The best single malt whiskeys

The true single malt whiskey, brands of which appear with enviable frequency, is composed of water and barley malt. The presence of other grain impurities is unacceptable, as well as the presence of synthetic or natural dyes. In the latter aspect, some countries make small "indulgences", for example, the USA allows coloring single malt whiskey.

Varieties of single malt whiskeys

It is logical that among all the variety of whiskeys, there are those that deserve more attention than others. How to find out what kind of drinks they are, when not everyone can afford to experiment with rather expensive alcohol, looking for the highest quality and tastiest? In order to facilitate this task, numerous ratings and reviews are published, taking into account the opinions of experts and end consumers.

We offer our rating of single malt whiskeys worthy of adding to your home collection of elite spirits.

1. Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Whiskey

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

At the time of "Prohibition", this drink was quite legally sold in pharmacies, and was positioned as a cure for colds and inflammatory diseases. Until that time and after the refutation of the law, the single malt whiskey of this brand was valued and is still revered for its mild taste, unusual for alcohol, whose strength is all 48%.

The aroma is considered to be the best element of the drink. First, there are notes of salt marsh, peat, iodine. They are replaced by spicy and sweet notes, notes of prunes, raisins and nuts. After holding the liquid in your mouth for a while, you begin to recognize ash, smoke, dry straw and freshly sawn wood. As for the taste, in Laphroaig Quarter Cask it is somewhat monotonous, scorching, bearing notes of sour-bitter oak. And only at the end of a long aftertaste can you make out the shades of raspberry and smoke.

2. Whiskey Glenfarclas 15 Years Old

Glenfarclas 15 Years Old

This Scotch single malt whiskey is made from the purest mountain water and barley malt. The product is the pride of the Glenfarklas distillery, built back in 1836. Since that time, the taste of the drink has remained unchanged, and pleases connoisseurs with a long and warming aftertaste with a smoky, spicy and sweet flavor. The main taste is something amazing, consisting of peat, malt and sherry at the same time.

Glenfarclas 15 Years Old malt whiskey exhibits a rich golden-amber color and a complex aroma, consisting of notes of flowering irises, dried fruit and sherry. It is believed that this alcohol is ideal as a digestif and aperitif.

3. Scottish Single Malt Talisker 18 Years Old

Talisker 18 Years Old

Another single malt whiskey, the name of which is often heard from the lips of true lovers of quality alcohol. The drink has a perfectly balanced taste, in which hints of smoke, blooming iris and resin are present. The aftertaste is long lasting.

The positive impression is reinforced by the rich fruity aroma of the product. It clearly captures plum and orange notes, there is a hint of toffee and smoke (where can we go without it). Amber-gold alcohol is good both in the pure version and with a little purified water. Talisker - goes well with seafood and all types of fish.

4. Single Malt Bushmills Black Bush from Ireland

Bushmills black bush

Amber-colored drink with a delicate, tasty and silky taste with a nutty taste. This is an excellent variant of a digestif, delighting with an intense and rich aroma of a freshly baked nut pie with candied fruits, sweet sherry notes and a clear presence of dried fruit.

In 1997, the drink won a gold award at the IWSC competition. Since then, this whiskey from the Irish distillery Bushmills is considered the most famous and best of its kind classic Irish alcohol.

5. Whiskey brand Aberlour

Aberlour is good with cigarettes and coffee, fruit and as a digestif. The palate is creamy and intense, with a long-lasting bittersweet aftertaste that traces oak, dark chocolate and exotic spices. Impression from the first sip - ginger, dried cherry, oak and sherry. How all this can be “squeezed” into a rich amber drink remains a mystery, thanks to which the sales of this elite alcohol are not only unchanged, but also grow at a rate surprising for its price.

6. Scottish Aberlour A'bunadh

Aberlour A'bunadh

Aberlour A'bunadh is made exclusively by hand, and among connoisseurs it is considered a cult alcohol that has no analogues. Its unforgettable aroma and heavy "creamy" taste are the result of the rejection of cold filtration and other modern technologies, which were replaced by the classic aging in sherry containers.

7. Single Malt Lagavulin 16 Years Old

Lagavulin 16 Years Old

Listing the popular types of single malt whiskey, it is impossible not to recall this native of Islay. The drink became the basis for the blend for a large number of world famous whiskeys, but the original recipe still remains the property of the Lagavulin brand.

