If you didn’t realize it already, there’s a single malt whisky for all palates and price points. There are smoky single malts for fans of peated whiskies, soft, sweet single malts for fans of lighter spirits, and everything in between. There are also bargain-priced single malts for beginners and bargain shoppers, middle-of-the-road bottles for drinkers with a more refined palate and larger pocketbook, slightly more expensive bottles for true aficionados, and overly expensive bottles for collectors and drinkers with a lot of extra cash.
Today, we’re more concerned with those slightly more expensive expressions. These aren’t your everyday bottles, but they’re perfect for an occasional splurge or a special gift-giving occasion. Specifically, we’re talking about expressions that fall in the $200 and above range. If you’re willing to shell out a few extra dollars, you can find some truly exceptional single malts. Keep scrolling to see this mix of smoky, sweet, nuanced, complex, highly memorable whiskies.
Photo via Glenfarclas
Glenfarclas 25 Year
This award-winning Speyside single malt whisky is matured for twenty-five years in 100 percent Oloroso sherry casks sourced from Spain. The result is an epically nuanced, memorable whisky that begins with a nose of dried cherries, vanilla, sherry, and oak. The palate is a mix of sweet barley, ginger cookies, sweet cherry, dried fruits, candied nuts, and chocolate. The finish is long, warm, and ends with notes of fudge, oak, vanilla, and gentle smoke. This timeless expression is well-suited for after-dinner drinking neat or with a splash of water.
Photo via Chivas Brothers
Aberlour 18 Double Sherry Cask Finish
After maturing in oak barrels for eighteen years, this award-winning single malt whisky is finished in a combination of Spanish oak oloroso and Pedro Ximinéz sherry butts. This creates a sublime sipping whisky that begins with a nose of candied orange peels, dried cherries, and toffee candy. The palate is loaded with notes of chocolate, dried fruits, apricots, licorice, vanilla beans, and oak. The finish is long, lingering, warm, and ends with a flourish of sherry sweetness. This is the perfect dram for an unseasonably cool evening. Drink it neat or with a splash of water to open up the aromas and flavors.
Photo by J&A Mitchell & Company
Springbank 18
Made in the smallest Scottish whisky region, Springbank 18 is a Campbeltown classic. This award-winning single malt is matured for eighteen years in ex-bourbon barrels. The result is a complex, coastal whisky that begins with a nose of salted caramel, honey, dried fruits, and oak. The palate is centered on pine needles, candied orange peels, sticky toffee pudding, and gentle spices. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a mix of salted caramel and gentle smoke. Sip this whisky neat or with a splash of water on a chilly night while you watch the world slowly drift by.
Photo via Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy
Glenmorangie Signet
To say that this whisky is complicated is an understatement. It starts with a mash bill featuring chocolate malt, and is only made once per year. It matures in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and virgin charred oak barrels. While it doesn’t carry an age statement, it’s known as one of the oldest whiskies the brand sells. This creates a noteworthy expression that begins with a nose of raisins, dark chocolate, sweet cream, and gentle wintry spices. The palate is a symphony of flavors including candied orange peels, sweet chocolate, pipe tobacco, cinnamon candy, dried fruits, and candied nuts. The finish is dry, warm, and leaves you craving more.
Photo via The Edrington Group
The Glenrothes 18 Year
This whisky is matured for a minimum of eighteen years, largely in first-fill sherry seasoned oak barrels. The results in a highly complex, multi-layered whisky that needs to be tasted to be believed. It all begins with a nose of toasted vanilla beans, candied orange peels, almond cookies, gingerbread, oak, and baking spices. Sipping it reveals notes of orchard fruits, gentle spices, dried fruits, oaky wood, and sweet vanilla cream. The finish is a pleasant mix of sweetness and spice. An indulgent whisky like this deserves to be sipped slowly after a decadent meal.
Photo via Bacardi-Martini
Aberfeldy 21 Year
For the uninitiated, Aberfeldy is the single malt “at the heart of Dewar’s.” But it’s so much more than a whisky used in a popular blend. The brand has myriad outstanding single malts, especially Aberfeldy 21. This 100 percent malted barley single malt whisky is matured for 21 years in a combination of ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels. The result is a complex, memorable sipping whisky that begins with a nose of citrus zest, clover honey, dried fruits, vanilla, and toffee. The palate is loaded with notes of toasted marshmallows, orange peels, oaky wood, sticky toffee, and just a wisp of smoke. The finish is sweet, lightly smoky, and ends with a hint of caramelized sugar.
Photo via William Grant & Sons Ltd.
Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva
Glenfiddich is one of those distilleries that seems to make nothing but memorable, high-quality single malt whiskies. Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva is no different. Matured for 21 years, it’s finished in casks that previously held Caribbean rum for a full four months. The result is a fruity, spicy, balanced whisky that’s unlike any other. Before your first sip of this award-winning whisky, you’ll be treated to aromas of candied orange peels, brown sugar, chocolate fudge, honey, island spices, and tropical fruit essence. The palate is filled with flavors like toasted coconut, vanilla, ginger cookies, dried fruits, wintry spices, and rich oak. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a mix of tropical fruit and caramel. Sip it neat and pretend your feet are buried in the sand in a tropical paradise.
Photo via Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year
If you’re new to single malts, you might not know about the Inner Hebrides island of Islay. This sleepy, sheep-filled island is known for its robust, rich peat-smoked whiskies. One of the best at this price point is Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year. As the name suggests, this epic single malt was matured for 19 years in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks. The result is a whisky that begins with a nose of ocean brine, salted caramel, vanilla beans, winter spices, dried fruits, and robust campfire smoke. Sipping it brings notes of butterscotch, candied nuts, licorice, baking spices, and barbecue smoke. The finish is warming, smoky, and highly memorable. It’s best enjoyed neat or with a splash or two of water to open it up.
