a soft spot for sherry-cask Speyside scotches, but shes not beyond a smoky Islay. Thanks for the suggestions Michael, Ill take a look. Now Ive changed my mind. Sipping was once elevated to a much higher price tag, but distilleries have realized that they need to put forward affordable entry-level scotches. Nowadays, there are so many good ones available that bottles with lower age statementsscotches aged 12, 10 or even lessare good even though theyre young, he says. Hello Jim, Trader Joes sells it for the lowest Ive seen Its remarkably flavorful and smooth, in light of the fact that its likely to be a fairly young Scotch. Macleods Scottish Pub Auchentoshan . I was excited to bring home a 3 bottle sampler, only to find they were some of the most vile kerosine laden drinks Ive ever had with no redeeming qualities! I still have one with just a taste in the bottom, for nostalgias sake. Like Reply. Dewar's 15-Year-Old. Distillery: Bruichladdich. If you want to try the smokier peated style of whiskies, your best bets are: * Laphroaig (10 years old) - somewhat rough, but this is one of the best values in scotch, at around $33 a bottle. in essence, you get an oaky bite/finish but very much slathered with a malty butteriness that i wouldnt have complained to have paid $30+ for. Excellent piece . Bunnhahabhain (pronounced "bun-ah-HA-ben") has long flown under the radar, as the distillery's whisky has historically been used in blends for other brands. Balvenie DoubleWood 12. In recent years it's lost both the caramel coloring and chill filtration that were used . The best I can do http://www.tomatin.com/distributors/distributor-map. The price is mostly $30-$50 for 750lt. Damn those Asian billionaires! Sometimes theres a note we dont like (like phenolics, which is the medicinal band-aid note you find in Islays from peat) and that can apply to anything I try to avoid saying any particular thing is *bad* only whether I prefer it. Another Islay, but on the lighter side, aged in Sherry butts (not what you think) with a delicately pale gold look to it. It sips nicely neat or with a couple of cubes. Single malt scotch is usually more expensive than blended scotch, but it can still be found for under $30. Runs close to $50 USD. Another unapologetically peated Islay, and a great value for all the complexity. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Really? Barrel aging is an expensive process. Port Charlotte bottlings are the heavily peated single malt line distilled at Bruichladdich with the barley peated to 40ppm. I looked up the name of a St. Louis liquor store (Randalls) for pricing, sticking to your $50 limit, and I think you would do well to get the Laphroaig 10 so you have some Islay representation in there. Macgavins Highland Single Malt Scotch 11. Most low-cost Scotch whiskies will not be very old. Cheap single malts I didnt much care for: Your local beer and wine store wont carry it Im afraid. Thanks for the lists everyone. . The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. That said, there are a few options out there and here are the best cheap single malt scotches I can think of. It has a nice, sweet peat flavor, with some oak notes, salted toffee, and dark sugar. I dont care for the smoky flavors from Islay malts, so Im not likely to spring for a Laphroaig or Lagavulin. I tend to generally buy less expensive whiskies budgets are a bugger, but bills have to be paid! My first generation is from the Old Country (Scotland), Im born and raised West Coast Canada yet my first was a 12yr Glenfiddich. The distillery's. Laphroaig and Lagavulin are fine options for the next bottle, maybe find a local spot that serves it (its not hard to find if they have scotch) so you can try it before committing to a whole bottle? Haha. This blended highland Scotch is rich with slight notes of toasted grain and spice. Your email address will not be published. Troll is strong in this one. Famous for a reason, a great value. Being a Scot Glenfiddich is an awful mass produced single malt, and blended whisky is the devil. The price is $88 / 750ml with no little tatesters too expensive to buy by chance. A marquee and fairly well known single malt from the Orkney Islands, Highland Park 12 Year is one of the smoother, sweeter single malts. The award for the Best 20 YO Single Malt went to another legendary Scotch whisky: Mortlach, 20 YO, 43.4% ABV, 750 ml, $250. It does not have a peat aroma and palate, but it has a balanced and dry oak finish. got it at Total Wineits been there for some timesays Charles Hamilton as has been discussed by others. Blended but a good, reasonably priced Scotch.Johnnie Walker Black. The worlds bestselling Scotch whisky, first created by grocer John Walker in the 1820s, is a solid blended dram and a sure value, says Desoblin. Aberlour Glenlivet. That makes it great for an afternoon dram when you want something reasonable to enjoy before going on with your evening. Monkey Shoulder is a big hit in our Facebook group, its a great value and a great dram. It's easy to drink and boasts notes of honey for the drinker with a sweet tooth. But its special double-wood aging, first in former bourbon barrels made of American oak and then in first-fill oloroso sherry butts, add unique layers of flavor. These are the best whisky picks for single malt Scotch, all under 35 Best whisky amazon.co.uk Glengoyne 10 Year Old Whisky 36.99 32.99 (11% off) SHOP NOW Score: 82/100 Hailing from. Drinking water between sips helps to bring out the natural flavors of the whisky. Its light, floral; its approachable, he says, and though it also makes great cocktails, its diverse enough to throw a cube in or sip neat., Region: Speyside | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Flowers, Vanilla, Pineapple. 24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of the 32 best single malt scotch whiskies for 2022 by reviewing the results of the 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, a weeks-long multi-part event covering a wide . I was stunned, and have never looked back. It has a smooth and mellow character with nice peat and sweet vanilla tasting notes. I disliked this at first but helps understand the difference between the whiskys, strangely it keeps calling me back, love hate relationship going in there. It isn't necessary to dig deep in your pockets for a loveable whisky, says Flavien Desoblin, owner of New Yorks Brandy Library and Cooper & Oak. Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey. Buy now. 10 Best Affordable Scotch $40 And Under: 10) Speyburn Arranta (SINGLE MALT), $40: A new release in 2015, Speyburn Arranta is exclusive to the United States. So the first batch of 12yo GlenDronach was already actually at least 14 years old. Another excellent affordable single malt. But my favorites are the Bowmore 15 (darkest), Dalmore 12 and Highland Park 12. to me its a $50 bottle at best. So 4 bottles under $50 and you want to go with Glenfarclas 12 and Aberlour 10 to start that means you have two Speysides. Even if youve never taken a snort of whisky in your life (yeah, thats a thing), youve probably heard the term Single Malt Scotch, likely spoken with an air of importance or terror. Tremendous value for money , 36 here in Scotland! This makes me a little trepid to try new. Smoky peat is . Yes, it is okay to drink single malt Scotch every day. It was a true taste of history. The rare ice version is really good but even pricier than the regular one. Quite simply put, scotch is whisky made in Scotland. I still cant find it here locally but Ill keep an eye out! *Prices are an approximation or average, some retailers (online and in-person) may charge more or less, so shop around! Personally, if I had to limit myself to just two whiskys forevermore, the first would hands down have to be the Lagavulin 16, as Im a peat fan, and just love a smooth but smoky Islay malt. His bar is deep with rare single malts, hard-to-find bourbons, and ryes, but he doesn't believe there's anything too precious to share with friends. If you like a certain distillerys entry level single malt, youll probably like something more complex from the same distillerya double wood, or cask strength, or limited edition, etc. Now I know the price will go up on this one soon and Im helping to make it happen. 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