BEST Whisky From Each Scotch Region: My TOP Picks!

[@korvengriffin4756]

My dad was the first calligrapher to do Glen Scotia sign. The 25 year old is outstanding. But the Victoriana is just lush for the money. My Dad also did all the sign writing for all the Islay distilleries.

[@abrahamtomahawk]

Great video. Just a note, the Gàidhlig word glen usually refers to a v-shaped, river cut valley, whereas the word strath means a broad, u-shaped valley that's been shaped by a glacier. So the river Spey is in Strathspey, and some of the names on the whiskys come from the glens off of Strathspey, with tributary rivers in them. Glenlivet being an obvious example of this. Keep up the good work! I learn loads from your videos.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Ah thanks for the nugget of knowledge! Very interesting!

[@abrahamtomahawk]

@@FirstPhilWhisky Nae bother. It's a very woolly definition, there's even a place with both words (Glen Strathfarrar in Inverness-shire), but interesting nonetheless. I've no idea quite why the word glen has entered the standard lexicon of English and strath hasn't, but it is what it is.

[@Bkesal14]

Haven't got round to the Loch Gorm yet. Really keen to try!

[@wizkid3295]

@@FirstPhilWhisky Question for you Phil, i recently moved to new zealand and with all the fake, counterfeit whiskeys in the market, where can i buy authentic whiskeys in auckland new zealand ? Any recommendations ?

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

@@wizkid3295Glengarry if you want to visit a store. Whisky Galore or Whisky & More if you want to buy online

[@kurtludington5986]

Great video! Would love to see Ralfys list as well!

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Nice one Phil, super solid list! My list right now where my palate is: Highlands: Ardnamurchan Sherry Cask Speyside: Benromach Cara Gold Lowlands: Bladnoch 11 Campbeltown: Springbank 10 Islands: Arran Quarter Cask Islay: Laphroaig 10 CS

[@JeffWhisky]

Cheers for jumping on this fella and some brilliant picks! Hope to see more folk having a stab at the tough challenge. 🥃

[@kellywellington7122]

Mine...Deanston 18, Benromach 15, Auchentoshan Three Wood, Longrow Peated, Kilchoman Sanaig, Arran 10. I like your selections just fine, too. I like the list of Tubers you selected to take the challenge, too. I'll have to check in and see what they nominate.

[@christinecamley]

Islay is my favourite region, then Campbelltown, Speyside, Highland, Lowlands - a mix really. I am always interested in a lovely dram and every region has amazing expressions. I also adore the Laphroaig 10 CS. I just bought 2! Lagavulin 16 would be my grab from Islay and I also love the Lagavulin Offerman 4th Edition! Delicious as well!! Cheers!! Awesome picks!! 🙂

[@eviltrain24]

I like the video! But mostly because it helped clue me into how much overlap I have with you in terms of preferences. And boy, do we not overlap all that much. Actually to that point, I’d love the entire whisky community did a video that is focused around their preferences, “This is/is not for me” lists.

[@jimreichel1466]

Excelkent video Phil. As I am relatively new to Scotch, I have not tried anything from the Islands. For the remainder of the regions my picks are: The Highlands - Glenglassaugh Torfa, Speyside - Craigellachie 13 Year, Lowlands - Bladloch Vinaya, Campbeltown - Glen Scotia 15 Year, and Islay - Laphroaig Càirdeas White Port & Madeira Cask.

[@djbeacon6895]

Great list. I was surprised how many I have from your list. As much as I like the Glen Scotia Victoriana and Springbank, was blown away by the Longrow Red 15 year Pinot Noir. For Islands, Arran Bodega Sherry Cask. For Islay, Bunnahabhain 18 year.

[@hamo4558]

Great selection Phil ! Each region well represented !

[@newwave151151]

Love the choices and agree with all of them! Another great video!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@DisgruntledHippo]

I'm binge watching your videos while on break at work. Ugh. You're making me want to expand my collection. Lol

[@ciroguerra-lara6747]

You give the best videos, I´ve learned a lot from you. Thanks for your videos.

[@Bigboy_T-1000]

gonna have to go out and get each of these recommendations

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Killer video. Love you cut work, fun animation, and respect your thoughts. Thank you so much for hearing your thoughts!

