With Christmas just around the corner, what better time to explore whiskies that are enjoyable, approachable, and easy on the wallet?
When I say “affordable,” I mean whiskies you can find in most countries, that you can happily sip neat — but won’t feel the need to guard from Uncle Garry if he decides to mix it with Coke.
Last year, my price ceiling for this list was $75. This year, thanks to inflation, it’s $80. Let’s dive in.
Spey River Bourbon Cask Finish – Scotland
The budget pick of this budget list. Spey River’s whole range offers solid bang for your buck, and the Bourbon Cask Finish is no exception.
This single malt from Speyside is matured in American oak casks and finished in first-fill bourbon barrels. It’s a non-age-statement whisky bottled at 40% ABV. While it’s not stated on the label, you can expect it’s chill-filtered with added colour.
Flavour: Malty cereal, cooked fruit, vanilla, almonds, and oak — classic bourbon cask notes. The finish is short, so this is less a dram for deep contemplation and more for relaxed, social sipping.
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old – Scotland
No affordable list would be complete without a classic, and Glenfiddich 12 is one of the world’s best-selling single malts for good reason. The flagship Speyside expression has been around for over half a century.
A marriage of whisky from bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, bottled at 40% ABV, it’s designed to please a wide audience.
Flavour: Honeydew, pear, butterscotch, and subtle oak. Approachable for newcomers, enjoyable for regular single malt drinkers. Refreshing over ice and adaptable for cocktails.
💰 $75–$80 in Australia, widely available.
Glendalough Double Barrel – Ireland
Irish whiskey has been making a strong comeback, and Glendalough is one of the newer distilleries leading the charge. Established in 2011, they’ve built a solid range, and the Double Barrel is a standout.
A non-age-statement “single grain” (in Irish terms) that’s actually made from 100% malted barley — in other words, essentially a single malt. It’s matured in bourbon casks, then finished in Oloroso sherry casks. Bottled at 42% ABV, non-chill-filtered, with possible added colour.
Flavour: Cherries, cocoa, butterscotch, honey, nutmeg, vanilla — a Christmas-like profile with a pleasant oily mouthfeel. The finish is short, but the value is strong.
Suntory Whisky Toki – Japan
Japanese whisky prices have skyrocketed, but Toki remains an accessible option. A blend from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries, bottled at 43% ABV.
Light in colour (likely natural), it’s a blend in the Scottish sense — including grain whisky — but the flavour profile holds its own.
Flavour: Honey, orchard fruits, green apple, vanilla, and a hint of peppermint. Easy to drink neat, but also shines in a highball or light cocktail.
Smokehead – Islay, Scotland
To finish the list, something for the peat lovers. Smokehead is an independent bottling of an undisclosed Islay distillery — the marketing is bold and edgy, but the whisky delivers.
A non-age-statement single malt bottled at 43% ABV. No cask details are given, though the sweet sherry note suggests some fortified wine influence alongside the iodine-heavy peat.
Flavour: Sweet sherry, toffee, salt, and medicinal smoke — bold yet surprisingly balanced. Best neat; it can lose some character over ice, but adds a great smoky twist to cocktails.
💰 RRP $83, but regularly discounted under $80.
Final Thoughts
All five of these whiskies are approachable, versatile, and priced so you can keep them stocked without guilt. Whether you prefer fruity Speysiders, smooth Irish drams, delicate Japanese blends, or a bold hit of Islay peat, there’s something here that proves good whisky doesn’t have to break the bank.