The best scotch whiskeys for 2022

Scotch whiskey, or scotch, is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages around the world due to the perfect combination of strength, aroma, pleasant aftertaste, drinkability and old recipes. However, not all manufacturers offer a quality drink that can be enjoyed without harm to health. Consider the rating of the best brands of Scotch whiskey, according to buyers, which are better to buy in 2022.

How to choose scotch whiskey

To avoid the mistake of choosing the world famous Scotch whisky, it is wise to know what to look for.

What are the types of tape

Scottish scotch is a strong drink, at least 40 degrees, with incredible taste and aroma characteristics. Aged in oak barrels for 3 years. To date, there are more than two thousand brands of adhesive tape, but not all manufacturers equally clearly follow the classical manufacturing technology, use high-quality raw materials, and observe the aging time. Therefore, not every drink, proudly referred to as Scotch whiskey, can claim the popularity and trust of buyers. Before ordering a product in an online store or buying it in a specialized department of alcoholic beverages, it is appropriate to determine which type of product is preferable:

1. single malt;
2. single grain;
3. blended malt;
4. blended grain;
5. blend of malt and grain alcohols.

Regardless of the brand, any Scotch whiskey goes through several stages of the technological process:

• malt;
• drying;
• must;
• fermentation;
• fermentation;
• distillation;
• excerpt;
• bottling.

Criterias of choice

The choice of brand of Scotch whiskey is determined not by the beautiful appearance of the bottle, but by several important parameters:

• excerpt;
• price;
• reviews.

According to the strict requirements for Scotch whisky, excerpt The product in the barrel must be at least 3 years old. The higher this figure, the more saturated and pronounced taste and aromatic qualities the drink has. Elite varieties are aged from five years to full maturity. Long infusion turns alcohol into an exquisite drink with a unique noble taste. Only the time spent in the barrel before bottling counts.It is not recommended to buy young varieties, because they are not yet fully ripe, their taste is not rich and unique.

Price depends on the popularity of the brand, the form of release, the aging period and the type of whiskey. A single malt scotch will definitely cost many times more than a blended one, and a 30-year-old drink is much more expensive than a young variety that has been aged for 3 years. The best brands of Scotch whiskey, which have established themselves as reliable producers with a long, and sometimes centuries-old history, a well-functioning production system, and old proven technology, produce varieties that are guaranteed to be rich in taste with a unique bouquet and a beautiful amber-golden hue. However, it is important to remember that sometimes the cost of exclusive packaging can be more expensive than the drink itself.

Reviews. The best brands of Scotch whiskey can be easily identified by a huge number of customer reviews, most of them positive and enthusiastic. The result of their work has been tested for more than a decade, the name of such brands is always heard by connoisseurs of real scotch, and it is more profitable for the consumer to pay a considerable amount for a bottle of guaranteed high-quality delicious alcohol than to save on a product of a dubious company that has no reviews.

Recommendations

Some tips for choosing a drink:

1. When buying, consider the type of adhesive tape.
2. It is better to choose a brand that is best-selling in Russia, according to buyers.
3. Before buying, be sure to study consumer reviews about the brand, about a particular variety, about its cost in different stores. If in one of them the price is significantly lower than in all the others, this may indicate a possible fake that is unsafe for health.
4. Examine the label, find out whether barley or wheat raw materials were used in the fermentation of the wort.
5. New products from trusted brands deserve attention: the best manufacturers work according to well-established technology on high-performance equipment, using high-quality materials from reliable suppliers.
6. Budget options for Scotch whiskey should be treated with caution, as this type of alcohol cannot be too cheap in price. Otherwise, the manufacturer saved on raw materials or equipment, or the product is an outright fake.
7. For special cases, it is advisable to choose the appropriate form of product release: many brands of Scotch whiskey produce several product lines in gift packaging, in exclusive wooden boxes, in beautiful branded mini-bottles with a volume of 0.05 liters.
8. For true connoisseurs of strong alcohol, the best producers produce collections of limited elite scotch.
9. If the question arises of how to make malt, grain or smoky scotch with your own hands at home, it is important to use step-by-step instructions, observe temperature and fermentation conditions, take into account the features of fractional distillation of the fraction from 82 revolutions, dilute the finished product up to 42 percent.

