Courtesy of SIPDARK..

Your cigar is lit and resting on your tray. It’s time to open up a fine bottle of Scotch…but what are you drinking?

It can be tough finding a new whiskey. Sure, you have the favorites and classics around, but what about when you’re looking for something new?

There are many high-quality Scotch whiskies out there for under $100, and you can find out more about them right here!

1. LAPHROAIG QUARTER CASK

For under $75, you can get a hold of Laphroaig Quarter Cask. This is one of the smokiest and peatiest whiskies around, and it has developed quite the reputation. The unique and incredibly full flavor is achieved thanks to the time it spends maturing in a ‘quarter cask’ – a much smaller cask that exposes more of the liquid to the flavor of the wood.

It’s easy to compare the flavor of this whiskey with a campfire. It has a smoky side to it, but the vanilla and butterscotch flavors still come through.

2. LAGAVULIN 16 YR.

If you’re looking for a quality single malt for as little as $57, you’ve found it. Lagavulin is a timeless whiskey, which shares a peaty and smoky flavor with Laphroaig. The whiskey also has a rich palate, with sherry and malt flavors that are perfectly complemented by a sweet, fruity flavor. The smokiness combined with sweetness is what makes this 16-year-old single malt Scotch a really great buy. For less than $60, this is one of the best buys you can make this year. 

3. ARDBEG UIGEADIAL

Uigeadial is a Scottish Gaelic word meaning “Dark and Mysterious Place.” Just looking at the bottle, it’s obvious that this whiskey is very malty, and it also features black forest honey flavors and hints of sweet and ripe fruit. This dark, luxury whiskey won Jim Murray’s famous ‘World Whiskey of the Year’ award in 2009, and despite being so popular, you can pick up a bottle for less than $70.

According to Murray, every pour of this drink shows its unique character, and its offers notes of peat, espresso, tar and dark sugar. This is a classy, tasteful whiskey that’s well worth the affordable price.

4. BALVENIE CARIBBEAN CASK

Another great option for under $75 is Balvenie Caribbean Cask, a rum-finished Scotch that offers something different for Scotch drinkers. This is a new version of the Balvenie Single Barrel, which has rave reviews online. It is a year younger than the original, and has been finished in rum casks, instead of the sherry casks that made the original Balvenie so famous.

The rum flavors combine with a sherry, brown sugar and peaty taste, making this unlike every other Scotch on the market.

5. CAOL ILA I2

The Coal Ila I2 is perfect for combining with a great piece of fish. This is a popular whiskey with a smoky nose and strong lemon flavors. You have probably already tried it, too – this is a popular part of the Johnnie Walker blends. Its lightness – almost so light it could be mistaken for a white wine – makes this a surprisingly easy to drink whiskey. 

6. THE GLENLIVET 18 YR.

Amazingly, this 18-year-old single malt whiskey costs just $70, and it’s an all-round fantastic Scotch to keep at home. Glenlivet 18 Yr. has won a number of gold medals in the International Wine and Spirits Competition, and has been praised for its honey, oak, and walnut notes, combined with orange and apple pairings. Every sip reveals new notes that makes the Glenlivet 18 Yr. extra special. 

You’ll struggle to find a negative review for this whiskey anywhere, so if you’re looking for something high quality and affordable, you’ll be able to pick this up at most good whiskey and spirit stores.

7. GLENFIDDICH 18 YR.

Glenfiddich has an 18-year-old Scotch that has proved to be one of its finest offerings. The Glenfiddich 18 Yr was matured and finished in sherry and bourbon casks, which have created a totally unique flavor profile. It’s deep and heavy, but it maintains a fruity tang.

Experts say the nose offers baked apple and grapefruit, along with cinnamon, salted toffee, and candied fruit. This is a traditional and popular single malt that is well worth the RRP of $72. For that price, it’s difficult to find anything else quite as high in quality.

8. ABERLOUR A’BUNADH

For under $100, you can pick up a cask-strength whiskey with serious flavor. The Aberlour A’bunadh comes in a bottle with wax seals, making this look as traditional and refined as it tastes. The whiskey is a blend of Aberlour Scotch that has been matured and finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, and then bottled without dilution or chill filtration. This is a super high quality whiskey that is more than 120 proof – though this depends entirely on the batch that you purchase. 

With a nose of citrus and vanilla and a ginger and peat flavor, this is a warm and satisfying whiskey.

Each batch is slightly different, and the A’bunadh is released in small, limited-run batches. So if you’re looking to pick up a bottle of this classic whiskey, be prepared to do some searching. You’ll likely find it for a great price, but it might not be available immediately when you need it.

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Plumeberg Media Inc. 2019