The Whisky Club's Guide to Highland Whisky
March 16, 2026
/ 8 mins
Best Highland single malt Scotch whisky
The Highlands region produces some of the most celebrated malt whiskies in the world. The Highland distillery characters cover many styles from the light and fruity Glenmorangies to the unique smokiness of Highland Park and everything in between. There are coastal gems like Oban, waxy classics like Clynelish and new kids on the block like Ardnamurchan and Nc'Nean. It is arguably the most diverse whisky making region in all of Scotland covering over half of the land mass including all islands except Islay.
This diversity means there's likely a Highland dram for everyone. We've picked our favourites from across the styles in this: The Whisky Club's guide to the best Highland whisky.
To explore the Scotch whisky regions in more depth, have a look at The Whisky Club's guide to the Scotch whisky regions.
Join The Whisky Club free today to access exclusive Highland single malt whiskies made exclusively for our Members.
What Makes Highland Whisky Different?
Highland whiskies tend to be heavier, more robust and maltier than other regions in Scotland. This style is shaped by illicit distilling, farmhouse distilling and the Wash Act. Each of these practices led to smaller equipment that was easy to move, hide or fit into old farm buildings. From a flavour perspective, these stills allow heavier, oilier flavours into the final spirit. This is probably the most recognisable point of difference vs Lowland and Speyside whiskies.
In addition, the shear size of the region meant that best practices and styles developed in isolation, so it's no surprise that whisky from Skye is different to whisky from Orkney, or the whisky from Oban is different to that from Wick: the distillers would have found it very difficult to swap stories and methods.
Then there are the outliers like Glenmorangie, designed using old gin stills to produce some of the most elegant and fruity whisky from anywhere in Scotland and Talisker making a unique, peppery style of spirit and Lagg on Arran making an Islay style of Scotch. The Highland region is simply layer upon layer of politics, tradition, experimentation and isolation woven together over 600 years of distillation and whiskymaking.
A Region of Sub-Regions: Understanding Highland Diversity
So how do we divide such a large region into digestible chunks? For this article, we will treat it as 4 regional styles: The Northern Highlands, Southern Highlands, Coastal Highlands and Eastern Highlands. If you like a full bodied mouthfeel, then the Northern Highlands is the place to start. If you want a floral and lifted experience, head south. If you like a full bodied dram with a hint of sea breeze, then hug the coastline and if you like rich and spicy malts, then head for the east coast. For peat smoke, head for the islands. Finally, if you want an outlier that makes fruity, elegant, floral and complex whiskies, we have to call out Glenmorangie.
Northern Highlands
Whiskies from the Northern Highlands include Dalmore, Clynelish and Balblair. They are known for having a rich malty backbone with Clynelish and Brora both known for a waxy element. They tend to have aromas of honey, stewed fruits and biscuity sweetness. In terms of palate, they are often chewy, full bodied and unctuous on the palate.
Southern Highlands
We think of the Southern Highlands as all the distilleries south of Pitlochry and north of the Highland Line. Loch Lomond, Glengoyne and Aberfeldy fall into this category and are known for fruitiness, dryness and complex, delicate flavour profiles. The whiskies from Loch Lomond are as fruity and complex as any of the best Irish malts on the market. They are perhaps the most approachable Highland whiskies and serve as a gateway to the region.
Eastern Highlands
East of Speyside there are a few distilleries known for their richness and fullness of body. Glendronach, Glen Garioch and Royal Lochnagar all display notes of stewed fruits, malty depth and blackcurrant sweetness. These whiskies are equally at home in a first fill Bourbon cask as they are in the richest of Oloroso Sherry butts.
Coastal Highlands
Heading east and you will hit one of the most rugged and beautiful coastlines on the planet. Turquoise seas on golden beaches, ragged rocky outcrops and glens and hills that contain beauty in their bleakness. The whisky from around Scotland's coast tends to capture this landscape perfectly. Pulteney, Oban and Ardnamurchan feature sea breeze, richness and depth. Glenglassaugh is known for it's fruit-bomb character, but the coastal notes are there. These whiskies show balance through contradiction and are all the more delicious for it.
Speyside
Speyside is technically another Highland region stretching along the banks of Scotland's longest river, the Spey. It is a 30 mile radius with about 60 distilleries and deserves a guide all of it's own. Check out The Whisky Club's guide to Speyside whisky for a deep dive.
