Smooth, Easy-Drinking Whiskies: 20 Picks

For beginners and anyone who doesn't like smoke: whiskies we rate 1 or less for smokiness and 3 or more for sweetness, sweetest and gentlest first.

1. 1

   Kavalan Classic

   Taiwan / Single Malt / NAS / 40%

   The flagship single malt from Kavalan in Yilan, Taiwan. Rapid subtropical maturation gives lush tropical fruit, vanilla and coconut.

   SweetFruityNeatOn the rocksHighball
2. 2

   Miyagikyo Single Malt 10 Year Old

   シングルモルト宮城峡 10年

   Japan / Miyagi / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 45%

   A single malt from whisky aged at least 10 years at Miyagikyo near Sendai. Fruity apple and citrus with soft vanilla sweetness from maturation.

   SweetFruityNeatWith waterHighball
3. 3

   Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt

   Ireland / Northern Ireland / Single Malt / 16 yrs / 40%

   A single malt combining whiskeys aged 16+ years in bourbon and sherry casks, then finished in port pipes. Rich dried fruit, berries and nuts.

   SweetFruityRichNeatWith water
4. 4

   Nikka Coffey Malt

   ニッカ カフェモルト

   Japan / Miyagi / Grain / NAS / 45%

   An unusual whisky: 100% malted barley distilled in a Coffey still. Peach, tropical fruit and banana with a silky texture.

   SweetFruityNeatOn the rocksHighball
5. 5

   Black Nikka Rich Blend

   ブラックニッカ リッチブレンド

   Japan / Blended / NAS / 40%

   A Black Nikka built around sherry-cask malt, married with Nikka's Coffey grain. Fruity, floral aromas and smooth, sweet richness — designed to be enjoyed on the rocks.

   SweetOn the rocksHighballWith water
6. 6

   Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt

   Ireland / Northern Ireland / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 40%

   A benchmark Irish single malt: triple-distilled malt aged at least 10 years in bourbon and sherry casks. Smooth honey, vanilla and ripe fruit.

   FruityNeatOn the rocksHighball
7. 7

   Bushmills Black Bush

   Ireland / Blended / NAS / 40%

   A rich Irish blend with a very high malt content, matured in oloroso sherry casks. Dried-fruit sweetness and smooth depth.

   SweetNeatOn the rocksHighball
8. 8

   Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

   Scotland / Speyside / Single Malt / 12 yrs / 40%

   One of the world's best-known single malts. Fresh, pear-like fruit with gentle butterscotch and cream.

   FruityHighballNeatOn the rocks
9. 9

   Hibiki 21 Year Old

   響 21年

   Japan / Blended / 21 yrs / 43%

   One of the pinnacles of Suntory blending: carefully selected malt and grain whiskies aged 21+ years. Ripe fruit and deep oak.

   SweetFruityRichNeatWith water
10. 10

    Kirin Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whisky

    キリン シングルグレーン 富士

    Japan / Shizuoka / Grain / NAS / 46%

    A single grain combining whiskies from three distillation methods at Fuji Gotemba. Poached pear and marmalade fruit with rye-like spice.

    SweetFruityNeatOn the rocksHighball
11. 11

    Nikka Coffey Grain

    ニッカ カフェグレーン

    Japan / Miyagi / Grain / NAS / 45%

    Grain whisky made in a rare Coffey still. The sweetness of the grain comes through, with vanilla and chocolate-like aromas.

    SweetHighballOn the rocksNeat
12. 12

    Nikka Days

    ニッカ デイズ

    Japan / Blended / NAS / 40%

    A light, delicate blend built on Coffey Grain and Miyagikyo malt. Fruity white flowers, pear and citrus with a silky texture.

    HighballOn the rocksCocktails
13. 13

    Single Malt Kanosuke

    シングルモルト嘉之助

    Japan / Kagoshima / Single Malt / NAS / 48%

    The core single malt from Kanosuke Distillery in Kagoshima. Sweet, elegant Japanese character from ex-shochu casks, with a faint sea-breeze saltiness.

    SweetFruityNeatOn the rocksHighball
14. 14

    Single Malt Miyagikyo

    シングルモルト宮城峡

    Japan / Single Malt / NAS / 45%

    The no-age-statement single malt from Miyagikyo near Sendai. Sweet, lush apple and pear aromas with vanilla and a smooth texture.

    FruityNeatHighballWith water
15. 15

    Suntory Old

    サントリーオールド

    Japan / Blended / NAS / 43%

    Loved since 1950 and nicknamed "Daruma" for its rounded bottle. Sweet raisin and berry aromas from sherry casks, with a mellow palate.

    SweetWith waterOn the rocksHighball
16. 16

    Suntory Royal

    サントリーローヤル

    Japan / Blended / NAS / 43%

    A 1960 blend created by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii. Sweet, lush aromas and a soft, smooth palate.

    SweetWith waterOn the rocksHighball
17. 17

    The Glenlivet 12 Year Old

    Scotland / Speyside / Single Malt / 12 yrs / 40%

    The core expression from The Glenlivet, a Speyside icon. Matured in European and American oak for a fruity, smooth dram.

    FruityHighballNeatOn the rocks
18. 18

    The Macallan 12 Years Old Sherry Oak

    Scotland / Speyside / Single Malt / 12 yrs / 40%

    The Macallan's classic, aged 12 years exclusively in oak casks seasoned with sherry in Jerez. Dried fruit, wood spice and a rich golden colour.

    SweetFruityRichNeatWith waterOn the rocks
19. 19

    The Tyrconnell Single Malt

    Ireland / County Louth / Single Malt / NAS / 43%

    A double-distilled Irish single malt from Cooley. Creamy and delicate, built around citrus and honey.

    FruityNeatHighballOn the rocks
20. 20

    Yamazaki

    山崎

    Japan / Single Malt / NAS / 43%

    The no-age-statement single malt from Yamazaki, Japan's first malt whisky distillery. Wine-cask and Mizunara-cask malts combine for soft, elegant aromas and a sweet, smooth taste.

    SweetFruityHighballNeatWith water

Order and flavour profiles are our editorial guide.