Top 10 Most Underrated Whiskies
Not every whisky gets the love it deserves. Here’s 10 underrated whiskies we believe should get a greater share of the spotlight.
Not that picking an underrated whisky is exactly easy. I don’t very well know what your ratings are. I do know that whisky from, say, The Balvenie isn’t going to make this list because it’s universally acknowledged, if not adored.
But we’ve given it a good go anyway because we love whisky. And so many of the people who make it. It’s only right we use our platform to ensure those who don’t always get the credit they deserve are given the chance to shine.
Here’s our top 10 underrated whiskies. We’d love to hear about any drams you think deserve more too.
Top 10 Most Underrated Whiskies
Speyburn 10 Year Old Whisky 70cl
An easy-going, crowd-pleasing, and great value whisky from a beautiful distillery in Speyside. The reputation of Speyburn feels like it’s building all the time but we’re happy to give it a little push in the right direction as we love this dram.
Black Bottle 10 Year Old Whisky 70cl
The ultimate whisky you need in your drinks cabinet if you love the peaty smoke of Islay and want a spirit that does it all. You can sip Black Bottle. You can mix it. The bottle looks cool on your shelf. And when you plump for the pricier age statement 10 Year Old edition, you’re still only forking out just over £25. Such a superb balance of smoke and sea at this price is worthy of commendation.
Evan Williams Extra Aged Whiskey 70cl
If we’ve said it once, we’ll say it again: entry-level bourbon is a hotbed of bargains and beauties. Like old grains (we’ll get to that presently), there’s always great whiskey at a reasonable price to be found, like in the Evan Williams range. The second largest selling Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey in the world might sound like a slightly odd choice for underrated, but people do have a habit of turning their nose up at big names in favour of something more ‘cool’. Not us. We’ll happily sip a whiskey that tastes like it costs three times more than its does any day.
North British 29 Year Old 1992 (cask GD-NB-92) – Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) Whisky 50cl
Yep, we’re going on about old grain whisky again. Seriously though, at these prices for whisky that just tastes this delicious, why are still having to make this case? Grain at a younger age can be one-dimensional at times and more of a blending tool, but open a bottle of this North British single grain up and tell us there’s not a world of flavour and complexity in there. You know GreatDrams Greg wouldn’t select a bad whisky, too.
Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve Whisky 70cl
One of the more unique whiskies on the market. Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve Whisky is not simply a Scotch imitation, as the more blander side of Japanese whisky can be, and it doesn’t carry a name like Yamazaki, Hibiki, or Nikka. But it’s so cool. Both lightly-peated and heavily-peated went into this so it’s smoky, but it’s also richly herbaceous and resinous, like treating your tastebuds to an autumn walk in a forest.
Tullibardine 500 Sherry Cask Finish Whisky 70cl
There are just so many Scotch whisky distilleries that some aren’t going to get the appropriate attention. Tullibardine is one of those, with its rich and nutty spirit that suits sherry cask finishes particularly well. We think you’ll be impressed by this.
Ledaig 6 Year Old 2020 – 100 Proof Edition #76 (Signatory) 70cl Whisky
Young whisky can be good whisky. Particularly when it comes to Scottish islands in our experience. Arran, Skye, Orkney… we’ve had great whisky younger than eight years old and loved them and the same is true for Mull. Its only producer is Tobermory, making sweet, fruity single malt under its own banner and smoky, herbeceous beauties called Ledaig. Both young whisky and Ledaig are underrated. Hence this selection.
Egan’s Fortitude Whiskey 70cl
Egan’s does a very good job of presenting very delicious Irish whiskey, often in well-matched cask finishes, but doesn’t seem to get much credit for doing so. This is our shoutout for the brand and its whiskey, with Fortitude representing our go-to thanks to its well-measured maturation in Pedro Ximénez casks. Chocolatey, nutty, and full of dried fruit, what’s not to like?
Linkwood 31 Year Old – Lady Macduff (The Macbeth Collection) 70cl Whisky
A very simple pick here. Linkwood is just great whisky. That’s all. Nose it and embrace the spring meadow aroma that greets you. Refill bourbon barrels preserve the distillery character. Plus illustrations by Quentin Blake, and notes from Dave Broom on this bottling. Neat.
Ben Nevis 15 Year Old 2010 – Milroy’s Soho Selection 70cl Whisky
This made our pick of underrated whiskies because it’s pale. And pale whisky isn’t given as much love as darker whisky. Producers add caramel colouring for a reason. It’s a shame to miss out on great whisky because you judge a book by its colour. This Ben Nevis is complex, rich in unmistakable Highland earthiness and sweet malt. Don’t underestimate it.
