If there's one term that captures the attention of whiskey enthusiasts, it's 'single malt.' This is a term used to describe whiskies made purely from malted barley, using pot stills, and produced at just one distillery. Quite different from bottles that use a mix of grains or blends from multiple distilleries. Single malt cannot assure impeccable quality despite widely held beliefs to the contrary. Nor is it exclusive to scotch, though Scotland prides itself on having the most single malt distilleries globally. As Leonardo Giacomello, bartender at Scarfes Bar in London's Rosewood hotel says, "When we think of single malts, scotch comes first."

Earlier, single malt whiskey was not popular, with the market favoring blends and Irish whiskey. However, a resurgence in the latter part of the 20th century elevated single malt prominence as people sought more unique whiskeys. While Scotland remains the primary mover of this category, great single malts are being made worldwide, from Ireland and Japan to the US.

Brian McCullough, Spec's on-premise director of mixology and development, says, "American single malts have gathered a lot of traction in the spirits community. The runway for this category is quite long."

Speyside, a Highland subregion in Scotland, boasts the highest density of whisky distilleries. This is where Giacomello's favorite single malt, Glenfarclas 12 Year, is produced. This single malt, aged in sherry casks, is a fantastic expression of what a single malt should be," Giacomello adds, mentioning its sherry and fruit nuances.

Another fan-favorite from Speyside is Craigellachie 13, which tends to stand out in most classic whisky-based beverages, according to Iain Griffiths, co-owner of New York City's Bar Snack.

While Scotland maybe the single malt hub, McCullough views Andalusia Whiskey Co. in Blanco, Texas, as a "true gem," particularly praising the brand's Stryker single malt, awarded the Best Small Batch Single Malt at the 2025 World Whisky Awards.

A few Irish distilleries, including the independent Cooley Distillery that makes Connemara Original peated single malt, use smoky, peat-dried malts. Will Patton, Press Club's managing partner in Washington, D.C., agrees that it perfectly combines gentle smoke with the typical smooth, fruity character of Irish whiskey.

Islay's biggest distillery, Caol Ila, finds a fan in Mathilde Rougé, Side Hustle at NoMad London, because of its smoky nature that doesn’t overpower the taste, thanks to the distillery's tall stills that create more copper and liquid interaction.

Four Walls in Nashville's lead bartender, Lawson Ballinger, rates Glenmorangie 12 Year highly, referring to it as the benchmark for a great single malt on account of the distillery's extra-tall stills that generate a "lighter, purer, and more refined spirit."

American Oak by Auchentoshan is Gabe Sanchez's choice for a light single malt.

Lastly, The Balvenie DoubleWood, named for its two-step aging process, earns favorable reviews from Heidi Finley, assistant food and beverage manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. She regards it as approachable for beginners and seven nuanced for seasoned whisky drinkers.