It doesnât matter if youâre an old Scotch hound or a total novice; thereâs always something new to discover and learn.
Â
Scotch continues to find new audiences, and whether you already know your Speysides from your Islays or still find Scotch an acquired taste youâve yet to actually acquire, weâre here to introduce you to our best-rated bottle-by-bottle guide that put Scotland on the lips of the great, the good and the grand all around the world. So grab your quaich and drink to the good stuff.
Â
Â
Best Scotch under $50
With 50 bucks to spend, you should be able to buy yourself a nice Scotch. To help you with the decision, we've compiled a list of the best reasonably-priced Scotch Whiskies under $50, according to the Flaviar community.
Â
Â
Â
The Glenrothes 12 Year Old
The Glenrothes 12YO expression is a nod to the process of sun-drying grapes in Jerez for Sherry production, so it's no surprise this bottle is all about Sherry richness. The banana and vanilla aromas working together with rich flavors of lemon and cinnamon are the epitome of the Glenrothes distillery style, and it shows the true character of its makers.Â

âFirst time I have tasted Glenrothes. Vanilla, melon, and cinnamon. I usually sip Chevas 12 0r 18-year-old single malt. In their order, the cinnamon, then melon, and finally a very light hint of vanilla. I am sold. I have a new sipper in the house. I am a new Glenrothes fan.â - Ron
Â
OTHER BEST SCOTCH UNDER $50:
â˘Â BenRiach 10 Year Old
Best Scotch under $100
In case you want to broadcast your allegiance to excellence, these Scotch bottles all stay on the friendlier side of 100 bucks.
And with a $100 budget, the Scotch Whiskyworld opens up widely for you to explore. Most of the blended Whiskies and many (many!) exceptional Single Malts will be in this price range.
And with a $100 budget, the Scotch Whiskyworld opens up widely for you to explore. Most of the blended Whiskies and many (many!) exceptional Single Malts will be in this price range.
Â
Caol Ila 12 Year OldÂ
Caol Ila 12 Year Old is a malt that takes you back to the coastal shores from where it comes. This is a smoky and sweet expression hailing from Islay, a classic combination that Caol Ila 12 nails perfectly. Donât be fooled into thinking this is just like every other smoked Islay malt. The Caol Ila 12 Year Old has a lot more to offer than just peat.

