Scotch has something for pretty much everyone, and the best part is that you don’t need a hefty budget to explore all of your options. Do you crave the smooth sweetness of a Speyside malt like the Balvenie DoubleWood or Aberlour 12, or are you more curious about the smokiness of Islay with something like a Highland Park Viking Honour? Whichever you prefer, there’s a fantastic dram waiting for you to find it–all under $100!
In this article, we’re going to take you through all you need to know about scotch, how to pick the right one for you, where you can get it and how much it typically costs, five of the best scotch under $100, and lots more! If you’re ready to find a new favorite, keep reading.
What You Need to Know About Scotch
Before buying any kind of scotch, figure out what your taste is–peaty or smoky? Light and fruity? Then, you’ll want to look into single malts (from one distillery) or blends, and how age changes the flavor (older tends to be smoother and pricier). Also, don’t be discouraged by the price. There are plenty of excellent options at entry level prices for you to try.
Scotch: An Overview
Scotch whisky is steeped in tradition. Hailing from Scotland, scotch must be distilled, aged, and bottled within Scotland’s borders, by law. The process of making it takes three main ingredients: malted barley, water, and yeast. Malted barley, which you get through the germination of barley grains, helps create starches that convert to sugars during fermentation. The resulting liquid is then distilled in copper pot stills whereby the alcohol is concentrated and the flavor refined.
Like other similar spirits, scotch has an absolutely remarkable range of flavors to it. If it’s exposed to peat smoke during the malting process, some varieties of it get infused with a distinct, smoky flavor, while others remain malty and sweet with hints of honey, vanilla, or fruit.
The type of oak cask used for maturation changes the flavor too. Sherry casks, for example, will impart notes of raisin and spice, whereas ex-bourbon casks are better for hints of vanilla and caramel.
Visually, scotch can be anywhere from pale gold to a deep amber hue, depending on the length of cask maturation. Younger varieties tend to be lighter in color, with older expressions being richer and darker toned. The clarity of the spirit also matters–a clean, unclouded appearance shows quality production from a mile away.
Scotch has always been loved in the world of spirits, for its rich history, the way it’s made, and all of its flavor profiles, which combine to earn it a reputation as a sophisticated and timeless beverage. You can enjoy it neat, with a splash of water, or in a well-made cocktail, and you can always be certain you’ll have an amazing experience.
How to Choose the Best Scotch?
The world of scotch can be quite the adventure, but with so many options on the shelf, choosing the right bottle might seem a bit daunting. This section will focus on helping you choose the right one for you by explaining all the different characteristics.
First and foremost, figure out what flavor you prefer. Do you enjoy bold, smoky notes that come with Islay scotches, or are you more of a lighter, fruitier profile enjoyer from a Speyside expression? Perhaps the honeyed sweetness of a Highland malt or the rich, sherry-influenced notes of a Lowland variety are your taste. Familiarize yourself with the regional specialties of Scotland, and you’ll have a great starting point to pick your scotch.
Next, consider the age of the scotch. While not an absolute guarantee of quality, age generally correlates with a smoother and more sophisticated flavor profile. Younger Scotch whiskies (often 3-5 years old) will be the more vibrant and lively ones, while older expressions (12 years or more) will have developed richer characteristics by having matured in a cask longer.
While price isn’t everything, it does naturally play a role in how good the scotch is. Blended Scotch whiskies, which are combinations of a bunch of whiskies from different distilleries, are a fantastic way to explore all the scotch flavors without breaking the bank. Single malts, however, will cost a pretty penny as they originate from a single distillery, but they certainly deliver with an amazing experience too.
When looking at the age, pay close attention to the cask type as well. The type of cask used for maturation changes the final flavor profile by a big margin. Ex-bourbon casks, which add vanilla and caramel notes, will create a different tasting scotch from sherry casks that lean more towards dried fruit and spice.
On the same note, look at the filtration methods used during production. Un-chillfiltered Scotch whiskies, though sometimes looking a bit cloudy, will keep more of the whisky’s natural oils and flavors. Keep each of these factors in mind when choosing your scotch, and you’ll make sure you get one that tastes just the way you want it to.
What Does Scotch Cost?
Prices for spirits tend to range pretty widely. Generally, you can find good quality Scotch whiskies for around $25-$150, which would include both blended options and single malts too. Keep in mind that a lot of specialty scotches can cost quite a lot more, depending on how aged and rare they are.
Where Can You Buy Scotch?
It may be made only in Scotland, but getting a bottle of scotch is a breeze no matter where you are. Liquor stores are your one-stop shop for the most part, and they’ll usually have a good selection for you to choose from. Many grocery stores also stock a decent selection of popular brands.
