Best supermarket whisky under £50, expert taste-tested

From Becky Paskin/The StandardTraditionally, the best whisky has been found at specialist retailers, but British supermarkets are increasingly closing that gap. This is great news if you live too far from a whisky shop, don’t have the budget for online delivery, or want to pick a bottle up in a hurry for a gathering or gift. From M&S to Waitrose and Sainsbury's, supermarkets across the UK have really upped their game when it comes to their whisky ranges. Not only have they become more diverse, spanning Scotch, Irish, American and world whisky, but there are some real bargains to be discovered, too.While most supermarket whisky is still dominated by the big, recognisable brands, there are now also some lesser-known, innovative bottles to be found. Some supermarkets have even introduced their own (very good) ranges, where you can pick up a bottle of single malt Scotch whisky for as little as £25. Best supermarket whisky at a glanceBest overall – Two Stacks Signature Blend Irish Whiskey: £5.50, Tesco.comBest value bottle – Waitrose No.1 Speyside single malt: £20, Waitrose.comBest supermarket single malt – Cotswolds Signature Single Malt: £39, Sainsburys.comBest supermarket bourbon – Maker’s Mark 46: £31, Ocado.comBest supermarket Japanese blend – Nikka From the Barrel: £48, Sainsburys.comBecause the supermarket is where you expect to find a bargain, I’ve used my two decades of whisky tasting experience to review the best whiskies you can buy for less than £50. Whether it’s a bottle of Scotch, Irish whiskey, Japanese or even English, if you’re lucky, you might be able to find some of these bottles – and cans – on offer in the run-up to Christmas, too.How I taste-testedI noted the complexity and character of the whisky’s aroma, flavour and finishBecky Paskin/The StandardI approached tasting each spirit as I would in any blind tasting competition. The samples were poured in order of their style and strength (lightest to strongest), and assessed for the complexity and character of their aroma, flavour and finish. I prefer to assess wines and spirits first thing in the morning, before food, with only sips of water between samples to cleanse the palate.Two Stacks Signature Blend Irish WhiskeyBecky Paskin/The Standard★★★★★Best: Overall supermarket whisky What we love: Convenient format to enjoy drams on the go, and incredibly delicious and very approachable whisky Take note: Each can contains four servings We’re used to drinking wine and cocktails from cans, but have you ever tried whisky? Drams in a can are a convenient way to enjoy whisky on the go, and this new-to-Tesco blended Irish whisky from Two Stacks is not only excellent value, but it’s also one of the best Irish whiskeys you can buy in a supermarket. A blend of grain, malt and pot still whiskies, Two Stacks’ Signature Blend is dripping with tinned peaches, apple pie and ice cream drizzled with warm caramel sauce. It’s also crafted by an independent company, so an extra reason to show your support.Classification: Irish Blended WhiskeyProduced in: IrelandABV: 43% Size: 10clWaitrose No.1 Speyside single maltBecky Paskin/The Standard★★★★☆Best: Whisky for mixing into highballsWhat we love: Really easy to drink and perfect to mix in cocktails or enjoy neat Take note: Lacks the complexity of some other whiskies I keep coming back to Waitrose’s Speyside single malt as it’s easily one of the best value supermarket own-label Scotch whiskies around. It’s relatively simple but leaves a heart-warming impression with its notes of apple strudel, poached pear, vanilla ice cream and baking spice. The texture is stunningly silky, too. This is a fantastic whisky that’s delicious, moreish and really easy drinking on its own, but try it in a highball with ginger beer or apple soda for a refreshing twist.Classification: Speyside Single Malt Scotch WhiskyProduced in: Speyside, ScotlandABV: 40%Size: 70clNikka From the BarrelSainsburys ★★★★★Best: Supermarket Japanese whisky What we love: An exciting journey of flavour and cute, unique bottle design Take note: This is a blend of Japanese and Scotch whiskies Nikka From the Barrel is a globally loved blend of Japanese malt and grain whiskies from Miyagikyo and Yoichi distilleries, as well as some malt whisky from Ben Nevis in Scotland. Presented in an iconic 500ml bottle, it’s got a deceptively subtle nose which gives way to an intensely dessert-like palate. It starts out with soft milk chocolate cookie dough, becoming gradually richer in the mouth as if bursting into life, giving in to hazelnuts, walnuts, red fruits, baked apples, armchair leather and toasted spices like anise, cinnamon and pepper. Just glorious!Classification: Blended WhiskyProduced in: Japan and ScotlandABV: 51.4% Size: 50clCotswolds Signature Single MaltSainsburys ★★★★★Best: Supermarket English single maltWhat we love: Its fun, sweet shop flavours, and it's from an independently owned English distillery Take note: It’s currently a good deal cheaper at Sainsbury's right now The Cotswolds Distillery is rapidly cementing itself as one of England’s most