âThis is my favorite Islay whiskey. The peat and smoke are there, but it is complex and rewarding with citrus, vanilla, and spice. Delicious!â - Matthew
Â
Try before you buy. All Peatheads and soon-to-be Peatheads can try Caol Ila 12 Year Old in this peat-themed Tasting Box. Only good Spirits are captured inside, plus a concrete coaster and some useful info.
Â
OTHER BEST SCOTCH UNDER $100:
â˘Â The Balvenie The Week of Peat 14 Year OldÂ
â˘Â Lagavulin Distillers EditionÂ
â˘Â Ardbeg UigeadailÂ
â˘Â Mortlach 12 Year Old "The Wee Witchie"
Â
â˘Â Lagavulin Distillers EditionÂ
â˘Â Ardbeg UigeadailÂ
â˘Â Mortlach 12 Year Old "The Wee Witchie"
Â
Discover Unique Scotch
One of the best reasons to be a Flaviarista is access to Spirits that are made only for Members â and sometimes by Members. Meet Flaviarâs private bottlings.
Â
Son of a Peat Batch 03 The Redeemer
The Smoky Redemption Is Here: Behold, Son of a Peat Batch 03!
Â
Â
The twelve Whiskies in this blend come from Islay, Speyside, the Islands, and the Highlands. They were aged in hogsheads, Sherry butt casks, and ex-Bourbon barrels for up to 20 years.
If your bucket list has âforget smoothness as a defining quality of great Whisky,â cross it out now. Son of a Peat Batch 03 comes with big guns ablaze and a desire to punch you (in a good way).
Cask strength, peaty as hell, and no-nonsense character. It's as authentic as they come. No fake-ass color; itâs non-chill-filtered, hand-blended, hand-bottled, hand-sealed, and hand-labeled.Â
Not only is Member's favorite, but it also won a Gold medal at San Francisco World Spirit Competition 2021.Â
Â
âI love anything peat, and this being non-chill and natural color really makes it that much better. It really is a blend of all the peated expression from islay, the islands, and peat from the mainlands. So glad I bought 4 bottles to make up for missing out on the first 2 batches.â - Michael
Â
MORE RARE BOTTLES: The holy mission of Flaviar has always been finding you something new to try. Our scope is beyond the already existing Spirits, so we create new offerings.
Dear, Bear & Moose range is absolutely adored and top rated by Flaviar members. These are membersâ only very limited and special Whiskies that we source and bottle in very small batches in order to make great, inaccessible Scotch Whisky available to our members. Learn more about private bottlings from different categories with a story to tell.
Dear, Bear & Moose range is absolutely adored and top rated by Flaviar members. These are membersâ only very limited and special Whiskies that we source and bottle in very small batches in order to make great, inaccessible Scotch Whisky available to our members. Learn more about private bottlings from different categories with a story to tell.
Â
Best Single Malt ScotchÂ
Single Malt is one of the most talked-about categories of Scotch Whisky. And although Single Malts make up just a small percentage of the entire Whisky market, they've managed to achieve something of a cult status over the past few decades.
Â
Highland Park Viking Pride 18 Year Old
Perhaps the most famous Whisky connoisseur of all time â journalist Michael James Jackson â called Highland Park, âThe greatest all-rounder in the world of Malt Whisky.âÂ
Â
Named âthe Best Spirit in the Worldâ not once, but twice by Michael James Jackson Highland Park Viking Pride 18 Year Old has a big name to live up to, and it certainly does just that. The secret of its success is attention to detail, where even the exact location of the peat used to dry the malt is specified, not to mention the origin of the ex-Sherry casks which are used to age for this bottled perfection.Â
This eighteen-year-old Single Malt will delight the taster with a floral and complex nose with cherry juice, warm toffee, and peat smoke. On the tongue, a creamy texture opens to a variety of flavors, from deep stewed fruits, espresso, citrus zest, toffee, and a delicate spice blend. The finish is long and rounds everything nicely with herbal and sweet notes and a hint of peat.
Â
This eighteen-year-old Single Malt will delight the taster with a floral and complex nose with cherry juice, warm toffee, and peat smoke. On the tongue, a creamy texture opens to a variety of flavors, from deep stewed fruits, espresso, citrus zest, toffee, and a delicate spice blend. The finish is long and rounds everything nicely with herbal and sweet notes and a hint of peat.
Â

âFor those desperately trying to enjoy Lagavulin (because itâs the best!) but canât get through the smoke and the power, this is the glorious solution. Layers of character that feature Islay-like peat smoke but also some sweet, delicate notes. Like Iron Mike Tyson with his quiet voice. A first time drinker wonât have the experience to fully appreciate what has been accomplished here, but who cares?! Itâs an absolute pleasure.â - Cesar
OTHER BEST SINGLE MALT SCOTCH:
â˘Â Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask StrengthÂ
â˘Â The Glenlivet 18 Year OldÂ
â˘Â Glen Scotia 15 Year OldÂ
â˘Â The Macallan Edition No. 6
Best Blended Scotch
Blended Whiskies make for 95% of Whisky sales but are often overlooked. There are great blend brands around & making them is more challenging than you'd think.
Every good home bar needs a good blend. This can be used in countless cocktails or enjoyed neat, depending on how creative you feel. Blends are consistent in flavor and are richly complex.
Every good home bar needs a good blend. This can be used in countless cocktails or enjoyed neat, depending on how creative you feel. Blends are consistent in flavor and are richly complex.
Â
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Of course, the best-selling blend is the world-renowned Johnnie Walker, and itâs always good to have a popular brand at hand.Â
Â
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is formulated to recreate the character of the original and is regarded as one of the best blends available.

