Do you know the person who knows about what bottle to buy? The people who serve it – that’s who. We talked to dozens of bartenders and distillers and compiled their suggestions for the best scotches under $100.
Scotch whiskey in its simplest terms is an alcoholic beverage distilled and aged at least three years in Scotland. The five scotch whiskey regions (Islay, Speyside, Highlands, Campbeltown, and Lowland) of Scotland each give it their own unique twist on the flavor profile.
Scotch whiskeys are made by fermenting grain mashes which are usually made from malted barley and then traditionally distilled twice.
You can enjoy everything from a limited-edition whiskey to single-barrel offerings from the world’s most celebrated brands for about $25.
These are expertly crafted spirits that taste like they should cost much more but don’t – so they’re an ideal purchase if you want to treat yourself without breaking the bank.
Better still, these whiskies offer something for everyone – whether its fine Kentucky bourbons or Japanese whisky and scotch – exploring all different types of liquor feels rewarding.
It’s worth mentioning though, if you’re looking for just one high-quality bottle at an affordable price – going slightly over budget will absolutely be worth it because these drinks smell better and taste more integrated than what they would usually cost (neat or mixed).
1. Aberlour A’bunadh
Product details
Color Deep copper-gold
Classification single malt scotch whisky
Company Pernod Ricard
Distillery Aberlour
Cask 100% ex-oloroso sherry casks
Still Type copper pot stills
Released 1997 (Ongoing)
Proof cask strength (varies), about 112.4 proof
Aged undisclosed, NAS
MSRP $100
Tasting Notes
Smell / Nose / Aroma:
While my nose becomes accustomed to the pungent aroma of alcohol, I am able to detect hints of spiced almonds, sugary oranges, and vanilla beans as well as other sweet notes that linger after the burn has subsided.
Flavor / Taste / Palate:
First taste, this rum is light and sweet, but it gets more and more dry, until you can taste the dryness overpower any sweetness there might have been at first. It makes for an interesting transition in flavor which was not expected beforehand.
Finish:
An indulgent mix of rich dark chocolate, tangy orange, and exotic cinnamon with just a little bit of rich tobacco.
Our Review
You’ll never forget your first visit to the Aberlour Distillery when you smell the sweet aroma of scotch filling your nose. You’ll feel like Dorothy waking up in Munchkin Land after a long night ride over the rainbow – but without her dog Toto.
The smell will take you back to an old 1800s farming estate, complete with kilns for drying grain, smoking chimneys and even malt houses for making beer or whiskey (depending on what part of Scotland you’re in).
You’ll pass through acres upon acres ofks. pastoral land before arriving at this very distilled slice of heaven set among some mighty whinstone rocks.
An ultra-heavy, tough-as-nails single malt (batch 69 with an ABV of 61.2% and then some) that has a fierce hold on its drinkers.
The whisky is without peat which leaves no smoky or oceanic tastes behind but rather candied oranges, fresh ground cinnamon sticks, peppery seeds of all spice, dark chocolate-infused tones which although high in alcohol content have an easygoing approach.
Though the warmth coats every taste bud entering my mouth first thing when I take a sip its long finish was pleasing and relaxing – making this perfect for cold winter nights spent indoors near a crackling fire with rich cocoa powder sprinkled over top before being served up to friends over freshly baked bread slices dusted heavily with poppy seeds for crunchy texture contrast.
If you’re not too keen on the cooked fruits and baking spice richness of ex-sherry influenced scotch, there’s A’Bunadh Alba – an exclusive expression made from whisky that was aged exclusively in bourbon casks.
A blend of complex flavors, this new addition to the A’Bunadh line highlights lighter fruit notes like apple and citrus, plus notes of vanilla, honey, and caramel that barrels of bourbon add.
2. Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Product details
- Category Scotch
- Region Islay
- Distillery Ardbeg
- AgeNAS
- StyleSingle Malt Scotch Whisky
- Alcohol57.1%
- Color Deepest amber.
Tasting notes
Smell / Nose / Aroma:
These flavors are in dark chocolate, a steak sauce, sweet vanilla, and blueberries.
Flavor / Taste / Palate:
Coffee-infused with tar, dark fruit flavors, bitter almonds, anise, and hickory.
Finish:
It’s long, dark, and powerful, with chocolate coated cherries and black tarry coffee.
Our Review
Ardbeg is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest distilleries, producing some of the world’s most smoky whiskies, and the distillery is very proud of this fact; they even claim to be the most prestigious Islay whisky producer.
Started during the 18th century on the southern coast of the island of Islay, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, this company is now owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy.
It has always been closed and opened numerous times throughout history, just like all other Scottish whisky producers – but its affection for producing whisky from The Ultimate Islay Malt never wavered.
The elusive Ardbeg Corryvreckan has been named the Top Whisky of the Year 2010 by Whisky Advocate, earning an overall score of 98 points out of 100.
It is called the Corryvreckan after the famous whirlpool that can be found to the north of Islay; an area notorious for its rocky and tricky waters.
Bottled at its cask strength of 57.1% ABV, this whisky is bold and robust.
