Make sure you are making it count when you put down your money on a bottle of Scotch. Nonetheless, it can be challenging when you are not sure or have experienced Scotch. So how do you ensure that you will like what you purchase? Moreover, some bottles of Scotch are pretty expensive. After all, how do you know that the price tag is justified? Just because a brand is selling its’ Scotch at an accessible price does not mean that it is intrinsically sub-par.
There are countless Scotch brands to consider with labels describing the aging process to flavor and alcohol content. It is therefore best to know what you are looking for before heading out. Madyasara has compiled a list of well-known brands of Scotch to help guide through and scan store shelves of a liquor shop. We have made it a point to consider numerous factors like taste, type, affordability, history, and more. Here are the 15 most popular Scotch brands to buy in 2024.
Fifteen Most Popular Scotch Brands To Buy In
Aberlour
This is another Speyside brand of Scotch. It offers a diverse catalog of single malt whiskies that are matured in many types of wood casks for varied lengths of time. Aberlour’s flagship bottle of Scotch is its 12-Year Double Cask. This whisky is matured in both conventional oak casks and sherry-seasoned casks. This results in a classically soft and fruity Speyside Scotch. Hints of dry spice in this spirit add extra layers of depth for you to enjoy.
This brand also offers double cask maturation spirits in 16 and 18-year expressions. Both these come with more character and complexity according to their age. However, the most popular spirit in the Aberlour lineup is its A’Bunadh. This name is a Gaelic word for ‘original.’ It is the cask strength expression of the brand. A’Bunadh is bottled at just over 60 percent ABV. This bottle packs quite the punch. Nevertheless, it is the expert maturation of the spirit which keeps it balanced. This Scotch is rich in flavor and yet silky smooth.
Inspired by the original whiskies made by James Fleming, the founder of the brand, A’Bunadh thinks that dilution is a deficiency. However, you cannot go wrong with any of the other Aberlour products. Nevertheless, the A’Bundah flagship bottle kicks off amongst the top five. Moreover, it is available for a very fair price as well considering that it is double-cask 12-year-long.
Ardbeg
It is the first Scotch brand on our list from the Isle of Islay. This region is well known for its rich peat and smoky character. However, peated Scotch is not exclusive to this region. Yet it is fair to say that the Isle of Islay does it best.
Ardbeg was first opened by John Macdougall in 1815. It is one of the oldest distilleries on the isle of Islay. The signature bottle of the brand has always been its 10-year expression, and Ardbeg prides itself on this particular bottle. It is one of the peatiest Scotches on the market. The character pf this spirit is bold and persistent. It may be favorable to some Scotch drinkers but is undoubtedly forceful in comparison to other peated scotches available in the market.
Nevertheless, Ardbeg remains one of the most popular Islay Scotch variety brands for a reason. Some other bottles in the lineup include an 8-Year, a 19-Year, and a 25-Year-Old. The bad news is that Ardbeg Scotches tend to come at a higher price point. It therefore slots down in contrast to quite a few similar brands and bottles.
The Balvenie
This one comes as the runner-up on our list. The Balvenie is a brand of Scotch that has a vast catalog of whisky driven by the unique wood maturation process. It is a Highland brand that is proud to have been making its whisky the same way for over a century now. Balvenie Distillery still employs its own coopers for barrel making. And grows and malts its very own barley as well.
The emphasis and experimentation with wood is what really sets The Balvenie apart. The 12-Year Double Wood bottle is the flagship of this brand. This whisky is aged in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in Oloroso Sherry casks from Spain. It adds an additional nine months before bottling. This practice of wood-finishing was actually pioneered by David Stewart, the former malt master of the brand.
The catalog of the brand includes many other bottles. Including the 16-Year French Oak and a 21-Year Portwood edition of all of The Balvenie’s sought-after bottles, However, it is the esteemed 14-Year Carribean Cask bottle that is most sought after. Nevertheless, this Scotch is rum-cask-finished to intensify the fruity notes. However, it is held in check by 86 proof. Nonetheless, it is one of the very best Scotch whiskies your money can buy. Rejoice as it is often available for less than $100 per bottle.
Bruichladdich
This Islay Scotch is one of the youngest brands of whisky hitting the market only in 2001. It takes great pride and care in the unique terrain and resources that contribute to its list. Bruichladdich was recently granted a B-Corp certification in 2020. This standard is only given to a handful of distilleries. It represents a commitment to balancing profitable business with a societal purpose.
