27 Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

What are the 27 Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies? In Scotland there is over 116 distilleries producing Single Malt whiskies. All offering a core range of whiskies as well as special editions. No wonder it can be difficult to decide on the best whisky. In addition to Malt whiskies there are Grain whiskies and Blended whiskies where Grain & Malt whiskies are mixed together. This guide focuses on the best Single Malt Scotch whiskies readily available.

1. Highland Park 18 Year old Viking Pride Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

2. Ardbeg 10 Year old Malt Whisky

The Ardbeg 10 year old whisky has won numerous awards including world whisky of the year 2008. Distilled on the Island of Islay the whisky has a peat & smokey taste. This 10 year old is widely available and reasonably priced. Ardbeg distillery was established in 1815 offering a core range of whiskies.

3. Oban 14 Year old Malt Whisky

The Oban 14 Year old Malt whisky is part of Diageo’s six classic whiskies. These include Dalwhinie 15 years (Highland Region), Talisker 10 Years (Isle of Skye), Cragganmore 12 years (Speyside), Lagavulin 16 years (Islay) and Glenkinchie 12 years (Lowland Region). The Oban 14 Year Old is full bodied and combines a hint of peat smoke with a salty, maritime flavour. Citrus orangey notes are also present in both the nose.

4. Lagavulin 16 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

5. Talisker 10 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

6. Glenkinchie 12 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

7. Bunnahabhain 25 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

8. Dalwhinnie 15 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

9. The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

10. Springbank 10 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

11. Port Charlotte 10 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

 12. Glenmorangie 18 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

13. Glenallachie 10 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

14. Laphroaig 10 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

15. Cardhu Gold Reserve Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

16. Mortlach 20 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

17. Cragganmore 12 year Old Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

18. Lagavulin 16 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

19. Glenfiddich 18 year Old Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

20. Bowmore 18 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

21. The Macallan 18 year Sherry Oak Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

22. The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

23. Kilchoman Machir Bay Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

24. The GlenDronach 15 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

25. Glen Moray Fired Oak Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.

26. Caol Ila 12 Year old Malt Whisky

Distilled in the northern islands of Orkney, Highland Park whisky won the 2018 and 2019 Chairman’s award in the Ultimate Spirits challenge. The high ratio of first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks give the 18 Year Old whisky a unique flavour profile of bursting overripe cherries, bitter dark chocolate, sweet marzipan, floral heather honey, and aromatic peat smoke.

27. Balvenie Port Wood 21 year Old Malt Whisky

Distilled on the island of Islay, Bunnahabhain 25 year old  has many won many awards of the years including the best Islay Whisky award at the 2019 World Whiskies awards, the best Scotch Islay Single Malt over 21 years category winner at the World whiskies awards 2021, Double Gold at the San Francisco worlds spirits competition 2016 and Gold at the Scotch whisky masters 2017.

The sweet oak & roast nut flavours are achieved by the extra years in the cask. The whisky has scents of rich sherry, blossoming into sweet caramel and polished leather. The initial taste of sweet berries and cream evolves into roasted nuts and malt.