Best Scotch Whiskies for Fall and Winter

At times, sipping a spirit, especially a fine dram of whisky, is as much about the feeling it evokes, the mental screensaver in your head, as it is about what’s in your glass. In fact, you could make the case that it’s very nearly both of those things at once: The art and care that goes into the best Scotch whiskies reflects centuries of craftsmanship, a delicate interplay between the geography of Scotland and the dance that is the impact of barrel wood on the whisky within. The end result is a rich, delicate spirit, sometimes with smoky, peated notes (a characteristic many think of when first trying Scotch), and other times with floral or earthy notes — again, a delicate interplay is in the works. The great news is, with its layered complexity, there’s a warming quality to sipping the best Scotch whisky on a cold fall or winter night. In the same way that the light and bright notes of tequila or gin work well in summer cocktails in the hotter months, Scotch is as fine a companion in autumn as your favorite shawl cardigan. Not to be confused with “whiskey,” (for example, American bourbon), Scotch must meet the Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009, although the heritage of many Scotch producers naturally dates back well before that. Scotch must hail from Scotland, of course, and be made from water, malted barley and cereal grains. It must then be aged in oak casks for at least three years, then bottled at no less than 40 percent ABV. RELATED: Best Gifts for Beer Lovers You’ll also find the designation ‘single malt’ — that means that water, yeast and 100 percent malted barley from one distillery was used in the production process, while blended Scotch whisky often blends single grain & single malt whiskies. And as to the smoky, earthy notes found in different types of Scotch? That comes from using peat as a fire source to dry malted barley, an age-old technique that’s used to great effect in some popular expressions (keep on reading). From there, it’s fair game as producers experiment with aging and with cask finishing, among other distillation experiments (cask finishing involves moving Scotch from a traditional oak barrel into, say, an ex-sherry barrel). Many distilleries also experiment with the size and shape of their whisky stills — the equipment used to derive alcohol from fermented grain mash. So, while Scotch might at times look similar to bourbon, there’s an entirely new world within your glass. Each of Scotland’s five distinct production regions (Speyside, Islay, the Highlands & Lowlands, and Campbeltown — the smallest producing region) offer their own distinct characteristics and qualities within a bottle. The time has never been more prime to discover what just might become your new favorite sipping spirit this season. The Macallan 12-Year Double Cask Scotch has long had a rarified air about it: There’s a reason James Bond drinks The Macallan. This Speyside distillery carries all the hallmarks of a Scotch from the region, which can often lean more sweet and floral (Speyside also produces about half of the country’s Scotch). The Macallan 12, arguably a flagship of the company, is luxurious in looks and packaging, but relatively accessible in terms of flavor — a heavily peated Scotch, this is not. And while it offers a high standard to meet when trying other Scotch, there’s a lovely balance to the use of sherry-seasoned American and European Oak casks. $73.99 at TotalWine.com  Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Look closely at the back line of any bar known for its Scotch or bourbon selection — or indeed, most any bar worth its salt — and you very well might spot the eye-catching, surprisingly modern bottle design of Bruichladdich. While whisky hailing from Islay can lean towards heavily peated, The Classic Laddie (which is proofed down with Islay spring water) is unpeated. Your bar cart is all the better for it, especially considering this approachable option retails for under $50 most of the time. Expect a touch of salinity and a flora softness to this reliable Scotch. $51.49 at TotalWine.com  Highland Park 18 Scotland’s northernmost distillery has plenty more going for it than location, although you could say that’s also a selling point. Its heritage dates back to the 1700s, and its Orkney Islands home base makes for as lovely a visit as any if ever you’re given the chance to visit Scotland. Beyond that, Highland Park 18 boasts pleasant smoke on the finish and rich, luscious notes of dark chocolate and even toffee. Highland Park’s 12-year expression, another fan favorite, makes an excellent Penicillin should the mood strike you. The distillery just introduced ‘Between You And I,’ a collaborative Scotch effort with Michelin-starred chef Björn Frantzén using 16-year Highland Park matured in virgin Swedish oak. $169.99 at TotalWine.com Laphroaig 10-Year If ever there were a Scotch to strongly call to mind the most classic (or rather, the most heavily peated) version of the spirit, it might just be Laphroaig 10, hailing from the Islay region. A mainstay of any Scotch menu, the liquid plays especially when used in