This is a selection I always find myself offering at tasting events, and I get the same reaction every time: “Oh, I’ve never seen that.” Given some of the brands on this list, that’s quite impressive in the modern world of whisky.
What we’ve got here are six bottles from three different parts of the world, all offering incredible depth of flavour. Some are a step up from more familiar expressions, and for a little extra money, they feel like stepping into a new world of style.
Whether you’re into Scotch, Irish, or American whiskey, this list gives you a versatile selection to dip into whenever the mood takes you.
Benromach 15 Year Old, 43%, $80 / £64
A personal favourite among mid-teenage Scottish whiskies. Benromach is a Speyside single malt with a twist, offering a touch of smokiness to balance excellent first-fill cask influence.
Matured exclusively in first-fill oak from across the world, Benromach has set its own standard for complexity.
The 15-year-old delivers chocolate, spice, and subtle smoke in a style that invites you to sit with it and take your time. It’s the kind of bottle I always replace as soon as it runs out. A showcase of Scottish style from a distillery with a genuinely interesting history and mission.
Kilkerran Heavily Peated #13, 58.6%, $100 / £50
This heavy hitter made our ‘25 Scotch Whiskies To Try in 2026’ list, and for good reason. It might be the best value cask strength whisky on the market.
Yes, it’s heavily peated, but the complexity it offers as a young, powerful spirit is remarkable. Ashy smoke hits first, followed by thick caramel, vanilla, herbaceous notes, and that slightly funky Campbeltown character.
I tried this in a sample pack, immediately sourced two bottles, and opened one on the spot. The other is waiting for the right moment. A clear reminder that young whisky can be exceptional.
Jameson Black Barrel, 40%, $30 / £34
Before anyone gets annoyed at me for recommending Jameson, just hear me out. Regular Jameson is widely available and easy to drink. Black Barrel takes that to another level.
If you enjoy bourbon and want a natural stepping stone into Irish whiskey, this is a great option. The use of heavily charred American oak creates a richer, darker style, bringing out coconut, vanilla, and caramel notes.
It then moves into a fuller, more textured Irish whiskey profile. Not many brands deliver this balance as well, especially at this price point.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, 43.2%, $49 / £45
Now for richness. This is probably the bottle most people will recognise. It’s a bourbon that transcends categories and expectations.
Double matured in toasted virgin oak, it’s like being hit with a dessert trolley and a glass of bourbon at the same time. The nose is packed with caramel sauce, sticky toffee, vanilla custard, and toasted nuts.
On the palate, classic Woodford notes of sweet corn and gentle rye are elevated by deeper flavours of maple syrup, pecans, dark honey, and charred oak.
A great dessert alternative and an excellent base for cocktails. Pure decadence.
Loch Lomond ‘Inchmurrin’ 12 Year Old, 46%, $46 / £37
Loch Lomond is an unusual distillery, in all the best ways. If you can think of it, they’ve probably made it. With four types of stills and their own cooperage, they have full control over both standard and experimental production.
Inchmurrin, named after one of the islands in Loch Lomond, offers a sweeter, more mellow style that works beautifully with ex-American oak. It’s grassy and melon-driven, both on the nose and palate.
The 12-year-old is the core expression, but older versions develop even more tropical character. A fascinating distillery that’s impossible to fully cover in a single article.
Tobermory 12 Year Old, 46.3%, $85 / £39
A west coast Scottish whisky that challenges expectations around peat. Tobermory, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, sits on the picturesque Isle of Mull.
Its unpeated style delivers one of the most culinary profiles I’ve come across. Every time I revisit it, the balance still impresses.
You get classic notes of caramel, grass, and coconut, layered with black pepper, olive oil, truffle, and sweet sage. It’s a striking example of depth at a standard age, from a small distillery quietly doing its own thing.
Six Bottles Worth Your Time in 2026
None of these whiskies will let you down. Whether you want the complexity of Benromach 15 or the indulgent richness of Woodford Double Oaked, each bottle delivers memorable flavour as we move through 2026.
All should be readily available from specialist retailers, and there’s no shortage of reviews online if you want to explore further.
Read the full article at The 6 Whiskies I Keep Pointing People Toward This Year
