You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy exceptional whisky. The sub-£100 category is a treasure trove of drams that offer style, story, and serious flavour. This guide explores what makes a whisky genuinely great value, outlines key styles to explore, and shares our curated picks - including bottles we keep coming back to ourselves.

One of the best things about whisky? Its sheer variety. From elegant barley-based single malts to bold, spicy ryes, whisky is a world tour in a glass. Here’s a quick, friendly guide to the key styles worth knowing—whether you’re just getting started or brushing up your back-bar knowledge.

• Single Malt > Made at one distillery using 100% malted barley. It’s a global style, but most famously associated with Scotland. Think Glenlivet or Laphroaig. That said, American and Danish single malts are on the rise—and we’re watching them closely.
• Blended Malt > Also 100% malted barley, but sourced from multiple distilleries. This allows blenders to layer flavours—richness from one, smoke from another—for a more complex result.
• Single Pot Still > A uniquely Irish style, and a must-try. By law, it must use both malted and unmalted barley (at least 30% of each), and up to 5% of other grains like rye, wheat, or oats. Expect creamy texture, orchard fruits and subtle spice.

Corn typically adds sweetness—think vanilla, caramel, popcorn, and a smooth, easy-going profile.

• Bourbon > Legally American, and made with at least 51% corn (the rest usually malted barley, rye or wheat). Aged in new, charred oak barrels, which gives it those signature notes of toffee, spice and smoke.

• Corn Whiskey > Usually made with 80–100% corn. Unlike bourbon, it doesn’t have to be aged in new oak, which gives it a lighter, more cereal-led profile. Most traditional in the U.S., but popping up elsewhere too—like Mexico’s emerging corn whiskies.

Rye brings boldness—typically spice-driven, with notes of black pepper, clove, and dried herbs.

• Rye Whiskey (USA) > Must be at least 51% rye. Known for its punchy character, dry finish and backbone in cocktails like the Manhattan.

• Rye Whisky (Canada) > Canada plays by looser rules - many Canadian whiskies are labelled “rye” even if they contain little of it. But the good ones deliver balance: smooth, slightly spiced, and often more approachable.

• Rye Whisky (Europe) > Europe’s modern rye boom is worth your attention. Think drier, nuttier, and often more “breakfast cereal” in style - especially from Nordic countries.

A blend of whiskies from multiple distilleries, often mixing different grains and styles. Done well, it’s an art form.

You’ll find country-specific blends (like Blended Scotch Whisky) as well as international hybrids— Nikka From the Barrel , for example, blends Japanese and imported whiskies for a rich, layered profile.

A £90 bottle can absolutely outperform a £150 one. Value in whisky isn’t about price tag prestige or collector hype - it’s about how much flavour, integrity, and craft you’re getting for your money.

Here’s what actually counts when assessing a whisky’s true worth:

Does it punch above its price point? Does it surprise you?
Forget what it cost—ask how it drinks. If a whisky delivers complexity, balance, and character well beyond its price bracket, that’s value. Great value bottles often have you double-checking the receipt: “How is this only £50?”

Bourbon, sherry, port, STR, wine—maturation makes the dram.
It’s not just what the whisky was made from, but what it was matured in. High-quality casks add depth, colour, and flavour complexity. Look for whiskies where the cask influence is well integrated - adding richness without overpowering the spirit.

Unchillfiltered? Natural colour? Higher ABV? These are good signs.
These details show that the producer values flavour over cosmetics. Chill-filtration and colour additives are shortcuts. A whisky bottled at 46% ABV or above, without unnecessary processing, is far more likely to deliver texture, aroma and soul.

Are they doing something distinctive? Do they have a clear point of view?
Great producers aren’t chasing trends - they’re following their own compass. Whether it's a revival of forgotten grains, pioneering cask experiments, or terroir-led storytelling, vision matters. A distinctive perspective often translates to distinctive whisky.

Limited doesn’t always mean better.
Don’t be fooled by numbered bottles and fancy tubes. True value lies in what’s inside the glass. That said, small batches and single casks—especially from indie bottlers—can deliver serious bang for your buck when chosen with intent.

