What's the Best 18 Year Old Scotch? (Semi-Blind Tasting)

We assembled 10 different 18 year old Scotch Whiskies from our collection to see which one we prefer. The results may shock you! The Whisky Rant Podcast Ep 54.
Group 1: Glen Scotia 18, Old Pulteney 18, Glendronach 18, Longrow 18
Group 2: Macallan 18 Triple Oak, Ledaig 18, Ancnoc 18
Group 3: Glenallachie 18, Arran 18, Springbank 18

[@PeatedSander]

I love blind tastings! But I find it more enjoyable and fair to see all your whiskies go head to head in one go. When you break them down into categories you may be tossing out the 2nd best whisky overall in one of the preliminaries. My favorite 18 is Ledaig 18 but I haven’t had all that many 18’s before. More blind tastings please! 😁

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers buddy

[@chrisbergin390]

Arran 18 is a serious whisky. I remember when i could pick a bottle up for £75, those were the days

[@janteun3]

yeah thos days are sadly gone longrow 18 130 bucks now i pay 280 euro vor the same bottle 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@davidowen2834]

Good 18 year old battle video 👍. Quite surprised Glen Allachie got that far. At the moment I’m really enjoying my AnConc 18, lovely stuff. Slàinte to you both.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

We all were. Cheers!

[@jerrywolfe1886]

A man may doing something sketchy for that 18 year old line up! I live in North Carolina, in the US and out of that entire lineup, I can only purchase the Macallan here. I love these blind tastings! Great vid!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

That’s sad to hear my friend.

[@yiorgosst6898]

Nice one guys👍 I am surprised as well for the Arran and the GlenAllachie. I think I need to go back and try them blind as well 😁

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Was a definite shocker.

[@RomainRiviere]

I was hooked from the thumbnail. That was great. Thanks guys.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@kurtludington5986]

Really enjoyed this one fellas!

[@JollyRover]

For many years, it was the green Laphroaig 15, that then got replaced by the 18. Currently it is definitely the Ledaig 18 for me. Nice video!! Slainte

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Nice one guys, this was super entertaining! That Ancnoc is beautiful I thought it might make it to the next round but damn that Allachie. Guess I'm heading out to find me some Glenallachie 18 :) Cheers guys 🥃

[@Bowman1999]

I really like the Glen Scotia 18 , I find it quite different. Laphroaig 18, Ledaig 18 & Loch Lomond 18 are up there as well. Cheers, great video.

[@billmonteith1161]

Really glad you both emphasized how you feel at the moment of the tasting. Sometimes I can drink myself silly with Laphroaig and sometimes it completely puts me off( actually that is rare😁) As far as Glenallachie goes, I don't believe in cloning but I might make an exception for Billy Walker

[@doronneuhaus30]

Awesome video guys!! The only one I haven't had of that bunch is the Glenallachie 18. In terms of recent bottlings that I have had, the Springbank 2022 does stand out. That sulphur flavour is gone and it really is a belter and was my best at a completely blind tasting I did a few months back. BUT I would have to say that Longrow 18 remains as one of my favourites. It has a soft peat and I also have a real soft spot for Tobermory. I currently have bottles of the Arran 18 (2021), a special edition Ledaig 18 (Batch No 2 Limited release), Glendronach 18 (2017 Billy Walker), Springbank 18 (2009), Macallan 18 Double Cask. I also recently finished a bottle of Bunnahabhain 18 as well. As you have said it is very difficult to pick a specific winner. But if I were forced to decide on a sherry and peated whisky it would be Arran 18 and Longrow 18. The Glendronach and Ledaig would be very close runners up.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Can’t go wrong with those choices. Cheers!