TOP of the best scotch whiskey brands in 2022

We offer a rating of quality brands of Scotch whiskey, with an overview of the advantages and disadvantages, different in price and parameters, the most popular among buyers in 2022.

Single Malt

Glenfiddich

The most popular brand, scotch, named after the Deer Valley - the place of its production. It has an apple-pear smell with an admixture of heather honey.It differs in terms of aging varieties:

• classic: 12-18 years (bottle green);
• premium: 21-30 years old (blue and purple);
• limited collection: 40 years (limited edition, available in a wooden box and a black glass bottle), 50 years (even more limited edition, in a wooden box and a white bottle, a very expensive drink).

The strength of the drink is 40-50 degrees. A distinctive feature of the brand is the original triangular bottles made of multi-colored glass with a capacity of 0.7 and 1 liter. The production of mini-bottles of 0.05 liters is also organized, which are sold as souvenirs.

The average price for 0.7 liters: 4660 rubles (12 years).

• long aftertaste;
• nice smell;
• without the feeling of alcohol;
• Beautiful design;
• easy to drink;
• to a different wallet.

• no.

glenlivet

Another old brand, which is about two hundred years old, has a fairly wide range of varieties, including seven releases. The drink is made from the best varieties of barley, aged in oak barrels from bourbon and sherry, has a golden-amber color, multifaceted fruit flavor and vanilla aroma with honey and citrus notes. Exposure from 12 to 25 years.

Average price for 0.7 l: 3550 rubles (12 years).

• good value for money;
• long aftertaste;
• rich pleasant aroma;
• softness and roundness.

• no.

Balvenie

The company was founded at the end of the 19th century, the wide popularity of products is due to the unique taste of whiskey, made according to old recipes without significant changes.Another nuance of the production technology is the transfer of the drink from traditionally used oak barrels to sherry containers, which give fullness and depth of taste. To avoid fakes, each spill of the product is produced in limited quantities. The excellent single malt scotch of this brand repeatedly received the highest awards in prestigious world competitions. The product is distinguished by a rich amber hue, sweetish notes with a spicy aftertaste of sherry and cinnamon, due to which the aftertaste is warm and long, with sourness. It is usually consumed with plenty of ice or water without losing its flavor.

The average price for 0.7 liters: 5845 rubles (12 years).

• beautiful packaging;
• mild taste without hints of alcohol;
• long aftertaste;
• fragrant;
• drinkable;
• original.

• no.

Single Grain

Diageo Haig Club

The brand appeared on the market relatively recently, less than 10 years ago, but has already won the love and recognition of true connoisseurs of Scottish spirits around the world. The main focus is on the production of premium alcohol. Barley or wheat is used as the starting material for raw materials, less often rye. Aged in bourbon barrels for 3 to 15 years. The unique soft taste and fruity-citrus bouquet with nuances of caramel and vanilla add sophistication and nobility.

Average price for 0.7 l: 2650 rubles

• affordable price;
• Beautiful design;
• easy to drink;
• mild fruity taste;
• nice bouquet.

• short aftertaste.

Cameron Brig

The oldest brand that specializes in the production of pure grain whiskey from unmalted raw materials with the addition of barley malt in a small proportion.At the end of the last century, the company completely modernized its largest plant, which annually produces 30 million liters of excellent low-cost adhesive tape.

Cost for 0.7 l: 780 rubles

• inexpensive;
• delicious;
• fragrant;
• medium long aftertaste.

• no.

Blended Malt

Monkey Shoulder

The symbolic name of the brand reflects a typical industrial injury - a dislocated shoulder with a sagging right arm like a monkey's limb. Indeed, in the 19th century, grain raw materials had to be turned over by hand with a shovel, and such injuries were not uncommon. Scotch tape of this brand is characterized by exquisite flavor notes of vanilla, orange, honey. Despite the simplicity of the recipe, it turns out to be light, without clearly noticeable shades of alcohol, with a sufficient menthol aftertaste. Excellent for making cocktails, as an addition to a cigar. Produced in bottles of different sizes:

• 0.7 l;
• 1 l;
• 0.05 l (gift option).

