A kind of liquor called whisky is produced by fermenting grain mash. Different varieties of whisky are made from grains like barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky is traditionally aged in wooden casks often constructed of charred white oak. Uncharred white oak casks were previously used to mature port, rum, or sherry.
Whisky is a multiclass and multitype spirit that is rigorously regulated globally. Grain fermentation, distillation, and ageing in wooden barrels are the common features that bind the various classes and varieties together.
Interestingly, Pennsylvanians favoured whisky as currency during the American Revolution. Even more intriguing is that the most costly whisky bottles are so priced because of the casks in which they are stored rather than just their age, quality, or flavour.
Here are some of the best whisky brands in the world that you should know about.
Best Whisky In The World To Try
Aberfeldy
The Highlands distillery Aberfeldy is well-known for its distinctive honey notes, earning it the moniker "the Golden Dram." This has guaranteed Aberfeldy's place as a crucial element in the Dewar's blend. Among the superb older age-statement bottlings are this new, limited-edition 18-year-old, a special release from malt master Stephanie MacLeod. It was aged for over twenty years in first-fill bourbon barrels, then for a few more months in Côte Rôtie red wine casks after being recharged and refilled. The tannic and berry tones extracted from these wine barrels blend perfectly with the scents of honey and vanilla. It is priced at 12,000 INR, including tax and shipping costs.
Talisker
One of Scotland's most picturesque regions is the Isle of Skye, and the Talisker distillery there produces equally amazing single malt whisky. This is a harsh, windswept, briny whisky if you can stretch your mind to match the flavour to the surroundings. Especially after 25 years of maturing in American and European oak casks, the peat is noticeable but gentler than some of its Islay equivalents. Tendrils of smoke curl around vanilla, caramel, and ripe tropical fruit notes, bringing elegance to this assertive whisky, which, at 91.6 proof, packs a little bit of heat. There are many quarter-century-old whiskies to select from, but make sure this one is on your list with a great price of 20,000 INR.
Port Wood
The Macallan is probably the first brand to mind when discussing sherry cask-matured single malt. That is all very well, but you miss out on a treat if you haven't tried The GlenDronach. The Port Wood release, however, gets an additional flavour infusion from a lengthy secondary maturation time in port pipes after initially being stored in PX and Oloroso sherry casks. This adds a hint of spice, sharp notes of grape, and a touch of dark chocolate to the palate. You will want to return and time again to Port Wood whisky. This underrated whisky will cost you 5000 INR and upwards.
Compass Box
Sure, single malts get all the credit, but some blends are worth sampling as well. Compass Box is an innovative brand that sources and blends whiskies from various distilleries. The Story of the Spaniard is a mix of malts from distilleries like Glen Elgin, Deanston, and Glendullan, as well as a Highlands mix, most of which were matured in sherry butts. The usual notes of dried fruit and creamy vanilla are supported by bright citrus and warm chocolate flavours, so be prepared for the unexpected. You can get this liquor for around 4000 INR.
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10-Year-Old
Peated whisky, especially those at the end of the spectrum, can cause division. There aren't many people in this situation who aren't sure they like it or don't. Though the Port Charlotte range goes the opposite, Bruichladdich's core expression is unpeated, with whiskies as smoky as five-alarm fires. The fact is this ten-year-old spirit—which has a 40-smoky PPM—continues to have a lot of nuances despite having matured in both wine and bourbon barrels. This whisky has a supporting cast of stone fruit, vanilla, and some honey notes, making it almost savoury. It strikes a nice balance with every sip and costs around 7000 INR.
Highland Park
Highland Park is a single malt for whisky lovers, releasing whiskies mostly aged in sherry casks and peated but not overly smoky. Fans were ecstatic when this Viking-themed distillery's first cask strength release happened in 2020. With no colour added or chill filtration, the second batch has an ABV of 63.9 per cent, slightly higher than the first. Along with a small amount of bourbon barrels, the whisky matured in sherry-seasoned oak from Europe and America. When a few drops of water are added, the palate opens up and becomes more enjoyable, with notes of dried fig, pear, and baking spice blending. This fine wine cost around 10,000 INR.
Fine Oak 18 Years Old
This iconic single malt, formerly Fine Oak 18 Years Old, blends bourbon-aged spirits from American ex-bourbon barrels, European oak seasoned with sherry, and American oak seasoned with sherry. Of the many excellent expressions Macallan produces, Triple Cask Matured 18 is arguably the one that most perfectly captures the essence of the brand's core range: exceptionally smooth, elegant scotch adorned with various tastes that somehow work in perfect harmony. Subtle hints of vanilla, nutmeg, and wood smoke complement the dominant tastes of orange, rich dark chocolate, and dry coconut. Best savoured neat with toasted marshmallows coated in Pedro Ximénez sherry. Although it is expensive, the taste and experience are worth it. Buy these at 29,000 INR.
DoubleWood Balvenie
The inimitable David Stewart has worked at The Balvenie for almost sixty years. Aside from the Tun 1401 series and the DCS Compendium, which is a collection of 25 carefully chosen casks selected by Stewart that includes vintage single malts spanning his illustrious career, he is the most highly decorated and longest-tenured malt master in the industry. Stewart once told me that, out of all the whiskies he has produced, he is most proud of DoubleWood 12 Year Old because it revolutionised how the spirits business saw spirit ageing. It's matured in two types of barrels: American oak and European oak sherry. Similar aged whiskies are available from almost every whisky distillery today, but only one is the genuine article. You can easily get this around 8,000 INR.