What are the best whiskey brands of 2022?
- Glen Moray
- The Dalmore
- Macallan
- Glenmorangie
- Glenfiddich
- Johnnie Walker
- Mars Whiskey
There’s never been a better time to be a whiskey lover. The liquor is now more popular, more diverse, and — most importantly — more delicious than ever. Now is as good a time as any to indulge in a good bottle of whiskey! If you’re looking for the best whisky brands, you’ve come to the right place. From peaty to smooth, we’ve got a bottle here for everyone. Let’s take a glance at the home of our favorite drams:
Glen Moray
Glen Moray, located in one of Scotland’s oldest towns, is a distillery that has made quality single malts for over a hundred years. It’s best known for its taste of classic Speyside Scotch — which is characterized by a sweeter and fuller profile. This makes this pick a much more approachable one for beginner whiskey enthusiasts. Plus, they’ve had decades to hone their craft, and their resulting whisky imparts an impeccable sense of balance and consistency.
Of their collection, we recommend their 15-year-old Single Malt. While it might be overlooked due to its great price point, it's one of the best single malts you can get despite its price. It’s sweet on the nose with notes of white chocolate and caramel. On the palate, it’s slightly charred and smokey, with hints of fruit, cinnamon, chocolate, and spice. It’s perfect for sipping neat after a long day, and a good bottle to have for your collection.
The Dalmore
The Dalmore is a renowned distillery, known for its smooth Highland style of single malts. Each and every bottle is distinguished with a 12-pointed silver stag — even the humble Dalmore 12-year-old, the youngest from The Dalmore’s Principal Collection.
Despite its age, it has incredible depth, thanks to half of the spirit being matured in Bourbon barrels, and the other half aging in Gonzalez Byass Matusalem oloroso sherry casks. This creates an incredible profile — the nose opens with spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, which gives it a hearty kick. Then, they’re joined by flavors of rich cocoa and dried raisins and figs, with a great punch of refreshing citrus at the forefront. It is a smooth and rounded-off whiskey.
Macallan
If you want to get the best value for your money, then you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Macallan. Another iconic distillery from Scotland, it’s renowned for its partiality towards sweeter spirits. Their 12-year Double Cask in particular is an accessible drink, yet is complex and rich in its profile.
While considered an “entry-level” drink, it features a vast range of notes, which makes this bottle a truly enjoyable drink from start to finish. This whiskey combines notes of fruits, caramel, and oak spices that come from its years in Sherry-seasoned European oak. This is paired with bright notes of citrus, and heady vanilla — the result is a satisfyingly rich yet balanced flavor experience.
Glenmorangie
For over three decades, Glenmorangie’s whiskey has dominated the market in Scotland, with their Original 10 Year bottle being the most popular single malt in the country. Combine that with the endless slate of rewards the distillery has, their spirits are definitely a must-try for any whiskey lover out there.
Of the Glenmorangie collection, you could sample their ever-popular Original 10 Year (and there’s nothing wrong with that!) but we highly recommend the Glenmorangie Signet.
It’s the first single malt whiskey to use high roast chocolate malt barley, in combination with the distillery’s blend of finest, rarest whiskeys — all matured in bespoke casks. It’s so special that each year, Glenmorangie dedicates a whole week of activity to producing and preparing the special ingredients that make up the Signet.
The nose is the first thing you’ll notice — warm coffee and cinnamon, followed by dark chocolate and tiramisu. Followed closely with an explosion of flavors, primarily featuring mocha and dark chocolate, with a touch of apricot and exotic spices.
Glenfiddich
Glenfiddich’s brand is “the best dram in the valley,” so it’s no surprise that this brand makes whiskeys that are a crowd-pleaser. It’s also highly awarded, with a wide range of bottles at medium price points, making them easily accessible for whiskey enthusiasts everywhere.
Not sure which one to get? We suggest the Glenfiddich 15-Year-Old Single Malt, which is amber-gold whisky with mainly malt-based flavors. Its profile is focused on flavors of oak, spice, and fruit. It has a silky mouthfeel and strong cinnamon hit and ends with a long, warming finish.
Pick up a bottle of Glenfiddich as a (very) nice gift for any fellow whisky lovers, or tuck it away for special occasions!
Johnnie Walker
A popular choice for whisky newbies and experts alike, Johnnie Walker is well-loved for many good reasons — particularly for its signature spiciness and velvet mouthfeel. It’s the world’s most widely distributed brand of Scotch and has one of the largest collections in the world, which means it’ll be a success no matter what occasion you get it for.
Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label is the brand’s most prestigious blended whisky. It has its trademark rounded nose, with an explosion of sweetness and flavor on the first sip. It’s also especially smooth, with exceptional notes of hazelnut, sandalwood, tobacco, and toasted oak. Drink this one neat to experience what makes this such an accomplished blend, and why its profile is so highly regarded amongst enthusiasts.
Mars Whiskey
Settled in between Japan's Southern and Central Alps, Mars Shinshu is Japan's highest whisky distillery. Run by the Hombo family, this distillery has been making quality Japanese whiskies since 1949. This area allows them to make use of the free flowing Mt. Kurata springs water for their spirits. This, combined with the warm climate, deepens the flavors of their whiskies
Their rich and energetic style is best expressed in the Mars Tsunuki Single Malt "The First." It opens with notes of lemon cake, black tea, and a whiff of heady smoke. Following closely are deeper aromas of cacao and sweetened bean paste. This complex aroma is complimented by its palate, which is slightly bitter and fruit-forward. This whiskey finishes off with a warm sweetness that lingers.
Key Takeaway
The best whiskey brands offer everything from smokey blends to spicy, fruity bombs. Whether it’s your first time tasting this wonderful spirit, or you're on the lookout for your next go-to whiskey, this list features the creep of the crop.
And for all your whiskey needs, order them online from Ralph’s Wines & Spirits! As one of the top providers of whiskey here in the Philippines, our whiskey collection is a curated list of the best bottle distilleries have to offer.
