Smoky Whiskies: 17 Picks

Smoke comes from drying malted barley over burning peat, giving aromas of bonfires, smoked fish and iodine. It divides opinion, but many drinkers find it addictive. This page lists the whiskies we rate 4 or more out of 5 for smokiness, smokiest first.

1. 1

   Ardbeg Corryvreckan

   Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / NAS / 57.1%

   A cask-strength Ardbeg named after the great whirlpool north of Islay. French oak brings dark fruit and tannin swirling with ferocious peat.

   SmokySpicyRichNeatWith water
2. 2

   Ardbeg Ten

   Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 46%

   Ardbeg's flagship, among the peatiest of Islay malts. Behind the intense smoke lie citrus and toffee sweetness.

   SmokyNeatWith waterHighball
3. 3

   Ardbeg Uigeadail

   Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / NAS / 54.2%

   Smoky Ardbeg married with the raisin sweetness of old sherry casks, at cask strength. Named World Whisky of the Year in 2009.

   SmokySweetRichNeatWith water
4. 4

   Big Peat

   Scotland / Islay / Blended Malt / NAS / 46%

   A blended malt of Islay whiskies only — Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and even Port Ellen. Robust peat smoke and salt.

   SmokyHighballNeatWith water
5. 5

   Lagavulin 16 Year Old

   Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / 16 yrs / 43%

   Islay's archetypal heavyweight smoky malt. Slow distillation and 16 years in cask give rich peat, dried-fruit sweetness and a deep finish.

   SmokyRichNeatWith water
6. 6

   Laphroaig 10 Year Old

   Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 40%

   An Islay malt famous for its love-it-or-hate-it medicinal peat. Behind the intense smoke and iodine lie seaweed salinity and gentle sweetness.

   SmokyHighballNeatWith water
7. 7

   Laphroaig Quarter Cask

   Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / NAS / 48%

   Laphroaig given extra time in small casks about a quarter the usual size. More wood contact adds coconut and banana sweetness to the intense peat.

   SmokyRichNeatWith waterHighball
8. 8

   Port Charlotte 10

   Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 50%

   A heavily peated (40ppm) Islay malt from Bruichladdich, made from 100% Scottish barley. Barbecue-like smoke balanced with heather.

   SmokyRichNeatWith waterHighball
9. 9

   Talisker Storm

   Scotland / Islands (Isle of Skye) / Single Malt / NAS / 45.8%

   A no-age-statement Talisker with more smoke and maritime character than the 10. Peppery spice balanced with warm sweetness.

   SmokySpicyHighballNeatWith water
10. 10

    Caol Ila 12 Year Old

    Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / 12 yrs / 43%

    The core expression from Caol Ila, Islay's largest distillery. Islay peat smoke brightened by floral, peppery and citrus notes in a light, approachable style.

    SmokyHighballNeatWith water
11. 11

    Kilchoman Machir Bay

    Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / NAS / 46%

    The core expression from Kilchoman, Islay's farm distillery that grows, distils and bottles on site. Peat smoke with raisin, citrus and butterscotch.

    SmokyNeatHighballWith water
12. 12

    Lagavulin 8 Year Old

    Scotland / Islay / Single Malt / 8 yrs / 48%

    Released for Lagavulin's 200th anniversary in 2016 and now a core expression. Youthful, vivid smoke and sweetness — a contrast to the 16.

    SmokyNeatHighballWith water
13. 13

    Ledaig 10 Year Old

    Scotland / Islands (Isle of Mull) / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 46.3%

    The peated malt from Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull. Sweet, briny smoke with hints of medicine, wax and mint chocolate.

    SmokyNeatWith waterHighball
14. 14

    Longrow

    Scotland / Campbeltown / Single Malt / NAS / 46%

    The heavily peated single malt from Springbank in Campbeltown. Rich smoke with an oily texture, sweet fruit and spice.

    SmokyRichNeatWith water
15. 15

    Nikka Frontier

    ニッカ フロンティア

    Japan / Blended / NAS / 48%

    A malt-led blend (51%+ malt) keyed on Yoichi's heavily peated malt. Non-chill filtered at 48%, weighty and smoky.

    SmokyRichHighballOn the rocksNeat
16. 16

    Talisker 10 Year Old

    Scotland / Islands (Isle of Skye) / Single Malt / 10 yrs / 45.8%

    Maritime, smoky and bursting with black-pepper spice. Some like it as a highball with a twist of cracked pepper.

    SmokySpicyHighballNeatWith water
17. 17

    Yoichi Single Malt 10 Year Old

    シングルモルト余市 10年

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

    A powerful, weighty single malt from coal-fired Yoichi, aged at least 10 years. Ripe banana and pear meet smoky peat.

    SmokyRichNeatWith waterHighball

Order and flavour profiles are our editorial guide.