A Note on the Islands
Scotland's coastline contains over 100 islands, 12 of them have whisky distilleries. Islay is deservedly called out as its own region, the others are swept up in the Highland region, and not without good reason. There is time to make whisky on the islands, and an isolation that leads to unique techniques, unique ingredients and flavour profiles as unique as the islands and islanders themselves. There is the unusual Orcadian peat used at Highland Park on Orkney, the unmatched peppery smoke of Talisker on Skye and the coastal styles of Tobermory on Mull and Arran's buttery sweetness. Although part of the Highland region, we think the islands deserve their own article.
To explore Islay whisky, check out The Whisky Club's guide to Islay whiskies.
Highland Single Malts Worth Seeking Out
Here at The Whisky Club, we look across the Highland region to seek out your new favourite Highland malt whisky. We've worked with the Whiskymakers at many celebrated Highland distilleries including Rachel Barrie at Glendronach, Bill Lumsden at Glenmorangie and Callum Fraser at Glenfarclas. We've secured exclusive launches of products from Dalmore, Oban, Ardnamurchan and Tomatin; and we are constantly looking out for new distilleries to feature as the latest batch of distilleries come online.
Check out The Whisky Club's Guide to the best Scotch whisky and The best single malts for more lists like this.
Want to know more? For a deeper dive into the world of Highland whisky, check out the FAQs at the bottom of this article. To find out where The Highlands fit in the wider Scotch category, check out The Whisky Club's guide to the Scotch whisky regions.
Glenmorangie is our Highland outlier. Made using old gin stills as tall as an adult giraffe, it is on the north east coast of Scotland in Tain. It is close to Dalmore and Balblair distilleries, but their whiskies could not be more different.
The 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask was created exclusively for our Members by Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie's Master Whiskymaker. Starting it's life in Bourbon casks for a decade, it then spent the next 5 or 6 years in sweet Moscatel casks.
We found notes of custard, chocolate orange and spiced baked apple.
Try this if you like Redbreast 10 Year Old Distillery Exclusive.
Glenmorangie 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask specs
Age: 13 years old
ABV: 48.2%
RRP: $150
Read more: Glenmorangie 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask
Tomatin is a Northern Highland distillery known for creating a fruity and malty style of spirit. It sits in the village of the same name, just south of Inverness.
Once upon a time, it was amongst the biggest single malt whisky distilleries in the world selling malts for blends at home and abroad. These days Tomatin is a smaller operation, focussing on flavour. They focus on fermentation regimes, yeast types, peat levels and great quality casks to ensure that every release highlights their complex, fruity and malty spirit.
This release was finished in Rum casks from Guadeloupe, Jamaica and Barbados, each one adding a layer of complexity and intrigue that won this whisky a gold medal at San Francisco in 2025.
Unsurprisingly, we found notes of toasted banana bread, coconut, tropical fruit and demerera sugar.
Try this if you like Oban 11 year old Caribbean Rum Cask Finish
Tomatin 14 Year Old Caribbean Rum Cask specs
Age: 14 Years Old
ABV: 46%
RRP: $135
Read more: Tomatin 14 Year Old Caribbean Rum Cask
The Glendronach sits on the outskirts of Huntly in the valley of the brambles. It's an Eastern Highland distillery known for creating full bodied spirit that is most at home in Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks.
This single vintage release was created exclusively for our Members by celebrated Whiskymaker Dr. Rachel Barrie. Focussing on one part of Glendronach's wood policy, this whisky was matured exclusively in Oloroso Sherry casks laid down in 2013. Bottled at 50.1% ABV, it was a rare chance to see Oloroso matured Glendronach in isolation.
We found nuttiness, rich dried fruits and a wonderful oak spice.
Try this if you like The Macallan.
The Glendronach 2013 Oloroso specs
Age: 2013 Vintage bottled in 2025
ABV: 50.1%
RRP: $140
Read more: The Glendronach 2013 Oloroso
Tullibardine sits on the road between Perth and Stirling in the Southern Highlands. It's a whisky known for a nutty character with light and complex fruit notes.
The Murray is an experimental cask range from Tullibardine. This 11 year old expression was created exclusively for Members of The Whisky Club and showcases the distillery's biscuity and nutty spirit style and experimental cask program in all their glory. It was matured in 5 cask types including Chateuneuf de Pape red wine, Madeira, Marsala, Port and ex Bourbon barrels.
Notes of dark chocolate, cherries and black coffee were present.
