The 10 Best Scotch Whiskies to Drink Before You Die

Life is too short to drink cheap scotch, which is why we here at Ballistic took the time to write an article about what we consider to be the best scotch whiskies. This is a motto that has served me well over the years and led to a deeper appreciation for “uisge beatha,” or the “water of life.” Few drinks carry the romance of scotch, and it has been a staple of refined adulthood for more than 500 years. Yet even with such an extensive history, many people are still a bit foggy on what is what in the scotch world. Their experiences have been mixed, with some falling in love with the golden nectar and some questioning its right to exist. If your first experience with scotch required you to punch a hole in the wall to make it go down, then gather ’round for a little guidance.

In short, scotch is malted barley that has been fermented and distilled twice. After that, it is put to rest in oak barrels to begin the aging process—oak barrels that are commonly seasoned by American whiskey makers. In fact, the well-known scotch distiller Glenmorangie has a deal with American icon Jack Daniel’s to use its old whiskey barrels. Jack Daniel’s harvests the oak from the Mark Twain National Forest and uses it to make barrels to age its products. After 50 years, the barrels will go to Glenmorangie to age its scotch. Deals like this show just how stable and profitable the world of whisky is.

And this is the perfect time to answer the question that is probably rattling around inside your head right now. What the heck is the difference between whiskey made here in the U.S. and that made in Scotland? I’m glad you asked! While the obvious difference is geographic, they are made from different ingredients as well. Scotch is made mostly from malted barley while bourbon is distilled from corn. There is also a spelling difference. The amber produced in Scotland is spelled “whisky” while its American cousin, such as bourbon, adds an “e” to the mix and is spelled “whiskey.” Yes, it matters.

Single Malt Or Blended?

The next task is to understand what we are buying because they are not all the same. While we can break them down into five different categories for the scotch nerds in the crowd, I will limit this discussion to two major arenas: single malts and blends.

Single malts are the epicenter of all things wonderful in life. This whisky stands alone and has specific rules surrounding its labeling. A single-malt scotch must be distilled in Scotland and matured in oak casks for at least three years.

Next comes blended whisky. This is the biggest category of scotch, and it is composed of both malted and grain whisky. A common name in this category is Johnnie Walker.

Regions

As you can see, scotch, like so many good things in life, has variety. Much of the variations in scotch are driven by where they are made. We can break these up into four regions that have their own special characteristics. First is Highland scotch. My favorite region, this area produces an elixir that can be described as warm and smooth. Right next door is the Speyside region, which is known for scotch that has a fruitier or even vanilla flavor. Then we continue south to find the Lowland scotch. This is a lighter scotch in both color and flavor. Many people gravitate towards this region to cut their teeth in the scotch world. Lastly, we head off the coast to the islands. These locations provide an environment for creating a scotch that has a strong, peaty flavor.

Got all that? It’s not as hard as it may sound to choose a good scotch. As I mentioned, if you are new to the scotch world, then go slow, take your time, and taste what is out there. Bottles range from $30 to $30,000, so you will want to know what you are getting before you buy. Many excellent adult beverage distributors, as well as local clubs, offer scotch tastings. A trip to your local Scottish festival is also certain to put you within a caper’s toss of the chance to taste a variety of brands.

Best Scotch Whiskies

What good would an article on scotch be if I did not at least give you some specific guidance and suggestions? One thing I have to include in this indulgence is the specific age or version of the scotch I suggest. As a general rule, the longer the scotch ages, the better it gets. However, you must know that if the bottle says 25 years old on it, keeping it for an additional 25 does not make it a 50-year-old scotch. The aging process officially ends when it hits the bottle. In the end, the cliché is true—I prefer to drink scotch that is at least old enough to vote.

My Top 10 Best Scotch Whiskies

10. Macallan 25-year-old Sherry Oak

Macallan has many great bottles in its lineup, but one of my all-time favorites is this one. It is a perfect balance between the clean, smoky goodness of other Macallans with an ending taste of dried fruits, wood smoke, and spice. Coming in at almost $3,000 a bottle, you might want to taste it first.

9. Glenmorangie 18-Year-Old

Glenmorangie puts a great deal of work into this offering. The first 15 years of its life is spent in American white oak casks, then it is transferred to Spanish casks for its final three years. It has a great, full flavor with a hint of floral and sweetness brought out by the use of Spanish sherry casks. Listing at only $120 a bottle, it is a bargain in the best scotch whiskies category.

8. Laphroaig 18-Year-Old

This winner from Laphroaig was only made in limited quantities each year. It was a classic Islay scotch with a soft, sweet, and spicy peat-smoke taste. As with many of the Islay scotches, if you close your eyes, you can get a hint of the North Atlantic in the echoes of its taste. A word of warning: it has been discontinued but you can still find a bottle online. Yes, it will set you back a bit, as it is priced at around $650 a bottle now.

