Thinking of trying a Scotch whisky but not sure where to begin? You’ve found yourself in just the right space! It can be overwhelming to try to figure out where to start, as there are so many options that it can feel infinite but this list will help give you a solid starting point.
These eight whiskies are not meant to be the definitive beginner’s guide to Scotch whisky; rather, they can work as a diving board into your own exploration of the different regions or even the different styles within a single distillery. Each one offers something a bit special and unique and, hopefully, there will be one or more that catch your eye.
Where is Whisky Made in Scotland?
Scotland has five distinct whisky regions, all with their own unique characteristics. Here’s a quick glance:
Lowland: This region is located south of a line between Dundee and Greenock; these whiskies tend to be unpeated and lean towards a lighter style with sweet floral notes. Typically considered more beginner-friendly due to a general lack of peated styles.
Highland: The largest geographically of the five regions, highland whisky encompasses many of the islands just off the coastline. This region offers massive diversity in taste, from elegant lighter pours to saline coastal malts to peated gems.
Campbeltown: Once the whisky capital of the world with 30 distilleries, Campbeltown is now the smallest region of the five. You can usually find a hint of salinity in this whisky as well as a touch of smoke. These will have a lot of fruit and vanilla flavours, creating rich and robust offerings.
Speyside: This region is nestled along the River Spey and is the most densely populated region for distilleries. This style is usually light or no peat and very heavy on fruit flavours due to the use of sherry casks.
Islay (pronounced ‘eye-luh’): This region, shockingly, covers the Isle of Islay. These are fiery and heavily peated whiskies. There has been heaps written about the special Islay peat which is unique to the island, and these whiskies usually have tasting notes that lean towards medicinal, mechanical and oily.
What is the difference between Peated and Smoky whisky?
To peat or not to peat, that is the question…
Medicinal. Iodine. Tar. Charcoal. Seaweed. Plasters. Tarmac. Vegetal. You’ve probably heard at least one of these words when a whisky is described as being peated or peaty. These are created during the kilning of malt before distillation. It’s important to also note that ‘smoke’ and ‘peat’ are not really interchangeable, although sometimes they are treated like that- the phrase ‘sisters not twins’ comes to mind. Peat will often create a more oily, vegetal or earthy smell and taste, while smoke refers to aromas or flavours that are drier and more evocative of a campfire or charcoal. So with that now sorted, let’s jump in to 8 stunning bottles of Scotch that you really need to try…
Glasgow 1770 Peated
Region: Lowland
Peated: Yes
This whisky comes from The Glasgow Distillery, independently owned and started by two pals back in 2012. Since then, a small team of 16 works in Hilington in the outskirts of Glasgow while honouring the industrial heritage of The Glasgow Distillery.
One-third of their core range, the Glasgow 1770 Peated, starts maturing in virgin American oak casks before spending eight to 12 months in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The result is a smoky, dark fruited whisky that balances sweet and savory in tasty harmony. This would be a tasty treat to sip at a BBQ or alongside a grilled meal.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £52.00
Arran 10
Region: Highland (unofficially Island)
Peated: No
Located on the Isle of Arran, you’ll find the Lochranza Distillery, which creates whisky that is a beautiful reflection of the island. The water used in distillation is rainwater that pools at Loch na Davie, so Arran’s whisky is a pure expression of the warm microclimate.
Arran 10 is a true all-rounder that offers something for everyone. In the glass, you’ll be greeted by unpeated citrus notes that, when sipped, open up into vanilla, soft oak, apple and just a hint of coconut. This bottle also recently won the World Whisky Awards 2025!
Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £46.99
Fettercairn 12
Region: Highland
Peated: No
Fettercairn Distillery (est. 1824) is tucked into the foothills of the Cairngorms, and they have been innovators since the beginning. The founder, Sir Alexander Ramsay, was one of the Scottish landowners who campaigned for licensed and legal whisky distillation. For those history buffs out there, look up the 1823 Excise Act.