The alcohol itself is recommended to be served with Roquefort cheese or crackers, and drunk neat, enjoying a rich peaty taste with hints of oak, sea and salt. The rich, golden-amber product smells like sherry, and only after careful study in the aroma can be traced notes of seaweed and iodine.

8. Highland Park 18 Years Old Single Malt Medalist

Highland Park 18 Years Old

The original product of the Scottish Highland Park distillery has repeatedly won gold awards at international competitions. It was he who was recognized as the best alcoholic drink of 2005 according to the Spirit Journal magazine, which the producers themselves do not cease to be proud of to this day.

To an inexperienced consumer, it may seem that whiskey is quite ordinary and simple. In fact, this is what “touches” true connoisseurs of elite alcohol. Just imagine:

• spicy and dry aftertaste;
• slightly salty, buttery and round taste. It contains nutty, ginger, cinnamon and honey shades;
• smell - a mixture of oak wood, peat smoke and heather honey;
• color - intense amber.

The product is drunk undiluted. If difficulties arise regarding its strength, it is permissible to dilute with a small amount of water or ice.

Naturally, the given rating cannot be considered complete, because there are more than three hundred varieties of whiskey. Although, it is this fact that can be considered a good incentive to try the most famous of them, making a personal opinion about each.

Single malt whiskey, the rating of which is the highest of all types of "water of life", since this type of drink is considered the highest quality, is prepared only on the basis of barley malt and water. There can be no other grains in the present "single malt". Depending on the manufacturer, the drink can be double or triple distilled, it can be aged in barrels for 3 or 20 years. Somewhere it is allowed to add dyes (for example, in the USA it is actually mandatory), somewhere it is not.

Specificity of "single malt"

There are several dozen, if not hundreds, of single malt whiskey brands and brands in the world. The traditional regions of the “water of life”, Ireland and Scotland, boast years of tradition and production.

For example, the Connemara Single Cask single malt Irish whiskey has received 20 gold medals in international competitions, including the title of "best in the world" in 2008, 2009. However, other countries do not lag behind them - the drink of this category is produced in the USA, Japan, Taiwan and some other countries.

Why Single Malt Whiskey? The variety names contain the name of the distillery that produced the product, and in the case of "single malt" there are several meanings. And one of them is that this is the product of one distillery, and it is usually bottled there. Sometimes a blend of several varieties of different aging years is allowed.

Its main ingredients are barley malt and water. It is widely believed among experts that "single malt", as this category of drink is called in English, is the highest quality of all types.

In the classic recipe, distillation is carried out in special copper cubes only twice. Only a few Scottish distilleries have the officially confirmed right to distill three times. Another rule for making a real "single malt" is aging for at least three years, but many manufacturers, if not most, allow the drink to mature in barrels much longer.

Single malt whiskey: WWA rating (World Whiskies Award)

The World Whiskies Award was established by Whiskey Magazine. The WWA panel of judges includes journalists, whiskey producers and sellers from around the world. It has been held since 2007 and annually ranks the best drinks available on the market.

In 2014, the jury was offered more than 300 sorts of drink, and the title of the best was awarded in 10 categories. The winner in the category "Best Single Malt Whiskey in the World 2014" was the Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask, produced in Tasmania. It is difficult to imagine a greater shock, especially since in all previous years, starting from 2007, the title of the best jury was alternately given to Scottish and Japanese products.

Now Sullivans is a single malt whiskey whose rating has skyrocketed. The winners in the other categories, divided according to the country of origin, are as follows.

Australia

Best Whiskey - Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask.

The first stills appeared here in the 19th century, but the whiskey industry began to develop actively only in the 90s of the 20th century. However, already in 2008, one of the most famous experts in his field, the publisher of the Whiskey Bible, Jim Murray, awarded several Australian products a very high rating - more than 90 points out of 100 possible.

USA

Winner - Balcones Texas Single Malt.

In the United States of America, most of the product produced there is bourbon, which is considered the country's national drink. However, there are other types, for example, single malt whiskey, the rating and quality of which is no worse than the Scottish and Irish varieties. It comes as no surprise that the Balcones Texas Single Malt has been voted Best American Whiskey by the WWA.