7. Balvenie 12-Year-Old Single Barrel

From the masters at Balvenie comes this liquid masterpiece. As a single- barrel scotch, it has been aged in a 12-year-old bourbon cask after being distilled once. The casks chosen for the task are characterized by their ability to deliver a vanilla oakiness to the overall flavor. Hitting the bank account at around $70, this is a great purchase.

6. Lagavulin 16-Year-Old

This scotch is a much-sought-after treasure with a very strong peat-smoke flavor that is typically found in scotches of the southern Islay. It’s not for the faint of heart, as it is a classic peaty drink. It has a very thick and rich flavor built on peat and oak. It is rounded out, however, with a touch of fruit and sweetness. Priced in the $95 range, it is a great bargain for a for one of the best scotch whiskies we know.

5. Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old

This is a bottle that any serious scotch drinker should have. It is a two-cask scotch with its beginnings in bourbon casks and a finish in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It is a smooth Speyside sipper with a combination of floral, sweet and fruity profiles, and notes of pears, vanilla, oak and butterscotch. I hate to suggest that any one scotch is a “beginner’s” scotch, but the truth is that Glenfiddich 12-year -old is a great place to start your journey. Priced in the $30 range, it is absolutely worth a try.

4. Johnnie Walker 12-Year-Old Black Label

While is it obvious that I enjoy single malts, one great blended scotch that I enjoy is Johnnie Walker Black Label 12-year-old. One of the world’s most famous blends, Johnnie Walker Black is a blend of around 40 whiskies, very well put together. The flavors are a diverse spectrum of malt, peat and smoke followed up with vanilla, cinnamon and ginger. It’s truly a great scotch. And, it’s generally priced at an affordable $30, making it an easy decision.

3. Glenlivet 21-Year-Old Archive

This bottle represents The Glenlivet’s signature style. It is aged in American oak casks, which gives it notes of vanilla and provides the whisky its distinctive smoothness. It is also a good example of a scotch that is greatly influenced by its distillation process. From the waters used in the process to the height and width of the copper stills, little twists and turns in distillation help create this solid scotch. Priced in the “make sure you like it” range of $300 and up, this scotch is another great addition to your liquor cabinet.

2. Chivas Regal 18-Year-Old

Another classic blended scotch, this is an expertly blended treat of over 20 rare single malts from around Scotland. Flavor-wise, it has a medium body with an almost marmalade, dark chocolate taste and a hint of smoky wood. At $90 it’s one of the best scotch whiskies for the price – you’ll thank me later.

1. Highland Park 25-Year-Old

Among the best scotch whiskies we know is the Highland Park 25-Year-Old. Highland Park’s 25 is a rich single malt with a distinct flavoring of honey. It is a dual- cask scotch that uses both sherry and bourbon vessels for aging. The product of this effort is a mature balance between a fruity sweetness and the distilleries’ trademark Orcadian peatiness. This scotch is one of my favorites, but a 750ml bottle will set you back around $930.

What to Avoid

OK, as a lover of scotch, I would be remiss if I did not provide a fair warning on what to stay away from in this ever-growing world of amber gold. First of all, just accept the fact that if you buy scotch in a plastic bottle from your local mega-mart, your friends should have an intervention and relieve you of financial responsibilities.

A few specific brands exist that I would avoid. McCormick is a constant in the younger crowd because of its price. However, while the price will be low, the toll on your dignity and soul will be high. There is also the toll on your head when you wake up the next morning. Next up on the list is J&B, and while the label says “rare,” there is nothing rare about it. This is highlighted by J&B billing itself as “The World’s Party Whisky.” Just don’t.

Last up in this danger zone section is Pipers Clan. The price of this elixir is less than $10 for a reason. Just go ahead and punch yourself in the face instead of pouring this in a glass and trying to be suave while you drink it. You will prefer the punch.

History in a Glass

As hipsters grow their urban lumberjack beards, they have skateboarded toward my sanctuary of refined adulthood. Along with them, however, are legions of serious people who want to learn more about the enigmatic drink that is scotch. You are embarking on an enjoyable and enlightening journey into a lifestyle reserved for those of intellect and patience.

Scotch is not a rookie drink, nor should it ever be. It is for those who are willing to consider what they are drinking with the intent of making the drink itself the center of an enjoyable event. As the famous Scottish historian David Daiches said, “The proper drinking of scotch whisky is more than indulgence—it is a toast to civilization, a tribute to the continuity of culture, a manifesto of man’s determination to use the resources of nature to refresh mind and body and enjoy to the fullest the senses with which he has been endowed.” Enjoy it.

For more information on the best scotch whiskies listed in above, please visit the following sites.

Macallan
https://www.themcallan.com

Glenmorangie
https://www.glenmorangie.com

Laphroaig
https://www.laphroaig.com

Balvenie
https://us.thebalvenie.com

Lagavulin
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com

Glenfiddich
https://www.glenfiddich.com

Johnnie Walker
https://www.johnniewalker.com

Glenlivet
https://www.theglenlivet.com

Chivas Regal
https://www.chivas.com

Highland Park
https://shop.highlandpark.co.uk Keep Reading