[@SimonneNZ]

Great video and list Phil! I also went with Arran for the Islands but picked the Quarter Cask. My pick for Islay was Kilchoman Sanaig, but I haven't tried the Loch Gorm yet. For Speyside I have now tried the GlenAllachie 10 CS and it is good, but I still pick Craigellachie 13 over this. Lowlands is Kingsbarns DTD, Campbeltown is KK12. For Highlands I pick the Ardnamurchan CS, but Glencadam 10 is up there too. Would love to see what Ralfy would pick. Cheers!

[@jamesboddington9565]

Haven't tried the Glencadam 10 but have a bottle of the 15 which is brilliant. You bringing up the Glencadam name is why I bought it so thank you very much!

[@McIntyresMalts]

Great list mate, the Glen Scotia 15 is great and (at least here in Australia) is about the most affordable 15 year old and definitely the most affordable Campbeltown whisky.

[@LeeONardo-n6g]

I found a few Islay whiskys to love, I enjoyed and shared these for the last decade at least - the big smoky peaty, stereotypical suspects - I thank you for influencing me to step away from Islay I started with a Glen Scotia 10 and rather liked it so took a risk and bought all your remaining first choices, being based in London I am fortunate to have easy access at reasonable prices to Scotch especially - Oh my is the Glencadam 10 a revelation, so subtle and refined, I'm blown away, I'll be exploring more of the Highlands and Lowlands options you mention in time, the Speyside sherry bombs are perhaps not for me (yet?) but more of the Arran's are on my list, Lagg, well I'm off out to pick some up now and will see how this compares to my Islay stalwarts. Much appreciated Phil, you're a bad influence on me in the best way possible, thanks again.

[@KNURKonesur]

Islay - Port Charlotte MRC:01 (my fav whisky full stop) Campbeltown - Kilkerran Heavily Peated Speyside - Benromach CS Lowlands - Lindores Abbey Bourbon CS Highlands - toss between Glencadam 10 and Clynelish 14 and Ardnamurchan CS Islands - Ledaig 18

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

Outstanding Phil! 😝👊🥃🥃🥃🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🥝🥝🥝🌿🌿🌿💯💯💯 loving your channel and video's brother. Great camera and editing work. Nice recommendations. 😎🤘👏👏👏👏👏

[@andrewbutler7681]

As you mentioned: there are so many exceptions that the regions don't really work any more, so I always prefer choosing examples by style instead. Just to be cheeky I could choose unpeated Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve for Islay and heavily peated Old Ballantruan for Speyside! There's also the problem of distilleries that are no longer running, but the whisky is still available - my favourite lowlanders are Ladyburn and Littlemill, for example. However, to play fair: Highland: Royal Lochnagar 12 Speyside: Cragganmore 12 Lowlands: Kingsbarns Dream to Dram Campbeltown: Springbank 12 Cask Strength Islands: Tobermory 12 Islay: Laphroaig 10

[@lukegray2717]

Wow great descriptions, great picks, great video!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Luke!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Whenever I watch your videos I am in awe of how beautiful they are man. That said, I was not expecting to be challenged in this video! Thanks for thinking of me with this challenge Phil, and thanks for sending some love to my little channel on the West Coast of Canada as a result. I was guessing along as I watched and I hate to say you went exactly where I was going in Campbeltown and the Speyside. Nonetheless, challenge accepted my friend. Keep up the great work 🥃 -Matt

[@quuids8895]

Great video! This is the first video of yours I’ve had the pleasure of watching. Do you have a list of the ‘must try’ scotch when visiting Scotland? I will be heading there next week and need help!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Glad you enjoyed it! That's a tough question! You probably should try a smoky Islay I think and then a speyside at least. but even better, go to one of the many awesome whisky bars around scotland and ask the locals and do a full flight.

[@quuids8895]

Thanks for reply and advice! I will for sure!

[@dirkdiggs]

Excellent video!

[@emieloss7229]

Some great picks! I'm an Arran fan but haven't had the Amarone cask finish yet, need to get myself a bottle :D

[@Koby616]

Great video. Loved watching it. Great picks 😁👍 I haven't tried that many whiskey from all regions, but I would pick glencadam 10 for Highlands, glenfarclas 15 for Speyside, talisker 10 for islands, kingsbarns docoot or w.e it's caleed for lowlands, ardbeg ugi for Islay. I haven't tried any cambletown whiskey. But I have a few glen Scotia's on my shelf

[@kiwigor]

Nice vid Phil! Amazing production!!! My picks right now and probably changing very soon: Ardna Cask Strength Craigellachie 17 Ledaig 18 Bladnoch 19 Kilkerran 16 Islay is the hardest…. Definitely changes very often. Right now Laga 12 CS. Old label. I know, i know… diageo evil etc etc…. But that juice is amazing. Tomorrow it’ll be Laphroaig and the day after Bunna, then CI etc…. Aaarghh…. This is impossible…. But fun to think about! Cheers!