Asia

The best is Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak, a Taiwanese single malt whiskey. The names of the product, and before that of the plant, were given in honor of the eponymous Kavalan people, who once lived in the territory where the distillery is now located.

Europe

• In the category with unspecified aging, the winner is Slyrs PX Finishing.
• Aged 12 Years or Less - Stauning Peated, 2nd Edition.

Ireland

This country is one of the traditional regions for the production of whiskey. Most of the varieties produced in Ireland are triple distilled. There are only three main manufacturers here, including Old Bushmills Distillery, which is the oldest licensed company in the country. WWA has identified the following winners among Irish beverages:

• Connemara Peated Single Malt - best single malt Irish whiskey in the unspecified aging category;
• exposure 12 years and less - Bushmills 10 Years Old;
• exposure time 13-20 years - Bushmills 16 Years Old;
• 21 Years Old and More - Teeling 21 Years Old.

Japan

In the Land of the Rising Sun, the first plant for the production of "water of life" appeared only in 1923, and by now the definition, rightly deserved by many other Japanese products - "high quality", is quite applicable to Japanese whiskey. The products of the distilleries of this country are completely self-sufficient, and have their own unique brand. In the WWA rating, the top positions were taken by the following varieties:

• Hakushu (in the category of drinks with unspecified aging time);
• Miyagiko 12 Years Old Sherry & Sweet (aged a dozen years or less);
• Yamazaki won in the last two categories, aged 18 and 25, respectively.

South Africa - Three Ships 10 Years Old

Whiskey is very popular in South Africa, where it produces various varieties and types, including single malt, blended and others.The production of this drink on the continent began in the 19th century. Winner 2014 - Three Ships 10 Years Old Whiskey.

Scotland

Scotch single malt whiskey appeared at the end of the 18th century. The producers of this country find it useful to age the whiskey in barrels for 8 to 15 years. It is believed that this is the period that this drink needs to acquire a special taste and aroma.

Now in Scotland there are six main areas for the production of scotch: highlands, plains, Isle of Isle, Campbeltown, Isles, Speyside.

Highlands

Geographically, this is the largest area for the production of scotch tape. It starts from the town of Vik (in the northern part of the country) and ends with the Glengoyne distillery in the southern part. Nowadays, more than 30 distilleries operate in this region. Grlenturret is also located here, which is considered the oldest distillery in Scotland. Distilleries of the region - Royal Lochnagar (once awarded a visit to Queen Victoria), Tomatin (considered the largest in the country), Royal Brackla, Lochside and others.

Plain

It was once a fairly large region for the production of scotch tape. At the moment, only three distilleries operate: Auchentoshan (practices triple distillation), Bladnoch (the country's southernmost distillery), Glenkinchie.

Islay Island

Whiskey from the island's distilleries is often described as "smoky" and "medicinal". The closeness of the sea gives them its own unique aroma, completely different from the aromas of the scotch tapes of the highlands or the valley. There are distilleries Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Laphroaig and others.

Speyside

Area near the river Spey. The region's whiskeys are known as sweet malt scotch. This is one of the centers of production in the country, the largest number of distilleries are located here. It used to be considered part of the highlands. Here are the distilleries Cardhu, Glenfiddich, The Macallan and others.

Islands

The area unites all the islands of the country where scotch is produced, with the exception of Aili - Arran, Mal, Jura, Orkney and Skye. The Scotch Whiskey Association considers these areas to be part of the highlands. There are distilleries Arran, Jura, Highland Park, Scapa and others.

The 2014 WWA Single Malt Scotch Scotch Whiskey of the following varieties won (champions were determined in four categories separately for each of the five regions):

• highlands - Glenmorangie Signet, Aberfeldy 12 Years Old, Tomatin 18 Years Old, and Aberfeldy 21 Years Old;
• Islands - Jura Turas Mara, The Arran Malt 10 Years Old, Tobermory 15 Years Old;
• Isle of Isle - Ardbeg Ardbog, Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old, Bunnahabhain 18 Years Old, another Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old, and Glenkinchie 12 Years Old;
• Speyside - Glenfiddich Rick Oak, Benromach 10 Years Old, Glenfiddich 15 Years Old Distillery Edition, The Glenlivet XXV;
• and finally Campbeltown - Longrow, Springbank 10 Years Old, Springbank 18 Years Old.

