5 Great Budget-friendly Single Malts You Should Try 

Budget buy? Lets call it guilty pleasure whisky. For me, it is a whiskEy: Connemara. No idea why, but I just love that flavor profile. I enjoy it every time.

I’m not a big Laphroaig guy but the Quarter Cask is probably my favourite offering. Another super budget-friendly one that was a pleasant surprise for me was the Robert Burns from Arran. Got a bottle for under £30 in the UK

Meanwhile in Finland… Tomatin was about 40€ when available Glen Moray may be found around 36 € but not Chardonnay version. Deanston you’ll need to recover from Estonia - 30€ Laphroaiq qc, pants/jaw dropping 63€ Ledaig … only the basic 10… 55€ …but they are all on the cheap side here :)

I bought the Tomatin Legacy like 4 years ago because everyone was so excited about it's quality price ratio. It was not even drinkable for me. It was so sharp that I needed to add water. But that would destroy it completely. The Ardmore Legacy was so much better in comparison.

My go to budget buy is no longer a budget buy. It was Benromach 10 year that was $41 USD. Post 2020 now it is min $56. Where I am budget single malts now start @ $40-$48. Sub $35 is just blends. Even NAS single malts are $38.

Good one! Brexit and inflation causing the quarter cask to be at around 47 euro in the Netherlands. Over here you get some decent blended malts and the intro lines of Arran, Glencadam etc for stated budget price range. Discounted deals for Talisker 10, Laphroaig 10, Arran 10 and Pulteney for the same. But I agree with you saving up for a bit more flavour layers won’t regret you the bottom half of the bottle.

AnCnoc 12 for your budget age stated list. The only 40% whisky I always have in my cabinet.

Great vid you little rascal. Cheapest malt I've bought in the past couple of months - Tamnavulin Sherry Cask (£23), Cardhu Gold (£25), Penderyn Madeira Cask (£26) , Aberlour 12 (£28). Cheers!

Brace yourself Geoff: here in Australia we get the following prices… - Tomatin Legacy, $90 - Glen Moray (Port), $60 - Deanston VO, $90 - Laphroaig 1/4 Cask, $140 - Ledaig Rioja, $100 (my local has it for $150!)

My favorites: Arran 10 years, 32 euro, Arran Quarter Cask 36 euro, Deanston 12 years, 36 euro, Glendronach 8 years The Hielan, 31 euro, Bunnahabhain Stiuireadair 41 euro, retail prices from Romania

This just nailed it! More of these budget friendly listings. Prices are going up on whisky all around the world. These kind of reviews will help to find more affordable options. Can you do a listing on budget sherry cask matured/finnished whiskies?

This week I was looking for something to sip that I won't hate, but at the same time I won't lose a friend when he pours coke all over it. I ended up with a bottle of Tamnavulin Double Cask. It cost me 27$ (in Manila), and I could not be happier. Waaaay better than Tomatin. PS. Glen Moray is surprisingly nice btw.

Great selection! Im a fan of Bladnoch Samsara & Goenglassaugh Revival

If I've said it once I've said it again, the (Arran) Robert Burns Single Malt, if you can find it. Flavor city, impressive for 40%. A treasure.

Excellent review. The laphroaig QC and the Deanston VO aren’t complex as you said, but they are honest straightforward examples of their regions. With a highland malt, you expect honey, vanilla, oak and floral notes- exactly what Deanston has. For an Islay- smoke, peat, and underlying sweetness, the QC definitely has that. I enjoy them both.

Interesting list, Geoff, thanks for sharing. My suggestion would be the Loch Lomond sigle grain peated.... which is a malt distilled in a column still and therefore can not be called single malt. (And pssst... about half the price of the Laphroaig QC) From your list the Laphroaig is by far my favourite. Slàinte mhath

You have the sections named, and for the Tomatin, you called it Tibetan Legacy!

Most of them are about $50. The Quarter Cask is $75 here. Whiskey prices are one of the few shortcomings of being in Canada.

I WISH the Laphroaig QC was under $40 in the US. I bought mine for $50 back in 2021. I don't imagine it's come down in price. That said, I felt it was equal to it's price and worth buying. I have heard that batch variation for this line is a little broader than desirable though. The ONLY whisky I can offer up sold at it's regular price of $35 or under in California would be the Scarabus Islay Single Malt. This would be a legitimate Islay experience that isn't neutered that I could offer to whisky nerds without embarrassment. I've bought the Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve at $30 and the Deanston V.O. at $28 but those were discount prices from a couple of years back.

