10 best Scottish single malt whiskies to bless your home bar, tried and tested neat

For the past 180 years, The Dalmore has been reimagining what it takes to create exceptional single malt whisky. Specially selected rare casks from the world’s finest bodegas and wineries are prized, as they’re used to age the distillery’s whiskies. The Dalmore 12, for instance, is aged for the first nine years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, before half is transferred to rare ex-oloroso sherry casks for the final three years.

The resulting whisky is extremely rich for a 12-year-old, with aromas of orange, roasted coffee, cereal, plum, chocolate and marzipan. Orange and coffee notes continue to develop on the palate, with Christmas cake richness and a suggestion of cinnamon, which continue on the lightly spicy finish with a thick mouthfeel.

An excellent all-round Highlands whisky that’s wise beyond its years, ideal for any occasion.

For upwards of 40 years, the team at Duncan Taylor has experimented with the use of differing cask sizes for maturation, now specialising in Octave whiskies. A means of getting more flavour into younger whiskies, a second maturation in an octave cask (one-eighth the size of a normal barrel) refines the whisky even further, with the small cask allowing a faster melding of wood, air and alcohol compared with a large cask.

From Duncan Taylor’s The Octave premium range launched in 2019, The Octave Caol Ila 2007 has been aged for 12 years in oak casks, followed by nine months in an octave cask, with only 72 bottles in total. Rich, sweet sherry notes join red berries, toffee, faint seaweed, smoky citrus peel, vanilla, caramelised nut and pronounced salinity on the finish.

While Caol Ila doesn’t necessarily need octave casks to stand out, the additional ageing does expand the flavour profile, making it slightly more sophisticated, adding some maturity to the already well-balanced whisky.

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Renowned for its progressive approach to whisky production, Fettercairn’s distillery in the foothills of Scotland’s Cairngorms, halfway between Aberdeen and Perth, has launched its inaugural 18-year-old single malt. What’s more, it’s also the distillery’s first whisky finished in locally sourced Scottish oak. Due to be an annual release, the whisky is refined in American white oak casks, which have a hand-crafted finish in 100 per cent Scottish oak. This creates a unique style, ultimately celebrating what makes Fettercairn different.

Bottled at 48.6 per cent, Fettercairn’s 18-year-old is non-chill filtered with a natural complexion. On the nose, sweet notes of sugared almonds are joined by tropical sweetness of passionfruit and guava, plus some baking spices. On the palate, more exotic fruits come through alongside brioche and spice notes with soft berry hints. Soft spice and cacao dominate the finish, complete with a gentle whisper of vanilla.

An outstanding modern scotch single malt whisky with a remarkably rich flavour profile.

On the far north-east coast of Islay, the remote Bunnahabhain distillery has been in operation since 1881, and is known for its bold, unique, unpeated whisky.

First launched in 1979, the Bunnahabhain 12-year-old expression has endured for more than 40 years and set the benchmark for the rest of the distillery’s range, double matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

Non-chill filtered and natural in colour, the whisky has a fresh and aromatic nose, with floral aromas joining hints of dried fruit. On the palate, an alluring balance of light fruit and nut flavours is joined with sweet hints of vanilla and caramel, while the finish lingers with a full body and a whisper of sea salt. A remarkable, rich, accessible Islay whisky.

One of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Scotland, Strathisla was founded in 1786 as an alternative to the waning of the flax dressing industry. Today, the distillery is owned by Chivas Brothers, having become the operational heart of the company, with Strathisla whiskies used in various Chivas blends.

Matured in first-fill American oak for 15 years and bottled at cask strength, the Strathisla 2007 is packed with the distillery’s trademark fruitiness, harbouring notes of raspberry jam, sultanas, apple, candied orange peel, ripe pear, blueberries, blackcurrants and a hint of banana. Soft spice notes also prevail, alongside toffee and barley sugar sweetness, while spiced custard and shortbread notes dominate the finish.

Another bold, well-rounded, fruit-forward whisky from the classic Speyside distillery.

A newcomer to the scotch whisky scene, Nc’nean is an independent, organic distillery on Scotland’s west coast, and it strives to do things differently. As well as having an almost entirely female team, the distillery uses longer mashing times, slower fermentation and experiments with unusual yeasts in pursuit of new flavours.

What’s more, Nc’nean is also the UK’s first whisky distillery to achieve net zero emissions for its own operations (scope 1 and 2). It’s powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, certified organic, B Corp accredited and it’s even a B Corp “best for the world” brand.

As for the distillery’s organic single malt scotch whisky, bright lemon oil, fudge and nectarine are joined by grass, wine gums, candied pineapple and a hint of buttered toast on the nose, complete with lemon, peach, ginger, coconut and rich spice on the palate, which lingers on the medium finish with a faint menthol tingle.

Hailing from Wick, in the very north of Scotland, Old Pulteney’s whiskies are all influenced by the distillery’s coastal location, with the sea air rolling onto the casks and leaving a distinct briny and salty taste.

One of the distillery’s four key expressions, the Old Pulteney 15-year-old single malt scotch whisky is the most balanced and smooth expression, showcasing two different sides of the flavour spectrum, both sweetness and spice. Rich chocolate, vanilla and citrus notes are joined by a gorgeous Christmas cake characteristic bursting with dried fruit, while background floral notes and Old Pulteney’s distinctive coastal notes bring a slightly refreshing side to this intense yet exquisitely balanced single malt.

A recent addition to the 205-year-old Lowland distillery’s classic collection, Bladnoch Liora is the distillery’s first expression bottled at distiller’s strength (52.5 per cent ABV).

Named after the Hebrew for “the gift of light”, Liora is made with pristine water from the River Bladnoch and Scottish barley, aged in a mixture of bourbon and new oak casks. Embodying the delicate balance between the new oak’s intensity and the bourbon casks’ sweetness, the non-chill filtered whisky has toffee apple, caramel, pepper spice, fresh cut oak and floral notes, plus a long finish with slight warming dryness.

A worthy addition to the distillery’s classic collection alongside the likes of Alinta, Vinaya and Samsara.

Scotland’s Speyside region is renowned for containing some of the cleanest and most mineral-rich water in the world. This was the main draw for Speyburn founder John Hopkins when deciding to build a distillery here more than 125 years ago. Built with authentic river stones from the bed of the fast-flowing River Spey, the distillery remains the only one to use pure water from the Granty Burn.

Speyburn’s flagship 10-year-old expression is a particularly accessible whisky that doesn’t scrimp on quality. It’s ideal as an introduction to Speyside whisky but also as an easy-drinking bottle for enthusiasts. Matured for a decade in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, Speyburn’s 10-year-old is deep, complex and well-balanced, with fresh fruit, toffee and butterscotch notes, complete with a long, smooth finish.

All in all, a single malt scotch whisky offering excellent value for money.

Nestled in Scotland’s bucolic Speyside region, The Glen Grant was the first distillery to use a purifier while distilling whisky, back in the 1880s. Together with tall, slender pot stills, these innovations guaranteed only the finest vapours would condense into the spirit. Fast-forward 140 years, and The Glen Grant still produces excellent single malt scotch whisky, with a range of expressions available.

A perfect mid-point, the distillery’s 15-year-old expression is crafted by master distiller Dennis Malcolm, bottled at 50 per cent ABV batch strength. The result is a profound whisky showcasing The Glen Grant’s signature style. Rich spiced pear, apricot and vanilla all dance on the palate, accompanied by a nutty, lightly fruity finish.