MensJournal.com has put out their 19 Best Scotch Whiskeys for 2026. Johnny Walker Blue Label is on there, which is predictable, but Ardbeg was the top Scotch Whiskey of the year. They gave pretty elaborate write-ups about each of their winners, which you should read there, but here was their list:

• Overall Best Scotch: Ardbeg Ten
• Best Scotch for Cocktails: Compass Box The Peat Monster
• Best Blended Scotch: Johnnie Walker Blue Label
• Best Crowd-Pleasing Scotch: The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old
• Best Isle of Skye Scotch Whisky: Talisker 18 
• Best Scotch Whisky You Haven’t Heard Of, Until Now: Longmorn 18
• Best Scotch Whisky for People Who Don’t Like Scotch: Oban 14
• Best Cask-Strength Scotch: Octomore 16.3
• Best Speyside Scotch: Mortlach 20
• Best Speyside Classic Scotch Whisky: Glenfiddich 12
• Best Affordable Campbeltown Scotch Whisky: Glen Scotia 10
• Best Affordable Highland Single Malt: Loch Lomond Original
• Best Scotch Whisky for Winter Sipping: Lagavulin 16
• Best Scotch Under $100: GlenGrant 15 Years Old
• Best Scotch Whisky for Gifting: Isle of Harris Hearach 
• Best Peaty Scotch: Ardbeg Uigeadail
• Best Scotch Whisky Fit for a King: Laphroaig 10
• Best Port-Cask Finished Scotch: The Dalmore Port Wood
• Best Sherry Bomb Scotch: The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 12