The whisky industry has recently been buzzing with excitement over premium and rare releases. High-priced editions and old bottlings are stealing the spotlight, especially with the recent Distillers One of One charity auction, where three lots fetched over £300k. This trend showcases the allure of exclusive selections.
However, it’s important to remember that not everyone can afford these high-end whiskies. The backbone of the whisky market lies in the everyday offerings that are accessible to most consumers. While limited editions and rare finds may catch our attention, there is a wealth of exceptional whiskies available right now for under £50.
Below is a curated list of 12 fantastic affordable whiskies that deliver remarkable quality without straining your wallet.
Ardbeg An Oa
From the renowned Islay distillery, Ardbeg An Oa is a peated gem that offers tremendous smoky flavor at a great price. This whisky is crafted by marrying four different cask types—first fill and re-fill bourbon, Pedro Ximenez sherry, and charred new American oak—aged in a large wooden vat for three months pre-bottling.
Expect notes of vanilla, toffee, baking spices, and bonfire smoke, making this a full-bodied yet delicious single malt that’s sure to please.
Bushmills 12 Years Old
A delightful addition from the world’s oldest licensed distillery, Bushmills 12 Years Old is a standout selection. This triple-distilled whisky first matures in bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, then undergoes a six-month finishing period in rich Marsala wine casks from Sicily.
Flavor notes include vanilla ice cream, fresh apricot, and creamy milk chocolate, with accents of candied lime and hazelnut praline.
Cragganmore 12 Years Old
Representing the Speyside region in Diageo’s Classic Malts, Cragganmore is a whisky that stands out with its unique character. It is bold and robust, with hints of mild peat smoke.
Flavor notes include golden syrup and baked apple tart, complemented by sultana, malted biscuits, and a touch of smoke. It’s truly a hidden treasure.
Filey Bay Flagship
Filey Bay is a pioneering distillery from Yorkshire, known for crafting English whisky right from their fields to the bottle. This whisky embodies the essence of local barley grown on a nearby farm.
Flagship, their flagship product, is loaded with freshness, featuring vibrant notes of green apple, honey, and malt.
Buy now at The Whisky Exchange
Glen Scotia 12 Years Old
A notable addition to Campbeltown’s offerings, Glen Scotia delivers excellent value. This 12-year-old whisky is matured entirely in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels.
The nose reveals sweet vanilla, while the palate is enriched with ripe tropical fruits—think pineapple, papaya, and a slight hint of dried banana—while subtle peat smoke ties it all together.
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby
Johnnie Walker has added a new gem to its collection: Black Ruby. This blended whisky features a complexity brought by a single malt base sourced from Diageo’s Roseisle distillery.
Crafted using four distinct cask types for maturation—bourbon, Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and red wine—it’s versatile enough to enjoy neat, on the rocks, or in classic cocktails.
A solid choice that undoubtedly impresses.
Lochlea Orchard & Oak
Lochlea is a field-to-bottle distillery located in Lowland Scotland, previously owned by the famed poet Robert Burns. They cultivate all the barley used in production right on the farm.
This new expression highlights the distillery’s fruity character, partly matured in ex-Calvados apple brandy casks from France.
Buy now at The Whisky Exchange
Longrow Peated
Longrow, produced at the iconic Springbank distillery in Campbeltown, is known for its pronounced peat character. The flavor profile features assertive sooty and ashy peat smoke counterbalanced by sweet notes of toffee, brown sugar, and vanilla custard.
You can also expect hints of green apple, candied lemon, and toasted marshmallow, with that delightful peat always present.
Stauning HØST
Made in Denmark, Stauning HØST is a distinctive double malt that combines single malt and rye whiskies, matured in a variety of cask types including ex-bourbon and heavily charred virgin American oak.
The name HØST translates to ‘harvest’ in Danish, showcasing rich flavors of malt and spices. You’ll find notes of milk chocolate, maraschino cherry, marzipan, candied orange, cinnamon, and cookie dough.
The Antiquary 15 Years Old
This esteemed blend has made a welcome return to the spotlight. Originally registered in 1888 and named after Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Antiquary, it thrived in the 1970s and 80s before descending into obscurity, only to be rediscovered by a new generation.
Matured in bourbon and sherry oak casks, it finishes magnificently in ex-Claret red wine casks from Bordeaux, making it an excellent value choice with abundant flavor.
Teeling Small Batch
The Teeling family has played a crucial role in Ireland’s whisky revival, as their Dublin distillery became the first in the capital operating for over five decades.
Teeling Small Batch is a flagship blend with a high ratio of single malt to grain whisky and is finished in ex-rum casks to heighten its complexity.
Flavor notes include vanilla, pear, and toffee, highlighted by tropical fruit undertones. It’s an exceptional value.
Togouchi Premium Blend
This Japanese blended whisky consistently delivers great value. Its affordability stems from the inclusion of Scotch single malt and Canadian grain whiskies, making it a genuinely global blend.
Togouchi is rich and full-bodied, featuring a hint of smoke. Flavor notes of milk chocolate and honey converge with vanilla and white pepper, resulting in a whisky that not only refreshes but invites you back for more.
