SINGLE MINDED
Within limits, single malt Scotch finds room to innovate.
When it comes to luxury bottles, single malt Scotch—that is, whisky made in Scotland by a single distillery, using only malted barley, yeast and water—is often top of the list.
While some regard old, rare or expensive single malts as status symbols, know that doesn’t always have to be the case. Many experts suggest that Scotch is best between 12 to 25 years old. After that, many become overly woody and flavor compounds tend to fade. (That said, some older bottles hold up better than others.) And some single malts offer excellent value. In fact, we’ve designated 16 bottles priced $60 or under as Best Buys.
Some single malts offer excellent value … We’ve designated 16 bottles priced $60 or under as Best Buys.
Unusual cask finishes continue to yield single malts worth seeking out. While Scotch producers have long rested whisky in barrels that previously held sherry or bourbon, the latest crop pushes further. For example, Pineau des Charentes, a fortified wine from France’s Cognac region, adds delicate fruity tones to a mellow highland Scotch, while a peaty Islay finished in an ex-Tequila barrel casts a sidelong glance at smoky mezcal.
Looking ahead, expect to see more of these creative cask finishes, says Colin Gordon, distillery manager for Scotch-maker Ardbeg. “We’re tightly regulated by the Scotch Whisky Association,” he explains, meaning
