On my recent trip to Scotland, I was fortunate to stay in the Highlands and to explore a small part of this well-known Scottish region. I got to visit the Loch Lomond distillery, and we drove past the many of these beautiful cows during our explorations.
It is a beautiful region with mountain ranges and big open skies. The Highland region covers much of northern and western Scotland, roughly everything north of the Highland Boundary Fault. It includes the rugged mainland (Inverness, Caithness, Highland and parts of other counties) and most of the Hebrides and islands (except Islay).
By area, the Highlands are by far Scotland’s largest whisky region, but only about a quarter of malt whisky comes from here. In contrast, the smaller Speyside region (around the River Spey) produces more than half of Scotland’s malt.
Where flavour-wise Speyside malts tend to be fruity and sweet, with light peat influences, whisky from the Highlands spans a much broader style: it ranges from light and floral to rich and smoky, or even salty coastal.
Highland whiskies are often “fruity, sweet, spicy, malty,” with drams from the Northern Highlands (Glenmorangie) tending to be full-bodied and sweet. In contrast, drams from the Southern Highlands (Aberfeldy) tend to be lighter, drier, and more fragrant/fruity, while Eastern Highlands (GlenDronach) releases are often full-bodied, dry, and fruity.
There are also Western Highlands drams (Oban) that are known for being robust, full-bodied, and often earthy or peaty, and drams from the Coastal Highlands (Talisker) that often possess a distinctive salty, briny, or maritime influence due to their proximity to the sea.
In short, the flavours are so diverse that there is no single “Highland profile” that fits all.
Also Read: Best Peated Whisky
Best Highland Whisky Picks
I am on my way to Scotland again, and I was wondering which bottles I should look out for. So I made a list of seven best Highland single malt whiskies that are currently available.
These span affordable to premium, each with distinctive character, good expert/user ratings, and interesting cask stories. All are generally in stock on Amazon UK (or other UK retailers). They are in no particular order.
Glenmorangie 14 year old Quinta Ruban
First on the list of 7 best Highland whisky is a single malt finished in Port casks. Glenmorangie’s Quinta Ruban is rich and velvety, with notes of dark chocolate, cherry and Seville orange. It scores about 85/100 on Whisky Connosr, indicating broad approval. Quinta Ruban’s bold port influence gives it depth and a luxurious mouthfeel.
I chose it as an affordable “special edition” Glenmorangie. At 46% ABV and double-matured, it delivers more spice and fruit than the standard 10 year old, suiting modern tastes for cask-finished complexity. It is available on Amazon. I also spotted some Glencairn glasses etched with a Celtic knot that would look beautiful next to the bottle. The Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban pairs wonderfully with some dark chocolate truffles or roasted lamb.
Buy Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban on Amazon
Highland Park 15 year old Viking Heart
I am not the biggest Highland Park fan, but perhaps I have not found the best bottling yet. From Orkney, technically the Islands region but often grouped with the Highlands.
This 15 year old (44% ABV) has been double-matured in American and European sherry casks. It’s rich and complex, with crème brûlée, honey and cinnamon on the nose, then pineapple, lemon cake and toasted spice on the palate. The Viking Heart edition won praise for its balance of sweetness and aromatic smoke.
Whisky experts note that its sherry-seasoned oak ageing and “aromatic peat” give a luxurious, festive character. It sounds interesting, and perhaps this is the Highland Park to steal my heart. Especially if served in these beautiful pewter whisky tumblers from Amazon.
Buy Highland Park Viking Heart on Amazon
Dalmore 12 year old
Another distillery I need to explore more. The Dalmore 12 year old single malt is matured partly in rich Oloroso sherry casks. It offers an opulent, Christmas-cake profile: nose of raisins, orange zest and dark chocolate; palate of plum jam, marmalade and cinnamon; long warming finish.
Dalmore has legendary brand prestige and strong consumer ratings, making this 12 year old an iconic Highland malt. This release is in the affordable category, and how perfect does it look with the English Pewter Company whiskey tumbler with the stag head from Amazon. The Dalmore 12 year old pairs well with candied nuts or sticky toffee pudding.
Buy Dalmore 12 year old on Amazon
Clynelish 14 year old
A coastal-style Highland malt from a northern distillery. The Clynelish 14 year old (46%) has earned a cult following for its waxy, briny character. The Whisky Exchange describes it as opening with “aromas of orange zest, green apple and soft florals, followed by creamy toffee, honey, light coastal salinity and… a signature waxy texture”.
In short, it’s bright, fragrant and fruity, with just a hint of seaside smoke. This affordable whisky shows a very different Highland style; elegant and floral, not heavy and scores high user ratings (4.5/5). It pairs perfectly with some crystal whisky tumblers.
Buy Clynelish 14 year old on Amazon
Ben Nevis 10 Year Old
A western Highland malt (from Fort William) with a smoky edge. The Ben Nevis 10 year old single malt is full-bodied and juicy, a nice bridge between island peat and Highland fruit. It’s peaty but fruity.
It has notes of peat, tropical fruit and hints of coffee, roasted nuts and dark chocolate. In other words, smoky campfire meets pineapple and espresso. It’s bottled at 46% without chill-filtration, so it retains lots of texture.
I found this personalised Ben Nevis (mountain) branded glass that perfectly represents the whisky.
Buy Ben Nevis 10 year old on Amazon
Old Pulteney 12 year old
Next on the list of best Highland whisky is a northern coastal malt from Wick. Nicknamed “The Maritime Malt,” Old Pulteney 12 year old is celebrated for its sea-salt character. It has honey and cream tasting notes that evolve to ripe fruit, with a faintly salty finish.
There are notes of barley-sugar, vanilla and brine. It’s ideal for someone who likes the Glenfarclas or Dalwhinnie style but wants a coastal twist. It is also considerably more affordable than most of the whisky listed. Old Pulteney whisky in general pairs well with cured salmon or a mild blue cheese. I found these Glencairn crystal The Jacobite dram whisky toasting glass to use with the Old Pulteney.
Buy Old Pulteney 12 year old on Amazon
Glen Garioch 12 year old
A fruity, cask-strength vibe from a northern Highland distillery. The Glen Garioch 12 year old is bottled at a hefty 48% and matured in both bourbon and sherry casks.
Expect fresh apples, pears and raisins with a light spice kick. It’s waxy like Clynelish but more vinous. This bottling has 4.6/5 stars from 1,200+ reviews.
Pair this Glen Garioch release with some spiced pair and apple crumble and serve the whisky in this beautiful English Pewter Company personalised monogram initial tumbler from Amazon.
Buy Glen Garioch 12 year old on Amazon
Conclusion
The Scottish Highlands cover a vast, varied region, from Orkney in the north to the edges of the Lowlands, producing an incredibly diverse range of whisky styles. Highland distilleries offer everything from honeyed sherry bombs to seaside brine and peaty warmth. That makes it a great whisky region to explore, and each of my best Highland whisky picks highlights this breadth.
They are all well-regarded, available in the UK, and bring their own twist (special finishes, age statements or regional character). Whether you seek a sweet complex dram or a smoky Highland adventure, this selection, plus a set of nice glasses, should delight any Scotch fan.
Also Read: Best Irish Whiskey
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