Everything to know about whisky, and the nine best bottles to buy
From Islay single malts to elegant Japanese drams and Australian tipples, too.
By Dani Maher
WHISKY MIGHT JUST be one of the most intimidating drinks on the market. For a long time, it’s been something of a boys club: A drink only to enjoyed by purists. But its sweet, oaky, and smoky flavours are deeply complex and suitable to be enjoyed by all, whether on the rocks, neat, or yes, even with a mixer.
Below, we break down all the main whisky facts you need to know, as well as the best bottles to buy — from single malt Islay scotches to Japanese and Australian drops, too.
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What are the different types of whisky (or whiskey)?
Firstly, let’s set the record straight: Yes, there are two different spellings of whisky out there: One with, and one without, an ‘e’ before the ‘y’. The only difference between these is the location in which they’re distilled: Whiskeys are from Ireland and the United States; and from everywhere else (including Scotland, Japan, and Australia) calls it whisky.
According to whisky sommelier Joel Hauer of Liquor Loot, there are five basic types of whisky: Single malt, blended malt, blended whisky, single cask and barrel proof. Here’s what you need to know about each of them.
Single malt whisky comes from one singular distillery, and is crafted from malted barley. The benefit of this, according to Hauer, is that its believed to yield more distinct regional flavours: “The limitations on movement make the drink very regional. Every distillery will have a distinct taste, and keeping things single malt makes those regional flavours come out strong.”
Blended malt whisky, as the name implies, means that several single malts from separate distilleries have been mixed together, which can yield fascinating and complex results.
Blended whisky can be quite the “wild card”, says Hauer. “Almost any whiskies can be mixed together during the creation of a blended whiskies,” meaning that it’s not just malted barley, it can be any grain from wheat to corn and rye.
Single barrel whiskies are bottled from a specific distillery cask, rather than being matured in a mix of them, which “helps preserve the casks unique flavour, as taste can differ even within the same distillery”.
And barrel proof (or cask strength) whiskies are those that haven’t been diluted after their ageing process, rather bottled directly from the cask. This means that as opposed to your average whisky which is about 35 to 40 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV), barrel proofs are much higher at 60 to 65 per cent ABV.
Best whisky to buy in 2023
1
GLENMORANGIE X Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml
1
BEST WHISKY FOR COCKTAILS
GLENMORANGIE X Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml
$78
Not everybody is a whisky purist, and contrary to popular belief, that’s not a sin. Glenmorangie X is made with mixing in mind: Its subtle biscuity, apple and vanilla malt aromas is sweeter and richer than most, so its distinct flavour will carry through even when diluted with your other favourites. (And of course, it’s still a delight on its own, too.)
2
LAGAVULIN 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700mL
2
BEST ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
LAGAVULIN 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700mL
$206
Popularised by its role as the drink of choice for the stern yet discerning Ron Swanson in Parks & Recreation, Lagavulin’s 16 Year Old has garnered quite the cult following. With the intense, full-bodied flavour reminiscent of a driftwood fire at dusk, its taste of dry peat smoke with maritime notes perfectly encapsulates its homeland — the acclaimed island of Islay in Scotland, which is said to produce the world’s best drams.
3
GLENFIDDICH 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml
3
MOST AWARDED SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
GLENFIDDICH 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml
$74
Having earned the title of the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, it’s safe to say that a bottle of Glenfiddich 12 Year Old will go down a treat. Carefully matured in fine American oak and European oak sherry casks for at least 12 years, it has sweet and subtle oak flavours with a long, smooth and mellow finish.
4
THE BALVENIE 12 Year Old DoubleWood Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml
4
SWEET AND SPICY SCOTCH WHISKY
THE BALVENIE 12 Year Old DoubleWood Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml
$130
Originally launched in 1993, The Balvenie 12 quickly became an icon for its well-balanced taste. It spends precisely 11 years and three months in refill American oak bourbon casks, before being trasnferred to first fill European oak sherry casks for the remainder of its days. The result is a whisky flavoured with the subtle spiciness of bourbon, hints of vanilla and char, along with a fine sherry’s honey sweetness.