This brand has earned its certification by mindfully making its spirit and operating alongside environmental awareness. Note that Bruichladdich only uses organically grown barley on Islay. This converts its entire operation to 100 percent green energy. However, there is nothing to overlook in the whisky production process.
The Classic Laddie, the brand’s flagship Islay whisky bottle, is factually unpeated. This unique Islay expression puts the barley on full display instead of just peat. Other Bruichladdich Scotch bottles include an 8-year unpeated whisky, and 10 and 11-year expressions as well. Moreover, all signature whiskies of the brand are 100-proof. Bruichladdich is a fairly potent Scotch brand that is more than worthy of garnering a middle spot in our ranking profile.
Glenfiddich
This Scotch is fundamental whenever we are speaking of Highland single malts. In fact, Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old was the best-selling single-malt Scotch whisky in 2017 across the world. It is quite clearly still one of the most popular brands as well. The signature 12-year expression of the brand is just one of many bottles in its catalog. There are four other bottles lined up in the signature series as well. Glenfiddich also markets an Experimental Series, a Grand Series, and a Travel Exclusive. Moreover, the Time Reimagined series includes a Scotch that has been aged for 50 years as well.
This brand was founded by William Grant in 1887. He built the distillery with his bare hands along with the assistance of his children. Glenfiddich has been making Scotch ever since. It has done so with its own private spring source of water. It makes for a unique whisky that distinctly stands out. It is a prime example of what aging can do. This is how Highland single malt should taste like. The price tags on the flagship bottles of the brand keep them fairly accessible. However, you may prefer the higher-ranked Scotch brands as well. But with the classic profile and wide variety of the brand, you can never go wrong with Glenfiddich.
The Glenlivet
This is yet another classic Scotch whisky brand. You are most likely to find these bottles at places where spirits are sold around the world. The Glenlivet is a Speyside Scotch. This category is defined by distilleries located along the River Spey. The whiskies from this region share many characteristics with Highland Scotches. Mainly because they share similar geography. But Speyside Scotches have a certain delicateness and salinity. Eventually, this is what sets them apart.
The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old, of all the Speyside Scotches, is one of the most famous. It is a primary specimen of the Scotch whisky category. This flagship whisky of the brand is super smooth. It is effortless to drink and comes as a great introductory Scotch for beginners. The Glenlivet, outside of its signature bottle, produces whiskies of varying ages and methods as well. The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve is a great sample. It is aged inside ex-rum casks. This makes for a very unique take on the spirit. It gets even more bright, fruity, and spicy.
General affordability is one of the best aspects of The Glenlivet. This distillery has been making Scotch ever since 1822. It has also remained one of the most popular Scotch brands on the market since then. The Glenlivet is undeniably a reliable option although it misses the top five spots.
Glenmorangie
This is yet another Scotch that provides a fantastic introduction to the spirit. Belonging to the Highland region dating back to 1843, Glenmorangie has a rich history. Its range of single-malts offers an approachable and amiable way to slip into this category. The giraffe, an animal that is nowhere to be found in Scotland, is the brand’s mascot. This is because the stills in the distillery are the same height as the animal. This is how it became the spirit ambassador of the brand.
The range of Scotch whiskies of this brand starts with the Original 10-Year-Old. It progresses to an 18-Year-Old expression. All bottles of Glenmorangie provide a light and soft texture. These spirits contain citrus-forward fruity flavor notes that are most common in Highland Scotch whiskies. Glenmorangie, as a matter of fact, makes excellent-tasting Highland single malts.
The lack of complexity and straightforwardness of Glenmorangie spirits may be a tad boring at times to Scotch drinkers with experienced tastes. But this simplicity itself is what makes this Scotch a great option for beginners. It is also a good option for those who want an all-time great hit. Although it does not rank high on our list, Glenmorangie remains a reliable and timeless brand of Scotch. Moreover, it will not disappoint or break into your bank.
Johnnie Walker
Anyone who knows about Scotch knows Johnnie Walker. The logo of this iconic brand is one of the most recognizable symbols in the spirits industry. They have been at the forefront for over a century now. Moreover, the iconic square-shaped bottles of this brand still continue to stand out on store shelves amongst the competition. They are so prominent that you can practically recognize the bottle almost anywhere inside an airplane or from a high-end cocktail bar.
The signature whiskies in the Johnnie Walker lineup are mostly blended Scotches. They are selectively made by mixing different types of whiskies. It has always been the plan for the brand since the start. This method ensures that they roll out a consistent product with every assortment. Additionally, a variety of products sold by the brand are recognized by color, with labels like Black, Blue, Gold, and Red. They are fairly used to distinguish the age and blends of the spirits.
