The World’s Best Single Malt Scotch From The Top Whisky Competitions

What is the world’s best single malt Scotch whisky? With more than 3,000 expressions, there are plenty of whiskies to choose from. Every week, it seems, a whisky competition announces its choice of the world’s best single malt Scotch. Here is a list of 20 highly acclaimed single malt Scotch whisky expressions that have consistently won gold or higher awards or scored more than 90 points in at least five international spirit competitions. These whiskies genuinely are among the world’s best. Any one of them can legitimately claim that title. Which one you’d pick is up to you.

The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 YO, The Macallan Distillery, Speyside $350

San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), Double Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), 95 points; International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), Gold; World Whiskies Awards (WWA), Best Speyside Single Malt; International Spirits Challenge (ISC), Gold.

It is a rich and full-bodied whisky with dried fruits, spices, and milk chocolate flavors. The long and complex finish features lingering, well-seasoned oak and Sherry notes.

Glenfiddich 21 YO Reserva Rum Cask Finish, Glenfiddich Distillery, Speyside $266

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Speyside Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

The Glenfiddich is a sweet and spicy whisky with notes of toffee, fig, and banana. It is balanced by a subtle rum influence and has a long, luxurious finish.

Lagavulin 16 YO, Lagavulin Distillery, Islay $101

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 96 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Islay Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

An Islay legend, this powerful and smoky whisky features rich flavors of peat, dried fruit, and spices, balanced by a long, dry finish with a touch of seaweed and salt.

Glenmorangie Signet, Glenmorangie Distillery, Highlands $286

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 98 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Highland Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

A Highland legend, this luxurious and rich whisky features dark chocolate, coffee, and spices flavors, complemented by a velvety texture and a long, sweet, warming finish.

Ardbeg Uigeadail, Ardbeg Distillery, Islay $93

SFWSC, Double Gold USC, 97 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Islay Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This single malt whisky is intensely smoky, with rich flavors of dried fruit, spices, and dark chocolate. Its long, complex, layered finish with a touch of sweetness balances the smoky flavor.

The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 YO, The Balvenie, Speyside $75

SFWSC; Double Gold; WSC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Speyside Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This sweet and spicy whisky has dried fruit, honey, and vanilla flavors. The finish is long, smooth, and mellow, with dried fruit notes and a lingering hint of oak.

Highland Park 18 YO, Highland Park, Orkney $177

SFWSC, Double Gold; WSC, 95 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Island Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This rich and complex whisky features floral notes of dried heather and flavors of honey, dried fruit, and spices, balanced by a subtle smokiness. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering notes of dried fruit.

GlenDronach 18 YO Allardice, GlenDronach Distillery, Highlands $257

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 96 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Highland Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This single malt is full-bodied and robust, featuring rich flavors of dark chocolate, dried dark fruit, and Sherry. The Sherry cask influence is unmistakable, with a long, warming finish, a touch of spice, and lingering dried fruit notes of fig and raisin. The range has recently undergone a redesign.

Oban 14 YO, Oban Distillery, Highlands $91

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 93 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Highland Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This whisky is smooth and balanced. Its flavors include dried citrus zest, honey, and smoke, complemented by a rich, long finish, with a touch of maritime aromas.

Glenfarclas 25 YO, Glenfarclas, Speyside $283

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 95 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Speyside Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This whisky is a classic Sherry cask-matured Speyside single malt Scotch that is one of the best whisky values available. The whisky is robust and complex, with flavors of dried fruit, Sherry, and spice, culminating in a long, rich, complex finish with a hint of oak.

Talisker 18 YO, Talisker Distillery, Isle of Skye $177

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 95 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Island Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

Talisker is a rich, smoky whisky featuring dark fruit flavors, black pepper, and a persistent maritime influence. The finish is long and complex, with persistent cold smoke, dried fruit, and maritime notes.

Springbank 15 YO, Springbank Distillery, Campbeltown $295

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 93 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Campbeltown Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

A Campbeltown legend, Springbank is rich, complex, and full-bodied with flavors of caramel, dried fruit, and spices, balanced by a sweet, smoky finish, with a maritime touch.

Laphroaig 10 YO Cask Strength, Laphroaig Distillery, Islay $94

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 97 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Islay Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This whisky is intensely peaty and smoky, with rich flavors of seaweed, iodine, and spices, complemented by a long, powerful finish.

The Glenlivet 18 YO, The Glenlivet, Speyside $163

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Speyside Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

A classic Speyside malt, this whisky is smooth and rich with honey, nuts, and dried fruit flavors. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering notes of dried fruit and a touch of spice.

Bruichladdich Black Art 1992, Bruichladdich, Islay $500

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 95 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Islay Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This rich, layered, and complex whisky offers flavors of dark chocolate, dried fruits, and spices. The finish is long and nuanced, featuring dried fruits, a touch of smoke, and lingering oak notes.

Glenfiddich 15 YO Solera Reserve, Glenfiddich Distillery, Speyside $83

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Speyside Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This single malt whisky is produced using a solera-like blending process. It is smooth and rich, with layers of honey, vanilla, dried fruits, and well-seasoned oak. The finish is long and sweet, featuring lingering dried fruit notes.

Aberlour A’bunadh, Aberlour, Speyside $112

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 95 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Speyside Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This cask-strength single malt is a Speyside legend and incredible value for Scotch whisky. It’s rich, complex, and full-bodied. It features flavors of Sherry, dark chocolate, and dried fruits, complemented by a warm, spicy, fruity finish with a touch of oak.

Bunnahabhain 18 YO, Bunnahabhain, Islay $329

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 95 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Islay Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

It is a complex and rich whisky featuring flavors of dark chocolate, Sherry, and dried fruits. It has a smooth, long finish, with a hint of sea salt and smoke that balances the flavors.

Mortlach 16 YO, Mortlach, Speyside $115

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Speyside Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

This whisky is rich and robust with dark fruit, spices, and oak flavors. The finish is smooth, complex, and full-bodied, with lingering fruit and oak notes.

GlenDronach 21 YO Parliament, GlenDronach, Highlands $333

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 96 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Highland Single Malt; ISC, Gold.

Rich and luxurious, this whisky features intense Sherry, chocolate, and spices flavors, complemented by a long, warming finish, with lingering dried fruit notes and a touch of oak.

This honor roll of 20 single malt Scotch whisky expressions has consistently stood out in international competitions, earning top honors for their quality, complexity, and craftsmanship. Each expression offers a unique flavor profile that reflects the expertise of the distillers and the distinct characteristics of their respective regions.

Whether you prefer the rich, Sherried notes of a Speyside malt or an Islay whisky’s bold, smoky flavors, this list provides a curated selection of some of the best single malt Scotch whiskies available today. Each of them deserves a place in your home bar and can claim the honor of being the world’s best single malt Scotch whisky.