The art of crafting scotch whiskey can trace its roots all the way back to as far as 1495. Considered by most to be the finest form of whiskey, if not the fines form of alcohol there is, scotch is a favorite drink among many throughout the world. True scotch can only come from Scotland, and it’s produced in a very specific manner with great levels of attention to detail. There’s a wide range of distilleries in Scotland that aim to produce the best whiskey in the world, and many succeed at this. Outside of the big names like Johnnie Walker, there are thousands of other distilleries that offer great beverages. So what are some of the best bottles of scotch that you can get today? Let’s take a look at five different whiskies that are truly exceptional products. While a $5,000 dollar bottle of scotch from a select vintage made in 1950 is probably amazing, we are just going to focus on bottles that most can realistically buy and afford.
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5. The Balblair 1999
According to Scottish law, all scotch whiskey has to be aged for at least 3 years and one day in order for it to be considered scotch. This is why most scotch makers advertise their year, and like other forms of alcohol, the longer it ages the better it tastes. Launched in 2014, Balbllair’s 1999 single malt scotch is a real standout. The vintage has been aging for 15 years in both old American bourbon barrels with Spanish ex-sherry butts which give this scotch a unique taste. It has a fruity aroma and is a solid choice for whiskey fans. And at around $69 dollars per bottle, the price is great too.
Photo from balblair.com
4. The Chivas Regal 18 Year
A tried and trusted scotch, the Chivas Regal 18 Year still remains as one of the finest bottles of blended scotch on the market today. It’s won six awards over the last two years, and it’s a personal favorite among many. It’s made from a blend of more than 20 single malts and then, as the name indicates, it is aged for 18 years. For around $54 dollars per 750ml, it’s competitively priced as well.
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3. The Macallan Sienna
Macallan often does not advertise how long they age their scotch for, to keep their whiskeys more secritive in nature. Still, with hints of green apples, orange, figs, white chocolate, vanilla, and nutmeg, their Sienna scotch is something that you have to try. Besides, a bottle will run you around $71 dollars. It’s a lighter, medium-bodied scotch that is sweet in all the right ways.
Photo from themacallan.com
2. The Compass Box Hedonism
Compass Box is an artisan scotch distillery that takes great pride in their work, and rightfully so. Their Hedonism is a blended scotch made from eight to fifteen different whiskeys from a variety of different distilleries throughout Scotland. It has notes of fruit, sponge cake, cream, spice, and strawberry jam which contributes to its great taste. It’s pretty full-bodied, rich, very sweet, and has just the right amount of smokiness. At only $60 dollars per bottle, it’s quite the whiskey.
1. The Glenmorangie Signet
Glenmorangie’s Signet is from the brands “Prestige Range” of whiskeys, which contain some of the brands finest examples of scotch. You’ll be paying around $136 dollars per bottle as it is more premium than others, but it’s well worth that price. The whiskey used has been aging for over 30 years and it’s a full-bodied scotch that’s extremely rich and smoky. It has an aroma of espresso with plum pudding and sherry, but the taste is a balance between sweet fruits, spices, and bitter mocha. It’s very “full-on” in terms of flavor, if you know what I mean, but it’s definitely one of the best bottles of scotch that you can get.
Photo from glenmorangie.com
