The World’s Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky According To The IWSC

The International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) has announced the top Single Malt Scotch whiskies of 2024. The IWSC, the oldest whisky competition in the world, holds one of the largest yearly judging of whiskies and is arguably the most prestigious spirits competition in the world. All four whiskies won Spirit Gold Outstanding medals with identical scores of 98/100 and were awarded the Single Malt Scotch Whisky Trophy in their respective categories.

Tomatin, Legacy Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 43% ABV was the top single malt Scotch in the No-Age-Statement (NAS) category.

Tomatin is a Scottish whisky distillery in the Highlands, near Inverness. Founded in 1897, it initially catered to the growing demand for blended Scotch whisky. Tomatin expanded rapidly over the 2oth century and became one of Scotland’s largest producers by mid-century. However, following the global downturn in whisky demand during the 1980s, Tomatin focused on producing high-quality single malt whisky.

Tomatin’s single malt whiskies are generally known for their gentle, fruity, and malty character. The distillery often uses a combination of bourbon and Sherry casks for maturation, imparting flavors of honey, vanilla, soft orchard fruits, and subtle spices. Tomatin’s style leans towards a more approachable and balanced profile, making it suitable for those new to whisky or those who appreciate a lighter Highland style.

Their range includes several core expressions, such as the light and fresh Tomatin Legacy and the fruity and creamy Tomatin 12 YO. The more matured 18 YO and 25 YO offer greater complexity and richness from extended aging.

The IWSC Judging Panel described the Tomatin Legacy as featuring:

… succulent aromas of lychee, creamy vanilla, and warm cinnamon. A fabulously luscious flavor profile with a heavenly finish, defined by apricot sweetness.

Loch Lomond Whiskies, 12 YO Inchmurrin Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 46% ABV is the top single malt in the 15 YO and Under category.

Loch Lomond Distillery is near the iconic Loch Lomond in the Scottish Highlands. Established in 1814, it has a long history, but the modern distillery was founded in 1964. It is known for its versatility and innovation, producing various whisky styles, including single malts and grain whiskies.

Loch Lomond is unique in that it uses pot stills and Lomond stills, allowing it to create a range of whiskies with varying flavor profiles. The distillery produces whiskies that range from light, fruity, and floral to rich, smoky, and peaty. Its single malts often have a distinctive balance of fruitiness and subtle smoke, with notes of orchard fruits, malt sweetness, and gentle spices.

Some core expressions include the fruity and complex Loch Lomond 12 YO and the Inchmurrin range, known for its lighter, more floral character.

The IWSC Judging Panel described the Loch Lomond Inchmurrin as featuring:

The nose offers a subtle whisper of peat with underlying white fruits and a palate of lingering sweet blackcurrant-citrus, soft peat, and an impressive long and elegantly sweet finish.

Cask 88, Imperial Distillery The Bothy 25 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 47.6% ABV is the trophy winner in the 16 YO to 25 YO category.

Cask 88 is an independent whisky company based in Scotland. Founded in 2007, it bottles whisky directly from single casks, allowing for limited-edition releases with distinct flavor profiles. Each cask produces a finite number of bottles, making its offerings particularly sought after by collectors and whisky connoisseurs.

Imperial Distillery was a whisky distillery located in the Speyside region of Scotland, founded in 1897 by Thomas Mackenzie. Its history is marked by intermittent periods of operation and closure due to market conditions, including the global whisky slump in the early 20th century and post-war periods. The distillery operated sporadically before being mothballed in 1998 and demolished in 2013.

Imperial Distillery produced classic, Speyside-style single malts, typically characterized by light, fruity, and malty notes. Its whiskies featured a balance of sweet flavors like honey and vanilla with subtle hints of spice and oak from the aging process. Many of Imperial’s single malts are now highly sought after by collectors due to the distillery’s closure and the rarity of its remaining stocks.

Though Imperial is no longer operational, independent bottlers, like Cask 88, continue releasing stock of rare whisky casks. The site’s legacy continues through the Dalmunach Distillery, built on the grounds of the old Imperial Distillery.

The IWSC Judging Panel described the Imperial Whisky as exhibiting:

Gorgeous citrus-driven nose with rhubarb and custard sweets, A lovely, complex palate with citrus, rhubarb, cinnamon, and chocolate notes. Finish with a hint of biscuity sweetness. Lovely fruity complexity for its age, lovely.

In the ultra-aged 26 YO and Over category, the trophy winner was East Asia Whisky Company’s 35 YO Manta-Ray Genesis Bunnahabhain Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 50.4% ABV.

The East Asia Whisky Company is an independent whisky bottling and distribution company focused on providing rare and unique whiskies to the East Asian market. Based in Hong Kong, the company specializes in single-cask bottlings, carefully selecting casks from Scottish distilleries and offering limited-edition releases.

Bunnahabhain Distillery is located on the northeast coast of the Isle of Islay, Scotland, and was founded in 1881 by the Islay Distillery Company. Unlike many of its Islay counterparts, Bunnahabhain is known for producing lighter, unpeated whiskies.

Bunnahabhain prospered during the late 19th and early 20th centuries whisky boom. However, like many distilleries, it faced challenges during the Great Depression and the World Wars. Production was temporarily halted in the 1980s but resumed under new ownership. Today, it is owned by Distell Group Limited, a subsidiary of Heineken N.V., which has invested in restoring the distillery and expanding its range.

Bunnahabhain is distinct for its milder, fruitier, and less peaty whiskies, setting it apart from the typical Islay style. While most Islay distilleries focus on heavily peated expressions, Bunnahabhain emphasizes maritime flavors with Sherry, nuts, malt notes, and a hint of saltiness/savoriness. However, the distillery also produces some peated expressions, particularly in special releases, which balance the typical Islay smokiness with their signature smoothness.

Popular expressions include the light and fruity Bunnahabhain 12 YO, the rich and Sherried 18 YO, and Toiteach A Dhà, a peated expression featuring a distinct smokiness and a fruity, layered complexity.

The IWSC Judging Panel described the Bunnahabhain whisky as featuring:

Beautiful nose showing an elegant and rich expression of wonderful aromas, dried fruit, lime peel, sea salt, lovely floral hints, dates and figs. Rich, velvety and savory palate, waxy notes, and oak tannins ending on a finish that lasts forever.

These four whiskies, standard expressions, and special bottlings were judged the best single malts of 2024 by the IWSC’s esteemed panel of judges. Price-wise, they range from under $50 for the Tomatin Legacy and Inchmurrin 12 YO to considerably more for the older expressions. All are worth trying, but the Tomatin and Inchmurrin are outstanding values and should definitely be included in a home bar!

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