Try this if you like Benriach Malting Season.
Tullibardine - The Murray Quinterris specs
Age: 11 years old
ABV: 46%
RRP: $115
Read more: Tullibardine - The Murray Quinterris
Glenglassaugh distillery is a Coastal Highland distillery perched above Sandend beach near Portsoy. The beach is used by the Japanese surf team for practice and is just along the shore from the famous beach in the Peter Capaldi film Local Hero.
The distillery is known for making a bright, tropical and fruity style of spirit with a hint of sea breeze. This matches extremely well with American oak casks before being finished in various fortified wine casks. this Pedro Ximenez cask finish was created exclusively for our Members by Master Whiskymaker Dr. Rachel Barrie and took gold medals at both IWSC and San Francisco in 2024. It spent 8 years in the finishing casks.
This whisky is reminded us of dark manuka honey, figs, raisins and syrup.
Try this if you like Glen Scotia.
Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old PX Cask specs
Age: 12 years old
ABV: 46.9%
RRP: $125
Read more: Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old PX Cask
Join The Whisky Club free today to access upcoming Highland whiskies.
Ardnamurchan is one of Scotland's most scenic distilleries. It sits on the Ardnamurchan peninsula on Scotland's west coast. It's rugged setting can be sensed in every drop. There's a distinct coastal note, most of their releases contain a hint of peat, but there's sweetness and colour here, like the heather on the local hillsides.
Despite it's traditional setting, Ardnamurchan is one of Scotland's most forward thinking distilleries. Their approach to traceability and renewable energy is admirable as they prove that flavour doesn't need to be sacrificed for a better way of whisky making.
This was Ardnamurchan's first ever age statment release after a decade of production.
We found notes of spiced honey, fresh pineapple and a waxiness synonymous with Coastal Highland whiskies.
Try this if you like Benromach.
Ardnamurchan 10 Year Old specs
Age: 10 years old
ABV: 50%
RRP: $160
Read more: Ardnamurchan 10 Year Old
If you like a smoky Scotch, check out The Whisky Club's Guide to Peated Whisky.
Loch Lomond is one of the most versatile distilleries in Scotland sitting near the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond in Alexandria. The distillery makes different styles of spirit from their plethora of still shapes and sizes. Changing peat levels, fermentation times, yeast strains and cask types allows them to continue to innovate and impress us with their range of single malts.
Sitting in the Southern Highlands, their flagship spirit style is typical of the region. Orchard fruits, no smoke and lifted complexity and vibrancy.
This single cask started it's life in American oak before being finished in a French oak Limousin Cask. This extra maturation heaped notes of caramel, nutmeg and orange citrus on top of the fruit salad we expect from our Loch Lomond spirit.
Try this if you like Bladnoch.
Loch Lomond French Oak Limousin Single Cask specs
Age: 14 years old
ABV: 55.2%
RRP: $230
Read more: Loch Lomond French Oak Limousin Single Cask
Dalmore is a distillery on the Moray Firth in the Northern Highlands. Close to Balblair and Teaninich, it is known for producing a new make spirit laced with black fruit aromas.
Dalmore's use of Sherry casks is legendary, releasing rich, complex and fruity whiskies to rival the best from Speyside. Tending to be softer and smoother style than the east coast Sherry Bombs, it is a whisky that ages with elegance.
The Dalmore Luminary range paired artists with Whiskymakers, each drawing inspiration from the other to create whiskies of compelling depth, richness and complexity.
No. 3 had flavours of rich butterscotch, marmalade and the signature hint of blackcurrant.
Try this if you like Aberlour.
The Dalmore Luminary No. 3 specs
Age: 17 years old
ABV: 49.2%
RRP: $499
Read more: The Dalmore Luminary No. 3
Ardmore is an Eastern Highland distillery with a difference. The base for Teacher's Highland Cream blended whisky, they produce a nutty, malty Highland style of new make spirit. But the single malt they release for us Scotch whisky fans tends to have more than a rich vein of peat running through it.
Not surprising given the distillery's proximity to the peat bogs in New Pitsligo just up the road. The production at Ardmore is very traditional, think dials and wheels over buttons and screens. The team know the old plant so well, they have been known to achieve over 100% efficiency vs laboratory expectations.
If you want to see what peat smoke does to a traditional Eastern Highland spirit, this is your first and last stop.
