The Islay peat scale

    Not every Islay whisky is a smoke bomb. Tap a band to see which distilleries sit where. We list phenol figures (ppm) only where the producer publishes one.

    Gentle to smoky

    Unpeated

    Little or no smoke. A gentle way into Islay.

    • Bunnahabhain

      Phenol level not published

      Try: Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

    Depends on the range

    Makes both unpeated and peated whisky.

    • Bruichladdich

      Unpeated Bruichladdich; Port Charlotte around 40 ppm; Octomore releases stated well above 100 ppm

      Try: Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie

    Medium peat

    Noticeable but balanced smoke.

    • Bowmore

      Around 25 ppm phenols in the malt (producer stated)

      Try: Bowmore 12 Year Old

    • Caol Ila

      Phenol level not published

      Try: Caol Ila 12 Year Old

    Heavily peated

    The classic bold Islay smoke.

    • Ardbeg

      Around 55 ppm phenols in the malt (producer stated)

      Try: Ardbeg 10 Year Old

    • Ardnahoe

      Phenol level not published

      Try: Ardnahoe Inaugural Release

    • Kilchoman

      Around 50 ppm for the standard malt; 100% Islay uses lower-peated estate malt

      Try: Kilchoman Machir Bay

    • Lagavulin

      Around 35 ppm phenols in the malt (producer stated)

      Try: Lagavulin 16 Year Old

    • Laphroaig

      Around 40–45 ppm phenols in the malt (producer stated)

      Try: Laphroaig 10 Year Old

    • Port Ellen

      Phenol level not published

      Try: Port Ellen annual limited releases

    • Laggan Bay

      Phenol level not published

    Why ppm isn't the whole story

    Phenol ppm is measured on the malted barley, not in the glass. Distillation cuts, cask type and age all change how smoky the finished whisky tastes. That is why a 35 ppm Lagavulin 16 can taste as rich as some higher-ppm whiskies.

    Read more in the smokiest Islay whisky or start gently with the best Islay whisky for beginners.

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