Hi Geoff, nice idea resulting in a great list. And the number 1 is indeed a great whisky. Maybe the most expensive one on the list, but the best. See the list with prices below from a big Dutch on line retailer in Euro's: Tomatin legacy: 21.95 Glen Moray Chardonnay cask: 21.95 Deanston Virgin oak: 24.95 Laphroaig Quarter cask: 44.95 currently discounted Ledaig Rioja cask: 45.95 Arran barrel reserve: 24.95 currently discounted

Thank you, Geoff. Great thing from you 🎉, like always.

Agreed on The Classic Laddie as a go-to dram. Thanks for the list!

Woooaaa nice ones for a budget, very good list 🥃🥃

All of them are about 30% more expensive here in Romania. I was expecting hearing about that Arran. My favorite budget scotch is an age stated one so I'll wait for your next video. 🙂

The Tomatin Legacy is my favourite budget whisky for Mizuwari, mixed with Soda right now, very good one for that!

For a Glen Moray that you will be very impressed with try the 18. It's 47.6% ncf nc and full maturation in 1st fill bourbon. The price is also low for an 18. I had mine at the same time as the old brown label Deanston 18 and the Glen Moray consistently won in side by side tastings with the Deanston. Cheers

Hello Geoff, Great List, i always have the Deanston and the Ledaig in Reserve. Keep pushing your Channel 👍 (according to your higher Output of Vids, and your Titles of it for the Algorithm 😅)

Great 5 picks Geoff all top drams especially Glen Moray ( for those who want top end stuff look at their Warehouse offerings ;-) ) I was going to add Bunna Stiuireadar and Glen Scotia double cask, but did a price check both closer to £39-00 UK but i got the Bunna for under £30-00 in Feb in a local supermarket. Shop around keep you're eyes open folks.

Geoff, I liked your list of inexpensive whiskies, but that Laphroaig q.c. is certainly not inexpensive here in Finland. It costs in government controlled liquor shops about 63€ which is about 70 $ US. Finland has legalised robbery!

Nice review again! Thanks

Nice, w keep an eye out for the Ladaig. Glen Moray is solid. I have the Port Csk, low $30's in NY. Ever hear of Gladstone? The lightly peated Black Axe is nicely balanced and a steal at under $30. Not sure where you're getting the Classic Laddie price. I've yet to see it under $55. Cheers dude, nice guns 💪

In Ontario, Canada in US $ Tomatin Legacy $ 45 Glen Moray N/A Deanston Virgin Oak $43 Laphroaig QC $81 Ledaig 10 (we don't have the one you showed) $56 Arran 10 $51 Ardmore Legacy $45

Happy for my Tobermory colleagues, Geoff, but that Sinclair Rioja really is a banger! 💥

Great list! I’d recommend Cutty Sark prohibition and Tamnavulin (lots of decent expressions) in the ‘very affordable’ NAS category.

The Campbeltown Harbour from Glen Scotia would fit this list.

Hello there, So I have to add: Glen Grant Majors Reserve! Serious bang for your buck! And Ardmore Legacy! After that I think the Glen Moray Sherry Cask is pretty decent. Another suprise for me was the Glenmorangie X, if you ignore the marketing blab about mixing, it's a pretty decent casual sipper ( Serge reviewed it helpfully too). The Laphie QC is generally pricier then the 10yo and also higher quality in my humble opinion. All the best!

Ha Ha, I was waiting for you to mention the Arran Barrel Reserve. At least you admitted that you forgot it.😁 This is a simply superb budget Single Malt. The quality is way up there with some lovely Ex-Bourbon Barrels. yes, it's watered down but still gives you an honest big flavour experience. I agree with you that the Tomatin Legacy is just about acceptable. Too many corners have been cut for my taste and tastes a bit like they have tried to compensate for the lack of age by using really charred casks to boost flavour and hide immaturity. It's not bad but they could learn a thing or two from Deanston, who have a very similar product, the Virgin Oak, yet this is, in my opinion, a genuinely great single malt whisky which i would not be ashamed to serve. Wonderful flavours and it doesn't taste like a fake. It's clear that they've used some quality Ex-Bourbon barrels as well as heavily charred Virgin Oak casks. Well done Deanston! As you said, I have never been disappointed with anything from Glen Moray. I'd rate them best value for money in terms of flavour and variety. When I'm in Scotland and touring distilleries and sampling exotic distillery only cask Strength single malts, I often pick up a Glen Moray Classic or 12 in the supermarket on my my back to our rented chalet as our evening dram. As you said, it's wonderful just to sip by an open fire when you're tired and just want to relax and not think too much. For a great introduction to Peated Whisky on a budget, the Glen Moray Peated Classic is a wise choice. Recommend Single Malts you did not mention: The Glencadam American Oak Reserve. This is similar to the Arran Barrel Reserve. Budget friendly, honest, no frills quality whisky and bottled at 40% abv. An honorary mention to Loch Lomond Classic and Original. Not bad at all. Also, although many think it is NAS, it does actually have an age statement (10 years), The Glenmorangie Original. This is very often on offer and is a full flavour simple and enjoyable Single Malt, on the same lines as Arran Barrel Reserve. *Budget Whiskies to Avoid* Tomintoul 10 and Tomintoul NAS. Young whisky matured in old non-active casks produces some harsh nail polish remover off-notes. The Glenlivet Founders Reserve . The least said about this the better. Avoid.

