Whiskies Suitable for Beginners
1. Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood
Famous for its smooth flavor combining honey, vanilla, and oak.
Finished in sherry casks, offering a sweet and rich taste.
Price range: Approximately 100,000–130,000 KRW
2. Glenlivet 12 Year Old
Clean and smooth with notes of pear, apple, and floral aromas.
A great single malt whisky for beginners.
Price range: Approximately 60,000–90,000 KRW
Whiskies with Distinctive Character
3. Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Smoky with hints of medicinal herbs and sea breeze.
Its strong peaty flavor is polarizing but has a loyal fan base.
Price range: Approximately 90,000–120,000 KRW
4. Ardbeg 10 Year Old
A bold balance of intense smoke and citrus freshness.
Recommended as an entry point for peated whisky.
Price range: Approximately 90,000–130,000 KRW
Whiskies with Sweet and Deep Flavor
5. Glendronach 12 Year Old
Rich flavors of dark chocolate, dried fruit, and sherry cask influence.
Perfect for those who enjoy sherry-aged whisky.
Price range: Approximately 100,000–140,000 KRW
Japanese Whisky
6. Yamazaki 12 Year Old
Well-balanced with fruity aromas and smooth sherry oak notes.
Highly sought-after and increasingly expensive due to its rarity.
Price range: 300,000 KRW and up
Must-Buy Whiskies at Duty-Free Shops
1. Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Roughly 20–30% cheaper than in regular stores in Korea.
Elegant packaging and high brand recognition.
Popular as a corporate or formal gift.
2. The Macallan Series (Double Cask, Sherry Oak, etc.)
Available in exclusive packaging and bottle designs for duty-free.
The 15- and 18-year-olds are significantly more affordable than in Korea.
One of the top-tier sherry-aged whiskies.
3. Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
Hard to find and expensive domestically.
Matured in rum casks for a unique sweet profile.
Great value at duty-free shops.
4. Yamazaki / Hibiki
Japanese whiskies are generally much pricier in Korea.
Products like Hibiki Harmony and Yamazaki 12 are often limited in quantity—buy immediately if available.
5. Ardbeg & Laphroaig
For fans of peated whiskies, duty-free shops are ideal.
Ardbeg Uigeadail, An Oa, and Laphroaig 10 are typically cheaper than in Korea.
6. Glenfiddich Travel Retail Exclusives (Cask Collection Series)
Select, Reserve, and Vintage expressions are exclusive to duty-free.
Eye-catching packaging makes them perfect for gifts.
