15 Best Scotch Whiskies Of 2023

A part of the lure of whisky is the incredible history that goes into each drop. You are drinking centuries of craftsmanship in bottles that are sometimes decades old. Even though whisky has rich traditions, it doesn't mean the industry stops evolving. We're blessed with new expressions each year, and 2023 is no different. There has been a wide range of releases, but we wanted to focus on affordable and attainable ones, so we've steered away from those super rare bottles costing thousands of dollars.

The bottles on this list are here partly from our personal experience and partly from looking at user reviews from a wide variety of sources. This was to give a rounded and objective view of the best Scotch whiskies of 2023. While there are a few expensive expressions here, and they are all single malts, hopefully, you'll find plenty within your price range, and we can inspire you to buy a bottle or two.

Highland Park's Cask Strength is another series, but this one is in just its fourth iteration. Coming from the most northern distillery in Scotland in the Orkney Islands, this is a robust whisky that showcases its remote surroundings. The Cask Strength No. 4 still has plenty of nuance, which is helped by it being matured in various casks with both European and American oak used, along with those being from a mix of sherry, bourbon, and port casks. This 2023 release comes at an eye-watering 64.3% ABV (128.6 proof), so a little water is needed to fully open up this fine Scotch.

Without water, it's a little severe on the nose, but when toned down, you'll get a lovely light char, floral notes, and some caramel. A pleasant sweetness runs through the palate, with the char from the nose also appearing. There is a contrast of heather and honey to give the expression plenty of depth. Its earthy notes and pepper dominate the long finish for an impressive Scotch. We wouldn't recommend this Scotch for beginners due to its intense strength, but for seasoned drinkers and with a little water, it has a great limited release.

The Roseisle distillery is a relative baby when it comes to Scottish distilleries. Only constructed in 2009, the 12-year expression is its first-ever single malt. Bottled at 56.5% ABV cask strength (113 proof), its first entry is an impressive one. Made exclusively in bourbon casks, you get an expectedly high level of vanilla on the nose, supported by honey and a whiff of coconut. The body of the whisky is creamier than you'd expect for its alcohol strength, which is a pleasant surprise. Upon tasting, the sweetness carries through from the nose, where some fruits and spices join it.

Despite the high alcohol content, you can easily drink this on its own, but adding a little water to a glass is never a bad idea to find out what extra notes you can explore. This Scotch is gentle and smooth but offers a peppery kick. It has all the features you'd expect from a Speyside whisky, which is always a compliment. The finish is medium-long, and that spice stays through to the end but has a slight bitterness. Overall, it's a very impressive debut and worth exploring for whisky fans looking for something new.

Here, we feature another cask-strength Scotch, with this one being bottled at 58.2% ABV (116.4 proof). This is the distillery's twelfth batch of its cask-strength whisky, and, as with many Scotches on this list, it has matured in various casks. In this case, it combines Pedro Ximenez and oloroso sherry casks. Due to this, we get an aromatic nose but one that isn't completely dominated by its sherry influences. We also get a little bit of everything, as spice features alongside delicate fruits and a hint of sandalwood.

The start of the palate isn't as overpowering as you may expect, and vanilla joins the notes on the nose for a well-balanced profile. Sherry is ever-present, and the bright flavor is supported by citrus and new wood alongside dried fruit. Each sip gives you something different, and we even have a bit of chocolate here too. Glendronach is known for its robust sherried single malts, and this is a perfect example of what it offers. Whether or not this is its greatest batch of cask-strength Scotch is up for debate, but it's a beautiful continuation of a great bottling series.

Loch Gorm is another whisky on this list that is matured in sherry casks, but unlike the Bunnahabhain above, this Islay whisky is heavily peated. Only established in 2005, Kilchoman was the first distillery on the island in well over 100 years but has proved itself to be a worthy addition to its famous neighbors. The 2023 Loch Gorm has plenty of smoke on the nose but also offers hints of cacao to go with the influence it gets from the cask.

The palate is dominated by earthy flavors, with the peat and spice playing a prominent role in this rich expression. Dark chocolate and dark fruit support those tastes to give a powerful whisky, which isn't too overpowering at 46% ABV (92 proof). The finish is long and memorable, with a touch of the salinity you expect from an island malt. As with Roseisle, this distillery deserves plenty of attention despite its young age. With it being one of the more affordable Scotches on this list, it's a great place to start for those wanting to sample 2023 Scotch.

Diageo also released a 12-year Lagavulin in its special release series, but here we're focusing on the distillery's Fèis Ìle expression. This 14-year-old whisky was another festival highlight but, sadly, another expression that comes at a steep price. Regardless, this is a fantastic Scotch with many qualities you'd expect from a Lagavulin. Matured in a combination of American and European oak casks, the unique aspect of this whisky is that it was finished in Armagnac casks. This combination of casks clashes the typical robust earthy flavor you associate with this brand against a fruity twist.

Along with the peat you'd expect on the nose, there is a delightful range of fruits, with two standouts being mango and apricots. The palate is quite crisp, with the smoke being more reserved when compared to the famed Lagavulin 16-year. The creaminess gives a gorgeous mouthfeel and allows you to explore its diverse profile. This 14-year is surprisingly easy to drink straight, considering it has an ABV of 58.4% (116.8 proof). The finish could be a little longer, but it's not short by any means, and the slight spice gives it plenty of warmth.

Ardbeg is another Islay distillery with a few releases in 2023, but we loved everything about its BizarreBQ. The Scotch whisky industry can take itself a little too seriously at times, but Ardbeg likes to do things differently. This is a barbecue-inspired expression that has matured in various casks. While double-charred oak and sherry casks may be fairly standard, Ardbeg has also used "BBQ casks" for this whisky. These are barrels that have received even more charring by using a traditional brazier. It takes Ardbeg's classic robust flavor to a whole new level.

Despite the unique maturation, there is plenty of nuance here. Berries and praline add some brevity to the heavier tasting notes as you get plenty of charred, earthy aromas and leather. The BBQ taste it was looking for is notable on the palate, with an oak car and coal gas being quite powerful. There is a tobacco and medicinal element you'd expect from the peat influence, with the sweeter and more delicate flavors coming in the form of vanilla, citrus, and chocolate. The medium finish is quite nutty and nicely wraps up the experience. If you're a grilling and whisky fan, you'll love this.

Another powerful Scotch is this one from Caol Ila. Its Fèis Ìle release for 2023 was especially important as this was the first time the distillery hosted a day of the festival at its new visitor experience. This expression follows a theme from many whiskies on this list by being at least partly matured by sherry casks. It helps to give this 13-year whisky a brilliant nose as it has a delightful combination of char, salted caramel, honey, and a touch of white chocolate.

Moving on to the palate, there is an impressive array of tropical fruits on what is a surprisingly sweet whisky. Under that sweetness are all the notes you'd expect from an Islay whisky, as it features a foundation of smoke, nuts, and malt. The finish is impressive as it seemingly lasts forever, with some warm toasted marshmallows being the standout feature. It can be overpowering at 60.4% ABV (120.8 proof), so we'd recommend at least trying it with some water.