This is the World’s Best Single-Malt Scotch Whisky list, as announced by the World Whisky Awards . The Single Cask Single Malt expressions are more difficult to locate than the whiskies mentioned above. They are still among Scotland’s top best single malt whisky, though.
Phoenix Rising (Glen Moray, No Age Statement, 40% ABV) is the best Scotch Speyside and best single malt whisky in Scotland.
Ripe orchard fruit notes are skillfully blended with wood spice and caramel in the Glen Moray, a classic Speyside expression. The whisky is not yet on the market in the United States, but it should be available soon. It’s also a great value at $35, the suggested retail price.
The whisky was noted by the Judging Panel to have notes of:
On the nose, there’s caramel, vanilla, muscat, green apple, and Scottish tablets. A well-balanced palate with notes of sweet oak and spices that reflects the nose.best single malt whisky
Tablet is a semi-hard, sugary treat that resembles American fudge but with more crumble. Boiled sugar, butter, and condensed milk are the ingredients.
GlenAllachie, aged 12 years and under, at 48% ABV; GlenAllachie, aged 15 years to 20 years, at 48% ABV; and Aultmore, aged 21 years and older, at 46% ABV, round out the shortlist for Best Scotch Speyside. Under the guidance of Master Distiller Billy Walker, GlenAllachie has emerged as a standout single malt in recent years, winning numerous accolades in international best single malt whisky competitions.
Reserva PX Cask Finish, NAS, 46% ABV Glencadam is the best Scotch Highlands whiskey. The whisky, according to the Judging Panel, demonstrated
Sweet scent of nutmeg, raspberry, and blackcurrant jams. Toffee, caramel, dates, stewed apples, nutmeg, and cinnamon are some of the complex flavors on the palate.
A further four wines are on the shortlist: Cu Bocan, Batch #1, 12 YO, 46% ABV; Old Pulteney, 13 to 20 Years, 18 YO, 46% ABV; and Royal Brackla, 21 Years & Over, Oloroso, Palo Cortado, and Pedro Ximénez Finish, 46% ABV.
The best is Glen Scotia Victoriana, 54.2% ABV, No Age Statement. Campbeltown Scotch. As the name suggests, the Glen Scotia Victoriana is modeled after Victorian-era single malt Scotch whisky bottlings. During this time, cask-strength best single malt whisky were canned.
What the Victoriana showed, according to the Judging Panel, was:
A nose of fresh pear, popcorn kernels, crème brûlée, muesli with milk, and malt. Perfectly integrated cereal notes and tropical fruit are paired with an oily, viscous palate. Toffee, black currant jam, and salted butter all counteract each other’s sweetness.
Twelve Years & Under and Glen Scotia Icons of Campbeltown are two more Glen Scotia Expressions that have made the shortlist. 13 to 20 Years, Glen Scotia, 15 YO, 46% ABV, and The Mermaid, 54.1% ABV.
Quarter Cask, Arran, The Bothy, NAS, 56.1% ABV is the best Scotch Islands. The whisky was described by the Judging Panel as having the following characteristics:
Notes of whipped cream, green fruits, grass, vanilla custard, and a hint of smoke in the nose. Tropical fruits, cream soda, and Swedish Princess Cake (without the jam and marzipan) make up the sweet palate. Blend well with vanilla ice cream that has been spiced.
Jura, a 15-year-old sherry cask with a 42.8% ABV, is on the 13–20-year cellar.
Ardbeg, aged 25, with a 46% ABV, is the best Scotch Islay, aged 21 and up. An absolute classic is the Ardbeg 25 YO. The panel of judges stated that it demonstrated
The nose is grassy with notes of lemon citrus, sweet peat smoke. Deliciously peaty notes, light citrus, dark caramel, and vanilla are all present on a well-balanced palate. extremely peaceful and harmonic.
Ardbeg Uigeadail, NAS, 54.2% ABV, Thirteen to Twenty Years, Bowmore, 15 YO, 43% ABV, and Twelve Years & Under, Bowmore, 12 YO, 40% ABV, are also included on the shortlist.
Auchentoshan, Three Woods NAS, 43% ABV, is the Best Scotch Lowlands.
The whisky was described by the Judging Panel as having the following characteristics:
Blackcurrant cordial, red grape, and sweet sherry aromas. A hint of pepper and softer oak tannins accompany the flavors of ripe banana, almonds, rowanberry, and marzipan on the palate. Caramel and toffee flavors finish medium. robust on the ABV and well-balanced.
