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Region and Category
Indicates the region where distillation takes place.
Price
Prices
The average retail cost per bottle.
Bottle Availability
This is the general availability within the United States, to estimate availability we search common online and in shop retailers to judge the commonality of each bottle. If a bottle is available in major retail chains it is considered common, if it is only available in a few retail chains it is considered uncommon, and if it is a regional or limited release bottle it is considered rare.
Whiskey/Whisky
Tasting Notes
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Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a worldwide standard used to measure how much alcohol is in an alcoholic beverage.
Years Aged
The number of years the whiskey was distilled in its cask before being bottled.
Distillery
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Sources:
Manufacturer Website, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, International Wine & Spirit Competition, Beverage Testing Institute, LA Whiskey Society, and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Show details
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How to Choose Whiskey
Whiskey is a drink made by distilling grains and aging the resulting alcohol in oak casks. It can be spelled as 'whiskey' or 'whisky,' depending on the region (and sometimes the bottle), although this is the general rule: American and Irish spirits include the 'e,' while Scottish, Canadian, and Japanese spirits do not. But spelling aside, whiskey is a popular alcoholic beverage distilled and enjoyed around the world. Despite its popularity, however, the world of whiskey is a complex maze of grains, flavors, and distillation processes. There is a lot of confusion about whiskey and the various styles of whiskeys, but it can be helpful to think of 'whiskey' as a broad term, similar to the word 'beer.' While there are different types of beer (such as ales and lagers), whiskey also encompasses various styles that range from bourbon to rye to Canadian to Scotch. Therefore, there are many things to consider when buying whiskey, from the taste and age to the actual variety or the region, so it’s worth knowing the basics of buying whiskey before you select the right one for you. With hundreds of whiskeys to choose from, use the following factors to help narrow down your options:
- Region: It is important to note the region where distillation took place, as that will affect the taste and strength of the whiskey. For instance, Irish whiskeys tend to be smooth and fruity, while Scotch whiskies are renowned for their bold smokey flavor. Explore your options and discover which whiskeys you prefer.
- Category: You should also determine the type of whiskey you want to try. If you've never had whiskey before, you may want to go with a blended whiskey because the harsher tones are dampened by the fusion of various whiskeys. Those craving a richer palate, however, might enjoy Scotch whisky (like a classic single malt, for instance) or an American whiskey (such as a corn-based bourbon).
- Price: While it may seem that the price would indicate the quality of a whiskey, in reality, an expensive whiskey is not always better than a cheaper option. Look at the expert ratings and find a top-notch whiskey within your budget.
Whether you're a first-time buyer trying to find an affordable high-quality bottle, or an avid whiskey drinker looking to find a new favorite, our database provides plenty of options for you. Use the filters to further refine your search by tasting notes, age, and distillery.
Smart Rating
The Smart Rating is a weighted average of four whiskey-rating sources: the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (we have information going back to the start of the competition in 2000), the Beverage Testing Institute, the LA Whiskey Society, and Wine Enthusiast's Magazine.
Range across all Whiskey
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Region
Indicates the region where distillation takes place.
The chart above displays the percentage breakdown of region across all Whiskey on UnderTheLabel.
Category
The specific type of whiskey. Here are the various ones you can choose from:
Blended whiskeys may be a good option for first-timers, as the strong tastes have been subdued by the mixing of several different whiskeys.
Bourbons are made from a mixture of grain that must be at least 51% corn. Additionally, bourbon should be aged in new, charred-oak barrels. A well-aged bourbon will be slightly tangy with hints of dried fruit, vanilla, and toffee.
Campbeltown is a type of single malt Scotch whisky that is known to be dry and pungent. These malts also tend to contain hints of seaweed and fruit.
Corn-based whiskeys are similar to American bourbons, but they tend to be sweet and spicy.
Grain whiskeys are distilled from one or more of the following: corn, rye, and barley. Although these whiskeys are cheaper to produce, they have less complexity than other whiskeys.
Highland single malt Scotch whiskies are full bodied and tend to be fruity and spicy.
Island whiskies are produced by a small clump of Scottish islands. The single malt whiskies from this area are extremely varied, but many tend to be slightly salty with smokey accents.
Islay whiskies originate off the west coast of Scotland. The single malt Scotch whiskies of the Islay region are renowned for their smokey characteristics derived from peat.
