The best Scotch whiskies for your next bar cart top-up
GQ's best Scotch whisky edit is your guide to the 120-plus distilleries who continue to put Scotland on the lips of the great, the good and the grand all around the world
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Whether you're a seasoned highland connoisseur or an eager novice dreaming of your first distillery trip, the allure of a good Scotch whisky can’t be ignored. In fact, in the battle of geographical bests, few whiskies compare; Scotland’s single malts and brilliant blends make up some of the best whiskies in the world.
Plus, venturing into the world of Scotch whisky feels a bit like stepping into a living history book. Over 120 distilleries across the country continue to craft liquid legacies that not only transcend time, but celebrate Scotland’s world-renowned craftsmanship. From rare four-figure bottles to approachable daily quaffers, each whisky offers a glimpse into centuries of expertise. That, and a bloody good tipple.
What is the best Scotch whisky to buy?
- Best all-round Scotch whisky: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera, £47 at thewhiskyexchange.com
- Best value Scotch whisky: Nomad Outland Whisky, £35.50 at thewhiskyexchange.com
- Best Scotch whisky for gifting: Balblair 18, £134 at thewhiskyexchange.com
- Best Islay Scotch whisky: Lagavulin 12-year-old Special Release 2016, £299 at thewhiskyexchange.com
When it comes to selecting the perfect Scotch whisky for your next bar cart top-up, the options are endless. Whether you're seeking an everyday companion, a bottle worthy of a special occasion, or a hidden gem that you won’t find at the supermarket, our discerning guide has you covered.
How we choose the best Scotch whiskies
Choosing your next Highland, Islay or Speyside dram may be a subjective matter (I’ve been known to move from ex-bourbon casks to sherry casks as an evening goes on), but a little expert guidance certainly helps.
British GQ's resident whisky expert, Lela London, has spent over 10 years going on distillery tours, exploring what’s new (and old) in the market, and indulging in tastings all over Scotland (it’s a tough gig, we know) and beyond. She has tasted everything on this list, multiple times, and has hand-picked a selection to cover all tastes and budgets.
All photos were shot at Dram Bar, 7 Denmark St, London WC2H 8LZ. An imperious cocktail bar just off London's Tottenham Court Road that demands a reservation. At drambar.co.uk
The Dalmore Cigar Malt Scotch Whisky
1/22The Dalmore Cigar Malt Scotch Whisky
- Age: 12 years old
- ABV: 44%
- Region: Highlands
When the Cigar Malt was discontinued in 2009, I was not a happy woman. The original was one of the first whiskies I fell in love with, delivering the most delightful – and unusual – burnt cinder-toffee palate. It was incomparable, really, which is why I blew my proverbial lid off when The Dalmore re-released it, using whiskies slightly older than those used in the original blend. Arguably, it's even better than I remembered, with lots of caramel, orange zest, cinnamon and sherry woven throughout. Should you be that way inclined, it's also the perfect cigar accompaniment.
£110£94. At amazon.co.ukLagavulin 12 Year Old Special Releases 2016
2/22Lagavulin 12 Year Old Special Releases 2016
- Age: 12 years old
- ABV: 57.7%
- Region: Islay
The Lagavulin that made the world fall in love with Lagavulin. Released in 2016 to celebrate the distillery's 200th anniversary, this is a dram packed with tobacco, sea spray, smoky toffee and spice. A drop or two of H20 will bring a bit of sweet black liquorice out, too. It’s a beast. £299. At thewhiskyexchange.com
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera
3/22Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera
- Age: 15 years old
- ABV: 40%
- Region: Speyside
There are few whiskies as crowd-pleasing as the Solera, and it’s one I recommend to just about everyone. This 15-year-old scotch utilizes an oak vat which hasn't been emptied since 1998, holding Glenfiddich 15 from ex-Bourbon casks, European oak casks and virgin American oak caks. While it boasts Glenfiddich’s signature soft smoke, this multifaceted system twists the tasting notes towards raisins, fruit cake, and dry oak. A true quaffer. £47. At thewhiskyexchange.com & amazon.co.uk
Tales of The Macallan Volume 1: 1950
4/22Tales of The Macallan Volume 1: 1950
- Age: 70+ years old
- ABV: 44.6%
- Region: Speyside
No, you haven’t read the price wrong; this exceptionally rare collector’s item from The Macallan marks the very first entry in the Tales of the Macallan series. The single malt was bottled after spending more than 70 years in oak — let that sink in for a moment — and there is, naturally, tonnes of vanilla, almond and oak in its flavour profile. Each Lalique crystal decanter is presented in a leather-bound book telling the story of Captain John Grant (the man who sowed the first barley on the future site of The Macallan distillery). £80,000. At thewhiskyexchange.com
Balblair 18
5/22Balblair 18
- Age: 18 years old
- ABV: 46%
- Region: Highlands
