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Spicy Whiskies: 7 Picks
Whiskies with spice notes such as black pepper, cinnamon or clove — found in rye-heavy bourbons, rye whiskey and some coastal island malts. Here are the whiskies we rate 4 or more out of 5 for spiciness.
How to choose and enjoy
In a highball the spice really comes through, making them a great match for grilled meat.
- 1
Powers John's Lane 12 Year Old
Ireland / County Cork / Single Pot Still / 12 yrs / 46%
A single pot still named after the old Powers distillery in Dublin. Toffee and brown sugar give way to bold ginger and nutmeg spice.
SpicyRichNeatWith water - 2
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 - 3
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 - 4
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 - 5
Powers Gold Label
Ireland / County Cork / Blended / NAS / 43.2%
A long-time Irish favourite: a pot-still-led blend with grain whiskey, bottled at 43.2% to bring out its spice.
SpicyHighballOn the rocksNeat - 6
Redbreast 15 Year Old
Ireland / County Cork / Single Pot Still / 15 yrs / 46%
An older, richer step up from the 12, bottled at 46% and non-chill filtered. Berry fruit and ripe plum meet spice and toasted oak.
SweetFruitySpicyRichNeatWith water - 7
Wild Turkey 8 Year Old
USA / Kentucky / Bourbon / 8 yrs / 50.5%
The 8-year-old, 101-proof bourbon associated with Wild Turkey's legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell. Powerful and rich, with oak, honey and cinnamon.
SpicyRichOn the rocksNeatHighball
Order and flavour profiles are our editorial guide.