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Many scotch drinkers may not even know what “single malt” implies until they’ve already begun their path of appreciation. Single malt Scotch whisky must be made from a mash bill of 100% malted barley at the distillery and matured for a minimum of three years in oak barrels to be considered. After then, distillers are free to experiment with anything they like, from the number of distillations they use to the kind of barrel finish they use.
Single malt whiskey is produced by more than 120 distilleries in Scotland. While most of this whisky is used in blended drinks, some of it is sold in its own right as a unique representation of the distillery’s uniqueness. Because it combines at just the right time in the maturing process, Aberlour 16-Year-Old is our top selection. It has a complex taste profile of rich oak with notes of vanilla, ripe fruit, and spices.
With a wide spectrum of tastes catered to, these are some of the top Single malt whisky on the market today.
Aberlour 16-Year-Old
However, whiskey consumers in the United States tend to neglect Aberlour unnecessarily. Among the three age-statement bottles from this Speyside distillery is a 16-year-old, which falls squarely in the middle of its 12- and 18-year-old siblings. Before being bottled, the whiskey is aged in both bourbon and sherry barrels for a total of 16 years. There is a rich, oaky structure with some rich vanilla notes from the extended time in bourbon barrels, as well as rich fruits and spices from the sherry casks, which gives it an excellent balance.
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
In the Islay area of Scotland, Bruichladdich is famed for producing some of the world’s most Smokey whiskey. Port Charlotte and Octomore, which at times approach the greatest quantities of peat in any whiskey, are included. However, the heart of the bottle is a beautiful unpeated whiskey.
Single malt with sweet malted barley, vanilla, citrus, and honey flavours, the Classic Laddie has no age declaration. If you’re looking for a decent bargain for less than $100, you can’t go wrong with this whiskey.
Glenlivet 12-Year-Old
Glenlivet’s 12-year-old expression is a huge hit, and for good reason! Xaman Dallas bartender Chris Dempsey says it’s reasonably priced and has a very accessible palette. Chris Dempsey: For a wonderful price, “it’s not overly peaty, and it’s truly the ideal everyday-drinking whiskey.”
As an initial level bottle for individuals who don’t want to pay too much but want something with richness of taste, this whiskey was aged in a blend of American and European wood.
Aberfeldy 12-Year-Old
Dewar’s White Label is one of the best-known whiskies in the Highlands, and here is a fascinating look into one of its components. Founded around the turn of the century, Aberfeldy Distillery adds a substantial percentage of malt to Dewar’s blend. An excellent single malt for the money, the 12-year-old normally sells for $30 to $40. Honey, vanilla, and a hint of spice are all present in the flavourful, syrupy overtones of this drink, which is reasonably priced for what you get.
Auchentoshan American Oak
You may want to reconsider using that $300 bottle of 25-year-old whiskey to make a Manhattan, but there are plenty of lower-cost Single Malt Irish Whisky that work just as well. Auchentoshan, a distillery in the Lowlands west of Glasgow, produces one such whiskey.
You may use it in a Manhattan, an Old Fashioned a Boulevardier, and any other drink you can think of with this triple-distilled whisky.
Jura 10-Year-Old
The island of Jura has a long history of scotch production, and the distillery that bears its name produces a wonderful and accessible 10-year-old dram. Scotch barrelled in bourbon barrels and afterwards finished in Oloroso sherry casks is what Husk Nashville’s head bartender, Adam Morgan, claims. It has a distinct end that dances between oak and spice for a sweet but balanced taste experience. Any first-time scotch drinker will like the smooth smoke on this particular dram.
Glen Dronach Original
Many distilleries offer an entry-level whiskey that has been matured for at least twelve years as a standard. One of the greatest comes from The GlenDronach, although there are several to pick from. Located in the Highlands, this distillery is known for its sherry-aged whiskey.
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