Christmastime in a bottle, this complex and satisfying Scotch is perfect for gifting. Initially matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks, followed by first fill Spanish oak butts, its palate is packed with juicy apricots, creamy custards, and a whole of warm, sweet, spices. It is on the pricier side, but would make for a beautiful bottle to share by the fire come holiday season. £134. At thewhiskyexchange.com & amazon.co.uk
Nomad Outland Whisky
6/22Nomad Outland Whisky
- Age: No age statement
- ABV: 41.3%
- Region: Speyside
Renowned master blender Richard Paterson and expert sherry producer Gonzalez Byass teamed up to create this unique whisky and the results are nothing short of sensational. A true sherry bomb, it is made with a blend of over 30 malt and grain whiskies, aged between 5 and 8 years old, matured in Scotland for three years, then shipped to Jerez to be finished in Pedro Ximénez casks. The result is ultra-rich, smooth, and bursting with ripe fruits and toffee. If you love long, sweet finishes but want to keep costs low, this is the bottle for you. £35.50. At thewhiskyexchange.com & selfridges.com
Nc’nean Organic Single Malt Whisky
7/22Nc’Nean Organic Single Malt Whisky
- Age: No age statement
- ABV: 46%
- Region: Highlands
Founded by Annabel Thomas, this primarily female-run distillery is the UK’s first to achieve net zero emissions for its own operations. This barley-forward single malt boasts notes of tangy tropical fruits, creamy shortbread, and a light touch of vanilla. The eye-catching bottle is made entirely from recycled glass, too, further reducing its footprint. A proper easy drinker. £56.95. At amazon.co.uk & thewhiskyexchange.com
Ferg & Harris Speyside 12
8/22Ferg & Harris Speyside 12
- Age: 12 years old
- ABV: 55.7%
- Region: Speyside
Ferg and Harris do things differently, selecting top-quality malts (from many of Scotland’s finest distilleries) and finishing them in hand-selected casks to complement the character of the original whiskies. The Speyside 12 is a personal favourite, robust yet extremely smooth, with scents of toffee, baked figs, and a lasting Pedro Ximénez warmth. £69.99. At fergandharris.co.uk
Elements of Islay Bourbon Cask
9/22Elements of Islay Bourbon Cask
- Age: No age statement
- ABV: 54.5%
- Region: Islay
Recently refurbished, Elements of Islay’s new core range of blended malt whiskies are all worth a taste or two (or more). Our favourite, the Bourbon Cask expression, undergoes maturation in both first-fill and refill bourbon barrels, showcasing its rich, roaring smoke and nuanced, crème brûlée notes in equal measure. It’s a true testament to Islay's terroir, and one that is fairly guaranteed to make your friends and family go “ooh, this is interesting!”. £59.95. At thewhiskyexchange.com & houseofmalt.co.uk
Singleton 12 Scotch Whisky
10/22Singleton 12 Scotch Whisky
- Age: 12 years old
- ABV: 40%
- Region: Speyside
If you’re looking for affordable quality, look no further. The Singleton 12 Years Old is matured in a high proportion of American oak casks with a small portion of European oak casks to balance the liquid. It’s honey-sweet, without feeling syrup-y, balanced by notes of espresso and hazelnuts. It’s also pretty perfect in a Penicillin, if you’re into whisky cocktails. £37.95. At amazon.co.uk & thewhiskyexchange.com
Annandale Man O’ Sword 2015
11/22Annandale Man O’ Sword 2015
- Age: No age statement
- ABV: 61.5%
- Region: Lowlands
Under the expert guidance of the late Dr Jim Swan, Annandale distillery has built an “if you know, you know” name for itself on award-winning new make malts. While earlier releases of Man O’ Swords are already being resold at over £3,000, later releases feel just as complex and well-balanced. Its peat boasts tasting notes of tea and toast before leaning into tropical fruit, cream and a long, honeyed finish. A truly special whisky. £126. At metacask.com & annandaledistillery.com
Glen Grant 15 Batch Strength
12/22Glen Grant 15 Batch Strength
- Age: 15 years old
- ABV: 50%
- Region: Speyside
As the distillery’s hero expression, this batch-strength Scotch offers all things sweet and spicy, with no hint of smoke. Originally available in global travel retail only, it has already become an award-winning addition to the brand. Think all things citrus-sweet, with lots of apple, melon and caramel poking through. £65.75. At thewhiskyexchange.com
Isle of Raasay Lightly Peated Whisky
13/22Isle of Raasay Lightly Peated Whisky
- Age: No age statement
- ABV: 46.4%
- Region: Islands
With a flavour profile inspired by smoky Hebridean single malts, Isle of Raasay’s flagship single malt is a Hebridean first. Rooted in centuries of illicit distilling, it’s actually the first legal Scotch produced on the island and utilizes a unique six-casks maturation process (including ex-Rye, virgin Chinkapin oak and Bordeaux red wine casks) to create a whisky that’s lightly-peated, fruit-forward, and creamy. One to watch, in anyone’s estimations. £54.95. At thewhiskyexchange.com & amazon.co.uk
Bladnoch Samsara Whisky
14/22Bladnoch Samsara Whisky
- Age: No age statement
- ABV: 46.7%
- Region: Lowlands
Samsara was the first of three new releases from Bladnoch in early 2017, celebrating the distillery’s reopening, and it’s not hard to see why. Although it doesn't carry an age statement, it's said to be made up of whiskies that are a minimum or 8 years old and well as older, rarer whiskies. First-fill Californian red wine and bourbon casks give the blend a strong wine-like palate with lots of rich red fruit, citrus and malt. Long story short: it’s sensational. £81.50. At thewhiskyexchange.com & amazon.co.uk
