The 14 Best Scotch Whisky Brands to Buy Now in 2026
What are the different types of scotch whisky?
Scotch whisky can be divided into a few different styles, but some rules that apply to the category overall are as follows: It must be aged for at least three years in barrels, produced and matured in Scotland, and made only from cereals, yeast, and water (caramel coloring is permitted for color consistency). Single malt means the whisky was produced at one distillery from a mashbill of 100 percent barley, blended scotch is a blend of malt and grain whiskies from different distilleries, blended malt is a blend of just malt whiskies from different distilleries, and single grain means the whisky is the product of one distillery made from a mashbill of different grains.
How should you drink scotch?
The short answer is however you like it. There is no wrong or right way to enjoy whisky. If you prefer cocktails, there are plenty of options and scotch whisky goes well with other ingredients. But consider trying it on its own as well to explore the flavors. A Glencairn glass is a good way to nose and taste whisky neat, and some people like to add a splash of water. A tumbler works just fine if you’d like to add some ice. Just remember to drink it in the way that you like best.
How did we choose the whisky on this list?
We considered different factors when picking these whiskies, with the emphasis being on taste. Because after all, despite a bottle’s availability or the hype surrounding it, that is the most important thing. Tasting whisky involves a combination of sensations, including the nose, palate, mouthfeel, and finish. And each category has different characteristics, so part of the process is to consider how an individual pick fits into its style overall. The bottles on this list represent the best whisky brands and distilleries based on all of these options, providing a good overview of selections you can easily purchase in person or online that are good examples of each individual category.
Why should you trust us?
Jonah Flicker has been writing about whiskey and other spirits for over a decade, visiting distilleries around the world to meet the people behind the bottles and find out more about their stories. He is a judge for the John Barleycorn Awards and New York Wine and Spirits Competition, and his work has appeared in many other national lifestyle outlets besides Robb Report, including Esquire, Men’s Journal, Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, InsideHook, Vinepair, CNN, USA Today, and more.
