In this article, we list the top 15 Scotch brands in the world. Scotch whiskies have been in huge demand over the years because of the distinct flavor of each sip. A good bottle aged in Oloroso sherry or ex-bourbon barrels for several years creates a genuine treat that every seasoned sipper is dying to have.
Some brands have managed to be on top of the game and offer a perfect blend to scotch lovers all over the world.
Table of Contents
Top Scotch brands in the world in 2024
1. Lagavulin
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Islay
- Distillery: Lagavulin Distillery
- Distillery Status: Working
- Production Type: Single Malt
- Owner: Diageo
- Founded:1816
- Founder: John Johnstone
- Current Manager: Pierrick Guillaume
The one name that has managed to stride ahead and outrank its competitors with a wide margin is Lagavulin. It is an iconic single malts Scotch whisky brand that has been in the business of producing some of the best Scotch whiskies in the world for a long time.
Lagavulin distillery was officially founded in 1816 by John Johnston, although illicit distillation is said to have taken place on the site since the mid-18th century. Lagavulin is part of Diageo’s Classic Malts selection and is almost exclusively matured in ex-bourbon casks. The distillery uses four stills, two of which are pear-shaped and run for longer than any others on Islay.
Lagavulin whiskies are created in the signature peat of the Islay and the brand is known for its malt whiskies in standard bottling at 43% ABV, smoky flavours, wood notes, lingering sweetness and aged in Sherry casks and bourbon barrels. The brand is known to favor a slow distillation speed and pot stills to create its incredible whiskies
Lagavulin whiskies have gained a loyal following and are highly sought after by whisky enthusiasts worldwide. Lagavulin 16-Year old has received accolades from Spirits Rating Completion, The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (four back-to-back gold medals 2005-2008) and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The brand Lagavulin is promoted by its brand ambassador Nick Offerman, a renowned actor
Age:
- 8-Year
- 12-Year
- 16-Year
Distiller’s Edition
Offerman Edition – 11-Year
- 21-Year
- 25-Year
- 30-Yer
- 37-Year
Best-known expressions:
- 16 Year
Product portfolio:
- LAGAVULIN DISTILLERS EDITION
- LAGAVULIN 16-YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
- LAGAVULIN 11-YEAR OLD ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY OFFERMAN EDITION FINISHED IN GUINNESS CASKS
- GAME OF THRONES HOUSE LANNISTER LAGAVULIN 9-YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
2. Laphroaig
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Islay
- Location: Port Ellen
- Distillery: Laphroaig Distillery
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: Beam Suntory
- Founded: 1815
- Founder: Donald and Alexander Johnston
- Present Manager: John Campbell
- Annual production capacity: 3.3 million liters
Laphroaig is a brand of single malt Scotch whisky known for its distinctive peaty flavor.
Laphroaig has a rich and heavy peaty/smoky flavour and is frequently aged at 10 or 15 years in American, Bourbon, Quarter or European Oloroso Sherry casks with different ABV like 40%, 43%, 48% and 55.3%.
The hand-cut peat from local bogs, copper pot stills, seasoned malt floor, water from the Kilbride reservoir and combination of oak barrels are the key factors that have helped to create the complex flavour of all the single malts Scotch whisky products.
Laphroaig whiskies are known for their powerful and distinctive flavor profile. They have a strong peat smoke character, reminiscent of the Islay region where they are produced. The whiskies often have notes of seaweed, iodine, and a balance of sweetness.
Laphroaig is a versatile brand that keeps on surprising avid drinkers with annual collaborations and new releases. The beverage is served straight-up, on-the-rocks and select cocktails.
Age:
- 15-year
- 25-Year
- 27-Year
- 30-year
- 32-Year
- 40-Year
Best-known expressions:
- 10-Year
Product portfolio:
- LAPHROAIG 10-YEAR OLD
- LAPHROAIG 25-YEAR OLD CASK STRENGTH 2020 EDITION
- LAPHROAIG 30-YEAR OLD SINGLE ISLAY MALT SCOTCH WHISKY LIMITED EDITION
- LAPHROAIG CAIRDEAS PORT & WINE CASKS SCOTCH WHISKY
3. The Balvenie
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Speyside
- Location: Dufftown
- Distillery: Balvenie Distillery
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single Malt
- Owner: William Grant & Sons
- Founded: 1892
- Founder: William Grant
- Annual production capacity: 6.5 million liters
Balvenie is one of the best Scotch whisky brands in the world in 2023. The Balvenie is a brand of single malt Scotch whisky that is crafted in Speyside, Scotland. The Balvenie distillery was founded in 1892 by the William Grant family. The distillery is located in Dufftown, Scotland, and is owned by William Grant & Sons.
