Must-Try Highland Single Malts

Nestled on the northeast coast of Scotland, Glenglassaugh Distillery produces Portsoy as one of three core single malts in its relaunched portfolio and the only peated expression of the three. Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and port casks in coastal warehouses overlooking Sandend Bay, it is bottled at 98.2 proof. Available in the U.S. beginning September 2023.

Sitting on the southern edge of the Highlands bordering the Lowlands, Loch Lomond is the only Scottish distillery to produce both grain and single malt whisky in the same facility. The 12 Year is matured for a total of 12 years in three American oak cask types — ex-bourbon, refill, and re-charred — and bottled non-chill filtered at 92 proof.

Situated on the Highland/Lowland border just north of Glasgow, Glengoyne — from the Gaelic "Glen Guin," meaning valley of the wild geese — has been producing whisky since 1833. The 12 Year is an unpeated single malt matured in hand-selected ex-sherry casks, bottled non-chill filtered at 86 proof.

Produced at Tomatin Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, established in 1897, the 12 Year Triple Cask is one of the core expressions in the brand's portfolio, all made in an unpeated, light, and fruity style. Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and refill casks, it is bottled at 86 proof. One of the few Scottish distilleries to operate its own cooperage, Tomatin has direct oversight of its cask program.

Produced at Aberfeldy Distillery in the Central Highlands, built by the Dewar family in 1898, Aberfeldy is known as the Golden Dram — a reference to the Pitilie Burn, its water source, which was historically believed to contain alluvial gold deposits. Part of the distillery's core portfolio, the 16 Year is matured in a combination of first-fill, refill, and re-charred bourbon casks before finishing for six months in first-fill oloroso sherry casks, overseen by Malt Master Stephanie Macleod.

Located on one of Scotland's most remote western Highland peninsulas, Ardnamurchan Distillery was established in 2014 and matured its whisky in on-site dunnage warehouses where the distillery believes proximity to the North Atlantic influences the character of the spirit. AD/ is the distillery's core expression, made from a 50/50 split of peated and unpeated malted barley and matured in a combination of 65% ex-bourbon and 35% ex-sherry casks. Bottled non-chill filtered at 93.6 proof.

Founded in 1794 by brothers Hugh and John Stevenson, Oban Distillery sits on the shores of the Firth of Lorn in the coastal town that was subsequently built around it. One of the smallest distilleries in Scotland at just over an acre in size, it uses some of the smallest pot stills in the country alongside traditional worm tub condensers, which cool the vapor outside among the rooftops in the sea air. The 14 Year is lightly peated with a notably coastal character, bottled at 86 proof.

Named after a small medieval chapel near the distillery, Tullibardine was established in 1947 in Perthshire's Ochil Hills, drawing on mineral-rich spring water from the Danny Burn as its water source. The distillery operates with a cooperage, maturation warehouses, and bottling line all on-site, giving it direct oversight of production from still to bottle. The 12 Year is matured entirely in first-fill ex-bourbon casks for a minimum of 12 years and is available exclusively in the U.S. market, bottled at 80 proof.

Founded in 1839 on the northern shores of the Firth of Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands, Dalmore has been associated with Clan Mackenzie since 1867, whose 12-point Royal Stag emblem appears on every bottle. Part of the distillery's Principal Collection, Cigar Malt Reserve is a marriage of single malt stocks matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, Cabernet Sauvignon barriques, and González Byass sherry casks that previously held 30 year old Matusalem oloroso sherry. Bottled at 88 proof.

Founded in 1826 in the port town of Wick, Old Pulteney is one of the most northerly distilleries on the Scottish mainland. The 15 Year is matured in second-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks before finishing in first-fill Spanish oak ex-oloroso butts. Bottled at 92 proof, it was released in August 2018.

Produced at Glenmorangie Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, founded in 1843, Quinta Ruban is matured for 10 years in ex-bourbon casks before finishing for four years in ruby port casks from Portugal. The expression was updated from a 12 year to a 14 year age statement in 2019. Bottled non-chill filtered at 92 proof.

Named from the Gaelic for "Valley of the Brambles," GlenDronach was founded in 1826 by James Allardice, who discovered that ex-sherry casks paired well with his Highland spirit. One of three core expressions in the brand's portfolio, the 12 Year is matured entirely in a combination of oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Updated packaging highlighting the distillery's use of Spanish sherry casks became available in the U.S. beginning October 2024. Bottled at 86 proof.