[@mpalef]

Really enjoying the Glenmorangie 18

[@cascode1192]

Nice lineup and thoughtful comments👍 It’s always problematic mixing smoky and non-smoky whiskies in a lineup and I don’t think there is a way to do it fairly, so the they should always be done separately, I guess. A head-to-head of 18 year old Ledaig, Laphroaig, Talisker, Highland Park, Bowmore, Caol Ila and Longrow would be amazing. You could stretch it to 10 samples buy including Rock (Oyster) Island 18 and allowing Benromach 15 and Lagavulin 16 as “honorary 18 year olds” 😁 Not surprising that the Springbank has opened and mellowed a bit over time, that always seems to happen, but that 2021 did have a coppery finish for sure. The “best” 18 year old I think I’ve ever tasted was a 1981 Douglas Laing Brora issued in the Old Malt Cask series, but I had that bottle a long, long time ago and I can’t imagine how it would compare to contemporary 18 year olds.

[@juanmlsanabria]

Ledaig 18 improves a lot with time, i see your bottle is almost full, i recommend give it a few weeks and you'll see it becomes a beast. Probably Ledaig 18 and Arran 18 are my favorite 18 YO whiskys today. Little dissapointed with Glen Scotia 18. Disclaimer i have yet to try Longrow, Glenallachie, Springbank, Bunna and Talisker among others. Cheers, good video

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers!

[@markanderson8677]

Arran 18 is fantastic but I still prefer the Ledaig 18

[@Alex-pr6zv]

Hello from Germany! The Longrow 18 is a great whisky that doesn't get enough credit. It used to be obtainable, but like other Springbanks, it's now harder to come by. The cheapest I found it for is 250 euros.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Hard to find and expensive. I love it though.

[@whiskyinsv]

That was a fun episode guys! I have not been able to track down that Glenallachie 18. It is really hard to find and seeing this, makes me want it even more! I am honestly not a big fan of the Ledaig 18... it is very meh for me.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

The Ledaig is a little thin on the palate. You have to be in the mood for that level of peat.

[@mormorgranat]

Late to the party. Love the way you did this. Would liked to have Bunnahabhain 18 in there as well, to see how it fare

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers

[@dirkdiggs]

Appreciate you guys, cheers

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers

[@gabrielg490]

Best 18 burned in memory was a 2013 Mac 18; distilled in 1995. I savored the last of those unicorns on my wedding day and it was an amazing bottle. However, watching that bottle level drop was like watching Artax from never ending story sink deeper into the tar pool and disappearing.

[@paulm749]

Of your flight, the only ones I've tasted are the Macallan and Springbank. The Macallan 18 I would say is nice, but a bit weak. The Springbank 18 is very good, but not really worth the price. I find Springbank 10 is the all-around best expression and easily the best value from that particular distillery. However, my favorite 18yo single malt whisky has to be the Highland Park 18 that was being bottled 15 to 20 years ago. The current HP 18 I can't recommend, but if you ever see a bottle of the older version gathering dust on a shelf somewhere, get it! That was an incredibly well-balanced, subtle and sublime whisky, and its a damn shame Highland Park hasn't maintained the quality on what should be their flagship expression.

[@SarawakPollster]

oh wow.. i just need to get the OP18 and Mac18 and I can do a similar shoot out as you guys... granted my batch of the other bottles may differ from yours. Before the first sip I wouldve had my money on the Longrow 18 coming tops from them all. Was surprised Glen Scotia didn't come thru like I had anticipated

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers my friend.

[@carlmartinlinder]

Yesterday I picked 4 out of the 24 18-year scotches I have. Tried them blind (none peated). My order was #1 Tomatin 18, #2 Ancnoc 18, #3 Stronachie (Benrinnes) 18 and final place Arran 18

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Interesting

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

Loch Lomond 18, Tomatin 18, Glen Moray 18, and Aberfeldy 18 French Wine Cask all need to be in the discussion.