The Balvenie offers a range of single malt Scotch whiskies, each with its own unique flavor profile.
Balvenie Scotch whisky is made through the traditional batch process with help of locally-grown floor-malted barley using onsite Cooperage and Copper Smith. The distillery uses Bourbon, Madeira, Rum, Port and Sherry casks for whisky production. It is the first whisky brand to launch Double Wood by ageing it first in ex-Bourbon barrels and later giving it an ultimate finishing in ex-sherry casks.
The brand has been the recipient of several awards over the years. In 2006 it managed to win gold medals for several products like the Founder’s Reserve, Balvenie Port Wood 1991 and Balvenie 30.
Age:
- 10-Year
- 12-year
- 14-Year
- 15-Year
- 17-year
- 18-Year
- 21-Year
- 25-Year
- 30-Year
- Vintages
Best known expressions:
- DoubleWood 12 Year Old
Product portfolio:
- THE BALVENIE 15-YEAR OLD SINGLE BARREL SHERRY CASK
- THE BALVENIE 21-YEAR OLD PORT WOOD
- THE BALVENIE 17-YEAR OLD PEATED CASK
- THE BALVENIE SINGLE BARREL 25 – AGED 25 YEARS
4. Bruichladdich
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Islay
- Location: Rhinns of the Isle of Islay
- Distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt, Unaged spirits
- Owner: Remy Cointreau ( since 23rd July 2012)
- Founded: 1881
- Founders: William Harvey, John Harvey and Robert Harvey
- Annual production capacity: 1.5 million liters
Bruichladdich is one of the pioneers and best Scotch brands that have created a niche place for itself in the beverage industry. The single malts Scotch whisky brand has been known to occasionally produce artisanal gin as well. The products are known for their richness, flavour, taste and diversity making them unique and distinct in the eyes of a connoisseur. In 2023, the distillery ranked fourth in a Cask Connoisseur ranking of the most popular whisky distilleries.
Bruichladdich takes an old-fashioned approach to production, using the original 1881 cast-iron mash tun, longer fermentation times, and slow distillation to create a flavorsome spirit. They focus on Islay’s terroir, using local barley where possible and maturing all of their whisky on the island. The distillery also has an on-site bottling plant, employing many islanders
Bruichladdich Scotch whiskey is complex, floral, unpeated, natural and made from 100% Scottish barley. Besides the unpeated Bruichladdich, the brand also produces heavily peated Port Charlotte whiskey in American, European and New Oak and super-heavily peated Octomore whisky in American cask.
Age of unpeated Bruichladdich
- 2013 Core Range
- Scottish Barley
- Islay barley
- The Organic
- Bere barley
- Black Art
Best known expressions
- The Classic Laddie
Product portfolio
- BRUICHLADDICH ISLAY BARLEY 2011 WITH EL CABALLERO KIT
- BRUICHLADDICH THE ORGANIC 2010
- BRUICHLADDICH BERE BARLEY 2006
- BRUICHLADDICH PORT CHARLOTTE 10 HEAVILY PEATED ISLAY SINGLE MALT
5. The Macallan
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Speyside
- Location: Easter Elchies, Craigellachie Moray
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: Edrington Group (since 1999)
- Previous owners: Highland Distillers
- Founded: 1824
- Founder: Alexander Reid
The Macallan is one of the top highest-selling single malts Scotch whisky brands in the worldwide market. The Macallan is a single malt Scotch whisky brand that has been committed to the mastery of wood and spirit since 1824.
The high-quality products are a favourite of collectors and connoisseurs looking for bottles of pure and best Scotch whisky brands.
The Macallan offers a range of single malt Scotch whiskies, including some of their finest and rarest releases, each with its own unique story to tell. The Macallan is known for its smooth and rich taste, with notes of dried fruits, spice, wood smoke, and sherry.
Macallan whisky was originally matured in Sherry casks but in 2004 the brand has introduced a product aged in Bourbon barrels (American oak) and Sherry (American and European oak cask) under the Fine Oak Series which was renamed as Triple Cask Matured Range. It also offers rare and special releases in between for its revered clients.
