Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.

Best Scotch whiskey you can buy in Australia

Our editorial team has sifted through hundreds of consumer reviews to bring you the six best Scotches in Australia.

The best Scotch you can buy in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our team chose this selection of Scotch based on customer reviews on Amazon Australia, Dan Murphy's, Liquorland and personal experience. To reach the shortlist, each product needed to score at least a 4.7-star rating with over 500 reviews.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Best overall Scotch

Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Most of the reviewers enjoy the strong smokiness

Cons

  • Smokiness can be a little intense for some consumers

Why we chose it

With a star rating of 4.8 out of 5 and 4,949 reviews on Amazon, Lagavulin's 16 Year Old Single Malt Whisky is our pick for the best Scotch for most people. With double the reviews of its nearest competitor, this is one highly regarded Scotch.

Lagavulin has been producing premium Scotch in Lagavulin Bay on Islay in Scotland since 1816. Aged in oak barrels for 16 years, this single malt is peat heavy and best for lovers of a strongly smoked whisky. Lagavulin and customers alike recommend drinking this either neat or with a splash of still water. From personal experience, I prefer it with a single ice cube.

What users say

"My only complaint is that it has ruined all other Scotch for me. If I sit down with anything else I'll wish I'd gone for the Lagavulin instead." Read reviews.

Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Best Scotch under $200

Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Consumers enjoy its balance of flavours

Cons

  • Some reviewers feel there's better out there for the price

Why we chose it

When you're looking for a premium bottle or a gift for someone special, the options in the $100-$200 range are plentiful. We chose the Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky because of its 4.8 out of 5 stars and 1,500+ reviews.

Oban Distillery is one of the smallest and oldest (est 1794) distilleries in Scotland. The town itself is situated on the west coast of the Highlands, which gives this whisky its distinctive peaty maritime characteristics while staying true to its rich and complex single malt Highland roots.

What users say

"It's just so easy to drink this. It's smooth, flavourful and has maybe just a hint of smoke." Read reviews.

Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Best Scotch under $100

Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Smooth on your palate

Cons

  • In the upper end of the price range

Why we chose it

If you're new to Scotch and not sure where to begin, grabbing a bottle in the $50-$100 range is a good place to start. Not too expensive but still enough to pick up a decent single malt. Our choice is the Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which is another high scorer with 4.8 out of 5 stars across 1,597 reviews.

In the northeast region of Scotland in Speyside, Aberlour ages this Scotch in both oak and sherry barrels. This process results in a smooth well-rounded Scotch with hints of chocolate, toffee and spice as well as just a hint of smokiness.

What users say

"Love this whisky, we often host Scotch nights with mates trying different varieties. This is definitely one not to shy away from it is smooth, and a great go to!" Read reviews.

Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky

Best Scotch under $50

Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Excellent price to enter the world of Scotch with

Cons

  • Some consumers prefer to stick to single malts

Why we chose it

You'll be hard-pressed to find a single malt Scotch in this budget-friendly category, but there are still plenty of blended options to try. Take the Johnnie Walker Black Label for example; it had over 530 reviews and an impressive star rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Arguably one of the most recognised brands when it comes to Scotch, Johnnie Walker Black is a blend of 12-year-old whiskies from several regions across Scotland. It's blended and aged to mellow the aromas and bring out complex flavours characterised by a smooth drinking experience with just a touch of smoke.

What users say

"Excellent value blended Scotch. I keep coming back to it. Smooth and has just a touch of smoke. Love it." Read reviews.

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Best single-malt Scotch

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Award-winning single malt

Cons

  • Some reviewers claim it isn't the same as it used to be

Why we chose it

Single malts have a reputation of being a higher quality of Scotch than blends because they focus on perfecting a single style. To be called a single malt, the Scotch must have been produced in a single distillery. Our top pick of the single malts with 2,172 reviews and a star rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars is the Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Founded in 1887 in the Speyside region of Scotland, Glenfiddich uses water from its own Highlands spring to produce this award-winning Scotch. Aged in both American oak and Spanish sherry casks, this 12-year-old Scotch has a fresh and fruity nose with notes of pear followed by butterscotch and malt on the palate as well as a hint of oak from its double-barrel maturation.

What users say (on Dan Murphy's)

"Ultra smooth and tasty single malt Scotch whisky. Very easy and enjoyable to drink neat. I think this is my new favourite." Read reviews.

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

Best blended Scotch

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • A good blend for newcomers

Cons

  • Some say it's a bit pricey for a blend

Why we chose it

Unlike single malts, blends take several examples and blend them together in a way that hopefully brings out the best characteristics of all involved. If the 4.7-star rating from 803 reviews is anything to go by, Chivas Regal's master blender Sandy Hyslop has done exactly that with the Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky.

This 18-year-old blend has 85 different flavour notes going into it to produce a perfectly balanced, smooth Scotch. Reviews say it's velvety with hints of dried fruits and buttered toffee on the nose and a long warm finish with just a hint of smoke.

What users say

"Have for years been a single malt buff but this has changed my opinion of blended Scotch." Read reviews.

Amazon prices last updated on 2 December, 2023 at 03:01 pm
eBay prices last updated on 2 December, 2023 at 06:16 am

Methodology

13
Brands considered
20+
Products compared
6
Best products chosen
  • We considered Scotch whisky from 13 distillers available in Australia.
  • The 6 different categories we researched were overall, under $200, under $100, under $50, single malt and blended.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and 6. Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site