Uisge Beatha Whisky prices compared

World whisky

On this site, world whisky means whisky from any country other than Scotland, Ireland, the USA, Canada and Japan, which each have their own pages. It is our grouping, not a legal category. This page compares UK prices on the world whiskies we track.

The bottles currently listed come from India (Paul John, Indri and Amrut), Taiwan (Kavalan), England (The Lakes, Cotswolds and White Peak), Wales (Penderyn), Denmark (Stauning), France (Alfred Giraud) and Australia (Starward). Styles span single malts, rye and blends. Whisky matured in hot climates tends to be bottled younger, because heat speeds the cask’s work. Few of these bottles are stocked by more than one retailer we check, so many show a single price.

For how distilling has spread worldwide, see Whiskipedia on craft whisky. Prices are the best current in-stock offer from the UK retailers we check (how we compare prices).

172 bottles in stock, with the best current price from the UK retailers we check.

Questions

What is the cheapest world whisky?
The cheapest world whisky is Aber Falls Madeira Cask Finish Welsh Single Malt Whisky (70cl), at £27.95 from Master of Malt. That is £32.90 delivered to the UK mainland for one bottle. Next cheapest: Paul John Nirvana Unpeated 40% 70cl (£32.95) and Penderyn Dragon Series - Myth Single Malt Welsh Whisky (£33.95).
How much does world whisky cost?
World whisky costs from £27.95 to £1,199.95, with a median of £74.95 for a full-size bottle. The dearest is Indri Diwali Collectors Edition Indian Whisky 2023 Peated.
What is the oldest world whisky you can buy?
Penderyn Single Jack Daniel’s Cask #137/2005 Single Malt We 2005 21 year old Whisky, at 21 years old, from £279.95.
Why can't some Indian whisky be sold as whisky in the UK?
Most Indian whisky starts out as molasses, which makes it closer to rum. UK law defines whisky as a spirit distilled from a mash of cereals, so molasses-based spirit can’t be sold here as whisky; Indian single malts such as Amrut, Paul John and Rampur are made from malted barley.
How much whisky evaporates from casks in hot climates?
Far more than in Scotland, where the angels’ share is usually 1% to 2% a year. Amrut in Bangalore estimates losses of up to 12% a year, and Kavalan in Taiwan has recorded losses of 15%.
What counts as world whisky?
There is no legal definition. The term usually means whisky from outside the five traditional producers, namely Scotland, Ireland, the USA, Canada and Japan. Some shops count Japan and the USA as world whisky too.
Is Indian or Taiwanese whisky younger than Scotch?
It tends to be bottled younger, or without an age statement. Heat speeds up the interaction between spirit and cask, so maturation runs faster in India and Taiwan than in Scotland, and evaporation losses are higher. An age on the label still means the youngest whisky in the bottle; many bottles simply carry none. Whiskipedia explains maturation.