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Taster’s Club’s Best 18 Year Scotch in 2024

Written by Emma C | Updated August 2024

Unveiling the perfect harmony of flavors that only time can create, 18-year-old Scotch whisky stands as a testament to patience and expertise. Each bottle represents a complex symphony of rich dried fruits, toasted nuts, vanilla, exotic spices, and subtle peat smoke—a character painstakingly developed over nearly two decades in oak casks. Scotland's cool climate ensures a slow maturation process, allowing the whisky to draw out deep flavors and achieve a profound balance that delights both enthusiasts and collectors alike. If you're embarking on a quest to discover these exquisite aged expressions, the Taster’s Club is your trusted guide.

With decades of experience and a discerning palate honed by sampling countless Scotches, our curators have distilled a definitive list of top bottle shop recommendations just for you. This Taster’s Club guide to the best 18 year Scotch has you covered.

Taster’s Club’s Best 18 Year Scotch in 2023 available in our bottle shop
The Glendronach Allardice Aged 18 Years .webp__PID:d2add566-f427-4c92-bb0f-157c5b443d89
Glendronach 18 Year

We are in love with this offering from The Glendronach which is why it is at the top of our list. It is full of flavor and one not to miss. The GlenDronach 18-Year-Old Aldarice pays homage to the distillery's founder, James Allardice. This sherried single malt, with its natural color and 46% ABV, is a testament to the craftsmanship of maturing in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. Its appearance, a bright deep gold with a tawny center, heralds a nose of sweet fudge, Muscovado sugar, and intricate fruit notes. The palate is a rich and seductive experience, featuring stewed fruits, all-spice, aged Oloroso sherry, and toasted walnut bread with chocolate. The conclusion is tremendously complex and enduring, leaving an indelible mark on the senses.

Region: Highland | Tasting Notes cherry jam, fudge brownie, spices | ABV 46%

Talisker 18 Year.jpeg__PID:f8eac106-54a7-4b73-ab81-afc329f7062b
Talisker 18 Year

Talisker is a staple and their 18 year offering is world class. With each sip Talisker 18 year transports you to the windswept beauty of the Isle of Skye, with a perfect balance of sweetness, warmth, and a subtle thread of smoke. An award-winning masterpiece, Talisker 18-Year-Old offers a rich and soft, yet assertive flavor profile. A superb gift for connoisseurs seeking new depths of smoky island single malt whiskies.

Region Islands | Tasting Notes Plum, smoke, toffee | ABV 45.8%

Highland Park 18 Year Old .webp__PID:14601ca2-9ea0-4836-831a-d5940f6810ea
Highland Park 18 Year Old

Highland Park 18-Year-Old is adorned with Gold and Ultimate Recommendation in the 2021 International Spirits Challenge, stands as our most esteemed single malt whisky. We could not agree more. This Scotch would impress any Scotch drinker. Aged in first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, it embodies the essence of our five keystones of production. This superb 18-Year-Old offers a refined fusion of ripe cherries, bittersweet cocoa, honeycomb, and candied orange peel, with a hint of Orkney's salty seaspray lingering in the aromatic peat smoke.

Region: Orkney | Tasting Notes Heather honey, peat smoke, marzipan | ABV 43%

Glenmorangie 18 Years Old.webp__PID:036e68a7-82c7-4129-80dd-b8d3a15ebcc9
Glenmorangie 18 Years Old

This has always been a go to higher aged Scotch for us. Glenmorangie 18-Year-Old is a rare gem that undergoes a unique maturation process. Spending its initial 15 years in American white oak bourbon casks, it then embarks on a final journey, with 30% transferred to Oloroso sherry casks. The rest continues its aging in bourbon casks. After a total of 18 years, these exquisite flavors are harmoniously reunited, resulting in a thick, creamy, and fruity single malt Scotch whisky. Bottled at 43% ABV, this prestigious offering is encapsulated in an elegantly crafted bottle, a true testament to its rare and exceptional character.

Region Highland | Tasting Notes Tropical fruit, butterscotch, oak | ABV 43%

The Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak.webp__PID:029d28fe-93dc-460f-b97b-15e4f55b1625
The Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak

Indulge in this legendary expression with us. The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old is a distinguished member of the Sherry Oak Collection, this single malt whisky is meticulously matured in carefully selected sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez. The result is a full-bodied palate, boasting rich notes of mature oak, invigorating ginger, and succulent raisins. Complemented by its light mahogany natural color, this release exemplifies The Macallan's commitment to crafting whiskies of unparalleled richness and complexity, providing a truly indulgent experience for the discerning connoisseur.

