Choosing a quality scotch whisky under $60 (£50 GBP) can feel daunting with so many great options available. Whether you’re a whisky enthusiast or just beginning your journey, it’s important to find that sweet spot between price and flavor. Thankfully, Scotland offers a range of affordable whiskies that don’t compromise on craftsmanship or taste. From peated to unpeated, smooth to robust, this list highlights some of the best whiskies that offer both value and quality.
Below, we’ve selected five whiskies that represent Scotland’s finest at an accessible price. Each bottle offers something unique, whether it’s the creamy depth of Arran 10 Year Old or the smoky sweetness of Ledaig 10 Year Old. These whiskies not only provide excellent flavor but also showcase the diversity of Scotland’s whisky-making traditions. Let’s explore the top picks under $60 (£50 GBP).
Arran 10 Year Old
BUY NOW: $42
The Arran 10 Year Old is a whisky that seems destined to appear on every “best of” list, and for good reason. Given that Arran only started out in 1995, the distillery has come on leaps and bounds when compared to other distilleries with much longer histories. The distillery’s growth has been remarkable, with the recent addition of Lagg Distillery on the Isle of Arran, where they produce only peated whiskies for the family-owned company.
Back to Arran 10 Year Old, though. This whisky is creamy and balanced, and even though it’s unpeated it’s a single malt, it isn’t overly sweet.
Due to being only just into the double-digit age statement range, it has this gristy, malted barley quality to it that helps cut through those creamier, sweet apple notes you get from the barrel aging. As it’s a batch product and natural color, you will see huge color variances from batch to batch. Don’t be concerned by these differences—they’re a mark of authenticity and a sign of the whisky’s dynamic character.
Ledaig 10 Year Old
BUY NOW: $52
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Onto some peated stuff now! Ledaig, in my opinion, is still a rather underrated style, especially when it comes to this 10 Year Old release. Even though it has a relatively high peat level when compared to other West Coast whiskies (even those from Islay) the price has remained relatively unchanged for quite a while now.
To drink, the whisky has all of those big bonfire, slightly medicinal notes you may chase from a peated whisky, but the levels of contrasting sweetness in it are so delicious!
The older versions of Ledaig will cost you a little bit more. The 18 Year Old is an absolute bargain, but as soon as you get past that it starts to get a little more expensive. But, when it comes to the 10 Year Old, it is one of the best pound-for-pound single malts in the world.
Tobermory 12 Year Old
BUY NOW: $54
Staying on the Isle of Mull, it’s worth noting that Tobermory Distillery produces two distinct styles of whisky: Ledaig, the peated expression, and Tobermory, which is unpeated. We’ve already discussed Ledaig, but now let’s turn to the unpeated Tobermory. I recently bought a bottle, and I was genuinely impressed by its complexity. It’s filled with soft, sweet notes but also has surprising depth, with savory hints of Parmesan and truffle that you rarely find in a whisky under 18 years old.
For under £50 at most UK retailers and under $60 in the USA, Tobermory 12 Year Old offers exceptional value. Its richness and character make it a standout choice among unpeated, island-based whiskies, and it’s a must-try for anyone looking to explore the diversity of the Isle of Mull’s whisky production.
Benromach 10 Year Old
BUY NOW: $36
A little more peat for you smoke fans.
I’ve been a fan of Benromach ever since I first tasted their 10 Year Old. It’s a well-crafted Speyside whisky that draws inspiration from the traditional, pre-modern style of the region. Before the 1960s, most Speyside whiskies were lightly peated, and Benromach has embraced this heritage across its range.
The peat level in the 10 Year Old is modest, around 11-12 ppm, but it adds a distinctive character that balances beautifully with the influence of first-fill American oak and sherry casks. This combination creates a whisky that is both affordable and unique, offering a charming and slightly different take on the classic Speyside profile.
BenRiach The 12 Year Old
BUY NOW: $54
Even before BenRiach was acquired by Brown-Forman – alongside Glendronach and Glenglassaugh – the distillery was known for producing affordable, lively single malts. While the range is a bit more restrained these days, BenRiach still offers both peated and unpeated expressions with a wide variety of cask influences. The 12 Year Old, for instance, is matured in a mix of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and ex-port barrels, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a rich, sweet single malt with layers of flavor from these casks.
Much like The Dalmore King Alexander III, BenRiach 12 Year Old benefits from a bit of patience. At tasting events, I’ve found it really comes to life after about twenty minutes in the glass, allowing the cask influences to fully develop. It’s definitely worth the wait to experience the full complexity of this whisky.