Best Scotch

"Too much of anything is bad, but too much of good whiskey is barely enough" - Mark Twain

Great men think alike. And they drink alike too. Winston Churchill, the greatest British politician, Dylan Thomas, soulful poet and the infamous crooner of That's Amore Dean Martin have one thing in common. They loved to drink Scotch whiskey. The ultimate in manly drinks, guaranteed drink for any occasion, happy or sad, is a glass of Scotch. It's one of the greatest gifts Scotland has given the world, along with golf and Sean Connery. The word whiskey comes from the Gaelic word "usquebaugh", which means "Water of Life". The Scots had the right idea. So if you are looking to add this magical water to your drinking menu, or trying to raise the bar on your whiskey collection quality, then take a look at some of the greatest Scotch whiskeys, available today. To make it more selective, the selections are divided into single malt Scotch and blended Scotch.

Before you get your drinking glasses out, you need to know these Scotch whiskey traits:
✔ It is produced at a distillery in Scotland and no other country.
✔ It is made from water and malted barley, and matured in casks for at least 3 years.
✔ Its taste, color and smell are due to the combination of substances used in production, and the way it was made. For e.g. A peaty smell and taste from using peat heated fire, during malting.
✔ No additives other than water and caramel for color.
✔ Has an alcoholic strength between 40% to 46 %. Above 50 % strength is marketed as cask strength.
✔ The minimum age of Scotch whiskey is 3 years old. The age statement on the bottle is the age of the youngest whiskey used to produce that product.

Now that the basics of Scotch have been dealt with, take a look at the best Scotch whiskey, made in Scotland and the mark of a blender's pride.

Best Single Malt Scotch

This is a type of Scotch, where the whiskey is made from water and malted barley at only a single distillery. It has not been mixed with whiskey from other distilleries. This accounts for a unique taste per whiskey.

✠ Lagavulin 16 Year Old

• Gaelic for hollow by the mill
• Place of production: Island of Islay
• Distillers: White Horse Distillers
• Alcohol strength: 43.0%
• Awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition double gold medal - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
• Characteristics: Amber colored, full-bodied with peat-smoke aroma, sweet yet strong
• Price: $80

✠ Auchentoshan 16 Year Old

• Gaelic for the corner of the field
• Place of production: Scottish Lowlands
• Distillers: Auchentoshan
• Alcohol strength: 43%
• Awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition double gold Medal - 2008
• Characteristics: Triple distillation gives a delicate and sweet flavor, smooth and vanilla-like taste, with a oak and caramel aroma
• Price: NA

✠ Talisker 10 Year Old

• Place of production: Isle of Skye
• Distillers: Talisker Distillery
• Alcohol strength: 45.8%
• Awards: Wine Enthusiast score of 85-89; San Francisco World Spirits Competition gold medal - 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010
• Characteristics: Light smoky but cherry scent, amber colored, with a peat and chili-pepper taste
• Price: $60

✠ Glenfiddich 15 Year Old

• Gaelic for valley of the deer
• Place of production: Speyside
• Distillers: The Glenfiddich Distillery
• Alcohol strength: 40%
• Awards : The world's best-selling single malt, San Francisco World Spirits Competition double gold medals - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
• Characteristics: Burnished gold color, peat smoke, sherry, vanilla and sweet taste with a heavy malty body
• Price: $50

✠ Highland Park 25 Year Old Cask Strength

• Place of production: Orkney
• Distillers: Highland Park Distillery
• Alcohol strength: 48.1%
• Awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition double gold medals - 2007, 2009
• Characteristics: Sweet but light smoke aroma, chestnuts, honey, rich and flavored peat taste
• Price: $325

Best Blended Scotch

This is a whiskey made from a combination of whiskeys from different distilleries. The percentage of malt and grain used, makes each blend different and reflects in taste. Whiskeys used in the blending, are normally matured for 5 years, prior to blending.

♞ Whyte & Mackay 22 Year Old Supreme Limited Edition

• Place: Glasgow
• Strength: 43%
• Characteristics: Mahogany color, woodsy aroma, rich and heavy body
• Awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition silver medal -2009
• Price: $80

♞ Johnnie Walker Blue Label

• Place: Kilmarnock (origin), Glasgow
• Strength: 43%
• Taste: Deep smokey taste with powerful full body and notes of spice
• Awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition gold medal - 2007 and 2010. Silver medal - 2006 and 2008
• Price: $210

♞ Chivas Regal 25 Years Old

• Place: Speyside
• Strength: 40%
• Taste: Mellow honeyed taste, with hints of apricot and peach
• Awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition gold medal - 2008, 2011
• Price: $230

♞ Dewar's Signature

• Place: Aberfeldy
• Strength: 43%
• Taste: Warm honeyed taste, with toffee flavor for a rich and creamy taste. Velvety smooth oak hints
• Awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition double gold medal - 2007, gold medal - 2006, 2008. Silver medal - 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011
• Price: $160

♞ Ballantine's 12 Years Old Special Reserve

• Place: Dumbarton
• Strength: 43%
• Taste: Vanilla aroma, Honey sweet, spicy and deep taste with fruit hints
• Awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition double gold medal - 2005, gold medal - 2007
• Price: $45

♞ The Famous Grouse 12 Years Old Gold Reserve

• Place: Perth
• Strength: 40%
• Taste: Fruity oaky taste with hints of citrus, vanilla and cereal
• Awards: San Francisco World Spirits Competition gold medal - 2005, silver medal - 2006, 2008
• Price: $25

Even the best of the best Scotch can taste like water, if you do not know how to "taste" the whiskey. 4 key points when it comes to Scotch whiskey : color, nose, palate and finish or aftertaste. For the smell and color, choice of glass is important. A nice deep glass tumbler should do the trick, to spread the liquid. For sticklers to propriety, a Glencairn, a narrow necked glass is the norm. Tilt and rotate the glass, to swirl the liquid around, and see how the whiskey returns to the main body. A thin body, spreads thinly over the glass. A thick bodied whiskey takes its time and slowly returns to the main liquid. Bring the glass close to your nose and take a deep whiff. Savor the smell and understand what is the source. For taste, take a small sip and roll it around your tongue. Swallow and see what taste remains in your mouth, this is the finish or aftertaste.

Tasting done, let the drinking begin. The best Scotch for the money, is a drink, that warms you in the coldest of winters, makes you smile during the saddest of times, and is a taste that remains with you, long after the bottle is empty.