GlenAllachie 2012 Cuvee Wine Cask Finish
15/22GlenAllachie 2012 Cuvee Wine Cask Finish
- Age: 9 years old
- ABV: 48%
- Region: Speyside
A new personal favourite, The GlenAllachie 2012 Vintage Cuvée Wine Cask Finish is extremely good value for a limited release single malt. Started its maturation in bourbon casks, it is then matured through specially-selected wine barriques sourced from exceptional wine-growing regions (Languedoc, Valpolicella, and a premier cru chateaux in Bordeaux, darling). The result is complex, blending notes of blackcurrants with peaches, ginger and dark chocolate. Another quality quaffer. £56.50. At thewhiskyexchange.com
Ardbeg BizarreBQ
16/22Ardbeg BizarreBQ
- Age: No age statement
- ABV: 50.9%
- Region: Islay
A peat monster if there ever was one, Ardbeg’s limited-edition BizarreBQ is the distillery's first-ever barbecue-inspired single malt and the results are seriously, seriously smoky. Master Distiller Dr Bill Lumsden used double-charred oak casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and BBQ casks during the liquid’s maturation, resulting in just enough toffee and cinnamon on the tongue to balance the peat. £76. At clos19.com & thewhiskystock.com
Tamdhu 18
17/22Tamdhu 18
- Age: 18 years old
- ABV: 46.8%
- Region: Speyside
A truly delicious treat, Tamdhu 18 is the only Scotch whisky to be matured exclusively in fine Oloroso sherry casks. Naturally, it’s extremely sherry-forward, but zesty citrus notes cut through a lavish palate of nutty milk chocolate, honey-baked oats and stewed cinnamon apples. I’d call it an investment, but you definitely want to open this bottle. £157. At tamdhu.com & thewhiskyexchange.com
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
18/22Johnnie Walker Blue Label
- Age: No age statement
- ABV: 40%
- Region: Highlands
There’s a reason Johnnie Walker has become world famous for its blended Scotch whiskies. Still, while many are beloved and best-selling (Red Label, Black Label, et al), there is no better example of what the brand does than its prestigious Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Made up of the finest old-aged malt and grain whiskies, the blend is insanely velvet-y. Think silky smoke, rounded spice, and honeyed oats. A true delight. £159.95. At milroys.co.uk & waitrose.co.uk
Glenmorangie The Original
19/22Glenmorangie The Original
- Age: 10 years old
- ABV: 40%
- Region: Highlands
First released more than 175 years ago, Glenmorangie’s delicate Original liquid is matured in bourbon casks for 10 years, giving it the perfect balance of ripened peaches, sweet vanilla, and a hint of orange (hence the colour on the bottle). It’s gentle, fruity, and a longstanding go-to introductory dram for new whisky drinkers. £39. At thewhiskyexchange.com & waitrose.co.uk
Fettercairn 18 2023 Edition
20/22Fettercairn 18 2023 Edition
- Age: 18 years old
- ABV: 46.8%
- Region: Highlands
An annual release, Fettercairn 18 Years Old 2023 Edition has been realised through the refined combination of American White Oak and hand-crafted Scottish Oak casks (the latter of which have been locally-sourced). Showcasing a meticulous approach to cask management, it plays on rich fruit flavours, toasted oak, guava and fresh croissant sweetness, balancing soft spices. It has to be tasted to be believed. £185. At thewhiskyexchange.com
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
21/22Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
- Age: No age statement
- ABV: 50%
- Region: Islay
Bruichladdich’s signature expression, the floral-forward Classic Laddie, is all about showcasing the distillery’s house style. At an accessible price and palate, it’s a great choice for those looking to dip a toe (or tongue, should we say) into single malts. Using 100 per cent Scottish barley, the whisky saline, sweet and smoky with every sip. £44.50. At amazon.co.uk & thewhiskyexchange.com
Glengoyne 15 Year Old
22/22Glengoyne 15 Year Old Whisky
- Age: 15 years old
- ABV: 43%
- Region: Highlands
Glengoyne relaunched this particular single malt last year, revealing a brilliant handle on bourbon and sherry cask maturation. The whisky nails the brand’s signature style, albeit from a different perspective: its flavour profile is packed with spiced dried fruits, vanilla, and lemon meringue, without feeling overly sweet. Allspice and lemon rinds round the liquid out to perfection. £79.95. At glengoyne.com & houseofmalt.co.uk
“Of all the categories I work with, Scotch is the one with the greatest misconceptions, namely that there is a barrier to entry predicated on knowledge,” says Chris Tanner, owner and beverage director of Dram London. Quite simply, whisky is a distilled spirit made from cereals, water and yeast. The legal definition of Scotch, specifically, includes a requirement that each single malt whisky undergoes a maturation period of at least three years in Scotland (though many distillers don’t care about marking age statements until it becomes a 12-year-old). Blended Scotch, which makes up roughly 90 per cent of the market, is simply a blend of single-grain and single-malt whiskies.