Gold Outstanding IWSC Competition

The IWSC is an international alcoholic beverage competition that has been held every year since 1969. This is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world of alcohol, and it has one unique feature - each drink participating in the competition undergoes a mandatory technical analysis for compliance with EU standards. The IWSC uses “blind tasting” - drinks are served to the jury in the same container without any identifying signs in order to achieve maximum objectivity in the assessment.

The IWSC awards several awards at various levels. The most honorable is Gold Outstanding, awarded to alcohol of exceptionally high quality and taste. These are the unique properties of the whiskey varieties listed below.

The best single malt Scotch whiskey (the rating of this drink in the world is still high, despite the competition) was determined in several categories, resulting in 18 titles. The Gold Out Standing award was given to Scotch tapes selected separately for each region. Among the winners are products from the distilleries Glenfiddich, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Deanston and others.

Single malt Irish whiskey. The rating includes only three products, two of which are from the same distillery: Bushmills 10 and 16 years old and Teeling Vintage Reserve 30 years old.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, he is only one - Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey.

The plant was built by the King Car industrial group. The corporation itself was founded in 1965 and operates in many areas - biotechnology, food, beverages. Among its most famous brands are Mr. Brown and RTD Coffee, and now Kavalan. The Kavalan distillery released the first bottle of whiskey in 2008.

The classic single malt whiskey, whose rating has risen so high thanks to the IWSC, is made from a complex recipe.Several types of casks are used: fresh sherry casks, bourbon casks, and reused casks.

In addition, the Taiwanese product has one serious advantage - due to the country's warm climate, the whiskey matures faster, and a three-year-old drink can compete in its taste and aroma with products of 8-15 years old from Scotland and Ireland.

In 2011, the IWSC already awarded the Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey - then he received a gold medal. Jim Murray in his "Whiskey Bible" also did not ignore him - a high assessment of such a connoisseur is worth a lot and contributes to the well-deserved popularity of the drink.

How much do elite spirits cost?

How much will you have to pay for an elite whiskey, winner of world competitions, in the average online store? For example, Connemara Peated Single Malt is a single malt whiskey, its price fluctuates around 2,000 rubles. It is unique in that it was the first product in modern history to use peat-dried malt.

Taiwanese Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey is sold for about 5,000 rubles. Scotch Laphroaig An Cuan Mor Single Malt Scotch Whiskey will cost connoisseurs from 5.5 thousand rubles. up to 7.5 thousand rubles. And the price of Japanese single malt whiskey only makes it more attractive - after all, the winner of many competitions and the winner of awards costs "only" about 60 thousand rubles.

Table of contents:

1. Single malt whiskey
2. Blended whiskey
3. Grain whiskey
4. The best whiskey in the world
5. How to choose whiskey?

Whiskey is a distilled beverage made from various grains. There are stages in its preparation:

1. Germination of seeds (malting).
2. Fermentation.
3. Distillation.
4. Aging in oak barrels.

Whiskey is usually made from barley or wheat, but sometimes it can be made from rye. Separately, there is bourbon, which is made from corn. The strength of whiskey can vary within a very wide range, more often it is 32-50%, but sometimes there are drinks containing 60% alcohol. This variety makes it difficult to decide which whiskey to choose.

According to the difference in production technology, there are three types of whiskey:

• malt;
• blended;
• grain.

Single malt whiskey

This type of this drink is usually the answer to the question of which whiskey is the best, since it is considered elite, the most expensive and of the highest quality. Whiskey connoisseurs enjoy the best single malt whiskey. The production technology of this drink is the longest, since it must be infused in oak barrels for at least 3 years. The average exposure time is 10 years at all.

Single malt (malt whiskey) whiskey is a drink made from sprouted barley (barley malt). It must be distinguished from a grain whiskey so as not to be confused about which whiskeys are considered good.

The amazing ability of this whiskey is the dependence of its aroma and taste on the place of production.