Region Highland | Tasting Notes Ginger, dark chocolates, dates | ABV 43%

Bunnahabhain 18 Year.jpeg__PID:ca98ddf8-82d4-4367-9cd0-f5d8f015a132
Bunnahabhain 18 Year

Our curator at Taster's Club has a soft spot for Bunnahabhain and knows their 18 Year is on not to be missed for any Scotch lover. As a cherished member of the Bunnahabhain family, this non-chill filtered, natural-colored malt exudes richness with a deep mahogany hue. Indulge in the warmth of dried fruits, sherry, toffee, and spices, paving the way to a luxurious honeyed nuttiness. A subtle whisper of sea salt adds complexity to this intensely satisfying expression, making Bunnahabhain 18 Year a favorite among discerning whisky enthusiasts.

Region: Islay | Tasting Notes Dried fruits, salted toffee, spice | ABV 46.3%

Old Pulteney 18 Year.webp__PID:2db60d29-8945-4367-92c3-c3fbeed5412f
Old Pulteney 18 Year

Pack your swimwear we are drinking at the beach. Savor the richness of Old Pulteney 18 Year, meticulously matured to perfection. A testament to time, this whisky embodies indulgence and spice, drawn from carefully chosen casks that impart depth and character. The deep warmth envelops the senses, as chocolate and spice intertwine, defining its unique profile. Yet, vibrant zesty undertones add a refreshing complexity, making Old Pulteney 18 Year a harmonious symphony of flavors that lingers with every sip.

Region: Highland | Tasting Notes Cinammon spice, dark chocolate, sea salt | ABV 46%

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anCnoc 18 Year

This is a new favorite of our and stands up to some more establishes expressions in Scotland. anCnoc 18 Years Old is meticulously aged in Spanish oak ex-sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon barrels, this single malt is presented in its purest form—unfiltered and uncolored. Embrace the authentic essence of whisky, as this dram may develop a gentle haze with water or in colder temperatures, a testament to its non chill-filtered nature. Let anCnoc 18 Years Old captivate your palate with its natural charm and distinctive character.

Region Highland | Tasting Notes Ripe fruits, bold, spices | ABV 46%

The Glenlivet 18 Year Old .webp__PID:bbf66eb3-1460-4ca2-9ea0-e836c31ad594
The Glenlivet 18 Year

You cannot replace old favorites and nor should you. This Scotch is perfect for any occassion whether it be for a gift or a tipple at the end of a long week.The Glenlivet 18 Year Old is a masterpiece artfully navigated through a blend of first and second-fill American Oak and ex-sherry Oak casks. The result is an award-winning single malt that marries complexity with elegance, offering a balanced symphony of flavors. This prestigious expression, having garnered more awards than any other, embodies the unparalleled quality and taste synonymous with The Glenlivet. Each bottle is a testament to the distillery's commitment to crafting exceptional Scotch, making it a distinguished addition to your collection.

Region: Speyside | Tasting Notes: Balanced, rich fruits, oak | ABV 40%

Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years .webp__PID:e836c31a-d594-4f68-90ea-d71842d31a07
Johnnie Walker 18 Year Blended Malt

Do not discredit blended malts. There are some beautiful expressions that rival single malts on the market today. Johnnie Walker 18 Year Blended Scotch is an exquisite expression that epitomizes richness, blending a trinity of flavors and textures in perfect harmony. This is a superb blended Scotch whisky meticulously crafted from a symphony of up to 18 diverse whiskies, including Cardhu, Glen Elgin, Auchroisk, and Blair Athol, masterfully blended by the renowned Jim Beveridge. This expression delights with notes of creamy vanilla, lively fruit, and luscious honey, all seamlessly intertwined with subtle wisps of smoke - a true testament to the brand's legendary craftsmanship.

Region Scotland | Tasting Notes Rich, Fruit, honey | ABV 40%

With this handy guide to the best 18 year Scotch, you’ll be ready to celebrate all of life’s special moments, big and small. It’s also nice to simply have a wonderful, aged expression in your home bar whenever the mood strikes. With these fantastic options, we totally understand if you can’t quite decide, though. A great solution is our Scotch Club – it’s super quick to sign up, and we do all the work of choosing a new bottle and sending it your way each month.

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.

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