A postcard-perfect region between Inverness and Aberdeen is home to half of Scotland’s finest distilleries. Whiskies from here are fruity and nutty — their deliciousness translating to wild popularity and a sea of bottles populating the aisles of alcohol stores. Naturally, picking the perfect one for your next on-the-rocks ritual could become an exercise in exhaustion. We recommend taking cues from the cosmos with this breezy guide to the best Speyside single malts for each zodiac sign.
In Scotland, over 50 popular distilleries are peppered across breathtaking verdant hills surrounding the pristine Spey River. The region’s dry climate, mineral-rich water, and quality barley lead to the production of the most smooth, soft, and fruit-forward whiskies — single malt to blends, breezy and grassy to rich and sweet. This is courtesy of being aged in sherry casks. Some of the best brands in the business — Macallan, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and Aberlour — fall within this category of usquebaugh. Needless to say, there’s nary an alcohol store around the world that doesn’t have a Speyside bottle on offer.
A quick peek will reveal labels displaying varying age statements, production techniques, and prices — each promising a unique on-the-rocks experience. Needless to say, zeroing in on the perfect, most investment-worthy option involves plenty of trial and error. To save time, however, we recommend looking at the stars. Considering our astrological identities determine our most dominant traits — which in turn influences our choices in clothes, food, or even partners — they might just be able to point to a bottle that’s got the potential to be a go-to. Here’s a look at the best Speyside single malts for each zodiac sign.
Best single malts from Speyside Scotland for each zodiac sign
Aries: The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old
Those born under this bold fire sign would enjoy a Speyside single malt that mirrors their warmth and spunk. The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old fits the bill. Aged in American and European sherry-seasoned oak casks, every sip of this amber sings with hints of ginger, cloves, oak spice, and nutmeg — giving it the kind of spicy character that’s reminiscent of Aries’ personality. There are also notes of caramel, raisins, toffee, vanilla, and orange to discover. The finish, meanwhile, is long and luxurious. This whiskey is an award-winning one, bagging titles at several prestigious events. If that doesn’t make it desirable to this competitive fire sign we don’t know what will.
Price: INR 74,000 approx.
Taurus: Glenfiddich 18 Years
Those born under this dependable zodiac sign would be drawn to practical, timeless, elegant whiskies. Enter, Glenfiddich 18 Years. Home to some of the world’s best-selling Speyside single malts — every bottle from this distillery is underlined by careful production techniques and a long history of resilience during Prohibition. These are signs of quality and endurance that this methodical and persevering earth sign would appreciate. Every sip sings with notes of dates, oak, candied peel, and dried fruit. On the nose are hints of baked apple, with the finish being warm. An opulent choice that luxurious Taurus would find worth the investment.
Price: INR 14,500 approx.
Gemini: Glen Grant 10 Year Old
Free-spirited and social Geminis would enjoy a whisky that’s as elegant and popular as them. The best-selling Glen Grant 10-Year-Old — from a famous Scottish distillery — checks all of these boxes and more. Aged in Bourbon barrels, this Speyside single malt pours a bright golden. Every sip sings with notes of pear and vanilla. The finish is complex and satisfying, with a soft, creamy mouthfeel. This amber is gentle and approachable — qualities most associated with this air sign.
Price: INR 6,000 approx.
Cancer: Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice
As the biggest comfort-seekers of the zodiac, the emotional and nurturing Cancers would enjoy a single malt that makes them feel right at home. Enter, the warm and indulgent Longmorn The Distiller’s Choice. Aged in a combination of bourbon barrels, hogsheads, and sherry casks — this layered Speyside number sings with notes of ginger, toffee, milk chocolate, caramel, and pear. Sweet and elegant — just like this water sign — this Speyside single malt is as smooth as they come.
Price: INR 12,000 approx.
Leo: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
As the royalty of the cosmic jungle, nothing less than the best, most opulent whiskies would do for Leos. Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old — with the tagline ‘When you’re at the top, the only competition is yourself.’ — is the perfect choice. Hailing from a distillery that’s known for some of the world’s best-selling Speyside single malts — this 12-year-old expression is aged in Spanish sherry, American bourbon, and oak barrels. This combined with a high-cut distillation technique lends the amber a bright fruity character. Every sip of the golden number is reminiscent of pear, fresh fruit, creamy butterscotch, and oak. The finish, meanwhile, is long. This one’s quite rich — an adjective most associated with this fire sign.
Price: INR 7,000 approx.
