15 Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies for Less Than $100
You can get a delicious single malt Scotch whisky that tastes like it costs more than it actually does.
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Single malt Scotch whisky is one of the great spirits of the world. From the Highlands and Speyside to Islay, the Lowlands, and Campbeltown, Scotch runs the gamut from fruit forward and honeyed to smokey, peat-y, and occasionally medicinal. And while there are countless expressions that will set you back some serious dollars, there are just as many that can be found for less than $100, and deliver serious pleasure. Names like BenRiach, The Balvenie, The Glenlivet, Lagavulin, Bowmore, and Ardbeg are well-known and beloved for good reason: They’re reliably excellent, no matter what you spend. In addition to those icons, the 15 single malt scotch whiskies below, listed alphabetically, are well worth stocking up on.
Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The spirit here is uniquely bright and fruit-forward, with a distinct hit of white licorice to the lemon-blossom honey and dulce de leche notes, all of it pulsed with a touch of toast hovering in the background.
Aberlour 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Courtesy of Aberlour
Double cask-matured, this easy-drinking dram speaks of grilled oranges, warm nougat, and toffee alongside the suggestion of peanut brittle and milk chocolate.
Arran 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Courtesy of Arran
Hailing from the Lochranza Distillery on the Island of Arran, southwest of Glasgow and southeast of Islay, this whisky boasts delicately spiced citrus and honey-coated yellow apples. It’s a balanced, silky, and fresh dram that, for under $80, is a serious steal.
Balblair 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Courtesy of Balblair
A spine of spice runs through every sip of this wildly gulpable whisky, lending a sense of savoriness to the caramel-coated citrus and red apple flavors. If ever there were a single malt that would make for a great mid-day sipper, this is it.
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley Unpeated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Courtesy of BRUICHLADDICH
Whereas the most familiar Islay single malts are peated, the flagship from Bruichladdich is not. The result is a dram that deliciously bucks convention and shines with vivid hard pear and apple fruit, honey candies, brown sugar caramel, and a delicate finish that unfolds with layers of sun-warmed hay and dried springtime flowers. Also look for Octomor and Port Charlotte, both made by Bruichladdich as well.
Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This limited edition expression is made from barley that was kiln-dried with what the brand calls “woodland botanicals.” The result is a totally different side of Glenmorangie, a smoke-kissed dram that speaks of deeply roasted root vegetables, woodsy spice, and pear fritters, all complicated by kumquats and balsamic notes that linger on the very long finish.
Highland Park 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Courtesy of Highland Park
Crafted in Kirkwall, in the Orkney Islands, this sweetly honeyed and subtly iodine-kissed whisky balances counterpoints of medicinal notes and toffee, with wisps of peat smoke finding compliments in dried-fruit-studded biscotti and a suggestion of star anise.
Related:21 Whiskey Cocktails for Your Repertoire
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Courtesy of Laphroai
This classic expression of Laphroaig is exuberant and full of the iodine and peat smoke that drinkers have gravitated toward for generations. But it’s about more than the smoke, with sweet mashed pears, espresso beans, chocolate ganache, and root beer spices weaving together with telltale seaweed and nori notes into a deeply complex whole. Also look for Laphroaig’s annual Càirdeas release; the most recent, from 2022, is the Warehouse 1, which benefits from the counterpoints of aging in close proximity to the water and ex-Bourbon casks, lending lemon zest, melon, and cracked peppercorn notes. The result is terrifically appealing and right around $100.
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Courtesy of Old Pulteney
From one of the northernmost distilleries in Scotland, this velvety whisky does a delicious dance of dried flowers, dense vanilla, yellow plums, honey, and a touch of brininess through the long finish.
Speyburn 15 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Courtesy of Speyburn
This generous, balanced whisky is creamy and delicately honeyed, with cinnamon and vanilla notes of white peaches and dried figs. It’s a serious value for a 15-year expression.
The GlenAllachie 15 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
With flavors of caramel streaked with a touch of ancho chili and cinnamon, as well as supporting notes of honey-coated figs and white raisins, this grows more dense on the finish, resolving with lingering notes of caramel and graham crackers.
The GlenDronach Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Port Wood
Chocolate-coated raisin and caramel aromas set the stage for flavors of dark chocolate, cinnamon, cocktail cherries, and coffee. The dried figs from the first sip ride all the way through the long, sweetly spiced finish.
The Glenrothes 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Dense and fruit-forward, the stone fruit in this whisky leans in the direction of yellow plums and ripe apricots, as well as a nod in the direction of honeydew. Hazelnuts and Marcona almonds sweep in on the white-licorice-kissed finish.
The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Honey-coated Grape-Nuts cereal, sweet cinnamon, and a touch of chili pepper spice run through this classic. Dried-fruit biscotti and a lingering note of ginger-snap cookies round it all out. On the opposite end of the Macallan spectrum—and most definitely not under $100—is a Macallan 1969, aged a stunning 52 years, that was bottled and released last December by Duncan Taylor. If you taste from one of the 25 bottles in existence, you’ll be treated to a whisky unlike anything you’ve likely had before. It sizzles with singed spearmint, hints of chamomile, dried apricots, and orange blossom, and coats the palate with carob-studded caramel and chocolate-enrobed Amarena cherries.
Tomintoul 14 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Courtesy of Tomintoul
This Speyside standout is non-chill-filtered, which lends it a lovely presence on the palate. Each sip carries waves of graham crackers, vanilla, warming woodsy spices, and candied nuts alongside baked pears. And while it’s well more than $100, make sure to taste the 30-year expression if you can—its balance between subtlety and exuberant pleasure is remarkable, the honey, white raisins, and pastry shell lingering with serious balance.