This single cask was bottled by Berry Bros and Rudd exclusively for The Whisky Club. It was further matured in ex-Laphroaig casks to dial the smoke up even further.
Vanilla ice cream and chocolate notes were complimented by the expected hints of leather and gentle peat smoke.
Try this if you like Laphroaig.
Berry Bros & Rudd Ardmore 2008 specs
Age: 8 years old
ABV: 46%
RRP: $120
Read more: Berry Bros & Rudd Ardmore 2008
Founded in 2013, Wolfburn is one of Scotland's newest single malt distilleries. Based in Thurso on Scotland's North Coast, it can be counted as a Coastal and a Northern Highland whisky.
As with other distilleries in the region, Wolfburn's spirit is full of fruit and contains the body and weight we expect of a Highland malt. What's more, their proximity to the coast brings aromas and flavours reminiscent of sea breeze and salt. For one so young, they are already carving a reputation for producing some excellent craft Highland single malt whiskies.
This was the 13th cask ever filled at Wolfburn and sold out in minutes when released in 2026.
We found notes of lemon, banana split and nectarine.
Try this if you like The Singleton of Glen Ord.
Wolfburn Single Cask #13 specs
Age: 2013 Vintage
ABV: 52.5%
RRP: $195
Read more: Wolfburn Single Cask #13
Curious to learn more? Sign up for free to gain access to The Whisky Club's Highland whisky selection.
How to Find Your Style Within the Highlands
Whether you like a rich sherry bomb, an aromatic fruity and floral whisky or a coastal, rugged single malt, the Highlands has you covered. If we were to take you on a tour, we'd start with Glenmorangie. It's such an outlier mastering oak, complexity and lightness of spirit. A whisky that stands all on it's own. From there, we'd head for the south. Seek out brands like Glengoyne and Tullibardine. For fans of Speysiders and Lowland malts. The head north to Tomatin where you'll find a bit of malty weight added to the mix. Glendronach is definitely for fans of The Macallan. This is Sherry casked whisky done right. And finally, if you like the coastal flavours of Campbeltown or a bit of smoke from Islay, then look to the coast. Ardnamurchan and Oban are two standouts here.
Explore Highland Single Malts With The Whisky Club
We work with the best Whiskymakers in the world to source limited editions, small batches and even create exclusive Highland malts just for our Members at The Whisky Club. There is no better place to explore the biggest and most diverse region in Scotland. Join The Whisky Club to keep up to date with all of our Highland single malts.
Highland whisky FAQs
What is the most popular Highland single malt?
The most popular Highland whisky globally is Glenmorangie. Their light, complex fruity style of spirit and their unrivalled wood policy is a heady brew. Their 12 year old Original showcases the best use of ex-Bourbon casks in the industry and their extra matured range shows their complexity of spirit and dedication to cask quality.
Is Highland Park a Highland whisky?
Highland Park is technically a Highland malt, based on the Orkney mainland. As mentioned above, the islands are included in the Highland region but often treated separately as each island malt has it's own unique fingerprint. Highland Park stands out due to its use of peat from Orkney.
What is the difference between Highland and Speyside whisky?
Speyside is technically another sub-region of the Highlands but has developed it's own unique flavour profile popular with blenders. Traditional Speysiders are known for their light, complex and fruity style, whereas Highland malts tend to be a bit more robust and malty. The Macallan, Glenfarclas and Dalwhinnie are all technically Speyside whiskies from a geographical perspective, but from a production perspective are closer in style to Highland malts. Therefore their brand teams use the term Highland Malt on their labels.
Check out The Whisky Club's guide to Speyside whisky for more inspiration.
Are Highland whiskies peated?
Like all Scotch whisky regions, there is no rule about using peat in the Highlands. Traditionally, there would have been more peated whiskies in the Highlands utilising the peat bogs situated near Ardmore distillery in the north east of Scotland. But as palates have changed globally, many distilleries have moved away from peated whiskies on the mainland. Notable exceptions are Ardnamurchan, Ardmore, Highland Park, Lagg and Talisker. They all use peat to varying degrees to create their unique malt whisky flavour profiles.
Find out more about peated whisky with The Whisky Club's guide to peated whisky.
What is a good entry-level Highland single malt?
Glenmorangie is definitely the most approachable Highland malt if we were to choose one. White wine fans will find comfort in Loch Lomond whiskies; red wine drinkers might like the richness of Glendronach and beer drinkers will definitely find the malty backbone of Clynelish to their liking.
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