# The best single malt Scotch whiskies

Single malts that whisky pros, competitions (World Whiskies Awards, International Whisky Competition) and specialist shops keep naming as the best you can actually buy. Standard core bottlings, no unicorn auctions.

- 28 votes · 22 items
- Jul 7, 2026 · knitter.slow
- https://even.best/en/l/87/the-best-single-malt-scotch-whiskies

## Top 20

1. **Lagavulin 16** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Islay classic of peat smoke, sherry sweetness and sea salt; on almost every pro's all-time list.
2. **Talisker 10** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — The Isle of Skye's peppery, maritime malt.
3. **Glenmorangie The Original 10** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Highland malt from the tallest stills in Scotland, citrus and vanilla.
4. **Laphroaig 10** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Medicinal, iodine-heavy Islay peat: you love it or you hate it.
5. **Springbank 10** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Campbeltown malt made entirely on site, from floor maltings to bottling; cult following.
6. **The Glenlivet 12** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Speyside reference: light, floral and fruity.
7. **Aberlour A'bunadh** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Cask-strength Speyside matured in Oloroso butts, released in numbered batches.
8. **The Macallan 12 Sherry Oak** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Speyside single malt matured only in sherry-seasoned oak; rich, dried fruit and spice.
9. **Ardbeg 10** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Intensely peaty Islay malt, non-chill filtered at 46%; Best 10 Year Old at the 2025 International Whisky Competition.
10. **Glenfiddich 12** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — The world's best-selling single malt, pear-fresh and easygoing.
11. **The GlenDronach 18 Allardice** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Heavily sherried Highland malt prized by sherry-bomb fans.
12. **The GlenAllachie 12** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Billy Walker's sherried Speyside, Best Speyside at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.
13. **Bowmore 12** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Islay's oldest distillery (1779), with gentler peat and tropical fruit.
14. **Kilchoman Machir Bay** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Young Islay farm distillery malt, peaty and citrusy.
15. **Glenfarclas 105** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Family-owned Speyside at cask strength (60%), sherry rich.
16. **Highland Park 18** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Orkney malt balancing heather honey and soft peat, a perennial award winner.
17. **The Balvenie DoubleWood 12** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Matured in bourbon casks then sherry casks; honey and vanilla.
18. **Oban 14** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — West Highland malt between Highlands and islands, with a whisper of smoke.
19. **Caol Ila 12** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Islay's elegant, oily peat, the backbone of many blends.
20. **Craigellachie 17** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Meaty, sulphury Speyside malt, Best 16–17 Year Old at the 2025 IWC.
21. **Ardbeg Uigeadail** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Cask strength Islay single malt matured in bourbon and sherry casks, named after Ardbeg's water source.
22. **Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie** (-2 · ▲0 ▼2) — Unpeated Islay malt from barley grown in Scotland.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.