Their 12-year-old is a part of their core range and is a beautiful unpeated expression using American oak ex-bourbon barrels. Aromas of vanilla and biscuit open into flavours of tropical fruits before deepening into sultanas and a sweet malt. A lower ABV adds to a gentler experience, which is elegant and an utter delight to sip.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: £52.99
Nc’Nean
Region: Highland
Peated: No
Organic and sustainable, founder Annabel wanted to make a whisky that coexisted with the nature around it. In 2017, work began, and in 2020, the first bottle came to an eager market. This single malt is made using 100% organic Scottish barley, and the Nc’Nean Distillery is powered using 100% renewable energy.
Using a balance of red wine, American bourbon, and sherry cask, the Organic Single Malt is easy-going and elegant. A sweet barley and citrus on the nose lead to tasting notes of charred tropical fruits before turning towards a decadent chocolate fudge. The finish will leave you with a satisfying vanilla oaked spice. This drama begins with a fun, light twirl that deepens into an elegant glass you can enjoy again and again for beginners and those who are more experienced.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £55.50
That Boutique-y Whisky Company Speyside 12-Year-Old
Region: Speyside
Peated: No
When it comes to independent bottlings of whisky, it can be tough to know where to start, but TBWC has your back. Part of their core range, their Speyside 12 is aged in an Oloroso sherry cask, which gives it an incredibly inviting nose of Medjool dates, honey and sticky toffee pudding.
At first sip, there is a gentle warmth that builds the more you drink, accompanied by notes of candied almonds, chewy spices and citrus peel. This bottle is created in batch releases of 1,000 litres and is a brilliant example of what TBWC does best: creating unusual and unique small batches while being passionate about the story behind the liquid in the bottle.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 45.8%
Find here: £44.95
Benriach 10
Region: Speyside
Peated: No, but it has some smoke to it
The Benriach Distillery was first built in 1898 on the site of the old Raich farm in Elgin, the north of the most densely populated distillery region. Their Benriach 10, a core range offering, is triple cask matured in bourbon, sherry and virgin oak barrels. This trifecta creates a nose of big vanilla and bourbon that’s tempered with deeper stewed fruit and a smokiness.
On your first sip, you’ll be greeted by abundant apples, stone fruit (grilled peaches) and a very light almond, almost aniseed hint. These big fruity flavours are complemented by a gentle misting of smoke, almost like you’re drinking it and there’s a bonfire nearby.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 43%
Find here: £33.95
Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish
Region: Campbeltown
Peated: No
Glen Scotia is one of the smallest distilleries in Campbeltown and was founded in 1832. They make a range of peated and unpeated whisky, but the one selected for this article is a very special one indeed.
The Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum Finish offers a more unusual finish by maturing in American oak barrels before using Guyanese Demerara rum barrels to finish things off. This means notes of molasses and cooked sugar that deepen to reveal stone fruits and coconut. The finish of this whisky is warm and spiced vanilla with a divine hint of salinity. This is a whisky to try if you enjoy rum, delicious and rich.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 46%
Find here: £43.00
Caol Ila 12
Region: Islay
Peated: Heck Yes!
Caol Ila 12 (pronounced ‘cull-eela’) offers a gentle introduction to the unique world of Islay peat. Located in Port Askig on the Isle of Islay, the distillery was originally built in 1846. Vastly different from the peat found in other regions, this particular bottle delivers fresh and herbal notes in an oily malt that flirts with the medicinal flavours without becoming overwhelming.
You’ll find some citrus notes accompanied by a goodly helping of salinity. This is a whisky for those curious and eager to discover the unique magic of Islay peat.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 43%
Find here: £48.95
What’s the most important thing to remember when it comes to trying whisky for the first time? Have fun with it - make your own beginner’s list - and remember, whisky is best experienced when shared with someone, so grab a pal and happy sipping! If you’d like to read more about the difference between whisky and whiskey, you can check out Whisky vs Whiskey, or if you want to go further off the beaten path, why not check out Rogues of the Regions: Your Guide to the Most Unique Scotch Whiskies (you might even see a familiar bottle)! To see more from Elizabeth, make sure to check out her other articles here.
