Scotch whisky, Scotland's most famous export, has a history dating back to the 15th century, but the 1980s revolutionised its production and marketing. Until then, most Scotch whiskies were blends, but single malts—made from 100% malted barley—gained popularity for their diverse flavours, from light and floral to rich and fruity. Today, there are over 150 distilleries in Scotland, with 43 bottles exported every second globally.
With such variety, choosing the best whisky can be daunting. To cut through the snobbery and marketing hype, experienced spirits journalist John Clarke taste-tested each whisky blind, scoring solely on flavour. Here are his top picks for 2024.
Glenglassaugh Sandend Bay is a Highland single malt matured in ex-bourbon, sherry, and manzanilla casks. It offers a beautiful golden colour and tropical fruit notes, including pineapple and citrus, with a hint of sea salt from the distillery's coastal location. It also comes with a splendid glass.
For an affordable option, the blended Scotch whisky matured in American oak casks for three years delivers smooth caramel and fruit-driven notes, perfect for sipping neat or in cocktails.
Speyside malts shine with innovative cask finishes. One example is matured first in American ex-bourbon barrels then finished in German pinot noir red wine casks, giving a rosewood hue and flavours of spiced orange, ripe peaches, vanilla, and caramel.
Another standout is a 12-year-old malt matured in bourbon, sherry, and marsala wine casks. It uses four batches of mineral water during mashing and is dried over Highland peat fires, resulting in rich, smoky notes with caramel and dried fruit. For an unpeated alternative, try Glasgow 1770 single malt, named after the original Glasgow Distillery Company founded in 1770.
