Scotland and single malt whiskies go hand in hand. It's not the only country to produce this golden elixir, but the ones from this region - which by definition must be made exclusively from malted barley using pot stills at a single distillery - have an illustrious history tied up with the very essence of the country. At last count, there were upwards of 133 distilleries in Scotland, some dating back to the 1700s.

Depending on whether you're in the low-lying south of the country, the mountainous north or perhaps holding on to your hat on a windy isle, what you find in your glass will speak volumes about your locale. Take a tastebud tour of Scotland and discover a single malt that's perfect for you.

 Highlands

Here you'll find some variety within the category, but the wild seas and the impenetrable moorland that dominates the landscape create characteristically bold and peaty drams. However, there's still room for a few signature floral notes too. The Highland also has a sub-category of single malts called The Islands, which come with maritime notes and plenty of peat to boot.

Oban Distillery sits in the heart of the town of the same name on Scotland's southwest coast, producing rich, fruity malts. It's one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland, founded in 1974. Oban 14YO has fresh sea salt and orange peel notes. Bright and clean with a decent whiff of smoke. RRP $154.99 700ml

Speyside

You can't move without bumping into a distillery in Speyside. With its rivers and glens, it produces more fruit-forward malts, ranging from light and grassy to rich and sweet.

Cragganmore is a Speyside distillery founded in 1869 that produces complex, highly prized single malts, regarded as the leading malt for blending in Speyside. Cragganmore 12YO has a typical complex nose, with everything from citrus to melon and tropical fruits. Sweet and honeyed on the mouth, with a rich, sherried finish. RRP $129.99 700ml.

One of the highest distilleries of Scotland, Dalwhinnie creates malts that offer an experience midway between Lowland and Speyside styles: gentle, golden and with depth. Dalwhinnie 15YO has floral, toffee, custardy aromas, giving way to some gentle smoke and a touch of spice. A long, malty and nutty finish. RRP $144.99, 700ml.

Lowlands

In the south of the country, you'll find soft and smooth examples, plenty without any peat or salinity, but all with a more gentle, elegant palate.

Fed by limestone hard water, Glenkinchie Distillery sits in Scotland's lowlands of East Lothian, producing a characteristically light, young character of malt. Glenkinchie 12YO is aromatic and floral on the nose, with some vanilla and citrus. A light smooth body, with a crisp mid-palate and dry finish. RRP $118.99 700ml.

Islay

The southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Islay produces malts that are pungently peaty with plenty of smoke and salt revealed in their complexity.

 Lagavulin Bay, in the south of the Isle of Islay, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, is a wildly picturesque, weather-beaten spot where Lagavulin whisky is created, resulting in full intense peaty examples. Lagavulin 16YO is smoky, meaty, peaty and balanced, with lots of trademark Islay smoke. RRP $154.99 700ml.