TOP 10 Peated Whiskies

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

Ledaig is really becoming so popular that soon we won't be able to call it a cult malt whisky anymore. Tobermory distillery's peated Island single malt whisky is developing a legion of enthusiastic zealots.

Released in 2020 at the distillery's now-standard 46.3%, this Ledaig began life in ex-bourbon casks before a finishing period in Rioja wine barriques, which have added some fresh berry notes to the Ledaig spirit's trademark salty, smoky, rubbery flavours. 

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Tasting Notes

Nose: Notes of Turkish delight and rose petals balanced with candied fruits and grapes followed by rich leather and a beautiful peppery spice. A hint of chocolate comes through at the back.

Palate: Creamy mouthfeel packed full of almonds, barley and sweet malt with notes of peppery Ledaig, which give way to black raspberries, sweet vanilla and cocoa interspersed with cinnamon spice and hints of freshly cut grass.

Finish: Lingering smoky finish with red fruit and sea spray.

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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Tasting Notes

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Bright lemony gold.

Nose: Sweet briny smokiness with distinct island character and playful notes that hint at mild antiseptic, creosote, wax polish, mint chocolate and floral seaside aromas. Soft peat, gentle smoke.

Palate: Tantalisingly sweet, medicinal flavours infused with enticing sparks of spicy pepper and dried fruit with rich peaty smoke and a velvety vanilla and malty creaminess.

Finish: A wondrous union of sublimely spicy white pepper, the vibrant sweetness of liquorice and a kick of cloves with a exquisite lingering saltiness.

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%

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
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 48%

Lagavulin 8 year old was Initially released in 2016 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Lagavulin distillery by John Johnston in 1816.

After the success of the original limited-edition expression, it was decided to make this a permanent addition to the Lagavulin range.

A fantastic dram.

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Tasting Notes

Nose: Immediately quite soft with clean, fresh notes, faint hints of milk chocolate and lemon and then developing fragrant tea-scented smoke alongside nose-drying, maritime aromas, with subtle cereal. A prickliness seen earlier now develops, while the trademark Lagavulin dryness emerges as fresh newsprint. Softly sooty. Softer, fuller and more rounded with water: it’s not hugely fruity but there’s just a trace of red berry preserve, perhaps, beneath the smokiness, which comes sharply into focus.

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
4x 5cl / 40%, 46.3%, 40%, 43%

An Islay Journey is a whisky miniature gift set featuring 5cl bottles of four excellent Islay single malt Scotch whiskies, namely Bunnahabhain 12-year-old, and a trio of mystery islay single malts: Smokehead, Islay Storm and The Ileach.

The Islay Journey whisky gift pack makes a delicious Christmas stocking-filler gift for fans of smoky Islay single malt whisky or indeed a great introductory pack for anyone looking to explore Islay single malt whisky for the first time.

Please note that the product image here is a representative example and contents may vary between packs.

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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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Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky
70cl / 46%

Peat's Beast is an independently-bottled peated single malt from an unnamed Scottish distillery, bottled at 46% without colouring or chill filtration. Peat's Beast was launched in 2011 and has been delighting phenol fans ever since.

Youthful, fulsome and packing a real peaty kick, Peat's Beast is a top-notch peaty dram without the pretensions. When a smoky whisky is this good value, does it really matter which distillery it's from? 

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Tasting Notes

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Straw yellow with glittering highlights. 

Nose: A rugged fusion of sea spray, bonfire smoke, damp earth and spicy cinnamon immediately arouses the senses.

Palate: Strong and bold with plenty of backbone and structure as this great monster unfolds its fiery fangs on your palate. This is not for the faint hearted. Take a generous mouthful with a biting wind blowing furiously in your face. Hold it long in your mouth allow the thick tar, peat smoke and creamy liquorice to penetrate every part of your tongue. Time will tame it. 

Finish: The powerful aromas of peat moss and wet grass must be fully respected before seductive notes of crushed pear, apple and freshly baked bread provide the perfect finish to this memorable melody.

Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
Distillery Bottling 70cl / 58.4%

The second ever batch of Ardnamurchan Cask Strength, AD/09.22 follows the same formula, being comprised of a total of 50 casks, 40 of which were peated Ardnamurchan whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks, with the remainder being unpeated spirit matured in a mix of sherry and bourbon casks.

Ardnamurchan AD/09.22 Cask Strength is a coastal, peaty dram with sweet and salty notes amid powerful woodsmoke phenolicity. This cask strength Ardnamurchan whisky is great stuff, a full-throttle introduction to Adelphi's distillery if you haven't yet tried it.

Please note this Ardnamurchan Cask Strength is Strictly Maximum 1 Bottle Per Customer, and is not eligible for any discounts. Duplicate orders will be deleted.

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Tasting Notes

Official Tasting Notes