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" Most of the single-malt Scotch we drink here in the U.S. comes from just two parts of that rugged and stubborn land. The massive pregnant bulge halfway up the country&amp;#039;s east coast accounts for the likes of the Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, the Macallan, Glenmorangie, and too many others to count, while Islay, a largish island off the country&amp;#039;s southwest coast, delivers the supersmoky Laphroaigs, Lagavulins, Ardbegs, and their ilk. There are a handful of popular malts from elsewhere, to be sure Highland Park from the Orkneys and the Isle of Skye&amp;#039;s mighty Talisker spring to mind but not many.  Scotland, smaller than South Carolina, has a coastline almost as long as Alaska&amp;#039;s, which makes for a lot of out-of-the-way corners, many of which produce great whisky, like these. The West  If the whiskies of the northeast generally downplay the peat, those of Scotland&amp;#039;s wild west tend to pile it on. Take Ledaig (10 years old, $40), from the large and empty Isle of Mull: To the nose, it&amp;#039;s a story of smoke. But sip it and there&amp;#039;s a huge barley-malt sweetness that wells up behind the peat. Or Campbeltown&amp;#039;s classic Springbank (10 years old, $70), a massive whisky so smoky and briny that it reminds us of nothing so much as the juices of a rare, mesquite-grilled steak. Oban (14 years old, $70) makes a lightly sweet whisky that&amp;#039;s as subtle as the other two are bold, more saltwater taffy than anything from the meat counter. The Northeast  In the flat, wet, lonely northeast, Clynelish (14 years old, $49) makes a floral malt with hints of peat smoke and brine. Old Pulteney (12 years old, $50) yields a warming dram, dark and rich and extremely welcome when it&amp;#039;s 40 degrees and raining. In other words, &amp;quot;July.&amp;quot; Another 38 miles north is the Orkneys&amp;#039; main island, home of the sublime Highland Park and its cross-island rival, Scapa. At 14 years old, the Scapa ($57) is a brooding, intensely spicy whisky with notes of dark chocolate and honey.  The Lowlands  Auchentoshan (12 years old, $46) is one of the few remaining malts to hail from the soft rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands. Redolent of meadow flowers and honeysuckle, it stands as a reminder that even the most rugged country has its sweet spots. Vessels from Which to Drink Scotch (from best to worst)  Click to Browse the Complete Esquire Drinks Database "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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