Age:
1. 12 to 78 Year
Best known expressions:
1. The 12-Year-Old
Product portfolio:
- THE MACALLAN CLASSIC CUT 2020
- THE MACALLAN RARE CASK
- THE MACALLAN SHERRY OAK 25 YEARS OLD
- THE MACALLAN SHERRY OAK 18 YEARS OLD
6. Johnnie Walker
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Lowlands
- Location: Kilmarnock
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Blended
- Owner: Diageo
- Previous owners: John Walker & Sons
- Founded: 1820
- Founder: John Walker
The one name that stands out amongst blended whisky brands is Johnnie Walker. It is one of the most stylish whisky brands that has gained popularity because of superior goods as well as the different square-shaped bottle with a label showing a striding man.
Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced by Diageo in Scotland. It originated in the Scottish burgh of Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire and was first established by grocer John Walker. Johnnie Walker is the world’s highest-selling Scotch whisky, sold in almost every country.By blending different single malts and grain whiskies from different regions of Scotland, Johnnie Walker creates different flavor profiles, ranging from sweet and smooth to smoky and peaty.
The best Scotch Brand is available in almost all the countries. It has been the recipient of accolades and awards over the years like the double gold medals for The Green Label as well as the Gold Label at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Johnnie Walker has a rich history and is known for its iconic “Striding Man” logo. The brand’s success can be attributed to its distribution on ships traveling around the world and its distinctive square bottle.
Best known expressions:
- Red label
- Black label
Product portfolio:
- JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD LABEL RESERVE
- JOHNNIE WALKER AGED 18 YEARS
- JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY, LIMITED EDITION YEAR OF THE OX
- JANE WALKER BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
7. Talisker
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Island
- Location: Carbost, Isle of Skye
- Distillery: Talisker Distillery
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Master Distiller: Mark Lochhead
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: Diageo
- Founded: 1830
- Founder: Hugh MacAskill
- Annual production capacity: 3.5 million liters
Talisker is a single malt Scotch whisky that is made by the sea in the oldest Single Malts Scotch Whisky distillery on the shores of the Isle of Skye.
If you are looking for affordable single malts Scotch whisky then Talisker is your brand as it has some high-quality and reasonable-priced products in its kitty. Talisker has an unusual ABV of 45.8%, which helps set it apart from other malts. Talisker is double distilled, which ensures that all of its rich, deep character is captured first time
The premium brand uses malted barley from Muir of Ord, peated malt and water from springs directly above the distillery. The spirit is then matured in American Oak casks to create some of the finest beverages with a fragrant and fresh nose, delicate balance and pungent smoke. Talisker Distiller Edition was the recipient of Best Island’s Single Malt award at the 2013 World Whiskies Awards.
Talisker is one of the Classic Malts, a collection of six single malt whiskies from Scotland that were chosen to represent the country’s regional styles.
Age:
- 10-Year
- 18-Year
- 25-Year
- 30-Year
- 35-Year
Best known expressions:
- Talisker 10 Year
Product portfolio:
- TALISKER SKYE
- TALISKER STORM
- TALISKER 2010 DISTILLERS EDITION
- TALISKER PORT RUIGHE PORT FINISH
8. Ardbeg
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Islay
- Location: Port Ellen
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy
- Previous owners: Glenmorangie plc
- Founded: 1798
- Founder: John MacDougall
Ardbeg is a single malt Scotch whisky that is made on the small, remote Scottish Isle of Islay. The Ardbeg distillery was founded in 1815 and has been producing whisky for over 200 years. The distillery was purchased by Glenmorangie in 1997, who embraced the concept of single malt spirits coming from the Ardbeg distillery and released a series of incrementally better single malt spirits that led to the launch of their Ten Years Old brand in the year 2000.
Ardbeg uses malted barley from Port Ellen along with Bourbon barrels and Sherry casks to create a heavily pleated whiskey which is famous all over the global arena for its unique blend, wondrous expressions and different characteristic.
Ardbeg produces 10,000 barrels (1.4 million litres) of whisky every year. Work is in progress to increase its capacity as soon as possible. The brand has been the recipient of several awards over the years for its exalted products for instance Uigeadail expression was awarded the 2010 World Whisky of the Year by Whisky Bible 2010
Ages:
- 10-Year
- Alligator
- Ardbog
Best known expressions:
- 10 Year
Product portfolio:
- ARDBEG 1990
- ARDBEG 1998 RENAISSANCE
- ARDBEG KILDATON BOT. 2014
- ARDBEG WEE BEASTIE 5 YEAR OLD
9. Oban
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Highland
- Distillery: Oban Distillery
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Capacity: 670,000 litres every year
- Production type: Single malt
- Owner: Diageo
- Founded: 1794
- Founder: Hugh and John Stevenson
Oban is one of the oldest distilleries on the Scottish island producing some of the best Scotch in the global market.
