Scotch whisky often seems like a much more expensive product compared to bourbon. While American whiskeys have certainly had their time in the premium spotlight, much of the culture around them remains proudly blue-collar, offering great quality whiskeys at 45% or 50% ABV from a wide range of brands. In comparison, scotch whisky continues to move further toward premiumization and exclusivity. However, even in uncertain financial times, there are still some outstanding scotch whiskies available for everyday drinking.
Below, you’ll find a varied list, with only one option leaning heavily into peat. (Typically, the peatier you go, the more expensive the bottle becomes.) Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and feel free to suggest other great-value scotch whiskies for bourbon drinkers!
Glencadam 10 Year Old
BUY NOW: $40
The definition of a lighter, summery style of Scottish single malt whisky. Glencadam is known for its “light Highland” style, prioritizing refill bourbon casks, bottling at 46% ABV, and delivering a wonderfully light, grassy, vanilla-coated single malt.
This whisky always reminds me of the first time I tried it — at a friend’s birthday party on a late summer evening in the middle of Manchester. One of those nights when you can still feel the warmth lingering long after the sun has set. A glass of this, whether neat, over ice, or long in a highball, is the perfect way to top off a wonderful day.
As you explore older expressions of Glencadam, you’ll find they lean more heavily into ex-sherry and ex-port casks. Those are delicious in their own right, but if bourbon is your go-to drink and you’re looking for something a little different, the 10-year-old is a must.
Glenmorangie The Original 12 Year Old
BUY NOW: $35
No matter what’s happening in the world, Glenmorangie continues to deliver really good quality whisky across its core range. This 12 year old release has replaced the much-loved 10 year old, and thankfully, they taste quite similar, without making you pay more out of pocket for an extra two years of aging.
Glenmorangie is all about tropical fruits. Every time I nose this whisky — and its younger predecessor — pineapple and orange are always the standout aromas. On the palate, those flavors carry through in a dried, slightly richer form, interwoven with vanilla, toffee, and just enough gentle barrel heat to remind you that you’re drinking whisky.
Glenmorangie has faced a fair bit of scrutiny for its expensive, limited-edition releases that sometimes feel like they’re produced just for the sake of being “new” and “exclusive.” But I genuinely think their core range is often overlooked, especially considering the upgrade their Lasanta sherry cask finish has gone through.
Kilchoman Machir Bay
BUY NOW: $46
Here’s the smoky entry! I’d wager a fair chunk of my own money that Kilchoman is the most consistent whisky distillery on Islay right now. Every release is pleasantly smoky, packed with flavor, and bottled at 46% ABV.
Kilchoman’s whiskies always carry this incredible smoky bacon note, backed by just enough earthy depth from the heavy peat. Unlike many of their older Islay counterparts, Kilchoman consistently nails their batching, though you might notice some color variation, as all their releases are naturally colored.
The Machir Bay release is primarily matured in ex-bourbon casks, with just a touch of sherry influence. It’s their entry-level bottling. If you’re looking for something more sherry-driven, check out the Sanaig — the cask influence is the opposite, delivering a slightly richer yet still very smoky, salty style from the legendary Isle of Islay.
Glenfarclas 10 Year Old
BUY NOW: $52
A true classic. Glenfarclas is one of the few family-run distilleries still thriving after nearly 200 years in the business. Their house style focuses on sherry-matured, lighter single malts, with flavors of orange, raisin, and caramel. The distillery also offers plenty of variation within that style, experimenting with different types of sherry casks and a range of ABV percentages.
When it comes to standard bottlings, the 15-year-old often receives a lot of praise. However, if you’ve never tried anything from Glenfarclas, the 10-year-old is an excellent place to start. It covers all the key points — soft, approachable, and sherry-focused — making it the perfect gateway into Scottish whisky for drinkers around the world.
Aberlour 12 Year Old
BUY NOW: $53
Another major player in the sherry-matured world: Aberlour. As a distillery, it often sits in the shadows of bigger names like The Macallan, Glenfarclas, and The Glendronach.
However, Aberlour carves out its own distinctive style when it comes to sherry cask maturation, and the whisky it produces is unmistakable. For me, Aberlour is all about flavors of blackberry, caramel, peaches, and the classic raisin and orange notes. It’s always rich, fruit-driven, and generally offers excellent value for money.
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While they do produce some higher-ABV bottles — most famously the A’bunadh — starting with one of their 40% ABV releases is perfectly fine. There aren’t many distilleries that can match Aberlour’s depth of flavor at 40%, especially when you consider the lower price point compared to the bigger brands.
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