The World’s Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky—According To The 2024 China Wine And Spirits Awards

The China Wine And Spirits Awards isn’t just any ol’ judging. It’s the biggest competition of its kind across all of Hong Kong and China. The industry vets involved are together responsible for selling over 75 million bottles of liquid per year—distributors, retailers, and spirits buyers. By that metric it is actually among the most influential annual events on the planet. And now we can reveal what those advanced palates deemed the best single malt scotch of 2024. Here’s everything you need to know about the winning expression: Aberfeldy 16.

Let’s start off with a little background on the distillery, itself. Aberfeldy hails from an idyllic stone-clad stillhouse, set in the Central Highlands of Scotland. It was built here amongst a pristine, undulating hillscape not because it’s an especially beautiful setting—though nobody could complain about that. John Dewar & Sons selected the sight because of its access to the Pitilie Burn.

Much has changed in the world of scotch in the intervening years, but this original water source remains true. And the liquid distilled here—often lauded for its honeyed subtleties—still accounts for a sizable percentage of the malt that goes into Dewars, among the most widely-consumed blended whiskies on the planet.

In recent years, the parent company of Dewar’s has made a concerted effort to showcase the splendid malts being crafted here by the award-winning hands of Stephanie Macleod. Back in 2015 she introduced the 16 Year Old expression of Aberfeldy as a way to underscore the house style as a brilliant balance between that sweetness and spiciness.

To serve that end, the scotch is primarily matured in first fill and refill ex-bourbon casks before entering a 6 month finish in Oloroso Sherry casks. The final product noses like freshly warmed cinnamon raisin toast. It lends dark chocolate-dipped orchard fruit to the palate before finishing with the combined spice of ginger and tangy dark fruit.

Overall it provides about as complex of a drinking experience as you’re likely to enjoy in a dram at this particular price point. And that brings us to the final point to note about Aberfeldy 16 (and much of the Aberfeldy age statement portfolio, really): it is relatively affordable. This bottle is readily available online at around $90. If you’re eager to find a gift—on the friendlier side of $100—for the scotch lover in your life, this is the holiday whisky you’ve been looking for.