The Best Whiskies to Celebrate Summer

Whisky doesn’t mix well with many things, specifically driving or operating heavy machinery. However, when it comes to more leisurely summer pursuits like mowing the lawn, surfing, or camping, whisky makes a surprisingly suitable stand-in for the more typical cold beer. So as you head out for summer adventure, always remember to pack your sunscreen—and your whisky.

Here are the best whiskies for summer’s outdoor activities.

For backyard grilling: 

Balcones Brimstone—$74, 84 points Much as Scotland’s whiskies often include peat, American craft distillers have embraced smoke as a native ingredient, with whiskeys boasting mesquite (Whiskey Del Bac) and applewood smoke...