It is a ridiculous understatement to say there are a lot of whiskies in the world. From Scotch to bourbon, Irish to Japanese, Indian to English, we are spoiled for choice right now. Whether you are already a whisky lover or just setting out on your journey, the sheer volume of bottles can feel overwhelming.
So I set out to build a list. Not the 30 greatest whiskies ever made, but 30 bottles that every drinker should try at some point. Classics, game changers, modern mavericks, and yes, a bit of weird stuff too.
The first stretch of any journey belongs to the gateway bottles, the ones that transcend what people even think of as whisky. Jack Daniel’s has been so brilliantly marketed that many do not see it as whiskey at all, yet it remains a staple for a reason. Jameson is the Irish workhorse, soft and easy, a real great starting point. Glenfiddich 12 opened the door to single malt for countless drinkers, offering an astonishing amount of bang for your buck. Even Johnnie Walker Red, which off the top of my head is the whisky I dislike the most, is an industry lynchpin worth understanding.
Once you move past those entry bottles, things get more interesting. This is where the enthusiast staples live. Glencadam 10 is pure magic, fully natural, spirit driven, and staggeringly affordable. Craigellachie 13 proves Speyside is not always soft and delicate, and Clynelish 14 gives you that famous waxy note everyone talks about. Then the smoke arrives. Talisker 10, Laphroaig 10, Lagavulin 16, and the mighty Ardbeg 10 are all Islay heavyweights that deserve a place on any drinker’s shelf. If you have written off smoky Scotch, these will change your mind.
What excites me most, though, is how global whisky has become. Whisky is not just Scotch. Westland shows the American single malt movement is a mighty category in its own right. Indri Trini highlights India’s hot climate character, while Hibiki Harmony and Nikka From The Barrel demonstrate Japan’s meteoric rise. And when you climb into the luxury tier, from Johnnie Walker Blue Label to Macallan 12 and the experimental Glenmorangie Signet, you find bottles that taste of luxury, even if some rinse your wallet like a Rolex in the sink.
This list is not the be-all and end-all. There are simply too many wonderful whiskies to try. Seek out a birth-year whisky, hunt down something local from a shed or garage distillery, and discover a gem that feels special to you. So grab a dram, and tell me: what bottles did I miss?
For the full list of must-try whiskies, check out my YouTube video.
Read the full article at 30 Whiskies You Need to Try Before You Die
