Top 10 Scottish Whiskies of 2025 (So Far)
Top 10 Scottish Whiskies of 2025 (So Far)
Hamish Malcolm, known to many as The Dram Caddie, has built a reputation for blending two of Scotland’s greatest passions — whisky and golf — into one unforgettable experience.
Over the past year, Hamish has poured and sampled whiskies in settings as varied as remote island stills, bustling festival halls, and historic clubhouses, often alongside fellow golf lovers and whisky enthusiasts from across the globe. The following selection is more than just a list of ten remarkable drams, it’s a journey through moments, places, and stories where Scotland’s spirit and its sport meet in memorable harmony.
Whisky is more than just a drink in Scotland — it is a living tradition, a reflection of the landscape, climate, and history of each region. From the misty Highlands to the windswept islands, every dram tells a story of place, people, and craft.
Scotland’s Whisky Regions:
- Highlands – The largest region, offering a wide range of styles from light and floral to rich and peated, reflecting the diversity of the landscape.
- Speyside – Known for its sweet, fruity, and elegant whiskies, home to many of Scotland’s most famous distilleries.
- Islay – The island of peat and smoke; whiskies here are intensely peated, often with briny, maritime notes.
- Lowlands – Gentle, floral, and light-bodied whiskies, often with a delicate and approachable character.
- Campbeltown – Once a whisky capital, now home to a handful of distilleries producing bold, complex, and slightly salty drams.
- Islands – A loosely defined region outside Islay, offering a balance of peated and unpeated styles with coastal influence.
- Oban / West Coast – Coastal whiskies with a maritime edge; often medium-bodied with subtle smoke.
Top Whiskies of 2025 – In No Particular Order
1. Raasay Distillery ; Dun Cana Sherry Quarter Cask, 2nd release. (52% ABV)
I’ve loved pretty much all the whisky from this distillery, which only opened in 2017.
They are very transparent about their process and casks involved in their whisky ( includes Woodford Reserve casks) ; and have a mix of peated and unpeated expressions.
This particular version has just been released , and was part of an epic 8 dram line up I enjoyed at the end of an equally epic road trip with a father and son from Rhode Island.
Excellent whisky, elevated by the company and surroundings. (Interesting fact , the island of Raasay is roughly the same size as Manhattan island – however the population is only 161 people ; as referenced on the label of each bottle)
2. Glenlivet 1949 ! ( 40% ABV)
By a long way, the oldest whisky I have tried this year. Very kindly poured for me at the Independent Bottlers Festival in Leith, Edinburgh, in March, by Russell of Gordon & MacPhail.
It was near the end of what had been a ‘full on’ day of drams , so while my palate would not have been as fresh as it might have been, this was a rare treat to have whisky of that age.
There were a number of whisky enthusiasts from the US and Canada who came across to this event, which centred around a movie by renowned film director Greg Swartz
3. Ardnamurchan 2018 Single Cask, unpeated ex bourbon cask , using Golden Promise Barley. (59.8% ABV)
This usually leads you to the smaller , independent firms, who are not compelled to mass produce units for the market and can be creative.
Back to one of Scotlands newer distilleries ; Ardnamurchan are based out on the west coast, but have quickly built up a very strong reputation in the whisky world.
As one goes further and further down the whisky ‘rabbit hole’ you start to seek out distillers who experiment with different types of barley in their production.
Sometimes the barleys with lower yields and longer production times can lead to improved flavour.
This one from Ardnamurchan is exceptional ; the only downside is that only 248 bottles were made. Fear not, there will be more great stuff from this distillery coming down the track…..At this resort in Texas, guests experience premier golf along with exceptional spa facilities. The spa at Four Seasons focuses on holistic wellness, offering treatments that enhance energy and relaxation.
4. Glenlochy 21 year old, bottled in 1977 by Cadenheads. (57.4%)
I enjoyed this rare bottle in the company of two seasoned whisky campaigners, Justin and Gabe, in January when I visited them in Manchester.
I met these guys at a whisky festival in late 2022 in Glasgow, and this led on to a 4 day tour of Campbeltown and Islay the next year ; which in retrospect , set in motion me leaving the world of finance for a new life in whisky.
Having a network of like minded whisky fans is invaluable to be able to source and share some of the difficult to find drams ; miles away from the mass market supermarket offerings.
