Smoke & Dagger

Black Bottle traces its roots to the three Graham brothers of Aberdeen, who started as tea merchants in 1879 before turning to whisky. Smoke & Dagger is the fourth release in the experimental Alchemy Series, where Master Blender Julieann Fernandez and her team push the boundaries of blending craft. For this expression, the team added grain to casks previously filled with heavily peated island malt, layering smoke upon smoke into the final blend.

This is an uncompromising whisky. The blend presents itself as a full peat monster—a thick veil of smoke that, given time, reveals substantial depth beneath. Coastal spice, sea spray, and salted caramel drift through the haze, tempering the intensity without softening the core character.

On the palate, smoke leads but doesn't dominate alone: warmth and sweetness thread through, punctuated by crisp spice and a briny edge. The finish is delicate by comparison—smoke drifts away to reveal sweet notes, nutty chocolate, and a lingering pepper that extends the experience without overstaying.