Bottles of award-winning Japanese Suntory Yamazaki single malt whisky, on display at the 'Whisky ... [+] Live Tokyo 2012. So, let’s take a look at the everpopular category of single malt whisky, and define it. This allows single malt whiskies to develop regional flavors where the distilling methods, land, ingredients, … “If you like peated whisky, this is one of the best out there for sure,” says Kurpinsky. Yet, my tastes truly expanded after moving to Tokyo in 2012 and working for one of, I’m Scottish, which I feel says a lot concerning my love for whisky and quality drinks. “This bottling, named after a local loch, has all the maritime salinity you come to expect from the distillery literally on the water, but also has one of the most satisfying finishes in Islay,” adds Kurpinsky. With a style out there for everyone, here are the best single malt scotch whiskies available in a range of categories. Macallan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Year, 750 ml, 86 Proof 4.9 out of 5 stars 70 #42. A Glenfiddich single malt whisky, for example, must be produced at the Glenfiddich Distillery. His work has appeared in many different national outlets covering trends, new releases, and the stories and innovators behind the spirits. The whisky is matured in both bourbon and sherry casks before being married together and bottled. The Dalmore’s already intensely fruity and complex single malt offers striking notes of ripe plum, cherry and dried apricot in the Port Wood Reserve expression. The root of all confusion lies in the simple word single. To provide the robust, flavor-forward profile more typical of American whiskeys and of our High West style, High Country™ American Single Malt … You may opt-out by. A rum barrel brings new flavors to the mix, like banana, brown sugar and cocoa. “Velvety and sophisticated—this is a unique spirit, worth the investment.”, This 12-year-old expression from Glenfiddich, one of the biggest names in scotch whisky, is both affordable and readily accessible. “There's certainly enough peat to hang with the rest of the Islay bottles, but it's not a smoke bomb and there are many other layered flavors to discover,” says consulting bartender Gates Otsuji. One of the best comes from The GlenDronach, a distillery located in the Highlands that focuses on sherry-cask matured whisky. The 16-year-old expression, aged in second-fill ex-bourbon barrels, might be a little pricey, but it’s well worth the splurge. Single malt, single barrel, single … “Don't believe me? Today, I live between Taiwan and Hong Kong, acting as head of whisky and spirits for the world-renowned auction house Spink in Hong Kong. 1 Vaults. Twelve years is the benchmark for many distilleries, most of which have an entry-level whisky aged for this amount of time. Irish whiskey producer Egan’s is rolling out Legacy Reserve III, a 17 year old single malt finished in cadillac casks. Single malt whisky can and is made anywhere in world. This Speyside distillery has an excellent lineup, with the 16-year-old landing in the sweet spot of maturation between the 12- and 18-year-old. A single malt whiskey … “You can’t get a better whisky in this range.”. Best Under $100: Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie, Best for Cocktails: Auchentoshan American Oak, Best 12-Year-Old: The GlenDronach Original, Best 25-Year-Old: The Macallan Sherry Oak, Best Rum Cask Finish: The Balvenie Caribbean Cask, Best Port Cask Finish: The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve, Best No-Age Statement: Glenmorangie Signet, Best Entry-Level: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, The 9 Best Cheap Scotches to Drink in 2021, The 10 Best Japanese Whiskies to Drink in 2021, The 12 Best Sipping Rums to Drink in 2021, The 12 Best Canadian Whiskies to Drink in 2021, The 14 Best Scotch Whiskies to Drink in 2021, The 8 Best Sipping Rums That Are Older Than a 6th Grader, 5 Essential Scotch Bottles You Need for Your Home Bar, The Best Scotch of the Month Clubs of 2021, What You Need to Know About Every Distillery on Islay, Your Essential Cheat Sheet to Scotland’s 5 Scotch Regions.