5
YAMAZAKI 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky 700mL
5
BEST JAPANESE WHISKY
YAMAZAKI 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky 700mL
$461
For the truest of whisky fans, this bottle from “the pioneers of Japanese whisky” is a treat. Yamazaki was established in 1923 on the outskirts of Kyoto in a unique and misty region of water and mountains, where the ideal conditions are ideal of ageing whisky. Their 12 Year Old has a characteristically refined Japanese taste, with an aroma of ripened fruit and a sweet vanilla fragrance borne of ageing in white oak casks. Hidden flavours from the whiskies aged in sherry and mizunara casks produce layers of flavour to be savoured.
6
JOHNNIE WALKER Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky 700ml
6
BEST BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY
JOHNNIE WALKER Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky 700ml
$249
The story of Johnny Walker Blue goes like this: In 1820, farmer’s son John Walker opened a grocery store south of Glasgow, where he successfully blended and sold local whiskies. In 1867, his son established Johnnie Walker; and his sons launched the iconic coloured labelled whiskies in 1909. Blue Label is 40 per cent ABV, blending the finest and rarest Scottish whiskies for a special result that starts sweet and finishes smoky.
7
THE GLENLIVET 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml
7
BEST SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
THE GLENLIVET 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml
$87
One of the world’s most loved Speyside single malts — those distilled in Strathspey, Scotland — Glenlivet 12 is equally perfect for newcomers and whisky enthusiasts. Smooth and well-balanced, it’s complex without being harsh, and fragrant and fruity like a Christmas cake. Pineapple and citrus fruits mingle with almonds and apple on the tongue, for a delightful experience you’ll keep returning to.
8
ARCHIE ROSE Single Malt Whisky 700ml
8
BEST AUSTRALIAN WHISKY
ARCHIE ROSE Single Malt Whisky 700ml
$115 (RRP$122)
Hailing from Rosebery in Sydney, Archie Rose is Australia’s most highly awarded distillery — and for good reason. Among their best drops is their Single Malt Whisky, which is crafted to highlight six malts with unique profiles, producing a rich and expressive flavour full of distinct regional character. Matured in Australian Apera, Ex-Bourbon, and Ex-Rye casks, each of which has a natural sweetness to complement the spirit’s savoury flavour, the whisky has a luscious palate of sticky date pudding, amaretto, and espresso.
9
TALISKER 10 Year Old Peated Scotch Whisky 700ml
9
BEST PEATED SCOTCH WHISKY
TALISKER 10 Year Old Peated Scotch Whisky 700ml
$90 (RRP $98)
Single malt Scotch distillery Talisker is based in the remote landscapes by the sea on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Produced using 100 per cent malted barley and maturing in American Oak casks, Talisker 10 is best served neat. It has a smooth and peaty palate with a rich and delicate body.
10
LARK DISTILLERY Classic Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky 500ml
10
BEST TASMANIAN WHISKY
LARK DISTILLERY Classic Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky 500ml
$206
Tasmania’s whisky industry is on the rise, and foremost among its producers is Lark Distillery. Their flagship Single Malt Classic Cask is double distilled in locally-produced copper pot stills, and aged in small 100 litre casks, leading to a balanced flavour with sweet spicy notes and light citrus touches. And if you’re looking for an even more unique tipple, their annual limited edition DARK LARK is lifted, bright and floral, with tropical fruits.
Is whisky a good gift?
Whether they’re a connoisseur or simply a casual enjoyer of a dram here and there, whisky makes for a great gift for any occasion. There’s a plethora of options on the market from all around the world, offering a world of flavours and profiles to enjoy, so it’s never a boring gift to give. There’s also a wide range of price points, from more affordable bottles to the really special ones that have been carefully aged for years and years on end.
How is scotch different from whisky?
In the same way that champagne cannot be labelled as such unless it is from the Champagne region of France; a whisky cannot be called scotch unless it is entirely produced and bottled in Scotland.
While scotch was originally only made from malted barley, commercial distilleries branched out to wheat and rye whiskies in the latter part of the 18th century too — creating even more offerings. Scotch is known for its distinctive smoky flavour, and is often made with grains that are malted and heated over a peat fire.
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How should you drink whisky?
A whisky purist will tell you that the only way to drink it is neat — that means straight into a glass without ice. But that’s just the simplest way to enjoy it, and there are far more options. Some people like to add just a few drops of water, which can help to open up the flavour; while others like to dilute it on the rocks (with ice, that is).
You can also ease your way into the world of whisky with whisky-based cocktails, too. Mix your favourite dram with soda, ginger ale or ginger beer, coca-cola — the opportunities are endless.
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