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Virgo: Glenlivet 15 Year Old
The hard-working and grounded Virgos would appreciate a quality, dependable whisky that appeases their need for perfection. Enter, Glenlivet 15 Years Old. The distillery is home to some of the world’s oldest single malt Scotches. As such, its bottles come highly recommended by connoisseurs — including the 15-year-old expression. Aged in Limousin French Oak — often used for cognacs — the production process of this amber is closely monitored and controlled to arrive at a delicate, delightful spiciness. Every sip offers notes of almonds and fruits as well. This one’s complex and layered — qualities often associated with this sharp earth sign.
Price: INR 8,000 approx.
Libra: Aberlour 12-Year-Old Double Cask Matured
The sophisticated and charming Libras seek harmony in every aspect of their lives. As such, they’d be drawn to the well-balanced Arbelour 12-Year-Old. Marked by a double-cask maturation — sherry and bourbon — this Speyside single malt pours gold. Every sip sings with notes of milk chocolate and brown sugar. This one’s known to be sweet, soft, and popular — qualities most associated with this air sign.
Price: INR 7,000 approx.
Scorpio: Craigellachie Speyside 17 Years
Bold and passionate Scorpios would find their ‘bad boy’ reputation mirrored in the rebellious spirit of Craigellachie Speyside 17 Years. Unlike most other Speyside numbers, this expression is rich and robust. Aged in a rare blend of casks, this amber is smooth and mellow with notes of pineapple, vanilla, and smoky liquorice. The brand positions this amber as unapologetic — a quality often associated with this water sign.
Price: INR 17,000 approx.
Sagittarius: Benromach 10 Years
The free-spirited and fun-loving Sagittarius would find a kindred spirit in Benromach 10 Years — which is as popular as them. Matured in the finest of oaks, this Speyside number pours a golden amber. On the nose are hints of green apple, pear, dark honey, and soft vanilla. Every sip, meanwhile, offers notes of warm toffee, cherry, and malted cereal. The finish is full-bodied. The brand believes in making whisky that has genuine character — a little detail that the straightforward fire sign would relate to and appreciate.
Price: INR 14,000 approx.
Capricorn: The Macallan Harmony Collection Smooth Arabica
The hardworking, luxury-loving Capricorns would enjoy a single malt that’s high-quality and timeless. Just like Macallan Harmony Collection Smooth Arabica — which comes from one of the most reputable names in the whisky business. A celebration of Ethiopian Arabica coffee beans — this one’s created to be paired with a cup of ‘Joe. An ideal combination for this hustler of an earth sign who’d need to fuel up to keep working through the day. Every sip sings with notes of cherries, walnuts, vanilla, toffee, raisins, and gently spiced Americano. The finish, meanwhile, is soft and creamy. This aside, the coffee-alcohol combination is akin to Capricorn’s ‘work hard, play hard’ motto.
Price: INR 16,000 approx.
Aquarius: Glenallachie Speyside 12 Year
Those born under the rebellious and progressive sign of Aquarius would be drawn to Glenallachie Speyside’s approach of going ‘against the grain.’ The young, independent distillery moves away from all things corporate to focus on good whisky. The 12-year expression is at the heart of it all. It pours deep mahogany and offers notes of heather honey, butterscotch, raisins, mocha, and cinnamon on the nose. Every sip, meanwhile, sings with damsons, dark chocolate, figs, dates, and orange zest. This one’s popular amongst connoisseurs — a little detail that this conversationalist of a zodiac sign would enjoy dropping into interactions.
Price: INR 13,000 approx.
Pisces: Aultmore 12 Years
Those born under the sensitive and whimsical sign of Pisces — represented by fishes — would enjoy the sweet, refreshing experience of Aultmore 12 Years. This whisky has been a favourite of local fishermen in the region for over 100 years. Clean and smooth, every sip offers notes of rosemary, thyme, apple, pears, vanilla, and grass. The finish, meanwhile, is long and aromatic floral. This one’s uncomplicated, delicate, and ethereal — all adjectives commonly associated with this dreamy water sign.
Price: INR 9,000 approx.
Cheers!
This story first appeared here.
(All images: Courtesy Shutterstock/Brands)
Related: Smooth Single Malts To Add To Your Whisky Collection, Based On Your Zodiac Sign
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What type of whisky is Speyside?
Speyside whisky is best understood as a Scotch that’s been produced in the Speyside region of Scotland. Popular brands are The Macallan, Glenlivet, and Glenfiddich.
2. What does Speyside single malt taste like?
Speyside whisky — single malt or blend — is typically fruity, with notes of apples, vanilla, honey, and spices. This is courtesy of the sherry casks that are used for ageing.
3. Is Glenfiddich Speyside or Highland?
Glenfiddich is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Dufftown, Moray.
