Comprehensive Guide: Whisky Brands You Need to Know!
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Table of Contents
- The Myth of Whisky Brand Rankings
The Myth of Whisky Brand Rankings
The world of whisky is vast, with every region, distillery, and whisky brand having its own distinct characteristics. Some people seek rankings of whisky brands, but taste is highly subjective. Whether it's Scotch single malts, blends, or even Irish, Taiwanese, and Japanese whiskies, each has its own allure.
This article starts in Scotland and moves to other regions and whisky brands, quickly introducing you to the flavors and terroir of different liquor.
Scotch Single Malt Whisky Brands
Scotland is often the first stop for many exploring whisky brands, especially single malts, considered the epitome of flavor. Here are a few Scotch whisky brands with a loyal following worldwide.
1.1 Ardbeg
Located on the Isle of Islay, Ardbeg is a favorite among peat lovers. Its smoky and peaty aroma hits you right away, maintaining complexity. In its whisky, you can taste a unique combination of minerals, seaweed, and rich smoke. If you want to challenge yourself with a heavy peated whisky, Ardbeg is a great starting point.
1.2 Balvenie
Located in Speyside, Scotland, Balvenie prides itself on traditional craftsmanship. The distillery still retains its own malt men, coopers, and coppersmiths. Its whiskies often have notes of honey, fruits, and a hint of herbs, with a smooth and refined palate, suitable for those who like a sweeter style.
1.3 Bowmore
Also from Islay, Bowmore's flavor is somewhat milder than Ardbeg's. Its peatiness carries a maritime quality, with a smoother body. Beyond the classic peaty smoke, you might detect notes of chocolate, citrus, or tropical fruits in Bowmore's whiskies.
1.4 GlenAllachie
GlenAllachie is a rising star in the Speyside region, especially after being taken over by Billy Walker. They excel in managing various types of casks, including sherry, bourbon, and even wine barrels, creating layered flavors of fruit, vanilla, and chocolate. This whisky brand has rapidly gained popularity in recent years and is worth a try.
1.5 GlenDronach
GlenDronach is known for its sherry cask maturation, often featuring rich notes of dark chocolate, dried fruits, and cinnamon spice. Its whiskies have a deep color and a robust body, with pronounced fruitiness and sweetness. If you love sherry flavors, this whisky brand is a must-try.
1.6 Glenfiddich
Glenfiddich is one of the world's best-selling single malt whiskies. Its common 12-year expression is already rich in fruity and honey notes, with a light, approachable body, yet it maintains a refined complexity. It is the whisky brand many people transition to from blended to single malts.
1.7 Glenlivet
Glenlivet is hailed as a classic representative of the Speyside region. Its whiskies are clean and smooth, with aromas of apples, pears, and honey. Overall, it offers a mild and elegant taste, making it very suitable for those new to single malts.
1.8 Glenrothes
Glenrothes is known for its sherry cask profile, often featuring sweet juicy fruit, vanilla, and subtle spices. The palate is usually soft, with a lingering nutty sweetness. This whisky brand's rounded bottle shape also attracts many collectors.
1.9 Highland Park
Located in the Orkney Islands, Highland Park has a unique terroir. It combines a light smoky peat with sweet honey notes. The body is balanced yet rich, with hints of honey, spices, and green apples.
1.10 Lagavulin
Lagavulin, from the Isle of Islay, is one of the heavy hitters in the peated whisky camp. Its whiskies are robust, with very pronounced peat and smoke, along with some maritime and salty notes. If you're looking for a powerful impact, Lagavulin will surely satisfy.
1.11 Laphroaig
Laphroaig is known for its intense smoke and medicinal qualities, often with a seaside saltiness. Its style is quite polarizing: those who love it, adore it, while others might find it challenging.
1.12 Macallan
Macallan is a favorite among many whisky collectors. Known for its sherry cask maturation, it features rich dried fruits, caramel, and oaky spices. The whiskies have a deep color and a full-bodied profile, often leaving a luxurious and rich impression. This whisky brand is also one of the most well-known single malts.
1.13 Singleton
Singleton takes an approachable route. Its whiskies are smooth, with prominent floral and nutty sweetness. It's very friendly for those new to single malts and those who prefer not to be overwhelmed by heavy peat or bold spices.