[@sugarkitty4777]

Those are some of the best 18's - Ledaig, GlenAllachie, AnCnoc, and Arran all great top bottles for me. I would definitely add Loch Lomond and Glendronach if you were to go out and buy others. Too bad the Glen Scotia 18 is not as good as their 15. A GS 15 would give your 10 a run for their money. Best 18 ever - it's been a really long since it was that good but 30 years ago Highland Park 18 had this amazing squeaky clean heather note to go with the honey. Otherwise I would say an indy bottling of Clynelish at 18 years was probably right there.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I wish I could see a Clynlesh 18. Cheers 🙏🏻

[@bzzz1800]

At least I've been able to enjoy the privilege of having 2 of the list. Mac 18 sherry cask 2018 release ( you all know the controversy) and the Arran 18 still remains some in the stash. 🧐

[@ironmantran]

Great ! ----------- Teach, I willl match your 10 with my Old-WORLD pre-2008 Financial Crash : (love them EQUALLY thru the decades) Glendullan-18, Auchentoshan-18, Talisker-18, Bowmore-18, Aberour-18, Starthisla-18 (Cadenhead), Glentauchers-18 (James MacArthur(, Rosebank-18 (Dun Bhegan), SCapa-18 (vintage 2000), Royal Lochnagar-18 (Provenance, Douglas Laing) ---- so THERE ! Right back at YOU ! LOL

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Lol

[@kellywellington7122]

Deanston 18 wasn't in the lineup, but thanks for the comparison.

[@Rohit_M]

Great rundown of the 18 year olds Rob and Jeremy. Luckily there are some very good quality whiskies in the 18yo bracket these days. I haven't had Ledaig 18 nor Longrow 18 so I can't say but I would definitely go with Arran 18 as my favorite amongst the 18yo's I currently have.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Cheers

[@dernkross9095]

You guys have great palates

[@prestonw3878]

One time I sampled a Dalmore 12 and then Glenallachie 15 afterward and the difference was shocking.

[@michaelbroer6378]

Glengoyne 18 and Highland Park 18 are mine in my limited experience of 18s.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I used to live those as well. Just with they were bottled at 46%

[@deeshmond]

Now that you’ve had the Tamdhu 18, I’d be curious how that would’ve compared to these!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Ya I am as well.

[@peterwhite507]

Of the final 3 only had Longrow 18,

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Only tasted or guessed?

[@peterwhite507]

@@WhiskyInThe6 tasted

[@PaulAlabama]

How would you compare Springbank 18 2021 vs. 2022 releases?

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Haven’t tried the 2022

[@OGCAMG]

These are all too good to be McCallan 😂

[@jakubhaska3707]

What do you think about Canadian Club Chronicles? Is it a good whisky? Worth the price?

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Haven’t tried it

[@jameslightfoot3530]

Where in Canada can someone get the Ledaig 18, I live in ALberta and cannot find it. Thanks

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Bring it in from the UK. So easy for you guys. Duties are cheap for you.

[@brulvis]

The word you were looking for was "BATTLE ROYALE"

[@deoncurtis1325]

Deanston 18

[@OGCAMG]

I actually like the Glenallachie 12 better than arran 18

[@BDCF100]

The 18 yr old Ledaig

[@WhiskyInThe6]

It made it pretty far

[@jonathanbean7097]

How many points would you give to Glenallachie batch 8?

[@WhiskyInThe6]

88

[@jonathanbean7097]

@@WhiskyInThe6 interesting, ripple rock still beats it in your scoring system

[@stevemcdede8559]

Way out of my price range, but interesting to know.

[@plamengeorgiev2284]

How many points would you give to Glenallachie 18?

[@WhiskyInThe6]

I think 89 is a fair score.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

The peated malts should always be segregated out in this sort of tasting IMHO ✌️

[@sethcaine3659]

I won't lie, I love me a good 18 year old!

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Best.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

Think we need a third opinion. I’m on my way. For science. 🤓

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Lol

[@DileepB]

You should have removed Ledaig 18 and done 3 flights with 3 whiskies.

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Maybe

[@seans5631]

Macallan18 triple is the worst macallan evrr. I wouldve loved to see macallan18 sherry competing with the rest of the 18s

[@jonathanbean7097]

I figured arran 18 would be 2nd place

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Me too

[@WhiskyInThe6]

Like overall I mean