I've Tried Hundreds of Whiskies. This Cheap Scotch Has the Best Price-to-Quality Ratio

I’ve been writing professionally about spirits for almost twenty years. In that time, I’ve learned a few things about whisk(e)y and how it’s perceived by the masses. While I could spend a whole article writing about the complexities, nuances, and myths about bourbon whiskey, today it’s single malt Scotch whisky’s turn. 

Instead of writing a long list of truths and myths, I’m interested in one: that single malt Scotch whisky isn’t for everyone.

The world of Scotch whisky can seem a bit overwhelming to the uninitiated. I totally get that. If you read the eye-catching news stories about this type of whisky, you’ll learn about ridiculously old single malts that sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction. 

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Even if you peruse the aisles at your local liquor store or scroll through online retailers, you’re met with bottles that retail for hundreds of dollars. It’s enough to make a beginner whisky drinker stick to affordable bourbon or rye whiskey. But that'd be a shame, as you’d be missing out on a whole world of exciting, complex whiskies.

Lucky for you, for every uncomfortably expensive bottle, there's an affordable beginner bottle. And I’m not just referencing single malt Scotch whiskies that you’ll enjoy while your palate is still growing—I’m talking about beginner expressions you’ll imbibe now and into perpetuity. Many bottles fit that criterion. But, in my opinion, few if any are better than Aberlour 12-Year-Old.

Aberlour Distillery has changed many hands over the centurie. It was first established in 1826 by James Gordon and Peter Weir, who left a year later to pursue other interests. The official Aberlour Distillery as we know it today was built along the River Lour by a grain farmer and whisky maker named James Fleming in 1879.

One of the most well-known distilleries in Speyside, it’s known for its selection of award-winning single malt whiskies. All of its expressions are made with locally sourced barley and soft mountain spring water. Usually matured for at least twelve years, Aberlour’s expressions are aged in a combination of American oak and Oloroso sherry butts. Popular expressions include Aberlour A’Bunadh, Aberlour 18 Year Old, and the aforementioned beginner bottle Aberlour 12-Year-Old.

Aberlour 12-Year-Old is a single malt Scotch whisky that’s been matured for twelve years in a combination of ex-sherry cask and ex-bourbon barrels. To create this multi-layered, balanced whisky, the two barrels are married together for a limited time before it enters the bottle.

The decade-plus maturation creates a memorable amber-hued sipping whisky that begins with a nose of candy apples, honey, and dried fruits. The palate is a symphony of sweet sherry, dark chocolate, sticky toffee pudding, dried fruits, and oaky wood. The finish is a warming mix of sweetness and spice that will leave you craving more.

I didn’t even get to the best part yet. A whisky this complex and noteworthy should be much less affordable than it is. But you can add this complex single malt Scotch whisky to your home bar cart between $55 to $60 in most cases. It’s difficult to beat that price-to-quality ratio. Purchase it once and I guarantee—even if you’re a whisky novice—it will find a permanent home on your bar cart.

Related: How to Drink Scotch Whisky: Experts Share Their Best Tips