Each year on July 27th, National Scotch Day celebrates the iconic drink. Scotch whisky is generally made from malted barley or grain with the spirit aged in oak casks for more than three years. Scotch is also usually double distilled. Scotch can have an earthy and smoky flavour, but contrary to popular opinion the majority of Scottish whiskies are actually unpeated. This can vary, especially as Scotland has over 100 different distilleries across five different regions!

As a quick overview, whiskies from Islay, like Lagavulin and Laphroaig, often tend to have a strong, smoky peat flavour unless they are described as un-peated, while those coming from Speyside like Glenfarclas and Aberlour tend to be lighter and sweeter. Be sure to check the bottle for the region it originates from!

So what are you waiting for? Be sure to try one of the recommendations below and give your tastebuds an experience they won’t forget. Enjoy! 

Need to brush up on your Scotch or whiskey knowledge? Then be sure to check out our Basic Guide to Whiskey for more info! 

1. Tamdhu 15 Year Old

Double Gold winner at the San Francisco Spirits Competition 2020! Matured exclusively in the finest sherry oak casks. Intense burst of vibrant juicy apricot and raspberry, with lemon tart and creamy almonds on the palate. The finish is rewardingly long with warming malt biscuit, cream sherry, and vanilla. Bottled at 46% volume, natural colour and un-chillfiltered.

ABV: 46% | €117.00

2. Talisker 10 Year Old

Talisker remains one of the most instantly recognisable Scottish single malts and has a very unique flavour. Talisker 10 Year Old certainly is smoky, but not as much as most Islay malts. Peppery, spice, and seaweed notes stand out along with black pepper, Szechuan pepper, and many different spices. Once that spiciness dies down there's some pleasant toffee and dried fruit flavours. Definitely one of those whiskies you have to try at least once!

ABV: 45.8% | €58.99

Macallan Classic Cut 2020

The fourth release of the ever-popular Classic Cut series by Macallan! Macallan Whisky Maker Polly Logan used a mix of sherry-seasoned European oak casks and ex-Bourbon American oak barrels have been used to create a truly unique whisky. Expect delicious tasting flavours of ginger and oaky spice, along with orange peel, honey, and vanilla. The finish is sweet and zingy with lingering fresh thyme notes.

ABV: 55% | €125.00

4. Smokehead High Voltage 

WOW! If you love peat...well then this is the dram for you! A high ABV version of the classic Smokehead Islay single malt. The spirit opens with a hot burn as the mouth fills with smoke, feeling almost thick with oiliness before softening and becoming creamier with nutty, briny and citrus notes. The finish finishes on much softer notes as the smoke fades, leaving a salty tang on the tongue.

ABV: 58% | €89.00

5. Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2021

The 2021 Loch Gorm release is all about bringing sherried sweetness with peaty tastiness! This single malt is a vatting of 24 oloroso sherry butts filled in 2011 and 2012 provided by Spanish Bodega Miguel Martin, resulting in a fruity and smoky whiskey. The palate offers notes of salty smoke, raisins, dates, and oak spice that linger in the finish.

ABV: 46% | €80.00

6. Lagavulin 10 Year Old

Initially released as a Travel Retail Exclusive that is becoming increasingly difficult to find! This Islay single malt was matured full term in first fill American oak bourbon casks. This whisky perfectly balances sweet, salty, and spicy chilli flake notes, deliciously dominated by the classic fragrant peat smoke.

ABV: 43% | €103.50 

7. Highland Park 18 Year Old

An outstanding whisky which is highly regarded by many as one of the best single malts available. This is a rich and full flavoured whisky with absolutely no rough edges. There's some smoke but it is well integrated and does not jump out. Highly complex and aromatic, there's something new in every sip with this one.

ABV: 43% | €155.50

8. Isle of Jura 18 Year Old

Originally released for travel retail, the Jura 18 Year Old was initially matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels before enjoying a finishing period in Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux barrels, imparting a rich fruitiness. It has the typical characteristics of a Jura whisky with a slight twist of nuttiness and dried fruit notes. The perfect late-night dram!

ABV: 42% | €110.00

9. Glengoyne 12 Year Old

Not too dissimilar to the 10 Year Old in terms of key flavours — green apple, poached pear and almond — but expect a bit more complexity and body with this dram! Glengoyne is always very pure in style, allowing their high-quality, easy-drinking whisky to shine in its natural state and this expression is a perfect example of this.

ABV: 43% | €64.00

10. Glenallachie 12 Year Old

Since 2007, GlenAllachie Distillery has been independently Scottish owned and in July 2018, they released their flagship expression, the 12 Year Old. Aged in virgin oak, Oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for expected sweet and nutty notes. On the palate, this expression offers honey, marzipan and bananas, with lashings of butterscotch, raisins and a delicate hint of mocha. A smash hit for Scotch Day or any celebration really!

ABV: 46% | €60.00

11. Dalmore 12 Year Old

One of the best Highland malts out there! Finished for three years in both ex-Bourbon and 30 year old Sherry casks after an initial nine years in ex-Bourbon barrels. Almost like liquidised Christmas cake, Dalmore 12 Year Old packs in plenty of flavour but never seems overpowering. Fruity, nutty, and slightly smoky. Packs plenty of flavour but maintains that balance where it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Overall a very rich 12 Year Old.

ABV: 40% | €66.00

12. Bruichladdich CWS Single Cask 10 Year Old

An exclusive single Cask between Celtic Whiskey Shop and the Bruichladdich Distillery, Islay, Scotland. Bottled just for the Celtic Whiskey Shop, this is a 10 year old single malt aged exclusively in ex- Syrah wine casks and bottled at cask strength of 61.4%. Powerful, juicy, and complex. Incredible flavours of malted grains, sultanas, peat smoke, hazelnut spread, roasted nuts, and linseed oil. Limited to just 288 bottles.

ABV: 61.4% | €150.00

13. Arran Sherry Cask

A sherry cask single malt you simply must try! This expression has been dubbed ‘La Bodega’ as it was carefully crafted using Sherry hogsheads from Jerez in Spain. This has resulted in a complex and rich single malt with flavours of dark chocolate and Christmas spice. Dates and sweet cherries also fill the senses. 

ABV: 55.8% | €64.00 

We hope you enjoyed our blog post and are able to find the perfect drink to celebrate Scotch Day! You can find our full range of scotch whisky on Irish Drink Shop. And if you still can’t find that perfect drink, then be sure to contact us and we’ll be delighted to assist!

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