Top Picks for Speyside Single Malt Scotch

Dark amber color. Aromas and flavors of raisins, caramel, chamomile, allspice dram, green olives, and baking chocolate with a round, crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, long finish that shows impressions of buttered and roasted walnuts, licorice, caramel creams, and broth. A velvet monster of a Single Malt with huge sherry-like flavor, exceptionally smooth texture, and a brawny, palate-conquering finish.

Golden amber color. Attractive aromas of sweet poached pear, clove, nutmeg, ripe banana, and biscoff cookies with a satiny, crisp, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, nuanced, long cinnamon, hints of molasses, oolong and barley tea, and dark chocolate-coated malted milk ball finish. A rich, chewy, lasting Speyside Malt that satisfies; beautifully textured with deep layers of flavor.

Amber color. Aromas and flavors of toast with orange marmalade, green olive, snicker bar, salted pecans, honey, and lemon verbena with a round, vibrant, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, very complex, very long finish with touches of leather, nut-studded nougat, tangerine, and spiced banana cake finish. A twisting, turning Single Malt Whisky that sings on the palate; an excellent, excellent dram.

Golden amber color. Aromas of pear filling, banana budino, geranium, tobacco pipe, and waffles with maple syrup with a velvety, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, layered, very long buckwheat honey, all-butter cookies, dried pineapple, charred apricot, duck prosciutto, and salted miso butterscotch finish. A whiskey with meandering curves and vibrant, lengthy finish.

Awards: 2018 Best Speyside Single Malt Scotch

Dark amber color. Aromas of raisins, dates, jasmine tea, toasted whole grain bread, turmeric, and banana chips with a velvety, crisp, dry medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length brown butter, brown sugar, whole wheat scones with honey, and sherry finish. A rich and chewy Speyside Malt with a wide range of flavors to dive into.

Gold color. Aromas of pear, honey, heather, apricot yogurt sap, dill, and chamomile-ginger tea with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light body and a smooth, elegant, medium-long buttered shortcake, thyme, and tangerine finish. A gentle, classic Speyside single malt that dances on the palate.

Awards: 2019 World Cocktail Championships - 1st Place Highball Whisky

Golden straw color. Sweet, spicy aromas of pears in syrup, lychee, elderflower, ripe melons, bubblegum, coriander, pineapple, and browned chocolate-chip cookies with a satiny, fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, layered, long Basque cake, Sicilian spice blend, orange flower water, tropical tea blend, custard tart, and whipped cream finish. A dreamy, light-on-its-feet Speyside with stunning fruit and outstanding balance; a highly respectable aperitif whisky.

Pale gold color. Aromas of banana chips, shaved chocolate, graham cracker, and honeysuckle with a silky, crisp, dry light body and a warming, interesting, medium-length honey biscuit, lemon curd, yuzu-ginger marmalade, clove, and turmeric finish. A high octane Speyside Malt with a piquant, almost aperitif style; mix with club soda for a sophisticated palate-opener.

Golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of ripe, juicy pear, honey cake, toasty blini, marjoram, and chervil with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, engaging, medium-long finish with accents of butter poached orchard fruit, ripe glazed apricots, orange zest, and coconut cream finish. A juicy, well-balanced Speyside single malt that offers succulent fruit and notes of toasty pastry.

Light gold color. Aromas and flavors of biscuit, apple crumble, honeydew melon, apricot, heather, delicate tea, and banana with a velvety, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a warming, complex, long finish. A delicious balance of sweet biscuit and floral notes dance on the tongue long after this nectar-like whisky leaves the palate.