From the misty highlands to the rugged islands, from the peated bounty of Islay to the verdant valleys of Speyside, Scotch whisky is as varied as the landscapes surrounding its beautiful distilleries. The Scotch Whisky regions have long histories and flavour styles developed from, and woven into Scottish landscapes, traditions, and terroir. These flavours have developed and grown with the innovation and craftsmanship of the Scottish people residing and working in those regions. The following six suggested drams will take you on a sensorial journey around Scotland to see the whiskies that boldly defy the norms and shake up the status quo in the five official - and one unofficial - regions of Scotch.
Bladnoch Taking Lowlands Whiskies on a Rise to Luxury
The Region:
Lowland whiskies are renowned for their approachability and make for excellent introductory drams, appealing to both novice and seasoned whisky enthusiasts for different reasons.
The Rogue:
Bladnoch has changed hands several times over its 207 year history, but the most recent ownership has brought about exciting changes and a lot of noise to the distillery occasionally called the “Queen of the Lowlands.” After a 2015 private purchase, the distillery’s 2017 relaunch set them apart from other Lowland whiskies. Bladnoch’s “taste-first” whisky making philosophy - now guided by ex-Macallan Master Distiller Dr. Nick Savage - rises out of a non- restrictive house style. They have developed several expressions varying broadly in flavour profile and even more broadly in price. They definitely still maintain the signature Lowland approachability in flavour and affordability for their core range. And also, this brand is investing in quality and releasing luxury lines to show it. The suggested bottle below is reasonably priced for any whisky lover, while some of their expressions have, in lieu of a price tag, a link to register your interest for very limited luxury releases.
The Different Dram:
Bladnoch Vinaya - this spirit starts with aromas that take you to an open meadow around a distillery. You’ll definitely get the Lowland style of grassiness and floral scents. After sipping, you’ll feel the pepper zingyness and start to taste the tree fruits like a warm and cozy apple pie. The finish is a light vanilla that may just give you those 46.7% vapours and have you slumping down on a chaise lounge.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.7%
Find here: £49.50
Fettercairn (re)Defining Highland Whisky in a “Cool” Way
The Region:
Highland whiskies are known for their diversity, offering a broad spectrum of techniques, flavours, and expressions.
The Rogue:
The uniqueness of Fettercairn - outside of the unicorn-festooned bottle - emerges from its distinct production process. Experimentation and innovation in the mid-1950s led to the development of an entirely unique cooling ring distillation system - a process that pours water down the vertical column of the copper still. The cascading water causes rapid cooling of the vapours inside. The cooling leads to extended copper contact and more reflux during distillation, resulting in a more refined spirit. Extra copper contact also helps to eliminate sulphur compounds which bring unwanted flavour and aromas to the finished product. Additionally, Fettercairn whiskies often undergo a variety of cask finishes, adding layers of depth and character to the final product. The higher age statements of Fettercairn are rich and bold with their Scottish oak finishes and candied tropical fruit flavours.
The Different Dram:
Fettercairn 12 - on the nose, you get vanilla and honey sending most of us into dessert-brain territory. Upon sipping, you take an unexpected, but not unwelcome left turn into caramelised pineapple with a bit of ginger. The finish gets oaky and coffee-esque, making you wish someone would barrel-age your morning pick-me-up.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £43.50 (usually more!)
Bruichladdich Boosting Barley and Pulling Peat from Islay Whiskies
The Region:
Islay whiskies are famed for their intense and divisive taste. The maritime influence and use of the abundant peat bogs on the island can impart distinct flavours of smoke, brine, seaweed, and iodine.
The Rogue:
Bruichladdich is uncommon on Islay producing a range of unpeated or lightly peated expressions - very different from many of its full-force island-mates. The distillery focuses on terroir-driven spirit, showcasing the influence of local barley, water, and climate on their whiskies - even specifying the field of origin on some bottlings. They embrace traditional methods alongside modern techniques, They use traditional Victorian-era equipment, including wooden washbacks and a cast-iron mash tun, which contributes to the character and flavour of their whiskies. Bruichladdich is also renowned for its wide range of cask finishes and experiments with ageing, resulting in whiskies that push the boundaries of complexity and tradition. Community engagement has also been a pillar of Bruichladdich’s modern approach. The company maintains a strong presence on social media, interacting with fans and sharing insights into the production process. It’s also undeniable that the striking teal bottle has led to success on store shelves and back bars.
