Scottsdale, Arizona probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of fine Scottish whisky. But the rookie Scotchdale brand defies expectations. Created by Scottsdale residents Travis Ranville and John McDonnell several years ago and brought to market in early 2019, Scotchdale’s 80-proof blended malt Scotch whisky comes from Angus Dundee Distillers’ two pure malt distilleries in the Highland and Speyside regions of Scotland, aged for a minimum of eight years in charred American oak bourbon barrels.
Whisky Advocate gave Scotchdale a solid 90-point rating in fall 2020, describing it as “medium-bodied” and noting that it “eschews sweetness and fruitiness to inhabit a world of dark toffee, Brazil nut, dry oak, malt, plain chocolate, hot peppery spice, and licorice.” The folks at Scotchdale simply tout it as “the most livable whisky.”
Previously only available in the Phoenix metropolitan area and surrounding Arizona communities, thanks to a partnership with Las Vegas-based West Coast Beverages, Scotchdale can now be found in a number of Southern Nevada bars and restaurants, including The Charleston Tavern, 18bin, and 595 Craft + Kitchen, as well as local retailers such as Crystal Liquors and Hacienda Liquor.
Scotchdale’s website features a number of delicious cocktail recipes for its flexible blended Scotch whisky—many inspired by the state of Arizona—but because McDonnell and Ranville are obviously men of good taste, the whisky brand’s signature cocktail is its eponymous “The Scotchdale,” a refined take on an Old Fashioned that subs chocolate and orange bitters for the traditional Angostura version, which naturally complements the spirit’s robust flavor profile.
The Scotchdale
- 2 oz. Scotchdale whisky
- 2 dashes chocolate bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- Top with soda water
- Garnish with orange peel
Of course, if you want to get your sip of Scotchdale right now, you’d need to make your way to Arizona or Nevada. But now you know next time you find yourself in Vegas, Scottsdale, or even the New Age haven of Sedona, you can probably ask your bartender for a taste of this imported blend designed to “tame the Arizona heat.”
Main image by TAVITS Photography, courtesy of Scotchdale.