The globally renowned Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an ultra-smooth premium whisky. However, the high price tag on the bottle is not quite justifiable since it is a blended whisky. Nevertheless, it is immensely popular. The low-priced Black and Red Label are both genuine expressions. They are excellent for mixing. All in all, at its core, Johnnie Walker still remains an introductory Scotch brand.
Lagavulin
This one is one of the most iconic brands of Scotch. The close proximity and long-lasting rivalry between Lagavulin and Laphroaig pit them against each other. Eventually, it determines which Islay distillery stands out on top. The wider range of whiskies from this brand are super rich with balanced peat. Lagavulin comes out on top amongst three Scotch brands with cherished celebrity endorsement.
This distillery was founded by John Johnston in 1816. It is located right on the coastline of Islay. Lagavulin netted benefits from the availability of miles of open peat beside it. Since it has access to the water running through the peat from the Solan Lochs. These factors effectively contribute to the complex and timeless character of the spirit.
The most common and famous expression is the 16-year-old whisky of the brand. However, this bottle is more expensive than other competitors. Nevertheless, it guarantees to be the best that Islay has to offer. Some other expressions of the brand include an 8-Year-Old whisky. The special 11-Year Offerman Edition is created in collaboration with actor Nick Offerman. He portrayed a Lagavulin-loving Ron Swanson on the ‘Parks & Recreation’ sitcom. Other limited releases from the brand have come and gone through the years. Nevertheless, Lagavulin sticks to what it does best. It is and will be an iconic Islay Scotch whisky that will indefinitely remain a leader in the category.
Laphroaig
There is no peated Scotch that is as beloved or exemplary as Laphroaig. Dating back to 1815, this distillery is still seated on the coast of the isle of Islay. It has access to its very own private peat beds. Replicating this Scotch whisky is therefore practically impossible. The peat is briny, robust, and salty. This makes for a brawny whisky that is utterly enjoyable in its intensity.
The signature spirit of this brand is its 10-year expression. This Islay Scotch bottle is affordable. It is an indispensable expression of the realm of peated whisky. However, the lack of variety is the point where Laphroaig comes up short of its competitors. Nevertheless, the Laphroaig 10-year Single Malt is an industry behemoth. But then you only have a very expensive 25-year to consider when you want to enjoy other expressions by the brand.
Then there are special editions and limited releases from the brand as well. Although a varied diversity is definitely lacking, you can try out the Cask Strength and the annual Cáirdeas edition for its ‘Friends of Laphroaig,’ program. Nonetheless, the signature Laphroaig 10-year whisky remains one of the best Islay Scotches on the market. It is enough to earn the brand a decent ranking.
Ledaig
This Scotch brand is one of the best in the market. It is called the Hebrides at home. Ledaig is made at the Tobermory Distillery located on the Isle of Mull. This facility was opened by John Sinclair back in 1798. Sinclair initially was granted a permit only to open a brewery. Eventually, he was able to secure the permit for a distillery.
In spite of the long history, this Scotch only hit the market again in 2019. The Tobermory Distillery was closed for decades following the Great Depression and the Prohibition in the United States. It was finally bought and renovated in the 1990s. Subsequently, it began distilling, maturing, and bottling whisky again. The brand under Tobermory Distillery is a peated one. It produces a core range of scotches including a 10-year and an 18-year whisky. Then you also have its Rioja cask-finished Sinclair Series to go for.
The peat in Ledaig is potent and robust. However, this whisky remains very bright and smooth with its Hebridean barley and malt shining through the dense smoke. Nevertheless, these whiskies are complex in both aroma and flavor. The good news is that they are affordable options. This Scotch is really something to behold from a distillery that is just getting back on track. It is true that you can never go wrong with Ledaig. This is why it is one of the top three Scotch brands today.
The Macallan
Holding the number one spot on our list, this brand of Scotch simply symbolizes excellence. The Macallan was founded in 1824 in the Highlands. The distillery is close to the River Spey and sits on a 485-acre property. The scenery surrounding the facility is a reflection of how astounding this spirit is. As a derivative of Highland single malt with close proximity to the River Spey, this Scotch results in a harmonious fusion between the two.
The two flagship bottles of this brand are the Double Oak and Sherry Oak. Both of these whiskies come in 12-year, 18-year, and 30-year expressions. Another popular bottle of this brand is the Triple Cask Matured. It is aged in both American and European ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks. This provides for an intensely diverse flavor profile. Then there are many other luxury bottles available from the brand as well. They include the Estate series, the M Collection, and Rare Cask.
