With Father's Day just around the corner, we take a look at some award-winning whiskies that won't break the bank.
From a non age statement though to an organic dram and single malts, there's something for all tastes.
The GlenAllachie 10 year old Batch 4 was named the World’s Best Single Malt at the 2021 World Whiskies Awards.
One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts an almost 50-year tenure in whisky.
Lidl recently launched the latest whisky to their award-winning range, an 18 Year Old Islay Single Malt.
Priced at £39.99, the Ben Bracken single malt will join Lidl’s award-winning whisky line-up in all Scottish stores alongside its ever-popular Abrachan Triple-Barrelled Blended Malt (42% ABV, 70cl).
Outlander star Sam Heughan's whisky, The Sassenach, has won a plethora of awards including double gold at this year's San Fransisco World Spirits Championship and double gold at New York World Wine and Spirits Competition.
The blended whisky, which launched last year and was a sell out success, also won gold at this year's Scotch Whisky Masters.
One of four gold medallists in the blended non-age statement category, the judges praised the whisky for its 'nutty nose' and the palate of 'caramel, toffee and citrus sharpness.'
All of these whiskies ranked in this year's Scotch Whisky Masters 2022 blind-tasting competition, hosted by The Global Spirits Masters in partnership with The Spirits Business magazine.
The judges discovered some of the best Scotch whiskies from this historic category, awarding 14 entries with the highest medal available in the competition – a Master medal (equivalent to 90+ points out of 100).
The Lowlands region was the top area of whisky production for budget-friendly single malts with top scoring options being discovered in both the premium subcategory (under £50) and the super-premium subcategory (under £100).
Among these 14 whiskies that were selected as the best in the competition, five of them retail for under £50.
All entries were tasted under strict blind-tasting conditions, so these results highlight the truly outstanding quality that can be found within the Scotch whisky category – and at an affordable price.
This whisky from MacDuff International got 90 - 100 points in the Premium (£21 - £30) category
Clydebuilt Shipwright, from Ardgowan Distillery Company, got 90 - 100 points in the Super Premium (£31 - £50) category
This Glasgow Distillery Company whisky got 90 - 100 points in the Super Premium (£31 - £50) category
A new release from Benromach Distillery Company got 90 - 100 points in the Super Premium (£31 - £50) category
A non-age statement from Kilchoman Distillery got 90 - 100 points in the Super Premium (£31 - £50)
Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business and chair of The Global Spirits Masters tastings, said: “What I love about this year’s medal-winning entries is that they give consumers room to experiment and try something new, without asking them to pay a fortune.
"There are some fantastic Scotch whiskies in this year’s results to suit a range of flavour preferences, and price points.
"Accessibility is so important in helping consumers discover something new and delicious to drink, and these award-winners are leading by example. I’d gladly recommend any expression listed here.”
