Who Makes The Smoothest Whiskey

Naked Grouse Scotch Whisky: Best Blended Malt

Price:£26 |

A no-nonsense blended malt from the makers of The Famous Grouse, this is a smooth but robust all-malt whisky matured in sherry casks. Rich, heavier than a grain/malt blend and with a slightly sweet aftertaste, Naked Grouse comes in a clean and unfussy bottle that we find rather attractive. At £19, its also great value.

Key specs Alcohol content: 40% Bottle size: 70cl Country of origin: Scotland

Jeffersons Ocean Aged At Sea Bourbon

Most whiskey distillers get experimental with different wood, blends or aging. Jeffersons takes this experimentation even further with their Ocean Aged at Sea Bourbon. After eight years of aging on land, the bourbon is aged an additional five to ten months on an OCEARCH shark tagging vessel. This time at sea develops the flavor profile by exposing the bourbon to temperature fluctuations, salty air and the rocking motion of a ship.

The result of this wild aging process is a unique, complex whiskey that everyone should try. The saltiness of the ocean air is certainly present, while extra wood tannin extraction creates aromas of vanilla, caramel and burnt matches.

Courtesy Drizly.com

What Makes Whiskey Smooth

Whiskey can be smooth due to its soft texture, sweet flavor, the grains used for distillation, and the blending process. Also, high-proof whiskeys are known to achieve lightness.

They have a higher proof during the final distillation stage, which results in a more mild flavor. But, expect a strong alcohol content.

Also, maturation and filtration are essential factors that make a whiskey smooth. For instance, if whiskey is aged in oak casks, it becomes softer as it ages.

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Wl Weller 12 Year Old

Bottled: 45% ABV

Produced: Frankfort, Kentucky by Sazerac Company

While this isnt the cheapest option when youre starting your bourbon journey, its definitely one of the smoothest at an accessible price point. It has even been compared in flavor to the elusive and highly-priced Pappy Van Winkle. Just like Pappy, W.L. Weller is a wheated bourbon, so its sweeter with fewer overtly spicy tones. This makes it easier to drink and smoother on the palate. Add to this the extra years spent in the barrel, and the result is a syrupy, full-bodied bourbon with layers of flavor. It is exceptionally easy to drink with fruity flavors like apple and cherry, along with the classic caramel and vanilla.

Old Elk Straight Bourbon

Old Elks Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey is one of the top 10 smoothest whiskeys available. It is made using the Slow Cut process, which results in a fuller, deeper, and smoother spirit.

This expression has won numerous awards with the most notable being a Gold Medal at the New York International Spirits Competition. Tasting notes reveal oak, toffee, vanilla ice cream, caramel, and floral notes on the nose, with cream, toffee, vanilla, toasted almonds, and clove on the palate. The finish is smooth and slightly warming with caramel and milk chocolate notes.

This whiskey is bottled at 92 proof. Find it for$55 at ReserveBar.

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The Best Smooth Bourbon For Beginners

Since youre reading this, Ill assume you are new to whiskey and to bourbon in particular. So let me help you out. Most liquor stores, hell most pretty good grocery stores, sell decent bourbon. You may be tempted to grab a bottle of Jack or Beam but hold up. Dont do that. Theyre affordable for a reason. Instead, reach for a bottle of Buffalo Trace or Four Roses. We dont normally promote the big brands on this site, but theyre big for a reason and youre in the starting gate for great whiskey. These two brands are multi-grained, wheat forward bourbons with decades of practice in making consistently smooth bourbon with amazing flavor.

Best Single Barrel: Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky

Courtesy of Drizly

Caribou Crossing is a Sazerac brand that was the first Canadian single barrel whisky. While others may have grabbed onto the trend, it remains a favorite and is certainly a top-shelf Canadian whisky that every aficionado should know. The whisky used for this blend is the cream of the crop from the Old Montreal Distillery and is bottled in Kentucky at Buffalo Trace. The whisky inside is as beautiful as the vessel it comes in. Its richly complex and ultra-smooth, with toffee sweetness fading into a creamy oak finish that has a hint of pepper.

This single barrel whisky is definitely at the high end of the Canadian whisky market. Its excellent straight and will shine in very simple cocktails. Save it for special occasions and savor its smoothness with every sip.

Lot 40 is an interesting whisky. Distilled entirely from rye in a copper pot still, the bottles available today are a throwback to an 18th-century Ontario whisky and a time when rye whisky was Canadas specialty. The modern brand originally launched in the 1990s and was discontinued in the 2000s, but has since been brought back to life. Todays version is produced at the Hiram Walker Distillery in Windsor, Ontario and continues the small-batch tradition.

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Best Whiskey To Drink Straight

Are you a person who loves the taste of whiskey in its natural form? Dont you want to add some additional flavors to it? Whiskey is the most popular alcoholic drink in the world. Nearly 350 million liters of pure alcohol are produced for consumption each year. It has many rich flavors and a complex fragrance, making it an enjoyable drink without any mixers.

Here is a list where you can find the smoothest whiskey of all.

