Continually floating around is the notion that the more expensive a single malt Scotch whisky the better it tastes (and similarly that enjoyment increases directly with the age of the Scotch whisky). If you are just starting to dip a toe in the single malt waters, spending a lot of money on the great unknown is not necessarily a good first move. Even for seasoned Scotch whisky lovers, picking your spots financially has its benefits; among them, exploring flavor profiles outside of your wheelhouse without a hint of buyer’s remorse.
While demand for single malt whisky has materially increased in recent years, you don't necessarily have to turn to blended Scotch; there are still a lot of fun and interesting single malt whiskies available at reasonable prices. Likewise, there are a number of gems which, while a higher price point, more than deliver. With all of this in mind, we reached out to the experts to hear what they think are the best single malt Scotches for the money and which distilleries consistently offer the best value.