10 Top-Rated Single-Malt Whiskeys That Aren’t Scotch

This single-malt whiskey is matured for two years in barrels that previously held red wine. The end result is a bright topaz hue and relatively sweet, slightly fruity aroma. The palate opens oaky and drying, showing a rounded cherry note on the midpalate and finishing with soft brushes of vanilla and baking spice. Adding water brings out an unexpected espresso note. —Kara Newman

This English single malt is matured in casks seasoned with dry oloroso and sweet PX sherries. The result is brown sugar and marzipan aromas. The palate only fleetingly echoes that sweetness, leading into sandalwood and cedar, finishing with piquant lemon and ginger and cayenne heat. Mix into Penicillins, you’ve got a head start here. Top 100 Spirits 2022 —K.N.

This golden single malt was finished in French oak barrels that previously held Sauternes, red Burgundy and Sherry. The aroma evokes honey and light smoke. The palate opens with lemon and grapefruit peel zing, evolving into honey and smoke. A long and mouthwatering pepper note marks the finish. —K.N.

The mild, grassy aroma has a tinge of green apple. Meanwhile, the palate leads with brown sugar and caramel. A splash of water pulls a deep-toasted grain note forward, finishing with bitter espresso plus cardamom and black pepper heat. A bit of apple-y freshness returns on the complex exhale. —K.N.

This Italian whiskey aged for five years, including in casks that previously held Marsala, Italy’s fortified wine. The end result is an amber hue and raisin aroma, and a sip that fleetingly channels another Italian staple: Luxardo cherries. Especially with a splash of water, dried cherry, prunes in syrup and sticky marmalade slide into long cocoa and dried fig finish. Mix into Manhattans. —K.N.

From Hokkaido’s Akkeshi Distillery, this lightly peated whiskey has a golden hue and mild, toasty aromas of almond and vanilla. The fiery palate opens with citrusy zing and a puff of smoke, fading into a long espresso and vanilla fade. Adding water coaxes more smoke and vanilla forward, and softens the alcohol heat. —K.N.

Look for a pale straw hue and fresh flower and citrus aromas. The palate opens fruity and mild, with a light, faintly effervescent texture. Lemon mousse and pineapple sweetness are layered with hints of chestnut and vanilla. —K.N.

Aged for 4 years in casks that formerly held Pedro Ximenez sherry. Vanilla and a waft of peat smoke perfume the nose. The palate opens with vanilla and a modest billow of sweet smoke, exiting long and mouthwatering with hints of anise, black licorice, dark chocolate and black pepper, plus a lemony hint. —K.N.

Look for a light gold hue and bright, enticing pineapple, pear and vanilla aromas. The palate echoes those fruit tones, wrapped in a veil of peat smoke, finishing mouthwatering, lively and bright. This American single malt is finished in various sherry, brandy, rum and wine casks, “meticulously married and matured,” the producer says. Top 100 Spirits 2022 —K.N.