Low cost scotch doesn’t all the time imply “unhealthy” scotch. There are some bangers on the shelf that gained’t value you a fortune on the subject of dabbling within the tipple from Scotland. Positive, you’re not going to be wowed by good low-cost Scotch whisky (let’s be reasonable), however you is perhaps… pleasantly stunned. Generally that’s sufficient!
Under, I’m calling out 10 bottles of Scotch whisky that gained’t break the financial institution. Every bottle gives one thing really tasty, is mostly out there nationwide, and prices lower than $40. To be clear, these costs are based mostly on Whole Wine and ReserveBar set to ship in Kentucky. So native costs could fluctuate barely.
One of the best half is that there’s one thing for everybody under — regardless that these are ranked. A few of these whiskies are blends, some are younger single malts (comparatively), and a few are peated, some not. The purpose is to undergo and discover the tasting notes that talk to you after which hit these value hyperlinks to snag your personal bottle. Let’s dive in!
Additionally Learn: The High 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Final Six Months
10. Haig Membership “Clubman” Single Grain Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Common Value: $36
The Whisky:
Scotch isn’t solely single malts. David Beckham’s signature whisky with Diageo is a single grain whisky made with a mixture of primarily wheat with a contact of malted barley (“single grain” can really feel like a little bit of a misnomer, however it implies that it’s a “grain” whisky made with varied grains from a “single” supply/distiller). This grain whisky hails from Cameronbridge Distillery. The whisky aged over seven years earlier than vatting, proofing, and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: This has a really fruity nostril with stewed apples mingling with banana bread, orange, and lemon with a contact of oak spice.
Palate: The palate provides an eggnog spice vibe to the combination with a pleasant vanilla depth and a contact of cedar earlier than the citrus and stewed fruits take again over.
End: The spiciness peaks with a bit extra banana bread and walnut on the finish.
Backside Line:
It is a good and really simple pour of whisky. It’s fruity and a tad buttery with a contact of bourbon edge. General, you may pour this right into a glass with some good mineral water, ice, and a citrus garnish and it’ll shine.
9. Buchanan’s DeLuxe Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Common Value: $33
The Whisky:
Buchanan’s is making an enormous comeback. A part of that is because of this expression snagging a Double Gold from the San Francisco World Spirit Competitors in 2020. One other half is the standard of Diageo whiskies within the mix.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The whiskey opens with an actual sense of darkish chocolate married to brilliant orange zest on the nostril.
Palate: The palate builds on that including hints of vanilla pudding and darkish spices subsequent to a cedar woodiness and just a little little bit of spicy/ chewy tobacco.
End: A whisper of peat arrives late and much within the background because the chocolate orange throughline lasts the longest on the fade.
Backside Line:
It is a good and really simple introduction to peat in whisky. It’s so delicate however nonetheless there. The whisky feels fruity and spicy with a smooth minerality. General, combine this into cocktails or highballs.
8. Outdated Parr Blended Scotch Whiskey Aged 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Common Value: $34
The Whisky:
This old-school mix is constructed round Cragganmore and Glendullan single malts. The whiskies mellow for 12 years earlier than they’re vatted and proofed for this bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: There are cinnamon apple cookies on the nostril with a contact of honey, nuts, and dry malt.
Palate: The style may be very malty with a contact of cedar, tobacco spice, and extra honey/apple/cinnamon.
End: The top is heat, malty, and barely candy because of the honey.
Backside Line:
It is a basic highball whisky by means of and thru. Pour this over some rice with good mineral water after which add a dried apple or pear slice as garnish (with possibly a whisper of mint). It’ll sing.
7. Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Common Value: $33
The Whisky:
The basic Black Label is a mix of over 40 grain and single malt whiskies from three dozen distilleries within the Diageo secure, together with powerhouses like Talisker and Lagavulin. The throughline is that the entire whiskies are at the very least 12 years outdated when married into this mix.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: Citrus meets spicy Christmas cake and a little bit of powdery white pepper that’s simply kissed with smooth orchard wooden smoke on the nostril.
Palate: These wintery spices stick with it by means of the style as creamy maltiness, caramel sweetness, and dry herbs bounce in your tongue.
End: The oak is available in late with a dose of peaty smoke that’s lower by an orange zest flourish on the short finish.
Backside Line:
It is a gateway Scotch whisky. The peat is there however very dialed again. General, that is meant for making a killer however easy highball with good mineral water and a floral or botanical garnish.
6. Dewar’s Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years
ABV: 40%
Common Value: $34
The Whisky:
Dewar’s White Label and 12 get numerous consideration, and rightfully so. They’re superb bottles. However for the worth, their 15-year-old expression is a winner. The additional three years this mix will get within the barrel provides a pleasant depth that speaks to how good blended scotch will be whereas nonetheless being reasonably priced.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: Apples coated in caramel and walnuts combine with a little bit of sherry jamminess on the nostril.
Palate: That nuttiness leads the way in which on the style as a malty cracker mixes with toffee, vanilla, and dried fruits.
End: The top holds onto the sweetness of these fruits then fades rapidly in the direction of an earthy but honeyed closing word.