Cost for 0.7 l: 2390 rubles

• affordable;
• delicious;
• fragrant;
• there is an aftertaste;
• worthy design;
• There is a gift form.

• no.

The Famous Grouse

The popular brand is represented by several well-known varieties produced since the end of the 19th century, which are in constant demand among buyers around the world. In the 80s of the last century, the company was awarded the highest award - the Order of the Queen of Great Britain. The basis of the drink is a mixture of malt spirits. Exposure is made in barrels of bourbon or sherry, which leaves a characteristic imprint in terms of taste, giving a unique sour-tart note.An amber or yellow-brown hue, a pronounced taste of dried fruits and spices create a general image of a noble alcohol. The product is produced in bottles of different volumes, from 0.05 liters (128 rubles) to 1 liter (1650 rubles).

Average price for 0.7 l: 1200 rubles

• stylish design;
• different volume of bottles;
• decent packaging;
• tasty content;
• nice rich bouquet;
• no taste of alcohol;
• affordable price.

• too sweet.

Blended grain (Blended Grain)

Hedonism

A popular brand of craft blended drinks, aged from 14 to 30 years. Sold in regular and gift packaging, there is no difference in price. Beautiful design, exquisite flavors, rich fruit and creamy bouquet and a long spicy aftertaste with a hint of oak bark make the drink a real masterpiece in its category.

Cost for 0.7 l: 9260 rubles (14 years old)

• Beautiful design;
• gift wrap;
• rounded soft taste;
• aftertaste without alcohol notes.

• expensive.

Snow Grouse

The young brand of a blended drink quickly fell in love with connoisseurs of strong alcohol due to the exquisite taste of nutmeg, honey and vanilla without the feeling of alcohol. It is recommended to use it chilled so that the taste and aroma characteristics of alcohol are fully revealed. The low cost is also one of the advantages. Available in bottles of 0.7 l and 50 ml.

Cost for 0.7 l: 1550 rubles.

• easy to drink;
• alcohol is not felt;
• there is a mini package;
• quality raw materials;
• affordable cost.

• no aftertaste.

Blended malt and grain (Blended Scotch)

Johnnie Walker

Known far beyond the borders of Scotland, the old brand of quality scotch at an affordable price with an exposure of 3 to 25 years with an annual turnover of 200 million bottles. Among connoisseurs, the brand is nicknamed "the king of whiskey." Available in several lines, different in cost, taste and color design of bottles and packaging:

• Platinum;
• black;
• gold;
• blue;
• red.

At the first sips, a barely perceptible smack of smoke is revealed, along with a balanced bitterness and sweetness. A smooth blend of malt and grain alcohols is complemented by creamy fruity undertones. The consistency of the drink is thick, slightly viscous, when shaken, many large bubbles form. The original bottles have a domed barrel-shaped cap, a 24-degree embossed label and an engraved image of a walking man at the bottom.

Average price for 0.7 l: 3020 rubles (12 years).

• saturation;
• softness;
• taste balance;
• the originality of the bottles;
• beautiful cardboard packaging to match the bottle;
• many flavor options.

• no.

Chivas Regal

One of the oldest brands that has been producing excellent Scotch since the early 19th century in 85 flavors. Mandatory components: caramel and dried fruits, which give the drink a special warmth and soft sweetness. It is aged from 12 to 25 years, thanks to which it has a rich bouquet and a long aftertaste. Sold in bottles from 0.375 liters to 4.5 liters with a box.

Average price for 0.7 l: 3200 rubles (12 years)

• pleasant to drink;
• there is no taste of alcohol;
• many flavor options;
• aged mature drink;
• sold with a box.

• elusive aftertaste.

The buyer decides for himself which company is better to buy adhesive tape, how much the best product costs, where to buy, or maybe make it yourself at home. However, it is always important to remember that excessive consumption is injurious to health, so that refined alcohol does not cause misfortune.