The best scotch in the world isn't from Scotland

The best scotch in the world isn't from Scotland
(Image credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty)

If you're craving the warm, relaxing embrace that only a snifter of the world's finest scotch can deliver, be prepared to head east. Far east.

After a review of some 4,500 varieties of whisky, scotch and whiskey (the differing names are more about geography than style or manufacture), the 2015 World Whisky Bible has named Japan's Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 as the best in the world. In fact, no Scottish or Irish varieties were even in the top five — a first in the award's history. While praising Yamazaki's "nose of exquisite boldness" and finish of "light, teasing spice," the Whisky Bible's Jim Murray told The Independent the winner was "a single malt which no Scotch can at the moment [can] get anywhere near."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Mike Barry

Mike Barry is the senior editor of audience development and outreach at TheWeek.com. He was previously a contributing editor at The Huffington Post. Prior to that, he was best known for interrupting a college chemistry class.