Best Whiskey: the 7 TOP in the world [GUIDE 2021]

If you are looking for the best Whiskey I want to confide some things to you first. It originated in Ireland or Scotland, and is the noblest of grain distillates. Varied and multifaceted, connoisseurs love to enjoy it straight, as it should be for all brandies, even if some prefer to add a few drops of pure water (I suggest you try it first without !!!)

After the very successful articles on the best Vodka and best Rum, today we talk about the best Whiskey

Barley, corn, rye, oats and wheat are the most used cereals, but in the differences between the numerous types other factors come into play such as the water used for mashing, the area and the fermentation and distillation techniques, the wood of the barrels, the times and places of aging.

Whiskey of malt, of cereals e blended, are the most significant types, from which further variants are obtained.

• Malt is obtained only from malt obtained from barley,
• From cereals such as corn, but also oats, rye and wheat
• Blended: from the mixture of different cereal distillates.

Comparative table of the best Whiskeys

If you are short on time and want to know our ranking immediately, take a look at the price comparison table.

Further on you will find all the details of the best Whiskey… Read on!

Geography of the best Whiskey

Only a few decades ago, alongside the blended market, that of malt whiskey, more original and rich in personality, has developed in Italy.

Whiskey evokes heather-colored Scottish moors, green Irish expanses and roads with signs in Gaelic, but this distillate is also produced in other countries, including the United States, Canada and ... Japan!

If the production of Japanese whiskey is decidedly inspired by the Scottish one, in the United States it is produced in particular Bourbon obtained mainly from corn e Rye Whisky from rye, while in Canada they are always Blended, that is mixtures of rye distillates and other cereals.

Etymology and origin of the name Whiskey

In Scotland, the distillation of Malt Whiskey or Malt Whiskey - is lost in the mists of time, thanks to the monks who already passionately dedicated themselves to it in the XNUMXth century. The Gaelic expression uisge beatha, translation of the Latin acqua vitae, became in the XNUMXth century usky and then Whiskey.

Malt whiskey

Barley, peat e pure water, poor in minerals, they are the elements from which malt whiskey is obtained. The ripe and dry barley grains are immersed in maceration tanks for 2-3 days, so that they absorb the water necessary for germination.

Once the excess water has been removed, the wet barley is spread on the floor of well-ventilated buildings, the malting houses, in layers of 40-50 cm, turning it over with mechanical systems or, very rarely, by hand with shovels.

The grains sprout and the starch is gradually transformed into maltose by the action of enzymes. After about 7-8 days, the germination of the green malt thus obtained is BLOCKED by blowing hot air obtained from the combustion of peat, a conglomerate of shrubs, branches, heather and leaves, which will give the barley its smoky aroma and taste.

Once the grains are dried and the roots are removed, maceration and the production of a flour is carried out, which is added with water at about 65-70 ° C and placed in the infusion vats called underback; in these the mixture is mixed for a few hours, to extract the soluble sugars.

The boiling must not yet fermented (Wort), is filtered to separate the threshers, cooled to 20 ° C, transferred to large tanks (Washback) in which selected yeasts are added and fermentation starts.

In recent years, malting and drying are often carried out in a single step, inside rotating cylinders, with hot air, first at 18 ° C and then at maximum 75 ° C where the sugars ferment. In this first tumultuous phase of 36-48 hours, foam and heat develop, while then a still liquid is formed, with 7-9% alcohol.

This fermented product, the Wash, undergoes a double distillation in the typical copper stills, i pot still, whose shape influences the character of the Whiskey; for this reason, each distillery, very jealous of its distillers, keeps them unchanged over the years. In the largest, the wash still, the first distillation produces a liquid containing 20-24% alcohol, the so-called low wine, which is subjected to a second distillation in a smaller still, called low wine still.

Here the most DELICATE phase of the process takes place during which the master distiller must check the quality and characteristics of the distillate, eliminate the heads and tails (foreshots and feints) and keep only the heart, with about 65-72% alcohol. .

The subsequent reduction of the alcoholic degree is made with a little distilled water, wire at 60-62%, and the distillate passes to oak barrels, often already used for the rest of Sherry, Port or, more frequently, Whiskey or Bourbon.

At the end, possibly after a further addition of distilled water, the Whiskey is bottled, where it maintains its original characteristics unaltered.

The Classic Malt Whiskey produced in Scotland is the one called Single Malt obtained only from malted barley and from a single distillery. 