Great video again, I have bought all of these within the last 12 months and my favourite is the Ledaig too. Here are the prices I paid for them in the UK, in order, Tomatin Legacy £25, Glen Moray £25, Deanston virgin oak £29, Laphroaig Quarter Cask £32, Ledaig Rioja £29. My recommendation for a decent NAS is Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair, often retails circa £25 in the UK.

Glenlivet founders reserve was a surprise for me, value/taste

I think you mentioned it in the original review but Tomatin Legacy is typically branded Dualchas in the US. Also I am surprised & envious Laphroaig Quarter Cask made the list. In my market this runs US$65+ typically. You guys have great pricing in Taiwan. Cheers.

Tomatin 30GBP, Glen moray 23GBP, Deanston 34GBP, Laphroaig 44GBP, Ledaig 40GBP in Sweden

Good list video Geoff. These are decent entry level malts at good prices, nothing wrong with having some of these in your cabinet. I remember paying €19 for the legacy and €20 for Glen Moray classic peated. Got the Laphraiog QC at home but its knocking €40. Got a bottle on offer for €32 👍. Another entry level malt that’s at a pretty good price is Glenfarclas 10, still at a reasonable €26 .Good that you look at these malts Geoff, nice one and Slàinte.

Naked malt - 24 euros my budget blended malt. Teeling small batch - 29. Arran 10 - 34 euros for budget aged one ledaig cost 54 euros here, but I can only find it in one shop Laphroaig qc 58 euros. Virgin oak 38-40 Tomatin 30 I live in Lithuania eastern Europe.

Looking forward to your age stated list!

Geoff. How about these. Talisker 10 £32. Ardbeg Wee Beastie £34. Cotswolds odyssey £30. Loch Lomond 12 Inchmoan £30. Glen Garioch Founders Reserve £30 ish. They may stand up well against your selection. I think list and attached comments make an excellent resource for discovering whisky.

All good solid suggestions and nice you bypassed the usual suspect cheap Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie etc. in favour of the next shelf up 👍 In the price bracket there are some great competing blended malts (Douglas Laing regionals, etc) and some premium blended scotches to consider as well (Black Bull). One single malt I’d strongly recommend is Aultmore 12 which is an integrity bottling that is often overlooked. Cheers 🥂

Nice , list, I have the ledaig, the Deanston and the Tomatin Legacy. Think you were a bit tough the legacy for which I pay about £29 for including UK taxes. Love it as a starter dram or if I want to drink rather than analyse a dram

Hi, As for the laphroaig quarter cask. Here in the Netherlands we now pay an average of €50, which is a price increase of more than €15 within 2 years. Unfortunately, this whiskey does become a bit flat when you are halfway through the bottle.

Tomatin Legacy 30 € in Portugal

This is such a timely topic and the follow up sounds even better! I only tried the Deanston and Ledaig from this list but I fully agree on them. But price talk is where it really hurts for us in South Korea because of the hideous alcohol taxes. Basically almost everything’s double the price of say European or Taiwanese market. In Korea, Tomatin Legacy is around 45-50USD, Deanston VO 50-60, Laphroaig QC 80-100, Ledaig RC 60-80. But the price gap gets even wider for age stated or older whiskys. Sigh… have you heard that Koreans completely loot liquor shops in Taiwan when they travel? Embarrassingly we’re kind of infamous for that!

Nice list, Geoff. Deanston Heritage Sherry Cask Finish is also a good choice to buy in Taiwan, it’s around 27 USD.

Hey! I live in Sweden. Here Tomatin Legacy sells for about $39, Glen Moray $30, Deanston $44, Laphroaig $57, Ledaig $52. Thanks for the work you put into your channel and the great videos posted.