This should come as no surprise, as only the finest Scotch Whiskies make it into the blend - only one in every ten thousand casks, to be exact. In fact, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is so top-of-the-line that insiders often refer to it by its nickname: âMax Walker.âÂ

This should come as no surprise, as only the finest Scotch Whiskies make it into the blend - only one in every ten thousand casks, to be exact. In fact, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is so top-of-the-line that insiders often refer to it by its nickname: âMax Walker.âÂ
Â
Itâs adored for its smoky character, hazelnuts, dark chocolate, and ginger flavor notes.
âThis is the whisky that started it all for me. Ever since trying this one, I have been interested in learning and trying more whisk(e)y. Worth every penny!â - Theodore
Â
âThis is the whisky that started it all for me. Ever since trying this one, I have been interested in learning and trying more whisk(e)y. Worth every penny!â - Theodore
Â
OTHER BEST BLENDED SCOTCH:
â˘Â Dewar's 18 Year Ol
Best Scotch By Region
There are five Whisky regions in Scotland. Islands are sometimes mentioned as the sixth region but are not officially recognized. Since theyâve been around so long, many Whisky purists regard them as important features to consider when buying any Scotch.
Letâs take a look at Flaviar memberâs favorites. It will be like taking a mini trip to Scotland from behind your desk, minus those little snack packs of airline pretzels. Which is kind of a damn shame.
Letâs take a look at Flaviar memberâs favorites. It will be like taking a mini trip to Scotland from behind your desk, minus those little snack packs of airline pretzels. Which is kind of a damn shame.
Â
⢠ISLAY: Lagavulin 16 Year Old
⢠SPEYSIDE: The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak
⢠HIGHLANDS: Tullibardine 500 Sherry Cask Finish
⢠CAMPBELLTON: Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength
⢠LOWLAND: Glenkinchie 12 Year Old
⢠ISLANDS: Talisker 10 Year Old
Â
Best Scotch For Beginners
Scotch is a pretty versatile drink and caters to many tastes. When you're new to it, the Scotch world can seem like a maze with so many different brands and expressions out there. To give some direction to all Scotch newbies, here are some best-rated membersâ suggestions for those looking to discover their first dram.
Â
Craigellachie 13 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Besides its impossibly hard name to pronounce (Craig-el-Achy), it is a great offering from the people at Dewarâs.
Â
Craigellachie is one of the last distilleries to use worm tail condensation in the distillation process. This creates longer contact on copper as the spirit condenses and makes for a cleaner spirit. It is then aged in Bourbon Barrels for 13 years to give it a warm vanilla feel.
Â
For anyone who is just discovering Single Malt Whisky, this is a great next step into the realms of Speyside.

