Scotch – Options

It might be better to buy Scotch whisky sooner rather than later. A no-deal Brexit could be bad for the U.K. whisky industry. While liquor might be safe from E.U. tariffs, it’s reported that Scotch whisky could suffer from other costs imposed on components sourced from the E.U., including corks, glass bottles, barley and other supply-chain costs. Distilleries have moved new finished goods out to market in advance of their normal schedule as a result of the U.K. government’s inability to properly tell them what it needs to plan for.

That said, I’ve been looking at some reviews of Scotch. Many of us are familiar with the elite group of Scotch: Glenfiddich, Macallan, Dalmore, Glenlivet, Laphroaig. Glenmorangie, Oban, etc. But while I look at the prices of these, I ‘m thinking that the Kentucky bourbon companies are probably laughing all the way to the bank, because Americans can buy at least two excellent bottles of bourbon for just one 12-year-aged bottle of the above.

What about lesser-known brands of Scotch? Since I don’t have the capacity — in as much as I would enjoy tasting them all — or the sophistication to properly judge and review all the Scotch options, I went to Liquor.com to access their research and their panel’s findings. Here is their list of the best Scotches for less than $100 (in alphabetical order):

• 1: Ardbeg 10 Year ($61)
• 2: Auchentoshan The Bartender’s Malt ($61)
• 3: Aultmore 12 Year ($57)
• 4: The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year ($80)
• 5: The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year ($67)
• 6: Bowmore 12 Year ($56)
• 7: Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie ($65)
• 8: Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Heavily Peated 10 Year ($70)
• 9: Compass Box Spice Tree ($70)
• 10: The GlenDronach Peated ($73)
• 11: Highland Park 12 Year Viking Honour ($55)
• 12: Lagavulin 16 Year ($90)
• 13: Laphroaig Quarter Cask ($67)
• 14: Laphroaig 10 Year ($61)
• 15: Talisker 10 Year ($57)