But single malt whiskey is not all the same, but has several subspecies:

• Actually single malt whiskey is made at the same distillery, although it allows a blend of fractions from different years of harvest.
• Single cask whiskey comes from a single cask, it can have a cask strength, but it is often brought to the standard.
• Quarter cask whiskey is taken from a smaller barrel, which must be made of American oak. In this case, the strength of the drink increases to 50%, the taste is richer, and the ripening process is accelerated. This type of whiskey is most often chosen by the stronger sex, which is not surprising.
• The last type is pure malt (otherwise, blended malt or vatted malt) - a mixture of different distilleries.

Regarding single malt whiskey, there was a not unfounded opinion that it had a too pungent smell and a somewhat unusual taste. For this reason, they began to mix it with other types of whiskey. But this drink can no longer be called a single malt whiskey.

Video on which whiskeys are considered good

Although any single malt whiskey is produced according to the standard technology, but in each region it acquires its own specific flavor, by which it is easy to distinguish it from others.

The producers have a little secret that they don't like to advertise too much: there are two distinct types - consumer whiskey and whiskey from merchants. Both varieties are good. The only difference is that whiskey from merchants is produced in small distilleries, so it costs more. The consumer version is made on an industrial scale, so it is closer to the definition of a good inexpensive whiskey. There is also a difference in personality. Consumer whiskey has a standard good taste and aroma, and the bouquet of whiskey from the merchants "dances" strongly, and not necessarily for the better.

The location of a particular distillery and the peculiarities of the climate inevitably affect the qualities of single malt whiskey, so each batch is unique in taste. The water used in production is as important as the way it is distilled.

The best single malt whiskey can be found in bottles with the following names:

• Glen Grant, Glenfiddich.
• Bowmore, Highland Park.
• Aberlour Single Malt.

Blended whiskey

It is this type of whiskey that can be found most often in most stores, it is the most affordable. The prices are quite reasonable, and the taste is quite pleasant.

Blending refers to the blending of malt whiskeys with grains in the production of malt whiskeys. In total, the blend can include up to 50 different varieties. If the label contains the words "Deluxe" or "Premium", it means that the blend is made up of only elite expensive sorts, and the best sorts of whiskey are in front of the buyer.

If we consider the issue in terms of sales volume, then in the world 90% of the sold whiskey is blended. There are whiskeys that contain a minimum of malt, such as Chivas Regal, although the producers trumpet otherwise. Drinks with a high proportion of malt are labeled with the word "Delux", which you need to know before choosing a good whiskey. For those who still do not understand the difference in tastes of different whiskeys, it is best to study them by blended drinks.

Andrew Usher in 1853 developed the first blended whiskey recipe, it became the most common and was later called "Old Vatted Glenlivet". Whiskey production in England has come under government control since 1860. The point of blending is not so much to get a unique bouquet, but to maintain its stability from year to year. Any batch of drink selected for blending is immediately tasted after distillation. And which whiskey is better: single malt or blended - everyone decides for himself.

Notable representatives of blended whiskeys are:

• Ballantines.
• Chivas Regal.
• Bell's.

Grain whiskey

Experts classify grain whiskey as the lowest quality, even call it technical. Such a drink is made from burnt barley or corn. Grain whiskey also has a significant technological difference from malt whiskey in its production - for its distillation, special distillation stills are used, in which steam contributes to the continuous production of alcohol. On the open market, such a drink appears quite rarely, since it has almost no smell or taste. But after additional purification, it is used as a semi-finished product for the production of vodka or gin.

Notable brands of grain whiskey:

• Greenore.
• Choice Old Cameron Brig.

The best whiskey in the world

The whiskey producers established the World Whiskies Award in 2007, which became a kind of Oscar for them. Moreover, several nominations were highlighted:

• best malt;
• best single malt;
• best blended,

as well as the best whiskey by producer country:

• best Japanese;
• best Irish single malt, etc.

The historical spelling of the word "whiskey" is whiskey, but in the late 19th century, a distorted word "whiskey" arose to distinguish producers in other countries.

New winners are announced every year, so the question of which whiskey is better is more rhetorical. So, in 2014 the following brands won:

• Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask - the best single malt whiskey in the world;
• Taketsuru 17 Years Old - the best blended whiskey;
• The Lost Distilleries Blend - the best blended whiskey;
• Sons of Liberty Pumpk in Spice - Best Flavored Whiskey
• Master of Malt Speyside Whiskey Liqueur 40 Years Old - the best whiskey liqueur in the world;
• Teeling Single Grain - the best single grain whiskey;
• Thomas H Handy Sazerac is the finest rye whiskey.

