Bourbon might be booming right now, but when it comes to heritage whiskey production, no one does it quite like the Scots. Home to some of the oldest distilleries in the world, Scotland’s native whisky continues to impress drinkers worldwide with its complex profiles that range from heavily peated and smoky to delicate, soft, and fruity. And while many may think they need to shell out hundreds of dollars for a prize bottle, that couldn’t be further from the truth. As brands continue to push the boundaries of production, the market is swelling with remarkable expressions at every price point.
That’s why we compiled a list of the best Scotches to give this holiday season for everyone on your list, from established peat geeks to humble beginners. Without further ado, here are the seven best Scotches to gift this year.
Best Budget Scotch: Spearhead Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Best Splurge Scotch: GlenAllachie Distillery 13 Year Madeira Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Best Scotch for Beginners: The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Best Scotch for Whisky Geeks: Nc’nean Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Best Scotch for Cocktail Lovers: Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Best Scotch to Impress: The Macallan Harmony Amber Meadow Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Best Limited-Edition Scotch: Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Best Budget Scotch Spearhead Single Grain Scotch Whisky
This single grain expression from Loch Lomond Distillery is an excellent example of Scotch at an accessible
