GLENKINCHIE 12 YR

The Scottish Lowlands produce the lightest single malts in the country, and Glenkinchie — distilled roughly 15 miles southeast of Edinburgh in East Lothian — is the region's standard-bearer. Water drawn from the Lammermuir Hills feeds pot stills among the largest in Scotland, yielding a characteristically delicate spirit. Aged 12 years, it opens on crème anglaise and soft floral notes, develops into butter icing and lemon cheesecake on the mid-palate, and closes with a hint of liquorice and a clean, dry finish.