This is a document created from an article in www.outdoorlife.com where they ranked the top 10 single malt scotches. Pretty neat.

1. 10 Best Single-Malt Scotches
Data Taken From OutdoorLife
http://www.outdoorlife.com
Compiled By : Aniruddha Ray

2. Oban
In order to be classified as a ‘Scotch’ Whisky, the spirit,
made from malted barley, must have been matured in an
oak cask in Scotland for a minimum of three years and have
been bottled at a minimum strength of 40% alcohol by
volume.
A "classic malt of Scotland", Oban is a favorite of Editor-in-
Chief Todd Smith and other OL staffers. Coming from the
West Highland region, it offers a blend of the smokier flavors
of the Scottish isles and the lighter tastes found in scotches
from the Highlands.
The distillery was built in 1794 and is still one of the smallest
in the country. Oban is offered in a 14 year version and a
pricier 18 year Distillers Edition that was first released in
1998.
Notes: A classic balance—not too smoky, not too sweet. A
great all-around single-malt that is universally loved and
infinitely sip-able.
$69.99
Photo: proof66.com

3. Dalwhinnie
Another of the classic malts, Dalwhinnie comes
from the Highlands and is aged for 15 years. The
word means "meeting place" in Gaelic.
Made at the highest elevation distillery in
Scotland-where the average temperature is 42
degrees F, and being snowbound for days at a
time is not uncommon-Dalwhinnie scotch is
subtly smokey, with a lighter taste that builds to a
full finish.
Notes: Perfect by itself. Try two fingers neat in a
brandy glass, add a dash of ice-water to bring up
the bouquet and sip to your heart's content. A
favorite after dinner drink because of it's slight
sweetness. Lovely!
$59.99
Photo: crownwineandspirits.com

4. Laphroaig
Laphroaig is touted as "the world's most richly flavored
Scotch whisky" and has a strong smoky quality due to the
distillery's location on the Island of Islay off the west
coast of the Scottish mainland, which is home to eight
active distilleries.
The company's website declares that the fine quality of
the single-malt comes from their emphasis on
community and that "There are 3 main ingredients for
making Laphroaig - Barley, Water, and Yeast, but the
secret ingredient is the People."
A ten-year variety is the most common.
Notes: If you like a peatier taste to your single-malt, this
is the one. On those cold, rainy nights when you come
home tired, hang your dripping Barbour coat by the front
door, light a fire and take a long sip of Laphroaig. It will
warm you right down to your toes.
$33.99
Photo: laphroaig.com

5. The Balvenie
The Balvenie was selected by editors Todd Smith,
John Taranto and Andrew McKean, because it's so
well balanced and smooth.
Also available is variety called Doublewood, aged
12 years, which takes it's name and flavor from
being matured in two woods, (both oak and
sherry) to create depth and a warm finish.
Notes: It opens with a sweet nose of fruit, honey
and vanilla, and leaves your palette with a long,
warm finish. The perfect whisky after a chilly
afternoon of bird hunting.
$36.99
Photo: thebalvenie.com

6. Ardbeg
If you like your scotch peaty and deep, then you
want to pour yourself a glass of Ardbeg.
Made in a distillery that has changed hands, shut
down and been reopened numerous times since
1815, Ardbeg has notes of tobacco and coffee and
you can sense the malted cereal.
Notes: Phenols are added by peat smoke and
contribute to the smokiness of the malt. Ardbeg
has a phenol content of 24ppm, one of the
highest in the industry. If you like a smoky flavor,
you will be happy here.
$54.99
Photo: ardbeg.com

7. Macallan
Another popular malt among OL staff, Macallan
has been distilled in Scotland since
1824. Originally, it was only matured in Spanish
oak sherry casks, but the company introduced a
Fine Oak series earlier this decade.
The scotch is the epitome of nurtured, Macallan
grows their own barley on their 370-acre estate,
uses water drawn from their private springs, and
selects only the finest 16% of the spirit for
maturation. This creates an enviable full-bodied
richness.
Notes: One contributor declared that he would
prefer "something other than the 12-year-old if
I'm wearing breeks." The fine 18-year variety is
silky smooth with hints of leather, licorice and
tobacco.
$119
Photo: themacallan.com

8. Lagavulin
Another Islay malt, with the typically powerful
peat aroma. This is a balanced, smooth choice
and fares well in international spirits contests
such as the San Francisco World Spirits
Competition, where it has received numerous golf
medals.
The distillery dates back as far as 1816 and the
word Lagavullin translates to "hollow by the mill"
in Gaelic.
Notes: Most commonly found in it's 16-year
variety, Lagavullin is powerful, stout and smokey.
$79.99
Photo: klwines.com

9. The Dalmore
The Dalmore is a Highland malt made from the
waters of a river that runs through the village
where the distillery sits. The bottles are adorned
with a noble 12-point stag's head and the whisky
smells of lemongrass and citrus.
In 2005 a bottle of 62-year-old Dalmore made
from a blend of casks was auctioned for over
$50,000.
Notes: The unique, pure character of Dalmore
comes from the unique set up of their stills; a
combination of their 'flat-top' wash stills and four
spirit stills that are encased in "cooling jackets".
$89.99
Photo: thedalmore.com

10. Inchgower
Added to the list by McKean, Inchgower can be
difficult to find, but is well worth the search.
Only a tiny percent of the production volume is
sold as a single malt, the rest is used to make
blends.
Notes: The only lower speyside malt on our list,
Inchgower comes from the same region as
Glenfiddich, one of the best-selling single malts
in the world.
$56.99 (at current conversion rate from the
British pound)
Photo: maltmadness.com

11. Glenmorangie
"Ahh," said another contributor,
“Glenmorangie....spoken like a true piper!”
Rounding out our list is this Highland whisky,
made in the tallest stills in Scotland. Like other
distilleries, Glenmorangie struggled during the
early 20th century, when global whisky sales
dropped dramatically because of prohibition and
the Great Depression in the United States. But the
distillery bounced back and the label is currently
the best-selling single-malt in Scotland.
Notes: Glenmorangie offers an aroma of citrus
and fruit, a taste of vanilla and a lingering finish. A
great single-malt for every-day sipping at a price
that even a Scotsman can abide.
$34.99 (10-year)
Photo: glenmorangie.com

12. Honorable Mention
JURA
$57.99
Photo: isleofjura.com