exciting whisky distilleries. Its inherently fruity spirit is given an almost candy-like quality in Cotswolds’ Signature Single Malt, where it’s aged in highly active shaved, toasted and recharred red wine barriques and first-fill Bourbon casks. Its nostalgic flavours of fizzy peach rings and sherbet lemons alongside tinned peaches, strawberry jellies and vanilla cream make for a delightful and incredibly moreish single malt that’s so full of life. Classification: English Single Malt WhiskyProduced in: Cotswolds, EnglandABV: 46% Size: 70clM&S 10 Year Old Speyside single maltBecky Paskin/The Standard★★★★☆Best: Supermarket own-brand aged whiskyWhat we love: Silky mouthfeel and classic Speyside flavours of orchard fruits and vanilla Take note: There’s a whisper of smoke M&S is one of the only supermarkets to sell an own-label Scotch whisky with an age statement, but as we well know, age isn’t necessarily a sign of quality. So how does their 10-year-old Speyside single malt stack up against others’ no-age-statement whiskies? This is a really beautifully silky whisky with classic Speyside notes of cooked apple and pear, floral jasmine, citrus peel and vanilla. While it’s not hugely complex, there’s a surprising touch of smoke (just a tad), which gives this whisky a bit more oomph, and its creamy mouthfeel is delightful. I’d happily enjoy one of these neat and go back for a second.Classification: Speyside Single Malt Scotch WhiskyProduced in: Speyside, ScotlandABV: 40% Size: 70clWaitrose No.1 Islay Single MaltBecky Paskin/The Standard★★★★★Best: Supermarket Islay single maltWhat we love: Incredibly juicy, fruity flavours and a lot of complexity for the price Take note: Avoid if you really dislike smoky whisky Waitrose’ No.1 Islay single malt is probably the best supermarket own-label Scotch whisky you can buy for under £30, particularly if you’re a fan of whiskies that taste like a blowy coastal walk. It’s gorgeously fruity, with notes of strawberries and raspberries in cream, with juicy orchard and tropical fruits playing alongside sweet malt. An ashy bonfire smoke whips around toward the end, bringing grilled pineapple and strawberries with a chewy meatiness. It’s just a very delicious whisky; I couldn’t recommend it more.Classification: Islay Single Malt Scotch WhiskyProduced in: Islay, ScotlandABV: 40%Size: 70clMaker’s Mark 46Ocado★★★★☆Best: Supermarket bourbon What we love: Tastes a bit like Coca-Cola and a unique twist on a classic Bourbon Take note: The ABV is relatively high Kentucky’s Maker’s Mark distillery gives its classic Bourbon a European twist in Maker’s Mark 46 by finishing its whisky in casks containing new French oak staves. These staves give the classic coconut-forward Bourbon notes of milk chocolate, cookie dough, glazed doughnuts and a spiced character reminiscent of Coca-Cola. It’s a dry, rich whiskey that’s full of flavour, although it does fade away quickly on the finish. It’s also just over £50, but you can often find it on offer.Classification: Kentucky BourbonProduced in: Kentucky, USAABV: 47% Size: 70clTamdhu 12 Year OldWaitrose ★★★★★Best: Supermarket Sherry cask-matured whiskyWhat we love: Some proceeds donated to charity and dry, oloroso-influenced sherry character Take note: It’s a Waitrose exclusive British supermarkets might be embroiled in a widespread salmon welfare controversy, but this collaboration between Waitrose and Speyside distillery Tamdhu donates a percentage of proceeds to the Atlantic Salmon Trust to conserve and restore wild salmon populations. Fish aside, it’s a delightful whisky, matured exclusively in Sherry casks for notes of stewed apples and plums, dates and an Oloroso-influenced dry, earthy, nutty character.Classification: Speyside Scotch Single Malt WhiskyProduced in: Speyside, ScotlandABV: 41.3% Size: 70clWhat is the best supermarket whisky?If you’re after an everyday whisky that delivers on flavour without leaving a dent in your wallet, you need to give Waitrose’s No.1 Islay Single Malt a go. Yes, it’s peated, which may seem abhorrent to some whisky fans, but this is a dram that I promise you’ll keep coming back to. However, the absolute best supermarket whisky you can buy right now has to be Two Stacks’ Signature Blend. This is a crowd-pleaser of an Irish whisky (I’ve tested it on whisky haters and can confirm it converts), that’s full of flavour, dangerously easy to drink, and produced by a small, independent blender in convenient pocket-sized cans. What’s not to love?Why you can trust our reviews Becky Paskin is an award-winning drinks writer and presenter, with 20 years of experience tasting, judging and speaking about all things booze – particularly whisky. The only journalist in the world with a distilling qualification, she’s a regular lead judge for spirit competitions. You can find her writing about everything from whisky and cocktails to wine and travel in major magazines and newspapers, and regularly speaking about all the above on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. She also has a weekly newsletter, Drink This, with pouring drinks, bar and travel recommendations and insight.