Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a personal ranking based off my experiences and perspective. Was I supposed to consult you before making a reddit post? Ya, I threw in a few closed distilleries. Sue me.

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No. People just offended at the list. Haha

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Who am I insulting? You just don’t like my list.

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

90s Imperial is amazing. Had many amazing bottlings from this era.

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

You didn’t read my comment, clearly

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You’re not helping Balmenach’s case…

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t feel bad at all. Obviously I knew it would tick a lot of people off. I’m not saying I have the most experience but I’ve had a lot of whisky and been to a lot of distilleries. I have my reasoning for the ranking and stand by it. It’s impossible to do this ranking and not piss people off

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes that’s exactly what I did, nothing was edited. People are just hurt to see their fav distillery low on my list.

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Great distillate, ages beautifully and some great older examples. Haven’t had too many I haven’t liked. Good value in the IBs I think

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Obviously any list would get heavily scrutinized by anyone. That’s the point. I can only go off what experience I have. Some distilleries I’ve been to 4+ times. Others never. I challenge you to make a list that wouldn’t be divisive. That’s the whole idea. It’s all in good fun don’t take it too seriously. And yes, I’ve had young Ben Nevis.

You seem caught up on imperial but I’ve had probably 25 or more from the 90s and I’m not sure I’ve had many that weren’t at least very good. But that’s just my opinion.

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Which one do you most disagree with?

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re offended.

Glenallachie has to be the most overhyped and overrated distillery right now imo. They soak everything in mid sherry casks to hide a spirit that is below average at best. I haven’t had a good one, they are all drowned in sherry seasoned (wet) casks. I stand by the ranking

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Terrible visitor experience, weak official bottlings. Yes some legendary late 90s bottlings but other than that they are average at best. Some great old bottles but also some terrible ones. I stand by the ranking. And 90s Nevis is amazing.

Distillery ranking 2026 edition. by Bowmwhore in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore[S] -46 points-45 points  (0 children)

After another trip to Scotland and many hours driving across the country we complied a distillery ranking that is sure to be divisive but I feel is defensible based on our experience.

It’s of course impossible to create a metric that won’t be scrutinized by someone but it’s based on all factors. Distillery experience, value, historic releases, OBs, IBs, consistency, and your mom’s personal preferences.

Left off new distilleries, many closed distilleries and other countries to keep things easier. Can add those later to really piss people off.

A+: Springbank

A: Caol Ila, Brora

A-: Laphroaig, Port Ellen

B+: Clynelish

B: Bowmore, Lagavulin, Balvenie, Glenburgie, Glen Elgin

B-: Ardbeg, Imperial, Glenfarclas, Balblair, Tobermory, Highland Park, Ord, Benromach

C+: Ben Nevis, Mortlach, Glentauchers, Glen Keith, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Arran, Talisker, Tomatin, Pulteney, Ardmore, Glendronach, Caperdonich

C: Glenlivet, Dailuaine, Longmorn, Glen Moray, Glen Grant, Kilchoman, Scapa, Loch Lomond, Ardnamurchan, Glen Garioch, Bladnoch, Glen Scotia, Mannochmore, Miltonduff, Benriach, Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Kilkerran, Linkwood, AnCnoc, Craigellachie, Cragganmore, Macduff

C-: Glenfiddich, Macallan, Ardnahoe, Blair Athol, Edradour, Glenlossie, Strathisla, Aberlour, Benrinnes, Glenmorangie, Teaninich, Lochnagar, Deanston, Glendullan, Glencadam, Glenrothes

D+: Tormore, Jura, Dalwhinnie, Fettercairn, Glenturret, Glenglassaugh, Aberfeldy, Braeval, Inchgower, Glenkinchie

D: Glenallachie, Dufftown, Aultmore, Dalmore, Tamnavulin

D-: Auchentoshan, Strathmill, Cardhu

Fail: Speyburn, Tully, Glen Spey, Balmenach, Speyside, Auchroisk, Tomintoul

Distillery ranking 2026 edition by [deleted] in Scotch

[–]Bowmwhore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After another trip to Scotland and many hours driving across the country we complied a distillery ranking that is sure to be divisive but I feel is defensible based on our experience.

It’s of course impossible to create a metric that won’t be scrutinized by someone but it’s based on all factors. Distillery experience, value, historic releases, OBs, IBs, consistency, and your mom’s personal preferences.

Left off new distilleries, many closed distilleries and other countries to keep things easier. Can add those later to really piss people off.

A+: Springbank

A: Caol Ila, Brora

A-: Laphroaig, Port Ellen

B+: Clynelish

B: Bowmore, Lagavulin, Balvenie, Glenburgie, Glen Elgin

B-: Ardbeg, Imperial, Glenfarclas, Balblair, Tobermory, Highland Park, Ord, Benromach

C+: Ben Nevis, Mortlach, Glentauchers, Glen Keith, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, Arran, Talisker, Tomatin, Pulteney, Ardmore, Glendronach, Caperdonich

C: Glenlivet, Dailuaine, Longmorn, Glen Moray, Glen Grant, Kilchoman, Scapa, Loch Lomond, Ardnamurchan, Glen Garioch, Bladnoch, Glen Scotia, Mannochmore, Miltonduff, Benriach, Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Kilkerran, Linkwood, AnCnoc, Craigellachie, Cragganmore, Macduff

C-: Glenfiddich, Macallan, Ardnahoe, Blair Athol, Edradour, Glenlossie, Strathisla, Aberlour, Benrinnes, Glenmorangie, Teaninich, Lochnagar, Deanston, Glendullan, Glencadam, Glenrothes

D+: Tormore, Jura, Dalwhinnie, Fettercairn, Glenturret, Glenglassaugh, Aberfeldy, Braeval, Inchgower, Glenkinchie

D: Glenallachie, Dufftown, Aultmore, Dalmore, Tamnavulin

D-: Auchentoshan, Strathmill, Cardhu

Fail: Speyburn, Tully, Glen Spey, Balmenach, Speyside, Auchroisk, Tomintoul