Speyside, Islay, Highland, Lowland, Campbeltown and the Islands – Scotch whisky is often grouped by the region it comes from. Regions aren’t strict rules (every distillery has its own style), but they’re a really useful way to start finding the whiskies you love. Here’s a simple guide, with one or two bottles from each region to try.

Speyside

Home to more distilleries than anywhere else in Scotland, Speyside sits around the River Spey in the north-east. Expect fruity, sweet and elegant whiskies, often with rich sherry-cask flavours.

Try: GlenAllachie 12 Year Old (£52.95), a rich sherried dram, or Benromach 10 (£46.95), fruity with a gentle wisp of smoke.
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Highland

The biggest region by far, covering everything from Perthshire to the far north coast. Because it’s so large, Highland whiskies vary hugely – from light and floral to rich, spicy and coastal.

Try: Glencadam 10 (£46.95) for something light and fruity, Old Pulteney 12 (£37.95) for a coastal, salty edge, or Tomatin 12 (£44.95) for soft, sweet sherry and bourbon notes.
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Islay

A small island off the west coast, famous for smoky, peaty, maritime whiskies. If someone describes a whisky as tasting like a bonfire on the beach, it’s probably from Islay – although some Islay distilleries, like Bunnahabhain, are best known for unpeated whisky.

Try: Ardbeg 10 (£49.95) or Kilchoman Machir Bay (£52.95).
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Lowland

The south of Scotland. Lowland whiskies have a reputation for being light, grassy and gentle – a great starting point – but a wave of exciting new distilleries is making the region more varied than ever.

Try: Lochlea Ploughing Edition (£49.95) from an Ayrshire farm distillery, or Lindores Abbey MCDXCIV (£46.95) from Fife.
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Campbeltown

Once called the “whisky capital of the world”, this small town on the Kintyre peninsula now has only a handful of distilleries – but they have a cult following. Expect oily, briny, complex drams, sometimes with smoke.

Try: Kilkerran 12 (£59.95) or Longrow Peated (£57).
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Islands

Officially part of the Highland region, but whisky fans often treat the islands – Orkney, Skye, Mull, Arran, Raasay and more – as their own group. Styles vary from island to island, often with a salty, coastal character.

Try: Isle of Raasay Hebridean Single Malt (£52.95), Arran Sauternes Cask (£59.95) or, for a special occasion, Highland Park 18 from Orkney.
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Which whisky region should I start with?

• Like sweet, fruity flavours? Start with Speyside.
• Like smoky flavours (or barbecue, or bonfires)? Head to Islay.
• Want something light and easy? Try a Lowland or a lighter Highland malt.
• Can’t decide? A tasting set or a few miniatures let you compare before buying a full bottle.

Or come and taste for yourself – we run daily whisky tastings at Whiski Rooms, next door to our shop on North Bank Street, Edinburgh.