The whiskey wash logo
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website

Beginner Scotch for People Who Think They Don’t Like Scotch

Here are five bottles of great beginner scotch that newbies will love - and so will seasoned fans.
  • Margarett Waterbury is a whiskey enthusiast and industry expert.
Search

Trending Stories

Follow The Whiskey Wash on Google News

Follow The Whiskey Wash on Google News to get our latest reviews and guides delivered straight to your feed.

Like Conversation
reading time
Look, we get it – scotch can be tough. After a few experiences with scotches that taste too smoky, medicinal, or like old men, it’s easy to say ‘to hell with it,’ and stick to something a little less challenging. Whiskey is supposed to be fun, right?

If that’s you, we think it might be time to give scotch another try. Scotch whisky is incredibly diverse, perhaps more diverse than any other brown spirits category. The choice of peated or unpeated malt, the casks used for aging, the casks used for finishing, and the choice of whether to blend or not can result in a dramatic range of flavors, not all of which taste like Band-Aids. Before you write off the category for good, try these great examples of accessible yet delicious beginner Scotch whisky:

Rank your top 3 Kirkland Signature whiskeys

Tap your favourite first, then your second and third. Tap again to remove.

Your top 3

1Tap your favourite…
2Then your second…
3Then your third…
    Reset

    Auchentoshan 12-Year-Old

    Once of the last remaining lowland single malts, Auchentoshan is triple-distilled, making it a little lighter, fruiter, and smoother than double-distilled whiskies. Sweet, toasty, and a little herbaceous, Auchentoshan 12 Year-Old would be a great entry point to Scotch whiskey for fans of Irish whiskey.

    Dalwhinnie 15-Year-Old

    Dalwhinnie calls itself “The Gentle Spirit,” although it’s not a pushover. A nice full mouthfeel and notes of vanilla and honey make this a crowd-pleaser. Plus it doesn’t hurt that it pairs so well with chocolate.

    Martin Daraz
    Highland Park’s Martin Daraz with the 12-year-old and Dark Origins (image courtesy of Martin Daraz)

    Glenmorangie 10-Year-Old (The Original)

    Glenmorangie’s crisp, citrusy flavor and creamy body is something like the adult equivalent of an orange creamcicle – and who doesn’t love orange creamcicles? It’s also easy to find and affordable – two qualities that are increasingly rare in the world of single malt

    Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.

    By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.

    By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Highland Park 12-Year-Old

    Highland Park 12-Year-Old is the only peated scotch on this list, but don’t worry – it has almost nothing in common with a burning tire fire. Honeyed, citrusy, and warm, it’s hard not to fall in love with Highland Park 12-Year-Old. If you like big, robust bourbons, Highland Park might be just the thing for you.

    Monkey Shoulder

    This blended malt Scotch (made from a blend of single malts, no grain whisky) leans rich and fruity, with a nice, friendly vanilla note. Monkey Shoulder is a great beginner Scotch choice for fans of sweeter, lighter bourbon styles like Maker’s Mark.

    Margarett Waterbury

    Margarett Waterbury is the author of "Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland's Whiskies" and a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the beverage industry. Her work has graced the pages of numerous publications, including Whisky Advocate, Food and Wine, Spirited Magazine, Artisan Spirit, Edible Seattle, Sip Northwest, Civil Eats, Travel Oregon, and many others. She also boasts editorial experience as the former managing editor of Edible Portland and as a co-founder and former managing editor of The Whiskey Wash. In recognition of her talent, Margarett received the Alan Lodge Young Drinks Writer of the Year award in 2017 and was awarded fellowships for the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in 2017 and 2019.

    All Posts
    The whiskey wash logoLatest On The Whiskey Wash
    The whiskey wash logo