The term “single malt” is most closely associated with Scotch whisky. And while Scotland certainly does produce some world-class single malts, it’s not the only place on earth where this coveted style is made. Defined as whiskey—which, in the United States is spelled with an “e,” whereas in Scotland and Japan it’s “whisky”—made from malted barley in a single distillery, single malts are crafted all across the globe, including the rapidly growing category of American single malt. These diverse single malts vary in flavor from light and fruity to dark and smoky, with aromas that range from sandalwood, incense and candied ginger to chestnut and lemon cream. What’s the right bottle for you? Unless you’re intimately familiar with the brand you’re buying, there’s a good chance you may be in for a major palate surprise. But that's where we come in. The selections that made it to Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Spirits of 2023 cover all the bases. There are heavily peated Scotch whiskys, nutty sherry cask-finished selections and best-in-class versions from the U.S. and Asia. These picks include this year’s most prestigious, top-scoring bottles, as well as a wider mix of picks that roused our tasters’ imaginations and taste buds. Here are the top single malts of 2023. You May Also Like: The Best Scotch Whisky to Drink Right Now Best Splurge Single Malt Best Scottish Island Single Malt Best Speyside Single Malt Best Highland Single Malt Best Cask-Finished Single Malt Best Heavily Peated Best Budget Single Malt Best American Single Malt Best Asian Single Malt Why You Should Trust Us All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.