Bourbon Whiskey Wild Turkey 101

If theres one kind of whiskey that beginners will love, its bourbon whiskey. The unique sweetness of bourbon thats brought about by the corn mashes its made up of makes for a great first experience at whiskey.

Thats why for the most part, any batch of Bourbon whiskey will do if youre introducing someone to whiskey, though there are some that are better than others for this.

One good example of a starter Bourbon would be Wild Turkey 101. Wild Turkey 101 only comes in at a somewhat mild 50.5 ABV, and like other whiskeys, youll taste a lot of toffee and vanilla in every shot, combined with the already sweet undertones that Bourbon is prized for.

This is definitely a whiskey that any beginner should try out at least once.

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Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon

Elijah Craigs Small Batch bourbon is a smooth, well-rounded whiskey that has been aged for about 12 years. This gives it a rich flavor profile that is punctuated by notes of oak, vanilla and caramel. The long aging process also results in a very smooth finish, making it a great choice for sipping neat or on the rocks.

At 94 proof, it is also slightly higher in ABV than some other bourbons, which contributes to its robust flavor. Thanks to its quality and flavor profile, this bourbon was named the Best Bourbon Aged 10-12 Years by Jim Murrays Whisky Bible. A sub-$40 whiskey, this is a great value buy.

Whether you are a bourbon aficionado or just exploring the world of whiskey, Elijah Craigs Small Batch is definitely worth a try. Find it for $34 at ReserveBar.

What Is Smooth Scotch Whisky

If you hear whisky or Scotch described as smooth, the term generally refers to the texture of the whisky. But Scotch is liquid, surely thats its texture? Scotch whisky is considered to be smooth if there is a minimal alcoholic bite to the drink itself. In a nutshell, this means that the drink will not make your eyes water when you have the first sip of it.

You may still pick up some alcohol on the nose. Smelling your glass of whisky before taking a sip of it is an integral part of the tasting process. For really smooth whiskies, youll notice the fruity and spicy undertones when you first nose it. The notes you pick up heavily depend on the type of casks and barrels used during aging the Scotch. But, well get back to how later on in this post.

Experts describe a whisky as smooth when they can get the fundamental flavors of the drink and when they can sip on it easily. Whisky is not for everyone, but a truly smooth Scotch is something anyone can enjoy, even if it is only occasionally.

Scotch whiskies are notorious for being some of the smoothest whiskies out there. The Scottish people have embedded much of their socioeconomic history into the crafting and production of whisky.

The distillers of our mentioned favorites, Ardbeg Uigeadail, Glenmorangie Vintage 1997, and Dewars Double Double 32 Year Old know their stuff! Their qualities are great examples of what is the smoothest Scotch whisky.

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What Is The Difference Between Whiskey And Whisky

Let’s settle this age-old debate: whiskey vs. whisky. Whiskey that hails from America and Ireland is spelled just like thatwith an “e.” When the booze hails from anywhere else in the worldlike Japan or Scotlandit’s spelled “whisky,” without an “e.”

Whiskey can generally be separated into two categories: straight and blended. Straight whiskey only contains whiskey from a single distillery using a single malted grain. Blended whiskeys on the other hand, can contain a number of whiskey products from different distillers and distillation periods, as well as other flavorings.

In America, there are three kinds of whiskey. That’s bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and rye whiskeyeach with its own distillation process, ingredients, and, of course, taste. If you prefer something sweet, try bourbon, which has been aged for at least two years in oak barrels and contains at least 51 percent corn in its “mash bill” . You might enjoy bourbon in a classic mint julep or a ginger lime whiskey sour.

Tennessee whiskey is also sweet, aged in oak barrels for at least two years, and contains at least 51 percent corn. However, this liquor is made specifically in Tennessee and must go through what’s called the Lincoln County Process, which includes a filtering process using sugar maple charcoal. This makes it good for simple, classic cocktails like a Jack and Coke.

What Is The Smoothest Top

Whiskey experts claim that Laphroaig is the smoothest top-shelf whiskey. Its a soft, Scotch whiskey with a smoky taste thats not overpowering and works well with the flavor notes of the whiskey.

Other smooth top-shelf whiskeys include Mreso. Its a blended scotch thats easy to consume. So, if youre looking for smooth top-shelf whiskey, you should consider these two brands.

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Russells Reserve 6 Year Rye

Bottled at 90 proof, Russells Reserve Rye features notes of almond and allspice. Its crisp, lively taste works in a smooth, complex palate. The high-proof rye is made with a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It is aged for a minimum of six years in new American oak barrels before being bottled at its natural color. A lot of drinkers unfairly assume that all rye is spicy or hard to enjoy unless youre a true enthusiast. Russells does a great job of demonstrating how flavorful and easy to enjoy rye whiskey can be. Despite it making up a tiny portion of their overall distilling

Non-chill filtered, Russells Reserve Rye drinks a higher viscosity than most other rye whiskies on the market. This allows you to enjoy all the flavor notes that the spirit has to offer. Find Russells Reserve 6 Year Rye for $51 at ReserveBar.

