Whisky doesn’t have to be expensive. While premium bottles can easily stretch into the hundreds (or thousands), there are still plenty of great drams that deliver character, balance, and enjoyment without breaking the bank.
With the retail market continuing to feel the pinch, value has never been more important. So, whether you’re new to whisky or a long-time enthusiast looking for something reliable, here are five whiskies that represent excellent bang for your buck in 2025.
This year’s list includes three Scottish classics that remain widely available and fairly priced, alongside two Australian whiskies that prove quality doesn’t always come at a premium. Best of all, these drams can all be enjoyed neat — no need to hide them in mixers unless you want to.
Glen Moray – Elgin Classic Range
I’ve recommended Glen Moray in previous whisky lists before, and I’ll happily keep recommending it as long as they continue producing approachable, flavourful single malts at great prices. The entry-level range has something for everyone:
- The Classic – light, smooth, fruity and fragrant.
- Sherry Cask Finish – vanilla oak, dark chocolate and oriental spice..
- Port Cask Finish – rich fruits and mellow wine .
- Cabernet Cask Finish – rich with dark chocolate and intense spice
- Chardonnay Cask Finish – tropical fruit and warm spice on vanilla.
- Shiraz Finish – Australian exclusive with notes of strawberries, roses and undertones of oak.
- Peated Malt – distinctive campfire smoke with undertones of vanilla and oak.
In Australia, you’ll usually find these around $67, while in the US they hover around $30. That’s hard to beat for single malt Scotch.
One note of caution: the Peated expression didn’t quite work for me personally, though plenty of others enjoy it. As always, your palate may differ.
Spey River – Cask Finishes
Spey River remains one of the most surprising values in Scotch whisky. An independent bottler sourcing spirit from Speyside distilleries, they age and finish whiskies in bourbon, sherry, and rum casks — and each expression offers an enjoyable, easy-drinking experience.
- Bourbon Cask – fresh and malty with notes of oak, subtle spice and toasted almonds.
- Sherry Cask – rich and spicy with raisins, apricot and fresh oak.
- Rum Cask – sweet vanilla oak, malty character and caramelised fruits (not seen in Australia yet).
The price point makes it even more appealing: around $68 in Australia, and just $25–30 in the US. For award-winning single malts at that cost, it’s an opportunity well worth seizing.
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
No list of accessible Scotch whiskies would be complete without Glenfiddich 12. A global icon, it’s one of the most widely available single malts in the world, and for good reason: fresh pear, subtle oak, and a gentle malty sweetness make it a reliable staple for any bar.
While retailing at about $99 in Australia (and around $50 in the US), it is often heavily discounted — dropping to $75 in Australia or as low as $35 in the US. At that price, it’s a steal.
36 South – Morris Whisky
Australian whisky often struggles to compete on price due to smaller production scales and punishing excise tax. Many bottles come in 500ml formats priced well above $120.
That’s what makes 36 South such a refreshing release. Produced by Morris Distillery, it’s a double grain whisky made from malted barley and wheat, aged in ex-Australian shiraz casks, and bottled at 40% in a full 700ml bottle.
At $70, it’s budget by Australian standards — but it doesn’t drink like a budget whisky. Expect dried fruits, honey, cinnamon, and even a touch of gingerbread.
Archie Rose Double Malt Whisky
Rounding out the list is another homegrown option: Archie Rose Double Malt Whisky. Crafted from malted barley and malted rye, it’s aged in a mix of bourbon casks, virgin oak, and apera (fortified wine).
That combination brings together a wonderfully complex flavour profile: bready malt notes, chocolate, oak, tropical fruit, ginger, raisins, and even a nutty macadamia character.
At $85 retail (often closer to $70 with some shopping around), it represents fantastic value in the Australian whisky landscape.
Final Thoughts
That’s my list of five affordable whiskies for 2025 — or closer to ten if you explore the full ranges I’ve highlighted. These picks prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy whisky neat.
Of course, new releases and shifting prices mean the “best value” list changes every year. So, if you’ve found an affordable dram that deserves attention, let me know — I love discovering new bang-for-buck whiskies.