It’s time to upgrade your whisky cabinets once again—not just to replace an empty bottle, but to bring a little more variety and fun into your selection.
This article is part of our ongoing series recommending bottles for different budget levels. Having previously explored $100 and $250 drinks cabinets, we’re now stepping things up with a $500 collection, with bottles that you can swap in and out.
As with our earlier picks, these are not hard rules but thoughtful suggestions—designed to help diversify your cabinet and keep things interesting for both you and any guests who might pop by to sample your wares.
Craigellachie 17 Year Old
BUY NOW: $140
We’re kicking off with a rather distinctive Speyside whisky—certainly not the typical Speyside profile most people imagine. Craigellachie truly entered the spotlight when its 23-year-old expression was crowned the best whisky in the world nearly a decade ago. That moment marked the distillery’s first foray into bottling and selling its own single malts. Before then, Craigellachie was largely the domain of independent bottlers, each offering their own interpretation of the spirit.
This house style leans heavily into cereal notes—think bread dough and brioche—alongside a distinctive salty edge that gives the whisky a savory backbone. There are still the expected ex-bourbon and sherry cask influences, with layers of caramel, toffee, and a touch of butter. But what really sets it apart is the subtle smokiness, a result of the distillery’s use of worm tub condensers. It’s not a peated whisky, but there’s a distant, elusive wisp of smoke that adds unexpected depth and complexity to this beautifully matured single malt.
The Glendronach 15 Year Old
BUY NOW: $84
If the idea of smoke, salt, or bready notes in your single malt doesn’t quite appeal, allow me to introduce you to the Glendronach 15.
This has always felt like the sweet spot in Glendronach’s range. It delivers that classic sherry-cask profile—rich in chocolate and nutty notes—thanks to a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks. Alongside that, you’ll find vibrant fruit flavors—cherry and blackberry in particular—that add an indulgent plumpness to the whisky’s character.
While the 18-year-old has climbed in price (unless you were wise enough to stock up a few years ago), the 15 has consistently offered a well-judged balance between cask influence and juicy, fruit-forward notes. It avoids the heaviness that double sherry maturation can sometimes bring, making it an excellent addition to any sherry lover’s whisky cabinet.
Glen Scotia Victoriana
BUY NOW: $88
Here’s another whisky that doesn’t quite follow the usual rules. Glen Scotia Victoriana is a high-strength Campbeltown single malt matured in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, but without any notable peat influence. That might sound straightforward—but what makes this whisky intriguing is the illusion of smoke, even though it’s not actually peated.
This smoky character comes from the use of heavily charred casks during maturation, which also accentuates the coastal salinity that defines Glen Scotia’s house style. It’s a brilliant example of how flavor can be layered without peat—and it’s proven to be an excellent gateway for bourbon drinkers exploring scotch for the first time.
Of course, there are other whiskies that can play that bridging role, but I’ve seen this one win people over time and again, both in retail and at tastings. If you enjoy bold, high-proof whiskies but prefer to avoid the heavy peat, Victoriana offers a flavor-packed middle ground that doesn’t compromise on character.
Ardbeg Uigeadail
BUY NOW: $75
As a direct contrast to the previous pick, we now head straight into the wild, peaty depths of Islay. Welcome to the unmistakable aromas of pistachio and toffee-soaked seaweed—washed up on a beach next to an oil spill. Or, as it’s more commonly known: Ardbeg Uigeadail.
This is a youthful, high-intensity expression from the south of Islay, with a base of young teenage spirit finished in ex-Oloroso sherry casks for an added layer of richness. The first time I encountered it, I was hit by a wave of sweet and salty pistachios, backed by powerful wafts of peat smoke and a deep sweetness drawn from both American and Spanish oak.
It’s an intense, diverse, and endlessly expressive whisky that captures the essence of Ardbeg at its most uncompromising—and most compelling.
Redbreast 15 Year Old
BUY NOW: $106
As you may have gathered from a few of my previous articles, I’m a bit of a fanboy when it comes to anything with Redbreast on the label.
The 15-year-old is a significant step up from the 12. It brings a higher proof, deeper sherry influence, and extra time in wood—all drawn together through the single pot still style. The result is a creamy, rich, spicy, fruity, and buttery whisky that lingers beautifully across the palate.
Navigating the world of teenage Irish whiskey can be tricky, as it often comes at a premium compared to its Scottish peers. But this one is absolutely worth the attention it receives. It’s still significantly more affordable than the new 18-year-old and far easier to find than the (possibly discontinued) 21-year-old, which I haven’t seen on shelves for quite some time.
Bushmills 16 Year Old
BUY NOW: $119
The other standout in the teenage Irish whiskey scene is Bushmills 16 Year Old. This single malt is matured in a trio of casks—ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and ex-port—and it’s a prime example of how a younger expression can sometimes outshine its older sibling.
The 21-year-old isn’t a bad whisky by any means, but in terms of value for flavor, it often feels a little underwhelming. A higher ABV might help, but as it stands, the 16-year-old is the sweet spot in the core Bushmills range.
It’s rich and expressive, with notes of chocolate, raisin, apricot, and sugared almonds—all of which highlight the elegance and finesse that Bushmills can deliver at its best.
Widow Jane 10 Year Old
BUY NOW: $63
I’ve spoken quite a bit about Widow Jane in recent months—it’s a bourbon I’ve always appreciated, but the most recent bottle truly stood out as a gem in the collection.
The recipe has likely evolved over the years, but Widow Jane 10 Year Old is typically a blend of straight bourbons sourced from Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The distillery now produces its own spirit as well, and some of that stock is reaching the ten-year mark. Whatever the current makeup, the result is superb.
A decade of aging in virgin oak gives this bourbon a bold, full-flavored profile that feels like a throwback to an earlier era. From a UK perspective, age-stated bourbons—especially those in the double digits—are becoming increasingly rare, making this one all the more special.
It opens with a hit of sweetness and light spice, followed by a flood of rich oak, sweet wood notes, and brown sugar. While it does lean toward the pricier side, it’s a truly memorable bottle—one that rewards every sip.
Booker’s Bourbon
BUY NOW: $99 (Jimmy’s Batch)
Time to break out one of the heavy hitters. If you’re a bourbon fan and haven’t yet owned a bottle of Booker’s, it might be time to head to the nearest shop and change that.
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Considering the global scale of Jim Beam, it’s quite something to experience a hand-selected batch of bourbon pulled from the deep, dark warehouses of this Frankfort giant. Released a few times a year under different batch names, Booker’s might not quite reach “hazmat” levels of 70% ABV, but it consistently delivers at full barrel strength—packing in all the turbocharged sweetness, richness, and complexity you’d expect from a whiskey with this kind of reputation.
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