Best Whiskies of 2020: My Top Picks 

As a long time whisky professional (not bragging, just what I do) that tries to teach quality over marketing and hype, I just wanted to say I really enjoy your videos.It's great to see a RU-vid channel that echos what I'm saying at my lectures and tastings. I will be adding your channel to my recommended viewing list. Keep up the great work.

I bought a bottle of Clynelish 14 a few months back, and it fast became one of my favorite whiskies.

I mean wow... Absolutely fantastic video and what a great and different channel for us whisky lovers! This is my first video watched on your channel, not the last one though! Subscribed and can't wait for more. Really good, refreshed, much needed difference amongst other whisky channels. Great work, keep it up!

Congrats on the new addition to the family!

Another terrific informative vid. Thanks again

Love the Deanston 12, really impressed me and you’re right - it disappears quickly! The new Tobermory 12 (from the same parent company) was a surprisingly tasty find too.

Good choices. It's refreshing to hear from someone who's explored a bit rather than someone who's just had Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, or Laphroaig and then stayed there.

Pretty hard to argue with your choices Phil - Love the Clynelish, Glencadam, Killkerran, Deanston and Lagavulin 8yo, all on the shelf and drunk pretty regularly on rotation. If I was going to have an alternative 5 with the same criteria I would go for the following, as these I’ve really enjoyed - Bunnahabhain 12, Longrow NAS, Arran 14, Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5yo, Old Pulteney 12 - all in my eyes great value. Arran 14 is discontinued sadly, but Ralfy thought the Arran 10 as his WoY 2020 and it’s pretty damn good as well though not quite the 14. Enjoyed your videos, shame there’s not more but we understand the time constraints and the fact you don’t just do straight single bottle reviews. Would be great if you could do 5 good 10yo’s / 5 good 12yo’s / 15yo / 18yo etc as a theme. There is lots to take away from comparative tastings and I’d be interested to see your take. Keep up the good work and cheers 🍻

You have some usefull and amazing content Phil. I'm just getting into whisky and your video's helps me a lot. Just bought a bottle myself it's a single malt 12 year old Scotch from the Highlands, distilled at Glen Ord distillery. Keep up the good work. Happy new year and stay healty!

Solid list of recommendations Phil. Beauty 🤓

I’ve only just started my Scottish Whiskey Journey. But as for all encompassing Whiskey/Whisky here are my five favorite I’ve explored this year. 5. Ardbeg 10...the brine and distant campfire smoke drew me in and made me fall in love. 4. Red Breast 15...the mouth feel and finish on this wonderful Irish is outstanding 3. Laphroaig Lore. I don’t know what to say about it. I keep finding new things within the flavor and think it might have some subtlety my palate isn’t ready for just yet having only recently gotten into Smokey Whisky, so I’m excited to continue going back to this one. 2.Glendalough 7 year Porter Finish. This Irish whiskey is just...chefs kiss. It transports me to walking through an orange grove on the nose. And the taste has some real complexity and depth for an Irish. 1. Talisker 10. I bought this on a whim having never heard of it, and wow was I surprised. The smoke was much less than the Ardbeg, and Laphroaig I started my Smokey journey on, and I really enjoyed that aspect. Not that I don’t love the Ardbeg which I most certainly do, this just connected with me. Keep up the great work. Happy to be on this journey with you, and exploring. Excited to try Some of these if I can find them.

Damn solid list, Phil!! All super tasty and quality drams. I definitely worked through my bottle of Deanston 12 quickly this year :D Got to try Glencadam 10 as well and need to revisit that one... very subtle and nuanced. Have a great new year's!

great job Phil, great drams...happy new year to you and yours from me and mine my friend....

Hey Phil, I've had the Clynelish 14 for some time in my collection and I can honestly say it is a great whisky. However, I personally prefer the Oban 14 when it comes between the two. It's probably the subtle note of smoke that does it for me. At your recommendation I added the Aberlour A'bunadh to my collection (my first cask strength) and have to say It is a wonderful expression of the ex-sherry cask so thank you for that. Have some wonderful holidays and keep up the good work.

Hi, I just wanna say I enjoyed watching your top 5 and special mention whisky choices. I also enjoy watching the videos cause I can see after tasting all 6 whiskies, you are already (a very so slightly) tipsy and of course the last part is the best !

Fantastic picks Phil! Glenfarcalas & kilkaren are great malts ...I have cyendlish in my cabinet but didn't popped it open yet..you gave me perfect reason to do so..btw wish you happy holidays & happy new year! Cheers!

This is a list of my favorites as well. I would make one change since I have not gotten my hands on the Lag 8. I did pick up the Lagavulin 2019 Distiller's Edition and it was heavenly. Your content is excellent so I'm looking forward to following you in 2021. Happy New Year!