[@Shaun-nicholls]

A great and interesting video. I would need to have a deep think as to what my picks would be. 🥃

[@AlexanderCamachop]

Hi Phil, big fan of your videos. Building quiet a mini bar with multiple scotch. Wanted to ask you have you done a review on the best scotch whisky 2022 (GlenScotia Victoriana)? As well have you done a review on the best scotch whisky 2023 (SpringBank 10)? Really wanted to have a review of all those top whiskys from online scotch whisky awards.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

That's a good idea!

[@alekskonjwvic2456]

Good Day, I have watched all your videos on KZbin. I have enjoyed them all. I note with you and other whisky vlogs that you describe all sorts of flavours depending on the brands etc. None of the vloggers actually say they taste whisky. Am I missing something her? Thanks Aleks from Bega Valley NSW Australia

[@whiskywhereabouts]

I was getting ready to type a comment about a couple of your great picks, Phil, when I got to the part where you issued your nominations. So, I guess I'll save my thoughts for now. Challenge accepted! Cheers!

[@tommccafferty5591]

I don’t have a vast experience with the regions. My current favorite Highland is anCnoc 12. It’s a tie for me for Islay; Ardbeg Uigeadail and Port Charlotte 10.

[@annamcmahan6993]

For sure I will try the Glencadam. I'm 100% on the same page with Glenallachie 10, it's my fav one. Just superb. A bit of water makes it just explode in flavors. For Arran, I'm a fan or the regular 10, but was pondering what else to try, now it is the Amarone. Had Kingbarns but not a fan of Lowlands. Not bad, though, but money wise, better buys elsewhere. For the Glen Scotia I had the Victoriana, and the 15 is found rarely (only ONE bottle now in my country) and expensive. Will consider it, but not now. Same for Loch Gorm, was not blown out of my mind by other Kilchomans, and Port Charlotte is a sure buy for less.

[@es330td]

I have to go with Octomore 8.3 for the Islay selection. At 309 ppm of peat it is truly in a class all its own for Islay scotches.

[@VazzVegas]

Just opened a bottle of the Ledaig Rioja while I killed off my Ledaig 10, and it's really unique, which I love, but I still prefer the 10. Glencadam 10 is a great choice. Haven't had the others so my wish list just got bigger. Cheers.

[@marektomanek1913]

great video and for my picks (did not taste as much whiskeys as you had but from the ones I have tasted ): lowlands : Glenkinchie (this whiskey is just delicious) highlands : Glenfarclas 12 speyside : Glenlivet founders reserve Islands : Talisker storm Islay : Ardbeg 10 Campbeltown : Did not have any whiskey from that region so no pick :)

[@jishnumohan1204]

Nice video. Please do a similar video based on taste profiles/ flavour types so that a sort or comprehensive scotch collection can be created. 🙂

[@ycorvall]

Nice list thanks for the content as always. Mine is...(can you tell I like Sherry?) Lowlands : Lindores Sherry / Highlands : Glendronach 12 / Speyside : Glenallachie 15 / Islands : Arran Sherry / Islay : Bruichladdich the Classic Laddie / Campbeltown : Springbank 10

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Ha sure can! Great picks!

[@BracchiAlessandroFineArt]

my picks , Highlands Deanstone 12, Lowlands Glenkinchie 12, Islands Arran Lochranza castle 21 yr , Campbeltown Springbank 10, Speyside Benriach 22yr dark rhum finished, Islay Laphroaig 10 Cask strenght.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Interesting colour on your bottle of Ledaig Sinclair (perhaps colour grading?) but my bottle the liquid was reddish pink like nothing else I've seen before. Yours almost looks like a Bourbon cask!

