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Whether enjoyed neat by a roaring fire or skillfully mixed into a complex cocktail, Scotch’s history and craftsmanship make it one of the most revered whisky categories in the world. While devoted drinkers love to wax poetic about the Scottish spirit’s many virtues — distinctive, layered, and iconic — those new to its charms are amazed to find it offers an almost intimidatingly diverse range of styles.
The Scotch Whiskies That Offer the Best Bang for Your Buck
- Ardbeg Wee Beastie
- Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
- Dewar’s Cask Series
- Dewar’s Japanese Smooth
- Famous Grouse
- Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch
- Aberlour A’Bunadh
- Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
- Glenfiddich 14 Year Old
- Compass Box Orchard House
- Compass Box Peat Monster
- Copper Dog
- Glenfarclas 12 Year Old
- The Dalmore 12 Year Old
- Gordon & MacPhail
- Johnnie Walker Black
- Springbank Distillery (Hazelburn, Longrow, and Springbank)
- The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
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“Wee Beastie Islay Scotch from Ardbeg is my go-to choice for value, drinkability, and cocktail utilization. It has a nice peat profile without being overbearing.” —Dimitre Darrocca, lead bar director, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
“Ardbeg Wee Beastie: only 5 years old, but still plenty of peat and priced very reasonably.” —Nicholas Lappen, bartender, Backbar and Boston Baijiu Bar, Somerville, Mass.
“Ardbeg is an Islay single-malt Scotch with a touch of sweetness and a nice velvety texture. Good price point for what it is, and it works well in floral cocktails.” —Ferit Ozergul, bar director, Cranes, Washington, D.C.
“Bruichladdich The Laddie is a great Islay Scotch in a beautiful blue bottle (the color of the Scottish waters off the coast from the distillery). Light, fragrant, and refreshing.” —Mary Ellen Angel, owner, Angel Share, Houston
“I am partial to the Dewar’s Cask Series, which features Dewar’s 8-Year-Old double-aged Scotch whisky, which is then finished by various used casks. Bottles in this series have featured Scotches finished in port casks, Caribbean rum casks, and even mezcal casks, which makes it one of my favorites. I really enjoy the Japanese Smooth bottle which is finished in Japanese mizunara oak casks for six months. This is super tasty with subtle floral, honey, and cinnamon notes. The best part of these experimental Scotches is that they retail for around $30-$35.” —Nicholas Bennett, beverage director, Porchlight, NYC
“Famous Grouse is a great whisky at an amazing price point. There is a bottle of Famous Grouse in my box of camping equipment, a bottle next to the fireplace at home, and it is our everyday Scotch at someday. It’s a blended Scotch whisky, but the single malts used in the Famous Grouse blend are from Highland Park and The Macallan, two highly regarded and celebrated Scotch producers. Famous Grouse is extremely smooth and quite rich; lovely on its own and also works extremely well in a variety of cocktails. It’s flavorful and engaging, with notes of dried lemon and orange, candied ginger, cinnamon, and buttery shortbread cookies (which we use to garnish our Bobby Burns cocktails).” —Graham Files, owner, someday, Portland, Ore.
“Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch: As the cool kids say, this Scotch is an absolute bang for your buck! Monkey Shoulder is a blend of some killer single malts (such as Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Kininvie) which range in age anywhere between 6-12 years. Speaking of aging, this whisky sits in ex-bourbon barrels making for a smooth sip every time with layers of vanilla and tropical fruits. You love to taste it! For all of these reasons, Monkey Shoulder can be enjoyed solo or as the base spirit in your favorite cocktail. Truly a versatile whisky.” —Ally Marrone, beverage director, Grand Army Bar, Brooklyn
“Aberlour A’Bunadh: This Scotch is finished in oloroso sherry casks. You can’t find another Scotch that is around the price of Aberlour A’Bunadh, finished in a sherry cask, or as refined. There are many Scotches (not to name names, but they start with Mac and rhyme with Allan; start with Glen and rhyme with divet) that are aged for far less time in sherry casks than Aberlour A’Bunadh and cost twice as much. Thank me later.” —Matt Landes, founder and CEO, Cocktail Academy, Los Angeles