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Spirits

The Best Single Malt Scotch Under $50

December 06, 2023

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Punch

Spirits

The Best Single Malt Scotch Under $50

December 06, 2023

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Punch

A crash course in affordable single malt Scotch for sipping, and the five bottles that topped our recent blind tasting.

“Single malt.” The words evoke such reverence among most whisky drinkers. Class, refinement, sophistication, wealth. But what about great single malt Scotch on a budget? 

Perhaps we should first examine what a single malt is. Simply put: It’s whisky that has been pot-distilled at a single distillery using 100 percent malted barley. Such simple regulations and ingredients, however, can still lead to extremely wide-ranging aromas and flavors. When looking at Scottish single malt, specifically, the spirit’s character can be determined by everything from location to aging, the use of peat (or not) to the types of barrel finishes and so forth.

Unlike some other spirits, single malt Scotch is not bound by exact rules for the barrels it must be aged in. Many distillers use ex-bourbon barrels, which are the most widely available barrels in the world as bourbon itself is only allowed to fill them one time. Sherry-seasoned barrels are also popular for aging, and often used as a finishing vessel. Time in the barrel is critical: Single malt Scotch must be aged at least three years, though most make it at least a decade before hitting shelves. (With a $50 cap, the oldest Scotch in our tasting was aged 12 years.)

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there are five primary Scottish whisky regions, each with its own typical profile (though whiskies from the small area of Campbeltown, known for bold, rich expressions, have crept above the price cap of this particular tasting), whether that’s the mellow, more floral offerings of the Lowlands or the robust, often peaty examples from the island of Islay. All of these areas have their standouts, though, so it often comes down to personal preference.

That’s part of why we organized this tasting: to offer a diverse handful of affordable Scotches to find out what profile you gravitate toward, without breaking the bank. The last time we blind-tasted single malt Scotch at this price point was more than five years ago, and many of our previous selections—including those from Springbank, The Glenrothes and Ardbeg—are no longer available under $50, so we figured it was high time to reexamine the landscape. 

Below are our top five picks, which, taken together, offer a snapshot of the best affordable Scottish single malts to try right now.

Editor’s note: Because prices vary by market, certain bottles listed below may retail for slightly above $50.

Our Top Five

Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch

Produced just outside the city of Glasgow, this Lowland whisky captures the key characteristics of the region to a T: It’s light and subtly fruity, with a spicy finish and Auchentoshan’s typical grassiness. As the name suggests, this bottling is aged entirely in first-fill American oak casks, which lends a pleasant vanilla flavor for easy drinking.

  • Price: $39
  • ABV: 40%

The Balvenie Double Wood 12 Single Malt Scotch

Though the price for this Speyside whisky has been steadily creeping up over the years and it’s now tough to find below the $50 mark, this expression is worth the splurge. Finished in sherry casks after maturing in oak, the aptly named Balvenie Double Wood single malt was one of the most layered and complex expressions we sampled. Despite the higher proof, the whisky is round and integrated with pronounced sandalwood and fruit notes. Despite the higher price tag, this bottling still feels like great bang for your buck.

  • Price: $57
  • ABV: 43%

Bowmore 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

The youngest age-statement whisky in Bowmore’s lineup, this 12-year-old single malt, with its “medium-peated” profile, is an ideal introduction to Islay’s distinctive flavor characteristics. Of the handful of Islay offerings sampled in this tasting, this bottling fell somewhere in the middle in terms of its smokiness—still representative of the peated character the island is known for, without feeling one-note. In fact, tasters picked up on honey and citrus on the nose and palate alongside a pleasant minerality, bordering on briny, with a long finish that left you wanting another sip.

  • Price: $48
  • ABV: 40%

Glenfiddich Our Original 12 Single Malt Scotch

This particular bottling was among the first to be released as a single malt in the early 1970s when blended Scotch was the order of the day, and is often credited with sparking a malt whisky revival. Today, Glenfiddich still makes the best-selling single malts on the planet. And for good reason. The 12-year-old expression, which is matured in oak and finished in sherry casks, boasts an easy-drinking, approachable profile characterized by fresh fruit, subtle salinity and a mellow finish at a great value.

  • Price: $50
  • ABV: 40%

Tomatin 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

This Highland whisky comes from an often overlooked distillery that has been producing Scotch for more than a century. This 12-year-old bottling displays a pronounced malt character, with bready and yeasty notes alongside a pleasant honey sweetness. Finished in sherry casks, this whisky has a rich, round body and a profile that one taster likened to Drambuie, thanks to its spiced honey flavor.

  • Price: $50
  • ABV: 43%

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