Best single malt whiskies
Single malt whiskies.
There’s kind of a lot to choose from.
Scotland alone has more than 120 single malt distilleries. Add in approximately 30 distilleries in England, around 40 in Ireland, a handful in Wales and countless from across the rest of the world – and picking out your favourite tipple can feel like a pretty big feat.
But don’t sweat it – we’ve done the hard work for you.
Here we’ve rounded up a list of the very finest. From rich and full-bodied to fruity and sweet, wet your whistle with some of the best single malt whiskies currently available. These delicious drams have all been tried and tested by yours truly, and brought together to create our classic Single Malt Whisky Tasting Set.
Sip them neat and enjoy.
5 of the best single malt whiskies
All conveniently found in our best-selling whisky set.
Tomintoul Aged 10 Years
Distilled at: Tomintoul Distillery
Maturation: Oak casks
Age: 10 years
Region: Speyside
Bottled: Chill-filtered
Strength: 40%
Pronounced ‘Tom-in-t’owl’, this is a multi-award winning expression with a big reputation.
Affectionately dubbed the ‘gentle dram’, it’s a smooth and mellow whisky – with a depth of character and well-rounded flavour. Think layers of honey and toffee, hints of zesty lemon and a slightly peppery finish. One of the very best single malts to emerge from Scotland’s Speyside region.
Try your best to savour its sweet yet gently spiced tone. This one goes down far too easily.
Glencadam Aged 10 Years
Distilled at: Glencadam Distillery
Maturation: Oak casks
Age: 10 years
Region: Highlands
Bottled: Non chill-filtered and no colouring
Strength: 46%
One for the hardcore usquebaugh lovers.
Glencadam is distilled at 46%. Yet despite packing a punch in terms of its strength, it offers a delicate harmony of natural sweetness and soft spices – with a surprisingly long and soothing finish.
The distillery itself is one of the earliest to be granted a license in Scotland, way back in 1825. And over the centuries, it’s received many accolades – with this particular bottle recently being voted as the ‘Best Highland Malt Under 12 Years’. The type of tipple you certainly won’t forget in a hurry!
Arran Barrel Reserve
Distilled at: Isle of Arran Distillery
Maturation: Bourbon barrels
Age: No age statement
Region: Highlands (Island)
Bottled: Non chill-filtered and no added colouring
Strength: 43%
It may be a newcomer, but this one more than deserves its place in our top five best single malts.
Barrel Reserve is matured entirely in bourbon barrels, which is uncommon for Arran malts. However, it still manages to emphasise the sweet and fruity notes which are the hallmark of the distillery. Perfectly balancing citrus flavours, with subtle vanilla and a burst of apple and marine notes.
It’s a fresh, light and elegant dram, destined to become your go-to for ‘every occasion’.
The Ileach
Distilled at: Undisclosed Scottish Distillery
Maturation: Unknown
Region: Islay
Age: Unknown
Producer: The Highlands & Islands Scotch Whisky Co.
Strength: 40%
Gaelic for ‘The Man from Islay’. Ileach (pronounced Eee-luhk) is a young single malt shrouded in mystery.
To this day, the exact location of the distillery remains a secret – but there’s no question that it’s an Islay whisky through and through. When it comes to the flavour, it certainly does what it says on the tin. It’s a peaty dram, with a stunning bittersweet tone and the unmistakable smell of the sea.
Is it one of the best single malt whisky brands available? We think so – and we’re not alone. In fact, it’s received several awards and has even been ranked as one of the top whiskies in the world.
Penderyn Legend Welsh Single Malt
Distilled at: Penderyn Distillery
Maturation: American oak and Madeira casks
Age: No age statement
Bottled: Non chill-filtered and no colouring
Strength: 41%
Croeso i Gymru!
Nestled in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, Penderyn Distillery is recognised worldwide for its range of fresh, fruity and flavoursome single malts – and ‘Legend’ is particularly… legendary.
This incredibly smooth tipple is first matured in bourbon barrels before being finished in ex-Madeira casks, giving it an intriguing touch of vibrant sweetness. Think fresh and rich dried fruits, with a long aftertaste of Madeira cake – yet just enough bitterness to keep it refreshing.
Another multi-award winner, it certainly gives Scotland a run for its money.
Which do you think is the best single malt?
As self-confessed worshippers of the water of life, we’ve sampled a fair few brands in our time. Here we’ve rounded up a small selection of what we believe are the best single malt whiskies currently available in the UK. Now it’s time to see what you think.
Why not treat yourself to our Single Malt Whisky Tasting Set and try our top five faves?
Available for just £29.99, you’ll receive a 30ml miniature of each – just enough to sample the exquisite tastes – along with a series of informative tasting cards, and a luxury whisky tasting mat.
Set aside an afternoon to have your own personal at-home whisky tasting session. Then, let us know what you think about our choices – and which you believe is the best single malt in our line-up – by tagging us on social media using @WhiskyTastingCo.
You’re also welcome to get in touch at any time.
If you have any questions about the whiskies listed above, or the whisky tasting sets available in our store, please feel free to give us a call on 01743 247220 or fill out our online contact form. We’re a friendly team of like-minded whisky lovers, with in-depth knowledge of all the brands featured in our sets, and we’ll do whatever we can to help with your enquiry.