Five Of The Best Single Malt Whiskies
Single malt whiskies come in all shapes and sizes, and deciding what to add to your collection can be tricky. In my latest lifestyle article, I suggest five top choices available, perfect for revitalising your drinks cabinet. Continue reading to find out more.
There are undoubtedly a lot of options available on the market today, so my round-up showcases some of the best single malts available, which have gained high praise from both whiskey lovers and reviewers alike.
Hellyers Road Vintage Triple Cask
First up in this feature is the beautiful Australian single malt, which has been maturing for many years to produce its wonderful flavour. This whisky has been employed in different barrels throughout the years to create its unique, rich, and fruity taste. The different barrel types used include Sherry, Port, American Oak, and even Tawny Finish, allowing their individual flavours to be absorbed, finalising in an amazing concoction of different tastes.
The single malt offers an unmistakable mix of sweet beeswax, toffee, and fudge, which complements its fruitiness. Even so, the flavour is sweet, not sickly, and is a delight to the senses. If you want the perfect meal accompaniment, select pork chops and a mushroom sauce with steamed broccoli or Brie.
Character
- Nose – Marmalade, orange blossom, beeswax, sultana, and nougat
- Palate – Toffee, gingerbread, stewed stone fruits, and berries
- Finish – Rich and fruity with notes of umami and white fudge
What You Need To Know
- Polished copper
- Rich and fruity finish with notes of umami
- 48.2% ABV
- Australia
The Lakes Whisky Maker’s Editions: Voyage
Moving on to the Voyage from the Lakes Whisky Maker’s Editions, which offers a deep amber single malt with a wide range of striking flavours, including honey-roasted nuts, dark chocolate, and spiced fruit (one for the sweet tooth amongst us!). If you are a fan of freshly baked shortbread, consider offering it together with this whisky when you are entertaining guests or even indulging solo.
Sherry barrels, Calvados, American oak and red wine casks have been used to create wonderful, rich flavours (the brand hasn’t disclosed how long it has matured, but one can assume it has been years in the making).
Character
- Nose – spiced baked apple, Medjool date, beeswax, and freshly cut orange
- Palate – ripe red grape, plum, fig, and honey-roasted nuts
- Finish – apple and blackberry pie and spiced dark chocolate
What You Need To Know
- Deep amber
- Fruity finish with spiced dark chocolate
- 49% ABV
- United Kingdom
Aberlour 14-Year-Old Double Cask
For the third choice in this list, we have the superior sweet single malt from Aberlour, which has been maturing for 14 years in Spanish Sherry and American oak casks. Its fruity and sweet taste owes itself to this combination of time and barrel type. Consider a creamy butter chicken curry as a meal choice, or treat yourself after dinner with this drink as a special treat.
The flavourings include rich butterscotch, layers of blackcurrant, and cherry, making for a truly zingy delight for your tastebuds.
Character
- Nose – ripe cherries, cirrus, marzipan, blackcurrants, butterscotch, and spiced Spanish oak
- Palate – creamy caramel, subtle spice, blackberry jam, and fresh butterscotch
- Finish – long and sweet with vanilla, custard tart, and sherried oak
What You Need To Know
- 14 years
- Deep amber
- Long and sweet finish
- 40% ABV
- United Kingdom
Lark 30th Anniversary Edition
Next on the list is Lark’s 30th Anniversary Edition of their beloved single malt, which includes a fusing of earthy flavours, spice, sweet citrus and dark chocolate – no doubt, a vast array of different ingredients that just so happens to bring everything together for something blissfully scrumptious.
Lark ensures the single malt uses various casks, including port, bourbon, sherry, and rum and concluded in Muscat casks across several years to create its unique spiced and rich flavour. This drink is ideal for after an evening meal, enjoying the beautiful sunset during the summer months.
Character
- Nose – orange blossom, butterscotch, dried muscatel grapes, sweet peat smoke, and roasted almonds
- Palate – sticky toffee with orange oil, fruity plum pudding, peanut brittle, and dried heather
- Finish – espresso, dark chocolate, highland peat, and oak spice
What You Need To Know
- Polished bronze
- Chocolate, coffee, and oak spice finish
- 52.5% ABV
- Australia
Fuji Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Finally, there is the amazingly crisp-tasting single-malt Japanese whisky with its multilayered and silky texture. If you are hosting a garden party or event, this would be an excellent choice for the evening. Food-wise, opt for a braised duck, creamy mash and paired with caramelised apple. They have used different barrels, including French oak red wine, beer cakes, American white oak, refill barrels, and ex-bourbon, to develop their incredible and unique taste.
This conception has created an exceptional flavour of sweets and spices.
Character
- Nose – apple, tropical fruit, citrus peel, chocolate wafer and creme brulee
- Palate – white peach, fresh nectarine Danish, thick honey over oat porridge with a light spice
- Finish – multilayered rich aftertaste of cookie dough, morello cherries in syrup, and sticky nougat
What You Need To Know
- Gold
- Multi-layered with cookie dough, nougat and morello cherries in syrup
- 46%
- Japan
Final Thoughts
After browsing through this list of top single malt whiskies, you can select something new for your drinks collection and showcase your knowledge to like-minded connoisseurs. Whether you want spiced, sweet, or even fruity single malts, this guide will provide a great choice. Which one of the five will you be adding to your selection? Let me know in the comments section below at the bottom of the page.
