This list might make me some enemies, but I’m prepared for that. I’d pay particular attention to the “better than you think” section, because that is what this is really about – bottles you might overlook, or that might not appeal on paper, yet taste fantastic in the glass. Get yourself to tastings, bars, or buy some samples to dive properly into these styles.
The overrated list… well, at least my address is not public. Please remember that this is just my opinion, and if any of my ‘overrated’ whiskies are your favourites, then more power to you.
Whiskies That Are Better Than You Think
1. Glasgow 1770 Peated
Now celebrating its 10th birthday and with stock to match, The Glasgow 1770 Distillery is absolutely smashing it for an urban whisky producer.
They release a host of styles – peated, triple distilled, countless cask finishes – but we are here for their peated expression.
It is a beauty if you like sherry and peat smoke. Juicy, sweet, rich, full of ashy campfire notes, and packed with character. If you are into Islay whiskies or peated styles from elsewhere in Scotland, you should be all over this.
2. Tobermory 12 Year Old
Sticking with the west coast, we land on the Isle of Mull, home to Tobermory (unpeated) and Ledaig (peated). Ledaig is finally getting the recognition it deserves, but Tobermory’s unpeated style remains underrated. It is a masterclass in sweetness layered with coastal, savoury influences.
The last bottle I had was heavy with truffle, olive oil, salt, and vanilla. I was convinced it was from an entirely different distillery. A genuinely underrated whisky in a crowded corner of Scotch.
3. Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
A Highland whisky that drinks like a Lowland. Loch Lomond has an array of stills and spirit styles, but their core 12 year old is simply delightful. Grassy, sweet flavours with a hint of fragrant spice – ginger, pink peppercorns, that sort of thing.
The distillery can be a rabbit hole once you fall in love with it, but there is something for everyone. As a house staple, this is hard to beat.
4. Benromach 15 Year Old
A biased recommendation, but for good reason.
When I first tried Benromach 15 it reset my understanding of what a single malt could be. It tastes like every classic Scottish flavour profile rolled into one. Sweet, lightly smoky, a touch spicy, with rich sherry and a solid ex-bourbon foundation.
Speyside whisky with a flicker of smoke is rare to find consistently, and while they offer everything from heavy peat to no peat at all, the 15 year old remains a must for me.
5. Torabhaig Allt Gleann
Arguably the best new west coast distillery making peated whisky. A bold claim, but I did not write this list to make friends.
Every Torabhaig I have tried has been delicious. Young, characterful, well-casked, and beautifully balanced. Based on the same island as Talisker, yet making whisky that feels far more accessible.
It is affordable everywhere I have seen it. If you enjoy peat and want something fresh, this could convert you for good.
Whiskies That Are Overrated
1. Springbank 15 Year Old
Don’t get me wrong, I love Springbank. But, realistically, can you or I buy it? Absolutely not. They do everything right, but that does not change the fact that nothing in demand is realistically available. You cannot say this about any other Scottish distillery.
I am not here to hate on Springbank, but if you want peated, sherried whisky in this age range, there are endless alternatives – Ledaig, Benromach, Port Charlotte, Livingstone, Bartels, Glen Scotia, and many more.
Some cost more, but with Springbank 15 pushing £125 or more, there are better value picks out there.
2. Macallan 18 Year Old
It is nearly £400 a bottle. Nothing else really needs to be said.
If you are buying this to drink, fair enough, you clearly have the money. For everyone else, go to Glenallachie, AnCnoc, Glen Elgin, Glentauchers, Longmorn – anywhere, frankly.
Independent bottlers offer older Macallan for far less than the official release. Four hundred pounds a bottle is far out of reach for most.
3. WhistlePig 10 Year Old
I have never understood the hype, and I say that as someone who fell headfirst into American whiskey. When I got into whiskey it was bourbon and rye all the way. I tried everything, read everything, immersed myself. Then I tried WhistlePig after endless recommendations and was, unfortunately, underwhelmed.
The 10 Year Old is fine, but it does not justify the price in my opinion. And with Canadian rye on the rise globally, WhistlePig could face real competition soon. It always felt overpriced at entry level and borderline ridiculous at the premium end.
4. Bimber, Any
Another distillery I have struggled with in both flavour and pricing. I tried a limited Amontillado release recently and, while it was delicious, it was entirely the cask speaking. No one could tell me anything particularly compelling about the distillate itself.
I bought some of the early releases and found them underwhelming, especially the peated casks.
Then came the Underground Series. I reviewed one on the Whisky Wednesday YouTube channel, and I was very disappointed by the liquid, given the price that it was listed at. But collectors bought the lot, so there you are.
5. Glenfarclas, Various Expressions
Glenfarclas is a name that always comes up in conversations about sherry-led whisky, and for good reason. They have a loyal following and a long history of traditional production.
That said, my own experience with the core range has been mixed. The 10 year old did not quite click for me, the 15 year old was solid but varied between bottles, and the 21 and 25 year olds felt lighter than I expected, especially given their reputation.
A lot of people point to the Family Casks as the true standouts, which is more than fair. I only wish more of that magic translated consistently across the wider lineup.
Read the full article at 5 Whiskies That Are Better Than You Think, and 5 That Are Overrated