1.14 Springbank
Springbank has been around for nearly 200 years in Campbeltown. It maintains a hands-on approach, handling everything from malting to bottling in-house. Its whiskies often have a robust mouthfeel and a slight salinity, along with a mineral quality, making it quite distinctive.
1.15 Talisker
Talisker is from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Its whiskies contain sea salt and black pepper notes, with a slightly charred mouthfeel, making it quite distinct among single malts. The combination of smoke and spices is nearly irresistible for fans of island-style whiskies.
2. Scotch Blended Whiskey Brands
2.1 Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is the world's best-selling blended whisky, from Red Label to Blue Label, each with its own character. This whisky brand is known for its layered aromas, particularly praised in its Blue Label. The taste is rich, with a profound finish, considered a benchmark for blended whiskies.
3. Irish Whiskey Brands
3.1 Teeling
Located in Dublin, Teeling is an Irish whisky brand known for using various cask aging techniques, often resulting in sweet tropical fruit and vanilla flavors. Its uniqueness lies in its 'high experimentation', so each batch offers something new and exciting.
3.2 Waterford
Waterford adopts a 'terroir' concept, fermenting, distilling, and bottling barley from different farms separately. It aims to showcase the unique flavors brought by the soil and climate of Ireland. For those seeking to taste the character of the origin in their whisky, Waterford is fascinating.
4. Taiwanese Whiskey Brands
4.1 Kavalan
Kavalan is a Taiwanese whisky brand known for its rapid maturation due to Taiwan's warm climate, resulting in rich fruity aromas and a smooth taste. It has won multiple awards in international blind tastings, becoming a symbol of the rise of Asian whiskies. For Taiwanese drinkers, Kavalan is not just a bottle of whisky; it's a source of national pride.
5. Japanese Whiskey Brands
5.1 Suntory
Suntory is one of Japan's oldest whisky producers, with a deep history. It combines traditional brewing techniques with innovative ideas, releasing refined products like Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki.
Continue Exploring: Introduction and Range of Suntory Whiskies
- Hibiki: A Japanese blended classic, combining multiple whiskies to present smoothness and complexity.
Continue Exploring: Introduction and Range of Hibiki Whiskies
- Hakushu: Produced in a distillery surrounded by forest, it features light herbal and gentle peaty notes.
Continue Exploring: Introduction and Range of Hakushu Whiskies
- Yamazaki: The pioneer of Japanese single malts, known for its perfect balance of fruitiness, spices, and oaky notes.
Continue Exploring: Introduction and Range of Yamazaki Whiskies
5.2 Nikka
Founded by Masataka Taketsuru, known as the 'father of Japanese whisky', Nikka blends Scottish distilling techniques with Japanese craftsmanship. Its core offerings include Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and the Taketsuru series, ranging from peaty smokiness to floral fruitiness, showcasing a diversity of flavors.
Continue Exploring: Introduction and Range of Nikka Whiskies
- Yoichi: The climate of Hokkaido gives it a rich peaty smoke and a solid body.
Continue Exploring: Introduction and Range of Yoichi Whiskies
- Miyagikyo: Its mountain water source imparts an elegant fruitiness, with a sweet finish.
Continue Exploring: Introduction and Range of Miyagikyo Whiskies
- Taketsuru: Nikka's blended series, combining the characteristics of Yoichi and Miyagikyo to offer a fusion of flavors.
Continue Exploring: Introduction and Range of Taketsuru Whiskies
No Absolute Whisky Brand Ranking
Different brands have their loyal fans. Some love the strong Islay peats, others the sweet juiciness of fruits. If asked which whisky brand is the best, the most practical answer is 'it depends on your taste'.
While brands like Macallan and Johnnie Walker have huge market presence, it doesn't necessarily mean they outperform others. Beginners might start with more approachable brands, or choose based on their preference for peat, sherry, or bourbon cask styles, experimenting with a few to find their true favorite.
Summary
In summary, 'whisky brand rankings' should only be taken as a reference. The best way to make a ranking that suits your taste is to try them yourself. From Scotland to Ireland, Taiwan, or Japan, each whisky has its own charming points worth savoring and exploring.