From smoky to spicy and sweet, there is a bottle for every collector.
From smoky to spicy and sweet, there is a bottle for every collector.
The world of whiskey encompasses a few different spirits, including bourbon, rye, Japanese whisky, and scotch. They each possess distinct qualities that make them unique, but none are as prominent as those found in scotch. Smoky, savory, earthy, honeyed, and slightly sweet, scotch offers a warm and hearty sip that is one of a kind. One of the reasons for its distinctive profile comes down to its origin.
Produced in Scotland, between five different regions, each with its own unique terroir, scotch is a true spirit of the land. The process begins with a cereal grain, typically malted barley, that endures a lengthy germination process honed by craft distillers who have a passion for developing deep and heady flavors. From the peat bogs to the maritime climates and salty sea air, scotch can be a strong and earthy sip. But it can also have a softer side with rich flavors of gourmet nuts, dried fruits, and bright citrus when aged in sherry, port, or rum casks.
Coincidentally, these enticing aromas and storied craftsmanship have made scotch one of the most beloved collectible spirits. While many bottles come with costly price tags, they are often something to be appreciated and savored. Ahead, see the best scotches that deserve a spot in your collection.
Unlike Balvenie's standard expression, this bottle packs a punch of flavor thanks to an intriguing aging process. After spending 14 years in bourbon casks, it's matured in a rum barrel to give it a rich tropical profile—think sticky toffee and creamy vanilla blended with passion fruit, mangoes, and orange.
While many scotches are aged in sherry casks, this one by GlenDronach spends almost the full 15 years aged in ex-sherry barrels, which gives it a distinct reddish amber hue. Beyond its color, this scotch has deliciously unique aromas, including notes of jammy fruits, walnuts, and licorice. Upon tasting, spiced flavors, such as clove and nutmeg, come in, complimenting the sweeter notes and giving the scotch a nice big finish.
The turquoise blue bottle and contemporary typography make Bruichladdich stand out from the sea of scotches at any bar. However, they're not the only things that make this scotch unique. Despite being distilled from 100 percent Scottish barley, The Classic Laddie is unpeated and instead uses aromas of sea salt, malt, heather, and honey to create its signature profile. It's also matured in American oak instead of wine casks, which gives it a smooth and bright finish.
This scotch offers a rich and flavorful palate thanks to the enticing aromas of ripe berries, vanilla, and hints of dark chocolate. The combination gives the scotch a smooth and distinctly sweet taste, but the overall flavor is nicely balanced due to the subtle touches of spice.
Oban's 14-year expression is popular for scotch lovers because it expertly balances light and smoky flavors. The palate has lively citrus aromas that complement the spirit's golden amber color and rum cask finish. But there are also soft touches of peat to give it a robust and round flavor.
In the world of scotch, Michel Couvreur's offerings are in a lane of their own. The famed distiller has Scottish whiskey sent to Burgundy, France, to be aged in sherry casks before it's been blended, bottled, and corked. The result is a rich and delicate scotch with lush notes of dates, spices, cocoa, and a warm, nutty finish.
The intensity of Lagavulin's scotches is something to be appreciated, and this expression beautifully displays the deep, peaty flavors. From the heady smoke aromas, reminiscent of slow-burning firewood, to the dry peat and strong coastal notes, it doesn't disappoint. It delivers full-bodied flavor and a long elegant finish that's as long as it is hearty.
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by Karina Young | August 11, 2023
by Lauryn Jiles | March 8, 2024
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