The Journal
Guides, bottle picks, and whisky knowledge
Explore practical whisky guides, recommendation articles, and flavour-led content designed to help you choose better bottles with more confidence.
Priority reads right now: popular whiskey brands, non-peated whisky, expensive whiskey, and bourbon vs whiskey.
whisky guide
The Most Popular Whiskey Brands in the World
A data-led guide to the most popular whiskey brands in the world, ranked by global case sales, with a clear answer on which brand actually sells the most and why Indian whisky dominates the list.
whisky guide
The Most Popular Whiskey Brands in the World
A data-led guide to the most popular whiskey brands in the world, ranked by global case sales, with a clear answer on which brand actually sells the most and why Indian whisky dominates the list.
flavour guide
The best non-smoky, non-peated Scotch whisky brands
A practical guide to non-peated Scotch and whisky brands for people who want fruit, sweetness, spice, and balance without peat smoke.
buying guide
Most Expensive Whiskey in the World
The most expensive whiskey in the world is usually a rare auction bottle rather than a normal retail release. This guide explains the current record, the bottles that dominate ultra-luxury whisky, and what actually makes them so expensive.
flavour guide
Bourbon vs Whiskey: What's the Difference, and Is All American Whiskey Bourbon?
Bourbon is one type of American whiskey, made under strict US rules: at least 51% corn, new charred oak and nothing added. Here is how it differs from whiskey in general, and from rye, Tennessee, corn and American single malt.
flavour guide
How to Use a Whiskey Smoker, Step by Step
How to use a whiskey smoker, written from my own first sessions with the Aged & Charred Smoke Lid Kit: the steps, how much wood, how long to smoke for, what it does to the taste, and the mistakes I made first time.
buying guide
Lightly Peated Whisky: Gentle Smoky Bottles to Try First
A short ladder of lightly peated whiskies for people who are curious about smoke but wary of it, from Johnnie Walker Black Label and Highland Park 12 up to Talisker, Bowmore and Caol Ila. We say clearly which ones we have tasted.
flavour guide
Peated vs Unpeated Whisky: What's the Difference?
Peated whisky is made from malted barley dried over a peat fire, which adds smoky flavours. Unpeated whisky skips that step. This guide explains what the smoke tastes like, what PPM measures, and how to tell which is which before you buy.
buying guide
The 10 Best Irish Whiskeys in 2026, for Every Budget
Our pick of the ten best Irish whiskeys you can actually buy, covering every style and budget, from a £26 Jameson to Midleton Very Rare, plus a guide to the main Irish whiskey brands.
gift guide
Bourbon Gifts for Men in 2026: The Ones He'll Actually Use
Bourbon gifts for men that get used rather than stored in a cupboard, from a good bottle and proper glasses to Old Fashioned kits, cocktail smokers and bar gifts, organised by budget.
flavour guide
Is Balvenie Peated? The Core Range Explained
Balvenie's familiar core bottles are honeyed and fruit-led rather than smoky, but The Week of Peat is a deliberately peated exception.
flavour guide
Is Bunnahabhain Peated? The Core Range Explained
Bunnahabhain is unusual on Islay because its familiar core style is unpeated, although the distillery also makes clearly labelled peated releases.
flavour guide
Is Johnnie Walker Peated? The Labels Explained
Johnnie Walker cannot be labelled simply peated or unpeated because each blend uses a different balance, from gentle background smoke to smoky Double Black.
flavour guide
Is Aberlour Peated? The Straight Answer
Aberlour's core single malts are unpeated. Their richness comes mainly from Speyside spirit and cask maturation, especially sherry-seasoned oak, rather than peat smoke.
flavour guide
Is Glenmorangie Peated? The Core Range Explained
Glenmorangie's core range is unpeated and known for citrus, vanilla and floral fruit rather than peat smoke, although unusual historic releases mean the bottle still matters.
flavour guide
Jack Daniel's Percentage - What ABV Is Jack Daniel's?
Standard Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 is 40% ABV (80 proof). Here is the alcohol percentage of every bottle in the range, what proof means, and why the number matters when you pour.
buying guide
Best Whiskey Smoker Kits: Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Which whiskey smoker kit should you buy? We compare torch, electric and barrel smokers on design, what's in the box, price and owner feedback, then tell you which one we'd choose.
gift guide
Whisky Gifts for Men - The Best Bottles, Sets and Accessories
The best whisky gifts for men, from crowd-pleasing single malts and smoky Islay bottles to engraved glasses, tasting sets and accessories, organised by budget and the kind of drinker you are buying for.
flavour guide
Whisky or Whiskey? Which Spelling Is Correct, and Why
Both spellings are correct. Whisky is used in Scotland, Wales, Canada, Japan and India; whiskey in Ireland and most of the US. Here is what real labels say, the exceptions, and the surprising history behind the extra e.
buying guide
The Best Single Malt Whisky Bottles
A practical guide to the best single malt whisky bottles by style — from approachable Speyside and Highland malts to heavily peated Islay expressions and beyond Scotland.
cocktail guide
5 Whisky Cocktails You Can Make Today
From an Old Fashioned to a Whisky Sour, these are five easy whisky cocktails you can make today with simple ingredients, clear ratios and practical bottle choices for bourbon, rye and Scotch.
knowledge
What Is Irish Whiskey?
Irish whiskey is a broad category of whiskey made on the island of Ireland, known for its smooth style, varied mash bills and approachable character. This guide explains what Irish whiskey is, what it is made from, how to drink it, what to mix with it, and why names like Bushmills still matter.
whisky knowledge
Does Whisky Go Off?
A clear guide to whether whisky goes off, how long an opened bottle lasts, and how to store it properly so it still tastes its best.
whisky knowledge
What Whisky Glass Should I Use? Glencairn, Tumbler, Copita and More
The right whisky glass depends on how you drink. This guide compares the Glencairn, copita, NEAT glass and tumbler, explains what shape actually does, and tells you which one to buy first.
flavour guide
Different Ways to Enjoy Whisky
A beginner-friendly guide to different ways to enjoy whisky, from cocktails and ice to neat pours, with simple tips to help you find what suits your palate.