Smoke and peat are some of whisky’s most distinct characteristics—and Whisky Advocate’s Fall 2018 issue is devoted to all the ways these flavors entice our senses. Travel to Islay to discover how peat makes its way from the bog to the bottle, meeting the cutters, maltsters, distillers, and blenders who shepherd it along the way. Learn to navigate the peat landscape, from unpeated whiskies all the way up to heavy hitters. And explore a different side of familiar whiskies by tasting both their peated and unpeated variants.

There’s more to smoke than just peat. Cigars make a perfect pairing for whisky and other spirits, and our guide will get you matching up sticks and drams in no time. American whiskey distillers are experimenting with smoked grains using native woods like hickory, cherry, and mesquite. The flavor variations are exciting, and nearly endless.

Don’t miss our travel guide to Kansas City, tips on pairing whisky with pie, and an interview with Matthew McConaughey about his role with Wild Turkey. Plus, our Fall Buying Guide features over 130 reviews of scotch (peaty and not), bourbon, and more.