Lowlands single malt Scotch whiskies are triple distilled, making them light whiskies with a delicate floral flavor.
Pure Pot Still refers to a mix of barley, malted or unmalted, distilled in a pot still. This is a style unique to Ireland, producing the spicy freshness that some Irish whiskey is known for.
Rye whiskeys are named in reference to their base ingredient. They tend to be smooth with a bold spicy flavor.
Single malt whiskeys usually have a more distinct taste, as they are not blended with any other whiskeys. They are therefore often a bit bolder on the palate.
Speyside whiskies tend to be lighter and sweeter than other single malt Scotch whiskies.
Tennessee whiskeys are slightly tangy and very smooth, differing only slightly from bourbons. Only two brands produce Tennessee whiskey: George Dickel and, of course, Jack Daniels.
Un-aged whiskeys aren't as complex and rich as aged whiskeys, but they'll give you a sample of what whiskey in the U.S. tasted like hundreds of years ago. This type of whiskey is also known as American White Dog Whiskey or Moonshine.
Blended whiskeys may be a good option for first-timers, as the strong tastes have been subdued by the mixing of several different whiskeys.
Bourbons are made from a mixture of grain that must be at least 51% corn. Additionally, bourbon should be aged in new, charred-oak barrels. A well-aged bourbon will be slightly tangy with hints of dried fruit, vanilla, and toffee.
Campbeltown is a type of single malt Scotch whisky that is known to be dry and pungent. These malts also tend to contain hints of seaweed and fruit.
Corn-based whiskeys are similar to American bourbons, but they tend to be sweet and spicy.
Grain whiskeys are distilled from one or more of the following: corn, rye, and barley. Although these whiskeys are cheaper to produce, they have less complexity than other whiskeys.
Highland single malt Scotch whiskies are full bodied and tend to be fruity and spicy.
Island whiskies are produced by a small clump of Scottish islands. The single malt whiskies from this area are extremely varied, but many tend to be slightly salty with smokey accents.
Islay whiskies originate off the west coast of Scotland. The single malt Scotch whiskies of the Islay region are renowned for their smokey characteristics derived from peat.
Lowlands single malt Scotch whiskies are triple distilled, making them light whiskies with a delicate floral flavor.
Pure Pot Still refers to a mix of barley, malted or unmalted, distilled in a pot still. This is a style unique to Ireland, producing the spicy freshness that some Irish whiskey is known for.
Rye whiskeys are named in reference to their base ingredient. They tend to be smooth with a bold spicy flavor.
Single malt whiskeys usually have a more distinct taste, as they are not blended with any other whiskeys. They are therefore often a bit bolder on the palate.
Speyside whiskies tend to be lighter and sweeter than other single malt Scotch whiskies.
Tennessee whiskeys are slightly tangy and very smooth, differing only slightly from bourbons. Only two brands produce Tennessee whiskey: George Dickel and, of course, Jack Daniels.
Un-aged whiskeys aren't as complex and rich as aged whiskeys, but they'll give you a sample of what whiskey in the U.S. tasted like hundreds of years ago. This type of whiskey is also known as American White Dog Whiskey or Moonshine.
Approximate Price
The average retail cost per bottle. Use price as an indication of whether or not you can afford a whiskey and less as a mark of actual quality. Better whiskeys are usually priced higher, but keep in mind that there are low-priced gems as well as high-priced duds.
Range across all Whiskey
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Average
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Age
The number of years the whiskey was distilled in its cask before being bottled. Whiskeys that have aged longer are, for the most part, considered to be higher in quality and are generally more expensive, although there are plenty of exceptions.
Distribution of Age
What to Watch for in Whiskey
Price does not equal quality. Some bottles are priced exorbitantly high simply because they are rare, old, or exotic, regardless of whether they taste good.
Old age doesn't necessarily mean top quality. Ensure you look over the expert scores before dropping $300 on a bottle.
Try something that's not a big-name brand. There are many types of whiskeys beyond the popular, mass-produced offerings at the convenience store. Explore your options and find one within your budget.
Old age doesn't necessarily mean top quality. Ensure you look over the expert scores before dropping $300 on a bottle.
Try something that's not a big-name brand. There are many types of whiskeys beyond the popular, mass-produced offerings at the convenience store. Explore your options and find one within your budget.
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch 
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch 
Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky 
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Scotch 
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch Whisky 
Johnnie Walker Platinum Label
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