Which type of whiskey is typically known for its smoky flavor?

Scotch is typically known for its smoky flavor due to the use of peat in the malting process of the barley. Peat, a type of soil made up of decomposed plant material, is burned to dry the malted barley, imparting a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor to the final spirit. This characteristic is especially prevalent in many single malt Scotch whiskies from regions like Islay, which is renowned for its heavily peated expressions.

While other types of whiskey, such as rye and bourbon, have their own unique flavor profiles, they do not typically feature the same smoky notes associated with Scotch. Bourbon is primarily sweet and rich, reflecting its higher corn content, while rye whiskey has a spicier character. Tennessee whiskey is similar to bourbon but includes an additional charcoal filtering step known as the Lincoln County Process, which softens its flavor but does not generally add smokiness. Consequently, Scotch stands out for its well-known smoky qualities.