Drinkers of all things bourbon—perhaps even rye—welcome! This list is here to help you make the leap into the world of Scottish whisky. All whisky is fun; it’s just a matter of finding the styles you enjoy. Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of Speyside whiskies that bourbon lovers might particularly appreciate.
Speyside, a region that follows the River Spey through the Scottish Highlands, is known for producing unpeated, sherry-cask-matured whiskies that are often seen as more approachable. That said, there are always exceptions. This list even includes two peated expressions—so don’t assume all Speyside whiskies are smoke-free. If it’s peated, the label will tell you—always check before you buy!
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
BUY NOW: $40
Here we have a classic style from a distillery that helped shape Speyside’s reputation. The Glenlivet is typically a fruit-driven, sweet, and easy-drinking single malt, with a character largely influenced by ex-bourbon casks. As the age increases, you’ll begin to find more French and sherry oak included in the mix.
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old is one of the best examples of a light, approachable summer dram. It’s usually bottled at 40% ABV—nothing too bold, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want, especially when winding down on a sunny evening. Whether you’re a bourbon fan, a scotch fan, or just a whisky fan in general, this is a staple for any cabinet and a brilliant way to ease into Scottish whisky.
Craigellachie 13 Year Old
BUY NOW: $58
Here’s something that kicks a little harder—but for all the right reasons. Craigellachie only began bottling its own single malts in the last decade; before that, it was a favorite among independent bottlers thanks to its bold character.
This core range expression is one of the most flavor-driven and slightly offbeat styles you’ll find in Speyside. If you enjoy bourbons with a unique twist—think Rabbit Hole or Bardstown—this is one to explore. Craigellachie is one of the few distilleries that uses worm-tub condensers, an old-school distillation method that’s tricky to maintain but prized for preserving robust, complex flavors. The result is a spirit-forward whisky with notes of smoke, salt, and spice—an unforgettable experience. If you’re feeling adventurous, their Bas Armagnac cask finish is an absolute delight.
The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
BUY NOW: $79
Now for something so classically Speyside that it’s becoming increasingly hard to find. The Balvenie’s house style is all about honey, oats, and vanilla sweetness, with some more experimental touches across its range.
The Caribbean Cask is a rum-finished single malt, crafted with rum developed by Balvenie’s former Master Distiller, David Stewart, during a trip to Barbados. That same rum is also used to finish Glenfiddich 21 Year Old. Once the casks are emptied in Barbados, they’re shipped to Dufftown in Speyside, where ex-bourbon-cask-aged Balvenie is finished in them. The result? A dram full of caramel sauce, sweet toffee, Caribbean spice, and wave after wave of vanilla and custard. If you love the sweetness that bourbon delivers, this bottle is calling your name.
Benromach 10 Year Old
BUY NOW: $36
Here’s something that brings back the long-lost smokiness of Speyside. The idea of lighter, fruitier Speyside whiskies is a relatively modern one. A few decades ago, distilleries like Benromach, Benriach, and even The Macallan were happily producing peated whisky—and it’s made a quiet comeback in recent years. One of the leading voices in this revival is Benromach.
With a lower peat level than its Islay or Island cousins—barely into double digits on the PPM scale—Benromach focuses on balance. Its 10 Year Old highlights beautifully integrated cask influence alongside subtle, smoky spirit character. It manages to engage every part of your palate, combining sweetness with a neoclassical Speyside smokiness. For fans of distinctive, smaller distillery styles, Benromach 10 is a standout with well-earned critical acclaim.
Benrinnes 15 Year Old
BUY NOW: $62
This is a double-sided recommendation. The bottle in the title is a great example of sherry-focused Speyside whisky. Benrinnes, owned by Johnnie Walker, is rarely available as an official single malt, making this one of only a handful of distillery bottlings ever released. It reflects the house style: easy-drinking, sherry-led, and a key component in crafting the world’s best-selling blended scotch whisky.
The other side of the recommendation is to explore independent bottlings of Benrinnes. These are typically aged in refill bourbon or refill hogshead casks, which really let the distillery’s lighter, more approachable spirit shine through. Expect notes of green apple, powdered sugar, and almond—a delicious and versatile single malt that performs beautifully across a variety of cask types.