When the pure barley malt whiskey from various distilleries are blended so that they can base their best qualities, a Vatted, more generically referred to as Pure Malt.

Malt whiskey always has its own typicality, which derives from the distillery of origin and from the combination of human and climatic factors.

Bibliography on the best Whiskeys

If you want to learn more a this address You could find all the latest editions of the famous Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible guide you will discover a lot of very, very useful tips for tasting the best Whiskeys in the world!

Ranking of the best Whiskeys in the world

And finally we arrived at the ranking of the best Whiskeys… We tasted about 40 Whiskeys before reaching this ranking. Yes, I agree with you, we can do better and taste many others in order to enrich this ranking.

Best Whiskey: the most intense and peaty

7. Lagavulin 16 Anni Single Malt Whisky – 700 ml

 

Are you a refined and competent connoisseur of peaty whiskey? You cannot fail to appreciate Lagavulin, multi award winning and super appreciated.

Lagavulin is a peaty single malt whishy, ​​aged for at least 16 years in ex bourbon oak barrels.

It is produced in Scotland, on the island of Islay, very rich in peat, with which the barley grains are dried to give the distillate its characteristic very smoky aroma.

Lagavulin 16 years has an amber mahogany color.

Nose: perceive the smell of smoke, seaweed and sea, combined with sweet notes.

Palate: intense, with a perception of entrancing smoke that reveals sweet and fruity flavors, with light marine notes.

Final: very long, powerful and balanced. The flavors integrate perfectly, so as to make Lagavulin an unforgettable Whiskey.

Final Considerations:

• It is not a whiskey for newbies
• Excellent value for money.

Lagavulin 16 Years Single Malt Whiskey - 700 ml - Price: 44,90 euro - Discount (12%) - Price: € 48,40 (€ 69,14 / l)

Best Whiskey: James Bond's favorite

6. The Macallan Distillers Gold Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 700 ml

The second best-selling Single Malt in the world!

This is the new No-Age Single Malt Scotch Whisky of the famous Macallan distilleries. The new range, the 1824 series, was created in 2012 and eliminated the declaration of age, which is recognized by the 4 colors that depend on the quality of the barrels and aging. (the darker it is, the more aged the product).

Macallan Distilleries are located in the Craigellachie Hills, Scotland. They are world famous and create luxurious and expensive dramas.

Macallan Gold is a whiskey produced with Golden Promise barley; during fermentation 2 types of yeast are used to increase the alcohol content and produce pleasant sensations on the palate.

Only 16% of the distillate obtained from the 14 copper stills is selected to become whishy Macallan.

The Macallan distillery gives great attention to barrel aging: this is how the whiskey develops its peculiarities.

Macallen Gold is aged in Sherry oak barrels, carefully selected and controlled, coming from Spain and precisely from Jerez.

Nose: opens with citrus flavors of lemon and orange, refreshing and pleasant. The vanilla is more subtle and blends with a slight hint of cinnamon and oak wood spice. Towards the finish there is a rich note of dark chocolate and coffee beans.

Palate: it is rich in flavors with notes of fruit, apple and cherry, which blend perfectly with the notes of vanilla and wood that are pleasing to the palate.

Final: It is a soft, smooth and easy to taste distillate. It is rather sweet and not very complex, but very balanced, with a dry finish, when the wood returns to the palate.

The Macallan Distillers Gold Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 700 ml – Price: 84,90 euro (121,29 € / l)

Best Whiskey: Japanese, super awarded

5. Nikka Whisky From The Barrel – 500 ml

Nikka it's a Japanese whiskey of the highest quality, awarded in 2007 and 2010 by the World's Whiskey Awards.

It is a blended whiskey, made from two single malts, barley and wheat, from the Nikka distilleries (Miyagikyo and Yoichi) and aged in bourbon barrels.

The result is a golden, amber-colored distillate, strong in its own 51%.

Nose: it is fine, complex, but balanced thanks to the scent of fruit and spices with notes of leather.

Bocca: it is strong, aggressive, spicy, but the flavor is sweetened by ripe fruit (apple and peach) and lilac flowers.

Final: long lasting, very structured, warm and enveloping.

The packaging does not look like classic whiskey bottles, but with its 500 ml of distillate, it is elegant and refined, perfect for an important gift and you must know that many will consider the Japanese whiskey top of the top.

It is excellent if served between 13 and 15 degrees and the flavor is enhanced when accompanied by dark chocolate.