[@bluesmanen1]

A really fun list, but quite hard to pick just one, but I'll try. Highland: Edradour 12 yo Caledonia, Speyside: Craigellachie 13 yo, Lowlands: Glenkenchie DE (don't have much experience with the Lowlands, yet), Islands: Tobermory 12 yo, Campbelltown: Kilkerran 12 yo, Islay: Port Charlotte 10 yo (the most easy one to pick). But If I would do this list tomorrow, it would probably be a bit different ;)

[@NZDave]

That list would be a great 6 bottle collection. I've still to try that Arran but man you're selling it 😂. Mine Ardnamurchan Paul Launois, Tamdhu 15yo, Kingsbarns Bell Rock, Kilkerran 8yo CS Sherry, Arran Port Cask and Kilchoman Sauternes to mix it up.

[@BrandonF12]

Love your show. I am looking to purchase a nice celebratory Scotch. Right now I am considering the Signatory Laphroaig 24, Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1998, Glendronach 30 year Pedro Ximenez. I am open to others and would love to hear any recommendations you have! Cheers.

[@brentkasl6510]

Ralfy? One selection per Scotch region please

[@tommyrq180]

Bury me in Islay. Laphroaig, preferably! 😊

[@mjardeen]

I would also add a Blended to the 'regions'. For me that would be Orchard House.

[@dancoburn314]

Kingsbarns Dream to Dram has indeed been discontinued. However, it's been replaced by the Doocot... exactly the same cask makeup as the D2D but 4 years more mature. Worth checking out!

[@AppleTarte]

Have you ever had Caol Ila 12? in my opinion very underrated. The little sister distillerie to Lagavulin. For the price it is a fantastic whisky.

[@frankcousins6479]

Probably not available in NZ, but Lowlands can only be Daftmill - up there with the old Rosebank. Natural colour, non-chill filtered, age statements/vintage and just amazing quality.

[@Watchman999]

Notwithstanding the unofficial “Islands” region, Lagg is actually Lowlands and Lochranza is Highlands. I think Islands should become an official region though. Great list. Slàinte.

[@darrenpellichino2923]

The island whiskys are so good and they are all so different from one another. They left a mark remembering how much I liked them. I really liked Ledeig for how clean and crisp the peat tasted but the Arran was something special. Talisker was the scotch that made me become a scotch head , along with Highland Park for the way they mix the peat into a subtle balanced taste. I'd love to know some more island whiskys to try if anyone has any suggestions. have a great day =)

[@EnglishApache26]

Personally: Speyside - The Glenlivet 18 Highlands- Glenfarclas 10 (I know it’s technically Speyside, but they do call themselves Highland Single Malt) Islay - Ardbeg Heavy Vapors Commitee Release Islands - Talisker 10 Lowlands - Glenkenchie 10 Campbeltown - Springbank 12 Cask Strength

[@Coastergg]

Regarding Highland, I definitely would not choose Glencadam 10. In my opinion, Loch Lomond 12/Ardmore Peated would be much more interesting than Glencadam 10. Speaking about Speyside, I would definitely mention Benromach and Tamdhu and especially Glenallachie. I completely agree with Islay, here no options)

[@WhoeverNevermind]

I emptied a bottle of Kingsbarns DtD and it's meh. I don't get all the fuss about it. If I could pick just one bottle from the Lowlands, it would be Bladnoch 11. Unique profile that people usually describe as lactic funk or baby vomit (lol) and that I would describe as Manchego cheese. Insanely good, completely underrated.

[@tinchin75]

I have the 10 yo and it's awesome. Probably the best ex bourbon I've tried so far.

[@jockmcallister]

Agree with bladnoch…. Never tried D2D

[@frankcousins6479]

The blanch 10 and 11 are both great.... but arguably beaten by Daftmill... but hard to find

[@soumynonareverse7807]

They've probably already made a similar video but what about the whiskey tribe?

[@Gwhisky]

Ah fine I'll do it, but only because you used such flattering footage of me. 🥃

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

🤝

[@aaabbbccc543]

what would be a good PX cask whisky under $ 300 ?

[@lukashavel7690]

Kilkerran 12 (old thin bottle), Ardbeg 10, Talisker 10, Craigellachie 13, Deanston 12. I cant choose for Lowlands sadly. Dont know anything about it.

[@wizkid3295]

Question for you Phil, i recently moved to new zealand and with all the fake, counterfeit whiskeys in the market, where can i buy authentic whiskeys in auckland new zealand ? Any recommendations ?

[@josephjvr6509]

hahaha, Phil,,,,, yeah ! - - - great picks,,,,,,,

[@8BitLife69]

Good luck finding any of those in the states.

