The World’s Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky According To The NY World Spirits Competition

Three single malt Scotch whiskies made the New York World Spirits Competition (NYWSC) World’s Best Single Malt Scotch final round. The finalists were three of Scotland’s best-known and most iconic Scotch whisky producers. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the three finalists.

Ardbeg, 17 YO, Single Malt Scotch, 40% ABV, 750 ml.

The Ardbeg 17 YO, Single Malt Scotch won Best Distiller’s Single Malt Scotch.

Ardbeg is one of the most renowned distilleries on the island of Islay, Scotland. Its signature smoky character, derived from malted barley dried over a peat fire, and its unique balance of sweetness and complexity capture the maritime essence of the region.

The distillery, founded in 1815, has a storied history marked by periods of closure and resurgence. For much of the 20th century, Ardbeg faced economic challenges, leading to several closures. In 1997, Glenmorangie purchased Ardberg and revitalized it. Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) now owns both companies.

Since then, Ardbeg has gained a cult following among whisky enthusiasts. It has become known for its core releases and limited editions, many of which emphasize the bold, smoky, and medicinal/phenolic character of Islay whisky. The distillery prides itself on crafting non-chill-filtered whiskies, which preserve the full range of natural flavors.

The 2024 Ardbeg 17 YO is a new re-issue of a special release produced in limited quantities during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Unlike the intensely peated whiskies that Ardbeg is typically known for, the 17 YO features a more subtle and refined peaty character, making it a unique and highly sought-after, though sometimes difficult to find, expression.

The whisky is pale gold. It’s less intense on the nose than typical Ardbeg releases, featuring subtle, earthy peat smoke interwoven with sweet vanilla, caramel, honeyed fruit, and hints of floral notes. The faint salty brine aromas neatly capture the distillery’s coastal heritage.

The palate is incredibly well-balanced, oily, and smooth, showcasing gentle peat smoke, creamy vanilla, buttery caramel, and orchard fruits of pear and apple. Hints of nutmeg and cinnamon also appear. The soft, subtle nature of the peat allows more of the underlying sweetness and fruitiness to emerge, making it more approachable than typical Ardbeg expressions.

The finish is long and sweet, with a lingering but delicate smokiness that fades into notes of cooked cereal/ malt, vanilla, and a hint of dried citrus zest.

This whisky is an excellent introduction to exploring the Ardbeg range without the intensity typically associated with Islay whiskies. The extended aging process softens the smoke, allowing the whisky’s nuanced complexity and the distillery’s maritime character to develop fully.

The NYWSC Judging Panel described the Ardbeg as showcasing:

Smoky peat accompanied by subtle citrus and herbal undertones, vanilla, and caramel notes.

The two other single malt Scotch category finalists are Glenmorangie 12 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Highland Park, 12 YO Single Cask #4505.

Glenmorangie, 12 YO, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 40% ABV, 750 ml.

Glenmorangie is one of Scotland’s best-known whisky distilleries, renowned for producing smooth and complex Highland single malts. Founded in 1843 by William Matheson, the distillery is in Tain, in the Scottish Highlands. Under the deft hand of Bill Lumsden, head of distilling and whisky creation, the distillery is known for innovative whisky-making. Glenmorangie’s distillation uses tall copper pot stills, the tallest in Scotland at 26 feet 3 inches, resulting in a delicate, pure spirit with lighter and more refined flavors.

Glenmorangie is a pioneer in utilizing cask finishes, experimenting with various cask types to create a range of aroma and flavor profiles in its whisky.

Its emphasis on using high-quality casks for maturation, often selecting first-fill bourbon American oak explicitly sourced from the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, gives Glenmorangie its signature smoothness and rich flavor. The Glenmorangie 12 YO is a new expression, a slightly older version of the traditional, entry level, 10 YO Glenmorangie

The color is bright, shiny gold. The nose is floral and fruity, with aromas of citrus fruits, mainly orange and lemon zest, peach, and apple. There are also vanilla, honey, subtle almond notes, caramel, and spices such as cinnamon and a hint of clove. Light floral notes of honeysuckle and jasmine add a delicate complexity to the nose.

The palate is exceptionally smooth, showcasing Glenmorangie’s signature creamy texture and rich notes of Crème Brule, caramel, honey, and distinctive citrus and stone fruits of nectarine and apricot. The American oak adds hints of toasted coconut and baking spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. A touch of mint and anise adds a refreshing, herbal note.

The finish is long, sweet, and silky, with lingering vanilla, almond, and subtle wood spices.

The Glenmorangie Original 12 YO is a beautifully balanced whisky that retains the lightness and elegance of the distillery’s classic style. This whisky is an ideal introduction to the Highland style, offering a combination of fruitiness, sweetness, and refined complexity characteristic of Glenmorangie.

The NYWSC Judging panel described the whisky as exhibiting “a distinctive fruitiness accompanied by honey, vanilla, and caramel notes.”

Highland Park, 12 YO Single Cask #4505, 65.1% ABV, 750 ml.

Highland Park, an iconic distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, is celebrated for producing single malt Scotch whisky with a distinctive balance of smoky, floral, and sweet flavors. Established in 1798, it is one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries. The distillery’s unique character derives from its use of locally sourced heather peat and traditional floor malting techniques, which impart a subtle, aromatic smokiness to the whisky.

Highland Park 12 YO Single Cask #4505 is a limited edition release, distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2022. This expression was matured in a refill hogshead cask, yielding only 285 bottles.

The whisky is a golden amber. The nose exhibits dark fruit and pastry aromas, complemented by floral notes, baking spices, light vegetative/grassy aromas, and a hint of sea salt.

The palate features a rich, fruitcake-like assortment of dark dried fruits spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, balanced by the signature heather honey sweetness and a distinctive but well-integrated delicate peat smoke.

The finish is long and sweet, with lingering spiced, dried fruit notes and gentle smokiness.

The NYWSC Judging Panel described the whisky as exhibiting “honey, smoke, and a touch of spice.”

The NYWSC featured three outstanding finalists for Distiller’s Best Single Malt Scotch. Although all three of these distilleries are already well known, the results are an excellent reason to reacquaint yourself with three superlative single malt Scotch whisky expressions.

See the New York World Spirits Competition website for a complete list of the Scotch whisky medalists.