“I and Dram have always stood in opposition to these notions that “'you can’t mix it, you can't do this, you can’t do that, it’s masculine, you have to drink it out of a certain glass', etcetera etcetera,” Chris continues. "Wrong: you can do whatever you want with it."
While an alchemical process is responsible for transforming simple ingredients into liquid gold, many distilleries use their own unique methods. The allure of Scotch, after all, lies in its diversity.
Generally, it’s a process of malt whisky distillation where barley, pure Scottish water, and yeast work together to create unique flavours. Additional factors – including the pot still's shape and maturation period – affect the final liquid, and most distilleries keep their exact processes close to their chest.
Scotch whisky is produced widely across the country, but it tends to be grouped into six regions; Highlands, Speyside, Lowlands, Campbeltown, Islay and Islands. Much like wine production, each respective location makes a noticeable difference to how each liquid tastes, looks and smells.
Though there are no hard rules, the Highlands tends to produce whiskies sweeter and richer in character (e.g. Balblair), Speyside Scotches tend to be lighter on peat and include some of the world's most popular single malts (e.g. Glenfiddich and The Macallan), the Lowlands are generally softer and more saline (e.g. Ailsa Bay), Islay whiskies are often smoky and earthy (e.g. Lagavulin), and both Island and Campbeltown whiskies are too diverse to pinpoint (e.g. Jura, Glen Scotia, et al), reflecting a wider shift in the whisky industry.
“Regionality in Scotch whisky is becoming increasingly arbitrary as time goes by,” says Chris. “There are your obvious tropes which, for a beginner, can go a long way to pointing one in the right direction, but as the industry moves forward and distilleries begin to experiment more, these regional distinctions have less value.”
Though he advises beginners look to each region's trademark qualities as a guide, Chris feels it's time for whisky aficionados to look elsewhere. “For someone with a bit more experience, maybe look at some independent bottlers to have your notions of regionality rocked,” he says. “Go find an un-peated Caol Ila or a rich and oily peated Speyside.”
When people ask me for recommendations on “the best whisky”, or best whisky brand, I take a number of things into consideration. Firstly, the kind of flavours they’re drawn to, and what they’re buying this particular bottle for. If they’re fairly new to whisky, I might steer them towards Johnnie Walker’s easy-drink blends; if they’re a peated whisky lover looking to try something new, it might be a venture towards Octomore, and so on (and so on).
Popularity-wise, brands like Ardbeg, Bowmore, Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bruichladdich, and Balvenie rule the market, but the best brands, in my many years of experience, come down to individual tastes and budgets.
For those seeking the zenith of liquid indulgence and/or investment, most distilleries have a high-end release or two to take your fancy. And a whole lot of your paycheck.
From centuries-old casks to limited editions, the key is securing your best choice. For example, The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare 60-Year-Old sold for $1.9 million a few years back, but that is not a bottle likely to be opened. Drinkable investments (plenty of which I list, below) and investment investments are both high-end, but extremely different in price. If you're looking for the latter, I’d advise investors to stick to brands with a large market share (easier for resale).
While many people baulk at the idea of using a pricier spirit, like Scotch, in a mixed drink, it is by no means a bad idea. “As a cocktail bartender especially, I see a lot of people shocked at the idea of mixing drinks with ‘fine’ scotch,” says Chris, "they’ve clearly never heard the maxim ‘put shit in, get shit out’.
“An old-fashioned made with some excellent whisky is ultimately going to be an excellent old-fashioned.”
