Last Updated on: 16th April 2024, 08:13 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discovering the Best Smoke-Free Scotch Delights
With the assistance of Scotch expert Neil Coleman and customer insights, I have assembled a list of the top unpeated and free-of-smoke whiskies.
Discover your next favorite!
Written by: J Highland
Key Takeaways
- Glengoyne 10: Noted for its fruity and sweet profile.
- Classic Laddie: Recognized for its floral and citrus notes.
- Arran 10: Praised for its balance of sweetness and spice.
- Additional Selections: Includes various other unpeated Scotches, each with unique flavors and attributes.
- Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Quick Look at the Best Unpeated Scotches
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Glengoyne 10 | $50 |
| Classic Laddie | $60 |
| Arran 10 | $70 |
| Deanston 12 | $55 |
| Macallan Sherry Oak 12 | $95 |
| Balvenie 12 | $70 |
| Glenallachie 12 | $75 |
| Quinta Ruban | $65 |
| Tamdhu 15 | $150 |
| Tobermory 15 | $150 |
| GlenDronach 18 | $220 |
| Aberlour A’Bunadh | $105 |
Glengoyne 10: Pleasant Sweetness for Peat-Free Fans
- Nose: Vanilla, peach, apple, cookie dough
- Palate: Caramel, honey, apple, almond, apple
- Finish: Short, oak spice, cinnamon, malt
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Glengoyne 10 offers a unique experience for peat-averse drinkers. Air-dried barley ensures a completely smoke-free dram.
The nose is light with vanilla, fruit, and dough hints. The palate is warm with caramel, honey, and apple, leading to a short, oaky finish with spice.
Compared to similar Speyside malts, Glengoyne 10 boasts more character and depth at a competitive price. Enjoy its clean and easy-drinking profile, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Bruichladdich Classic Laddie: Islay’s Unexpected Delight
- Nose: Malted barley, floral, lemon zest, salt
- Palate: Lemon, spice, seaweed, iodine
- Finish: Medium, lemon, menthol
- Alcohol content: 96 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Don’t be fooled by its Islay origin! Classic Laddie is a unique, unpeated malt.
The nose entices with barley, flowers, lemon zest, and a touch of salt. The light palate offers lemon, spice, seaweed, and iodine. The finish lingers with lemon, menthol, and a gentle warmth. Unlike its smokier Islay cousins, Classic Laddie boasts a lighter style, showcasing its complex character and easy drinkability.
Arran 10: Bold & Unfiltered Speyside Single Malt
- Nose: Green apple, honey, caramel, vanilla
- Palate: Orange, apple, oak, vanilla, caramel
- Finish: Medium, oak spice, caramel
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Arran 10, a triple threat: unpeated, uncolored, and unfiltered, offers a rich experience.
The nose entices with green apple, honey, and caramel. The surprisingly creamy palate features orange, apple, oak, and caramel with a warming heat. The finish is spicy and satisfying. This full-bodied malt delivers a robust dram for those who enjoy a kick. Water tames the heat and unlocks more caramel.
Deanston: Bold & Spicy Unfiltered Dram
- Nose: Fruit, vanilla, honey, marzipan
- Palate: Fruit, raisins, honey, ginger, oak
- Finish: Medium, caramel, spice
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Deanston joins the unpeated, uncolored, unfiltered club! The nose bursts with peaches, apricots, vanilla, and marzipan. The viscous palate offers the same fruit notes with honey, ginger, and oak. The finish is warm with caramel, spice, and a touch of bitterness.
This bold, high-proof malt is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of a kick and full-bodied flavors. If you prefer smooth drams, this may be a bit too much.
Macallan 12 Sherry Oak: Sherry-Kissed Luxury
- Nose: Vanilla, dried fruit, oak
- Palate: Vanilla, dried fruit, oak, prune
- Finish: Oak, sherry
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Macallan 12 Sherry Oak skips the smoke for a wide audience appeal. The nose entices with vanilla, dried fruit, and oak. The creamy palate offers warmth and sweetness with vanilla, fruit, oak, and a hint of spice. The finish lingers with sherry and subtle heat.
This complex and smooth 12-year-old Scotch is a great choice for sherry lovers, but be prepared for a premium price tag.
Balvenie 12 DoubleWood: Balanced & Approachable
- Nose: Honey, toffee, vanilla, pear
- Palate: Caramel, apple, citrus, mixed nuts
- Finish: Spicy oak, roasted nuts
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Balvenie 12 DoubleWood entices with ripe fruit, sherry, vanilla, and honey. The creamy palate offers nuts, orange peel, spice, and a touch of sherry. The finish lingers with oak, vanilla, and caramel.
This velvety Speyside single malt is well-balanced, not overly sweet or sherried. It offers a pleasant drinking experience for those who enjoy a smooth dram without peat smoke.
GlenAllachie 12: A Sherry-Kissed Gem
- Nose: Banana, almond, oak
- Palate: Banana, caramel, raisins, chocolate
- Finish: Medium, oak, chocolate
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
GlenAllachie 12 entices with banana, almond, and oak. The creamy palate explodes with ripe banana, caramel, raisin, and chocolate. The smooth finish lingers with oak spice and chocolate.
Matured in sherry and virgin oak casks, this 12-year-old offers delightful sweetness and complexity. Highly recommended for its superb balance and remarkable smoothness, even at 46% ABV.
