Highland
Highland whisky
The biggest region — and the broadest range of styles.
The Highlands cover the largest area of any Scotch region — everything north of the imaginary line between Greenock and Dundee. With that geographic sweep comes the widest stylistic range in Scotland: no single Highland flavour, but a family of them.
Broadly, expect fuller-bodied, drier malts than Speyside, often with heather-honey sweetness, a little oak spice, and — near the coasts — a maritime or gently smoky edge. The northern Highlands lean rich and waxy; the west can turn peaty; the south and east run lighter and fruitier.
What Highland whisky tastes like
Heather, honey and malt with a firmer, drier body; oak spice, dried fruit, and coastal or lightly smoky notes depending on where the distillery sits.
Where to start
Glenmorangie and Dalmore make excellent introductions; Oban and Clynelish add the coastal, waxy Highland character.
Highland distilleries (30)
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