I really enjoyed this review. I knew straight away i was onto a winner when you mentioned the Deanston which for me was the STAND OUT this year. But that said, i have not tried any of the others on your review. Particularly interested in the Kilkerran and the Cylnelish, even though when you mentioned that word i thought it was GERMAN! Also, i really like the flow of your video and how you deliver the various stages of each whiskey. And lastly it's great to have a list of whiskies that I would actually be able to afford. I heard many reviews about that 8 year old cask strength, but i could not see its relevance as its clearly out of reach and almost unobtainable, yet you're the only reviewer who bothered to talk about the 12 year old expression, which is available, makes much more sense in the real world. Thank you and wishing you all the best for 2021!

Enjoyed watching this with a pour of Laphroaig Lore. I think I've only had the Lagavulin 8 in your list so I'll have some hunting to look forward to in 2021! Keep it up, Phil!

Started sipping on a Lagavulin 8 before clicking on this video, so I was quite excited when you got to it. You definitely made the experience more enjoyable. I've only had the Ardbeg 10, Wee Beastie, and Laphroaig 10 other than the Lagavulin 8 so far. The Laga 8 is my current favorite out of those. I'm new to the whisky and whiskey scene. So far I'm caught up in the peat like people can be it seems haha. I'll get to the other regions soon I hope. Where I am in the states the Laga 16 is $100 and the 8 is $50. Half the age and half the price... it's oddly satisfying haha. Love what you've been producing and am excited to see what else you'll teach us!

Great list, cheers👍🏻🤗 Totally agree on the ABV, my level is also 46%👍🏻

Great video. A very similar list to my own. Haven't tried the Glencadam so would swap in the Ledaig 10 for that.

Great list! Really enjoy the Deanston and the Clynelish aswell. Haven’t been able to try the Kilkerran 12 yet, but will get to that as well. As for my favorites: GlenAllachie 15, Redbreast 15, Deanston 12 (too), Arran 18 and the GlenDronach 15. But the whisky that blew me away this year was the Balblair 1991 (3rd release). I could still get it for a decent price but now the prices are crazy. Thank you for your video!

Great videos bud! keep it up

Excellent video. Please keep these coming. Share & Enjoy!

I agree with you about the beauty of clynelish. Such an underrated gem.

Deanston Distillery is one of the best tours I've been on! Fantastic place, and they're not shy with the samples!

Where can one find Glencadam? Especially a 15. I’ve been trying to find it all year here in the states.

Great selections in that list for sure. Happy Earth Orbit day! Cheers!

Thanks Phil, what a great video. I watch Ralphy, Whisky Vault, Scotch Test Dummies, Swedish Whisky Girl, etc. etc. but yours is the only Whisky channel I have subscribed to - love your content. A couple of these have been on my list to try, but Lagavulin 16 was on special at WhiskyAndMore so I bought 2 bottles this month. Plus my friends in Dunedin just launched their first Lammermoor Whisky and it was limited to 100 bottles, so I spent NZ$161 (including delivery) on a bottle. I’ll have to wait until we’re back in Wellington to try it, although I think I paid way too much for a new 3 year old Whisky - but it’s limited and I like to support friends. Loving the summer time here in Auckland with family and friends, and I’ve been sharing my Lagavulin 16 with my brother in-law. I’ll try these recommendations of yours in the New Year. Have a great New Year Phil, and congratulations on the birth of your child. Being a parent is so rewarding. I enjoy your Whisky videos and really appreciate how you have masterfully edited everything. You have incredible talent in this regard. Best wishes for 2021.

It is amazing that all the top whiskies shown online by different reviewers do not like the same ones, just goes to show you every bodies taste is different, no body likes the same thing.

Is a Deanston 2020 Cask a good whiskey for investing long term?

Great channel. Where do you generally source your whisky from?

Thanks for your videos mate!

Great list! Big fan of the Glencadam 15, deanston 12 and Lagavulin 8. Cheers from Canada.

Deanston 12 yes! Such a balanced flavor profile. Kilkerran is also fantastic. Try a cask strength one!

Great channel and content. I Just subscribed. By The way, can you please tell me the brand and model of microphone you use. It sounds very good. Greetings from Ecuador.

2021 has been the best whisk(e)y year for me. I’d always liked Jameson, and glenfiddich but I never went further. Then I bought a bottle of laphroaig, which is now my favourite. After buying a cheap Aldi scotch (highland black) I wanted to go for something more refined, and to save my money for the whiskey I wanted. Discovered highland park 12yr, Jura, talisker, bushmills 10yr, and the last bottle I bought was buffalo trace bourbon, which is amazing stuff. Also sampled monkey shoulder, which for the price is wicked stuff. All round, I’ve enjoyed every one so far, and this content keeps me on my journey. 👍

What a great set of whiskys!! Not going for the most commercial brands - it shows knowledge and palate skills to pick these up! Hugs from Portugal!

3/5 of your choices are on my shelf 👍. As a certified peat head I’d have added the Port Charlotte 10 and Ardbeg An Oa.

Brilliant list of bottles there. Yet to try the Clynelish but if it beats the Killkerran 12 I am sold.

