If you are looking for a great gift for a Scotch drinker or you are looking to build up a scotch collection, high-quality single malt scotch whiskies are a great way to go. Many Scotches are expensive, and it is easy to fall into the trap that you must pay top dollar to enjoy the best Scotch whiskies. I have put together a list of scotches that are inexpensive staples in my collection.
A note regarding the pricing. Some bottles on this list may be more than 50$ due to extreme variations in the pricing of alcohol in various regions. Variations in taxes mostly cause this. I have done my best to estimate the average price in most states and use that to make the guide. For this reason, I have chosen to omit the prices when discussing the Scotch whiskies.
Updated January 2017
and now onto the list
Best Scotch under 50$
Aberfeldy 12 years
This well-balanced scotch is not the best scotch in this list. However, it will likely never leave this list because of its incredible value. It is way below the 50$ mark, and it is an excellent value choice.
Aberfeldy 12 years is the scotch which I keep in my carafe. When I have guests over, and we sample some expensive scotches, after the first few scotches I can pull out my carafe and let them have as many drinks as they want from the carafe without worrying about my precious, expensive bottles. At the price of this single malt, you will not feel bad about having a few too many.
It has a very mellow taste and a nice sweetness to it.
Rating per Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2017: Worth buying
Balvenie double wood 12 years
This Scotch is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 is what I always recommend for someone who is trying scotches for the first time because it is smooth and easy to drink. Everybody loves it. You can get a sense of the slight bourbon taste that gets imparted to this scotch by the bourbon casks.
Rating per Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2017: Worth buying
Glenfiddich 15 years
The best scotch in Glenfiddich’s collection in this price range. It features a strong smell of orange and cherries. This Scotch reminds me of drinking an “old fashioned.” It feels very thick and coats your mouth. It has a very short and subtle finish.
Rating per Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2017: Superstar
Glenmorangie original 10 years
This fantastic bottle will be easiest to find from this list because it is widely available throughout the world. I have always been a big fan of Glenmorangie. The first high-quality bottle of scotch that I purchased that got me interested in collecting Scotch was one of Glenmorangie’s special editions. For a long time, I disliked the Glenmorangie 10 year. I honestly believe that I was not giving it a fair chance because I would buy so many of the special editions of Glenmorangie scotches. I have now grown to enjoy this great value offering, and it is now a bottle that I always keep on hand.
Rating per Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2017: Superstar
Glenfarclas 12 years
Glenfarclas is an independently family owned distillery. They have not put much money in making beautiful packaging. The bottles look much like they did ten years ago. They put all of their efforts into the quality of the product. This scotch is beautiful in its simplicity. You get some oak flavor with just a hint of orange zest. The finish is long and nutty.
Rating per Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2017: Superstar
Laphroaig quarter cask
Laphoraig Quarter Cask is the best smokey scotch at this price point. Be warned if you are planning on purchasing this as a gift that not all Scotch drinkers enjoy heavily peat smoked Scotch.
There is a strong smell of smoke with hints of pine but upon tasting the smokiness is blended into a dried raisin flavor with a honeycomb sweetness.
Rating per Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2017: Superstar
What do you think about my list of best scotch under 50$? Comment bellow if you like the list or if you think I missed a good one. I will be updating this list periodically and will try to test out your recommendations.
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