The Different Dram:
The Classic Laddie - this is a bold, fun, strong spirit. It smells like sweet barley sugar and orange peel. And then when you taste it, there’s grapefruit, honey, a slight salty minerality, and lots of warming cereal grain. At 50% it’s gonna feel toasty warm on the tongue, and that coupled with the bright fruits and honey sweetness, it’s all breakfast. Hopefully you’re not having whisky for breakfast… but maybe brunch.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 50%
Find here: £44.50
Mortlach Moves Speyside Whiskies to Center Stage
The Region:
Speyside whisky brings flavours of bright orchard fruits like apples and pears combined with light nuttyness, all wrapped up in folds of vanilla, caramel, and toffee.
The Rogue:
Contrary to the expected bright fruits and easy sweetness, Mortlach is known as “The Beast of Dufftown” for what is often described as meaty or weighty malts. Mortlach's spirit is rich, multi-layered, and full-bodied, distinguishing it from the more straightforward production methods used by other Speyside distilleries. This is due to their unique strategies around distillation known as “The Way” wherein the spirit is said to be distilled 2.81 times. This very un-round number comes from the first distillation being split and redistilled different amounts in the six completely uniquely shaped stills. The results of these are then recombined to create Mortlach’s complex flavour. Ageing also plays a big part in the Mortlach signature heft. While many Speyside whiskies are aged predominantly in ex-bourbon barrels and occasionally sherry casks, Mortlach whiskies undergo maturation in a wider variety of cask types.
The Different Dram:
Mortlach 16 - other expressions can graze the affordability threshold for some but this dram sits well within the “special treat” pricing tier. The initial aromas are going to take you straight to a house full of loved ones with tables overflowing with festive foods. Rich, dried festive fruits with bold savoury notes just below. The taste will sit you right down at those tables and nourish you with a charcuterie of delightful pairings all packed into one dram - jams, oak, and spices wrapped in a “beasty” overtone.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £99.90 (usually more!)
Kilkerran Made It Campbeltown - Party of Three
The Region:
Cambeltown whiskies are the result of a combination of maritime influences and peat smoke, along with fruity and sweet notes.
The Rogue:
Once home to over 30 whisky producers, Cambeltown at its lowest dwindled to two. The Glengyle Distillery, revived after over 80 years in 2004, is now producing Kilkerran whiskies with distinguishing characteristics of rarity and experimentation. While Kilkerran embraces traditional whisky-making techniques, it also incorporates modern innovations. The distillery experiments with different cask types and finishes, as well as various peating levels, showcasing a balance between tradition and innovation. Due to the very small-scale production, each expression results in a limited number of bottles which has become a feeding frenzy for collectors around the world.
The Different Dram:
Kilkerran 12 - the 12-year is a lightly peated whisky aged in a combination of bourbon casks and sherry casks. Bright toffee and light peat on the nose put you on the outer rim of a campfire. Once you take a drink, light butterscotch and vanilla pair with orange peel and traditional Campbeltown salinity. After trying this, you’ll wanna book a caravan and spend some time exploring the great outdoors.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £44.95
Jura Stretches the Edges of Islands Whiskies
The Region:
Island whiskies form a diverse and mineral-rich category within the spectrum of Scotch whisky regions. While not officially recognized as a distinct region by Scotch whisky regulations, the island distilleries, including those from Skye, Jura, and Orkney, share common characteristics shaped by their coastal environments. Also we just really like ‘em.
The Rogue:
Just a ten minute ferry from Islay, Jura is wildly different from the neighbouring region. Jura’s core expression, Jura 10, is divisive amongst whisky enthusiasts because of the strong malty character and rich spice notes. The island of Jura, surrounded by the sea and rugged terrain, influences the character of the whisky, imparting coastal notes. The distillery is known for its use of a diverse range of cask finishes, including bourbon, sherry, and wine casks, which contribute to the complexity of the whiskies. Additionally, the distillery experiments with different barley varieties and peating levels, creating a range of expressions that appeal to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Jura's dedication to craftsmanship is evident in its small-batch production and community-focused hands-on approach, ensuring each bottle embodies the spirit of the island.
The Different Dram:
Jura 14 year old American Rye Cask - On the nose, Jura’s signature smooth and malty profile is prominent. The flavour of this whisky transports you to a US state fair with caramel apples and pecan pie. A burst of baking spices swirl around the normal dry rye effect on the tongue. The finish has cinnamon and oranges mixing with warming nutmeg.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40.00
By Zach Sapato
