Scotch is one of those liquors that has a certain cachet. Scotch drinkers are incredibly passionate and will debate the topic as hotly as one does politics. If you’re a novice Scotch drinker, you probably have questions. Does this top Scotch live up to its reputation? Is the limited edition bottle of Scotch worth the money? What’s an age statement? How do you define the smoothest Scotch? Are there whisky brands that taste better than the best-aged Scotch? What’s the difference between Scotch and whisky anyway?

It can feel overwhelming. Let’s start with the basics: the difference between Scotch, whisky, and whiskey (yep, you read that correctly). The short answer is that it depends on where it was produced. Scotch is a whisky distilled in Scotland (surprise, surprise), and whisky (no “e”) can also be produced in Canada and Japan. Whereas whiskey (with an “e”) is produced in Ireland or the United States. As for all the other questions, those are best answered through experience. In other words — it’s time to start drinking.

So, grab a whiskey tumbler, make yourself comfortable, and let’s begin taste-testing some of the best Scotch brands that’ll refine your palate and develop your nose in no time.

1. McClelland’s Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

McClelland has crafted a fine example of traditional Speyside single malt Scotch. Exhibiting the classic golden color, this fine dram combines notes of mint, fresh pine, and dark chocolate with the sweet scent of malt. The taste is at once sweet and nutty, complemented by subtle floral flavors that draw to a swift finish.

2. Friar Cor Blended Scotch Whisky

The first recorded mention of whisky was in a note from King James IV of Scotland to Friar Cor requesting the delivery of “aqua vitae,” in other words, Scotch. Building on that tradition, this blended Scotch combines notes of spice and layers of vanilla with citrus zest and a subtle hint of smoke to provide a balanced Scotch whisky that’s extremely approachable. Enjoy neat or on the rocks.

3. Scotston Highland Single Malt 12 year

This fine Highland Single Malt has spent 12 years in oak casks; the result is a golden whisky bearing sweet floral aromas combined with the scent of malted barley and oak. The flavor profile is well-rounded and elegant, arriving with toffee and dried fruits flavors and lingering on the palate for a long mellow finish. Perfect for drinking neat or mixed in a cocktail.

4. Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Glenfiddich is the ideal spirit for lovers of everyday luxury. One of the best Scotch whiskies, this single malt spends 12 years maturing first in the finest American bourbon casks and then in Spanish sherry oak barrels. The resulting dram delivers distinctively fresh and fruity notes with a hint of pear and develops into butterscotch, cream, malt, and subtle oak flavors. Best served neat or with spring water.

5. Chivas Regal Scotch 12 Year

Chivas 12 is smooth, rich, and generous. It’s a blend of the finest malt and grain whiskies matured for at least 12 years. This creates a silky smooth blended whisky that delivers luxurious honey, vanilla, and ripe apple notes. Because blended is better in life and Scotch, enjoy this luxurious blend over ice with a spritz of soda and a twist of lime.

6. Glenmorangie Original 10 Year Scotch

This is the flagship single malt from Glenmorangie Distillery located in the Scottish Highlands. It’s a Scotch that marries the delicate spirit from Scotland’s tallest stills with first and second-fill American white oak casks to create a smooth, creamy, and approachable drink. Delicious served as an apéritif or a simple dram on a long cool evening.

7. The Macallan Double Cask Single Malt Scotch

The Macallan Double Cask 12-Year-Old Scotch pairs the indulgent fruit, caramel, and oak spice character of Sherry-seasoned European oak with the bright citrus and vanilla notes of Sherry-seasoned American oak for a satisfyingly rich and perfectly balanced flavor experience. Macallan is best experienced straight, at room temperature, so as not to dilute its exquisite flavor. 

8. Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whisky

To create their signature White Label, Dewar hand-picks and blends up to 40 of Scotland’s finest single malt and grain whiskies. The result is a pale amber-colored whisky that incorporates rich honey sweetness with hints of heather and a touch of peat smoke. The full-bodied flavor leads to a smooth, satisfying finish. Try it mixed with amaretto for a sophisticated cocktail experience.