How to choose whiskey?

The qualities of whiskey, like other drinks, depend on the ingredients and their proportions, and they create a unique bouquet.

Barley malt is the main ingredient in Scotch whiskeys, and minimalism reigns here. But the Irish decided to add rye there, which has become an integral part of the rich taste. America brought corn and wheat, and in Japan, rice and corn are added to whiskey along with barley.

A rather free choice and a combination of the original ingredients will not help in deciding which drink is the best - this is solely a matter of personal taste. When it comes to the best classic whiskeys, Scottish and Irish drinks are undoubtedly in the lead. It is important to learn how to drink whiskey correctly in order to feel the full flavor of the drink.

Video on which whiskey is the best

Choosing a whiskey in a store, you should look at its composition and strength. The more modest the composition and the higher the strength, the more solid the whiskey is. A good whiskey can be light yellow to brown in color.

The presence of sediment is not allowed.

On the walls of the bottle, when turning over, the liquid should go in a "stocking", and not in streams. After shaking the bottle with a drink, large air bubbles that do not disappear for a long time should appear in it.

Do you like whiskey? Which variety do you think is the best? Share your opinion in the comments.

I am glad to welcome you again, dear friends! I have so much to tell you! Dived into the topic - Scotch whiskey, its brands are the most popular and the best, how they differ and who produces. And I have learned so many interesting things that I hasten to share with you.

A little about scotch tape in general

As you know from the previous post, Scotland is considered the birthplace of whiskey, which there (that is, not only there, but everywhere) is called Scotch and on every bottle of the drink produced in this country of the Kingdom, there is the Whiskey Scotch mark.

There are several significant differences between the original Scotch Scotch and whiskey produced elsewhere, which can only be called Whiskey or Bourbon.

There are several types of Scotch whiskey:

• Malt - Scotch made from 100% barley malt only.
• Single Malt is a single malt whiskey made in one distillery and bottled there.
• Single Cask Malt is a mixture of multi-malt varieties, aged in one barrel.
• Pure Malt is a composition of several brands of single malt whiskey produced in different distilleries, aged in one barrel.
• Blend is a blended whiskey, a combination of different types of malt and grain alcohols in different proportions.
• Grain is a whiskey made from pure wheat alcohol of very high quality. This is the most expensive brand of unmalted scotch.
• Single Grain is also a pure grain whiskey, lower in the category.
• Grain Single Barrel - Scotch made from a mixture of grain alcohols, aged in one barrel for at least 6 months.
• Pure Grain is a combination of several grain drinks produced at different distilleries.

It's rare to find pure grain whiskey here. Most often it is a blend or single malt varieties. A total of 148 brands of Scottish Scotch are currently on the market.

The most famous brands of scotch tape

If you ask someone who knows a little about whiskey which brand is the most famous, he will no doubt name Johnnie walker... In Russian, the name sounds like Johnny Walker - this is the name of the founder of the distillery. The event happened back in 1820. It is now the world's best-selling brand. There are 5 Johnnie Walker labels:

• The cheapest is Red Label. Its manufacturer positions it as an "everyday" scotch tape. Consists of 35 varieties of barley, the base is the Cardu brand, aged in sherry barrels for 3 to 5 years.
  The cost of a bottle with us ranges from 1.8-2.0 thousand rubles per 0.7 liter bottle.Further I will indicate just such a spill - for convenience. The first price - in online stores and wholesalers, the second - in retail trade. This is the number 1 whiskey in the world. 7.5 million 9-liter crates are sold every year worldwide!

• Black Label is a great blend, aged over 12 years. It contains almost 40 single malt alcohols. It has the softest, honeyed taste and a light smoky note in the aroma. The cost is 3.0-4.2 thousand rubles.

• Gold Label, or it is also called the "Golden Label", has an aging of at least 18 years and is composed of 15 of the most valuable barley and grain alcohols. The recipe was developed for the centenary of the Johnny Walker & Sons Company. It is considered the most "honey and smoky" brand. Price - within 5-5.5 thousand rubles.

