Peated whiskies have traditionally been associated with scotch, but the smoke-flavored landscape is changing. Photo by Martin Hunter
Smoky, peated whiskies aren't for everyone, but their fans are probably the most devoted of any other style. The most famous and widely available peated whiskies hail from Scotland, where the peat bogs have a long history in whisky making through their use as a fuel source. But Scotland is not the only country to make use of peat, as distillers around the globe tap it for the creation of their own smoky whiskies. Some do use peated malt from Scotland, but others harvest it locally. Our tasting panel, sampling blind, found 10 non-Scottish whiskies with unique ways of expressing peat.
10 Peated Whiskies Not From Scotland To Try
93 points - Kyrö Malt Rye Peat Smoke World Whisky, 47.2%, $53
Rye malt is smoked with Finnish freshwater peat for this expression, and there’s a proper fug of aromatic peat smoke on the nose, mingling with rye spices and dark chocolate. Warm and fruity on the palate, with sultana, prune, rye bread, honey, dried cherry, and fruit scones with strawberry jam, all under a cloud of smoke. The nutty finish is complemented by sweet milk chocolate.
93 points - Shortcross 5 year old Peated Irish Whiskey, 46%, $103
A beautiful combination of aromas, with honey, graham cracker, dried orange disc, mild spices, and gentle waves of chocolaty peat smoke. This carries through to the palate with melted milk chocolate, chewy toffee, pepper, roasted spices, and black forest gateau, with the peat smoke present in the periphery. Absolutely delicious, this is a great peated Irish whiskey with a moreish finish of chocolate brownies and gentle bonfire smoke.
92 points - Macaloney’s Signature Selection Siol Dugall Canadian Island Peated (Batch 2) Single Malt, 46%, $82
Delightful tendrils of sweet peat waft from the glass, with vanilla bean, campfire coals, burnt marshmallow, and a hint of fresh guava taking center stage. Similarly soft and sweet flavors arise on the palate, which is light on its feet; eventually, a well-balanced mix of peppery spice, chocolate, and ashy charcoal emerges. The finish marks a turn toward even more peated earthiness, though lovely notes of lemon cake and pepper remain.
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92 points - Mars Tsunuki Bakemono Zukushi Emaki No. 5 Minokedashi Single Cask Sherry Hogshead Matured Japanese Single Malt, 60%, $230
Beautifully balanced with well-integrated smoke and sand dune aromas, plus black cherry, raisin, chocolate, black currant mousse, and a rising note of cranberry. This peated whisky excels at delivering chocolate-covered cherry flavors, with cranberries, clove, fig, date, and unsweetened chocolate, then residual smoke drifting into the finish of raisins and spicy fig. The high proof is noticeable, but even with plenty of water, it still delivers a flavorsome dram. (U.S. exclusive).
92 points – Westland Flagship American Single Malt, 46%, $75
Fresh oak and light peat on the nose, that becomes more pronounced as the whisky settles in the glass. The peat is not smokey but more like dampened embers, set against orange peel, as vanilla and cooked malt. The palate is lush, honeyed, and fruity, with notes of apricots, sliced apples, blackberries, chocolate bar, and hints of wafting cigar smoke. The whiskey is light on its feet, yet full-bodied.
91 points - Macaloney’s Signature Selection An Aba Canadian Island Peated (Batch 3) Single Malt, 46%, $82
The nose is pleasantly smoky, but it’s not peat smoke; it’s an aromatic woodsmoke that’s reminiscent of mesquite. A hint of orange peel and mocha round it out. On the palate, more of that smoke, backed here by decadent dark chocolate, dried orange, and red berries. A mid-length finish caps this flavorful whisky off, beautifully melding sweet and savory alongside fruit and smoke.
91 points - Starward 4 year old Peated Islay Whisky Barrel Finished Australian Single Malt, 48%, $100
Warm scents of baked apple, candied orange peel, and baked plums mesh with whiffs of potpourri and sandalwood on a lively, scotch-like nose. Creamy and smoothly textured on the palate, with flavors of warm vanilla, prominent jalapeño pepper spice, and hints of peaty smoke that are mesquite-like. A tasty finish of dried lemon peel, faint spice, mellow oak, and chocolate ice cream. Well-integrated, flavor-forward, and delicious—this one hits the mark.
91 points - Starward Lagavulin Cask Finished Australian Single Malt, 48%, $130
When you take a 3 year old Starward matured in red wine casks and finish it in peaty barrels from Islay for 18 months, you get a nose of chocolaty peat smoke, black cherry jam, red pear, fruit teas, and gentle beach bonfire aromas. Plum jam, earthy peat smoke, pepper, brambles, and caramel on the palate, with plenty of youthful bite. It’s quite different from other Australian peated whiskies.
90 points - Brother Justus Cold Peated American Single Malt, 43%, $65
Floral and fruity, an inviting nose opens with roses, orange blossom, lime zest, and lemonade, all braced by a light salinity and minerality. Stone fruits and berries lead the way on the palate, with depth coming from savory and bready accents. While the spicy notes are subdued, there’s a light clove and peppercorn spice that lingers through the finish, which is otherwise lively and fruity.
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90 points - Ki-One Batch 4 Peated World Whisky, 46%, $160
An intriguing nose of roasted five spice, cigar smoke, dried herbs, barbecued meat, walnut, worn leather, nut shells, and a hint of cacao. Sweet mandarin on the palate, with peppery spice, cinnamon bark, and puffs of cigar smoke throughout, plus marmalade, stewed plum, earthiness, and a hint of ginger. This has a drying, hot spicy finish with flavors of clove, tobacco, and five spice.
