5 Peated Whiskies to Try If You Love Johnnie Walker Black Label

It is hard to rival the legacy or broad appeal of Johnnie Walker Black Label. That said, the sheer range of whisky available today makes it easier than ever to explore familiar flavours through new lenses. If you enjoy Black Label’s gentle smokiness, branching out into similarly peated styles is a natural next step.

Here are five options we recommend. Two are classic choices, followed by three that offer something a little more unexpected.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish, $70

This is a classic Islay dram with a twist. You still get Laphroaig’s unmistakable peat smoke alongside maritime notes of seaweed and tar, but the Oloroso sherry cask finish brings added richness and sweetness. Expect honey, leather, dried fruit, and warm wood alongside the smoke.

If you enjoy the mellow smoky backbone of Johnnie Walker Black Label, this takes things in a fuller, more indulgent direction. I loved this when it first came out, and it still brightens my evening whenever I pour a glass.

Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dhà, $70

Bunnahabhain is best known for its largely unpeated releases, which makes this peated expression something of a departure. Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, it delivers smoke layered with sweetness and gentle spice.

If you enjoy peat but want something less aggressive than a full Islay smoke monster, this offers balance and character in equal measure. I have often referred to it as a ‘baby Lagavulin’. It has plenty of sherry influence, but with a brighter, more driven style that still feels unmistakably Islay.

Ben Nevis Traditional Peated, $62

This Highland peated malt offers a slightly different take on smoke. The peat is present, but without the overt maritime brine you might expect from Islay. Instead, Highland malt sweetness and smoke work together in a more rounded, integrated way.

It is a good next step for those who enjoy peat but want something less extreme. Ben Nevis is also a fascinating distillery more broadly, especially when you explore independent bottlings. It is a great gateway into a world of more idiosyncratic and characterful whiskies, and well worth keeping an eye out for on the shelf.

Penderyn Peated, $60

Peated whisky from Wales is still a surprise to many, which makes this a particularly interesting option. The smoke here is present but restrained, offering subtlety rather than force.

The whisky undergoes secondary maturation in ex-Islay casks that previously held a well-known peated single malt. As a result, the smoke level remains very approachable while still delivering clear peated character.

Penderyn itself is a genuinely interesting distillery, with distinctive still designs and an increasingly confident house style. Welsh whisky is quietly gathering momentum, and this is a good place to start exploring it.

Cotswolds Peated Cask, $79

This English peated single malt is bottled at cask strength and is firmly aimed at the more adventurous drinker. The high ABV amplifies the peat character, while maturation in ex-peated quarter casks adds intensity and depth. It is non-chill filtered and unapologetically bold.

If you enjoy the smoky side of Black Label and are ready to push further into more powerful territory, this delivers. Cotswolds Distillery continues to push boundaries in the right way, producing not only excellent core expressions but consistently impressive limited releases. It is a distillery well worth watching.

Expanding Beyond Johnnie Walker Black Label

If you enjoy smoky, peated whiskies, this selection offers a wide range of experiences. From rich, sherry-finished expressions and balanced peated malts to more unexpected Highland, Welsh, and cask-strength styles, each bottle shows how peat can behave very differently depending on malt, cask, and place.

Together, they provide an approachable but adventurous way to expand your palate while keeping smoke at the heart of each dram. Whether you prefer subtle complexity or bold intensity, this list offers a thoughtful path beyond Johnnie Walker Black Label.