20 Best Whiskeys For Beginners (2022 Updated)

If you know Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, youll know its more than a scotch whisky its a blend. Mastered to be the heart of all that is Chivas and the art of scotch whisky. This 12 year old scotch whisky has been perfected to be smoother than a surfer in a barrel.

This blended scotch whisky offers a tidal wave of Strathisla malt and grain, and blockbuster taste notes from luxurious honey and vanilla to ripe apple. Its our warm, generous dram thats born to thrill, and to steals hearts.

Because success is a blend, in life and in scotch. Chivas, the original luxury blended scotch whisky, brings together the best malt and grain whiskies. Each component of malt, grain and whisky is special and unique, and when blended together they create something extraordinary.

Every Chivas Regal scotch whisky has its own unique formula and undergoes a careful selection of many aged whiskies, giving them their own distinct character, flavour and taste experience. Chivas belief in blending was instilled by founding brothers, James and John Chivas, who pioneered the art of blending in 19th century Scotland.

Chivas believes that blended is better, in life and in Scotch.

A blend of carefully selected whiskies from the House of Suntory’s globally acclaimed Hakushu Distillery, Yamazaki Distillery and Chita Distillery. Traditionally crafted according to Suntory’s Art of Blending philosophy, the expression features the quintessential characteristics of a Suntory blend: exquisite balance, harmony and oneness.

86 Proof.

Luminous. Delicate. A transparency that unveils complexity. Color: amber. Nose: rose, lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness, sandalwood. Palate: honey-like sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate.

Finish: subtle, tender long finish, with hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak). 86 Proof.

Maker’s Mark Handmade Kentucky Straight Bourbon On October 1, 1953, William Samuels Sr. purchased Burks Distillery, which was situated in Loretto, Kentucky, for $35,000. Five years later, the distillery released the first bottles of Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky, which featured the distillery’s distinctive red wax seal.

The distillery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1980. Made from a mash of corn, wheat, and malted barley, Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (spelled without an “e” to honor the Samuels family’s Scottish heritage) manages to marry large-scale, global production with a rich tradition in a way that few other distilleries can rival.

The actual “makers” of Maker’s Mark still rotate the barrels in the distillery’s warehouses, bottle the whisky and dip the bottles in wax — all by hand. Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon is highly distinct from the majority of other bourbons on the market which are made from a mash of malted barley, rye, and corn.

Wheat serves as the replacement for rye in the recipe. This ‘wheated’ bourbon, is crafted from red winter wheat, and bottled at 90 proof. Pick up your bottle today!.

Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points This Speyside single malt is matured in Sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain, for a minimum of 18 years. The amber spirit has a big, warm caramel flavor, finishing with a touch of sweet honey, bitter chocolate and espresso on the lingering finish.

Viscous, creamy mouthfeel.

This Gift set comes with 2 glasses and a one Glenmorangie 10yr 750ml bottle. The original expression of our elegant, floral spirit and the real backbone of the Glenmorangie range. A ten-year-old single malt, Glenmorangie Original is produced by marrying the delicate spirit that emerges from Scotland’s tallest stills, with first and second fill American white oak casks.

It is maturing for ten long years in a range of ex-bourbon casks such as their famous slow-grown and air-dried ‘designer casks’ from Missouri, that their raw spirit develops a perfect balance between sweetness and complexity.

Auchentoshan American Oak Whisky is a classic single malt scotch exclusively aged in first-fill bourbon casks. This distinctive maturation makes for a liquor imbued with both traditional scotch character and a unique depth of buttery vanilla and charred oak.

Auchentoshan are one of Scotland’s last whisky houses to triple distil every expression in their range, guaranteeing that each bottle bears exquisite clarity and refinement. On the palate, Auchentoshan American Oak has in impressively light body that expertly carries its deep flavours coconut, cream, and candied fruit peels.

Perfect Serve – Sip neat, on the rocks, or in a classic whisky cocktail.

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old Forms Part of our Double Cask Range Which Marries the Classic Macallan Style and the Unmistakable Sweetness of American oak. This is a Fully Rounded Single Malt in Perfect Balance, With Flavours of Honey, Citrus and Ginger.

Wine Enthusiast -Higlands, Scotland- “Delicate notes of candied apple, light toffee and pear drops. nuances of rose petals, carnations and lightly toasted malt. The palate entry is grainy and moderately sweet; at midpalate there s a burst of red pepper backed by tastes of pears, peaches, mushrooms.

Scotland. 75L | Scotland | Curbside Pickup offered in the majority of stores.

The original expression of our elegant, floral spirit and the real backbone of the Glenmorangie range. A ten-year-old single malt, Glenmorangie Original is produced by marrying the delicate spirit that emerges from Scotland’s tallest stills, with first and second fill American white oak casks.