• Blue Label is one of the most valuable brands of a very rare blend. A limited edition of this composition is produced annually, in which each bottle (only 0.7 liters) has a personal number. The taste contains notes of smoke, dark chocolate, cedar and oriental spices. The cost of a bottle is from 15 to 20 thousand rubles. A variation is the Blue Label King George V Edition brand, half of the collection of which is supplied to the royal court, and the other is sold at auctions. According to journalists, almost everything goes to the United Arab Emirates.

• Platinum Label is the newest product of the company. Year of birth - 2011, the author of the blend is Jim Beveridge. Alcohols have been infused for at least 18 years, the composition is kept secret. Experts say that the blend was created under the influence of the blend master's trip to India. And that's why scotch tape has a very strong, spicy and at the same time sweet taste with a traditional smoky aroma. The price is about 8 thousand rubles.

Among luxury whiskeys, the brand has been holding the championship for decades Chivas regal - products of the Chivas Brothers distillery (founded in 1801).

The blend is 39-41% malt whiskey. Available in three varieties: Chivas Regal 12 Y.O. with 12-year aging (price about 3 thousand rubles for 0.7 l), with 18-year-old - Chivas Regal Gold Signature 18 Y.O. (6.5 thousand rubles) and Chivas Regal Royal Salute 50 Y.O., created for the 50th anniversary of the Queen's coronation in 2003.

Feature - colored bottles, imitating the play of precious stones on the royal crown. The price of an exclusive bottle is from 15 thousand rubles.

Whiskey scotch glenlivet, reads like Glenlivet, is one of the finest Single Malt brands. Date of birth - 1824. Withstands from 12 to 25 years. Drying of malt is carried out by the smoke of peat, which is practically fresh in composition, extracted only in one place.

It has a rather light golden color, honey flavor and delicate smoky-floral fleur. Aged in bourbon barrels (one type is from sherry), and for almost 200 years now, water has been taken from only one source. Cost - from 4 thousand rubles. for a 12-year-old bottle up to 30-35 thousand - for a 25-year-old.

Famous grouse - the national pride of Scotland. Only there is the wild grouse partridge, which is shown on the label. Strength of drink 43% alc. Consists of malt spirits from two distilleries. The best-selling brand in Scotland itself.

And at the same time, many houses have their own recipes for how to make Faymous Grose. Connoisseurs note spices and orange in the taste, caramel in the aftertaste, and fruits (orange and cherry) and peat smoke in the aroma. The price is in the region of 2-2.5 thousand rubles.

Among the very famous and valuable brands, you should definitely mention:

• Ballantine's - the third largest sales in the world. Has the title "Impeccable Taste". Price from 1000 r. for 3 years of age and up to 35 thousand for aging for 30 years.
• Cutty sark - the lightest and most original in taste variety. And the cheapest original scotch - from 800 rubles. per bottle
• Dewar's White label - the most complex blend in composition. Has a Royal Patent and over 400 international awards. Exposure from 3 to 25 years, price 4-25 thousand rubles.
• Glenfiddich or scotch tape with antlers. Every 4th bottle sold in the world has them on the label. This is an elite class single malt whiskey. A bottle with a 40-year-old drink costs 210 thousand rubles. The cheapest is about 4 thousand.

The most popular whiskey in Russia

Well, I want to finish my review with the most popular brand among my compatriots.Naturally, this is the White Horse - White horse... Also, this whiskey is the first in Japan, the second in Brazil and the third in the United States in popularity.

It is interesting that at home this drink is not even included in the top 20. But on the other hand, the manufacturer is White Horse Distillers Limited, the only one that has the Queen's Award for Achievements in the Development of International Trade.

Recently, the distilleries were bought by Diageo, which now owns almost half of the listed brands. There are more than 20 types of malt and grain alcohols in the White Horse blend, the taste is sweet, with fruit, the aroma is smoky, with hints of vanilla.

On this I say goodbye, although I could still tell a lot of interesting things about scotch tape. I will switch to other drinks for now - well, so as not to be offended. Subscribe - and you will receive a letter with a new, exciting investigation on the topic of alcohol. And remember - everything is good in moderation!

Best regards, Pavel Dorofeev.