traditional Scotch cocktails like a Whisky Highball or especially a Rob Roy. On its own, expect a smoky richness some might say evokes a bonfire. Although it’s priced agreeably, this whisky is one to watch out for if you love the heavy influence of smoky peat. $59.99 at TotalWine.com  Loch Lomond 12-Year Master Blender Michael Henry captures the spirit of the Highlands in this award-winning expression, which takes advantage of the distillery’s re-charring (or barrel resetting) process to deliver soft smoke and honey sweetness in the final product. With more than 90 hours of fermentation time to achieve its distillate (most distilleries typically ferment between 48 and 60 hours), delicate fruit-forward characteristics shine through, and innovative yeast strains further aid in experimentation for the company in some expressions. On a summer visit to the distillery by AskMen, Brand Ambassador Gary Mills said “we respect tradition, but we’re not defined by it,” and the end result is as engaging and memorable a sipping experience as any. $849.99 at LochLomondWhiskies.com  Tamdhu 12-Year Sherry oak aging lends plenty of rich character alongside dark fruit aroma and even dashes of cinnamon spice and chocolate in a velvety, sumptuous whisky. Debate rages on as to a sweet spot in terms of aging, but for under $90, one might argue this Speyside single malt certainly punches above its weight. Keep an eye out for lingering sherry notes on the finish, of course (and keep a further eye out for Tamdhu’s limited-edition expressions, including this year’s Year of the Snake bottling). $84.99 at TotalWine.com  Glenfiddich Aston Martin F1 16-Year Scotch Kick things into high gear with one of the most popular Scotch brands on the planet: The long-running Speyside distillery, perhaps best known for its “swan-neck” copper pot stills, does a bit of everything when it comes to aging and finishing, and it does that ‘bit of everything’ quite, quite well indeed. While the packaging and delivery of this expression is rather flashy in support of the ever-popular Aston Martin F1 team, the liquid within is packed with remarkable and remarkably consistent Glenfiddich hallmarks, with a rather fruity and crisp yet overall rich flavor profile. $74.99 at TotalWine.com  Glenmorangie 12-Year Perhaps you’ve spotted legendary actor Harrison Ford professing his love of Glenmorangie Scotch in a series of exclusive videos and photos in a recent campaign. Rest assured that it’s the real deal, complete with an eye-catching and playfully elegant label. A touch floral and fruity, with a surprisingly creamy mouthfeel at the best of times, Glenmorangie’s 12-Year is a shining example of one of the best Scotch whiskies around if you’re just getting into the category (or if your bar cart needs a distinctive near-daily sipper). $49.96 at TotalWine.com  Glen Scotia 10-Year The push and pull between the natural beauty and harsh landscape of Scotland often leave a marked influence on the character of a spirit. With its postcard-esque charm and foggy maritime geography, Campbeltown itself (home to Glen Scotia) lends plenty to this excellent Scotch. There’s an oily character and a touch of sweet salinity in Glen Scotia 10-Year, making for a frankly delicious sipping experience. There’s a vibrancy, along with green floral notes to this whisky, which springs forth from a historic production site that’s utterly distinctive. Keep a weather eye out for ultra-aged expressions from Glen Scotia, like the just-announced Glen Scotia 50. $69.99 at GlenScotia.com  Glengoyne White Oak Not unlike a science experiment, distillers and Scotch producers tweak the aging and finishing process by using different types of barrel wood, including Glengoyne’s use of white Oak. While there’s also a limited-edition expression released earlier this year boasting a 24-year age statement, Glengoyne’s standard-bearer White Oak expression “sings of vibrant wood and bright citrus,” the distillery says, while it clocks in at 48 percent ABV, delivering flavors of candied apple and freshly baked bread. $49.99 at TotalWine.com  Aberfeldy 12-Year One sip of Aberfeldy might remind you of Dewar’s: The whisky is the backbone of Dewar’s Scotch whisky blends, after all, and boasts a 120-plus-year heritage in its own right. And while there are Aberfeldy expressions that creep as high as 39 years in age, its 12-year features an agreeable honey-and-orange backbone that’s exceptionally pleasant and delivered in a handsome bottle. Keep this one handy as an affordable base for Scotch cocktails. $44.99 at TotalWine.com  Isle of Skye 12-Year It might seem as if there are barriers to entry in the world of Scotch, as the process has been passed down through the centuries and various producing regions jockey for space in your bar cart. For a fine introduction to Scotch at a low, low price, Isle of Skye’s 12-year blended Scotch (hailing from its namesake region, naturally) is as accessible as any, boasting a strong, lingering peat finish buoyed by tasting notes of orange, honeycomb and graham cracker. $38.99 at TotalWine.com  You Might Also Dig: The Best Whiskeys Around the WorldBest Affordable WhiskeysBest Mocktail Kits