Whisky (or, as our friends across the Irish Sea would have it, whiskey) has long been a popular tipple in the British Isles, with a history dating back to at least the 15th century. Empire and emigration took the spirit worldwide, and whisky is now globally popular in three distinct types: peaty, double-distilled Scotch whisky; lighter, triple-distilled Irish whiskey; and the sweeter bourbon-style whiskies produced in the US. After a lull in the late 20th century, whisky drinking is on the rise, and it’s not uncommon to find a good selection of malts and blends in your local pub.
But how do you find the best dram? We’ve sipped our way through a selection to help you find the whisky (or whiskey) that will best suit you.
How to buy the best whisky
Whisky comes in three main types. Single malt whisky is made with malted barley, giving it a distinctive aroma and flavour, and aged in oak casks. The name reflects the fact that it’s made entirely with malt from a single distillery, rather than blending together whiskies made with different grains or from different sources. Scotch whisky is known for its robust single malts, but this style of whisky is produced worldwide – look in the right places and you’ll find Irish, Japanese and even Indian single malts.
Grain whisky is produced using grains other than malted barley – in the US, this is commonly maize or corn, producing the sweeter bourbon-style American whiskies. In Scotland and Ireland, unmalted cereals produce a lighter grain whisky, which can occasionally be found to drink on its own but is most often used in a malt whisky blend.
The majority of what comes out of Scotland and Ireland is blended whisky, made from a mix of malt and grain spirits. Since single malt whisky is labour-intensive and expensive to produce, blending in a grain generally results in a cheaper product. The addition of the lighter grain whisky also creates a smoother, less complex flavour which some may prefer, and which can be good for use in cocktails and mixed drinks.
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Which whisky is right for me?
If you’re looking for a complex, full-bodied after-dinner drink, a fine single malt Scotch is good for sophisticated sipping. Scotch typically has a slight astringent “bite” to the flavour, but a peated malt (made by drying the barley over a peat fire) will have a smoky, almost chewy flavour that can be a bit of an acquired taste.
If you’re planning to mix your whisky with coke or ginger ale we won’t judge, but the lighter, less-smoky flavour of a blended whisky will go much better with your mixer than a fine single malt.
American-style grain whisky produced using corn has a sweeter, somewhat heavier flavour than either single malt or Scotch or Irish blended whiskies. Bourbon, rye and Tennessee mash are all good party drinks, mix well in long drinks (JD and coke anyone?) and are the basis of popular cocktails including the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned.
The best whiskies to buy
1. Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Scotch: Best for winter evenings by the fire
Price:£45
An exceptionally smooth-drinking triple-distilled Lowland Scotch, Auchentoshan Three Wood is matured in bourbon, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks to bring a mellow, fruity flavour that’s worth savouring. Rich and very slightly sweet, with not a hint of peaty smoke, this is possibly the closest fine whisky comes to the taste of Christmas pudding in a bottle. If more astringent malts have left you thinking you don’t like Scotch whisky, give this one a try before you give up.
Key specs – Alcohol content: 43%; Bottle size: 70cl; Country of origin: Scotland
2. The Balvenie Double Wood 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch: Best for an after-dinner dram
Price:£37
This rich, very drinkable single malt is matured in oak and sherry casks for extra layers of flavour – perfect for slow sipping alongside good conversation. A little less fruity, and a little less pudding-like than the Auchentoshan above, The Balvenie is still a smooth and easy but flavourful scotch that will impress your dinner guests.
Key specs – Alcohol content: 40%; Bottle size: 70cl; Country of origin: Scotland
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3. Green Spot Single Pot Irish Still Whiskey: The best Irish whiskey
Price:£36
A warm, long-drinking single-pot whiskey, smooth with creamy vanilla notes. Made with a blend of malted and unmalted barley, Green Spot was until recently available only at its distiller’s Dublin store, and production is still limited to 12,000 bottles a year – so if you’re celebrating with Irish friends this 17 March, a bottle of the lesser-spotted Green Spot should make them very happy indeed.
Key specs – Alcohol content: 40%; Bottle size: 70cl; Country of origin: Ireland
4. Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky: The best bourbon whisky
Price: £53
Said to be the first bourbon ever bottled in the US, everything about Old Forester screams “American classic”, from its retro-style bottle to its punchy caramel flavour. Spicy, with hints of hot pepper and evoking the sprawling forests from which this tipple takes its name, a shot of Old Forester will have you reaching for your steel guitar and selling your soul to the devil before sundown.
Key specs – Alcohol content: 43%; Bottle size: 70cl; Country of origin: USA
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5. Laphroaig 14-year-old 2001 Benchmark Single Malt: Best high-end whisky
Price: £115
The price might require you to sit down and take a wee drink: this bottle is not for everyday drinking. Indeed, with its distinctive extra-peaty taste, Laphroaig is not a dram for everyone. But if a complex mélange of smoky sweetness, rich in body and long on the palate with notes of pine and honey is your sort of tipple, then this beautiful limited edition 14-year-old Islay malt, finished in bourbon barrels, is a fine way to treat yourself.
Key specs – Alcohol content: 46%; Bottle size: 70cl; Country of origin: Scotland
6. Aldi Glen Marnoch Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Best supermarket whisky
Price: £17
The budget German supermarket, home of discount canned goods, has been quietly knocking it out of the park in the drinks department in recent years. Last summer, the brand’s £10 London Dry Gin won gold at the International Wine and Spirits Competition; then, six months ago, Aldi’s Glen Marnoch single malt took first place at the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters. If high-end branding means nothing to you, and you don’t mind a slightly functional bottle design, then this rounded, gentle Speyside malt should slip down as easily as anything four times the price. If you’re in the market for a cheaper blend, Aldi’s Highland Black (£12.99) also won gold in its category.
Key specs – Alcohol content: 40%; Bottle size: 70cl; Country of origin: Scotland