Young Scotch Single Malts Prove Age Isn't Everything

When Islay distillery Ardbeg released Wee Beastie as a core offering in 2020, it was a bold move, even for a whisky maker known for its adventurous spirit. Wee Beastie proudly carries a 5-year age statement, tapping heavily peated malt matured in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks. Master blender Gillian Macdonald says the aim is to showcase the distillate. “As it’s a younger whisky, it means fans can get as close to the still as possible,” she says. “Limiting the maturation in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks to 5 years amplifies the untamed notes of peat, while still allowing Ardbeg’s fruity undertones to emerge.”

Another prominent young Islay expression is Octomore, the annual trio of single malts from Bruichladdich Distillery. The recipes change each year, but the format remains the same—three whiskies on three different missions: to explore peat levels, barley provenance, and cask maturation. Nearly all have a high peat content, big bottling strength, and 5-year age statements. Master blender Adam Hannett likes to joke that, considering how young and strong they are, these whiskies “should not taste as good as they do.” Many would agree, yet Octomore is characterized by its complexity, elegance, and grace— all qualities typically associated with ultra-aged scotches.

Age-Old Problems

For start-up distillers, releasing younger expressions is often a matter of necessity rather than creativity, as they need revenue to stay afloat while their stock matures. While older whiskies tend to focus on drawing flavors from the casks, the newer ones concentrate on the spirit itself, with house styles that fit that goal. Nc’nean Distillery, founded in 2017 on the rugged Morvern Peninsula in the western Highlands, puts the spirit front and center, with a particular focus on fermentation and yeast selection. Its much-praised debut release was its Organic single malt, a 3 year old.

An even fresher face is Edin-burgh-based Holyrood Distillery, which opened in 2019. With distillery manager Calum Rae at the helm, Holyrood’s approach is very similar to that of many American craft single malt distillers in its focus on yeast, uncommon barley varieties, and specialty malts.

Some of the most interesting young scotch whiskies lately have come from Isle of Skye-based Torabhaig. Opened eight years ago, Torabhaig is working to create a 10 year old flagship expression. In the meantime, its solution is The Legacy Series, annual releases that document the distillery’s journey toward that goal. Each expression has a slightly different recipe, with the idea that every subsequent batch will further refine the distillery’s house style.

None of the Legacy Series whiskies have been age-stated thus far, but Torabhaig confirmed that last year’s release, Cnoc Na Mòine, was bottled at around 5 years old. That expression marked the distillery’s first foray into sherry casks—including 6% oloroso and 2% PX—alongside its typical bourbon barrels. This year’s release, Sound of Sleat, is slightly older and eschews sherry in favor of virgin American oak. Another notable young expression from the series is 2023’s Allt Gleann Batch Strength, a 95-point gem that showcased Torabhaig’s Concerto and Laureate malted barley distillate at high proof.

Young Scotch Whiskies to Seek Out

95 points - Octomore (16.3 Edition), 61.6%, $280
Islay • 5 year old • Char, fig, black pepper, and Gala apple

94 points - Ardbeg Wee Beastie, 47.4%, $50
Islay • 5 year old • Brown sugar bacon, smoked salt, pepper, and well-integrated oak

94 points - Ardnahoe Inaugural Release, 50%, $88
Islay • 5 year old • Seaweed, marmalade, sherry trifle, and cinnamon sugar

93 points - Meikle Tòir The Sherry One, 48%, $75
Speyside • 5 year old • Brownie, smoked paprika, maple-coated pecans, and orange

92 points - Holyrood Embra, 43.6%, $100
Lowlands • 5 year old • Sea shells, poached pear, apricot, and vanilla

92 points - Torabhaig The Legacy Series Chapter No. 3: Cnoc Na Mòine, 46%, $65
Isle of Skye • 5 year old • Salty peat smoke, mango, cooked apricots, and whipped cream

90 points - Kilchoman Loch Gruinart, 46%, $55
Islay • 4 year old • Peat smoke, dark chocolate, orange, and lemon meringue pie

90 points - Nc’nean Organic, 46%, $95
Highlands • 3 year old • Stone fruit, lemon sherbet, melon, and sweetened milk