Great budget list G. The two I like on your list are Deanston VO at around $55 in my market and (hold onto your chair) QC is at $106 CAD...ridiculous price for the QC to say the least. I am not going replace the QC once I am done with the bottle I have on the go. The Arran Barrel Reserve is better at $55 although a little thin on the palate. Suffice to say in today's inflated prices, there are still a plenty of good quality drams that won't break the bank.

Germany here. (But I'm a cheapskate so I order from the Netherlands...) Glenglassaugh Torfa & Revival 31€ Glenglassaugh Evolution 38€ Ledaig Rioja Cask 38€ Ledaig 10 40€ Kilchoman Machir Bay 39€ Arran 10 31€ Talisker 10, Skye, Storm, Port Ruighe 31 - 38€ So, with the friendly help of our north-western neighbours we don't have to be rich to get drunk with style. Slainte!

I see the John Walker bicentennial bottle on your shelf back there. Very fantastic whisky there! Wish I could find it again.

Nice review and very necessary for this time... My last whiskies around 20/22 euros in France during promotions Glen grant 10 Glen Moray 10 Deveron 10 Bushmills black bush Aerstone 10 Land cask just some euros more : Knockando 15 (25 euros !! )

The v neck is back…the world is right again. Oh yes, the whiskey. Only had the L QC.l from the main list. But it is my favorite go to “cheaper” whiskey. That said. It is sadly $110 here in Ontario Canada now. 6 months maths ago it was $80ish…craziness! Classic Laddie l and Barrel Reserve are also pretty decent. My other entry levels are Arran Quarter Cask, Glenmo 10, Wee Beastie,

Glad to see the Glen Morays on the list. A couple of others I have picked up for bargain prices in the supermarket are Tamnavulin Double Cask and Tullibardine Sovereign - are they available over there?

I prefer Lagavulin 8 year old which is also 48% abv to the Laphroaig Quarter Cask, and it's also around 5 bucks cheaper in my market (Chicago area). At $60 and $65, respectively, they're not exactly budget whiskies. That Rioja isn't available here, unfortunately.

My favorite budget scotchs without an age statement would be Compass box Orchard house and Big peat (I know they are not single malt). Laphroaig quarter cask is now quite expensive in Canada unfortunately (around 90 CAD).

Really helpful video, thank you once again. Deanston Virgin Oak and Ledaig Rioja are my choices from the list. Do you plan to do a list of age statement budget ones? Regards from Viet Nam.

Speyburn 10 is good value IMO

Best whisky are gifed whisky ))) Geoff good job . Cheers !

Nice list Geoff! Unfortunately, apart from the Tomatin we don't get any of these in our market in Turkey and the Tomatin is not competatively priced. If I was in my second home in England I'd definitely agree with the Ledaig and Deanston and then I'd add Cotswolds, Bunna Stiureadair, Arran Barrel Reserve and for shits and giggles as it's not considered 'malt' Loch Lomond Peated Single Grain :) Cheers 🥃

Hi Geoff, might I suggest Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair which I picked up for £25 yesterday, it’s usually £32. I agree Laphroaig QC and Bruichladdich Classic Laddie both sadly getting harder to find below £40 these days 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I think this is an extremely good list! The Ledaig Rioja would probably have been my #1 choice too. It's the top choice for a budget dram in my wee whisky group. Everything seems to be roughly £8-£12 more in Scotland. I'd recommend Wee Beastie which is around the same price (in Scotland). That is an age statement though. It comes in at around £35 and is 47%abv.

The Classic Laddie is about 50 bucks in my neck of the woods. But worth every penny.

Glen moray Chardonnay au$50 laphroaig quarter cask au$140 Ledaig Rioja au$110 Deanston Voak au$90 ~Ardbeg 10 au$110 ~Craigellachie 13 au$105

Lol. You started with whiskies under Au$100 and gradually climbed to Au$140 for the laphroaig Qtr cask in Australia. Afraid budget whiskies here, are those under Au$100, when they are discounted. Those that you mentioned that occasionally sell for under Au$100 are Ledaig, Deanston and classic laddie. When it comes to much cheaper whiskies, I liken them to coffee. I love coffee, but I’d rather drink tea than drink instant coffee.

Auchsetoshan ,$60 Canadian

Solid list! My score:4/5: I didn't taste the Glen Moray. Totally agree with the order here. Still have to open the Ledaig Rioja I bought last week but I have great expectations❤

I guess my "budget-friendly" standards are a little higher than yours. I was able to pick up a Springbank 12 CS for no more than the cost of cheaper pair of running shoes...shoes that were used to run like hell out of the liquor store...