If you’re looking for a more curated experience though, specialty wine and spirits shops are your best bet. Another reason we like these stores is they have staff who can guide you towards a scotch that really goes with your preferences even if you’re not too familiar with the spirit.
High-end bars and restaurants will have all the scotch collections you could ever want. If you’re looking for online purchasing options, we sell scotch at Speakeasy Co too.
The Best Scotches
In this section, we’re going to discuss the five best Scotch whiskies out there under $100 and what makes them particularly good. If you’re just looking for options to get started with scotch, you can’t go wrong with any of the following:
Arbikie 1794 Highland Rye Whisky
MSRP: $80-$147
Proof: 96 (48% ABV)
Tasting Notes: Spicy and slightly grassy base, notes of honey, vanilla, pear, ginger, and citrus
Our Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
For a truly amazing scotch under $100 (your mileage may vary), the Arbikie 1794 Highland Rye is one of the best options. It’s a single grain scotch, made with rye grain instead of barley, making a spicy and slightly grassy base. This is then balanced with honey, vanilla, and citrus notes for a rather complex and intriguing flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more.
Single grains are a bit less common than other types, but Arbikie’s approach has absolutely done justice to it with their Highland Rye. If you’re a more experienced scotch drinker, this is one that you need to try.
Pros
- Uses rye grain
- Distinct, spicy notes
- Good value
Cons
- Can be hard to find
Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky
MSRP: $25-$35
Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
Tasting Notes: Honey, citrus, spice
Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Sometimes, you just want a reliable and crowd-pleasing scotch. Famous Grouse gets you that. It’s a well-established blend known especially for its smooth and easy-drinking experience. in this blend, you get a classic with notes of honey, citrus, and spice.
The affordable price tag certainly helps too, with this being the cheapest option on our list. If you have any casual gatherings coming up or just need something to enjoy everyday, this can be a frequent go-to.
Pros
- Smooth & easy to drink
- Affordable
Cons
- Not as complex as single malts
- Lacks a bit of character
Aberlour 12 Year Double Cask Matured (Speyside Single Malt)
MSRP: $35-$45
Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
Tasting Notes: Spice, honey, toffee, with a touch of fruit and chocolate
Our Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Another Speyside gem, Aberlour 12 is fantastic value for the price. Its double cask aging, similar to the Balvenie, combines Bourbon and sherry casks for a spectacular impression. The result is a richer and slightly more complex flavor profile compared to the Balvenie, with notes of spice, honey, and toffee. With an entry level price to go with it, this is a particularly great choice for anyone that’s looking to get into Speyside malts at a lower budget.
Pros
- Well-rounded flavor
- Good value
- Hints of spice & fruit.
Cons
- Lower ABV (80 proof)
Highland Park 12 Year Viking Honour (Island Single Malt)
MSRP: $50-$60
Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
Tasting Notes: Heathery, smoke, honey, orange, spice
Our Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
If you’re curious about Islay scotch, especially the ones known for their smokiness, but are a bit hesitant to jump straight into the deep end, then this expression from Highland Park is a fantastic way to get started.
This Island single malt has a unique balance going on. It has a touch of heathery smoke, but it’s complemented by notes of honey, orange, and spice. This creates a lighter smoky experience that can be perfect for new scotch drinkers that are only just exploring the Islay expressions.
Pros
- Smoky & sweet balance
- Good intro to Islay scotch
Cons
- More expensive than some Speyside options
- Light smokiness is not for everyone
Drinking the Finest From Scotland
Getting into scotch shouldn’t require a hefty price tag, and fortunately for us all, it doesn’t. In this article, we looked at five of the most exceptional Scotch whiskies that you can get for under $100. We also looked at what exactly you should be considering when choosing a scotch, from flavor profiles and age statements to the effect that casks and filtration methods can have.
In the options we chose, we also went through all the Scottish regions and how they differ, like Speyside’s smooth Balvenie DoubleWood and Aberlour 12 Year scotches. Then there were the Islands that brought us the Highland Park Viking Honour, a smoky yet somehow still approachable dram.
Perhaps you’re leaning more towards the Arbikie Highland Rye, which shows you just how much potential scotch has while still being reasonable with its price.
Finally, we can’t forget about the Famous Grouse, an ever-dependable blended scotch that you can enjoy whenever, wherever. Having gone through this guide, we hope you’re now ready with everything you need to pick out your next (or very first) scotch, whether it’s from our list or something adventurous that’s caught your eye.
