Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Lydia Martin
When it comes to Scotch whisky, there are inexpensive and casual pours for simple enjoyment. There are also single malts and private stash reserved for annual indulgence.
If you’re looking for the best Scotch under $200, scroll down to know what bottle to pick up and if you are getting the good stuff.
Top 15 Must-Sip Best Scotch Under $200
15. Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years Blended Scotch Whisky
Average Price: Roughly $98.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Johnnie Walker, aged 18 years, is a blend of 18 different whisky blends selected for their remarkable flavor and character. This spirit is drawn from different regions in Scotland and is known for its elegance and sweetness.
At first sip, the spirit will welcome you with the rich, fruity, floral honey and dried fruit notes on the nose. It is followed by a burst of creamy smoothness, sweet dark fruit, and a sumptuous, long finish.
14. Tomatin 21-Year Single Malt
Average Price: Roughly $196.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 46%
Why We Like It: Tomatin 21-year single malt is matured in exclusive ex-bourbon casks for its rich and amazing tasting notes. It features warm flavors of apple, honey, fresh croissant, and perfectly balanced sweetness.
On the nose, the maturation in the bourbon barrel is evident. It has rich-tasting notes of fresh fruit, dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, and cinnamon on the palate. We like the long, buttery, and smooth finish of this spirit.
Read: Top Single Malt Scotch Whiskies Below $100
13. Ardbeg Supernova
Average Price: Roughly $199.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 53.8%
Why We Like It: Ardbeg Supernova is a limited edition bottling for Ardbeg, and its aroma is clean and crisp and reminds us of the smoke by the beach. On the palate, it has a more salty kick but a light sweetness that makes the peated whisky more interesting.
Ardbeg Supernova is tasting, crisp, complex, and inviting. This whisky has heavy-tasting notes like dried figs, raisins, vanilla, oak spice, and chocolate.
12. Laphroaig 18 Year
Average Price: Roughly $134.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 48%
Why We Like It: Laphroaig is an aged Scotch introduced in 2009, and while the brand stopped its production, you can still find it in some outlets. This whisky is matured in ex-bourbon casks for full-bodied tasting notes, amazing aroma, and a lasting finish.
The trademark Laphroaig coastal peat will greet you with classy sophistication on the nose. This whisky is rich, full, oily, and sweet with strong citrus notes (lemon, tangerines, orange).
In addition, it delivers a long-lasting finish with hints of butterscotch, cherry, and dried fruit.
11. Glenfarclas Single Malt 25
Average Price: Roughly $199.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It: Glenfarclas Single Malt 25 can be a great option if you want a great after-dinner whisky. It is bold and full, thanks to its maturation in an oloroso sherry wood cask.
Glenfarclas has an amber color with dark gold highlights. It has nice peat and a complex yet refined aroma of honey, ground coffee, sherry, marmalade, and oak tannins.
This aged whisky is robust and full-bodied on the palate, and the oak and sherry do not overpower other flavors.
Read: Scotch On The Rocks With A Twist
10. Bowmore Islay Single Malt 18-Year
Average Price: Roughly $152.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It: Bowmore Islay is a masterful combination of Islay smoke, ripe fruit, and dark chocolate. It is matured in a hand-selected oak cask for its remarkable smoothness and balanced tasting notes that will make you want another glass.
The barrel aging gives the whisky its amazing taste and color [1]. On the nose, the smoke aromas with ripe fruit and creamy caramel toffee will greet you. It has incredibly complex spices with balanced smokiness and fruitiness on the palate.
9. The Macallan Double Cask 15-Year-Old Single Malt
Average Price: Roughly $159.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It: Unlike most whiskies, The Macallan Double Cask is a single malt that brings the perfect harmony of two oak casks in one exceptional bottle.
The sherry-seasoned American oak gives a delicate vanilla hint, while the European oak delivers sweeter, warmer, and more character to the spirit.
The hand-crafted oaks impart vanilla, citrus, chocolate, dried fruits, and toffee flavors. This drink is best enjoyed neat or over ice because it has a unique taste that you will surely appreciate more without mixers or with slight dilution.
8. The Balvenie DoubleWood (12 Yrs)
Average Price: Roughly $74.79 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: The Balvenie DoubleWood is aged for at least 12 years in traditional casks and ex-bourbon containers, and then its final maturation is in ex-sherry casks. Since it is matured in two different types, the whisky gains a distinctive yet delicate character.
The sherry wood gives fullness and depth to the whisky. The rich and bold taste is remarkable in every sip, not to mention its smooth-tasting notes.
7. Craigellachie Single Malt (17 Yrs)
Average Price: Roughly $178.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 46%
Why We Like It: Craigellachie whisky is crafted in a Speyside distillery [2], and it has a distinct smoothness, robust and muscular flavor with a hint of pineapple.
It is initially matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels, and then half of the blend is finished in first fill sherry and first fill Kentucky bourbon barrel.
