3 Outstanding Whiskies You Have to Try When You Visit Scotland

"What is the most expensive whisky you have?" I asked, out of curiosity.

Ronnie, our distillery tour guide, smiled.

"I had three American tourists here last week who asked the same question."

Ronnie stretched up and eased a 30-year-old malt from the top shelf and, with reverence, placed it on the bar.

"This costs £104.50 for a single dram, and the Americans ordered four."

"But you said there were only three of them?"

"'That's right,' he said, 'If we are having a glass of your finest whisky, then you are having one too.'"

Ronnie captured the deep American drawl.

"Wow," I said to Ronnie, "What did it taste like?"

"I've no idea," he laughed, "I poured myself a cheap whisky and pocketed the £100."

There are three types of people in this world 

1. Those who like whisky. 

2 . Those who haven't tasted it properly.

3 . And those who love getting value for their money.

I'm all in on №3.

Since the dawn of the distillery 

Scotland has produced some of the finest whisky the world has supped. 

It's a personal choice. Some like the peaty malts from the western isles, their smokiness created by the pungent peat fires used to dry the barley grain. If you like your whisky served from an ashtray, go for it.

Others prefer the light malts produced from the soft waters of the lowlands, a Glenckinchie or an Auchentoshan, perhaps.

My preferences take me on a trip north. 

The Dalwhinnie Distillery is the most picturesque of all Scotland's distilleries. Visible as you drive A9 north through the Cairngorm National Park in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.

If you were to cut out a map of all Scotland and stick a pin through the Dalwhinnie Distillery, the country would spin in perfect equilibrium, like a stainless steel gyroscope.

The Dalwhinnie 15-year-old single malt is the best representative of all Scottish whiskies. Clean, crisp, and smooth, it has an aromatic heather nose and the honey sweetness slips over the tongue to warm a weary winter traveller.

An hour and a half further northwest is the Speyside hamlet of Dufftown. An area surrounded by the cleanest air and finest waters of anywhere in the world. The surrounding waters have spawned a thousand stills.

There are 50 distilleries in Speyside, producing 50% of all Scottish whisky. But there is one that stands out.

The Singleton of Dufftown 12-year-old malt is aged in European oak casks. For those dozen years, the casks effuse their nutty flavour and the malt soaks it up. The label promises 'Luscious Nectar,' I'd be lying if I disagreed.

Further north, crossing to the Black Isle and overlooking the Cromarty Firth is the Dalmore Distillery. An exquisite experience awaits those who venture this far. 

The Dalmore principle collection includes The Dalmore 15-year-old, a whisky whose character is far beyond its age. The colour of rodeo dust, with a distinct aroma of butterscotch, toffee and orange marmalade. It is a complex whisky, tasting of sultanas, cake and winter spices.

These three whiskies offer great value. You will not be disappointed. I would happily drink them until I die.

A little known secret

I like to try other whiskies, now and again. The fear of missing out. I'll sniff and sup any amber nectar offered. Many are nice, but none have come up to the brilliance of those mentioned. Until...

There are many supermarkets chains in Scotland that sell their own brand whisky. The rear label will tell you it is distilled and bottled in Scotland, but unlike distillery whiskies, it doesn't say where.

This is where it becomes irresistible.

Try any of these brands and you might see the colour of plain caramel or rodeo dust. The aromatics might remind you of heather or butterscotch and marmalade. The taste might feel nutty on the tongue or perhaps it reminds you of Christmas cake.

What you are drinking could be anyone of Scotland's distillery malts, because they have to be distilled at one of them. Finding glorious nectar for half the price gets a Sláinte from me.

Cheers.