âModestly priced but excellent and complex, apples, a hint of smoke and a hint of tropical fruit after the first dram. Really enjoyed.â - John
Â
OTHER BEST SCOTCH FOR BEGINNERS:
Â
Best Peated ScotchÂ
Peated Scotch is an acquired taste, but itâs one hell of a taste, to be honest. Peat may not be for everyone, but itâs true: once you go peat, you always go neat.
Â
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Ardbeg Uigeadail won a Double Gold medal at San Francisco World Spirit Competition 2017, and it was named the Whisky of The Year 2009 by Jim Murray's Whisky Bible.
The Uigeadail is named for the Loch from where Ardbeg draws its waters, and in Gaelic stands for Dark and Mysterious Place. The Uigeadail is a marriage of Ardbeg's Whisky aged in Bourbon barrels and Sherry butts. Itâs bottled at cask strength for maximum flavor impact. Oo-Yeah.
The Uigeadail is named for the Loch from where Ardbeg draws its waters, and in Gaelic stands for Dark and Mysterious Place. The Uigeadail is a marriage of Ardbeg's Whisky aged in Bourbon barrels and Sherry butts. Itâs bottled at cask strength for maximum flavor impact. Oo-Yeah.
âHow can this be so smooth and yet so packed with flavor? It tastes like barbecue, without the meat. Smoke and sweetness and salt. And yet it goes down so smooth, a perfect post-dinner whiskey.â - Jackson
OTHER BEST PEATED SCOTCH:
⢠Kilchoman Sanaig
Try before you buy! Before you commit to buying a full-size bottle, you can find all three bottles featured in this Peat It, Peat It! Vol.2 tasting box. If you would like to join fellow Spirits aficionados and a tasting expert in exploring the box, thereâs an ongoing Flaviar series of guided tastings called Unboxing Flavors.
Best Scotch for Cocktails
We all have friends who love to bartend and make drinks, whether they do it for a living or the amateur mixologist who is just shaking up drinks in his or her kitchen.
If you ever hear people expounding on the beauty of a Manhattan or the Sazerac, this is great Whisky for them to try their hand with to make Scotch cocktails.
If you ever hear people expounding on the beauty of a Manhattan or the Sazerac, this is great Whisky for them to try their hand with to make Scotch cocktails.
Â
Glenfarclas 105
Glenfarclas is one the few family-owned distilleries in Scotland and makes some of the best value Whisky on the market; there is no expression they make that we would not drink on a daily basis.
Â
When it comes to making cocktails, using cask strength Whisky always makes for more exciting and more full-flavored drinks, and this offering from Glenfarclas is one of the all-time greats. It has a big full flavor of dark stone fruits and baking spices. And it was the winner of the Flaviar Community Award 2017 in its respective category!Â
âThis is one of the better scotches I've had in a while, and I have a ton of high-end scotches in my collection.â - Michael
Â
OTHER BEST SCOTCH FOR COCKTAILS:
â˘Â Dewar's 12 Year Old
Â
Best Scotch to Sip OnÂ
If you want to try Scotch that not only can be mixed to make great long drinks and cocktails but which are fabulous to sip, read on.
Â
The Glendronach 15 Year Old Revival
The Glendronach 15 Year old Revival celebrates the revitalization of Glendronach after it was bought by The BenRiach Distillery in 2008. This Scotch is aged 15 years exclusively in Olorosso Sherry casks, making it wonderfully raisiny, savory, and fruity. Itâs a favorite among Scotch enthusiasts, sitting right in-between the 18YO and 12YO Glendronach, quite possibly the best in their whole range.

Â

Â
âDelightful! It is full, rich, and complex with flavors that just keep coming.â - Winston
Â
OTHER BEST SCOTCH TO SIP ON:Â
Â
Best Scotch for Food Pairing
Voltaire once said, âNothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.â While drinking Scotch may not be incredibly essential to survival, it is definitely a great pleasure, and enjoying food with it makes that pleasure all the better.
Â
Ballantines 17 Year Old
In 2011 it swept aside all Single Malt rivals to take the prestigious Jim Murrayâs Whisky Bible Award. That's saying a lot. It has subtle notes of smoke, with hints of bitter coffee and sweet vanilla. A slightly sugary note comes through on the palate, but the earthiness sets this malt apart.
âOne of my favorites!! Hands Down!!â - James
Â
OTHER BEST SCOTCH FOR FOOD PAIRING:
â˘Â Oban 14 Year Old
Â
Best Scotch Experience
If you still cannot decide on your next favorite, we suggest joining a club of Spirits connoisseurs. Flaviar Members get access to the world's best Spirits, exclusive releases, Â and rare gems.Â
Â
Â

Â
Â
If you want a full ride then with only $50 a year you can upgrade your subscription to PRIMO Membership and get free shipping on qualified orders, Membership discounts & pricing,  access to Flaviar Originals, free tickets to events (40 per year in 25 cities), access to the Vault and much more!Â
Â
There's only one thing left to say: SlĂĄinte!
Â