Whisk(e)y doesn’t get a ton of respect during the warmer months. Many drinkers opt for gin, vodka, rum, and other lighter spirits from May until the fall chill sets in. But if you’re not drinking rye whiskey, bourbon, and single malt Scotch whisky during the summer and early fall, you’re really missing out. And while you could sing the praises of every type of whisk(e)y during the summer, today the attention is going exclusively to single malt Scotch whisky.
Think about it like this. What would you rather sip neat on a summer night sitting around a fire? A glass of borderline flavorless vodka or a nuanced, complex single malt Scotch whisky? I, for on, opt for the latter.
The 10 Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies Under $100
Single malt Scotch is often unfairly labeled as “fancy” or “expensive,” when in reality it isn’t. Sure, countless bottles of long-aged, highly acclaimed single malt Scotch whisky fetch thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of dollars. But this is the same for any form of whiskey--bourbon, rye, Canadian whisky, and…
What Exactly Is Single Malt Scotch Whisky?
Single malt Scotch whisky has to fit a few rules and regulations to get this moniker. First, it must be produced in Scotland (a given). It also must be produced at one distillery using only malted barley (hence the name single malt). On top of that, it must be matured in oak casks for at least three full years. There are a few more rules, but these are the most important.
The most exciting thing about single malt Scotch is the fact that, depending on what region it’s from, it can have a completely different flavor profile. Single malt whiskies from Islay are known for a smoky, peaty palate. Speyside single malts are known for notes of orchard fruits, sherry, honey, and vanilla. Lowland single malts are known for sweet, soft, easy-drinking nature. Campbeltown single malts are known for briny, smoky, fruity flavor profiles.
There’s a single malt perfect for sipping neat or with a splash or two of water at just about any time.
The Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies for Summer
Aberlour A’Bunadh
If you only buy one single malt Scotch whisky on this list, make it Aberlour A’bunadh. This cask strength single malt was matured completely in Oloroso sherry casks. The result is a complex, rich, sweet sipping whisky loaded with flavors like candied oranges, dried cherries, vanilla beans, dark chocolate, sherry, and oaky wood. It’s the kind of whisky that you’ll want to sip slowly on a cool night after you add a dash or three of water to open it up.
Buy: $114.99
Glenmorangie The Nectar 16 Years
Glenmorangie is one of those distilleries that seems to only make outstanding expression. While you can’t go wrong with anything from this iconic distillery, your best bet for a cool summer night is Glenmorangie The Nectar 16 Years. It’s matured in a combination of bourbon and sweet white wine casks. The result is a timeless, indulgent whisky with notes of caramel apples, white chocolate, candied almonds, honey, dried fruits, vanilla, and oak. Treat this one almost like a dessert whisky and enjoy a dram or two outside after a heavy summer meal.
Buy: $74.95
Ardbeg Uigeadail
No summer evening is complete without a dram or two of single malt whisky from Islay. Known for its smoky whiskies, the island is home to a handful of distilleries. One of the best is Ardbeg. And while you’ll be happy with any expression from the distillery, one of its most popular bottles is Ardbeg Uigeadail. You might not be able to pronounce it, but you can still enjoy this non-chill filtered, cask strength peat-smoked whisky that’s matured in both Oloroso sherry casks as well as bourbon barrels. The result is a sweet, complex, smoky whisky with notes of dried fruits, sherry, candied nuts, bourbon, vanilla, and robust campfire smoke.
Buy: $94.99
The Dalmore 14
You can’t go wrong with any expression from The Dalmore. A great choice for an unseasonably cool summer night is The Dalmore 14. Matured for fourteen years before being finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, it’s known for its nose of candied oranges, raisins, honey, and spices and a palate filled with maple candy, dates, candied nuts, vanilla beans, licorice, dark chocolate, and sweet sherry. This is the kind of whisky that will take multiple samplings before you unlock all the aromas and flavors.
Buy: $109.99
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated
If you enjoy peated whisky, you’re going to want to sip something with a little extra oomph on the coolest summer nights. Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated is exactly as the name suggests. It’s a smoky bomb of a whisky. But this 10-year-old single malt isn’t like most of the Islay whiskies in that instead of leaning into brine and medicinal flavors, it’s all about heather, honey, vanilla, coconut, orange peel, salted caramel, and rich, campfire smoke.
Buy: $94.99
