After posting far over 200 ratings for all kinds of whisky I thought it would be a good idea to sum up the whiskies that in my opinion have the best ratio between price and value.
In my ratings I already give hints about the value for your money using a line of dollar signs. To create this Bang for the Buck ranking I picked some widely available whiskies that please your palate without hurting your wallet too much. Ranks 7 to 10 are basically on par, the order is random.
Of course your local retail prices may differ which can lead to a shift in ranking. But is this list is entirely subjective anyway, I don’t see a problem with this.
1. Readbreast 12
Price: ~€35 – Rating: 89
A very high quality Irish pure potstill whiskey. Rich, creamy, fruity, sweet and utterly delightful – about the best that Ireland has to offer.
Price: ~€40 – Rating: 90
The best value you can get for an Islay whisky. The final maturation in small quarter casks gives it an unrivaled complexity.
3. Laphroaig 10 yo Cask Strength
Price: ~€45 – Rating: 91
Laphroag has managed to secure another top position. And with its uncompromising character the CS really is an Islay whisky par excellence!
4. Elijah Craig 12 yo
Price: ~€30 – Rating: 85
An excellent bourbon whiskey for a very attractive price. Not always easy to find in Europe but not impossible.
5. Glendronach Revival 15 yo
Price: ~€50 – Rating: 89
A full-bodied sherry monster of a whisky that revives the old tradition of Glendronach distillery. Very dry and very complex.
6. Glenfarclas 17 yo
Price: ~€50 – Rating: 88
A premium sherried whisky with a strong fruity aroma. It might by a bit difficult to find in shops because it is mostly restricted to Duty Free / Travel value.
7. Springbank 10 yo
Price: ~€40 – Rating: 86
The glory of Campbeltown lives on in this standard bottling. Maritime, complex and highly enjoyable.
8. Connemara Cask Strength
Price: ~€40 – Rating: 86
The unusual peated Irish single malt from Cooley is sold at a very competitive price. It is quite different from its Islay cousins but very fine nonetheless.
9. Bowmore Enigma 12 yo
Price: ~€40 – Rating: 86
My favourite malt at the lower end of the Bowmore product range. Some sherry influence makes this a very complex and enjoyable Islay whisky.
10. Benromach 10 yo
Price: ~€35 – Rating: 84
This lightly peated Speyside malt tastes wonderfully old-fashioned. It has a very fine balance of many different flavours.
Important Note: This post will not be updated anymore. The current version of this list can be always be accessed from the top menu bar.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
11. Wild Turkey 101 old enough
That’s one I haven’t tried yet. Hard to get in Europe