Scotch Whisky

Scottish whiskies are among the world’s most revered spirits. There are varying styles, though all can be delectable masterworks in their own right. Some are flavoured heavily by peat and smoke, others are light and fruity. Coastal whiskies are often flavoured by the sea and a refined salinity can be found. There is always a sweetness; sometimes in omnipresence, sometimes lurking in the substrata.

There are regional distinctions in Scotch whisky much like the wine appellations of France. The robust, aromatic clarets of Bordeaux can be paralleled with the pungent, powered single malts from the Highlands. The sweet, fragrant, floral whites of Alsace are comparable with the gentle, fruity expressions from the Lowlands. The profusion of Scotch distilleries is such that it is difficult, and unwise, to make broad generalisations. To truly master the subject, one must first embark on a lifetime’s journey - a journey of knowledge, history and experience.

Speyside Whisky

Speyside proffers the lighter, sweeter drams. Body is brought with age and some of the heavily sherried, well-aged Speyside single malts are particularly full. The lighter, younger whiskies can be rather delightful with superb balance. The sweetness is often honeyed and delicate and peat is rarely used, nor are the drams particularly salty. Speyside whiskies are rarely finished in exotic wood.

Aberlour A'Bunadh #55

(70cl, 61%)

(6 Reviews)

$50.66

Balvenie Caribbean Cask

(70cl, 43%)

(102 Reviews)

$53.94

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Islay Whisky

Single malts from Islay tend to be the most pungent and peaty of all Scotch whiskies. This is particularly true to the south of the isle, where peat smoke is rife, as is tar and salinity. Further north there is not quite the peaty intensity; instead there is often plenty of fruit and refinement. There is always a good degree of balance, wherever one is on the isle.

Lagavulin 16 Year Old

(70cl, 43%)

(341 Reviews)

$53.84

Ardbeg Uigeadail

(70cl, 54%)

(162 Reviews)

$57.28

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Island Whisky

The Islands is a diverse region, though the single malts are usually rather rich. Smoke is a recurring theme, as is balance and richness. There is often a good peat, salinity and counteracting cereal sweetness. There are no hard and fast rules for the Islands, for the terroir and production methods differ greatly between distilleries.

Highland Park 18

(70cl, 43%)

(59 Reviews)

$105.56

Ledaig 18 Year Old

(70cl, 46%)

(4 Reviews)

$82.53

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Highland Whisky

The Highlands is a broad appellation, though the whiskies tend to be full in body. The Highlands is divided into four regions; Northern Highland whiskies are full, cereal sweet and rich; Southern Highland whiskies are slightly lighter with dryness and fruit; Eastern Highland whiskies are full, dry and very fruity; Western Highland whiskies are full and pungent with plenty of peat and smoke.

Old Pulteney 21

(70cl, 46%)

(23 Reviews)

$100.57

Invergordon 42yo TBWC

(50cl, 48%)

(1 Review)

$108.10

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Lowland Whisky

Whiskies from the Lowlands tend to be light and gentle. The single malts are usually quite dry. Peat is very rarely used. The single malts are soft and delicate and triple distillation is practiced, indeed it is for this that the region is known. There is very little salinity and plenty of floral notes and balanced fruit.

Carsebridge 52yo TBWC

(50cl, 40%)

$250.87

Carsebridge 52 Year Old

(70cl, 40%)

$348.21

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Campbeltown Whisky

Campbeltown single malts are rather dry and gentle smoky. The proximity to the coast proffers a salty character. One can imagine a cross between the Western Highlands and the Lowlands, with a little salinity. There are now just three whisky distilleries in Campbeltown.

Springbank 10

(70cl, 46%)

(24 Reviews)

$39.21

Longrow 18

(70cl, 46%)

(8 Reviews)

$92.56

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Other Scotch Whisky

Blended whisky is Scotland’s best-selling spirit. A Scotch blend is made up of both malt and grain whisky. The grain whisky is easy to produce, it being distilled in a column still. It is a little more neutral in taste, thus the malt whisky is added for flavour and body. Currently, blended whisky accounts for 90% of Scotland’s whisky production.