Best Whisky for Beginners

If you’re just starting in the world of Scotch Whisky, it can be pretty overwhelming to know what is the best whisky for beginners or even what the terms mean. There are so many unpronounceable distilleries, numbers and opinions flying around, it can be hard to know where to start.

I spent 10 years recommending single malts at work for customers from all over the globe, with different budgets, levels of whisky experience and tastes. So, to help you navigate the whisky waters, we’ve put together a beginners guide to whisky. This includes our list of the best whiskies for beginners to get you started and enjoying the wonderful world of Scotch Whisky.

Simple tips to get started

Best whisky for beginners: Understand the basics and you will be well on your way

There’s a high chance that your first foray into Scotch whisky will come in a bar. Depending on the type of bar, the staff may be able to answer questions about whisky, even if just the ones they sell. This is especially true in Edinburgh where there are many whisky-focused bars, so the staff are used to questions and being fonts of knowledge. However, others won’t be so helpful. So here are a couple of things to look for to help you navigate the selection in front of you.

Region

If you’re in an establishment with a whisky list then hopefully they have arranged it by region. This is common and good practise as it’s by far the quickest and easiest way to navigate the selection.

Scotland is broken down into 6 whisky regions: Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Islands, Islay & Campbeltown. For beginners, I always look at the Lowland and Speyside regions.

Lowland whiskies are light, delicate and fairly straightforward. They’re a good entry point if you’re new to whisky and worried about your palette being overwhelmed.

Speyside whisky is characterised by the use of sherry casks. These casks are used all over Scotland but are most prevalent in Speyside. The sherry cask adds complexity but also a sweetness to the whisky. This is a welcome, pleasant characteristic if you’re new to it or you’re a bourbon fan which is generally sweeter than Scotch due to the use of corn-mash.

Age

It’s true that the older the whisky is, the more mellow it will be. If you ever try a 3-year-old whisky you’ll discover this very quickly. But you don’t need to spring for spirits which are 15 years, or older, which will cost a bit. 10 years is a good starting point. However, be wary of anything under 10 years or without an age on the bottle. Young whiskies are “purer” as you’re tasting more of the individuality of the distillery rather than the barrel but they can be a bit rough around the edges.

Finish

This requires closer inspection of the bottle so is perfect if you’re in a shop or buying online. The “finish” is what type of cask the whisky spends the last 6 months to a year in. Lots of whiskies are predominantly aged in oak or bourbon barrels, which are relatively cheap. They are then “finished” in the casks of rum, sherry, port etc. which are much more expensive but add complexity. Anything that is finished in a sweet wine cask eg Sherry, Port, Madeira will have a sweet edge to it making it more beginner-friendly.

Add Water

Elsewhere watering down your whisky is frowned upon. Though for some reason, chilling it to the point of not being able to taste it, is fine. But not in Scotland. All whisky should have a couple of drops of water added to release the aromas. However, don’t be scared to add an equal measure of water to whisky. If your palette isn’t used to drinking straight spirit, don’t worry, add some water and enjoy. Just don’t put ice in it! Ice will lower the temperature (duh) meaning you can’t taste the individual flavours, and it will be watered down at a rate you can’t control.

Whisky Drinking Expressions

Photo credit: Dylan de Jonge, Unsplash

Whilst travelling around Scotland, you may hear some rather odd expressions and colloquialisms. In a similar way to wine, whisky has its own language and jargon which can seem off-putting at first. But, unlike wine, the terminology is easy to pick up and learn so it won’t take you long before you a whisky speaking aficionado.

Dram – The traditional Scottish name for a measure whisky. Now, often used for a glass of any size. It is said to have evolved from an old term for an apothecaries’ weight, usually one-eighth of an ounce.

Nip – A measure of whisky smaller than a dram.

Nosing – Giving your glass a good sniff, inhaling the aromas before going in for the taste.

Quaich – Pronounced “quake”, this is a traditional Scottish whisky drinking cup. It is a shallow bowl with a short vertical handle on either side. Not something you will be presented with at the pub, but you will see it at Burns Suppers or traditional weddings, where the sharing of the quaich signifies friendship. 

Scotch – generic terms for Scottish wh