If you aren’t a major whisky drinker, there are still a lot of reasons to buy a bottle of single malt scotch whisky. It might be to keep the liquor cabinet stocked, as a present, or because you love the odd tipple of something delicious daily. Sometimes, looking at a bottle can be easy, perhaps you understand what brand to buy, or a friendly shop assistant aids you in the appropriate direction. It’s a good time to have fun in a single-malt Scotch whisky, in recent years has seen a stable stream of distilleries opening. While reputable brands have been expanding their game with creative releases.

Understand what is meant by single malt Scotch Whisky

Before going through some of the finer whisky details, it’s good for having a quick recap of the difference between blended malt and single malt. A blended malt Scotch whisky is a mixture of two or more single malts, while a blended whisky can also comprise other grains. Now, onto some of the other elements that determine price, style, and flavor.

A single malt Scotch whisky is the result of a single Scottish distiller, although the barley can be derived from different locations. And the distillery can mix different casks to produce the finished drink.

Check out the best Single Malt Scotch Whisky

• Lagavulin 16 Year Old

Coming from southern Islay, zingy lemon adds stability to what is distinctly peaty 16-year-old. With added layers of smoke and brine, dried orange, and pineapple.

• Bruichladdich Classic Laddie

Bruichladdich is an advanced distillery, that extracts as much flavor and variety from local ingredients as possible. And bottling the resulting whiskies in the stunning, most current packaging you’ll find on the shelves. With notes of baked apples and barley sugar, the unexpected Classic Laddie has a huge fiery finish that will suit brave drinkers.

• Glenfiddich 21-Year-Old Gran Reserva Rum Cask Finish

If you want to go all out, this is the single malt that deserves your hard-earned cash. It has imparted a splash of juicy orange and tropical fruit to the honey-hued malt. One to savor, the flavor constantly evolves the longer it’s in the glass. With vanilla on the finish and buttery toffee.

• Balblair 12 Year Old

With a change from 50 quid, it’s quite impressive that this entry-level Balblair scored tremendously with some panel of testers. Expect pears up front and baked apples, a touch of a vanilla sponger, and layers of spice and almonds, all completed in honey sweetness.

• Ardbeg Corryvreckan

It is one of the most in-demand in the world and its special releases sell out rapidly. Thus while you’re waiting to leap to the next deluxe edition expression, you will enjoy Corryvreckan. It has a captivating woodsmoke aroma with a spray of the sea and some sherry sweetness.