Scottish single-malts have long-deserved a spot on your top shelf. But with 134 scotch distilleries in Scotland, it’s tough to know what’s a scotch above the rest and what’s a hard pass. We’ve got everything you need to know about this Great Scotch. Also, your new favourite whisky cocktail.
Where Does Single-Malt Scotch Whisky Come From?
Well, it’s as the name would suggest; Scotland. In fact, there are actually 5 official Scottish regions that your single-malt could be coming from.
1. Islay
Pungent peaty, smoky and oily flavours, with just a hint of salty sea air and seaweed. Laphroaig 10 was created here, and we’re also big fans of this whisky.
2. Speyside
Speyside whiskies are sophisticated, elegant and have flavours of honey, vanilla as well as ripe green fruit. Plus, it also has some very recognisable distilleries. This region is home to Aberlour, Glenlivet and Glenfiddich.
3. Highlands
This large region offers a Scotch for all palates and has a huge diversity of flavours and characters. When you think of this region, think Glenglassaugh and Glendronach.
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4. Lowland
A great choice if you’re new to whisky drinking. These tend to be light and gentle with no peatiness and flavours of honeysuckle, grass and cream. Auchentoshan is a notable scotch from this region and one worth trying.
5. Campbeltown
For the serious connoisseurs among us. Expect bold flavours, dryness and sometimes pungency. Yes, we’re talking brine, smoke, vanilla and toffee. Springbak is one of the most well-known.
4 Scotch Whiskies To Try
Laphroaig Select 10 Year Old
This single-malt scotch is aged for a decade and distilled the same way today as it was when it was created over 75 years ago. It has distinctive and bold flavours of smoky peat, spicy oak and a surprising sweetness. Laphroaig is a great intro to peated whisky and renowned for a reason.
Aberlour A’bunadh
Made in homage to Aberlour’s founder, this whisky is actually handmade from start to finish. Aberlour is bottled at cask strength which results in a robust and deeply intense, sherried whisky. So expect a rich and complex flavour of moist raisin and homemade fruit cake.
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Glenglassaugh Evolution
This forms part of part of Glenglassaugh’s return and is distilled on the coast at the end of Sandend Bay. Evolution is created by maturing the whisky in the finest hand-picked ex-Tennessee first-fill whiskey barrels. This gives it robust, white peppery oak, crisp green apple and freshly cracked barley flavours.
Glendronach 12 Year Old Original
Deep in the East Highland hills, this richly sherried single-malt whisky is matured for 12 years in Spanish Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. So you’ll get notes of sweet fruits, spicy mulled wine and a rich oak and sherry sweetness. This Highland is completely different to the one you see above. We told you the Highlands has a wide variety to offer.
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Laphroaig Café Islay
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 50 ml Laphroaig SELECT 10 year old
- 10 ml Fresh ginger juice
- 35 ml Espresso
- 15 ml Agave syrup (or honey syrup)
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into the shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake hard for 8 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled coupette glass.
