What is peaty scotch

But it is also found throughout Ireland, northern England, Scandinavia, and parts of Russia and the U. According to the International Peatland Society, the largest supply of peat can be found in Canada — this is mostly used for horticultural purposes.

People originally used peat as an energy source; it burns similarly to coal, smoky and odorous but consistently. Originally, peat was introduced to whisky by Scots who used it to heat the pot stills. Peat used to be cut from the ground by hand.

Then a long-handled slicer is used to cut through it to form rectangles that kind of look like slices of fudge cake. The whisky drinker eventually makes his or her way to peated whisky, or so it it said.

Exploring those lighter, un-peated expressions which are common to the mainland generally comes first. But why should this be? An atavistic folk memory, like candles and open fires, Christmas trees and stormy nights. Perhaps it is fair to say, then, that peat is so much more than a stylistic trait or a differentiating factor which tempts whisky drinkers to test their mettle. Peat was and still is a defining aspect of Scotch whisky, and we should approach it with reverence and an open mind from the start of our explorations.

Peated whiskies are generally compared using a measure of phenol parts per million PPM. This refers to the quantity of phenols in the malt itself rather than the contents of the finished whisky. Some lighter whiskies might measure up to 20ppm. Bruichladdich have been very active at the other end of the scale with their Octomore whiskies ranging from ppm to over ppm in one case.

The rating is a blunt tool though and whiskies of similar ppm can still taste very different. Actually no. India, Japan and New Zealand all boast peated whiskies of their own so the peat party is certainly not just for the Scots. There are many peated whiskies on offer out there and most bartenders or shops will be able to recommend drams that range across the PPM scale. Skip to content Skip to main menu Menu.

When is World Whisky Day? How can I take part in World Whisky Day? What is World Whisky Day? Octomore and Supernova both hail from Islay, and the island is famous for its peated whiskies.

Many blended whiskies and blended malts feature a little Islay whisky to add some smokiness, but a few blends put smoke first and foremost on the agenda. Peat lovers of the world, start exploring! American distillers are playing around with more inventive barrel finishes, to appealing and distinctive results. Barrel proof whiskies from the U. Search Search.