Smoked Scottish salmon can be produced from wild and farm-raised salmons that fall into the category of Atlantic salmons (Salmo salar). The fish is typically cold-smoked and dry-cured, usually with salt, sugar, or spices. Smoked Scottish salmon will have orange-pink color, tender but firm flesh, and mild flavor and aroma.
The smoking is usually done with oak chips made with old sherry or whisky casks, but adding birch, beech, peat, or heather is also common. The use of traditional techniques and ingredients results in a smoked salmon with unique qualities. Raw Scottish salmon (wild and farmed) is a protected PGI product, but there is no status for the smoked variety.