25 Popular Scotch Whiskies, Ranked

To look through the best Scotch whiskies is to journey through tradition, history, and craftsmanship. No matter what type of Scotch whisky you're discussing — be it a sumptuous single malt or a beautiful blend — coming up with a ranking of popular Scotches was no mean feat. There are over 140 distilleries in Scotland, with each making a variety of expressions. However, we narrowed down our choices by looking at sipping whiskies designed to be enjoyed on their own and prioritizing Scotches that are both affordable and easily available. Additionally, we also chose to stick to one whisky per brand and highlight the most popular expression.

With our deep knowledge of tasting all these whiskies, we've been able to rank them according to our taste while also acknowledging the wider popularity of these expressions. It's also important to note that while taste was the most significant factor in our ranking, we've also considered value for money when determining the order. Join us on our adventure as we look at a comprehensive guide to some of the best whiskies ever made.

As with Buchanan's, The Singleton is one of many whiskies in this list owned by the beverage giant Diageo. However, it's happy to give the distilleries autonomy to create unique expressions, and that's exactly what we get with The Singleton 12-Year. This Speyside Scotch has a light golden hue, which translates to a clean nose most notable for its fresh fruitiness. 

Those fruits continue to the palate, but it has a surprising kick along with its sweeter tones. The finish is smooth, with a mouthfeel that is a little creamy. Overall, the whisky is a little too clean to rank any higher, as it lacks the power you get from some of the iconic scotches on this list.

Another blended scotch, this whisky was favored by none other than Queen Victoria, and who are we to doubt the infamous monarch? The distilleries 12-year is a great example of blended whisky, and the nose has a lovely herbal undertone. The palate offers a unique combination of honey and orchard fruits, along with the herbs hinted at with the nose. 

The finish is long enough, confirming this as a good Scotch. However, it's good but not great. It doesn't quite live up to its famous reputation, and if you wanted to part with your money on a great Scotch, we'd recommend looking a little further down the list.

We called The Glenlivet expression a quintessential Scotch, and the same could be said for this classic single malt. Glenmorangie has a huge range of whiskies, but the 10-year is the one that most perfectly tows the line between taste and cost. Coming from the Highland reason, what we loved most about the nose here was the subtle sweetness that sets the tone for a great tasting experience. 

Joining it on the palate are some beautiful tropical fruits, mainly in the form of peach and apricot. A hit of almond confirms its unique taste, supported by a long and lingering finish. Experienced whisky drinkers may wish for a little more depth, but this is still a lovely and approachable single malt.

Aside from the lower-shelf offerings, there probably isn't a more famous Scotch brand in the U.K. than Glenfiddich. It has long been seen as an approachable and affordable single-malt whisky. The 12-year is the flagship bottle and doesn't disappoint. 

The most distinctive note on the nose is that of pear, which continues to the palate. It is joined by a delightful mix of gentle oak and sweet flavors, including butterscotch and crisp fruits. A gentle warmth and lingering fruitiness make for a wonderful finish. There is a long list of excellent Speyside single malts, but the Glenfiddich 12-year is certainly on there.

Despite its name, this 12-year is not made in the Highlands. Instead, it's made in the northernmost whisky distillery in Scotland, on the Orkney Islands. However, to make this a little more confusing, island whiskies (other than Islay) are often lumped in as being part of the Highland region. 

Regardless of the classification, the 12-year is Scotch that reflects this unique terroir and the distillery's craftsmanship. Highland Park whisky is known for its heather on the nose and palate, which is joined in the 12-year by malt, a slight peat smoke, and you can also taste its maritime influence. Faint hints of cinnamon and nutmeg add to its depth, and when joined by the gentle smokiness, you get a warm finish.

Here, we feature another Islay whisky, but this one is peated. Caol Ila 12-year is a captivating single malt characteristic of what you may expect from an island whisky. The nose has the archetypal maritime notes of peat smoke and brine, along with subtle citrus zest. We get a large hit of medicinal peat on the palate, but it's balanced with some delicate honey. 

It's one of the smokier whiskies on the list, but it's refined to give it an excellent level of complexity. That smoke carries onto the finish, which is unsurprisingly warm and long. It's one of those Scotches perfect for cold winter nights.

The Ledaig 10-year is a fantastic single malt from the Isle of Mull's Tobermory Distillery. The rugged charm of the island is reflected in the whisky, as it has all the earthy notes you expect from a Scotch. 

Heavy influences of maritime brine, iodine, and peat smoke mark its robust character. However, there are plenty of lighter notes on the palate, as you can taste a little zest and a nice undertone of malt. A smoky finish supports the initial impression of this being a wild and untamed spirit. It's not the most approachable whisky, but that only adds to its charm.

Moving into the top 10, it's all single malts from here. If Monkey Shoulder is a little quirky in its branding, Cragganmore is the exact opposite. Cragganmore 12-year is a distinguished Speyside malt that presents its whisky more traditionally. Inside the bottle is a beautiful nose marked by honeyed malt, dried fruit, and a subtle wisp of smoke. It has a complex array of flavors on the palate, with a touch of oak being the standout feature. 

This is a very malty Scotch, and its delicate smokiness adds depth to the tasting experience. It's a classic example of the elegance you can expect from a great Speyside whisky.

Ardbeg 10-Year is an iconic Islay single malt. Coming from the same southern coast that is home to Laphroaig and Lagavulin, this 10-year is known for its extreme peat flavor, which means this Scotch probably isn't the best choice for beginners. That peat immediately hits you on the nose with the medicinal smoke, along with hints of brine and citrus. The peatiness also takes center stage on the palate but is balanced out by flavors of vanilla, lemon, and a hint of toffee. 

Naturally, any peat enthusiast will adore the Ardbeg 10-year. For those used to mellower whiskies, its raw nature may be a little overwhelming at first.

We've looked at some raw whiskies, so let's highlight a distillery renowned for making refined Scotches. The 12-year is a fantastic single malt and a testament to Macallan's craftsmanship as one of the greatest scotch brands. The Speyside malt has a lovely nose of vanilla and toffee with some dried fruits. On the palate, those notes of the nose are joined by some zest and caramel and are underpinned by oaky spice. 

Using American and European casks gives this scotch a wonderous symphony of flavors. The only reason it doesn't get into our top five is that the Scotches above offer a little better value for money.

What strikes you immediately about Aberlour 12-year is its beautiful amber hue. Once poured, you'll get an array of beautiful notes on the nose from this double-cask whisky, partly due to its maturation in sherry casks. Dried fruits and warm spices dominate, as well as a hint of oak. The most unique note on the palate is that of raisins, along with a beautiful collection of traditional sweet flavors. 

The velvety texture of this Scotch helps showcase the remarkable depth and complexity on show. A touch of dark chocolate on the finish adds further justification to this being one of the best Scotches available and well worthy of its high ranking.

The Dalwhinnie 15-Year is the antithesis of our No. 1 pick. Smooth and clean whiskies often lack depth, but not here. This Highland Scotch is nestled in the windswept landscape of Drumochter Hills, which helps to give it some of that complexity usually associated with island whiskies. 

Once poured, the golden amber hue welcomes you in, and you'll soon enjoy the notes of heather and peat. On the palate, you'll be delighted with some bright citrus fruits and sweetness, along with a touch of oak. It's a refined and elegant whisky with the qualities of both a Spey and an island whisky. It's a truly outstanding whisky but a close second to our top spot when it comes to complexity.