Single malt. The words evoke such reverence amongst most whisky drinkers. Class, refinement, sophistication, wealth. But what about great single malt Scotch on a budget?
Perhaps we should first examine what a single malt is. Simply put: It’s whisky pot-distilled at a single distillery using 100-percent malted barley. Such simple regulations and ingredients, however, can still lead to extremely wide-ranging aromas and flavors. When looking at Scottish single malt, specifically, the spirit’s character can be determined by everything from location to aging, the use of peat (or not) to the types of barrel finishes and so forth.
There are no exact rules for what barrels single malt Scotch need be aged in. Much of it utilizes ex-bourbon barrels, the most widely available barrels in the world as bourbon itself is only allowed to fill them one time. Sherry-seasoned barrels are also popular for aging, often used as a finishing vessel. Time in the barrel is critical as well. Single malt Scotch must be aged at least three years, though most make it to at least a decade before hitting shelves. (With a $50 cap, the oldest in our tasting was 13.)
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there are six distinct Scottish whisky regions, each with their own typical profile—whether that’s the lighter, fruitier whiskies of the Highlands or the extremely peaty offerings from Islay. All these areas have their standouts, though, so it often comes down to personal preference.
That’s part of why we wanted to organize this tasting: To offer a diverse handful of affordable Scotches that present an opportunity to find out what profile you gravitate to, without breaking the bank. With many of our single malts coming from producers who have been in the game for over a century, it was no surprise that quality was high across all 24 bottlings we blind-tasted.
For the tasting, PUNCH’s editorial staff was joined by Aaron Goldfarb, a frequent PUNCH contributor on the topic of whisk(e)y and craft beer. Below are our top five picks, each from a different region, which, taken together, offer a snapshot of the spectrum of affordable Scottish single malts in various flavor profiles.
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