Sip On The Best Scotch Whisky Brands

A rarity cherished with a passion by whisky lovers, Scotch whisky in Hong Kong is evergreen, never out of season. Premium Scottish whiskies like Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, Glenlivet and many more are savored with relish among Hong Kong whisky shop patrons.

Each of the four whisky regions of Scotland produce different whisky styles with flavors ranging from rich to grassy to peated. The Glenlivet whisky of the Speyside region, Glenmorangie whisky of the Highlands, Bladnoch whisky of the Lowlands and Lagavulin whisky from the Islay region are just some of the most coveted names by connoisseurs!

Keep reading to find out what exactly comprises Scotch Whiskey, and why they command a moniker of their own.

What Is A Scotch Whisky?

A whisky can be called a Scotch whisky ONLY if it is produced in any of the four aforementioned whisky regions of Scotland.

In addition certain standards must be met to qualify as a Scotch whisky. As per the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009, a whisky is a Scotch if:

1. It has been distilled only in a Scotland distillery from water & malted barley (to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added)
2. It was mashed at that distillery
3. It was converted to fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme systems and then fermented only by the addition of yeast
4. It has an ABV of at least 40% (& not exceeding 94.8%)
5. It has been matured for a period of no less than 3 years, only in oak casks of capacity not exceeding 700 liters, specifically in an excise warehouse in Scotland
6. It has no added substances besides water and plain caramel coloring

These stipulations lend credibility to what makes Scotch unique from other whiskies.

Types of Scotch Whiskies?

Scotch whisky are of the following types:

• Single Malt Scotch
  Considered as ‘original’ Scotland whisky, a Scotch whisky qualifies as a single malt if it is made only from a mash of 100% malted barley (without the addition of other cereals) followed by pot still distillation in two or three copper pot stills – all done at a single distillery.
• Single Grain Scotch
  Single grain whisky, akin to single malts, comes from a single distillery. But it is a lighter version made with barley and at least one other grain (malted or unmalted) like corn or wheat or a blend of both. Blends from Chivas Regal and Johnnie Walker are common single grain whiskies.
• Blended Malt Scotch
  ‘Blended’ malt is a blend of single malt Scottish whiskies from a minimum of two different distilleries. These whiskies are essentially without the grain element and have rich flavors from honeyed fruitiness to peaty smoke.
• Blended Grain Scotch
  It is similar to blended malts except that it entails blending of single grain whiskies from two or more distilleries to create a new unique product.
• Blended Scotch
  Conventionally, a blended scotch is just a mixture of Scottish whiskies. Formally, a blended scotch is supposed to be a mixture of single malts and one or more single grain scotch whiskies. Of all the scotch whiskies sold in the world, almost 90% are blended scotches e.g. Chivas Regal, Dewar’s, Johnnie Walker etc.

Top 16 Scotch Whisky Brands To Try

Here are some of the finest whisky brands offering premium Scotches we recommend you try.