9. Glenlivet Scotch Single Malt 12 Year 

The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old Scotch whisky is artfully prepared and arguably sipped neat or on the rocks with just a splash of water. It boasts an amazing aroma and award-winning flavor best enjoyed in a whisky glass to draw out the notes of vanilla, honey, spices, and smokiness.

10. Benromach Single Malt Triple Distilled Scotch

Benromach distills this Scotch three times, which is more common in Irish whiskey. The first round runs through a wash still, and then twice more through a spirit still before allowing it to mature in first-fill bourbon barrels for 8 years. This Scotch has a smooth and sweet body and an elegant flavor that hints of black pepper, citrus, and a subtle touch of oak, before ending in a long fruity finish and lingering edge of smoke.

11. Kilkerran Single Malt Scotch

Lightly peated, double distilled whisky from the Springbank pedigree, this single malt Scotch isn’t chill-filtered and has no color added. 70% bourbon and 30% sherry casks marry perfectly to craft a velvety smooth Scotch with dominant notes of oak followed by toasted vanilla and dried fruits with a hint of peat. The drink finishes in the finest Campbeltown fashion: a little oily, a little salty, and utterly enjoyable. 

12. Talisker 10 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Direct from the Isle of Skye, Talisker’s whisky is the epitome of a coastal single malt, thanks to its robust character and seaside aromatics. Its nose delivers aromas of smoked pepper, brine, brush fire, toffee, orange peel, and pralines. The palate’s warm with the flavor of spices that flows to a long and powerful finish. Best served neat or over ice.

13. Johnnie Walker Green Label Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

A rich blend of malts comes from the four corners of Scotland, Speyside, Highland, Lowland, and Island, then matures for 15 years. The result is a Scotch with an intense yet balanced aroma of fresh-cut grass, fruit, wood smoke, rich vanilla, and sandalwood. Johnnie Walker Green Label Whisky is smooth and vibrant on its own or served as a delicious cocktail.

14. Macallan 12 Year Sherry Cask Scotch

This Macallan single malt is matured exclusively in hand-picked, sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez that impart a distinctive richness and complexity to this Scotch. The infusion speaks of rich wood spice and dried fruits flavors that balance honey, citrus, and ginger into a full-bodied, well-rounded Scotch. Enjoy Macallan chilled, over ice, or as part of a flavorful highball.

15. Compass Box “Story of Spaniard” Scotch

Made entirely from an exclusive blend of Highland single malts, then aged in Spanish sherry and Spanish red wine casks, this whisky is full, soft, and sumptuous on the palate with notes of citrus peel, red wine, and spices. The finish is long with warm vanilla and berry hints. Enjoy it blended into a fruity cocktail or flying solo with a twist of lemon.

16. Ardbeg 10 Year Single Malt Scotch

Arguably one of the best Scotch available, Ardbeg 10 Year is revered around the world as the peatiest, smokiest, most complex single malt of them all. It doesn’t flaunt the peat; instead, it gives way to the malt’s natural sweetness to produce a whisky of perfect balance. Named World Whisky of the Year in 2008, Ardbeg is at its best when served straight or on the rocks. 

17. The Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask is created by first maturing the spirits in traditional oak whisky casks before transferring them to barrels once used to age Caribbean rum. The result is a rich, sweet, and creamy aroma of toffee combined with fresh fruit notes. The flavor is rounded with vanilla and sweet oak notes and develops a fruity character over time, ending with a soft, lingering, all-encompassing finish.

18. Aberlour A’Bunadh Single Malt

Meaning “the original” in Gaelic, A’bunadh is a natural single cask strength malt whisky, hand-made from start to finish. Each batch uses specially selected sherry casks to ensure a rich and complex flavor of moist raisins and homemade fruit cake. At maturity, it’s bottled at cask strength resulting in a robust and deeply intense sherried whisky.

