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Taster’s Club Best Speyside Scotch in 2023

Written by Emma C | Updated August 2023

If you’re curious about the best Speyside Scotch, you’ve come to the right place. As one of the most sought-after whisky regions, Speyside Scotch comprises over half of the world’s Scotch whisky – yet comes from a fairly small part of Scotland. This region boasts a dry climate, soft, mineral-rich water, and barley fields, all ideal for producing some amazing fruit-forward, nutty, softly spiced spirits. Get started with our list of the best Speyside Scotch whisky available in our bottle shop.

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Best Speyside Scotch Available in our bottle shop
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1. Aberlour 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky

This 12-year-old expression from Aberlour is a fine example of how the distinctively crisp, citrus character of the brand’s distillate is softened by double-cask maturation. Traditional oak and seasoned sherry butts are used, and the mellowed spirits combine to deliver a subtly balanced flavor. The distillery stands out with its maturation process, which delivers unique characteristics signature to its complex single malt.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes: Fruity, Rich Chocolate, Crisp | ABV:40%

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2. Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky delivers distinctly fresh orchard fruit notes including green apple, pear, and lemon, then develops into honey, butterscotch, cream, malt, and subtle oak flavors. You’ll get similar notes on the palate plus some light spice and floral, followed by a short to medium finish.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes:Sweet Raisins, Plums, Rich Sherry | ABV:40%

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3. The Balvenie DoubleWood 12

The Balvenie’s DoubleWood 12 was launched in 1993, using a process designed by the brand’s Malt Master 11 years prior, now commonly known as 'wood finishing'. The spirit is aged in two types of oak casks – American oak followed by European oak Oloroso sherry butts. The rich, complex Speyside Scotch contains nutty, spicy, and sweet notes, along with a spicy, slightly sweet, dry finish.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes:Vanilla, Gentle Spice, Dried Fruits | ABV:40%

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4. The GlenAllachie 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This single malt from The GlenAllachie is made from a combination of Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry puncheons along with a small quantity of virgin oak casks and red wine barriques. Abundant with classic Speyside heather honey and butterscotch notes, balanced perfectly with sweet spices and hints of stem ginger, this creation truly represents the character of GlenAllachie.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes:Dark Muscovado Sugar | ABV:46%

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5. Mortlach 12 Year Old

This 12-year-old expression from Aberlour is a fine example of how the distinctively crisp, citrus character of the brand’s distillate is softened by double-cask maturation. Traditional oak and seasoned sherry butts are used, and the mellowed spirits combine to deliver a subtly balanced flavor. The distillery stands out with its maturation process, which delivers unique characteristics signature to its complex single malt.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes: Fruity, Rich Chocolate, Crisp | ABV:40%

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6. Craggonmore 12 Year

The first Scotland distillery with its site chosen and built to benefit from the Strathspey Railway, Craggonmore was founded in 1869. Its sherried 12-year-old single malt represents Speyside well, with its rich, slightly floral whisky with barley notes.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes:Stone Fruits, Honey, Smoky Finish | ABV:40%

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7. The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old

Since its inception in 1824, The Macallan has been obsessed with quality. The beautiful distillery is surrounded by a 485-acre estate above the river Spey. The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old marries the classic Macallan style and the unmistakable sweetness of American oak. This is a fully rounded single malt in perfect balance, with flavors of honey, citrus, and ginger.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes:Thick Marmalade, Baked Pastries, Creamy | ABV:43%

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8. The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve

Capturing George Smith’s vision, The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve was created with the time-honored distillation methods he’d introduced. Made with water from the same crystal-clear mountain streams, in the same cold, pure air, The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve is as smooth and fruity as the whisky that first ran from the original copper pot stills.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes:Toffee, Milk Chocolate, Apple Pastry | ABV:40%

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9. Glenfarclas 10 Year Old

This 10-year-old single malt from Glenfarclas is straw gold in color, with sherry-sweet malty aromas, a light smokiness, and subtle spice. The five-generation, family-run distillery is proud of its delicately light, sweet, and malty whisky. With hints of biscuits, and cream and peaty notes, the spirit leaves a long, slightly spicy finish with a lingering smokiness.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes:Biscuits, Cream, Slight Peat Notes | ABV:40%

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10. Craigellachie 13 Year Old Single Malt

To this day, Craigellachie still uses the historic worm tub cooling method in its whisky production. This gives extra flavor that helps create character. The maker’s 13-year-old single malt evokes a night around the campfire, with aromas of oozing toasted marshmallows, fire-roasted pineapples, and baked apples studded with cloves, with the tang of cordite lingering in the background.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes: Marshmallows, Baked Apples  | ABV:46%

The next time you’re running low on your favorite whisky, you can’t go wrong with one of our best Speyside Scotch bottles. With this list in hand, you’ll be ready at a moment’s notice with something new and exciting when friends or family stop by. It can be tough to choose sometimes, though, which is why we handle everything through our Scotch Club. Simply sign up, sit back, and wait for your new Scotch to arrive on your doorstep every month.

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