• Glenfiddich: Reliability, consistency & affordability symbolize Glenfiddich. This Speyside wonder was founded in 1886. Its 14-year-old Bourbon Barrel Reserve packs deep notes of caramel, oak and spice. It is the best-selling single malt Scotch brand in the world and quite famous among Scotch whisky lovers in Hong Kong. The Glenfiddich 12 Years Single Malt Scotch comes at a close
• The Glenlivet: The second best-selling single malt Scotch whisky brand in the world, The Glenlivet was launched in 1824 in the Speyside region. Its signature expression is the Glenlivet 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch, in addition to the Founder’s Reserve.
• Chivas Regal: Founded in 1801, this brand has some major awards under its belt, including Gold and Double Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Although the Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Blended Scotch is what is commonly sought after, it is the 25 Year or the Regal XV that connoisseurs swear by.
• Glenmorangie: The Glenmorangie Original 10 Year has been the most famous single malt in all of Scotland and has garnered a long list of awards. It was founded in 1843 in the Highland region and its Glenmorangie The Original 10 Year serves as the base whisky for other rich expressions like Quinta Ruban and Lasanta.
• The Macallan: The ‘corporate’ whisky draws upon nearly 2 century worth of craftsmanship. Its smooth and balanced drams pack plenty of flavor. You can work up the ladder starting from The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak Single Malt expression, moving on to The Macallan 18 year Old and then The Macallan 25 Year Old.
  The Macallan was founded in 1824 in Speyside region. This whisky is doing excellent rounds at Hong Kong whisky shops.
• Johnnie Walker: Founded in 1820, the brand created its first commercial blend only by 1865. A bottle of Johnnie Walker exudes premium blends, clever Scottish bottle designs & business practices. Connoisseurs swear by Johnnie Walker Blue Label’s smoothness, although the best known expressions are the Johnnie Walker Red Label and Johnnie Walker Black Label. Their range tops out with the Johnie Walker Blue Label.
• Lagavulin: If you have a penchant for peat & sweetness accompanied by pungent smoke, then this Islay based distillery (founded in 1816), which is a master of single malt Scotch, offers the Lagavulin 16 Years Old Islay single malt scotch, which is the stuff of legend & one of the world’s best whiskies.
• Laphroaig: This is the versatile, smoky and equally extraordinary neighbor of Lagavulin and was founded in 1815. It has a reputation of surprising with new releases & its masterpiece Laphroaig 10 Years Old expression pretty much sums up the brand.
• The Balvenie: Founded in 1892 in Speyside, this brand isn’t afraid to experiment with wood. Its signature expression is the DoubleWood 12 Years Old. The equally delightful 21 Year old is creamy with classic notes of fruit and grain with a subtle smoky aroma.
• Talisker: With the best known expression as the Talisker 10 Years Old Single Malt Scotch, the 1830’s Island region’s Talisker unfolds its layer gradually before leaving behind a peaty finish lingering on the palate. It has a Double Gold Medal and “Best Single Malt Scotch up to 12 years” in 2015 (San Francisco World Spirits Competition) to its credit. Its 18 Years Single Malt is another delicacy to reckon with.
• Ardbeg: Ardbeg has wonderfully diverse array of expressions, the best known expression being the Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 10 Year Old. It has been doling out the peaty malt of Islay since 1815 without losing out on exquisite flavors.
• Oban: Founded in 1794 in the Highland region, its best-known expression – the 14 Year Old Single Malt – delivers plenty of smoky flavor. Its 21-year-old offering is another delicacy to reckon with and both expressions are dried with peat.
• Highland Park: It is the northernmost Scotch whisky distillery in the Highland region (since 1798) & it hails from the archipelago of Orkney. In order to impart the distinct flavor profile to its offerings, this distillery smokes hand-malted barley over local peat. Its best-known expression is Highland Park 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch.
• The Singleton: This is an offering by the Glen Ord distillery built by Thomas Mackenzie in 1838 in the Speyside region. The Singleton has light, fresh and honeyed hints with the touch of European Oak offering a balancing dryness, round edges & sweet vanilla and orchard fruit flavors. The Singleton 12 Year Old expression is eagerly sought after, in addition to the 15 Year Old and 18 Year Old
• Springbank: Started in 1828, it is the oldest family owned and operated independent distillery & also one of the last brands standing in Campbeltown region of Scotland. Its standard expression – the 10 Year old – is distilled 2.5 times & is mildly peated resulting in a refreshing diverse profile. It performs 100% of the production activities (viz. malting, ageing, bottling etc.) on site.
• The GlenDronach: This 1826’s Highland side distillery’s The Original 12 Year Old makes pop ‘sherry’ in your mind when you glance at its rich red color. Its luscious colors and flavor come from the Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez ex-sherry casks in which it is matured. The 21-year-old expression, The GlenDronach Parliament, packs flavor.

So that was some trivia about Scottish aqua vitae or ‘water of life’!

Liquidz is your one-stop solution for buying your Scotch whisky in Hong Kong. Feel free to browse through our curated collection of world renowned Scotch brands that have become delectable pets of whisky patrons in HK.

While going through our collection, you’ll be surprised to find other world renowned & award winning whisky delights as well, beckoning you to explore more about them.

Keep it flowing …