Buna Stiùireadair at the current £25 (Tesco) supermarket price should be considered.... but can't argue with your number 1 choice 🥃👍

Like the dry humor in your videos 😂

Glen Garioch is another underrated whisky at good price

Like your top 3, but I would have put Monkey Shoulder on the list. Classic Laddie is $55 in the US.

Glen Scotia Double Cask 25$, Bushmills 10 27$, Tobermory 12 32$, Bunna 12 32$. Glenmorangie 10 30$, Omar Sherry 28$. Kavalan No. 1 28$ in the freaking supermarket. Man, Taiwan is a paradise for whisky drinkers. (Unless you're into independent bottlings. Then things will get very expensive very quickly)

$74 for the Quarter Cask in PA~US

Super jealous you can get Ledaig Rioja for $36. It isn't available at all around Kansas City. I love Ledaig 10 which used to be $60 but has recently gone up to $70. Laphroaig quarter cask is also $70 around here now. Deanston Virgin Oak $40. Scotch prices just seem to keep going up and up here in the States unfortunately... The only thing on your list that's truly "budget" and available near me is the Glen Moray which has been a big "meh" from me. Maybe I'll give it another try. The Classic Laddie can be had for $57 which is still one of the best bang for bucks around here.

I love the Deanston Virgin Oak. I tried it because I am such a big fan of the Deanston 12. You can get the VO in Massachusetts from between $34 - $38. I'd pay more, but thankfully I don't have to.

I am from Hong Kong and well... 100% taxes for anything more than 30% abv. The cheapest single malt I can find here is Glenfarclas 10 which still cost me 38 USD.

Best bargain bangers (aka my nickname in college): Glencadam 10 Glencadam 13 Craigellachie 13 Loch Lomond 12 Old Pulteney 12 Arran 10 Deanston 12 Kilchoman Machir Bay Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Naked Malt formerly known as Naked Grouse (sherried blended malt) Compass Box Orchard Blend (blended malt) Scarabus (Total Wine) Islay budget peated single malt (probably only available in US) Kirkland (Costco) Islay budget peated single malt (probably only available in US) Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 Islay budget peated single malt Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair Cotswolds English single malt Monkey Shoulder Mash Cut (blended malt from Total Wine probably only available in US)

A nice list, and I'm very glad Monkey Shoulder didn't make this list; I don't like it at all. I'm not a fan of Deanston Virgin Oak either; there's just something rushed and off about it. Laphroaig Quarter Cask is not a budget whisky around my parts, infact it's $75; and I still haven't seen that Ledaig Rioja, so... Here's my under $40 list... ✌️ 5. Tomatin Legacy/Dualchas @43% (~$35) 4. Glencadam 10 (~$38) 3. Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair (~$35) 2. Scarabus (~$35) 1. Loch Lomond 12 (~$35)

Can you do your Top 5 or 10 scotches around $100???

I was thinking Bruichladdich…. 😊

Under $40 for Laphroaig QC is incredible. Its $75 in Texas.

Please try Glen Moray 18!

Rioja cask sounds interesting.

I cry in Canadian as "budget" whisky is about $100 here, but still a good list.

Naked , Glen Scotia Double cask...

Team glen pinky! Nice recommendations. I tend to stick away from lower prices scotches with US prices on the rise. Glenfiddich 12 used to be close to $35 in my area a couple of years ago. It's over $50 now. Bruchladdie is even $55-$60.

Here glenmoray 14€, although I prefer the port finish one,

Little-finger raise… it don’t get classier than that!

Laphroaig Quarter Cask for $36? Jesus, that's cheap. It's $65 where I am, which is $10 more than the 10 year. What do you pay for the 10?

Great list, but the only one of the "top 5" available in my state is the Laphroaig at $95 before tax. Yeah, I need to move to a better state.

I saw the Laphroaig Select cask for nearly half the price of the 10. Never had this before. Is it any good?

Hmmm....Okay, here's from the Pacific Northwest...We don't have the Tomatin Legacy, but their 12 year sells for $46.95. The Glen Moray Port sells for $39.95. Deanston Virgin Oak retails at $41.70. Laphroaig QC jumps upto $74.95. The Ledaig Rioya is not available, but their 10 year sells for $74.55. (All prices US dollars.) I would nominate Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve, which clocks in at $47.50 in these parts. And, if you're going to include LapQC as a budget item, then Port Charlotte 10 comes in two dollars cheaper than LapQC. I'd jump for that much, much earlier.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask is $106.20 here in Ontario 🇨🇦 🤯

Omg! Classic laddie is about 65usd in my town lol

Dropping this vids at the new time is entirely throwing off my rhythm. I almost missed this one! 😱