What does define a great whisky? Why some whiskies stand over the rest? What makes a dram the best?
So hard questions... but let me make some ideas clear: older doesn't mean better and more expensive usually doesn't mean better neither. So, this list of delightful bottled pleasures is crafted by using the rating I have assigned to each of them when I have tasted them.
I, over all, love young peated whiskies, mid-age sherried monsters, old bourbon casks whiskies and very old grain whiskies. So, don't get surprised if the list shows this personal preference. You can check Recommended list for a community-built list of best drams.
Without more delays, here is the list of the best drams available right now. You may want to see this list with all-time best whiskies.
20 Best drinks in the price range
-
92
Port Ellen 6th release 27 year
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“Even after eight great whiskies this Port Ellen stands over them. Peat-astic!”
-
91
Ardbeg Supernova SN2010
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“An awesome release. More complex than Ardbeg 10 years old, definitively hotter and more earthy. If you are in the peat wave do your best to get one.”
-
91
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“A great dram. One of the best Ardbegs I have tried that has still a reasonable price. It is more complex than Ardbeg 10 years old and has no trace of vanilla.”
-
91
Balvenie Tun 1401 - Batch 2
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“All the lovely Oloroso character of Balvenie with a touch of sweet sherry. SImply gorgeous...if only it wasn't so expensive”
-
91
Highland Park Loki / 15 Year Old / Valhalla Collection Island Whisky
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“I am happy with the bottle that I have bought. Loki is definitively better than Thor but still I think it has a wrong price tag”
-
91
Laphroaig Cairdeas Origin
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“I can't think of a better way of celebrating 18 of Friends of Laphroaig club, of which I am just another proud member! Slainte Mhath friends!”
-
90
Ardbeg Alligator Untamed Release
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“Perhaps the best Ardbeg I have had. Quite delicious complex nose.”
-
90
Ardbeg Day
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“Love it! Pure Ardbeg cask strength complexity for Committee member only”
-
90
-
90
Caol Ila Feis Ile 2010
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“I am really regretting not having attended Feis Ile festival. Gorgeous dram.”
-
90
Kilchoman Machir Bay
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“A sure hit, as always. I really love this malt whisky”
-
90
Lagavulin Feis Ile 2011
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“This Feis Ile whisky is a sea christened Lagavulin: Laph-gavulin!”
-
90
Octomore 5 Year Old / Edition 4.2 / Comus Islay Whisky
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“Another great release of Octomore ( Is there a bad one?! ). This Bruichladdich whisky is more fruity and complex that Octomore 3.1 but I prefer the sincere simplicity of the 3.1, by a slight margin”
-
89
Balvenie 12 year Doublewood
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“Lovely sherried whisky with a nice amount of nuts and biscuits in its nose. I have really enjoyed this one.”
-
89
Balvenie 21 year Portwood
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“Not bad but Balvenie can do a much better whisky than this Portwood”
-
88
-
88
Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix
Scotland Single Malt Whisky
“A real crack! Really a phoenix raising from the snows.”
-
87
Islay Mist Blended Scotch Whisky
Scotland Blended Whisky
“Excellent nose but a bit light of taste. Just a bit more powerful taste and what great whisky we will have here...”
-
86
Apostoles Palo Cortado 30 year
Spain Wine
“Awesome wine! This really worth each buck you pay for it.”
-
86
Black Grouse
Scotland Blended Whisky
“No peat on the nose and a bit light taste but such great finish...”
Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £750.00
Buy on Hard to Find Whisky for £199.95
Buy on Master of Malt for £52.95
Buy on The Drink Shop for £55.15
Buy on The Whisky Barrel for £64.24
Buy on Whisky Online for £325.00
Buy on Drink Supermarket for £33.29
Master of Malt
What do you think?