Oban scotch is described as an elegantly matured single malt that balances opulent fruit flavors with rich peat smoke and spicy wood, culminating in a long, smooth finish. The clean and fruity spirit made from 100% malted barley germinated in the peat-fired kiln is aged in refill casks to achieve a tingling mineral spiciness.
Oban has been made for over 200 years, and the distillery has a rich heritage of craftsmanship, authenticity, and exceptional taste.
Age:
- 14 year
- 18 year
- 21 year
- 32 year
Best known expressions:
- 14 Year Old
Product portfolio:
- OBAN DISTILLER’S EDITION
- GAME OF THRONES THE NIGHT’S WATCH-OBAN BAY RESERVE
- OBAN 21-YEAR-OLD
- OBAN 18-YEAR-OLD
10. Glenfiddich
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Speyside
- Location: Dufftown
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: William Grant & Sons
- Previous owners: William Grant & Sons
- Founded: 1887
- Founder: William Grant
- Annual production capacity: 10 million liters per year
Glenfiddich is a single malt Scotch whisky that is produced in Dufftown, Scotland. It has been the recipient of several awards and recognition over the years. Glenfiddich was established by William Grant in 1876, with the first spirit running off the stills in 1887.
Glenfiddich has a range of single malt Scotch whiskies that includes the 12-year-old, 15-year-old, 18-year-old, and 21-year-old. They also have more exclusive and older single malt Scotch whiskies, such as the 50-year-old and Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve.
The spirit is made with malted barley via the pot still distillation process. The Robbie Dhu has proved an important water source for the whiskies that are matured in rum casks from the Caribbean, Sherry butts in Spain and Bourbon barrels from America.
Glenfiddich is the only Highland single malt distilled, matured, and even bottled at its own distillery, using a single source of spring water.
Best-known expressions:
1. 12 Year
Product Portfolio:
- GLENFIDDICH 21-YEAR-OLD GRAN RESERVA
- GLENFIDDICH GRAND CRU 23-YEAR-OLD
- GLENFIDDICH 18-YEAR-OLD
- GLENFIDDICH 15-YEAR-OLD SOLERA RESERVE
11. Glenmorangie
- Origin Country: Scotland
- Region: Highlands
- Location: Tain
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH)
- Previous owners: Glenmorangie plc
- Founded: 1843
- Founder: William Matheson
- Annual production capacity: 7.2 million liters annually (2022)
Glenmorangie is a brand of single malt Scotch whisky produced by the Glenmorangie distillery in Tain, Ross-shire, Scotland. The Glenmorangie distillery is categorized as a Highland distillery and is known for having the tallest stills in Scotland. It is owned by The Glenmorangie Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy.
The distillery produces a range of Glenmorangie single malt whiskies, including the Original, 18-year-old, and 25-year-old bottlings, as well as special cask bottlings, cask finishes, extra matured bottlings, and special edition bottlings. Glenmorangie is available in a range of bottlings like special edition, extra matured, cask finishes and special cask bottlings etc.
Glenmorangie has gained popularity as the “Distillers of Tain” because of their delicious, fruity and delicate spirit. The taste and aroma are simply the best because the brand uses selected malted barley grown in the region by local farmers and age it in ex-bourbon whisky casks, Oloroso sherry casks, Ruby port casks, White oak casks and Sauternes wine casks.
Best known expressions:
1. The Original 10 Year
Product portfolio:
- GLENMORANGIE NECTAR D’Or – SAUTERNES FINISH
- GLENMORANGIE SPIOS PRIVATE EDITION 9
- GLENMORANGIE 10-YEAR-OLD ORIGINAL GIRAFFE EDITION
- GLENMORANGIE LASANTA 12-YEAR-OLD SHERRY CASK FINISH
12. Caol Ila
- Origin Country: Scotland Region: Islay
- Location: Port Askaig
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: Diageo
- Previous owners: United Distillers
- Founded: 1846
- Founder: Hector Henderson
- Annual production capacity: 3.65 million liters annually
Caol Ila is a Scotch whisky distillery located near Port Askaig on the Isle of Islay, Scotland. It is owned by Diageo.
Caol Ila distillery was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. It changed hands several times over the years, with Norman Buchanan taking over in 1854 and Bulloch Lade & Co acquiring it in 1863. Caol Ila is the largest Scotch brands distillery on the island that produces both unpeated and peated malt whisky. The brand manufactures a range of spirits like light, feisty and elegant.
Caol Ila is pale in colour and one of the lighter whiskies that have floral, peaty and peppery notes. It is produced as the best single malt and is also used in blends. Caol Ila is one of the distilleries that also manufactures non-peated highland spirits.
