Ardbeg

On Islay's wild south coast, Ardbeg makes some of the most heavily peated spirit in Scotland — yet its genius is that the smoke never crushes the fruit beneath. Closed and nearly lost in the 1980s, it was revived in 1997 and has since built one of whisky's most devoted followings, its committee bottlings selling out in hours. Expect tarry rope, smoked lime and espresso over a surprisingly sweet, citrusy core.