The Best Scotch Under $100
[Expert Picks]

Written by Taster's Club Internal Team | Update August 2025

1. Highland Park 12 Year

Highland Park 12 Year Old is an incredible scotch under $100 and represents one of Scotland's most balanced and approachable single malts. The distillery maintains the traditional floor malting techniques and locally sourced peat. From there, the combination of American oak sherry-seasoned barrels and European oak creates deep complexities that are highly sought after.

Tasting Notes: The nose reveals gentle honey sweetness balanced with light peat smoke and dried fruits. On the palate, expect creamy vanilla, orange peel, and subtle spice with a hint of sea salt. The finish delivers a warming spice and lingering smoke.

Region: Highlands, Scotland | ABV: 43.0% | 750ml

2. The Singleton of Glendullan 12 Year Old

The Singleton of Glendullan is carefully matured in American oak barrels that previously held bourbon. This distillery is nestled in the heart of Speyside and draws water from the pristine Highland springs. From there, they use traditional copper pot stills to create exceptionally smooth scotch. The 12-year maturation period allows the spirit to develop sophisticated complexity while maintaining approachability for newcomers.

Tasting Notes: Fresh and inviting aromas of green apple, vanilla, and floral notes draw you in on the nose. The smooth palate opens with sweet honey, citrus zest, and oak. The finish is clean and lingers.

Region: Speyside, Scotland | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml

3. Come Together - The Speyside Distillery 10 Year Single Malt Scotch

The bottle represents innovative with a combination of time-honored techniques and modern quality control to create an exceptional 10-year-old single malt. This bottle is unique for it’s careful cask selection and maturation in a combination of bourbon barrels and sherry casks that add layers of complexity. With it being a 10 year, the young age allows the pure and vibrant character of the new-make spirit to shine through.

Tasting Notes: On the nose, you’ll be greeted with aromas of fresh orchard fruits and light caramel. The palate delivers apple, honey, and a gentle spice. The finish is medium and warming.

Region: Speyside, Scotland | ABV: 50.0% | 700ml

4. The Balvenie DoubleWood 12

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 is another premium scotch choice that won’t break the bank. This bottle spends its first 12 years maturing in traditional American oak whisky barrels before being transferred to European oak sherry casks for additional months of finishing. This dual maturation process creates builds depth and showcases how different wood types add unique characteristics to the final whisky. Excellent for connoisseurs.

Tasting Notes: The nose is inviting with notes of dried fruits, vanilla, and sweet sherry. The velvety palate features honey, orange peel, and warm spice balanced by subtle oak notes. The long and satisfying finish is warming.

Region: Speyside, Scotland | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml

5. Glenmorangie The Original 10 Years Old

Glenmorangie The Original is a must for any whiskey shelf. The distillers commitment to quality first starts with their own water source and extends through every stage of production. To add, the distillery's towering copper stills are the tallest in Scotland. This 10-year-old scotch ages exclusively in hand-selected American white oak bourbon barrels.

Tasting Notes: The nose opens with complex aromas showcase vanilla, citrus, and notes of almond and fresh oak. The smooth and creamy palate then delivers sweet vanilla, orange, and honey. The finish is medium and slightly lingers.

Region: Highlands, Scotland | ABV: 43.0% | 750ml

6. Ardbeg Heavy Vapour

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours comes from Ardbeg's experimentation with purifier pipes that are used during the distillation stage. By removing these pipes during production, Heavy Vapours showcases how small changes in distillation can dramatically impact the final scotch character. The result amplifies Ardbeg's signature peat and maritime character, while adding new angles of intensity and complexity. A truly unique sip to gift.

Tasting Notes: On the nose you can instantly expect intensely smoky aromas feature amplified peat, tar, and maritime influences with underlying citrus and vanilla notes. The powerful palate delivers concentrated smoke and black pepper, which is balanced by sweet vanilla. It finishes exceptionally long.

Region: Islay, Scotland | ABV: 46.0% | 750ml

7. Glenglassaugh Portsoy

This unique scotch whiskey takes its name from the nearby fishing village of Portsoy. A true maritime reflection of the Speyside coast. The whiskey benefits from the distillery's coastal location, where sea air and temperature fluctuations contribute to exceptional depth and complexity. They use locally sourced ingredients and traditional production methods that honor the distillery's heritage, while using modern quality control techniques.

Tasting Notes: The nose opens with orchard fruits, honey, and coastal minerality. From there, the rich palate delivers sweet fruit, vanilla, and sea salt with layers of oak and peat. The finish is long and satisfying.

Region: Highlands, Scotland | ABV: 49.10% | 700ml

8. Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength 2024

Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength represents how new distilleries can honor tradition while still pushing boundaries. This farm distillery grows its own barley and maintains complete control over production from field to bottle. The cask strength bottling preserves the whisky's full intensity and allows enthusiasts to experience the spirit exactly as it emerges from the barrel. Kilchoman's combination of bourbon barrels and sherry casks creates exceptional complexity, while their commitment to traditional floor malting and heavily peated barley delivers authentic Islay character.

Tasting Notes: Complex aromas of bold peat smoke and vanilla, along with hints of sea spray greet you on the nose. The palate delivers rich smokiness balanced by sweet sherry, tropical fruit, and spicy oak. The finish is long and persistent.

Region: Islay, Scotland | ABV: 57.80% | 700ml

9. Cragganmore 12 Year

Cragganmore 12 Year Old is developed using unique flat-topped spirit stills and worm tub condensers that create complexity. The combination of bourbon barrels and sherry casks develops extraordinary depth and balance over 12 years. Cragganmore's commitment to consistency and quality has made this expression a favorite among connoisseurs. Especially if they appreciate subtle complexity over aggressive flavors that can overwhelm the palate.

Tasting Notes: The nose reveals honey, dried fruits, and floral notes with hints of smoke and gentle spice. The palate is truly elegant and features sweet honey, orange peel, and nutty oak with subtle herbal and smoky undertones. The refined finish delivers lingering spice and smooth oak.

Region: Speyside, Scotland | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml

10. Longrow Peated Scotch

Longrow Peated presents a unique approach to heavily peated whisky from the Campbeltown region, combining traditional Scottish peat with innovative production techniques at the historic Springbank distillery. They use 100% peated malted barley that’s complimented by traditional production methods. The whisky matures in a combination of bourbon barrels and sherry casks that allow the intense peat character to remain the star.

Tasting Notes: Bold and complex aromas feature intense peat smoke, vanilla, and sea salt with hints of dark fruit and oak spice. The palate delivers a beautiful smokiness and is balanced by sweet vanilla, dried fruit, and coastal minerals. The finish is exceptionally long.

Region: Campbeltown, Scotland | ABV: 46.0% | 700ml