30 Year Old Scotch: Rare But Findable Gems

Thirty year old scotch is becoming increasingly scarce and pricey, but we’ve rounded up 15 selections with quality levels that range from very good to exceptional. Few distilleries have sufficient stock to release a 30 year old, so if you’re talking 30, note that these bottles won’t be found on the shelves of every liquor store in the land. But these complex decades-old scotches are available from all whisky regions, and the supply is bolstered by releases from independent bottlers. Lowland releases tend to be extremely rare—count yourself lucky if you can locate one of the last bottles of Littlemill or Rosebank distilled during the 20th century. The prices range from expensive to very expensive, of course, but here’s hoping that you can find one of these 30 year old gems; if not a bottle, then at least a pour at a great whisky bar.

96 points Macallan 30 year old Sherry Oak (2021 Release), 43%, $4,750Spanish oak casks raised from air-seasoned timber were toasted and seasoned with oloroso sherry for two years in Jerez before being filled with Macallan for this spectacular expression.Oily, with citrus peel, honey, chocolate, seasoned oak, and nougat

96 points Springbank 30 year old, 46%, $2,600 The first 30 year old from Springbank since the millennium, this exciting new release was distilled two and a half times, and drawn from six bourbon and sherry casks matured in their dunnage warehouse in Campbeltown. (1,400 bottles worldwide)Golden pear, vanilla, crystallized honey, earthiness, aniseed, and salinity

95 points Benriach The Thirty, 46%, $740Benriach master blender Rachel Barrie created this peated expression, mellowed over time, from sherry, bourbon, virgin oak, and port casks, producing a dazzling array of moreish flavors.Peat char, dried fig, baked apple, cooked berries, dark chocolate, and espresso bean

95 points Glengoyne 30 year old, 46.8%, $1,500 Thirty long years in Glengoyne’s sherry casks adds deep color to this malt whisky, with dark fruit and heavenly chocolate flavors delivering a satisfying and contemplative dram.Chocolate brownie, black tea, singed oak, black cherry, gingersnap, and soft oakiness

95 points Macallan 30 year old Double Cask (2021 Release), 43%, $4,250 This one showcases the best of Macallan’s sherry- seasoned casks, made from slow-growth oak from northern Spain and American oak from Ohio, Kentucky, and Missouri. No bourbon casks in the mix; this is 100% sherry oak.Honey, citrus, nutty creaminess, red apple, and vanilla sponge

94 points Balvenie 30 year old, 44.2%, $2,400 As part of Balvenie’s Rare Marriages series, this golden whisky was matured in traditional whisky casks then European oak, malt master David Stewart’s process of using two distinct cask types in succession.Heather honey, milk chocolate, dried orange, plum, black grape, and nutmeg

94 points Glenfiddich 30 year old, 43%, $700 Glenfiddich malt master Brian Kinsman brings together mature stocks from Spanish oloroso and bourbon casks to create this elegant whisky that revels in layers of honey and fruit, with a heart of oak.Honey, apple pastry, pressed flowers, vanilla, dried fruits, and polished oak

93 points Dalmore 30 year old (2021 Release), 42.8%, $5,500A rich, indulgent dram, this started life in bourbon casks before master blender Richard Paterson finished it in port pipes that previously held Graham’s 30 year old tawny port.Treacle tart, baked orange, Luxardo cherry syrup, baked plum, nuttiness, and black grape

93 points Loch Lomond 30 year old, 47%, $800Master blender Michael Henry finished half of this fruity, unpeated Highland whisky in first-fill oloroso sherry casks, leaving the remainder in bourbon barrels. Produced in the distillery’s signature straight-necked pot stills.Cinnamon, toffee, ginger, baked orange, nutmeg, and chocolate biscuits

93 points Talisker 30 year old, 48.5%, $1,000One of the best-known 30 year old whiskies; this was distilled on the Isle of Skye, aged in refill casks, and then bottled at cask strength in individually numbered bottles. (3,200 bottles annually, with 498 bottles for the U.S.)Seaweed, smoke, creamy oak, almond milk, stone fruit, and white pepper

93 points Tomintoul 30 year old Robert Fleming 30th Anniversary 2nd Edition, 51.1%, $950This spent 29 years in bourbon barrels before a 1-year finish in an antique Pedro Ximénez sherry butt. (700 bottles worldwide, 100 for the U.S.)Pear, apple, citrus, spice, grapefruit, toffee, honey, marzipan, mint, pepper, and clove

92 points Bowmore 30 year old (2021 Release), 45.3%, $2,500A rolling release from the distillery located on the shore of Loch Indaal, this subtly peaty whisky is drawn from sherry hogsheads and bourbon barrels. Bowmore is among a handful of Islay distilleries that produce peated malt on-site.Orange peel, black tea, incense, light peat, chocolate éclair, and cigar ash

92 points Tomintoul 30 year old Robert Fleming 30th Anniversary 3rd Edition Single Cask, 52.7%, $950This final bottling in the trilogy is an astonishing single cask aged in an American oak bourbon barrel. (240 bottles; U.S. exclusive)Lemon, lime, ginger loaf, wood spices, banana custard, vanilla, toffee, baked apple, and oak shavings

91 points Glenfarclas 30 year old, 43%, $1,000 Glenfarclas is famed for aged stocks and a hard-to-match core range of age-statement whiskies. This 30 year old is packaged behind a pair of red doors, replicated in tribute to the red doors of the Glenfarclas warehouses.Flamed orange peel, baking spice, mango, marzipan fruits, nuts, and oak char

90 points Mortlach Midnight Malt 30 year old, 49.1%, $5,000Finished in Bordeaux wine, calvados, and Guatemalan rum casks, this bold, complex Speyside whisky was distilled 2.81 times in Mortlach’s perplexing distilling regime and married in custom quarter casks. (Annual release of 350 bottles)Baked apple, dark rum, cocoa powder, apple cobbler, fig jam, and clove