If you’re a fan of Jack Daniel’s and curious about exploring scotch whisky, you’re in the right place. While scotch and Tennessee whiskey have their differences, there’s a surprising amount of common ground—especially when it comes to smooth, approachable flavors and a touch of sweetness from oak aging.
This list highlights five scotch whiskies that make an excellent next step for Jack Daniel’s drinkers. Whether you’re looking for something familiar yet distinctly Scottish or hoping to expand your palate with confidence, these picks offer a great way to start your journey.
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And don’t worry—only one of them is smoky. Peated whisky can be a bit divisive, so I’ll be sure to point it out clearly when it comes up.
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old
BUY NOW: $47
This is a bottle I always pick up when I spot it on specialist shelves. Royal Lochnagar is one of the gentlest and most approachable single malts in Scotland—rich, easy-drinking, and full of character.
Matured in a mix of refill American oak and refill sherry casks, it also happens to be a key component in many Johnnie Walker blends. From a blender’s perspective, it’s considered one of the most flavorful malts available—though it often flies under the radar.
The flavor profile leans towards sweet and soft notes: think raisins, currants, cinnamon, vanilla, and milk chocolate. There’s no harsh spice or heat here, making it an ideal introduction to scotch for fans of Jack Daniel’s classics like Old No. 7 or Gentleman Jack.
The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood
BUY NOW: $58
This one shares some similarities with Royal Lochnagar but is perhaps better known among whisky fans. Balvenie sits right next door to Glenfiddich and is often described as its “younger brother” distillery. It’s renowned for producing whisky with a distinct honeyed, oaty sweetness—though the team has become more experimental in recent years.
The 12 Year Old DoubleWood is a great example of Balvenie’s signature style. Aged in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, it leans more toward the ex-bourbon character, with notes of caramel, toffee, sweet barley, and even a hint of peanut—flavors that will feel familiar to Jack Daniel’s drinkers.
Some batches carry a gentle spicy kick, but nothing that would surprise anyone used to drinking Jack. If you enjoy Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash, this is a scotch you’ll feel right at home with.
Glen Scotia Double Cask Pedro Ximénez Finish
BUY NOW: $48
Here’s something a little different. Glen Scotia hails from the mystical Campbeltown region of Scotland—a place that was once the heart of scotch whisky production until Prohibition hit hard. Today, only three distilleries remain, with a few more on the way.
Glen Scotia produces a coastal style of single malt, and every release carries a signature smoothness. This particular expression is first matured in ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in rich Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks.
PX sherry is known for adding deep sweetness and richness—think bananas, raisins, and other dessert-like notes. Combined with classic ex-bourbon influence and the coastal character of Glen Scotia’s spirit, this whisky offers a wonderfully rounded flavor profile. The only thing missing is a peaty kick from the west coast.
If you enjoy Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel releases, this is a great way to begin your exploration of scotch.
Glen Garioch 12 Year Old
BUY NOW: $42
This is a personal favorite and a distillery that often flies under the radar. Glen Garioch (pronounced “Geary”) produces a bold, classic Highland style of scotch—potent, spicy, and cask-driven, offering plenty of flavor at a very reasonable price.
Like others on this list, it’s matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. But what sets it apart is its distinctive character: rich notes of cocoa, red fruit, apple blossom, and oak spice. It stands out from the crowd of Highland whiskies with its depth and intensity.
If you’re a fan of higher-proof Jack Daniel’s expressions, this is definitely the scotch to try.
Highland Park 12 Year Old (40% in the UK, 43% in the U.S.)
BUY NOW: $51
Here’s the peated option on the list—but don’t worry, we’re not heading to Islay, the home of heavy peat. Instead, we’re going north to Orkney, where Highland Park crafts one of the most balanced single malts in Scotland.
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Matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks—mostly first-fill—Highland Park also uses two styles of peated malt: one lightly peated and one heavily peated. Most core releases, including the 12 Year Old, are a careful blend of the two, resulting in a sweet, gently smoky whisky that offers exceptional balance. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a dram that touches every corner of the flavor wheel.
A quick personal note: I was recently in Copenhagen on a short getaway with my girlfriend. We took a beautiful (and very cold) boat tour, and afterward headed to a restaurant for dinner. I asked the bartender for his favorite whisky to warm up with—and what should arrive but a glass of Highland Park 12. The scent of vanilla and heather honey, with just the faintest wisp of smoke, was exactly what I needed. It’s a comforting, well-crafted bottle that’s hard not to love.
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