It is here, maturing for ten long years in a range of ex-bourbon casks such as our famous slow-grown and air-dried ‘designer casks’ from Missouri, that our raw spirit develops a perfect balance between sweetness and complexity.

Resulting in a mature spirit that is soft, mellow and creamy. Perfect for enjoying at any time. Taste: First, vanilla is detected on the tongue before it ripples along the palate bringing a burst of flowery fruitiness.

Colour: Pale lemony gold.

Glendronach Revival 15 Year Old (New Release) After ceasing production in 2015, The GlenDronach Revival Aged 15 years now returns to the core range of the distillery’s line-up. The expression embodies The GlenDronach’s signature style of Spanish Sherry Cask maturation in fine Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía, quietly growing in stature for 15 years in the darkness of our dunnage warehouses.

In flavour, the expression offers sumptuous notes of dark fruits, rich chocolate and manuka honey with an enveloping, memorable finish worthy of this monumental malt’s history. This luxuriously sherried Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled at 46% ABV and natural in colour.

TASTING NOTES The GlenDronach Revival- 15 Years Old APPEARANCE Antique Bronze. NOSE An intoxicating burst of maraschino cherry, ripe bramble and dark chocolate mint with hints of orange bitters and walnut liqueur.

PALATE Honey-glazed apricot and ripe fig with a crescendo of black cherry, angelica and muscovado. Long and enveloping finish with dark manuka honey, herbal bitters and dark chocolate.

As founding father of the bourbon industry, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. left an indelible legacy. His dedication to distilling began at the close of the Civil War when he purchased O. F C. Distillery.

There, he developed innovative techniques that are still in use today. Made by hand, this Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey has been aged inside century old warehouses constructed by E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrels are evaluated and selected to create a perfect blend of distinctive character that is like no other.

This bourbon is a true sipping bourbon that honors the uncompromising legacy of E. H. Taylor, Jr. TASTING NOTES: Tastes of caramel corn sweetness, mingled with butterscotch and licorice. The aftertaste is a soft mouth-feel that turns into subtle spices of pepper and tobacco.

The 80 is a traditional bourbon, handcrafted with old-fashioned methods, using the finest natural ingredients, including at least 51% corn, along with barley and rye. Jimmy Russell states that 80 is an unpretentious, yet finely crafted bourbon.

It’s ideal on the rocks in a smoky bar, and perfect for those who enjoy bourbon with a mixer. Wild Turkey 80 has a deep, but soft aroma with classic bourbon characteristics of sweetness and corn. The excellent bourbon taste balances traditional caramel and vanilla flavors.

DoubleWood 12 was launched in 1993, using a process designed by our Malt Master David Stewart in 1982, now commonly known as ‘wood finishing’. To make The Balvenie DoubleWood, David Stewart MBE takes whisky that has spent at least 12 years in traditional whisky casks, American Oak ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads, and moves it to Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks for an additional nine months.

The whisky is then transferred to large oak vessels called “tuns” for 3-4 months to allow the whiskies from individual casks to “marry”. The Balvenie DoubleWood single malt whisky gains its distinctive character from being matured in two different wood types.

Each stage lends different qualities to the resulting single malt whisky. The traditional casks soften and add delicate character, the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavour and the final few months in our tuns allow the whiskies to marry harmoniously.

Tasting Notes: aroma of citrus, honey and vanilla. Flavors of red fruits (particularly berries and plums) on the palate, along with hints of sherry, caramel and butterscotch. Finish is long and warming, with a slightly sweet touch.

Non-peaty.

Since 1824, The Glenlivet distillery in Sepyside, Scotland, has produced one of the most famous malts in the world – The Glenlivet 12 Year. This Speyside single malt Scotch whisky boasts a delicate balance of sweet summer fruits and spring flowers.

You will also notice aromas of pineapple, pear, toasted cereal and honey, the latter of which shows up again on the finish. The Glenlivet distilled in pots that still use 100 percent malted barley. It is then aged in traditional European and bourbon-seasoned American oak casks to bring forth the delectable flavors.

Despite being produced in Scotland, The Glenlivet is the bestselling malt whisky in the United States. It is also the second-best single malt in the world, so you know you’re buying the good stuff! No other malt whisky has the legendary status enjoyed by The Glenlivet 12 Year.

Its smooth character and tropical fruity notes make it a first-class malt, along with the mineral-rich spring water drawn from the distillery’s historic well. So, what does “single malt” mean, anyway? Single malt whisky is simply a malted whisky that has been made from a single distillery.

