Scotch is for enjoyment, and you can enjoy yours however you see fit. Here, then, are 12 Single Malt Scotches with a broad range of personalities to explore during the cold winter months, and beyond.
Ardbeg Wee Beastie
The newest permanent Ardbeg expression — half the age of the classic Ardbeg 10 — Wee Beastie is the youngest and smokiest expression ever from the Islay distillery. Matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, the combination of sweet and smoke make for a savory whisky.
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
While Bruichladdich makes exquisite whiskies that are heavy on the peat smoke, this unpeated whisky is a perfect afternoon Scotch. With cereal and sweet baked bread on the nose, and a licorice finish. Made from 100% Scottish barley, there’s a terroir quality to the Laddie that Bruichladdich indulges by allowing each batch to be subtly different.
Oban 14
Lagavulin 16
A favorite of Hans Offringa, Lagavulin has a smoky richness perfect for winter. To me, it’s possibly the prettiest bottle of Scotch on the market, with a nose of dark dried fruit and smoke, and a long smoky finish.
Macallan 12 Double Cask
Macallan is the benchmark of the “Sherried” style of Scotch—that is, whisky matured in sherry casks. Macallan Scotches are unpeated, so there’s no smoke amidst the chocolatey and dried fruit richness. This double cask is twice seasoned––in sherry-seasoned American and European oak barrels––making it exceptionally rich and balanced.
Laphroaig 10 Sherry Oak
Laphroaig is the single malt that I order if I’m at a restaurant and want to reward myself. In this expression, the sherry cask finish tempers the medicinal maritime and peat pungency of my beloved Laphroaig 10 in a very pleasant way, while also deepening the flavor profile with a layer of rich sweetness.
Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14
The perfect bridge from bourbon to Scotch, this is aged 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels, but finished in a new charred oak barrel like bourbon, giving it a smooth taste that will feel familiar to bourbon drinkers.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14
Aged 14 years in an oak whisky cask and finished in an ex-rum cask, which gives it notes of toffee, fruit, and vanilla––perfect for post-dinner sipping or pairing with rich cheese or dark chocolate.
The Glenlivet Illicit Still 12
This limited-edition Glenlivet is non-chill filtered for a richer mouthfeel and deeper flavor profile, bottled at a stout 96 proof (classic Glenlivet 12 is bottled at 80 proof) and comes in a distinctive 1800’s replica bottle.
Bowmore 12 Year
Made in the oldest distillery on Islay, circa 1779. If you like a touch of smoke balanced with floral notes, Bowmore 12 is a perfect mellow dram that I found to be easy drinking and less intellectual than many Islay neighbors.
GlenDronach Port Wood
First aged in sherry casks and finished in Port casks, this has a strong nose of Port and butterscotch, and goes down with a richness of spiced dried fruit, making it a perfect after-dinner Scotch or a pairing for a dessert and cheese course.
Talisker 10
Hailing from the Isle of Skye, Talisker 10 is smoky and spicy with maritime notes, and is known for a peppery “catch” as you swallow. This is a good gateway into the more heavily peated styles such as Lagavulin and Laphroaig.
