Delving into Scotland’s near-endless range of whiskies is daunting for any drinks fan. Here’s why you should, and where to start.
Take a broad view over the wide, wonderful world of drinks, and it’ll be hard to find a spirit that provokes as much conversation and thoughtful chin-stroking as single malt whisky. The term ‘single malt’ just means the whisky has been made and aged at a single distillery rather than a blend of whiskies from multiple locations. And it carries with it a certain weight and provenance that other drinks simply can’t boast. As such, much like wine, it has inspired countless experts and connoisseurs dedicated solely to the unique qualities of whiskies coming out of the nation’s world-famous collection of distilleries.
On the flip-side, especially for newcomers, it can be an intimidating entry point to whisky – not just because it can be expensive and complex to drink, but, let’s face it, also a magnet for a certain type of wankery that whisky can sometimes attract.
Of course, it shouldn’t (and doesn’t have to) be this way. Like a good wine, single malt whisky has a power unlike any other spirit to convey a distinct sense of place about where it comes from, whether it’s the salt and peat smoke that comes off an island whisky transporting you to a rugged Hebridean coastline, or the fruit and spice of a Speyside dram evoking cosying up by the fireside on a cold winter’s night. Finding a new favourite single malt is a beautiful experience. And while there are plenty of great blends out there, this is a journey well worth the extra investment.
The problem with so many whiskies and age statements out there is knowing where to start. Thankfully, we truly believe there’s a Scotch out there for everyone. So, we’ve put together a list of iconic single malts that have come to truly embody the rich tapestry of whisky styles found around Scotland. Once you invest in one, you’ll be dying to add more to your collection.
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1. Tomatin 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Where it’s from: The Highlands
- Start here if you like: lighter, smoother whiskies
The whiskies of Scotland’s Highlands are, contrary to the region’s rugged reputation, often lighter and more balanced than their counterparts from other areas of Scotland. This can make picking out individual flavours more of a challenge for newer whisky connoisseurs. But if you want a more classic whisky experience with loads of smoothness to boot, the Tomatin 12 Year Old is a great place to start, where fruit and floral characteristics linger in the glass to offer something new with every sip.
2. Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Where it’s from: Speyside
- Start here if you like: fruity, Christmas cake-y flavours
For its size, Speyside, which refers to a small pocket of villages along the banks of the River Spey in Scotland’s far north, punches further above its weight than any other whisky region, giving birth to some of the world’s most iconic whisky brands. Glenfiddich is chief among them, with its classic 12 Year Old long enjoying its title as the world’s best-selling single malt. And while that’s a great whisky, Glenfiddich’s new Sherry Cask Finish release imbues it with the rich flavours of spice and candied fruit that the Speyside’s whiskies are so treasured for.
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3. Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Where it’s from: The Isle of Skye
- Buy it if you like: salty, marine flavours
Talisker holds a unique place in the world of whisky. For a long time the only distillery on the iconic Isle of Skye, it was both literally and philosophically a bridging point between the sweet whiskies of the mainland and the smoky whiskies of the Scottish Isles. Talisker 10 Year Old is the most iconic representation of this – lightly smoky and pronounced in its marine flavours of salt and seaweed, but still sweet and approachable for whisky drinkers still trying to figure out what they like.
4. Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Where it’s from: Islay (pronounced Isla, as in Fisher)
- Buy it if you like: a mixture of smoke and sweetness
Lagavulin is one of the most renowned producers of Islay’s iconic smoky, salty whiskies, made by drying the whisky’s barley with smoke from the island’s natural peat soil and ageing the final product in the sea air of the island’s coastal warehouses. The comparatively lengthy period Lagavulin spends in oak makes this 16 Year Old a perfect entry point for whisky fans wanting to indulge in smokier flavours, delivering a strong hit of peat but balancing things out with a noticeable sweetness that will have you coming back for more.
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5. Laphroaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Where it’s from: Islay
- Start here if you like: loads of smoke with plenty of refinement
A noted favourite of the newly crowned King Charles (hence the crest on the label), Laphroaig is single malt whisky at its boldest and most unapologetic. Lagavulin takes the more balanced smoke of whiskies like Laphroaig and cranks it up to 11 – its shorter ageing period making for a punchier final product in the glass. Those who savour smoky and iodine flavours will be rewarded with hints of salt and sweetness in this whisky, but ultimately this is one for the adventurous, and all the better for it.