Darkness 8 Year Old: Best Sherry

Price: £50 | Buy now from Master of Malt

This mysterious brand is produced at an unnamed distillery somewhere in Speyside and the result is an outrageously drinkable whisky. It may only be an 8 year old single malt whisky at its core, but those eight years have been spent maturing in bourbon barrels and then followed with a further three months in deliberately bijou octave Oloroso sherry casks to imbue as much complexity and flavour as possible.

The sherry influence isn’t quite as intense as with some whiskies we’ve tasted, but the result is impossible to dislike. There’s a rich, vibrant surge of flavour bursting with sherry, spice, orange peel and amaretto, all underpinned with a gentle sweetness which results in a whisky that’s dangerously drinkable. For the money, it’s one of our favourites – and a stunning dram to boot.

Key specs Alcohol content: 47.8% Bottle size: 70cl Country of origin: Scotland

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What Exactly Do We Mean By Smooth

Smooth is one of the most commonly heard and ill-defined terms in the whiskey language. Everybody has encountered a whiskey that they would characterize as smooth at some point in their lives, but what does that actually mean? Warm? delicate? Subtle? Light? Sweet? Lacking that alcoholic burn?

In a nutshell, smooth whiskeys are those that can be effortlessly sipped without causing tongue itching or scorching and have the least amount of alcoholic sting as possible. Milder whiskeys, on the whole, provide a more mellow drinking experience than their more aggressive cousins. Thus, the easiest way to determine whether the liquid is smooth or not is to taste or smell it.

How To Drink Whiskey

Whiskey isnt a spirit you guzzle for the fun of it like you did tequila in college. Whiskey demands appreciation. A good whiskey is greatly enhanced by ice. Though experts suggest resisting the urge to toss ice into your glass of whiskey straightaway, adding one or two cubes to your first dram will help. It will lighten the harshness many complain about and will eliminate some of the burn, making it easier for you to enjoy your first sip. Obviously, as you begin to develop your appreciation for whiskey, you will most likely want to stop drinking it on the rocks. Note that, when using ice, its ideal to use an ice ball or one large cube rather than standard cubes, since it melts slower and wont completely water your dram down. Also, if you are using cubes, try and avoid using more than two.

Robertson recommends introducing a few drops of water to the dram. Like a garden on a dry day, rainfall opens the aromas. A drop of water will allow the aromas and flavours in your whisky to reveal themselves. A drop at the time, until you find a level that suits you, says Robertson.

You could even ease into whiskey through a great whiskey cocktail suggests Nikhil Agarwal, CEO of All Things Nice. I know many people who love their whiskey with water, soda, ginger ale or loads of iceand thats fine. Id recommend a small drop of cool water or a tiny cube of ice if you are new to whiskeys.

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Glen Moray Elgin Classic

This medium bright gold whisky features light, fresh, nutty, and fruity on the nose. On the palate, you can get the flavors of gentle oak with citrus, lemon sponge, walnut, and grist. Then the tangy citrus and spicy fruitcake will linger on the finish.

Our spirit experts recommend putting a drop of plain water to make its flavors come out even more. This drink is perfect for unwinding, like watching a film or relaxing by the fire.

You Can Taste Smoothness When You Sip It

If whisky is not what the experts call smooth, you will certainly know about it. A strong young whisky may make some people gag or cough. For a Scotch to be smooth, it literally has to go down the hatch smoothly and be a genuinely enjoyable experience.

Basically, if you ever feel like youre knocking back cheap shooters at a bar when drinking Scotch, the chances are you dont have a very smooth whisky. A smooth Scotch should never have a heavy taste or smell of alcohol.

A great example of a wonderfully smooth Scotch is the Glenmorangie Vintage 1997. When you taste this vintage youll immediately pick up the notes of spice and red berries. We know its on the high side of most peoples budget, but its also ranked as one of the smoothest Scotch whiskies in the world.

The distillers of Glenmorangie Vintage 1997 again emphasize the fruity, sweet, and spicy flavors your palate will experience when enjoying a swig of this masterpiece. Youll especially experience its complex flavors when holding the Scotch in your mouth and swirling it around.

After you swallow your sip of Scotch, take a deep breath in through your mouth. This will give you an idea of the finish. The finish is the aftertaste that gets left in your mouth after you take a sip. Again, the finish should not be intensely alcoholic if the Scotch is smooth.

The one that tastes like pure heaven is the answer to what is the smoothest Scotch whisky.

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Laphroaig 10 Year Old

This smooth whisky from Laphroaig Distillery possesses the flavors of peat smoke and salt. The smoky aroma gives this drink a unique feel with hints of seaweed and sweetness. Youll be surprised with its sweetness and its long and lingering finish.

Aged in ex-Bourbon barrels, it features a distinctive taste, which you can enjoy neat or with ice. This is a staple choice if youre new to Scottish whisky. The rich flavor and character of this drink make it an ideal choice for both novices and seasoned fans.

Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey

Heres something different: a whiskey distilled entirely from unmalted grains and then aged eight years in former bourbon casks. Not surprisingly, the body is light and fresh, with a sprightly, fresh citrus aroma and soft, sweet flavors of vanilla, lemon zest, and green apple. This is the ideal introductory whiskey and one that will please even the vodka drinkers in the crowd.

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