Backside Line:
It is a good bridge between the highball whiskies above and the cocktail mixers under. That is simply complicated sufficient to carry up in a pleasant citrus-forward cocktail. That every one stated, you too can drink this over ice for a straightforward on a regular basis sipper.
5. Aberfeldy Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Years Outdated
ABV: 40%
Common Value: $34
The Whisky:
This Highland malt is the cornerstone of the much-beloved Dewar’s Blended Scotch. This whisky is a really accessible single malt that spends 12 years resting in varied casks earlier than it’s married, proofed down, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The center of the nostril is within the mingling of pear and honey with a touch of Christmas spice, particularly nutmeg.
Palate: The palate expands on that with a lush maltiness, creamy vanilla, gentle spice, and extra of that honey and orchard fruit.
End: The top will get barely nutty and bitter with just a little water because the honey, fruit, and spice linger on the senses.
Backside Line:
That is the place we get into the great cocktail whiskies. This provides a pleasant depth to your favourite whiskey-forward cocktails, works wonders in a easy highball any time of yr, and works as a desk whisky for on-the-rocks sipping. That’s versatility.
4. Compass Field Artist Mix Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
Common Value: $37
The Whiskey:
The lion’s share of this mix — 45% — comes from a single-grain whisky aged in ex-bourbon from Cameronbridge Distillery. 22% is a single malt aged in ex-bourbon that comes from Linkwood Distillery. The remaining is a mixture of French oak and ex-bourbon single malts and blended malts from the Highlands, Clyneilish, Linkwood, and Balmenach. These whiskies are vatted after which proofed down earlier than bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: This opens with a really clear and concise word of apple sweet with a touch of salted caramel ice cream lower with a contact of eggnog spices.
Palate: There’s a pleasant maltiness that leans right into a creamy vanilla, smooth vacation spice combine, butter toffee, and a touch of milk chocolate close to the top.
End: The end is warming with a whisper of tobacco subsequent to a woody apple, spice candies (possibly ginger), and a closing trace of cocoa and caramel.
Backside Line:
It is a nice selection if you happen to’re trying to whip up some killer cocktails. It’s dynamic and has a twinge of bourbon that’ll really feel acquainted.
3. Chivas Regal Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Common Value: $33
The Whisky:
The Strathisla Distillery within the Scottish Highlands is the place Chivas comes collectively. The whisky is well-rounded and designed to be a workhorse that’s a straightforward sipper but in addition works wonders in a cocktail.
The Style:
Nostril: The nostril opens with a deep sense of dried apples and pears dipped in contemporary honey after which rolled in roasted almonds and walnuts with a whisper of barrel spice sneaking in late.
Palate: The palate hints at dried florals earlier than touching a buttery toffee, smooth spiced tobacco leaf, and nearly musty oak.
End: The top is just a little chewy because of that spiced tobacco leaf with a pleasant trace of apple/pear cider lower with winter spices and honeycomb.
Backside Line:
That is the quintessential on the rocks whisky. Add a splash of Angostura Bitters to the glass and also you’ll have an awesome sipper in your hand.
2. Loch Lomond The Unique Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Common Value: $38
The Whisky:
This evenly peated single malt from the Highlands is a basic. The juice is a no-age-statement whisky that’s meant as an entry level to the broader model. The malt is simply kissed with peat whereas malting. The one malt mix is a mixture of these barrels with an eye fixed on highlighting the subtler facets of the whisky. As soon as vatted, the whisky is proofed and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The nostril opens with a pleasant dose of honey wafer biscuits wrapped in an outdated leather-based sheet with a touch of dried grass, smooth raisins, and mildly spicy malts.
Palate: The palate leans into these malts with a touch of malted vanilla subsequent to oatmeal cookies with cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts subsequent to a glass of heavy cream for dipping.
End: The top kicks in with a pointy orange/cinnamon earlier than descending towards smooth oak and extra of that leather-based and honey wafer.
Backside Line:
That is only a good pour of whisky. You should utilize it nevertheless you wish to drink on a regular basis whisky and also you gained’t be disenchanted.
1. Glenmorangie The Unique Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 10 Years
ABV: 43%
Common Value: $34
The Whisky:
The Glenmorangie is a basic Highlands single malt. The juice is created on the tallest stills in Scotland, which permits extra spirit creation alongside the way in which because it’s boiled. The whisky then spends ten years mellowing in ex-bourbon barrels. Lastly, the whiskey is vatted, proofed, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The nostril opens with smooth grains subsequent to a rush of dried fruits and supple leather-based with a floral trace that leans towards dry hibiscus and contemporary woodruff.
Palate: The palate is mild with hints of moist malts subsequent to powdered darkish spices, contemporary honeycombs, and a skinny line of vanilla oils simply touched with orange zest and possibly a twinge of grapefruit.
End: The top arrives with a smooth honeyed sweetness that feels prefer it’s drizzled over an orange cake with a touch of malted cracker graininess subsequent to an echo of outdated apple chips.
Backside Line:
That is probably the most nuanced and deeply hewn single malt on the record. It really works very well as an on-the-rocks sipper and it’ll make a cocktail shine. It’s simply good things and amazingly approachable.
