If you’re new to the world of single malt Scotch whisky, you might have some preconceived notions about what the whisky style entails. You might think that even though you enjoy rye or bourbon, single malt whisky isn’t for you. Perhaps you assume that in order to get into the whisky style you need to have unlimited cash to spend.
You might believe it’s not for you because it seems like it’s the type of whisky sipped in small Glencairn-style glasses by gentlemen adorned in tweed jackets. And, even if you don’t own any tweed, and you don’t consider yourself to be a gentleman, single malt Scotch whisky is for you and it definitely isn’t only for those with money to spare.
You know that, in order to be referred to as a single malt Scotch whisky, the spirit must be produced in Scotland (obviously) and must be produced at a single distillery. It can be made from whisky from different casks, but all of the included whisky must be from the same distillery. There are other rules and regulations, but none of them state that single malt whisky must be uncomfortably expensive. This is because there are countless options available for reasonable prices. Specifically, there are myriad award-winning, high-quality, long-aged expressions available for under $100.
Fear not, we don’t expect you to scour the online retailers and spent hours perusing the aisles at your local liquor store to find these gems. We did the work for you. Below, you’ll find ten of our favorite single malt whiskies that are all priced below $100. Keep scrolling to see them all.
GlenDronach 15 Year The Revival Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Like many popular whiskies, GlenDronach 15 Year: The Revival was discontinued a few years ago because the popularity outweighed the barrels available. Luckily, time caught up with the aging barrels, and this whisky that’s matured in oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks is available again. Better yet, it’s not even as expensive as it should be. Slightly nutty and loaded with flavors of butterscotch, candied orange peel, dried cherries, and just a hint of pipe tobacco, it’s a truly special, memorable expression.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 92
- Price Range: $75-95
Lagavulin 16 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
One of the most popular Islay single malts of all time, Lagavulin 16 Year is the distillery’s flagship expression. This complex, peat-smoked whisky is matured for sixteen years. The result is a potent whisky with hints of dried fruits, butterscotch, candied orange peels, vanilla beans, and an ever-present, bold, briny backbone of peaty campfire smoke. The finish is a nice mix of fruits, spices, and peat smoke. It’s a truly memorable express that’s well worth its price tag.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 86
- Price Range: $79-99
Glenfiddich 15 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Glenfiddich is a big name in the single malt whisky world and one of our favorites (that also happens to be under $100) is its 15-year-old Solera-aged expression. Aged for 15 years in a mix of virgin oak, Portuguese sherry, and ex-bourbon barrels before being blended using a Solera vat, it’s known for its nuanced, rich flavors. This includes sherry sweetness, dried fruits, winter spices, vanilla beans, and rich, bold, woody oak. This spicy, sweet whisky is the perfect sipper after a long day.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $65-85
The Macallan 12-Year Sherry Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Aging and finishing whiskies in sherry is a popular trend in Scotland and one of the best at using the Spanish-produced product is The Macallan. This 12-year-old expression is aged entirely in sherry-season oak casks from Jerez, Spain. This creates a sublime, highly flavorful whisky known for its notes of candied orange peels, sherry sweetness, dried cherries, vanilla beans, butterscotch, and rich, woody oak. It’s a sweet, bold sipper well-suited for a chilly night around a campfire.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $75-95
Caol Ila 12 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
You might see that this whisky was only aged for 12 years and assume it’s lacking in flavor. You’d be completely wrong. This Islay single malt often makes lists for best beginner peat-smoked whiskies because of its mix of sweetness and smoke. Aged for 12 years, this gateway expression is known for its notes of pipe tobacco, dried orange peel, dried fruits, mint, peppery spice, and bold, enveloping peat smoke. Smoky, sweet, and unforgettable. This is the type of whisky you should try if you want to get into smoky whiskies, but you’re a little afraid to simply dive right in. It’s like a smoky whisky life preserver.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 86
- Price Range: $70-90
Glenmorangie Nectar D’or Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Glenmorangie is one of the distilleries that makes nothing but high-quality expressions. Its Glenmorangie The Original is a favorite beginner bottle for drinkers and bartenders alike. But, in our opinion, the best expression under $100 from this iconic brand is its Glenmorangie Nectar D’or. First aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in fruity, sweet Sauternes wine casks, it’s known for its flavors of vanilla beans, butterscotch, dried cherries, sugar cookies, and just a hint of wintry spices at the very finish.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 92
- Price Range: $70-95
The Balvenie 14-Year Caribbean Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
If you take a random poll of bartenders and whisky drinkers on their favorite reasonably-priced sipping single malt, you’ll get a lot of people chiming in with The Balvenie 14-Year Caribbean Cask. This 14-year-old single malt gets its name because, while it’s first matured in traditional oak barrels, it’s finished in casks that once held Caribbean rum. This results in a fruity, sweet sipper with notes of butterscotch, sticky toffee pudding, candied orange peels, brown sugar, vanilla beans, and a gentle, fruity, tropical sweetness throughout. It’s a very memorable whisky that you’ll come back to again and again.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 86
- Price Range: $79-99
Ardbeg Uigeadail Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Lagavulin is a big name in the peated whisky world, but so is Ardbeg. No list of reasonably-priced single malts is complete without at least one offering from the Islay favorite. Named for a loch near the distillery, this special vatted single malt is a blend of whisky aged in traditional oak barrels as well as whisky aged in ex-sherry casks. The result is a smoky, sweet, mysterious single malt with hints of dried cherries, raisins, sweet sherry, treacle, honey, pipe tobacco, vanilla, and robust, rich peat smoke.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 108.4
- Price Range: $79-99
Aberlour A’bunadh Single Malt Scotch Whisky
If you only buy one of these under $100 single malt Scotch whiskies, make it Aberlour A’bunadh. This cask strength, non-chill filtered single malt whisky is aged completely in casks that formerly held oloroso sherry. It’s known for its fresh ginger, candied orange peel, sweet sherry, dried fruits, vanilla beans, and just a hint of spice at the finish to bring everything together nicely. It’s a truly bold, high-proof sherry bomb and one that deserves a permanent spot in your liquor cabinet or home bar cart.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 115-120 (depending on the batch)
- Price Range: $89-99
The Glenlivet 15 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Even if you don’t know much about single malt Scotch whisky, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard of The Glenlivet. For the price, it’s difficult to beat its 15-year-old expression. Aged exclusively for all 15 years in French Limousin oak casks (a cask largely used for aging cognac), it’s known for its flavors of candy apples, caramel, chocolate fudge, toffee, cinnamon sugar, rich oak, and slight, spicy, pepper at the very end. After one sip, you’ll not only be surprised that this sipper is under $100, but you’ll also be pleasantly surprised that it is.
- Origin: Scotland
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $75-95
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