[@brentandamandaturnbull1660]

So as not to break the bank: Highland - Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 Lowland - Bladnoch 11 Speyside - Glenfiddich 15 Islands (it's not a real Scotch region but I digress) - Ledaig 10 Campbeltown - Glen Scotia 15 Islay - Ardbeg 10 (ps love the Lagavulin 8; more punch than the 16 and Bunnahabhain 12 because it's so different from the usual stuff from Islay).

[@chrisinnes2128]

I would also separate fife form the rest of the lowlands as well now

[@leojet9165]

Nice video ! here`re my favourites, list of open bottles (work in progress...): Highlands: Clencadam 15 (as you described...quiet and elegant) Speyside: Glenallachie 15 (Benromach 2013 CS...depends on my mood...) Lowlands: don't have one...dang ! will correct that immediately 🙂 Campbeltown: Kilkerran 8 2024 (is easily my favorite on this whole list) Islands: Ledaig Sinclair Series (best bang for bug on this list...by quite a margin) Islay: Bunnahabhain 12 CS 2022 (you said region, not flavour profile, right ?)

[@BrutusMaximusAurelius]

Hmm, never had that Glencadam 10 and it's only around 37 EUR here.

[@tommysimpsonandtheloadeddice]

Loch Gorm for the win!

[@lightplays2181]

Good choice ! Slainte !

[@geordiestevie6122]

Lagg is absolutely amazing..... 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@charliefoxtrot7219]

Isn't it really just stuff to debate about? Speyside wasn't considered a separate whiskey region until 2009 and so many distilleries are making whiskey from other regions. But carry on I love Scotch.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Yeah agree. The whole region thing doesn’t work as well as wine regions I think. Flavour categories are much better. I think there’s a romance to regions though that sticks.

[@whiskamyaway]

Some whiskies can choose if they’re Spey side or Highlands , if they are on the borders of the whisky regions.

[@charliefoxtrot7219]

@@FirstPhilWhisky There is great romance to the story of Scotch, created by advertising. But one has to fall for it b/c it's wonderful.

[@billosolinski]

Have you ever considered categorizing Scotch by style rather than region?

[@Slydeil]

Aa a native of Speyside in Moray i dont think "regions" make sense and they certainly arent consistent, especially "Highland", as your graphic at 4.56 which shows the geographic reality as opposed to the PR myth. The Scottish Lowlands goes all the way up the North East and incorporates Speyside. Macallan is in Speyside, Moray and Glendronach is in Aberdeenshire (both in the North East Lowlands), yet they are marketed / classified as "Highland" whiskies.. The whisky regions should be split more like geographic areas i.e. Lowland, North East Lowlands (and split into Speyside), Highland and Islands.

[@_fwd_racecar_]

i haven't tried any of these yet, but here's my list based off reviews. speyside: craigellachie13 cuz it doesn't taste like a boring speyside. - islay: bunnahabin cuz peat is nasty. - island: highland park cask strength cuz the kick still tastes like whisky. cambletown: springbank for their old school production hype. - lowland: lochlea for respectable abv stats. - highland: glencadam cuz just sounds refreshing

[@Lammys_Dram]

Come on Ralfy.... less ranting and more whisky lists 😂

[@glimmertwin197]

Phil, would help us rookies if you would always include prices on what you are showing-some of us have a limited budget thanx

[@lodgelawyer]

Ledaig. Mother's milk. (If mother was a tiger.).

[@tomlivesay8407]

Ardbeg 10 year and Aberlour 12 year…enough said.

[@DileepB]

The younger generation(8-10 years old) have more Billy influence!

[@mandibeln101]

Craigellachie 13y is overrated in my opinion tastes fuelish, wouldn't have made it in my speyside selection

[@94e88]

It's a challenging whisky, it has all the musty/dirty funk with a lot of almost overripe fruits(pear, pineapple, some apple, maybe even a little cantaloupe), almost burnt pine resin caramel and fudge. It is so far into the darker/heavier side of non-peated whisky with it's palette of flavours where you almost expect it to be peated. Plus some minerality/salt which again reminds you of peat. It takes a while for the individuals palette to develop and this whisky is one of the best examples of this. A beginner will be completely overwhelmed and it can seem unpleasant to many experienced people too.

[@hahanah1463]

Nah disagree. The islands IS a whisky region

[@abhaykumar-zq5om]

All unheard whiskeys

[@mr-yr1tp]

Such irony