One of the popular expressions of Caol Ila Scotch is the Caol Ila 12 Year Old Single Malt, which has flavors of fresh fruit, light smoke, and a slightly sour finish
Age
- 12-Year
- Cask Strength
- 18-Year
- 25-year
Best known expressions
•1. 12-Year
Product Portfolio
- CAOL ILA MOCH
- CAOL ILA 1999 THE WHISKY TRAIL
- CAOL ILA 2008 DISTILLERS EDITION
- CAOL ILA 2001 DISTILLERS EDITION
13. Highland Park
- Origin Country: Scotland Region: Orkney
- Location: Kirkwall
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: Edrington Group
- Previous owners: Highland Distillers
- Founded: 1798
- Founder: Magnus Eunson
Highland Park is a brand of single malt Scotch whisky that has been produced since 1798 on the Orkney Islands. Highland Park Scotch has received numerous awards for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship. It is highly regarded in the whisky industry.
Highland Park Scotch is made using five keystones of production, which contribute to its unique character and flavor profile.. These production methods have been refined over centuries.
Hand malted barley, use of local peat and distilleries smoke has helped to create a unique whisky brand Highland Park. The Scotch is aged in Sherry cask made from European and American oak. Highland Park holds the distinction of being the northernmost distillery in the world. This adds to the unique terroir and environment in which the whisky is produced.
Highland Park has been the recipient of The Best Spirit in the World by F Paul Pacult on three occasions. Two expressions The Light and The Dark have received a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Best known expressions:
- 12-year
Product portfolio:
- HIGHLAND PARK THE DARK
- HIGHLAND PARK CASK STRENGTH
- HIGHLAND PARK FIRE EDITION
- HIGHLAND PARK CASK STRENGTH
14. GlenDronach
- Origin Country: Scotland Region: Highland
- Location: Forgue, Huntly
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: Brown-Forman
- Previous owners: Pernod Ricard, Allied Domecq
- Founded: 1826
- Founder: James Allardice
GlenDronach is a single malt Scotch whisky that has been produced for almost 200 years. The hallmark of their craft is the marriage of robust Highland spirit with the finest Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía in Spain. GlenDronach Scotch is aged for at least 12 years in a combination of Spanish Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks.
GlenDronach boasts of being one of the finest distilleries in the region. It has personal floor maltings, two-spirit stills and two wash stills to produce some of the finest product in the market that can create an explosion of flavours
Best known expressions:
- The Original 12 Year
Product portfolio:
- GLENDRONACH REVIVAL
- GLENDRONACH TRADITIONALLY PEATED
- GLENDRONACH PORT WOOD
- GLENDRONACH 19-YEAR-OLD SHERRY CASK
15. The Glenlivet
- Origin Country: Scotland Region: Speyside
- Location: Ballindalloch
- Distillery Status: Operational
- Production Type: Single malt
- Owner: Pernod Ricard
- Previous owners: Chivas Brothers
- Founded: 1824
- Founder: George Smith
- Annual sales: 6 million bottles
The Glenlivet is a brand of single malt Scotch whisky that has been producing exceptional whiskies since 1822. The Glenlivet is the biggest-selling single malt brand in the U.S. and second-biggest globally. It has an impressive product portfolio that boasts rich and elegant whiskies.
The Glenlivet offers a collection of whiskies that break new ground, including those finished in rum and cognac casks. Citrus punch, juicy citrus notes and smooth aroma of lemon and grapefruit have given the whisky a distinct flavour and characteristic that is not found in any other Scotch whisky brands.
The Glenlivet is famous for being the first officially-licensed distillery in Scotland, founded in 1824 by George Smith. It is the oldest legal distillery in the parish of Glenlivet. It draws water from Josie’s Well and other springs nearby and uses malt from Crisp Maltings, Portgordon. The distillery has lantern-shaped stills with long, narrow necks, which contribute to the light-tasting spirit.
Product portfolio:
- THE GLENLIVET CARIBBEAN RESERVE
- THE GLENLIVET FOUNDER’S RESERVE
- THE GLENLIVET ENIGMA
- THE GLENLIVET CORE FOUR
Some of the other Scotch whiskey brands that are equally important are as follows
- Bowmore
- Bunnahabhain
- Springbank
- Kilchoman
- Chivas Regal
Conclusion
Scotch whisky is a special kind of blend that needs to be prepared and aged in a specific manner. Its popularity has been on a rise for a long time because the products have done justice to the name and created some of the best alcoholic beverage that one will taste.
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