5 Best single malt Scotch whisky brands

Single malt Scotch whisky is probably the most complex, subtle and flavorsome drink on the planet. The single malts are usually made from malted barley, distilled using a traditional pot still, and aged in oak casks for at least three years.

Single malt whisky is most commonly associated with Scotland, but there are also some produced in Ireland and other places. Whisky distillation has been going on in Scotland and Ireland for centuries with records in Ireland mentioning it as far back as 1405. For hundreds of years, beginning in the 15^th Century, Scottish whisky was heavily taxed, resulting in most of the production of single malts becoming illicit. However, an act of parliament was introduced in 1823 which allowed licensed distillers in Scotland to become profitable and brought the production of scotch single malt whisky back out into the open.

Nowadays there are many distilleries exporting single malt Scotch whisky all over the world. Here is my list of what I believe to be the 5 Best single malt Scotch whisky brands. You will notice that generally speaking, the longer that a whisky has been aged, the better it is considered to be and the more you are expected to pay for it.

The name, ‘Laphroaig’ comes from Loch Laphroaig, which is on the southern coast of the Isle of Islay. The Laphroaig distillery has been in operation since 1815. The Prince of Wales gave the distillery a Royal Warrant in 1994 and it is believed to be his favourite single malt Scotch whisky. Laphroaig is one of the most strongly flavored and distinctive Scotch whiskies.

The Ardbeg distillery produces probably the peatiest Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Their whisky has won multiple international awards including titles from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible and medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Ardbeg distillery sources its water from Loch Uigeadail and its malted barley from Port Ellen.

Highland Park was founded in 1798 and is the most northerly Scottish distillery, operating from Kirkwall in Orkney. Unlike most distilleries, Highland Park actually malts its own barley. In 2007 and 2009, this distinguished brand was awarded gold medals for its 25 year single malt Scotch whisky by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 1984, whisky expert, Michael Jackson described Highland Park as "The greatest all-rounder in the world of malt whisky."

Springbank is a family-owned, independent distillery which produces three varieties of Campbeltown single malt, out of which, Springbank is the most famous brand. It performs every step in the production of its whisky, from malting the barley right through to bottling. Springbank single malt is normally distilled two and a half times, which is unusual for a Scotch whisky, but a process which provides it with an unmistakable taste.

Bowmore is another Islay distillery, founded in 1779. During World War II it stopped producing whisky and instead hosted RAF Coastal Command, who flew anti-submarine missions from Loch Indaal. Another fascinating fact concerning Bowmore is that surplus heat from the distillery is used to warm a local public swimming pool nearby. In 2007 an 1850 Bowmore single malt was sold at auction for £29,400.