Top 20 Single Malt Scotch Whisky Revealed: Elevate Your Whisky Game
Find Your Next Favourite Whisky
Seeking the best single malt whisky of 2023? Look no further! Our Top 20 list offers a curated selection that showcases Scotland’s finest. Dive into this expertly crafted list to elevate your whisky game and discover the unparalleled richness and complexity of the world’s most exquisite single-malt Scotch whiskies.
1. The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old
Delight in the rich, velvety texture of this timeless release, a masterpiece known for its notes of dried fruits, spices, and chocolate, offering a taste of unparalleled elegance.
Experience the peaty perfection of Lagavulin 16-Year-Old, a smoky and intense single malt that embodies the essence of Islay whiskies, with hints of seaweed, vanilla, and a touch of sweetness.
3. Glenfiddich 29-Year-Old Grand Yozakura
Indulge in the sweet allure of this exceptional liquid, the first whisky to be finished in Japanese Ex-Awamori casks, presenting layers of toasted oak, creamy vanilla toffee and silky tannin, followed by bursts of spice, sherbet lemons, green apple and warming earthy tones.
4. Highland Park 18-Year-Old Viking Pride
Embrace the bold and balanced character of this Orkney release, a whisky with hints of heather honey, dried fruit, and a whisper of peat smoke, making it a truly exceptional dram.
Savour the complexity of this Islay delish, a whisky renowned for its intense peat smoke, intertwined with notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and dried fruits, delivering a powerful and unforgettable taste.
6. Glendronach 18 Year Old Allardice
Discover the rich, sherried elegance of Glendronach 18-Year-Old Allardice, with flavours of dark chocolate, ripe cherries, and spices, making it a favourite among whisky enthusiasts seeking depth and sophistication.
Experience the maritime charm of Talisker 18 Year Old, with its notes of salted caramel, tropical fruits, and a subtle smokiness, capturing the essence of the rugged Isle of Skye.
8. Bruichladdich Black Art 10.1 29 Year Old
Discover the enigmatic alchemy of whisky making. The barley and cask type for this mysterious bottling remain undisclosed, with each release, never to be repeated. Indulge in flavours of orange barley sugars, ginger, and lemon pie, evolving into velvety apricot jam, marzipan, oak, chocolate, and vanilla.
Delight in the innovative craftsmanship of Glenmorangie Signet, a whisky with a unique plate of chocolate, coffee, and spices, created using chocolate malt spirit, made just once a year in the distillery’s giraffe-high stills, resulting in a luxurious and indulgent dram.
Experience the refined elegance of Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old, a whisky aged in both sherry and bourbon casks, offering a symphony of flavours including toffee, nuts, and dried fruits, with a touch of gentle smokiness.
Dive into the bold flavours of Laphroaig Quarter Cask, a whisky aged in smaller casks, intensifying the interaction between the spirit and the wood, resulting in a smoky, sweet, and velvety dram, with hints of vanilla and spices.
Enjoy the prestigious Scotch from the Isle of Arran, aged for a quarter-century, boasting a rich amber hue and a complex flavour profile. This rare and well-aged liquid offers notes of dried fruits, spices, and oak, delivering a smooth and lingering finish.
13. Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak
Beautifully balanced floral notes from lotus and geranium flowers dance between hints of fresh meadow grass and peeled apple skin. The palate presents an energising zing from tangy lemon rind and grapefruit followed by a subtle sweetness of glazed fruits and ginger spice.
14. Springbank 21 Year Old
Savour the rarity of Springbank 21 Year Old, a whisky crafted using a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, offering a delightful palate of tropical fruits, slight oiliness, nuts, and subtle smoke, making it a prized possession for connoisseurs.
15. Glenfarclas 35 Year Old
Discover the opulence of the first-ever 35-year-old release from Glenfarclas! Luxurious, velvety texture, smooth and full-bodied with subtle sweetness gracefully transitioning into a delicious butterscotch finish, embracing the taste buds with a long-lasting, comforting warmth.
Embrace the robust and full-bodied character of Glen Scotia Victoriana, a whisky with flavours of rich toffee, vanilla, and dark fruits, enhanced by its final maturation in heavily charred oak casks, delivering a unique and memorable taste.
17. Bowmore 18 Year Old
Journey into the heart of Islay with Bowmore 18 Year Old, a whisky with a perfect balance of smoke, tropical fruits, and rich sweetness, offering a complex and rewarding drinking experience for enthusiasts of peaty whiskies.
Experience the exceptional age and complexity of Tomatin 36 Year Old, a whisky with a harmonious balance of dried fruits, spices, and oak, offering a rich and smooth drinking experience that exemplifies the distillery’s heritage and craftsmanship.
19. Glengoyne 25 Year Old
Indulge in the luxurious taste of Glengoyne 25 Year Old, a whisky with layers of honey, toffee, and ripe fruits, balanced by subtle notes of oak and spices, providing a refined and elegant drinking experience, perfect for connoisseurs seeking sophistication in every sip.
Treat yourself to this exceptional release, matured in American oak and first-fill Sherry casks, which previously held 30-year-old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry. Indulgent notes of sweet liquorice, forest fruits, walnuts, and thick marzipan coat your palate, followed by ginseng, pear and blood orange notes on the finish.
In conclusion, our Top 20 Single Malt Scotch Whisky list for 2023 encapsulates the essence of Scotland’s whisky heritage, featuring a diverse selection of liquids that cater to various palates. Each dram offers a unique and unforgettable experience, inviting enthusiasts to explore the rich tapestry of flavours, aromas, and traditions that define single-malt Scotch whiskies.
Slàinte mhath!
For more about Single Malts, have a read of Andrew’s article.
Raluca: As an avid whisky enthusiast, I embarked on the spirits discovery journey back in 2016. Since then, my passion has evolved into a captivating odyssey of exploration and appreciation, and with new distilleries and styles continuously emerging, I’m sure this journey will only get more interesting. I very much enjoy unravelling the intricate tales behind each bottle, inviting readers to join me in a nuanced celebration of the art, history, and continuous exploration that whisky aficionados cherish.