These whiskies are approachable without being boring - packed with flavour, integrity, and character. Great neat, with water, over ice, or in cocktails. All under £100.

Speyside Single Malt  

From the ‘rock at the heart of Speyside’, Craigellachie makes whisky with real bite. Matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, it’s bold, slightly sulphury, and totally memorable—bonfire meets tropical fruit.

Tasting notes:  Struck match, dried pineapple, vanilla, spice

Why whisky fans love it:  Big, waxy, and unapologetically characterful. Like a shotgun through a pineapple.

Price:  £53 - £58

Islay Single Malt (Smoky)
A true icon of smoky whisky. Made on the Isle of Islay, Lagavulin is rich, layered and unmistakable.

• Tasting notes: Peat smoke, toffee, lemon peel, sea spray

• Why whisky fans love it: Sweet, smoky, savoury and utterly legendary.

• Price: £82–£85

Kentucky Bourbon | Port Cask Finish
A mainstay on our bar. Finished in Port wine barrels for 3–6 months, this bourbon balances sweet spice and silky depth.

• Tasting notes: Dark chocolate, red berries, toasted brioche, spice

• Why bourbon lovers love it: Smooth, rich, and perfect in a Manhattan.

• Price: £45–£65

Kentucky Rye | Single Barrel
Made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley—a bold mashbill handled with finesse. This single barrel, selected by The Whisky Exchange, is full of rich, bakery-led notes.

• Tasting notes: Baking spice, burnt butter, chocolate cake

• Why rye lovers love it: Deep, indulgent, and dangerously drinkable.

• Price: £98

Oregon Single Malt | Beer-Inspired Finish
Distilled in Portland by a team with brewing roots, this American Single Malt is finished in stout casks and front-loaded with flavour like a craft beer.

• Tasting notes: Roasted malt, cocoa, dried fruit, espresso

• Why whisky fans love it: Chocolatey, bold and beautifully balanced.

• Price: £80–£84

Single Pot Still | Marsala Cask Finish
Matured in casks from the famed Cantine de Vinci in Sicily, this Single Pot Still whiskey blends heritage mashbills with modern flair.

• Tasting notes: Juicy citrus, soft oak spice, orchard fruit

• Why whiskey lovers love it: Rich, fruity and complex—reviving a classic Irish style.

• Price: £68–£69

Lightly Smoky Japanese Single Malt
One of the few Japanese whiskies with a delicate touch of peat. Crisp, fragrant and beautifully balanced.

• Tasting notes: White smoke, melon, citrus zest

• Why it’s loved: Light, elegant, and subtly smoky.

• Price: £60–£70

Derbyshire | Lightly Peated Single Malt
From White Peak Distillery, this cask-strength expression blends 1st fill bourbon and STR French oak casks, with yeast from a local brewery adding fermentation character.

• Tasting notes: Pear drops, baked apples, popcorn, soft smoke

• Why it’s loved: Bold, fruity, and peaty in just the right way.

• Price: £75-76

Rye Whisky | Port Cask Finish
A limited edition from Denmark’s west coast. Finished in a mix of ruby and tawny Port casks after virgin oak aging.

• Tasting notes: Smoked orange, raisin, strawberry, vanilla, pepper

• Why it’s loved: Full-bodied, spicy and laced with fruit and smoke.

• Price: £65–£67

🛒 Where to buy: Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange or Amathus.

Looking for something less expected? These are The Heart Cut’s own bottlings under £100, each hand-picked for flavour, character, and storytelling.

👉 #7 Westward –  That juicy tropical whiskey. American Single Malt. Yes, you heard right. Think juicy passion fruit in a glass, perfect for fans of Bourbon or fruity Scotch. This is one for everyone.

👉 #16 Fielden – Sherry lovers, this one’s for you. Rich, luscious and spicy — this 100% rye whisky from Fielden was finished in a coastal Oloroso sherry cask, layering honeycomb and banana chips with waves of sea-salted caramel.