The biggest difference between Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey is the distillation process. While Scotch is distilled twice, Irish whiskey is distilled 3 times, giving it a smoother finish. Alternatives to Scotch Whisky While it might be the most familiar name, the unique distillery is actually one of the world’s best. Previously, the distillery mainly produced whisky for blends, however, in recent years, Glenallachie has undergone some serious changes, introducing several fruity, single-malt expressions like the 12-year we’ve selected here.

When you’re searching for the best Scotch whisky you need to balance your flavour palate, price point, and availability to find that perfect dram. Thankfully, our team of editors and drinks expert Christopher Osburn are here to help you by personally testing multiple expressions before compiling a list of their favourites below. As the premier whisky publication in Australia, with more than 10 years of experience covering the industry, it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about whisky. If you’re looking to dip your toe into the world of Scotch for the first time and want to buy a top-quality dram this article is for you. Best Scotch Whisky at a Glance Great if you love sweetness, fruit, and red wine on the nose and palate. It’s bottled at 46% ABV which makes it spicy, but it’s raw, rich, and natural in colour making it the perfect mid-range whisky. When all of the local clan-killing was done, and the ship’s provisions were secured, it was time for the Spanish to set sail. Unfortunately, before they could scarper, one of the ship’s provisioners blew up the boat, killing almost everyone on board and sinking the San Juan de Sicilia – along with its rumoured cargo of Spanish gold – to the bottom of Tobermory Bay.If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. For over three decades, Glenmorangie’s Original 10 Year has been the most popular single malt Scotch whisky in all of the land (where they know a thing or two about whisky). Combine that with the brand’s endless slate of awards and you have a spirit that sells itself. The Original also serves as the base whisky for a variety of finishing programs, yielding rich expressions like Quinta Ruban and Lasanta. In terms of flavours, you’ll love the delicacy of this affordable dram. A representation of classic Scotch if there ever was one, the flavours of orange, creamy vanilla, and fruity hits of peach.

There’s spice after a little time for the glass to mature, slightly citrus like lemon pepper. It’s a very well balanced and married set of aromas and a very friendly nose indeed. If you’re looking for alternatives to Scotch whisky, we recommend looking at Japan, Ireland, and Australia. Japanese whisky has grown exponentially to the point some of their brand’s bottles are fetching world-record pricing for rarity and quality. Ireland has made a name for itself by offering a more relaxed ruleset compared to its Scottish friends and the result is a new age of whisky that experiments with younger age statements barreled in sweet wine barrels. The same can be said for the best Australian whisky brands, specifically those from Tasmania that have won awards against some of the world’s best. Explore Different Global Regions

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Regardless of whether the Service offers the functionality to contribute, you are solely responsible and liable for any content and information that you create, upload, post, publish, link to, duplicate, transmit, record, display or otherwise make available on the Service or to other Members, such as chat messages, text messages, videos, audio, audio recordings, music, pictures, photographs, text and any other information or materials, whether publicly posted or privately transmitted (“Contributions”). On the nose: Fruit tarts with a pleasant, worty sweetness. Maybe it’s because I knew that it was finished in Rioja casks, but there were definite cherry and plum aromas with a feinty-leathery underbelly you’d expect from a Gran Reserva. The smoke and spice – which are hard to get hold of – are subdued under the weight of the fruit. We may, but are not under any obligation, to release new functionalities and tools or other features for the Service every now and then. Any new functionalities, tools and features shall be part of and governed by the Terms from the moment they are launched and/or available. Further, we reserve the right to modify, change, discontinue the Service, add or remove features, update the Service, change its appearance, temporarily and permanently, at any time, in whole or any part thereof. Original 12 is often people’s first foray into Scotch and it’s a great dram filled with butterscotch, cream, malt and just enough oak to give a statement. If you want to go up a notch and try something different opt for our favourite, the 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve.

