Ardbeg

The most peat-smoked distillery on Islay, an island of eight distilleries off Scotland's west coast known for producing the most intensely flavored Scotch whiskies in the world, Ardbeg was founded in 1815 and has spent periods of closure that near-mythologized its already intense character. Its Ten Year Old expression consistently tops international whisky competitions, outperforming Laphroaig 10 in 70% of blind tastings, and Ardbeg Day, held annually at the distillery, draws enthusiasts from 50 countries.