This spirit is bottled as cask strength with no caramel coloring and is non-chill filtered. Every bottle is filled with notes of vanilla, toffee, and fudge that are rich and complex.
Read: Single Malt vs Double Malt Whiskies
6. Oban 18 Year
Average Price: Roughly $159.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It: Oban 18-year is an elegantly matured Scotch under $200. It has a nice balance of fruit flavors, spicy wood, rich peat smoke, and a long elegant finish.
The distilled spirit is bottled at 86 proof and has a mouth-filling sweetness with smoked malt dryness.
We like the notes of pear, ripe banana, and plum, as well as the salted caramel and chocolate at the end. It is medium-bodied and has rich-tasting notes that can stand easily in cocktails.
5. Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch (21 Yrs)
Average Price: Roughly $191.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 46%
Why We Like It: Old Pulteney was voted the World Whisky of the Year in 2012 by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. It has a distinct flavor profile that will make you want another glass. It also has an elegant hint of cocoa and a drying finish on the nose.
Old Pulteney has abundant fruit flavors, wood spices, and interesting tasting notes on the palate. It has an impressive and lovely flavor profile with touches of berry fruits, petals, and bubblegum.
4. The Singleton of Glendullan 18-Year
Average Price: Roughly $91.72 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: The Singleton of Glendullan is matured in two types of oak barrels: a high proportion is on American barrels, while a small portion is on European barrels. It results in a sublime, smooth, and full of character.
Singleton can be a great choice if you have a soft spot for drinking Scotch with great berries and persistent spices.
On the palate, the stewed fruits, silky honey, pineapple, and oak is evident in every sip.
Learn how to drink single malt Scotch whisky here.
3. The Glendronach Single Malt (18 Years)
Average Price: Roughly $189.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 46%
Why We Like It: The Glendronach is named after the founder of the distillery, an exceptional sherried distilled spirit with 46% ABV. It is matured in the finest Spanish sherry casks for a unique and sublime rich flavor.
The bottles of Glendronach are full of rich spice that is pleasing to the nose and palate.
It has a bright deep gold appearance, and the sweet aromatic distilled spirit is truly remarkable. In addition, we love the tremendously long and complex finish of The Glendronach.
2. Highland Park Single Malt (18 Yrs)
Average Price: Roughly $159.99 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It: Highland Park 18 has won the title “The Best Spirit In The World” three times, and its flavor profile will not disappoint you.
From rich cocoa nibs, campfire smoke, and ripe cherry aroma to a soft and round finish, Highland Park is one of the amazing pours.
The top-note aroma of Highland whisky will greet you once you open the bottle. Kiwi, gooseberries, and peach make their presence known on the palate. In addition, Highland whisky has a nice oak finish lingering longer than expected.
1. Bunnahabhain 18 Year
Average Price: Roughly $152.62 for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 46.3%
Why We Like It: Bunnahabhain 18-year is a non-chill filtered distilled spirit with intense warmth and an amazing palate profile. We like the nuttiness and slight hint of sea salt on the palate and the fruity notes on the nose.
This distilled spirit is matured for 18 years at the coast, giving it a different yet remarkable flavor. The rich mahogany gold appearance, amazing aroma, and impressive finish will make you want another glass.
*Average prices are based on Drizly. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
FAQs Related to Best Scotch Under $200
What is the smoothest Scotch whisky under $200?
The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 is the smoothest Scotch whisky under $200. Thanks to its double barrel maturation, it is a complex, fruity, and smooth distilled spirit that you will surely enjoy. In addition, it offers lots of flavors that justify its price tag.
Are Scotch whiskies under $200 easy to sip straight?
Yes, Scotch whiskies under $200 are easy to sip straight. They have a nice yet complex flavor profile that you will appreciate when you sip them straight.
In addition, they are well-matured and contain nice smokiness that you will not find in other types of whisky [3].
What factors determine the best Scotch under $200?
Factors such as age, distillery reputation, production methods, and flavor profile all contribute to determining the best Scotch within this price range.
Can I find single malt Scotch under $200?
Yes! Many single malt Scotch whiskies are available for under $200, offering distinct flavors and characteristics unique to their region and distillery.
What are some examples of the best Scotch under $200?
Some examples include Glenlivet 18 Year Old, Glenfiddich 21 Year Old, Highland Park 18 Year Old, and Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask, each offering exceptional quality and value.
Can I purchase Scotch under $200 online?
Yes! Many online retailers offer a wide selection of Scotch whiskies under $200, allowing you to explore different options and find the perfect bottle for your budget.
Final Verdict
There are plenty of Scotch whisky bottles to choose from, but good thing we managed to narrow things down a bit to the 15 best Scotch under 200. The bottles mentioned above are smooth and complex with remarkable flavor and finish.
Life is worth celebrating, so make sure to pick a bottle that is good value for money and offers premium quality.
References:
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/effect-of-aging-on-liquor-759921
- https://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/spey.html
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/whiskey
