Best Whisky for a Whisky Sour (+ Easy Recipe) 2026
Best Whisky for a Whisky Sour (+ Easy Recipe)
Buying Guides
4 min readDeepak Bali
“Quick answer: The best whisky for a whisky sour is a smooth, fruity Scotch that stands up to fresh lemon without being overpowered. Our top pick is Glenlivet 12 (£34.99). For a richer sour, use Aberlour 12 (£36.69). For a smoky twist, use Bowmore 12 (£37.40). On a budget, Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair (£26.99) is excellent. (Prices checked 11 November 2026.)
What is a whisky sour?
A whisky sour is one of the oldest and simplest cocktails there is: whisky, fresh lemon juice and sugar, shaken with ice. Many people add egg white for a silky, foamy top and a few drops of bitters for aroma. It’s sweet, sharp and warming all at once, which makes it a great winter drink and an easy one to make at home.
The whisky you choose changes the drink. A soft Speyside makes a bright, fruity sour. A sherried malt makes it richer. A lightly peated Islay adds a gentle smoky edge. Below is a simple recipe, then four whiskies we stock that make a brilliant sour.
Easy whisky sour recipe
Serves 1 · Ready in 5 minutes
50ml Scotch whisky
25ml fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
15–20ml sugar syrup (to taste)
1 egg white, or 20ml aquafaba (the liquid from a tin of chickpeas) for a vegan version (optional)
2 dashes of Angostura bitters (optional)
Written by
Deepak Bali
I’ve been exploring whisky since 1996, combining nearly three decades of knowledge and firsthand tasting experience. In 1999, my master’s degree work focused on my own whisky website. Every whisky I review is personally tasted, independently assessed and scored out of 100 using a consistent five-stage framework. My judgement is guided by what’s in the glass, never by brand reputation or price.
Dry shake. If you’re using egg white or aquafaba, add everything except the ice to a shaker and shake hard for about 15 seconds. This builds the foam.
Shake with ice. Add a good handful of ice and shake again for 10–15 seconds, until the shaker feels very cold.
Strain into a short glass over fresh ice, or into a chilled coupe with no ice.
Finish with a few drops of bitters on the foam, an orange slice and a cherry.
No shaker? A clean jam jar with a tight lid works perfectly.
Sugar syrup in one minute: stir equal parts caster sugar and hot water until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool. It keeps in the fridge for about two weeks.
Raw egg isn’t recommended for pregnant women, young children, older people or anyone with a weakened immune system. Use pasteurised egg white or aquafaba instead.
The best whiskies for a whisky sour
Whisky
Makes a sour that’s…
Price*
Glenlivet 12
Bright, fruity and easy
£34.99
Aberlour 12 Double Cask
Rich, with apple and spice
£36.69
Bowmore 12
Gently smoky
£37.40
Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair
Bold and dried-fruity, great value
£26.99
*Prices checked 11 November 2026.
1. Glenlivet 12 Year Old: best all-round whisky for a sour
Speyside · 40% · £34.99
Glenlivet 12’s pineapple, pear and honey notes are a natural match for lemon, and its creamy vanilla rounds off the sharpness. It makes a bright, balanced sour that almost everyone likes. Start here if it’s your first whisky sour.
2. Aberlour 12 Double Cask: best for a richer sour
Speyside · 40% · traditional oak and sherry casks · £36.69
Aberlour’s sherry casks bring red apple, honey and warm spice, giving a deeper, rounder sour. Add a couple of dashes of bitters to bring out the spice. It’s perfect on a cold winter evening.
Islay · 40% · ex-bourbon and sherry casks · £37.40
Want something different? Bowmore 12’s soft peat smoke and lemon notes make a whisky sour with a gentle smoky edge, without the heavy, medicinal peat that can clash with citrus. It’s a great one to impress guests.
At 46.3%, Stiùireadair is stronger than most whiskies at this price, so its dried fruit, caramel and nutty spice still shine through the lemon and sugar. It’s unpeated, despite coming from Islay. It makes a bold, flavourful sour for less.
Looking for more smooth, fruity options? Browse our Speyside whiskies.
Which whiskies to avoid in a sour
Heavily peated whiskies like Laphroaig 10 can taste medicinal with lemon. Use just a small splash on top if you love smoke.
Very old or expensive whiskies are best enjoyed neat, because their subtle flavours get lost in the mix.
Three whisky sour twists
Penicillin-style smoky sour: make the sour with Glenlivet 12, then float 10ml of Bowmore 12 on top. Smoky nose, smooth sip.
Honey and ginger sour: swap the sugar syrup for honey syrup (2 parts honey to 1 part hot water) and add 2 thin slices of fresh ginger to the shaker. Lovely with Aberlour 12.
Winter spiced sour: use a cinnamon sugar syrup and a dash of orange bitters with Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair. A festive one for Christmas parties.
Tips for a better whisky sour
Always use fresh lemon juice. Bottled juice tastes flat.
Shake hard. Good dilution and chill make the drink.
Taste and adjust. Add a little more syrup if it’s too sharp, or more lemon if it’s too sweet.
Use good ice. Large, fresh cubes melt more slowly and keep the drink from going watery.
A smooth, fruity Scotch like Glenlivet 12. It balances the lemon and sugar perfectly. For a richer sour, try Aberlour 12. For a smoky one, try Bowmore 12.
What is in a whisky sour?
Whisky, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup, shaken with ice. Egg white (for foam) and Angostura bitters are popular optional extras.
Do you need egg white in a whisky sour?
No. Egg white adds a silky foam, but it’s optional. Use aquafaba for a vegan version, or leave it out for a sharper, cleaner drink.
Can you use Scotch in a whisky sour?
Yes. The classic is often made with American bourbon, but Scotch makes a brilliant sour, especially a fruity Speyside or a gently smoky Islay.
Is a whisky sour strong?
It contains about a double measure (50ml) of whisky, so treat it like a double. Please drink responsibly.
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