A closer look at the main whisky regions in Scotland, their Scotch, and what to pair it with.

Let’s talk about Scotch, only found in Scotland and the brownest of the brown liquors. You may know it as your grandfather’s go-to after-dinner drink or even as Ron Burgundy’s liquor of choice (“I love scotch. Scotchy scotch scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly”), but did you know that scotch isn’t just reserved for the grandfathers and Don Drapers of the world?

That’s right, scotch is an every-person kind of liquor because (a) it’s delicious and (b) why shouldn’t one of the most prized liquors in the world be for everyone all the time?

With that in mind, here’s a list of some of our absolute favourite scotch whiskies from Islay and The Isles, Speyside, Highlands and Lowlands with some cheeky food pairings to try out as well.

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1. Islay and The Isles

While Islay and The Isles of Scotland are the smallest of the four regions, the whisky they produce is the most recognisable and unique in Scotland. We’re of course talking about that famous smoky/peaty taste synonymous with the area.

Lying on the western coast of Scotland, the distilleries on The Isles are battered by the Atlantic Ocean. This means that many of the whiskies have a wee taste of seaweed and saltwater, making them an absolute baller pairing for briny oysters.

If this style of whisky sounds like you, dust off your dram and have a squiz at some of our absolute favourite whiskies from Islay and The Isles below.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

You can’t go past a Laphroaig when talking about Islay whisky. It's the crème de la crème of Scotch and should be at the top of your list if you’re a stickler for tradition. Founded in 1815 the Laphroaig distillery is one of the only ones left that practise super traditional methods. Using malting floors they dry and infuse their own malt with thick blue smoke from their peat-fired kilns. This process is what gives the whisky its signature bold peaty, smoky taste.

So what kind of food pairs with smoky, peaty whisky? Because of its subtle hints of seaweed and surprising sweetness, we reckon this grade-a single malt pairs super well with rich fruit puddings or with light seafood like smoked salmon.

Other Islay and The Isles whiskies that have us in a chokehold

After a bit of variety? Have a go at these beauties: the Jura 10 Year Old (finished in aged Oloroso Sherry casks) and the Lagavulin 8 Year Old (a smoky, sweet sensation). Both smooth, both beautifully peaty and both a real treat for the tastebuds.

2. Speyside

Now onto the region that houses the largest number of distilleries in Scotland and produces over 60% of the country’s malt whisky, Speyside.

So what is it about Speyside that distillers like? In short, the fertile ground and abundance and quality of Speyside’s water supply make for consistently good malt whisky every time. Unlike Islay and the Isles, whisky produced here is deliciously balanced, showcasing honey and caramel on the palate and floral aromas on the nose. There are heaps of famous whisky distillers from Speyside, but here are three of our faves.

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

When we talk about Speyside whisky, the Aberfeldy 12 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky immediately comes to mind first. Beautifully golden and incredibly smooth, this scotch is the embodiment of a Speyside single malt. To taste, you get beautiful honey and caramel notes as well as vanilla and tropical fruit. On the nose, big whiffs of apple cider, oak and honey.

We reckon the Aberfeldy 12YO pairs perfectly with a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. So do yourself a favour and give it a go.

More Speyside whisky that will blow your mind

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Aberlour A'bunadh and The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood. Two rockstar scotch whiskies absolutely worth a dram or two.

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3. Highlands

Time to travel up into the rugged valleys and sleepy glens of Scotland’s Highlands. Unlike some of the other Scotch regions, the Highland distilleries are quite varied in taste. They can be anything from fruity to creamy, floral to sweet, light to medium-bodied, and even peaty.

Why such variety, you ask? Well, if you think of Scotland, and in particular the Scottish Highlands, you can kind of see why. Distilleries are spotted across mountainous regions, by the sea, near rivers, it’s a pretty mixed bag. And because of this and the various water types, you get a very broad and exciting mix of flavours. Something for everyone!

Oban Little Bay Scotch SIngle Malt Whisky

Say g’day to one of Scotland’s oldest and smallest distilleries, Oban. This is one of the only distilleries in Scotland that mingles the complex flavours of the Highlands with the peaty character of the Scottish Isles. Oban whisky has a very long fermentation process and is aged in wooden worm tubs on the roof, exposing it to the salt air. Naturally, this presents itself in the whisky as a slight saline quality. The Oban Little Bay Single Malt Scotch is very smooth but still showcases the signature distillery tastes of citrus and sea salt.

Because of the sweet and salty notes in the whisky, we reckon it’s best paired with salted caramel.

Two more legendary Highland whiskies

We’ve talked about the variety of flavours you can find in the Scottish Highlands, so it would be pretty lame of us if we didn’t give you a couple of other standouts from the area. For example the green, grassy, oaky Glengoyne 10 Year Old and the spicy, salty Clynelish 14 Year Old. Yum.

4. Lowlands

Let’s chat Lowlands. Sitting just above England, Lowlands whisky steers away from the salty and peaty flavours you'd usually find in Scottish whisky, instead opting for very gentle flavours (perfect for beginner Whisky drinkers). Think things like honeysuckle, cream, toffee, toast and cinnamon. This is because a lot of the distillers in the Lowland region use triple distillation and unpeated malt, giving the Lowland whiskies a lighter colour and flavour. They’re also famous for using grain in their blended scotch, which is a deliciously dry, light flavour.

Glenkinchie 12 Year Old Malt Scotch Whisky

Matured in ex-Bourbon casks, Glenkinchie 12 Year Old is a particularly special Lowland Scotch. On the palate you get subtle vanilla notes, with some green apple and citrus flavour, finished off with a wild floral taste and an almost creamy aftertaste. It’s perfect for first-time whisky drinkers as it is not overly complex, but is deliciously smooth.

Because of its floral flavours, we suggest pairing it with fresh fruit and Wensleydale cheese.

We all need a lil Lowland in our life, so here’s two more

We stan a Lowland scotch, so here’s one more that we think is delicious. Coming in hot we’ve got the Ailsa Bay 1.2 Sweet Smoke. It’s caramelly, it’s cocoa-y and it’s absolutely nuts paired with some sticky pork char siu.

So there you have it, a Scottish whisky (scotch) for everyone. If you’re still having trouble really nailing your whisky taste, have a read of our expert’s guide to finding your whisky style or even host your own tasting party and have a go yourself.