8 Unique Whiskeys to Try

This single malt Scotch whiskey is manufactured by the Aberfeldy Distillery in Scotland. This distillery is geographically located at the “Heart of Scotland,” which is a location where the longest glen, Perthshire’s highest mountain, and the deepest loch meet. The unique style and character of Aberfeldy includes honey, polished malt, toffee, and dried fruit.

Aberfeldy 12 YO is a clean, fruity, and polished malt with a replete touch of spice and honey. This exquisite infusion makes it the best introduction to the Highland distillery as it is widely recognized as the best of Dewar’s Whiskey blends. 

The distillery is also home to other fine whiskeys, including; Aberfeldy 21 YO, 12 YO (The Golden Dram), and 16 YO.

This single malt Scotch whiskey is one of those brands that will allow your guests to enjoy and grasp the exquisite taste of Whiskey and all its glory. It offers a smoky and peated flavor that comes from burning peat during the malting process. Beneath the peated, smoky flavor, the drink gives a cereal and soft fruit palate with vanilla notes infused by the aging process. This Whiskey is produced on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

The Isle of Skye is located on the shores of Loch Harport in a village known as Carbost, where the rugged coastlines meet the ranging sea. Although this village is rugged, it has been able to produce Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, a wonderfully powerful award-winning Island malt. The water used during the distillation process is drawn from 21 underground springs rising from Hawk Hill, which is located close to the distillery. 

Other Talisker brands that are equally wonderfully powerful include Talisker Port Ruighe Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, Talisker Skye One For The Sea, and Talisker Skye Single Malt Scotch.

Macallan Single Malt Scotch Whiskey is the single most sought-after Whiskey across the world. This Whiskey has an enviable brand reputation that is built on quality. The character and style of Macallan Whiskey are fruit cake, nutmeg, and dried fruit which gives the Whiskey rich, fruity, full-bodied flavors. Macallan Single Malt Scotch Whiskey is produced by the Macallan Distillery, which is located in the Scottish Highlands near Craigellachie.

The distillers only use about 16% of the spirit collected from the Speyside stills to fill into the casks. The distillery has been established as the only dedicated Master of Wood that makes its casks to produce the full-bodied richness of the spirit. This Whiskey is one of the silver screen favorite drinks as many actors such as Harvey Spector in Suits and James Bond in Spectre are featured enjoying different brands of Macallan.  

Virginia Black is one of those whiskeys that makes a perfect gift. This whisky is distilled by MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. It is categorized as a luxury American Whiskey that is a blend of two, three, and four-year-old bourbons. Virginia Black is inspired by Drake, the Canadian rapper, and Brent Hocking, the person behind the DeLeón Tequila range.

This Whiskey has a beautiful dark brown color and delicate oak vanilla, brown sugar, salted popcorn, and toffee character. The palate has generous helpings of hot cinnamon, toasted marshmallows, caramel, and green apple slices. The sweet cinnamon and black pepper notes give Virginia Black a smooth finish. 

This brand of Whiskey is one that always hits a perfect balance between the distillery character and maturity. This Whiskey is produced in one of the most remote but beautiful parts of Scotland’s West Coast. Caol Ila is mainly made with peated malt in a classic Islay style. The phenols that result from the maturation process, as well as the salty coastal air that the casks breathe, largely influence Caol Ila’s final flavor.

The distillery character combines a hint of juniper, grassiness, and fresh pear, as well as the distinct notes of the seashore, which include crab creels, lobster shells, and gentle smoke. To reduce the heavy phenols and distinguish them from all other single malt whiskeys, Caol Ila uses taller stills, higher cut points, and longer fermentation periods. Refill casks are used for the single malt maturation process. 

This Scotch Whiskey is produced on the Isle of Jura, an island where the number of deer outnumber the residents. This Whiskey is aged in bourbon casks for 12 years and then finished in Alonso sherry. Jura Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, 12 YO, is produced by the Jura distillery, which is located on an infamously small Scottish island with just one pub, one road, a population of about 200 people, and one distillery.

The founders, Tony Riley-Smith and Robin Fletcher, built the Jura distillery between 1960 and 1963. Jura Single Malt Scotch Whiskey gives rich rice pudding and smoldering cocoa nibs aromas. To give the Whiskey a leathery touch, the distillers use baked apples, spices, raisins, and creamy chocolate sauce aromas.

The initial burst char halted by toffee sauce and milk-chocolate-covered raisins give Jura a rich and rounded palate. It also has an exquisite finish of smoky bonfire-baked apples which, after fading, give a hint of menthol and mint.

Other Jura whiskeys to try to include 14 YO American Rye Cask, Seven Wood, Jura Journey, and the Red Wine Cask Edition. 

Clynelish Single Malt Scotch Whiskey is the hidden and mysterious spirit of the Sutherland coastland. This Whiskey was produced by the Clynelish Distillery, which was founded in 1819 by Marquis of Stafford, who later became the Duke of Sutherland. Clynelish enjoyed years of popularity from its inception though it was only available to private customers and not commoners.

This Whiskey has been held in high regard and praised due to its unique combination of maritime and North Highland qualities. The character and style of this Whiskey are lemon, wax, biscuits, apple, brine, and toast. Clynelish Single Malt Scotch Whiskey is muscular and slightly peaty, making it an excellent base spirit for Johnnie Walker Gold Label. This coastal Whiskey has the typical salty, seaweedy, and mustard flavor and aromas. 

There is nothing more refreshing than a classic glass of Whiskey with plenty of ice and crisp soda water. Chivas Regal 12 YO is a classic blended Scotch Whiskey with a lingering and rich finish. This iconic Whiskey is made using only the finest grain and malt scotch whiskeys and has remained a signature blend.

To make it remarkably smooth, the master blenders use Strathclyde single grain, Strathilsa single malt, Longmorn, Braevel, and Allt A’Bhainne. It is replete with a distinctive infusion of wild heather, herbs, crisp orchard fruits, and sweet honey. This brand has been able to maintain the classic taste of Scottish Whiskey established by James and John Chivas, the 19th-century pioneers of blended Scotch Whiskey. According to the distillers, Chivas Regal 12 YO is only matured in its top 1% of casks.

The palate characteristics of this Whiskey are creamy and round, with an exquisite taste of ripe pears and honey alongside hazelnuts, vanilla, and butterscotch notes. This whisky gives its fans a variety of ways to enjoy the drink, including in a fruity or strong cocktail, on the rocks, or neat.