TOP 10 Peated Whiskies

Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 46%

The second general release from Torabhaig distillery on the Isle of Skye, Torabhaig Legacy Series Allt Gleann is a progression of the distillery's evolving Well Tempered Peat style, kicking up the initial phenols to 77ppm, with 17ppm residual in the spirit.

Torabhaig's Inaugural Release in the Legacy Series caused a sensation earlier this year, so we can't wait to crack one of these Allt Gleann open to try the next step in the Torabhaig story.

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Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
Bottled by: Gordon & MacPhail 70cl / 43%

A 13-year-old Caol Ila bottled at 43% by Gordon & MacPhail for their Discovery Range of great value, accessible single malt whiskies. The Discovery Range is colour-coded, with this Caol Ila 13-year-old's grey packaging indicating a Smoky flavour profile.

We were so impressed when trying the whiskies from the Discovery Range that we could not believe the RRP. In our opinion, these Gordon & MacPhail bottlings are better than a lot of whiskies at twice the price, and are a must for anyone looking to get into single malt whisky.

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Tasting Notes

Official Tasting Notes

Nose: Sweet vanilla and dried cured meat aromas with peat smoke undertones are complemented by banana and apricot.

Palate: Ripe banana, kiwi with vibrant hints of fresh citrus.

Finish: Long sweet and smokey.

Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 46.3%

The 10-year-old Ledaig heavily-peated single malt whisky from Tobermory Distillery was introduced in 2007 and like many single malt whisky fans we were knocked out when we first tried it. Subtle it ain't, but this is a thrill ride.

Ledaig's full-on character is a combination of very boisterous wet, earthy peat alongside coastal salinity balanced by a toffee sweetness, but it also frequently has unique layers of rubber, sweet and peppery spices and barbecued meat. It's definitely not for everyone, but fans of this take-no-prisoners malt will accept no substitute.

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Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 43%

As with other mid-aged Islay whiskies, this Caol Ila 18 year old has really mellowed nicely with age. The peat is still there but it just sits nicely in the background.

Caol Ila 18 starts smoky-sweet on the nose then drinks smoothly, showing a sweet yet sour character. The long-lived finish evokes a distant, smouldering beach bonfire.

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Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 46% 

Kilchoman Machir Bay is a vatting of whiskies predominately matured in first-fill bourbon casks and a much smaller number from sherry casks. This beautiful marriage gives a unique balance of aromatic and coastal peat smoke, citrus and tropical fruit.

This excellent Kilchoman Machir Bay release is presented in a lovely presentation pack with 2 branded glasses, ideal for a gift or a treat for yourself.

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Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
Distillery bottling 70cl / 48.3%

The second release as part of Balvenie's Stories Range tells the tale of retired distillery manager Ian Millar's eagerness to experiment.

This 14-year-old heavily peated whisky has all the classic Balvenie sweet and citrus notes along with the lovely peat smoke from a unique process. 

The story behind this bottling is when Ian Millar spotted a 1-week gap in production at Balvenie. it was then decided that they would produce a peated whisky for this week of the year. Hence the name, The Week of Peat.

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Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 58.7%

Bottled in early 2022, Ardnamurchan's AD/02.22 is a cask strength edition from Adelphi's Highland distillery. Ardnamurchan AD/02.22 Cask Strength is a vatting of 50 casks, 40 of which were bourbon barrels of the distillery's peated whisky with the remainder being unpeated whisky from ex-bourbon and sherry casks - so this will be a tremendous dram. Ardnamurchan AD/02.22 has been bottled without colouring or chill filtration at its natural strength of 58.7%.

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Tasting Notes

Official Tasting Notes

Nose: Pear and almond tart, sea salt, wet hessian, flapjacks, sea shells and peppermint tea.

Palate: Fresh ginger, tobacco leaf, integrated peat, orange blossom, salted caramel with a great texture.

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 43%

The peat and the sherry have integrated very well here, very concentrated and thick at first with notes of creosote, tar, spice and then figs, prunes and dates from the sherry come through.

Very mature, seemingly beyond its years at first with some very juicy cereal and smoky malt notes on the swallow that seems to betray the more natural spirit underneath the sherry finishing.

Great stuff and lots of fun to play around with.

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Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottled by: Cooper's Choice 70cl / 44.5%

Cooper's Choice have bottled a string of these Laggan Mill secret Islay single malt whiskies in the last few years - originally from naked bourbon casks but nowadays an increasing number of wine finishes.

This particular Laggan Mill bottled in 2021 began life in American oak and has been finished in a port pipe Cask 3353, which yielded a nice round 600 bottles at a strength of 44.5%. There's no age statement on this, but judging by the colour it's unlikely to be short on flavour. A must for fans of the combination of smoky phenols and sweet wine influence.

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Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 43%

From what is believed to be one of the oldest distillery sites in Scotland we have the hugely popular and well respected Lagavulin 16-year-old.

Hailing from the southern shores of Islay this distinctive whisky has undergone the slowest distillation of any Islay single malt before being aged in oak casks for a minimum of 16 years.

Known for being richly peaty, and its deep, smoky flavours this is Islays representation in the Classic Malt Range from Diageo.

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