Taster’s Club Best 12-Year Scotch in 2024
Written by Emma C | Updated August 2024
Calling all Scotch lovers, from seasoned connoisseurs to those just starting their whisky journeys! If you’re ready to explore the nuanced world of single malt Scotch, look no further than the sweet spot of 12-year-aged bottles. This remarkable age perfectly balances depth of flavor with accessibility, offering rich, complex profiles without the hefty price tag of older whiskies.
Our Taster’s Club 2024 Guide to the Best 12-Year Scotch is your passport to discovering the crème de la crème of distilleries. Each bottle we feature is a masterclass in subtlety and strength, boasting unique characteristics while maintaining exceptional quality.
And the best part? You can find all these gems in our Taster's Club Bottle Shop. Elevate your Scotch collection today with these distinct, high-quality, and affordable options.
Taster’s Club Best 12-Year Scotch in 2023 available in our bottle shop
1. Bunnahabhain 12 Year
Embark on a journey with Bunnahabhain 12 Year, the cornerstone of our Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky collection. Unveiling the essence of Bunnahabhain, this expression is non-chill filtered and boasts natural color. Delight in a harmonious interplay of sweet fruit, nuttiness, and vanilla, complemented by a subtle coastal influence. It's an introduction to the distinct character and allure that define Bunnahabhain.
Region: Islay | Tasting Notes fruit notes, nutty flavors, sea salt | ABV 46.3%
2. The Glendronach 12 Year
The GlenDronach 12 Year is an exquisite single malt crafted with precision. Immerse your senses in the rich, sherried opulence that results from at least 12 years of maturation in superior Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. Natural in color and bottled at 43%, this whisky offers a sweet and creamy experience that epitomizes The GlenDronach's commitment to excellence.
Region Highland | Tasting Notes Raisins, soft fruits. spicy | ABV 43%
3. Highland Park 12 Year
Matured mainly in European and American sherry-seasoned oak casks, this iconic 12 year old single malt is spicy and well-rounded, packed with the flavors of oranges and rich fruitcake spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. There’s also molten heather honey in this whisky’s heathery peat smoke.
Region Orkney | Tasting Notes Granary Toast And Green Tea With Jasmine | ABV 40%
4. The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old
Sherry Oak 12 Years Old is part of The Macallan’s Sherry Oak range, which features a series of single malt whiskies matured exclusively in hand-picked sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez for richness and complexity. With its matured character, this bottle delivers rich wood spice and dried fruits, and a natural rich gold color.
Region Speyside | Tasting Notes Hot Pastries And Marmalade, Sultanas | ABV 40%
5. The Balvenie Doublewood 12
The Balvenie’s iconic DoubleWood 12 was launched in 1993 with a process now commonly known as 'wood finishing'. The spirit is aged in two types of oak – first, refill American casks and then finished in first-fill European Oloroso sherry butts. Rich, sweet, and complex, it has aromas of nuts, spice, grapes, and sultanas. Flavor notes include vanilla, dried fruit, nuts, spice, and a bit of peat.
Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes Dried Fruit, Nutmeg, Cinnamon | ABV 40%
6. Aberfeldy 12 Year
Aberfeldy 12 Year Old single malt scotch whisky is a honeyed dram with notes of fruit, florals, spices, lots of vanilla, and just a hint of malt and smoke. You’ll also taste baking on the palate before getting to the short and sweet, nutty finish.
Region Highland | Tasting Notes Vanilla Fudge, Peaches And Cream | ABV 40%
7. Aberlour 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky
This 12-year-old expression is a fine example of how the distinctively crisp, citrus character of Aberlour’s new distillate is deftly softened by double cask maturation. Traditional oak and seasoned sherry butts are both used to great effect, as the mellowed spirits inside are combined to deliver a subtly balanced flavor.
Region Speyside | Tasting Notes Sultanas, Nutmeg, Currant Fruitcake | ABV 40%
8. Deanston 12 Year Whisky
With a light, smooth, and creamy sweetness, hints of fruit, barley, cereal, malty honeyed spiciness, oak, nuts, and soft vanilla notes, this crisp Deanston 12 year whisky finishes softly with flavors of clove and caramel.
Region Highland | Tasting Notes Soft, Nutty, Caramel, Touch Of Salinity | ABV 46.3%
9. Cragganmore 12 Year
This sherried 12-year-old single malt bottling from the Cragganmore distillery represents Speyside in a rich, creamy, slightly floral whisky with fruit, nut, barley, and honey notes. The spirit finishes with a decent length and peppery, smoky notes.
Region Speyside | Tasting Notes Honey, Stone Fruits, Chestnuts | ABV 40%
10. Glenfarclas 12 Year
Savor the Glenfarclas 12 Year, a masterpiece in single malt Scotch whisky. Aged exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks, this rich expression showcases the distillery's commitment to traditional craftsmanship. Imbued with a warm amber hue, the whisky reveals a harmonious balance of fruit, nuts, and oak, delivering a delightful complexity to the palate. Glenfarclas' signature sherried character shines through, making the 12 Year a distinguished choice for whisky enthusiasts seeking depth and refinement. Experience the heritage and legacy of Glenfarclas in every sip, a testament to over 180 years of family-owned excellence.
Region Speyside | Tasting Notes Date, walnut cake, earthy forest floor | ABV 43%
With this helpful guide to the best 12 year Scotch, you’ll be more than ready to unwind from a long week with friends and family or enjoy a well-deserved moment to yourself. Any of these bottles make the perfect home bar addition for whatever occasion comes up. While each bottle is fantastic, it’s understandable if you can’t decide where to start, though. No worries – it’s easy to sign up for our Scotch Club. Then, each month, we do all the work and you get to sit back, relax, and enjoy a new expression sent directly to your door.
Look no further than Taster’s Club for the best Scotch Subscription Club!
We’ll take you on a personalized bourbon journey by curating amazing bottles from award-winning distilleries from Kentucky and beyond, delivering them straight to your door each month.