The 7 best soft whiskeys
How we have chosen the best delicate whiskeys
Choosing from the multitude of mild single malts was not that easy. We therefore applied the following criteria:
- No smoke: we have deliberately excluded peaty whiskeys. As well as bottlings with strong aromas such as excessively spicy wood or intense sherry notes.
- Soft Mouth Feel: almost all recommended single malts are characterized by a soft mouthfeel. We have deliberately avoided spiced whiskeys.
- Whiskey with age information: although age is only a factor for quality, we have focused on the classic age claims in this list, there is no ..
- Price-benefit ratio: the whiskeys we recommend cost between 35 and 100 euros. So they offer enjoyment at affordable prices.
Glenmorangie 10 Years Original
Glenmorangie is one of the most famous distilleries in the Scottish Highlands. Single malt is distilled in particularly tall stills, which should guarantee a delicate taste. The Glenmorangie 10 years it ages in first and second fill Bourbon barrels.
On tasting, the single malt convinces with a soft mouthfeel and sweet aromas: we taste vanilla, flower honey and cotton candy. With ripe pears. The finish is very pleasant with a trace of dry oak.
The Glenmorangie 10 Years is a wonderfully delicate Highland whiskey, which with its finely composed aromas is rightfully a great classic and should not be missing from any well-stocked whiskey collection.
Glenkinchie 12 years old
Glenkinchie is one of the last remaining distilleries in the once proud Scottish Lowlands whiskey region. The single malt is produced not far from the capital Edinburgh amidst green meadows and has a very soft character.
The taste of Glenkinchie 12 years old it is permeated with delicate aromas: vanilla, pear, honey and apples come to mind. A trace of herbs is added. On the back, Lowland whiskey is well balanced with a hint of lemon zest and never gets too sweet.
The 12-year-old Glenkinchie is a good recommendation for beginners and anyone who appreciates mild whiskeys. The elegant bottle also cuts a good figure in the whiskey display case at home.
Glenfiddich 15 years old
Glenfiddich 15 looks younger in the glass than you can imagine considering its age.
Stewed apple and a slightly sour and acrid scent overwhelm the nose at first. A very dark caramelized wood and a nice fragrant quality follows. When the whiskey opens, the caramel becomes evident, transforming into the smell of toast: thick rye bread soaked in brown sugar and butter that caramelizes together in perfect harmony. The note of butter sticks to the nose throughout the tasting.
Dense and rich in the mouth. The hearty and chewy nature of the whiskey pairs well with the butter and honey spreading over the palate. Finally, the fig completes the experience.
The finish is delicate, soft and buttery like the nose. Peppercorns and salted caramel enhance the sweet nature of the finish. Persistent and satisfying. A highly recommended whiskey.
Oban 14 years old
In an old stone building in the port of Oban, single malts with a maritime flavor have been produced since 1794. Two worms on the roof are supposed to filter the disruptive substances from the whiskeys and make the aromas even more pleasant.
The mouthfeel ofOban 14 years old appears slightly waxy. The taste is characterized by sweet and sweet notes: you taste white chocolate, dates, dried apricots and a pinch of apricot brandy. There is a subtle note of sea salt above everything.
The 14-year-old Oban is a marittimo whiskey convincing and at the same time, thanks to its wonderfully composed fruit and dessert notes, one of the best delicate whiskeys.
The Singleton 14 anni
It is a complex whiskey thanks to a maturation process in five barrels: first European ex-sherry oak and American ex-bourbon oak barrels, then the spirit was moved to ex-Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel barrels and finally it was married together in European oak barrels.
The nose is rich, toffee and caramel with sultanas and raisin jam wrapped in spiced puff pastry. Fruity notes develop: spiced apple and poached pear.
On the palate, The Singleton 14 anni it is soft and delicate with creamy vanilla and lots of fruit. The leathery touches creep around the edges, along with the raisins and cooked fruit base. Spicy cinnamon and nutmeg slowly build up.
Clynelish 14 years old
Highlands meets the coast: this is the concept behind Clynelish's distinctive single malts. The distillery is located at the northern tip of Scotland and describes its style as "Coastal Highlands".
As for the flavors, we find green apples, cereals and licorice. Sea salt and lemon zest are also included.
Il Clynelish 14 Years Old is an exciting delicate whiskey that is still too often overlooked. With its combination of Highland and Coastal notes, it offers even advanced connoisseurs a sufficient challenge when tasting.
Teeling single grain
Il Teeling Irish Single Grain Whiskey is the only Irish present on this list, this is only because we focused on scotch whiskey, the most requested on the market, not because the Irish do not produce delicate whiskeys, far from it.
It has a boldness that sustains it from the nose to the finish; the wine barrels seem to have mitigated the harshness that can come from young grain whiskey. It's something I wasn't expecting, but those barrels gave it a depth usually only found in much older grain whiskeys. It's a nice different perspective on Irish whiskey and it's worth a try.
On the nose the sweetness of candy, caramel, vanilla, grainy sweetness and toffee threaten to make this whiskey overly sweet. Luckily some lighter notes of nuts, dark fruit leather, spices and earth come to the rescue and balance it out.
Overall, a great whiskey, sweet and delicate at a great price.
Why do some whiskeys have a mild flavor and others don't?
Water, barley and yeast: all Scottish single malts are made from the same raw materials. Almost all distilleries rely on double distillation, which takes place everywhere in copper stills. So why do some malts have a milder flavor than others?
On the one hand, the shape of the vase is still crucial. The higher they are, the more delicate aromas will develop in the whiskey.
The choice of casks also has a strong influence on single malts: an impressive number of mild whiskeys mature in botti ex-bourbon . American whiskey is known for its delicate and sweet aromas that remain in the walls of the cask.
If, on the other hand, Scottish single malts are stored in Spanish sherry barrels, spicy and woody aromas are often preferred (at least when it comes to sherry Oloroso). The same goes for Virgin Oak Casks, which are new oak barrels that give off intense aromas to the whiskey stored in them.