Unless mandatory applicable law provides otherwise, your use of and membership to the Service are exclusively governed by Dutch law. We shall first try to settle any dispute over a dram of whisky. Disputes that cannot be settled over multiple drams of whisky shall be solely submitted to the court of Amsterdam, The Netherlands unless mandatory applicable law provides otherwise. Sitting at the pointy end of our list of one of the all-time greats, The Macallan. About as close to smooth and balanced perfection as top-shelf Scotch Whisky can get, the brand has unique expressions up and down the price spectrum, but the 12-year-old Sherry Oak Cask is our overall favourite. That being said, we’ve also come to love the brand for its offshoot expressions, particularly their latest Harmony Collection, inspired by Arabica which we absolutely loved for its strong coffee flavours. With an ABV of 40-43%, it’s an approachable whisky albeit a little light on the palate for some seasoned drinkers. The definitive dram for all palates, special enough for a seasoned drinker while approachable for your beginners. This single malt is matured in sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez for rich notes of dried fruit and candied citrus with a splash of oak.

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We may sell, license, transfer, assign or in any other way dispose of the Service (including Members) to any third party without any notification to you, e.g. (but without limitation) in connection with any reorganization, restructuring, merger or sale, or other transfer of assets. A week later - first sip is chlorinated water, grapefruit, sweet kiwi fruit and there’s a vegetal note. Without prejudice to the section Liability below, the Service may be temporarily unavailable during maintenance, updates, etc. We shall make reasonable efforts to inform you of any unavailability due to maintenance or updates. The results of the Icons of Whisky Scotland 2022, Whisky Magazine's latest Hall of Fame inductees, and Scottish regional results of the World Whiskies Awards 2022 can be found below. To explore this brand in full is to jump down a rabbit hole of limited-edition one-offs and special releases, so we’ll save you some trouble: If you want something special at a reasonable price point, start out with the 12-Year Sherry Oak Cask and work your way up from there to the 18-Year. If that’s too expensive, save up for a bottle of the 12-Year and enjoy all The Macallan greatness at a reasonable price.

This first expression from the series sees the smoky Ledaig signature expression finished in hand selected Rioja casks in honour of the Spanish treasure buried deep off the shoreline. The Service has been prepared by us solely for information purposes to Members and the Service is based on information we consider reliable and we obtain the contents of the Service from a number of different third party sources (including Contributions), but we do not endorse, support, represent, warrant or guarantee the completeness, truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of the Services and any information therein. A traditional Speyside taste that suits every palate, if anything it’s a little ‘basic’ for your aficionados. The 25 year old is next-level. This bottle certainly has got personality and the Rioja steers it away from the standard 10yo into much sweeter seas. I imagine this could be a bottle that divides the crowd and I’m pleased to have grabbed this bottle on offer and would be happy to have it come aboard my ship again. For me the biggest pet peeve is it has the cheek to be part of a series with no other bottles on the horizon. The finish is a little bitter with hints of ethanol but remains pleasant. Nothing particularly special about it, just a good all-around flavour.It’s hard to find fault in a whisky this smooth, buttery, and rich. If we had to point the finger at something it’s not particularly fresh on the nose, but that comes with the turf. Salty with sweet smoke - a crisp cold street at midnight. Mineral with banana chips and grey moulding clay. The smoke dissipates and there’s bright orange citrus. Aquatonic. A farm note and the new-make character begins to appear. A really interesting ultra sweet wave of matches and matchbox. Surprisingly thin on the first swish leaving a mild TCP tang on the tongue. Fortunately each further sip brings a little something extra to the party from burnt marzipan to salted pork chops. While it certainly brings a variety of associations in the mind, none really squeeze the taste buds hostage. The finish ends on a high with a savoury vegetal smoke: think of putting a cabbage patch fire out with a jar of Marmite. That last one is a positive in my book. The peated expression that you’ll want to drink all day. It’s an award-winning expression that won Double Gold in 2015 but continues its run today with great colour and plenty of campfire morning smoke and coastal salt on the palate. Made with heavily peated barley before being matured in ex-bourbon casks, and finished in hand selected Spanish Rioja casks, this single malt contains powerful flavours of smoke, spice, grape and sweet berries with a lingering saltiness.