19. Oban 14 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Discover this classic from Scotland’s western Highlands. This fruity malt offers a whiff of heather and more than a hint of smoke. The nose hearkens back to the sea, with notes of mineral brine mingling with the scent of wood smoke and a light maltiness. Rich flavors of dried fig and juicy oranges combine with light peat, malt, and smoke to delight the palate. This dry, full-bodied Scotch delivers a long, lingering finish.

20. Chichibu Ichiro's Malt & Grain Scotch

Ichiro Akuto, the founder of Chichibu Distilleries, travels the world to source the best local whiskies to blend into Ichiro’s Malt & Grain Scotch. The blend exhibits a smoky nose with hints of citrus. A balanced, creamy texture tantalizes the tongue with a mix of citrus and ripe apple, while the subtle flavor of smoke enhances the finish. It’s a refined and balanced blend — what you would expect from a master of the craft. 

FAQ

What is the smoothest Scotch?

A time-honored movie trope has our hero bellying up to the bar after surviving a close call and ordering a glass of Scotch or whiskey to calm their nerves. They then shoot it straight back, gasp, and then choke out a single word: “Smooth!” It’s played for laughs, but what does it mean when we say that a particular brand of Scotch is “smooth”?

Smoothness quantifies a spirit’s alcoholic flavor. The smoother the drink, the less alcoholic bite, the higher the perceived quality. Distillers craft smoothness using various techniques. Here are a few ways to determine whether a Scotch has the smoothness you seek.

Age. The biggest factor affecting a Scotch’s smoothness is its age. The older the whisky or Scotch remains, the smoother it becomes — it’s why distilleries advertise the age of their whiskey and Scotch. A typical bottling age is around 12 years old, but you can find some quality brands of Scotch that are decanted at as young as 8 years of age.

Barrels. The second factor affecting Scotch’s smoothness is the type of barrel or casks used to age it. Oak casks seasoned with rum or sherry, even ex-bourbon barrels, are used to age Scotch to maturation. Whatever cask finishes the aging process, it’ll impart a unique flavor to the liquor.

Single Malt vs. Blends. This one’s a little tougher. Whisky purists will say that the smoothest Scotches are single malts. Others will claim that a smooth dram can best be created using a blend of fine whiskies. It’s an argument we’ll leave up to your personal taste. 

Color. A general rule is the deeper the color, the smoother the Scotch. As it ages, whisky’s color darkens thanks to the effect of the wood barrel where it's stored. Look for a deep gold or dark amber hue when deciding on a whisky.

Aroma. One of whisky’s defining characteristics, the nose, is a good indication of smoothness. If you detect an alcoholic tang, you know it might not be as smooth as you like. 

Keep all these factors in mind — age, barrel type, single malt or blend, color, and scent — and you’ll find the perfect Scotch to suit your palate. And you won’t choke on your drink.

What is the #1 Scotch?

According to The Spirit Business, the #1 brand of Scotch whiskey is Johnnie Walker. 

Johnnie Walker comes in a variety of blends and price points, Johnnie Walker Red Label, Johnnie Walker Black Label, and Johnnie Walker Green Label are all popular choices. It’s a versatile spirit, tasting great served neat, on the rocks, or as part of a sophisticated cocktail. You can’t go wrong with Johnnie Walker.

What is the most popular Scotch in America?

There are many popular brands of Scotch whiskey on the market that suit any taste. 

Best Blended Scotch:Chivas Regal Scotch 12 Year.

Best Sipping Scotch:  Macallan 12 Year Sherry Cask Scotch

Best Single Malt Scotch:Aberlour A’Bunadh Single Malt

Best Non-Traditional Scotch:Compass Box “Story of Spaniard” Scotch

Best Scotch Value: Glenlivet Scotch Single Malt 12 Year 

But don’t take our word for it. Find yourself a bottle that sparks your interest. Distillers are constantly experimenting with techniques, blends, and flavorings. You never know when you’ll stumble on the next great Scotch whisky experience that’ll impress even the most seasoned connoisseurs. Slainté!