What Is the Best Scotch for a Bourbon Drinker? Top 3 Scottish Whiskies Bourbon Lovers Will Adore

As far as the whiskey world goes, drinkers of brown spirits tend to fall into two distinct camps. You have your whiskey people with an “e” and whisky people with a “y.” More specifically, you’ve got your scotch drinkers and your bourbon drinkers — never the twain shall meet.

It can seem like an impossible task to convince a bourbon lover to dip a toe into the scotch whisky pool and vice versa. Yet, change is a good thing, and the world of scotch whisky is definitely worth exploring.

In a recent video on the Whiskey Raiders YouTube channel, new Whiskey Raiders personality and scotch expert Dani Malka breaks down three scotch whiskies that every bourbon lover should try.

If you or anybody in your life is a bourbon lover who’s having difficulty getting into scotch, these three bottles are excellent scotches that will convince even the most diehard bourbon fan there’s something special about scotch.

Let’s break down the list:

3. Edradour 10 Year Old Distillery Edition

If you find yourself drawn to the dessert-driven flavors of bourbon, consider picking up a bottle from this sleeper whisky brand in the Scottish Highlands, Edradour. Edradour dates back to 1825 and this indie scotch distillery still uses traditional techniques as a part of its production process, including worm tubs.

Edradour 10 Year Old Distillery Edition was matured in a mixture of Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks, which should appeal to bourbon drinkers.

As Malka put it in the video, “If you’re a bourbon lover, there’s going to be a little taste of home in there.”

A classic example of a sherried scotch, this mellow dram hosts a modest ABV of 40% and a relatively affordable price of £42.95 ($54).

The nose on this pour is heavily influenced by the Oloroso casks and conjures up images of Christmas morning with plenty of spices. On the palate, picture plenty of dessert-driven aromas of toffee, honey and vanilla. The finish of this dangerously drinkable scotch has beautifully integrated spice throughout and lingers on and on, making this the quintessential introductory scotch for any bourbon lover with a sweet tooth.

2. Deanston 12 Year Old

Deanston is a distillery based out of an old cotton mill within the Scottish Highlands. Deanston is known for particularly “waxy” whiskies, according to Malka.

This 12-year-old scotch was finished exclusively in ex-bourbon casks and can be picked up for a modest price of $47 from the brand’s website. Deanston 12 Year Old is a light and refreshing scotch, perfect for warm weather sipping.

The nose bursts forth with cinnamon and vanilla, and it hosts an ABV of 46%. This whisky is floral and ethereal, with plenty of orchard fruit flavors that make it the quintessential summertime barbecue whisky. Deanston’s 12-year-old scotch has a waxy texture that gives it plenty of grip, right down to the finish.

1. Highland Park Viking Heart 15 Years Old

This offering from Orkney-based Highland Park is a bit more of a splurge, with a suggested retail price of $110. Highland Park Viking Heart stands out from the rest of the scotches selected by Malka due to its slightly smokier profile — but rest assured, bourbon drinkers: The smoke is mild.

Highland Park Viking Heart 15 Years Old is aged in a mixture of sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks. It hosts an ABV of 44%.

On the nose, there’s a beautiful balance of coastal sea spray, vanilla and wafts of caramel. The palate is pleasantly smoky but mellowed out by the sherried sweetness. Malka refers to this whisky as the quintessential food-pairing scotch and recommends pairing it with barbecue or your favorite dessert.

Highland Park Viking Heart 15 Years Old is perfect for those who favor richer, more robust bourbon and maybe enjoy the occasional glass of rye from time to time.

If you want to watch the full video where Dani shares her thoughts on these scotches, you can view it below: