The Best Whisky for Beginners: A Guide to Starting Your Whisky Journey

On the hunt for the best whisky for beginners? Whisky can seem intimidating at first – there are so many brands, regions, and flavours to choose from, each with its own distinct charm.

However, if you're just starting your whisky journey, this guide will help you find your favourite tipple. Whether you fancy a smooth and sweet American bourbon or the classic flavour profiles of a Scotch whisky, we'll dive into what makes each bottle unique and how to pick your next drink.

Bourbon

Not sure where to start? Bourbon is extremely approachable. This type of American whiskey is known for its rich, sweet flavour, making it a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned drinkers.

Bourbon is often sweeter and smoother than other whiskies, thanks to its high corn content and charred oak ageing. Common flavour notes include sweet caramel and vanilla, spicy cinnamon, and toasted wood.

Even better: bourbon is particularly great in cocktails like Old Fashioned and Whisky Sours. Trying bourbon-based drinks can be a great way to acclimate your tastebuds to smokier drinks, without the hefty price tag.

Best Bourbon for Beginners:

• Few Bourbon Whiskey: A fantastic craft bourbon for beginners with a fun twist. Each batch has a sweet and spicy profile, featuring toffee, dark chocolate, and nutmeg, making it oh-too-easy to sip.

• Woodford Reserve Double-Oaked Bourbon Whiskey: The sweetness from the American oak barrels, combined with the toasted oak finish, gives this bourbon a smooth, dessert-like quality.

• Bulleit Bourbon 10-Year-Old Whiskey: This bourbon teeters more on the complex side, but don't let that put you off. Its intense smoothness and typical sweetness is ideal for those looking to expand their whiskey collection.

Scotch Whisky

Scotch whisky might be known for its intensely peaty, bold flavours, but many varieties are perfect for beginners. While some Scotch whiskies deliver smoky, earthy notes that can be an acquired taste, others offer a gentler introduction with smooth, approachable flavours that are easier on the palate.

This type of whisky is complex and diverse, ranging from light and floral expressions to rich, sherried, and sweet profiles. For those new to the world of Scotch, starting with a milder, more balanced option allows you to appreciate this spirit's nuances.

Best Scotch for Beginners:

• Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Whisky: The best option for beginner whisky drinkers. This whisky has no intense peat or smoke, is irresistibly smooth, and boasts a reasonable price point.

• The Balvenie 12-Year-Old Doublewood: This Speyside whisky has a delightfully complex depth of flavours. The extra aging in Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks infuse sweet sherry layers, perfect for expanding a beginners palate.

• Glenmorangie The Quinta Ruban 14-Year-Old: A great starting point for newcomers looking to explore richer, more complex flavour profiles. The Port cask finish adds sweetness and a pleasant depth to the whisky.

Irish Whiskey

If you're new to this spirit, starting with a light, mellow flavour profile is important – and Irish whiskey is perfect. One of the key characteristics that sets Irish whiskey apart is its traditional triple distillation process, which results in an exceptionally smooth and refined texture.

This extra step not only softens the edges but also enhances its clean, crisp taste, making it easier to sip and enjoy. Whether served neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, Irish whiskey’s versatility makes it a popular option for both beginners and well-seasoned drinkers.

Best Irish Whiskey for Beginners:

• The Sexton Single Malt Whiskey: A great option for non-traditionalists. This expression has a uniquely citrus flavour profile that makes it extremely approachable to beginners.

• Glendalough Pot Still Virgin Irish Oak Whiskey: This whiskey combines sweet vanilla notes from ex-bourbon casks with subtle spices from Irish oak. The result is a balanced and inviting palate that allows beginners to explore Irish whiskey without being overwhelmed by intense flavours.

• Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey: This expression is ideal for those looking to take the next step in their whiskey journey. Slightly heavier than other whiskies we recommend for beginners, but still with a smooth and balanced finish.

Japanese Whisky

Japanese whisky has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. This spirit is known for its elegance and balance, so it’s an excellent option for beginners due to its approachable yet refined flavours.

What makes Japanese whisky so special? The distilleries in Japan are inspired by traditional Scotch whisky-making methods, so craftsmanship and attention to detail are a key focus. Japanese whisky is lighter and more delicate than other whiskies, often more fruity, floral, and sweet.

Best Japanese Whisky for Beginners:

• Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky: If you love bourbon, this is for you. This expression is made from corn with a small proportion of malted barley, resulting in a unique flavour profile. Expect sweet and fruity characteristics and a signature creamy texture.

• Akashi White Oak Blended Whisky: A whisky produced for the European market using a mixture of Japanese and foreign-made malt and grain whisky. This is an extremely versatile drink that tastes just as good in cocktails as it does on the rocks.

• Hatozaki Pure Malt Japanese Blended Whisky: A sweet, fruity drink that lacks intense peat. This bottle offers a gentle introduction to the complexities of whisky without overwhelming the palate.

Top Tips for Beginners

If you're a beginner, we recommend starting with smoother, sweeter, and less smoky whiskies. Look for tasting notes like vanilla or caramel, and avoid anything peaty or overly complex. Approachability is also key. Whiskies that are easy to drink neat, on the rocks, and in cocktails are ideal for beginners.

It can be tempting to believe that the more expensive a whisky is, the better it tastes. That's not always the case. Most entry-level bottles are reasonably priced – and a great place to start!

Ready to dip your toes into the world of whisky? Browse The Whisky Stock’s full collection to find your new favourite.