Nice too see the lagavulin 8 have some praise. I find it better than the 16. The 12 is the best but yeah more expensive than both. Also Deanston 12 is so nice. And indeed Deanston and Arran are getting better each year imo too. Especially the Arran 10. Only like 43 eu and such a very nice "summer" scotch. Also clynelish 14 is a great scotch and everything from bruichladdich and (almost every) bunnahabdain too. Also tobermory and the ledaig from tobermory is great! Edit is it just me or am I very lucky to pay only like 47euro for a bottle off Clynelish 14y old. It's literally the cheapest 14y old single malt. I love this Scotch and poured me another dram off it. Also the Clynelish 14 with few drops off water is great!

ty very much, I'm off to my whisystore right now, grtz from belgium

All the best Phil!

Just went and bought the Clynelish from Dans. Great drop

Great expression on the cover photo.

Glancadam? I've never even heard of it. It is not sold here. The same with Kilkerran. The only Campbeltown whisky we get here is Glen Scotia. I have their 15, and we're still getting acquainted....but, I'm getting toasted marshmallow notes! I have Clynelish 14 in my cabinet. I consider it one of my 'salt air' Scotches, along with the peaty Talisker, and I think they make an excellent compare and contrast with each other.

Solid, Phil. REALLY solid. What about a wee Irish series in 2021? Hope you enjoyed your first Christmas as a Dad! :)

I bought Deanston of your recomendation. Really good. Such a nice looking bottle aswell.

The best on your list is probably the Glencadam 10. It became a thing 3 years ago in my country. Unfortunately after all the reviews all over the internet. it became a sensation. It's too hard to buy one these days. If they are going to keep on doing their thing stuff like NO CHILL FILTRATION, they could be the next KILCHOMAN. Making things clear here. Glencadam is a older and bigger dustukker but we're talking about aggressive marketing in the foreign countries. Glencadam has great demand for local market single malt & supplying whisky for blenders but Kilchoman is focusing on single malt and overseas sales.

Damn, I’m new to whiskey and I had this with dinner last weekend and thought it was delicious. Now I can’t decide to pick up the Talisker 10 or Deanston 12. Everyone on the T10 comments claims it’s there favourite dram but all love and praise goes to the D12 over on that video’s comments. Help!

Hey just discovered your channel it's great!

Great Video Phil, found you from a recommendation from the Whiskey Vault. My top 5 list 1) Basil Hayden's Caribbean Reserve Rye. 2) Redbreast 12 3) Buffalo Trace Bourbon 4) Chattanooga Bourbon 111 5) Basil Hayden's Bourbon

My favorite of the year was Ardbeg Uigeadail. The smoke and Sherry is so damn good. I couldn't even tell its 54.2% abv

Hi there... am also a fan of the clynelish 14.... im surprised you didn't mention a menthol note in the mouth on this one...a "furniture lacquer" nose into a sweet opening then i get a HUGE hit on menthol before a very long grassy finish. like you said, its not easy sipping for a beginner perhaps but its definitely rewarding for those that like to spend more time cuddling up to their whisky. I have a Kilkerran 12 and the 8 (57.1%) sherry cask ones currently stuck in another city (damn you covid) and they will be my celebratory drinks prolly after i get vaccinated :D stay safe.

I’m new to whiskey 🥃 great content 🤙

Kilkerran 12 is my whisky of 2020.

Please list your choices on your show notes.

Can't fault you on your picks, but, Clynelish 14 does actually have colouring added. I live in the Netherlands and due to our proximity to Germany we tend to get the same bottelings and it's the law in Germany to state on the packaging if it contains colouring. My bottle clearly states it does. Personally I wish they had to tell you everywhere not just Germany, technically I think it's a stupid practice any way whisky is a natural product and varies from batch to batch. It also doesn't mention non-chill filtering I would therefore not assume it to be so. Love the channel though looking forward to more videos.

@Firstphilwhisky Is distillerys add caramel or colouring agent in final vat? Bcz after cooling down the vapour it comes like a white colour. But I haven't seen it in bottle.all are like gold brown colour in bottle. !!!!!!

After 21 years in a cask you'd think that whisky has been fully oxidized? At least that's what Horst thinks over at Whisky. Given the price of your average 21-year-old bottle, I wonder if there's more of the subliminal effect than actual one?

Nice list, mine was well you could call it back to basics: Monkey Shoulder Maker‘s Mark Talisker Distillers Edition Glen Elgin 12 Lagavulin 16 Honorable mention goes to Benromach 10

Urrah Phil! Another video!

Try indian whiskey and give us your reviews 🥃 btw love ur vids great job mate 💯❤️

My top whisky of 2020 is Dalwhinnie winters gold.

Great video. Subscribed. Not tried any of your top 5!

Needs more Bladnoch.

Heck yes, Number one, what a win. Suck it Lagavulin

Twinti Twinti

Nice vid Phil 👍 Good to see you got a shout out from the gents at the Whiskey Vault - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-X54uC8fZA_0.htmlm4s 👍

Nice video. But the next time a reviewer goes with the old trope that younger islay is peatier I will, well I don't really know, but I am sick of it.