3. The Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask
Product details
- Category Scotch
- Country Scotland
- Region Speyside
- Distillery The Balvenie
- Age 14 Year Old
- Style Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Maturation Traditional oak casks and finished in Caribbean Rum Casks
- Alcohol 43%
Tasting notes
Smell / Nose / Aroma:
This dish is flavored with tropical fruits such as passion fruit and pineapple.
Flavor / Taste / Palate:
I was tempted to say that it has vanilla, oak, and spices in it with background flavors of tropical fruits, but I won’t ruin the fun for you.
Finish:
All of the above stated and promised aromas are present in this rum. We love rum and single malt, so we kill two birds with one stone. Oh yeah, we’re winning.
Our Review
The Balvenie distillery was founded by William Grant, who was born in Dufftown, Scotland and began his early years as a cattle herder before becoming an apprentice shoemaker until finding his true love – whisky – at the Mortlach distillery, where he would soon become its bookkeeper.
Following decades of study, practice, and ownership of a site next to Balvenie Castle where he would eventually establish his distillery, this generosity shared the world with his distilling skills.
Balvenie 14 year old whisky is matured for fourteen years in oak casks and finished in casks that once held Caribbean rum, giving the bottle a dual character.
Our favorite part is the fusion of flavors – it’s Scottish and Caribbean at the same time.
4. Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
Product details
- Category Scotch
- Country Scotland
- Region Islay
- Distillery Bruichladdich
- Style Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Maturationex-Bourbon casks
- Alcohol 50%
- Appearance / Color Light gold
Tasting notes
Smell / Nose / Aroma:
Fresh apple, barley sugar, and a hint of mint. Honey and caramelized fruits follow.
Flavor / Taste / Palate:
A refreshing salty taste of oak, a slightly bitter hint of barley, along with the crispness of vanilla and sweet malt.
Finish:
Fruit, vanilla, honey, and sweet flavors linger for a long time before oakiness finishes off this wine.
Our Review
The Bruichladdich Distillery is quite impressive. It stands out in its architectural design as well as its large size; it features buildings where even the tanks are at least five meters high!
The building itself was constructed in 1881 by the Harvey brothers – coming from a long line of whisky producers – and now belongs to Remy Cointreau; however, it remains pretty much unchanged since before the time of its construction when they were just starting out.
They continue practicing traditional techniques such as slow fermentation and distillation with oak barrels containing barley mash.
Unlike other whisky brands, this one does not produce any peaty whiskies but instead offers three different kinds: ‘Bruichladdich Single Malt’, ‘Port Charlotte’ which is also heavily peated but only in an Islay style, and ‘The Botanist Islay Dry Gin’.
Adam Hannett, Glenrothes’ head distiller, set out to create a signature Single Malt whisky – Laddie. Our team has named it The Classic Laddie which is an unconventional name for a Scotch whisky that doesn’t like other Scottish whiskies.
The name also conveys what it is–there’s no peat and 100% Scottish barley that has only been aged in first-fill Bourbon casks.
5. Glen Scotia Double Cask
Product details
Category Single
Malt Whiskey
Region Scotland
ABV 46%
This whisky has a strong initial flavour of creme caramel and caramelized fruits; it then starts to change tastes into one of apple, peaches, and then bourbon. There are notes of whiskey at the end that give off an amazing taste.
With this being said, I would recommend drinking this whisky without water or ice since water does take away from its distinct flavors and makes for a heavier taste.
In 1636, a small farm at Crosshill received a payment for six quarts of alcohol (aqua vitae) payable to the town of Lochhead.
In order to cultivate such alcohol, there are many available resources nearby: barley ‘bere’ grain that can be easily grown locally; peat; and fresh water. Through these ingredients plus other readily available resources – like stills – illegal whisky production boomed during the late 18th century and early 19th century.
Consequently, this area became noted for illegal activities including illicit distilling within its flourishing cottage industry through the latter half of the 18th century and into the 1800s – because it was home to both an ancient Scottish Parliament set up by King Fergus who ruled around 503 AD and remnants relating to The Stone of Destiny; which signifies all Scottish kings being crowned since 834 AD.
FAQs
What is single malt scotch?
Single malt scotch is defined as whisky that is made in Scotland at one distillery from a mash bill of 100 percent malted barley. It must be aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels.
How is it made?
Barley grains are malted (germinated) and then dried to stop the process—sometimes using peat as a heat source to infuse the grain with a smoky flavor. The barley is then milled and combined with water and cooked to release the sugars. Yeast is then added to the liquid, now called wash, and it is put into large vessels to ferment. Next, the wash is distilled in pot stills at least twice, which heats the alcohol and turns it into vapor. This vapor is captured and cooled so it returns to a liquid form with an increasingly higher ABV.
What’s the best way to serve it?
There’s really no wrong way to drink whisky—but experts recommend trying it neat first, perhaps with a few drops of water to open up the palate. After that, go ahead and add ice if you like, or even use it in a cocktail if you prefer.
Conclusion
Within the price range of the best whiskey under $100, there are countless excellent options. Thankfully, we’ve narrowed down your choices, giving you high-quality whiskeys within your budget.
In the price range of one hundred dollars or less, there are many good alcohols available. As a result we’ve done all the research for you and narrowed down the choices to some quality alcohols at an affordable price.
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