The Macallan Scotches pay great attention to wood in addition to the malt and barley they use. The distillery engages its own master of wood who oversees and ensures the utmost quality in the seasoning, selection, toasting, and filling processes. They normally start in North America and Spain to end in Scotland. Only The Macallan whiskies are able to display the characters that come through these casks. Efforts are at the root of The Macallan whiskies which make it so celebrated, renowned, and the best Scotch brand you can have in 2024.
Monkey Shoulder
Seasoned Scotch drinkers will argue that single malts reign supreme in comparison to blended Scotches. They usually say that blended varieties should be exclusively reserved for cocktails. Many Scotch fans also prefer to enjoy this whisky when mixed with other ingredients. Blended varieties therefore have a reserved space in Scotch consumption. Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky beyond doubt is the best blend for making mixed drinks. This spirit was created specifically for this reason.
Founded by William Grant & Sons in the early 2000s, the Monkey Shoulder brand is a longstanding producer in the Scotch industry. It is a blended malt whisky that is exclusively made up of single-malt Scotches. Monkey Shoulder has a well-rounded body due to the absence of single grains. This allows the spirit to remain dominant when mixed with cocktails. The rich malt and sweet honey notes are cut short by subtle smoke for a well-balanced but complex blended Scotch whisky. This spirit is perfectly fit for enjoying any way you like.
The balance, functionality, and simplicity of this spirit are accompanied by an inviting price point. Monkey Shoulder is a great choice for a home bar if you appreciate Scotch-based mixed drinks. However, it may not be the best for having it neat but is surely better than many Scotch brands that have been ranked higher.
The Singleton
This is yet another younger Scotch brand on the list from a distillery that is as historic as whisky. The whiskies of this brand are made at the Glendullan distillery in Dufftown. This is an iconic location well-known for making Scotch. Opened in 1897, at one point this distillery transported its casks of whisky through a private railway network. However, the Singleton 12-year was launched in 2006, after about a century.
The history behind this Scotch brand shines through the spirit. It includes 12-year, 15-year, and 18-year expressions. The Singleton is one of the more affordable Speyside whiskies that is available in the market. Perhaps this is the main reason why this brand is notable. Imagine not having to pay an exorbitant amount of money to try a Scotch that is aged 15 years. This luxury comes naturally for new Scotch drinkers which otherwise would come at a much heftier cost.
The Scotch is also a great spirit to be used in cocktails. It is one of the few non-blended whiskies that encourage Scotch lovers. The Singletons are soft and citrus-forward. They come with rounded notes of honey and toffee. These spirits create a great base for mixed drinks as well as sipping neat. The Singleton comes somewhere around the center of our list.
Talisker
This Scotch whisky comes from an in-between area of Scotch regions in Scotland. The Talisker Distillery is situated along the coastline of the Isle of Skye. It is technically a part of the Highlands region. However, the unique barley, peat, and seaside influences make this spirit a perfect cross between the Islay and Highland. The catalog of this brand consists of 10-11-15 and 18-year expressions. These whiskies also come along with a variety of other special releases.
Founded in 1830, the Talisker Distillery is the oldest on the Isle. It has been producing excellent whisky since then. The uncommon location of this brand makes it one of the most remote distilleries established in Scotland. On the whole, it translates into an equally unique spirit that morphs multiple classes under one banner.
This is a great brand of Scotch for people who like peated whisky. Especially those who find Laphroaig 10-year-old to be too bold. Nevertheless, Talisker remains a Highland single-malt. It is honey-rich and soft with subtle peat and mellowing smoke. Talisker, especially the Talisker 10-year, an affordable Scotch brand can be put in a category of its own. It is guaranteed to be distinct and exceptional.
The Art of Balance: Rare Limited Edition Bottles
These bottles are some of the oldest whiskies the Scottish distilleries have ever produced. The Glenlivet collection features 12 stand-alone bottles that represent the 12 elements required to craft the single malts from this brand.
Maturing since 1974, The Glenlivet 12 Elements are crafted from two single malt casks that were selected to balance out each other. One is an American oak barrel providing richness and structure to the spirit, and the other is a refilled American oak hogshead tempering the power and intensity of the whisky. This combo allows the character of the spirit to shine.
This exceptional Scotch combines nature and human elements to create an amazing whisky which is a testament to the unique combination of two hand-selected single malt casks. The 12 Elements is one of the oldest official releases of The Glenlivet to date.
Your Glass Indubitably Deserves Some Scotch!
