Peated whiskeys are a unique category within the world of whiskey, known for their distinctive smoky flavor profile. While peat is traditionally associated with Scotch whiskies, there are also peated whiskeys produced in other countries, including the United States.
In the American whiskey industry, bourbon is the most well-known and widely produced style. Bourbon must meet certain legal requirements, such as being made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, and distilled to no more than 160 proof. However, within these regulations, there is room for experimentation and innovation, which has led to the creation of peated bourbons.
Peated bourbon is essentially bourbon that has been made with malted barley that has been exposed to peat smoke. Peat is a type of fuel that is commonly used in Scotland to dry malted barley during the malting process. The smoke from burning peat imparts a distinct smoky flavor to the barley, which is then used in the production of whiskey.
One notable example of peated bourbon is the “Peat Monster” from Compass Box, a renowned whisky blending company. They created a unique blend of peated malt whiskies, including some from Islay in Scotland, and then aged it in American oak casks. The result is a peated bourbon with a rich smoky character combined with the sweetness and complexity of traditional bourbon.
Another example is the “Virginia-Highland Whisky” from Virginia Distillery Company. They combine American single malt whisky with peated malt whisky sourced from Scotland to create a peated expression. The peated malt whisky adds a layer of smokiness to the final product, giving it a distinct flavor profile.
It's worth noting that while peated bourbon is a relatively new phenomenon, the use of peat smoke in American whiskey production is not entirely unheard of. In the 18th and 19th centuries, before the rise of bourbon, some American distillers did use peat to dry malted barley. However, as bourbon became the dominant style of American whiskey, the use of peat fell out of favor, and it is only recently that distillers have begun to experiment with peated bourbon again.
Peated whiskeys are not limited to Scotch whiskies. There are also peated bourbons produced in the United States, which adhere to the legal requirements for bourbon but incorporate malted barley that has been exposed to peat smoke. These peated bourbons offer a unique flavor experience, combining the smokiness of peat with the characteristic sweetness and complexity of bourbon.