As for the malted part, the whisky is made using malted grains as opposed to unmalted ones. According to Scotch Whisky Regulations, single malt Scotch whisky must be made with malted barley, distilled in a single distillery using pot stills and aged for at least three years.

The Glenlivet, being a 12-year Scotch, is aged for 12. It’s also a Speyside single malt Scotch, which means that it’s produced in the River Spey region in northeastern Scotland. The Glenlivet 12 Year is a vibrant gold hue with a summery nose.

Since its palate is well balanced with forward tropical fruit notes, it’s best enjoyed neat, on the rocks or with a little water added. At the finish, you’ll savor a smooth creaminess with hints of fresh hazelnuts and marzipan.

A limited edition whiskey, the Aberfeldy 15 Years is made according to traditional production methods, established around 1897 by the founders John and Tommy Dewar. The pure and mineral-rich water of the small river Pitille Burn contributes significantly to the high quality of this whiskey.

It ages for 15 years in ex-Bourbon barrels, completing its refinement with 5 months of French oak barrels previously used for aging Pomerol wine, one of the finest in Bordeaux. Intense golden yellow in color, it combines the hints of honey and vanilla characteristic of Aberfeldy whiskeys, with notes of cherry and apricot imparted by aging in ex-Pomerol barrels, enriching this distillate with complexity.

It has a strong, rich and fruity taste. To appreciate its aromatic complexity, a smooth consumption is recommended.

Johnnie Walker Black Label is a true icon, recognised as the benchmark for all other deluxe blends. Created using only whiskies aged for a minimum of 12 years from the four corners of Scotland, Johnnie Walker Black Label has an unmistakably smooth, deep character.

An impressive whisky to share on any occasion, whether you’re entertaining at home or on a night out with friends. Take in the luxurious scent of rich and tropical dark fruits with hints of sweet vanilla.

Savour the depth of flavour developed from maturation in oak casks, combined with creamy toffee notes that come from grain whiskies. This iconic whisky delivers a smooth and warming smoke finish, characteristic of all Johnnie Walker whiskies.

The original expression of Glenmorangie’s elegant, floral spirit and the real backbone of the Glenmorangie range. A ten-year-old single malt, Glenmorangie Original is produced by marrying the delicate spirit that emerges from Scotland’s tallest stills, with first and second fill American white oak casks.

It is here, maturing for ten long years in a range of ex-bourbon casks such as Glenmorangie’s famous slow-grown and air-dried ‘designer casks’ from Missouri, that their raw spirit develops a perfect balance between sweetness and complexity.

Resulting in a mature spirit that is soft, mellow and creamy. Perfect for enjoying at any time. AROMA The scent of citrus and ripening peaches is softened by the aroma of vanilla. TASTE First, vanilla is detected on the tongue before it ripples along the palate bringing a burst of flowery fruitiness.

FINISH About a minute after tasting, you are left with a clean and salving aftertaste with hints of orange and peach.

Exemplifying the Glenfiddich tradition of innovation, this 15 Year Old expression is created using a technique pioneered by the company’s Malt Master. Its warm, spicy flavors are transformed with the alchemy of the Solera Vat.

Aged in European oak sherry casks and new oak casks, the whisky is mellowed in the company’s unique Solera Vat, a large oak tun inspired by the sherry bodegas of Spain and Portugal. Never emptied, and kept half full of whiskies since 1998, the company’s Solera Vat is the culmination of curious minds and the pioneering spirit of the Glenfiddich family.

It’s also the secret behind this whisky becoming the first 15 year old expression to enter the top ten ing single malts. COLOR Golden, a red hue. NOSE An intriguingly complex aroma. Sweet heather honey and vanilla fudge combined with rich dark fruits.

TASTE Silky smooth, revealing layers of sherry oak, marzipan, cinnamon and ginger. Full-bodied and bursting with flavor. FINISH Satisfyingly rich with lingering sweetness.

Renowned amongst many whisky enthusiasts around the world, this remarkable and full bodied malt is matured for a minimum of 15 years in the finest Oloroso sherry casks. Bottled at 46%, the Glendronach Revival is non chill filtered and of natural colour.

A truly excellent single malt. The nose is intriguing with sweet spices and ripe juicy red fruits. In the mouth it is intensely spiced with red apples, burnt caramel and espresso. Lightly smokey on the finish, it is rustic and bold.

46% abv. Appearance: Deep gold with a lovely mahogany heart. Nose: Incredible concentration of aromas. Treacle, toffee and chocolate orange. Palate: A very dynamic and full-bodied dram for its age. Chewy with coffee, chocolate and treacle scones.

Conclusions: A veritable feast to enliven the senses. Liquor.