Quinta Ruban: Luxurious Dark Chocolate Delight
- Nose: Oak, almond, coffee, caramel
- Palate: Chocolate, almonds, blackcurrant, raisins
- Finish: Long, chocolate, berries
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Quinta Ruban entices with oak, almond, caramel, and coffee. The creamy, chewy palate offers dark chocolate, almond, berries, and raisins. The long finish lingers with chocolate and fruit, with a touch of warmth.
This personal favorite is a luxurious single malt, perfectly balanced with delightful chocolate notes. Smooth and satisfying, it offers fantastic value for its price.
Tamdhu 15: Peaty-Free Paradise
- Nose: Dark fruit, coffee, cinnamon, orange peel
- Palate: Christmas Cake, sherry, almond, oak
- Finish: Long, chocolate, dark fruit, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Tamdhu 15 boasts a peat-free profile (vegan-friendly too!). The nose entices with dark fruit, coffee, spice, and orange. The palate offers Christmassy flavors with sherry, almond, and oak. The finish lingers with chocolate, fruit, and a touch of spice.
This complex and smooth single malt offers exceptional quality and a delightful drinking experience, justifying its premium price.
Tobermory: Sherry-Kissed Hidden Gem (under 100 words)
- Nose: Plums, raisins, sultanas, prunes, ginger
- Palate: Ripe fruit, roasted nuts, caramel, brine
- Finish: Fruitcake, sherry, honey
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
This unpeated Tobermory offers a rich sherry influence. The nose entices with plums, raisins, ginger spice. The full-bodied palate explodes with tropical fruit, nuts, caramel, and minerals. The finish lingers with peppery heat, fruitcake, sherry, and honey.
This complex and balanced dram is a hidden gem among single malts, offering impressive quality at a fair price.
GlenDronach 18: Sherry Perfection
- Nose: Sherry, caramel, almond
- Palate: Sherry, caramel, orange zest, almond, chocolate
- Finish: Tobacco, leather
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
GlenDronach 18 explodes with sherry on the nose, followed by hints of caramel and almond. The rich palate mirrors the nose with orange zest and chocolate. The long finish lingers with tobacco and leather, leaving a pleasant warmth.
This full-bodied, smooth single malt is a well-rounded and thought-provoking dram, perfect for savoring. Considered the best GlenDronach by some, it offers an exceptional sherry-aged experience.
Aberlour A’Bunadh: Powerful Sherry Bomb for Scotch Veterans
- Nose: Caramel, brown sugar, fig, oak
- Palate: Chocolate, caramel, black pepper
- Finish: Long, oak spice, baking spice
- Alcohol content: 120 proof (60% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
A favorite high-proof Scotch!
Aberlour A’Bunadh entices with caramel, brown sugar, fig, and oak. The creamy palate offers warmth, pepper, dark chocolate, and baking spice. The long, oaky finish is bold and memorable.
This cask-strength sherry bomb is for serious whisky enthusiasts, offering exceptional value under $100. A splash of water opens it up for easier enjoyment.
How to Choose a Good Unpeated Scotch
- Flavor Profile: Consider what flavors you enjoy – typical malt and sherry flavors or peat and smoke.
- Occasion: Some Scotches are better suited for sipping neat, while others excel in cocktails.
- Proof: Higher-proof whiskies often offer more complexity but may need water or ice to open up the flavors.
- Brand Reputation: Well-known brands often provide a consistent quality, but don’t overlook smaller distilleries.
- Aging: Longer aging typically makes the whisky more complex in flavor.
- Personal Preferences: Ultimately, your taste preference should guide your choice. Whether you prefer a smooth Scotch or one with a peaty kick, there’s something for everyone in this price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a quick FAQ to address your doubts:
What is unpeated Scotch whisky?
- Unpeated Scotch whisky, or non-peated or non-smoky whisky, is a category of single malts that do not use peat smoke during the malting process.
- It offers a distinct flavor profile without the smoky and earthy notes in peated whiskies.
How is it made?
- It is made using malted barley that is dried with hot air instead of peat smoke.
- This allows the natural sweetness and flavors of the barley to shine through, resulting in a different taste profile compared to peated whiskies.
How does it taste?
- They often showcase fruity, sweet, and floral notes.
- The absence of peat smoke allows for a more prominent expression of the barley’s inherent flavors.
- You may find flavors like vanilla, caramel, honey, citrus, orchard fruits, and nutty undertones.
Are unpeated whiskies aged in specific casks?
- Some are aged in specific casks to enhance their flavor profile.
- Sherry casks may add fruity and nutty notes, while bourbon casks can impart vanilla and caramel flavors.
- These aging techniques contribute to the diversity of taste in unpeated Scotch whiskies.
Which distilleries produce these whiskies?
- Several well-known distilleries produce this type of whisky, including Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Balvenie, Deanston, Macallan, and Glengoyne.
- Each distillery brings its unique style and character to this category.
Is it suitable for beginners?
- Yes, they are often considered more approachable for beginners due to their smoother and fruit-forward taste.
- They provide an excellent introduction to single malts without the intense smokiness of peated whiskies.
How to drink it?
- It is best enjoyed neat or with a splash of water to open up the flavors.
- Some whisky drinkers prefer to add a few drops of water to explore the intricate nuances further.
Are they available in various age statements?
- They come in various age statements, from young expressions to older and more mature releases.
- The aging process contributes to the complexity and depth of flavors in the whisky.
Can it be mixed in cocktails?
- While some enjoy using them in cocktails, they are often appreciated for their distinct and well-rounded flavors.
- Sipping them neat or with a touch of water allows you to appreciate their unique taste profiles fully.