Smooth Whisky

Smooth Whisky

At Lark Distillery, our smooth whisky is made to offer you a flavourful and unique experience. These whiskies are ideal for drinking neat or adding into any cocktail. These are made using the best of traditional methods and the finest local ingredients. 

A smooth whisky can be the perfect introduction to the world of whisky, as these are easy to drink and flavourful. If you’re planning to buy whisky as a gift, choosing a premium Tasmanian whisky is an excellent option. At Lark Distillery, we have been making quality whisky in Tasmania for over thirty years. All our available products are listed in our online shop, and we offer detailed tasting notes on each of our single malt and blended whiskies. Find the best-tasting whisky at our site today.

What is meant by smooth whisky?

A smooth whisky is usually light, and bottled for easy drinking. These types of whisky are ideal for anyone getting started in their whisky journey. Any whisky marked as smooth will usually have a lower ABV (alcohol by volume), making it easier to drink. Many blended whiskies will use a mix of grain and malt spirits. The grain spirits are substantially lighter in colour and flavour and will add to the smooth qualities of any whisky. 

While a smooth whisky is easier to drink for novice whisky drinkers, there is a trade-off in flavour. Blended whisky is best used for making cocktails or drinking it with a mixer (coke, soda water, etc.). However, there are some blended malt whiskies available, and these offer excellent flavours. A blended malt whisky will hold many of the flavours and complexities of a single malt whisky while keeping to the smooth feel of less complex whisky. 

The term smooth is often used in relation to how easy a whisky is to drink neat. It can be a descriptor used when tasting any whisky rather than an actual attribute. You'll find that smooth can replace other descriptions such as light, sweet, or mild. When you're tasting any whisky, the flavours you taste and how the whisky feels in your mouth can add to the entire experience. If the mouthfeel of the whisky is silky, and you can easily detect the flavours without noting a high alcohol content, then you could describe that whisky as smooth. 

Another indicator for a smooth whisky is how long it has spent in oak barrels. Whisky that has matured specifically in oak barrels is smoother than others, and whisky that is matured for a long time will become softer and smoother over time. If you're looking for a complex whisky that showcases flavour, then look for one that has spent many years in oak barrels.

What does smooth whisky taste like?

As there are many qualities for the best smooth whisky, there are no accurate indicators for what they may taste like. A premium whisky suitable for drinking neat and without mixers is often called smooth because you don’t need anything extra to improve the flavours. The best indication of a quality whisky is by tasting it before adding water or other mixers. 

When you taste whisky, you only need a small amount (15 to 30ml). There are three steps to any whisky tasting; these include appearance, aroma, and palette. Pour your whisky taster into a bell or tulip style glass (a Glencairn glass is preferable), and give the whisky a roll around the glass. Have a look at the liquid and consider the colouration. Is it golden, tan, leathery in colour? How does the whisky move around in the glass? Does it appear to move freely, or is it viscous? Take note of what you experienced.

The next step to a whisky tasting is to inhale the aromas. While the whisky is in motion, inhale the vapours. What does the scent remind you about? Are there any familiar aromas? Finally, have a sip, and allow the whisky to flow over your tongue and coat the inside of your mouth. A smooth whisky should have a balanced flavour, and the alcohol won't be overpowering. You can write notes about your tasting experience and then check these notes on further tastings. After a few sessions, you should have a clear picture of what flavours are in that particular whisky.

Where can I buy smooth whisky near me?

The best place to get your easy-drinking whisky is in the Lark Distillery online shop. While it is possible to find a good whisky in most retail liquor stores, you'll find a greater variety available when you shop online. All our whiskies currently available, including our aged whisky, are listed in our online shop, and these can be added to any whisky delivery. 

If you're not sure what’s the best whisky for tasting and would like our whisky recommendations, then you can buy a whisky tasting set. In our tasting sets, you'll receive a collection of our premium Australian whisky. The bottles in these sets are enough to perform a few tastings and provide you with an excellent snapshot of our current whisky releases. 

In addition to our top-shelf whisky, we also make an excellent Australian gin using a selection of Tasmanian botanicals. You can buy our classic and flavoured gin as a single bottle or in a gift pack. All orders placed through our shop will be processed and ready for shipping in one business day. Our packages are shipped using Australia Post, and they arrive at your door in less than five days or ten days for regional areas. We have staff ready and waiting to help out if you need any assistance choosing quality smooth whisky. Our cellar door is open most days, and you're welcome to visit and take a guided whisky flight piloted by our experienced staff.