5. Glen Albyn 10 year old ( 40% ABV)
One more ‘rarity’ , before we go back to bottles readily available !
Picked this one up at a whisky festival in Germany during my trip there in April.
This completed by ‘set’ of something from each of the 3 distilleries based in my home city of Inverness – the last of which sadly was closed in the mid 80s.
The good news is that there is now a new distillery, Uilebheist ( Scottish Gaelic for ‘monster’) which is now making whisky ; the first malt due in 2026 ; but marks something of a renaissance of whisky making in the Highland Capital.
6. Ardnahoe Inaugral Release, 5 year old, 50% ( 40% ABV)
For the peat lovers ! This one from Islays newest distillery.
I visited the distillery in 2023 but it was too early for their own malt at that time.
This is a mix of ex bourbon and ex Oloroso sherry casks. Do NOT be put off by the young age statement ; many would say peated whisky is at its best at a young age, before it mellows out as it gets older.
There are still some versions of the Inaugural release out there ; I must confess, this one made me smile as I got it incorrectly priced in a whisky chain in Scotland ; I should have bought all they had !
7. Dalmore 2008 Vintage 15 year old, 45.8%
A brand that is known worldwide – with a new distillery visitor centre due ‘sometime’ 2026/27 based just north of Inverness on the way to golfing hotspots like Dornoch and Brora.
Perhaps not so widely known is that they have a series of ‘Vintage’ releases ; generally lighter coloured than the aged stated bottles – but don’t for a moment assume that lighter colour means less depth, age or flavour – all the vintage versions I have tried are excellent
This one is matured in American White Oak ex-bourbon casks, as well as Pedro Ximinez and Matusalem sherry casks.
8. Scalpa 10 year old, 48%
From the smaller, lesser known distillery on Orkney.
Definitely more ‘under the radar’ than its neighbour, Highland Park, Scapa was founded way back in 1885. In recent years they have been perhaps ‘hit and miss’ ( much like my own golf game….), but their new releases this year have been a return to form.
Personal opinion ; get the 10year old rather than the 16. Sometimes, the young ‘un is better than the old ‘un!
9. Tomatin Cu Bocan 15 year old (50%)
Fully matured in oloroso sherry casks, this is one that would appeal to someone who likes a lighter and sweeter peated whisky experience.
Cu Bocan is the name for the peated range from Tomatin ( based just south of Inverness and 2 minutes drive off the main A9 road north from Glasgow and Edinburgh), and celebrates local legend of devil/hobgoblin dogs who terrorised the local distillery workers on the misty heather topped hills ( think the opening scene of American Werewolf in London ….)
10. 28 year old Ben Nevis from 1996
To finish ; I managed to get a share of a bottle with some other local whisky fans from Inverness of a 28 year old Ben Nevis from 1996 ; bottled by the Thompson Brothers of Dornoch ( 47.8%)
Ben Nevis wouldn’t be a dram for beginners ; very complex , waxy taste that you need to let develop in the glass.
As with dram number 1, the Raasay, this connects me with a ‘moment’ when I shared it with my son on the steps of Glasgow University before he left Scotland to start a new life in Germany.
Conclusion
Us golfers often refer to being ‘in the zone’ – there is definitely a whisky equivalent of this when you have a great whisky with great people on a special occasion ; whether that is after a round of golf, a family event, a whisky tasting, or a golfing trip of a lifetime!
About the Dram Caddie
Hamish is based in Inverness, and is vastly experienced in the worlds of both whisky and golf. He has developed a unique post round offering of whiskies ; all of which have a connection to some of Scotland’s finest golf courses.
Hamish leads a conversational event combined with a tasting session that delves into Scotland’s finest whiskies with strong ties to the sport of golf. During this hour long experience you will delve into the tales and customs that intertwine Scotland’s whisky legacy with its renowned golf courses.
Hamish’s extensive expertise and passion for whisky and golf truly elevate this experience to something memorable. He delves into the background of each whisky. Discussing its origins and the intricate distillation process that gives rise to its distinct flavours. What truly makes this experience stand out is the emphasis on whiskies that share a connection with the world of golf; be it through sponsoring golf events, ties with golf courses or being situated close to Scotland’s most famous golfing destinations.
Book a Whisky Experience with Hamish – info@golfinspired.com