Nikka Whisky From The Barrel – 500 ml – Prezzo: 51,99 euro – Discount (40%) - Price: € 31,04 (€ 62,08 / l)

Best Whiskey: Peaty, yet gentle and smooth

4. Oban 14 Years Single Malt stucciato cl.70

Oban is the name of the Scottish town that gave birth to this one Oban Whisky Single Malt, since 1794. It is therefore a renowned urban distillery, without which even the city would not exist.

Nose: Robust and peaty, with notes of fruit.

Palate: Sweet and salty sensations alternate, followed by notes of spices and honey, on a brackish background.

Final: Quite long, with a woody aftertaste, but fresh and pleasant.

Why Choose Oban? Because it adds to the strength of peaty whiskey a balanced and elegant character, a softness that is lacking in many other smoked whishies.

The peat is not too exaggerated, mitigated by notes of honey and ripe fruit.

Oban 14 Years Single Malt stucciato cl.70 - Price: 44,90 euro - Discount (16%) - Price: € 37,80 (€ 54,00 / l)

Best Whiskey: Japanese. 

3. Hibiki Harmony Japanese Blended – 700 ml

Exceptional blended that contains the best of the three Suntory distilleries: Hakushu which is the light single malt, Yamazaki which is fruity and soft and the Chita grain Whiskey.

Born after the rest in 5 different barrels, including American oak, European sherry barrels, Mizunara oak barrels.

Hibiki Harmony Japanese Blended Tasting

• Color: ambra
• Nose: it is floral, spicy and the orange peel and lychee are clearly perceived.
• In mouth it releases its sweet soul, of honey, fine white chocolate, fruit and an elegant scent of smoke.
• Il final it is medium to long and delicate with a woody oak accent.

A note on the packaging: the bottle is very neat, and like the cap with the Japanese hibiki symbol on it.

Hibiki Harmony Japanese Blended – 700 ml – Price: 99,95 euro (142,79 € / l)

Best Whiskey: Isle of Skye

2. Talisker 10 A. Whiskey, Cl 70 Ast.

The distillery is located on the Isle of Skye between Carbost and Loch Harport. Talisker is world famous for producing sweet, full-bodied and easy to drink single malts.

This Talisker 10 is one of the classic products, the flagship of the distillery. Excellent and rich in spicy notes, with a fresh and pungent scent of peat. Full-bodied, intense, peaty and malty with a strong aroma of peat smoke and with flavors of inviting citrus and sweet dried fruit, followed by a long warm and peppery finish.

La double distillation creates a rich and intense character that encompasses the marine characteristics of a coastal whiskey.

It is then aged at least 10 years in American oak barrels.

Sold in a marine-style gift box, the Talisker 10 Year Old is the perfect gift for anyone wanting to explore the islands' single malt whiskeys, famous for their overall peaty style and spending the right amount. On Amazon it is right now at a truly unbeatable price.

Talisker 10 A. Whiskey, Cl 70 Ast. - Prezzo: EUR 44,90 - Discount (27%) - Price: € 32,84 (€ 46,91 / l)

Best Whiskey: the best of the best

1. Aultmore Scotch Whisky 12 Anni Single Malt – 70 cl

You probably know this already, but I want to tell you one thing: all Aultmore whiskeys are produced in an area called The Foggie Moss, once noted for the concentration of illegal distilleries and clandestine activities. A sparsely inhabited landscape characterized by cool and humid soil.

At the end of the only road that crosses the plain, only 1 distillery remained active in the fog:

Aultmore, successfully in operation since 1897!

The Aultmore distillery was founded in 1897 by Alexander Edward and is located in the lonely Buckie Road, in Speyside Made with the water of the mystical Foggie Moor and pure barley malt it is characterized by pure taste.

Aultmore Scotch Whiskey tasting

• Color: clear, with luminous golden reflections.
• Scent: wild herbs, apple, musk and pear.
• Taste: lively and creamy, with floral notes that caress the palate. It is sweet, the lemon returns, you can feel the vanilla, a distinct creaminess, a note of smoke that is very refined.
• Final: medium persistence with sweet notes that leave room for lemon and fresh grass.

Aultmore Scotch Whiskey 12 Years Single Malt - 70 cl - Price: 69,90 euro - Discount (19%) - Price: € 56,94 (€ 81,34 / l)

So what's your favorite Whiskey?