Whisky may have an ancestral home in Scotland, but in recent years it has become a worldwide phenomenon, being distilled and enjoyed in an ever-growing number of different countries.
In the UK alone, it’s possible to sample whiskies from Scotland, obviously, but also England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Bourbon whiskey has always been a popular drink in the US, while Japan has been producing quality whiskies since the 1920s. India is a more recent entrant into the market, while even a country as small as Iceland now has its own whiskey distillery.
Strictly whisky (without the e) comes from Scotland and whiskey (with the e) from the rest of the world. But confusingly, both names are in use around the globe, so we’ve been ruled by the name that appears on the label, be it whisky o…
Whisky may have an ancestral home in Scotland, but in recent years it has become a worldwide phenomenon, being distilled and enjoyed in an ever-growing number of different countries.
In the UK alone, it’s possible to sample whiskies from Scotland, obviously, but also England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Bourbon whiskey has always been a popular drink in the US, while Japan has been producing quality whiskies since the 1920s. India is a more recent entrant into the market, while even a country as small as Iceland now has its own whiskey distillery.
Strictly whisky (without the e) comes from Scotland and whiskey (with the e) from the rest of the world. But confusingly, both names are in use around the globe, so we’ve been ruled by the name that appears on the label, be it whisky or whiskey.
For this guide, I’ve gone on an international tour to provide you with a survey of 10 whiskies, each from a different country. Some are blends, some are single malts, but all offer a unique tasting experience. So, raise a glass and slàinte mhath to you all.
The best whiskies for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Stauning høst Danish whisky: £37, Waitrosecellar.com
- Best budget buy – Tenjaku Japanese blended whisky: £30, Amazon.co.uk
- Best single malt – Paul Jones brilliance: £47, Amazon.co.uk
- Best blending whisky – Nomad outland whisky: £36.50, Amazon.co.uk
- Best bourbon – Bulleit bourbon frontier whiskey: £30.49, Amazon.co.uk
How I tested
I tested a range of whiskies, from American bourbon to Welsh single malt (John Clarke/The Independent)
The whiskies were tasted with a little water to bring out their full flavour and aroma. I paid attention to the taste, noting the depth, complexity and smoothness of each whisky, the price against the quality and how well each paired with foods like cheese, chocolate and meat dishes. I’ve gone into more detail on my testing criteria at the end of the review.